OP Column January 9, 2014

OP Column January 9

By Maryellen Bertrand

Happy 2014 to everyone! As I begin writing the first column of the new year Old Man Winter has once again returned with a vengeance, 18 inches of snow and sub-zero temperatures. Connie Saindon from California wrote that she was watching the Penguin Plunge video at home in 70-degree weather. She would appreciate it if we would send her some of our new snow for skiing as she is planning one of three ski trips to Monmouth Mountain where man-made snow prevails. Happy to accommodate, Connie!

It’s great to begin a new year and the first column of the year with exciting news from the Slayton Family. The newest member of their family, baby William was born on December 22 to Gus and Rhonda Slayton of Ocean Point and Portland Oregon. Congratulations to great grandmother, Jean Slayton, grandparents Rich and Stephanie Slayton and big sister Adele.

I received some late December news from Helen Evans via email with regards to our own Ocean Point artist, Don Demers. As you may recall, I mentioned previously that Donald was the featured artist at the Voss Gallery in Boston late November into December. I hope that many of you were able to visit the gallery to see his amazing display of paintings or that you at least viewed them on the Voss Gallery website. Helen reports that, as she was ready to replace her 2013 calendar she noticed that one of the prints featured in the calendar was one of Donald’s works.

Donald currently has a 2014 calendar, Down to the Sea the paintings of Donald Demers published by Tidemark Press of Windsor Ct, and can be purchased through their website www.tidemarkpress.com

I do hope that your holidays were enjoyable with family and friends gathered to participate in family Christmas traditions. The Webster family was all together for the first time in many years in Dallas Texas. Jean, John, their daughter Kim and husband Michael, along with their daughters Ava and Grace visited son Stephan and his wife Theresa and their children, where they enjoyed many of their own long time traditions. Cookie making was a top activity as well as leaving cookies for Santa to which Santa left a note that he was quite impressed. They also enjoyed gift-wrapping and opening gifts on Christmas morning. They went out for pizza, a movie, bowling and playing several games of Mexican Train and just enjoyed being together as a family. Jean reports the weather was a little warmer than Maine though not by much.

Good Health to all in 2014 and stay warm!