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Note: This page gives a brief description of past events, with the most recent at the top.  Pictures are available in some cases.

2007

The Christmas Party was held on December 15 and appeared to have about 45 or 50 attendees - a bit less than usual. We had the usual great food and companionship, however, along with reasonably mild weather. Frozen pipes threatened to make the entire event very difficult, but Abel Bates came to the rescue as he so often has.  The sing-along was a capella for a change, since our resident band was taking a break.  Ron Sturzenberger gave an update on plans for repairing the house and raising money to pay for said repairs.

The BBQ was held on August 26 with 45 attendees.  We enjoyed good weather and held our annual meeting after the meal was served.  The current slate of officers were all willing to serve another year and they were approved by the membership.

The Strawberry Festival was held on Saturday, June 30 at the Hawthorne House. Although we did not have special entertainment this year, we had a very comfortable early summer day and attendance was good at approximately 72 persons. Thanks to all of our volunteers for doing the preparation, and special thanks to Hannaford for donating the biscuits and to Migis Lodge for donating chocolate covered strawberries. We were especially pleased to have gained a few new members at this years event.

2006

The Christmas Party on December 16 was attended by just under 60 people.  It was a mild evening, as has been typical for this mild winter so far.  Although not a white Christmas, the good food and friendship made it a warm and enjoyable evening.  It was a special treat to have several children attend this year. They were a big help both with the singing of carols and the choosing of lucky attendees to receive presents from our trustees.  We only have a couple of pictures which may be viewed by clicking HERE.

The BBQ at Wohelo Camp was held on Sunday, August 27. This year we were not so lucky with the weather due to rain. Wisely, the camp had planned to serve the food in the recreation hall and all of the approximately 60 attendees enjoyed a nice meal and conversation.  President Frank Chambers held a short meeting after dinner to re-elect the existing officers for another year and to update the membership on house repair activities. Plans for the coming year include painting the exterior and removing trees in front of the house (one spruce is dead anyway). Frank also announced the formation of a membership committee headed by Cinda Roy.

The Strawberry Festival was held on Saturday, July 8, which is a bit later than we have held it in several years. No problem as there were plenty of fresh local strawberries and the weather was pleasant - warm but not stifling.  We had a very entertaining speaker in the form of one Jim McAllister of Salem, MA.  Jim is a Salem historian, photographer, author of Salem from Naumkeag to Witch City (2000), and co-author of the acclaimed book Salem: Cornerstones of a Historic City (1999).  More information on our speaker is available on line by clicking on his name above. The crowd was appreciative and the event was covered in the local paper, Lakes Region Suburban Weekly.  Click HERE for pictures of the 2006 event.

2005

Christmas Party was held on December 17 with approx. 45-50 people attending.  Music and carols were provided by our “in-house” band, consisting of Nonie Irving and John Manoush. The weather was cooperative and the food was great as always.

BBQ - Aug. 21, 2005: Close to 60 people attended on a picture perfect day. At the membership meeting (held outdoors this year), the current slate of officers was approved for another year.  Frank mentioned that we would be looking to fill 2 or 3 vacancies on the Board of Trustees as some of our longtime Trustees terms come to an end.  A few pictures from this years BBQ may be viewed by clicking HERE.

Strawberry Festival - July 2, 2005: Eighty-three people attended for the traditional strawberry shortcake dessert. We did not have any special speakers this year, but did have great weather and a chance to welcome all our friends and neighbors back to another summer in Raymond. We received many positive comments about the improvements made over the past year.

2004

Christmas Party: About 55 people attended on December 18. Weather was reasonably mild and we did not have to deal with any foul weather this year. Everyone appreciated the beautiful new mahogany door that builder Gary Conant installed for us this fall. Cinda Roy donated a beautiful and unique stained glass design for our raffle.  Music was provided by our in-house “band”, consisting of Nonie and John, and the ever-popular Hawthorne Singers.  Special thanks to Florence for leading the group in a rousing “Twelve Days of Christmas” and for singing Silent Night in German. Door prizes were presented to many of the lucky attendees. Click HERE to see pictures.

BBQ: We were blessed with a sunny day and attendance of 58 members on Sunday, Aug. 22. New officers for next year were named: Frank Chambers is president-elect, Bill Kelley is VP-elect, Becky Tracy stays on as Treasurer, and John Manoush will be Secretary. Cinda Roy and Bill Kelley will also join us as new Trustees, and Abel Bates will serve another term as Trustee.

2004: Since July 4 was the 200th anniversary of Hawthorne’s birth, we hired Portland actor Sean Demers to play the role of the writer. To those who attended, Hawthorne will forever look and sound like the character created by Demers, who was brilliant in his role. He spoke for 30 minutes about what it was like to travel from Salem to Raymond and live here in the early 1800’s.  He mixed historical fact with humor, anecdotes and even some 19th century trivia. Those who were quick with the responses won autographed photos of Mr. Hawthorne.

Pictures of the 04 event may be viewed by clicking here.

Sound clip excerpts from Hawthorne’s talk may be heard by clicking here.

2003

Christmas Party: About 50 people enjoyed a perfect evening on December 13. The weather was cooperative (a snowstorm arrived the following day). In addition to the usual good food and company, we had a special entertainment treat this year in the form of the “Absolute Brass” quintet. They played several songs alone and also accompanied our own singers for some carols and the traditional Silent Night to end the evening with that warm, Christmasey feeling! Thanks to all the cooks and volunteers who made this such a success.

Summer BBQ at Wohelo camp:  Over 80 people attended (Friday, Aug. 22) and enjoyed a perfect afternoon, great food and company, and a beautiful sunset.

Strawberry Festival 2003: Over 100 people attended on June 28, including many non-members thanks to the bicentennial-related publicity.  We collected $454 based on $5 per adult and $3 per child, and gained 5 new members. Dr. Trudi Reisenberg of Harpswell spoke on “Hawthorne’s Rome” and John Manoush read the narrative history of Hawthorne in Raymond that is available on this site.  We were blessed with perfect weather that allowed us to move some tables outdoors and reduce crowding.

2002

Christmas Party: 48 people attended on December 14.  It rained a good deal of the day, but let up somewhat for our party.  At least it was comfortable!  The decorating “committee” did a great job with greenery and the traditional tree, both supplied by Carl Bloom.  Although the attendance was slightly below last year’s, this was really a very comfortable sized group for the house.  The food was outstanding as always. We sang Christmas carols after dinner, led by Nonie Irving, John Manoush, Wayne Whitney, Becky Tracy, Nancy Proctor and Frank and Florence Chambers. Bob Dunklee again donated a beautiful hand-made maple clock which was raffled off to lucky winner Florence Chambers.  Santa was a few minutes late, but given his heavy schedule this time of year it was understandable.

BBQ: 81 members attended on August 18.  A warm and humid day. Perfect for enjoying the view of Sebago Lake from Wohelo and a top notch chicken BBQ.  Due to an unusual influx of hungry and aggressive bees (yellowjackets), we served the food from inside this year! We had a short business meeting to update the members on current maintenance issues and to announce the slate of officers for 2003. A good round of applause for Bob Wallace and his administration for leading the Association so ably for the last two years.

Strawberry Festival 2002: Approximately 80 members attended on June 29.  We collected $386 based on $5 per adult and $3 per child. The strawberry shortcake was great and there was plenty for all.  Next time bring some fans - - the room was a little warm!