Barn Gallery Presents 33rd Annual Student Art Show

OGUNQUIT—
Join us as area elementary through high school students show their latest work at the 33rd Annual Student Art Show at the Barn Gallery on Bourne Lane at Shore Road in Ogunquit on May 7 and 8 from 1 to 4 p.m. each day. All are invited to a reception on Friday, May 6 from 4 to 6 p.m.
Barn Gallery will be filled floor to ceiling with imaginative paintings, photographs, collages, prints, sculpture, and mixed media pieces. The artistic energy and enthusiasm of the young artists shine forth in a variety of media and subjects.
“I love this show,” says Nancy Davison, President of the Ogunquit Arts Collaborative and the Barn Gallery. “The students try so many different images and techniques. And they delight in finding their work on the walls of a ‘real’ gallery. Our annual Mother’s Day event is one of the most festive shows we have at Barn Gallery.”
Art teachers from schools in southern Maine, including Wells, York, Kittery, Lebanon, Berwick, North Berwick and South Berwick, select individual and group student art projects for this traditional celebration of the year’s work in area art classes.
Barn Gallery will open for the season on Wednesday May 25 at 11 a.m. For more information call 207-646-8400 after May 25, 2011.
Photo caption: Barn Gallery in Ogunquit will host its 33rd Annual Student Art Show on May 7 and 8, with an opening reception on May 6. (Courtesy photo)

American Idol Winner Taylor Hicks to Appear in Ogunquit

OGUNQUIT—
Alabama’s favorite son continues to be in “The Right Place” since becoming the fifth-season winner of American Idol. Fascinating to note, Season 5 of Idol was the #1 most watched television program in the past decade, with an average of 31 million viewers tuning in each Tuesday and Wednesday. During the last few years, Taylor Hicks has seen his Arista debut album certified platinum, performed with the likes of Earth, Wind & Fire, The Allman Brothers and Willie Nelson, toured through Asia, penned a brisk-selling Random House memoir, made his Broadway debut in “Grease” and will now be making his second appearance on the Maine Seacoast at Jonathan’s Ogunquit for a very special Mother’s Day Concert on Sunday, May 8, 2011.
Taylor released his latest album titled “The Distance” in March of 2009, and is supported by the single, “Seven Mile Breakdown.” Along with the album, his own DVD was just released. “Whomp at the Warfield” offers fans exhilarating live performances by Taylor and his band at the Warfield Theater in San Francisco.
His personal twist of fate came in New Orleans at the wedding of an Auburn friend, the night before Hurricane Katrina hit on August 29, 2005. With his flight cancelled, he was given a free airplane voucher. Earlier that summer, he had considered auditioning for American Idol in Memphis, but the auditions were cancelled, as the city became one of hubs of the Katrina relief effort. Through the summer and fall, however, auditions proceeded in eight cities across the country. Taylor eventually used his voucher to travel for a Las Vegas holiday, coincidentally American Idol was auditioning there during his vacation.
A lifetime steeped in the blues, soul and R&B of his native Southern heroes - Ray Charles, Otis Redding, James Brown and Sam Cooke, to name a few - culminated in no uncertain terms as Taylor Hicks won the fifth season of American Idol. It was an emotionally uplifting night - May 24, 2006 - when 36.4 million viewers tuned in to watch the season finale, the year’s third-largest audience for a televised event after the Super Bowl and the Academy Awards. More than 63 million votes were cast in crowning a gritty, down-home, white soul singer the new winner.
“I thought about who Taylor Hicks would attract to the show if we had him for a concert and I said, hey let’s give it a try! He is not our typical folk type but I am excited to branch out to different types of music and personalities this season and Taylor Hicks is a fine representation of that!” stated Jonathan West about Taylor Hick’s upcoming appearance at his venue in Ogunquit.
Taylor Hicks will be playing live at Jonathan’s Ogunquit on Sunday, May 8 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are now available. Jonathan’s Ogunquit is located at 92 Bourne Lane, Ogunquit, ME, just around the corner from the Ogunquit Playhouse. For more information contact caitlan@jonathansrestaurant.com, visit our website at www.jonathansrestaurant.com or www.taylorhicks.com.
Photo caption: American Idol winner Taylor Hicks will make his second appearance at Jonathan’s Ogunquit on May 8. (Photo by Nancy L. Kent, courtesy Jonathan’s Ogunquit)

New Use Sought for Historic House

SOUTH BERWICK—
With the departure of South Berwick Public Library expected next year, the Jewett Eastman Memorial Committee is now exploring the future of the Jewett-Eastman House.
The property has been a community center since the death of Theodore Eastman, Sarah Orne Jewett’s nephew, in 1931. The author herself had lived here more than half her life, writing over 140 stories, novels and poems during the 33 years before she moved to the Jewett House, her birthplace next door, in 1887.
After the Jewett Eastman House was bequeathed to Historic New England, it was at different times a tea room, a gathering place for bridal showers and other festivities, and a meeting hall for such organizations as the South Berwick Rotary, the South Berwick Woman’s Club, and even a 1950’s group called the Sarah Orne Jewett Garden Club. In 1971, volunteers organized the South Berwick Public Library on the first floor.
Community organizations who would be interested in occupying this local landmark, either as a renter or an owner, are invited to contact the JEM Committee with proposals by August 1. The current use is to house the 1,500 square foot library and an apartment on the second floor.
The committee expects to make a decision within the next nine months. The JEM Committee can be reached at PO Box 35, South Berwick, ME 03908, or at timbenoit2@gmail.com.
Photo caption: The Jewett Eastman Memorial Committee, owner of the Jewett Eastman House, is seeking proposals for a new use for the building now that it is being vacated by South Berwick Public Library. The building has been a community center since 1931. It was built by the family of author Sarah Orne Jewett and served as her home. (Courtesy photo)

Kennebunk’s May Day Festival Plans are Set

KENNEBUNK—
Kennebunk’s 13th Annual May Day Festival will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2011 and promises to be a full day of family-friendly fun activities throughout Downtown Kennebunk. Look for our maps on Main Street to plot your course and join us for some or all the excitement that day!
Start off at Duffy’s Tavern & Grill who will once again host a pancake breakfast to benefit the May Day Festival. Advance tickets can be purchased at The Closet Boutique at 42 Main Street; they are recommended, but not required – cash sales only. Afterward, there will be lots to do up and down Main Street and in Lafayette Park!
Visit the Brick Store Museum to make your own May-basket and see the Maine Women in the Arts exhibit. Attend the faerie garden planting at the Kennebunk Free Library and while there, check out the book/bake sale put on by the Friends of the Library. Celebrate opening day for The Kennebunk Farmers Market and shop the craft market booths with artists/craftspeople on Main Street. Climb the rock wall – its 25’ high and there are 5 climbing paths to keep traffic moving. In between there will be live music, safety demonstrations, wagon rides, a teddy bear clinic and white elephant sales.
Lafayette Park will be hosting May Pole dancing and face painting, pottery wheel and Tai Chi demonstrations. Non-profits will set up here to provide information and creative ways to support them. You’ll also find another collection of artists/crafts people along with more live music later in the afternoon.
The May Day Parade will begin at 1:30 p.m. and includes many of our Little Leaguers in full uniform. You’ll also see some well-known mascots, classic cars, the Shoe String Puppet Theater, Gym Dandies and Shriners!
Please remember that all our Downtown shops, restaurants and businesses will be open that day and they help to make this event possible, so stop in to thank them with your business.
For a complete schedule of events, and list of sponsors, please visit www.kennebunkdowntown.com/calendar - just scroll down to May!

25th WOCSD Literary Achievement Award Winners Announced

WELLS—
The Wells-Ogunquit Community School District (WOCSD) will recognize sixty-five winners in this year’s 25th Literary Achievement Awards program at an awards night on April 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the Olenn Auditorium at Wells High School. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. for the Silver Anniversary of the Awards.
In April, students from kindergarten through grade 12 received notification they had placed in the contest. Thirteen first place winners were named including Kathleen Pyburn, who will take home the top prize of $500 for her entry in the senior category entitled “A Someday Rendezvous.” Other first place winners will receive $100. Second place winners receive $50, third place receive $25 and honorable mentions receive gift certificates to the Steakhouse in Wells.
Entries for the contest, which can be either fiction or non-fiction, may be written in several styles including poetry, biographical, essay or short story.
This year’s first place winners include Alivia Boucher (kindergarten), Grace Boucher (1st grade), Hayden Barker (2nd), Hannah Bradish (3rd), Brianna Michaud-Nolan (4th), Madison Szcygiel (5th), Adia Montagna (6th), Talia Auen (7th), Julianne Fitzpatrick (8th), Corey Zinck (9th), Laura Kirol (10th), Patrick Menard (11th), and Kathleen Pyburn (12th). On April 28, first place winners are invited to read all or a portion of their writing before the audience.
In all, 236 entries were received. By means of a two-step judging process, that number was reduced to 84 by a group of “in-house” judges including Sue Olsson, Lil Connelly, Cheryl Oakes, Bob Sprankle, Betsy Littlefield, Karen Westerberg, Kim McDonough, Carolyn Beecher, Julie Esch, Cathy Abbott, Alice Meader, Lynn Mercier, Susan Condon, Liz Bell, Wendy Cowan, Becca Murphy, Jody Selsberg and Rebecca Follansbee.
On March 26, a panel of community judges gathered to determine the 65 winners. Outside judges included Marilyn Cate, Jack Ford, John Madden, Ina Toth, Ellen Aromando, Carolyn Walker, Connie Griffin, Mary Goulland and Diana Abbott.
This contest, sponsored by the Wells-Ogunquit Community School District and People’s United Bank, is coordinated by Maryanne Foley and Reg Bennett.
Students are encouraged to submit their winning entries to be posted on the District’s website, www.wocsd.org for public viewing. Awards night will also be videotaped and played on Time-Warner cable Channel 3 in Wells and Ogunquit at a time TBA.
Photo caption: This year’s community judges for the WOCSD Literary Achievement Awards 2011. (Photo by Reg Bennett)

South Berwick Cleans Up for Earth Day

SOUTH BERWICK—
The South Berwick Conservation Commission invites South Berwick residents to join the local Earth Day Clean Up on Saturday, April 30, 2011.
“The snow and ice are melting, birds are singing, people are getting outside, but we forget what is underneath all that snow,” observes Pat Robinson, the commission’s chair.
Residents are encouraged to team up with friends and family to “adopt” a road and make it the cleanest in town. Last year, approximately 55 children and adults pitched in to remove a winter’s worth of trash from South Berwick roads.
Roadside trash often washes into rivers and streams where it can choke or disable wildlife, such as ducks, fish, turtles and birds. In one study, researchers found that 18 percent of all litter ends up in our streams and waterways as pollution.
The transfer station will accept trash from the clean up between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. All participants should wear gloves and bright or reflective clothing. For more information call 384-3300 ext. 336 (conservation commission voice mail) or email prnel@comcast.net.

Patriots’ Day Festivities Mix History with Humor

By Molly McCoy

Staff Columnist
OGUNQUIT—
From Friday, April 16 through Sunday, April 18, Ogunquit was transformed as the town celebrated its 21st Annual Patriots’ Day Celebration. Visitors and locals alike delighted at a variety of activities ranging from concerts to a beach bazaar to a slew of historical reenactments. The weekend kicked off downstairs at the Ogunquit Baptist Church with a comical portrayal of the Sons of Liberty meeting, at which many famous patriots - played by a few brave locals - decided to undertake the Boston Tea Party. The evening continued upstairs at the Church, featuring an educational fife and drum concert and a costumed reading of Patrick Henry’s “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech.
Luckily for all involved, the inclement weather held off during the daytime festivities, and the remainder of the weekend was pleasant for both indoor and outdoor events. Costumed characters could be seen throughout the town, interacting with both visitors and each other. Benjamin Franklin flew his kite on the beach, Abigail Adams and Betsy Ross exchanged pleasantries at Clay Hill Farm’s Patriots’ Dinner, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson enjoyed presidential receptions wherever they went, and even Sacagawea made an appearance on Sunday at the Dunaway Center as Lewis and Clarke reported back about their arduous journey west. A real cannon signaled the end of the weekend’s events at the Dorathea Jacobs Grant Common on Sunday afternoon, and everyone involved was grateful for the wonderful turnout and the enthusiasm of all the volunteers.
To learn more about this event, visit www.shareogunquit.com. You can also find more on the Ogunquit Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/OgunquitMaine.
Photo caption: Historical reenactment supervisor Gordon Lewis is pictured in costume at right, mustering his “new recruits” in Veterans’ Park in Ogunquit on Saturday, April 17. (Photo by Molly McCoy)