Memorable birthday

Aug. 4 was a beautiful day, weather wise and party wise. At Hannaford Cove, Cape Elizabeth, many friends and relatives enjoyed the party for John H. Rich Jr.’s 90th birthday celebration. On the lawn of the Rich cottages were several small tables, with umbrellas attached, to shield guests from the bright sun, and in case there was a shower (there wasn’t).

John’s wife, D. Lee, had told us that the refreshments would be just cake and ice cream – but spread out on a long table also were dainty cucumber sandwiches, and platters of sushi, a real treat. The cake was clever, too, with an American flag, in red, white and blue frosting, in the center. It was traditional, too, a replica of the cake baked for John’s father on his 90th birthday, and that party was in the original cottage, which is still there now. Our John was born there, in that cottage which his father built.

The entertainment, tunes played during the party by an accomplished bagpiper, were much appreciated. John had recently learned about a Scottish ancestor in his family, so the bagpipe music was most appropriate. John asked the bagpiper to play the Marine hymn (“From the halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Tripoli…”), as John stood beside my husband, Harry. They were both in the Marine Corps, and were also classmates at Bowdoin College. The bagpiper knew that music, as well as other requests. I had asked him if he could end with “Old Lang Syne,” and he said that John had asked him to conclude with “Amazing Grace.” As the party ended, he played both.

We were pleased to talk with guests Ed and Peggy Stafford, who summer at Gurnet. Ed is the grandson of Adm. Robert Peary, the discoverer of the North Pole. The Stafford family spent many summers at the Peary cottage on Eagle Island, in Casco Bay, and now Ed leads groups to the island in the summer, describing the property. We also spoke with Kathy Dolan of New Gloucester, whose father, Hank Dolan, was a good friend of ours. He was also in the Marines, and at Bowdoin College he was listed as a Latin and Greek scholar there, with honors.

Also, we enjoyed talking with Betty Peterson and her son, Steve. Betty and her late husband, Roger, and children lived in the beautiful home located near the water, across the road from the Riches’ property. Betty still does live in Cape Elizabeth. We also spoke with Ellen Conant, who was there with her husband, Theodore. His father was a president of Harvard College. The Conants live in Hanover, N.H. We enjoyed seeing them again.

Members of the Rich family were there, and we were just in time to see their daughter Barbie, and her husband Toshi. She was driving him to the airport, as he was returning to his job in London. He was to return to Maine again soon, as he and Barbie were to visit his folks in California. We had a pleasant talk with John III and his wife Jo, who always make us feel welcome.

Also present were one of the Riches’ twin sons, Nate, of Taiwan, and his family, his wife Ming and children, Malcolm and Madelain. The grandchildren gave a little skit and a song, in front of John, their grandfather. Friends of Nate and Ming, who are teachers in the American school in Taiwan, which Malcolm and Madelain attend, were guests of the Riches, too.

Whitney (Whit), twin brother to Nate, and his son Dylan, are guests this week at Hannaford, too. Dylan spent several weeks at Camp Robinhood, in Brookville, near Deer Isle. He has been a camper there other summers, too. They live in Tokyo.

What a nice memory that party was, with the fine view of the Atlantic Ocean from every side of the Rich property, and the happy birthday occasion, enjoyed by all attending.

Memorable race

With an article in the Aug. 5 Maine Sunday Telegram section about the 10th annual Beach to Beacon road race, a picture covering the whole front page of that section showed so many runners. There were 4,839 finishers, and all the runners were listed inside and the time they took to finish.

I don’t think I could have located Dr. Danforth Desena and his wife in that picture, but I was very pleased to know that they did run. So now I do have friends who entered that important race.

I had an appointment with Dr. Desena at the Foot and Ankle Clinic, and asked if he had been hiking lately. We both enjoy that sport – and then he told me of their participation in the race.

As I perused the section in the Telegram, I read that our governor, John Baldacci, also ran, cutting 7 minutes off his previous time, doing the race this year in 53 minutes, Bravo!

Two of our sons run around the Baxter Boulevard track in Portland, and that amazes me. However, I have walked that course, and am glad that I can still do that.

Memorable piece

I was pleased last week to receive this clever piece about 80-year-olds from my friend Kate Hay Guest of Lebanon, N.H. She still climbs mountains and plays golf, at the age of 89 (my age, too).

It is nicely written by Frank C. Laubach, but now I’m wondering about 90-year-olds. Are we still looking forward to the best years at the age?

“Life Begins at 80”

I have good news for you. The first 80 years are the hardest. The second 80 are a succession of birthday parties.

Once you reach 80, everyone wants to carry your baggage and help you up the steps. If you forget your name or anybody else’s name, or an appointment, or your own telephone number, or promise to be three places at the same time, or can’t remember how many grandchildren you have, you need only explain that you are 80.

Being 80 is a lot better than being 70. At 70 people are mad at you for everything. At 80 you have a perfect excuse no matter what you do. If you act foolishly, it’s your second childhood. Everybody is looking for symptoms of softening of the brain.

Being 70 is no fun at all. At that age they expect you to retire to a house in Florida and complain about your arthritis (they used to call it lumbago) and you ask everybody to stop mumbling because you can’t understand them. (Actually your hearing is about 50 percent gone).

If you survive until you are 80, everybody is surprised that you are still alive. They treat you with respect, just for having lived so long. Actually they seem surprised that you can walk and talk sensibly.

So please, folks, try to make it to 80. It’s the best time of life. People forgive you for anything. If you ask me, life begins at 80.

Memorable cookies

MARGUERITE BLAKE’S OATMEAL COOKIES

1 cup sugar

2 cups shortening

1 egg

Blend these together. Then add:

1-1/4 cups of rolled oats

1 teaspoon milk

2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups baking soda

2 teaspoons cream of tartar

Mix together. Then drop by teaspoonfuls on baking sheet. Bake in moderate over (325 degrees), about 15 minutes.

This yields about 40 cookies. Delicious, too.

Copy the Story Link