Plant-A-Row for the Hungry collects 37,765 Pounds of Food

YORK COUNTY—
It was a wet, unusually difficult growing season, but the farmers and gardeners of York County managed a record contribution of 37,765 pounds of fresh nutritious vegetables (and 4 1/3 gallons of apple cider) to the Plant-A-Row for the Hungry (PAR) program to benefit hunger relief agencies throughout the county. York County leads the Maine effort of the program, which began in Alaska and now operates nationwide.
The program, administered by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, with the efforts of Master Gardener Volunteers, ended the season last week with the delivery of over 1,000 pounds of winter squash to the York County Shelter by master gardener volunteers working with the Ben Grant Farm of Saco.
The Spiller Farm of Wells, operated by Bill and Anna Spiller, a major contributor to the program since its local inception nine years ago, is featured in the November/December 2009 issue of Yankee Magazine, and on Yankee’s streaming video at www.yankeemagazine.com. Again this year, the Spillers worked with two teams of master gardener volunteers to contribute nearly one-third of the York County PAR total.
Frosty nights ended the apple harvest by master gardeners at Smith’s Farm in Acton and the MacDougall Orchards in Springvale, but not before nearly 10,000 pounds of apples were picked and delivered to the York County Shelter programs and the Sanford Food Pantry.
At Zach’s Farm Stand in York, volunteers from local food pantries and master gardener volunteers faithfully collected the unsold produce at the end of each day of operation to distribute nearly 2,500 pounds of ‘picked in the morning’ vegetables to various area agencies. John Zacharias also generously supported the efforts of the Coastal Clovers 4-H Club by donating land space and support for the 4-Hers to grow almost 4,000 pounds of vegetables to share with local food pantries.
Berry Best Farm, operated by John and Chris Bozak, continued a Labor Day tradition they began two years ago, and opened their blueberry patches to volunteers, allowing them to pick one quart for themselves and one for the food pantries. Open picking resulted in a contribution of nearly 115 pounds of the precious fruit to hunger relief agencies.
Other contributing commercial farms include Harris Farm of Dayton, Riverside Farm of North Berwick, the Rick Grant Farm of Saco, and the Tibbetts Family Farm of Waterboro. A number of individual gardeners also participated in the program by sharing their excess produce with their local food pantries.
Joan Sylvester of York County shelter notes the importance of so much fresh local produce being donated at a time when government commodities are increasingly scarce and the number of needy people facing food shortages is on the increase. Sylvester notes that produce from Plant a Row for the Hungry makes up to more than 80% of what they are able to give out to those who need it in food baskets,
Frank Wertheim, of University of Maine Cooperative Extension, notes that the work of the Master Gardener Volunteers has been incredible in making this happen and especially appreciates the efforts of Zelda Kenney who has led the volunteer effort and whose tireless work has helped our program to expand.
Photo caption: The Plant-A-Row for the Hungry program collected nearly 10,000 pounds of apples this year. (Courtesy photo)

Connor Submits Bill to Examine Education Commissioner’s Rule-making Authority

AUGUSTA—
State Rep. Gary Connor, D-Kennebunk, has submitted legislation to examine the state Education Commissioner’s rule-making authority, following the Education Department’s decision last week to cut the state’s special education funding.
Connor, who represents Arundel, Dayton and parts of Lyman and Kennebunk, said he submitted the legislation in response to Commissioner Susan Gendron’s recently proposed rule changes that will have the effect of reducing Maine’s special education funding to local schools throughout Maine.
“Reducing special education funding to minimal standards simply won’t provide special needs students with adequate care and education,” said Connor. “Twice, over the last several years, the Legislature has decided that the state should allow local schools control when it comes to special education spending. I am concerned that Commissioner Gendron’s rule changes are not reflective of the Legislature’s intent and could significantly impact our children’s future.”
“Over the next several months, the Legislature will have to make many painful decisions as it deals with a budget hole of nearly $400 million,” said Connor, who serves on the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee. “But these decisions should be made by the Legislature, in concert with government departments, not solely by those departments through emergency rule-making.”
Connor’s bill is currently being drafted and, if accepted by the Legislative Council, which is made up of Legislative leadership, will be taken up by the Legislature during the coming session.

Wreaths Across America Stops at Wells Junior High School

By Reg Bennett
WELLS—
On Dec. 7th, the convoy known as Wreaths Across America stopped briefly at Wells Junior High School to take part in a wreath laying ceremony at Ocean View Cemetery. This stop has become a part of the journey that this organization takes on its annual 750-mile trip from Harrington, Maine, where the wreaths are made at the Worcester Wreath Company, to Arlington National Cemetery. The convoy was carrying over 100,000 “remembrance” wreaths to be placed at gravesites of veterans in Arlington and at many other cemeteries in the country.
Around 8 a.m., a portion of Route 1 in Wells was cordoned off by the Wells Police Department. Soon after, semi-tractor trailers carrying balsam fir wreaths parked adjacent to the front of the school and across from Ocean View Cemetery. The convoy, consisting of dozens of cars and other vehicles, was led by John O’Leary and his wife Bunny of the Patriot Guard Riders, an organization that escorts the convoy to the Washington D.C. area.
At Ocean View Cemetery Principal Chris Chessie introduced Cassidy Healey and Brittany Stutes who led in the Pledge of Allegiance. Chessie also acknowledged Cindy Roche, Sally Morse and student volunteers who made the wreaths placed at Ocean View. There were many in attendance including the entire student body of WJHS, Karen and Morrill Worcester of the Worcester Wreath Company, numerous veterans including Commander James Kilbride of the Wells-Ogunquit American Legion Post 143 and Kennebunk VFW Post 6545 and American Legion Commander Ken Kingsley. Commander Kilbride was also a part of the ceremony’s honor guard.
As Taps was played on the trumpet by WHS student Justin Lareau, eight students placed wreaths at memorials to veterans. Those students included Kayla Looper, Charlotte Merrifield, Tim Barnard, Abby Ford, Barry White, Juliane Fitzpatrick, Anthony Crawford and Desirae Kuhn.
After the ceremony, guests were invited back to the school’s cafeteria for refreshments and a brief performance of one song by the 7th and 8th grade chorus entitled, Song for the Unsung Hero.
Winners of the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen contest were also acknowledged and photographed.
“It’s great that the Wells Junior High participates in this. It is a good cause. It is rewarding to them and to the veterans,” said Commander Ken Kingsley who served with the Navy Seabees in Vietnam.
“This is a wonderful, wonderful event,” said U.S. Army veteran and Director of Emergency Management for York County Robert Bohlman, who was at the wreath laying ceremony and at the reception. “Wells has a chance to participate in this and it brings out what the whole program across the nation is really about and we’re glad Mr. Worcester was able to stop here.”
The tradition of bringing wreaths from Harrington to Arlington by Mr. Worcester began in 1992 when he had wreaths left over during the holiday season. He decided to drive 5,000 wreaths to Arlington. That was 18 trips ago.
Photo caption: Leading the honor guard to Ocean View Cemetery from WJHS is Commander James Kilbride of the Wells-Ogunquit American Legion Post 143 and WHS student Justin Lareau. (Reg Bennett photo)

Drive-Through Nativity to highlight Christmas in York

YORK—
York-area residents and holiday visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy a special Christmas celebration this year as members of First Parish Church present a Drive-Through Nativity, The Journey To Bethlehem.
Staged as a living tableau with live actors portraying all the characters of the original Christmas story, the program will take place, rain or shine, on Saturday evening, Dec. 19, from 5 to 7 p.m., in the loop around Town Hall and the church in York Village. Admission will be free, and all are invited.
Dozens of volunteers have been working for several months, according to Janet and Larry Cassidy, co-chairs of the event, and many more are signed up to work as the date draws nearer. “The committees range from set design, props and costumes to carpentry, lighting and even live animals,” he said.
“There will be seven distinct sets,” Janet explained. “The first will be the annunciation of Mary by the angel Gabriel, which will be right behind Town Hall.
“Then there will follow a series of scenes including Caesar’s Palace, travelers on the road to Bethlehem, the wise men, the overcrowded inn, shepherds and angels in the field and, of course, the manger.” More than 70 church members will be portraying the authentically costumed characters in the nativity story, according to the Cassidys.
The audience will be able to view each scene from the comfort – and warmth – of their vehicles, entering from York Street and slowly traversing the loop around to the exit between the church and the Parish House.
The sets are being built, painted and decorated in Long Sands Shopping Center space donated by Ellen Baldwin. “We’re getting help from many corners,” said Larry. “Live animals from Triple G Farm in York, assistance from Eldredge Lumber, a beautiful three-dimensional camel created by artist Maiken Kunces of Thomaston, props – including a pair of golden lion statues – from Steve and Janet Erickson of York Beach…the list goes on and on. An anonymous donor is covering our out-of-pocket expenses. It’s just amazing.”
“We’re planning to make this an annual event,” Janet said. “We’re hoping we can make Christmas in York even more special than it already is. And, of course, we’re hoping that this event will serve to remind everyone of the true meaning of Christmas.”
“We’re not doing this for ourselves,” Larry added, “although the participants are certainly enthusiastic about the project. We’re doing it for the community. It’s a gift to our neighbors.”
Photo caption: Teams of designers, carpenters and painters have been working on the sets in space in Long Sands Shopping Center. Mike Lawlor (left) and Bill Dunn recently applied finishing touches to the framework of the throne room in Caesar’s Palace. (Per Jonas photo)

Pease Greeters Roll Out the Welcome Mat for Arriving Troops

By Larry Favinger
Staff Columnist
PEASE TRADEPORT—
A tradition begun in 2005 continues today to impact the lives of many veterans, men and woman on active military duty, and civilians.
It was in that spring that the Seacoast Detachment, Marine Corps League met the first flight of troops landing at Pease and returning from the battlefront in the Near East. Since then, according to Jack P. Savastano of North Hampton, the Pease Greeters public affairs officer, more than 320 flights of men and women, going to and coming from the battlefront, have been met.
“This is not a small piece of Americana,” Savastano said earlier this week. “It’s a big piece of Americana.”
Back in 2005, the Pease Development Authority noticed the situation with the troops coming in and contacted the Marine Corps League. It has grown from there.
“We started basically with an empty air terminal,” Savastano said. “Now you’re talking overflow parking.”
Since it began, the Pease Greeters group has not missed a single flight and has grown to well over 100 elders and youths, all offering their thanks and greetings for these heroes, said Ed Johnson, chairman of the group, in a letter on the Greeters’ website.
Now, veterans and civilians of all ages join the Greeters, who come from throughout the Seacoast area of Southern Maine and Southeastern New Hampshire and beyond. “The kids are very happy to come meet the troops,” Savastano said.
Even as the reputation of the Pease Greeters grows, there is, Savastano said, “Still a little bit of shock and awe” once they arrive here.
Many of them bring gifts, especially those retuning from overseas. These artifacts presented by the troops are on display in the terminal.
One of the main displays is from a different era, a 48-star American flag that hit the beach at Guadalcanal in 1942. One of the Greeters, Jerry McConnell, Savastano said, was with that flag when it went ashore.
With the crowds growing, at times even including a high school band, new sound equipment was needed, so a group of students from Marshwood Middle School raised $1,600 to buy a new, bigger system in two hours at a bowl-a-thon.
The Greeters don’t know what services those arriving are from, but as soon as they find out, that service’s song is played in the terminal as the troops enter and they are greeted by handshakes, cheers and flashing cameras.
While on the ground they are welcome to call anywhere they wish on a special bank of phones. Initially, Johnson said, cell phones were freely offered by the Greeters for the troops to call home with news. Now a bank of phones may be used free of charge, exclusively for the veterans, courtesy of Whaleback Systems, a company located in the Pease Tradeport.
There are refreshments available and, if by chance a soldier comes from the area, efforts are made to get the family together for at least a few minutes.
Savastano noted that parents of one arrival were contacted and brought to the terminal by police escort. Another troop mentioned he had a brother in the Coast Guard serving “at the shipyard up here.”
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Security was contacted. They located the young man and he was brought to Pease for a short but heart-felt reunion with his twin brother.
There have been troops come through who were born here while a parent was serving at the now closed Pease Air Force Base or the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.
The stories are endless.
Each group that comes through is photographed and those pictures are displayed in the terminal and on a website the troops can access.
In a short ceremony they are welcomed, there is a short session where old warriors meet the young warriors, and each of the troops is given gifts, most of which are donated by people and businesses in the area.
Lindt Chocolate and the Bose Corporation have donated items, among others, area women have baked thousands of cookies, and the commander of each unit is presented a sweatshirt signed by the Greeters.
Savastano has been impressed by the faces of the young Americans who have come through the terminal.
“You look at the faces of these kids,” he said. “It’s infectious. It is an eagerness to serve their country. That’s what you see in their faces.”
Information on arriving flights and the nationally known and honored Pease Greeters is available at the group’s website, www.peasegreeters.org.

Cyber Safety Expert Visits Marshwood Middle School: An 8th Grader’s Perspective

By Suzannah Blass
& Rosie Alleva
Marshwood Middle School
Students
SOUTH BERWICK—
Cyberbullying, predators, sexting, and social networking - do you really know what your kids are being exposed to on the web? Many parents don’t, but Jayne A. Hitchcock does, and it’s her job to help educate parents, kids, and teachers about these topics. She is the president of Working to Halt Online Abuse, WHO@. Jayne travels to different schools, businesses, and other organizations to train and inform the public about these significant issues. She has appeared on popular T.V. programs such as Primetime Thursday with Diane Sawyer, CNN, and Good Morning America, as well as in Time Magazine. She has also written a book related to her work entitled Net Crimes and Misdemeanors. On Nov. 19, Jayne visited our school to inform us about these types of issues.
Some kids may think that they know everything there is to know about the Internet, but at the assembly we, the students of Marshwood, realized this wasn’t true at all. Few of us actually realized how easy it is for people we don’t know to look us up online and how susceptible to predators we are. The point of this assembly was in no way to discourage kids from using social networking sites but rather to simply warn us of what could happen and how to be safe while using them.
Sexting, a term used to describe sending explicit photos to one another through texts or computers, may seem like no big deal. But it is. If the picture is of someone under age, both the sender and people who look at the picture can be charged with child pornography. When pictures are posted on the web, the person posting them might not realize that the picture they posted would stay on the web forever, that it would travel so fast, or that they could be fired in the future because of it! It’s not only pictures, though. When you type a status or post a comment on Facebook, or really anything else online, it will stay there forever and is open to the whole Internet. Friends, family, supervisors, co-workers, and even people you don’t know could see these things. As we learned in the assembly, you should never put anything onto the Internet that you will later regret.
Everything in the assembly just seemed like fact after fact, real life problems that were happening to kids just like us, but still, they weren’t us. Jayne said something that caught everyone’s ear, teachers and kids alike. She revealed to us that she had made an alter ego on Facebook. Jayne “friend requested” 60 MMS honor students. Of those 60, 58 kids had accepted and became her friend (even though they had no knowledge of who she was). When she said this instantly murmurs spread throughout the gym as people racked their brains to remember if they had accepted anyone they didn’t really know. Many people were probably regretting it now. She, as her alter ego, then had easy access to phone numbers, emails, pictures, videos, and even addresses. Yes, it is just that simple. This was a major eye opener. These weren’t only facts; they were statistics about us. They actually made everything seem all the more real. Things went from, “That could never be me!” to “This is real and I should be more cautious.”
The assembly ended shortly after, when the students and teachers were dismissed out of the gym to carry on the school day. Even though this may have been the end of the assembly, it wasn’t the end of predators on the web or sexting. Many of the ideas, facts, and statistics that Jayne had told us were scary, but they were all true. They affected many of us and got us thinking for the rest of the day. Many kids were trying to figure out who Jayne’s alter ego was, and were scared that they may have befriended her. Some said that when they got home they would change their profile settings to make themselves safer, some said they would check to make sure their friends were truly their friends, and some said that they would put less information in their profiles. The assembly showed all of us how important it is to go out of our way and make sure we are safe. In addition, it warned us never to sext. Overall, even if some kids shrugged off what was told to us during this assembly, many didn’t and thanks to this assembly those kids will now be safer.
Photo caption: L-R, Rosie Alleva, Jayne Hitchcock, and Suzannah Blass after a recent seminar on cyber safety at Marshwood Middle School. (Courtesy photo)

The “Spirit of Giving” is once again alive and well in Ogunquit

By Devin Beliveau
Staff Columnist
OGUNQUIT—
Ogunquit Spirit of Giving is an annual local event to collect gifts for needy children who otherwise would have no presents at Christmas. Now in its 5th year, it was begun and is still largely run by local business owners.
“We either have our own businesses or we work in businesses,” explained OSG committee member Irene Crocker, who runs Watercress Cottages & Motel in Wells. “We adopted an agency, the Kinship Program.”
The Kinship Program matches up OSG donors with underprivileged kids who are being raised by their grandparents. “These grandparents are bringing up their grandchildren because the kids parents are either dead, drug addicts, or in prison,” explained Bette Hoxie, Director of Adoptive and Foster Families of Maine and the Kinship Program. “The grandparents don’t have a lot of money, and they can’t give (the kids) Christmas gifts.”
That’s where OSG comes in. People who want to help these kids sign up to buy $35-$50 worth of gifts for a specific child. “Most people spend more than that,” said Crocker. “I know I do. We get a list from the Kinship Program. It says ‘This is your child. This is what they would like.’ Some kids want a toothbrush, some want underwear, basic essentials. But we go above and beyond that.”
“When we started out we wanted to serve 50 kids. We did 89 in the first year,” Crocker reflected. “Every year since OSG has added more kids to its list. This year we’re up to 403 kids.”
On Dec. 6 at Mainestreet in Ogunquit, donors dropped off their gifts for the 403 kids. All the gifts were already wrapped and individually addressed. On Dec. 7, gifts were distributed to the homes of the kids free of charge thanks to Bow Street Distribution. Gifts were sent to children from Kittery all the way to Damariscotta, Maine.
“Most of these families are on low income or even no income,” said a grateful Hoxie. “Ogunquit Spirit of Giving means that these kids will have Christmas, that’s really what it means.”
Other OSG committee members include Jason Corbin, Jimmy Lucibello, Michael Maler, Jim Morgan, Normand Paquin, Jerry Peppe, Jeff Porter, Frances Reed, David Sullivan, Suzanne Thompson, and Mike Zamojski. For more information visit www.ogunquitgiving.com.
Photo caption: Spirit of Giving committee member David Sullivan puts presents under the Christmas tree at Spirit of Giving at Mainestreet in Ogunquit on Dec. 6. (Devin Beliveau photo)

York High Graduate wins YAA Scholarship

YORK—
The first recipient of the York Art Association’s Letitia Moore Scholarship is Katie Rasche, a sophomore at Skidmore College. Ms. Rasche, who attended York High School, and was salutatorian at her 2008 graduation, has been on the Dean’s list both semesters of her college freshman year. She is intending to major in Studio Art with a focus on photography. A reception in Ms. Rasche’s honor was held at York Art Association on Saturday, Nov. 28th.
The $5,000 scholarship was awarded to Ms Rasche on the basis of recommendations from her high school art teachers, her academic standing at high school and at Skidmore and her essay which noted “ my educational and career goals are quite simple: I want to make it out of college with an education in something that I can see myself enjoying for the rest of my life, and I want my career to follow suit… It was never really a question that art was always the field of study that I wanted to pursue later in life.”
The Scholarship was established as a part of a trust left to York Art Association by Ms. Moore, who was an artist and member of the Association. The award is given to a deserving college student who has completed their first year at an accredited college or university and is majoring in art or art history. YAA’s scholarship committee was most impressed by what Ms. Rasche had already achieved academically and her positive view of what she expected to accomplish with art as her career focus. Ms. Rasche is hoping to exhibit at YAA in 2010.
Photo caption: L to R: Lou Hargan (Scholarship Committee, YAA), Katie Rasche, and Priscilla Schwartz (VP, YAA). (Gloria Gottlieb photo)

4th Annual 2009 Festival of “Fostering” Trees

YORK—
The Festival of “Fostering” Trees is back for another year and we’ll continue our mission of joining the entire community together by providing a beautiful festival of decorated Christmas Trees for your viewing pleasure while giving back to our community - all at the same time.
How it works:
The Festival of “Fostering” Trees raffles off decorated artificial Christmas Trees that were donated from the community! Come stroll through our enchanted forest of beautiful trees and take a chance on your favorites, no two trees are alike!
All proceeds will help youth living in York County Foster care.
Location, dates, and times: American Legion Post #56 function facility.
Friday – Dec. 4th – 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday – Dec. 5th – 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday – Dec. 6th – 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday - Dec. 6th - Raffle @ 4:15 p.m.; Calls placed to winners 6 p.m.-9 p.m.; Monday - Dec. 7th - Pick up of all trees 8 a.m.-noon.
Entry Fee: Support the American Legion’s Toys for Tots Program by donating a new, unwrapped toy and/or gift card or support the York Food Pantry by donating a non-perishable food item or support both by making a monetary donation at the door and this will serve as your entry fee to the Festival. You do not have to purchase raffle tickets in order to stroll around and view all of the beautifully decorated trees and enjoy the Spirit of the Season.
Refreshments served each day. Raffle Tickets are 25 for only $5.FMI Call Janalee @ 361-2116 or 423-4281, or Email @ janaleemoquin8@yahoo.com.
Photo caption: The 4th annual Festival of “Fostering” Trees kicks off Dec. 4. (Courtesy photo)

Bashaw named Chairwoman ofOgunquit Chamber Board of Directors

By Jim Kanak
Staff Columnist
OGUNQUIT—
Carla Bashaw has added some new responsibilities to the ones she routinely executes as the owner of Genesis Day Spa in Ogunquit. She was recently named Chairwoman of the Ogunquit Chamber of Commerce’s 12-member Board of Directors. She takes the post at a time when the Chamber is taking on some new things.
“We want to do fun and family oriented things to get businesses and residents together,” Bashaw said. “Our focus is pulling the community together as well.”
Most immediately, Bahsaw, Chamber President/Executive Director Karen Arel, and their colleagues on the Board are looking to the upcoming Christmas by the Sea weekend on Dec. 11 - 13. “We’re looking for it to be one of our best events,” said Bashaw. “We’ve added a bell choir concert and will continue with carolers at different locations. The carolers will be at the Tree Lighting at Veteran’s Park on Friday night. The Village Spirit Committee is putting on the parade again. We’re still having the chowder and chocolate fest. It’s always fun.”
Bashaw noted that the Chamber puts on events throughout the year, including the OgunquitFest weekend in October, the Patriot’s Day weekend in April, and the Sidewalk Art Show in August.
“In the past few years, we’ve started the Mardi Gras event in the winter and Cinco de Mayo in May,” Bashaw said. “We just did Celebrations by the Sea, where the Dunaway was transformed into an Expo. We’re currently working on a restaurant week in the spring, a new and different way to showcase restaurants. It may be a progressive supper. We’re hoping it will culminate with a wait staff Olympics, with events like hurdles for food servers. We think it will be fun.”
The events aren’t the only thing the Chamber does, Bashaw said. “The Chamber facilitates interactions among members, through things like our monthly Business After Hours,” she said. “We have put on seminars in the past, that have been free to members. We’re working on getting promoted in places like Boston. We use co-op ads that allow members to have exposure at lower cost. We have a calendar of events on our website where members can post events. We try to keep members informed about anything political that might affect them. We offer different services and benefits.”
In the past in Ogunquit, as in many resort communities, there have been some tensions between businesses and the police, particularly over things like parking and traffic enforcement. Bashaw said that situation was much improved. “It’s going great,” she said. “The police and fire chiefs and the Town Manager have taken great strides in creating more of a feeling of unity. The selectmen have been a big part of it as well. It was apparent this summer when we put the fireworks on again.”
Looking to the future, Bashaw said the Chamber wanted to take advantage of the growth its experienced. “The Chamber has grown in the past three years,” she said. “We need the members to get involved and give us their ideas. The Board looks to members for ideas on what would help them.”
Photo caption: Carla Bashaw (Jim Kanak photo)

Christmas on the Coast in Kittery

KITTERY—
The Seacoast Kiwanis Club for the 16th year is sponsoring the Kittery Holiday Parade on Saturday, Dec. 5th. The parade theme is Christmas on the Coast.
The parade begins at 3 p.m. from the Post Office Square on Shapleigh Road, with judging of various units beginning at 2:40 p.m. (Late arrivals will be accepted but may not be judged.) We recommend that participants arrive at around 2 p.m. to allow time for set-up and alignment. Trophies will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each division of the parade.
When the parade leaves Post Office Square it will turn left on Shapleigh, right on Whipple, left on Wentworth, then through the Square, right on Government and finally circling John Paul Jones Park finishing at the Christmas Tree.
At the Park a musical selection will be played by the combined Traip and Shapleigh School Bands followed by the announcement of award winners and lighting of the Tree by Santa and Mrs. Claus.
The Kittery Rotary will serve hot cocoa and cookies. Every one is invited to stay and enjoy the refreshments.
Additional information is available at www.seacoastkiwanis.com and www.facebook.com or by contacting any Kiwanis Member or Glen Philbrook at 439-0721 or Norm Leon at 439-9292.