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. <

Review: ‘Inside Out 2’ is a real winner with positive messages about emotions, jokes for all ages

By Matt Pascarella

Rated: PG
Runtime: 1 hour, 36 minutes

It’s been 11 years since we first met Riley in the first “Inside Out” film. She’s now officially a teenager as she prepares for high school while attending a hockey camp. Her current emotions of Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness are smoothly operating inside her. When the Puberty Alarm sounds and new emotions Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment and Ennui come aboard, they make Riley’s life complex. Anxiety takes hold of Riley and things get out of control. Joy and the crew must get to Riley’s sense of self before it’s too late.

“Inside Out 2” stars Amy Poehler, Maya Hawke, Kensington Tallman, Liza Lapria, Tony Hale, Lewis Black, Phyllis Smith, Ayo Edebiri, Lilimar, Adele Exarchopoulos, Diane Lane, Kyle MacLachlan, Paul Walter Hauser, Yvette Nicole Brown and Ron Funches.

Teenager Riley (Tallman) is playing an intense game of hockey. Her emotions of Joy (Poheler), Fear (Hale), Anger (Black), Disgust (Lapira) and Sadness (Smith) are helping to keep Riley in check. She’s the top of her class and is a really kind person. Her original five emotions are helping to protect Riley. As she grows up her memories are creating beliefs, and her beliefs are creating a sense of self.

When the high school hockey coach (Brown) invites her to a hockey camp, she sees it as a promising chance for her to show how good she is.

Out of nowhere, the Puberty Alarm sounds, and everything goes off the rails. A demolition crew comes in and starts ripping Riley’s command center apart.

New emotions of Anxiety (Hawke), Envy (Edebiri), Embarrassment (Hauser) and Ennui (Exarchopoulos) become a part of Riley. On her way to hockey camp, Riley gets some upsetting news.

At the hockey camp, Riley meets the star high school hockey player, Val (Lilimar). Val is very nice to her and Riley picks hanging out with Val over hanging out with her friends, Bree and Grace.

Over time, the new emotions want to rebuild Riley’s sense of self. The new emotions bottle up the old emotions. This makes Riley experience a lot of change. Riley has trouble fitting in.

“Inside Out 2” features a lot of jokes for kids and adults; one of my favorites is when the ‘old’ emotions are heading down Riley’s stream of consciousness and encounter a sar-chasm, which creates problems for the original five emotions. They also come across a rumor mill and Mount Crushmore featuring boys Riley likes. The dialogue that accompanies the discovery of these places is extremely well-written.

Anger accuses Joy of being delusional on their way to save Riley from Anxiety’s takeover. Anxiety is using Riley’s imagination against her. It’s not about who Riley is, it’s about who she needs to be. Joy doesn’t know if she can stop Anxiety.

What a phenomenal movie; full of laughs, lessons and, in typical Pixar fashion, heart. Like most movies Pixar has released in the last 10-plus years, this one really works on a level that appeals to kids and adults. The characters are funny, and this movie does a good job explaining various emotions to a younger audience. What really stood out to me was the incredibly intelligent dialogue and storyline as well as the off-handed comments made by these characters that really made this movie enjoyable. I would even wager that this sequel is better than the original – something I haven’t experienced since “Toy Story 2.” Anxiety being the villain in this movie resonated with me, for reasons I don’t need to get into here. This was a sweet movie that I encourage parents and kids to watch together. It will definitely put a smile on your face.

Pouchy gives it two sticks of dynamite up.

Now playing in theaters. <

Review: ‘Thelma’ not action-packed, but still a decent movie

By Matt Pascarella

Rated: PG-13
Runtime: 1 hour, 37 minutes

Inspired by a real-life storyline that happened to writer and director Josh Margolin’s grandmother, “Thelma” tells the story of a 93-year-old grandmother who is tricked into mailing $10,000 when she thinks her grandson is in trouble. Once she realizes this was all a lie, she tries to figure out a way to get that money back – but she can’t do it alone.

“Thelma” stars June Squibb, Richard Roundtree, Fred Hechinger, Parker Posey, Clark Gregg, Bunny Levine, Nicole Bayer, Annie O’Donnell, Shelia Korsi, and Chase Kim.

Thelma (Squibb) is very close with her grandson, Danny (Hechinger). When she receives a call from a scammer whom she thinks is Danny telling her he’s been in an accident and needs $10,000 for bail, she follows the instructions and sends the money through the post office. She later finds out Danny is fine and that this is a fairly common scam.

The police cannot help, because she’s already mailed the money. It’s at this point that her daughter Gail (Posey) wonders if living alone is the best thing for Thelma.

When Thelma sees an article about Tom Cruise, who she was recently informed does all his own stunts, she decides she’s going to get her money back. She has the address of where she mailed it to, now she just needs a way to get there, as she no longer drives.

Thelma visits her friend, Ben (Roundtree) and lets him in on her plan. She steals his scooter but doesn’t get very far. After Thelma threatens to test his titanium hip, Ben won’t let her go on this excursion alone. She leaves without letting her family know what she’s doing. They soon worry and try to get her declared a missing person.

“We’re not what we were, and we need to take care of each other,” says Ben.

They have an argument, and something happens to hinder their transportation. Thelma may be in over her head.

After a while, Ben returns to Thelma. She makes some personal confessions. They catch a ride to the address where the post office box is located. They may have tracked down the individual who took her money.

Based on writer and director Josh Margolin’s real-life experience with his actual grandmother who was almost tricked by scammers pretending to be him. While this movie is a bit of a slow burn to start, it’s worth sticking around for. I’m generally not a fan of June Squibb, but this performance was different; it was the first time in her extensive acting career that she played a starring role.

At the age of 94, Squibb did most of her own stunts. It is funny in parts, while also being sad with the characters acknowledgment of realizing that sometimes you need to ask for help and Thelma admitting that a lot of her friends (and her husband) are gone. There is a very sweet relationship between grandson and grandmother. I did wish this was more of an action-comedy, but there is some action. It’s a reminder that you’re never too old to accomplish a goal – even if you cannot do it alone. I found the interactions with the older family members well-represented and heartfelt. This one is worth watching with relatives of any age.

Three and a quarter out of five stars.

Available to rent. <

Birdwatching remains a popular summer activity in Lakes Region

By Briana Bizier

If you are into birdwatching, you are in the right place for it this summer. Because of its wide variety of ecosystems, the Lakes Region is a wonderful place to birdwatch in Maine. From aquatic species to impressive raptors, you should be able to view a lot of new birds during a visit to the Lakes region this summer.

The pileated woodpecker is just one of the many birds
of beauty spotted throughout Maine in summer. 
COURTESY PHOTO

The many bodies of water in this region offer enormous opportunities for birdwatching. Several of the rivers and small ponds in this area, such as the Tenny River which connects Crescent Lake and Panther Pond, are easily accessible by even a novice kayaker or canoeist. These small waterways are home to many species of waterfowl and marsh birds, such as yellow warblers, northern water thrushes, and flashy red-winged blackbirds.

If you set out in the morning or evening, you may even spot one of Maine’s largest birds, the great blue heron, patiently stalking fish in the tall reeds along the shore. These stately and impressive birds tend to be tolerant of canoes and kayaks, so you may be able to linger if the heron chooses to pose for photos.

Of course, all the lakes and ponds in this area are home to one of Maine’s most famous birds, the iconic common loon. If you haven’t spotted a loon yet, try exploring the marshy edges of a large body of water, like the northern section of Crescent Lake and almost any other body of water in the Lakes Region.

Loons are also frequently found near several swimming areas, such as the beaches at Sebago Lake State Park. Loons tend to make their haunting, prehistoric calls during the morning and evening hours. If you haven’t yet heard a loon, consider booking a campsite at Sebago Lake State Park. Research has shown that the call of a loon is much more impressive if it is heard while sitting around a glowing campfire.

The Lake Region’s northern deciduous forests, composed mostly of red oak, white pine, sugar maple, red maple, and eastern hemlock, are also home to a wide variety of bird species.

In addition to spotting Maine’s state bird, the black-capped chickadee, birders may see the brilliant flash of a goldfinch or scarlet tanager swooping between the trees on any of our local hiking trails.

Southern Maine’s woods are also home to a wide variety of species of woodpecker, including the impressive pileated woodpecker, which can be very large, with a wingspan of nearly 30 inches, and very loud. If you hear what sounds like an axe hitting a tree somewhere deep in the forest, chances are good there’s a pileated woodpecker at work! Another way to identify the presence of a pileated woodpecker is to watch for holes in the trees. Pileated woodpeckers carve large and distinctive rectangular shaped holes in wood to get at carpenter ants and other insects.

Speaking of impressive birds, the Lakes Region is home to many birds of prey, including bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, kestrels, and merlins. Bald eagles are usually spotted swooping over a stretch of open water or lingering majestically in the top of tall pines along the water’s edge.

To experience views of other birds of prey, try a short hiking activity. Hacker’s Hill Preserve in Casco offers beautiful views and hosts an annual Hawk-Watch. Even before the fall’s hawk migration, a trip to Hacker’s Hill with a pair of binoculars will usually result in spotting at least one species of raptor gliding on the air currents.

While you’re searching for birds in southern Maine, a little technology can go a long way. The Merlin Bird ID app, produced by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, helps you identify birds by asking a few simple questions about the bird’s size, location, and activities - and then produces a list of likely species. The Merlin app is free, and well worth a download.

Birdwatchers in the Lakes Region are in very good company as the Loon Echo Land Trust, which manages Hacker’s Hill as well as many other hiking trails in the area, hosts frequent birdwatching events throughout the remainder of the summer and into the fall months. <

Movie Review: ‘My Spy: The Eternal City’ falls short of expectations

By Matt Pascarella

Rated: PG-13
Runtime: 1 hour, 53 minutes

Several years after the first “My Spy” movie in 2020, JJ and Sophia are back. When JJ chaperones a trip to Italy, Sophia’s friend Collin is kidnapped and there is threat from terrorists that could affect the entire Vatican City. It’s up to JJ, Sophia, Bobbi and others to save the day. While this isn’t the best action-packed movie, it’s decent, although I wasn’t overly impressed.

Amazon’s “My Spy: The Eternal City” stars Chloe Coleman, Dave Bautista, Kristen Schaal, Anna Faris, Ken Jeong, Flula Borg, and Craig Robinson.

JJ (Bautista) is the bodyguard for popstar King Kerr and when he’s attacked, Sophie (Coleman) is there to get them out of the plane. She saves them both – kind of, but not really.

Sophie wakes up to the sound of JJ telling her it’s time to get ready for school. JJ is her stepfather, and her mom is in Rwanda.

JJ is no longer working in the security field but is an analyst who is orchestrating a takedown at a Russian Black Site.

JJ has acquired data for Soviet nuclear weapons. Bishop Crane (Borg) wants that information. JJ’s boss, David Kim (Jeong) wants him back in the field, but JJ is reluctant.

Sophie is now in high school and is part of a choir group preparing to go to Italy.

JJ is training Sophie in kickboxing and wants her to be an agent. Sophie thinks JJ needs to let up on her a bit; she wants her space.

At the office, JJ’s partner, Bobbi (Schaal) points out he’s not as tough as he once was and compares him to an aging avocado; one of my favorite lines.

As the choir group gets ready for Italy, JJ is a chaperone, but is not well-versed in dealing with high school girls.

Vice principal Nancy (Faris) has assured JJ there better not be any funny business with the group he’s chaperoning.

When Kim’s son, Collin, is kidnapped, Kim and Bobbi arrive in Italy to save him. It turns out JJ and Crane know each other. Crane captures JJ and Kim. Crane is working for someone else though. This person poses a large threat to the entire city of Rome.

I enjoyed the original “My Spy” and while I’ve found that sequels can fall short of their originals, I had higher hopes for “My Spy: The Eternal City.” I enjoyed the return of many of the original cast along with several new additions who I thought played excellent characters. I wanted this to have more action and a faster-paced story; what I got was kind of a middle ground. It does start out with a very high intensity action sequence, but then there is a lot more setup for the third act. This may just be me being too impatient.

I liked that it still had a family sweetness to it; parents adjusting to kids growing up and kids trying to distance themselves from their parents – I found that relatable. It had a couple well-placed twists and turns. It was mildly funny, with some physical comedy that reminded the viewer you weren’t watching a serious action movie. Flula Borg is one of my favorite comedic actors and his portrayal of Crane had a real Hans Gruber feel at times. I thought Kristen Schaal’s dialogue was some of the best parts of the movie. It’s not overly violent but does have mild language.

Good, but not great; one thumb up.

Now streaming on Amazon Prime. <

Windham sculptor creates memorable works of art

By Masha Yurkevich

It was love at first sight for a Windham resident and Windham High School substitute teacher Anne Alexander when she first saw the beauty of sculpture. From the time she was a junior in college, she knew sculpture was her thing. Teachers, seeing her talent and great potential, guided her along the way.

Windham sculptor Anne Alexander carves a shell design into 
a log piece for a sculpture she is working on at the
Boothbay Railway Village. She hopes to have the sculpture
completed this summer. COURTESY PHOTO 

Alexander went on to obtain a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Sculpture from Alfred University, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sculpture from Bard College, a Certificate in Art Education from Elmira College, and has completed Sculpture Technique Courses at the Maine College of Art in Portland, at The Carving Studio in Vermont, Stone Carving at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship in Rockport, and Advanced Woodcarving with Chris Pye. With so many years of experience, Alexander’s sculpture art is truly breathtaking.

“Being an artist is my main purpose in life,” says Alexander. “I am really looking at nature and trying to create things more realistically.”

She works in three mediums: wood, stone and clay.

“I love them all for different reasons. Clay is a much faster medium; I can make a lot of sculptures in a day,” she says. “With wood carving, I can only do it for so long because my arm gets tired. Clay is easier and wood takes longer with repetitive motions of hitting the mallet; clay is more of a relief. Stone also requires upper body strength. I work in alabaster, which is soft stone, and sometimes granite.”

Her sculptures vary in size and in the time that it takes her to complete them.

“Some sculptures take me years to finish; I put them aside and go back to them,” Alexander says.

On her website, she has a page where she shows her sculptures locally as well as in other states: https://annealexandersculptor.com/outdoor-site-sculpture/

While her clay sculptures tend to be on the smaller side, her wood and stone art can get much bigger.

“My wood pieces I create things as big as humans,” says Alexander. “I’m working on one right now that I started last summer at Boothbay Railway Village where I carve for the public every Tuesday in July through September. I am carving a big log, and the theme is shells. I started this project last summer and hope to finish it this year.”

Alexander says that she gets her inspiration from nature.

“I am always looking at nature around me,” says the sculptor. “I get out into nature just about every day; I either walk or paddle or ski.”

It is the smaller tiny parts of nature that Alexander enlarges and abstracts to create her forms. She said she is concerned with inspiring emotional or kinesthetic responses in the viewer. She also wishes to enhance one’s awareness of his/her body, size, and surrounding space as it relates to the natural world.

“I might look at a seed pod of a plant, a part of a flower, an acorn, a shell, or a little piece of seaweed,” she says.

She also sells much of her work at art fairs.

“At these fairs, I sell my affordable ceramics in a booth full of sculpture. Come say hello to me in person and see numerous pieces on display,” she said.

Her upcoming exhibits are at:

Art in the Park Bridgton, Saturday July 20 with a rain date of Sunday July 21

The Beach Club at Higgins Beach Friday and Saturday Aug. 2 and Aug. 3

Art in the Park, Mill Creek Park, South Portland, Saturday Aug. 10

Brunswick Outdoor Arts Festival, On the Grassy Mall, Brunswick, Aug. 17

Salt Pond Studio, Friendship, NYSCC Alfred University Alumni in Maine, Aug. 11 to Aug. 31

Casco Bay Artisans at The Library Park in Ocean Park, Maine, Thursday, Aug. 31

Parsonage Gallery, Searsport, Summer Group Show through Sept. 2

Her work can also be found on display at the Yarmouth Frame Gallery in Yarmouth and at the Hole in the Wall Studioworks in Raymond, as well as other art galleries in Maine.

“I also do open studios from time to time,” Alexander said.

Anyone interested can sign up for Alexander’s mailing list on her website at https://annealexandersculptor.com/. And you can also find Alexander on Facebook and Instagram under Anne Alexander Sculptor. <

‘Christmas in July’ Boat Parade a festive tradition in Lakes Region

By Ed Pierce

Every Christmas, it’s inevitable that someone wishes that the holiday spirit could last all year long. Here in the Lakes Region, the ‘Christmas in July’ Boat Parade in Naples has become a beloved tradition and revives the magic of the holiday season when it’s most needed.

Participants easily find the holiday spirit during
last year's 'Christmas in July' boat parade in
Naples. This year's event will start at dusk on
Saturday, July 20 and the parade route includes
Long Lake, the Naples Causeway and Brandy
Pond. SUBMITTED PHOTO  

Launched by Naples resident Mark Maroon during the COVID pandemic as a safe way to bring people together to celebrate community, this year’s parade is hosted by the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce and the Naples Marine Safety Patrol. The boat parade will begin at dusk on Saturday, July 20 and turn Long Lake, the Naples Causeway and Brandy Pond into a festive occasion featuring holiday-themed lights and decorations.

Harbor Master Shawn Hebert of Naples Marine Safety said it’s tough to know in advance how many boats will participate in this year’s parade.

“The first few years we averaged between 48 and 62 boats,” he said. “Last year we only had 18. We attribute that to the amount of rain we received last summer. It is our hope we can get as many boats as we can to put on a great event.”

Hebert said the parade is a fundraising event to the Naples Marine Safety Association with members donating their time and efforts to put this event on.

“All of the sponsorship donations and any donations raised help purchase needed equipment, tools or specialized training that we would not be able to obtain through our annual operating budget,” he said. “This parade was developed during the height of COVID. It was a means of bringing members of the community together even when we needed to social distance. Over the years this parade has taken on a life of its own. We are seeing business participation, spectator participation on shore as well as ever increasing spectators watching the event from the shoreline, causeway or from a boat. In the midst of summer, this event brings people together, businesses prosper and just an overall feeling of joy.”

According to Hebert, the long-term benefits of the event help bolster the local economy.

“We see spectators coming out early to the venue,” he said. “Before they set up their seats, they are going to a local restaurant or ice cream parlor and even purchasing merchandise from local vendors. It is our goal for this event to help bolster our association’s mission but to also bolster the local Naples economy.”

Joanne Jordan is serving as a volunteer and committee member helping to organize this year’s boat parade.

“This event is unique for this area. There are other boat parades around the country, but the Naples Causeway provides a unique opportunity for this to happen in fresh water with a beautiful viewing area that allows the boats to get up close to the crowds when going under the causeway or visiting one of the waterfront businesses,” Jordan said. “The event is free for boaters to participate and free to watch. It creates a feeling of joy for both groups. We have been lucky to have talented music producers create a fun atmosphere for the crowd while waiting for the boats to arrive and when the boats reach the crowd, everyone is excited, and everyone feels like a kid at Christmas.”

She said anticipation for the parade in the community is always fun to watch.

“Every year the momentum builds. Many of our marina sponsors compete for the best decorated marina boat and some of the local shops and restaurants have started decorating their businesses with lights and trees and blow-up characters. Safety is key for this event so much of the committee's time is spent on route and boater safety. This year members of the Naples Marine Safety made up 800 packets with the information on the parade, and how to register, and dropped them in boats on Brandy Pond and Long Lake to encourage boaters to participate. Of course, letting the community be aware of when and where it is happening is key so they can enjoy the festivities and patronize our sponsors.”

Jordan said staging a parade on the water is interesting and challenging.

“Standard parades are able to close the streets and keep spectators in a safe viewing area,” she said. “We cannot close the waterway and the people who watch from their boats can create a challenge. We have not had any serious issues and have designated people along the route communicating with boat spectators.”

Friendly competition between the marinas makes the annual event special, Jordan said.

“One of our past marina boat winners is vowing to get the trophy back this year. After the parade some of the local kids will come up to me and tell me about their favorite boats,” she said. “Ice cream shops will tell me they had lines down the causeway while waiting for the parade. Restaurant owners on the waterfront say their patrons enjoy having prime seating for the parade while we have one restaurant sponsor not on the water who has sponsored every year just to support the community. People who own waterfront property have started launching fireworks when the parade passes by while other waterfront owners request that we go past their house. We love the enthusiasm of the community but know we can't go around the entire shoreline because of the size of the lakes. Luckily, we have a photographer who volunteers to capture the boats as they approach the causeway so everyone can enjoy the work the boaters put into making this a great event.”

The parade line-up for registered boats begins at 8 p.m. July 20 on Long Lake and the parade is sponsored by Captain’s Club members Brother Flecker’s, Dingley’s Wharf, Freedom Café, Naples Marina, and the Songo River Queen II.

To view the parade route map or to register a boat, visit the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce website at www.sebagolakeschamber.com. <