BETMAR ACRES New England Picnic

By Susan Slater

 The New England Picnic, led by President Sheri Huff from the Sebago Lake area of Maine, at Betmar Acres Clubhouse Two, brought together a group of New England residents and guests for a memorable day. The event featured about 30-40 raffle baskets, a New England map for attendees to mark their hometowns, and engaging games such as Dice in the Box, Cornhole, and Spin the Wheel, which sparked plenty of laughter and friendly competition. One humorous highlight was Annmarie and Joel Blair’s struggle to find his town on the map, ultimately relying on borrowed glasses and Google Maps for help.

In addition to games, there was a silent auction managed by Huff’s sister, Sam Riley, who was Mrs. Maine. Auction items ranged from a Patriots quilt to services like interior cleaning and handyman hours. The raffle baskets, themed by state, offered winners a taste of home. For only $12, guests enjoyed a meal starting with homemade charcuterie boards, followed by Caesar salad and options of spaghetti bolognese or chicken ziti alfredo, then a dessert charcuterie board.

Many residents contributed to the event, including Bernadette Vespa, who crafted the wood-burned designs on the boards. Susan and Troy Duprey of Keller Williams sponsored the event, helping from early morning setup to the meet-and-greet and games. Celeste Riendeau kept everyone informed from the microphone, providing a play-by-play of the day’s happenings.

The picnic saw strong representation from Maine, with 75% of attendees, and included guests from Canada and Michigan, though notably, no one from Rhode Island was present. The day concluded with heartfelt thanks to the volunteers and participants, reinforcing the event’s spirit of feeling at home, sharing stories, and making lasting memories even when far from home. ♥