Hawthorne House Hawthorne Community Association photo

RAYMOND — The Strawberry Festival at Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Boyhood Home in Raymond, 40 Hawthorne Road, is set to return this year at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 25.

Featuring a discussion by Loon Lessons author, scientist, naturalist and educator James Paruk on the common loon, the festival will raise funds for the ongoing restoration and preservation of the boyhood home of the legendary author of “The Scarlet Letter,” according to a news release from the Hawthorne Community Association.

The annual festival will kick off with a brief update offered by Abel Bates, an association member, on the Hawthorne House’s ongoing fundraising efforts and the association’s vision for the future of the house as a new community center. This will be followed by Paruk’s presentation on the biology, migrations and mysteries of the common loon, as well as some of the latest research and Paruk’s personal experiences with the bird.

Wrapping up the event, all attendees can have homemade strawberry shortcake, served with coffee and punch.

Those who would like to donate to the ongoing restoration of the home can send a check payable to “Hawthorne Community Association” to: Hawthorne Community Association, P.O. Box 185, South Casco, ME 04077. PayPal donations can be made at hawthorneassoc.com.

Admission will cost $15 for adults and $5 for children 8 and younger, with reservations at hawthorne@maine.rr.com prior to Monday, June 20 recommended, although walk-ins also are welcome.

For more information, contact Bates at 207-318-7131 or jbates4@maine.rr.com.