TURNER —  Everyone is invited to join the “Music for Mavis” community gazebo project for an afternoon of old-fashioned fun at a skating party, to be held from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14, at the town’s new skating area, located on Route 4 between Turner Village Crossing and the ice
cream stand. 

There will be hot dogs, hot chocolate and hot fudge sundaes for sale, and those attending are asked to bring their chairs, blankets, hand warmers and community spirit for a fun afternoon. There is no charge to skate but there will be a donation jar for those wishing to help with raising the funds for the new community gazebo.

Following a very successful three-church supper and a variety show featuring Michael Cooper, the fund has topped $10,000. A total of $15,000 to $17,000 is needed to complete the gazebo which will be on the Leavitt campus in Turner Center. Groundbreaking is planned for May 1 and the gazebo will be used for summer music concerts, book readings and other library activities, teas, book clubs and other community events.

The gazebo is being built to honor Mavis Varney who lived in Turner her entire life, loved music and especially enjoyed outdoor concerts. It was her wish that upon her death a community gazebo be constructed.

Other events in the planning stages for the upcoming months include a cabin fever supper put on by the Masonic Lodge in March and possibly a blue grass night during the summer with local musicians performing at the site of the new gazebo.

Mavis and Paul Varney were founding members of the Turner Ridge Riders Snowmobile Club and the Music for Mavis folks will be at the Turner One Lunger Snowmobile Event on Saturday, Feb. 20.

Anyone wishing to make a donation is encouraged to do so as soon as possible. Donations may be sent to the Music for Mavis Gazebo Project, Turner Town Office, 11 Turner Center Road, Turner, ME 04282.