6/20/23

Well, I just returned from a week in ME and we had some of the same dreary weather as down here. This week looks good, however, especially tomorrow (6/21) for the Annual Strawberry Festival. I was part of the Tyson Ladies Aid group cutting up strawberries this evening and they were big and juicy! I hope that many of you will join the festivities from 5 – 7:30 at Camp Plymouth State Park – fun for the whole family, plus free admission to our lovely park during those hours.

BBQ hot dogs and burgers cooked by Emergency Service, a variety of salads, and luscious strawberry shortcake with ice cream by Tyson Ladies Aid. Music throughout the evening by Adam Boyce and Sue Hunt, plus children’s activities. Tyson Church will run a 50/50 raffle. What a wonderful way to spend a summer evening that also provides funds for emergency services, scholarships, and other community needs. In addition, you are able to chat with neighbors and friends. How perfect!

Please note that the bear population seems to be quite robust around our area this year. They seem to be constantly roaming about my yard and others have reported the same. The picture below shows the rear end of a bear contemplating jumping off Bob and Kathy Lynds’ deck.

News release from the Notch.  On the Fourth of July, Celebrate the Births of our Great Nation and our 30th President. Calvin Coolidge is the only U.S. President to be born on Independence Day. This year, to commemorate July 4th, the President Calvin Coolidge Coolidge State Historic Site in Plymouth Notch will host a day of festivities and events for the public from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.  

Start the day in the Union Christian Church at 9:00 a.m. for a reading of the Declaration of Independence with the Coolidge Foundation. At 11:30 the Coolidge Family will judge the “Grace Coolidge’s Icebox Cookie Baking Competition” on the porch of the Cilley General Store. The National Guard will kick off a parade to the cemetery for the laying of a wreath at the President’s Grave at 12:00 p.m. Immediately following, enjoy a slice of President Coolidge’s birthday cake, wave an American flag, and listen to an old-time string band. In the afternoon explore the historic village, see cheesemaking in John Coolidge’s 1890 factory by Plymouth Artisan Cheese, and watch The Coolidge Cup, a national invitational speech and debate tournament sponsored by the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation. The public and media are welcome. 

New to this year’s July 4th festivities is the Icebox Cookie Baking Competition. Members of the public are invited to bake and bring a dozen cookies using First Lady Grace Coolidge’s cookie recipe to be tasted and judged by members of the Coolidge family.  

“On his birthday, Calvin Coolidge enjoyed homemade treats lovingly baked by his mother Victoria, a childhood housekeeper, and later First Lady Grace. What better way to honor Coolidge’s birthday today, 151 years later, than with a recipe that was familiar to him?,” says Rejoice Scherry, site administrator. 

Visitors to the President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site can explore the new exhibit, “Coolidge’s Contemporaries: The Ascension of Early 20th Century World Leaders.” This special exhibit compares President Coolidge’s unorthodox but humble oath of office to the ascension ceremonies of other influential leaders from across the globe. For more information on the State Historic Sites and events visit their website.