President’s Blog June 2026
“The Runner”
I really thought that once I retired in January, I would have lots of time to work on the course and write monthly blogs. People have said to me before that you will be busier after you retire. I did not believe them but there may be something to that. Either way I could not be happier with my decision and the ability to help out at LKCC in any way I can.
As I roll out of bed on the second day of June, I can’t help but smile at the crystal clear sky, gorgeous sun rise and the 38 degree temperature. I hope we don’t have another frost delay this spring, but it definitely has been the coldest spring I can remember. I worry about the black flies and mosquito lave being able to withstand this cold. I’m sure we will find out if it ever gets to 80 degrees this spring.
Has anyone noticed all the signs stuck in the roads at every busy intersection? I came out of the dump (oops, transfer station) the other day and from the Saco River to Indian Acres hill was half a mile of signs about people evidently running for some office or board. That may be a slight exaggeration, but I can’t remember ever seeing that many. We have a lot of candidates for the 2 seats on the MSAD 72 school board. I have known many people that have served on that board over the years, and I have the utmost respect for them. I hope these 2 new members will have more luck getting our school back on track.
I have been married to an elementary teacher(s) for over 40 years of my life. (You know, practice wife and real wife.) You can imagine all the stories that I have heard at the dinner table. My mother was a teacher, and my grandmother was a teacher. I don’t know if teaching has gotten more stressful over time or just the lack of support from parents and administrators has worsened. I vividly remember a teacher breaking a yardstick over a 4th graders hand because he was misbehaving as well as the time another teacher shoved a 5th grade boy’s head into his open book and bloodied his nose. Trust me, they both deserved it. The best one was when another mouthy 5th grade young man was ignoring the teacher’s instructions and was forced to sit under a TV on a rolling stand and watch all of use eat lunch. I believe the quote was “Ron you starve!” He probably filled back up at dinner that evening, but I bet he didn’t tell his parents. I sure miss all those good times. I don’t suppose teachers can do that anymore.
A couple years ago, I was dropping off a few school supplies to my wife at the MOMS. Her students were at a “special” so she came out to the truck to get the stuff. As we exchanged pleasantries, I noticed a small young boy exiting the building by himself. I guess he turned out to be a kindergartener and had already made a name for himself. I asked my wife “who is that and why is he outside?” She smiled and said we call him the “Runner.” (Don’t worry Jay, this story has a happy ending.) At that point a teacher comes through the first set of doors to retrieve the runner. She gets to the second set of doors, and he is standing there on the other side. The 5-year-old freedom fighter then turns and wedges himself in a 45 degree angle with his arms outstretched and locked on the door handles. I could not believe what I was seeing. I looked at my wife and said, “You know what that kid needs?” She replied, “You stay in the truck!” After a minute or two, cooler heads prevailed and the youngster succumbed to negotiation and went back to his classroom. Good luck to all the candidates. I’ll be voting for the ones that can improve parenting skills.
In a couple of weeks we will start our summer season with the annual Hadlock invitational. That means that everyone is invited. It is a fun event with lots of laughing, stories and farm fresh meat prizes. It’s still only $50 to play and the money goes to $2500 scholarships to graduating seniors at FA. We have awarded 4 scholarships this year and the recipients will be on the first tee box to address all the supporters. That’s my favorite part along with the meat distribution. The tournament is on June 14 this year. Hope to see you all there.
The new tee boxes are sodded, the irrigation system is healing and the greens are coming along fine. The membership family is continuing to grow and all we need is a bit of warmer weather. Thank you for all your support and kind words. Next month will be about the new “Driving Range!”
Yours in Golf,
Brad
