Laura Dunham gives Laura Lopez the commemorative coin this week that Dunham had kept for Lopez for the past 19 years. (Alex Lopez photo) It was 19 years ago that a new Maine State Trooper (Mark Lopez) was living in Kingfield and rushed into my bingo game in Skowhegan telling me that he was the father of a new baby girl. Well I'll never forget that night, I was waiting for O-62 for a $250 game and I told Mark I couldn't talk right then but he kept on saying, "Ask me what we called the baby," and as he said, "Laura," they called "O-62." What a night, well I bought a one-of-a-kind commemorative coin in a case for Laura and decided when she got older I would give it to her. Last Friday I took the coin to her. What a wonderful young lady this "baby" has become. Laura is now in her second year of college at the Heartland Bible College in Oklahoma. I'm not sure if this dates me or does the time just fly by?

If you don't know what to do with all those Christmas cards you got, then cut off the front of them and take them to a nursing home... the patients love to look at them. I took a bundle over to Edgewood Nursing Home on Sunday. I was so surprised to see Lester Tolman of Strong there. Lester, a retired DOT employee, was a frequent customer at the Kingfield Woodsman Restaurant. Lester has been in rehabilitation at the nursing home and will go to Portland on Sunday for more surgery following a fall from his roof three weeks ago. Anyone who wishes can send a card to Lester at 159 Main Street in Strong. He said he expected to be out of commission for at least seven months.

I ran into Sou Hayes of Carrabassett Valley this week at the Woodsman. Sou is in her last semester of the Master's Program in Rehabilitation Counseling at Southern University in Baton Rouge, La., and plans to return to Maine and seek employment in the Vocational Rehabilitation Field. Sou is a member of the National Honor Society.

My Red Hat sister, Sally Edgerly, told me this week that she enjoyed a telephone call from Kingfield's former physician, Dr. Burton Covert, who lives in Elk, Wash. Anna Smart, formerly of Stratton, and Sally were former employees of the doctor when he had his office here in Kingfield back in the 50s and 60s. I have fond memories of Dr. Covert who was my doctor when our Debbie was born in Farmington. All the time I was in labor he and Howard were just discussing all the snow we had then in February back in 1955.

In New Portland it was noted by the new town manager, Stacie Rundlett, that Mary Hutchins is no longer with the town as town clerk and has resigned due to personal reasons. Judi Wills commended Hutchins for her many years of service to the town. Rundlett has been appointed town clerk by the selectmen until the March town meeting. All nomination papers must be turned into the town office by Jan. 20. Offices open are: town clerk, 3- year term; town selectmen, three-year term; and school board, three year term.

Rundlett also urged all dog owners to pay their dog licenses before Jan. 29. After that the state will impose late fees. The New Portland Community Library Book Club will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the library on Jan. 8 to discuss William Faulkner's novel "As I lay Dying."

Selectmen also urged people not to park overnight at the town office as it makes it hard to plow. Selectmen also remind people it is illegal to plow snow across a public road. Don't forget that the Wire Bridge Thrift Shop is open every Saturday at the West Village in New Portland from 10 a.m. to noon with many wonderful winter clothing, bedding, ice skates, shoes, toy items at a low price.

The Central Girls will meet at noon at Longfellow's Restaurant on Jan. 14.

There are so many people in our community that need our prayers right now... my thoughts go out to Fred and Pat Niidas, Victor Nichols, Mary Daggett, Rod Dunham, our friend Dick Chandler and all of those who keep Howard in their prayers.