1226 NG: South Portland native Britta Pejic is one of two performers appearing at the New Gloucester Village Coffee House on Jan. 3. The songs she writes are quirky, offbeat commentaries about modern life played with humor and a unique style.

Courtesy photo

Village Coffee House presents

Just in time for college students and others who are home for the holidays, the New Gloucester Village Coffee House presents Addie Thompson and Britta Pejic in concert Saturday, Jan. 3. Showtime is 7:30 p.m.

Addie Thompson, a freshman at Brown University, is a singer-song writer whose style is in the folk, rock, pop tradition with lyrics that are original and emotive. Britta Pejic, a native of South Portland, has played in rock/punk/pop/country ensembles including a number of bands in Austin, Texas.

The Village Coffee House is located at the First Congregational Church at the corner of Church Road and Gloucester Hill Road in the Lower Village. Tickets are available at the door for a suggested donation of $10 for adults, $5 for children and seniors. Proceeds benefit the church. For more Information: contact the church office at 926-3260, Julie Fralich at 926-3161, or visit www.ngucc.org.

Top scholars

The first trimester honor roll at the Gray-New Gloucester Middle School has been released. Grades 7 and 8 are listed below, while the honor roll for grade 6 appears in the column “Inside Gray.”

Grade 7 – High honors: Cody Brann, Heather Chapman, Emily Hanson, Brianna Heisler, Jake LaCerda, Carolyn Liziewski, Casey Myhaver, and Paul Phillips. Honors: Jimmy Alt, Riley Archer, Nolan Aube, Drew Blanchard, Jaime Boulos, Brandon Buck, Tyler Credit, Elijah Donovan, Victoria Dudley, Grace Ferguson, Karley Frey, Audrey Garcia, Mitchell Giles, Stephanie Greaton, Tim Hamilton, Spencer Harriman, Josephine Heston, Tyler Hicks, Anna Knapp, Angelina LaCarrubba, Samantha Libby, Noah Lobozzo, Jesse Lowell, Jessica Mann, Justin Nilsen, Kelsey Pelton, Allison Pendleton, Elyssa Pennell, Silas Phillips, Carissa Quincannon, Leah Ridge, Julia Ritter, Molly Stansfield, Alexandra Stash, Nick Tarling, Brandon Thibeault and Mikayla Trafford.

Honors Average: Kris Barbour, Khris Berry, Tristan Croteau, David Despins, Annie Edgerly, Justin Goodine, Cody Harmon, Brandon Hubbard, Brendan Joy, Mitchell Madore, Bryce Neal, Larissa Needham, Victoria Ray, Talin Rowe, Richard Southard, Elizabeth Tynes and Jasen Washburn.

Grade 8 – High honors: Dylan Frisbie, Brogan Kelley, Alanna Larrivee, Jack Martell, David McCann, Sandra Ricardi, Kayla Rogers, Paige Severance, Tyler Small, Karen Sutherland and Lucy Wilcox. Honors: Amy Albert, Elizabeth Audet, Kelsey Bailey, Vincent Beaulieu, Breanna Bozzuto, Dakota Carll, Dexter Castro, Ariel Catrett, Sierra Clark, Taylor Darnell, Kristen Fecteau, Adam Fogg, Paul Fotter, Amanda Giggey, Devanne Goodine, Emily Harlow, Katherine Hersom, Tracy Heffernan, Hunter Hodsdon, Brayden Kirby, Devon Maguire, Connor Mailman, Alexandrea Mitchell, Blair Ouellette, Brianna Pasanen, Robin Pelkey, Ashley Rice, Jacob Richards, Jack Robbins, Natalie Robbins, Olivia Rottari, Danny Rowe, Jennifer Rubinstein, Chantel Ruby, Tyler Scribner, Collin Skilling, Sam Stauble, Jake Street, Alexandra Thompson and Tracey Whitmore.

Honors Average: Hannah Bowie, Ethan Bruns, Liam Cullins, Michele Dehetre, Courtney Doudey, Brian Dubuc, Pat Dumas, Holly Herrick, Dalton Huff, Anna Johnson, Joshua Kane, Nicholas King-Briggs, Edwin Madore, Scarlett Moore, Lindsay Nunley, Abby Ordway, Rickhia Paulson, Tyler Ray, Nicholas Rogers, Delilah Talon, Meghan Vadeboncoeur, Olivia Viola and Samantha Wilkins.

Tree symbolism

Unfortunately, I didn’t attend this year’s Christmas tree lighting in the Upper Village, but an attendee provided a full report. She said that the ceremony was wonderful, replete with candles lit and master of ceremonies Mark Ray relating what this tree represents: all the troops serving our country and the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Under the direction of Robin Ray, the children’s choir did a great job singing “Jingle Bells” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” while ringing their bells. This year Brian and Susan Bartlett performed the honor of lighting the tree. It was a special time for them since their youngest son Nathan had just returned from serving in Iraq, while their oldest son Ben was being deployed to Iraq that same night. The Bartletts were thanked for their sons’ willingness to serve our country during this difficult time. The ceremony ended with the extinguishing of candles during the singing of “Silent Night.”

Many components go into making the tree lighting so special. Thanks to Pine Tree Networks for being so gracious in helping to keep the lights glowing. The company has come through every time it has been tapped for help. PTN crewman Scott Harlow has done a wonderful job in making sure that everything was perfect. The town crew deserves kudos by offering its support in cleaning up the area around the tree and providing needed repairs.

Appreciation is also bestowed to Bruce and Diane Marrone of Cloutier’s Market for providing a warm place to gather afterwards for hot chocolate and cookies, which were baked and donated by several people. Last but not least, thanks to the people who gathered for this small ceremony that provided inspiration and a chance to reflect on the true meaning of this tree.