A note to my dear friend, John B Foster, Sr.-- Morse Road, Fort Fairfield, Maine. I was fortunate enough to have known John Foster for the last 11 years when we first started building our retirement home, just about next door to John and Nat, in Fort Fairfield, Maine. John, not only kept busy every day in retirement on his house and garden, he was a committed “walker”, usually walking 3 miles each morning, leaving from his house very early. By chance, I am a walker as well, and soon we met on our very private road with very little traffic, except for a few neighbor’s dogs, deer and maybe a moose at times. At first, we waived together as “passing walkers” would usually do. Eventually, we timed our walks so that we could have neighborly company in this beautify environment. A very special friendship grew from this, that always started a fresh new day for both of us. What we found in common was our love of nature, clean air, the need to keep healthy (in walking) and a desire to be friendly neighbors. Our daily walks lead to social encounters with both Nate and my husband, that produced many a laugh and an exchange of food—soup, cookies, cakes, vegetables etc. that always put smiles on our faces. I learned so many things walking with John. The most important might have been to always carry dog biscuits for the dog that may not be in the best mood that morning. I am thankful to John for being such a good listener. I was able (maybe as a women) over-time to do most of the talking, but maybe John was not much of a talker! After the walk, John would always provide a bit of advice that was always practical, reasonable and constructive. He was to me a “Fatherly”figure which came natural to him. What I also witnessed was the love and devotion that John had for Nat, his children, grand children, church and the wonderful log cabin they called home, in which they both built many years ago. If half the population were made from the same cloth as John, we would be all close to heaven, where I am sure that John is now. I fondly remember how excited I would be once I saw his orange hunting cap as he walked towards me, and that at this moment, I felt welcome, and indeed comfortable, knowing I could now “chit-chat” and walk at the same time. Bless you John! Ann Hangen 12.8.18