South Berwick’s Strawberry Festival Set for June 26

SOUTH BERWICK—
Always the last Saturday in June, this year the festival will be on 26 June 2010. The South Berwick Strawberry Festival officially kicks off summer for this quaint, southern Maine town of South Berwick. The kids are out of school, camps are open and the weather is getting warm. All over town one can see the bright red, white, and green strawberry flags that not only line the main streets, but can also be seen flying from many houses. The day is filled with food, entertainment, games, and crafts.
For thirty-five consecutive years, hundreds of volunteers from South Berwick have come together for a South Berwick tradition. As always, official Festival activities will take place only on the grounds of Central School, on Main Street, in the center of town. A stop at the Strawberry Festival Information Booth is a must to find out more about the day’s schedule for the entertainers, as well as where all the various activities are located and to purchase strawberry festival memorabilia.
Preparation of the strawberries start on Friday, the morning before the Festival at the Community Center, where over a hundred and fifty volunteers get together for a good old fashioned social to hull, slice, and sugar the berries. Other volunteers slice the biscuits, prepare the whipped cream and move everything under the Strawberry Shortcake tent so all will be ready for the Festival goers when it opens at 9 a.m. Things stay pretty busy for the entire Festival until it calls it quits at 4 p.m.
The Strawberry Festival Committee is pleased to announce that they we are continuing to serve Strawberry Shortcake and Cheesecake on biodegradable bowls, plates and spoons. These items are made out sugar cane called Bagasse tableware. Bagasse is the biomass remaining after sugarcane stalks are crushed to extract their juices. Additionally, we will be recycling all of the hulls from the berries for anyone who would like them for composting. The boxes and the plastic containers for the berries will also be recycled.

Old Fashion Trolleys
Transportation to and from the Festival is FREE via an old fashion trolley ride. Running every 20 minutes, the trolleys will provide free transportation to the Festival from parking locations at Marshwood Great Works School on Rt 236, Community Center on Norton St, Powder House Hill, and Agamenticus Field.

Strawberry Tent and Food
Strawberry shortcakes have always been a favorite of the Festival. They will begin serving at 9 a.m. until we run out. Last year we served up over 250 cases of fresh strawberries, 85 gallons of whipped cream and over 330 dozen biscuits. Strawberry cheesecake has also been added to the menu and complimented with, you guessed it, strawberries. The cost of these items is still only $4.
In addition to shortcakes and cheesecakes there is also a huge Food Court. There will be a pancake breakfast from 6 – 10 a.m. Throughout the day there will be other various food items sold by local non-profit groups. The Fire Dept will be selling hamburgers, hot dogs, fries and cold drinks. The Community Pantry will be serving up frozen lemon aid. Knights of Columbus--fried dough; Masons--chicken BBQ and other assorted non-profit groups serving sandwich wraps, teriyaki, nachos, fruit cups, cotton candy and water.

Road Race
The day’s activities begin at 8 a.m., a 5 mile Road Race and 2.5 mile Fun Walk, sponsored by the South Berwick Recreation Department and local businesses, kick off from Marshwood Middle School on Academy St.

Entertainment
Throughout the day, a variety of entertainers from around the area will be performing on two stages set up around the grounds.
At the Central School Field Stage, Marcus Gale gets things going at 9-10 a.m.; Northern Explosion Cloggers, a great group of cloggers, go on at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m., and 12:30 p.m. Funky Diva’s of Gospel at 2-4 p.m.
At the Central School Front Court stage, Vic and sticks Recycled Rhythm Band at 9 and 10 a.m., Women of Note, an cappella group at 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Rylie Harrod 1:30 – 2 p.m. and Seacoast Men of Harmony at 2:30 – 4 p.m.
In the Field Area from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., there’s Wildlife Encounters. For the kids there will be a climbing wall, pony rides, a giant tiger slide, dunking booth, exotic animals’ exhibition, pony rides, a bungee jumping setup and much more.

Crafts
Over 100 juried artisans will be on hand to display and sell their hand-made wares, including clothing, pottery, wood products, jewelry, paintings, photographs, candles, jams and dips, furniture, and much, much more. These crafters will be located both at the side of Central School and in the area around the food court.
Remember be kind to your pets and have them stay in the coolness of your home.
You can visit us at our website at www.southberwickstrawberryfestival.com.
Photo caption: Come to South Berwick on June 26 and help celebrate the annual Strawberry Festival. (Courtesy photo)

Frisbie Hospital Recognizes 50 Year Volunteer

ROCHESTER—
Al Felgar, President of Frisbie Memorial Hospital, took the pleasure of recognizing Jane Cooper Fall for her special anniversary celebrating 50 years of volunteer service at Frisbie’s recent Auxilian/Volunteer appreciation event. Jane has served in a variety of capacities over the past several decades, from trustee of the hospital board for 34 years, to president and member of the Auxiliary, to lead coordinator and founder of the Frisbie Annual Lights of Love Program, to hospital historian, to developing the scholarship program, to heading up the holiday decorating team, and to all-around supporter and cheerleader of the hospital! Jane has contributed well over 7,200 service hours, for which the hospital is most grateful.
Jane had this to share, “I’m fortunate to be able to spend all this time doing service for others at the hospital. It has been amazing to see so many changes over the years as our hospital has grown and developed. I remember decorating Christmas trees in the original and only building of the hospital! Every year Frisbie has added on a new building, patient services or a new medical department. I’m proud to be part of such a wonderful community of healthcare providers, staff and volunteers.”
“Jane Cooper Fall,” comments Al Felgar, CEO, “is a formidable pillar of the hospital and we who know her have come to respect and appreciate her immensely.”
Photo caption: From left, volunteer Jane Cooper Fall and CEO Al Felgar. (Courtesy photo)

Eugene Byrne Plays Pivotal Role in Revival of Popular Seacoast Irish Festival

DOVER—
For a relatively small city in a very small state in America, Dover, New Hampshire has played a remarkably large role in the world of Irish music and entertainment.
Home of the late and legendary Tommy Makem and two of his sons, Conor and Shane, local musician and Dublin native Eugene Byrne is also proud to call Dover his home, and recently demonstrated his passion for the community through his recent efforts to revive the Seacoast Irish Festival, which he affectionately dubbed “The Biggest Little Irish Festival in the World.”
On Saturday, June 12th, over 1,000 spectators - including Dover Mayor Scott Myers and New Hampshire Governor John Lynch - ignored the weather forecast the way New Englanders so often do, and made their way to the Rotary Arts Pavilion in downtown Dover to enjoy a misty day of music, dancing, nostalgia and celebration. For their efforts, they were treated to a show that will be remembered for many years to come.
“I’m simultaneously humbled and thrilled to have had this opportunity,” comments Eugene. “I love Dover, I love Irish Music, and I love to entertain, and this was a chance to combine all three. I’m also pleased to have been able to play a part in honoring the music and the lives of some very close friends – brothers, really – who’ve passed on in recent years, so the idea of this year’s Festival being billed as a tribute to Tommy Makem and the Clancy Brothers made it extra special for me.”
What made the event even more special for Eugene was the presence of some close family members. Eugene’s son, Kevin Byrne, took a turn on stage in the afternoon, and returned with the rest of the day’s musicians for the rousing finale that capped off the evening. To top it off, Eugene led the adoring crowd in singing “Happy Birthday” to his mother-in-law, Mary, who turned one hundred on Friday.
“She’s my mother-in-law, but I call her my mother,” remarked Eugene from stage, and it was clear to all in attendance that the bond between this particular “mother” and son is one that means a great deal to both of them.
Eugene’s contributions to this year’s Festival were not limited to performing. He worked closely with the Festival Committee to assemble an all-star lineup of entertainers that included not only Byrne himself, but also his son, Kevin Byrne, The Makem & Spain Brothers, Schooner Fare, The Shaw Brothers, Bradigan, Patsy Whelan, Sunday’s Well, The McTeggarts and a host of other prominent musicians, dancers and other entertainment.
“Tommy Makem has often been called ‘The Godfather of Irish Music,’ and Eugene himself is similarly referred to as its Grandfather,” notes Chamber Executive Director Kirt Schuman. “Given that sort of ‘founding father’ status, it’s truly amazing that Dover has been the home to both of these legendary performers. Eugene’s dedication to the revival of the Festival has been evident from day one of the planning process. We’re very lucky to have someone like Eugene playing such an active role in our community.”
Photo caption: Local Musician Eugene Byrne played an instrumental role in the 2010 revival of the popular Seacoast Irish Festival, which was held on Saturday, June 12th at the Rotary Arts Pavilion in downtown Dover. (Courtesy photo)