You may know Andrew Mendola in his role as Stocking and Checkout Specialist at Nature’s Way Market. He is the person who keeps the shelves stocked and knows where everything is at the market. He has worked there since it opened in November 2007. At the beginning he spent a lot of time in the cellar trying to work out the logistics of storage, stock rotation, and fitting everything into the store. Now you are more likely to see him upstairs helping to make sure everything is where it is supposed to be and helping customers find what they need.

What you may not know about Andrew is that he is a musician who plays lead guitar in the jam band Superfrog. Andrew has been playing guitar for a while but became more serious and focused about his music after attending a week long seminar at Berklee College of Music. Superfrog has had a busy calendar this spring playing shows all over New England, including at Bourbon’s and the Blue Mermaid in Portsmouth and the Brick House in Dover. You can find out more about the band at www.superfrogmusic.com and hear music from the band. (I’m listening to the band while I write this–they are very talented)

At nineteen, Andrew has lived in South Berwick his whole life. He likes his job at Nature’s Way Market and plans to continue pursuing his career in music. This summer he will participate in a five-week program at Berklee College of music where he will be immersed in all aspects of performance. From there he’s ready to see where his music takes him.

Superfrog will be doing an acoustic show at the Blue Mermaid in Portsmouth on May 9. Check out their website for all the details. I also heard a rumor that Superfrog may be performing in South Berwick during the Strawberry Festival.

There is magic in the air in South Berwick and writer Victoria Kent and illustrator James Vaughn have teamed up to capture it in their new children’s book, The Magic of Mrs. Magee. The two have brought their unique talent and world view to collaborate on a story about fanciful creatures and their magical gifts.

Victoria Kent, who goes by V.E. Kent discovered or, depending on how you look at it, was discovered by the book’s main character, Mrs. Magee, when V.E. offered to be the entertainment at a friend’s child’s birthday party. For the party she transformed into the Irish fortune teller Maggie Magee who told each child a fortune designed to help them value the special gift that they each possess. Not only did the children respond to the character of Maggie Magee, but adults were also intrigued. V.E. began making more appearances as Mrs. Magee and began to weave a story around the character. She also realized that her alter ego allowed her to speak to children in a direct and honest way that encourages self appreciation without being condescending.

The character of Mrs. Magee haunted V.E. and she began forming the story into a book. The collaboration with James Vaughn began when V.E. chanced upon one of his intricate pencil drawings that was displayed at SoBo Book & Bean. She bought the artwork and called James.

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From Portsmouth Herald, April 16, 2008

For over 35 years, Dennis was a devoted husband to his wife, Terry, and a doting father to his two children. He took pride in his family and basked in their company. He spent many happy hours maintaining and driving his Harley Davidson. He was an avid Red Sox fan and enjoyed annual trips to away games with family and friends. He was also a committed advocate for South Berwick and served on several committees and boards. Dennis loved his hometown and was the chairman of the South Berwick Planning Board for many years. His sense of humor, generosity and ability to take charge defined him. He was a man on which others could depend; many were proud to call him a friend. The family would like to thank everyone whose friendship and support surrounded Dennis during both his life and illness. He will be dearly missed.

SERVICES: An informal gathering to celebrate his life will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. on Saturday at The Links at Outlook Golf Course in South Berwick. Memorial donations can be sent to the VFW of South Berwick, Post 5744, 16 Butler St., South Berwick, ME, 03908, to support the troops.

Read full obituary…

South Berwick is home to artists, writers, and performers. Here are some news stories about some of them:

Susan Poulin:
Susan Poulin fights ennui in ‘Peggy Lee’
Portsmouth Herald News - Portsmouth,NH,USA
And as with any subject the South Berwick, Maine, resident turns her eye on — poignant, pop or both — it’s explored in a warm, amusing and empathetic manner …

VE Kent & Jim Vaughn:
Author visits Portsmouth toy store
Foster’s Daily Democrat
Author VE Kent of South Berwick, Maine, in disguise as Irish fortune teller Maggie Magee, looked closely at the open palm of …

Nicholson Baker:
‘Human Smoke’
New York Times
Nicholson Baker’s pacifist history of World War II is an eloquent and passionate assault on the idea that targeting civilians can ever be justified.

A Profile of Nicholson Baker
New York Times

Local author’s ‘Human Smoke’ offers new look at World War II
Foster’s Daily Democrat
Not everyone in this town knows Nicholson Baker.

Seacoast Entertainment: Controversial local author and national …
Portsmouth Herald
Nicholson Baker of South Berwick, Maine, recently released his latest book, “Human Smoke: The Beginnings of World War II, The End of Civilization,” a …

Meet Mary Margaret Anthoine Ney, who goes by Mamie, the new Director of South Berwick Library. A Kennebunk resident, Mamie comes to us after working for the last year and a half as the Assistant Director of the Kennebunk Library. Mamie’s path to becoming a librarian is not the usual one, and as a result she brings a unique blend of skills and perspectives to the library. She will graduate from the University of Southern Carolina with a Master of Library Information Studies in May. Prior to pursuing her career as a librarian, she was a tax attorney and holds both a law degree and an MBA.

Her enthusiasm for her new job came through as I spoke to her about this article. She has been busy getting out to meet all the merchants downtown, attending meetings of local groups, and getting to know the library. She is pleased with the strong base of programs the library offers and thankful to Annmarie Townsend, Children’s Librarian and Kim Myers, Library Assistant for how helpful they have been in helping her understand South Berwick’s library. Her priorities in her new job are working on getting a new space for the library and adding to the programs that the library offers the community.

Stop in and introduce yourself to Mamie and welcome to her to South Berwick. By the way, she is currently reading The Cleft by Doris Lessing, March by Geraldine Brooks, and The Ersatz Elevator by Lemony Snicket.

Like the waterways that have defined South Berwick since it was first settled, the stream of creative people who have lived here have shaped the unique character of our little town. South Berwick is now home base to nationally recognized singer - songwriter Jenn Adams. Kansas born, Jenn lived in Montana and then Nashville before making her way to South Berwick last fall.

Jenn’s music is a fine blend of folk, jazz, and blues that combines her notable talent as a guitarist, her clear expressive voice, and lyrics that tell poetic stories of home, travel, and relationships. Jenn will be sharing the stage at the Elysium Folk Club in Rollinsford this Saturday night with Dan Walker and Charlie Strater in a Songwriter in the Round performance.
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