Standish Summer Spectacular on Tap

The Standish Summer Spectacular is back next week with a theme of Celebrating Freedom. This event would not be possible without our sponsors.

Our Gold Sponsors this year are American Legion Post 128, Family Dental Health, Papa’s Ice Cream, Pit Stop Fuels, Portland Water District, Randall Orchards, Sebago Signworks, Standish Family Practice, Standish House of Pizza, Standish Recreation Committee, Standish Watchdog, Subway and Wescott & Sons.

This year’s Silver sponsors are Family and Friends Campground, Hannaford and Jamison Energy.

The event kicks off next week on Thursday, June 26, with the Taste of Maine, a local food sampling and fund-raising event held at the Sebago Lake Station boat launch. Tickets for this sampling event are 10 for $5 with all proceeds being donated to this year’s spotlight organization, the American Legion Post 128. Entertainment will be provided by The Generation Gap, an oldies review band. The boat launch will be closed to all boating traffic at 4 p.m. on June 26. The rain location for this event will be at the Edna Libby School on Route 114.

The fun continues on Friday night with the annual Beach Boogie held at Kiwanis Beach. Admission to the beach is free after 6 p.m. Each year, the American Legion has sponsored the return of Chandler’s Band, with their performance taking place from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Chandlers Band is one of the oldest, continuously performing bands in the nation, dating back to 1833. The fun continues at 7:30 p.m. with the return of Flamin’ Raymin’ and Sizzlin’ Suzan, high energy DJs providing fun for all ages. Fireworks will begin at dusk. Rain location is the George E Jack School.

On Saturday morning, the 28th, enjoy a pancake breakfast from 7:30-9:30 a.m. at the Standish Congregational Church, located at 25 Oak Hill Road. For the third year, Hannaford is sponsoring the breakfast.

From 8 a.m. to noon, check out the Community Marketplace at the George E Jack School. There you will find artisans, food vendors, local businesses, organizations, yard sales, local farms and more. You can register to win a $50 gift card.

At 10 a.m. the SSS parade starts and goes from Blake Road to the new Oak Hill Road intersection at Standish House of Pizza. Route 25 will be shut down at Blake Road at 10 a.m., and at approximately 10:15 a.m. at routes 25 and 35.

The fun then moves to the Steep Falls Village Park and Gazebo for 1 p.m. for an outdoor concert in park by the Saco River Jazz Ensemble, a big-band style jazz band. Bring your lawn chairs, and refreshments will be available for purchase. The Steep Falls Farmers Market will be open from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. as it is every Saturday through October, and the Steep Falls Library runs its Farmers Market from 9 a.m.-noon each week.

Please visit www.standishsummerspectacular.com for more information on this event, including a detailed event schedule.

The mission of the Standish Summer Spectacular is to honor and celebrate, on an annual basis, the rich history and community spirit of the villages that make up the town of Standish including Steep Falls, Standish Corner and Sebago Lake Station. The Standish Summer Spectacular coordinates activities, events, and entertainment to give area organizations, businesses and people the opportunity to showcase the talent and diversity of Standish in a way that is educational, forward-looking and fun for all.

Facility Merit Award

On March 25 at the Annual Spring Conference of the Maine Park Association, the Standish Recreation Department was awarded a Facility Merit award for the improvements done at Johnson Field.

This award is presented on an annual basis to a significant recreation project that demonstrates an increase in recreational use, shows innovation and creativity and a local commitment to the project.

In addition the Facility Merit award, they received grant funding to create a logo to promote Johnson Field as a true center of activity and that logo now is displayed on the sign there. She noted that the facility was improved through the years with a wide variety of funding sources including funding from private individuals.

Recently Linda Brooks, director of Parks and Recreation; Jeanine Dalton and Michele Rowe presented the plaque to the town of Standish, where Town Council Chairman Michael Blanck accepted the award on behalf of the town. Linda gave thanks to the following volunteers who have given enormously of themselves to help Johnson Field become what it is today: Lou Hinds-Aldrich, Harvey Dostie, Arthur Riley, Kathy Post, Janet Biczak, Gail Plourde, Bob Webber, Bobby Harmon, Bucky Brandow, Donna and Bob Smith, Ellen and Bill Boyer, Michele and Tim Rowe, Rick Brooks, Walter McCallister, Garrett Van Atta, Lisa Stiffer, Adam and Heidi Hawkes, Jeanine and Chris Dalton, Rebecca Buchannan, Tammy Pike, Barbara Gagnon, Wendy Coons, and Julie Senter. There was another name that surfaces throughout all of the Johnson Field projects and that is of Standish Public Works Director Roger Mosley. He has been on the scene many times throughout the years, as well as members of his crew.

Cones for Cameron

On Sunday, June 8, in memory of their friend and loyal visitor, Cameron Morrissette, Papa’s Ice Cream held a fundraising event to raise money for Cam’s family, and they had a record turnout to support their cause, “Cones for Cameron.”

According to Papa’s owner Joel Pepin, “It was an amazing success. We are extremely proud of our employees who donated their tips to the cause, and our loyal customers. Standish again displayed why it is a tremendous community. With your help, we are donating more than $2,000 to the Morrissette family. Way to go, Standish!”

Several local stores and the SAD 6 maintenance department recently donated enough supplies to re-do the Bonny Eagle Middle School (BEMS) rock garden that has been neglected for several years. The Bonny Eagle Middle School Pathfinders program students, under the direction of Pathfinder leaders Kim Eiring, Justin Pease and 8th grade teacher Rob Laprise, worked tirelessly despite the rain to get the project completed. The BEMS Letters are now once again a prominent feature as you approach Murchie Gym. The dedicated Pathfinders who volunteered on this project are Isabelle Chartier, Hannah Kennie, Ashley Currier, Hunter Jellison, Brandon Pike, Theresa Terrano and Owen Merola.  On Monday night, the School Administrative District 6 Board of Directors recognized Charlotte Dufresne, at right, for her service as the board’s chairwoman. Newly elected chairman Todd Delaney, left, said Dufresne “found ways to make us laugh and work together.” To save money, he said Dufresne requested the nameplate on the plaque be taken from one she earned in 2008-2009, when she also served as chairwoman. In other votes, the board elected Lester Harmon of Hollis to serve as vice chairman.