Concert held

Whenever I read that pianist Frank Glazer is to play in the Portland area, I must attend. He is a renown musician who made his debut at Carnegie Hall in 1949, and has performed as soloist with the world’s greatest orchestras. He is in his 29th year as artist in residence at Bates College.

His excellent program Oct. 9 included six piano pieces.

These Noonday Concert Series, each a half hour, are held in Portland’s First Parish Church, and are sponsored by the church and the Portland Conservatory of Music.

The next concert is Thursday at 12:15 p.m. Playing will be Melodia, a piano-cello duo. Glazer will play again on Oct. 23, with Christina Astrachan, soprano.

There is no admission, but the program states that a donation of $2 is suggested.

Concert canceled

We were very disappointed not to hear the Watoto Children’s Choir from Uganda, East Africa, at the Prides Corner Congregational Church, Westbrook, on Oct 10, as announced. We even had an invitation, with a note advising us to be there early to get a good seat. We drove there early, but found the church all dark, and only four or five cars in the church side yard. We spoke with others as they arrived and waited and they knew no reason for the darkened church. Eventually, one of us walked to the front entrance, where a sign declared that the concert was canceled due to illness.

We were sorry to hear that. I had heard the group of young children from East Africa sing last year at Portland’s Central Square Baptist Church. It was a delightful evening, which I wrote about in Ramblings, in the Feb. 1, 2007, issue. I surely looked forward to seeing them again. Will there be a concert later? We have not read about it yet.

Message approved

Louise Hall, a former neighbor of ours, whom I worked with for many years at Portland Public Library, is now living in Readfield with her daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Larry Perkins.

Her letters are delightful. she is in her 90s, and her handwriting is still clear and easy to read. She sent Harry a birthday card Oct. 3, and we were all amused by her clever last lines on the accompanying note. She wrote, “My name is Louise Hall, and I approve this message.”

She must listen to all the politicians we see on TV, too. If they are right there, in person, why do they have to tell us that they really meant it?

Foliage seen

I was quite envious to hear of the recent trip Dick and Rose Coffin had, staying overnight at a New Hampshire inn, and taking the Conway Scenic Railway, and viewing the beautiful scenery in the White Mountain area.

That is one of my favorite locations, where we went often with the Deering High School Ski Club for a day of hiking.

Summer and fall are the ideal times to see that area. The trees must be in full color by now, too.

Creatures sighted

Joan Ashley has sent me the latest July-August issue of the Sorrento Scientific Society newsletter, The Guillemot. I always enjoy it, especially items in our area. Here are several:

Snowshoe hares were regularly seen along roadsides, east of the Penobscot River.

Skunks were becoming much more active in late August, as young began to disperse from their dens and set out trying to fatten up for winter. Expect to detect them much more often as the colder weather sets in.

Pelican: On Sept. 1 a white pelican was seen and photographed on the York River at York. It was apparently there just that one day.

Most little blue herons were at Scarborough Marsh, but there were birds seen at Bath and on Long Island in Casco Bay Aug. 20 and 30 respectively.

A number of pileated woodpeckers were reported across the state all summer.

Uncommon in Maine, an avocet was found at Popham Beach.

Nelson’s sharp-tailed sparrows were seen from Lubec to Scarborough Marsh (where one was feeding fledglings on Aug. 25). The closely related saltmarsh sharp-tailed sparrow was found at Scarborough and Frankfort.

Among the best

Today’s recipe is from “Best of Maine Recipes,” from the Maine Sunday Telegram Cooking Contest, 1987. It’s from Carrie Bradbury, Bridgewater.

COFFEE NUT SNACK CAKE

1 pound brown sugar

1 cup warm coffee

3 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 medium eggs

1 cup chocolate bits

1 cup chopped walnuts

Combine first seven ingredients in large bowl and stir until smooth. Pour into greased 9-by-13 inch pan. Sprinkle chocolate bits and nuts on top of mixture in pan. Bake in 350 degree oven for 35-45 minutes, or until golden brown.