Sebec to beat the winter blues

By Shirley Wright

SEBEC — Sebec Village Associates, better known as the Sebec Reading Room, is trying out a new idea to beat the winter blues. Recently, as the group held an event in sadness to remember a man from Sebec who had passed away, they served food to about 200 people. The event was bittersweet in that it was great to see everyone up and out but it was sad that people only seem to gather to remember a lost one.

A few members of the Reading Room group got together after and decided that it was worth a try to have a community potluck dinner and game night. On Feb. 27 at 5 p.m., they’ll give it a try.

Sebec’s Reading Room has a history rich in building community. The acquisition of a building and land goes back to 1947 when a building was donated by Frederick K. Rupprecht to an independent association. Rupprecht had been maintaining a community library for years. After many pieces of correspondence with his lawyer and local judge Stacy Lanpher, Rupprecht was able to set up the donation of the building and land.

Residents at that time gathered on July 7 to hold the first meeting of Sebec Village Associates. The Reading Room’s historical archives show that the meeting was convened by Eugene Wyman, president, and was attended by Abner Morison, Thede Burgess, Kenneth Lancaster, Carl Nelson, William Downs, Edwin Wyman and many other noteworthy citizens of Sebec. It is signed by Lanpher, Justice of the Peace.

The vision of the group was to set up a corporation that would carry on social, literary, educational, charitable, and religious activities in Sebec Village for the community benefit and improvement. This intent has been maintained for nearly 70 years.

Those active in the Reading Room have a passion for Sebec, both its people and history, which are rich in stories and family. Over the years, the building has been upgraded and added to, with the hopes of inspiring the youth in the area to continue the tradition into the unforeseeable future. Currently, the group is hoping to raise money to fix the building’s foundation and add a heat pump unit for heat and cooling. A big Fourth of July celebration is the group’s major focus each year.

The first Community Potluck and Game Night will start at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 27. There is no cost to attend. Those planning to visit should bring a dish of their choice to share and their favorite game to play. The building will be open to all who wish to take part, no need to live in Sebec! The Reading Room hopes for a great turnout so that more events of this nature can take place.

Louisa Finnemore, the group’s current president, said, “It’s all about community for us. We love to hold events and gather our friends and neighbors. Many come in from surrounding towns to all of our events. It’s a low-key, family atmosphere when we gather. We’re excited to try this new venture to bring people together in the winter. Usually, we close the building for the winter but this year’s mild temperatures have allowed us to keep it open. We hope to see a large crowd on the 27th.”

For more information, contact Finnemore at 965-7571.