Recently, at the 77th annual New Portland Fair, I had a chance to sit down and talk with Emmons and Barbara Pinkham at the exhibit on Lexington in the Exhibition Hall. Emmons had on hand his new book just recently released titled “A Lexington Lad.”

The book is based during the 1930s to the 1950s when Emmons resided in Lexington, some 18 years. I sure can relate to Emmons as we both had similar lives living on a farm without running water and electricity. Emmons, the son of the late David and Eunice Pinkham, was one of 12 children (two died at infancy). He was born in 1933, graduated from Central High School in New Portland in 1951 and then went on to graduate from Farmington State Teachers College. It was there that Emmons met “his bride,” Barbara Wilson, with them getting married in 1954. Emmons served in the United States Army for two years and then taught in several schools throughout Central Maine and supervised student teaching for the University of Maine at Farmington in Waterville for eight years. In 1986 Emmons and Barbara moved to Kingfield where Emmons accepted the position Superintendent of Schools for MSAD #58; Barbara worked at Kingfield Savings Bank. The couple also owned and operated Tab’s Restaurant on Upper Main Street while in Kingfield. In his last three years in the education field, Emmons served as the Superintendent of the Livermore Falls schools.

Emmons Pinkham, who was born in Lexington, has just released his new book, “A Lexington Lad.” (Laura Dunham photo) Emmons’ book describes the family genealogy, the chores that needed to be done on the farm, family stories and other events. Anyone interested in purchasing the book may e-mail Emmons at pinkeb@roadrunner.com or call him at 465-8238. The proceeds from the book will go toward the building of the History House in Lexington, said Emmons.

Jim and Linda Taylor have offered a piece of land near the Lydia Boynton Corner where Chesley and Ina Pinkham used to live. A building committee representing the Lexington Historical Society is finalizing a plan for the construction of the building. In addition to the donation of the land, the offer of donated lumber, beams and windows makes the project more feasible, said Emmons.

Fundraising efforts have been initiated to provide Phase One of the building project to include permit fees, site development, foundation work and utility lines, projected to cost about $12,000. With $2,000 raised so far, an appeal is being made for contributions to the Capital Campaign to make the project a reality. Anyone interested in helping with the project can contact Emmons or David Miller at 628-3684.

Donations of Lexington memorabilia are now being accepted. “Already we have been given an early Lexington cook stove donated by Buster and Judy Pinkham and a slate sink donated by Darryl and Sandra Strickland,” said Emmons. The committee for the proposed History House hopes to be able to display an early period kitchen in the new house. The group has also researched former early residents of Lexington and hope to be able to obtain family history or photographs. “We envision the final project to include a biographical sketch of each early Lexington resident,” said Emmons. He urges anyone who has any items from the history of Lexington that they would like to donate, to please contact him.

The Dead River Area Historical Society will be open on Saturday, Oct. 10 from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. The 2010 calendars will be on sale with many exhibits available for viewing.

I spoke with Cindy Charles this week at the post office. What a wonderful time she and her daughter, Lindsey, had for two weeks touring Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast of Italy. Cindy and her husband, Kenric, have reason to be so proud of their daughter. Lindsey is a 1999 graduate of Mt. Abram High School, a 2003 graduate of Notre Dame and just graduated in the top 20 percent of her class from Boston College. Lindsey has taken her Massachusetts bar exams and will be working for the National Rifle Association in Fairfax, Va. as an attorney helping with litigation cases for one year before returning to the Boston firm of Goodwin and Procter.

It was good to talk with Beulah Moore this week and know that she is home again.