This huge Christmas Tree decoration as you can see is on the barn down at what we old timers call the Poor Farm. Quite a sight when lit at night. Some of these I took before it was quite dark so you can get an idea of the design and how it's displayed. It really looks much bigger in person. My digital camera doesn't do a good job of showing the actual size. Larry Costa owns this now and is still in the process of renovating the farm. I think it is going to look real nice when he gets done. I'm sure a lot of time and money has been put into it so far.

Dec. 10th- Looks like it will be a "White Christmas" after all. Paul Andexler shoveling his driveway after the almost foot of snow Andover got. I'm not sure I spelled Paul's last name right.

The Wooden Bowl              (This was sent to me by a friend, good food for thought for us all this Christmas Season) A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four year old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his steps faltered. The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. "We must do something about father," said the son. "I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor." So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometimes he had a tear in h is eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food. The four-year-old watched it all in silence. One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?" Just as sweetly, the boy responded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up." The four year old smiled and went back to work. The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done. That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled. On a positive note, I've learned that, no matter what happens, how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles four things: a rainy day, the elderly, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I've learned that, regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life. I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as making a 'life..' I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back sometimes. I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you But, if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you. I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone. I've learned that I still have a lot to learn. Obviously this doesn't have to apply just to the elderly, but to anyone who's different. Everyone deserves our respect and concern. May we always remember "The Golden Rule".

Welcome To The Andover Journal

The Common Dec. 1st 2009. Will it be a white Christmas?

 

Well November has come and gone. Christmas is around the corner. November to the dismay of many hunters was an unseasonably warm month. Record lows in deer tagging were experienced in towns all over Maine. There also seemed to be far less hunters out there. The combination of deer herds being down and the warm weather made it tough hunting. Also an increase to $5 for tagging a deer was implemented this year, an increase from $1 last year. Of course people who don't hunt enjoyed the unseasonably warm & nice weather. While the evenings got down into the teens, the days were up almost in the 60s on some days. It was also a very dry month. Not really cold enough consistently for ski areas to make much snow without it all melting away. Somehow I have a feeling there is plenty of cold weather and snow still ahead of us.

Ross Swain sent me these copies of old pictures of East Andover- Thanks Ross. Attached is a photo of Dad's (Robert Swain) house taken in 1894. Pictured left to right Mrs. Albert Perkins, Mrs. William Perkins holding Erma Perkins, Floss E. Perkins, & Vard M. Perkins Vard DOB 6/4/1879 Floss DOB 11/16/1883 Erma DOB 1/26/1894 This picture taken from Farmer's Hill Road looking towards East Andover Road. Note blacksmith shop at end of Farmer's Hill Road on left. This aerial photo was taken in 1963 and is a view of Farmer's Hill Road and some of East Andover.

Are you aware of the "Triple E Virus" Outbreak in Maine?

The "Triple E Virus" seems to be spreading across Maine to some degree. Maine has had a number of cases reported and there have been several horses put down that contracted this disease in Maine. In rare cases, it can be deadly to humans. Mosquitoes can carry the disease and infect both humans & animals. For most humans it is not fatal but can be. Some people (like me) think once summer is over we can stop using insect repellants. Due to this outbreak it is recommended to continue to use this right through fall as there are still mosquitoes present especially on warmer days. Long sleeve shirts & pants are recommended for people who work outside or participate in outdoor activities.

For more information on how to protect yourself and others from getting it? Click Here

New Auto Maintenance Garage being built next door to the old "Marston's Garage'. As you can see the new garage will have 3 bays, whereas the old one only had 1. It is my understanding that that's the reason for building this new garage. The old one just wasn't big enough. Should be a nice addition to the town once complete. As you face Marston's Garage this is located on the lot just to the right of the garage.

What Do You Think About Our Government Representatives?

 

July 31st to Aug. 2nd -  Andover Olde Home Days

A Beautiful Day For Olde Home Days. Parade Floats Local Game Warden doing some kind of dance- I'm not sure what. I think maybe it's to keep the rain away. This was the wettest summer on record. He must have done a real good job, cause it didn't rain all day.

July 9th, 2009

Finally a sunny day. The new sidewalks are starting to be put in.

July 3rd, 2009- Will it ever stop raining?

Thank Goodness July is here. Well it's still raining and it has rained for about the last 30 days. For Maine the wettest summer ever on record. Will July bring the sun out?

      The sun came out for a few minutes today. The cat was outside and didn't know what to do, got scared and ran inside. Everyone else in town ran outside to see what was wrong. Was there a meteor shower or was something on fire? Where's that light coming from? Oh No... not sure what it was...ok here comes the rain and thunder storms again. Rumor has it there will be some sun within the next week or so.

Sadly it's been reported that the Andover Wood Products will be closing as of the end of August. This mill has been around since I was a kid growing up. The  wood industry in Maine all over has been hit hard. This will hurt Andover considerably as it's one of Andover's largest sources of tax revenues.

 This is from You Tube but I thought you might enjoy it. Please remember though- moose and wildlife are not pets. So don't try to get close to them. Especially a mother with babies.

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Watch Out For Moose & Deer- Another Moose Suicide

Moose Accident Richard Dubois.

No one was hurt. I would say Very Lucky...I've seen a lot more damage from hitting a moose. Side view mirror gone and damage to side of car and windshield. Brand new car..ouch. Richard & Margie's car.

Moose & Deer accidents are pretty common place in Maine.

Got some old photos of Andover or it's people that you'd like to share? Send them to me so I can put them on the website for all to enjoy! Email a copy to me at spotsb@gmail.com or send me a copy of the photo to Bruce Simmons P.O. box 176 Andover, Maine 04216. I'll be happy to return them to you if you want, just let me know you want them back.