Veterans, families, musical ‘lobster’ part of Wiscasset’s Fourth

SUSAN JOHNS
Tue, 07/04/2017 - 3:45pm
First Congregational Church of Wiscasset pastor Josh Fitterling, left, chases member Sarah Whitfield’s lobster character down Hooper Street in the July 4 parade. SUSAN JOHNS/Wiscasset Newspaper
From left, Lilly Campbell of Wiscasset, Barbara Sanborn of Brewer and George Jones of Wiscasset wait to watch the parade travel down Hooper Street. SUSAN JOHNS/Wiscasset Newspaper
Savannah Brown stands by as mother Crystal Brown wipes the face of Savannah’s brother Camden, 5, as they await the parade. SUSAN JOHNS/Wiscasset Newspaper
The Merry Dancers of Merry Barn in Edgecomb perform in the parade. SUSAN JOHNS/Wiscasset Newspaper
Horses and riders take part in the parade. SUSAN JOHNS/Wiscasset Newspaper
Mercy Johnson of Newcastle is dressed for the occasion at Wiscasset’s July 4 parade. SUSAN JOHNS/Wiscasset Newspaper
American Legion Post 54 of Wiscasset Auxiliary Vice President Janice Fogg, left, and President Pearl Skillin take part in the pledge of allegiance at American Legion Post 54’s flag-raising on the waterfront. SUSAN JOHNS/Wiscasset Newspaper
American Legion Post 54 member Neil Page, left, and Cmdr. Bill Cossette Jr. take part in the flag-raising. SUSAN JOHNS/Wiscasset Newspaper
Members of the Marshall Nelson Trio perform on the Wiscasset waterfront on the Fourth of July. SUSAN JOHNS/Wiscasset Newspaper

    About a month ago, Wiscasset-raised Janice Fogg, 84, found the wool cape and hat her late mother wore as president of American Legion Post 54's Auxiliary about three-quarters if a century ago. Fogg, auxiliary vice president, decided to wear it Tuesday at Wiscasset's Fourth of July celebration.

    "I think she would be tickled," Fogg, of Freeport, said. It also was a way to show the Legion’s history, she added.  Her mother had served as the auxiliary’s president and her husband, Fogg's father L. Frank Metcalf, had been post commander. He served in the Army in World War I. Then, as a Legion member in World War II, he continued helping the nation with plane-spotting and other efforts, Fogg said.

    Fogg wore her mother’s auxiliary wear on the Legion float and later at a flag-raising ceremony on the waterfront. Wool absorbs moisture, so the cape was not too hot for the day, she said.
     
    On Hooper Street earlier, World War II  Air Force veteran George Jones waited with family members for the parade. The best part is getting to see people you might only see once a year, he said.
     
    Leah Harmon, 83, has attended the parade every year since moving to Wiscasset about 12 years ago. She has liked each one, she said.
     
    Crystal Brown of Atlanta, Georgia, attending with husband Jonathan and their son Camden, 5, and daughters Savannah, 3, and Olivia, 1, said the kids like the fire trucks. The Browns were visiting family in town. Crystal is from Wiscasset and recalled playing in a school band in the July 4 parade.
     
    Tag Frothingham’s labradoodle Luna was not a fan of the fire trucks’ sounds. Frothingham, of Acton, Massachusetts, said Luna was interested in everything that passed by them on Federal Street until the fire trucks came through and the noise bothered her. Then the two moved to the back of Wiscasset Elementary School's front lot. Frothingham is visiting his mother in Newcastle.
     
    Heather Higgins of Jefferson said she and husband Caleb and daughters Samantha, 5, and Chloe, 3, have attended the last few years. “It’s a good parade and it’s easy to get to.” Afterward, they were going to a family reunion-lobster bake in Damariscotta, she said.

    Tuesday’s parade was Josh Fitterling’s first as pastor of First Congregational Church of Wiscasset. Dressed as a chef, he chased a piccolo-playing lobster portrayed by congregation member Sarah Whitfield. She was a lobster last year, but the chase was new. Asked later how she fared, Whitfield said, "Because I was a musical lobster, I was spared."

    The church’s entry took first place among nonprofits; Freedom Fellowship came second; Wiscasset Area Chamber of Commerce, third. Gordon Properties took first in the animal category; no other places were awarded, according to a list Wiscasset Parks and Recreation provided. Under auto, Richard Forrest won, Ralph Rogers came second and Donald Baldwin, third.

    First place in the business division went to Davis Construction and the Merry Dancers of Merry Barn in Edgecomb; second, Meadowbrook Campground; and third, Ideal Parts. And in the school-youth group, Wiscasset Cheering won,Wiscasset School Band got second and Girl Scout Troop 478, third.

    At Tuesday’s flag-raising, Parks and Recreation programs and facilities manager Bob MacDonald thanked Legion members for the service and for their service to the country.

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