by Mark Huard

December 1 marked the beginning of the 25 days ‘til Christmas, but it also marked the end of a 17-year career for Stephen Fotter. The Performing Arts Center rang with holiday cheer and fantastic music from the Fotter Family of musicians. It was a bitter sweet moment as the members were doing what they love, but this is the last time that they will do it all together on the stage.

Over his 17 years, Stephen Fotter and his wife Linda, have shown their tireless and selfless take on the world by gathering everyone together and donating all of the proceeds to charitable causes. You heard that right, the event is completely done for charitable causes so that more people can have shelter, safety and food that they normally wouldn’t have. This year alone, the Fotter’s raised $14,300 for the Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter. They also raised $1,700 for the Shine On Cass Foundation. The Fotters and the community have helped raise over $150,000 over the years.

Warming Up with the Fotters always occurs during the Christmas season; but the Fotters are known for their kindness year round. They had 65 students in this year’s production, but they have been part of the lives of hundreds of children and adults through the years. Stephen Fotter lights up the stage with his infectious energy on the night of these performances, but we are told that this is a daily occurrence for him. He brings a passion of music and life to so many people, and provides a learning environment for those who want to enter his studio.

In true Fotter fashion, Stephen and his wife do not take any credit for the success of their events but rather extend the gratitude to all of the many students staff and band members that surround them. The following band members lit up the stage with their talents and stood faithfully beside Stephen Fotter for years: Douglas Moore, Gus Moen, Noah Caret, Uncle Dean Bureau, Gary Coons, Neil Amalfitano, Libby Phillips, Jordan Willette, and Shel Sherman and vocalists Tammy Baker and Mary Ann Quirion.

The Fotters have a strong faith and have been clear that their only goals are to help others. So when talking about the career of Stephen and Linda Fotter, a better word to describe it is their legacy. It’s a legacy of benevolence, grace and compassion. It’s a legacy filled with beautiful music that touches not only our ears but our hearts. And it’s a legacy that will continue to inspire others to live and love just a little bit harder.

‘Tis the season for giving, and educators certainly know the truth of that statement as they choose to spend their lives serving thousands of needy students throughout Maine.

Members of Kennebec Retired Educators Association (KREA) and Kappa Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma International recently donated a variety of items and funds to The Waterville Essentials Closet at the Waterville First Congregational Church on Eustis Parkway, Waterville.

Pastor Mark Wilson explained, “A few years ago our church sought the alignment of God’s dream for our church in our community and how we could help the needy the most. After meeting with community leaders, it was noted that we have the local soup kitchen, evening sandwich program, the food pantry, and homeless shelter.

“However, in none of those places are people able to obtain the essential items – laundry detergent, toilet paper, dish detergent, shampoo, paper towels, tissues, bath soap, feminine hygiene products, toothbrushes, diapers, baby wipes, and toothpaste.

“We find that people really appreciate the laundry detergent and shampoo, although young families are always looking for diapers,” explained Lora Downing, director of the program with her husband Pete of Sidney. “These items cannot be purchased with EBT cards and state assistance programs.”

The program depends on 20 volunteers, “and we are always looking for more,” says Lora. Volunteer Carl Daiker, of Waterville, says he greets the patrons when they walk in the front door and logs their names and contact information. They are then directed to another volunteer who is in charge of distributions.

“We are hopeful,” says Carl, “when we do not see a patron returning month after month to the closet. To us, that could be a sign that the patron’s situation has changed to the point where they no longer need the assistance provided by the Essentials Closet. I know that working as a volunteer gives me a good feeling and a sense of contributing to the welfare of my community.”

Pastor Wilson noted that the church also offers the Evening Sandwich Program, Laundry Quarters, Reading Changes Lives, and other ministries that have “helped to transform our church to a more outward-facing mission stance of being the church in action serving others.”

The Essentials Closet is open the last two weeks of every month—Mondays, 5 to 7 p.m. and Wednesday and Friday from 9 to 11 a.m. “We have served more than 900 people and average about 200 people per month from all over Central Maine,” said Lora.

KREA represents retired educators from 60 schools in 31 cities and towns in Kennebec County. KREA President George Davis of Skowhegan cites the generosity of members who “donate funds to local charitable agencies in two of our six meetings each year.”

Donations to the Essentials Closet may be dropped off at the church office Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon. For more information interested folk may call the church at 872-8976.