The Lookout: Season heats up with Spring Fest in downtown Newburyport

Music, art, fine crafts and food mix together this weekend for downtown Newburyport's first festival of the season. Spring Fest takes place Sunday and Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in and around the Market Square area and on the waterfront.

Downtown will be filled with handmade crafts and food both days. Don't Call Me Shirley, which plays contemporary, classic and popular hits from the 1960s to today, will take over the Market Square stage on Sunday, with Cloverfield on tap for Monday. The live music goes from 1 to 4 p.m. both days.

On Sunday, a Kids Korner at Market landing Park on the waterfront will keep the children busy with face painting and balloons from noon to 3 p.m. There will be a teddy bear parade with lineup starting at 11:45 a.m. Brian Doser performs at noon and again at 2 p.m., and local puppeteer and storyteller Martha Dana is on tap for 1 p.m.

The event is presented by the Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Call 978-462-6680 or visit www.newburyportchamber.org.

Playhouse ships off to sea for zany comedy

Step aboard for The Valley Players' production of the patriotic comedy "Mister Roberts," opening tomorrow at Amesbury Playhouse Dinner Theater, 194 Main St., Amesbury.

The World War II Navy cargo ship USS Reluctant is the setting for the Tony Award-winning play. The last months of the war in the South Pacific find the play's hero, Lt. Junior Grade Douglas Roberts, as the crew's chief cargo officer. His life is made miserable by the proverbial autocratic, self-ambitious Navy captain. Much of the action of the play involves Roberts running interference between the captain and the crew. The stage version was adapted to a film starring Henry Fonda, James Cagney and Jack Lemmon in an Oscar-winning supporting role.

The Playhouse production stars Mark Nichols of Haverhill as Roberts and Jim Manclark of Amesbury as the captain. The crew features Charles Carroll of Newburyport as Chief Johnson, Tom Seiler of Portsmouth, N.H., as Doc, Dave Honey of Amesbury as Dowdy, Ken Fillebrown of Lawrence as Insigna, Paul Gallant of Lynn as Mannion, Brian Nickerson of Amesbury as Stefanowski, Rob Kennedy of Lawrence as Wiley, Eric Lamarche of Lowell as Ensign Pulver, John Maynard of Amesbury as Dolan, Dave Taylor of North Andover as Gerhart, Jamie Taker of Haverhill as Lt. Ann Girard, Jonathan Mandell of Amesbury as shore patrolman, and Dan Story of Merrimac as shore patrol officer.

The show runs through June 7. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays with dinner at 7 p.m. and the curtain at 8:30; two shows Sunday, a matinee with the meal at noon and curtain at 1:30 p.m. and an evening offering with dinner at 5 p.m. and the curtain at 6:30; and Wednesday nights with dinner at 6 and the curtain at 7:30. Reservations are required and may be made by calling the Playhouse at 978-388-9444. Visit www.amesburyplayhouse.com for more.

Rosie O'Shea Wake & Auction at Port Tavern

The Greater Newburyport Benevolent Society is hosting a Rosie O'Shea Wake & Auction tonight at 7:30 at The Port Tavern, 84 State St., Newburyport.

Upon her death, O'Shea offered all her belongings for auction and sale, with the proceeds to be donated to the Pettengill House in Salisbury. The auction will feature a variety of pub memorabilia. There will also be a raffle and a chance to say a farewell to O'Shea.

Pettengill House seeks to support, empower and coordinate community and state services, providing basic necessities, emergency assistance, prevention education, case management and support to those in need.

For more on tonight's event, call Port Tavern at 978-465-1006.

Horse-drawn hayrides through Maudslay's blooms and fields

Grab a seat for a free hayride and enjoy Maudslay State Park in Newburyport in bloom this weekend. The park interpreter will identify the different species of hybrid flowering trees and shrubs along the way and explain some of the history of the former Moseley family estate along Curzon Mill Road.

The hayrides take place Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m., with the last one setting out at 3:30 p.m. They leave from the spray shed garage on Hedge Drive past the main entrance gate to Maudslay. Beverages will be available while you wait. All ages are invited. The rain date is Monday.

Here is what else is in store at Maudslay:

Kidleidoscope, a weekly program for preschoolers ages 3 to 6, takes place Fridays from 10 to 11 a.m. A different nature topic is highlighted every week with a story, craft and an activity that includes outdoor exploration. This week's focus is on flowers.

Flower walks set out Saturday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The park interpreter will lead the outings to view the floral landscape of perennials, hybrid rhododendrons, azaleas and other flowering trees in bloom. All ages are invited.

Evening strolls make the rounds through Maudslay every Tuesday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. A different trail is traveled each week. By the end of the summer, the outings will have covered the entire park.

Admission to all park programs is free. They are co-sponsored by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Maudslay State Park Association. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by adults. Call the park headquarters at 978-465-7223.

Wildlife Refuge kayak tour explores the Great Marsh

Join Frank Drauszewski, deputy manager of Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island, on a kayak/canoe paddle through the Great Marsh on Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The tour will feature views of Plum Island and its pristine salt marshes, as well as offer participants a chance to see some of its wild inhabitants up close.

The outing is open to ages 12 and up. Meet at refuge parking lot one with kayak or canoe and personal flotation device. Registration is required. Call 978-465-5753 to reserve a spot.

Newbury artist offers interpretation of 'Local Scenes'

Plum Island artist Joanna Hammond highlights "Local Scenes" in her watercolor and acrylic paintings on display this month at Stella's of Middle Street, 25 Middle St., Newburyport.

Hammond, who has won watercolor prizes at both the Newburyport and Seacoast art associations, is a member of the Bridge Gallery artists' cooperative at 1R Water St., which she started with a group of fellow artists three years ago. She studied fine art at Eastern Michigan University, and began her art career in Newburyport as the owner and operator of Magic Pottery in the 1970s. Since that time, she has pursued her interest in painting using various media, including watercolor, acrylic, pastel and oil paint.

'Focus on New England' for local artist's show

Linda Dahlberg presents a "Focus on New England" as this season's featured artist for The Provident Bank's Newburyport Lobby for the Arts program.

Dahlberg's artwork is on display through June 30 at the bank's Newburyport branches at 66 Storey Ave. and downtown at 1 Merrimac Landing. A reception takes place next Thursday, May 28, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Storey Avenue branch. For more, call Mark Wright, Newburyport market manager for Provident, at 978-225-1401.

Bartlett Museum kicks off 2009 season

The Bartlett Museum in Amesbury opens for the season this weekend with a focus on local history.

The 1870 Italianate-style house at 270 Main St. features artifacts and exhibits highlighting the former carriage industry; old maps and mementos; a collection of prehistoric and Native American artifacts; memorabilia from the Colonial, Federal and Victorian periods; a Natural History Room featuring birds, shells and fossils; an original vintage schoolroom and a carriage shed.

The museum is open Fridays from 1 to 4 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. through Labor Day. Admission is $3 for adults and $1 for children and seniors. Memberships are available for area adults. History buffs, collectors, genealogists and curiosity-seekers are invited to join. Call 978-388-4528 or visit www.bartlettmuseum.org.

Women of NECC holding fundraiser

The Women of Northern Essex Community College will hold their 13th annul fundraiser on Saturday, June 6, at 7 p.m. at the Andover home of Peter and Mary Tyrrell. Guests will enjoy cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, a light buffet dinner and desserts. There will be a silent auction and raffle as well. Tickets are $60.

Organized in 1997, the Women of NECC help Northern Essex raise money for scholarships for needy and deserving students. Judy Morrison of Seabrook is vice president of the board. For more on the fundraiser or organization, contact Lori Smerdon, NECC Institutional Advancement Office, at lsmerdon@necc.mass or 978-556-3789.

Fourth of July sunset cruise set to sail

Tickets are now on sale for the annual "Blues on the Merrimack" river cruise on Saturday, July 4, aboard Captain's Lady II out of Plum Island Point in Newburyport.

Shirley Lewis, known as the "regal queen of the blues," will headline the entertainment, with guitarist J. Laite. Lewis is a BluesTrust Lifetime Achievement Award winner who has performed for more than 50 years with such artists as B.B. King, James Cotton and Pinetop Perkins. Bass guitarist Lee Lundy and percussionist Richard Malcolm will round out the ensemble.

The sunset cruise goes from 7 to 10 p.m. A cash bar will be available. Tickets are $32 in advance, $36 the day of the event. They are available online at www.NewburyportBluesCruise.com as well as at Captain's Fishing Parties on Plum Island Point, Newburyport (800-427-1333) and Dyno Records on Middle Street in downtown Newburyport (978-462-9630). Visit www.NewburyportBluesCruise.com for more.

Caribbean flair for Anna Jaques beach fundraiser

The Anna Jaques Community Health Foundation is making plans for its annual summer fundraiser, Buffett on the Beach, on Friday, June 19, from 6 to 11 p.m. at the Pavilion at Salisbury Beach State Reservation.

The event will be catered by Carry Out Cafe in Newburyport, and there will be plenty of dancing to the sounds of Jimmy Buffett. Dress is resort casual. Admission is 21-plus.

Proceeds from this year's event will support the creation of comprehensive cancer care provided by Anna Jaques Hospital in Newburyport and Commonwealth Hematology Oncology at the new Commonwealth Newburyport Cancer Center. The new center, adjacent to the hospital, will provide advanced radiation oncology services.

Tickets for the fundraiser, which goes off rain or shine, are $125. There will also be a raffle to win two tickets to the June 25 Jimmy Buffett concert at the Comcast Center in Mansfield, as well as golfing at local clubs, sports tickets and more. Raffle tickets are one for $5 or five for $20. Ticket-holders don't need to be present to win.

For tickets to the fundraiser or the raffle or more information, call 978-463-1176 or visit www.ajh.org.

All-American Barbecue planned for Iraq, Afghanistan veterans

The Ipswich veterans organizations are planing an Afghanistan and Iraq Veterans Convention and All-American Barbecue on Saturday, June 13, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Ipswich VFW Post 1093, 110 County Road, Ipswich (next to the YMCA).

The event will aid veterans from throughout the region in making the transition from military to civilian life. There will be workshops and information on coping with post-traumatic stress disorder as well as benefits available to veterans and their families, including the Veteran Employment & Training Services Program, Disabled Veterans Outreach Program and more. Programs on resume writing and navigating the job market are also planned.

Thomas G. Kelley, the state's secretary of veterans' services, a Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient, will be the keynote speaker. A solider is also flying in from Saudi Arabia to take part.

Chad Freeman of Newburyport, service officer for VFW Post 1093, is among the organizers. To make a reservation or for more information, e-mail iraqafghanistanconvention2009@yahoo.com.

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To submit a Lookout item, e-mail it to svartabedian@newburyportnews.com, fax it to 978-465-8505, or mail it to The Daily News, 23 Liberty St., Newburyport, MA 01950.

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