The arts have a special place in my heart. As a former trumpet player, I have fond memories of marching band, holiday concerts and the need to clean out my spit valve. When I was a graduating senior at Thornton Academy, I even received the Arts Department Award recognizing my efforts within the arts, specifically with the television station, TATV Channel 3.

The role arts played in my life early on has led me to champion the importance of the arts not just in the Legislature but right here at home.
STEM refers to the importance of prioritizing science, technology, engineering and mathematics in public schools. There is a growing movement to make it STEAM, by adding arts into the mix. Studies have proven direct links between students exploring their creativity in the arts with doing better in academic classes and learning important skills such as team building, communication and self-expression.

Last year, I started the Arts Action Fund, a grant designed to help local arts classrooms with innovative new projects and to help cover supply costs. It’s my way of giving back to a school system that has given so much to me. I am who I am today because of the dedicated teachers and mentors I grew up with.

Our 2016-2017 recipients were Burns School in Saco, Loranger Memorial in Old Orchard Beach, and Saint James in Biddeford. Burns School used the grant money to fund a variety of ethnic instruments. Loranger Memorial started a ukulele program and Saint James purchased a variety of band instruments for students most in need.

This year, our 2017-2018 recipients are: Saco Middle School, Old Orchard Beach High School and Burns School. Saco Middle School is using the grant to reinvigorate and make improvements to its performance arts space: a new stage curtain, performance lights, audio system, etc. At Old Orchard Beach High School, arts teachers are putting their students through a cultural immersion experience by drawing and painting a community mural map of the world. For Burns School, we doubled its strings budget.

In total, we have invested more than $2,500 into classrooms throughout our area with your help and the help of local businesses through my nonprofit organization. Our work is far from over, but hopefully this will continue to spark renewed interest in a subject matter that yields lifelong results.

Justin Chenette is serving his first term as the youngest senator in the Maine Senate representing Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Hollis, Limington and Buxton. He previously served two terms in the Maine House of Representatives. Outside the Legislature, he is the owner of Chenette Media LLC, a marketing & public relations firm, works as the marketing coordinator of Saco Sport & Fitness, and is the president/ CEO of the Saco Bay Center of Civic Engagement, a 501c3 nonprofit service organization. Sign up for legislative updates at www.justinchenette.com or www.Facebook.com/ JustinChenette.

The holidays are a natural time for our community to come together. Each year scores of volunteers band together to organize some of the best family centered events for all ages.
​
The annual Festival of Trees at Saco Museum has a been a staple of the holiday season for 13 years running. It’s a tradition that I hope is around for many years to come. This year’s “Winter Celebrations” themed event is a fundraiser to benefit the important programs at Dyer Library and Saco Museum. Both of which are great community assets and enhance our cultural and informational awareness. They connect us to the wider world.

Each year I decorate a tree for the festival as a way of giving back. The last few years I’ve had a reoccurring theme, to highlight the importance of others who step up to serve their community, state and country. It started with a red, white and blue tree, adorned with photos of my own family members who serve in the Armed Forces. Last year, I recognized the Saco Police Department for the important and often very dangerous work it does each day to serve and protect. I incorporated photos of the officers and specialty police and blue ornaments.

This year I wanted to continue the theme. My entry this year into the Saco Museum’s annual Festival of Trees is entitled “Unsung Heroes.” My tree honors the brave men and women running toward danger to protect us and our families each and every day at the Saco Fire Department. The tree features firefighter ornaments and photos of the Saco Fire Department in action. It may seem like their heroic efforts go unnoticed, but our community cares deeply about our devoted public safety officials like our local firefighters and EMTs. They are rock stars in my book. Shout out to Chief John Duross for his help getting photos together to feature on the tree. Surprisingly, it’s hard to find firefighter related ornaments, but after some digging, I found the perfect ones to showcase the importance of their job.

There are many other wonderful trees this year from various community and student groups. Admission to the festival is free and is open noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. It is also open noon to 8 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The festival runs until Dec. 30.

Other events that will be sure to delight the entire family include Saco’s annual Holiday Festival put on by our Saco Main Street organization. On Saturday, Dec. 2 there will be a number of events throughout the day, culminating in the awe-inspiring Parade of Lights. Santa arrives at the Saco Amtrak Station at 1:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. for children’s crafts, S’mores, Christmas music and photos with the big guy. Hot chocolate, a pixie treasure hunt, live nativity scene and horse and wagon rides await you at Saco City Hall from 1 to 4 p.m. The city tree lighting will be from 3:30 to 4:30, p.m. Bring your singing voice as we all join in a circle of caroling our favorite Christmas classics. Grab some grub at the Toys for Tots Bean Supper at Most Holy Trinity Church from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Dozens of lighted floats and groups will march down historic Main Street starting at 6:30 p.m. Be on the lookout, I’ll be in the parade.

Over in Old Orchard Beach, the annual Celebration by the Sea by the chamber of commerce will be held 2 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 at The Pier. The event includes refreshments, a visit and pictures with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, face painting, and a marvelous tree lighting.

This is just to name a few. There are many more fun seasonal activities and events to be on the look out for. Hope to see you there.
​
Justin Chenette is serving his first term as the youngest senator in the Maine Senate representing Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Hollis, Limington and Buxton. He previously served two terms in the Maine House of Representatives. Outside the Legislature, he is the owner of Chenette Media LLC, a marketing & public relations firm, works as the marketing coordinator of Saco Sport & Fitness, and is the president/ CEO of the Saco Bay Center of Civic Engagement, a 501c3 nonprofit service organization. Sign up for legislative updates at www.justinchenette.com or www.Facebook.com/ JustinChenette.