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/ <

In the public eye: WHS Director of Choral Music inspires generations of musicians

Editor’s Note: This is another in an ongoing series of Windham and Raymond town employee profiles.

By Ed Pierce

For Windham High School’s Dr. Richard Nickerson, music is an essential aspect of our shared humanity, and it can change the world by connecting people of all cultures and beliefs.

Dr. Richard Nickerson is the conductor of
the Windham Chamber Singers and the 
choral director at Windham High School.
He is also the RSU 14 District Coordinator
for music. SUBMITTED PHOTO  

Now in his 38th year as choral director at WHS, Nickerson has become a fixture at the school and in the community for his dedication to his students and helping them to realize their full potential in life. He directs the school choirs and teaches courses in music theory, guitar and music industry. He’s also the District Coordinator K to 12 for music in RSU 14 and is responsible for scheduling performances and coordinating the logistics for music festivals and other events.

If that wasn’t enough, in addition to his curricular responsibilities, Nickerson conducts the Windham Chamber Singers and serves as Music Director for the school musical.

According to Nickerson, the best thing about his job is that he gets to work every day with the best students in the world.

“I get to see the world through their eyes,” he said. “Probably my favorite event is the American Family Holiday concert in December with the Chamber Singers. We are very proud of the local tradition that we have created in our community.”

He says the biggest challenge of his job is that there is no single biggest challenge.

“The challenges change daily,” Nickerson said. “Just when you have one thing figured out, another challenge will appear. That likely means that the biggest challenge is not letting myself get overwhelmed. I’m still working on that.”

Born in Miramichi, New Brunswick, Canada, Nickerson graduated from Houlton High School in Aroostook County. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education and a master’s degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Maine and obtained a Doctor of Music Arts degree from the Conservatory of Music-University of Missouri-Kansas City. He also did additional graduate work at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington and at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey.

Prior to arriving in Windham, Nickerson taught for a year in Bangor. He also served for eight years as the Artistic Director for the Boy Singers of Maine and spent eight years as the Chorus Master for the Magic of Christmas Chorus with the Portland Symphony Orchestra. Currently, he’s also the Artistic Director for the Maine Music Society, an adult choir based in Lewiston.

“I was aware of the choral program at Windham High School because my college choir had stopped in Windham as part of our spring tour in 1986,” he said. “When the job opened up, I was skeptical about applying because, although I knew there was a rich musical history, it meant that I would be following a very popular teacher, which can be difficult. The original position was half high school and half middle school. This meant I would be responsible for creating my own feeder program which was very appealing. I also liked the proximity to Portland because of the many cultural offerings.”

Nickerson says the greatest misconception people may have about his work is that many believe that his work with the Windham Chamber Singers is the only thing I do.

“The reason for this misconception is because the chamber singers are so visible in the community and that’s what most people associate with my work,” he said. “This is my dream job. There was a period in my life when I was thinking about moving on, but I realized that the grass is not always greener, and I am very happy. I remember once hearing that if you find a job you love, you’ll never have to work a day in your life. Every morning when I walk into the choir room at Windham High School, I remind myself how lucky I am to be able to live my dream each and every day. I came to Windham as a stepping stone to build my career, and I ended up building a life.”

Along the way there have been many memorable moments, but Nickerson said it’s hard to top the events of 1996.

“The Chamber Singers were invited to compete in the International Youth Music Festival in Vienna, Austria. To cover expenses, we recorded and produced a Christmas album,” Nickerson said. “If we could sell 10,000 copies in five weeks, all of the singers would be able to attend the festival at no personal cost. Keep in mind, this was before the internet. The level of support that we received from our community was unprecedented. It started in Windham, then expanded throughout the entire state and beyond. Not only did we sell the 10,000 copies, we ended up winning the festival. This experience opened a world of opportunities for us that included performances in prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and the White House.”

He says his wife is the “choir mom” and is incredibly supportive of his work.

“She understands that much of the work I do happens outside the school day and, not only supports me, but she assists me,” Nickerson said. “I couldn’t do what I do without her.”

The most important thing Nickerson says he’s learned while working for Windham High School is that every waking moment is an adventure in learning. “ I have learned so many things that I could write a book,” he said. “In fact, I am in the final process of finishing a book focusing on lessons I have learned from my students. It’s a collection of lessons, stories and memories. I plan to release it when I retire.” <

Rookie Mama: A stitch in time saves you money, mends the planet

By Michelle Cote
The Rookie Mama

Navigating grocery shopping for my family of six in times inflation-riddled beyond our control has led me to become increasingly strategic and creative in every way I meal plan and recipe build.

It continues to incentivize my reasoning to keep on keeping on with gardening and food storage.

Increasing food costs exponentially affects larger families, which comes with the territory and at no surprise.

But what may come as the surprise is that the cost to raise four children is not exactly one child multiplied by four.

Bear with my math, here.

There are many ways in which savings are possible and funds can keep pocketed, when it comes to growing multiple littles.

And speaking of pockets – The secret is in the clothing.

Raising four boys means hand-me-downs galore – That’s a well-ensembled quartet on which you can bet.

Raising four boys also means clothes are worn and torn on the regular basis.

But these textiles needn’t be discarded at the first sign of wear, whether you launder solo or for a crew.

If you invest in good quality textiles, and said clothes become stained or dirtied, there’s a go-to Shout spray for that.

Or if your clothes are accidentally torn – there’s a needle-pulling-thread at the ready.

Things aren’t built to last as they once were – an article for another day – but we can push back a bit by making use of the sewing kit.

It’s cool to spool; a fantastic way to be passively purposeful while catching a show or riding shotgun on a long car ride.

I’m not just needling you.

Don’t feel daunted by the notion of mending clothing. Sewing step-by-step pro tips can be easily found online, and if your work doesn’t look perfect, all the better – Use visible mending to turn damage into decoration. Practice, after all, makes perfect with mending, too.

By taking time to mend clothes, you ultimately save on cash when you remove the need to repurchase the item – but you also help do your part for the planet by reducing textile waste.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the main source of textiles in municipal solid waste is discarded clothing.

Global clothing consumption is up 400 percent more today than only two decades prior – according to the National Library of Medicine, and the speed at which textiles get tossed to landfill territory is terrifying – One garbage truck per second – and this is seriously risky for the environment.

The current fashion system, according to Science Direct, constitutes one of the most unsustainable industries, accounting for nearly 10 percent of all global carbon emissions.

Whereas ‘fashion’ was once regarded attainable for only the privileged, today the market has turned to ‘fast fashion’ – creating widely available, rapidly produced and ultimately affordable clothes created by inexpensive fabrics, according to Nature Environment and Pollution Technology’s article ‘The Global Clothing Oversupply: An Emerging Environmental Crisis’.

It doesn’t need to be this way.

If we take a beat before we toss, and consider mending a hem or tear ourselves – or purchasing higher quality items when possible – we contribute to both our savings and to planetary health for the long haul.

My family doesn’t spend a lot of money on new clothes – We tend to wear clothes with solids that pair well with others to make entire new outfits.

My boys are all creatures of fabric habit and stick to their favorite go-tos, oft forgetting they have perfectly good ensembles further back on a closet shelf.

We’ve got a minimalist mindset that makes us more colt-ish in a world of clothes-horses.

Clothes-horses who may say neigh – I mean, ‘nay’ – to the idea of going fewer and further between in the world of closet space.

When we do wear out clothes to the point of zero return, we repurpose what we can – Some of the garment’s fabric may be able to be reused, whether cut into a future patch or decorative canning topper in attempt to keep as sustainable as possible.

I’ve even made costumes of old, decorative pillow cases. With a hot glue gun and fun ribbon, anyone can channel their inner Von Trapp seamstress style.

If you are a fashionable type who likes to change up your wardrobe frequently, why not upcycle or participate in a clothing swap with friends or colleagues?

These have become more and more popular as a nod to sustainability, throughout the country.

‘The Global Clothing Oversupply’ tells us awareness about the fast fashion crisis among consumers is growing. More and more are embracing the greener wardrobe approach and purchasing fewer, more cost-effective classics that stand the test of time, which can lead to significant change.

So keep stocked up on Shout stain remover sprays and sewing kits with threads of many colors – It’s a simple eco-friendly statement you can make as you continue to save funds in a way that will make you say, ‘Oh, la la!’

After all, ‘la’ is a note to follow ‘sew.’

With special thanks to Jolie Grasso of UNE’s Office of Sustainability for her source contribution.

­­– Michelle Cote lives in southern Maine with her husband and four sons, and enjoys camping, distance running, biking, gardening, road trips to new regions, arts and crafts, soccer, and singing to musical showtunes – often several or more at the same time!

WHS students prepare to present ‘Shrek the Musical’

By Masha Yurkevich

The story of Shrek is a classic that everybody young and old love and enjoy and now a new musical version is coming to Windham High School.

Windham High seniors Molly Plati, right,
and Stuart Gabaree, play Princess Fiona
and Shrek in 'Shrek the Musical' opening
Nov. 15 at the WHS Performing Arts
Center and running through Nov. 24.
SUBMITTED PHOTO

Join Shrek, a repugnant green ogre monster, as he sets off on his quest to rescue a princess to get his beloved swamp back. The show “Shrek the Musical” will be offered at the Windham High School Performing Arts Center on Nov. 15, Nov. 16, Nov. 22, and Nov. 23 at 7 p.m. and at 2 p.m. Nov. 17 and Nov. 24.

Rob Juergens is the director of “Shrek the Musical” and is responsible for the blocking and the overall production of the show.

“I have an awesome and highly skilled group of people doing choreography, music direction, costumes, props, set building, makeup, miscellaneous producer things (like organizing), and front of the house details,” he says. “Mostly, I try to craft an overall vision so that all these elements meld together to make a consistent production.”

Each production is different because they each have their own story.

Juergens said this show is very well known due to the success of the original Shrek cartoon.

“You do not want to duplicate Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz and Mike Myers; but you also want to give the audience some of the things they expect,” he said.

Every production presents certain challenges that the producer has to face.

“This production has several obstacles,” says Juergens. “This is the first time we put the pit band on stage, with all the space and sight limitations that ensue. Also, we had to create and stage a huge dragon. There are also some very tricky character transformations.”

But with every production, there are also some favorite parts.

“One thing I love about this production is the ‘singability’ of the musical numbers,” says Juergens. “All too often you see a show, say ‘wasn't that great’, but then you don't find yourself humming any of the songs.”

Molly Plati is a WHS senior and plays Princess Fiona in the “Shrek the Musical” production.

“My favorite part of playing Fiona is her spunk,” says Plati. “Fiona is not an ordinary princess; she is sassy and funny but has a heart of gold. I love getting to bring her to life on stage. One of the biggest challenges I face playing Fiona is playing an Ogre. I won't spoil the surprise, but a funny duet in the second act will really have you on the edge of your seat.”

Plati says that Shrek the Musical has a fantastic blend of humor and heart, much like the original movie.

“The characters are well-developed, and the storyline carries essential messages about acceptance and self-love,” Plati said. “The music is also a highlight, with catchy songs that go hand in hand with the entertaining dances. Our vibrant costumes and creative set make ‘Shrek the Musical’ a performance you want to attend.”

WHS senior Stuart Gabaree plays Shrek and loves the humor of his character in how he interacts with the other characters in the show.

“I love imitating a Scottish accent, but I have to make Mike Myers proud,” says Gabaree. “I also really like the themes that this show presents of being open to new things and stepping out of your comfort zone.”

This is a show that you certainly will not want to miss.

“I highly recommend everyone to come and watch the tale of how an outcast ogre goes on a mission to rescue a princess and ends up falling in love with her,” Juergens said. “First of all, we have a reputation for shows with high quality performance standards, and we will hit those again. Second, it is a hilarious show with many awesome characters. It is wonderfully memorable musically, and it is a guarantee that you will be humming these songs for a long time.”

Tickets for ‘Shrek the Musical” will not be sold in advance. They can be purchased at the door by cash or check; the cost is $17 for adults, $15 for students, children and seniors. Saturday, Nov. 16 is a special RSU 14 night, and all RSU 14 student tickets will be only $10 then. <

Review: ‘The Wild Robot’ a nice kids movie, but little appeal for adults

By Matt Pascarella

Rated: PG
Runtime: 1 hour, 42 minutes

“The Wild Robot” is the story of ROZZUM Unit 7134, or Roz, who gets stranded on an island uninhabited by humans. At first, it runs all around asking various animals if there’s anything it can do to help; to which it gets a negative response. Roz is chased by a bear and accidently crushes a goose nest, killing everything but one egg. Roz cares for this one egg until it hatches and names it Brightbill. Once her mission with Brightbill is complete she struggles with deciding to leave the island or not – knowing Brightbill will return in the spring. Unbeknownst to Roz, her manufacturer, Universal Dynamics is searching for her. This movie was OK to decent at best; there was no want for me to find out what happened next.

One of the biggest pluses of “The Wild Robot” is its all-star cast which stars Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor, Stephanie Hsu, Ving Rhames, Catherine O’Hara, Matt Berry, Mark Hamill, Avrielle Corti and Bill Nighy.

A robot, ROZZUM Unit 7134 or Roz (Nyong’o) finds itself alone on an island. It starts by running around frantically asking a variety of animals if they need help, because this particular robot was programed to complete tasks.

The animals are not interested and either ignore or attack Roz. While Roz is being chased by a bear, she steps on and crushes a goose nest, leaving just one egg undamaged. Once the egg hatches, Roz takes care of this gosling, naming it Brightbill (Connor).

Roz meets a fox, Fink (Pascal) who says everyone is trying to survive. Some of the best parts of this movie are the lessons given by the various animals.

Roz begins making decisions from her head and her heart. She’s trying to teach Brightbill how to fly. Roz and Fink help teach Brightbill the survival skills needed.

As Brightbill gets bigger, he is bullied for his size and the relationship he has with the “monster” that killed his family. Angry this truth has been kept from him, Brightbill leaves Roz.

An owl, Thunderbolt (Rhames) reminds Brightbill he wasn’t supposed to make it this far. Thunderbolt helps Brightbill join the migration.

Once Brightbill leaves for the winter, Roz is sad her task is complete. Fink suggests she stay.

With winter coming, Roz activates her return transmitter. Brightbill returns to Roz before heading out and admits he forgot to say something before he left.

Fink stays by Roz’s side and helps save the animals when a major snowstorm hits the island.

When spring arrives and Brightbill returns, you get a little bit of Roz’s backstory.

Roz’s manufacturer, Universal Dynamics comes to get Roz and might not take “no” for an answer.

Since this is a DreamWorks movie, I was thinking it might fall along the lines of “Shrek,” or “Kung Fu Panda,” but there aren’t as many jokes for adults in this one. I also found it a little on the slow side, with not a whole lot happening until halfway through. On the plus side, this is a very sweet movie which showcases what love and sacrifice mean. It’s a good movie for kids that has a bunch of lessons, like the importance of kindness or trying your hardest against all odds. One of my favorite lines is “To survive, we must become more than we are programed to be.” This is not worth seeing on the big screen, wait for it to be available on streaming.

One robot thumb up.

Now playing in theaters and available to rent. <

‘Speak No Evil’ a perfect movie for this time of year

By Matt Pascarella

Rated: R
Runtime: 1 hour, 50 minutes

I’d wanted to see this one for a while, and it did not disappoint. When Louise, Ben and their daughter Agnes become friendly with Ciara, Paddy and their son Ant while on vacation, Paddy invites them to join them for a long weekend at Paddy and Ciara’s home. When Louise, Ben and Agnes arrive there, Paddy and Ciara show an unwelcoming side of themselves and Ant stresses to tell Agnes a secret but struggles.

“Speak No Evil” stars James McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis, Scoot McNairy, Aisling Franciosi, Alix West Lefler, Dan Hough and Kris Hitchen.

Mackenzie (Davis) and Ben (McNairy) Dalton are vacationing in Italy with their daughter Agnes (Lefler). They meet a British couple, Paddy (McAvoy) and Ciara (Franciosi) and their son, Ant (Hough) – who has trouble communicating. Initially, Paddy is very friendly and invites the Daltons to come for a long weekend at their home. They accept his invitation.

Paddy lives out in the middle of nowhere. It starts out pleasant enough but doesn’t take long for things to get strange.

When Ben is taking the trash out, Ant tries to communicate something to him, but Paddy stops him before he can finish.

There are things that the Daltons find off-putting – like a stain on their sheets. Louise doesn’t find them pleasant to be around; but they try to stick it out.

The two couples go out to dinner, leaving Agnes and Ant with a babysitter. Ant tries to communicate something to Agnes again.

McAvoy’s sharp behavior from friendly one minute and unsettling the next is a constant occurrence through most of the movie and I found it to be one of its creepiest aspects.

Eventually, Louise has had enough and decides they are leaving. They are almost free, but Agnes forgets her stuffed animal, so they have to turn around.

Paddy is offended that they left without saying goodbye and the two couples argue. The Daltons are pressured into staying.

Later, Ant slips Agnes a note, but when Ciara approaches, he hides it to avoid getting caught.

Agnes relays everything to her mother.

There are more uncomfortable moments that had me cringing, like the dance scene with Agnes and Ant.

After an unpleasant dinner, Louise wants to go. Ciara gives a stern warning against trying to leave.

Ant steals Paddy’s keys to show Agnes a secret room filled with not-so-surprising items. Ant reveals his secret.

Once Agnes tells her parents what she’s seen, they plan to leave.

On the creep-out scale, I’d give this close to a 10. It does start a little on the slow side, but quickly the viewer is made aware all things aren’t what they appear to be – or maybe they are. As the movie progressed, I found myself more and more on the edge of my seat. It’s very uncomfortable pretty much from the beginning; James McAvoy plays a skin-crawling individual who does some crazy things. As a heads up this movie has moderate language, mild sexual references and violence. One of, if not the scariest thing I found about this movie is its plausibility. Hollywood can exaggerate a bit, but I found Ben and Louise’s situation, at the very least moderately believable. There are so many tense and disturbing moments and it’s the perfect movie as All Hollow’s Eve approaches.

Now available to rent. <

Windham Chamber Singers prepare for annual ‘An American Family Holiday’ concerts

By Masha Yurkevich

As the weather gets cooler and the leaves start to change colors, the Windham Chamber Singers are preparing for their annual An American Family Holiday concert.

Tickets for this year's performance of the annual 'An 
American Family Holiday Concert' to be presented on Dec.
7 by the Windham Chamber Singers go on sale on
Monday, Oct. 7. SUBMITTED PHOTO  

Get ready to kick off the holiday season in style as the Windham Chamber Singers proudly present An American Family Holiday. The concerts will take place on Saturday, Dec. 7 at the Windham Performing Arts Center with two performances at 2 and 7:30 p.m.

This heartwarming event is set to captivate audiences of all ages and promises to be a memorable experience for families, friends, and music enthusiasts alike. Tickets will go on sale at 8 a.m. Monday, Oct. 7.

For the concert, the Windham Chamber Singers are pleased to welcome back Daniel Strange, who is a Windham Chamber Singer alumnus and on the faculty at the University of Miami. Also returning will be crowd favorite Ashley Liberty.

This year’s headliner will be singer/songwriter Travis James Humphrey.

He will bring his unique country sound and promises to raise the roof. Humphrey was born in northern Maine and served with the U.S. Air Force as a band member for eight years. He returned home to Maine in 2003 and has opened shows for B.B. King, Blackberry Smoke, Redd Volkaert, Bill Kirchen, Roy Clark, Ricky Skaggs, Johnny Hiland, Bill Chinnock, and many other fine artists, both as a solo performer and as a backing guitarist for other feature performers. Humphrey has released four studio albums.

“We are excited to share the stage with Travis and continue our tradition of bringing the highest quality performers to Windham,” says Nickerson, who has been the conductor of the Chamber Singers since the group was founded in October 1988.

Nickerson said this year’s concerts will honor many local traditions and will also introduce some new surprises.

Longtime concert host Kim Block will once again return as Master of Ceremonies.

“While the Chamber Singers have always performed a holiday show, the ‘variety show’ type format and the name of the show began in December 2001,” says Nickerson.

An American Family Holiday is a holiday themed concert that brings in special guests to mentor and perform with students. It is modeled after the television variety shows from the 1960s and 1970s.

“The show began in the hopes of establishing a local tradition, not only for our singers but also for our audiences,” says Nickerson. “We try to emphasize the family aspect.”

The students are involved in every aspect of the show. They prepare, rehearse and perform the music, sell tickets, promote the show, decorate the stage, and sell advertisements.

“In short, they have ownership of the show which has helped us to build a tradition,” Nickerson said.

He said he guarantees that this show will put you in the holiday spirit.

“While I am biased, I think it's an incredible show. There is so much talent on the stage and the collaborations makes it special and unique,” Nickerson said. “We have strived to keep this show very affordable as well. This is the Chamber Singers’ only fundraiser which supports our tour and operating expenses. I can't think of a better fundraiser than one that allows us to use our voices.”

Tickets are $10 to $30 for reserved seating and can be purchased by calling 207-892-1810, Ext. 2875 or online at www.windhamchambersingers.com

Nickerson recommends purchasing your tickets early, as this holiday extravaganza sells out quickly every year.

To learn more about the concerts, call 207-892-1810, Ext. 2906, Visit online at www.windhamchambersingers.com or on Facebook under Windham Chamber Singers or on Instagram at wcsingers. <

First ‘Rocktoberfest’ event ready to launch in Naples

By Kaysa Jalbert

The newly formed events committee in Naples is gearing up for presenting the first Annual RocktoberFest and NightMarket that will feature over 100 booths of local vendors, live music, and open local venues serving food and hosting activities such as axe throwing, stein holding, and a kids’ midway.

This new event will take place from 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12 on the Naples Causeway for a peak foliage sunset and night out with water views in the heart of Naples Village.

“RocktoberFest and NightMarket is not blues fest or brew fest. It will be a different type of experience,” said Chelsea McKamy, Events Committee Chairperson. “With family friendly hours and an evening portion, in the fall on the causeway with lake views and golden hour, it sets itself apart with all the festiveness and excitement when ushering in a new season and the upcoming holidays.”

The live music entertainment will feature Maine musicians, as well as the thoughtfully themed Bavarian band which will tour each establishment given each space the chance to have that Oktoberfest vibe. Additionally, there will be a set from a 25-member ukulele band and all local talent.

This year the event is free to the public. There will be a Town of Naples events committee and sponsor booth in the center of it all at Rick’s Casino building, where there will be items for purchase and a donation box. Parking is also free and in multiple locations from the multiple causeway options to the high school, legion and beyond.

The Songo River shuttle bus will be making all the stops to get everyone back and forth from their cars to the causeway establishments and beyond.

Dana Barrows from Freedom Café will be hosting the stein holding competition, Kirsten Hewes of Sun Sports retail store will host axe throwing and food, and Songo River Queen is hosting live music, food offering and a docked bar on the Songo River Queen Princess. Other nearby venues that will be open include the Beacon Bar & Bistro, Brother Flecker’s, Causeway Amphitheater, Rick’s Café and Captain Jacks that will each be offering food and hosting live music.

“We feel that the area has so much to offer not only to newcomers to town but also our supportive and amazing locals who live in Naples year-round,” says Hewes. “It will be great to extend our season into the fall as the area is so beautiful with the foliage and the lakes.”

Open local venues, that typically begin closing by Oct. 12, have extended their season for this event. Other food establishments from farther away will be setting up booths and feature menus.

“We are extremely thankful for their willingness to take a risk and for their support,” says McKamy.

The event is presented by the just-formed Town of Naples Event Committee, a group that was created only a few weeks before the town’s July 4th celebration this summer.

“Residents and business owners alike wanted to create events that were outside the traditional "100 Days of Summer," said Naples Town Manager Jason E. Rogers. “The Select Board formed an Events Committee over the summer to address this want and this is their first major event.”

McKamy said event organizers are very thankful to the select board and town manager and Colin Bracket for taking the steps to have this committee formed, which was put together through community nominations and volunteer applications.

“Their support has been key to this whole process,” she said. “Really every department of the town has been so supportive and that phrase, ‘it takes a village’ couldn’t be more true especially in Naples Village.”

The events committee has no funding and is relying on sponsorship which is still working with door-to-door pitching and persuasion for partnership. Additionally, there will be a town of Naples booth where the committee will sell some artisan goods, event T-shirts, and hold 50-50 raffles. There will also be a donation box with signage. The committee is paying for extra sheriff and fire department coverage to ensure public safety.

"We really wanted to come out swinging with something that would cultivate community and cater to local businesses,” said McKamy. “The event is peak, foliage, stunning, golden hours halfway through the event, and the temperatures are in a very comfortable festive fall feel, so you can almost envision wanting to be out there having hot cider and being with others to usher in this phenomenal season.”

This event is sponsored by Freedom Café, Maine Micro Artisans, Norway Savings Bank and the Town of Naples.

For more information, visit townofnaples.org. <

Review: ‘Trap’ kind of delivers, but in a different way

By Matt Pascarella

Rated: PG-13
Runtime: 1 hour, 45 minutes

During “Trap” I thought I knew what the twist would be, but I was wrong. It’s hinted quickly that there is something up with Cooper, who has taken his daughter Riley to see popstar Lady Raven at a large arena. Police are looking for a serial killer, “The Butcher,” and security is extra tight at the concert. While the Butcher’s identity is unconfirmed, it seems like Cooper will stop at nothing to navigate around the FBI.

“Trap” stars Josh Hartnett, Ariel Donoghue, Saleka Shyamalan, Alison Pill, Hayley Mills, Jonathan Langdon, Marnie McPhail and Kid Cudi.

Cooper (Hartnett) and daughter Riley (Donoghue) are seeing popstar Lady Raven (Shyamalan) in concert. Once they get to their seats, Cooper notices there are police and cameras everywhere.

While buying T-shirts, he learns from vendor Jamie (Langdon) that a serial killer named “The Butcher” is supposed to be at the concert and the FBI has set a trap for him.

At this point Cooper looks intrigued, but not alarmed.

It doesn’t take long for him to begin acting strange. Cooper averts Riley’s attention every time he sees FBI agents blocking an exit or doing security checks.

He steals a security card from Jamie and learns the secret password to gain access to restricted areas. He breaks into a briefing session and steals some equipment.

I felt like the viewer was being led to believe one thing, but I wasn’t 100 percent sure that the direction I was being pointed toward was correct.

He lies to Lady Raven’s uncle, in order to get Riley onstage to sing with her, because that got them closer to an unguarded exit. The whole time he’s observing his surroundings and forming a plan to leave the building.

At one point, a tour manager said, “your daughter’s never going to forget today.”

The look in Cooper’s eyes at various points were chilling. He eventually shows his cards to Lady Raven. When she offers Riley a ride in her limousine, maybe she can stop Cooper before it’s too late.

“Trap” follows a different line of actions than I initially anticipated. It was not as good as some of Shyamalan’s more well-known movies, like “The Sixth Sense,” “Signs,” or my personal favorite “The Others,” but if I stop focusing on the twist so much, I think overall this was a decent thriller/horror movie. Hartnett plays an unhinged character almost too well and the way he brings his daughter to a popstar’s concert and then makes crazy suggestions in an effort to avoid the FBI is more than unnerving. His actions, while you don’t really see them, are horrendous as well.

The movie leads you in a direction that makes you suspect Hartnett isn’t the nice guy you see him as in the beginning of the movie. I found his erratic actions and suggestions to Riley, like when he suggests they should go down a stairway leading to the basement of the venue, to be very unsettling – which made me eager to see how all this was going to play out. Was I scared? Not really. If you’re really curious to see where this went, I’d recommend renting it. Though if you are only somewhat curious, you can probably wait for it to become available on a streaming service you have.

Three and a half out of five stars.

Now available to rent. <

Movie Review: ‘Parallel’ has more than a few surprises

By Matt Pascarella

Not Rated
Runtime: 1 hour, 28 minutes

Vanessa and her husband Alex are coping with the loss of their son, Obe. Vanessa goes for a walk in the woods, where she encounters someone who takes a couple shots at her. She isn’t hit and does not see the individual. When she gets back to the cabin that she and Alex share with his brother, Martel, she notices something strange after Martel burns his hand and she sees it in two different conditions.

She returns to the woods where she meets a version of Alex who explains that the woods carry fragmented versions of a world in which Vanessa, Alex and Martel belong, called a multiverse. Vanessa is trying to find the space that might bring her son back. What follows is a very interesting, albeit confusing at times, hunt for different versions of the characters who Vanessa tries to decipher if they’re from the space she is looking to get to.

When I first read the description for “Parallel” I was expecting a science fiction-based horror movie, and what I got was not that, but I was still on board throughout this time-warped adventure.

“Parallel” stars Danielle Deadwyler, Aldis Hodge and Edwin Hodge.

Vanessa (Deadwyler) looks out the window moments before a bird then flies directly into it. She and her husband Alex (Aldis Hodge), along with Alex’s brother Martel (Edwin Hodge) live in a cabin in the woods.

Alex and Vanessa lost their son one year ago. Alex fears he is losing his wife. After an argument, Vanessa goes for a walk in the forest where someone sees through their scope someone take a few shots at her but miss.

Back at the cabin, Martel burns his hand on the grill; Vanessa goes to check on him. He says it’s not as bad as they originally thought, and his hand is unbandaged. However, moments later Martel returns from outside and has a bandage on his hand.

Vanessa returns to the forest and finds a bloody handprint on a fence marked with “do not enter” signs. She enters anyway. Vanessa finds it hard to stay on the trail without getting turned around. She puts trail markers on the trees. Could there be someone else watching her?

After reentering the forest, she meets a different version of Alex from a different space in time. The spaces are fragmented versions of the world. The other version of Alex explains this multiverse with a detailed drawing.

They each learn about the other’s past and try to figure out how to get back to their original space.

It’s here that things get strange. Vanessa returns to the cabin where she tries to explain the multiverse to Alex and Martel. I had a hard time figuring out which versions of Alex and Martel were interacting with which Vanessa. They tie her to a chair, because another version of Vanessa has appeared.

Alex wants to shoot a version of Vanessa, but Martel stops him.

Vanessa returns to the forest, looking for Alex. After they argue about what the right thing to do is, he tells her to find a space and take it.

Vanessa meets herself and there is a struggle.

As mentioned, I expected this to have more of a horror-theme to it, but what’s scarier than meeting a version of yourself in the woods and not knowing if the people you interact with may see you as a threat? The plot moves quickly, and my only real complaint is it was hard to follow at times, trying to figure out which version is the “correct” version(s) that Vanessa is looking for. This is not an action-packed movie, but my attention was grabbed and held trying to figure out how this multi-versed forest works, to which I still have no definitive explanation.

In past movies I’ve seen, sometimes a small cast can make the movie drag, because you are constantly seeing the same faces with no new interactions, but this was different.

Four out of five stars.

Now streaming on Paramount-Plus, Showtime and available to rent. <

Review: Hulu’s ‘Marmalade’ takes a bit to get going, but overall worth it

By Matt Pascarella

Not rated
Runtime: 1 hour, 39 minutes

This movie definitely gives off some “Forrest Gump” vibes early on. A man, Baron, from rural America meets Marmalade, an outgoing woman who’s not from his town. He falls for her almost instantly. Baron’s mom is sick, and the price of her prescription drug just went up. After Baron loses his job with the U.S. Postal Service, he and Marmalade decide to rob a bank. Ultimately, this lands Baron in jail, but who can be trusted?

While this movie dragged a little in the beginning, the ending took me by surprise – which was a good thing.

“Marmalade” stars Joe Keery, Camila Morrone, Aldis Hodge, Amy Warner, Ozioma Akagha, Hans Christopher, and Susan Brava.

The movie opens with Baron (Keery) stepping out of his house and apologizing before being tackled by the police.

He is taken to jail where he tries to convince his cellmate, Otis (Hodge), he needs to escape. Otis says he might be able to make that happen but wants to hear how Baron ended up there.

Baron has $250,000 cash and just wants to be with his girlfriend, Marmalade (Morrone). If Otis helps him escape, the money is his.

As a postal employee, Baron liked getting a peek into other people’s worlds. When he loses his job for refusing to cut his hair and the price of his sick mother’s medicine goes up, he finds himself in need of money fast.

He suddenly meets Marmalade, and they become inseparable. She suggests they rob a bank in order to correct the system that failed Baron and his mom. Marmalade seems to know a little too much about robbing banks, but Baron goes along with it anyway.

They go to a bank two towns over and come up with a multi-step plan.

“Marmalade had her own set of rules for everything,” said Baron.

It doesn’t take long before Baron falls for Marmalade. He learns she’s had a hard life. She convinces him robbing the bank is the only way they can be together. She says it’s him and her against the world.

When the bank robbery goes sideways, Baron takes the fall, with half of the money. However, he and Marmalade are supposed to meet again in the future.

Otis agrees to help Baron after learning more and more about his situation.

When I chose this movie, I thought it would be full of action and comedy. “Marmalade” has a joke or two peppered here and there, but generally wasn’t that funny. Now, as previously mentioned, it is a bit slow to start, but once I was deep into the story, I was hooked and had to see what happened. As for the action portion of the movie, let me say it was not what I expected, but that’s not always a bad thing. Otis was my favorite character. If you have the patience to deal with a less-than-exciting start to this movie, I thought it was worth the wait. I’ll go as far as to say this is a hidden gem. While not overly violent, it is a bit heavy on the language.

Steve Harrington gives it two thumbs up.

Now streaming on Hulu and available to rent. <