Lovell

LOVELL — Happy New Year! I’ll start with some old news and then updates. Our granddaughter Tanner and her boyfriend Dylan from West Paris spent Christmas night with us and we all ate, had presents and had a good time.

Julie Pratt stayed with me all day on December 29. Her five-year-old sister Kayla spent the first hour with us. Also, Candy Howard and dog Spirit visited from Albany Township.

Russell Allen went shopping on December 31, in North Conway.

Cathy Stone ran errands and did some shopping on December 31.

Robin Taylor Chiarello from New Jersey and Center Lovell, author of “The Blue Lobster,” a children's book, was a winner at the New England Book Festival. Robin will be presented with an award on January 14, in Boston. Congratulations, Robin!

Jaimie, Julie and Kayla Pratt went to their dad’s in Massachusetts for New Years.

There are many programs and exciting things for young and old alike happening at the library beginning January 9. The children’s programs are Preschool Story Time on Mondays at 10 a.m., Mouse Paint Story Time for grades K, one and two is Mondays, from 2:45 to 4 p.m., Charlotte’s Web for grades three and up is Wednesdays, from 2:45 to 4 p.m.

For adults, cribbage returned on January 4, and is every Wednesday, from 9:30 to noon. There there is the adult book discussion series on Monday, January 9, at 1 p.m. A gardener’s get together will be at noon on January 19. Bring a bag lunch and join in to plan the year's activities and be a new member. It’s an informal group that learns a great deal from one another.

The monthly speaker program will be Thursday, January 26, at 2 p.m. and the speaker will be Robert C. Williams who will discuss his latest book “The Historian’s Toolbox: A Student’s Guide to the Theory and Craft of History.”

All library closings and program cancellations due to bad weather will be listed on the home page of the library website at www.hobbslibrary.org or call the library at 925-3177. Remember children’s programs will always be canceled if school is closed or may be canceled if it is snowing on a regular school day. When snowing, the library will remain open based on staffing.

In just two weeks the library has received more than $14,000 from its annual appeal.

Recently, Anna Tupaj, granddaughter of Al and Jacky Stearns, won first prize for a speech she gave in Chinese on the topic of “Why I Like Studying at Beijing 80 High School.” She was recognized at the November 14 Monday morning flag raising ceremony attended by Beijing 80 teachers and students. Belated congratulations to Anna for her efforts and for representing NSL1-4 and the international department of the rest of the school.

The Girl Scout cookie sale starts January 9, and ends January 20, with delivery the week of March 3.

All Lovell Girl Scout troops are up and running and still have openings. An assistant leader is still needed for Brownie Troop 3149 which meets on Tuesdays from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at New Suncook School and has 11 second and third grade girls registered. Daisy Troop 146 has been busy making sit-upons and working on their Daisy petals.

Brownies recently made cards and have been working on a try-it. Juniors finished their drawing badge and made Christmas cards for the community food baskets. The Teen Troop has been busy finishing requirements for their dinner party badge, baking and decorating Christmas cookies.

A special thank you to the Lovell VFW Auxiliary for a donation to purchase Junior uniforms and insignia. All girls in the Junior Troop will now have vests to wear.

Teen Troop 58 is continuing their returnables collection at the church or donations may be left at Woitko’s Redemption Center on McNeil Road. Just ask that Girl Scout Troop 58 be credited.

Boy Scout Troop 155 holds its meetings at the Lovell United Church of Christ on Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. The boys recently went to the Fryeburg Shooting Range to practice and learn about gun safety. As a service project the boys spent time cleaning up the shooting range area.

Tentative plans for the middle school boys are to continue with the regular Boy Scout schedule. The high school age boys may be participating in a Scout Reach program at Fryeburg Academy. Stay tuned for further information. If you are interested in joining or know of any boy or adult who might be, please contact Bob Elliott at 925-1272 or e-mail bobsea08527@yahoo.com.

Cub Scout Pack 155 is finally up and running. Meetings are held at the church on Wednesdays, from 6 to 7 p.m. Contact Roxanne Fields at 515-2538 or Holly Morse at 5893-7551.

The church’s Christian Education Committee reports that the Secret Angels will begin January 15, and end Sunday, February 19. Carolyn Carter has made an announcement and circulated forms for participants to complete and place in a folder in the Christian Education slot outside the pastor’s office.

New business at the Christian Education meeting in December was: 1. A once a month family activity for youngsters and their parents is planned and a sledding party this month with the date to be announced 2. Pastor Alison proposed that Christian Education host a Fun Day during February vacation. February 23 was chosen. Rebecca Mann will help Pastor Alison and Christian Education is happy to participate. More details to come later.

The Thrift Shop is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to noon. They are very much in need of people to help out an hour or so anytime you can. Call Pat Stearns at 925-6536 or Peg Mason at 935-7528 for further information.

On January 21, the Ashworth Bean Cook-off will be held and all donations will benefit the Ron Ashworth Pilgrim Lodge Scholarship Fund. For more information, call Kathy Dunham at 925-3003.

The Lovell UCC Sunday worship is at 10:30 a.m. The pastor’s office hours are Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sunday, from 6 to 8 p.m. and Monday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The office number is 925-1321 and Pastor Alison’s study is 925-1207. The secretary’s hours are Mondays and Thursdays, from 9 a.m. to noon.

The church secretary, Heather Sawin, has been on vacation from her duties as church secretary. She returned January 5.

Linda Drew stopped by her mother, Rebecca Ring’s house on January 2.

Pastor Alison Jacobs stooped by Penny Allen’s on January 2 and 3.

There’s been some serious accidents happening.

One person from Norway died. Please drive safely and don’t take any chances. The roads can be tricky and have black ice on them. If you don’t have to go out in inclement weather, don’t. Be safe and God bless you all.

Until next time, do something nice for an elderly person or neighbor or give to a food bank and feel the reward. Kindness goes a long way and warms the heart.