The residents of New Portland are urged to attend yet another public hearing on Tuesday June 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the town fire station community room to discuss the outcome of the Central School that is closing this month. According to the town manager Stacie Rundlett, town officials will present to the residents what the Town's Real Estate lawyer thinks about the deeds concerning the property. The town officials will also share with the residents what maintenance needs to be done to the building and the cost to heat the facility. The town officials have met with the heirs of the school property and MSAD #74 and will report on those meetings.

The flags have been put up throughout the villages. It was noted that Judi Wills has donated the flags at the East Village since the flags from last year's bicentennial disappeared. Stacie also thanked her brother-in-law, Wayne Rundlett, and her husband, Brian, for making sure the flags went up. Alice Bixby also donated a flag. There is still a need for flags at the North Village; if anyone would like to donate one they can call the town office.

Becky Taylor, the town's new clerk, said she had learned that if you live in Maine part-time and another town you must license your dog after a 10-day period. There have been reports of someone doing power turns and donuts making it necessary to grade the ruts at the fire station community parking lot and just what can be done about the issue —one solution would be to put in security cameras.

On Saturday, June 6 the Friends of the New Portland Library will hold a baked goods, plant and book sale at the library. Anyone interested in donations of these items can drop them off at the library by 9 a.m. The New Portland Community Book Club will meet on June 11 to discuss the novel, "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle."

There is also no more fire permits issued at the town office; residents must contact Kip Poulin, Brian Rundlett or Kendall Knowles.

Don't forget the fundraising public supper on Friday, June 5 at 4:30 p.m. at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Farmington to raise funds for "Chuckie" Hinkley who is suffering with pancreatitis.

The annual Carrabassett Valley Trappers clinic will be held this weekend June 5 tot 6 at the Happy Horseshoe Campground.

We had a wonderful but brief visit with our daughter, Deb Jordan, in Bar Harbor "enjoying that lobster." One night we stayed in Bangor and met up with Howard's four brothers and sisters, Randy, Rick, Pamela and Bernardette and their families which was a fun evening.

It's great to have Beulah Moore home again after her brief stay at a hospital and nursing home following a car accident.

It was nice to see Janet Williamson Hewitt from Machias who was in Kingfield over Memorial Day to see her brother, Jim Williamson, take part in the Memorial Day Services. It was also good to see Sandy Niemi and Louise Lovejoy back in town; we know summer has arrived.

I hear through the grapevine that Bill and Joanna Gillespie are having a great time on their first vacation in 17 years touring Florida and the Carolinas. I know they will have lots of stories and photos to share when they get home.

It doesn't seem possible but students once again will be graduating from Mt. Abram High School on Friday, June 12 at 7 p.m.

I was so pleased to get the card from friend Barbara Stewart who will be showing "A Pot of Paint," her artwork, at the Stadler Gallery in Kingfield from June 27- July 17; good luck to you Barbara. Barbara is our town librarian.

We were pleased to hear our friends Dick and Gail LaHaye have arrived at their home in Carrabassett Valley for the summer safe and sound.

Judy McCurdy and I had a wonderful time on Saturday going on the tour of New Portland. Those volunteers at the New Portland Historical Society do such a great job including Diane Pease, Marilyn Gorman and Pete Bearor.