Grange guests

The May 5 meeting at North Scarboro Grange was Guest Officers Night, and the hall was full with 23 members and guests present. North Scarboro officers are Adrian Griffin, master; Philip LaBrecque, overseer; Martha Varney, lecturer; Stanley Douglas, steward; Linwood and Martha Varney, steward and lady assistant steward; Margaret Farrar, chaplain; Cheryl Walls, treasurer; Barbara Griffin, secretary; Bruce Emery, gatekeeper; and Mary Jane Emery, Charlotte Douglas and Joan Labbe, Cares, Pomona and Flora. Beatrice Straw is pianist.

Nancy Clark of Harraseeket Grange was guest lecturer, Vicki Huff of Hollis Grange was guest master and Gene Libby of Cape Elizabeth Grange was guest chaplain. Nancy Clark led the program, “Spring Flowers,” and guest officers read the many floral descriptions. The program ended with Nancy’s poem, “Handy Dandy,” a tribute to dandelions.

It was a nice evening in the attractive hall, and it was pleasant to hear so many singing the songs on the program.

Pleasant hike

The Capisic Pond Park trail, off Capisic Street between Macy Street and up to Lucas Street in Portland, is beautiful, overlooking Capisic Pond. It is a great place to study birds, ducks, shrubs, trees and wildflowers. It is a Portland Park Department area, about a half-mile long, with a few short hills and a few small bridges.

My Sunday walk, in mid-afternoon, was planned by me as a wildflower walk, but I was admiring many evergreens and flowering trees and shrubs, too.

Of course, I saw innumerable dandelions, with several strawberry plants nearby. It was early for other familiar flowers, but even in the parking lot I noticed tiny yellow flowers already blossomed.

After passing the first bridge I saw many clusters of tall, yellow flowers on both sides of the trail. Beside the bridge was a small cluster of purple violets starting to grow. The tall yellow flowers are called black mustard, of the cabbage family.

The flowering trees were handsome, often isolated, sometimes very close to other flowering trees. The Hawthorn bushes were just starting to blossom; crabapples were in full bloom. In the trail sides near Lucas Street were many stands of the pretty little “Jill-Over-The Ground.”

I decided that I must take that hike at least once a week. There will be many new flowers coming along into the fall months.

More from historical society

Last week’s column had an item about Phil LaViolet, whose military memorabilia collection at the Westbrook Historical Society now has a new engraved sign over the cabinet, dedicated to LaViolet. At the meeting when the sign was dedicated, Phil told Ellie Saunders, now an honorary member of the society, that he was overwhelmed and quite touched to have his name engraved on the plaque.

I had a call from Ellie that she had another bit of news. She was standing outside the Legion Hall on Saturday, as the Saturday open house had just ended, and a man spoke to her, saying he was there to visit the museum. He was Frank Craigin from Washington State, visiting family, and was returning home the next day. Society president Suzan Norton very kindly reopened the hall, and helped Mr. Craigin with his research.

Snack food

Today’s recipe is from “Maine-ly Good Eatin’,” for the benefit of the American Cancer Society, Maine Division. This was submitted by Audrey Thibodeau, Aroostook Unit (Presque Isle).

HEALTH SQUARES

3 cups miniature marshmallows

1/2 cup chunky-style peanut butter

1/4 cup margarine

1-1/2 cups 100 percent natural granola-type cereal

1 cup rolled oats

1/2 cup raisins

Melt marshmallows with peanut butter and margarine in heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, until smooth. Stir in cereal, oats and raisins. Mix well. Press mixture firmly into greased 8x8x2-inch pan. Cool and cut into squares.

Yield: 16