Shady Maple Farm hosts Christmas play
Karl and Jocelia Hartwell hosted “Christmas in the Barn” on Sunday at their Shady Maple Farm on Sebago Lake Road.
A cast from the Faith Lutheran Church in Windham produced a living Nativity play in the barn. Besides angels, shepherds and wise men, the production had the flavor of a real manger scene with cattle, donkey, two goats and a llama.
Seated on five rows of hay bales, about 125 people attended, filling the barn and lining the road with cars. “A lot of people this year who I haven’t seen before,” Jocelia Hartwell said scanning the audience.
The production featured Scripture readings and traditional hymns, which included “Oh Come All Ye Faithful,” “Away in a Manger,” “Silent Night, Holy Night” and ‘Joy to the World.” Jason Lawind of Windham played a Native American flute and the church organist, Dave Hansen, played the keyboard. The Rev. David Thorp introduced the play.
Mark Stokes of Standish welcomed the mild temperatures for the production this year. He said some years in the past the temperature had dipped to 20 degree below. “You don’t see much of it anymore in a barn,” Stokes said. “It’s a great time of year.”
This year marked the production’s 12th year at Shady Maple Farm, which produces natural beef. Madison Rankin, 13, of Raymond, played an angel. She’s been a cast member for 10 years.
Hamilton retiring
Billy Hamilton of Dow Road, Gorham, is retiring after 10 years with the Westbrook School Department.
His last day on the job will be Friday, Dec. 22.
Jeanne Reilly, director of nutrition for Westbrook schools, said Hamilton delivered food to schools from the warehouse. She said he also stocked the department storeroom and coolers in the schools.
“He’s been a faithful and loyal employee,” Reilly said. “Everybody likes to see him come around.”
Hamilton’s breakfast buddy at Rivers Edge Deli in Westbrook, Cliff Wescott, said his pal has only missed two days of work in the decade. In chatter around the table in the restaurant, Wescott appeared to be a self-appointed press agent for Hamilton. He’s been on duty “through sweat and tears over the years,” Wescott said.
Hamilton is an avid golfer and former pro baseball player.
Lockman to speak at lunch meeting
James Lockman will speak at a luncheon meeting 11:30-1 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 11, at the Gorham Business & Civic Exchange at the Gorham Savings Bank Operations Center, 10 Wentworth Drive, off Gray Road.
Lockman, owner of Working Words & Graphics, a graphic design company in Gorham, is known nationally. His customers include Irving Oil, L.L. Bean, Macmillan McGraw-Hill, Adobe Systems,Inc., Time Inc., and Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield. He will share his knowledge of effective print marketing. “You will receive information from a technical guru and early PDF adopter, known in Northern New England as the ‘go-to’ guy for problem solving with any digital imaging issue quickly and cost-effectively,” said Dana Redmond, executive director of GB&CE.
Lockman, who holds a physics degree from Yale University, is an Adobe-certified print specialist, Enfocus-certified trainer, and a seasoned instructor. In the early 1990s, he taught physics at Phillips Academy and Worcester Academy, in Massachusetts.
He also taught astronomy and physics at Rutgers University. Currently teaching desktop publishing in the Department of Technology at at the University of Southern Maine, he lives in Gorham with his wife and three sons.
Members ($12) and guests ($15) are invited and reservations are required. For more information and to make reservations, please call 892-5515 and visit www.gorhambusiness.org.
U.S. taxpayer debt
The Bureau of Public Debt reported on Dec. 15 that the U.S. public debt was $8,611,902,658,304.21
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