Sunset concert series returning to Hacker’s Hill Preserve

Loon Echo Land Trust (LELT) is once again hosting its annual sunset concert series again this summer.

The sunset summer concerts, featuring local musicians, will take place outdoors at LELT’s Hacker’s Hill Preserve in Casco.

The band Bold Riley will perform in concert at Hacker's Hill
in Casco from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday July 9. The concert is
part of a summer concert series at Hacker's Hill sponsored
by the Loon Echo Land Trust. SUBMITTED PHOTO 

Bold Riley – 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 9

Bold Riley is a folk quintet hailing from western Maine, known for full vocal harmonies and uplifting originals. Fiddle, guitar, banjo, accordion, bass, and percussion provide a wide range for listeners. Members take turns singing lead vocals, and a strong sense of community drives the energy of their music.

Just Be-Cause – 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday July 16

Just Be-Cause hails from the Lakes Region of Maine and will perform a wonderful array of originals and covers accompanied by guitar, mandolin, and percussion.

North River Music – 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27

North River Music has an Americana sound with strong harmonies and expressive musicianship. Playing Americana rock/bluegrass, a North River set is fun to listen to with something familiar played for everyone. From Crosby Stills and Nash, The Eagles and Dylan to traditional American standards, you'll like what you hear.

The LELT Sunset concerts are family friendly and carpooling to Hacker’s Hill Preserve is encouraged. Participants should bring chairs, blankets, warm layers of clothing and a picnic. A suggested donation of $10 per adult – or an amount that is meaningful to you – can be made via cash, check or Venmo at the event. Please do not let the suggested donation prevent you from attending, all are welcome. All proceeds support LELT’s conservation work in the Lake Region and the stewardship of Hacker’s Hill.

Hacker’s Hill is located on Quaker Ridge Road in Casco and provides great views of Pleasant Mountain, Sebago Lake and the Presidential Mountain range. The property features open fields with a mowed walking path. There is also a restroom available.

The gate to the top of the Hacker’s Hill Preserve is open to vehicles Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturday and Sundays from sunrise to sunset. Entry is free, but donations are graciously accepted to support the care of the property. More information can be found at lelt.org/hackers-hill-preserve.

Loon Echo Land Trust (LELT), founded in 1987, is a nonprofit organization that protects land, ensures public access to the outdoors, and builds and maintains recreational trails in Raymond, Casco, Naples, Harrison, Sebago, Bridgton, and Denmark. The organization currently conserves over 9,300 acres of land and manages a 35-mile trail network across the Lake Region. LELT protects many important local landmarks like Pleasant Mountain, Bald Pate Mountain, and Hacker’s Hill. For more information on LELT properties, upcoming events, or how to get involved, visit LELT.org or their Facebook page. <

Windham Summer Concert Series returning to Dundee Park

By Ed Pierce

Summer is back and Dundee Park in Windham will be a popular destination for many in the community this year. And for music lovers, Windham Parks and Recreation Department is preparing to host the town’s 9th Annual Concert Series next month at the park.

Musicians scheduled to perform during the 2025 Windham
Sumer Concert Series include, clockwise from top left,
the Lynn Deeves Trio, North River band, Jack Fossett,
and the Jimmy Macisso Band.
SUBMITTED PHOTOS 

Free concerts will be offered from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday nights this year and the 2025 lineup showcases a variety of bands and musical artists performing folk, classic rock, blues and popular music.

Windham’s Parks and Recreation Department first launched the Summer Concert Series in 2016 as a method to provide local entertainment events that serve to unite the community. With each passing year, these summer concerts continue to grow in popularity and the park concessions for each concert are hosted by different local organizations to help them raise money for deserving local causes.

At 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9, the Lynn Deeves Trio will appear in concert at Dundee Park. The Lynn Deeves Trio performs original music and merges folk, blues, gospel influences. Maine singer-songwriter Lynn Deeves plays multiple instruments and began her career touring in New England rock clubs. Her voice is powerful and soulful, and she’s shared the stage with such popular performers as Janice Ian and America. Joining her in Windham will be guitarist Robby Coffin, who’s toured with Devonsquare and Dave Mallett, and longtime Maine percussionist Alfred Lund of Hallowell.

The North River band will appear in concert at Dundee Park at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 16. Fronted by guitarist and vocalist Brian Lynch, the band plays classic and Southern rock covers, as well as original songs. From songs of the Eagles and Bob Dylan to the Indigo Girls and Grateful Dead, come to dance, come to listen and you're sure to like what you hear from the North River band.

On Wednesday July 23 at 6;30 p.m., the 2025 Windham Summer Concert Series will present Jack Fossett in concert at Dundee Park. Originally from Old Orchard Beach, Fossett started playing guitar at 18, while attending the University of Southern Maine. In 2013, Fossett had his first big break: while taking a hiatus from live performances to focus on studio work, he entered Guitar Center's Blues Masters competition featuring legendary musician Joe Bonamassa. Out of more than 2,500 entries, Fossett was hand selected by Bonamassa as one of the top 10 undiscovered blues guitarists in America, and was flown out to Los Angeles California to perform with him and his band at the legendary blues club The Mint Theater. He will perform original Americana, rock and blues tunes in Windham.

The Jimmy Macisso Band will close out the 2025 Windham Summer Concert Series at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30 at Dundee Park. Heavily influenced by his older music-playing brothers, Jimmy Macisso began playing the saxophone as a teen and later attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. He’s played in many bands through the years and now plays bass guitar. He was a member of the "Tony Boffa Band" and the "Tony Boffa Trio". After Tony’s retirement, Jimmy assumed the lead role of the Jimmy Macisso Band which includes Susie Pepper and John Hoekstra. The trio of musicians feature three-part harmonies covering 60 years of popular music.

Rain dates for any missed concert during the 2025 Windham Summer Concert Series will be Wednesday, Aug. 6 or Wednesday, Aug. 13.

Dundee Park is located at 79 Presumpscot Road, just off River Road in Windham. Bands will perform during the 2025 Summer Concert Series at the Beach Pavilion there.

For concert goers, there are picnic tables scattered throughout the park for seating, but Windham Park and Recreation encourages participants to bring their own lawn chairs for their comfort.

Park Admission will be free after 5 p.m. and the concession stand will be open during the concerts.

For further details about the 20205 Windham Summer Concert Series, visit www.windhamrecreation.com or call 207-892-1905. <

Raymond’s Hawthorne House ready for 63rd annual Strawberry Festival

By Kendra Raymond

Can anyone say “chocolate dipped strawberries from Migis Lodge?” These little gems and some other delicious treats can be in your future for folks taking part in the iconic Hawthorne House Strawberry Festival this year.

The 63rd annual Strawberry Festival will be held from 6 to
7:45 p.m. Saturday, June 28 at the Hawthorne House,
located at 40 Hawthorne Road in Raymond.
COURTESY PHOTO

The Strawberry Festival will be held from 6 to 7:45 p.m. Saturday, June 28. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are encouraged for planning purposes.

Going strong for over six decades, the festival seems to improve yearly, gaining in attendance and popularity. The annual event serves as a fundraiser for the Hawthorne House in Raymond. Participants can expect an evening of fresh strawberry desserts and treats, camaraderie, and a chance to learn something new about the local author and legend Nathaniel Hawthorne.

Hawthorne House Community Association member Abel Bates recalls the longstanding history of the Strawberry Festival.

“I moved here in 1972 and am pretty sure it was an ongoing annual event in 1973. No idea how long before that,” he said.

Margaret Myatt is also involved with the Hawthorne House and Strawberry Festival especially in developing and maintaining the website.

She has gathered the following historical facts:

** In 1956 the Hawthorne Community Association reorganizes after years of inactivity.

** The first Strawberry Festival at the Hawthorne House in Raymond was held in the early 1960s, shortly after the Hawthorne Community Association reorganized and began hosting regular events.

** A 2005 Portland Press Herald article notes that, according to association president Frank Chambers, the Festival has “been held since the early 1960s.”

** The Association’s own chronology marks the “start of the ‘modern era’” between 1956 to 1961, with a period of rapid growth from 1962 to 1969 due to new activities –such as the Strawberry Festival – being introduced.

** So, the very first Strawberry Festival likely took place in 1962, in the wake of that reorganization, and it continued as an annual spring/early‑summer celebration from that point forward. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s boyhood home, built in 1812, had come under the Association’s care in 1922 but remained largely dormant until the 1950s revival – leading to community staples like the Strawberry Festival.”

Camp Wawenock alumni Ann Ewig believes that the Strawberry Festival dates further back and aimed to include deeper community ties.

“Even prior to the Strawberry Festival being held at the Hawthorne House, Camp Wawenock under Sid and Lillian Usher also celebrated this event at their location (before) the 1960s,” she said.

The jury is still out on the actual history of the Strawberry Festival, but nevertheless, a full house is expected for the famous Raymond Cape event.

The Hawthorne House summer newsletter announced, "We know that the strawberries and cream will be as delicious and fresh as ever. And don't forget the luscious chocolate-dipped strawberries from Migis Lodge.”

Adding some exciting news about a special addition this year, the newsletter continued, “A special Strawberry Festival treat! We have a special guest speaker, Kris Hansen, the author of "My Dear Sister: Nathaniel Hawthorne and His Sisters." Hansen will present her reflections on Nathaniel's life from Salem to Raymond, and his compassionate relationship with his two sisters which evolved upon his marriage to Sophia. Kris will read excerpts from the family letters and share images of Hawthorne’s story on our big screen. It will be an insightful, literary multimedia presentation. Signed copies of this delightful biography will be available for purchase.”

The Hawthorne House is wrapping up a significant fundraiser aimed at renovating the dated and inefficient kitchen in the building.

Tom Ewig, President of the Hawthorne Community Association, said he is pleased with the results of the Buy a Brick campaign, which allowed patrons to purchase a ceremonial dedicated brick proved successful, collecting over $10,000 for the organization.

“We started a brick campaign to pay for the (kitchen renovations) at $300 each,” he said. “We were able to sell 37 bricks, which largely funded the entire project. The bricks are at the HH but we need some time to create a patio around the stone commemorating Nathaniel Hawthorne. We plan to have a celebratory barbecue July 19 to celebrate the final phase of the improvements.”

A memorial stone has been placed in front of the HH honoring Hawthorne’s contributions to the community and the literary world. It reads, “Time flies over us, but leaves its shadow behind.” The patio will encircle the stone and serve as a focal point at the HH welcoming guests in, as well as a resting spot or area for photos.

Ewig explained the renovation process.

“We gutted the old kitchen and started from scratch. Basically, we knew what we needed and worked with Lowe’s to assemble all the parts from the stove, fridge, and microwave, to cabinets and sinks. Then, to a large extent Lou Chanese and Abel Bates did all the prep work and final assembly of the cabinets. They installed the appliances and painted where needed,” he said. “With the kitchen renovations winding up, Ewig says that the improvements are significant and will serve the facility for years to come.”

The Hawthorne House is governed by a Board of Trustees who nominate officers at each annual meeting including Sylvia Sullivan, Rebecca Tracy, Treasurer, Jessica Bates, Tom Ewig, President, Ed Kranich, David Carew, Mary Ann Moeri, Vice President and Secretary, Abel Bates, Dave Moeri, Paul Tracy, Steven Kelsey Hazen, Dan Grotto, Thomas McCosker, Katrina Martin, and Shirin Shahinfar.

Ewig is committed to growing the Hawthorne Community Association and dedicates countless hours to the organization.

“We have many public and private events planned at the HH,” he said. “Since this is not a destination museum. We want to make it relevant to the Raymond community as an open space for all types of events from birthday parties, showers, reunions, and weddings.”

To make reservations for the Strawberry Festival, send an email to hawthorne@maine.rr.com or call 207-329-0537.

To keep updated on the Hawthorne Community Association events, visit http://www.hawthorneassoc.com/ <