One day recently I saw Debbie Robinson, of Kingfield, who is a nurse at Edgewood Rehabilitation and Living Center in Farmington and she told me that one of the residents there "had only one wish and that was to meet me." Well, I was not only honored but just wanted to get there as soon as possible.

Last Monday, Howard and I went into the assisted living home and were directed to the room of Virginia Buotte, 70 years old, who has lived at the center for the past six months. What a welcome! Virginia hugged and hugged me telling me that she had been following my writings for more than 30 years. "We almost made a connection about six years ago," she said, reminding me of the pet fawn named Mikey that came out onto the construction on Route 27 near the Natanis Point Campground at Hazen Bog. "It was so tame we would go and see it," she said. She called me and we talked about the deer and that's how she got into reading the Irregular which she looks forward to getting now every week.

As I was scanning though my scrapbooks from 2003, I found the note in my column that week about the deer and Virginia and how upset everyone was at the campground when the Game Warden Service killed the buck. "Every night I would give the deer a bottle of Gatorade and it would eat right out of my hand." At that time plans were made to erect a sign designating that point "Mikey's Corner." Virginia and her late husband, Nelson, had their camper at Natanis Point Campground at Chain of Ponds for over 30 years.

Laura Dunham and her "long lost admirer Virginia Buotte," who resides at the Assistant Living Unit at the Edgewood Rehabilitation Center in Farmington. (Howard Dunham photo) It appears that Virginia and I also have something else in common, we are both Red Hatters. Virginia is a member of the Red Hot Mamas of Western Maine and showed me many of her favorite red hat items she has with her at the living center, including a handmade yarn doll. "I have over 35 red hats at home," said Virginia, who plans to start a Red Hat group at the rehabilitation center.

Virginia was a CNA and an EMT on the ambulance service in the Rumford and Bethel area. Although she suffered a stroke and other problems, she spends her days helping others "those who can't see or walk" and are less fortunate then her. She is a bright spot; just ask any of the nurses. When I called her this week... she had been out in the garden that is tended by those in the facility —picking fresh beans and other vegetables for the kitchen. What a lady! I look forward to my next visit.

Fill in your calendar the date of Aug. 19 at 7 p.m. when Sonny Perry and the Road to Jericho Southern Gospel Music Band will be "knocking down the walls" with your favorite gospel songs at the Kingfield United Methodist Church on High Street. A potluck supper will be held at 6 p.m. The four-piece band will be playing all of your favorite songs including "Daddy Sings Bass" and the "Old Rugged Cross."

On Friday, Aug. 14 the Kingfield and New Portland fire departments will be hosting a chicken barbecue dinner at the New Portland Fire Station from 4 to 7 p.m. The cost is $8 and the dinner will include chicken, corn on the cob, coleslaw, rolls, drink and desert. Everyone is urged to come out and support these two fire departments. It's sure to be a help having the United Bikers of Maine in town over the weekend.

On Aug. 22 the New Portland Community Library will be holding its annual fundraising Lawn Sale from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. on the lawn of the New Portland Fire Department. Spaces are still available by calling 628- 2072 or 628-3061. Baked goods, gently used books and a mouth watering lunch will be on sale.

On Aug. 13 at 6:30 p.m. the New Portland Community Book Club will read "Away from Her," by Alice Munro. All are welcomed to the meetings which are held at the library next to the town office.

I was so pleased to see my classmate Fary Young MacFarland who is here from Searcy, Ark. for a month. Of course we enjoyed playing bingo together on Saturday night. On Wednesday the Central girls including Fay will be going to Augusta for lunch and then to the State Museum, meeting in Farmington at Park and Ride at 10 a.m.

On Thursday, the Red Snappers will go to the home of Marge McHugh at 4 p.m. on Porter Lake for a potluck supper and a ride on the party boat.

I spoke with Ruth White, who has a new great-granddaughter, Natalie Jane Corson, born July 29, the daughter of Joseph and Sarah Corson who live in Colorado.

Of course I am a big American Idol fan, so I read with interest the long story in the newspaper (The Ellsworth American) about the wedding of American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi and former Mt. Abram High School graduate and Phillips native Mike McCuddy. And of course I was also proud of the fact that my very own Chelcey Dunham and niece, Suzanne Dunham, did the flowers for the wedding.

My prayers go out to my red hat sister Nadia Woodcock who is in the hospital... get well soon Naida. My prayers also go out to Becky Brown.