It's with a heavy heart that I write my column this week remembering my dear friend Vange Jordan who passed away on Sunday. It's extremely hard when a family like Vange and Everett Jordan, who were so a part of the Kingfield community, break apart without warning. We had many wonderful times together, Howard and I with Vange and Everett, and the best part we shared: three beautiful grandchildren together. I remember the day our children got married, Vange and I danced around her kitchen with Vange saying, "We're sisters now." So now my prayers go out to all of Vange's family especially to our dear friend Everett who is so lucky to have such a loving family at his side during this difficult time.

My prayers also go out to Beulah Moore at Maplecrest Nursing Home in Madison, to my friend Becky Brown and to Jean Lovejoy and another dear friend, Carol Gray.

This is that time of year when friends and family are traveling. I spoke with Brammie Cook and her daughter, Nina Silitch, who is here with her sons, Birken and Anders, from Chamonis, France, visiting for a few weeks with her parents Warren and Brammie Cook, of course I missed seeing those beautiful boys (who were playing at the park) but I know what a joy it must be for Warren and Brammie to have them home.

There is not enough I can say about this year's Kingfield POPS; the Casco Bay Band Concert was "out of this world" and the making of the concert.

I guess you could say I had the tables turned on me the night of the POPS when Christopher Paradis of Stratton and Portland came over to where we were sitting and asked if he could take a photo of Howard and I... Now I had never seen Mr. Paradis before but he said he had been following me as a writer for years and had always wanted to meet me.... You can imagine my dismay as he took the photo.

I can't begin to tell you how pleased I was to see Scotty Nichols who was home on leave from Ft. Bragg, N.C. My heart goes out to Scott and Lorna Nichols as Scott will leave in August for a tour of duty in Afghanistan and their daughter, Katie, who joined the Air National Guard in Bangor, will be deployed to Iraq in January, what a worry for any parent.

Speaking of my friends Scott and Lorna, I heard they went and "re-upped." Scott called for another 25 years after celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary over the July 4 holiday. The couple renewed their vows at their home in New Sharon... it couldn't happen to a nicer couple.

Well no wonder Cis Stanley has had to "take to her bed!" Cis has had all five of her children home "in and out" for 10 days. Jim and Marlene Bunker were here from Fuquay Varina, N.C., Randy and Lynn Stanley and two sons, Joseph and Evan, from Broad Brook, Conn., Reid and Cathy Stanley and daughters Brittany and K.C along with their friend Matt Savage of Benedicta, Drew of Kingfield, Dean and Annette and children Connor, Allison, Emily, Sarah and Declan of Strong and Cis's granddaughter Jamie and husband, Tony Blalock, and her great-granddaughter Kirsten of Willow Springs, N.C. It was the first time in three years that she was able to get a photograph of all five of her children, said Cis. "It was a riot on Sunday morning having over 20 for breakfast and 15 for supper in the same night," said Cis. "You might say I had the Pops concert right here," added Cis.

At the New Portland town office they have been flooded with calls from concerned residents regarding the traffic flow on Rt. 146 (the River Road) and the Katie's Crotch Road. Selectmen and the town manager Stacie Rundlett have been in contact with DOT regarding the heavy flow of traffic since the bridge was closed on Route 16 for repairs. Town officials are also concerned with the heavy truck traffic and encourage those using the road to be more aware of "the other driver." If anyone would like to contact the DOT office with their concerns, it can be reached at 562-4228.