Together in Westbrook

We attended the 28th Westbrook Together Days, last weekend in Riverbank Park. With excellent weather (except for a short afternoon shower on Saturday), it attracted a large crowd, as always.

The 10 a.m. parade, starting at Bridge and Lincoln Streets, continued up Bridge Street to Main Street and on to the Riverbank Park. The parade was sponsored by Glidden Excavating and Paving. Retiring Police Chief Paul McCarthy led the parade in a cruiser. Ellie Saunders, whom we all admire, was this year’s grand marshal, selected for her lifelong contributions to the city. She rode in the front seat of a convertible.

There were three bands, always a popular attraction. They were the Elementary and the Middle School Bands and the Westbrook High School Marching Band. Among the units and floats were Greater Portland School of Jukado, the Kora Shrine mopeds and mini racers (such fun to watch, as they drove rapidly, close to each other in circles, at high speeds), Westbrook Woman’s Club, Westbrook Youth Hockey, Westbrook Scout troops, Ernie’s Cycle Shop, Westbrook Little League, Trinity Lutheran Church, Cavallaro Auto Repair, Pike Industries and a Little Stars Preschool float, pulled by a Les Wilson & Sons truck. There were several antique cars, including 1930 Ford Model A roadsters, one driven by Elmer Larson and another by Bob and Laura Leighton. Company B of Maine’s 133rd Engineer Battalion had three Army vehicles. Company B, based in the Stroudwater Street armory, served in Iraq and some of its soldiers were in full battle gear for the parade.

Mayor Bruce Chuluda and City Clerk Barbara Hawkes marched with a group of city employees. Barbara was busily throwing candies out to spectators.

I walked from our Dana Street property down to Bridge Street, near Main Street – a busy area and a good viewing point. Lots of candy was thrown there to eager children. Also an older couple near me retrieved a few pieces of candy, and the lady kindly brought me a few pieces of chocolate kisses and Tootsie rolls. She wondered why the marchers always aim the candy at youngsters – some adults like candy too!

As I stood leaning against a building, I heard my name shouted, as the Trinity Lutheran Church float was passing, and there on the float was Roger Knight, of Smiling Hill Farm, busy, as always. Soon a lady from that group handed me a bottle of cool water she was passing out. It was a gift from the church group and was just what I needed on that warm day. On the bottle was a biblical quote from John 4, with the heading, “Jesus has this gift for you!”

Several young girls in beautiful white satin dresses carried and waved pink and white flags as they marched. I did not see an identifying sign but they were a nice addition to the parade, and I am curious about them.

An auction to benefit future Together Days was held at the park, in a tent, near St. Mary’s Church at noon, under the supervision and hard work of Leona Glidden. School Superintendent Stan Sawyer and Al Juniewicz were the auctioneers. Many items were contributed.

Ray and I were able to find a parking place (luckily), in the Dunn Street Legion Hall parking lot, in time to hear the Al Hawkes Band playing at 2:30 p.m. Saturday on the main stage. An open tent had been set up in the lawn in front of the stage, and the shower had just finished as we arrived there. We attended the Hawkes’ annual potluck supper and concerts, held at their home in the spacious back yard; they gave guests this treat for many years, and it was such appreciated. Among the songs his group played and sang were “When You’re Smilin’, the Whole World Smiles At You,” “There’s More Pretty Girls Than One” and “Bring Back My Blue-Eyed Boy To Me.” Al asked how many in the audience liked bluegrass music, and there was a unanimous raising of hands. He gave us a wonderful concert. Again I noticed a white-haired man in front of me, nodding his head and tapping his toes. He music is so rhythmic!

Al welcomed a couple of guest performers, Lucien Mathieu and son Lou. They formerly were part of the Maine French Fiddlers, and now perform as The Saccarappa Boys.

My son Ray and I then walked around, and had our fill of good foods, including the crab rolls at the Universalist Church booth, near the river, and dishes of chili nearby, and delicious strawberry shortcake, cream and all. Also we bought delicious baked cookies and cakes from another booth. We also walked by the children’s section, a large area, larger than usual, it seemed to me, with many rides with happy youngsters inside, including one that twirled around, with children sitting in seats resembling dinosaurs, in purple and green colors. Another ride, a popular one, was called “Spin The Apple,” with round apple-shaped cars.

There were numerous booths, from the Main Street entrance down to and along the river.

It must have been a tremendous job to arrange that big area, but it surely makes an exciting weekend for all. We weren’t able to take in the fireworks this year, but it makes a grand finale. The 9:30 p.m. display was sponsored by Idexx.

Fix it, don’t move it

Another excellent letter, this one in the May 25 Portland Press Herald, is advising Portland residents to vote NO on moving the Portland Public Library from its present location in Monument Square to the former Portland Public Market, on Cumberland Avenue.

Jed Rathband, who works two blocks from Monument Square, writes:

“Instead of renovation, library leadership now intends to spend an additional $1 million in public money in order to move into a smaller space in a much less visible location.

“The library gave people a reason to come downtown, made Monument Square into a lively public space and anchored the slow but steady revitalization of Congress Street and the emerging Arts District. The Portland Public Library deserves a prominent place in the middle of our city and in the center of our civic pride, a place where our Main Street meets our own classical Forum, a place that suits a monument to public education.”

Also, he wrote that displacing this vital urban center to a smaller and less useful structure is a wasteful decision.

This fine letter, plus Mark Usinger’s letter, in the March-April issue of the West End News, are to be heeded by all Portlanders who oppose the move to the former Public Market. As Usinger wrote in his final paragraph, “I can only hope that the people of Portland come to their senses by June 12 and vote NO on this insane proposal. Let’s not make any more BIW drydock mistakes!”

Bake it

Today’s recipe is from the Westbrook Democratic City Committee’s 1994 cookbook, “Kick Up Your Heels In The Kitchen.” It was submitted by Ethel Haskell.

FRUIT BARS

1/2 cup soft butter (1/2 pound stick)

1 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

2/3 cup flour, sifted together with 1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

In another bowl, mix together:

1 cup chopped nuts

1/2 cup dried soft apricots, cut into small pieces

1 cup sliced, pitted dates

1/2 cup red candied cherries, halved (optional)

Cream butter with sugar until light and fluffy. Add vanilla. Add eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each one. Add sifted dry ingredients. Drop in fruit mixture. Fold all together, mixing well. Spread batter in a 9-inch square pan. Bake 45 minutes in 350 degree oven. Cut into squares.

Many people, including the Ramblings columnist, are against the proposed move of the Portland Public Library to the former Portland Public Market building.

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