Conservation Commission Conducts Annual Clean Up of Ogunquit Beach

By Jim Kanak
Staff Columnist
OGUNQUIT—
The Ogunquit Conservation Commission conducted its sixth annual Beach Clean Up Day on Sept. 5, and the turnout of volunteers was the best it’s ever been. Close to 30 volunteers joined the commission members to conduct the sweep, which covered the beach area from the Main Beach to Moody, the area along the Ogunquit River, and the parking area.
“This looks like the biggest turnout ever,” said commission Chairman Mike Horn. “There’s a lot of people here that we don’t know.”
One familiar group was the international Volunteers for Peace, a group of young people from around the world that visits the United States to engage in various community service projects. Housed at Laudholm Farm during their stay in southern Maine, the group annually helps with the clean up. This year, five young people were involved, including Yuna Saito from Japan, Youcef from France, Craig Smeaton from Scotland, Jens Widany from Germany, and Minjeong Kook from South Korea.
Youcef said the group liked the area. “It’s very nice here,” he said. “I’d like to come back.”
Commission member Doug Mayer assigned volunteers to different parts of the clean up. He asked member Bob Joyner to take the young people and cover the area from Footbridge Beach to Moody.
The young people had plenty of help. The first volunteers arrived before the scheduled 9:30 a.m. start. They included Matt Dunn, a Massachusetts resident with a home on Ogunquit, Linda Parrish of Perkins Cove, and Chris Poirier and Jeff Davis of Wells.
Dunn said it was his first time at the clean up. “I don’t usually do this but I saw the sign for the clean up in town,” he said. “I hate litter. When I see it on the beach, I hate it even more.”
Parrish said she was a veteran of the clean up. “I like to do this because we love our beach,” she said. “It’s astounding what people leave behind. The beach is pristine and we want to keep it that way.”
Poirier echoed Parrish’s words. “This is the most beautiful beach,” he said. “I come to the beach all the time and use it. This is a great way to give back to it.”
Davis made reference to the gorgeous weather that dawned on Saturday. “It’s not really volunteering,” he said. “It’s such a beautiful day. It’s great to be outside.”
Other early arrivals included Ogunquit brothers Peter and Chris Woodbury and Jack Connerty. Mayer sent them off to pull weeds near the entrance to the parking lot there.
Commission member Madeline Brown was in charge of transporting the abundance of donated food that was available to the volunteers. She delivered product from the Village Food Market, Jackie’s Too, Hannaford’s, Congdon’s Doughnuts, the Bread and Roses Bakery, and Amore Breakfast and Café.
Member Brad Sterl manned the registration table. The final volunteers to head out were Emily Enos of Beverly, Mass. and her daughter, Alexandra (8) and niece Sarah Towle (12). Emily saw the registration table and went to gather the two girls to come back and help. “We come here every Labor Day,” she said. “This morning I saw them setting up. I like to get the kids involved in things like this. I think this is the most beautiful beach in the world. I want to keep it that way.”
Photo caption: Volunteers for Peace helped again at the Ogunquit Beach Clean up. From left, Minjeong Kook, Jens Widany, Craig Smeaton, Youcef, and Yuna Saito. (Jim Kanak photo)

Seashore Trolley Museum Debuts Restoration of Historic Electric Locomotive

KENNEBUNKPORT—
It takes 600 volts of electricity to power the locomotive known as ASL No. 100 down Seashore Trolley Museum’s tracks; beginning on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009 the public can view this fully restored, century-old locomotive in operation for the first time in more than five decades. Descendants of the men who operated this locomotive after it was built in 1906 will attend a private dedication ceremony on Sept. 25, along with state senators and representatives, museum members, and educators, to celebrate the completion of a $180,000 project funded by the Federal Highway Administration and the Maine Department of Transportation, as well as several railway societies, local businesses, and individuals. The ceremony also commemorates the opening of a new gallery exhibit History in Motion: Public Transportation Connecting Maine Communities and the launch of an elementary school science and technology educational initiative.
“The ASL-100 project has fully restored the last surviving, original piece of rolling stock from the historic Atlantic Shore Line Railway system, one of only two locomotives of its style to survive in North America. This locomotive tells the history of both the textile industry in the Sanford-Springvale area and the resort industry in the Kennebunks,” said Phil Morse, Project Manager. The Atlantic Shore Line (ASL) moved freight back and forth between the mills and the Boston & Maine Railroad, transported coal from Cape Porpoise, Maine’s harbor to power the looms of the Sanford mills, and carried passengers to a number of southern Maine resort destinations. “ASL No.100 is one of the Museum’s ten Maine vehicles listed in the National Historic Register. It is a significant landmark in the history of public transportation; its restoration is one of a dozen projects underway in the Museum’s Town House Restoration Shop,” said Jim Schantz, Board of Trustees Chairman. Over the past three years, more than fifty Museum volunteers have contributed more than 3,500 hours to the success of the ASL No. 100 project. Individuals and business donated valuable services and materials.
The ASL No. 100 project helped forge the Museum’s partnership with the Engineering is Elementary Program at the Museum of Science’s National Center for Technological Literacy. “Third to fifth grade teachers need more curricular materials aligned with the new Learning Results in Science and Technology,” said Anita Bernhardt of Maine’s Department of Education, “particularly the standards directed at scientific inquiry and technological design.”
“Seashore Trolley Museum has responded to this curricular need by designing curricular materials that integrate science and social studies and assist teachers in meeting the new Maine Learning Results. By partnering with Boston’s Museum of Science Engineering is Elementary program, we ensure that we offer the best national practices in instructional design,” said exhibit curator and educational consultant, Patricia Erikson.
Founded in 1939, Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport is a museum of mass transit whose mission is to collect, restore, preserve, exhibit and demonstrate the operation of its collection of more than 250 transit vehicles. Over 20,000 visitors each year view, and often ride, the Museum’s streetcars, interurbans, transit, school, and coach buses, and trackless trolleys from the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, Germany, Scotland, Italy, and the U.K. The Museum is the oldest and largest electric railway museum in the world with a satellite exhibit in Lowell, Mass.
Photo caption: Part of the ASL No. 100 exhibit at the Seashore Trolley Museum. (Phil Morse photo)

Laudholm Nature Crafts Festival is Sept. 12-13

WELLS—
The twenty-second Laudholm Nature Crafts Festival will be held at the Wells Reserve at Laudholm on Sept. 12 and 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Admission is $7 per person ($5 for Laudholm Trust members). The Wells Reserve at Laudholm has a no pets, no smoking policy. FMI 207-646-4521 or www.laudholm.org.
The Laudholm Nature Crafts Festival boasts 100 of New England’s finest artists and craftspeople in a spectacular historic setting. Sculpture, jewelry, pottery, paintings, clothing, and photography are among the crafts selected by jury for this prestigious event.
Festival proceeds benefit Laudholm Trust, the nonprofit organization that supports research, education, and stewardship programs at the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve.
Many artists contribute a handcrafted item to the Laudholm Raffle, which also features a beautiful handmade quilt made by Laudholm volunteers. Raffle tickets can be purchased online.
A network of trails entices visitors to explore the fields, forest, marsh, and beach of the Wells Reserve.
Dr. Chifuru Noda will fill the seaside air with tunes played on his acoustic guitar. Lunch fare will feature chowder, sandwiches, pizza, hot dogs, ice cream, and lots of scrumptious desserts.
Savings Bank of Maine is the lead sponsor for the crafts festival. Additional contributors include The Bull and Claw House, Wells Hannaford, Jake’s Seafood, Lyons Coffee Service, Lovell Design, and Scoop Deck.
The Wells Reserve is located at 342 Laudholm Farm Road in Wells, just off Route 1 near the Kennebunk line. From U.S. Route 1, turn at the flashing traffic signal south of the Maine Diner and north of Lighthouse Depot. Visit www.wellsreserve.org for directions.

Capriccio, Celebration of the ArtsStarts This Weekend

OGUNQUIT—
“You can never have too much of a good thing” observes Stuart Nudelman, Chairman of Ogunquit Performing Arts as he describes the expanded lineup for Capriccio 2009, Ogunquit’s extended Festival of the Arts. He adds, “Ogunquit Performing Arts starts two days earlier this year with “Prelude to Capriccio” which comprises two additional events:
Almost Labor Day Auction at the Ogunquit Museum of American Art on Saturday Sept. 5 from 5 to 8 p.m., replete with food, wine, a silent auction, and a live art auction. For more information call 207-646-4909.
With just a little time to get a little shuteye and brush your teeth, the Prelude moves along to the Capriccio Keyboard Concert, one great hour of organ and piano music featuring six pianists and organists taking place at the Ogunquit Baptist Church on Sunday Sept. 6 at 6 p.m. For more information: 207-646-2160.
Capriccio officially starts on Labor Day (Sept. 7) at 7:30 p.m. at the Barn Gallery at Bourne Lane and Shore Road with Poets in Person, a delightful evening of readings by local and regional poets including Vincent Larkin of Ogunquit, author of numerous books of his poetry. Roberta Mescavage, also from Ogunquit, will be joined by the return by popular demand of a delightful club of poets from Portland.
If you enjoy visiting the Ogunquit Playhouse for their stellar productions, Capriccio provides the opportunity to see two outstanding productions! Singing in the Rain will be on stage through Sept. 12, to be followed by All Shook Up starting on the 16th, a new musical about Elvis Presley starring Ogunquit’s favorite, Sally Struthers, and many of Elvis’ song hits including Love Me Tender, Heartbreak Hotel, and Hound Dog. For more information: 207-646-5511.
On Tuesday Sept. 8 there will be a Walking Tour of Ogunquit departing from Katie’s Café on Shore Road at 9:30 a.m., followed by Open Houses at many of Ogunquit’s Historic Places from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and later, a Gallery Talk at the Ogunquit Museum of American Art at 7 p.m. by guest curators Sam and Sheila Robbins.
On Wednesday the 9th at 7 p.m. at the Dunaway Center on School Street, enjoy the classic film, The Adventures of Robin Hood, the 1938 film starring Errol Flynn.
Return to the Dunaway Center on Thursday the 10th at 7:30 p.m. for a special performance by the a cappella ensemble, The York Singers, conducted by Dr. William Whieting presenting a rich program of English Folk and Part-Songs.
Bright and early on Friday the 11th the Walking Tour of Ogunquit will depart at 9:30 p.m. from Katie’s Café on Shore Road. Then at 8 p.m. at the Dunaway Center a Comedy Readers Theatre presentation.
Saturday Sept. 12 may not be the longest day of the year, but there will be enough time to spend much of the day at Ogunquit Beach enjoying the spectacular Kite Festival sponsored by Ogunquit Rotary Club. Then at 5 p.m. (until 8), join the artists of the Ogunquit Art Association in one of their legendary gala receptions to celebrate the Fall Exhibitions and meet the newest artists of the Association.
At 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday the 15th, the Chamber of Commerce will again sponsor a Walking Tour of Ogunquit departing from Katie’s Café on Shore Road. And while you are in the walking mood, tour the many excellent art galleries of Ogunquit during Open House at the Galleries, a special Capriccio feature, on the same day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Join the new members of the Ogunquit Art Association on Thursday Sept. 17 at the Barn Gallery as they discuss their approach to creating the exciting art that won them membership in this prestigious organization.
As it is often said, Capriccio has something for everyone. For those who are interested in the word, there will be a series of readings and book signings at the Ogunquit Baptist Church by local authors who have written books about the area on Friday Sept. 16, noon to 2 p.m.
And for those who appreciate antiques and some of the finer things in life, Capriccio ends with the 36th Annual Antique Show and Sale at the Dunaway Center on School Street from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
There will also be performances at local clubs and restaurants and movies at the Leavitt Fine Arts Theatre on Main Street. Don’t miss this exciting festival.
Photo caption: A sample of kites from the Kite Festival sponsored by Ogunquit Rotary Club held two years ago during Capriccio. (Paul LaCedra photo)

2009 York Citizen of the Year Announced

YORK —
At the Annual Member Appreciation BBQ held at the Visitor Center on Rte. 1 in York on Wed., August 26, the Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors announced that Dexter and Virginia Spiller are the recipients of the 2009 Citizen of the Year Award. “It is quite fitting that these two individuals were selected this year. Their family dates back to the 1600’s in York, and the theme for our member celebration this year is exactly that, Back to Our Roots,” said Chamber Board Chairman Chris Kehl. “Ginny and Dexter are York’s unofficial historians. They served as editors of the 350th York Anniversary celebration book—350 Years As York, Focusing on the Twentieth Century 2001. The Spillers are likely best known locally as the owners of the former Spiller’s Restaurant at York Beach for 23 years.
The Spillers met in college and have been married for 50 years. They have three children and six grandchildren. Dexter Talpey Spiller is a descendant of nine of the original settlers that signed the York Submission to Massachusetts in 1652. Ginny is a descendant of William and Dorothy Dixon Moore who were residents of York in the 1640’s. Dexter and Virginia share a common York tenth great grandmother, Sarah Moore Welcome Spiller, a resident of the Isles of Shoals in 1680.
Ginny, who works as docent and librarian for the Museums of Old York, has been involved in many community activities including 2 terms and six years as chair of both the York School Board and the York Board of Selectmen. She was elected for 15 years to serve as the first woman York Town Moderator. She was appointed by Governor John McKernan to serve for 6 years on the Maine State Board of Education, during which time she was chair of the School Construction Committee, Higher Education Committee, and elected liaison to the University of Maine Board of Trustees for six years. Together Ginny and Dexter have assisted 15 boys in achieving the Eagle Scout award, the highest level of scouting for young men. Ginny is also a lifelong member of the Girls Scouts including her service as a member of the Kennebec Council Board of Directors and Maine State Representative to the National Girl Scouts for 2 terms. She was appointed by Governor Angus King to serve for six years on the Maine State Museum Commission.
Dexter continues to serve in the US Army as Quartermaster Corp Captain Reserve, since 1959. He is a former Trustee of the York Water District for fifteen years, serving as its President for eleven years. He was a Scout Master for Troop 301 as well as Den Dad for Troop 301. He has been an Old York Historical Society volunteer for over 25 years with involvement on the Building and Grounds Committee, Showhouse Committee, and Librarian Archive Assistant. He also served as a Trustee of the Ellis Park Trust at Short Sands Beach for 10 years. He is active in Trinity Anglican Church, St. Aspinquid Masonic Lodge for 50 years, Kora Shrine Temple, Maine Historical Society, and York Land Trust. Both Ginny and Dexter have been life long members of the Piscataqua Pioneers Society.
“Ginny and Dexter have been outstanding models of community service for decades,” said Scott Stevens, Executive Director of the Museums of Old York upon hearing the news of their selection. “To document all the ways they have contributed to life in this area would require a historian and archivist as skilled as Ginny, but she’s too modest. It is a true honor to work and share a community with Ginny and Dexter.”
The Citizen of the Year nominations are vetted through the Festival of Lights Committee, which forwards up to five nominations to the chamber’s board of directors for selection of a final recipient. Ginny and Dexter join the ranks of fifteen previous honorees including: Bill & Phoebe Foster, Verna Rundlett, Rosi Lent, Bainbridge Parsons, Pat Bacon, Harold Radochia, Leo & Diane Flynn, Rita Turner, Michael Lee, Alan Junkins, Gordon & Donna Lewis, Rick Mace, Russell Peterson, Marianne Quinn & Fran Koerschner, and Betty Kehoe.
The Spillers will be the guests of honor at the Harvestfest Volunteer Recognition party on Thursday, October 15, part of the opening ceremonies of Harvestfest on Sat., October 17, and Grand Marshalls of the Festival of Lights Parade on Sat., Dec. 5. For more information please contact Cathy Goodwin at the chamber at 207-363-4422.
Photo caption: Dexter and Virginia Spiller at the Annual Member Appreciation BBQ that was held recently by the Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce. (Courtesy photo)

USS Helena Arrives at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard

KITTERY —
USS Helena (SSN 725) and her crew of 18 officers and 126 enlisted personnel arrived at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard today for an extended maintenance period. While at the Shipyard, Helena will receive several system upgrades. Built by the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut, Helena was commissioned in July 1987. She is the fourth United States Naval ship to bear the name Helena.
Helena is assigned to Submarine Squadron ELEVEN, and operates from her homeport of San Diego, California, where she has earned her reputation as a “front line” fast attack submarine. Helena has completed numerous exercises and nine Western Pacific deployments.
In early 2009, Helena participated in ICEX 2009, surfacing under ice and conducting various weapons and tactics training in the Arctic environment.
Helena has won numerous unit awards, including three Battle Efficiency “E” awards.
Helena’s Commanding Officer is Commander Paul L. Dinius. A resident of Vermont, Commander Dinius graduated from Norwich University, the Military College of Vermont in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and was commissioned through the Naval ROTC program at Norwich.
Commander Dinius’ first shipboard assignment was USS Pargo (SSN 650), where he served as the Chemistry and Radiological Controls Assistant and Communications Officer. While on board he completed a North Atlantic deployment and arctic operations. Upon the decommissioning of USS Pargo, he transferred to USS Alabama (SSBN 731 )(Gold) where he completed four strategic deterrent patrols and earned his first Battle Efficiency “E” award. From 1996 to 1999, he served as an Assistant Professor of Naval Science, NROTC, University of Oklahoma.
Commander Dinius then served as the Combat Systems Officer on USS Hampton (SSN 767) from 1999 to 2002. completing one North Atlantic deployment and earning his second Battle Efficiency “E.” His next assignment was as the Submarine Department Head detailer (PERS-42), Navy Personnel Command, in Millington. TN. from 2002 to 2004.
Commander Dinius was then assigned as Executive Officer of USS Jefferson City (SSN 759) from 2004 to 2006 where he completed one Western Pacific deployment and earned a third Battle “E”. In 2006. he transferred to and served as a Special Assistant to the Commander, U.S. Strategic Command, and as the Deputy Director of the Commander’s Action Group until 2008.
Commander Dinius holds Master’s Degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma, and in Engineering Management from Old Dominion University. He is a graduate of the Air Command and Staff College Correspondence Course and Joint Forces Staff College. He is also a licensed Professional Engineer with the State of Oklahoma. His awards include the Joint Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (six awards), the Navy Achievement Medal (two awards). and various unit awards.
USS Helena’s host community is the Town of South Berwick, Maine.
Photo caption: USS Helena (SSN 725) makes her way up the Piscataqua River towards Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. While at the Shipyard, Helena will complete various maintenance work and receive several system upgrades. (U.S. Navy photo)

YCCC Graduates First WorkReady Course for Displaced Workers

WELLS—
York County Community College, with Partners Noble Adult Education and Coastal Counties Workforce, Inc., held the first WorkReady Credential Training Course this month. Eleven students, all recently laid-off from either Prime Tanning or RR Donnelly, are set to graduate from the 90 hour training session that focused on ‘soft skills’- the universal skill set that employers look for in new hires.
For many of the recently displaced workers, many of the soft skills taught were entirely new to them. “I found the basic computer skills to be the most valuable,” said Henry Brown, former Prime Tanning machine mechanic. “Before this course, I didn’t know how to turn a computer on.” Interview skills, appropriate work place attire and updating resumes were also included in the course work.
During the final hours of the training, mock interviews were held. On Tuesday, Aug. 18th, from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., local employers visited the trainees at YCCC’s College Drive campus in Wells. Employers participating included; US Cellular, Wal-Mart, Bonney Staffing Services, LL Bean, Pratt & Whitney, Hussey Seating and Goodwill Industries. These employers conducted mock interviews and provided meaningful feedback to the job seekers that will help them in their quest to secure new employment. “I feel good about this,” said Paulette Millette, Director of Continuing Education and Business Services at YCCC. “We are working with folks who came here unemployed and feeling pretty lost and now they have direction, self-confidence, interview skills and updated resumes.”
Photo caption: Former Prime Tanning machine mechanic Henry Brown practices his newly found computer skills during YCCC’s WorkReady Training for displaced workers. (Courtesy photo)