The Man behind the Music: Maestro Robert Moody to Visit

KENNEBUNK –
Do you ever wonder what it means to be the music director of the Portland Symphony Orchestra (PSO)? How do conductors spend their time when they’re not on the podium? Get to know the man behind the music as Maestro Robert Moody shares the answers to these questions and more about American orchestras in the 21st century.
Robert Moody, conductor of the Portland Symphony Orchestra, will be making the rounds in Kennebunk on May 1. The first stop on his visit will be as guest conductor of the Kennebunk High School Band, led by band teacher Benjamin Potvin. Students will have the opportunity to ask questions as well as perform for Moody during the morning band rehearsal.
“We were excited to extend the offer for Mr. Moody to work with the KHS Band. Due to the unique collaboration of Huntington Common, River Tree and Kennebunk Savings, we were able to sponsor his visit at no cost to the school,” commented Juliette Coldreck, program director at RTA. “Susan Benner, the activity coordinator at Huntington, has been supportive of the event by allowing us to use this funding to benefit the community.”
Huntington Common will be hosting a Lunch and Learn after Moody’s visit to KHS. The PSO music director will be talking to residents and guests about his life as a conductor, working for the PSO, and his passion for music. Huntington Common will be accepting Lunch and Learn reservations from the community. The RSVP includes lunch and the lecture in the Huntington Common dining room at no cost; only 50 reservations will be accepted. Guests must arrive by 11:45 a.m. on May 1. To reserve a seat, please call 207-985-2810.
Since his appointment as Music Director in 2008, Robert Moody has gained renown for the Portland Symphony Orchestra through its outstanding performances, innovative programming, and deep-rooted community collaborations. Highlights of his tenure with the PSO have included critical and audience acclaim, a fully revamped “Magic of Christmas,” a sold-out gala concert with Renée Fleming, and the establishment of important new works through commissions and premiere performances. Moody is a frequent guest conductor with orchestras throughout the country.
Robert Moody’s visit has been sponsored by a union of Huntington Common, Kennebunk Savings Bank and River Tree Arts to bring art, music, and theatre enrichment to the lives of Kennebunk area seniors. For more information, please call River Tree Arts, 207-967-9120.

Sarton Centennial Pays Tribute to Renowned Writer

YORK –
The May Sarton Centennial is just two weeks away. The author, who would have been 100 years old on May 3, was born in Belgium. At age 2, she fled to England with her family when the Germans invaded, and they moved to Massachusetts the next year. The famous wrier of more than fifty books settled in York in her later years. The York Selectmen just proclaimed May 3 as May Sarton Day, and the celebration is filling up fast with participants.
Some of the highlights in the May Sarton Centennial Schedule:
Opening Reception with Symposium presenters, appetizers, wine and a Birthday Cake for May Sarton. From 4 to 7 p.m. at the Parsons Center.
Two days of presentations by friends, filmmakers and scholars on Friday and Saturday.
Rare screening of the film “Mrs Stevens Hears the Mermaids Singing.”
A Poetry Celebration and Clambake on Saturday Night at Fosters Clambake in York with Poets Laureate, music, and great food. Tickets available separately for $40 each.
Educators can earn 1.5 CEUs while attending the Symposium.
Walking tour of York Village for attendees.
Sunday service at South Church Unitarian Universalist with a focus on May Sarton in Portsmouth. Public Welcome.
Raffle of a unique collection of books and film inspired by the Centennial and donated by the Symposium presenters. Tickets are $10 each or three for $20. Tickets can be bought when registering, through PayPal now or at the event. Drawing is during the dinner on Saturday, May 5. Winner need not be present to win.
Special Sarton exhibit of photos, letters, rare books, art work and other artifacts will be on display at the York Public Library and Parsons Center. Some items, including a framed print by York artist and May Sarton friend, Beverly Hallam, are for sale to support the Symposium.
The books have all been donated by the Board of Trustees of the York Public Library as its contribution to the symposium. Hallam, a longtime friend of Sarton’s, personally donated her print, as well. Hallam and Sarton were neighbors in York. Wild Knoll, Sarton’s home, is on the same property as the house where Hallam still lives today.
A limited edition print by Hallam, entitled “Keukenhof Gardens 11,” is one of only three made. Hallam has had a long and distinguished career as an artist and is a pioneer in the use of acrylics and the airbrush. In recent years Hallam has been experimenting with the use of shape and color in computer-generated prints.
Rounding out the sale is a framed photo interpretation of Sarton’s gravestone in Nelson, New Hampshire, created by tombstone artist Walter Skold.
All of the items are currently on view at York Public Library. They are part of a larger exhibit that includes photos and letters on loan from the Maine Women Writers Collection at the University of New England, and copies of rare and personal writings on loan from the Berg Collection at the New York Public Library. Several “Broadsides,” limited edition beautifully crafted poems written by Sarton and given to friends on special occasions, are on loan from the Maine State Library
The public is also welcome to attend the opening reception on May Sarton’s birthday, Thursday, May 3 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Parsons Center, and a presentation at the First Parish Church on Friday morning, May 4, at 9 a.m. and on Saturday morning, May 5, at the same location at 10:15. All other Symposium presentations require a Symposium ticket. A complete ticket is $90, or you may choose to attend only the Symposium for $50. Please see maysarton100.org for details.

Maine Supreme Judicial Court Improves Transparency

As a public service, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court now provides live streaming of its oral arguments. Although associated technical support is not offered to listeners, if you experience problems listening to the stream, please send an e-mail to lawcourt.clerk@courts.maine.gov. Staff will then be given the opportunity to determine if there is a technical issue or a common problem that can addressed. In your message, please include information on what device you were using to tune in (PC, Mac, iOS, or Android) and, if on a PC or Mac, what browser you were using. It should be noted that not every e-mail will be acknowledged.
The stream will be active only while the Court is in session and on the bench. A schedule of the Court’s next oral argument session, with a summary of the issues involved in each case, can be accessed online. The Court’s schedule for the year is available on its calendar page.

For more information, visit www.courts.state.me.us. This article was provided by Beth O’Connor, Maine State Rep District #145.