Letter 28: Maine IV
We discovered, quite by accident, that the Old State Prison (since destroyed, except for the prison store) in Thomaston, Maine, where we visited the prison store, was the location of the filming of “The Shaw Shank Redemption.” There was no Maine prison by the name of Shaw Shank. The story was written by Stephen King. Now we will have to watch the movie again.
Monday, September 14 we packed up and drove to Kennebunk to a
commercial truck wash. They soapy brushed all the Suburban and the trailer, then high power washed all the dirt and grime off. They really worked hard and it was worth every penny to have this done for us.From there we headed up Hwy 35 to the Sebago Lakes area on our way to Sumner to stay with Diana and Ted. The drive was so pretty and the trees are beginning to turn color. Along the way we saw a limb of red, a tree with yellow, pretty little creeks with a touch of color. We knew we were going to be in for a real treat in a week or two. We are told it happens almost over night.
We have mentioned Ted & Diana before, but to remind everyone, Fred & Diana grew up in Duncanville and graduated together, then both went to North Texas State University. They were good friends all that time. Olivia went to NTSU two years later and was in the dorm room across the hall from Diana. Fred & Olivia met and instantly Olivia knew who Freddie was. Diana was in our wedding. When Diana graduated she joined Braniff Airlines as a flight attendant and flew the world. In Okinawa she met Ted who was a fighter pilot who flew over 100 missions in Viet Nam. When he retired from the Air Force they moved to his home state of Maine and they have lived here ever since. She goes to Texas periodically and we always enjoyed seeing her and have wanted to see Maine because of her.
Arriving at the Toleman’s we entered their
700’ wide cleared lot by 800’ deep and we drove through their 
wild blueberry fields. Diana & Ted came out and helped up park our rig in a perfect spot in front of their home. Their Cape Cod home is set back in the trees with a view of the blueberries and the hills on the other side of the road. Later we found they own about 300 wooded acres behind and around them.Tuesday, September 17 Fred went off to Norway to the dentist for his quarterly peridonic cleaning while Olivia attempted to pay bills and catch up with the blog. Diana and Ted had their errands. In the afternoon Diana took Olivia to the
Buckfield Literary Club where they 
toasted the beginning of a new year. This club was started in the 1800’s to improve the minds of the women of the community. It was a lovely group of ladies who told of their summer and discussed the book “Three Cups of Tea.”Wednesday, September 16 Olivia treated Diana to a
pedicure. This was her first pedicure and it was a fun time. Can you guess 
which toes belong to which lady?In the afternoon the Toleman’s took us on a scenic drive. First we stopped at a
sign pointing to all the foreign places, all right here in Maine. The house next to the sign was full 
of yard art.Next on the route was the scenic town of Bethel, then on to Rumford where we stopped to see the
Rumford Falls. The power plant had taken most of the original falls, in the background, but left a cascade around their plant, then downstream were more falls.Coos Canyon made another
nice stop as we walked all around this pretty location. The water surely works wonders with it’s power to carve away the granite. We also saw how the maple leaves turn 
from green to gold to red. The colors were beginning to show in the low lands.Height of Land was a breathtaking stop with
Lake Mooselookmeguntic below us. This is one of Ted and Diana’s favorite spots. 
Ted is quite an outdoorsman and 
he has hunted and fished in this area. In fact, we think he has probably covered the whole state hunting and fishing.Stopping on the north side of Rangley Lake we watched as a flock of Canadian geese flew low in front of us, then landed and walked up the bank to
graze under a turning maple tree.We also watched a
kayaker taking off for an evening’s camp somewhere around the lake.We ate at Loon Lodge on the lake
(smile everyone!) and watched the 
sunset over the lake. As we walked to the car more 
geese flew overhead.Thursday, September 17, we drove to Buckfield viewing the devastation from a tornado that occurred about a month before. Tornados are rare for this area. Maybe when Hurricane Bill was whirling away out in the Atlantic? It traveled about 12 miles through the forest, but miraculously not hurting the homes.
This house was completely covered by downed trees, as were many others. Most of the area is being 
clear cut as all the trees are
damaged beyond repair.Our evening’s treat was a “lobster feed.” First course was two ears each of fresh silver queen corn out of their garden. We rolled our ears on the comunal stick of butter. Second course was
steamed clams. And the finishing course was 
lobster. Fred ate until he couldn’t eat anymore! He was in hog heaven!Friday, September 18 Ted left for a weekend fishing trip on Grand Lake in Eastern Maine and we ventured into Auburn/Lewiston with the priority of having a new keyboard installed in the laptop. While waiting on the repair, we explored the towns. One stop was
The Barn which was in an old mill building. From there we went to a shoe store, BJ’s warehouse, Marden’s outlet, and Shaw’s grocery before picking up the laptop. Eureka, we now have a “v” on our keyboard! This was a full day.Diana has beautiful flowers around her house including this
9” tuberous Begonia that caught Olivia’s eye.Saturday, September 19 Diana spent the morning helping her best friend at her apple orchard. This is her
happy time visiting with the customers coming to “pick your own.” She says she wants her ashes scattered here so she can continue to enjoy the action of the apple orchard. We drove over and visited with her as she assisted and we picked a few Courtland apples also. They are a very crisp apple and do not turn brown after being cut like most others.Later we drove to Buckfield to see the
Toleman’s farm where they lived for many years. This is the house Diana had told us about their daughter Amy coming home crying because her home work in first grade was to count the windows of their home. It has 128 windows. The farm was beautiful and we could see why they had enjoyed living there, but also why they wanted to move because of the upkeep of such a huge home. They actually lived in the middle of the house, called an ell. There are a lot of houses here built like this, of all sizes.
Sunday, September 20 we attended
church with Diana in the Congregational Church of East Sumner, established in 1802. The choir was not back in from the summer so the choir director asked for an 
“Instant Choir” to come forward for special music. People of all ages came forward to sing Peace Like a River. 
Ted returned from his fishing trip with his limit of two salmon and Fred prepared one like Genie did in Montreal, with maple syrup and nuts. It was delicious.
Monday, September 21, Diana had a massage appointment in Norway, so we loaded our laundry and went too. While she was busy we did our washing and were now ready to move on to New Hampshire.
Now for a tour of the Tolman home. The entry most used opens to their
mud room and is the biggest, nicest mud rooms we have ever seen. Diana kept a jigsaw puzzle on the table for any down time we had.
The next room was a huge
kitchen with a dining room adjacent. This is really a gathering place with space to move in. Diana is a fantastic cook making blueberry muffins and scones, apple & blueberry pies among other things for us. There is even a wood burning cook stove in the lower right and she has even cooked on it when their power was out for ten days one winter.
Past the formal entry is their
living room where they sit by the window or watch TV. All of the rooms are extra big with space to spread out. Diana swears they use every room, every day.
Next is their
computer room/office and it too has 
lots of room, even for a sofa.
Upstairs are two huge rooms, one is their
master bedroom where they have full and queen size beds. The door between the bed’s opens to the mud room/garage attic.
The other room is a combination
guest room and Diana’s 
fun space, where she works on hobbies, sews and also has a TV to watch while Ted watches ball games. There are also lots of large closets and two large bathrooms. This is very sufficient for most people but they also have a full basement, which is their laundry room, two freezers, large pantry, and much more. Then there is a 
barn with a full 
basement and 
attic.
Their garage holds a gator, Diana’s car and the
blueberry processing equipment AND has a 
full attic which is adjacent to the 
mud room attic.
Diana likes the statement that “humans are the only animals that collect stuff” and Olivia says, “It is better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.”
Tuesday, September 23 We drove to Portland and the
Christmas Tree Shops Diana had been raving about. She states it is not a Christmas store. Olivia decided it was a cross between Garden Ridge, Hobby Lobby, Tuesday Morning, with some groceries and drug store items all at outlet prices.
After spending some time there we drove to the Atlantic and Cape Elizabeth to have lunch
at the 
Lobster Shack by the sea. Fred had thought he wouldn’t see the ocean anymore this trip but when Diana suggested it, he didn’t mind the drive at all. This area is called
Two Lights, because there are two lighthouses here. One is now a private residence.
Back to Portland we went into Ted’s old stomping ground to pick up an
“Italian Sandwich” for later and to visit a friend of theirs.
On the way back to Sumner we drove by Sebago Lake and visited their
old “Camp” which is a 
summer home on the lake. Ted & Diana had spent a lot of their early marriage there, until they decided to sell it because it was getting too crowded with people and boaters in the area.
This had been an extra long day and we were glad to see the trailer and our bed again. Diana has been so good to tour us around. We didn’t expect all her time. We look forward to hosting her in Texas and hope Ted comes too
Wednesday, September 23 we returned to the
Swap Shop, which is at their recycle and dump center. This rural community takes their trash here on Wednesdays and Saturdays, then it is taken into a larger town where this area pays by the pound for someone else to process it. They started the swap shop to share still good items with their neighbors. The community has saved enough to already build a structure to house these good items. This is also a neighborhood gathering place and we actually met another Texas couple there. That afternoon Diana taught Fred how to make a 
blueberry pie, and how to 
grease and
wet the top for a better, flakier pastry.
Thursday, September 24 was moving day. Ted and Diana came for coffee in the trailer for the last time. We couldn’t help seeing their
maple and 
birch trees in full color as we departed. We will really miss them and their Maine hospitality.
We drove north to Bethel, then south on Maine 113 following the
headwaters of the Androscoggin River. The trees made a 
tunnel all the way to Evan’s Notch and we know this will be beautiful in a couple of week.
Along one 10 mile stretch we met only one vehicle—a motorcycle. And that is a good thing, because the road wasn’t wide enough for our trailer and another car. When the color comes this road will be well traveled. We passed signs warning travelers the road isn’t maintained during the winter. At the end of a long stretch, we realized it wasn’t maintained because there weren’t any houses. It is very remote and something to see.
Arriving in the next campground in Albany, NH the owner said we were about two weeks early for the fall colors here. We hope it isn’t that far away.
We love to hear if you have been to any of these spots or wish to see. For comments on our rambling or just to say hi, contact us at:
Olivia@bobheck.com or Fred Harrington@yahoo.com
Sunday, September 20 we attended
church with Diana in the Congregational Church of East Sumner, established in 1802. The choir was not back in from the summer so the choir director asked for an 
“Instant Choir” to come forward for special music. People of all ages came forward to sing Peace Like a River. 
Ted returned from his fishing trip with his limit of two salmon and Fred prepared one like Genie did in Montreal, with maple syrup and nuts. It was delicious.Monday, September 21, Diana had a massage appointment in Norway, so we loaded our laundry and went too. While she was busy we did our washing and were now ready to move on to New Hampshire.
Now for a tour of the Tolman home. The entry most used opens to their
mud room and is the biggest, nicest mud rooms we have ever seen. Diana kept a jigsaw puzzle on the table for any down time we had.The next room was a huge
kitchen with a dining room adjacent. This is really a gathering place with space to move in. Diana is a fantastic cook making blueberry muffins and scones, apple & blueberry pies among other things for us. There is even a wood burning cook stove in the lower right and she has even cooked on it when their power was out for ten days one winter.Past the formal entry is their
living room where they sit by the window or watch TV. All of the rooms are extra big with space to spread out. Diana swears they use every room, every day.Next is their
computer room/office and it too has 
lots of room, even for a sofa.Upstairs are two huge rooms, one is their
master bedroom where they have full and queen size beds. The door between the bed’s opens to the mud room/garage attic.The other room is a combination
guest room and Diana’s 
fun space, where she works on hobbies, sews and also has a TV to watch while Ted watches ball games. There are also lots of large closets and two large bathrooms. This is very sufficient for most people but they also have a full basement, which is their laundry room, two freezers, large pantry, and much more. Then there is a 
barn with a full 
basement and 
attic.Their garage holds a gator, Diana’s car and the
blueberry processing equipment AND has a 
full attic which is adjacent to the 
mud room attic.Diana likes the statement that “humans are the only animals that collect stuff” and Olivia says, “It is better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.”
Tuesday, September 23 We drove to Portland and the
Christmas Tree Shops Diana had been raving about. She states it is not a Christmas store. Olivia decided it was a cross between Garden Ridge, Hobby Lobby, Tuesday Morning, with some groceries and drug store items all at outlet prices.After spending some time there we drove to the Atlantic and Cape Elizabeth to have lunch
at the 
Lobster Shack by the sea. Fred had thought he wouldn’t see the ocean anymore this trip but when Diana suggested it, he didn’t mind the drive at all. This area is called
Two Lights, because there are two lighthouses here. One is now a private residence.Back to Portland we went into Ted’s old stomping ground to pick up an
“Italian Sandwich” for later and to visit a friend of theirs.On the way back to Sumner we drove by Sebago Lake and visited their
old “Camp” which is a 
summer home on the lake. Ted & Diana had spent a lot of their early marriage there, until they decided to sell it because it was getting too crowded with people and boaters in the area.This had been an extra long day and we were glad to see the trailer and our bed again. Diana has been so good to tour us around. We didn’t expect all her time. We look forward to hosting her in Texas and hope Ted comes too
Wednesday, September 23 we returned to the
Swap Shop, which is at their recycle and dump center. This rural community takes their trash here on Wednesdays and Saturdays, then it is taken into a larger town where this area pays by the pound for someone else to process it. They started the swap shop to share still good items with their neighbors. The community has saved enough to already build a structure to house these good items. This is also a neighborhood gathering place and we actually met another Texas couple there. That afternoon Diana taught Fred how to make a 
blueberry pie, and how to 
grease and
wet the top for a better, flakier pastry.Thursday, September 24 was moving day. Ted and Diana came for coffee in the trailer for the last time. We couldn’t help seeing their
maple and 
birch trees in full color as we departed. We will really miss them and their Maine hospitality.We drove north to Bethel, then south on Maine 113 following the
headwaters of the Androscoggin River. The trees made a 
tunnel all the way to Evan’s Notch and we know this will be beautiful in a couple of week.
Along one 10 mile stretch we met only one vehicle—a motorcycle. And that is a good thing, because the road wasn’t wide enough for our trailer and another car. When the color comes this road will be well traveled. We passed signs warning travelers the road isn’t maintained during the winter. At the end of a long stretch, we realized it wasn’t maintained because there weren’t any houses. It is very remote and something to see.
Arriving in the next campground in Albany, NH the owner said we were about two weeks early for the fall colors here. We hope it isn’t that far away.
We love to hear if you have been to any of these spots or wish to see. For comments on our rambling or just to say hi, contact us at:
Olivia@bobheck.com or Fred Harrington@yahoo.com
