The Paws of November

The Pine State Pitches pose at the Bean Boot after performing at L.L.Bean’s Northern Lights Opening Night & Tree Lighting.

Hello and happy end of fall! I am writing this wrapped in two blankets, mentally preparing to shovel 3-9 inches of snow from my driveway in the next few days. It is time to accept the inevitable - winter is upon us, and here in Maine, we have 4-6 months of shoveling snow and ice ahead of us. During these dark months, I'm more grateful than ever for Fred and his evening snuggles.

If you’ve kept a keen eye on our social media this month, you know we have a special treat for you in this newsletter - it’s time to meet the Pine State Pets! Many of our members have furry friends at home who we love coming home to after long rehearsals. These cuddly cuties are the unsung heroes of the group, so today, you’re getting a look behind the mewsic at our im-paw-sibly adorable cats, dogs, and even a few chickens!

Fred (Bailey’s dog): If you’ve been reading our newsletter regularly, you’ve already heard quite a bit about this guy; Sir Frederick IV has been ruling Bailey’s life since 2020, when like so many others, she decided the best time to adopt a pup was in the middle of a global pandemic. When Bailey saw him on the Animal Welfare Society’s website, it was love at first sight. She had never imagined herself owning a small dog, but this 15lbs chihuahua mix wiggled his way into her heart from their first meeting. Fred adores short walks on his short legs, chasing squirrels, stealing socks, barking at dogs five times his size, and playing with his best puppy pal, Bella.

Binx (Lexi’s step-cat): Binx & Lexi recently became roommates in June 2025 when Lexi & her boyfriend, Ben, moved in together. Lexi loves living with her boyfriend, but she REALLY loves living with Binx. When she’s not napping by her favorite window or hiding from her arch nemesis (the vacuum), Binx loves cuddling up with her humans while they watch movies or play video games. 

Bean (Holly’s dog daughter): Tiabeanie MariaBeanie Linda-Cardellini Dalton-Spencer or “Bean” came into the world in the winter of 2023 and was declared a Dalton-Spencer by Holly and her husband Brenton that very spring. Despite being categorized as a “supermutt” in DNA testing, she fully understands that she is a royal by sheer will and takes counsel with her squeaky toy monkey and oversized Lambchop every morning as well as her regal advisors at doggy daycare once a week. Bean repays her parents for their love by protecting them at all costs. She remains vigilant against the evil hats that attack their heads by yanking them off immediately when she has the higher ground, and always and without fail grumbles at 3AM to make sure the demons stay away…and to make sure she gets pets right after for a job well done. 

Charlotte and Violet (Two of Lauren M.’s Chickens): Lauren has been raising chickens since 2011 when her college professor told her that now that music was her career she needed a new hobby. Lauren took this literally and got into chicken keeping. Lauren currently has 28 chickens, ages 4 months to 11 years old. Charlotte and Violet were born this May. Charlotte is named after Charlotte’s Web, a musical that Lauren’s husband did set design for last year. Violet is named for the character in the Musical 9 to 5, which Lauren performed in this summer. 

Marlow (Rachel L.’s Dog): Marlow is a collie/terrier mix adopted from the Lewiston Animal Shelter when she was only 2 months old in 2017. (The Pitches have had the pleasure of meeting Marlow many times during rehearsals at Rachel’s house, and she is beloved by all!)

Bubba and Sanchez (Victoria’s kittos): Bubba (aka BooBoo, Boobie, Bubs, Bubby Boo, Chunkaroni and Cheese, Baby Bacon Bits, amongst many others) and Sanchez (aka Sanchito Burrito, Crunchwrap Supreme, Dirty…, Beefy Boy, TubTub) both came from less-than-glamorous beginnings. Victoria found Bubba in an Atlanta parking lot in 2012. Weighing in at under one pound, he quickly stole Victoria’s heart and has been the love of her life ever since. Bubba loves bacon, winter time snuggles, appearing out of nowhere at your feet, and has a major sweet tooth. Sanchez was a companion of Victoria’s during her deployments overseas, where she watched him grow from a tiny baby kitten in 2020 to a goofy, half-mustached lovebug she couldn’t leave behind. He’s been enjoying his new cushy life in Maine since 2021. Sanchez’s favorite things are attention, food, and like a typical little brother, anything Bubba has. The boys are excited to enjoy their brand new catio built for them this summer.

Maxwell, Stacey's handsome pup

I hope you’ve enjoyed learning about our fetching friends! Watch out for the December newsletter, where you can hear all about the holiday performances we’ve been enjoying this season. If you were not able to make it to our November shows, you have one more chance this Saturday, December 6, at the Island Community Church on Bailey Island. You can find all the details on our website!