By Nathan Tsukroff

GORHAM – About 200 students celebrated their graduation from Gorham High School on the afternoon of June 13 in an outdoor ceremony on the school’s football field.

The ceremony has been indoors at Merrill Auditorium in Portland in past years, and was moved outdoors to better accommodate parents under restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic.

U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) was the keynote speaker, telling the graduates to try their best in life. And he told them, “It’s okay to make mistakes. If you don’t make mistakes now and then, you’re not trying hard enough!”

Graduate Sierra Cummings sang the National Anthem at the start of the ceremony, followed by the Salutatory address from Nathan Eichner.

Class President Emily Paruk gave the Valedictory address.

Principal Brian Jandreau presented the diplomas to the graduates as they crossed the stage.

The event was followed by a Senior Parade in Gorham later in the evening.

By Nathan Tsukroff

GORHAM – Regular season play for baseball and softball at Gorham Little League wrapped up with an awards ceremony at Robie Park on Friday.

Players from each team received MVP and Coach’s awards, and four league MVPs were named.

A special scholarship fund in memory of David Quintal, a board member of Gorham Youth Baseball Softball Association, as well as a coach, was presented by his wife, Sunny. Called Q Memorial, the scholarship honors Quintal, 42, who died unexpectedly from a heart attack on Sept. 23, 2020.

Gorham High School’s new girls softball coach, Phil McGouldrick was the keynote speaker, telling parents how much he enjoyed watching his children play in the league over the years. Both his children are out of college now.

McGouldrick sat on a 5-gallon bucket as he spoke to parents and players, telling them that the years of coaching “filled this bucket with memories.” He said he sees the Little League program as a way for players to build their skills for high school and college play.

GYBSA works under the guidelines of the national Little League organization. Robie Park sits between Gorham High School and the Gorham Town Hall

From Town of Gorham

GORHAM – Gorham Public Works Administrative Assistant Kelly Meslin was the recent recipient of Ecomaine’s eco-Excellence Award.

The award was presented at Ecomaine’s 2021 Annual Meeting in Portland last week to honor her administration of exceptionally successful waste-related projects with Gorham Public Works.

View Ecomaine’s video tribute to Mrs. Meslin’s work at http://bitly.ws/emhL .

Hometown Media Award

Gorham Community Access Media (GoCAM) received a first-place 2021 Hometown Media Award from the Alliance for Community Media Foundation, in June.

The awards program honors and promotes community media, community radio, and local cable programs that are distributed on Public, Educational, and Governmental (PEG) access cable television channels.

Proceeds go to the ACM Foundation, which is used for facilitating, preserving and promoting education in community media.

“End of Watch” coins

Special “End of Watch: commemorative coins in memory of Wayne “Pooch” Drown are being sold to honor his legacy and further his work with kids.

The coins can be purchased in the Gorham Recreation and Town Clerk’s Offices at the Gorham Municipal Center during normal business hours.

Library programs

A summer reading and discovery program are in full swing at Baxter Memorial Library.

The library kicked off its eight-week HEAL (Healthy Eating, Active Living) youth Summer Reading and Discovery Program in early June, offering everything families need to get started, at a curbside signup  The program focuses on healthy eating and will feature fun outdoor activities. To learn more, visit http://bitly.ws/emjz

From RTT

WINDHAM – Since 1993, Riding To The Top’s riders, staff and volunteers at the facility in Windham have participated in Ride-A-Thons, raising over $115,000 for RTT’s programs and services for people with disabilities.

Due to COVID-19, all of RTT’s live events were cancelled in 2020. In 2021, only a few small live events will be take place.

This year, RTT’s June Ride-A-thon has been replaced with a virtual event, Rally for RTT. The event runs for the entire month of June, with each participant setting a goal for an activity of their own choice (riding, biking, wheeling, hiking, walking, swimming, even volunteering!).

Modern Woodmen of America will be matching the first $2,500 received in donations.

To help Riding To The Top reach its goal of raising $7,500 please go to www.ridingtothetop.org/events. 

From Town of Gorham

GORHAM – Gorham Community Access Media recently received a 2021 Hometown Media Award from the Alliance for Community Media Foundation for an informational video.

The awards program was established to honor and promote community media, community radio, and local cable programs that are distributed on Public, Educational and Governmental (PEG) access cable television channels.

The video was a collaboration with the Gorham School Department. Entitled “Covid Precautions – Back to School Village Elementary,” it is an informational program for students and parents about what to expect as the children headed back to school in the fall of 2020 during the Covid pandemic.

GoCAM entered this video for consideration as it reflected the efforts of the School to communicate with the public and to lessen the concern some students might be feeling as they returned to their studies. Special recognition goes to the student actors that participated in the production.

From MSMT

BRUNWSICK – Maine State Music Theatre will produce three sensory-friendly performances of its Theatre for Young Audiences’ shows this summer and fall.

These performances are specifically designed for families with children with autism or other disabilities that create sensory sensitivities. All sensory-friendly performances are free of charge, but reservations are required since space is limited.

The presentations are designed to be interactive and to engage children in the imaginative creative process. The events will include the opportunity for a pre-performance exchange with the actors in costume and time for the children to acclimate themselves to the setting, followed by a short performance. At the end of the show, children will be able to meet the actors and take photos. A quiet room is available if children wish to leave the performance at any time.

GORHAM – Baxter Memorial Library on South Street is slowly returning to normal activities as pandemic restrictions are lifted.

Saturday hours resumed at the end of May, and it is now okay to browse, study, or use library computers without strict time limits because the building may safely contain more people.

While visiting the Youth Services Department, masks are required of children ages 5-12 and requested of all others.

For those who are not vaccinated, masks are recommended inside the building, especially for close contact. Staff will wear masks to assist visitors when distancing is not possible.

Meeting rooms and quiet study space are now open. Availability may be limited at times to accommodate Municipal business.

FRIDAY JUNE 18

10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Curbside Summer Reading Signups

Pick up everything you need to get started for Summer Reading!  You will find library staff on the front lawn of the library (South Street) in costume and ready to hand you your game sheet to record your reading!  Happy Reading!  

MONDAY JUNE 21

9:30-9:50 a.m.

Babies on the Lawn

Bring your baby and a blanket to join us for an interactive, socially distanced, outdoor lap-sit program. Ms. Dani will present stories, songs, rhymes and fun for babies 0- 18 months and their caregivers. Masks will only be required when physical distancing is not possible.

Program will be canceled in the event of inclement weather.

10-10:30 a.m.

Toddlers on the Lawn

Join Ms. Dani on the lawn as she uses stories, music, and movement to present and enhance early literacy skills and foster a love of reading.  Mask will only be required when physical distancing is not possible.  Ages 18 months to 3 years. 

Program will be canceled in the event of inclement weather.  

From LWC

BUXTON – Living Waters Church on Parker Farm Road in Buxton is hosting a Haddock Supper Buffet on Saturday, June 26.

The buffer begins at 5 p.m. with a suggested donation of $8 for an adult, $4 for a child, or $20 for a family .

The church will offer the option of takeout containers for those who do not want to come inside for seating.

Wearing of face masks for those who are not vaccinated is required.

Hand sanitizer is available for those who wish to use it.

From Colwen Hotels

PORTLAND – Tucked away on Great Diamond Island in Casco Bay, The Inn at Diamond Cove opens on Saturday, offering a Maine Island getaway that’s free from crowds and full of outdoor fun.

Just a 30-minute ferry or water taxi ride from Portland’s Old Port district, the historic Inn is the centerpiece of Diamond Cove, a small car-free private island community that was once the site of Fort McKinley.

Steeped in history and surrounded by natural beauty, The Inn at Diamond Cove offers luxury island condominiums including spacious suites with kitchens, a heated swimming pool with hot tub and cabana bar, and recreational amenities including tennis courts, an indoor basketball court, and game room with duckpin bowling, pool table, and arcade games. Guests will also enjoy secluded beaches, miles of hiking trails, kayaking, paddle boarding and other activities perfect for families and couples looking for a summer escape off the beaten path.  

Café breakfast is served at the Inn, featuring Starbucks coffee and beverages, while lunch is grab-n-go. A Bar menu is available in the evenings.

 From ME DOE

AUGUSTA – Governor Janet Mills and fitness icon Jake (Body by Jake) Stein­feld, Chairman of the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils (NFGFC), announced at the end of May that three Maine schools have won a state-of-the-art $100,000 DON’T QUIT! Fitness Center.

The multi-million dollar DON’T QUIT! Campaign has selected Gorham Middle School in Gorham, Deer Isle-Ston­ington Elementary School in Deer Isle, and SeDoMoCha School in Dover-Foxcroft for new fitness centers in recognition of their commitment to the health of their students, according to the Maine Department of Ed­ucation.

“The last year has proven just how important investing in the health of our students is to keeping our state strong,” Mills said. “I congratulate these deserv­ing schools on being selected to receive a state of the art fitness center and I thank them for their commitment to the health and well-being of Maine children. These centers would not be possible without the generosity of the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils and Mr. Stein­feld and I thank them for their investment in the children of Maine.”