Woolwich hosted its second annual community picnic Saturday featuring grilled hamburgers, hot dogs, cold soft drinks, cotton candy, homemade ice cream, wonderful live music and all for free!

“We’ve had a great turnout today. It’s warm, but it’s not too hot because there’s a nice breeze,” Selectman Allen Greene told Wiscasset Newspaper. Greene and fellow board member Jason Shaw were manning the grill, while Selectman Allison Hepler and Greene’s wife Janice were behind the food table. “It’s wonderful that the Montsweagers could be here with us again this year to provide music for everyone to enjoy,” continued Greene. “We’re fortunate to live in a community where so many people are willing to volunteer their time to make events like this happen.”

Hepler was in full agreement. She said this was one of the events she looks forward to every summer. “We always enjoy seeing neighbors and especially seeing neighbors catching up with other neighbors. Many people stayed for a couple of hours to socialize with each other. It's also a completely volunteer-run event; from the bake sale to the ice cream, to the music, to the cotton candy, to the cooking and setting up. I think many of us also love the chance to give back to our community. We're lucky to live here,” she added.

Roger Baffer was back making cotton candy for kids of all ages. This year’s flavor was pink raspberry. Baffer has called Woolwich home since 1974. He can often be found sitting behind the camera recording select board and town meetings to be shown on cable TV. “I do this (making cotton candy) for fun,” he said. “Many years ago, when I was a boy the only place you could get cotton candy was at the circus. I liked it so much that I decided when I grew up I’d have my own cotton candy machine.” Baffer’s cotton candy is always a big hit. “The kids love it and so do I but I try to avoid eating it when I’m on a diet,” he said.

Leanne Schwarz was there with her two sons, Dominic and Caleb. “My husband and I feel lucky to live here in Woolwich. This is a wonderful summer event,” she said. Schwarz is a special education teacher at Woolwich Central School which is just down the road from the municipal building where the picnic was being held. Her boys liked the homemade ice cream best that was made by Gaius and Amy Hennin of Shelter Institute. There were two sure fired favorites to choose from – chocolate or vanilla.

When people finished eating, they could sit in the shade and talk under the tents, or take a guided tour inside Woolwich Historical Society’s 19th century farmhouse. Many guests left with freshly made cookies, pies and other baked goodies donated for the historical society’s bake sale. The select board hopes to make the picnic a yearly event.