GORHAM, ME — The USM Department of Theatre launches its 2024-2025 mainstage season with Kimberly Belflower’s bitingly funny and moving John Proctor is the Villain from November 6th to 10th at Russell Hall on the USM Gorham Campus.

At a rural high school in Georgia, a group of lively teens are studying The Crucible while navigating relationships, sex ed, and a few scandals. Holding a contemporary lens to the American classic, they begin to question who is really the hero and what is the truth, discovering their own power in the process. Alternately touching and bitingly funny, this drama captures a generation in mid-transformation, fueled by pop music, running alternately on optimism and rage, writing their own coming of age story.

For director and USM Theatre Department Chair, this show couldn’t be more timely, “Kimberly Belflower has managed to use this iconic work of The Crucible to set the stage for the problems we continue to address in our culture around the dynamics of power and gender.” She says that Belflower is a new voice for a new age, and has deftly “tackled difficult material via use of another American play that is problematically held up as an iconic American work (The Crucible).

USM Theatre students have had to tackle the show’s difficult topics head-on, but the process has been a rewarding one. Valentine says, “This play presents big issues that our student performers have had to grapple with as they portray characters in this play, including topics such as abusive relationships, consent, sex, power. But there is also a lot of hope in this show. It is a drama, but it is not a tragedy. Difficult subject matter can have moments of levity, and at the end of the day, this is a play about community and uplifting.”

To encourage community conversation around the show’s themes, the USM Department of Theatre will be hosting a talkback with Speak About It, a consent education and sexual assault prevention non-profit based in Maine, following the Thursday, November 7th, performance. All are welcome.

John Proctor is the Villain runs November 6th-10th at Russell Hall on the USM Gorham campus.

Content Advisory:

John Proctor is the Villain explores difficult themes including a brief depiction of forced physical contact and discussions of sexual exploitation. It is recommended for high school students and older. If you have questions about the content of the show, please contact us at usmtheatreboxoffice@maine.edu.

Performances:

Thursday, November 7 – 7pm (Featuring a talkback with Speak About It)

Friday, November 8 – 7pm

Saturday, November 9 – 7pm

Sunday, November 10 – 2pm

Ticket Information

Ticket prices: $8-$18

Special pricing for schools and community groups

Pay-What-You-Can: Thursday, November 7th, 7pm

For more info and to purchase tickets, visit USM Theatre at https://usm.maine.edu/department-theatre/box-office-tickets/ or call the USM Theatre Box Office at (207) 780-5151.

To bring a school or community group, contact Audiences Services & Outreach Coordinator, Janice Gardner at janice.gardner@maine.edu. 

Those needing special accommodations to participate fully in this program, contact Janice Gardner at (207)780-5289 or janice.gardner@maine.edu. Hearing impaired: call USM’s telex/TDD number (207)780-5646

Cast of John Proctor is the Villain in a recent rehearsal. Photo by Kat Moraros Photography

GORHAM, ME — Join us on December 1st for our annual Light Parade & Tree Lighting!

Watch the parade along route Rt.25 & South St and/or enjoy our festivities at the Gazebo at the Municipal Center including reindeer games and holiday treats! Fun and games start at 2:30pm!

Line up for parade begins at Noonan’s at 3:30pm

Parade Leaves at approximately 4:30 pm from Noonan’s and arrives Robie Park at approximately 5:00pm

Light parade route: Main Street/Rt 25 to South St. to Morrill Ave. to Ball Park Road around Robie Park and High School.

Ball Park Road will be closed to traffic from 4:15 until 6:00pm. Please use Access Rd.

To Register for the Parade please send an email to Zachary Lambert at zlambert@gorham.me.us with you name, company name, and what vehicle type you will have in the parade

WESTBROOK, ME – Tomorrow, Friday November 8, it’s the third monthly COMEDY SITUATION SHOW at Westbrook’s Frog & Turtle, 7:30PM (the first 2 have been packed!).

Only $10, for top shelf headliner act ALEX GIAMPAPA from Boston, and feature act TROY BURDITT, also from Boston.

Excellent standup and great food & drink in a cozy, comfortable restaurant showroom.

BRUNSWICK, ME – The Brunswick High School Players (BHS Players) is pleased to announce their fall play, Pride and Prejudice by Joseph Hanreddy and J.R. Sullivan. The show will be performed on Thursday, November 14th through Saturday, November 16th in Crooker Theater at Brunswick High School. Shows will be at 7:00 PM on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and 2:00 PM on Saturday.

Step into the world of Pride and Prejudice and experience a tale of love, wit, and societal expectations. Follow Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy as they navigate misunderstandings, pride, and prejudice in this timeless story.

Directed by Linda Gardiner, with Producer Michael Millett, the play has a cast and crew of over 30 students from grades 9-12. In addition to daily rehearsals, the cast and crew, along with volunteers, have been busy creating all the set pieces and props for the show. Don’t miss this timeless classic brought to life on stage!

Tickets are available in advance online and at the door (subject to availability) for $17 for adults, $15 for seniors and $12 for students.

Produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc. (www.playscripts.com).

FMI and tickets visit the BHS Players website:

GORHAM, ME — Registration is Now Open for James and the Giant Peach Jr.! Join us for a magical adventure as we bring Roald Dahl’s classic tale to life!

Spaces are limited, so don’t miss your chance to be part of this exciting production. Sign up today!

For more information or to register, visit www.gorhamarts.org  or contact us at gorhamartstheater@gmail.com

MAINE — 207 Beer Week is a week-long celebration of the artistry and science of Maine’s finest beer, those who love it, and the unrivaled hospitality community that support it from Kittery to Fort Kent.

ALL ACROSS MAINE.

This Nov. 4th-10th we’ll be gathering at your favorite breweries, beer bars, and craft-loving restaurants in recognition that the bonds formed over a pint, or a shared meal, but always in good company create the most powerful connections in our local communities.

EVENTS.

Check out the live online calendar in the coming weeks via 207beerweek.com for up to date event locations, programming details, and ticketing information.

THE OFFICIAL 207 BEER WEEK GLASS.

In its inaugural year, 207 Beer Week is offering a limited count of local-artist designed keepsake glassware for purchase at participating breweries and beer destinations across Maine.

With a new artist to be featured every year, these 2024-only beauties are designed to become collectibles part of an annual rotating design series, with the aim of giving beer lovers a piece of local love to sip from all year round.

PORTLAND, ME – Evergreen Credit Union raised over $18,000 at their annual Disc Golf Scramble at Pineland Farms in New Gloucester. All event proceeds benefit the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger.

19 teams conquered the Minuteman course at Pineland Farms and finished the day with raffles and competitions for disc golf memorabilia. “We love planning this event year after year,” said Cole Rowland, planning committee lead for the tournament. “It gets us outside and supports our communities. At the end of the day, what more could you ask for?”

Maine Credit Unions’ The Campaign for Ending Hunger allows Maine’s credit unions give back to their communities by feeding those in need. 100% of all funds raised for this campaign directly support organizations that fight food insecurity. “Raising money for the Campaign is vital to Evergreen’s mission and purpose,” said Jason Lindstrom, Evergreen Credit Union’s President/CEO. “With our financial support, we can help many communities at once. That’s what we’re all about: people helping people.”

The Campaign for Ending Hunger in Maine contributed $1.2 million in 2023. Evergreen Credit Union is the 5th largest credit union in Maine, with over $564 million in assets and 5 branches serving all of southern Maine. Explore Evergreen’s community impact at egcu.org/community.

Evergreen Credit Union’s Disc Golf Scramble raised over $18,000 for the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger.

GORHAM, ME — A General Election, Referendum Election, and Municipal Election will take place on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 in which voters will have an opportunity to vote to elect the President, one of Maine’s two United States Senators, Maine’s two Representatives to Congress, all members of the Maine Legislature (State Senators and State Representatives), certain county officers (which could vary by county), as well as appointments to the Gorham Town Council and Gorham School Committee. The Referendum Election will also allow Maine’s citizens the opportunity to vote on People’s Veto Referenda, Direct Initiatives of Legislation (i.e. Citizen Initiatives), Bond Issues, other referenda proposed by the Legislature, and Constitutional Amendments.

The Town has two seats open for three-year terms on the Town Council, and two seats open for three-year terms on the School Committee.

Absentee voting will take place in the Council Chambers starting October 21st thru October 31st during regular business hours (Monday – Thursday, 7:00am – 5:00pm)

Extra voting hours will be offered on Saturday, October 26th from 8:00am – noon and Wednesday, October 30th until 7:00pm. 

Voter Registration

Unenrolled voters can enroll in a party at any time, including Election Day, since the State of Maine offers Election Day voter registration.

Absentee Voting

Absentee ballot requests are now available. You can request an absentee ballot by calling the Clerks office or by going to the Town’s website. Ballots will be mailed out in early October once the Town Clerk’s Office receives them.

Absentee voting will be available in the Council Chambers at the Gorham Municipal Center (75 South Street, Suite 1). The last day to obtain an absentee ballot will be Thursday, October 31 at 5pm.

To be counted, absentee ballots must be returned to the Town Clerk’s Office by 8pm on Election Day – November 5, 2024 by you or an immediate family member.

We can help. Please call our free, confidential 24-Hour Helpline at 1-800-537-6066.

A trained TTD advocate is available 24 hours a day by phone for support, information, and safety planning. You do not have to be in crisis or needing shelter to call the helpline. Call with questions or talk with someone who will listen to you without judgment or telling you what to do.

Our helpline is for everyone. Friends, family, coworkers, supervisors, police, counselors, clergy, and healthcare providers are welcome to contact us for information and support. TTD has access to interpreters, ASL, and Language Line.

Our helpline is answered by an answering service. An operator will ask for your name and a safe phone number. An advocate will call you back from a blocked or restricted phone number within 15 minutes. If you would feel more comfortable speaking to an advocate in a language other than English, please tell the operator which language you prefer. The advocate will return your call with an interpreter.

BAR MILLS, ME — The Blues on Sunday Quartet will be playing at Saco River Theatre, 29 Salmon Falls Road, Bar Mills, ME,  Friday, November 8 at 7:30 PM.  Tickets: $15 General Admission at www.sacorivertheate.org

“Blues on Sunday” was launched in 2022 as a monthly Sunday afternoon residency at Cadenza in Freeport, ME, with the goal of presenting classic blues covers and original material in a traditional vein that features special guests each month. The core Blues on Sunday Quartet features all-star players from the Seacoast region.

Drummer Per Hanson, original drummer with Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters has laid down the beat, on stage and on record, with a Who’s Who of national blues acts including James Cotton, Pinetop Perkins, Charlie Musselwhite, Debbie Davies, Tab Benoit, David Maxwell, Little Milton, and more. Per also plays harmonica and sings with Blues on Sunday.   Jon Ross, multi-instrumentalist on bass, guitar, steel, and mandolin, has toured or recorded with blues luminaries Duke Robillard, Kim Wilson, Joe Louis Walker, Monster Mike Welch, and other internationally renowned acts.  Jon most recently completed a fall 2022 East Coast tour on bass with harmonica player Mark Hummel and the Blues Survivors. Nelson Checkoway, keyboardist and guitarist has played pedal steel with the Commander Cody Band, guitar and keyboards with members of the Greg Allman Band and Dickie Betts’ Great Southern, and his combo Nelson and the New Breed Thing represented Massachusetts in the 2015 International Blues Challenge in Memphis.  Rounding out the quartet is Kris Day, bassist and guitarist who is equally at ease on the electric and stand-up bass. Kris has toured with legendary rock and roll and rockabilly artists Link Wray, Dale Hawkins and Ronnie Dawson.