GORHAM, ME — The Town of Gorham is reviving the tradition of the Boston Post Cane.  We are looking for the oldest living resident of Gorham.  The person must have lived in the Town of Gorham for a minimum of the most recent 10-year period and must be willing to receive the honor.  If you know of someone who may qualify, please contact the Town Clerk’s Office at 207-222-1670 or go to the Town’s website to fill out a nomination form.

Additional supporting documentation may be required. Nomination papers will be available until May 30, 2024.

BRUNSWICK, ME — The last concert of the 2023-24 Concerts for a Cause series will be world-renowned singer-songwriter, John Gorka.  The concert will be held at the Brunswick Unitarian Universalist Church on June 1, 2024 at 7:30 to raise money for Midcoast New Mainers and Oasis Free Clinics.

 John Gorka is an honored icon of folk tradition, known for his stunningly soulful baritone voice and his uncanny ability to work every nuance of language. He captures a wide array of topics and experiences and weaves them into memorable melodies. His versatility on guitar and piano keeps his sets musically interesting and he’s never short of the sly comment or clever joke that invariably ignites his audience. 

Hailed by Rolling Stone as “the leading singer/songwriter of the New Folk movement,” John Gorka is perhaps the quintessential singer-songwriter of the 90’s folk scene.  The old songs ring as true today as they ever did, and the new ones are just as good.

 With 19 critically acclaimed albums and countless national and international tours, he has collaborated with the likes of Nanci Griffith, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Ani DiFranco, Lucy Kaplansky, Patty Larkin and many more. The Boston Globe extols, “Gorka is widely heralded for the sophisticated intelligence and provocative originality of his songs.”

 Many well-known artists have recorded and/or performed John Gorka songs, including Mary Chapin Carpenter, Nanci Griffith, Mary Black and Maura O’Connell. John has graced the stage of Austin City Limits, Mountain Stage, etown and has appeared on CNN. His song “Where No Monuments Stand” was featured in the documentary Every War Has Two Losers.

Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Students/Children $10.  Available at the church office, Gulf of Maine Books, or online at https://ticketstripe.com/johngorka

For more info: 207-729-8515

GORHAM, ME — Gorham High School Art teachers, Chris Crosby & Sarah Dolley, would like to recognize 10 artists for being selected to compete in the annual Gorham Women’s Club Art Contest.  

First place winner was senior, Lillian Miner, second place went to junior, Anastasia Dolley, third place was sophomore, Ruby Soule and fourth place went to senior Elsie Bradshaw.  

Pictured (left to right): Julia Reed, Emma Mathews, Lillian Miner, Elsie Bradshaw, Ally Gosen, Anastasia Dolley, Lillianna Noel & Ruby Soule.  Not pictured, Mason Starkey & Zoe Coleman

GORHAM, ME — A School Budget Validation/State Primary Election will take place on Tuesday, June 11, 2024.

You can request an absentee ballot by going to the Town of Gorham’s website.  Your ballot will be mailed to you once the Town receives them in early May.

IMPORTANT DATES & DEADLINES

May 13, 2024: Anticipated date on which absentee ballots will become available.

May 21, 2024: Last day for the Town Clerk’s Office to receive voter registration applications by mail.

May 22, 2024: Closed period begins. All voter registration applications must be submitted in person.

May 28, 2024: Last day to change political parties prior to the primary. 

June 6, 2024: Last day for absentee voting. 

June 11, 2024: Election Day. Polls open from 7am – 8pm.

IMPORTANT ENROLLMENT INFORMATION

Effective January 1, 2024, Maine will be transitioning from a closed primary system to a semi-open primary. Unenrolled voters will now be able to participate in primaries including the June 11, 2024 State Primary.

Unenrolled Voters, voters who are not enrolled in a party, may choose to vote in one party’s primary.

Voters enrolled in a party Democrat, Republican or Green Independent may only vote in that party’s primary.

Go to the Town of Gorham’s website for helpful links & FAQs including How do I register to vote? When do polls open and close on Election Day? Poll places open at 7am and close at 8pm. Where do I vote? How to view a listing of assigned polling wards based on odd/even residential street addresses in Gorham. Which voting district am I in?

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 the first week of May once the Town Clerk’s Office receives them.

The last day to obtain an absentee ballot will be Thursday, June 6th at 7pm.

To be counted, absentee ballots must be returned to the Town Clerk’s Office by 8pm on Election Day – June 11, 2024 by you or an immediate family member.

PORTLAND & ELLSWORTH, ME — Grants from the Maine Community Foundation’s (MaineCF) Animal Welfare Fund are available to organizations and projects that advance animal welfare for small companion animals in the state. 

In 2023, the Animal Welfare grant program awarded a total of $408,980 to 29 organizations. Grantees included Somerset Humane Society, for a low-cost spay and neuter program, and general support for Give a Dog a Home German Shepherd Rescue and Greater Androscoggin Humane Society.

The application deadline is Monday, June 3. For more information and to apply, visit www.mainecf.org/animalwelfare.

GORHAM, ME — Gorham residents, USM students and all citizens can take advantage of the benefits that come with riding the Metro Husky line that connects Gorham, Westbrook, Portland and the Gorham and Portland USM campuses.

Advantages of bus transportation include:

Cost effectiveness

Social opportunities

Reduced driving stress

Lower carbon emissions

Did you know that the Husky line stops at the Westbrook Rock Row Crossing, as well as Congress Street, the Ocean Gateway and ferry terminal in the Old Port (Hancock/Thames intersection)? Find fare information, the schedule and bus stops at https://www.gpmetro.org/318/Husky-Line.

PORTLAND, ME — Long-time Portland staple Vivid Motion Dance brings dancers and choreographers together for their spring show, telling the tales of Grania: Pirate Queen. With a focus on entertainment and supporting the love of dance for all ages, all humans, and all levels, the all-volunteer community has become an outlet for dancers and budding choreographers, and a place where both experienced and new dancers are able to perform on the stage together.

Co-directed by Scott Potter and Ali Odlin, Vivid Motion Dance’s spring show Grania: Pirate Queen tells the tale of Grania “Grace” O’ Malley, a woman born from a seafaring western Irish clan who becomes the most feared chieftain and pirate captain of the Irish seas. Her spirit and passion for adventure are representative of the country that she eventually finds herself struggling to preserve. 

Family, friends, and foes alike ebb and flow with the tides that she sails—all while she and her people fall under the lengthening shadow of the English Empire. Grania eventually comes face to face with the formidable Queen Elizabeth, her greatest rival… and perhaps the only person who could understand her. 

This all ages show opens at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 17 at The Hill Arts on Munjoy Hill in Portland ME. Performances will run through Sunday, May 19th. Tickets are on sale now at vividmotiondance.org.

WHO: Vivid Motion Dance, Portland’s innovative and kinda quirky dance company

WHAT: Grania: Pirate Queen

WHEN:  Friday May 17, 2024 at 7:30pm; Saturday May 18, 2024 at 2:30pm; Saturday May 18, 2024 at 7:30pm; Sunday May 19, 2024 at 2:30pm

WHERE: The Hill Arts, 76 Congress Street, Portland

All tickets are $25 in advance / $30 at the door and are available at vividmotiondance.org. 

There will also be a pay-what-you-can dress rehearsal on Thursday, May 10th at 7:30pm. For dress rehearsal reservations, please email tickets@vividmotion.org.

PORTLAND, ME — As May begins, the American Red Cross reminds eligible donors to keep the blood supply stable by racing to give blood or platelets in the weeks to come. Donors of all blood types – especially type O blood donors and those giving platelets – are crucial to keeping shelves fully stocked with blood products throughout the month.

Right now, there’s no letting off the gas when it comes to lifesaving care. With no substitute for blood and no way to manufacture it, volunteer donors are essential for hospital patients who count on transfusions every single day.

Book a time to give lifesaving blood or platelets now by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App. Thanks to Sport Clips Haircuts, all who come to donate April 29-May 31 will get a coupon for a free haircut by email. Plus, those who come to give April 29-May 19 will be automatically entered for a chance to win a trip for two and VIP racing experience to the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Races at Darlington Raceway Labor Day weekend, including entry to the Sport Clips racetrack hospitality tent and a $1,000 gift card. Additionally, those who come to give April 29-May 19 will also get a bonus $10 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. Visit RedCrossBlood.org/racetogive for more details.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities May 2-May 19

Androscoggin

Lisbon Falls 

5/7/2024: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Lisbon High School, 2 Sugg Drive

Cumberland

Brunswick

5/7/2024: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Brunswick High School, 116 Maquoit Road

5/7/2024: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Martins Point Healthcare, 114 Bath Road

Cape Elizabeth

5/16/2024: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Saint Bartholomew Church, 8 Two Lights Rd

Falmouth
5/9/2024: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Holy Martyrs Church, 266 foreside road

5/16/2024: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., The Episcopal Church of St. Mary, 43 Foreside Rd

Gorham
5/9/2024: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Cressey Road Christian Church, 81 Cressey Road

Portland

5/2/2024: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Deering High School, 370 Stevens Ave.

South Portland

5/13/2024: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Eastpoint Christian Church, 345 Clarks Pond Pkwy

Westbrook
5/10/2024: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Westbrook Community Center, 426 Bridge Street

Yarmouth
5/8/2024: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., First Parish Congregational Church, 116 Main Street

5/15/2024: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Saint Bartholomews Episcopal Church, 396 Gilman Road

GORHAM, ME — The Town Council Appointments Committee is seeking citizen volunteers to fill a vacancy on the Gorham Economic Development Corporation.

If you are interested in applying to serve on the Gorham Economic Development Corporation, go to the Town of Gorham’s website to fill out an application.  For more information, you may also contact the Town Clerk’s office at 222-1670.

Applications will be accepted until May 9, 2024

AUGUSTA, ME — The Augusta Symphony Orchestra presents its final regular season concert on Sunday, May 19 at 6 pm at the South Parish Congregational Church, 9 Church St, in Augusta, ME.

Under the direction of conductor Jinwook Park, the ASO will begin with Mozart’s high energy Overture from the Marriage of Figaro. The concert then spotlights ASO’s cellist Jonathan Moody as soloist performing the beautiful Cello Concerto in C Major by Joseph Haydn.

After growing up in the Pineland Suzuki program, Jon received his B.M. in performance at Susquehanna University in 2015, studying cello with Andrew Rammon, and his M.M. in performance at Bowling Green State University in 2017, studying with Alan Smith and Brian Snow. Jon works full time drafting CAD and has been teaching, playing in ASO, and playing as a mentor in Colby Symphony and Kennebec Valley Youth Symphony. 

Following intermission, the audience will be treated to the best of Beethoven – three of the most famous movements from his symphonies. The orchestra will conclude the concert with a special add-on performance of Bizet’s famous opera Carmen Suite No 1.

As always, ASO concerts are free, with donations gratefully accepted. For more information, please visit www.augustasymphonymaine.org . Please join us for an evening of fine music!

Jon Moody