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 visit the Town’s website to fill out a nomination form.

Additional supporting documentation may be required. Nomination papers will be available until September 30, 2025.

SOUTH PORTLAND, ME – Grab your dancing shoes! An outstanding Greek band from Boston, “Mia Anasa,” will perform Greek music for listening and dancing on Sunday, September 14, 2025. A fundraiser for the non-profit group, the Hellenic Society of Maine, the event will take place from 4 – 7 p.m. in the “industrial chic” event space at Fork Food Lab, 95 Darling Avenue, South Portland, near the Maine Mall. Individual tickets in advance are $35; $40 at the door. A reserved table of eight is $265. Go to the HSoM website at www.hellenicsocietyofmaine.org or call Chris Ziagos at 775-3607. Doors open at 3:30 p.m.

In addition to the great music, there will be outstanding Greek appetizers, mezedes, for sale by Hellenic Kitchen, a member of the Fork Food Lab. This small catering group has earned a large following for authentic food that they sell at some farmer’s markets in the area. There also will be a cash bar.

“Mia Anasa” plays traditional dance music, but specializes in rembetiko, a soulful Greek style of music that is reminiscent of American “blues.” This compelling style of music developed in the urban areas of Greece in the early 1900’s among the populations of ethnic Greeks displaced from Asia Minor after World War I. Their songs spoke of persecution and sorrow, but also of love and endurance. Later generations of Greeks who emigrated to other countries found refuge in this music to express the longing for their mother land.

Band members are led by Makis Emmanouilidis, guitar, baglama, vocals; Yanni Mitaras, bouzouki and vocals; Jim Varetimos, guitar and vocals; and guest vocalist Nectaria Sofou-Boustris.

The Hellenic Society of Maine is an active educational and cultural organization with members from Maine as well as some as far away as Florida, Missouri and New York. It holds many of its events on Zoom which allows for wide participation. With a mission to promote modern Greek culture as well as Hellenism (humanistic and classical ideals associated with ancient Greece) the society presents lectures on a wide range of topics, hosts Greek language lessons, holds Greek book and film discussions, Trivia Happy Hours, live social gatherings and other special events — like this rembetiko concert. They also support the official Sister City relationship between Portland, Maine, and Mytilene, Lesvos, Greece – now in its 20th year.

At the event the group will have a table of Greek-related items for sale, and a raffle, which will also raise funds.

“The Society tries to offer its educational and cultural programs at no or low cost,” says Mary Snell, president. “We occasionally hold fundraisers to be able to continue to do that. Even if folks don’t know much about Greek music and dance, we hope they will turn out for this immersive cultural experience. They’ll have a wonderful time!”

GORHAM, ME – On August 13, 2025, the Town held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate its recently completed Municipal LED Lighting Retrofit Project. The project, funded by a Community Action Grant from the State of Maine’s Community Resilience Partnership Program and a rebate from Efficiency Maine, included the replacement of 488 fluorescent lights with energy-saving LED fixtures, helping to reduce the Town’s carbon footprint and lower energy costs. The project was spearheaded by the dedicated efforts of Assistant Town Planner Damon Yakovleff, Facilities Coordinator Kevin Wood, and Town Engineer Chuck Norton.

In the photo from left: Town of Gorham Community Development Office Manager – Laura O’Loughlin, Facilities Coordinator – Kevin Wood, Director of Community Development – Tom Poirier, Assistant Town Planner – Damon Yakovleff, State Representative (District 108) Parnell Terry, State of Maine Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future Community Resilence Partnership Program Manager – Ashley Krulik, and GPCOG Sustainability Program Coordinator – Gretchen Anderson.

GORHAM, ME – The Town of Gorham is launching a branding and wayfinding initiative to strengthen our community’s visual identity and enhance signage throughout town. This project aims to establish a consistent and welcoming look that reflects Gorham’s unique character—while making it easier for residents and visitors to navigate and enjoy the community.

We’ve developed four design concepts that showcase Gorham’s history, natural landscape, and civic pride. Now we’re looking for your input to help guide the final direction. Your feedback will help shape next steps and will be shared with the Town Council during the selection process.

Take the survey on the Town’s website to share your input.

Thank you for your participation!

BUXTON, ME – Try our delicious Haddock Supper Buffet – Saturday, August 30, 2025 – 5:00 pm at Living Waters Church, Parker Farm Road, Buxton. Suggested donation: $10 Adult, $5 Child, $20 Family.

Please note: We will offer the option of takeout containers for those who do not want to come inside for seating.

SCARBOROUGH, ME – Join The Little Gym of Scarborough and Real Maine Mom Guide at 700 Gallery Blvd Suite C, Scarborough on September 6th from 3-5:15 PM for a heartwarming back-to-school celebration where fun meets giving!

Each kiddo will get to stuff two adorable The Little Gym teddy bears — one to take home and one to donate to Adoptive and Foster Families of Maine.

This special event is a partnership between The Little Gym of Scarborough and Real Maine Mom Guide, bringing families together to play, create, and give back to our community.

Alongside bear-stuffing, kids will enjoy gym time and leave with big smiles (and even bigger hearts!). Let’s kick off the school year with Serious Fun and serious kindness!

PORTLAND, ME – Looking for something different to do after work? Step into a university setting, join thought-provoking conversations, and leave inspired — no textbooks required.

On Wednesday, September 3, the University of Southern Maine kicks off its USM Forum on American Democracy with part one of a four-part series:

Strengthening Democracy Through Pluralism: A Conversation with Eboo Patel at Hannaford Hall – Abromson Community Education Center, Portland Campus

*This event is on the PORTLAND campus. We just couldn’t resist a Gorham campus shoutout*

Keynote: 5 – 6:30 PM

Book Signing: 6:30 – 7 PM

Free – registration required: see USM’s website.

National civic leader Eboo Patel, founder of Interfaith America, will share how connecting across differences can strengthen our communities and our democracy. For more information: https://usm.maine.edu/…/usm-forum-on-american-democracy/

But wait.. there’s more! Make it a full experience:

Hop on the Greater Portland Metro bus from Gorham Village — it drops you right at USM’s door. No parking, no stress. (Use the UMO app for a streamlined experience! Learn how here: https://vimeo.com/954405379?fl=pl&fe=sh)

Go early (or stay late) for dinner in Portland — ride the bus and you won’t have to worry about driving back.

Travel together with friends or family and turn your commute into part of the evening.

Bus Rider Photo Contest: You know we love a good photo contest.. Snap a picture of your crew on the bus and share it with #GorhamRidesMetro for a chance to win a prize!

Bonus idea: we’re exploring possible Portland restaurant discounts for METRO riders that day — show your ridership receipt to save.

It’s not your usual dinner-and-drinks night… but it could still be dinner-and-drinks plus an evening that challenges and inspires you.

GORHAM, ME – Nick Fuller Googins is the author of the novels The Great Transition (chosen for this year’s ReadME program) and The Frequency of Living Things (out August 12!). The Great Transition is a “richly imaginative, immersive, and electrifyingly relevant debut novel [that] follows a shocking disappearance amid the climate crisis of our near future.”

The Frequency of Living Things is “a heartbreaking American epic about three sisters who unearth lifetimes of family tensions as they are forced to rescue one of their own from peril, testing the limits of sacrifice, sisterhood, and forgiveness.” 

His short fiction and essays have appeared in The Paris Review, Men’s Health, The Sun, The Los Angeles Times, and elsewhere. He lives in Maine, and works as an elementary school teacher. 

Read ME is a statewide summer reading program offered by the Maine Humanities Council, Maine State Library, and Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance that gets Maine’s adults all reading the same books — by Maine authors and recommended by Maine authors.

August 27, 6:00 pm

PORTLAND, ME – During National Wellness Month, the American Red Cross encourages people to prioritize their personal health and well-being while helping to save lives with a blood or platelet donation. Donors of all blood types – especially those with type O positive or B negative blood – are asked to make an appointment now to prevent a further drop in donor turnout.

In August, the Red Cross will provide free A1C screening – a test commonly used to screen for prediabetes and diabetes – for all donors who make a successful blood, platelet or plasma donation. Fasting is not required for this test, and donors will be able to view their confidential results one to two weeks after their donation in the Blood Donor App or their donor account at RedCrossBlood.org. Donors will receive one A1C test result in a 12-month period.

August also brings changes in routines. Back-to-school plans, the start of fall sports and final summer vacations may be top of mind right now, but patients can’t wait. Making and keeping donation appointments can be the difference in a patient’s treatment journey. 

Help save lives and empower your health! Schedule a time to give now by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App. Those who come to give through August 28, 2025, will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. For details on both offers, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Test.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Aug. 16-31

Cumberland

Brunswick

8/22/2025: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., American Legion Post 20, 1 Columbus Drive

8/27/2025: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Elks Lodge, 179 Park Row

Falmouth

8/27/2025: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Lunt Auditorium, 74 Lunt Road

Freeport

8/25/2025: 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn Freeport – Old Town Hall Building, 5 Park Street

Gorham

8/21/2025: 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Cressey Road Christian Church, 81 Cressey Road

Portland

8/19/2025: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., UNUM HO3, 2211 Congress St

8/22/2025: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine, 1342 Congress St

8/30/2025: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Holiday Inn By the Bay, 88 Spring Street

South Portland

8/25/2025: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Portland Sheraton at Sable Oaks, 200 Sable Oaks Drive

8/26/2025: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Eastpoint Christian Church, 345 Clarks Pond Pkwy

Westbrook

8/22/2025: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Westbrook Community Center, 426 Bridge Street

8/28/2025: 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Bill Dodge Auto Group, 4 Saunders Way

Windham

8/20/2025: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., North Windham Veterans Center, 35 Veterans Memorial Drive

GORHAM, ME – The Municipal election will be held on Tuesday, November 4, 2025 for the purpose of electing:

 THREE (3) persons for Town Council to serve a 3 year term

TWO (2) persons for School Committee to serve a 3 year term

Nomination papers will be available from the Town Clerk’s Office beginning on Monday, July 28, 2025. Completed nomination papers must be submitted to the Town Clerk’s office no later than 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 4, 2025.

Any registered voter of the Town of Gorham, who is interested in running for any of these positions, must submit nomination papers with no less than 35 or more than 50 signatures of persons who are registered voters of the Town of Gorham.

Please contact the Town Clerk’s Office at 222-1670 if you have any questions.