What fun all of us “Central Girls” had at the home of Carol McLaughlin on Wednesday, Dec. 16. About 10 of us took part in the game Carol came up with, just how much did it cost for the 12 days of Christmas, which included two turtle doves, five gold rings, seven swans a swimming and 12 drummers drumming? Well, I sure was at a lost for a figure and came up with $13,500 —I sure was not even close. Marilyn Gorman of New Portland came in the closest with a cost of $20,000 now what I don’t understand how did anyone know that the correct figure was $21,466 as reported on the Internet? I won a prize for having the most red clothing, Lena Knapp of Kingfield had the right dinner plate with a Christmas sticker that won her a prize and Muriel Handrahan of New Portland found the pickle on the Christmas tree and won a prize.

I hope everyone is utilizing the local thrift shops this time of year. The one at the West Village next to the church is open Saturday mornings and has many useful items. I picked up a new winter coat for Howard (a Woolwich) for $2 and later we found in the pocket a receipt for the sale of the coat in 1991 paid for by VISA at $130. So you see you can find a great buy.

Marilyn Gorham of New Portland (left) is pictured with Carol McLaughlin, the hostess at the Central Girls’ gathering held on Wednesday, Dec. 16, at McLaughlin’s home in North Anson. (Laura Dunham photo) Two very unusual things happened this past week on the same day. I received a letter addressed to Everett Jordan in care of me at my address from the White House. I took the letter over to Everett and much to his delight it was a beautiful card expressing their condolences for the loss of Everett’s wife, Vange, from President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle. I kind of forgot I had written the president last fall. Then Richard Verney (Vange Jordan’s brother) called from Alna after reading the article about Howard being in the movie “Red Ball Express” and said he was in the movie too... well we were shocked as we have been friends with Richard and Phyllis for more than 30 years and never knew this. So it sure is a small world.

Santa Claus is sure alive in Stratton. Friday, Dec. 18 Santa (Stratton-Eustis Lion’s Club King Lion Bruce Marcoux) and his elves, June Parsons, Arlene Flick and Vivian Lawrence, went to the Stratton Elementary School and visited all the children, kindergarten through eighth grade, giving them each a present. One little girl asked if she could pinch Santa to see if he was real well Santa pinched her back and that convinced her that he was very much real. This is Bruce’s third year visiting the Stratton school (of course it helps to have those white whiskers).

It’s that time of year when you really want to help those less fortunate and Howard and I had that opportunity this past week when a young mother of four broke down on our road and walked to our house for help. She was so cold I fixed her hot tea and muffins and assured her everything would be all right. We called the wrecker but lo and behold Howard was able to fix the wheel on the truck sending her on her way home to her family. What disturbed her and both of us too was that five cars went by this young woman and didn’t even stop to help.

My heart aches this week for our friends Bert and Alice Dyer of New Portland. The couple learned on Saturday that Alice’s daughter’s husband, Robert Cameron, of Brewer had died at the age of 49. The couple had young children which makes it all the more difficult during the holiday season.

My prayers also go out to our friend former Kingfield resident Sonny Dyer who has been hospitalized with heart surgery. Sonny has been with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department for the past 18 years as corrections officer.

Nate Smith son of Babe and Wilma Smith is home for a couple of weeks from the University of Hawaii.

Get your dancing shoes on and come to the Norton Wuori American Legion Hall on New Year’s Eve to hear the sounds of Sonny Perry and the Tennessee Two music from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. just call Lorraine Savage or me for a reservations.

My prayers go out to Tom Bessey who fell on the ice this week. And also home on leave from the United State Army at Ft. Gordan, Ga., is Clinton Phillips and his wife, Katherine Farnsworth Phillips. The couple will be spending two weeks with Farnsworth’s parents, Peter and Sharon Farnsworth in Coburn Gore.