The New Year is a major celebration in China and it provides the opportunity for families to get together and celebrate over several days. Schools and businesses are closed for an extended period of time and Anna has been off from school for almost one month. She took full advantage of her free time and traveled to several different parts of the country.

Anna flew by herself from Beijing Airport to the city of Chongqing, China’s fourth largest province in the southern part of the country where she went to visit Te and his family. Te worked for the Red Parka Pub in the summer of 2010 and spent quite a bit of time in Lovell. She was able to tour much of the city and even had a fancy boat ride one night. Te always bragged at how good “hot pot” was in his city and that it was much spicier than in the north. After sweating through one meal, Anna confirmed that Te is correct!

After about ten days, Anna flew back to Beijing and spent the night with her former Mandarin teacher from the Fryeburg Academy. Early the next morning she took a train ride to Shijiazhuang where she spent six months in her junior year of high school. She visited her old high school, sat in on many classes, helped students with their English, participated in the Chinese Literature class and stayed with her former host family. She celebrated New Year’s Eve in Shijiazhuang and was amazed (frightened?) by how many large fireworks were being set off throughout the city. The picture with the large number of fireworks represents only part of the total amount set off by her family.

Anna is now back at the dorms at the No. 80 High School and is preparing for classes which restart on the 13th of February. Although Beijing is halfway around the world, Anna has had a number of visitors from back home in Fryeburg. This weekend she had a very special lunch with Mr. Hibbard, Director of Admissions at Fryeburg Academy, and Miao Wang, director of the award-winning documentary Beijing Taxi. Ms. Wang now is working on a film that explores the experiences of Chinese students who come to Maine for high school studies. Anna was filmed and interviewed regarding her exposure to the students at Fryeburg Academy, the friendships formed and her unique reverse experience of studying in China.

It doesn’t take too long to realize that the town of Lovell is populated with exceptional cooks and bakers. And the best place to see, and taste, the goodies on full display is this Sunday, February 12th, at the Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library from 2-4 pm.

Every winter, this special event raises funds for the Library’s programs. But it is also a fun afternoon with tables and chairs provided to enjoy your treats while you chat with friends or listen to the music of Davy Sturtevant. Or you can put together a “to go” plate to enjoy at home. Prices are $5 for five treats or $8 for ten!

While the emphasis is on chocolate, there are plenty of appetizers and fruits to enjoy as well. If you would like to contribute your favorite treat and compete for a special prize, call the Library at 207-925-3177.

What is more subtle than each season’s evolution and the day-to-day changes that go unnoticed? It wasn’t all that long ago that we were jolted with complete darkness before five pm. On a walk with the dogs two days ago, I realized that there was still brightness in the sky and it was after five. It added some pep to my step.

Although it has been snowing all day today, it won’t be long before the grass is green and our winter jackets are back in storage!

It isn’t too often that I get to walk around downtown Portland on a sunny winter day and when I do, I always try to make the most of it. The Portland waterfront is still very much a working one. Sure, there is a mixture of expensive condos, tourist restaurants and more recently, a major law firm has taken over an old warehouse, but for the most part it is a winning mixture of small businesses, boats, ferries and fishing-related services.

Had a great lunch at the Sapporo Restaurant on Commercial Street. They offer a number of sushi and roll combination options that are not only filling but affordable. Plus, it always is a treat to watch the chefs prepare your food right in front of you!

Did a lot of window shopping and stopped at two places to purchase items for dinner. Got three pounds of fresh cold water Maine shrimp at the Harbor Fish Market. Located at 9 Custom House Wharf, this fish market is the real thing and worth a visit on your next trip to Portland. Filled with giant lobster tanks and cases of fresh fish on ice, you get the sense that you are stepping back in time. And the staff is very helpful and patient. Picked-up three pounds ($2.50 per) of the unpeeled shrimp (heads and tails still on) for a linguini dish. Next time I might opt to spend a few dollars more for the already peeled shrimp.

Stopped at the Standard Baking Company on the way back to the car. I successfully avoided all the pastries and purchased a baguette. By far breads are their primary product but they also offer coffee and treats. Well-worth a visit.

Having a great city like Portland so accessible is one more reason western Maine is a great place to be!

(Waterfront photo courtesy of Harbor Fish Market)

1984 was a big year in my life. Rondi and I got married, moved to downtown Baltimore and I started graduate school at the University of Maryland. When considering schools, Charm City seemed like a good choice. In addition to affordable tuition and housing, the city was home to the Orioles and my favorite football team growing up–the Baltimore Colts. I loved Johnny Unitas, Tom Matte, John Mackey, Bubba Smith and all the Colts and looked forward to going to games, that is until the snowy night of March 29, 1984 when the team moved out to Indianaoplis.

During the next 12 years, watching football on TV just didn’t have the same excitement. Especially with Jack Kent Cooke trying to make the Redskins Maryland’s team. Getting the Cleveland Browns to move east wasn’t the most honorable way of having a Baltimore franchise but after getting passed over for expansion teams, it seemed to be the only way.

Since the first Raven game on September 1, 1996, defense has always been the team’s strength (Ray Lewis was the team’s second draft pick) and offense has been an afterthought. I’m not saying that the Ravens will come up with a victory on Sunday, but I don’t believe that it will be a blowout by the Patriots. When I look at the Patriots’ string of wins since the two losses to the Steelers and the Giants, I don’t believe any were against strong teams.

Living in the heart of New England Patriot country will make for an interesting week! I’m looking forward to Sunday’s game and hoping that Flacco can channel some of No. 19, Johnny Unitas! Let’s Go Ravens!

(Photo courtesy of BACVA)

Be sure to attend the Benefit Dinner for Robin Jensen this Saturday, January 14th. The event will be at the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church on Route 5 in Fryeburg. Pasta will be served between 5 and 7 pm and there will be salad, bread, desserts and beverages. $8 for adults and $4 for children under 12.

Robin is recovering from recent cancer surgery and during her recovery period, she has been unable to work and is in need of help with her medical and household bills. In addition to being a member of the Fryeburg Rescue Service, Robin is the daughter of Lovell resident and town columnist, Ethel Hurst. The Stow Corner Store is making the pasta sauce (with and without meat) and there will be a 50/50 raffle as well as a Silent Auction with a great collection of items donated by local businesses.

If you can’t make the dinner, donations may be made in Robin’s name to: Key Bank, 627 Main Street, Fryeburg, ME 04037.

And remember, you will be home in plenty of time for the Broncos-Patriots game at 8pm!

Here’s a quick and easy way to keep warm during these cold days of winter–start planning your 2012 summer vacation! With a large number of cabins both on and off the water, Kezar Realty is the place to book your place on the lake and in the White Mountains. Jeanne Bonner, with more than 20 years in sales and rentals, can assist you in locating the perfect spot for your large or small group while at the same time, staying within your budget.

Bookings have been active so be sure to start planning now. Take a peek at this home which is a great place to enjoy your Kezar vacation: Camp J2.

Who would have ever thought that on New Year’s Day 2012, that Albert and I would still have the opportunity to bring the tractor and truck into the woods, cut six trees down and drag them up to the wood pile? This time of year is usually limited to splitting the collected wood and getting it ready for drying. The fact that we are able to add to the pile is a bonus.

I don’t claim to be proficient with the chain saw and leave most of that skill to Albert. I’m very happy to be the laborer–lifting the cut pieces into the pick-up truck or wrapping the chains around the big sticks and dragging them to a cleared area branch trimming.

I have nothing but respect for the workers who are out in the woods everyday. Yes, they have great mechanical equipment to assist them but logging is still hard and dangerous work. I never tire of hearing stories about Albert’s father, Marcus, and Uncle Burton spending their winter days cutting four cords of wood every day by hand and hauling them out with horses! During our wood-cutting season, I’m feeling major aches and pains from just two hours a day and a couple of days each week!

Thanks to the Lovell Historical Society for the picture of Carlton Merrill and Fred Stearns.