Two Weddings and a Coronation

OGUNQUIT—
From 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 15, 2011, join the Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with Columbary House Antiques and Nancy Marshall Communications, at the Cliff House and Spa on Shore Road in Ogunquit for an Evening Gala Event of “Two Weddings and a Coronation.” This is to be a semiformal affair as if all were actual wedding guests.
The evening’s events are in celebration of the two Royal Weddings occurring this year in Europe. First, the wedding in England of Prince William and Kate Middleton on April 29, followed by the marriage in Monaco of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II and Charlene Wittstock on July 1 & 2.
The highlight of the evening will be the preview of a previously undiscovered, one of a kind home movie of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. This will be the first time this film footage has ever been seen by the public. The home movie provides a unique personal perspective rarely seen. It includes footage of the preparations in the days leading up to the Coronation and many of the decorations that adorned the Procession route from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey. This film footage transports the viewer back to 1953, showing the streets busy with period automobiles and pedestrians dressed in the current attire. The view of the procession is from the front row in the grand stands directly opposite the entrance to the Abbey. A vintage official film of the coronation will also be shown. The combination of these two films has a magical way of making the viewer feel like he or she is actually in attendance.
The movies are part of a prominent Massachusetts estate that is currently being offered for sale at Columbary House Antiques. A member of the family was the wife of a Consul of Monaco. For many years, she and her husband resided in the palace of Monaco with the royal family. Because of their diplomatic status, they attended many major social functions including the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and the marriage of Prince Rainier III of Monaco to American film star Grace Kelly.
In addition to the movies, other items from this estate will be on display at the Cliff House on the night of the event. Some of these items are a collection of jewelry that includes a 22Kt. gold Egyptian necklace with diamonds, rubies and sapphires, a 33Ct., aquamarine broach, a pair of platinum earrings with emeralds and diamonds, a 18Kt. gold floral broach with 16 center diamonds, and a 14Kt., gold diamond and pearl ring; the guest passes to the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II noting the seating in the grand stands at Central Hall Westminster opposite the entrance to the Abbey, and including the vouchers for a buffet breakfast, box luncheon served on the stands, and also the tickets to the Royal Opera House at Covent Gardens for the Gala Performance of “Gloriana” in honor of the Coronation of Her Majesty, the Queen; a large group of documents and correspondences that include a hand written note signed by Princess Grace, all of the announcements and invitations to the many events of the wedding of Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III, and the invitation to the Baptism of Prince Albert II, the current Sovereign Prince of Monaco; a selection of artwork that includes well know Ogunquit artist William Columbus Ehrig and George Carpenter.
Tickets for this event are available at The Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce, 1 Stonewall Lane, York, Columbary House Antiques, 1286 US Route 1, Cape Neddick or online by going to www.gatewaytomaine.org. Refreshments and hors d’oeuvres appropriate to the occasion will be served.
Please contact the Chamber with any questions at (207) 363-4422 or email Elaine Burnham at elaine@yorkme.org. Proceeds from the ticket sales of this event will be used to promote Artfest and Antiquefest, two events planned for later on this year. Additional info can be found with Columbary House Antiques in Cape Neddick, 207-363-5496.
Photo caption: Pictured are historical items that will be on display at the “Two Weddings and a Coronation” event on April 15. (Photo courtesy Don Poland at Columbary House Antiques)

Run for the Fallen Maine Accepts Quilt, Proposes Gold Star Plate

OGUNQUIT—
Sandra Troutt and her husband, James, recently presented a handmade quilt to John Mixon and the Run for the Fallen Maine nonprofit organization. Sandra made the quilt to thank the organization for all they have done for our Fallen Heroes. Sandra and James are the proud grandparents of SPC. Dustin J. Harris of Patten, Maine who was killed in action in Iraq on April 6, 2006. They do whatever they can do to keep his memory alive.
The quilt will be displayed throughout the Town of Ogunquit this summer, at the Dunaway Center and at Veterans’ Park on Memorial Day weekend and 4th of July weekend. It will also be displayed at Knight’s Quilt Shop on Route 1 in York as part of their Memorial Day display in May.
Most of the squares in the Quilt were hand painted by Sandra. She has agreed to make another quilt (different than this one) with a similar theme that will be raffled during our fundraising efforts. You can see the quilt and other fundraising items soon at www.runforthefallenmaine.org.
In other news, Run for the Fallen Maine has recently proposed a new Gold Star License plate design to the State House, designed by Wells High School Student Emily Knight. As Maine is one of only two states in the U.S. that do not offer Gold Star family license plates, Run for the Fallen Maine is working with Governor LePage to reintroduce a bill to the current Legislature that would offer this honor to eligible family members. Run for the Fallen Maine has offered to offset the roughly $10,700 it would take to produce the plates. The organization is also working to establish a fund to pay for the plates of any eligible family member that cannot afford the license fees assessed by the State. For more information, visit www.mainegoldstarplates.com.
Photo caption: Bottom: Sandra and James Troutt hold up a quilt Sandra made in honor of the efforts of the Run for the Fallen Maine. Top: The proposed Gold Star Plate for Maine designed by Wells High School student Emily Knight. (Courtesy photos)

6th Graders Learn Research Tools at the Brick Store Museum

KENNEBUNK—
When choosing subjects for biographical research, middle school students often choose sports figures or heroes from American history. The Kennebunk names William Lord, Isaac Emery, Eliza Bourne, and Nathaniel Lord Thompson do not make the list. However, in early March, two of Mrs. Laurie Jacques’ 6th grade Language Arts classes and the Brick Store Museum approached biography research from a unique perspective. Students learned about a wealthy merchant (Lord), a Civil War soldier (Emery), a famous mother and seamstress (Bourne), and a young ship captain and ship builder (Thompson).
The program began with a visit to each class from the Museum’s Acting Director, Cheryl Price, who introduced the topic of primary/secondary/tertiary sources and ways to glean information from photographs, newspapers, and other sources. Students were also introduced to the Museum’s website and finding aids for materials available in the Museum’s Archives.
The next day, members of the Museum’s Education Committee brought archival resources and artifact images to the classroom and helped students discover information about local historical figures. The class was divided into four groups, and each group investigated a different person with the help of a Museum instructor. The students read journal entries, personal letters, reference books, etc. to find answers to a series of guiding questions about their person.
The following Saturday, students attended a special open house at the Museum. They were given the opportunity to see many of the actual artifacts they’d seen in pictures during class, toured the Museum’s Archives, and at least one student asked a research question and observed the process in finding the answer.
“This was a wonderful way to reach out to a number of students in an age group that we haven’t worked with as much in the past,” said Price. “We offer vacation workshops, summer programs, and have taught a ‘Hands on History’ class through the RSU 21 Stretch Beyond program, but usually these programs are attended by younger kids. It’s important for the older students to know that we can be a resource for them.”
The program was declared a success by all involved, and Jacques would like to offer it next year to all of her Language Arts classes.
Photo caption: Students in Mrs. Laurie Jacques’ sixth grade Language Arts class investigate merchant William Lord with help from Brick Store Museum Education Committee chairperson Jackie Campbell. MSK Principal Jeff Rodman looks on. (Photo courtesy Brick Store Museum)