By Gillian Graham

Staff Writer

Saco is about to get a little greener.

Creative Work Systems will introduce its new greenhouse and cultivation program and celebrate the talents of participants in an evening of performances and live music. The “Big Green Bash” will be held Sept. 23 at Camp Ketcha in Scarborough to raise money for programs and a new greenhouse.

Creative Work Systems, a Saco-based nonprofit agency that serves adults with disabilities in the Saco, Portland and Auburn areas, offers a variety of programs, including comprehensive day programs and residential support. For the past two years, participants have created colorful artwork in the Yes Art Works program. 

Agriculture Coordinator Jacqueline Curtis said the new “Cultivation Works” program will provide participants a chance to get their hands in the soil and grow their own organic food from seedlings. The program will include classes and workshops about how to practice sustainable gardening. 

“They’ll do everything from planting the seeds to taking care of the plants,” Curtis said. “We’re looking to create a program where people get excited about their food.” 

Curtis said food from the program will be given in weekly shares to participants and sold at a stand. The program’s long-term goal is to train participants to work at local farms to generate income for themselves. Beyond that, gardening will provide a therapeutic outlet, she said.

“I strongly believe getting your hands in the soil and working with plants is a healthy thing,” said Curtis, who comes from a six-generation farming family. 

But before participants can roll up their sleeves and start planting, the program needs to put up a greenhouse and a hoop house – an unheated greenhouse – on Lund Road in Saco. Curtis said the greenhouse will be handicap accessible so all participants can be fully involved.

Curtis said gardening classes should start this winter and she expects participants to begin growing seedlings on growing mats by March. She said she hopes the program will expand in the future to include additional greenhouses and opportunities at all of the day programs. 

While the Big Green Bash will promote the cultivation program, it also will provide many participants their theatrical debut. Art Coordinator Martha Baldwin said she has wanted to provide a performance opportunity and thought the first fall fundraising event would be the perfect time.

Working with a “green” theme, groups from day programs in Saco, Portland and Auburn have spent the last six months writing, producing and rehearsing skits to perform at the bash. A group from Auburn will incorporate homemade drums into their performance, while a group from Saco  will bring the audience on a “tour” of the marsh. 

Baldwin said participants from Saco’s Industrial Park Road program studied the autumnal equinox before writing their skit about a tour through a marsh. The cast of characters includes a ghost, cooked bacon and a street lamp. They also created all of costumes and have weekly rehearsals.

“It helped people have something to look forward to. It really changed the energy of the day here because they’re excited to practice,” Baldwin said.

Sarah Libby, who plays the street lamp, said she always wanted an opportunity to act on stage. She also is taking part in a second skit that depicts a road race moving in slow motion. During the marsh tour skit, she lights up the coast and gives a short speech. She has been rehearsing frequently to make sure she can remember her lines, she said. 

“I’m a little nervous but kind of excited. I’m just one of those people who likes to explore different things,” she said. “I didn’t think (performing on stage) was ever going to happen, but it has.”

Not all program participants were as eager to get on stage, so many helped with scripts, props and costumes, Baldwin said. A silent auction will feature artwork created by participants as well as items donated by community members. The food served throughout the evening will include treats made by participants in the culinary arts program. 

“The whole evening is a way to introduce the new program and highlight all of the great things happening here,” Baldwin said. “It’s a sampling of all the great talent we have.” 

Staff Writer Gillian Graham can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 213.