GORHAM, ME (June 6, 2022) — With Friday’s ribbon cutting, The Knolly Roller trail at the Lavoie Bike Park is officially open! With nearly a mile of berms, jumps, and rollers, this trail packs a lot of smiles into a small space!

Gorham Conservation Commission extended a big thank you to Greater Portland NEMBA for the Signature Grant obtained to build this, to Gorham Sand & Gravel Inc for donating so much time, equipment, material and expertise to help build the trail, to the Town of Gorham for giving us the green light to make this happen and especially to the dozens of volunteer trail builders who gave up so much time last summer and fall to cut the corridor, drive tractors, haul wheelbarrows full of gravel, shape (and reshape) berms, rollers and jumps, feed mosquitos and everything else that was needed to turn a squiggly line of flags into a fantastic bike trail!

GORHAM, ME (June 6, 2022) — Appointment of New Deputy Public Works Director Earlier this week

Gorham announced the promotion of longtime employee Jeff Grant as its new Deputy Public Works Director effective June 7, 2022. He brings 16 years of experience and dedication as the department’s former Road Foreman. Congratulations, Jeff!

Save the Date: Spring Into Summer Event – June 21st

All are welcome to join the Friends of the Baxter Memorial Library’s free annual “Spring into Summer” event on Tuesday, June 21th from 2 to 6pm on the Library lawn, which kicks off the Library’s Adult Summer Reading, Youth Summer Reading, and Wee Reader program. A ribbon cutting for the new Bee and Butterfly Discovery Garden will take place at 2:30pm, followed by live music from Matt Loosigian of Earth Jams from 3 to 4pm. Enjoy perennial favorites including Touch-a-Truck, hot dogs, snow cones, summer reading materials, and more.

Below: Gorham announced the promotion of longtime employee Jeff Grant as its new Deputy Public Works Director.

The Gorham Historical Society is proud to present the 2022 scholarship to Josiah Irish!

GORHAM, ME (June 2, 2002) — The Town Council Appointments Committee is seeking citizen volunteers to fill an opening on the Planning Board.

If you are interested in applying to serve on the Planning Board, or for more information, please visit the Town Clerk’s office or go to the town website at www.gorham-me.org and under Boards & Committees, click on committee volunteer application. Fill out the application and submit. You may also contact the Town Clerk at 222-1671 or e-mail her at lnordfors@gorham.me.us

GORHAM, ME (June 3, 2022) — The Gorham Republican Committee is pleased to announce the winners of the eighth annual Madison Prize for Written Excellence. This essay contest was open to all 6th, 7th and 8^th grade students who live in the Town of Gorham. This year there were entries from 52 very talented and thoughtful students. The question this year was, “Why is capitalism a better economic system than socialism?”

Entries were scored anonymously on knowledge, clarity of ideas and persuasiveness, with one winner and two runners up selected by the Committee. The essay awards each runner up a scholarship of $100. There were many strong contenders, but this year the runner up prizes were awarded to Sophie Giberson (Gr 8) and Stella Moores (Gr 8). The first place winner is awarded a $250 scholarship. This year, the Committee is very proud to announce Arabella Bradley (Gr 7) as the winner of the Madison Prize for Written Excellence. Congratulations Arabella!  

The Committee judges included Barry Hadlock, Carole Hadlock, Jamie Douglas, Susanne Roberge, Judy Falk, James Falk and Liesl Turner. The Committee would like to thank the Gorham Middle School staff for its support, and all the students who participated for their hard work and their passion for knowledge. You make Gorham proud!

Below: Arabella Bradley (Gr 7), the winner of the Madison Prize for Written Excellence.

GORHAM, ME (June 2, 2022) — Please join us at our 2nd annual Gorham Lions Craft Fair in the grass next to Baxter Library on SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 2022 AT 7:30 AM – 1:30 PM at 71 South Street, Gorham, Maine.

PORTLAND, ME (May 20, 2022) — The Portland Observatory is reopening for the season THIS Saturday, May 28th and we couldn’t be more excited! Here’s the low-down on what you need to know for your visit.

For the months of May and June, the Observatory will be open:

9AM-4PM, Thursday – Monday for timed, guided tours; 5PM-8PM Tuesday – Wednesday evenings for self-guided sunset tours. Access to the Observatory will be by pre-purchased tickets only.

Up to 10 visitors will be allowed on each timed tour. Guided tours take approximately 45 minutes and include plenty of time at the top to enjoy the view!

Tickets MUST be purchased in advance.

The Observatory is owned by the City of Portland, and at this time masks are required in all city-owned properties, regardless of vaccination status.

The gift shop is open, but please be prepared to pay with a card. HAVE FUN!

BRUNSWICK, ME  (May 26, 2022) — The BDA Design Committee created the Have A Seat Adirondack chair project to bring a unifying spark of joy to Downtown Brunswick. Brunswick community businesses, local artists, and community organizations have come together to create an environment downtown that invites tourists, local shoppers, families, and others to stop, sit and smile.  

Where the project came from:

The Have A Seat project is the result of the right people at the right time coming together around an idea. The BDA Design Committee has been searching for a project to brighten the hearts and faces of those who come to downtown Brunswick this summer and the timing was perfect. Rob Biggs, the recent Saco Main Street Executive Director and new board member of the Brunswick Downtown Association, suggested a painted Adirondack chair project as he had successfully completed a similar project in Saco. A subcommittee was formed, and the project was just a matter of taking a good and proven idea and making minor adjustments to work in Downtown Brunswick. The project was announced at the Annual Meeting in March and the committee was up and running.  

The unfinished Maine made Adirondack chairs were purchased from two sources.

The Maine State Prison Showroom in Thomaston supplied 23 chairs from solid Ash that fold and have wheels. The chairs were expertly crafted by inmates at the prison.  

Twelve additional chairs constructed of Eastern White Cedar were delivered by Maine Adirondack Chairs in Vassalboro.

Once painted, sealed and reconstructed, the chairs will be placed downtown from June to September 25. They will be secured and placed in pairs. A large tag will be affixed to each chair with the sponsor logo, artist information and chair auction link.  

The birch tree chair is the most recent Maine Street art contribution by Brunswick artist and resident Karl Saila. “I was raised in the world of saunas with cold dips into a lake or snow drift and the love of birch tree groves. The birch tree is symbolic of my [Finish] family heritage.” 

Local artist Robert Sansonetti painted the chair sponsored by Mare Brook Farm and owners Ryan and Courtney Ravenscroft. Bob found inspiration from their brilliant summer blooms. “The image I painted is a beautiful bouquet from the wonderful Mare Brook Farm, an amazing source of the most beautiful Maine-grown flowers, herbs, and other lovely plants!”

 Tracy Johnson, who is a goldsmith, took a ‘spring break’ to paint a chair for Keith Field Goldsmith. She focused on a single image that was bold, beautiful and spoke to their trade. “I hope this chair will inspire people and spread joy in downtown Brunswick.” 

Visit the BDA Have A Seat Chair Auction website for more details, photos of completed chairs, artist bios, chair sponsors, and a Have A Seat Adirondack Chair location map.