Let’s give clean up ‘one more go’

Editor:
     I wanted to add to a letter sent in from Stephanie Smith of Scarborough (published May 4) pertaining to the Earth Day clean up a few weeks ago. I was one of the few people that showed up from my neighborhood to volunteer my time to help pick up trash that day. I thank Ms. Smith for bringing up a very important point about the people who think nothing of dumping their trash on the side of the road. 
     On that day I was working on the Ross Road near the Junk yard and dug up a toilet, tires, a TV, part of a computer and a 50-gallon bag filled with countless bottles and other trash. I could not get to the couch for it was to far out for me to reach. I am proud of the work that we did that day. I have a 3-year-old that I would like to start bringing with me next year to instill a sense of volunteerism and community as he grows up in this wonderful part of Maine. 
     We are proud to live where we do and have been given an opportunity to recycle at the end of our drive way every Monday. I have to tell you that I have been a bit disappointed at the amount of yellow buckets at the end of many drive ways so far. In our house we create more recyclables than we do trash.  As Ms. Smith said, Volunteer next time and only then will you understand how much waste is out there to be picked up. 
     Thanks Ms. Smith, for your appreciation of what we did that day. And may I add that I don't believe we are done. I still see much more trash to pick up and would be happy to add one more day to meet at the Clam Bake to give it one more go. 

Kevin Kingdon,
Scarborough

SHS bands having a great year

Editor:
     Scarborough High School’s jazz bands performed very well this year.  The Scarborough High School Concert Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo earned #1 ratings at the UNH Clarke Terry Jazz Festival and at the Maine Band Director Association’s jazz fest. It was unfortunate that a March snowstorm forced the Scarborough High School Concert Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo to withdraw from Berklee’s High School Jazz Festival competition. And then Old Man Winter showed up again during  “Jazz Nights” with another storm.
     The crowd may have been light and the snow cold, but the jazz was hot!  From Birdland to Work Song, Scarborough’s four jazz bands were really jazzed up on April 3 and 4 at the annual “Jazz Nights” event.
     Scarborough High School’s Concert Jazz Ensemble kicked off the candlelit event under the direction of Norm Richardson. Songs featured: Love For Sale- Buddy Rich, 'Round Midnight- Thelonious Monk, Birdland- Weather Report, Brass Machine, Moon Dance- Van Morrison, Back Home and Mr. Richardson’s favorite - Bye Bye Blackbird.
     The SHS Jazz Band, also directed by Norm Richardson, performed several tunes showcasing their talents, including: I Got You- James Brown,,Dara’s Dream- You Should be Swingin’ It Now- Les Aldrich, On Broadway- Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, Mike Stoller and Jerry Leiber, and More Blues.
     Director, William “Willy” Johnson, worked his magic with the Scarborough Jazz Combo (small jazz ensemble) impressing everyone with the cool sounds of jazz greats like: Lady Bird, The Hymn- Charlie Parker, Mercy,Mercy,Mercy- Cannonball Adderley, Nostalgia in Times Square and  Four- Miles Davis.  With jazz combo, each band member improvises and solos.
     Scarborough Middle School Jazz Ensemble with Director Chris Fletcher featured One O’clock Jump - Count Basie/arr. Cook, Caravan - Ellington& Tizol/arr. Phillipe, Work Song – Cannonball Adderley/arr. Dana, Manic Depression - Jimi Hendrix/arr. Fletcher.
     (Seniors*) SHS CONCERT JAZZ ENSEMBLE (I): Trumpets: * Micah Abrams ,*Melissa Anson,*Chris Gregoire,  *Phil Lambert, Allie Solender, Saxophones: Hanna Flewelling, Molly Massa, Kat McDonald,Charlie Salevsky, *Nolan Scheemaker, Joe Servadio, Flute: Chloe Kumpel, Trombone: Amie Dick, Sean Rollins, *Mike Thurlow, Percussion: * Matt LaBonty, Dean Ford, Bass Guitar: Willie Gianetta, Guitar: *Billy Seidel, Piano: Brad Nakanishi, * Matt Sirocki
     JAZZ COMBOercussion: *Matt Labonty, Bass Guitar: Willie Gianetta, Saxophone: Hanna Flewelling, *Nolan Scheemaker, Guitar: *Billy Seidel, Piano: *Matt Sirocki, Trombone: *Mike Thurlow
     JAZZ BAND(2): Alto Saxophone: Emily Houde, Brittany Hardesty, Baritone Saxophone: Caterina MacLean, Tenor Saxophone: Adam Saltz, Flute: Kelsey Dillon, Trumpet: Stephen Curlew, Nicki Darling, Matt Galyean, Trombone: Brent Astrosky, Alec Sirocki, Percussion: Nate Brown, Mike Frank, Ryan Woodward, Auxilliary: Megan Manseau, Piano: Jessie Solender, Guitar: Ben Abrahams, Kurt Nakanishi, Aaron Walloff, Bass Guitar: Brian Scott
     MIDDLE SCHOOL: Flute: Laura Gubrud, Violin: Mark Endrizzi, Alto Saxophone: Colin Swords, Bryan Stevens,
Abby Van Note, Anna Martens, Trumpet: Daniel Friedman, Nate Hopkins, Clarinet: Jon Ofiara, Trombone: Nathaniel Duggan, Scott Delisle, Piano: Rebecca Mitchell, Percussion: Dylan LeComte,Tom Fitzgerald, Rachel Dick, Bass guitar: Tony Iuretig
Guitar: Dylan Price, Drums: Bryan Stevens
     The band boosters wish to thank the band directors, the school department, the parents, and the community for their enthusiastic support. 

Heather Sirocki, Band Boosters,
Scarborough

Protecting Maine's great natural heritage
 
 
Editor:
     As I look out the back window of Scarborough Marsh Audubon  Center, watching the tree swallows dance in the bright blue sky, I cannot help but think about what has happened in the past two weeks.
     As the Patriots’ Day storm hit and waters began rising in Southern Maine, I got in the car immediately and raced from home toward the center, but a quarter of a mile away I was told that I could go no further because water was rushing across the road.
     I went to bed that night wondering if the center would be there the next day.
     Luckily it was—but then came the task of clean-up. It was a daunting job: dried grass a foot thick covered every inch of the marsh and center; benches, boardwalks, and the fence were spread out all over the marsh. But over 100 individuals came to the rescue. I got a call from the South Portland Home Depot pledging to provide any materials and tools I needed. Starbucks employees came to help. Starbucks Corporation provided a match for all the Starbucks volunteer hours; we easily reached their $1,000 limit. Volunteers came from Shaws. A bird watching listerv published a plea for help and birders came. As has always been the case, the people of Scarborough and beyond came out, too. I continue to get calls and e-mail offering much-needed support.
     Tomorrow the first school group of the season is coming for a nature program. It is fitting that the students are from Scarborough. I really wondered if I would be able to host the group, but thanks to all the individuals and businesses who came forward to support the center, we will be able to open. In addition to Home Depot of South Portland and Starbucks, special thanks go to Stephanie Cox, Chuck Talbot, and Youth Building Alternative.
     We still have a lot to do before opening to the public for canoe tours on Memorial Day.  But I am sure that with the continued support of this great community that canoes will soon again be paddling down the Dunstan River.

Linda Woodard,
Director, Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center