American Idol Winner Taylor Hicks to Appear in Ogunquit

OGUNQUIT—
Alabama’s favorite son continues to be in “The Right Place” since becoming the fifth-season winner of American Idol. Fascinating to note, Season 5 of Idol was the #1 most watched television program in the past decade, with an average of 31 million viewers tuning in each Tuesday and Wednesday. During the last few years, Taylor Hicks has seen his Arista debut album certified platinum, performed with the likes of Earth, Wind & Fire, The Allman Brothers and Willie Nelson, toured through Asia, penned a brisk-selling Random House memoir, made his Broadway debut in “Grease” and will now be making his second appearance on the Maine Seacoast at Jonathan’s Ogunquit for a very special Mother’s Day Concert on Sunday, May 8, 2011.
Taylor released his latest album titled “The Distance” in March of 2009, and is supported by the single, “Seven Mile Breakdown.” Along with the album, his own DVD was just released. “Whomp at the Warfield” offers fans exhilarating live performances by Taylor and his band at the Warfield Theater in San Francisco.
His personal twist of fate came in New Orleans at the wedding of an Auburn friend, the night before Hurricane Katrina hit on August 29, 2005. With his flight cancelled, he was given a free airplane voucher. Earlier that summer, he had considered auditioning for American Idol in Memphis, but the auditions were cancelled, as the city became one of hubs of the Katrina relief effort. Through the summer and fall, however, auditions proceeded in eight cities across the country. Taylor eventually used his voucher to travel for a Las Vegas holiday, coincidentally American Idol was auditioning there during his vacation.
A lifetime steeped in the blues, soul and R&B of his native Southern heroes - Ray Charles, Otis Redding, James Brown and Sam Cooke, to name a few - culminated in no uncertain terms as Taylor Hicks won the fifth season of American Idol. It was an emotionally uplifting night - May 24, 2006 - when 36.4 million viewers tuned in to watch the season finale, the year’s third-largest audience for a televised event after the Super Bowl and the Academy Awards. More than 63 million votes were cast in crowning a gritty, down-home, white soul singer the new winner.
“I thought about who Taylor Hicks would attract to the show if we had him for a concert and I said, hey let’s give it a try! He is not our typical folk type but I am excited to branch out to different types of music and personalities this season and Taylor Hicks is a fine representation of that!” stated Jonathan West about Taylor Hick’s upcoming appearance at his venue in Ogunquit.
Taylor Hicks will be playing live at Jonathan’s Ogunquit on Sunday, May 8 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are now available. Jonathan’s Ogunquit is located at 92 Bourne Lane, Ogunquit, ME, just around the corner from the Ogunquit Playhouse. For more information contact caitlan@jonathansrestaurant.com, visit our website at www.jonathansrestaurant.com or www.taylorhicks.com.
Photo caption: American Idol winner Taylor Hicks will make his second appearance at Jonathan’s Ogunquit on May 8. (Photo by Nancy L. Kent, courtesy Jonathan’s Ogunquit)

New Use Sought for Historic House

SOUTH BERWICK—
With the departure of South Berwick Public Library expected next year, the Jewett Eastman Memorial Committee is now exploring the future of the Jewett-Eastman House.
The property has been a community center since the death of Theodore Eastman, Sarah Orne Jewett’s nephew, in 1931. The author herself had lived here more than half her life, writing over 140 stories, novels and poems during the 33 years before she moved to the Jewett House, her birthplace next door, in 1887.
After the Jewett Eastman House was bequeathed to Historic New England, it was at different times a tea room, a gathering place for bridal showers and other festivities, and a meeting hall for such organizations as the South Berwick Rotary, the South Berwick Woman’s Club, and even a 1950’s group called the Sarah Orne Jewett Garden Club. In 1971, volunteers organized the South Berwick Public Library on the first floor.
Community organizations who would be interested in occupying this local landmark, either as a renter or an owner, are invited to contact the JEM Committee with proposals by August 1. The current use is to house the 1,500 square foot library and an apartment on the second floor.
The committee expects to make a decision within the next nine months. The JEM Committee can be reached at PO Box 35, South Berwick, ME 03908, or at timbenoit2@gmail.com.
Photo caption: The Jewett Eastman Memorial Committee, owner of the Jewett Eastman House, is seeking proposals for a new use for the building now that it is being vacated by South Berwick Public Library. The building has been a community center since 1931. It was built by the family of author Sarah Orne Jewett and served as her home. (Courtesy photo)

Kennebunk’s May Day Festival Plans are Set

KENNEBUNK—
Kennebunk’s 13th Annual May Day Festival will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2011 and promises to be a full day of family-friendly fun activities throughout Downtown Kennebunk. Look for our maps on Main Street to plot your course and join us for some or all the excitement that day!
Start off at Duffy’s Tavern & Grill who will once again host a pancake breakfast to benefit the May Day Festival. Advance tickets can be purchased at The Closet Boutique at 42 Main Street; they are recommended, but not required – cash sales only. Afterward, there will be lots to do up and down Main Street and in Lafayette Park!
Visit the Brick Store Museum to make your own May-basket and see the Maine Women in the Arts exhibit. Attend the faerie garden planting at the Kennebunk Free Library and while there, check out the book/bake sale put on by the Friends of the Library. Celebrate opening day for The Kennebunk Farmers Market and shop the craft market booths with artists/craftspeople on Main Street. Climb the rock wall – its 25’ high and there are 5 climbing paths to keep traffic moving. In between there will be live music, safety demonstrations, wagon rides, a teddy bear clinic and white elephant sales.
Lafayette Park will be hosting May Pole dancing and face painting, pottery wheel and Tai Chi demonstrations. Non-profits will set up here to provide information and creative ways to support them. You’ll also find another collection of artists/crafts people along with more live music later in the afternoon.
The May Day Parade will begin at 1:30 p.m. and includes many of our Little Leaguers in full uniform. You’ll also see some well-known mascots, classic cars, the Shoe String Puppet Theater, Gym Dandies and Shriners!
Please remember that all our Downtown shops, restaurants and businesses will be open that day and they help to make this event possible, so stop in to thank them with your business.
For a complete schedule of events, and list of sponsors, please visit www.kennebunkdowntown.com/calendar - just scroll down to May!