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Month: May 2023

Hamlin Library Book Club

Founded in 2016, by a group of village readers, this group has read nearly 70 books.  Librarian Jenn Lewis has been instrumental in guiding our choices and then getting interlibrary loans for the members.   She keeps track of what we read, and who is hosting each month.  Recently we asked her if she had a record of books that we have read, and within days we all had a list detailing our choices since 2016.  She is going to create a poster for the library to show our selections.  It’s a comprehensive and impressive list. 

We began meeting in the library but quickly outgrew the small accommodations.   We now meet in member homes, but miss the charm of meeting amidst rows of books with Jenn quietly participating from her desk. 

We love all kinds of writers and all kinds of topics:  from science fiction, romance, classics and literary prize winners to fantasy, social commentary and even a bit of politics now and then.     Perhaps our favorite book club meeting (to date) has to be Frances Mayes’ Under the Tuscan Sun.  We met at Janet Brogan’s for a pot luck lunch where everyone made a recipe from the book.   We drank wine and ate delicious Italian fare for a wonderful couple of hours discussing marriage, family, food and travel.   And Jenn was the guest of honor.  

We meet on the first Thursday of each month, and new members are welcome.  Our core group of 6-8 year round residents grows in the summer as residents and old friends return to Paris Hill.   Sign up with Jenn if you are interested.

Remaining books for 2023

May 4:  Where’d You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple

June 6:  The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

July 6:  The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom

Aug 3:  This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger

Sept 7:  Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Oct 5:  The Second Mrs Astor: A Heartbreaking Novel of the Titanic by Shana Abe

Nov 2:  The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Dec 7:  If I Live Til Morning by Jean Muenchrat

Community Club Academy Spring 2023 cleanup

Neighbors showed up bright and early on Saturday, May 6 to tidy up The Academy in preparation for summer events and to assess any problems that may be addressed this summer.

Neighbors participating were:  MIke and Janet Brogan,  Jon Thompson, and Jan Thompson, Jeff and Linda Richardson, Peter Roy, John Thurston and new neighbor (in the Old House)  Mark Eckels.  Rosemary Losso and Adrienne Cote came late and spent some time looking at curtain needs for the stage.

Mike and Linda scraped and painted the lower walls upstairs, Janet, Peter and Jeff cleaned up the stage and removed items that were not needed.  Jon and Jan cleaned the kitchen, the bathrooms and washed the downstairs windows.  Jeff, Peter and Jon removed the old stove.  Jeff, Peter, Jon and Mike took the stage Grand Drape downstairs via the back stairs in preparation for the restoration scheduled for June 8.    John Thurston and Mark Eckels were busy doing yard cleanup.  Peter and Jeff made a dump run at the end of the morning.  We were all done by 10 am.    Well done everyone.

In addition, on Tuesday, May  2, MIke Brogan, Jeff Richardson and Peter Roy rebuilt the support for the Grand Drape.    This was no easy task in an old building – but they managed to craft a system that will secure the drape in place.  

Last week’s Mt Mica Rd washout!

Looking back to that mighty rainstorm on May 2, I wanted to let you all know what happened and why Lincoln St. was travelled by heavy trucks all day on Monday, May 3.   Considering the fragile nature of Lincoln Street this was a concern to all of us on that street.

The rain washed out Mr Mica Road above Cooper Spring resulting in a road closure for most of Monday.   The washout was huge and took out a very large section of the road, including new pavement.  Additional pavement had to be cut to keep the washout from getting worse.

I contacted Dawn Noyes, town manager and asked her some questions. 

  1. How was the washout reported?  Jamie was off, so Jesse reported the problem.  He determined that it was over more than half of the width of the road which meant traffic had to be diverted while the road crew worked. Dawn said they are hopeful a more permanent fix will be done this year. 

2.  Were any residents directly affected.  Yes.   Driveway culverts were involved and folks had to turn around.

3.  How long was Cooper Spring closed?  Most of the day on Monday,  It was reopened late afternoon.  The crews were done around 5:30 pm.

4.  How many truckloads were needed to stop the washout and reopen the road?  Not sure, but the cost for the gravel was $7,393.  At one point they were at 20 loads.

5.  Will there be any more temporary work done before the “real” fix.  Crews will monitor the conditions and make sure it doesn’t get worse. 

I also asked Dawn about the  road work schedule for Paris Hill, especially Tremont and Lincoln Streets.  She said she was aware of the deterioration and would try to get a look at conditions and possibly rethink the 2033 current schedule for those roads. 

Dawn also asked that I encourage Paris Hill residents to vote in the upcoming statewide Elections scheduled for June 13. Paris has two openings for Select Board positions on that ballot. Residents can begin voting absentee starting May 15.   

She said residents should attend the Candidate Night on May 18 and voice any concerns they have about town business.   Also voters should plan to attend the Town Meeting on June 20.