PORTLAND, ME (September 15, 2023) — Tie up your laces and get moving to help the women and children of McAuley Residence on Saturday September 23. The McAuley Walk/Run for Recovery is a timed race, so you set your pace and enjoy. Come enjoy yoga, music, activities, and awards as we celebrate 35 years of changing women’s lives. 

8 am: Registration – yoga and stretch 

9 am: Kick off – walk/run start

The event will take place at Northern Light Mercy Hospital’s Outpatient Specialty and Surgery Center, which is located next to the pond on campus next door to the hospital. Northern Light Mercy Hospital’s Outpatient Specialty and Surgery Center 155 Fore River Parkway, Portland.

The event is rain or shine. Learn more and sign up here: NorthernLightHealth.org/McAuleyWalk

Fundraising prizes: 

Raise $250 or more and receive a custom McAuley Walk/Run for Recovery Sea Bag Wristlet!

Raise $500 or more and receive a custom McAuley Race Sea Bag Tote!

Can’t join us? You can still help!

Every gift received through the McAuley Walk/Run for Recovery event page will be used to provide free registration to a member of the recovery community that would like to participate.

PORTLAND, ME (September 15, 2023) — The American Red Cross is experiencing a national blood shortage. Fewer donors than needed gave this summer, drawing down the national blood supply and reducing distributions of some of the most needed blood types to hospitals. Hurricane Idalia further strained the blood supply with blood drive cancellations and reduced blood and platelet donations in affected areas.

Donors of all blood types are urgently needed, and there is an emergency need for platelet donors and type O blood donors to make an appointment to give now to ensure patients across the country continue to receive critical medical care.

When Idalia slammed into the Southeast – leading to widespread power outages, travel hazards and flooding – the storm also forced the cancellation of over a dozen blood drives and caused hundreds of blood and platelet donations to go uncollected. This compounded a shortfall of about 30,000 donations in August. Right now, blood product distributions to hospitals are outpacing the number of blood donations coming in.

The Red Cross needs blood and platelet donors now. Schedule an appointment to give by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

In thanks for helping rebuild the blood supply, all who come to give Sept. 1-18 will receive a limited-edition Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last. Those who come to give throughout September will also receive a coupon for a free haircut by email, thanks to Sport Clips Haircuts. Plus, they’ll be automatically entered for a chance to win a VIP NASCAR racing experience. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/RaceToGive.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities

Cumberland

Brunswick 9/29/2023: 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., American Legion Post 20, 1 Columbus Drive

Cape Elizabeth 9/21/2023: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Saint Bartholomew Church, 8 Two Lights Rd

Falmouth 9/21/2023: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., The Episcopal Church of St. Mary, 43 Foreside Rd

Gorham 9/28/2023: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Cressey Road Christian Church, 81 Cressey Road

Harrison 9/23/2023: 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., United Parish Congregational Church of Harrison and N. Bridgton, 77 Main Street

Portland 9/22/2023: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Alexander Hall, 716 Stevens Ave

Scarborough 9/28/2023: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Saint Maximilian Church, 150 Black Point Rd

Westbrook 9/29/2023: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Westbrook Community Center, 426 Bridge Street

Yarmouth 9/22/2023: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., American Legion Post 91, 196 Main St

September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month

One in 3 African American blood donors is a match for people with sickle cell disease. To help ensure patients have the blood products they need, the Red Cross launched the Sickle Cell Initiative in 2021 to grow the number of blood donors who are Black and improve health outcomes for patients. Together longtime and first-time blood donors are helping patients with sickle cell manage their symptoms and showing support for their community.

Joined by Blood is the initiative’s focus during Sickle Cell Awareness Month in September and continues through October. This year, the Red Cross is proud to partner with organizations focused on mentorship, including 100 Black Men of America, Inc.; Kier’s Hope Foundation, Inc.; historically Black colleges and universities and member organizations of the National Pan-Hellenic Council; as well as the Black Radio Hall of Fame and others, who are all showing up for patients with sickle cell by hosting blood drives. To learn more, visit RedCrossBlood.org/OurBlood.

How to donate blood

To make an appointment, simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Amplify your impact ? volunteer

A stable blood and platelet supply is critical to national preparedness. Additionally, as we are in the beginning of what is expected to be another active hurricane season, the Red Cross urges everyone to get ready now and consider becoming a volunteer to help people affected by the growing number of climate-driven disasters.

Support impacted communities by assisting at Red Cross shelters, using your professional skills as a licensed health care provider or becoming a member of the Red Cross Disaster Action Team. To learn more, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.

PORTLAND, ME (September 15, 2023) — Hospice of Southern Maine will hold its annual community remembrance event on Saturday, September 23 at 6:00 pm. As dusk falls over Deering Oaks Park in Portland, imagine thousands of luminarias glowing warmly, each light representing someone who has brought love and light into our lives.

Whether your loss was recent or many years ago, anyone in the community is encouraged to attend. Sharing the experience with others can be a very healing and transformative experience. After  luminarias are lit at 6:00, there will be a short program with music.

The event is free and open to the public.  Personalized luminarias may be ordered online at www.hospiceofsouthernmaine.org/twilight or by mail or phone for $15 each. Order by September 21st for Hospice of Southern Maine to place and light them at the event, or order at the walk-in table on the night of the event. Please visit our website today to order your luminaria(s) and sign up – www.hospiceofsouthernmaine.org/twilight

GORHAM, ME (September 15, 2023) — 2023 Fall Brush Drop Off information: Residents only, no commercial drop off. No stumps will be accepted. Leaves & grass clippings accepted in the designated area throughout the season. Please do not leave bags behind.

When: Saturday, 10/7 and Saturday, 10/21

Time: 8 am to 12 noon

Location: 80 Huston Rd.

SCARBOROUGH, ME (September 8, 2023) — Produced by Shop Maine Craft, the Guild Fine Craft Show in Scarborough returns for its 13th season on the expansive grounds of Ketcha Outdoors on September 16 + 17. The indoor / outdoor show will feature
exquisite fine craft designs for special occasions and everyday use handmade by the juried Guild level members of Maine Crafts Association, plus additional invited guests. The Guild shows are a well-established artist marketplace welcoming the public to see, collect and learn about the highest quality craft objects made by a membership of dedicated, talented and trained craft artists.

Ketcha Outdoors offers 107 acres of beautiful fields and forest which feature an extensive collection of trails that are open to the public and eventually connect to the abutting 90 acre Scarborough Land Trust Libby Farm trail.

Attendees will collect, learn and gather with fellow craft collectors, supporters and artists. The show features over 35 fine craft artists exhibiting handmade jewelry, ceramics, glass, fiber, paper, wood, stone, mixed media and more.

Weekend admission is $5 and those under 18 may attend free of charge. SAT 9/16 + SUN 9/17 10am – 4pm. Ketcha Outdoors, 336 Black Point Road, Scarborough ME. For more information, please email: Lizz Brown, Show Director at lizz@shopmainecraft.com or visit shopmainecraft.com.

BELFAST, ME (September 8, 2023) — Registration is open for an online professional development program, “Self-Care is a Verb.” This workshop, part of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s professional development program, will be held on Sept. 19 and 20, 2023, from 1-3 p.m. via Zoom.

Participants will join clinical psychologist Wendy Rapaport in learning or getting a refresher of integrating self-care into your life. In this interactive training, participants will develop strategies around resilience and hardiness as well as processing emotions.

This self-care program is designed to support anyone who is facing burnout and could use help integrating self-care routines, including administrators in health care and education; clinicians, dieticians, doctors, nurses, surgeons and other medical professionals; educators, ed techs and teachers; human resource professionals; lawyers; social workers; and midwives, doulas and birth workers. 

Rapaport is a licensed clinical psychologist on the faculty at the University of Miami School of Medicine Diabetes Research Institute and the UMaine School of Social Work. She is a professional writer with more than 65 published articles who lectures around the country. She has specialized in individual, martial, family and group therapy for 40 years. 

Participants will receive a certificate of completion, and 0.4 CEUs/4 contact hours are available, upon request. The program cost is $140 per person.

For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, visit the program website or contact Kimberly Lai, um.fhc.pd@maine.edu; 207.338.8002. 

NORTON, MA (September 5, 2023) – Junior midfielder Lydia Gaudreau (Gorham, Maine) scored the game-winning goal with 10:24 left in the fourth quarter to give the Wheaton College (Mass.) field hockey team a 1-0 victory over visiting Fitchburg State University this evening at Nordin Field on the Wheaton campus in Norton, Mass.

The Lyons improve to 1-1 on the season, while the Falcons fall to 0-2.

Goals were hard to come by through the first three-plus quarters of play until Wheaton was finally able to break through on one of its seven penalty corners in the match. Junior midfielder Macy Poitras-Cote (Northborough, Mass.) sent the insert pass to Gaudreau, who wound up from the top of the circle and sent a rocket into the far right corner for the only marker of the night. 

The Lyons’ offense controlled the opening quarter, outshooting Fitchburg State by a count of 6-1 as part of a 15-7 margin for the game. 

The Falcons’ only penalty corner came with just 91 seconds left in the contest, but the Wheaton defense was able to disrupt the try and keep the visitors off the board. 

Fitchburg had its best scoring chance of the night when sophomore Olivia Narkevicius (Phillipston, Mass.) looked to take advantage of an open left side of the cage. She sent a shot from the left slot, but sophomore Lyon midfielder Maddie Hatch (Gorham, Maine) was there to make the defensive stop with 50 ticks left on the clock and keep the shutout intact for the home team.

Narkevicius paced the Falcons’ offense with a pair of shots.

The goal for Gaudreau was the second game-winner of her career for Wheaton.

Senior keeper Emma Lapreziosa (Bowdoinham, Maine) turned away all four shots she faced to record her fourth career shutout for the Lyons, while senior goalie Jenna Morse (Leominster, Mass.) made five saves for Fitchburg State.

RAYMOND, ME (September 8, 2023) — Given the growth of the Lakes Region, how can we protect the water quality now and into the future? A panel of waterway experts will discuss water biology, ecology, property owner responsibility and governance as it relates to maintaining the health of our waterways.

Thursday, September 14 at 6:30 pm Hawthorne House 40 Hawthorne Rd Raymond

GORHAM, ME (September 1, 2023) — The Town Council Appointments Committee is seeking citizen volunteers to fill a vacancy on the Planning Board and Gorham Economic Development Corporation.

If you are interested in applying to serve on the Planning Board or GEDC, go to the Town’s website to fill out an application.  For more information, you may also contact the Town Clerk’s office at 222-1670.

WISCASSET, ME (September 1, 2023) – With grant-funded support from Governor Mill’s Outdoor Learning Initiative, high school students from sixteen Maine towns recently returned from extensive expeditions into Maine’s forests and along the rugged coastline. These journeys, spanning three weeks, centered on ecology, sustainability, and introducing students to the unique career and study opportunities found in Maine’s forestry and marine sectors.

“We were delighted to offer these unique, no-cost programs and share our passion for ecology and the natural world with these local students,” said Nancy Kennedy, the acting president of Chewonki, a non-profit environmental education center based in Wiscasset. “I am so pleased that Chewonki played a role in ensuring these young people in Maine have access to the spectacular marine and forest resources that make this state so special”

The programs, designed for high school-aged students, offered either a three-week kayak expedition up the coast of Maine, or a three-week backpacking trip along the Maine appalachian trail.

According to Eli Hanschka, one of the trip leaders, the hands-on programming had a profound impact on the students who attended. “On the coastal ecology trip, we saw each participant engage wholeheartedly and passionately with the ecosystems we traveled through,” said Hanschka. “Students documented and shared naturalist observations, sought answers to questions of geology, oceanography, and species interaction, and gratefully ate food directly from the sea, all increasing their intimate connection to these environments. One participant, Chelsie, would often wake up early and we’d find her sitting in a meadow or exploring the intertidal zone, finding and describing all the species of plants and animals around her. Our group also developed a culture of picking up any trash we could find, no matter how difficult. They turned around their kayaks to grab a bottle that had floated by or used a boat hook they found to fish out lobster buoys wedged deep in the cracks of rocks. These inspired attitudes of curiosity and stewardship for the natural world will carry far beyond the shorelines we traveled and deep into the places and people that each participant will interact with through their lives.” 

The students were challenged with a true off-the-grid experience, learning essential camping and survival skills, navigation, species identification, and taking turns leading the group each day to build teamwork and leadership. 

“It was just so remarkable to see a group of Maine kids explore and learn about the these ecosystems in their home state,” said Hanschka. “The participants, coming from all over Maine, each brought a unique perspective to place and community along with an openness to learn from each other. This, combined with a deep wonder and appreciation for these wild places, allowed them to form a strong family centered around generosity, caring for each other, passion for living fully engaged, and interdependence with nature as one of its members. They supported one another through challenging times on the sea, brought enthusiasm for every learning opportunity, and inspired everyone they touched to live with passion, curiosity, and love.“

“These students have not only forged a deep connection with the backcountry environment of Maine but are also taking home hands-on experience, and a new view of the diverse job and recreational opportunities that this region offers,” explains Kennedy. “We couldn’t be more proud.”

Both programs underscore Chewonki’s commitment to fostering environmental awareness, knowledge, and stewardship among the youth. By providing these experiences, Chewonki aims to inspire the next generation of environmental leaders, scientists, and advocates.

At the behest of Governor Mills, the Maine Outdoor Learning Initiative was developed by the Maine Department of Education using Federal funding, and was designed to give middle and high school students the opportunity to participate in marine and coastal ecology learning programs, including marine research and exploration, boat building, sailing, career exploration with marine businesses, island immersion programs, and more.

The Chewonki summer programs included students from Arrowsic, Bangor, Bar Harbor, Belfast, Brunswick, Dexter, Dresden, Fort Fairfield, Freeport, Greenbush, Gorham, Phippsburg, Portland, Unity, So. Portland, and Topsham.

For more details on Chewonki and its upcoming programs, visit www.chewonki.org or contact: Cullen McGough, VP of Marketing and Communications cmcgough@chewonki.org or (207) 882-7323.

About Chewonki: Chewonki is a leading environmental education center located in Wiscasset, Maine, dedicated to promoting understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of the natural world. Through a blend of hands-on experiences, outdoor adventures, and in-depth study, Chewonki inspires transformative growth and a deep connection to the environment.