The Weekly Sentinel Remembers Pearl Harbor Day

On December 7, 1941 – “A day that will live in infamy.” – the United States was brutally attacked by the Empire of Japan at the American naval base in Pearl Harbor. More than 2,400 Americans were killed and more than 1,100 were wounded. The day after the attack, the United States declared war on Japan and entered World War II. On August 23, 1994, United States Congress designated December 7 of each year as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. The Weekly Sentinel remembers those who were lost and affected by this attack and the entirety of WWII.

Photo Caption: Archival newspaper courtesy of Carol Brennan. (Photo by Molly McCoy)

Holly Roberts Named New Chamber Director

YORK—

Jeffrey Pelkey, Chairman of the Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce, recently announced that the Board of Directors has promoted Holly Roberts to the position of Director.

Holly has most recently served the chamber members as the interim manager since the departure of Cathy Goodwin eight months ago. During her time as interim manager, Holly continued to perform her duties as business manager, a position she has held with the chamber for three years. Holly was originally hired in 2004 as the Kittery Welcome Center manager.

When the Board of Directors weighed the prospect of bringing in a new person, Holly’s wealth of experience at the chamber made the decision an easy one; the last several months have allowed the board to look at the position and the chamber as a whole, and it made good sense to promote from within.

“We have had wonderful success with the new venue for Harvestfest, our Icebreakers are a great opportunity for our members, our web presence (along with our Chamber App) has been wildly successful and our product remains a wonderful value for our members; much of this is due to the good work by Holly and the staff behind the scenes,” wrote Pelkey.

He continued, “We look forward to the changes coming in the future, and supporting Holly as she continues to work hard for our members and the Greater York Region as a whole.”

Photo Caption: Holly Roberts has been appointed as the new director of the Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce. (Courtesy photo)

Berwick Holiday Parade Honors Three Local Leaders as Grand Marshalls

Local firefighters also accepting Toys for Tots donations.

BERWICK—

Berwick’s holiday parade, “Winter Toyland,” will take place on Saturday, December 3, starting at 2 p.m. The parade route will start from Wilson St., continuing straight across to Allen St. (Rte. 236), proceed right onto Sawmill Hill Rd. down by the bridge crossing onto Sullivan St. by the Town Hall (with the regular flow of traffic) and turn right onto Wilson St., disbanding in the parking lot. The parade organizers expect to have a number of floats including Berwick Village Preschool & Daycare, Noble High School Student Council, Tri-City Christian Academy, and more. Other groups that will be in the parade include Berwick Boy, Cub and Girl Scouts, and some from neighboring towns including Lebanon. Southern Maine Tractor Club, WTSN/WBYY van, Noble Middle School Marching Band, Marshwood High School Marching Band, Noble High Jazz Band, Farwell's Auto Service, Berwick Public Library, Berwick Youth Wrestling, and Noble Travel Soccer are some of the groups also participating again this year. Of course, there will be many Fire and Rescue apparatus from neighboring communities joining the parade, and escoring a special visitor from the North Pole.

Leading the Winter Toyland parade as Grand Marshalls this year will be Sandy Guptill, and Judy and Don Burgess.

Sandy Guptill has worked for the Town of Berwick since 1996 starting part-time in the Customer Service Department. She became full time the following year and in 2003 moved on to the Deputy Town Clerk. She is retiring in December this year and plans to enjoy her retirement caring for her new granddaughter. She will also find time to enjoy her many hobbies including quilting and photography. One of her quilts is on display at the Town Hall where raffle tickets can be purchase until 3:00 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2. Proceeds are going to help families in need. Sandy will be missed by her fellow employees and residents that she greeted with her friendly smile.

Judy Burgess retired in 2010 after 25 years of service to the Town of Berwick with most of those years as the Planning Coordinator but she also took on many other duties as needed. She now volunteers her time and experience as a member of the Planning Board. She and her husband, Don, volunteered their time and skills to renovate and finish the new meeting room (the old Police Station) of the Town Hall. Countless hours were spent on renovating, hanging wallboard, painting and finishing the room. Thanks to others who contributed also. Don shared his carpentry skills to build the table and podium that will be there for years to come. Thank you for this lasting contribution to the Town, The Town Boards and the residents of Berwick.

Berwick Volunteer Firefighters Association is now accepting new unwrapped toys for all ages for out Toys for Tots program. Items can be dropped off at the following locations: Berwick Fire Dept, Town Hall, Transfer Station, Stone Agency, Halls Auto Center, Farwells Auto Service, Kennebunk Savings Bank, Coffee House, and Berwick Public Library. This program provides toys for children and gift cards are provided to teens, as well. Applications for Toys for Tots can be picked up at the Berwick Town Hall. If you have any questions you can call Sandy Guptill at 698-1101 # 116. Financial donations can be mailed to BVFA Toys for Tots P.O. Box 1214, Berwick, Me 03901 or dropped off of at the Town Hall.

Opening Scenes: ‘The Muppets’

By Chip Schrader

Staff Movie Critic

“The Muppets” opens with the clicking sound of an old super 8 projector and a clip from a home movie with brothers Walter and Gary playing with squirt guns. Walter, the narrator, is a puppet and his brother is human. As Walter insists, they were like twins, and you couldn’t tell them apart. The opening sequence cuts to where Walter discovers the Muppets as he finds himself not growing like his brother. For the first time, his life makes sense after he became a lifelong Muppet fan.

Writer and star Jason Segal plays the gentle and sweet Gary who always looks out for his brother who either never noticed or never let on his brother is a puppet. Segal’s quirky portrayal of Gary brings movie fans back to James Stewart’s portrayal of Elwood P. Dowd in “Harvey.” His genuine love for the Muppet legacy shines through to his performance and his song and dance scenes are riotous and spirited, not unlike Dick Van Dyke.

The very busy Amy Adams plays Mary, the saccharine sweet love interest of Gary. Perhaps raised reading too many fairytales, she is a perfect match for Gary, although she finds herself cast aside with the tight bind between brothers Gary and Walter. Adams’ wide-eyed portrayal and heavenly singing makes her the perfect fit, as she will no doubt charm audiences.

Just before a very funny opening musical number, Gary invites his brother to join him and Mary for their anniversary trip to Hollywood to see the Muppet Theater. When they get there, they are unpleasantly surprised and must reunite the Muppets in order to save the theater from an evil oil tycoon who found a reservoir under the property.

The best part is the writing. Segal doesn’t forget the original Muppet Show fans for a single scene. From 80s references where Kermit’s Robot offers a Tab soda and “New Coke” to references of classic Muppet-isms like “Mahna Mahna,” they provide a great deal of humor, back story and clean fun that adult audiences can enjoy with or without kids in tow. Plus, the movie is packed with fun action, silly gags, and a fun story that ends with a telethon where cameo star Jack Black is fit to be tied, literally.

Bottom line: with the opening sequence of home movies and a musical number just after makes the film start like a blitzkrieg. It quickly settles down into a story of passing greatness, true love, being accepted and coming of age. While it seems there are many themes coalescing, the transitions are smooth and the movie is written in a manner where they don’t clutter the story. The cameos are too numerous to mention, the new songs are clever and funny, and this is the first Muppet Movie in years that does not abandon adult audiences with shoddy or childish plotting. It will leave audiences with only one thing to say: Mahna Mahna! 4 out of 5.

Photo Caption: (Courtesy movie poster)