Hi everyone! Let’s get started — this is another short one!
It all began in 1979 when Ron and Jeanne Jewett Russell bought an old 100-acre farm on Verona Island, ME. The 1851 farmhouse — and property — was in sad shape and in desperate need of a facelift. Next to the farmhouse was an orchard with a few dozen overgrown apple trees, one of which had always stood out to Ron and Jeanne because it was an apple they really liked. Fast forward. Given a hint that there were some old apple trees on Verona Island, a group of “apple explorers” (in search of a particular apple tree) contacted Ron and Jeanne. They did not find the apple tree that they were looking for; however they rediscovered a tree estimated to be around 200 years old! The Drap d’Or de Bretagne (or Cloth of Gold), which dates back to around 1820, is one of the oldest surviving apple trees in North America. It is believed that it might have been brought over in the 1600s by French settlers who settled in the Castine area. The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) is working hard to preserve the Drap d’Or de Bretagne by grafting onto rootstock at the Maine Heritage Orchard, creating a “genetic backup.” I found this interesting: Apples are unique in that varieties cannot be cultivated true from seed and require a living tree for propagation. Within several years, the Drap d’Or de Bretagne will start producing its large yellow apples flecked with gold, red, and green. Hope I did justice to this article (it was really long and went into a lot of detail) — and I really whittled it down! It is making me wonder. We bought an old farmhouse (1790) with 10 old apple trees producing different apples. I wonder what we have?
Stephen King is excited about a new adaptation of his novella The Life of Chuck (by the same name). Something many readers may miss in Stephen’s books and movies is the humanistic element amid the darkness — the horror — and the scary. The Life of Chuck is no different. Yes, right out of the gate the tone is set — it’s the end of the world (the internet is crashing and California is disappearing into the Pacific). However; the movie is also about “what matters in life when everything else is lost” (like compassion, friendship, uniting, love, and joy). Other examples (and I’m quoting):“It isn’t just about a clown, it’s about kids and their friendship. The Stand isn’t about the virus or the demon taking over the world, it’s about ordinary people who have come together and stand against a force they cannot defeat.” Huh — something to consider and look for when you read one of Stephen’s books or watch one of his movies. Coming just this year is the TV series of Welcome to Derry and The Institute, and a film of The Long Walk. He also just finished a draft of Talisman 3.
John Wolfgram’s football coaching career spanned 45 seasons. During this time his teams won 309 games and 10 state championships. This was the most successful high school coaching career that the state has seen. He died at his home this past August at the age of 77.
This is funny. I got a wonderful email from a man saying that he was answering my plea for classmates to send me news — no matter how short. Well, I wrote him back and thanked him — two days later I received another email from him: “Oh man! I’m so embarrassed! I’m from the Class of ’74!” Love it!
Well – that’s all for this time! Hope this finds you all doing well!