I was pleased this week to have a visit from the Maine Special Olympics Director of Programs, Sports and Competition, Mark Capano of New Gloucester. Mark has held his position since 1994. He had been at a Sugarloaf meeting with the Winter Games Director Steve Pierce. Now Steve and I go back to when the Olympic Winter games were first held at the resort in 1980.

One of my favorite stories was the year I was asked along with then Colonel of the Maine State Police, Allen Weeks, to give out the gold, bronze and silver medals. Allen was all dressed in his uniform with medals and as he gave out a gold medal to a little girl in Westbrook he said “I’m Col. Weeks from the Maine State Police,” well, she looked up at him and said, “Well, I’m Jennifer Cook from Westbrook.” Weeks looked at me and said, “Well that put me in my place, I will never praise myself again.”

Director of Programs for the Maine Special Olympics Winter games, Mark Capano of New Gloucester, and Laura Dunham show off the plaque presented to her by Maine Special Olympics founder Mickey Boutilier in 1987 for her news coverage of the event. (Howard Dunham photo) Mark Capano praised the founder of the Maine Special Olympic winter games Mickey Boutilier who will be attending this year’s event for the some 550 athletes from some 80 communities throughout the state. I for one can’t wait to see my old friend. Mickey is not only the ambassador for the Maine games but also for the International games.

Deemed the largest sporting event in the State, we are also looking for additional housing for the athletes and their coaches, said Mark. Right now, about 35 percent of the condos are donated for the three-day event, he added.

Just a reminder: those of you making casseroles or desserts for the Community Potluck supper on Jan. 31 can drop them off at Tranten’s Family Market, Ayotte’s Country Store, Mountainside Grocers and Northland Cash from opening to 1 p.m. or at the East Wing of the Base Lodge from noon until 4 p.m.

What a surprise this past week for the Pepin family in Stratton. It seems that Danny Pepin, a pilot at King Salmon, Ala. walked into the garage at Sugarloaf where his dad, Claude, was working and then walked into his parents’ home unannounced to greet his mom, Donna, and his grandparents, Leo and Lucille Pepin... now that’s the way to do it —Danny just give everyone a heart attack.

And speaking of surprises, Cubby and Sue Fotter got a good one on Saturday night at Sue’s 50th birthday party at the White Wolf Restaurant. Sue said it was the best news yet to learn that she and Cubby would be grandparents for the first time when their son, Rori, and Marion Fotter of Brunswick announced they would be parents. About 60 friends and relatives showed up to wish Sue a happy birthday, including Brett and Mary Strout from Brunswick. Sue was even presented a red hat, “lets see I think it was mine,” from her sister Kim, reminding her “It’s time to join the half century club.”

Get yourself geared up for the New Portland Winterfest to be held at noon on Feb. 6 at the New Portland Firehouse. There will be a snow softball competition, turkey bowling, a nine-hole snow golf contest, skating and a bonfire with toasted marsh mellows. Complete your snow sculpture by noon, said chairman Alicia Wills, and await the judges’ call. For more info call 628-2630.

The soup and chowder tasting contest will be held from 3 to 3:30 p.m. for everyone to enjoy... For more info call Heidi Tolman at 628-2919.

Town manager Staci Rundlett said that the first annual holiday dinner on Dec. 6 for the residents of New Portland went well with about 65 attending. The dinner was funded and hosted by all the town employees. “My goal this year,” said Staci, “is to work even harder to unite our town and community and this can be done by our residents having a chance to gather and grow relationships.”

On Wednesday, Jan. 20, the Friends of the New Portland Library will meet at the library at 6:30 p.m. to do scrap-booking with Shelby Newell. Bring photos and any scrap booking items; refreshments will be available for $3.

What a wonderful tribute in the New Portland newsletter to the late Diane Pease. I have fond memories of Diane who was such a special person and worked so hard in keeping the history of New Portland alive. I will miss her.

Eight of the Central Girls had a great time this past week eating —what else— at Longfellow’s. We look forward to gathering again on Feb. 10 at 11:30 a.m. at the Orange Cat Restaurant.

Cheryl Levasseur and Kelly Lucas, members of Team 10 for the Sugarloaf Charity Summit, are in the process of raising funds to fight cancer and are asking at the Summit event on Saturday, Jan. 30 for donations; even $5 will help fight the battle, both agreed. The women can be contacted at http://www.sugarloaf.com/Events/charity. html click on the “For more information…” section near the bottom of the page. You can find Kelly’s link on the right of the next page.

Don’t forget your mammogram (it certainly is nothing to be afraid of and so necessary} and your shingle shot —I am still fighting mine going into my third year.

What a small world... when Red and Dora Tibbetts of Eustis recently flew to Florida, aboard the same flight was Judy Lambert of Swansville, daughter of Duluth and Betty Wing of Eustis.

My prayers go out to Pete Davenport and to my husband, Howard, who faces surgery on Jan. 27. And welcome home to our friend Sonny Dyer after recuperation from heart surgery.

Now here’s a little joke from my senior friend Charlie Brown. It seems that Charlie was on his way to Farmington recently following an ambulance when a container fell out the back door. Charlie stopped to retrieve the bucket and when he looked inside he found a human toe. What did Charlie do..... what else, “he called a toe truck.”

Speaking of seniors they will meet at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 21 at the Kingfield Elementary School to eat with the students —what a fun time, they love it when I take photos because I can’t spell any of their names.