PORTLAND, ME — During National Volunteer Month in April, the American Red Cross asks donors to help keep the blood supply stable by making an appointment to give blood or platelets now. Type O blood and platelets are especially needed to ensure hospitals are fully stocked with lifesaving blood products this spring.

The Red Cross depends on thousands of volunteer donors to collect more than 12,000 blood donations and about 3,000 platelet donations every single day. Blood drives and donation centers also depend on the generosity and valuable time of those who make it possible for the Red Cross to help people in need.

As spring travel and activities fill calendars, volunteer blood donations remain essential to critical medical care. Book a time to give blood or platelets now by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

All who come to give April 14-30, 2025, will get an exclusive Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last, plus be automatically entered for a chance to win a $5,000 prize. There will be three winners. See RedCrossBlood.org/Hope.

In May, all who come to give May 1-18, 2025, will get a $20 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. Plus, throughout May, those who come to give will be automatically entered to win a U.S. trip of choice for two. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/May.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities April 17-May 5

Brunswick

4/30/2025: 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., American Legion Post 20, 1 Columbus Drive

5/2/2025: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Brunswick High School, 116 Maquoit Road

Freeport

4/28/2025: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn Freeport – Old Town Hall Building, 5 Park Street

Gorham

5/1/2025: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., St. Annes Church, 299 Main Street

North Yarmouth

4/25/2025: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Wescustogo Hall and Community Center, 120 Memorial Hwy

Portland

4/30/2025: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Portland Elks Lodge, 1945 Congress St.

5/5/2025: 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Maine Medical Center – Dana Education Center, 22 Bramhall Street

South Portland

4/29/2025: 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., South Portland Community Center, 21 Nelson Road

4/30/2025: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Southern Maine Community College Campus Center, 2 Fort Road

Windham

4/26/2025: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Windham High School, 406 Gray Rd

Yarmouth

5/2/2025: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., American Legion Post 91, 196 Main St

GORHAM, ME — USM Department of Theatre wraps up its 2024-2025 season with the USM Spring Dance Concert, featuring new dance works by five choreographers and performed by USM dance students April 25th-27th at Russell Hall on the USM Gorham Campus.

Director Jessie Laurita-Spanglet joins fellow USM faculty choreographers Maria Tzianabos and Vanessa Beyland and guest choreographers Tristan Koepke and Emma Tomkins for this second-annual dance concert. For Laurita-Spanglet, this is a chance to celebrate the growing culture of dance at USM, “Last Spring we had nine wonderful student performers involved in our concert, and this year we have built that out to include twenty student performers…I am most excited about this build-up of student participation and the growing appetite for live concert dance at USM.”

Maria Tzianabos and Vanessa Beyland bring years of experience teaching ballet, jazz, tap, and musical theatre dance at USM to their pieces. Tristan Koepke is a seasoned dance-maker and performer who has been creating work with professional dancers for many years. Emma Tomkins is a young, emerging choreographer who graduated from the USM Department of Theatre and works locally as a choreographer in both theatre and dance. All have been developing and rehearsing their pieces with the student dancers throughout the spring semester.

Laurita-Spanglet says, “One of the wonderful things about choreographing is that unlike visual art where you work with paints or clay, or music where you work with an instrument, dances are created with the movers themselves as the most important material…The process tends to be quite collaborative and unfolds over time based on the interaction between the movers and the choreographer.”

Each choreographer draws from a wide range of influences and inspirations to create their pieces. Laurita-Spanglet’s piece was born from an interest in Audio Description for dance. She says, “Audio Description is a practice of speaking out loud the action that is happening on stage so that more people, especially those who are blind or visually impaired, can access and understand dance. My interest with this piece was to use language to help audience members gain greater access to what is happening onstage, and then to explore how that type of communication affects perception, memory, and time as the work unfolds.”

The USM Spring Dance Concert

April 25-27, 2025

Russell Hall, USM Gorham Campus

General Admission: $18

Senior 65+: $12

USM Faculty/Staff/Alumni: $14

USM Students & Non-USM Students: $8

Group rate: $8/person – for schools and community groups

All tickets $8 on Friday, April 25th.

To purchase tickets, or for more information, visit USM Theatre online at https://usm.maine.edu/department-theatre/ or call the USM Theatre Box Office at (207) 780-5151. For more information on USM’s Department of Theatre events and programs, click here.

Those needing special accommodations to participate fully in this program, contact Janice Gardner at (207)780-5289 or janice.gardner@maine.edu. Hearing impaired: call USM’s telex / TDD number (207)780-5646.

Dance Concert rehearsals, photos by Sarah Graff Photography.

GORHAM, ME – Gorham’s Baxter Memorial Library is hosting a variety of events this week. Join us on:

Thursday, April 24 for Game Day: 10 am – noon

Looking for someone to play Candyland with? Interested in playing chess? Join us on Thursday April 24th from 10am-12pm for Game Day. Each table in the library will have games available to play. Geared for all ages.

Thursday, April 24 for Adult Art Night! 6-7 pm

Please join us for an evening of Zentangle.  All materials provided. All are welcome to participate in this free program.

Saturday, April 26 for RPG Club: 11 am – 12:30 pm

Join us on the fourth Saturday of every month for RPG Club! Come take an adventure and learn about role-playing games! This club is geared for all ages. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to join and learn too. Children under 8 will need an adult present.

GORHAM, ME — Folks of all ages are invited to join the Gorham Conservation Commission in collaboration with the Gorham Village Alliance and the Think Blue Maine campaign for the 5th Annual Gorham Cleans Up event on Sunday, April 27, 2025 from 8:30am – 11:00am to pick up trash in the Village and along the drainage basins along New Portland Road and South Street.

As with previous years, Gorham Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) will help with traffic safety and the Gorham Conservation Commission will provide clean-up supplies, including donuts!

This is a great way to get outside, have some fun and keep trash out of Gorham’s stormwater run off basins. The event will start at the Municipal Center, and donations will be collected for the Gorham Food Pantry.

To sign-up and find more information about the event, please visit https://www.gorhamconservation.org/gorham-cleans-up/.

GORHAM, ME — Gorham’s Boy Scout Troop 73 is hosting a community rummage sale to raise funds to support Troop activities like camping adventures, community service projects and merit badge/rank advancement requirements.  They are looking for community support through donations of items and by coming to the event.

The Rummage sale will be held on Saturday, May 10, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (May 17 rain date) in the parking lot to the west of Shaw Gym. 

On behalf of the troop, Mitch Zaninelli invites community members to also participate in the sale by renting a table to sell your own items. He said, “We really want to make this an annual community event that brings Gorham residents together each spring.  It is a great way to kick off your spring cleaning and give used items a second life instead of going to the dump.  We are also going to have some Boy Scout demonstration tables showcasing some of the skills the scouts are learning.”

How can you participate?

Come to the sale and shop.

Donate items for the troop to sell – Items can be dropped off at On Point Storage, 551 Main St., during normal business hours between April 1 and May 8. Check in with the office when you arrive. Items must be in sellable condition (clean, not broken, working) and please no appliances.

Rent a table ($50) to sell your own wares. Reach out to mitchellzaninelli@gmail.com for more information. Tables are being donated by Party with Confetti Rentals.

Mitch added, “We are also looking for a food truck or two. If you are interested or know someone who is, please reach out to mitchellzaninelli@gmail.com”

Please join Sexual Assault Response Services Of Southern Maine on April 24th as we wind down Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) with our fundraising event SARSSM Spring Melt 2025.

As we enter warmer seasons, come break the ice with SARSSM. It will be an event like no other, and we want you to be there!

?Join us at The Hill Arts for an evening of music, creativity and discovery, topped off with melty, gourmet grilled cheese, drinks and chocolate cheese tarts by 2Gether Private Chefs.

?SARSSM Spring Melt 2025 begins a new annual tradition to recognize the possibility and power of getting to the other side of trauma, of sharing light and community connection.

? With MC Atiim Boykin, Portland based artist & community leader keeping the energy moving, 

the evening will also include a brief program highlighting the positive impact of SARSSM programs and

services provided within Cumberland and York Counties. as well as creative activities for introverts, and special guest, DJ 40Sauce, the live jukebox, collaborating with guests to curate the mood for the evening.

?SARSSM is thrilled to announce our Lamp, Lifeboat, & Ladder Award recipients: Pine Tree Legal Assistance, Barb McGuan, and Paul Matteson, LCPC. Please join us to celebrate their work on behalf of our mission.

?Every ticket sold and dollar raised for this event allows us to sustain our vital services AND to develop and implement additional programs and services in response to evolving need within our community. Together, we can create a brighter world for all.

To promote accessibility & community engagement, tickets are “pay what you want” and are priced $10-$100. 

If you cannot make the event but want to make a donation, please go here.

 To purchase tickets to SARSSM Spring Melt 2025, please scan the QR code.

WESTBROOK, ME — Khmer Maine and Watt Samaki have officially broken ground on the Welcome Garden and entrance for the planned development of an Asian American Community Center and Buddhist temple complex in Westbrook!

The Welcome Garden will feature a community garden, picnic tables, statues, and parking for public trail access.

If you or your organization would like to learn and support our vision, please visit aaccmaine.org  or contact Marpheen Chann  at Marpheen@khmermaine.org.

Thank you Woods Excavation and Acorn Engineering, Inc. for joining us and your support on this project.

This milestone brings us one step closer to creating a vibrant space featuring:

    Botanical Gardens showcasing diverse plant life and heritage

    Community Gardens where neighbors can grow and share fresh produce

    Trails for walking, reflection, and connection with nature

From cultural celebrations to educational programs and support services, our vision for this center goes beyond bricks and mortar. It will be a welcoming hub for everyone, fostering belonging, wellness, and a deeper understanding of Maine’s Asian American and Pacific Islander community.

We couldn’t do this without our amazing partners, generous donors, and dedicated volunteers. Thank you for believing in the power of community and helping us lay the foundation for a brighter, more inclusive future.

Stay tuned for updates as we work together to bring this transformative project to life!

PORTLAND, ME – GEA Live and Innovation Arts & Entertainment, in association with Lionsgate, today announced the highly-anticipated 60-city national tour of the first-ever Twilight In Concert (www.twilightinconcert.com) will visit Portland’s Merrill Auditorium on Thursday, November 13th for one show only. As the novel, “Twilight”, celebrates its 20th anniversary, the live-to-film cinematic experience featuring the original movie accompanied by a 12-piece ensemble of rock and orchestral musicians on stage will transport audiences on a journey deep into the heart of this romantic story. Whether you’re Team Edward, Team Jacob, or Team Bella, Twilight In Concert promises an unforgettable evening for fans of the beloved The Twilight Saga film franchise — and music enthusiasts alike.

Tickets for Twilight In Concert went on sale April 11 at Porttix.com. Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the story of Twilight and be a part of forever!

Set in an enchanting candlelit setting, Twilight In Concert offers a unique opportunity for audiences to relive the film that started it all in a cinematic live-to-film experience with a sensational live band. Musicians will take the stage to perform the beloved film score in perfect synchronization with the original movie, presented in its entirety on a massive cinema screen. Audiences will be completely captivated by the magical atmosphere with more than one thousand twinkling candles illuminating the grand stage, creating an ambiance that sets the tone for a truly romantic evening. For more information, tickets, and tour dates visit www.twilightinconcert.com and follow @TwilightMovie on Facebook, and @Twilight on Instagram and X.

The Twilight Saga is one of the most successful young adult film franchises of all time. The five films (Twilight, The Twilight Saga: New Moon, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse and The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Parts 1 & 2) have grossed more than $3.3 billion at the worldwide box office. The films were adapted from “Twilight” creator Stephenie Meyer’s acclaimed series of books that won multiple awards, sold over 160 million copies worldwide and were translated into 49 different languages. Lionsgate’s TV adaptation of Stephenie Meyer’s novel “Midnight Sun” has been picked up to series at Netflix.

AUGUSTA, ME — On Tuesday, March 11, Sen. Stacy Brenner, D-Scarborough, and Sen. Peggy Rotundo, D-Lewiston presented a legislative sentiment to Robert Callahan of Gorham, Director of the Lewiston Regional Technical Center (LRTC), in recognition of his being named the 2024 Career and Technical Education Administrator of the Year by the Maine Association of Career Technical Education.

“The work Rob has done for the students of Lewiston and surrounding communities is so important,” said Sen. Rotundo. “LRTC provides valuable experience that students will use in the classroom, in college and in their careers after high school. This award is a testament to the hard work he has put in, and how much value he adds to Lewiston’s educational curriculum. I cannot thank him enough for the effort he puts into educating our future generations.”

Callahan was nominated by his peers at the Technical Center on the Lewiston High School campus. Following the nomination, the executive committee of the Maine Association of Career Technical Education voted for him to receive the award. 

“It was a pleasure to welcome Mr. Callahan to the Maine Senate,” said Sen. Brenner. “Career and technical education equips students with hands-on skills needed to succeed both in the classroom and in the future workforce.”

The LRTC is a part of the national Career and Technical Education program. LRTC provides hands-on, immersive education opportunities that prepare Lewiston High School students for a variety of careers and college.

Callahan has been an active participant in policy discussion about Career and Technical Education centers at both the state and national level. He has also contributed to educational forums and shared best practices with fellow educators. Callahan has been credited with influencing positive changes in CTE policies and funding, which have been beneficial to students and educators across the state.

The CTE Excellence Awards are administered through Maine Administrators of Career and Technical Education and the Maine Association for Career and Technical Education. Callahan will now advance to the regional level of recognition for a chance to progress to the national level through the national Association of Career and Technical Education.

Sen. Stacy Brenner, D-Scarborough, (left) and Sen. Peggy Rotundo, D-Lewiston, (right) with Robert Callahan (center).

GORHAM, ME — Please join your Casco Bay Wind Symphony on May 4th, 2025 as we celebrate “A Space Odyssey.”  Included in our concert at 2 PM at the McCormack Performing Arts Center at Gorham High School are the following pieces:

“Also Sprach Zarathustra” by Richard Strauss

“Symphony No. 6: The Blue Marble” by Julie Giroux – complete with stunning video

‘Jupiter’ from “The Planets” by Gustav Holst and

John Willams’ “Star Wars Trilogy’ (arranged by Donald Hunsberger)

Tickets are available at the door and online at www.cascobaywindsymphony.org

Adult tickets are $13 in advance and $15 at the door. Seniors (65 and older) – pay what you can. Students and children are always free.

We are celebrating our 45th year and hope you can join us!