Ever since the Stanley Museum was started in 1981 when only a handful of people showed up in the basement of now the Camden National Bank, I had never had the chance in all those years to ride in a Stanley steam car. Shame on you Sue... but it really wasn’t her fault. I was always too busy taking photos and writing to take the time to “play.” Well, when I told the Hardurg family from Bloomington, Ill. this story, Ron Hardurg said, “I’m unhooking our 1910 Stanley and you are going for a ride.” And what a ride it was; all around town at 35 miles an hour with the steam pouring out. Howard and I were having the time of our lives that Thursday night. Friday that car sold at the auction for $140,000; what a thrill to be the last person to ride in the car before the new owners from Florida took it away.

Now let’s see, what have I got left to do... I thought it was exciting enough to ride for three hours each with Franklin County Sheriff David Simpson, State Trooper Scott Nichols and United State Border Patrolman Dana Cunningham; maybe I should jump out of an airplane (riding with Ron Moody once to a bad accident in Phillips was a little like that). Speaking of our famous former police officer, I talked with Moody this past week trying to fill him up with all the gossip.

Howard and Laura sir in a 1910 Stanley Steam car with owners Ron and Sue Hardurg of Bloomington Illinois taking Laura’s first steam car ride recently. I understand that everyone had a good time at the house warming last Saturday for Carl and Danielle White at their new home on Route 27 in New Portland. There was lots of good food along with lots of friends and relatives to wish the couple well in their new home.

The same with the family lobster party on Saturday at Earland Tripp’s in Coplin Plantation.

Wilma Smith tells me that their son, Nate, is home from the University of Hawaii until August when he will return for his senior year. Nate has been busy while home working at Longfellow’s Restaurant.

Boot Camp Vacation Bible School will be held from Aug. 15 to 19 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Calvary Bible Church in Stratton. All are welcomed for more information call 246-4652.

It seems I made an error when I put in last week’s paper that there would be an open house at the new Border Patrol Station on Thursday, July 22 in Rangeley. The fact is it will only be open by invitation that day according to Border Patrol officials.

The members of the New Portland Alumni Association will meet on Saturday, Aug. 14 with registration from 9:30 to 11 a.m. followed by a meeting and then a potluck dinner at 12:30. This will be followed by a Chinese Auction with door prizes and a 50/50. The event will be held at the New Portland Fire Station Community Room.

In New Portland on Sunday July 25 at 11 a.m., the annual Anglers Worship service will be held. This will be the fifth year that the North New Portland Community Church has hosted the event. The worship service is based on the Anglers worship service held in Bingham by the Rev. Arthur MacDougall. The service, according to Pastor Scott Planting, celebrates the beauty of our region of Maine. Gary Cobb, owner of Cobb’s Pierce Pond Camps will be on hand to deliver his “Cobb’s Camps Fishing Stories.”

On Monday, Aug. 9 at 7 p.m., “The Press Gang” a traditional Irish band will provide live entertainment at the North New Portland Community Church where those attending will be able to see the exterior renovations that have been done to the church by Mike Wales.

Aug. 12 at 6:30 p.m. has been set for the Poetry and Short Story Night at the town library.

On Aug. 27-29 the 2010 Carrabassett Valley Sugarloaf Golf Classic will be held. According to Wendy Darienzzo, over $1 million in financial aid has been raised in the past to help the Carrabassett Valley Academy students and for the Martha B. Webber Scholarship Fund. Anyone interested in attending should call 237-2213.

On Saturday and Sunday, July 24 and 25, the 10th anniversary celebration of the Northern Canoe Trail in Rangeley will be observed with two days of activities. There will be over 14 exhibitors including the Maine Huts and Trails, the United States Coast Guard and Auxiliary and presentations by such organizations as Birds of Prey, Kayak Fishing and Canoe Camping with Kids.

The first ever Franklin County Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance Roundup will be held in Farmington on July 28 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the home of Luann Yetter. If you plan to attend you must call 897-6701 as space is limited.

Fourteen members of the Stratton Strutters Red Hat group met Thursday at the Orange Cat Café, everyone said it was a great time and raved about the food and that “bingo caller,” my granddaughter Jennifer Jordan White. There were lots of prizes and finally even Claire Gagne won after threatening the caller!