Since 1992
Print and digital marketing
By Dick and Jo Thibodeau
TURNER — Music, melodies and lyrics often rouse our senses as we reminisce of days gone by or days more recent, remembering people who have come into and out of our lives.
So it is with Mavis Varney.
She loved music, sang harmony, played alto saxophone in the school band, told jokes and always loved to have a good time with friends and community. She often attended concerts at the gazebo in Livermore Falls and dreamed of a day when Turner would have its own musical center.
Over the years, Varney and her husband, Paul, actively participated in many community projects — helping save the Leavitt Institute Building, supporting the creation of the Androscoggin River Park, committing themselves to church activities, as well as encouraging his baseball teams and building baseball fields.
One day, while driving by The Green in Turner Center, Varney realized it was the perfect place to build a gazebo — in front of the Leavitt Institute Building on Route 117.
She envisioned the gazebo as the ideal community space to enjoy music, plays and dancing as well as a place for neighbors to gather and enjoy a good time.
Varney died in August 2008, and donations given in her memory by friends and the Turner Snowmobile Club inspired the creation of the Music For Mavis Gazebo Building Committee.
The dream was launched, but it took a year to percolate, and in late 2009 serious action began to unfold. The committee, led by her daughter, Paula Anderson, consisted of a diverse group of talented community members, many with professional experiences.
Turner resident Dave Rogers, with a background in design, provided a concept allowing the gazebo to be built at ground level for handicapped accessibility and senior citizen mobility. With the town’s planning board approval, school board approval, and completion of permits, construction was ready to start.
Local contractors came forward volunteering their labor and donating some of the materials to defray the overall construction costs. Kurt Youland became the project manager, overseeing construction and site completions.
His leadership, coupled with his time, goodwill, equipment, employees and coordination with volunteers allowed for the completion of the project in time for the July 4, 2010, celebration. The participation of these committee members, as well as the generous contributions of friends, which made initiating this dream possible, is recognized with a plaque located in the Turner Town Office.
With the advent of the gazebo’s ninth season, it seems to be an appropriate time to reflect on how Varney’s dream has become a reality. The gazebo, surrounded by Turner’s historic buildings, has become a centerpiece for community events.
Weekly concerts throughout the summer, school events, the Fourth of July Festival concert, and the lighting of the tree during the Christmas season are some of the events enjoyed by community members as well as guests.
The schedule of summer concerts is published in local newspapers (including below), posted on the bulletin board located on The Green and listed on the Turner Public Library and Town of Turner websites. The enthusiasm and participation of community spirit truly showcases the vision Mavis had for this gazebo.
Providing musical entertainment does require a budget, however, and one of the ways to help cover these expenses is to “pass the hat” midway through each concert. While a minimum gratuity is suggested, many people have been very generous over the years. These contributions, in addition to generous donations by local businesses and citizens, enable the program to continue to support the programs.
While providing summer concerts is the major focus for the gazebo board of directors, there is also the need for continued maintenance of the venue. Currently, the board is considering an upgrade to the lighting within the gazebo, cleaning, painting and addressing other minor repairs. These maintenance costs are an additional expense and go beyond what summertime receipts provide.
Lyrics to a Beatles’ song provide a line supporting the vision Varney had for the gazebo — “I’ll get by with a little help from my friends.”
As the summer’s concert series approaches, please consider supporting the Music for Mavis program and gazebo maintenance. Any help — monetary donations, labor or material — is always appreciated and welcomed.
TOP PHOTO: The under-construction gazebo, which became a reality through help from residents and local businesses. (Submitted photo)
CONCERT SCHEDULE
Concerts are at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, rain or shine.
In case of inclement weather, the concert is held in the meeting room beneath the library, 98 Mathew’s Way. For more information, call 207-754-0954.
MAY 22 — Tom Stevens, folk
May 29 — Lee Stetson Duo, rock, country, blues
June 5 — Scruli and Lisa, klezmer
June 12 — Stan Davis, folk
June 19 — Kevin Libby, country, folk/rock
June 26 — Black Cat Road Band, rock ‘n’ roll
July 3 — Hank Washborn, folk, rock ‘n’ roll
July 4 — Marty Lang, swing, rock, jazz
July 10 — Old Coats, rock ‘n’ roll
July 17 — Back Woods Road Band, bluegrass
July 24 — John Hoose of Country Choir. country rock
July 31 — Brad Hooper, country rock
Aug. 7 — Milltown Road Show, country, bluegrass, rock
Aug. 14 — Denny Breau with Ann, Deb and Frank, folk, blues, county, jazz
Aug. 21 — The Grownups, rock ‘n’ roll
Aug. 28 — Tim Bishop, Chrissy Paulson, et al, rock ‘n’ roll
Sept. 4 — Cobblestones, rock ‘n’ roll, folk
Sept. 11 — Hot Dam, rock ‘n’ roll, swing
