Russell Tarason bought the former St. Michael's rectory building from the Town of South Berwick for one dollar. Mr. Tarason paid for the move of the building to his land. Russell Tarason and Town Manager Perry Ellsworth celebrate the transfer.

Isn’t it great when what seems like an insurmountable problem works out?  That’s what has happened in South Berwick with the former St. Michael’s Rectory.  The old rectory was in the way of the renovation of the former St. Michael’s Church to transform it into South Berwick’s new Library.  For a while it looked like the rectory would have to be dismantled, much to the distress of many who did not want to see a fine old house lost.  Fortunately, the Town of South Berwick, under the direction of Town Manager Perry Ellsworth, persevered in trying to find a taker for the building.  As a result, South Berwick resident and real estate owner Russell Tarason stepped forward and on July 13 the old rectory moved from its spot next to the future Library to Mr. Tarason’s property.   The transfer means that the old building will continue its life and the Town does not have to bear the cost of dismantling and disposing of the building.

Here the rectory has been raised off its foundation and readied to be transferred to the truck.

The rectory is on the move through the parking lot on its way to Mr. Tarason's property, which is adjacent to the former church property.

According to those who watched the move, it was an amazing site to see this large building rolling along.

The old rectory on the new site awaiting its foundation.

Lina Tullgren (left) and Isa Burke, regulars at previous Sobopalooza concerts in South Berwick, will perform at the “Sobopalooza for the Library” teen concert on May 7 at Marshwood High School.

Two dozen of the most talented young people in town are tuning up for a musical extravaganza to raise money for South Berwick’s new library. The concert, called “Sobopalooza for the Library,” is Saturday, May 7, at 7 p.m. at Marshwood High School.

James Gilmore, Marshwood High School graduate, will perform tunes from his new CD at the “Sobopalooza for the Library” concert.

The benefit will showcase singers, songwriters, guitarists, fiddle and banjo players and a jazz pianist. The closing act will be 2008 Marshwood alum James Gilmore performing tunes from his new CD, “Free Questions For Answer.” Now a student at the University of Maine, Gilmore’s pop-rock album has been praised for its “confident vocals…narrative imagery” and witty, original songs.

All proceeds will benefit the Friends of the South Berwick Library’s Building Fund.

Sobopalooza refers to the youth event that debuted four years ago at Hot Summer Nights, the town’s summer concert series. Several of the performers, Isa Burke, Lina Tullgren, Jamie Meader, Rico Fabello and Gilmore, have opened for the likes of Slaid Cleaves, Marty England and PB+J at Hot Summer Nights.

“I love this group of kids for their extraordinary talent and passion for music, but also for the way they function as a young creative community,” said Chip Harding, a local music teacher and Sobopalooza mentor who is producing the show on behalf of the Friends of the Library.

“They support each other unconditionally, collaborate constantly and appreciate expression over superficial flash or technical ability,” he said. “It’s been a privilege to watch them grow as performers and as incredibly unique young spirits. With all these intangibles on the table, their performances are delightfully unpredictable and soulful beyond their years.”

Suggested donation for the acoustic show is $10/adults, $5/students. Tickets may be reserved by calling 384-5921, or purchased at the door.

“We’re delighted that so many young people are donating their time and talents to raise money for the new library,” said Friends president Patti Mitchem. “The library as the heart of the community is a reality, even now, as we all work to build a library that will truly serve the needs of all our citizens.”

The Friends have committed to raise $1 million to assist the Town in turning the former church building on Young Street into a library.

There will be a Community Information Meeting with JCJ Architecture – A status report on library construction and presentation on Young Street Property Redevelopment potential. This is an opportunity to learn about plans to build our new library in the former St. Michael’s Church and current ideas to redevelop the site.

Friends of South Bewick Library is hosting the event as part of their effort to raise more than a $1 million to build a new library.

“We are hoping this is a day of fun for local players, whether they are beginners or have experience at the game,” says Cari Quater, Campaign Coordinator for the Friends. “The low buy-in allows the casual poker player to participate, knowing that some of the money will go back to the Friends.”

For a one-time $40 buy-in, players will be able to compete for up to $780 in prize money. The prize amounts will depend on the number of participants, and will be determined at the start of the tournament. The top nine players will win prize money. Players will rotate the deal themselves.

Players are encouraged to pre-register using the form at the top of the Friends’ website at www.friendsofsouthberwicklibrary.org, as there is a 100-participant limit. The player registration fee is $2 for the tournament. Players may show up beginning at 12:15 pm to register the day of the event, and all players should arrive by 12:50 pm.

Light food will be available for players and guests for $4 per person, and a cash bar will be available. The Friends welcome family and friends (ages 21+) of players to join us for the afternoon. Seating and board games will be available for guests.

Martin England & the Reconstructed will play a benefit concert at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 5, at Spring Hill in South Berwick. All proceeds will go to the Friends of South Berwick Public Library’s building fund.

England plays a mix of Americana and folk, which he calls Amerifolkana, or “Johnny Cash meets Ray Lamontagne.” With songs that are story-based, his music is a great fit for a story-loving crowd. England will be joined by good friends and special guests Courtney Brocks, Jesse Dold and Eric Ott, who will play a song or two and join him at the end for a foot-stomping jamboree.

The concert is sponsored by Edward Jones-Deb DeColfmacker of South Berwick and presented in conjunction with Spring Hill.

England, longtime front man for the local Americana band Pondering Judd, is committed to the importance of reading in people’s lives. “Reading is a fundamental part of learning, growing and, living,” he said. “I’m an advocate of anything that promotes this endeavor, and the prospect of South Berwick having a modern library and learning space is something that truly benefits the community.”

The North Berwick resident said he especially likes to do benefits near his hometown so he gets to see the results of his donation. “I am a huge supporter of local benefits,” he said. “Selfishly, I also get to see the direct impact of the local efforts, whereas some regional and national benefits I have fundraised for in the past, it’s most ambiguous (where the money goes).”

England also believes that as a member of the community he has an obligation to pitch in. “I truly believe that as a community, you have certain debts to pay. Those debts are either fronted in education, or paid for on the backside with drug rehabilitation, welfare, and worst, incarceration fees,” he said. “That’s not to say that educated folks don’t get into their share of trouble, but the percentages of violent crimes are certainly lower with people who are given access to education materials and resources.”

Tickets for the concert, $10 in advance and $12 at the door, are available at the South Berwick Library, Ear Craft Music in Dover, all Bull Moose Music locations, and Abby Chic Florist in South Berwick. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Snacks will be provided, and a cash bar will be open. A door prize and a 50/50 raffle will be held.

All proceeds benefit the Friends’ Building Fund. For more info, visit www.friendsofsouthberwicklibrary.org.

Library Director, Mamie Ney shows off South Berwick Library’s newest book:  The Autobiography of Mark Twain, Volume One.

The murals are back up at the future home of the South Berwick Library on Young St. Here is one by Mary Lou Bagley.

]]> http://the236diner.com/2010/12/02/1222010-seen-in-south-berwick/feed/ 0 http://the236diner.com/2010/11/04/friends-of-the-library-gift-basket-raffle/ http://the236diner.com/2010/11/04/friends-of-the-library-gift-basket-raffle/#comments Thu, 04 Nov 2010 17:13:07 +0000 Molly Colman http://the236diner.com/?p=2855 The Friends of the South Berwick Library just announced a 2010 Holiday Fundraiser to raise funds for the new Library.

Around 20 local businesses have contributed to a gift basket being raffled to raise funds for construction of a new library. The “South Berwick Holiday Gift Basket”  holds gift cards worth more than $350 in total.

“An enticing part of this basket is that it can be divided up and given out as gifts– to teachers, for instance– or kept to use oneself on downtown shopping jaunts,” said Julie Parker, the Friends volunteer who organized the raffle.

Tickets will be on sale through Dec. 4 at the Library at 37 Portland St. Tickets are $5 each or $20 for five. All proceeds will benefit the Friends’ Building Fund.  The winning ticket will be drawn at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, at the end of South Berwick’s Home for the Holidays downtown celebration.

The following businesses are participating:

Alexander’s, Rollinsford  -  Asia Cafe  -  Black Bean Cafe, Rollinsford
Early Bird Cafe  -  Figtree Catering  -  Fogarty’s  -  Lunch Box
Monkey Business  -  Pepperland  -  Abby Chic  -  Doodlebugz Studio, Rollinsford  -  Emporium Framing  -  J.A.D. Mercantile  -  Nature’s Way Market
Portland St. Mobil  -   Riverside Farmstand, N. Berwick
Salmon Falls Garden, Berwick – Vacuum Village – Jewelers Outlet, Sanford

Find out more about the Friends at friendsofsouthberwicklibrary.org

Some friends have asked why get so involved in South Berwick’s new library.

In a word: leverage.

First, the proposed library will be a state-of-art, highly efficient use of an existing structure on about a third of land adjacent to Central School, close to Main Street, near town hall and existing businesses and provide a fulcrum to spark the heavy lifting of economic development in the village center. Creation of a new library, scaled to our community needs can leverage long desired economic development in the central village by private investors and business.

Second, we have invested about $1.3 million in the Young Street property including land, tackling mold and environmental issues and now protecting the building with a new roof. Strong voter support for the $1.5 million library bond will provide another fulcrum as the Friends of the Library proceed with the heavy lifting to raise $1 million to complete and fit out the library. Strong voter support combined with the monies already invested will be enable the Friends to compete for major grants in a very competitive environment.

Third, our library will become a community resource to leverage the sense of wonder in our toddlers, enhance and compliment education in our community, gain access to the digital world for those with and without laptops. Hold a toddler’s little hand and walk into a good library ; feel the child tug more than your hand toward a garden of books blooming with ideas; sit in a chair or on the floor with a child in your lap …. read, learn, grow!

Wonder is the first step toward knowledge. C. K. Chesterson said, “Literature is a luxury; fiction is a necessity.” Access to good stories, a range of news and views, a confluence of people and ideas …. a library leverages our community values.

Please, vote yes for the Library Bond.

Jim Howell