Marshwood High Students Win Statewide U.S. Constitution Competition

SOUTH BERWICK/ELIOT—
On April 23, students from Marshwood High School will travel to Washington, D.C., where they will represent Maine in the national finals of We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution. About 1,200 high school students from all fifty states and Saipan will participate in the highly prestigious academic competition on the U.S. Constitution.
The Marshwood students have studied for months to prepare for their role as experts testifying on constitutional issues in a simulated congressional hearing. To represent Maine at the national finals, the class won the state competition held in Portland on Feb. 5.
“It is a tremendous honor to represent Marshwood and the state of Maine at the National Finals, ” said Matt Sanzone, a social studies teacher who led the class to the championship. “This group of students is incredibly talented and motivated. Their performance at the state championship was exceptional.”
The first round of the national finals will be held at the Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington, Virginia, April 24 and 25. Now in its 23rd year, the competition involves entire classes making presentations and answering questions on constitutional topics before a panel of judges recruited from across the country. Constitutional scholars, lawyers, and government leaders, acting as congressional committee members, will judge the students’ performances. The combined scores of the classes during the first two days of hearings will determine the top 10 classes to compete in the championship round Monday, April 26 in congressional hearing rooms in the Senate Dirksen Office Building.
The annual three-day final competition is the culminating activity of We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution, the most extensive civic education program of its kind in the country. The Marshwood students have been studying We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution, developed by the Center for Civic Education. The text provides students with an understanding of the fundamental values and principles of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. During their stay in Washington, D.C., the students will tour historical sites and have an opportunity to visit Senators Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe and District 1 Representative Chellie Pingree.
Students representing Marshwood at the National Finals are: Dennis Ailinger, Elizabeth Barker, Meagan Beckert, Emily Bryant, Natasha Chabot, Emma Collins, Isabella Connelly, Rob Harper, Kelsey Hoyt, Tim Jefferson, Coby Jones, Steve Lachance, Caroline Muise, Tucker Nixon, Tad Olsen and Hannah Perry.
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution is funded by the U.S. Department of Education under the Education for Democracy Act approved by the United States Congress. The program is directed by the Center for Civic Education in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. Nationwide, the program is implemented at the upper elementary, middle, and high school levels and has reached more than 30 million students and 81,000 teachers during its 22-year history. A 2006–2007 independent study examined the effects of the We the People program on civic knowledge, skills, and attitudes, evaluating We the People participants and a matched comparison group of high school government students. We the People students scored 30 percent higher than their peers on a comprehensive test that measured understanding of core values and principles of democracy, constitutional limits on governmental institutions, and rights and responsibilities of citizenship.
“Our big challenge now is fundraising. Each student needs to raise approximately $600 to help pay for the travel and lodging expenses. We are hoping that the community will be supportive and help finance the trip,” said Sanzone. Anyone interested in helping can contact Matt Sanzone at Marshwood High School at (207) 384–4500.
Photo caption: Marshwood High students will travel to Washington, D.C. to compete in a national competition on the U.S. Constitution. (Courtesy photo)

Amsterdam in Letters: The Anne Frank House

By Chip Schrader
Book Review Editor
(Editor’s note: Chip Schrader, our book review editor, recently took a trip to Amsterdam, during which he visited the Anne Frank House. This is his account of that visit.)
Before Frank McCourt’s tortured memoir as a blue collared youth in the slums of Limerick, there was a diary found in the back of a home where an entire family hid from Hitler’s reign of terror. Anne Frank, a sassy and intelligent thirteen year old, decided to keep this diary as her childhood became increasingly endangered by the Nazi occupation of Holland.
Today Amsterdam, named after the dam that holds back the Amstel, remains a major tourist Mecca with its intricate canal system lined by stone streets, bridges and buildings that have existed since the time of Washington, and long before. In mid-February, the air is icy with the occasional spit of hail floating in the North Sea breeze revealing the breath of the city’s old soul.
The most notable of the canals was named after Anne Frank. The peaceful walk along this canal makes it difficult to realize it was once patrolled by the Nazis. Now with the cyclists, dogs, and tourists that mingle throughout this quiet, yet busy city, those who roamed here were not always so carefree.
Amidst the graceful bustle, the Anne Frank house looks like any other house in Amsterdam. It somewhat resembles what we call a townhouse in the United States. It is only the attached museum that gives this landmark away. In a sense, being so common and unsuspecting, it makes sense this location was used to hide the Franks from imprisonment, but living like this was an imprisonment in itself.
Anne was always cheerful in the pages of her diary. Her constant worry about footsteps being heard in the warehouse below, and the absence of sunlight never seemed to rob her of her youth. Within the house, the cutouts of movie stars and other scenes Anne’s father gave her to liven up the plainness of her quarters remain encased in glass in the very spots she placed them. Various editions and drafts of her diary, and film footage of her father (the lone survivor) are placed throughout the house.
An interesting feature, besides having covered windows, is that the stairs had to be so steep, the steps overhung each other hazarding the climber to bump their shins (numerous times). The doorway through which Anne had to hop through to the back house is still intact. It is a knee-deep step that brings the visitor to the flooring of the house’s hidden quarters. On the walls, pointed passages from the diary are printed in a neat script to remind the visitor of the significance of each room.
Among the most chilling of the displays are the lists of Jewish citizens, some of whom may have successfully escaped the pogrom, some of whom had that fate still awaiting them. Displayed beside photographs, relics and papers of the Frank family is a golden star with the label “Jude,” a tag that Jews were required to wear in the streets so that other citizens knew who they were.
Perhaps the Jewish Joan of Arc, Anne Frank’s humanity and unrealized future shook the world upon her diary’s publication. Toward the end of the exhibit, the numerous translations of her diary are collected to illustrate the worldwide coverage this brilliant young journalist had achieved after her early fate. Now humanity prays this book will continue to prevent history’s repetition as one of the world’s most beautiful cities continues to celebrate the legacy of Anne Frank.
Photo caption: Anne Frank (www.annefrank.org photo)

Warren’s Lobster House Celebrating 70 Years of Service

By Larry Favinger
Staff Columnist
KITTERY—
The well-known and popular Warren’s Lobster House has a long and interesting history, which will be celebrated in March with a four-day Open House.
In 1940, Warren “Pete” Wurm opened a six-stool clam and lobster stand on the Maine banks of the Piscataqua River.
Over the ensuing 70 years of operation Warren’s Lobster House has grown into a 350-seat restaurant, bakery, lobster pound, gift shop, lounge and 200-foot boat dock and become a virtual Kittery icon.
It also features a well-known and popular salad bar and full-service open-air deck.
Most of the expansion of the restaurant took place between the time it was opened and 1955,” Scott Cunningham, the current owner said during an interview in his office. The exceptions are the solarium and seasonal 80-seat deck in the 90’s. “Other than that the facility was the way it stands today.”
The Cunningham Family has owned the restaurant since 2006 when they bought out their partner, David Mickee. Cunningham and Mickee had owned the restaurant since 1984. Joining Scott and his wife Claudia in the business are their son and daughter, Brad Cunningham and Colleen MacDonald.
The 70th anniversary will be celebrated at the restaurant during the month of March with a four-day Open House recognizing the current and former owners. These include Wurm on March 23, represented by his daughter and family; the Anton and Assad families March 24, the Mickee family March 25 and the Cunningham family March 26.
Details of the celebration can be found on the Warren’s website.
Wurm operated Warren’s until the mid-50’s when the Anton and Assad families purchased it. That group sold it to Mickee and Cunningham, who were working in the food service industry in Manchester, N.H., in 1984, after several interviews.
“We decided we wanted to do something different, so we bought this,” Cunningham said of he and his long-time partner.
Cunningham and Mickee made few changes to the facility.
“We’ve done a number of things over the years in upgrading,” Cunningham, who comes from Pittsburgh, Pa., and currently lives in Barrington, N.H. said, “But we tried to keep it looking as it did originally. We’ve been fairly successful in doing that. We did not want to change what it was all about.”
The restaurant became a year-round operation shortly after Cunningham and Mickee purchased it.
“We decided early on we didn’t want to be a seasonal restaurant,” Cunningham said. “So we did anything and everything we could to bring customers in to make it viable year round to have a year round staff.”
He said in the first summer they noted staff was leaving just when they had learned the ropes, and that underlined the importance of having a year round staff.
Currently, Warrens employs approximately 90 people year around, many of them long-time employees. The staff grows to about 140 during the summer season.
Although well known locally, Warren’s “is a destination restaurant,” Cunningham said. “People plan whatever they’re doing to stop at Warren’s. They come from all over New England.”
Cunningham estimates that about 80 percent of the restaurant’s business came from away when he and Mickee bought it. He now estimates 55 to 60 percent of Warren’s business comes from people visiting the area with 40 to 45 percent from local residents. “That’s exactly what we wanted to do to make it viable year-round.”
Warren’s has been around for a long time and intends to continue to serve the public as well in the future in its own accomplished and widely recognized style.
Photo caption: Warren’s Lobster House is celebrating its 70th anniversary in March. Here it is a long time ago... (Courtesy photos)

Barrett Named Sailor of the Year

SAN DIEGO/YORK—

A Fleet and Industrial Supply Center (FISC) Norfolk Sailor from York has been named Sailor of the Year (SOY) for 2009 by Commander, Fleet and Industrial Supply Centers (COMFISCS).
Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Korilyn C. Barrett (Aviation Warfare) was recognized by Rear. Adm. Mark Heinrich, COMFISCS, for her outstanding achievement as the leading petty officer for FISC Norfolk’s Logistics Support Center New London, in Groton, Conn.
“I am very proud of LS2 Barrett and congratulate her on receiving this well-deserved award,” said Heinrich. “Under her leadership, FISC Norfolk’s New London site has earned the reputation for being one of the best full service logistics centers in the Navy.”
“Winning this award is such a compliment. I have worked hard all year not for an award, but because I had goals I wanted to accomplish before I go back to sea duty at the end of 2010,” said Barrett. “I am just speechless that my efforts are recognized with such a prestigious award. Wow!”
Barrett was recognized for leading a team of 25 logistics specialists and two civilians in providing logistics support to 15 nuclear submarines and 10,000 personnel from 57 tenant commands on board Naval Submarine Base New London. Under her supervision, her team processed more than 15,000 requisitions with a 99 percent on time rate, which had a direct impact on submarine mission readiness.
“There are people I work for as well as those who work for me that I had to set a good example for and, most of all, I have to be a great role model for all three of my children,” Barrett said.
The FISC Norfolk Sailor, who received a Navy Achievement Medal in 2009 for her performance coordinating logistics services for the Italian submarine Scirè, is highly praised by her chain of command for her professionalism and management qualities.
“Petty Officer Barrett is a brilliant, hard-charging and consummate professional who epitomizes all that the Navy is looking for in leaders,” said Capt. Ruth Christopherson, FISC Norfolk’s commanding officer. “She combines that perfect blend of exceptional leadership and superior technical talent to accomplish any assignment given to her.”
Off duty, Barrett is just as committed to serving her fellow shipmates and the community. She was the driving force in developing the Groton Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions, a program which is spreading throughout the Navy. She also helped raise $18,000 through the Caring and Sharing program to feed needy Sailors and their families, and is a volunteer reader for youth at the base Child Development Center. Among other community involvement activities, she participated in the New London County Earth Day event and Multiple Sclerosis Walk-A-Thon.
“It’s amazing what a person can accomplish when you have an incredible support system—God, my family, my chain of command and my military and civilian co-workers,” said Barrett. “Cmdr. [Steven] Hartzell and Chief Logistics Specialist [Michelle] Skilbred have taught me to never be satisfied with (mediocrity) and always believe that you can do better. They have shown me that with great leadership and support, self-determination and dedication the sky is the limit.”
LS2 Barrett is the oldest of five children and daughter of Kevin and Lori Barrett of York. She is a 1999 York High School graduate and has been serving in the U.S. Navy since 2002.
Photo caption: York Native Korilyn Barrett has been named Sailor of the Year for her work in Groton, Conn. (Courtesy photo)

Children’s Musicians Celebrate The Power of Music in Children’s Lives

By Jim Kanak
Staff Columnist
SOUTH BERWICK—
Like many young mothers, South Berwick’s Sammie Haynes started to create songs to entertain her son when he was born in 1989. Little did she know at the time that her song writing would lead to a life long pursuit of children’s music. Nor did she realize that it would expose her to a nationwide network of people, many like herself, that devote themselves to creating children’s music and supporting the wide range of people that use it. That group is known as the Children’s Music Network.
“Many of us started doing children’s music when we had kids,” Haynes said. “I would sing to my son at night before bed. I started making up short, little songs. Later, when he was in school, I ‘d go to his classroom and sing.”
Eventually, Haynes produced a CD. That’s when she got involved with the Children’s Music Network, a group whose membership includes musicians, teachers, librarians, song leaders and choral directors, social workers, parents and others who care about kids’ music.
“I joined in 2005 because I had just released a second children’s CD,” Haynes said. “Someone from CMN wrote to me. She said she liked my new CD and I should become a member. I did. Soon thereafter, they had a regional gathering in Amherst, Mass. I instantly felt that I belonged to this fabulous group of people. They were very positive and welcoming. It was a wonderful experience.”
Haynes estimated that about 100 people in New England belong to the network, which has its headquarters in Evanston, Ill., near Chicago. Liz Buchanan of Massachusetts is a representative on the national board. She said the network is driven primarily by volunteers.
“There’s one staff person,” Buchanan said. “Otherwise it’s all volunteer run. People do it out of the goodness of their hearts.”
Buchanan got involved with CMN around 2000, after following a path into children’s music that paralleled Haynes.’ “I started when my kids were little,” she said. “They grew up but I kept making music.”
She said the network serves an important function. “It’s a great resource for anything related to children’s music,” she said. “It’s a national network that has great gatherings, with singing and workshops (on a variety of topics). It benefits children because it helps provide support to people who work with music and kids.”
Buchanan and Haynes have been involved recently in helping to plan the network’s regional conference, which will be on March 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Lesley University in Cambridge, Mass. The program is titled The Power of Music in Children’s Lives and features Ruth Pelham, a noted singer and songwriter from Albany, N.Y. Pelham will offer the keynote address. “Ruth is an icon in children’s music,” Buchanan said. “She’s a fabulous talent and individual.”
There will also be several workshops available to attendees, and the day will end with a CMN tradition, known as the Round Robin, where attendees have a chance to share a children’s song or musical activity with the group.
“The Round Robin is the highlight for me personally,” Haynes said. “I get all charged up to try new songs.”
That, Haynes said, is the essence of the network. “It enables people like me to get together and learn more and share more,” she said. “People come of all grades of performing and teaching. I’ve learned a lot. It’s a vital force for me.”
For more information, email Haynes at sammiekids@aol.com.

New Rules for Credit Card Companies Take Effect

WASHINGTON, D.C.—
Every Maine family with a credit card will be protected by new rules that went into effect Feb. 22, according to Congresswoman Chellie Pingree. The rules are designed to stop the worst practices of the big banks and credit companies and give consumers more control over their finances.
“These big credit card companies have been running roughshod over consumers for too long,” Pingree said. “These new rules are going to give card holders the protections they deserve.”
The rules will ban rate increases on existing balances in most cases, require 45 day advance notice of future rate increases, make it more difficult for credit card companies to charge “over the limit” fees and prohibit credit card companies from charging card holders when they pay online or over the phone.
Pingree was the first to speak on the Credit Card Holders Bill of Rights on the floor of Congress last year, saying that credit cards have become a necessity for most Americans, and at the same time the playing field has been tipped in favor of the credit card companies.
“Everywhere you turn, it seems the credit card companies have dreamed up a new fee or another clever scheme to raise your interest rate,” Pingree said. “Basic fairness has been replaced by deception and greed.”
“These days, using a credit card is like going to a Las Vegas casino—no matter how clever or responsible you are, 9 times out of 10 you’re going to lose and the company is going to win,” Pingree said. “Managing your finances shouldn’t be a gamble. The deck shouldn’t be stacked against you.”
During her speech, Pingree said the tough economy has forced more people to turn to credit cards to pay for basic necessities. “Last weekend in Maine I was talking with one of my constituents who told me a credit card is the only way she can pay her medical bills,” she said. “And last winter, with skyrocketing heating oil prices, a credit card was the only way many people in my state were able to stay warm.”
Some provisions of the bill: (more details available at www.pingree.house.gov)
Bars rate increases on existing balances unless the cardholder is at least 60 days behind in paying the bill. If a person does fall behind and the rate on past buys is increased, lenders must restore the lower rate after six months if the cardholder has paid monthly bills on time. Requires that customers receive 45 days notice before rates are increased. Prohibits over-the-limit fees unless a cardholder signs up for them in advance. Requires lenders to apply payments to highest interest-rate balances first. Requires lenders to say how much time it would take and how much money in interest would be paid if only the minimum monthly payments are made. Bans “pay-to-pay” fees, which are charged when someone pays the bill by phone or on the Internet. Requires lenders to post their credit card agreements on the Internet. Require banks to give customers a reasonable time, such as 21 days, to pay the bill before it is considered late.

Wells Reserve Receives Visionary Award

WELLS—
The Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve was recognized recently by the Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment, which presented the Wells Reserve with its 2009 Visionary Award. The Council praised the Wells Reserve “for sustained excellence in science, communication, partnerships, education, and stewardship of the Gulf of Maine ecosystems.”
“The Wells Reserve is honored to receive a Gulf of Maine Council Visionary Award,” said Reserve Director Paul Dest, who accepted the award on behalf of the organization. “It recognizes the great work and many accomplishments of our staff in the areas of science, education, and conservation. And it intensifies our commitment to protecting and restoring ecosystems around the Gulf of Maine.”
The Gulf of Maine Council cited the Wells Reserve for fostering “an environment of coastal understanding and awareness through numerous programs that have been effective in training many stakeholders in the region, and enlightening marine professionals about the scientific dynamics of estuarine and coastal ecosystems.”
The Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment was established in 1989 by the governments of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts to foster cooperative actions within the Gulf watershed. Its mission is to maintain and enhance environmental quality in the Gulf of Maine to allow for sustainable resource use by existing and future generations.
Each year, the Gulf of Maine Council gives Visionary Awards to two individuals, businesses, or organizations within each state and province bordering the Gulf. The awards recognize innovation, creativity, and commitment to protecting the marine environment.
The Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve expands knowledge about coasts and estuaries, engages people in environmental learning, and involves communities in conserving natural resources. The Wells Reserve is headquartered at historic Laudholm Farm. Its work is supported by Laudholm Trust, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. FMI www.wellsreserve.org.
Photo caption: Kathleen Leyden, Maine representative to the Gulf of Maine Council, presents the Council’s 2009 Visionary Award to Wells Reserve director Paul Dest. Joining them is Diana Joyner, chair of the Reserve Management Authority and president of Laudholm Trust. (Courtesy photo)