A talk by Josh Royte, Conservation Planner at TNC in Maine and Yarmouth Parks and Lands Committee

Wednesday, May 16^th

7:00 PM at the Log Cabin (200 Main Street, Yarmouth)

free and open to the public

As part of the Royal River Restoration Project the Town of Yarmouth is evaluating options for fisheries and habitat restoration. Join us to learn about the Penobscot River Restoration Project, one of the largest, most creative river restoration projects in our nation’s history.

FMI: Vanessa Farr, Yarmouth Town Planner, vfarr@yarmouth.me.us or 846-2401 or Landis Hudson, Maine Rivers, landis@mainerivers.org, 847-9277

The Spring Fling—Royal River Canoe &
Kayak Paddle is an exploration of our
towns most precious resource, the Royal
River greenway. The Spring Fling travels
the famous Royal River from the Route 9
launch in North Yarmouth to the Elm street
take out in Yarmouth.

Bring your Canoe or Kayak and meet us
May 12th at 9:30 at the Royal River Parking
lot off Elm street. We will arrange carpools
and convoy up to the Rt 9 river access
for a 10 am launch approx 3hr down
current paddle. The trip will have members
of the Yarmouth Parks & Lands committee
who will discuss the value of the river greenway, geology, plant & animal life.

May 19, 2012

10am     2012 Benton Alewife Festival kicks off with the ringing of the Revere Bell at the Benton Falls Congregational Church (BFCC)

10am     Running With The Alewives Fun Run/Walk at the Rotary Trail

10am     The Benton Family Fun Park (TBFFP) opens with free batting cages and mini golf

11am     Kennebec County Sheriffs Dept. Dog Demonstration at The Benton Family Fun Park

11:30     The World’s Best Alewife Chowdah Competition at TBFFP

12pm     Running With The Alewives Fun Run/Walk Awards Presentation at TBFFP

12:30pm     The World’s Best Alewife Chowdah Awards Presentation at TBFFP

1 – 3pm     Kennebec Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited Fly Casting and Fly Tying Demonstration at their booth, as well as a Fly Fishing Demonstration on the Sebasticook River near “Old Charlie”

1pm     Benton’s own Blaine Anthony of Nature Productions signing autographs and talking about his outdoor adventures at TBFFP

2pm     Paddling With The Alewives 2 mile Kayak/Canoe Race on the Sebasticook River

2pm     Kennebec County Sheriff’s Dept Dog Demonstration at The Benton Family Fun Park (TBFFP)

4pm     Paddling With The Alewives Kayak/Canoe Race Award Presentations at TBFFP

4:30 – 6pm     Benton Falls Congregational Church Public Supper featuring The World’s Best Alewife Chowdah, baked beans, brown bread, rolls, cold slaw, casseroles,  homemade pies, coffee, tea, etc., at the Benton Falls Congregational Church Parish House.

5pm – 6:45pm     BeeBopBob (Robert Carignan) will be playing all of your favorites at a Community Dance at the Benton Grange.

7pm     Bob Elston and the Road Rangers perform traditional country hits at the Benton Grange

8:30pm     Benton’s own Jason Michaud performs at Benton Memorial Park

8pm     Bonfire at Benton Memorial Park

8:30     Fireworks Over The Sebasticook at Benton Memorial Park

Activities throughout the day…

• Free mini golf and batting cages, as well as lots of great food for sale at The Benton Family Fun Park (TBFFP)
• Educational Booths by The Department of Marine Resources, Sebasticook Regional Land Trust, Kennebec Messalonskee Trails, Maine Lobsterman Jim Wotten, Essex Hydro, Benton Historical Society, and the Kennebec Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited at TBFFP
• Emergency vehicles on display including Kennebec County and Maine State Police cruisers, Emergency Management Agency Command Trailer, Kennebec County Rescue Dive Boat, a Town of Fairfield fire truck, etc. at TBFFP
• A working alewife fish smoker demonstration with samples…” Eat like the settlers did!” at TBFFP
• Face Painting at TBFFP
• Flea Market from 9am – 2pm at the Benton Grange

More information: benstaff@roadrunner.com

On Saturday, March 31st, local artist Monica Grabin will give a benefit concert for The Mousam and Kennebunk Rivers Alliance, at the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust Headquarters on Gravelly Brook Road in Kennebunkport.

The Mousam and Kennebunk Rivers Alliance is a community project supported by Maine Rivers and the Wells Reserve.  Its aim is to raise awareness of and protect our rivers’ resources, to improve water quality, restore native fisheries and foster stewardship of the rivers.

Monica Grabin is well known as a singer and instrumentalist specializing in folk and traditional

popular songs.  Her repertoire is extensive, covering many types of music, from Colonial ballads to Sixties protest songs to novelty tunes from the Twenties.  She is an accomplished singer, accompanying herself on guitar, banjo, autoharp, and a number of percussion instruments.

She’s also known for her Singing History programs, which have been presented in schools and for organizations for 25 years.  Her concerts are full of terrific songs, good humor, and lively talk.  She has a vivacious personality and wants everyone to have as much fun as she does.

The concert begins at 7 p.m.  Suggested donation is $10. All proceeds will benefit the Mousam and Kennebunk Rivers Alliance. For more information, visit www.monicagrabin.com