EVENT: Scouts to honor legionnaires

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The Kennebec Valley District of Scouting will honor the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, and Sons of the American Legion during a special breakfast to be held on Saturday, May 6, at 8:30 a.m., at American Legion Fitzgerald-Cummings Post #2, in Augusta, located at 7 Legion Drive.

“Each year, scouting honors a person or group for their amazing contributions to our lives,” said Kennebec Valley District Commissioner Eric Handley, of Sidney. “Last year, we recognized the important work done by the medical professionals and support staff at MaineGeneral Hospital. This year, we are recognizing the veterans of the American Legion and the entire Legion family for providing outstanding service to our communities since 1919. They answered when our nation asked for their help and when they returned home, they continued to serve as members of the Legion, Auxiliary, and Sons of the Legion.”

Join them for this breakfast to help say thank you to the American Legion family of groups for more than 100 years of patriotic service to our nation and state.

Space is limited to the first 100 attendees. Contact Chuck Mahaleris at cmahaleris@gmail.com to reserve your spot.

EVENTS: It’s Maine Pottery Tour time

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Springtime in Maine can mean daffodils or snow, and sometimes both, but the first weekend in May has meant the Maine Pottery Tour for more than a decade. The 11th annual Maine Pottery Tour welcomes visitors on Saturday, May 6 and Sunday, May 7, 2023. The self-guided tour is an opportunity to enjoy spring in Vacationland and the hospitality of local potters in their studios. Eagerly anticipated by all who enjoy handmade pottery, as well as anyone looking for a special and unique Mother’s Day gift.

Funded in part by a grant from the Maine Arts Commission, an independent state agency supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.

In central Maine, visit the following potteries:

A Lakeside Studio Pottery, Wayne; AP Curiosities, Bowdoinhaml; d harwood Pottery aka Mudgirl, Winthrop; Delilah Pottery and Dominique Ostuni Ceramics; Bowdoinham; Fine Mess Pottery, Augusta; Jeffrey Lipton Pottery, Litchfield; Julie Mondro Pottery, Greene; Kennebec Clay Works, Augusta; Kennebec Pottery, Belgrade; Maple Lane Pottery, Windsor; Margaret Melanson, Gardiner; Muddy Toes Pottery, New Gloucester; Pots in Bowdoin, Bowdoin; Marie Palluotto, Augusta; Fischer Pottery, Lisbon; The Art Walk Shop & Sutio, Winthrop; The Potter’s Shed, West Gardiner; Upper Room, Farmington; Whitefield Pottery, Whitefield; Work in Progress, Lisbon; Prescott Hill Pottery, Liberty; and Unity Pond Pottery, Unity.

Gaslight Theater’s 2023 season continues

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Gaslight Theater’s 2023 Season of Laughter continued in April and May with Peter Shaffer’s Black Comedy, directed by Lucille Rioux. The show will be produced at Hallowell Cithy Hall Auditorium, at 1 Winthrop St., in Hallowell, over two weekends, including Sunday matinees, April 28, 29 and 30, and May 5, 6, 7. Friday and Saturday shows start at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday matinees start at 2 p.m.

Recycled Shakespeare Co. to hold 10th annual Bard’s Birthday Bash

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At last year’s Sonnet Stroll readers gather with Robert Sezack (center, kneeling with cap in hand) at Re-Books, in Waterville. (contributed photo)

by Lyn Rowden

What ho! Anon! Recycled Shakespeare Company is planning a big party for its 10th Annual Bard’s Birthday Bash on Saturday, April 22 and you are invited.

RSC founders: the late Emily Rowden Fournier, Aaron Blaschke Rowden, and Lyn Rowden started the Bash in 2014 for the 450th birthday of the great William Shakespeare (April 23, 1564 – April 23, 1616). When they began they only planned on the one birthday, but the party kept on – even when held creatively using Zoom and recordings from all over the world in 2020 – 21.

This year is also special because it is the 400th anniversary of the printing of Shakespeare’s First Folio seven years after his death in 1623. It preserved what was known of his 36 plays, many of which had never been printed and is still considered the most reliable text, as well as one of the most influential books ever published.

The Bard’s Birthday Bash begins with the Sonnet Stroll through downtown Waterville. Costumed members of RSC and anyone who wants to join them will gather at Camden National Bank, at 9 a.m., to recommence the reading of all 154 sonnets interspersed with monologues and songs from his plays. The stroll continues to Yardgoods Center and The Villager Restaurant and pauses at Waterville Public Library at 10 a.m., where librarians and others will join in the readings.

Then on to Re-Books where owner Robert Sezack will enthrall readers with his selections outside his storefront as he has every year. A stop in at Greene-Block Studios, and then it is on to the Silver Street sidewalk in front of Cancun Restaurant where ardent supporter Representative Colleen Madigan will join in the readings. Try your hand at period weaponry with a Sword Fight Demon­stration at 11 a.m., led by stage combat artist Joshua Fournier.

Simul­taneously, RSC Chorus will be bringing Shake­speare’s songs to the patrons of Front/Main Restaurant, led by Joshua Bickford on mandolin, who wrote all original music to Shakespeare’s words. They will be performing in various locations throughout the day and everyone is welcome to sing along.

Continuing up Main Street the stroll will be visiting The Framemakers, and Incense and Peppermint, entertaining diners at Holy Cannoli, having readers from Day’s Jewelers join in as they have every year, and stop at Waterville Creates at the new Paul Schupf Art Center. At 1 p.m., gather to buy lunch at Jin Yuan as readers from across the nation will join by recordings or Zoom to add to the festivities. At that time Aaron and Heather Rowden, who now reside in California, will be delivering their annual hilarious surprise contribution. From 2:30 to 5 p.m., join the crowd at Selah Tea to relax with tea and goodies to more entertainment or even get up and read – no experience required. Bobbie McGee at Selah Tea has supported this project from its inception, and it is now the tradition for everyone to read Sonnet 154 out loud together there. RSC and Waterville are honored to have over 65 readers from the arts, theater, government, and business, as well as friends and visitors from near and far.

At 6 p.m., Waterville Mayor Jay Coelho, will kick off the annual Masquerade Ball held until 9 p.m., at the Greene-Block Studios. Elizabethan dances will be led and taught to all – with free birthday cake, of course. As with the rest of the celebration, costumes are welcome and add to the fun but are not required. Anyone of any age can learn these simple dances and no partners are necessary.

Thanks to the generosity of several donors and many volunteers, the day’s activities are free, open and accessible to all so please invite your friends and spread the word! Huzzah!

For more information, please contact Lyn Rowden at 207-314-4730 or recylcedshakespeare@gmail.com. Like and follow us Facebook for updates on this and all our plays and special events.

EVENTS: No-till garden; getting started

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On April 21, local master gardener, Sharon Turner, will describe how to start a home garden using simple, no-till, organic techniques and get your vegetable or ornamental garden growing this season.

Sharon’s talk ‘Starting a Garden from Scratch’ is Friday, April 21, at 6:30 p.m. in the Bryant Room of Gibbs Library. The free event is sponsored by Washington Lakes Association of which Sharon is a long-time member and two term past president. She is a gardening consultant, educator, and designer who, with her son, Eli Berry, operates Crystal Lake Farm and Nursery here in Washington. They specialize in heirloom and open-pollinated vegetable and flower seedlings, as well as native perennials, shrubs, and trees. Sharon is devoted to the no-till method because it doesn’t disturb the native soil but, instead, continuously enriches it.

No till avoids erosion, as well. Importantly for many of us, no-till enables planting without labor intensive digging or expensive tilling equipment. Everyone is invited to come and learn about no-till gardening that is a perfect method for home gardens. Friday, April 21, 6:30 p.m., Bryant Room. Free.

EVENTS: Waterville Creates announces The Great State of Illustration in Maine exhibition

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Artist: Barbara Cooney

As an art form, illustration has an ancestral home in Maine, with a legacy of attracting acclaimed authors and illustrators like E.B. White, Robert McCloskey, Melissa Sweet, and Chris Van Dusen. In recognition of this incredible history, Waterville Creates is excited to announce The Great State of Illustration in Maine exhibition at Ticonic Gallery, on view April 17­–July 16.

Curated by the Illustration Institute, this exhibition will showcase the past, present, and future of illustration in our state, representing history and contemporary culture through narrative imagery. By viewing historic work alongside contemporary illustration, visitors will gain a further appreciation for the enduring, beautiful work created in the state we call home. Featured artists include Barbara Cooney, Lucky Platt, Daniel Minter, Ashley Bryan, Rockwell Kent, Dahlov Ipcar, Bruce Hutchison, and Edward Hopper.

“We’re thrilled to bring this extraordinary collection to Waterville,” said Marie Sugden, exhibitions coordinator at Waterville Creates. “We are truly honored to collaborate with the Illustration Institute on this exhibition and accompanying educational programs to inspire a new generation of Maine illustrators.”

The Illustration Institute’s mission is to raise appreciation and awareness of illustration in its many forms, providing people of all ages the opportunity to learn directly from master artists and working professionals through exhibitions and workshops. Inspired by this rich heritage, Illustration Institute is interested in sharing this legacy and teaching new illustrators and writers of all ages and abilities.

“We are delighted to be working with Waterville Creates,” said Nancy Gibson-Nash, co-founder of the Illustration Institute. “Waterville Creates provides all that Illustration Institute would want in a collaboration. Ticonic Gallery and access to classroom and presentation space are ideal. We’re excited to inspire a new audience by bringing The Great State of Illustration in Maine to Waterville, and to celebrate the work of over 90 published Maine illustrators.”

The opening reception will be held on May 5, from 4­­ – 7 p.m., in conjunction with downtown Waterville’s First Friday event. To celebrate the opening of The Great State of Illustration in Maine and to kick off its Arts in Bloom weekend, Waterville Creates will host a children’s book giveaway during the opening reception and on Saturday, May 6. Children will receive a picture book from a Maine illustrator, with a variety of titles available.

The Great State of Illustration in Maine exhibition is sponsored by Kennebec Savings Bank, PRO Moving Service, Morning Sentinel and Kennebec Journal, The Lunder Foundation: Peter and Paula Lunder, and MaineGeneral Health.

Located inside the new Paul J. Schupf Art Center, Ticonic Gallery is open 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., daily except Tuesdays and federal holidays.

For more information on The Great State of Illustration in Maine exhibition, visit watervillecreates.org/shows/great-state-maine-illustration/ or contact Marie Sugden at msugden@watervillecreates.org.

EVENTS: Free public COVID-19 booster clinics at HealthReach locations

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HealthReach is pleased to announce free public COVID-19 booster shots available at locations across Central and Western Maine. The Belgrade Regional Health Center clinic will open to everyone – patients and the public – from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 15, April 29, and May 6, 2023. No appointment is necessary during these time periods! Belgrade Regional Health Center is located at 4 Clement Way in Belgrade, Maine.

They are offering Bivalent Moderna boosters through these clinics. These boosters are available to any fully-vaccinated individuals ages 6 and up, regardless of their primary vaccination series – Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, and other brands. These shots will be offered completely free of charge, and are offered on a first-come, first-served walk-in basis for anyone eligible to receive their updated shot.

Booster clinics will be held across 10 HealthReach locations in Maine. In addition to the Belgrade location, sites to hold a COVID-19 Booster Clinic include: Bingham Area Health Center, Lovejoy Health Center (in Albion), Madison Area Health Center, Mt. Abram Regional Health Center (in Kingfield), Rangeley Family Medicine, Richmond Area Health Center, Sheepscot Valley Health Center (in Coopers Mills / Whitefield), Strong Area Health Center, and Western Maine Family Health Center (in Livermore Falls). Addresses for each location can be found on their website, at http://www.HealthReach.org/Contact.aspx.

EVENTS: Award winning Maine reporter at Lithgow Public Library

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Amy Calder, author of Comfort is an Old Barn, will be at Lithgow Library to discuss her book on Saturday, May 6, at 10 a.m. in the Community Meeting Room
Amy Calder is an award-winning newspaper reporter and columnist who covers primarily Waterville city government, as well as everything from fires to accidents, murders and standoffs.

Amy Calder

She started her 35-year career at the Morning Sentinel in 1988 and for several years was bureau chief for the Somerset County Bureau, in Skowhegan, before moving to the Waterville office.

In addition to covering the news, she writes a weekly human interest column called Reporting Aside, which appears Saturdays in both the Sentinel and Kennebec Journal. The columns include sketches of the colorful characters and quirky animals she meets on the beat, as well as personal stories about growing up in Skowhegan.

Comfort is an Old Barn is a curated collection of those columns, published this year by Islandport Press.

As with all of Lithgow’s events, this event is free and open to the public.

 

 

EVENTS: Sew for a Cause plans Mothers-to-be Tea in Vassalboro

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Rachel Kilbride display some of the items prepared by the Sew for a Cause group, in Vassalboro. (photo by Eric W. Austin)

by Eric W. Austin

A special Mothers-to-be Tea is planned for Saturday, May 6, by the Sew for a Cause ladies, at St. Bridget Center, in Vassalboro. The event is free and open to all new mothers or soon-to-be mothers in central Maine, but because space is limited, attendees are encouraged to register by April 15. Owner of St. Bridget Center, Rachel Kilbride, says they are expecting about 50 new mothers to attend along with a guest.

Kilbride says the event is an effort to bring women together face-to-face and help new mothers connect with one another.

“Mothers today don’t have that same community we grew up in,” says Kilbride. “This [event] will give them the opportunity to meet other mothers and celebrate the fact that they’re new mothers.”

Shirley McQuarrie sorts through baby items prepared for the event. (photo by Rachel Kilbride)

The ladies of the Sew for a Cause group have been working furiously for months to create a bevy of handmade baby items to give out at the event. Totes filled with freshly made bibs, blankets, hats, cute stuffed animals and nursing quilts will be given out to attendees at the door, along with other assorted items that every new mother needs. And, of course, homemade baked treats and tea will be served.

Raffles are also planned, with items donated by local business sponsors of the event.

The Mothers-to-be Tea is being held on Saturday, May 6, the weekend before Mother’s Day, from 1 – 3 p.m.

“I was a Mother’s Day baby,” Kilbride says, explaining that they planned the event so it wouldn’t interfere with anyone’s plans to spend Mother’s Day with their own mothers.

Sew for a Cause is a group of over 50 volunteers from all over central Maine who meet on the first and third Thursday of every month at St. Bridget Center to socialize and sew homemade items to donate to local charities, including Catholic Charities, Newborns in Need, Sweet Dream Bags, the Ronald MacDonald House, Maine Children’s Home and area nursing and veterans’ homes.

The St. Bridget Center, at 864 Main St., in Vassalboro, is owned and operated by Rachel Kilbride and her husband, Jim, who have spent several years renovating the space. Aside from hosting free community events like community cribbage on Thursday evenings, Sew for a Cause, and this event for mothers-to-be, they keep the lights on by making the venue available to rent for birthdays, wedding receptions and other events.

To register for the free Mothers-to-be Tea by April 15, please send an email to motherstobetea2023@gmail.com or call 616-3148. To find out more about the St. Bridget Center or the Sew for a Cause group, email StBridgetCenter@gmail.com or follow them on Facebook.

EVENTS: ShineOnCass Animal Baby Shower & PJ Party planned May 7, in Albion

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The annual, free event is held in memory of Cassidy Charette, a longtime summer camper at Hart-to-Hart Farm. Pre-registration is required to attend one of two sessions, which is limited to 80 children per session. Visit shineoncass.org or hart2hartfarm.org to register. (photo by Monica Charette)

Children dressed in their pajamas will welcome baby lambs, goats, calves and other newborn animals also wearing pajamas, on May 7, at the ShineOnCass Animal Baby Shower & PJ Party, at Hart-to-Hart Farm & Education Center, in Albion.

Linnea Burke-Maya snuggles a chicken at Hart-to-Hart Farm, in Albion, as part of last year’s ShineOnCass Animal Baby Shower & PJ Party. The 2023 event will be held May 7. Children dressed in their pajamas will welcome baby lambs, goats, calves, and other newborn animals also wearing pajamas! (photos by Monica Charette)

The annual event features educational stations that include learning how to milk a cow, fetching eggs from the chicken coop, spinning lamb’s wool, and participation in goat yoga! Children will be able to hold, and have photos taken with, the newborn baby animals.

Hart-to-Hart Farm & Education Center is a family-owned and operated organic dairy farm that offers a variety of educational programs for children, adults and families. The ShineOnCass Animal Baby Shower is held each year in honor of Cassidy Charette, an Oakland teen who died in a hayride accident in 2014, and was a summer camper at Hart-to-Hart Farm.

Families attending the free event are asked to bring pet food and items to donate to Humane Society Waterville Area in memory of Cassidy, who was a longtime shelter volunteer.

There will be two sessions offered, 10 to 11:30 a.m., and 12:30 to 2 p.m., with limited capacity of 80 children per session. Pre-registration is required at shineoncass.org or hart2hartfarm.org. For more information, email shineoncass@gmail.com.