Ogunquit Days – Village Celebrates 30 Years of Separation

By Candi Enman
Staff Columnist
OGUNQUIT –
The village of Ogunquit turned 30 on July 1st, and boy do they know how to throw a party.
For five full days, July 1st through the 5th, community leaders, residents, business owners and visitors celebrated the historic July 1, 1980 separation of Ogunquit from the town of Wells, of which it had been a part dating back to the 1600’s. Although its official incorporation and municipality status was granted in 1913, as the town of Wells continued to grow commercially, Ogunquit sought separation in order to maintain its personal, small town feel.
Throughout the long holiday weekend, the Ogunquit Chamber of Commerce, local businesses and several community organizations and committees held tours and hosted special exhibits that exemplified the heart and soul of the quaint, nostalgic “beautiful place by the sea”. From morning till night and from Perkins Cove to the Ogunquit Playhouse, birthday party festivities were ubiquitous throughout the village.
Among the many highlights was the 30th Birthday Party, held on Thursday afternoon on the lawn of the Ogunquit Memorial Library. While munching on a large, scrumptious American flag blueberry and strawberry birthday cake courtesy of Bread & Roses Bakery, participants listened as life-long residents and early governing officials shared stories about Ogunquit’s move to an independent town.
Richard Littlefield, whose descendants were the first permanent white settlers of Ogunquit, was a town Overseer in the 1970’s and one of the leaders in the move to separation. “We had our own philosophy and wanted to maintain a nice, little town,” said Littlefield. Becoming its own village meant that the people of Ogunquit could make their own laws and adopt ordinances on issues like road signage and their ability to prevent ‘formula food’ restaurants and chains from coming into town. Littlefield went on to say, “Everyone who lives here is proud of this community. Innkeepers and residents alike keep their properties nice and we continue to retain our hometown, community feeling.”
On Saturday, the Ogunquit Conservation Commission’s Greening Committee held “Green Day” at the Main Beach. Committee Co-chairs, Bob Joyner and Madeline Brown, together with volunteers set up an awareness display to raise money for the greening of Ogunquit and to educate visitors on ways to help protect Ogunquit’s natural resources. For a small donation, beachgoers had fun tossing water and juice bottles into a recycling bin and walked away with a ‘Green Day. Everyday.’ reusable tote bag and other prizes donated by local businesses.
“Over the last two years we’ve been working together with Ogunquit businesses and residents to help keep our community green,” said Joyner. Green Day sponsors that underwrote the tote bags, including Bintliff’s, Meadowmere Resort and Clay Hill Farm Restaurant, are Maine-certified environmental leaders. “We have the second highest number of them in the state, behind Bar Harbor.”
Green Day reusable totes are still available for a $1.50 donation to support the commission’s continued outreach efforts to keep Ogunquit beautiful, clean and green, and can be purchased at Jeremiah’s, This Is It, Ogunquit Remedies, Revelations and the Ogunquit Camera Shop.
Visitors who stopped by the Dunaway Center on School Street on Saturday or Sunday had the chance to view the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt display and to remember those from Maine who lost their lives to AIDS and HIV.
Chris Prudente, President of the NAMES Project: Northern New England Chapter was on hand to answer questions and provide insight about the non-profit organization’s mission to continue education, to remind us all that the disease is on the increase again in our country, even though it’s preventable.
“In the 90’s medications were developed to manage the disease and people weren’t as scared about contracting it. Since 2000, though, AIDS is again on the increase and its face has changed,” said Prudente. “Here in Maine high school and college kids are getting sick and nationwide, women are currently the fastest growing segment getting STDs and HIV.”
“The Town of Ogunquit, including the town manager, has been very supportive of our organization and our mission, and we are very appreciative,” added Prudente. If you missed them, the quilts are maintained and stored locally at the expense of the Northern New England Chapter and can be seen on display each year during Memorial Day Weekend.
Other awareness and fundraising events were enjoyed by locals and visitors: Thursday’s ‘80’s Night at MaineStreet’ to benefit the Frannie Peabody Center, Friday night’s Spirit of Giving Committee’s ‘Poodle Skirts for Pups’ 50’s-themed fundraiser for the Animal Welfare Society, and Sunday evening’s ‘Run for the Fallen’ 80’s Night at Clay Hill Farm.
The Ogunquit Playhouse birthday celebration festivities included back stage tours, hot air balloon rides and its Children’s Theater production of “101 Dalmatians”.
One thing is for sure, the people of Ogunquit are proud of their culture and individuality, and especially their warm, vibrant village. And why shouldn’t they be? Just look around.
Photo caption: 30th Birthday Cake by Bread & Roses Bakery (Candi Enman photo)

“Private Gardens of the Kennebunk’s” Garden Tour

By Candi Enman
Staff Columnist
KENNEBUNK —
English Cottage? Fruits and vegetables? Or maybe a Japanese Zen Garden?
If you need ideas or just inspiration for growing your own lush garden, plan to attend the Saturday, July 17th “Private Gardens of the Kennebunk’s” Garden Tour. The annual event, now in its 16th year, is a fundraiser for the Child Abuse Prevention Council of York County.
For one day only a $20 donation to support the Council’s vital programs and services will gain you access to nine private gardens at homes throughout Kennebunk, West Kennebunk and Kennebunkport. The self-guided tour, spanning 22 miles, will allow you to meander and view the gardens at your own pace, while gaining landscaping and gardening ideas.
Special guest Paul Parent, host of the popular Sunday morning syndicated radio show “The Paul Parent Garden Club”, has been helping to promote the benefit and will make his gardens available for viewing again this year. Parent, a nationally recognized gardening guru, will offer tips and answer questions about gardening in New England, including landscaping options, plant varieties, pest control, watering techniques and more.
The Garden Tour will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine. Selected gardens to be featured on the annual tour change each year, with the exception of Parent’s who has new surprises this summer, and are kept secret until the day of the event.
On July 17th participants will need to purchase a brochure that describes each garden along the tour and includes a map with driving directions. Brochures can be purchased at one of these area businesses beginning at 10 a.m. on the day of the event: in the parking lot behind Marlows on Main Street in Kennebunk, at Kennebunk High School on Fletcher Street in Kennebunk, Estabrook’s Color Spot Garden Center on Route 1 South in Kennebunk, Blooms & Heirlooms on Route 1 North in Kennebunk and Carrots & Company on Ocean Avenue in Kennebunkport. Those who have already purchased advanced discount tickets must exchange their tickets for a brochure and map on the day of the tour at one of the above locations.
While on the tour, participants can stop to enjoy light refreshments at Lucas on 9, which is located at 62 Mills Road (Route 9) in Cape Porpoise.
The Garden Tour began in 1995, when Shari Lewchanin, a past board member, fulfilled her obligation to raise money for the Council by creating the idea for a garden tour. In the 90’s each board member was responsible for raising $200 each year. This year’s Garden Tour goal is to see 800 participants and raise $18,000 to fund the Council’s critical outreach, education and prevention programs.
“The Council is very fortunate to be located in a very generous community that provides such strong support for children and families in York County,” said Laurie DuPaul, the Council’s Executive Director. The Garden Tour is one of two major annual fundraisers for the Child Abuse Prevention Council of York County. All proceeds from the tour directly support the non-profit organization’s works to raise awareness, provide education and prevent child abuse and neglect right here in York County.
The 2010 “Private Gardens of the Kennebunk’s” Garden Tour is sponsored in part by Estabrook’s Color Spot Garden Center; Digital Research, Inc.; the law office of Libby O’Brien Kingsley and Champion, LLC and Genest. Tour details can be found at www.kidsgreetogrow.org. For questions or more information, call the Child Abuse Prevention Council of York County at (207) 985-5975 or email events@kidsgreetogrow.org.
Photo caption: Paul Parent in the garden (Courtesy photos)

Stuffed: A Book Review of Beatrice and Virgil

By Chip Schrader
Book Review Editor
“Beatrice and Virgil” is Yann Martle’s follow up to the enormously successful “The Life of Pi.” With “Beatrice and Virgil”, Martel continues using themes and characterizations of animals to convey struggles that humanity has encountered over the years.
The story begins with a frustrated author named Henry, who has completed a follow up novel he combined with a non-fiction essay. The first quarter of the book wrangles with idea that fiction and non-fiction overlap, and with Henry’s struggle with publishers and agents to see his vision that this release should be a flip book (a book that can be read with the essay first from one side, and flipped backward with the novel first).
Henry, a loyal and disciplined fan mail reader, comes across a vague letter accompanied by an excerpt from a play about a monkey and a donkey. The letter reads “I read your book and much admired it. I need your help.” As Henry tracks down the return address, he stumbles into a vast taxidermy shop with a whole menagerie of mounted creatures. The author of this strange play that seemed to be about animals and fruit, but not really, is an octogenarian taxidermist also named Henry.
The second half of the book consists of the Henrys working on describing, critiquing and detailing scenes from the play. Young Henry finds himself trying to unlock the meaning of the play and even the taxidermist’s passion for his livelihood.
At times the lists of items Henry spots on a shelf, or the animals he spots in the shop gets tedious (one or two lists go for over a page). While plausibly meaningful, Martel numbs the readers mind with this barrage of itemization. The description also veers into tedium, and makes “Beatrice and Virgil” better suited to a long winter’s read rather than a light summer read where the reader’s mind is likely swimming in a humidity induced laze.
In short, the story shifts from the play, to the life of Henry, and into descriptions of the finer points of taxidermy all within one hundred and twenty pages. By the time it all weaves together, the book is almost over, but Martel leaves very scant threads to encourage the reader to get to this point. For fans of “The Life of Pi,” this is still essential reading. Also, those who enjoy a book focused on philosophical and observational musings will find Martel’s method of engaging the reader satisfying as the story will finally unfold its meaning. Those looking for a page turner based on a traditional storyline will tire of this quickly.
The bottom line, Martel transcends the traditional story arc for a more challenging narrative. It will pay off for readers looking for more than a leisurely read, or a stock narrative that is often written and rewritten in fiction’s mass market. Those who need a break from intricate detail and locution may want to look elsewhere.
Photo caption: Cover of Yann Martle’s “Beatrice and Virgil” (Courtesy photo)

Helping to Keep Old Ironsides Shipshape

By Larry Favinger
Staff Columnist
SOUTH BERWICK—
For two-and-a-half years a South Berwick man fought the commuter traffic to and from Charlestown, Mass, five days a week to work on a piece of United States history.
Sunday (July 4), Barry Person and a host of others will sail out of Boston Harbor as part of the USS Constitution, the Navy’s oldest commissioned warship.
“It was a bit of a challenge but really exciting,” Person said in a telephone interview from his South Berwick farm.
Person’s work was part of a three-year project to refurbish the renowned Old Ironsides, a project that should come to a close in November. The work was done partly to ready the ship for the centennial celebration of the War of 1812. It was during that conflict that the Constitution earned her nickname.
The Constitution gained fame in August of 1812, when under the command of Connecticut native Isaac Hull she met and defeated the HMS Guerrier. English shots bounced off the Constitution’s thick oak sides, thus gaining her name while she was destroying the enemy ship.
Hull went on to a distinguished Naval career including becoming the commander of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in 1813 and building Quarters A at the yard, a building which still stands and is the oldest structure at the yard.
Each year the Constitution goes on a turnaround cruise from her berth in Charlestown which allows her to remain a commissioned Navy vessel and allows each side of her to face outward during the year.
“I never did any service,” Person said of not being involved with the military, “but it felt like that is what I was doing” while working on the ship.
Person was part of the Naval Historical Center, Detachment Boston, Department of Defense, which was charged with the refurbishing.
Person said it was a “temporary, fulltime position” which meant when “the time frame ended you left.”
Upon his arrival with the first group of additional carpenters hired he said he did “odds and ends” as they awaited the arrival of the necessary materials.
One of the first things Person did was replace the two “cat heads on the ship.”
The cathead is a large beam located on either bow of the ship, angled outward. It is used to support the ship’s anchor when raising or lowering it, keeping it away from the sides of the wooden vessel.
Person said large equipment was needed to put these in place as they weighed in at about 2,300 pounds each.
It was a common practice to carve the projecting end of the beam to resemble the face of a cat.
Once that was accomplished he helped the entire crew replace the spar deck of the ship, the first level when visitors come on board the ship.
After that, he said, “they moved me around to different places” including a project to foremast in the front of the ship.
He has done historic restoration of old houses and barns and learned of the project while doing a barn repair for the late Joseph Frost of Eliot. He applied and was among the initial group of carpenters hired. More was added later in the project, he said.
While not working on historic ships Person said he “loves to farm” and “loves raising pigs. I’ve been doing that since I was a kid.”
He combines his love of farming and historic restoration doing work with the New Hampshire Farm Museum in Milton repairing buildings to their original configurations.
Originally from the Midwest, Person came to New England in the summer of 1987 and has remained ever since.
He is married to Julie Person, a guidance councilor at the Rollinsford Elementary School, and the couple has two children, Madison, 8 and Baylor, 10.
Person said the time spent on the job “took a toll on everybody” in his family. The drive took between 50 minutes and an hour each day. He was up and out early every day performing farm chores before leaving for work. He was there between 5:45 and 6 each morning, returning home in late afternoon.
In addition to his farming Person also does wood carvings, especially large herons. His work is available in galleries including the N.W. Barrett Gallery on Market Street in Portsmouth.
Photo caption: A South Berwick resident has spent the past two-and-a-half years helping to restore the USS Constitution. (en.wikipedia.org photo)

Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Meetings Set

YORK—
The York County Emergency Management Agency and the Southern Maine Regional Planning Commission are working together on updating the Hazard Mitigation Plan for York County. The Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 mandates that, in order for local governments to continue to receive disaster relief funding from FEMA, your locality must update the existing plan every three years. This updated plan must be in place by October 2010.
To gather input, two area meetings are being held. There is a meeting on July 13, 2010 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the York Public Library Community Meeting Room on 15 Long Sands Road in York. We are requesting input from the public and EMA Directors of Eliot, Kittery, South Berwick, Ogunquit and York.
There is also a meeting on July 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the West Kennebunk Fire Station on 70 Thompson Road in Kennebunk (next to Middle School - plenty of parking in rear). We are requesting input from the public and EMA Directors of Arundel, Biddeford, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Old Orchard Beach, Saco, and Wells.
As we prepare the update, WE NEED YOUR INPUT. In order for us to update the plan, we need to hear from you. Please come prepared to discuss the following issues:
What types of natural and man-made disasters most threaten you and your property? What should your town and/or York County to do to help minimize damage from future disasters? How willing are you to use public funding to minimize future damage? How has the response of local, state and federal officials been to past disasters?
Please RSVP: malexandre@smrpc.org or (207) 324-2952.

Goodall Hospital Receives Re-Accreditation from The Joint Commission

SANFORD—
By demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission’s national standards for health care quality and safety, Goodall Hospital has been re-accredited by the Joint Commission and again received their Gold Seal of Approval™.
“We are so proud of our recent survey results,” said Darlene Stromstad, President/CEO of Goodall Hospital. “Accreditation demonstrates our commitment to patient safety and quality care. The survey itself is a rigorous process that reviews our work and standards over the long haul. We view obtaining Joint Commission re-accreditation as another step toward achieving excellence.”
“Above all, the national standards are intended to stimulate continuous, systematic and organization-wide improvement in an organization’s performance and the outcomes of care. The community should be proud that Goodall Hospital is focusing on the most challenging goal—to continuously raise quality and safety to higher levels,” said Mark Pelletier, R.N., M.S, Executive Director, Hospital Programs, Accreditation and Certification Services, The Joint Commission.
The Joint Commission conducted an unannounced, on-site evaluation of Goodall Hospital from June 15 through June 18, 2010. The accreditation award recognizes Goodall Hospital’s dedication to complying with the Joint Commission’s state-of-the-art standards on a continuous basis.
Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve the safety and quality of care provided to the public through the provision of health care accreditation and related services that support performance improvement in health care organizations. The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits more than 15,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States, including more than 8,000 hospitals and home care organizations, and more than 6,800 other health care organizations that provide long term care, assisted living, behavioral health care, laboratory and ambulatory care services. The Joint Commission also accredits health plans, integrated delivery networks, and other managed care entities. In addition, The Joint Commission provides certification of disease-specific care programs, primary stroke centers, and health care staffing services. An independent, not-for-profit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation’s oldest and largest standards setting and accrediting body in health care.

Courtney DeWitt Remembered in Student Photography Exhibit

WELLS—
In December of 2006, Wells High School student Courtney DeWitt, a sophomore, was just 15 years old when she passed away from injuries received in a car accident. The accident happened after school as she, a passenger in a car, was bound for home, a short distance away.
According to her mother Joleen, Courtney displayed a developing love of photography. She enjoyed experimenting in the digital format. In honor of Courtney and her budding passion for taking photos, the library at Wells Junior High School in conjunction with the WJHS Student Council held a photography contest for students in April. On June 9th, a weeklong exhibit of those photos, including an assortment taken by Courtney, opened for public viewing.
Present at the exhibit’s reception and opening were Courtney’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Corey DeWitt, and their daughter Michaela. For the past school year, Michaela has been an eighth grade student at WJHS. In the fall she will enter Wells High School as a freshman.
On the walls of this vast third floor library were 120 photos, most from the contest and a handful of “courtesy” photographs. There were also numerous photos taken by Courtney displayed in a section dedicated to her. Joleen DeWitt said that many of the photos in Courtney’s display came from her bedroom wall and door.
Photos in the exhibit reflected the categories from the contest. Students focused their cameras on animals, nature, pre-teen/teen scenes, school scenes, sports, style and “other” subjects. The categories were suggested by WJHS Library Media Specialist Lynn Mercier and Courtney’s parents.
According to Mercier, a driving force behind the exhibit, there were 58 students who entered the contest. Students were allowed more than one entry and, collectively, they submitted 115 entries. Mercier said that the photos were judged by a panel of 20 student and adult judges who selected winners for first, second and third place recognition. There was also a “Student Choice” contest in which four hundred students voted for their favorite images in the various categories.
“It’s very heartwarming to know she’s still remembered (and) that somebody wants to do something in her memory,” said Joleen DeWitt of the exhibit. “It makes you feel good.”
“It is nice, very nice,” added Corey DeWitt. “The kids are amazing with what they’ve done with the pictures. I didn’t know they could be this creative but they always amaze you.”
Mercier indicated that she got the idea to hold a contest and do an exhibit in Courtney’s honor while reading an article about the DeWitts in the York County Coast Star from March of 2009. In 2006 when the family was picking out a space for Courtney at Ocean View Cemetery, Michaela, indicated that she wanted to be able to see her sister’s place of rest from her school library’s windows, which look out, upon Ocean View Cemetery. Touched by this, Mercier was inspired to bring the contest and exhibit to life.
According to Mercier, The Courtney DeWitt Photography Competition and Library Exhibit is planned to be an annual event. While the photography exhibit in the WJHS Library is now closed because of summer recess, it will reappear at the end of summer at the Wells Public Library and may be displayed elsewhere in the fall. The photo exhibit was organized as a group effort by Joleen, Corey and Michaela DeWitt and members of the WJHS Student Council including Advisors Lynn Mercier and Cindy Mitchell.
Mercier said that any certificates and prizes for winners in the photo contest would be awarded in the fall after the display ends. She says that she plans to include the exhibit’s photos in a booklet and include it in the library’s collection.
Those that received top recognition in the Student Choice portion of the photo contest include Anna Libby (5th and 6th grade in the Nature category), Sophie Lamb (7/8 Nature), Hannah Moody (5/6 Animals), Olivia Welch (7/8 Animals), Dawson Sibley and Isabelle Smith (tied in the 5/6 “Other” category), Elizabeth Thompson (7/8 Other), Madalin Pagliarulo (5 through 8 Teen Scenes) and Tyler Bartlett (5 through 8 Sports).
The DeWitts now award a college scholarship in Courtney’s name to a deserving senior before graduation at Wells High School. Article by Reg Bennett.
Photo caption: In the Wells Junior High School Library on June 9th are (from left to right) WJHS Library Media Specialist Lynn Mercier, Michaela, Corey and Joleen DeWitt. (Reg Bennett photo)