UNION — Union Elementary School students helped celebrate Union’s 250th birthday by presenting an original play, “The Trees Remember” on Tuesday, April 30, in the school gymnasium. The multimedia theatrical production tells some of the story of Union, a town with over two centuries of history. A unique facet of this work is that every student is involved in a way of their choosing – no auditions or disappointments.

The story centers around the narration of seven trees from the Seven-Tree Pond, the site of most of the original settlement of Union. Scenes include a newscast of somewhat current events, an infomercial on the founding of the Moxie beverage, a nod to a very young Edna St. Vincent Millay who resided in Union for a time, along with the tragedies and triumphs of the community. 

This 40-minute show was written and produced by local “Artist in Residence” Scott Dyer, of Rockport, who has worked for over a year writing and preparing the play before bringing it to school.

“Mr. Dyer helped bring the learning of Union’s history alive by preparing students in grades PreK through 6 for the future by learning about our town’s past,” said Principal Scott White, in a Union Sestercentennial Committee news release. “It was a great afternoon with about 400 members of the community attending the performance.”   

At the conclusion of the performance, Mr. Dyer acknowledged the many talents, time, and technical skills that brought this project together, including the students and staff, friends, and family. Principal White presented Mr. Dyer with a new edition of Come Spring since Mr. Dyer’s copy had become tattered and worse-for-wear during the research and writing of the play. Mr. Dyer also received the inaugural commemorative coin of the Sestercentennial that is available for purchase. 

The play was recorded and will be shown this summer as part of the Union Sestercentennial celebration, July 19-21.  

For those interested in volunteering to help with an activity, contact the Union Sestercentennial Committee at unionme250@gmail.com.