Local organizations collaborate to celebrate the harvest and help Santa

    GUILFORD — With holiday schedules filling, scores of volunteers are convinced local residents will enjoy a healthy serving of harvest with an opportunity to help Piscataquis Santa “make his rounds” this Christmas.

    The project is yet another collaboration between Guilford-based Valley Grange and the Dover -Foxcroft office of Penquis. Earlier this year, the two organizations joined hands to raise funds for the Smart Starts for Students Program.
    “We’re really having fun with these collaborations,” noted Grange Program Director Walter Boomsma. “And we feel like we’re modeling the sort of cooperation between organizations that makes big accomplishments possible. We are truly enjoying the support of organizations and individuals in the area.”
    This harvest-themed event includes the generous participation of the Friends of Maine Country Music Association meaning the evening offers generous servings of food and music at family friendly pricing.
    The program is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 23 with the harvest meal being served starting at 5 p.m. Chief planner and cook Sheree Brown from Penquis has announced an enticing menu that includes baked ham, mashed potato/gravy, carrots and squash, rolls/butter, coffee/tea/punch with apple crisp for dessert. Diners from previous meals have said, “If you go home hungry from this meal, it’s your own fault.”
    Music will be served at 6:30 p.m. as Cornell Mac presents The Friends Band including Kathy and Buzz Vanadestine, John Whitman, Gary Knowles, Cornell and Judy McLellan and more.
    Brown notes this is truly a family friendly event, thanks to affordable ticket prices and a family environment. “This will be a great time to take a break from Christmas shopping and get the family together for an evening of food and fun,” she said. “No grinches will be allowed!”
    The Piscataquis Santa Project  serves needy children, 16 and younger who reside within the communities of Abbot, Cambridge, Guilford, Parkman, Sangerville, Wellington, Willimantic, Exeter, Garland, Harmony, Ripley, Bowerbank, Charleston, Dover-Foxcroft, Monson, Sebec, Beaver Cove, Greenville, Kingsbury Plantation, Shirley or any other community served by SAD 4, SAD 46 or RSU 68.
    Boomsma also noted that in addition to just being a good cause, a major benefit of the Piscataquis Santa fund is it works efficiently “The Grange heritage is about stewardship and so is Piscataquis Santa. The program is truly about getting the resources where they are needed and making certain every child in the area experiences the spirit of Christmas with a visit from Santa.”
    “Folks can check the Valley Grange website for more information about this event.” he added. “And if you’ve got an idea or some energy and a few minutes, we’re always looking for help. One of the things that made these collaborations so successful is the amount of support we receive. Maybe we are redefining community. It sure is rewarding to see people reaching out to help others.”
    Information regarding Penquis programs can be found at http://www.penquis.org.
    Valley Grange information and the organization’s upcoming events are listed at http://valleygrange.wordpress.com.