Wells Reserve EcoDay Promotes Healthy Planet, Healthy You

WELLS—
Get active, be fit, and go green is the message for Wells Reserve EcoDay, to be held April 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Wells Reserve at Laudholm. As Earth Day approaches, begin or renew your commitment to a healthy planet and a healthy you. From alternative energy to sustainable gardening and from aquatic sports to Zumba, EcoDay promises hours of opportunities for you to try something new.
EcoDay activities will include the third Laudholm 5K, a volleyball tourney, a beach cleanup, and demonstrations or try-its for paddle surfing, kayaking, biking, fishing, hiking, geocaching, and yoga.
“The Wells Reserve is already a great place for exercise and connecting to nature,” said Diana Joyner, president of Laudholm Trust, the nonprofit that is offering EcoDay as a benefit for the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve. “By bringing in green businesses, conservation groups, and wellness practitioners, we hope to help people discover new ways to improve both their own quality of life and the quality of local environments.”
In the EcoDay keynote, Dr. John E. Carroll, professor of natural resources at the University of New Hampshire, will address food sustainability for New England. What is the future of local food? Is Maine on your dinner plate? Do you know your farmer? Dr. Carroll’s EcoDay presentation is sponsored by the Garden Club Federation of Maine.
EcoDay will have face painting, art projects, and other activities for kids, bluesy funk-rock music by Velourosaurus, giant kites flown by the Nor’easters Kite Flying Club and Kites Over New England, and good food and drink available for sale. The Wells Reserve at Laudholm also boasts miles of trails through a variety of habitats and an undeveloped sandy beach.
“Wells Reserve EcoDay will be as well suited to singles as it is to families,” Joyner explained. “It should be fun for everyone.”
In celebration of the Wells Reserve’s 25th anniversary, no admission will be charged for EcoDay, but free-will donations are welcomed.
The Wells Reserve at Laudholm is located on Laudholm Farm Road, just off U.S. Route 1 near the Wells-Kennebunk line.

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)

Area Legislators Announce Reconstruction of Route 1 and Route 9

AUGUSTA/WELLS—
Senator Ron Collins (R-Wells) and Representative Kathy Chase (R-Wells) were pleased to recently learn that road maintenance projects have been planned and are scheduled to begin this summer for sections of both Route 1 and Route 9 in Wells.
The Route 1 project, which will include paving and drainage improvements for 0.9 miles between Route 9 and Harriseckett Road, is scheduled to begin July 5, with a completion date of August 27, 2011. This project has been awarded to Pike Industries of Lewiston, Maine.
The second project will include paving and safety improvements of 1.2 miles of Route 9, between Homestead Drive and the northerly intersection of Depot Street. Work is scheduled to begin after May 9, 2011 and will be completed by June 18, 2011. Because of the nature of the maintenance that needs to done, this work will be performed at night between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m.
“Maine winters can cause havoc on our roadways, and the roads in Wells are no exception. There are several roads throughout my district that need repair,” said Sen. Collins. “I am pleased to see the beginning of these projects being scheduled and hope to see many more this spring. As Senate chair of the Transportation Committee, I know that this problem is widespread throughout the state.”
Rep. Chase said the Route 1 stretch has been a problem for some time. “It’s the number one question asked by motorists who drive that part of the road,” she said. “I’m glad they are paying attention to our concerns. And these projects come on top of the rebuild of Route 109 between the turnpike and the town line that we worked so hard to get. It’s good to see some highway investment coming to Wells.”
The Route 109 project, announced in January of this year, addresses nearly 4.5 miles of Route 109 in Wells. The first phase of construction will begin this spring and is due for completion by October 2012.
Sen. Ron Collins represents Maine State Senate District 2 which includes the York County towns of Acton, Berwick, Cornish, Lebanon, Limerick, Newfield, North Berwick, Parsonsfield, Shapleigh, and Wells.

National 9/11 Flag Comes to York

YORK BEACH—
From 1 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 23, the National 9/11 Flag stopped at the York Beach Fire Station, one of many Maine stops on its national tour.
According the Flag’s website (http://national911flag.org), the National 9/11 Flag is one of the largest American flags to fly above the wreckage at Ground Zero in New York City. Destroyed in the aftermath of the World Trade Center attacks on September 11, 2001, the flag was stitched back together seven years later by tornado survivors in Greensburg, Kansas.
The flag is currently on a tour of America in commemoration of the 10th Year Anniversary of 9/11. The goal of the tour is “to display this historic flag at leading venues nationwide, to empower local service heroes in all 50 states with the privilege of stitching the flag back to its original 13-stripe format, and to inspire 300 million Americans with the flag’s rich visual history in order to deepen our sense of citizenship and national pride and bolster the spirit of volunteerism on the 9/11 Anniversary and year-round.”
When the tour is complete, the Flag will become part of the permanent collection of the National September 11 Memorial Museum being built at the World Trade Center in New York City.
Photo caption: On March 23, the National 9/11 Flag appeared at the York Beach Fire Station. (Photo courtesy Dave Osgood)

Berwick Resident Achieves Eagle Scout Award

BERWICK—
Ross Andrew Conroy of Troop 313 in Berwick, Maine, recently earned the highest advancement award the Boy Scouts of America offers to Scouts, the Eagle Scout Award. Only 2% of Boy Scouts nationwide earn this award. Ross was 15 years old when he completed the requirements and attained the rank of Eagle on November 24, 2010.
Ross was recognized in a formal ceremony on March 12, 2011 at the First Parish Federated Church, in South Berwick, Maine, with over 90 friends, family and fellow scouts in attendance. Joining them were Maine State Senator Ron Collins, Maine State Representative Beth O’Connor, Cabela’s retail store manager of Scarborough, Maine, Rich Pschirrer, Mr. Glen Walsworth from the American Legion Charles S. Hatch Post 79, as well as numerous representatives from the York District and Local Troop 313.
Ross earned over 30 merit badges and successfully completed a community service project to earn his Eagle Award. His project was building wildlife enclosure for the Center of Wildlife in York, Maine. Through donations from local businesses and individuals,Ross raised in excess of $1,000 in cash and materials for construction to build a wildlife enclosure for recuperating small mammals.
Rick Raynes, the Scoutmaster of Troop 313, met Ross in his first year as a Webelos Scout in 2005, at an outdoor winter event with temperatures below zero. According to Raynes, who spoke about Ross at the Eagle Court of Honor, “It was evident that Ross showed a lot of promise, as he started his own fire to enjoy a warm lunch.”
Numerous scouts participated in the Eagle Court of Honor in South Berwick. Scouts Cody Farwell and Casey Wallbaum read the Scout Law, as it was interpreted by John Wayne when a Scout ranch in California was dedicated in his honor.
State Senator Ron Collins presented Ross with a flag that flew over the State House in Augusta, and spoke to the importance of leadership. Representative Beth O’Connor read a formal recognition from the state of Maine, “This is the highest award in Boy Scouting and is given for excellence in skills development, leadership, personal growth and community service...”
Ross is the son of Drew and Janet Conroy of Berwick, Maine. His younger brother Luke is also Webelos Scout, who opened and closed the ceremony with a few musical arrangements played with fellow Webelos Scout Noah Safford on their trumpets. Ross would like to thank all the sponsors and fellow scouts who have supported him along the way.
Photo caption: Ross Conroy of Berwick recently received his Eagle Scout Award in a formal ceremony on March 12. (Photo courtesy Rebecca Chasse)