West Bethel July 1

Today is Canada Day, and the whole country celebrates its sovereignty. Best wishes to our neighbors to the north. Coincidentally, it is also my birthday, so I have decided that the Canadians love me and show it by having their big celebration that day. Seventy-six I am, and proud of every year.

Last week was a busy one for the Pleasant River Grange. On Tuesday they hosted Oxford Pomona Grange at their hall. Then Thursday was the regular meeting for June, and officers were elected for the coming year. Pauline Applin tells me that the grange year differs from the calendar year, with elections held in June and installation ceremonies occurring anytime from then to September. Most of last year’s officers were re-elected.

This past Tuesday Grange members began the set-up of items for sale at the summer flea market. Said Flea Market will open tomorrow and Saturday, July 2 and 3, and will be open each weekend until Labor Day. Once again, I urge you to drop by and peruse the offerings. You’re sure to find that certain something without which you cannot survive another day, and help the Grange at the same time.

On Sunday morning Mike and I, along with Jake, drove out to the Mud City Road, near the schoolhouse on the forest road, for our morning walk. We checked out the blackberry and blueberry crops for future reference. We were also able to pick a nice bouquet of wildflowers—daisies, black-eyed susan, birdfoot trefoil, and yarrow. At first I thought the trefoil was “butter and eggs,” but checking it out in the wildflower book proved me wrong. It was a good day, because I learned something.

Watch for the opening in July of Artistic Endeavors at 312 Mayville Road. This is a new frame shop and gallery owned and operated by Norman Milliard, retired Bethel postmaster, and his partner, Peter Musso. Local artists will be invited to display their work in The Gallery portion of the space.

Bonnie Pooley and I walked the Bethel Pathway on Monday morning, fortunately missing the rain which fell most of the night. It was gratifying to see a trash barrel and a recycling barrel on site at the skateboard park. That’s the good news. The bad news is that I picked up several pieces of trash and three recyclables in the immediate vicinity. At the very least, those who use the facility and want to see it kept up and/or improved should be conscientiously using the recyclable bin, because it is a source of revenue. And everyone should take that extra step or two to dispose properly of trash so that the skateboard facility and the adjoining Davis Park will remain clean and attractive to all.

The pole beans have started their climb up the trellis, the broccoli is harvest size, and little green tomatoes are forming. Our transplanted daylilies are finally budded up and starting to open. The little white birches Mike planted are showing signs of new growth. And we now know that our cherry tree bears sweet cherries. Ergo, I was making some cherry jam on Monday and look forward to the tasting.

I also look forward to hearing from you: dhoeh@megalink.net; 824-2917.