Just go to Tranten’s Store if you want the news... I ran into Donette Maynard there and she told me about the special day she had Saturday. For several years she, along with her sisters Regina, Lynette, Blanche and Greta, had gone to the gravesite of the late Chet and Kay Dolbier to place a Christmas wreath, this year they were accompanied by grandchildren Tracy and Shenny, greatgrandchildren Celena, Rylee, Hannah, Lacey and greatgrandson, Damien. “We (John and Donette) make the wreath and then each of the children bring an ornament to put on it,” said Donette. After they finished the decoration they all went to Longfellow’s for lunch and exchanged gifts. “It was the girls’ day out,” said Donette.

Everyone is trying to keep their calendar dates straight as they approach the holiday season. The Stratton-Eustis Lion’s Club is doing the Christmas tree lighting for the town this year on Dec. 5 Everyone is asked to meet at the Stratton Plaza, bring flashlights and enjoy some caroling along with cocoa and cookies from 4:30 to 5 p.m.

If you’re looking for part-time help why not consider little Jazmine Fish who is pictured dumping all the bags full of papers at bingo Saturday night, Nov. 21 helping her Gramma June Delong... what a little worker. (Laura Dunham photo) On Dec. 13 the Lion’s Club members under the direction of Arlene Flick and June Parsons are inviting all seniors in the area over 50 to the Christmas dinner at the Stratton Elementary school at 12 noon. It’s a fun time we have gone for years.

On Dec. 14 the members of the Stratton-Eustis Lion’s Club will meet at the Stratton Plaza for its annual Christmas party.

On Dec. 18 Santa will be at the Stratton Elementary School at 1 p.m. through the Lion’s Club —everyone in grades from kindergarten through eighth grade will get a gift.

The members of the Norton/Wouri American Legion and Auxiliary will hold their Christmas party on Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. at the Legion Hall with a dinner, an exchange of gifts and music by Sonny Perry, a well known gospel and country western singer in Maine.

The Kingfield senior citizens will hold their Christmas party on Dec. 1 at noon at the First Baptist church with a potluck dinner and exchange of gifts.

On Nov. 29 residents of New Portland will meet at 8 a.m. to decorate the bridge all the decorations will be there. According to Judi Wills all you have to be sure of is that you have warm clothing, gloves and a willingness to help.

Janet White, who has served on the board of selectmen for the past 12 years in New Portland, has announced that she will not seek another term at the March town meeting in 2010.

Karen Bessey will hold an evening of comedy on Friday Nov. 27 at 7 p.m. at Nostalgia Tavern to benefit the Alzheimer Association and the Franklin Home Health Care. You may get tickets at the Tavern of by calling Karen at 628-2070.

I enjoy my e-mails from so many people and was glad to hear from Linda McClure who had arrived safely at her winter home in Sun City, Ariz. and that she had enjoyed along the way a visit with her brother, Dewey, and family in Iowa.

I also heard from Tom Cusak and Darlene Schink (a former Kingfield beautician) who were heading for Florida. Was glad to hear that Bob and Ginny Morrell and Floyd and Evelyn Norton had arrived safely in Florida. And good news it won’t be long before Fred and Pat Niidas will be joining them in sunny Florida after Fred’s long illness.

Robert Trippi Jr. from Barnstead New Hampshire has been in town visiting his parents, Bob and Ginny Trippi.

Let’s all send out a card of cheer to Clayton and Hilma Wilbur who celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Nov. 20. Speaking of parties, I am holding an open house for Howard for his 80th birthday at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 29 at the American Legion Hall so come by and say hello. I want to keep it a surprise so will tear out the page in the paper when it comes on Wednesday.

When you’re sending out Christmas cards this year, make sure to send one to a Hero: P.O. Box 5456, Capitol Heights, Maryland 20791-5456.

Sgt. Joseph Corson, stationed at Ft. Carson, Colo., is home after serving a second tour in Iraq and Afghanistan. Corson and his wife, Sarah, have two children, three-year-old Ryan and three-month-old Natalie. Ruth White of Kingfield has returned home after visiting the family for a week in Colorado.

Philip Jones, formerly of Kingfield now of Madison, had not seen his Navy buddy for more than 40 years when Buddy Baker’s daughter-in-law was able to locate Jones through the Skowhegan library Internet and about 10 minutes later, Baker was talking with Jones. Baker came to Maine recently and stayed a week with Jones and guess what he took back to Minnesota said Jones — 700 pounds of lobster.

John and Joann Carey of Barefoot Bay, Fla. and Devine, Colo., former Kingfield residents, have been in the Kingfield area visiting relatives for a month.

My prayers go out to Bessie Corson, Russell Riggs, Vicki Anderson and Diane Pease. Also to Beulah Moore who is in Room 320 A at the Maplecrest Nursing Home in Madison and Mike Malesky, an assessor agent for many of the surrounding towns, who was in a bad car accident on Nov. 10 in Embden, receiving a fractured vertebra. Mike said he would be laid up for about six weeks but felt lucky to be alive.

Mary Henderson from the Dead River Area Historical Society said that the 2010 calendars are ready to purchase for $6 and the cookbooks for $6. The calendar features the Stratton High School Class of 1960 on the cover. Anyone interested in either of the books can call Mary at 246-2271.