August is my favorite month – it’s in between summer and fall and brings us hot days and cool nights.

When I was a kid, it seemed like the month would never end, I was so anxious to begin another school year. School always started the day after Labor Day – and there was a day when we didn’t have to go to school so we could attend Cumberland Fair, where so many of our farm families took part.

When I was at our historical society last week, looking over the new acquisitions and some older items, one familiar machine caught my eye – a treadle sewing machine. I realize the audience of folks who sew is diminishing every year, but that old Singer sewing machine made me think of August and the days of getting ready for school.

My mother had one of these old machines and every August she would gather up all the cloth she had been saving and start making new dresses for two of my sisters and myself. Every year we started school with five new cotton dresses. We never cared (or even thought it was strange) that she used what had been grain sacks. In those days, grain (for chickens, pigs) came bagged up in cotton printed sacks. I’m sure there are some readers who remember this. My mom would wash and iron these bags, which would then be saved for reuse. Without a pattern, she would cut out the sleeves, bodice and skirts for three different-sized girls. Hours were spent sewing all these parts together on that old Singer, until the garment was almost complete. Then she added buttons and made buttonholes on the back, hand sewed lace around the sleeves and hemmed the skirts. Soon, 15 new dresses were hanging in our closets waiting for the first day of school.

I doubt that my mother, or all the other mothers who did the same thing, ever thought of themselves as skilled patternmakers or seamstresses. Watching her create something was a good lesson, too, as we all learned to sew.

And speaking of August, here are a couple of reminders to those who would like to meet some new friends or try something new during the month:

Lakes Region Senior Center, 40 Acorn St, Little Falls School, Gorham, announces August events that are open to the public: Tuesday, Aug. 13, noon, merits of massage therapy will be conducted by Virginia Purcell from Heaven & Earth Day Spa and Wellness Center. A light lunch will be served. From those attending, several names will be drawn to receive a free10-minute neck and shoulder massage. To be included in this free event calls Marge 892-4955 to reserve a spot. Monday, Aug. 19, at noon. Luncheon. Variety of baked beans, hot dogs, salads, rolls and beverage. Dessert will be pie and ice cream. August birthdays will be recognized. Donation of $4 is suggested. All seniors in the Lakes Region towns are welcome.

On Monday, Aug. 19, at the Pine Point Congregational Church in Scarborough, a catered barbecue lunch and program about oyster farming is planned at noon. The church is at236 Pine Point Road, Scarborough. For those 60 and older, the suggested donation is $6. (Bring proof of age.) Not 60 yet? Come anyway for an $8 donation. Make reservations by Aug. 15 by calling Sue at 883-8151 or emailing her at susanjbauer@yahoo.com. Let her know if you need a ride.

Kay Soldier welcomes reader ideas for column topics of interest to seniors. She can be reached by email at kso48@aol.com, or write to 114 Tandberg Trail, Windham, ME 04062.

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