Readfield residents to tell their stories at April 30 panel

READFIELD — The Readfield Historical Society will hold its annual meeting and the presentation of an annual award of appreciation to a community member from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at Gile Hall, 8 Old Kents Hill Road.

The meeting and award presentation will be followed by the program “I Love to Tell the Stories,.” Six panelists ages 73 to 91, who are lifetime or longtime Readfield residents, will share stories and take questions from the audience about Readfield during the early to late 20th century. Dale Potter-Clark will moderate the panel discussion.
Panelist Evelyn (Adell) Potter, was born in 1930 at Readfield Depot, and grew up there and has lived at Kents Hill since 1946. She has worked at Kents Hill School, in the Readfield tax assessor’s office and for a local pediatrician. Potter has also authored articles and a book about her memories of Readfield and is a founding member of RHS.
Christopher Dumaine, 87, another panelist, came to Readfield in 1938 so his father could help Dumaine’s newly widowed grandmother Elizabeth Clarke, operate 146-acre Kennemac Farm. Clarke had been a Boston socialite before her second husband, Mac, followed his dream of becoming a dairy farmer in 1927 and left his stock broker position in New York City for Readfield to do so. When Mac died, “My grandmother, not knowing much about farming, called my dad in

Manchester, New Hampshire, and told him he had to get down here to run the farm,” Dumaine said. “My dad packed up my mother, my two-month-old brother and me and headed for Readfield, but not before Mom was assured that Kennemac Farm had indoor plumbing and electricity.”
Other panelists are Melanie Lanctot, John Lord, Brenda (Boutilier) Deojay and Ed Dodge, who have much to share about their experiences from decades – or a lifetime – of living in Readfield.
The program is open to the public, free of charge. Donations are welcome. Refreshments will be served. Attendees must be RHS members to vote during the (brief) annual meeting. Annual dues are $5 for seniors, $10 for others and can be paid or renewed at the door. Call 207-377-2299 or email readfieldhistorical@gmail.com for information.