In his "retirement" he volunteered many hours at the local nursing homes, playing the music those people remembered best, and bringing smiles to weary faces. As a measure of affection felt for Howie and his family, the Congregational Church was filled and overflowing with friends at the remembrance service held on Sunday. Many memories were shared with Ruth, Beth, "Chip" and Heather, as we said good bye to our own Music Man!

As you mark your calendar for mid-December, we have been told that you can attend the sing-along Messiah at the Second Congregational Church in Newcastle on December 19, and still make it back in time for the Candlelight Service at the Edgecomb Congregational Church at 5 p.m.

I have a note from your friendly Tax Collector telling us that Nov. 30 was the last date to pay taxes without interest added. Anyone mailing or paying taxes from now on needs to add interest to payment. The rate is 10% this year, but is figured to the day.

(I started to call this column Ben Franklin's Sure Things--Death and Taxes.)

If you know someone in Louisville, Ky., they send warm greetings.

Betty Christopoulos has been spending a few days with her mother, Peg Jacobs.

When people come up from Florida at this season, we keep our fingers crossed that this lovely weather will hold until they are safely home. Undoubtedly, the skiers among us will get a chance to do their "thing" before the season is over.