ROCKPORT – The Rockport Masonic Hall was the scene Saturday evening, February 27, as Rockport’s 125^th capped off its weekend activities with a bean supper at the Masonic Hall. A host of people enjoyed the supper that helped raise money that supported the weekend’s activities. Of special note was one diner, Russel Fish, who wold be celebrating his birthday come Monday, February 29.

Born in a leap year, Russell only gets to celebrate his birthday every four years. Russell entered the world on February 29, 1944. Which makes him either 18 or 72 years old.

“I’m a 29er,” Russell mused. “It’s exciting. It’s always nice to celebrate a birthday, but when you only get one every for years it makes it really special.”

Fish said that on the in between years you celebrate whenever you feel like it.

“I had a school teacher who came from Islesboro,” he said. “Her name was Mrs. Pendleton and she was my teacher in the fourth grade teacher. Unbeknownst to me, she set up a birthday party for me and it was quite a surprise.”

“It fell on a leap year and it has always been a special memory for me,” he said.

Herb Annis cooked the beans for the supper and started them at 7 a.m. that morning. He was adamant that you don’t stir the beans because it makes them mushy.