Our town archivist Doreen Conboy has been working on a video for number of years. Last Friday she came in with a copy of "Currents, Courses and Streams, Alna, Maine, Histories of a Backwater Town." It has older residents telling about different times and what was going on back then, the history of early Alna and the many infamous folks who came from this area.

"The video has a dynamic timeline,” Doreen said. “The order within sequences does not always follow chronologically, but works like memory, slipping back into the past on cue, remembering moments and then returning to the present. This is a layered and comprehensive story build from what I had available to me."

They will be on sale for $20, cash or check made out to Doreen. The Alna Store and office are the places I know are selling it and, of course, you can buy it from Doreen. If you love Alna like I do it is well worth the price. For more information, email thebend@tidewater.net or call 207-586-5051.

Hope you got a chance to use Chris Cooper's pond for ice skating before the storm came. For those who missed it, Chris has opened the pond up to residents to use. Hockey sticks, benches and lots of room to enjoy, and to teach your little ones. Who knows, maybe we have a future Olympian in the area.

Belated happy 30th anniversary to Jim and Inez Lawrence. He is off working in another state, but before he left he gave her a beautiful dazzling diamond necklace to commentate the day. I was there Wednesday when he Skyped her. He told her where to look for her Valentine card and gift. But, she had to wait until Friday. February is hard month for this family; the 10th is Neilly's birthday, 11th their anniversary and then Valentine's Day. Moneywise, it’s like Christmas all over again.

Update on Full Moon Walk from February 16: Bill Goodwill lead the walkers on an Owl Prowl also. They called and listened for residents owls while enjoying snowshoeing under a bright full moon. Great horned and barred owls live at HVNC. Bill used recorded owls to call them in, but didn’t have much luck. Only one from across the lake returned their call. This is nesting season and they are very territorial. Star gazing, picking out constellations and planets was enjoyed by all. After the hike they returned to HiHut for warmth and to talk about the experience.

Jason Chandler led the animal tracking on the February 16. This class turned up lots of ways to look for tracks, etc. The gait, stride pattern and shape are all clues to tracking. The hikers came back and Jason said it was a "great group" of people. There was woodsmen, naturalists, hunters, loggers and conservations all in same group having fun in the great Maine outdoors.

Town meeting is close, so get working on those reports and email to Amy. You won't like it if she has to call you. Have fun this week, stay warm and love your family.