Before volunteering to plan the Scarborough’s 350th Celebration, Lisa Downing already had an appreciation for the town, its landscape and its residents. But even after two decades of calling Scarborough her home, the Westchester, N.Y., native was surprised to discover the vibrant community of nonprofit groups and people working behind the scenes.

Though Downing, 46, has been involved in the schools, her church and youth sports, until last year, she didn’t know what went on at the fish and game club or where the historical society was located. Now, she’s been to the board meetings, she’s met the key players and she’s discovered a rich history that she never knew existed.

“I’m getting to know all kinds of people in Scarborough,” she said.

Downing hopes other residents will be able to become just as acquainted as she has with Scarborough’s cultural background through an event that she’s been working hard to put together for nearly a year – the Celebration Village – which will be held from noon to 6 p.m., Saturday, July 12.

Tents will crop up in Memorial Park where local organizations and residents will put on demonstrations of everything from weaving baskets to cooking wild game. There will be a taxidermy display, a puppet show and an antique letter press, which she believes will be a novel sight for the young Scarborough residents who grew up text messaging. A Civil War encampment and a traditional pow wow will show residents “just how people lived back then,” Downing said.

Downing said people of all ages will be able to both learn and have fun by literally getting their hands on Scarborough’s history.

Though Downing is working now on the nuts and bolts of her planning – figuring out what supplies each group will need and amassing volunteers to help with set up and parking – it wasn’t always that way.

Downing was first approached by Judi Clancy, the event’s chief organizer, in August 2007. Downing works with Clancy’s husband at Diversified Communications in Portland, where she is the human resources manager.

“I knew that she would be an enthusiastic and energetic volunteer,” Clancy said.

Soon after her first meeting, Downing was chosen as the chair of the Celebration Village committee, but didn’t quite know what was expected of her.

“It was sort of a blank canvas,” she said.

Downing started by getting out into the community and meeting face to face with people who, she said, “were very welcoming and willing to help me.”

By keeping binders, calendars and open lines of communication, Downing’s been able to balance what she described as “a bit of a juggling act.” Though she found there was more work to be done than she initially expected, “it’s been very rewarding,” she said.

Now, Downing has certain expectations for her event and confidence that she’ll be able to realize her vision.

“I want it to be fun, interactive and educational, and leave them with a feeling of respect and appreciation for what a great town we live in,” she said. “Scarborough is a gem.”

But despite the work she’s done, she said, she won’t really know until opening day how it’s going to turn out. For now, she’s focusing on the task at hand.

“I still have too much to work on to be nervous about it,” she said.

A CLOSER LOOK

With Scarborough’s 350th Celebration just two months away, this week The Current continues exploring the planning and preparation behind a festival years in the making. Each month as the festival approaches, a section of the paper will be dedicated to the volunteers and local organizations working to plan and promote the celebration.

For more information, visit the official Web site at www.scarborough.me.us/350thcelebration/index.html

Closer to the community

Before volunteering to plan the Scarborough’s 350th Celebration, Lisa Downing already had an appreciation for the town, its landscape and its residents. But even after two decades of calling Scarborough her home, the Westchester, N.Y., native was surprised to discover the vibrant community of nonprofit groups and people working behind the scenes.

Though Downing, 46, has been involved in the schools, her church and youth sports, until last year, she didn’t know what went on at the fish and game club or where the historical society was located. Now, she’s been to the board meetings, she’s met the key players and she’s discovered a rich history that she never knew existed.

“I’m getting to know all kinds of people in Scarborough,” she said.

Downing hopes other residents will be able to become just as acquainted as she has with Scarborough’s cultural background through an event that she’s been working hard to put together for nearly a year – the Celebration Village – which will be held from noon to 6 p.m., Saturday, July 12.

Tents will crop up in Memorial Park where local organizations and residents will put on demonstrations of everything from weaving baskets to cooking wild game. There will be a taxidermy display, a puppet show and an antique letter press, which she believes will be a novel sight for the young Scarborough residents who grew up text messaging. A Civil War encampment and a traditional pow wow will show residents “just how people lived back then,” Downing said.

Downing said people of all ages will be able to both learn and have fun by literally getting their hands on Scarborough’s history.

Though Downing is working now on the nuts and bolts of her planning – figuring out what supplies each group will need and amassing volunteers to help with set up and parking – it wasn’t always that way.

Downing was first approached by Judi Clancy, the event’s chief organizer, in August 2007. Downing works with Clancy’s husband at Diversified Communications in Portland, where she is the human resources manager.

“I knew that she would be an enthusiastic and energetic volunteer,” Clancy said.

Soon after her first meeting, Downing was chosen as the chair of the Celebration Village committee, but didn’t quite know what was expected of her.

“It was sort of a blank canvas,” she said.

Downing started by getting out into the community and meeting face to face with people who, she said, “were very welcoming and willing to help me.”

By keeping binders, calendars and open lines of communication, Downing’s been able to balance what she described as “a bit of a juggling act.” Though she found there was more work to be done than she initially expected, “it’s been very rewarding,” she said.

Now, Downing has certain expectations for her event and confidence that she’ll be able to realize her vision.

“I want it to be fun, interactive and educational, and leave them with a feeling of respect and appreciation for what a great town we live in,” she said. “Scarborough is a gem.”

But despite the work she’s done, she said, she won’t really know until opening day how it’s going to turn out. For now, she’s focusing on the task at hand.

“I still have too much to work on to be nervous about it,” she said.

A CLOSER LOOK

With Scarborough’s 350th Celebration just two months away, this week The Current continues exploring the planning and preparation behind a festival years in the making. Each month as the festival approaches, a section of the paper will be dedicated to the volunteers and local organizations working to plan and promote the celebration.

For more information, visit the official Web site at www.scarborough.me.us/350thcelebration/index.html

Closer to the community