RFA Home Tour and Taste of Rangeley

The 2011 RFA Home Tour and Taste of Rangeley will take place on Tuesday afternoon, August 2^nd from 1-4PM.  Homes have been chosen which capitalize on Rangeley’s beautiful setting of mountains and lakes as well as excellence in architecture, construction and interior décor.  As you tour the four homes showcased in this year’s event, you will observe an array of life styles which share the common element of a passion for the unique quality of life afforded by Rangeley’s natural beauty and resources.

This year’s homes include:  DON AND MARTY THOMPSON HOME at 17 Pine Grove Heights, JACK LOUNSBURY HOME at 1 Green Drake Lane Ext. (Saddleback), JANICE ADLER HOME at 112 Dorset Road, and GARY AND JACKIE PATNODE HOME at  90 Cottage Avenue.

The tour of homes will culminate at the Country Club Inn with THE TASTE OF RANGELEY, an appetizer extravaganza catered by local restaurateurs at 4:15PM.  More than 12 restaurants will provide appetizers that will delight the festive crowd as they gather to celebrate Rangeley and the quality of life and events we are privileged to enjoy each year.  During the celebration, guests may place their raffle tickets in the basket accompanying their favorite item.

Home Tour Personal Choice Raffle includes:1).  Portland Christmas Package:

(Cross Jewelers Gift Certificate & Tickets to “The Magic of Christmas”), 2).  A season’s pass to RFA 2012 Season, 3).  12 CD package from Schooner Fare, 4).  Framed print from John Swan, 5).  2 One Day Passes to Mingo Springs Golf Course. 6).  One Day Pass to Evergreen Golf Club, 7). 2 front row seats for 2011 Walk to Bethlehem.

Tickets are available at the Rangeley Lakes Chamber of Commerce at 6 Park Street.  Two options are available: 1..Home Tour (with one raffle ticket) and Taste of Rangeley beginning at 1PM ($15),  2. Taste of Rangeley beginning at 4:15PM (with one raffle ticket) ($10).

 Auditions for the summer musical Footloose will be held April 10 at 4 PM and April 11 at 6:30 PM at the Church of the Good Shepherd.  We are looking for actors – high school and adult, production staff, and all those who want to be involved in this uplifting, challenging, and fun production.  If you cannot make those dates and wish to be involved, please call 864-2963.  The show will be held at Lakeside Theater on July 1, 2, 4, 5.  Community Theatre is at its best when many people of the community become involved. 

 The season will be filled with Rangeley Community Chorus concerts, the annual Street Dance, Sidecar Heroes Concert, Summer Diva, Home Tour, Art in August, the Westerhoff Concert, the Woodland Chamber Ensemble Concert and other exciting events to enjoy this summer.

Since 1968, the RFA has sponsored a Summer Concert Series including artists ranging from classical to country, Broadway to bluegrass.

 In 1975, we expanded the program to include sponsoring performances by various artists for the youth of our community.  In 1985, this program was expanded to a full school series of several performances.  RFA works closely with the school administration arranging workshops and seminars by talented artists and performers.

 The first local musical production was performed in 1976, a condensed version of a popular Broadway musical.  Since then RFA has produced many full length musicals.  RFA considers this effort one of the most important, as it involves the entire community in the arts in the most direct way; as performers and production staff. 

 The RFA initiated the Student Lesson Program in 1980, assisting local students with the cost of private instruction in the arts.  This program is available to all students taking violin, piano, wind instruments, ballet, tap and modern dance lessons.  In 1988, RFA offered its first scholarship to a graduating senior from Rangeley Lakes Regional School who was continuing an education in the arts.  RFA is offering a week long Drama Camp for students again this summer and the Rangeley Community Chorus will present two concerts this summer.

 As RFA continues to grow and nurture the appreciation of the arts in the region, it has become very apparent that there is a great need for a facility that will enable these programs to expand and grow.  The desire is a comfortable “meeting house”/auditorium for RFA programs and other community uses.  The RFA’s long-term goal is to create classroom and studio spaces for learning, creating and displaying all the arts including but not limited to visual, creative, movement, instrumental, vocal and performing.  A 2.7 acre lot has been acquired which abuts the school property.  With the help of our longtime supporters, the RFA hopes to make this facility a reality in the next few years.

 Donations to the RFA are tax deductible and greatly appreciated.  If you wish to direct your donation to the building fund, please indicate this in the memo of your check.  Thank you and enjoy this and all the performances listed in the schedule of events.

 www.rangeleyarts.com

PO Box 333, Rangeley, ME 04970 

 
THE GARDENS OF DAN PERKINS

Dan Perkins has created a garden space that is one of Rangeley’s hidden treasures.  A plumbing contractor by trade and quilter by avocation, Dan came into gardening naturally.  As the grandson and nephew of Auburn florists Dan spent many hours in his childhood working in the greenhouses of the family business.  When the Perkins family moved to downtown Rangeley in the mid 1980′s alders and raspberries grew behind their home.  Dan bulldozed the existing rocks and wild growth and began making plans for a garden of his own.  Paths and walkways were designed and the clay soil enriched.  Flower beds developed from stem cuttings and seed.  The array of floral growth along the garden pathways evolves throughout the late spring, summer and fall. In early August you will see the lush blossoms of mid to late summer

SUNRISE VIEW FARM

Sunrise View Farm dates back to the 1890′s.  Once a dairy farm encompassing 500 acres the land has been owned and farmed by some of Rangeley’s founding families.  Names on deeds have included Nile, Garrigues, Toothaker, Oakes, Bubier, Brackett and Pawlowski.   Since 1976 Priscilla and Brian St Louis have been the proud owners of this historic gem enjoying its buildings both as their home and the site of their florist, nursery and landscaping business. 

Your visit to Sunrise View Farm will include a tour of the 100 foot barn, the largest in the area still used for agricultural purposes.  The barn was constructed of hand hewn beams and lined with stalls for the farm’s dairy cattle.  In the early 1970′s, Maryiam Pawlowski used the upper level of the barn to house her dance studio.  As you walk through the barn and enter the St Louis home you will be passing through the original milking rooms.

DIANE AND ERIC DARNELL

Perched above Haley Pond this is a newly constructed home built with old fashioned flair. Quality construction and design greet you at the porch entry. The great room offers lovely views of water and sunsets as well as many custom touches. The fireplace was designed with a massive rustic mantel made with local lumber. Be sure to notice the hand cut plank flooring and trim boards that were also gleaned from this lovely lot. 
The back part of the house was built to look like an old log homestead with the front section retaining a “new addition” feel. The home is beautifully decorated with primitives collected by the owners mingled with rustic furnishings and accessories from Welcome Home. The Darnell home is a stunning example of “what is new” in Rangeley.

THE FARMHOUSE INN

The history of the life of the Farmhouse Inn dates back to 1833 when John, James and Luther Hoar II began the purchase of land parcels from Squire James Rangeley.  The Small House on the left side of the existing inn was built in 1833 using post and beam construction and horsehair insulation.  A large barn was soon added adjacent to the Small House.  In 1899 Nathan Ellis purchased the property from the heirs of Luther Hoar Nile II and operated a sheep farm until the land was sold to his son Lynwood around 1920.  In 1903 Nathan converted the barn  to living  quarters which came to be known as The Big House   The upstairs was built with twelve bedrooms to meet the needs of  a growing family.  Under the management of Nathan’s son, Lynwood, his wife Marion Oakes and their eleven children the farm switched from sheep to dairy cattle.  Holsteins grazed on the open pastures above the farm.  Operating in partnership with his son Walter, (1943-1959) Lake View Farm was modernized and produced homogenized and pasteurized dairy products which were delivered throughout Rangeley, Oquossoc, Stratton, Eustis and Kingfield.   In the 60′s and early 70′s Lynwood raised beef cattle as a retirement enterprise.  

Following your tour of homes, a reception and silent auction will be held at The Country Club Inn from 3:30 to 5:15.  Please join us for the camaraderie and an opportunity to bid on alpine and cross country ski passes, beautiful pieces of art, gift certificates to local restaurants and many other wonderful articles from local merchants.  Tickets and maps are available at the Rangeley Lakes Chamber of Commerce 864-5364.