I am writing the evening after the Edgecomb Historical Society's grand annual meeting, featuring a visit from the Baker-Cochran Wedding Quilt, owned by the Newcastle Historical Society.

I had no idea how beautiful and colorful the front side of the quilt is, the names all being on the back, written in India ink, some perhaps stamped, precisely printed. The front of the squares range from simple pinwheels of pink silk, sadly frayed (cotton is much stronger) to traditional designs like the "flower basket," to designs we are sure were original with the makers, sturdy colors, unfaded from 1885.

I was pleased to meet Christine Nelson, who has told me so much about her family, and to re-acquaint with Carol Webb Machon and Sharon Webb Barter, and Reverend Konni Chase Wells. The meeting was attended by a good 27 people, several with connections to the names on the back side of the quilt, written or stamped in India ink (a few blotched; pens weren't reliable in the 1880s.) Such a sumptuous wedding gift, and what a cheerful way to enter the holiday season!

Flowers of the Forest: Let us salute the passing of Les Smith, and send our deepest condolences to Lee, our long serving former tax collector, to their son Stuart, one of our selectmen, and grandson Alex, as well as to members of their extended family. Donations may be made to the North Edgecomb Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 56, Edgecomb, ME 04556.

Let us also bid farewell to Dr. John M. Lewis, in whose memory donations may be made to the Jennifer Lewis Memorial Fund, c/o Denise Crowley, ACHS, 25 Mount Eustis Road, Littleton, NH 03561. Also, let us salute the passing of Charles James Jr. on McKay Road, and send our most sincere sympathies to Sharon Dowd, his mother and others of his family. A sad week for Edgecomb.

Along the Huzzah Highway: Mimi Steadman, who has exhibited her jewelry, and Anne Brooks, her weaving, at the recent ArtFull Gifts Holiday Show in Northport.

Van Reid, who has joined other Maine authors volunteering as literary guides and mavens at the Maine Coast Book Shop in Damariscotta, the start of a campaign linking independent book stores to the national Small Business Saturday, which will occur November 30.

The day that you will be reading this will be Thanksgiving. I wish all of you, your families and friends and neighbors, a grand and thoughtful holiday.

Thanks for reading the words from 234 River Road, 207-633-2978 and jocam@tidewater.net.