Page 33 - Spring 2026

Class News, continued...

As for me, I’ve been keeping Bickford, who keeps me in the series, Renee Ballard series. them in the cooler at Albert
up with my usual traditions. I loop. • Phillip Kerr, hero is Bernie Fitzpatrick’s roadside stand.
spent Thanksgiving in Brook- Looking forward to sharing Gunther, a Berlin cop, pre- Mac’s jam making spurred
lyn with my daughter Katie more updates next time—and WW II. me to collect beach plums
and her husband. Katie is a as always, keep the news and making beach plum jam,
wonderful host and always coming! But the two books I ask every- a rarity. Since I’m basically
makes sure we pack in plen- one who reads this column retired from maple syrup
ty—Broadway shows, sight- From Dick Denton: to read and respond to in this operations, beach plum jam
seeing, and more. This year, How did you spend your win- Newsletter are: Amor Towles’ is my newest endeavor. Hard
my daughter Peggy and her ter months -- Houlton, Spain, “Lincoln Highway” and Ruta to find, difficult to process, a
husband even drove down FL, AZ? Sue and I attended 25 Sepetys’ “Salt to the Sea”. pain, but yummy.
from Toronto to join us, which high school basketball games, There’s the challenge! Happy Mac told me that Elm Tree
made it extra special. early December scrimmag- Summer! Diner had a fire and is closed
Christmas was just as full. I es to state finals on March As a part of retrieving news again. Hard to remember
spent a few days in Toronto 13th. What a fabulous way to for this column, I spoke with how hard Brenda and Caleb
with Peggy, and my son Ryan spend our winter. Our junior Mac Eleiott, near the end of worked making Elm Tree a
and his daughter Eliza made grandson starts and stars March. Since we are both Houlton staple. I think they
the trip up from Kentucky to for our regional high school. farmers at heart, current virtually lived there. The Pit
join us. We filled the time with Who joined us for the Final weather is our first subject. Stop, on the corner of Station
movies, restaurants, and a bit Four games -- John and Linda, One day light snow, next Road and Route 1 in Littleton,
of sightseeing, just a really of course. Always great to be day sun, then a little snow is open again under guidance
nice time together. with them, dining, cheering, and cold followed by hints from Monticello interests.
or razzing the refs! of spring; Houlton weather Grammy’s remains closed.
This time of year also means sounds like Northeast Mas-
the start of rehearsals for Yes, my previously mentioned sachusetts, two weeks prior. Speaking of food, Mac had a
the community band as we dual caregiving responsi- Spring snow used to be called bean pot underway on the
get ready for our summer bilities continue. I’ve been “poor man’s fertilizer.” Maybe wood stove. I was glad to
concerts. We rehearse weekly supporting our family friend a harsher term is used today. hear that he’d added bacon
through mid-June, and then for a year; she’s now 102! At strips, which is the way I bake
the concerts begin. If you home, I’m chief cook and Editor’s Note: That’s what my beans too. He noted use of a
happen to be in town over the bottle washer. relatives always called it and I soap stone to moderate the
summer, come join us Thurs- My reading has suffered due do have a harsher term for it, stove’s heat. Great tradition
day evenings from 7–8 p.m. at to lack of time and too few Dick. from prior centuries. What’s
Monument Park. This will be new books. That said, I want Mac and Molly are well; he’s better than homemade
our 41st year of summer con- to share and recommend my decorated the tree out front biscuits with beans. Mac has
certs—hard to believe. We’d favorite authors: with 50 or more plastic eggs a recipe, and I hope to get a
love to see you there. awaiting the Easter Bunny copy. Warm weather’s coming!
• Daniel Silva, his mystery
And finally, Mary and I want solver is Gabriel Alon, for- and welcoming Spring. From John and Linda Carson:
to say how much we appre- mer Mossad. Mac continues to be a care- After 54 years in the home we
ciate Dick Denton and John • John Sandler, his crime giver visiting our classmate built in Chelmsford MA, we
Carson for continuing to help fighter is Virgil of Flowers, Charlie Stevens at Madigan decided to move to a cottage
gather news for the alumni Minnesotan. Estates and our mutual RCI at a CCRC (Continuing Care
magazine. I must admit, I friend Gene Kilpatrick. Residential Community) just
usually have a bit of an inside • Paul Dorian, writes exploits While the rest of Aroostook across the border in Nashua
track on John and Linda of Mike Bowditch, Maine thinks potatoes, Mac is NH. We’re sorry to leave but
Carson’s whereabouts—I’m Game Warden. thinking about his raspberry feel that it’s the right move for
neighbors at East Grand • Michael Connelly, Lincoln us at this time in our lives.
Lake with John’s sister, Mary Lawyer series, Harry Bosch patch. In season you can find

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