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Friday, February 27, 2026 Volume 21 • Issue No. 9
OPA Welcomes Back Award-Winning Stillson Dancers WELLS Irish stepdancing continues to be a wildly popular art form for performers and audiences alike. Ogunquit Performing Arts celebrates this unique style of dance by presenting the renowned Stillson School of Irish Dance on Saturday, March 7, at 6:30 p.m. at Wells Junior High School. The award-winning Stillson dancers, returning by popular demand, will perform an array of jigs and reels, dressed in a variety of dazzling, handmade costumes. The performance will in-
clude both the f luid soft-shoe style and the rhythmic hard-shoe style popularized by shows such as “Riverdance” and “Lord of the Dance.” At the end of the performance, audience members will be invited onstage to try some steps for themselves. In addition to the dance, Stillson School Director Carlene Stillson will present the history of Irish stepdancing and explain the reasons behind the many different costumes worn by the dancers. Traditional Irish dress is represented in the school’s attire,
which features embroidery designs inspired by the Book of Kells. Stillson began dancing at age 4 for her aunt, Patricia K. Lenihan, in Connecticut. In her 25 years of teaching, she has produced successful teams, choreographed figures, and trained multiple New England Oireachtas champions, top-ranking North American dancers, and World medalists. She has adjudicated competitions across North See STILLSON on page 14 . . .
23rd Annual David Surette Mandolin Festival KITTERY The 23rd David Surette Mandolin Festival will kick off with a concert on Friday, March 6 at the Dance Hall in Kittery, followed by two days of workshops and a concert in Concord, NH. The annual festival celebrates the many voices of the mandolin, an instrument heard in bluegrass, old-time, classical, swing, blues, country, Brazilian, Italian, and Celtic music. This year’s lineup of instructors includes Chris Moore, Noah Fishman, Glen Loper, and Steve Roy. In addition to being talented musicians and performers with their own style, all four are dedicated to meeting students where they are, helping them deepen their skills, and having a good time along the way.
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The festival is named for its founder, the late Seacoast musician David Surette, who lived in South Berwick. With a reputation that reached across the United States and to Canada and Europe, Surette was admired and respected as a player, composer, and teacher. He was honored in 2025 with the prestigious Lifetime Contribution Award from national organization The Country Dance and Song Society, “in recognition of his contributions as an inspiring music performer, teacher, scholar and mentor.” “David really loved sharing his enthusiasm for the mandolin and for music making in general. He was an inspiring musician
KENNEBUNK On Tuesday, March 3 at 10 a.m., Habitat for Humanity York County Executive Director Jeff Hassel will announce the organization’s upcoming affordable housing development. “Our Board of Directors and I are eager to unveil our next multi-home development and officially open the homeownership application process. This will be our largest community development to date. Multiple homes are planned with plenty of opportunities for the community to pitch in,” said Hassel. Since its founding in 1985, Habitat for Humanity York County has built 40 homes for
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See SURETTE on page 15 . . .
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and teacher, and I was lucky to live, work and perform with him for 35 years,” said Susie Burke. “For our daughters Isa and Julianna and for me, carrying this event forward is such a meaningful way to honor David.” Burke and her daughters resolved to continue the festival after Surette’s passing in 2021. The Concord Community Music School, where he taught for over 30 years, is its main sponsor. The festival features performances from each instructor, teacher collaborations, and harmony singing from the Burke women. Chris Moore’s long and varied career spans music,
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partner families across York County. Homebuyers purchase their homes through affordable mortgages, with monthly payments set at no more than 30% of household income. In addition, partner families complete “sweat equity” by helping build their homes and receive support
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throughout the process, including financial education. Habitat for Humanity York County believes everyone deserves a safe, stable place to call home. Habitat for Humanity York County is committed to equal housing opportunity. Future homebuyers are selected without
regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability or familial status. All applicant information is kept confidential and used solely to determine program eligibility. The public is invited to join Hassel, members of the Board of Directors, staff, and volunteers for coffee and cookies at ReStore, 123 York St., Kennebunk. To assist with planning, those who wish to attend are asked to email office@ habitat yorkcount y.org wit h “Count Me In” in the subject line. For more information, visit www.habitatyorkcounty.org or email program@habitatyorkcounty.org.
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