PORTLAND, ME – Norway Savings Bank recently delivered a $20,000 contribution to the University of Southern Maine Foundation, part of a multi-year commitment to support the McGoldrick Center for Career & Student Success, the new hub of the university’s Portland campus.

“We’re so pleased to have been designated a ‘Founding Sponsor’ of the center by USM,” said Dan Walsh, President and CEO of Norway Savings. “It is already such an incredible resource for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the wider community, including the opportunity for business representatives to connect with students in building relationships and establishing the possibility of eventual employment. NSB is thrilled to be associated with a building that is benefiting so many people today and holds limitless potential for the future.”

The McGoldrick Center’s second floor is home to USM’s expanded Career & Employment Hub, where the employer community intersects with students in the academic community. The third floor is dedicated to cultivating student leadership opportunities and connections with spaces set aside for USM’s Student Government Association, Diversity Center, and other organizations. The three-story center also features dining facilities, meeting and conference rooms, and student activity rooms.

The USM Foundation is an independent nonprofit that works side by side with the university to support the aspirations of students and the strategic vision of USM. For more information about its work and how you can assist, visit https://usm.maine.edu/foundation.

GORHAM, ME – Makers Market & Pick Your Own Blueberries Fest at Orchard Ridge Farm in Gorham! The Market is August 9th from 10-2 (rain date August 10th, 10-2).

We will have 30 Vendors selling their goods (Ceramics, Jewelry, Woodworking, Illustration and Painting, Vintage Clothes, Stained Glass, Soap and Body Products & More).

There will be live music, farm animals and we will have 2 food trucks, Gunnars Icelandic Hotdogs and Top it on the go serving up ice cream.

We are also having a BAKE SALE (blueberry themed) fundraiser for ARLGP with all the funds raised will go to help the shelter continue doing the amazing work they have been doing for years.

This event is going to be incredible and at the height of blueberry picking season, on one of the most beautiful local farms in Maine. We hope to see you there!

ARUNDEL, ME – The Landing School of Boatbuilding and Design in Arundel, a non-profit marine trades school, is hosting open houses at our campus at 286 River Rd. on Aug 4 (1-3 PM), Aug 15 (2-4 PM) and Aug 25 (10AM-12PM).

PORTLAND, ME – The American Red Cross calls on donors to give blood or platelets now to maintain a steady national blood supply. Type O blood donors are especially key to keeping critical blood products on hospital shelves into August.

Even a strong blood supply can experience a sudden drop ? potentially impacting the availability of lifesaving blood and platelets that could help new mothers, burn and trauma patients, and those facing cancer. Help safeguard patient care by booking a time to give blood or platelets. Visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App.?

In thanks, those who come to give by July 31 will receive a Fandango Movie Reward by email. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/July.

Those who come to give Aug. 1-28 will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. Plus, the Red Cross will perform free A1C testing, commonly used to screen for prediabetes and diabetes, on successful donations (one test result per 12-month period). Visit RedCrossBlood.org/Test for more information.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities July 31-Aug. 7

Cumberland

Bridgton

8/5/2025: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Masonic Hall, 166 Harrison Road, Route 117

Freeport

8/7/2025: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn Freeport – Old Town Hall Building, 5 Park Street

Gorham

8/7/2025: 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Cressey Road Christian Church, 81 Cressey Road

North Yarmouth

8/5/2025: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Wescustogo Hall and Community Center, 120 Memorial Hwy

Portland

7/31/2025: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Cambria Hotel, 25 Hancock St

8/4/2025: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Maine Medical Center – Dana Education Center, 22 Bramhall Street

Scarborough

8/5/2025: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Saint Maximilian Church, 150 Black Point Rd

Standish

8/4/2025: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Gardenside Condo Association, 12 Gardenside Drive

Yarmouth

8/1/2025: 11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., American Legion Post 91, 196 Main St

WISCASSET, ME – Summertime in Wiscasset, Maine, means Wiscasset Art Walk! On the evening of Thursday, July 31, from 4 to 7pm, artists, musicians, crafters, local residents, and visitors experience together the sights, sounds, and tastes of this charming Midcoast Maine village.

Galleries will be in high gear for the evening. Wiscasset Bay Gallery features an exhibit, American and French Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, with gallery owners, Cordelia and Keith Oehmig, on hand to talk with visitors about art and artists. Keith is himself an accomplished artist with a distinctive style; look for his paintings on display throughout the gallery. Be sure to visit the garden patio where refreshments await and enjoy the accompanying sounds of Dave Lawlor playing jazz guitar.

Nearby, Sylvan Gallery, specializing in contemporary New England artists, features recent paintings by Paul Batch. Gallery owner, Ann Scanlon, an artist with paintings on display, describes Batch’s work as presenting “captivating depictions of sunrises, sunsets, and moonrises, Batch’s paintings illuminate nature’s quiet beauty or its dramatic atmospheric effect.” This evening is a reception for the artist who will be in the gallery to talk with visitors. Note the large round table in the gallery festooned with lovely, tasty bites and something bubbly. Harpist Torren Nehrboss accompanies the festivities.

Additional Village galleries, Bradbury Art & Antiques, Michael Dunn Antiques, Ingram Art & Antiques, Trifles, and Maine Art Gallery each offer exquisite paintings and rare and unusual objects. This season, The Peaceful Pagan Vintage joins the antiques group with a curated collection of choice antique and vintage clothing.

Explore the many other Village shops that stay open for Wiscasset Art Walk. Each is unique and owner managed. Look for sparkly streamers at doorways and pick up the night’s strolling map for the list of participating businesses. Tired feet? Hop on board Woodfield Farm’s horse-drawn wagon for a soothing ride around town!

Wiscasset Art Walk strollers will find delightful music on the sidewalk as featured musician, Alex Bigney, plays Celtic harp. Also on the sidewalk: peruse books and prints by Jennifer Merz. Shyborg Games, an indie game development studio in Wiscasset, demonstrates their first game, The Art Collector; get a preview of their new game, No Survivors, due to be released in October. And the art of the floral bouquet will be on display at the Garden Club of Wiscasset’s sidewalk stall – take one home.

The Village boasts a varied collection of eating and drinking venues open during Wiscasset Art Walk. Grab a brew at Aekeir Tap Room, enjoy fascinating combinations at Panacea, slurp fresh oysters at Jolie Rogers Raw Bar, delight in lobsters and other seafood at Red’s and Sprague’s, relax with casual fare at Jodie’s, and get mellow with a beverage from the bar and waterfront dining at Water St. Kitchen & Bar.

In 2025, the businesses that support Wiscasset Art Walk are Lead Sponsor, Ames True Value; Major Sponsors are Big Barn Coffee, Carriage House Gardens, Cheney Insurance, Sherri Dunbar/Dunham Realty, First National Bank, J. Edward Knight Insurance, Newcastle Realty, Peter Eaton Antiques, Red’s Eats, Rock Paper Scissors, Water St. Kitchen & Bar; with additional support from Aekeir Tap Room, Bradbury Art & Antiques, and IndustrialME.

For more information about Wiscasset Art Walk, visit www.wiscassetartwalk.org or email to wiscassetartwalk@gmail.com . Wiscasset Art Walk is a program of Wiscasset Creative Alliance.

Hymn of Flight by artist Paul Batch is one of a collection of his recent works on display at Sylvan Gallery in Wiscasset Village. Meet the artist during Wiscasset Art Walk, Thursday, July 31, 4-7pm. (Image courtesy Sylvan Gallery)

GORHAM, ME –  McKenzie Dicks, a standout student at Gorham High School of the top Junior Dressage athletes in the country  will be traveling to Aachen, Germany, this August to witness a once-in-a-lifetime moment: supporting her  six-year-old KWPM Dutch Warmblood stallion, O’Romeo S—affectionately known as “Ollie”—compete on the world stage.

Ollie has been selected to represent the United States at the prestigious FEI World Breeding Dressage Championships for Young Horses, taking place the week of August 3. The young stallion will compete against the top six-year-old horses from around the globe.

Ollie is trained and ridden by Hope Cooper of the Bear Spot Foundation and Dressage Academy in Concord, Massachusetts. His selection followed an intensive season of training and high-level competition during the winter circuit in Wellington, Florida.

McKenzie, who owns Ollie, is thrilled that he was recently accepted into the United States Olympic Development Program—a major honor and a signal of Olympic potential in the years ahead.

Once she returns from Germany, McKenzie will have a quick turnaround as she prepares to compete in the Festival of Champions National Championships outside of Chicago, the week of August 17. There, she will partner with her current mount, Destar, to compete among the country’s top youth riders—again ranked 7th nationally.

At just 15 years old, McKenzie Dicks continues to make a name for herself in the sport of dressage, showing poise, commitment, and vision well beyond her years.

GORHAM, ME – Author Event: Miriam Rimkunas on July 24, 6:00 pm

Join us for a reading and signing by Gorham’s own Miriam Rimkunas from their new novel, Survivor Concentrate: An Apocalyptic Fable.  Concentrate on the vast Siberian taiga and these claustrophobic wood walls. Tucked in the trees of a mountainside, these walls used to shelter the three sisters Popov and their impossible bloody secrets. Now this cabin is home to Song Min-jae, a North Korean fledgling. It is here in these walls that he discovers two doors, which seem to lead nowhere. The sisters Popov built those doors. The youngest built the door in the attic, seeking an escape from her own trauma and hunger. The eldest built her door in the bedroom, seeking only God. And the middle Popov sister, she is a god now. In these wood walls, Min-jae learns he is not alone.  Miriam I. Rimkunas is a lifelong Mainer and writer based in Portland. Prior to this work, they wrote and produced the serialized podcast Extraordinary Terrestrials. When not splicing genres, Miriam enjoys knitting, playing bass, gardening, and worshiping their two cats with their family.

Baxter Memorial Library is now offering Mango Languages using your library card!  Over 70 languages including ASL and ESOL are available anytime with your Baxter library card, and for younger learners we are also offering Little Pim.  Special thanks to the Trustees of the Baxter Memorial Library for funding this new offering!!  For more information, check out https://baxterlibrary.org/mango-languages/

Baxter Memorial Library’s Adult Summer Reading program continues throughout July and into August! 

Adults should be able to have a little fun and get credit for reading over the summer too! Fill out a raffle ticket for every book you read, either online (https://forms.office.com/r/R3G9yuBLiv) or in person, to be entered into weekly drawings for prizes and be in the running for our grand prize drawings at the end of the summer! No fine print needed – read anything! Everything counts: beach reads, serious reads, audiobooks, books you read aloud to kids. Reward yourself anytime for your reading progress by picking up stickers, bookmarks, and buttons from the library. 

Lakes Region Art Studio Exhibit runs from July 1 through July 31!  We have a truly lovely display of paintings and drawings produced by local artists from The Lakes Region Senior Center!

LEE, NH — Get ready to immerse yourself in a sea of golden blooms as Coppal House Farm proudly presents its annual Sunflower Festival, taking place Saturday, July 26 through Sunday, August 3, 2025. This highly anticipated summer celebration invites visitors of all ages to experience the beauty and joy of walking through five acres of vibrant sunflowers as they bloom throughout the week.

Weekends of the festival features local food vendors, a craft fair with over 40 artisans, and family-friendly activities—including animal viewing and children’s activities. Guests can enjoy live performances from local musicians throughout the weekend and sip local wine in the open-air wine garden, hosted by Flag Hill Distillery & Winery.

Special ticketed events include:

Booze & Blooms – A 21+ evening event on Friday, July 25, featuring early access to the sunflowers, live music by Black Sheep, and a glass of Flag Hill wine in a commemorative glass.

Sunrise in the Sunflowers – An early morning photography and mindfulness experience on Sunday, July 27, offering exclusive access to the fields during the golden hour.

Yoga in the Sunflowers – Flow among the flowers with a peaceful, guided practice surrounded by natural beauty with Align Yoga on Sunday, July 27th or Tuesday, July 29th.

Limited Mobility Day – This pre-ticketed event on Monday, July 28th is designed for those guests who require easier access to view the sunflowers. Make sure to check out their website for more information.

Evening Horse-Drawn Rides (pre-ticketed) – On the evening of Thursday, July 31st enjoy a scenic horse-drawn wagon ride around the sunflowers during the golden evening glow.

Sip n’ Snip (pre-ticketed) – This new event is perfect for a lady’s night out. Enjoy a cocktail while building your own beautiful bouquet with the guidance of a local flower farmer.

Tickets: Buy early and save! Discounted tickets are available online until midnight the night before your chosen date. Regular admission is available on a day online or at the farm.

“We look forward to this event all year,” says Carol Hutton, owner of Coppal House Farm. “It’s a chance to share the natural beauty of our farm with the community and to support several local non-profits through festival proceeds.”

Come wander the fields, make lasting memories, and celebrate summer at its most radiant.

Whether you’re a flower enthusiast, local adventurer, or just looking for a unique day trip, the Sunflower Festival is the perfect place to soak up the joy of summer. Come wander, wonder, and smile with us! Learn more & plan your visit: www.nhsunflower.com

About Coppal House Farm: Coppal House Farm is a family-owned and operated working farm in Lee, New Hampshire, offering sustainable agriculture, seasonal events, and a deep commitment to community. The Sunflower Festival is one of the farm’s signature events, drawing thousands of visitors each summer.

GORHAM, ME – North Gorham Public Library’s Monday Book Club will meet in the library on Monday, July 28, from 11:00 to noon. The group is reading How to Read a Book by Monica Wood. 

GORHAM, ME – Applicants on the Gorham Planning Board Agenda recently received a scam email requesting wire transfer payment of additional fees for their projects. Town IT staff confirmed that the information was extracted from the Planning Board application materials posted on the Town website.

Please be aware that the Town of Gorham will not request and does not accept payment for projects from applicants through wire transfers, and if additional funds are needed for a project, Town of Gorham staff will contact applicants and/or request that applicants make payment at the Gorham Municipal Center.

If a citizen has clicked a website link contained in an email scam that was requesting payment via wire transfer for projects that are under review by the Gorham Planning Board, and if the citizen has entered any personal information through the website link, it is recommended that they contact the Gorham Police Department at their non-emergency phone number at 207-839-5581 for further guidance.