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The Thompson-Ames Historical Society
writes a
weekly news release.
The most recent article is shown below.
You may view previous news releases here...
4/10/06 SPRING IS TRANSITIONING IN -- at last!
The transition times of the year always engender mixed emotions, and this year’s winter-into-spring is no different.
The warmer nights have brought the maple-sugaring season at Bolduc Farm to a close. The wall chart in the sugarhouse indicates that this year’s run was better than that of 2005. Ernie Bolduc attributes the greater yield to the unseasonably warm days of February when Ernie, his brother Armand and some of their friends decided to tap into the early flow of sap in the maples.
“Some folks were debating whether or not to start tapping that early,” remarked Ernie recently, “but our decision to go with the flow of nature didn’t harm the trees and, in the end, yielded about a 1/3 increase over 2005.”
-- Of course, until maple-sugaring season rolls around next winter-into-spring, we’ll be enjoying this year’s plentiful and delicious “liquid gold” produced by congenial folk in 2006.
Our flower-garden spots, warmed by recent golden sunlight, show the labors of this past fall as well as labors of many years past. Often some of the first to poke through the warming earth are shoots from daffodil bulbs and crocus bulbs. While the crocuses blossom each day with their hues of yellow, purple, white and combinations of shades, the daffodil leaves swell to reveal developing buds preparing to burst forth and sway in the spring breezes. New to my garden this year are diminutive early snow crocuses that are sure to be part of all my future gardening endeavors! --
I truly miss a clump of orchid-colored crocuses that was one of my early signs of spring each year. Perhaps a mole or the garden-resident chipmunk had a crocus-bulb feast during the winter. When I attempt to replace that set of bulbs next autumn, I’ll be sure to mix some ground oyster shells in the surrounding earth to give some protection to the bulbs.
Spring cleaning, indoors and out, has brought out Gilford’s historical society folk who know that Kathy Lacroix, T-AHS’s Education Coordinator, plans each year, when May rolls around, for the start of field trips for Gilford students in kindergarten and grade three. Lloyd Ekholm was seen raking up leaves for about three hours the first day of April. But that didn’t keep him away on Saturday, April 8th, when folks gathered to do more spring cleaning.
Cleaning the Grange’s vintage windows was first on the list but the cold wind was too much to bear. Cleaning indoors seemed a better idea, so down to the Rowe House everyone went. Lloyd started on the parlor while Judy DalPan and Carmel Lancia tackled the pantry. Cleaning fumes soon drove Judy out of the pantry; she joined Lloyd to sparkle the parlor, including the windows. Meanwhile upstairs a matter of house flies was being tackled by Dale DalPan, Ed LaSala, Stan Piper, Herb Riley and his son Casey. When I came on the scene, my attention focused on reorganizing the storage closets. -- Fortunately, there are a couple more Saturdays left in April for spring-cleaning efforts to continue!
Saturday morning, April 15th will see interested folks gathering for the regular monthly meeting of T-AHS’s “Heritage Arts Bee”. It will be a transitory meeting with some folks continuing to work on rug braiding and rug hooking while others will venture out into different media, such as knitting, crocheting, needle-point, etc. Themes chosen reflect current interests. Take for example, the rug-hooking piece that Carol Anderson has been displaying recently. (See accompanying photo.) Is it a precursor to the most recent undertaking of her and her children, Sarah and Dean? April is the month when the object of their attention has grown to include raising young chicks that will grow up to provide eggs for the entire family to eat! -- For further information about “Heritage Arts Bees”, do call Carol Anderson (293-1137), Kathy Lacroix (524-3390), or Carol Dale (293-4113). T-AHS’s Bees, which are held the third Saturday morning of each month, January through October, are a fun get-together time when heritage arts are combined with the camaraderie of friendly socializing and light refreshments.
Copies of Thompson-Ames Historical Society’s current flyer “2006 Programs & Events” are available by sending requests to the Society via telephone (527-9009) or via e-mail (thomames@worldpath.net). A calendar list is also included on Thompson-Ames Historical Society’s website (www.gilfordhistoricalsociety.org).
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