G’day Mate! Today Asa’s World Tour of Maine brings you to the land down under, Sidney! I came with a strange llama, who made me nervous. She took me there after we had breakfast. And she squeaked, “Sidney’s not named for the land down under…” WAIT?! Stop the singing this poorly paraphrased version of the Men at Work song! What do you mean Sidney isn’t named for the city in Australia?
According to historians, Sidney, Maine was settled in 1760 as part of Vassalboro, and incorporated on January 30, 1792 as an independent town. However rather than being named for a famous resident, or a location of significant meaning for the settlers, they decided to name the town after Sir Philip Sidney, a sixteenth century author, statesman, poet and military commander noted for his bravery and gallantry on the battlefield. Alright, I can understand why it wasn’t named after Sydney in Australia, because it wasn’t until 1788 that it was established as a penal colony, and it took quite a few years for it to establish itself for world attention, or better yet the focus of a small Maine community a world away. But why name it after a poet who had already been dead for over 200 years? And better yet, if Llily Llama already knew this, why did she insist I stop here on my world tour Maine?
Well as you can see, Llily Llama is wearing my musical notes bandana. This was her way of telling me that we were in Sidney to visit the New England Music Camp. Established in 1937, in Sidney, Maine, on the eastern shore of Messalonskee Lake, this summer camp has been attracting musicians from all 50 states and beyond for over 80 years. In fact, many of the alumni have gone on to have successful careers in music as soloists, participated in prestigious orchestras around the world, and have dedicated their lives to music education. Now I get it! Llily Llama wants me to teach a few classes here to inspire these young musicians to be rock stars! Just like the plot of the movie, “School of Rock!”
Alas, that is NOT why Llily Llama took me here. Instead, she thought I could use a few lessons to enhance my musical career! Sure as an up and coming rock star, I expect critics to say such things, but my own tour manager? Insulted, I stormed off to take a hike in the woods to clear my head.
