We may not be getting together at school, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t all reading! (Mr. Boomsma is reading some non-fiction [Talking Back To Facebook] and a book on Yankee Humor.) In lieu of a traditional bookworm schedule, consider these thoughts from Carl Sagan:

What an astonishing thing a book is. It’s a flat object made from a tree with flexible parts on which are imprinted lots of funny dark squiggles. But one glance at it and you’re inside the mind of another person, maybe somebody dead for thousands of years. Across the millennia, an author is speaking clearly and silently inside your head, directly to you. Writing is perhaps the greatest of human inventions, binding together people who never knew each other, citizens of distant epochs. Books break the shackles of time. A book is proof that humans are capable of working magic.

Here are some Valley Grange activities coming up:

Friday, July 20 – The regular Valley Grange Meeting will be held at the home of Mary and Jim Annis… potluck picnic starts at 6 PM! Call Jim or Mary at 564-0820 for more information.Saturday, July 21 – We’ll be having our Italian Buffet Dinner from 5 PM to 7 PM at the Grange Hall… this is a huge treat with a menu that runs from pizza to chicken cacciatore… and wait until you try the chocolate mousse (two s’s – otherwise it would be “mouse”) with raspberries… adults eat for $6, kids 5-12 $3, and under 5 eat free! All proceeds from this dinner benefit the Smart Starts for Students Program… come early before the food runs out!

Thursday, July 26 — Piscataquis Pomona* has their annual Fun and Fund Raiser in the form of a picnic and auction at the home of Walter & Janice Boomsma in Abbot… you don’t have to be a Grange Member to join the fun that often features some fantastic auction finds, plenty of laughs, and we usually wind up roasting marshmallows around the fire pit. Hamburgers and hotdogs are furnished… bring a salad or dessert to share… and if you have something “cool” for the auction, bring that as well! For more information contact the Boomsmas at 876-4131.

Saturday, July 28th — Valley Grange Bookworms and members will be at the Guilford River Festival again this year, handing out free balloons and asking how kids are doing with their summer reading!

Enjoy the summer… and spend some time with a book!

*The Grange “Pomona” is a regional (originally county) collection of local or community Granges… the Piscataquis Pomona includes Dexter, East Sangerville, Garland, South Sangerville and Valley Granges.