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)

Kittery is awarded $79,780Maine DEP Grant

KITTERY—
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MDEP) through its Nonpoint Source (NPS) Water Pollution Control (Clean Water Act section 319) Grant program has awarded the Town of Kittery a grant of $79,780 to implement Phase 2 of its Spruce Creek Watershed Improvement Project. With the addition of matching funds the grant will total over $180,000.
This grant will support the continuation of the first phase of the project, begun in April 2008 and set to continue until March 2010, in which the Maine DEP awarded the Town almost $70,000 for a total project budget of over $175,000. Phase I Grant Manager, Sue Cobler, stated “We strongly believe that the unprecedented volunteer contributions in Phase I of this project greatly contributed to the decision by MDEP to continue funding the Town of Kittery for Phase II.” Volunteer programs under Phase I have resulted in many activities to improve the water quality in Spruce Creek, including six community social gatherings held to educate homeowners on creek-friendly practices; the participation of 32 homeowners in a pledge program for homeowners who agree to maintain their property in a creek-friendly manner; and the installation, by volunteers, of such creek-friendly features as rain gardens, vegetated buffers, and dry-wells at selected residences and businesses.
While the grant proposal was sponsored by the Town of Kittery in close partnership with the Town of Eliot, the Spruce Creek Association, and the York County Soil and Water Conservation District, additional support was and will continue to be provided by residents, volunteers and local businesses. Beginning in spring of 2010 funds from the 319 grant will support a project coordinator to oversee the development of a range of best management and conservation practices, public outreach and education, as well as repair and mitigation projects that will take place both on Spruce Creek itself and within the watershed.
In response to notification of the award Kittery Town Council Chairman, Jeff Thomson, stated “In these times of decreasing budgets for environmental programs, it is fantastic to have recognition and support by the State and the community to continue this important water quality work in the Spruce Creek watershed area.”
Forrest Bell of FB Environmental Associates provided technical assistance and project oversight for the grant proposal. Mr. Bell added, “This award will help continue the substantial momentum gained by the Town of Kittery and partners through the first project phase. In particular, the citizens and landowners of the Spruce Creek watershed have responded to the call for individual action for improved water quality and will now have the opportunity to participate in further efforts.”
The 319 grant program is intended to support NPS projects which aim to prevent or reduce nonpoint source pollutant loadings entering water resources so that beneficial uses of the water resources are maintained or restored. According to MDEP, NPS projects help local communities recognize water pollution sources in watersheds and take action to restore or protect clean water. A grant-eligible NPS project is implemented in a specific watershed to help restore or protect a lake, stream, or coastal water that is impaired or considered threatened by polluted runoff. Spruce Creek, which has been officially designated by the state of Maine as a nonpoint source priority watershed due to bacterial contamination, low dissolved oxygen, toxic contamination, and compromised ability to support commercial marine resources, meets these qualifications.
To learn more about the Spruce Creek Watershed Improvement Project, please visit: www.protectkitterywaters.org.
Photo caption: Using native varieties, volunteers plant a “rain garden” and add deep-rooted shrubs to the buffer along the water in Kittery that will help improve water quality in Spruce Creek while creating a beautiful natural area that will attract birds and butterflies. (Courtesy photo)

Beliveau named to Maine Community College System Board of Directors

WELLS—
Weekly Sentinel Staff Columnist Devin Beliveau, 30, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Maine Community College system. Nominated by Gov. John Baldacci, Beliveau was approved by the legislature’s Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs and the Maine Senate. Beliveau is a teacher at Thornton Academy in Saco, where he is beginning his fifth year. He is in his second year with the Weekly Sentinel. Beliveau has a BA in Government from Colby and a Masters in Education from Stanford. He lives with his wife, Debbie, in Kittery. (Weekly Sentinel photo)

Thornton Academy Welcomes Boarding Students

SACO—
One year ago Thornton Academy announced its plans to start a boarding program. This historic decision will allow the nearly 200-year-old independent school to truly make a global impact as international students move to campus.
There are 38 students currently enrolled for the fall who will live in TA’s new dorm, recently named the James E. Nelson Residence Hall after a longtime member and former President of TA’s Board of Trustees.
The two story, 16,500 square-foot residence hall is now complete. It was designed by Barba+Wheelock of Portland, Maine. PM Construction is the construction manager and financing is by Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution.
Four faculty apartments divide up the space set aside for boys and girls in the dorm. It has two single-occupancy rooms and 18 double-occupancy rooms that are 115 square feet and 220 square feet, respectively. Each student will have a bed, a desk, a wardrobe, a dresser, a bookshelf and a desk chair. The building also has two common areas for socializing and studying; three snack rooms each equipped with a refrigerator, microwave and sink; and modern features like radiant heating and colored concrete floors.
Wireless Internet access will be available to students and since the dorm is located right off of Route 1, they can easily walk to shops and restaurants in downtown Saco or go to the new Amtrak train station nearby to get to Portland, Boston and beyond.
Rick Thompson, chair of the foreign language department, says it’s an exciting time at TA as the school welcomes people from other parts of the world. He believes that teachers and students alike will benefit from the added perspectives of international students in the classroom.
To help our visitors feel welcome, Thompson says that faculty, staff and students will need to make an effort to meet and befriend the new people on campus.
“For them a simple ‘Hello’ in the hallway can make the difference between a good day and a hard day thousands of miles from home,” he explains. “Conversely, making friends from other countries can change the life of a young person. I remember getting to know Gonzalo, a Venezuelan exchange student in my high school. Suddenly I had a practical application for my new Spanish skills and I quickly gained confidence as a second-language speaker. This experience helped direct me to the life I live today.”
Kelli Corrigan, Director of Residential Life and Dean of Residential Students, has organized events and activities for this week that will help students feel acclimated to life in the U.S. There are trips planned to Funtown/Splashtown and to Boston, a movie night in Hyde Library, and dinner at an Old Port restaurant. The incoming boarding students will also participate in freshman orientation, which will help them become familiar with TA’s campus, and visit the Maine Mall to buy what they need for their dorm rooms.
“Our goal is to introduce kids to the staff who will be part of the residential program. We want to bond with them that first week. There will also be outreach projects with teachers and clubs once school begins,” she says.
Corrigan is also organizing student ambassador and host family programs, which will also help boarding students feel at home away from home. Kimberly Dao ’10, whose parents emigrated from Vietnam, is among those ready to enthusiastically greet the newcomers.
“I hope that they get to experience everything good about the American lifestyle,” she says. “They may lead sheltered lives compared to kids who grew up here in Maine. We want to get them out to have fun!”