Windham Parks and Rec hosts first 'Light Up the Night Dance'

By Jolene Bailey

The glow party sensation sweeping America arrived in Windham on March 14 as the Windham Parks and Recreation Department hosted a “Light Up the Night Dance” for local families.

Windham Parks and Recreation hosted a 'Light Up the 
Night Dance' in a partnership with Windham PTA. 
The popular event used blacklights to create a
glowing effect for participants. COURTESY PHOTO   

Glow parties are vibrant celebrations where neon colors and decorations are used extensively and everything glows under the glare of UV black lights, creating a fun environment. Black lights work by emitting ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which is invisible to the human eye, but some substances called phosphors absorb them and then re-emit it as visible light, causing them to glow eerily.

Participants wearing neon colors stood out in the Light Up the Night dance along with those wearing fluorescent orange, green, yellow and pink.

“This was our first glow dance through Windham Parks & Recreation, and all families in the community were invited, so I was really excited to see all the families come together and have a fun time at the dance,” said Kelsey Crowe, Windham Parks & Recs deputy director.

Windham Parks and Recreation conducts many events for everyone with children who are interested in attending. In the past they have hosted similar events to the Light Up the Night dance such as the February Formal and the Gym Jamboree.

However, this dance was much different from those offered previously because it was a glow dance, and all the lights and blacklights had transformed the experience with even more fun for the families attending. It was a solid turn-out and a packed gym at Windham Middle School.

“As the Deputy Director, my role was to plan and organize the whole event, but I could not do it alone,” Crowe said. “For Light Up the Night, Windham Parks & Recreation partnered with Windham PTA to put on the dance. We also had support from Windham Social Services, RSU 14, the Windham Lions Club, Deep DJ Entertainment, and Windham High School student volunteers.”

Crowe has been working for the Windham Parks & Recreation Department for about eight years. She has been overseeing larger family and community events for about six years shortly after becoming the Deputy Director for the organization.

As the Light Up the Night dance went on, there were several opportunities for even more fun throughout the evening.

People could stop by the photo booth in the gym and take photographs with fun accessories or also dance in the gym or play a round of cornhole, a game of giant Jenga, Connect Four or Tic Tac Toe.

For most of the night, children enjoyed dancing with a DJ spinning popular tunes. They were able to request songs and sing and dance all through the night.

Another popular activity was the Light Up Limbo competition for kids and their parents.

Refreshments and snacks were served in the cafeteria, along with face painting and temporary tattoos that glowed in the blacklights during the dance in the gym.

Families were able to also register for door prizes. There were about 10 big prizes where families could receive tickets when they entered and choose what prizes they wanted to try to win. Prizes were then drawn and announced throughout the night.

“This was our first glow dance, so not knowing if the event will take off, or if families were actually going to register, is always a worry, but I think the night was a success. We had a great turnout, and I can't wait to make it bigger and better for next year,” said Crowe.

For more details about activities offered by Windham Parks and Recreation, visit https://www.windhammaine.us/155/Parks-Recreation <

Camaraderie of quilting motivates Nimble Thimbles members

By Ed Pierce

For members of Windham’s Nimble Thimbles Quilting Chapter, creating a new quilt is like a microcosm of life in stitching together a beautiful patchwork of memories.

Cynthia Junco of the Nimble
Thimbles Quilting Chapter of
Windham displays quilts that
were made and donated by
chapter members to the Windham
Food Pantry, the Windham
Police Department and the
Windham Fire and Rescue
Department last December.
SUBMITTED PHOTO 

The Nimble Thimbles chapter is part of the Pine Tree Quilters Guild of Maine and currently has 23 participants from throughout the Lakes Region.

The Pine Tree Quilters Guild was founded in 197 and has more than 1,800 members in 67 chapters in Maine. It is a guild of quilters who are passionate about everything about quilting who share and help others learn more about their art.

According to Nimble Thimbles member Cynthia Junco of Windham, being part of the group allows her to spend time with others who enjoy quilting and promotes a unique and special camaraderie among members who understand the work needed to put together a new quilt.

She said the length of time required to create a quilt depends upon the design and pattern, size, and the number of members participating but it usually involves hours of work to complete one.

“Some members will work on quilt tops in the convenience of their own home and then when our group meets, we may layer and tie the quilts prior to binding them,” Junco said. “We also have a couple of members who have donated their time to machine quilt the layers, and then a member will take a quilt and add the binding. It can be quite a process by the time one quilt is completed.”

The Nimble Thimbles chapter meets twice a month in Windham to work on quilts.

This past holiday season, Nimble Thimbles members decided to donate quilts created last fall to the Windham Food Pantry to be included with holiday baskets being distributed to those in need.

“It's my understanding that this year the quilts would be used in some holiday baskets that the food pantry provided to some individuals as well as some going to the Windham Police and Windham Fire and Rescue to provide to an individual when emergency situations arise. Quilts can be very comforting to one in a difficult situation.”

Each year the organization makes a holiday donation based upon suggestions from its members.

“In the past we've made and donated quilts to Quilts of Valor, the Ronald McDonald House, Hospice, as well as Project Linus,” Junco said.

Project Linus provides handmade blankets to children in the United States who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need.

In November, the Nimble Thimbles Quilt Chapter of Windham donated 46 different quilts of various sizes to the Windham Food Pantry for distribution in some of their holiday baskets as well as the Windham Police and Fire Departments.

“The quilts were well received, and we were happy to be able to provide the support,” Junco said. “Our group creates and donates quilts for different charities and social service groups which fluctuates from year to year.”

Junco says that the best part of being a member of the Nimble Thimbles Quilting Chapter is more than just the camaraderie of being with other quilters.

“It enables us to share our creativity, teach others various techniques used in quilting as well as doing for others,” she said. “Generally, we hire a quilt instructor from outside of our group once or twice a year for a teaching/learning workshop to learn new or advanced methods of quilting.”

For anyone interested in joining the Nimble Thimble, brochures with contact information are available at various quilt shops in the area, including at the Calico Basket Quilt Shop, 31 Page Road in Windham. <

Windham Chamber Singers preparing for 2025 tour dates

By Elle Curtis

The highly anticipated Windham Chamber Singers 2025 tour will kick off next month with a concert in Windham allowing the community to come together and make lasting memories.

The Windham Chamber Singers will their 2025 Tour with a
performance at the North Windham Union Church, 723
Roosevelt Trail in Windham, on April 5.
SUBMITTED PHOTO

After the unfortunate cancellation of last year’s tour due to a freak snowstorm in April, this year’s tour experience will allow members of the Windham Chamber Singers to show off their work throughout the year and to leave their lasting mark on the community.

A local performance is scheduled for 7 p.m. April 5 at the North Windham Union Church, 723 Roosevelt Trail in Windham, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. The length of the performance is estimated to run for an hour and a half with general seating available.

Donations will be accepted by the church and put toward the RSU 14 Backpack Program and Maine Needs which strives to provide essentials for individuals and families.

Members of the Windham Chamber Singers say they enjoy giving back to the community as well as performing.

Molly Plati, Windham Chamber Singers president and a senior at Windham High School, says there’s not just pressure on their singing ability but on continuing the legacy they are upholding.

“Our group has a reputation, and with that comes the responsibility to be our very best,” Plati said. “Not just as singers, but as people and community members.”

Preparing for each performance takes hard work and dedication. Hours of practice are spent working on pieces that range from entertaining to more serious while telling a story to the audience.

“The theme of our repertoire is mostly centered around togetherness. Each song carries a message of hope, resilience, and unity,” said Windham Chamber Singers assistant conductor and WHS senior Bella Bragdon.

Seniors could choose and put together a piece for the treble and bass voices when deciding on this year’s music selections.

“Being part of the process was very exciting, and we got to learn how to select a piece of music to make our voice part sound great,” said Plati. “All of our pieces carry a deeper meaning that the singers can connect to, and they sound outstanding.”

This year’s tour will mark the return to travel and the full-tour experience, which was previously impacted due to COVID-19 restrictions and precautions.

The tour will see the Windham Chamber Singers traveling to Canada and performing at Laval University in Québec City and the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity.

“This is an amazing experience for everyone in the group,” said Windham Chamber Singers vice president and WHS junior Rowan Cummings.

“As a choir, we bond and learn new things about each other, making unforgettable memories,” he said.

Whether it is pushing to be their best, or finding community, Windham Chamber Singers offer members a safe and supportive place to do that. Participants have gained real-life skills that go beyond music and singing that will continue to aid them in future endeavors.

“Balancing schoolwork, rehearsals, and other commitments has taught me how to prioritize tasks and manage my time effectively. I’ve also developed strong teamwork and leadership skills,” Bragdon said. “Working closely together with others requires good communication and the ability to listen and adapt. These skills are valuable in any group setting such as school and work.”

Tickets for the North Windham Union Church performance are by donation. Seating is first-come first-serve. <

WHS Spanish Honor Society hosts Salsa Night Class

By Jolene Bailey

The Spanish Honor Society of Windham High School will host a Salsa class night from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 20 at Manchester School in Windham.

“I wanted to do a salsa night because when we have taken kids to Costa Rica, there is always a salsa lesson and other Latin dances, and the kids really love it, said Elizabeth Bubier, Windham High SHS advisor.

“Salsa isn’t a difficult dance, and we can use something in March to brighten our days.”

March is often the longest month of the year for students as the school year comes to an end and the long breaks are over. Clubs and extracurricular activities often use this time to re-engage with students.

The Spanish Honor Society is for students who have taken as least two years of Spanish and have succeeded academically. They go through an induction ceremony for their commitment to learning the Spanish language.

“Most students continue in Spanish after inductions because they love the language and culture. A Salsa Night fits right in with some of the things we do” said Bubier.

Salsa originally came from Latin America but is large in Spanish cultures. This dance is practiced worldwide typically with a partner yet containing solo footwork as well.

“This is the first time I will have done an event like this. I am hoping it goes well, and we can make it an annual event,” said Bubier.

For this event, Monica Sandifer will help instruct participants in the Salsa dance. She is a former dancer from the National Ballet of Bolivia.

“I really just want people to enjoy the event,” Bubier said. “Mónica Sandifer is the nicest, she has so much positive energy and is a gifted dancer.”

A big portion of being a Spanish Honor Society member is to help ambitious students in Spanish to reach their educational goals during and outside of high school. It is a recognized achievement that takes great care and hours.

Often members of SHS get the opportunity to help tutor or teach Spanish in the RSU 14 district. They also plan fundraising drives, help with sales, and other volunteer opportunities for students to be able to fund the expenses for the club.

“I think my favorite memory as the SHS advisor is when we had to do our induction ceremony outdoors because of COVID,” Bubier said. “In order to make it more memorable for the students because they had missed out on a lot in the previous months, I invited a few local alpacas to join the ceremony. The kids have been asking for the alpacas to return every year since then.”

Students in the Spanish Honor Society at WHS have the opportunity to visit Costa Rica to put their Spanish skills into an extraordinary environment to which most have not been exposed.

This salsa class event is open to anyone, but space is limited to ensure that everyone gets the instructions and attention from the teacher participating that night.

For details, call Bubier at 207-892-1810. <

Oldies Dance Group raises $8,750 for Ronald McDonald House

By Ed Pierce

Never let it be said that those who appreciate Rock n’ Roll music could care less about others. As evidence of that, the Oldies Dance Group’s Benefit Dance last fall set records once again in raising money for the Ronald McDonald House of Portland.

The dance raised $8,750 to donate to the Ronald McDonald House and sold 356 tickets in just 10 days leading up to the event at the Eagle’s Hall in Biddeford last October.

Members of the Oldies Dance Group donate proceeds from 
last fall's dance to the Ronald McDonald House of Portland.
From eft are Debora Berry; Gail Cole; Diane Dubois; Bruce 
Martin, Elvis Presley; Ronald McDonald House Chief
Executive Officer Julie Mulkern; Ray Gagnon; Ian Tovell;
Katherine Russo; and Janet Sparkowich. Not shown are
Old Dance Group members Roger and Bonnie Ouellette;
Michelle Mondor; Connie O'Rourke; Ed and Nancy Pierce;
Ernie Mills; and Helen Vadnais.  SUBMITTED PHOTO  

This was the 24th Rock n’ Roll Oldies Benefit Dance and to date, the Oldies Dance Group has raised $124,498 on behalf of the Ronald McDonald House, which provides comfort for the families of pediatric patients and supports programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and enables family centered care to ensure that family members are fully supported and actively involved in their child’s care.

“Our organizing committee is simply blown away by the generosity of those who attend our dances every year,” said Bruce Martin, Oldies Dance Group organizer. “We have been doing this for 17 years and are so grateful to be the biggest community fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House of Portland during that time. We cannot thank everyone who has attended the dances through the years and to all of those individuals and businesses who have shown their commitment to assisting sick children and their families served by this wonderful facility.”

Martin said many come out to the dances to listen to Rock n’ Roll music, dance, socialize with their friends and a side benefit is that the dances support the fundraising mission of the Oldies Dance Group.

“We’ve said this for years and it’s true. People love rock n’ roll music and dancing,” he said. “And the amount of money that we’ve raised demonstrates how much people in our community value and care about their community and their neighbors.”
More than 71 businesses and individuals made donations for the October dance and Martin said it shows their commitment to the mission of Ronald McDonald House of Portland.

He said that the Oldies Dance Group also thanks Coach Kaitlyn Cadorette and a contingent of high school cheerleaders for their invaluable assistance in setting up tables and chairs ahead of last fall’s dance.

Martin said that the Rock n’ Roll Oldies Dances remain wildly popular because Rock n’ Roll continues to connect generations of music fans and the dance playlist includes songs that everybody knows and loves from the 1950s through the 1980s and a few other popular tunes.

“We say that it’s a great night out to have fun, listen to songs you know the words to by heart and at the same time you’re doing something to support a great cause,” Martin said. “We are always looking for committee members who want to help.”

The next Rock n’ Roll Oldies Benefit Dance will be the 25th dance hosted by the Oldies Dance Group and will be held from 7 p.m. to midnight Saturday, April 19 at the Eagle’s Hall, 57 Birch St., Biddeford. Tickets are just $10 and sell out quickly as seating is limited.

For further details, or to purchase tickets or to volunteer, please call Bruce Martin at 207-284-4692. <

WHS students preparing for One Act Festival

By Jolene Bailey

Windham High School students are preparing to participate in the One Act Festival, an annual event designed to showcase one-act plays and theater productions that typically run 20 to 40 minutes.

This year Windham will be staging “Making Nice” by Alan Haehnel at the festival. This show is about a play within a play about a dress rehearsal that goes wrong when Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) members arrive. OSHA members mandate that no one can leave the theater until the production is rounded into shape and forcing the cast and crew to comply.

The Maine Principals’ Association and Maine Drama Council host the One Act Festival every year and bring in new judges and students to be involved. Under One Act rules, each school’s One Act skit cannot exceed a 40-minute performance time without facing penalties.

Students compete in categories based upon student population. The Class A competition is for schools with more than 500 students with Class B competition for schools below 500 students. Participating schools create their own sets that must be reviewed and approved by the regional tech director first.

“The students and I discussed the pros and cons of the show at a meeting back in December and decided it would be a good fit for us this year to bring to the competition,” said CJ Payne, Windham’s One Acts director.

Payne is in his third year of directing the WHS One Acts group and this will be his 15th One Act Festival of participating with the WHS group.

“I love that it's an interscholastic competition where you get competing schools cheering for each other and giving our drama students a chance to see what other school's drama programs are achieving,” said Payne.

He says that the One Act Festival has driven students to achieve higher standards in all WHS performing arts programs.

In addition to the One Act Festival competition, the group will present two preview performances for the Windham community at Windham High School at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28 and Saturday, March 1. Admission is free, and donations will be welcomed.

WHS junior Elise Biggs will be participating for the second time in One Act.

“I am most excited about meeting new people at the festival and traveling,” Biggs said. “Last year we hosted at WHS, and it was great but leaving for the festival gives a good new point of view.”

Biggs is an actor’s understudy in the part of Mary, and she is also cast as a wolf in this year’s One Act production.

She said that no matter if it’s in leading or smaller roles, drama and the theater can have a positive impact on students, and a way to discover new areas of interest and develop relationships.

“The One Act has had a positive impact on me as it is a way for me to express myself in a way that the school musical doesn't let me,” Biggs said. “The school musical is there for those who can sing and dance as well as act, but the One Acts gives students like myself a way to show off their acting skills and not get overlooked because they can't do it all.”

This year’s One Act Festival will be staged at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 8 at Scarborough High School. Windham’s cast and crew will compete in the festival’s Class A division against Scarbrough, Noble, South Portland, and Gray New Gloucester High Schools.

In order to be eligible for the festival, all student participants must be in grades 9 to 12 and the WHS group includes actors and stage crew members. <

WHS Class of 2027 hosts ‘Windham Skating Party’

By Jolene Bailey

One of Windham High School’s most-involved clubs in extracurricular activities is the student and class council.

Student council is a representative group of students to promote and encourage school spirit and respect to all. Class council is an extension of that where students from each grade level elect positions in the spring to serve the class that the students themselves are in.

So far this year, Windham High School’s Class of 2027 has held several events encouraging participants.

Bailey Ward is a part of the Class of 2027’s class council and says that the sophomores are focused on raising money for future class events, such as homecoming, prom and senior events. This requires them to host several fundraisers during the school year. Last year around late winter they held a “Roller Skating Night” at Happy Wheels in Westbrook.

“The event turned out pretty good, but it was not a completely private event.” Ward said. “We only received some of the proceeds because of this.”

This year, the Class of 2027 has planned an “Ice Skating Night” at William B. Trough Ice Arena in Portland.

“This time we have rented out an arena and the event will be open to the entire community, kids, families, etc.,” Ward said. “The private event is different from the roller skating event since it is more focused on Windham and Raymond.”

During the winter months, it can be difficult to find ways to exercise and plan fun events with others. Ice skating is a way to not only enjoy your time with others but also stay active while doing so.

“We thought an ‘Ice Skating Party’ would be perfect for this time of year,” Ward said. “I am most looking forward to the outcome of this event. I am hoping it brings our community together even more and overall turns into a fun night for everyone.”

Students involved with the community is an important part of learning and Ward said it can increase engagement, make lifelong friendships and improve overall attendance.

“Everyone should feel welcome and hopefully enjoy their time,” she said. “Hopefully, we will have a nice turnout and raise some good money for our class that will help us with prom and many other events in the future.”

One positive impact that events such as the “Windham Skating Party” has is for students to get out and to interact with others. Being able to get around new people and trying to step outside of your own comfort zone is vital in teenage years.

“It is also a great event to go to with your friends and grab a bite to eat after,” Ward said. “Another thing I think will be nice is that it is a way for people to learn to skate if they already don't know how.”

The “Windham Skating Party” will be from 6:45 to 8 p.m. Saturday, March 15 at William B. Trough Ice Arena, 225 Park Ave. in Portland. Ward says that throughout the event there will be music, food, and a few raffles. Skates will be included but students may bring their own pair if they choose to.

WHS Class of 2027 advisors Jennnifer Long and Chris DiBernardo will oversee this event as they have helped coordinate this event and others in the past. <

Aroma Joes partners with Raymond Parks and Rec for winter pop-up event

By Kendra Raymond

When it comes to winter fun, Raymond Parks and Recreation Department has it covered. After a recent snowstorm caused the cancellation of a field trip, Parks and Rec staff members jumped into action to save the day.

Eager sledders Emerson Crocker and Acadia Carroll took
part in the recent pop-up sledding event during the Camp
Raymond After School Program. PHOTO BY RILEY SILVIA 

Camp Raymond After School is a program designed to keep children active and occupied following school hours. Activities take place in Raymond, but occasionally special trips are planned. The recent surprise storm derailed the group’s trip to the Children’s Museum in Portland, which was planned during a scheduled half-day at school.

Raymond’s Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Riley Silvia said that the partnered event just sort of evolved.

“This event was part of our after-school program, which provides kids with fun, enriching activities after school. We had originally planned a field trip that day, but when the snowfall made travel difficult, we turned the day into a winter adventure instead,” she said. Parks and Recreation Director Joe Crocker went out and got sleds, and we transformed the afternoon into a classic snow day experience right at Camp Raymond After School.”

Silvia recalls that “snow day” feeling from her childhood. She said she thinks that it is important to encourage wholesome traditions while spending some time outdoors with friends.

“Many kids look forward to snow days and all the traditions that come with them, sledding, hot chocolate, and cozy movies, so we wanted to recreate that special feeling,” she said. “Since they only had a two-hour delay, we made sure they still got to enjoy the winter fun.”

The fun didn’t stop there. Quick thinkers Crocker and Silvia figured that the chilly sledders would want a way to warm up and get some refreshment after all the excitement. Enter: Aroma Joe’s, home of delicious beverages right in Raymond.

“After flying down the slopes, we warmed up with delicious hot chocolate from Aroma Joe’s in Raymond,” Silvia said. “They have been a longtime supporter of our programs and always find ways to give back to the community. When we told them about our impromptu snow day and asked if they’d be interested in helping, they didn’t hesitate to step up,” she said. "They generously provided hot chocolate for all the kids, making the day even more special. It’s partners like Aroma Joe’s that make our community so great, and we’re incredibly grateful for their support. We finished the day with a bracket-style movie vote, letting the kids decide on the perfect film to wrap up their snow day adventure.”

The Raymond Parks & Recreation Department Facebook page posted, “Today was SNOW much fun! Shout out to @aromajoescoffee for providing us with hot cocoa for this snowy day.” The gratitude didn’t stop there, as Aroma Joe’s was featured as the Raymond Parks and Recreation Sponsor Saturday highlight posting, “This week we’re shining the spotlight on Aroma Joe’s Coffee, a fantastic supporter of our programs! Not only do they sponsor teams in our leagues, but they also go the extra mile by providing hot cocoa and snacks to their team at the end of the season. Plus, their generosity extends beyond sports - Aroma Joe’s donates hot cocoa to our community events, helping to keep everyone warm and smiling. Be sure to stop by and support them, just like they support us!”

Silvia is dedicated to keeping things exciting for the youngsters.

“The kids get out at 12:10 every Wednesday, so we try to be creative with activities and trips,” she said. “We started this program in September, and I have been the director.”

With the rapid growth of the Raymond Park and Rec Department, Silvia said that her responsibilities are increasing.

“My tasks in the Assistant Parks and Recreation Director position are growing as our department is growing, so I have dropped down to working Wednesdays and Fridays,” she said. “Jill Lambert has become our Program Leader, covering the other three days."

Silvia says she’s happy to get so much positive feedback on the recent pop-up sledding event and hopes to keep the momentum going with more engaging activities this year.

“I never thought the kids would be excited when I told them a field trip was canceled, but they were absolutely thrilled to have a sledding day instead,” she said. “They were laughing and soaking up every moment of fun in the snow. Parents have told us how much they appreciated that we turned an unexpected change into such a fun opportunity.” <

Pinewood Derby racing tests determination of Windham Pack 805 Cub Scouts

By Marianne Moran

Members of Windham Cub Scout Troop 805 gathered with parents, volunteers, and family members at Windham Middle School on Saturday, Jan. 18 to compete in the Pinewood Derby, a series of model car races deeply steeped in the tradition of the Cub Scouts of America’s history.

Scout Jackson Bennett proudly displays the model race car
he built for the annual Pinewood Derby at Windham Middle
School on Jan. 18. PHOTO BY MARIANNE MORAN 

The scouts’ dedication to the Pinewood Derby started in December when they received model kits consisting of three blocks of wood, four tires and two axles to turn into derby racing cars. With the help of their parents, the scouts cut, sanded, shaped, painted and accessorized each racing car using their imagination.

The Pinewood Derby races are held on an inertia track. As the races begin, scouts move to what is known as the “parking lot” to retrieve their cars. The scouts then place the cars at the starting gate, making sure that the cars are completely on the individual lane and are aligned straight. Once the cars are released, the scouts move to the finish line area to watch their cars come down the track. As cars move down the track, they are timed with some exceeding speeds greater than 170 mph.

Looking out to the many cars lined up in the “parking lot’ area, the varied colors, designs, and individualized interpretations of the cars speaks not only to the Cub Scouts’ creativity, but also to the testament to the one-on-one time that these parents and children spent together coming up with and building these cars. Every car is a symbol, a representation of not only a proud and loving Windham Cub Scout, but also a proud and loving Windham family.

On this race day, the cars lined up in the “parking lot” in many colors. There were green, bright blue, orange, yellow, army green, light blue, black and white, multicolored green, and red. They are decorated with stars, figurines, drawings, NASCAR-looking stripes, checks, windows, drivers, drivers with helmets, in every shape.

The excited parents of scouts Henry Bernard, Jonathan Corson, Jackson Bennett, and Ian Bizier have long awaited this day, and have helped them to prepare and assemble the cars. Some even had to start over again after mishaps. In this case, they headed down to the Casco Bay District Pine Tree Council “store” in Raymond for another race kit.

The perimeters and specifications for a Pinewood Derby car are challenging. The Boy Scouts of America define the Pinewood Derby car’s specifications as for width of 2 ¾ inches. The car length is 7 inches. The weight is not more than 5 ounces. The width between the wheels is 1 ¾ inches and the wheelbase is 4 ⅜ inches.

The Pinewood Derby was developed by another parent, and Cubmaster Don Murphy in Manhattan Beach, California, on May 1, 1953. Murphy’s son was too young to race in the popular Soap Box Derby races, so he invented the smaller Pinewood Derby race. Its popularity skyrocketed when in October 1954 the race was publicized in the popular magazine, This Boy’s Life, where it offered plans for tracks and cars.

The Boy Scouts of America registered the Pinewood Derby as an Official Trademark in May 2005.

The winners of this year’s Windham Pinewood Derby races as reported by Pack 805 Cubmaster, Kayla Desmond are as follows:

First place, Ryan Little

Second place, Ben Conant

Third place, Kye Fowler

Fourth place, Lucas Yankowsky

Fifth place, Griffin Earle

Best in Show, Gavin Chickering

Winners from these Windham races advance to the District Pinewood Derby races featuring participants who won community races in their respective packs during the month of January. <

Lake Region Community Chorus seeking new performers for spring concert

All singers are welcome and encouraged to join the Lake Region Community Chorus as it begins its 10th Spring Concert season.

Members of the Lake Region Community Chorus perform
during the group's Annual Holiday Concert in December.
The chorus will conduct registration for 2025 at 6 p.m. 
on Monday, Jan. 27 and 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3 in
Twitchell Chapel at Bridgton Academy in North 
Bridgton. Anyone in the Lakes Region of Maine is 
welcome to register and participate.
SUBMITTED PHOTO  

If you love to sing and are free on Monday evenings, the members of the chorus would love to have you join them. Registration will begin at 6 p.m. on Monday Jan. 27, 2025 in Twitchell Chapel at Bridgton Academy in North Bridgton. Registration will also be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3.

Jan Jukkola and Susan Stockwell will be conducting the Spring Session and will be assisted by accompanist, Patrick Speckamp. The LRCC welcomes members from all voice parts including Sopranos, Altos, Tenors and Basses. Auditions are not required but some familiarity with singing and reading music would be helpful.

The LRCC concerts feature a variety of pieces from many musical genres and styles. There is something for everyone and they want to make sure their singers and audiences have a very enjoyable time at rehearsals and performances. This enthusiastic singing group performs a varied program made up of traditional classical pieces, folk songs, show tunes, medleys of hits by The Beatles, John Denver and more.

Chorus rehearsals run from 6:20 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday evenings and there is a $25 registration fee that helps cover the cost of the music.

This year the LRCC spring concert dates are scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, May 23, and 3 p.m. Sunday, May 25 in the Twitchell Chapel at Bridgton Academy in Bridgton.

The chorus had its first meeting in February 2013 to discuss the possibility of forming a choral group in the Lakes Region. It was amazing how quickly everything seemed to come together, and with Laurie Turley as its original conductor, chorus members performed their first concert in June 2013.

Since then, the original group of 36 singers has grown with each season, and now has 58 members from 14 communities, including Windham, Raymond, Bridgton, North Bridgton, Naples, Sebago, Harrison, Waterford, Stoneham, Casco, Denmark, Lovell, Hiram and Fryeburg.

Jukkola says that the LRCC is a community of voices joined together in song and is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Its purpose is to provide an opportunity for individuals with an interest in singing to share their love of choral music through regularly scheduled rehearsals that will culminate in community and outreach performances. It also strives to enhance each member’s ability to sing by teaching vocal exercises and techniques and to enrich their choral experience by providing a wide variety of musical selections that will increase their knowledge and appreciation of choral literature.

Lakes Region Community Chorus performs two concerts each year. One falls in early December and features holiday music. The other is a springtime concert generally falling in mid-May.

For further details or if you have questions about the chorus, call 207-647-2584, send an email to musicsix@cox.net or visit the Lake Region Community Chorus website at http://www.lakeregioncommunitychorus.org/ <

Faith Lutheran Church to host benefit concert for Essentials Pantry

By Kaysa Jalbert

The Dusty Divas are returning for a Wacky Winter Concert at the Faith Lutheran Church for an evening of music, laughter and fun as an effort to raise money for the Windham Essentials Pantry of St. Ann’s Episcopal Church.

The Dusty Divas will perform a 'Wacky Winter Concert' at
Faith Lutheran Church, 988 Roosevelt Trail in Windham
at 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18. The event is a fundraiser on 
behalf of the Essentials Pantry at St. Ann's Episcopal 
Church in Windham. FILE PHOTO 
 

A group of well-trained and educated musicians who perform a variety of genres from classical opera, Broadway hits, unique contemporary music, Christian and jazz, The Dusty Divas have been distracted by “little things” in life like raising a family or earning a living, that made them put their singing careers on a high shelf. Now they’re dusting themselves off to help bring in donations to much needed charities through song and comedy concerts.

This fun-filled fundraiser will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18 at the Faith Lutheran Church, 988 Roosevelt Trail in Windham. Tickets will be sold at the door and are priced at $15 for adults and $10 for children and seniors.

The Essentials Pantry provides items that aren’t covered by food stamps or found at food pantries, such as toothpaste, cleaning products, deodorant, shampoos, diapers, etc. The pantry is open on the last Saturday of the month from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. for people in need at St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, 40 Windham Center Road, Windham.

The Dusty Divas have performed in fundraising concerts for Greater Portland Family Promise, Westbrook Food Pantry, The Essentials Pantry sponsored by Faith and St. Ann’s Churches, Trinity Lutheran and Faith Lutheran Churches.

At the concert you can expect to hear Broadway favorites like Let It Go from “Frozen: The Broadway Musical”, Over the Rainbow from “The Wizard of Oz” and Tonight at Eight from “She Loves Me.” The group consists of four members: Emily Curry, Danielle Vayenas, David Myers-Wakeman and Eliza Ruth Watson, who were brought together by the group’s coordinator and accompanist, Betty McIntyre.

“As an accompanist, I've had the opportunity to work with a wide variety of soloists, ensembles and musical theater groups. As a result, I found many delightful musicians who love to sing, even though for most, it is not their main livelihood,” says McIntyre. “I started providing opportunities for them, always for a charity, but mostly for the joy of singing and using their lovely voices. So, once or twice a year, I send out an email to the group to see who's available, and we go on from there.”

Emily Curry was an active singer at Trinity Lutheran for several years and now sings at Faith Lutheran Church in the choir, as a worship leader and soloist. She is known for her sense of humor and creative collection of hats and costumes during her performances. Emily sings at events such as weddings and funerals on a semi-regular basis and works as a medical receptionist at Intermed for their Ambulatory Surgery Center.

Danielle Vayenas will be stepping onstage for the first time with the Dusty Divas at the Wacky Winter Concert. She has performed as a soloist throughout Maine and the greater Boston area with organizations such as Maine State Music Theater, Biddeford City Theater, Portland Players, Footlights Theater in Falmouth, Choral Art Society, Maine Oratorio Chorale, PORT Opera, Midcoast Symphony, Salem Philharmonic and more.

David Myers-Wakeman, tenor, preforms throughout New England and has received praise for his “beautifully polished tone” and “attractive tenor sound” by former Portland Press Herald critic Allan Kozinn. In Falmouth, he sings professionally with St. Mary Schola and performs regularly as a soloist with choral groups.

Eliza Ruth Watson earned her Bachelor of Music while studying vocal performance with world renowned countertenor, Drew Minter. She then spent nearly a decade in New York City until returning home to Maine where she frequently preforms with local theaters, most recently with Myers-Wakeman and Vayenas in Falmouth Footlights premier of Words & Music.

Betty McIntyre serves Faith Lutheran Church as a pianist, choir director and music director. Additionally, she has led choruses in South Dakota and Maine on and off for over 40 years. While in Maine, McIntyre was the band director at Windham High School for over 30 years and has been working with church choirs for about 25 years.

The church has held similar fundraising events in the past and it plans to continue to host them with increased attendance. Each year they welcome a new set of talented performers. <

‘Windham’s Got Talent’ set to showcase local performers

By Ed Pierce

Simon Cowell probably won’t be on hand as a judge, but that’s not going to stop Windham residents of all ages from showcasing their abilities during the first-ever “Windham’s Got Talent” competition next month.

The first 'Windham's Got Talent' will be held at 6 p.m. 
Friday, Feb. 7 at Windham High School's Performing
Arts Center and will showcase talented performers
and acts of all ages from the community.
COURTESY PHOTO    

Designed as a fundraiser to support Windham Middle School activities, “Windham’s Got Talent” is open to residents, of any age, who wants to step on stage before an audience and display their aptitude for singing, dancing, magic, playing a musical instrument, juggling, dramatic readings, a comedy skit, or any other creative skill.

The event will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7 at Windham High School’s Performing Arts Center.

“Any creative endeavor will do,” said WMS seventh grade math teacher Shelly Cook, who is helping to organize the event. “It could even be solving a Rubik’s Cube in under 30 seconds. That would sure be something we’d all like to see.”

Cook said the talent show organizers see a critical need in funding in Windham for certain school activities such as field trips and other programs and are hoping whatever amount is raised at the talent show will help serve a need for WMS students.

“We hope to make this an annual event and although we don’t know how this first one will turn out, we’re excited about the concept and hoping the community will support this,” she said.

According to Cook, she became involved in charitable causes more than 30 years ago when her husband, now a retired Maine State Trooper, was asked to bring Christmas gifts for ill children during a visit to Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital in Portland as part of the “Hops for Hope” program.

“One boy caught his eye, and he wanted a trooper’s hat,” Cook said. “It gave him some joy. “Years later I asked if we could do something for the school district and we formed ‘Dancing with the Staff. Within a year we had raised $35,000 for the district.”

She did that for a few years and said it was fun but eventually that program ended, and Cook thought of what else could be done to help her students.

“We wanted to bring something back to the community,” Cook said. “We are looking to create a sense of community, to bring people together and to showcase our local talent while fundraising and fostering a sense of community spirit.”

Cook said organizers believe “Windham’s Got Talent” will have a positive impact upon the Windham community and help local residents to create positive and lasting connections with each other.

“This is not just for students,” she said. “We are opening this up to anyone of any age and we expect have participants sign up for ‘Windham’s Got Talent’ from all age groups, both young and older.”

The competition will include one round and feature a panel of four judges. Richie Vickers will serve as the emcee for the event.

For participants, trophies will be awarded to acts finishing in first, second and third place.

A QR code to sign up to compete has been posted on local community boards on Facebook or signups may be done by visiting www.bit.ly/windhamsgottalent

Tickets for “Windham’s Got Talent” will be $10 and $12 for adults and may be purchased at the door on the evening of the competition.

“We invite everyone from the community to come out and see some amazing performers that night and support our school,” Cook said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun and at the same time will benefit our amazing students.”

For more information about “Windham’s Got Talent,” send an email to Cook at scook@rsu14.org <

Richard Nickerson Scholarship Concert promises to be a spectacular evening

By Masha Yurkevich

There are many things that you can do to show your gratitude to someone and thank them for their hard work. You can give them a gift, write them a letter, or you could start a scholarship. Back in the spring of 1997, Dr. Richard Nickerson and his choral students went to Vienna to participate in a music festival and won the most prestigious award of the festival.

This year's Richard Nickerson Scholarship Concert will be
at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4 at Windham High School.
It supports WHS students pursuing higher education if
they continue to make choral music a part of their
college experience. COURTESY PHOTO  

They were very thankful for all the work that Dr. Nickerson did to bring the group to that place and to show their gratitude and give back, they decided to start a scholarship specifically for choral music. It has been 28 years since then and this year’s annual scholarship concert will be at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4 at the Windham High School Performing Arts Center.

Daniel Griffin is a Windham High School alumnus and was a Windham Chamber Singer back in the day. His daughter, who also attended RSU 14, was fortunate enough to also be a Chamber Singer, making it a full circle. Now, Griffin is a part of the Scholarship Committee setting up the annual fundraising concert.

While Dr. Nickerson was flattered by the idea of a scholarship in his name, he is very hands off himself regarding the scholarship.

“We have a small committee that meets throughout the year and plans the one fundraising event, the scholarship concert, which happens on the first Saturday of every January,” says Griffin. “We have been doing this for 28 years and we have all musical alumni from Windham High School come back for this.”

Janelle LoSciuto is the Artistic Director for the Richard Nickerson Scholarship concert, and she is the powerhouse that makes the show what it is.

They have had different performers from the very beginning when Dr. Nickerson started teaching music at the school to more recent alumni.

"It is a great type of family event that we are trying to keep on going,” says Griffin.

The $1,000 scholarship is awarded each year to a high school senior that is planning to make choral music a part of their college experience.

“It does not mean that they need to be going into music as far as their degree, they just need to keep it part of their experience, which makes it a little bit broader,” says Griffin. “It could be anybody who is in the Chamber Singers or the chorus.”

Picking one senior for the scholarship is no easy task. Applicants must be planning to attend a two- or four-year college program with choral music as part of their course of studies or extra-curricular activities and write an essay about what does music mean to them, how it has impacted them, and how they plan to make that a part of their life. The committee then goes by a rubric and picks a senior for the scholarship.

This scholarship not only helps the senior financially, but also helps them meet people that might not be within their cohort of learning.

“Unlike theater, not everybody is outgoing that does music; some people are very reserved,” says Griffin. “This gives them an opportunity to find their people in the college or university that they are going to and start making friends. Choral music or being part of some sort of music program is very similar to sports teams; everybody comes together for one particular purpose to improve and work together and harmonize to produce something wonderful.”

This helps with teamwork, improved mental health, cognitive development, social benefits, and a sense of achievement. Being a part of choral choir gives a sense of belonging, emotional expression, self-confidence skills, stress reduction, and cultural enrichment, all very important aspects in young adults today.

There is a lot to look forward to for the upcoming concert; it promises to be an evening filled with fun.

“There are many alumnae coming back, all with different backgrounds, some with operetta experience, some with their own bands, and for this concert, we are inviting all alumni who were a part of the Chamber Singers or chorus to come back and sing, so we will be having an alumni choir,” says Griffin.

All performers are from Windham and admission to the Richard Nickerson Scholarship Concert is by donation.

For further details about the concert, visit https://www.richardnickersonscholarship.org/. <

Raymond artists dazzle in Maine Audubon exhibition

By Kendra Raymond

Three Raymond residents recently had their works chosen for a selective exhibition hosted by Maine Audubon. The “Taking Flight” exhibition features abstract and realistic bird art, which is displayed at the Gisland Farm Falmouth Audubon location through the new year.

A photo collage shows images by Raymond residents chosen
for a selective exhibition at the Gisland Farm Falmouth
Audubon location. The juried art show and sale supports 
various Maine Audubon programs. Clockwise from left are
'Yellow warbler' by Trish Kohler, 'Snowy Owl' by Brien
Richards and 'Piping Plover with Chicks' by Bruce Small.
COURTESY PHOTOS

The juried art show and sale is currently running and open to the public. Most of the pieces in the show are for sale and 20 percent of the proceeds serve as a fundraiser and go to help support various Maine Audubon programs.

Bruce Small is a Raymond photographer who specializes in capturing images from nature.

“Maine Audubon sent out a request for submissions in one of their newsletters, via email. Three pieces could be submitted in early November,” he said. “I was notified that one of my metal photographic prints was selected to be part of the exhibit. I have had images selected to be in several calendars over the years, but not for a juried exhibit. Last summer, I participated in an art show and sale at the Hawthorne House after being asked to take part by members of the Hawthorne House Association. That was my first time exhibiting in a show.”

As a photographer fairly new to the scene, Small says he is deeply honored to have his work chosen for the exhibition. He said that this selection is special to him.

“I was told there were 90 people that submitted works. I was very honored to be one of just over 40 pieces selected for the show,” he said.

Small is proud of his heart-warming winning piece and finds his time in nature fulfilling on many levels.

“My metal print is entitled ‘Piping Plover with Chicks.’ It is an image I took while volunteering as a beach monitor, helping to educate and protect the endangered, nesting, piping plover population at Higgins Beach in Scarborough. My wife and I monitor in the spring and early summer, once a week. I always bring my camera with me as a bonus to volunteering,” he said.

Small and his wife Gail have lived in Raymond for 28 years, previously residing in Windham.

“I grew up in Falmouth and have been interested in photography since my grandparents gave me an old Brownie camera when I was about 8,” Small said. “I reluctantly switched to digital photography at first, but now I am hooked. I carry a camera almost everywhere I go. I am into wildlife and bird photography but take photos of anything that interests me.”

He sells his pieces at various venues and online.

“I am happy to sell prints of various kinds as well as photo frame cards. I do not make a living at this but have sold some photos,” he said. “The Hawthorne House show was pretty successful with 12 pieces sold. I post a lot on my personal Facebook page as well as on ‘Bruce Small Photography’ Facebook page.”

Handpicked

Trish Kohler is a Raymond artist whose watercolor was handpicked for the show. She is grateful for the opportunity to share her work and is humbled by the outpouring of support.

“It is a significant honor to have artwork selected for display by the Audubon organization which was spawned by the great artist John James Audubon,” she said. “I am inspired by the bird paintings of J.J. Audubon, Roger Tory Peterson and JF Lansdowne.”

Kohler’s winning yellow warbler watercolor is a perky eye-catching, maybe even “vocal” piece. She typically works in watercolors but occasionally uses colored pencils. This was her first time responding to Audubon’s call for artwork.

As a youngster, Kohler fondly recalls spending a lot of time in nature.

“I grew up in Bridgton but have many happy memories of staying at my grandparent’s camp on Wild Acres on the tip of the Cape,” she said.

Transcendent photos

Amazingly, a third Raymond resident had their work win a spot in the exhibit. Brien Richards is a local photographer who focuses on night sky and wildlife photography. Richards’ ethereal photograph of a snowy owl transcends traditional photography to a point where the observer is interacting with the photo.

“The snowy owl was photographed in a snow-covered field south of Ottawa, Canada. The owl was looking right at me, and he will be looking at anyone who sees the image. With all my images, the photo is a vivid reminder of the exact moment that I took the picture. I'm right back there in that very cold snowy field,” he said.

Richards is a veteran, both in photography and in the United States Armed Forces.

“I've always been fascinated by photography and started many years ago with a film camera. Part of my Army career I was stationed in Kuwait, before the rest of the world could find it on a map. There were no facilities there and we were told to bring our own entertainment,” he said. “So, I bought a basic darkroom and learned to develop my own photos. The time was way before the internet, so I learned by trial and error, strong on the error part. One of my Army colleagues was going to Hong Kong and offered to buy me a Nikon camera for a great price. So, that's how I got started.”

Richards spends a good deal of time travelling to hone his craft and in search of that perfect shot.

“I attend a lot of photo workshops in lots of interesting places including Costa Rica, Antarctica, Iceland, Norway, Greenland, and a lot of national parks out west,” he said. “Last month I went to Churchill, Manitoba, Canada and photographed the polar bears waiting for the ice to form on the Hudson Bay so they could get out to the seals. To help cover the costs of these expensive workshops, I do sell my images usually on 20 X 30-inch metal prints at various shows, fairs, and festivals nearby to recoup at least a little of the cost.”

While he’s not a “native Mainer”, Richards and his wife have made their home in Raymond for the past 11 years, since retiring here after living and working in Belgium for 30 years.

While Richards appreciates the recent recognition, he remains humble.

“Yes, it is an honor, but I never place too much emphasis on being selected. There are many very good photographers out there and I realize that someone just happened to like my image. My selection is a welcome addition to getting known in the community as a local photographer,” he said. “For me, my photography represents the opportunity to capture a moment in time that I can visit and relive at will. If someone likes the image, that's great. If not, it certainly doesn't bother me. The great thing about your photography: If you like the photo, nothing else matters.”

Gisland Farm Gallery

Jenn Schmitt is part of the Communication and Marketing team and the Gallery Curator at Gisland Farm.

“We have an informal multi-use space here (at Gisland) that doubles as a gallery. People can purchase the pieces at our nature store. If possible, we’d like to have the art left until the end of the exhibit, but customers are more than welcome to take them for the holidays, if needed,” she said.

Schmitt said that this is the first time they have featured bird art. She said that shows are held once or twice a year. “We are holding this around the holidays to help support local artists,” she said. “We have 43 artists featured, mostly from Maine, including all types of media and price ranges.”

Looking forward, Schmitt said that an upcoming educational outreach project planned will integrate art and education through the Birdsafe Maine effort.

According to Maine Audubon, on June 17, 2024, the Portland City Council voted unanimously to approve a city-wide bird safe buildings ordinance. In 2023, Maine became just the fourth state to take statewide action on bird-safe architecture with the passage of LD 670, An Act to Protect Birds in the Construction, Renovation and Maintenance of Public Buildings.

The new law will bring together stakeholders across Maine to develop guidelines for bird safety in public buildings and Maine Audubon is looking forward to working with the city and the state to create sensible and effective guidelines.

The “Taking Flight” exhibit will run through Jan. 6, 2025 at Maine Audubon Gilsland Farm Visitor Center Gallery located at 20 Gilsland Farm Road in Falmouth. The exhibit is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information about the show, call 207-781-2330 or send an email to info@maineaudubon.org

To see more photography from Bruce Small: FineArtAmercia.com, search Bruce Small and view a gallery. Or visit ‘Bruce Small Photography’ on Facebook.

Trish Kohler does not sell her works at the present time, though she does have a gallery full of impressive, complete pieces.

Check out Brien Richard’s polar bear photos here: https://brienrichards.smugmug.com/Churchill-Polar-Bears/n-DGG3Nf

Holiday season perfect time to decorate with natural materials

By Kendra Raymond

Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, many people switch their mindset to the next holiday season. For many that includes Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanza. No matter how you choose to celebrate, there are endless opportunities for holiday decorating. While many people focus on the inside of their homes, others enjoy stringing up lights. Others find joy in using natural materials to beautify the exterior of the home.

Collecting natural materials to beautify and
decorate the exterior of your home can be
more economical and rewarding during
the holiday season, 
PHOTO BY AMY ALEXANDER

While lots of options are available at local big-box stores or greenhouses, it can be more economical and rewarding to collect materials from nature to embellish the exterior of your home.

Raymond Beautification Committee Chair Sharon Dodson is a bit of a local expert on seasonal decorating. The group recently gathered to collect evergreen boughs to fill the barrels located throughout the town.

Evergreens

Most holiday wreaths and porch décor start with evergreen boughs. These can be collected in the woods using a small set of hand pruners. Both balsam fir and white pine tips make great choices for planters or garlands. If you see any fallen evergreen trees, these are great resources for branches, and it won’t compromise the health of the living trees. Keep an eye out for pinecones on the ground that can be incorporated into your arrangements as well.

Artificial greens

Maine Garden Center and nursery Estabrook’s offered an alternative solution in their recent newsletter: “While some people will say that the look and fragrance of fresh greens and holiday blooms can never be duplicated, today’s high-quality greens are coming closer and closer. Artificial boughs, wreaths and garland can be swapped out or recombined to create a new holiday look every year without purchasing new materials each time. Artificials are also great for homes that aren’t conducive to live greens such as those with working fireplaces, warmer than normal rooms, or other conditions that may adversely affect fresh plant material. By using artificials, you’ll be assured that your holiday decorations will stay up longer, look great all season long and eliminate the mess that comes from dropping needles.”

Red berries

Have you ever driven past a boggy area or wetland and noticed one or more people wearing Muk Luk boots with clippers in their hands? This is a common practice where ambitious decorators attempt to obtain the coveted “red berries” which are almost always found in wet areas.

Dodson can attest to the challenges of obtaining the highly sought after red berries.

“Yes, we used to work really hard to find winter berries and collect them, no matter how wet we got. We also had a couple of volunteers with legal access to them, which we don’t now. Currently, we just put red ribbons around the barrels,” she said.

No greenery-filled arrangement is complete without these brightly colored accents to fill in the spaced and give a pop of color. So, what are these highly sought-after branches, and where can they be obtained?

Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust of Damariscotta offers this concise lesson: “Winterberry shrubs are easy to spot in Maine this time of year, when its red berries are often the only bright color on the landscape. Look for it in roadside ditches, in and around wetlands, and in soggy spots in the woods. From March to October this shrub is cloaked with dark, glossy, oval leaves, but in the winter the red berries stand out and draw us to take a closer look.”

Unlike its southern relatives, winterberries are deciduous. Sometimes called black alder or northern holly, it ranges from Newfoundland to Michigan and south to West Virginia. It is a tough plant that grows well in average soil and can tolerate regular wet roots. Pests and disease are few, though its leaves can turn yellowish in alkaline soils.

Winterberries spread not only through seed dispersal but also with suckers and by layering. Layering is when branches are bent down to the soil, as they are by heavy snow, and then sprout roots. Eventually these branches break off and become a new plant. This is why you will often find thick pockets of Winterberry where it has both spread by suckers and layering over time.

An important late-winter food for flickers, crows, robins, and cedar waxwings, these native shrubs are a wonderful backyard habitat enhancement. There are many non-native cultivars now available at nurseries but be aware that some of these produce berries that seem to be less attractive to birds than native winterberry.

Lucky for area residents, there are plenty of areas where the berry branches can be harvested, such as Claman Wildlife Sanctuary located along Route 302 in Windham.

Supplies and Receptacles

Holiday wreaths and swags don’t require a lot of materials, just some basic twine or wire and a metal form if you’re making a wreath. Cheerful planters can be created in many types of containers such as plastic plant pots, an old wooden crate, or metal buckets – to name a few. It can be fun to keep an eye out for creative containers at antique shops, flea markets and yard sales.

With a good dose of creativity and a little bit of effort, just about anyone can beautify the outside of their home this holiday season. Best of all, some of the best decorations can be created on a very small budget. My friend Amy Alexander always has the most festive and welcoming decorations outside her home. She recently said, “Do what brings you joy!” – which makes a lot of sense.

Plant Perfect offers some beautiful suggestions for decorating with evergreens here: https://plantperfect.com/fresh-ideas-for-decorating-with-evergreens/ <