The Community Chorus at South Berwick will present its 35th annual Christmas concert in two performances on December 5 and 6. The 60-voice mixed chorus will sing “ A Christmas Garland” of traditional carols and contemporary choral works on the theme of “Noel, Alleluia”. The concert will usher in the holiday season accompanied by harp, piano, and instrumentalists. The Saturday, Dec. 5 performance will be at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 22 Fox Run Road in Newington, N.H., at 7:30 p.m.  The Sunday, Dec. 6 concert will be at the Wesley Kennedy Performing Arts Center of Marshwood High School, Route 236 in South Berwick, Me., at 3 p.m.

The Community Chorus at South Berwick has become a fixture among Seacoast music-lovers, drawing its singers and audiences from across the region. The performers range in age from twenties to seniors. While based in South Berwick, it is a regional group with singers from over 15 towns in Seacoast Maine and New Hampshire. Conductor/Director Dr. Harry Moon, who is beginning his tenth season with the group, notes that carol singing has long been part of the Nativity season, with roots in the French caroles, or dance-songs, of the common people rather than the church or court. Several of this year’s concert selections are in this French tradition as well as those of England and Appalachian America, including the familiar We Three Kings and The Holly and the Ivy.

Composers and arrangers represented in the program range from a sixteenth century French court organist to current San Jose University physics professor, Brian Holmes. Punctuating the program are four settings of an Alleluia text by twentieth century composers Randall Thompson, James Poulsen, Fredric Bayco, and Stephen Paulus. The highly popular choral composer, Eric Whitacre, is represented by his haunting Lux Aurumque.

Accompanying the chorus will be Audrey Adams on the piano, Melinda McMahon on the harp, Victoria Myer on the cello, and Jennifer Doiron on the oboe.

Tickets are $10 at the door ($8 for seniors and students) or $8 in advance at South Berwick Pharmacy, 287 Main Street, South Berwick; Gary’s Guitars, 800 Islington Street, Portsmouth; and York Flower Shop, 241 York St., York. Information is available at ccsb-sing.org or 207-384-7059.

Staff and volunteers at Center for Wildlife ~ the region’s largest wildlife rehabilitation and education center ~ are looking forward to welcoming visitors on each of the weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Pick up a gift or two for the holidays.  Enjoy delicious baked goods, hot beverages and festive music.  Meet and learn about some of the Center’s feathered, furred, quilled and scaled non-releasable wildlife education ambassadors by seeing them up close.  Help support native wildlife this winter and Answer the Call of the Wild in your community.

Dates:   Sat/Sun Nov. 28/29, Dec. 5/6, 12/13, 19/20
Time:    Noon – 4pm
Location:   Center for Wildlife, 385 Mountain Road, Cape Neddick, ME
FMI:   Call the Center at 207-361-1400 or send an inquiry to outreach08@yorkcenterforwildlife.org

CFW is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, established in 1986, whose mission is to counteract human-caused harm to wildlife by rehabilitating and returning injured animals to the wild, broadening general public awareness of how to support the well-being of native wild animal species and their habitats, and providing a variety of environmental learning programs with live animal ambassador “teachers” to individuals, schools and other community organizatons. CFW gratefully accepts tax-deductible donations on its website at www.yorkcenterforwildlife.org or by mail to: Center for Wildlife, PO Box 620, Cape Neddick, ME 03902.

Caroling through downtown and cookie decorating at Pepperland Cafe have become centerpieces of the Friday night fun, while the Women’s Holiday Art Show on Friday and Saturday provides an anchor in Town Hall.

During the last five years, Home for the Holidays has grown from a small grassroots endeavor into a mainstay of the town’s season, with downtown business owners opening their doors to the public. Among the new businesses are Lenks Orthodontics, which will give out dippin dots; PricePoint Eyewear, which will host the karaoke caroling party, and Early Bird Cafe, which is holding a pancake breakfast.

From the Federated Church to Nature’s Way Market, establishments will be offering everything from free soup to crafts, raffles, chamber music and merry-making. For the first year, Hanukkah games will be part of the fun as Bob’s Trophy will host a the dreidel activity and menorah lighting.

“The celebration is always great time to see neighbors and friends downtown” said Puff Uhlman, one of the SmartGrowth volunteers who organized this year’s event. “Home For the Holidays reminds residents that shopping downtown is more fun and more neighborly, saves gas and supports the local economy.”

The festival originally was an outgrowth of the Women’s Holiday Art Sale, now in its 11th year, which runs 5 to 8 p.m. Friday and 10 to 3 p.m. Saturday in the Town Hall Auditorium. The fine jewelry, cowgirl goods, pottery, soap and other items are made by two dozen women from the area.

Artist Roger Morin will display his floral artwork at Abby Chic florist, while Susan Gregory will sell wristies specialty gloves at Vacuum Village. Further down Main Street, Sen. Peter Mills will greet people at Civil Consultants, where Spring Hill Restaurant will sell tortes and give out gift certificates.

The Sarah Orne Jewett House will open its first floor and gift shop to visitors Friday night, where redware pottery, glassware, books and stationery will be available. Portico Realty will host local videographer Tim Benoit’s work, “South Berwick” featuring montages of present day scenes and photos from the Old Berwick Historical Society.

In addition to Santa Claus welcoming children for a photo op at P. Gagnon & Son, Mrs. Claus will read stories at the Public Library, where visitors are also invited to make bookmarks and ornaments. Ocean Bank will help children write a letter to Santa, and York Hospital is inviting children for face painting and snacks.

Across the bridge in Rolllinsford, Doodlebugz pottery studio will be open for those who want to make unique gifts, and the Bead Bin invites visitors to make free zipper pulls.

For a complete listing of activities, download the  Home for the Holidays Brochure Page 1 and Page 2.

The program will be held at Berwick Academy’s Jeppesen Science Center on Academy Street at 7:30 pm on Thursday, November 19.  Refreshments will be served by volunteers.

In 1860, Lincoln visited the east coast to make his famous Cooper Union Address and visit his eldest son at Phillips Exeter Academy. He had his photograph taken by celebrated 19th century photographer Matthew Brady.  During the New Hampshire stop, Lincoln made speeches and campaigned in several cities, including Dover.

Fletcher, an upper school history teacher at Berwick Academy, will trace Lincoln’s steps in the Seacoast area, exploring the stories and myths generated by the visit. He will also talk about the dividends the visit paid at the Republican Convention in Chicago two months later, which set Lincoln on the road to the White House in November.

This event is part of the Old Berwick Historical Society’s 2009 series of talks, walks and historical events. The series, supported by member donations and a grant from Kennebunk Savings Bank, includes seven monthly evening presentations as well as other local history events around South Berwick, including the society’s Counting House Museum.

More information on all the Old Berwick Historical Society’s programs is available at info@obhs.net, or by calling (207) 384-0000.

Do you know that South Berwick has a town forest?

On Monday, November 9, 2009 the town council accepted the forest management plan written by David Parker, of Parker Forestry Associates LLC.  John Spezia, Eagle Scout candidate, has just completed a crossing over one of the wettest areas in the forest.

The Conservation Commission is sponsoring a walk on Sunday, November 22nd at 1:30 with a rain date Sunday November 29th.  Come meet David who will talk about the management plan and John who will talk about building the crossing. Members of the South Berwick’s conservation commission will also be there.

The town forest is located on Knight’s Pond Rd, across from 114 Knight’s Pond Rd then follows the signs to the parking area.

Read about the forest management plan and wood harvesting in the town forest:
South Berwick to sell its forest timber | SeacoastOnlinecom — The town forest is getting some much-needed maintenance, while providing South Berwick with a one-time revenue stream, …

Read about John Spezia’s bridge building project:
Teen leads bridges project at South Berwick forest | SeacoastOnlinecom — Residents and outdoor enthusiasts have local teen John Spezia to thank for two new bridges in the 88-acre town forest. . ,

FMI Pat Robinson 207-337-2792

Salmon Falls Mills in Rollinsford, NH come alive to welcome art lovers & holiday shoppers with their annual Open Studios event on Saturday and Sunday, November 21 & 22 from 10am to 5pm.  Open Studios offers a unique chance to meet 70+ artisans and mill businesses in their working environments.

Experience “hands-on” and “handcrafted” for yourself.  The mills are bursting at the seams with local color.  Painters, potters, sculptors, photographers, woodworkers, printmakers, jewelers and fabric artisans open doors to share their crafts.

Participating mill businesses include Fig Tree Café (good food & hot coffee), White Heron Tea (Organic & Fair Trade teas), and Wristies (fleece gloves and accessories).

Catch live performances by songwriters Dan Blakeslee, Dan Walker, Chris Oneil, violinist Sam Goodall and wandering belly dancers.

Jeremy Heflin Photography will offer instant holiday portrait prints and children’s art stations will be located throughout the mills. Tour the Rollinsford Library.

Step out of the cold, wander the halls and make merry.  Don’t miss this special opportunity to purchase handcrafted art & holiday gifts from the artisans themselves.  Think local first.

The Salmon Falls Mills are located on Front Street in Rollinsford, just 5 minutes north of Dover, NH.  Ample free parking.  For more information and directions go to www.millartists.com .  Free and open to the public (some studios are handicapped accessible).  FMI (603) 749-8879.

Some of the exciting new happenings this year include Santa Claus, who has agreed to ride on a fire truck supplied by the South Berwick Fire Department, greeting children in the Central School gym as the parade ends.

The Mayor of Whoville, in the person of South Berwick Town Manager John Schnepf, wearing  the traditional lighted Grinch sweater will present the “Cup of Good Cheer” to the NEIGHBORHOOD group who builds the award winning float. In the spirit of last June’s “Kids’ Day“, groups or neighborhoods are being encouraged to gather on ‘black Friday’ the day after Thanksgiving for ‘float making parties’, and to enter their creations in the holiday parade on Saturday. Float rules and application forms are available at the Municipal Building and at P. Gagnon and Son on Main Street.

There will be a contingent of sailors from the USS Helena, many commercial floats, vintage cars, a WW2 vintage Jeep. Marching units will include Boy and Girl Scouts, and sports teams from Marshwood High School. The Marshwood High School Marching Band will participate, along with a record number of floats.

Prior to the parade the South Berwick Strawberry Festival committee will treat parade watchers to free hot cocoa and Spring Hill supplied cookies. After the parade the Rollinsford American Legion Auxiliary will provide parade participants with cocoa and goodies at the Federated church in South Berwick.

Dancing to modern favorites and socializing will get underway at 7:30 pm at Spring Hill Restaurant, along with a buffet of hors d’oeuvres. The event supports history programs and the society’s Counting House Museum.

Tickets can be purchased at the door or at South Berwick Pharmacy.  They are $35 per person, or $30 per person for tables of 10.  Tickets can also be obtained by contacting 207-384-0000 or writing info@obhs.net.

Nineteenth century period costumes are welcomed as well as party dress.

Part of the event will feature the opportunity to participate in contra dancing led by Kris Bisson.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the Old Berwick Historical Society held popular Lighting Up Ball celebrations in the museum, but lapsed after outgrowing that ballroom.  The tradition was revived at Spring Hill in 2005. A grant from Kennebunk Savings Bank has sponsored the event along with the society’s 2009 series of lectures and other history programs.

Run by volunteers, the Old Berwick Historical Society presents free lectures and walking tours throughout the year, and operates the Counting House Museum, open weekend afternoons from July through October, and year-round by appointment.

Last year, horns ruled and kids had a blast ‘gently exploring’ their favorite vehicles.

Admission is FREE for families.  Beranger Volkswagon of Rochester will be holding a Test Drive event.  We ask all licensed guests to participate in the Drive Event.  Berwick PTO will receive $5/per drive.  We will be having a drawing of (2) $25 Einstein’s Gift Certificates for all VW Drive participants.

–FREE ICE CREAM Courtesy of North East Ice Cream, LLC
–THE MEAT HOUSE will be smoking brisket and hot dogs~ All food sales will benefit the PTO~
–RE/MAX Coast to Coast will be offering tethered hot air balloon rides (weather permitting)
–The Lindt Gold Bunny Car will be handing out FREE chocolate!
–Meet Lee Motor Speedway, Rookie of the Year, Ryan Green and his racing family

Come gently explore over 40 vehicles!  This year our sponsors include;  Independent Concrete Pumping, Hannaford Trucking, AMR, South Berwick Rescue, Tanguay Racing, Green Racing Family, Brown Truck Racing, Pepin Concrete, Hall’s Bros Roofing,  Waste Management, SUR Construction, L & S Equipment,  Beranger VW, Depot Honda, P. Gagnon and Sons, Berwick PD, FD, and Hwy Dept, Kittery PD, Lebanon Rescue, Boulanger Paving, Great Works Well Drilling, Cass Towing, Sanford Armory, SAD 60 Trans. Dept, NorthEast Ice Cream LLC, Lindt Chocolate, RE/MAX Coast to Coast, Uno’s Chicago Grill, The Meat House, and Todd’s Touch

Halloween Weekend Brings Romance, Mystery, and Murder to the Berwick Academy Stage:  Performing Arts Season to be Kicked-off with A.A. Milne’s “The Perfect Alibi”

The Berwick Academy Upper School Drama Department will kick-off the performing arts season with the fall play, “The Perfect Alibi,”  to be presented Friday and Saturday, October 30 and 31, on the third floor of the historic Fogg Memorial Building on the campus of Berwick Academy.

The “Perfect Alibi” was written in 1928 and hails from the “golden era” of British murder mysteries. The play, also known in the U.K. as “The Fourth Wall”, was subsequently adapted from the stage into a movie of the same title. Howard Haycraft, the well-known mystery scholar, calls “The Perfect Alibi” an “ingenious affair in which the audience watched both the commission of the crime and the steps leading up to its detection,” making it somewhat unusual as mystery plays go.

Students, representing grades 9-12, will participate on stage and behind the scenes to mount this classic written by Winnie the Pooh author, A.A. Milne. Long before his acclaim as a children’s writer, Milne achieved literary and artistic success as a playwright and humorist. Milne wrote plays, several novels and contributed numerous pieces to Punch, the British humor magazine.

Performance times are 7:00 p.m.  Reservations are not required.  Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students a and will be available at the door on a first-come-first-served basis. For more information, contact Liz-Anne Platt at lplatt@berwickacademy.org.

Founded in 1791, Berwick Academy is an independent, coeducational country day school located in South Berwick, Maine.  For over 200 years, the Academy has pursued its mission through a purposeful blend of strong academics, arts, and athletics.  Berwick serves nearly 580 students in grades K-12 from the seacoast area of southern Maine, New Hampshire, and northeastern Massachusetts.