An Annual all-Day Party Celebrating the Heritage of Our Families, Our Neighbors, and Our City.
Saturday, June 2nd, 2012 from 7am – 11pm
at the Franco-American Heritage Center
46 Cedar Street, Lewiston, ME

PHOTO: Musique Tout Partout

Festival Franco Fun Tickets: $10 for all-day pass. Kids under 12 free with Adult ticket purchase.

Tickets Available at francocenter.org, by calling 689.2000, or in person.

Crepe Breakfast: From 7am -10am | $6
Lunch and Dinner: From 11am – close | $1 – $7
Bean Supper: From 4:30pm – 6pm | $7

Entertainment Schedule:

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM Dennis Labbe as Mr. Magic

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM Storytelling with Michael Parent

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Musique Tout Partout

2:15 PM – 3:15 PM Present Company

3:30 PM – 4:30 PM  Joelle Morris

6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Tinpanic

7:30 PM – 8:30 PM Norm Gagnon et Le Groupe de Joie

9:00 PM – 11:00 PM C’était Si Bon

Many Thanks to Our Season Sponsors:

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TV5Monde | Lewiston/Auburn Magazine | Androscoggin Bank | Sun Journal | Center Street Dental | Schooner Estates | Platz Associates

The Franco-American Heritage Center is pleased to announce the activities for its annual Festival Franco Fun. this yearly celebration of Franco-American music, food, and culture will be happening at the Franco Center on Saturday, June 2nd.

Festivities begin at 7am, with a Family Crepe Breakfast open to the public. Following breakfast, there will be a special Children’s Entertainment program, where children under 12 are admitted free with the purchase of an adult Festival ticket. Magical Wonders Entertainment presents Magician Dennis Labbe, followed by the regarded story teller Michael Parent.

The early entertainment is followed by lunch, featuring many Franco favorites, including: poutine, boudin, and meat, salmon pies. Also available will be burgers, hot dogs, lobster rolls, and many other summer staples. A slate of afternoon performers includes the French folk of Musique Tout Partout, the decades of pop and vocal music from Present Company, and the outstanding mezzo-soprano Joelle Morris.

The Bean Supper, served at 4:30, is a Festival tradition. The evening entertainment continues, showcasing the stellar pan band Tinpanic, and Norm Gagnon and his Groupe de Joie. The final performance of the night is C’etait Si Bon, a reuniting of several members of the popular band C’est Si Bon.

Performer Bios

C’etait Si Bon is a tongue-in-cheek reference to C’est Si Bon which was one of the more popular and busy performing groups of French music in the Maine and the New England area during the years from around 1975 through the year 2000.  C’est Si Bon performed in all of the Franco-American festivals in Maine and New England, including, Rhode island, massachusetts and Connecticut, They also performed  New York and Canada. They performed four times at the Quebec Winter carnival held each February in Quebec and well as one time at an International Festival in Albany, New York. For several years, they were the house band at Indian Head Resort in Lincoln, New Hampshire for Canadian artists performing there. The group recorded 5 albums and Cassettes over the years. The group disbanded on New Years Eve 2000.

Nel Meservier and Eddie Boucher are original members of C’est Si Bon having organized the group with Paul Boucher and Ray Chouinard.

This year, four former members of C’est Si Bon are reuniting for the purpose of performing at this year’s Francofun  Festival. Former members Eddie Boucher, Gerry Meservier, Don Leblanc and Nel Meservier will be joined by Diane Meservier, a long time member of the group Present Company.

The group will be performing songs of C’est Si Bon including specialty dances such as La Danse Des Canards, Aga Dou and La Danse du Peteux, along with Folklore songs from over the years.

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A native Mainer of French-Canadian descent, Michael Parent has performed as a storyteller, singer, (and actor-playwright), in both English and French, throughout  the United States, as well as in Canada, France, New Zealand, Ireland, Costa Rica, and Brazil.

After living in Virginia for many years, where he was a co-founder of, and frequent performer at Live Arts, a thriving alternative theater in Charlottesville, Michael returned to his home state of Maine in July, 1998, and now lives in Portland. He received  the National Storytelling Network’s “Circle of Excellence” Award in 1999, and was a keynote speaker at the 2001 National Storytelling Conference in Providence, R.I.

Michael has produced the award winning CD “Sundays at Grandma’s – Dimanches chez Memère,” and has co-authored, along with Julien Olivier, “Of Kings and Fools,” translated and retold stories from the Franco-American tradition (August House Publishers).

Michael’s original stories have been included in various anthologies, including a collection titled “Heroes and Villains in American Literature” (Amsco Publications).   His bilingual CD, “Chantons, Let’s Sing,” in collaboration with Greg Boardman, includes songs from the Franco-American culture, sung in an alternating French-English pattern.

“Our stories and songs affirm and celebrate our Franco-American cultural identity. When we tell our stories and sing our songs, we acknowledge our past and help insure our future.”

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The Tinpanic Steel Band, a 14-piece steel drum orchestra, is known to bring audiences to their feet with high-energy calypso rhythms and a big band sound.  Their crowd-pleasing repertoire includes swing and pop favorites, along with the island party music for which the steel pan is popularly recognized.  Tinpanic is based in Auburn and has developed a fan base across the state of Maine by playing at community celebrations, sailing regattas, private parties and charitable events.

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Present Company is Diane, Marge, and Lorna. This trio consisting of two singers and a keyboardist live in Central Maine and entertain throughout the region and beyond, celebrating over 20 years in entertainment.

They are a living, breathing active encyclopedia of musical heritage through contemporary music, beginning at the Great Depression era and winding through the music of the several decades since. Their music spans country, early rock and roll, pop music from the 40s-60s, ballads, standards, Irish and French favorites, Gospel music, and more.

The group has been a regular feature at some of Maine’s largest outdoor fairs and festivals, including: Fryeburg Fair. Winsor Fair, Monmouth Fair, Common Ground, Great Fall Balloon Festival, and Festival de Joie

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Norm Gagnon, accordionist extraordinaire, will be returning with his ensembles, Groupe de Joie, as part of the Franco Center’s festivities. Norm and le Groupe have been favorites of the festival for countless years, and are sure to please the crowds with their renditions of traditional French folk music.

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Based in Boothbay Harbor and dedicated to keeping traditional Quebecois French music and culture alive, Tout Partout perform spicy Cajun dance tunes and songs from the Maritime folk tradition. Tout Partout is an expression that turns up in certain French songs and means “all around.”

Members of Musique Tout Partout have performed in a variety of settings, ranging from high school French groups to charitable fundraisers. Musique Tout Partout has played at La Kermesse, the French festival in Biddeford, Annual Alewife Festival in Damariscotta, Annual Boat Builders Festival in Boothbay, Kennebec River Run festival in Augusta, Community Suppers, Library Lawns and craft fairs.

Vocalists Dolly Rollins and Isabelle Lewis both grew up in traditional French households in Maine. Born

near the Canadian border in Jackman, Isabelle’s first language was French. She performed folk music for

many years with a group called “The Relatives.” Dolly’s family roots in Quebec take her back there often.

Jim admits he gave up the accordion in the 1950′s largely because it wasn’t cool. After years of playing

guitar and a stint with a Mexican band, Jim re-discovered the beauty of his original instrument. “I like fast songs with a heavy beat.”

Jim discovered rhythm guitarist Mike Colbert in a guitar workshop. Mike not only kept a steady beat, he had a french name. Mike soon graduated from Johnny Cash ballads to French dance tunes.

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Dennis Labbe is a magician from Steep Falls, Maine that performs classical and comical magic that is guaranteed to entertain to create an unforgettable experience children and adults alike.

He started practicing magic at the young age of seven. Now Dennis has been performing the magic arts professionally for the past 22 years.

Dennis’ presentations are carefully tailored to suit any age group. Children, teens, adults and seniors are captivated by his magical wonders.

He has performed for corporations, grade schools to colleges, campgrounds, libraries and nightclubs as well as countless private parties all over New England.

Dennis has the perfect style of entertainment. He combines magic and illusion for your mind and comedy for your funny bone.

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An accomplished mezzo-soprano, Joelle Morris uses her dramatic voice and musical understanding to consistently bring passion, depth and clarity to her performances regardless of genre. From opera’s darkest arias to jazz’s most memorable tunes to Broadway’s greatest hits, Morris controls the power of her voice while finding subtleties within her songs.

Morris graduated in 2003 with a Master’s degree in vocal performance from the University of Colorado’s Lamont Conservatory of Music in Denver. A finalist in the Metropolitan Opera Audition in Denver in that year, she has performed as Cherubino in The Marriage of Figaro, Dorabella in Cosi fan Tutte, and Rosina in The Barber of Seville for a variety of theatre companies.

Morris is not only a performer, but also a teacher and conductor. During a recent residence in Evian, France, she performed regular recitals within the region, and was a member of the jazz group, “The Jean-Marie Reboul Trio,” which performed throughout France, as well as Geneva, Switzerland. She also conducted an established 60-person choir based in Thonon-les-Bains, as well as a 16-member choir, “Double Croche,” which she formed in 2006. She has also taught voice to adults and children through her private studio for many years.

Electricity Maine, a locally owned and operated electricity supply company, was launched in July 2011 and reached 100,000 customers in March 2012. The company’s rate for residential and small business customers is .0707 cents per kWh.

The Winthrop Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting on Thursday, June 7 will be held at the Winthrop Area Federal Credit Union (located at the intersection of Route 202 and Highland Avenue in Winthrop). The cost is $5 per person, to be paid at the door. A light breakfast will be provided beginning at 7:15 am and the meeting will start at 7:30 am and end promptly at 8:30 am. The meeting, which is generously sponsored by Brian S. Berry & Associates, CPAs, is open to the public. No reservations are required.

For more detailed information about this event and/or the Winthrop Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce, please go to www.winthropchamber.org, call 207-377-8020, or send an email to info@winthropchamber.org.

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B-52 Bomber Ejection Seat

AUGUSTA,Maine– A Maine Forest Service forest ranger out hunting last fall came across a strange object he found right in the middle of an old, overgrown logging road on Elephant Mountain. That object has been identified as an ejection seat from the infamous B-52 Stratofortress-C crash that killed seven airmen almost 50 years ago north of Greenville.

Maine Forest Service District Ranger Bruce Reed, who found the ejection seat, will lead a recovery team on Thursday to retrieve the seat from Elephant Mountain southwest of the crash site and take it to a local snowmobile clubhouse.

The ejection seat from the B-52 most likely is the seat that saved the life of either the jet’s pilot or its navigator, according to officials.

“The seat was lying upside down in the middle of that road,” Reed recalled about finding the object. “I had a pretty good idea of what it was, and it was kind of eerie finding something like this in the middle of the wilderness, knowing what happened almost 50 years ago.”

B-52 Stratofortress-C

Reed returned to the logging road this past Saturday, once again found the ejection seat, marked the GPS location, took photos, and took down all identification numbers. He confirmed the information with Pete Pratt of the Moosehead Rider’s Snowmobile Club, which has spearheaded the creation of a permanent memorial for the crash remains.

Later this week, Reed will lead a four-person carry operation with MFS forest rangers using a cargo net to bring the seat down the mountain.

The ejection seat has held up “remarkably well for being there for 49 years,” the MFS forest ranger said. There is some damage to the top part of the seat around the head rest, he said.

“Once we get it off the mountain and in the presence of those who know its true history, it will generate significant interest,” Reed said.

The crash took place Thursday, Jan. 24, 1963, as the B-52 Stratofortress-C was practicing routine low-level navigation, part of its training to avoid Soviet radar technology, in bitter winter weather.

The huge, unarmed jet left Westover Air Force Base in Massachusetts and was carrying nine crew members. The jet was traveling at about 500 feet about the ground when it encountered turbulence, and pilot Lt. Col. Dante E. Buli tried to climb to avoid it.

A loud noise like an explosion was heard, and the jet went into a 40-degreee right turn, its nose pointing down. Buli tried to level the plane, but when he couldn’t, he ordered the crew to eject.

Three crew members, including Buli, the navigator, Capt. Gerald J. Adler, and the co-pilot, Maj. Robert J. Morrison, had time to eject.  Six crew members were killed in the crash; Morrison was killed when his parachute hit a tree.

Numerous rescuers went to the scene and saved the two survivors, Buli and Adler, who had endured serious injuries and frigid temperatures reaching minus 28 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the night. The crash later was found to be caused by a structural problem.

The crash site since has been turned into a memorial, and it is undergoing improvements for the anticipated 50th anniversary of the accident. A salvaged jet engine and one ejection seat can be viewed at the Moosehead Rider’s Snowmobile Clubhouse. The tail section of the jet, which fell off the aircraft before it crashed, still can be seen at the mountain site.

For more information about the crash, go to: http://www.moosehead.net/history/B-f2.html

For more information about the MFS Forest Rangers, go to: http://www.maine.gov/doc/mfs/ffchome.htm

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Olympian Seth Wescott

Spectrum Generations Muskie Center’s Meals on Wheels program will hold its 10^th annual golf tournament on Monday, June 11, 2012 at the Natanis Golf Course in Vassalboro.  Foursome are available for $300; $75 for individual players; $60 for Natanis members and plenty of sponsorship opportunities to showcase your business.

Various awards for winners including men and women prizes for closest to pin, longest drive, and accuracy drive.  Olympic Gold Medalist Seth Wescott will be swinging out again this year in support of ending hunger among seniors and adults with disabilities.

After golf enjoy food and beverages during the awards ceremony.   Registration deadline is May 31^st.  For more information call (207) 873-4745 or go to www.spectrumgenerations.org.

Spectrum Generations
38 Gold Street
Waterville, ME  04901
(207) 873-4745
(207) 872-6168 (fax)
www.spectrumgenerations.org

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Maine International Trade Day, northern New England’s largest annual internationally focused business event. Speakers will include Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner George Gervais; leader of Innovation Management at Embraer S.A., Dr. Sandro Valeri and faculty associate at Harvard’s Center for International Development, Dr. Cesar Hidalgo.

WHERE:

The Samoset Resort 220 Warrenton Street Rockport, ME

WHEN:

Thursday, May 24th from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

WHY:

More than 250 attendees from diverse industries, backgrounds and professions will hear why Innovation is the key to global success. It’s been a decade of growth for the international trade sector in Maine, nearly doubling its exports since 2000. Last year Maine exported nearly $3.5 billion, yet competition in the global market is fiercer than ever.

Directions:

From the South: Follow Interstate 95 North to Exit 44, Interstate 295. Follow 295 to exit 28, Brunswick. Follow Coastal Route 1 North through Rockland. Turn right off of Route 1 onto Waldo Avenue. The Samoset Resort entrance is 1/2 mile on the right.

From the North: Follow Route 1A South to Route 1 South. Follow Route 1 South through Camden. Turn left onto Warrenton Street just past the Glen Cove Rest Area. Follow Warrenton Street for one mile. The Samoset Resort is on the left.

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North Atlantic Blues Festival
Rockland, Maine

Saturday July 14 , 2012

11:00 AM Music Begins

Randy Oxford Band

Albert Castiglia

Royal Southern Brotherhood
featuring Cyril Neville, Mike Zito, Devon Allman, Charlie Wooton & Mean Willie Green

Rick Estrin & the Nightcats

Tribute to Koko Taylor With The Blues Machine, Nora Jean Wallace, Melvia “Chick” Rogers and Jackie Scott

Tab Benoit

_________________________________________

SIDE STAGE  playing  Sat and Sun

Mark Lavoie and Dave Keller will be playing between acts

____________________________________________________________

Sunday July 15, 2012

11:00 AM Music begins

Charlie A’Court 

Anthony Gomes

Ana Popovic 

John Mayall

Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band

Tickets available on line

Advance prices: (ending July 9th)

$25.00 single day

$50.00 two day

$100.00 VIP seat  (6 left)

At Gates:

$35.00 single day

$70.00 two day

Ticket outlets listed on the website

Info hotline : 207-691-2248

Check the North Atlantic Blues Festival website for more information.

Hope to see you this year,

Paul E Benjamin & Jamie Issacson
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Extra Events for the Festival weekend

Friday July 13 Pre- festival with Blues played in many locations in Rockland

Sat night July 14 ” Famous Club Crawl” 22 spots hosting Maine Blues Bands

Sunday July 15th  Brunch served at The Tradewinds and Time Out Pub

Sunday evening  Post- festival jams at The Tradewinds and Time Out Pub

North Atlantic Blues Festival | 70 Lake Ave | Rockland | ME | 04841

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Gardiner, Maine -

This family friendly event begins with a bicycle parade through Historic Downtown Gardiner, followed shortly thereafter by a motorcycle parade from Mike’s Water Street Grill, around Gardiner, to Waterfront Park.  Waterfront Park is reserved for motorcycle and bicycle parking only.

“The summer season is about spending time outdoors with family and friends.  I can’t think of a better way to officially usher in summer in Maine than on the beautiful Kennebec River.”  Says Patrick Wright, Executive Director of Gardiner Main Street.  “To arrive in style on the two-wheeled vehicle of your choice is just icing on the cake.”

All are welcome to participate in the parades, pre-registration is not necessary.

Some of Downtown Gardiner’s great restaurants will again be vying for the coveted title of “Gardiner’s Best Pizza”.  The format for this competition is a “walkabout”.  Registrants will be able to purchase a ballot for $8 at Waterfront Park, Johnson Park, and at participating restaurants.  Merchants will punch the ballot once the participant receives a pizza sample.  Ballots will include a map of Downtown Gardiner showing location of participating restaurants.  Complete ballots will be accepted at a table located in Waterfront Park.

Spaces in Waterfront Park will are available for other food and novelty vendors, and the National Guard will again showcase their inflatable obstacle course.  Several nonprofit organizations such as the Kennebec River Rail Trail, Bicycle Coalition of Maine, and The Dempsey Challenge will be presenting information about their organizations.  New in 2012, beginning at 6:30pm, The Nikki Hunt Band will entertain crowds as they gather for Maine’s Largest Fireworks display at dusk.

Schedule of Events:

4:00pm – Gardiner Police Department’s annual “Bike Rodeo” – Gardiner’s Safety Officer will be hosting bicycle and helmet checks, along with safety training and a biking obstacle course.  (Hannaford Parking Lot near Rail Trail Kiosk)

5:30pm -   Bicycle parade from Rail Trail (Hannaford parking lot), Right onto Maine Av., Right through Arcade Parking Lot, Left onto Water Street, Left onto Maine Av and into Waterfront Park. (Lineup at 5:20pm) – Brought to you by The Dempsey Challenge

5:30pm – 7:30pm – 3^rd Annual “Gardiner’s Best Pizza” people’s choice competition.  Participating restaurants in 2012 include Gerards Pizza, Dennis’ Pizza, Red’s Pizza, Water Street Café, Sweet Love, and Mike’s Water Street Grill.  Ballots can be purchased at participating restaurants and at two central locations (Waterfront Park and Johnson Park). – Brought to you by Kennebec Savings Bank.

6:00pm – Motorcycle parade from Mike’s Water Street Grill (469 Water Street), Left onto Water Street, Right onto Brunswick Ave (US 201), Right onto (I-295 exit 49), Right onto Lewiston Rd. (US 126 exit 51), through Historic Water Street, Left onto Maine Av, Right into Waterfront Park.  (Lineup at 5:50pm) – Brought to you by North Country Harley Davidson.

6:30pm – 8:30pm – Nikki Hunt Band at Waterfront Park. – Brought to you by Quirk Ford and The Depot Pub.

9:00pm (ish) – Maine’s Largest Fireworks show, at Waterfront Park. – Brought to you by Pyro City.

This event is made possible by generous sponsorships from Pyro City, Quirk Ford, Kennebec Savings Bank, The Dempsey Challenge, North Country Harley Davidson, Lisa’s Legit Burritos, Dennis’ Pizza, Gerard’s Pizza, Mathieu’s Cycle and Fitness, and Auclair Cycle and Ski.  Mix 107.9 is the official media sponsor.  Gardiner Main Street is a non-profit organization committed to revitalizing Downtown Gardiner, Maine as a regional commercial, civic, and cultural hub.  For more information, visit www.gardinermainstreet.org , email info@gardinermainstreet.org, or call 582-3100.

Patrick Wright, Executive Director
Gardiner Main Street
207.582.3100
director@gardinermainstreet.org
www.gardinermainstreet.org

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All Year Round, Give The Gift of Gardiner!  Click here for more info.

PO Box 194
Gardiner, ME  04345

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Registration: 11:00-11:45 a.m.
Lunch: 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Final Instr.: 12:45 p.m.

Tee Off: 1:00 p.m. $35.00 incl. lunch
Tee Off: 3:45 p.m. $30.00 no lunch

Prizes, Raffles, 50-50
Mulligans Putting Competition
Closest to the Pin

Dance/Jam to Follow

Anyone wishing to donate raffle items please call Tim or Jeff
Event is open to 16 teams of 4 for the 1:00 p.m. Tee Off
And 6 teams of 4 for the 3:45 p.m. Tee Off

Handicapped Carts limited to 1 per foursome or as needed if available.
All fees and team entry forms are due no later than June 1st.
No refunds due to bad weather

Western View will issue rain checks to everyone who has paid for the scramble.
Slots will fill up fast so the first teams that paid are in.
Confirm your spot ASAP – Minimal space left, SIGN UP NOW!

For more info contact:
Tim Rodrigue
Tel: (207) 314-9857
Jeff KendallTel: (207) 215-3575

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WHAT:

WHEN: 1 p.m.  Reception, with performances by Longfellow Elementary School pupils, light refreshments; 1:30 p.m. Ceremony; Tuesday, May 22;

WHERE:  Longfellow Elementary School, Portland.

Project Canopy, which is the Maine Forest Service’s urban forestry program, under the Maine Department of Conservation (MDOC), will hold its annual Arbor Week Celebration and Awards Ceremony next week.

As part of the celebration, MDOC Commissioner Bill Beardsley will present the 2012 Frank Knight Community Forestry Excellence Award to Robert and Beverly Dutton, of Dutton’s Nursery, Morrill, who last year donated more than 1,000 trees toMaineschools, municipalities and non-profit community organizations.

Recognition of the 22Maineschools that have received the Maine Arbor Week School Planting Grants also will be made.

In addition, the 2011 Tree City USA Awards will be presented.

The celebration will include the pupils from theLongfellowElementary SchoolinPortland, which received one of the planting grants.

Directions:

From the north:

• Take I-295 south towardBrunswick;
• Take exit 6B fromU.S.302/Maine 100/Forest Ave.
• Turn right ontoForest Avenue;
• Turn Left ontoWoodford Street;

·Turn right ontoStevens Avenue;

• LongfellowSchoolis on the left.

From the south:

• Take I-295 north and follow the same directions for traveling north.

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On Monday, May 21, the Gardiner Conservation Committee, Buildings and Grounds and Public Works will be planting trees purchased with a grant from Project Canopy at the Arcade Parking lot and on the Gardiner Common. Trees make our world a better place. They filter the air we breath, they give us shade on a hot day and healthy trees beautify our surroundings.

Volunteers are needed to fertilize, stake and mulch the new trees.

We will begin about 8:30 at the Arcade Parking lot. Bring a spade or rake or edger.

Please help!

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Anne Beattie

Join us May 31st for a student roundtable with Ann Beattie

Thursday, 5.31.2012
The Telling Room, 225 Commercial St., Suite 201, Portland
3:30-4:30 PM, free, Open to all Middle and High School students

Join short story author, frequent New Yorker contributor, professor and novelist,

Ann Beattie at The Telling Room, May 31st from 3:30-4:30pm for a roundtable with aspiring young writers. Open to all middle and high school students, the afternoon talk will allow students to engage a writer who has published numerous short story collections and novels over a 35-year career, including The New Yorker Stories in 2011.

Ann Beattie has been included in four O. Henry Award Collections and in John Updike’s The Best American Short Stories of the Century. In 2000, she received the PEN/Malamud Award for achievement in the short story form. In 2005, she received the Rea Award for the Short Story. She and her husband, Lincoln Perry, live in Key West, Florida, and Charlottesville, Virginia, where she is Edgar Allan Poe Professor of Literature and Creative Writing at the University of Virginia. Watch a short video about her here.

Contact Molly McGrath for more info and to register.

The Telling Room
225 Commercial St.
Suite 201
Portland, ME 04101
www.tellingroom.org

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Ride Into Summer:

Come on two wheels or two feet, but make sure you come to Gardiner Main Street’s Summer Kickoff event “Ride Into Summer” – brought to you by Gardiner Main Street and Pyro City, is a wicked tasty way to kick-off the summer season in Maine.  Mark your calendar for Friday, May 25th. Formerly known as “Hawgs, Pies, and Fireworks”, this 3rd annual event includes a motorcycle and bicycle parade, peoples’ choice pizza contest of local traditional and non-traditional pizzas, live music, and Maine’s largest fireworks display.

This family friendly event begins with a bicycle parade through Historic Downtown Gardiner, followed shortly thereafter by a motorcycle parade from Mike’s Water Street Grill, around Gardiner, to Waterfront Park. Waterfront Park is reserved for motorcycle and bicycle parking only.  If you’re going, please let us know on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/GardinerMainStreet

Volunteers are still needed for this event.  If you are interested in helping out, please emaildirector@gardinermainstreet.org or call 582-3100

For a full list of activities and times, CLICK HERE

See you on the street!

Patrick Wright

Lights……Camera…..and YOU!
Gardiner in the moving pictures!

DiBacco Films

Gardiner Main Street is thrilled to announce that a little bit of Hollywood will be coming to Gardiner!  DiBacco Films, a local movie production company, will be shooting their fourth feature film, “Dark MInds,”  in Gardiner in late July.  DiBacco’s executive producer (and Gardiner native) Laura Allen met recently with Gardiner Main Street recently to discuss opportunities to highlight Gardiner’s beautiful downtown and diverse companies in the film.  DiBacco Films is committed to promoting Maine to an international audience:  all of their movies have been shot in Maine with local casts and crews.  Two of their films are available worldwide via Hulu, Netflix, Amazon.com, and Wal-Mart, with a third due to be sold this summer.

“Dark MInds” is a psychological thriller about a hypnotherapist who uses her subconscious powers to catch an elusive criminal (think Patricia Arquette on “Medium”).  To help showcase Gardiner to the DiBacco Films’ worldwide audience, the company is offering opportunities for Gardiner businesses to be featured in “Dark MInds” via product placement or financial sponsorships.  Sponsors of DiBacco’s last film, “Early Grave”, included prominent Maine companies such as LL Bean, New Balance, Amato’s, and Stonewall Kitchen, all of whom donated clothing and/or food for the 20 cast and crew members.  As part of the commitment to telling the Gardiner story to the world, Gardiner Main Street is delighted to bring you this opportunity for promoting your business to a young, affluent audience who are highly receptive to advertising embedded in entertainment!

For this project, Gardiner Main Street is collaborating with DiBacco Films to identify sponsors who can provide shooting locations, food, and lodging.  In addition to exposure in the movie, DiBacco Films will shoot and produce 30-second commercials for select sponsors.

You may be contacted directly by Laura and her team to discuss this opportunity further.  You may also reach her at laura_e_allen@hotmail.comfor more details.

It’s Your Time
National Curves Day is May 17!

May is National Women’s Health Month, and Curves is giving away 30 million 30-day memberships!

The theme for the 13th annual National Women’s Health Month is “It’s Your Time.”  Curves empowers women to make their health a top priority. It also encourages women to take the following steps to improve their physical and mental health and lower their risks of certain diseases:

~Visit a health care professional to receive regular checkups and preventive screenings

~Get active

~Eat healthy

~Pay attention to mental health, including getting enough sleep and managing stress

~Avoid unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking and not wearing a seat belt or bicycle helmet

Give Curves a call at 582-6461 to set up a time to get started on being healthier!

Tour Johnson Hall, Thursdays in May

Get an inside look at the wealth of history and potential in downtown Gardiner’s very own Johnson Hall.

Refreshments will be served at 5 pm, tours begin at 5:30 and take about 30-45 minutes on May 17, 24, and 31.

Castlebay brings Celtic music to Gardiner
Friday, May 18, at 7:30 pm

Tickets are $16, JH members $13, and students under age 22 are $6.

Youth Concert with  the Sam Whitman Band

Saturday, May 19, at 7pm
Blues, rock, and funk from Readfield-area Sam Whitman Band.
Megan Murphy sings with them and The Golden Prize opens the show.
Chem-free, supervised. $6

Talent Show Try-Outs for River Festival
Wednesday, May 23rd 5-7pm, Saturday May 26th 2-4pm

All ages and all talents are welcome to try out.  Amateur only!  Acts will be auditioned in the order of arrival.  Advance registration is not required, but you can call 582-7144 to advise which day you will be auditioning. A limited number of acts will be chosen to perform at the Talent Show, to be held on the evening of June 23 on the Gardiner waterfront. Cash prizes.

More information about events can be obtained by calling 582-7144 or visiting www.johnsonhall.org.

Arbor Week Tree Planting

Volunteers needed who don’t mind getting dirt under their fingernails!

On Monday, May 21, the Gardiner Conservation Committee, Buildings and Grounds and Public Works will be planting trees purchased with a grant from Project Canopy at the Arcade Parking lot and on the Gardiner Common. Eight Red Maples will be planted in the Arcade Parking Lot, 2  Pears on Water Street to replace trees that have been lost and 8 Sugar Maples on the Gardiner Common.   Volunteers are needed to fertilize, stake and mulch the new trees. We will begin about 8:30am at the Arcade Parking lot (behind historic Water Street buildings by cobbossee stream). Bring a spade or rake or edger. Please help!

Parting Photo:

If you have a great downtown photo you would like to submit for the next newsletter, email it to director@gardinermainstreet.org

Youngsters answer the question “Tell us What Gardiner Means to You” as part of Gardiner’s Heart and Soul project during last week’s ArtWalk.

Noteworthy Mentions

* Outdoor seating in Gardiner! Now you can enjoy some pizza or BBQ from Red’s Pizza and Grill on their newly completed deck! Word on the street is that the deck will accompany a new sports bar, that is currently under construction.  Exciting!

Gardiner Main Street exists to promote and support a vibrant, healthy Downtown Gardiner.  You can help by volunteering, buying locally, and spreading the word about Downtown Gardiner.  Be part of the fun and excitement!

Quick Links…

Our Website

Event Sponsors

Lisa’s Legit Burritos

Dennis’ Pizza

Gerard’s Pizza

Auclair Cycle and Ski

Mathieu’s Cycle and Fitness

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sign up by emailing:
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Gardiner Main Street | 177 Water Street, 2nd floor | P.O. Box 194 | Gardiner | ME | 04345

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Frisbee Golf on Sunday, May 20th starting @ 10 am! Fee is $10 each or $25 for a family. Lavallee Links Disc Golf, 85 Barber Road, Randolph.  All proceeds go to Maine Issinryu Karate Academies World Team! Everyone is invited to participate! Get together a team and get on the course!

Great Sunday activity for friends and families!

Bonnie Tibbetts
(207) 592-3313

Known to most of the world as Lyle Lovett’s duet and back-up singer with his Large Band, Chicago born  Francine Reed solo brings the stage alive with gospel, Jazz, blues and R&B.  She’s appeared on stage with Miles Davis, Smokey Robinson, Etta Jones and The Crusaders among others, and she has collaborated with Willie Nelson, Roy Orbison and Delbert McClinton.  She’s a musical experience not to be missed.  Advance tickets $15, day of show tickets $20.  Performance at 8 pm, doors for seating open at 7:30 pm.  Contact the box office at 633-5159 or visit the website boothbayoperahouse.com for tickets and information.

CLICK HERE to hear Why I Don’t Know

CLICK HERE to hear One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show

Portland String Quartet
Tuesday, May 22 2012, 7:30pm

Coming together from musical training at Curtis, Eastman, Indiana, Juilliard, Oberlin, and San Francisco State College, the quartet members have played an important role in the artistic renaissance of the State of Maine, championing Maine and American composers both nationally and internationally. For over 40 years they have played together and for 20 years they served as the artists in residence at Colby College – join us as we welcome Paul Ross, Steve Kecskemethy, Ronald Lantz and Julia Adams back to the Opera House this spring.  Advance tickets $15, day of show $20.  Concert at 7:30 PM, doors for seating open at 7 pm.  Box office 633-5159.

86 Townsend Ave Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538

Phone Numbers:
Administrative Office 207-633-6855
Box Office 207-633-5159

Box Office Hours:
Tuesday through Friday
10 am to 4 pm

Online ticketing closes 4 pm the day prior to ticketed event

Mailing Address:
The Opera House at Boothbay Harbor
PO Box 800
Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538

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Susan Conley

Join Us at TEDx Engage!
Saturday, 5.19.12
Hannaford Hall, USM, Portland

Dear Telling Room Friend,

We are pleased to invite you to join us on Saturday, May 19th at the TEDxDirigo Engage event at the University of Southern Maine’s Hannaford Hall, where author and Telling Room co-founder Susan Conley will give a talk on how The Telling Room uses dynamic, community-based creative writing programs to engage young people throughout Maine.

TEDxDirigo is a world-class platform to celebrate innovation and creativity in Maine. In the same spirit of the state motto, TEDxDirigo leads the way with ideas from Maine’s brightest innovators and change makers. This special TEDxDirigo Engage event was created to answer a question often heard after their annual, signature event: What do we do now? We are thrilled to be joining other Maine nonprofits and community leaders at this event, who will all be speaking about how they engage in Maine, converting their ideas and passion into action and impact.

In addition to Susan Conley‘s presentation, Telling Room staff and Teaching Artists will be on hand to engage attendees in an interactive writing project onsite. We hope you will join us!

To apply to attend, head over to TEDxDirigo’s website, and please give us a call anytime if you have questions or would like more information.

The Telling Room
225 Commercial St.
Suite 201
Portland, ME 04101
www.tellingroom.org

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(Follow the signs to the Gardiner Common)

PAGES

• About
• Vendors
• Music & Events
• Recipes & Food Storage
• Rules & Application
• Food Links
• Kennebec Local Food Initiative
• Contact Us

_____________________________________________________________________________

EBT CARDS & WIC ACCEPTED

The Gardiner Farmers’ Market processes EBT cards through a wireless terminal.  The card is swiped through the machine in exchange for tokens which can be used at any of the vendor tables.

Some of the vendors also accept WIC.

Bring any questions to the information table at Wednesday’s market.

____________________________________________

FOOD DONATIONS

BRING CANNED GOODS FROM HOME  or  BUY A LITTLE EXTRA AT THE MARKET & PASS IT ALONG

Every week, vendors pass along unsold products to people who might not otherwise have easy access to fresh and local foods.

We will also gladly accept any food donations you choose to leave.

Just look for the plastic deposit bin.  ALL DONATIONS GO TO THE FAITH CHRISTIAN FOOD PANTRY

THANK YOU!EAT FRESH. EAT LOCAL. ALL YEAR LONG.

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WHEN

WHAT TIME
5:00pm – 7:30pm

WHERE
St. Mary’s Nutrition Center
208 Bates Street
Click Here For Map

Hey Market Friends, yes it really is that time of year can you believe it!?!  And despite all the wet weather we’re not letting it stop us from having a rocking good,SPRINGTIME farmers’ market this Thursday, May 17th.  So come out and help us leave winter behind and usher in summer with a local beef burger- AND beet burger, barbecue! Besides enjoying a tasty meal, you can visit with your favorite winter AND summer vendors, shop for garden flowers and plants or pick up that weeks’ grocery needs.  There will be a warm dry kitchen, plenty of seating, and good friends and fun.

**Additional parking is available in the Community Concepts parking lot at St. Patrick’s church next door.

Our market accepts credit, debit, and EBT(foodstamp) cards for your convenience.

Bring Your Appetite for the Barbecue!

We’ll be offering juicy beef burgers featuring tender ground beef from Clay Hill Farm in Peru, Maine as well as Zesty Beet Burgers from locally grown beets! Top those off with your choice of our yummy home-made chili lime aoili or tangy catsup.  Sides will include a fresh spring  salad with greens harvested from the Lots to Gardens’ greenhouse and a variety of suprise recipes cooked up by our Bates’ student interns and volunteers.  All proceeds from the cafe benefit the Nutrition Center’s cooking education and gardening programs.

MOMS EAT FOR HALF OFF!
In honor of Mother’s Day the Lewiston Farmers’ Market will be thanking all the moms that visit the market with half price burgers. Just stop by the market cafe and let us know your a mom! No mom will be turned away.  Proof of child not necessary.

RSVP through Facebook and help us spread the word!

We have created an event on our facebook page for our Spring into Summer Market.  You can help us spread the word by clicking on this link http://www.facebook.com/events/364905133558865/  then after you RSVP that you’re attending, you can click on the link under the event photo to invite your friends.  Or if you prefer, feel free to simply share the event on your facebook wall.

Check out our daily facebook page updates for more information and updates on special items our vendors will have available this Thursday.

Our friends from Revelation Massage
will be joining us as well!

We’ll see you Thursday!

Not sure where you’re going? No problem!
Click here for a map:
St. Mary’s Nutrition Center

Lewiston Farmers’ Market · PO Box 7291 · Lewiston, Maine 04210

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Our presenters for the night are:

• Eric Allyn, architectural designer
• Kris Engman, artist
• Tim Rousseau, furniture maker
• Julia Scott, photographer
• Jessica Shepard, owner of The Uproot Pie Co.
• Stell Shevis, an artist in her nineties who specializes in enameling
• Lacy Simons, owner of hello hello books
• Kitty Winslow, artist

Our emcee for the evening is Belfast poet Arielle Greenberg Bywater.

We hope you will stay after the presentations for “chit-chat” with our presenters and other PechaKucha attendees.  We will have nibbles and drinks for all.

PechaKucha Night Midcoast Maine is done in partnership with The Farnsworth Art Museum, Waterfall Arts and Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors.

Our Event Sponsor for the evening is Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors.

Thanks to everyone who participates in and makes PechaKucha happen!

Contact Us – Get Involved!

Midcoast Magnet is looking for new people to get involved with its programs and board. We are currently looking for program committee members.

For more information:

info@midcoastmagnet.com

Amanda Austin, President: 207-236-6545

To make a donation to Midcoast Magnet click here.

Thank you to Bangor Savings Bank for being our cornerstone sponsor!

Midcoast Magnet | PO Box 1044 | Camden | ME | 04843

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The three week series begins on Monday, June 4th with an overview introduction and types of memory; Monday, June 11th will cover physical and mental exercise; and June 25th will discuss nutrition and supplements all in relation to memory.  Class times for each date are from 10:00-11:00AM.  Register for one or all.  Cost is $3 per class and includes coffee/tea and muffins.  Call 873-4745 to register by June 1st.

Spectrum Generations
38 Gold Street
|Waterville, ME  04901
(207) 873-4745
(207) 872-6168 (fax)
www.spectrumgenerations.org

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MOTHERING THE WORD
A Poetry Workshop with Elizabeth Kirschner
> Workshop Information
> Registration Form

DISCOVERING OUR MOTHER’S STORIES
A Prose Workshop with Patricia Taub
> Workshop Information
> Registration Form

Saturday, May 19 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Glickman Family Library, USM Portland

Fee (for each workshop): $65 MWPA Members |$115 Non-Members

“Women writers may or may not bear children or mother others—either literally or symbolically—but the instinct “to mother” is a profound, primal, and powerful force,” says Kirschner, who has taught at Boston College and was the 2011 Maine Arts Commission Literary Arts Fellow. “When we focus that force fully upon mothering the word, then and only then, can we fully inhabit and empower not just language but our highest literary selves.”

“As adult daughters, many of us struggle with our relationships to our mothers,” says Taub, a family therapist, journalist, author, former NPR host, and author of the mother/daughter memoir “The Mother of My Invention.” “We can be attached to mother/daughter stories carved from wounded memories, but which fail to take into account the objective reality of our mothers’ lives. Discovering a new “mother story” can empower a daughter to make peace with her mother, or with her memory.”

Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance
Glickman Family Library
314 Forest Avenue, Room 318
Portland, Maine 04102

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