York Decorator Show House Features Twin Cottage

By Larry Favinger
Staff Columnist
YORK—
The Museums of Old York’s 21st Annual Show House opens to the public Saturday.
Twin Cottage at 6 Starboard Lane features more than two-dozen spaces, each decorated by one of the region’s interior designers, landscapers and artists.
The house will be open through Aug. 14th on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursdays 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sundays 1 to 4 p.m. The house is closed Tuesdays.
The other of the twin cottages was the museum’s Decorator Show House in 2007, according to Scott Stevens, director of Old York.
He said this year’s show house is “almost ideal” for the much-anticipated event. He said it is a sprawling venue that includes spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean. “There’s a lot to see,” he concluded.
This annual event is a centerpiece of the society’s fund-raising efforts.
“The show house provides an important percentage of our operating programs,” Stevens said in a telephone interview. These include the museum’s education programs, exhibitions and preservation initiatives.
The importance of the fund-raiser has increased this year due to the sluggish economy.
“Our endowments took a hit,” Stevens said, “and we’ve seen some softness in our annual giving.”
Chairwoman for this year’s Show House is Beverly Young, working with a committee of volunteers.
Parking will be on-site.
Designers from York, Kittery, Wells, and South Berwick have been joined by firms from Cambridge, North Andover, and Boston, Mass., and Portsmouth, Hampton Falls, Rye, Hollis, and Barrington, N.H.
To go along with the show house, Old York sponsors a series of events, attendance at which includes tickets to the show house.
These include a designer discussion July 21 with four of this year’s decorators at the York Harbor Reading Room at 491 York Street; a Fashion Show by Jane’s July 28 at The Stage Neck Inn in York Harbor, a Stonewall Kitchen Cooking School Aug. 4 at Stonewall Kitchens, 2 Stonewall Lane, and Floral Design by Botanica Aug. 11 at Blue Sky, 2 Beach St., York Beach.
Advanced ticket purchase for these events is required and seating is limited. For information and tickets call (207) 363-4974.
The Museums of Old York collects, stewards and presents objects of historical and community significance from York and surrounding communities.
The museum campus in York Village features a contemporary art gallery, numerous period gardens and nine historic properties, including the Ramsdell House, a more than 250-year old house that once belonged to a farm laborer, and the Remick Barn, a fully-accessible visitor, education and exhibition center.
For more info, call (207) 363-4974 or visit the museum’s website at www.oldyork.org.
Photo caption: Twin Cottage is this year’s Decorator Show House. (Museums of Old York photo)

15th Antique Tractor and Engine Show Returns

ELIOT —
It’s summer time in Eliot, Maine and that can only mean one thing. The 15th Annual Eliot Antique Tractor and Engine Show is right around the corner July 23rd - 25th at the Raitt Homestead Farm Museum located at 2077 State Road (Route 103), only 5 miles from the Kittery Outlet Malls.
Featuring a huge assortment of antique tractors, farm equipment displays, hit and miss engines, shingle mill demonstrations, auction, live music, bean hole beans, strawberry shortcake and other fair food, crafts, flea market, tractor parades, Garden Tractor Pulling, Antique Stone Boat Pulling, Transfer Sled pulling, kids pedal tractor pulls, the Raitt farm barrel tractors, Colonial Encampment and more. Fun for the entire family, this event is one of three fund-raising events held at the Farm Museum each year. 100% of the proceeds raised go to the preservation and restoration of the beautiful 33-acre farm property and to continue its mission statement of educating future generations about farming history.
The weekend kicks off Friday the 23rd with the popular auction to benefit the Raitt Homestead Farm Museum. Spectators get in free by donating an auction item. “It’s a great way to start the event and brings everyone together for some fun. “It’s full of great bargains, and raises much needed revenue for our organization,” stated Steve Beckert, President of the Raitt Homestead Farm Museum.
The Shingle Mill operated by Phil St. Jean will be running throughout the event, showcasing how old-fashioned shingles are made. “The shingles will be used to restore the Apple Barn and other buildings on the property,” stated Lisa Raitt, Trustee and Event Coordinator for the Raitt Homestead Farm Museum. “We are in the process of restoring the Apple Barn and the new shingles you see on the front of the building were cut at last years show.” Jon Hodgdon will be branding some of the shingles as they come off the mill too.
Saturday begins with the popular Pancake Breakfast at 7 a.m. followed closely by the sounds of the hit and miss engines and tractors making their way around the grounds. Larry Hosack takes the stage midday Saturday to entertain, followed by the Tractor Parade and Pulling. In the evening a Roast Beef dinner will be served while the local band Sugar Shack performs on stage. Come early as the tickets for dinner go fast. Then grab your partner and dancing shoes as Square Dancing makes its popular return and anyone can come and join in the fun.
Sunday starts with the pancake breakfast at 7 a.m. followed by the Church service in the Pines 9-10 a.m. The Engine displays and shingle mill demonstrations continue with the kids Pedal tractor pull followed by Transfer Sled Pulling and a tractor parade round out Sunday. At 2 p.m. the raffles will be drawn.
Sponsored by Cabot Creamery, Johnsons Seafood & Steak, Raitts Signs, Bob’s Trophies and Awards, The Tire Loft, and Rousseau Farm Excavation, the 15th year of the show is sure to delight all ages.
Admission price for the show is $5 per person, children 12 and under get in free. Plenty of on site free parking. For more information please visit www.eliotantiquetractorandengine.org, call 207-748-0860 for the show schedule or email eatea@comcast.net.
The Raitt Homestead Farm Museum is a registered non profit organization dedicated to the preservation and restoration of the beautiful 33-acre property. Continuing to educate future generations about farming heritage is a vital part of our mission statement. With your continued support we can meet our goals for the 2010 season. Located at 2077 State Rd in Eliot, Maine. Visit www.raittfarmmuseum.org.
Photo caption: John and Bailey B. on tractor. (Courtesy photo)

Former Berwick Academy Headmaster Turns 100

SOUTH BERWICK—
Approximately 150 friends, family and former students gathered at the Commons at Berwick Academy on Thursday, July 8 to celebrate Mr. Stuart Chaplin’s 100th birthday.
Guests joined Mr. Chaplin for a luncheon and tours of the Academy’s buildings, given by Rachel Saliba, BA’s Archivist.
At the luncheon program, Jedd Whitlock, BA’s Director of Advancement, introduced each speaker beginning with Rev. Donna Muise of the First Parish Federated Church in South Berwick where Mr. Chaplin is a parishioner.
Following lunch, Greg Schneider, the Academy’s Head of School spoke about Mr. Chaplin’s positive affect on his students over the years, many of who were in attendance. Greg also thanked Mr. Chaplin for providing mentorship to him as head of the Academy, more than fifty years following Mr. Chaplin’s tenure, which began in 1950 and ended in 1956.
Greg also presented Mr. Chaplin with several letters containing birthday wishes from Maine’s Governor Baldacci and President and Michelle Obama.
Greg played a jazz selection on the saxophone before presenting Mr. Chaplin with a framed print of Fogg Memorial as well as a framed photograph of Mr. Chaplin, which will be hung in Fogg outside of his former office.
Other speakers included Sally Knowlton Carmichael, BA Class of 1954, who spoke about the close relationship between Mr. Chaplin and her class, evidenced by their monthly lunches at Fogarty’s restaurant in South Berwick. Sally also described the tribute to Mr. Chaplin from the Class of 1954, a granite bench inscribed with his name, which sits in front of the 1791 House on the Academy’s campus.
Mr. Chaplin spoke briefly but left the bulk of the speaking to his daughter, Kera Ashline. Kera thanked many of the guests by name, including neighbors, South Berwick Community Center volunteers, former high school students from Newport, Maine, as well as the BA Class of 1954. “People say it takes a village to raise a child,” Kera said. “It also takes a village to care for a senior citizen.” She mentioned how touched her father is by all of the people who care about him every day.
Additional musical performances included Joseph “Ducky” Scanlon who sang “God Bless America,” and BA faculty member Tim Platt accompanied by BA Business Manager Seth A. Hurd ’90 on the keyboard leading the BA school song “Long Live Berwick, Long Live BA!”
Photo caption: Berwick Academy Head of School Greg Schneider congratulates former Headmaster Stuart Chaplin at his 100th birthday celebration. (Courtesy photo)