Friday, May 27, 2011

New Extreme Country Stampede Tour Coming to York


YORK—
A rodeo, country music concert, extreme freestyle motocross show, monster truck rides, hot air balloon rides, wrapped up into one extreme package for a one of a kind entertainment experience – the Extreme Country Stampede Tour - is coming to York for the first time ever!
The event kicks off Friday, June 3, at 6 p.m. at The American Legion Post 96 in York with an Extreme Cowboy Auction and Casino Night featuring live country bands, cowboys, casino games, hot air balloon rides and an auction. Proceeds from the Casino Night will benefit The American Legion Post 96 and proceeds from the auction will benefit Breast Care at York Hospital. Admission is free.
The Extreme Country Stampede Tour follows on Saturday and Sunday, June 4 and 5, at York’s Wild Kingdom (gates open at noon). Up and coming country musicians including Corey Cox and Rachel Timberlake will perform, and motocross sensations the Ive’s Brothers and their Ball of Steel, and of course, the World Cup Bull Riders will keep Stampede attendees on the edge of their seats.
Former bull riding champion, Kenny Churchill, and owner of A1 Entertainment Ryan Conley wanted to create a unique, inexpensive, family-friendly event. They also wanted to help organizations like York Hospital. This is their way of giving back.
“I had a great career, now I want to raise awareness for great organizations,” said Churchill.
For tickets, call York Hospital’s Friendraising Office at (207) 351-2385. $5 of every advanced ticket sold at York Hospital will be donated to Breast Care.
Photo caption: From Friday, June 3 to Sunday, June 5, York will be home to the Extreme Country Stampede Tour, coming to town for the first time ever with a portion of proceeds benefiting The American Legion Post 96 and Breast Care at York Hospital. (Photo courtesy www.extremecountrytour.com)

Revolutionary War Officer to Receive Veteran Marker in Eliot


ELIOT—
On Memorial Day, Monday May 30, at 2:00 p.m., General Andrew Pepperell Fernald will receive a veteran marker in a Dedication Ceremony at his grave in the Fernald Family Cemetery at 52 Goodwin Road in Eliot. This ties in nicely with the conclusion of the town’s Memorial Day Parade. The general has laid in rest all these years without appropriate recognition for his service.
General Fernald served with the Second Regiment of York County Militia as well as Col. John Frost’s Regiment of Massachusetts State Troops during the Revolutionary War. He then came home to Eliot where he represented the Parish at General Court in Boston to petition the Massachusetts government to grant the formation of the Town of Eliot in 1810.
Major General Lee Downer, USAF (Ret.) will preside over the program. Also participating will be members of the Fernald family, the Eliot Historical Society, The Second Regiment of York County, American Legion Post 188, and the Eliot Police Department Honor Guard. Eric Christian will present a biographical overview of General Fernald.
In the words of W. J. Cameron, “Perform, then, this one act of remembrance before this Day passes – Remember there is an army of defense and advance that never dies and never surrenders, but is increasingly recruited from the eternal sources of the American spirit and from the generations of American youth.”
So, as you plan your Memorial Day activities, which for many will include the town’s parade, give some thought to stopping by the Fernald Family cemetery to participate in this special dedication ceremony, which will serve as a tribute to the general but will also bring to life the true meaning of the morning’s parade.
Again, the ceremony begins at 2:00 p.m. at the cemetery at 52 Goodwin Road in Eliot. For additional information please contact either (207) 752-0174 or (207) 439-5155.
Photo caption: Influential Revolutionary War officer from Eliot, Gen. Andrew Pepperell Fernald, will finally receive a proper veteran’s burial marker on Memorial Day Weekend. (Courtesy photo)

Steel from World Trade Center Makes Procession to Freeport


KITTERY/FREEPORT—
A 20-foot steel beam from the World Trade Center left Kittery Trading Post at around 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 21 and made its way up Route 1 to Freeport with much fanfare. The beam was transported on a flatbed truck, escorted by the Maine Army National Guard with a police escort (several departments), the Patriot Guard Riders, the Freeport Flag Ladies and veterans groups. The beam was welcomed in Freeport with a special ceremony. Freeport Commemorative arranged the events. The beam will be used in a September 11 memorial in Freeport, designed to be reminiscent of the towers and set to be dedicated this September in honor of the 10th Anniversary of the 2001 attacks.
Photo caption: A 20-foot beam from the World Trade Center passes by Wells Junior High School on its way to Freeport on Saturday, May 21. (Photo by Reg Bennett)