A lovely concert
On March 2 at Ocean View, the attractive Falmouth retirement community, pianist Duncan Cumming and his wife, violinist Hilary Walther Cumming, presented a much appreciated concert, playing Antonin Dvorak’s “Sonata in C major, Opus 100,” and Bedrich Smetana’s “#2 Domoviny.” Both were Czech composers.
I had attended Duncan Cumming’s concert at Ocean View in March 1999. When I read the newspaper announcement of this concert presented by Ocean View and the Alzheimer’s Association of Maine, I was happy to be able to attend this year, too.
The program notes said that this couple have been performing together as a duo since 1994 when they met on the campus of Phillips Academy in Andover, Mass. He graduated from Bates College in 1993, where he studied with Frank Glazer (another pianist whom I admire), and in 1996 he completed the master’s program at New England Conservatory. He received a doctor of musical arts degree from Boston University in 2003.
Hilary received her master’s degree in 1993 from Indiana University and in the following year she traveled abroad on a Fulbright grant, studying in Copenhagen with Marta Libalova and in Paris with Sylvia Gazeau.
The couple live in Boston with their two daughters. Aren’t the girls lucky to have two such accomplished musicians for parents. (I suspect they are musical, too).
They played at Ocean View to a large and appreciative audience.
After the concert, and before refreshments were served, Gloria Walker of the Ocean View staff introduced Susan Braziel of the Alzheimer’s Association, who spoke about their program and how they aid families needing help. She had pamphlets to distribute with helpful information.
We then enjoyed refreshments, including fresh vegetable slices, crackers and cheese, and shrimps and a dip (a big favorite). That concluded a very pleasant event.
I was pleased to see Martha Saunders after the concert. She and her husband, Dr. Norman Saunders, have just moved from Portland to Ocean View. I was sorry that I did not get to talk with Maggie Wine, a friend of mine from Appalachian Mountain Club hikes. She lives at Ocean View and, when I talked with her by phone, learned that she was at the concert too.
Early Westbrook scenes
President Bob Smith opened the March meeting of the Westbrook Historical Society. Giving reports were Secretary Suzan Norton and Treasurer Nancy Curran.
The program was given by Vice President Mike Sanphy, who showed several slides of early scenes in Westbrook, including a big parade, with many spectators, on Main Street; the Dana Warp Mill which was established in 1866, and was one of the important cotton manufacturing plants of Maine; Sculptor Paul Akers’ portrait, and a picture of his masterpiece sculpture, “The Dead Pearl Diver,” which is in the Portland Art Museum. Akers was born in 1825 in the old Conant House on Pork Hill (Park Hill), which later was destroyed by fire; a trolley car on the tracks on Main Street; the Boston and Maine Railroad Station, and the Warren Congregational Church spire, they have also been demolished. Mike Sanphy’s photographs of Westbrook scenes also appear in the American Journal.
The lectures are always followed by refreshments in the hall, with punch and homemade cookies and bars. Nancy Curran’s fruit bars were popular last week.
35 Robins seen last week
Right here on Dana Street in Westbrook last week, on one of our coldest and windiest days, Cathy Boisvert called me to say she had just seen 35 robins, all together, in a tree. What a sight, and in early March, too. I sincerely hope they’ll be able to stay around until this week, when it’s reported that the strong winds will subside, and the temperatures should be in the 40s. Many people, as well as the robins, will welcome that change.
Maintain your brain
These are a few ways to keep our brains healthier as we age, as listed in the pamphlet given us at Ocean View by Susan Braziel of the Alzheimer’s Association of Maine.
Among the suggestions: Keep your body weight, blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels within recommended range.
Physical exercise keeps the blood flowing and may encourage new brain cells. Do what you can, like walking 30 minutes a day, to keep both body and mind active.
Keeping your brain active and engaged increases its vitality and builds reserves of brain cells and connections. Read, write, play games, learn new things, do crossword puzzles.
Leisure activities that combine physical, mental and social elements may be most likely to prevent dementia. Be social, converse, volunteer, join a club or take a class.
RECIPE
I decided to make my St. Patrick’s Day pie last weekend, using green food coloring in the whipped topping. But since my family enjoyed it so much, I’ll repeat it for March 17. It’s an easy one to prepare. The recipe is on the Carnation milk can.
CARNATION KEY LIME PIE
A 6-oz. pkg. of prepared cracker crust
1 14 oz. can of sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup (about 3 medium limes) fresh lime juice
1 tsp. grated lime peel
2 cups frozen whipped topping (thawed)
Beat the milk and lime juice until combined. Stir in the lime peel. Pour into prepared crust. Spread with whipped topping. Chill for 2 hours or until set. Tint the whipped topping St. Patrick’s Day green. Enjoy!
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