GORHAM, ME — Public Works (located at 80 Huston Road) will be accepting brush Saturday, May 10th 8AM – 3PM.

This event is for residents ONLY, no commercial drop offs will be accepted.

No stumps, please.

Leaves and grass clippings accepted in the designated area throughout the season.

Please do not leave your bags behind.

Contact the office with any questions at 207-222-4950 or dpw@gorham.me.us.

GORHAM, ME – The Town of Gorham is creating an Open Space & Trails Master Plan to help guide and prioritize future opportunities for open space preservation, protection of critical wildlife habitat and corridors, recreation access agricultural preservation and trail connections. This plan is being developed in recognition of the Town’s historic past on agricultural and natural resource based economies, anticipated commercial and residential development needs, and the anticipated impacts of a changing climate and natural resource disturbances. A survey inviting public input to identify opportunities, connections, and issues to address ran between February and May 1, 2025.

Public Open House Event

All are invited to attend a Public Open House event hosted by the Town of Gorham’s Open Space and Trails Master Plan & Steering Committee to continue conversations and provide the opportunity for public participation in the planning process.

When: Wednesday, June 9, 2025, 6 to 8pm

Where: Burleigh Loveitt Council Chambers, Gorham Municipal Center (75 South Street)

 WINDHAM, ME – Riding To The Top (RTT) is excited to announce their participation in Seen Through Horses 2025—a nationwide public awareness and fundraising campaign promoting the mental health benefits of working with horses. See Through Horses is a peer-to-peer campaign that will run through the month of May and coincides with Mental Health Awareness Month, a time when conversations around mental health will be elevated around the country.

Mental health does not discriminate and statistics show that one in five people in the U.S. will be affected by mental illness, with depression being the number one cause of disability worldwide. Two-thirds of people with mental illness never seek help, and of those who do, only about 50% find traditional talk therapy successful (NAMI, 2020). What we have seen, however, is that experiential work with horses can bring about profound changes in people who struggle with mental health issues. This can be through direct therapy services (Equine Assisted Psychotherapy), or can be through equine-assisted learning and therapeutic riding—services that are not direct mental health therapy, but can improve one’s overall health and wellness by making connections with these powerful, sentient beings.

“We are thrilled to be part of this campaign that will bring awareness and as well as important funds to organizations who seek to improve access to equine-assisted services. Riding To The Top is a PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center, and while we do not provide direct mental health services, we witness daily the changes that happen when people and horses work together–from physical well-being, to social-emotional connections and improved self-confidence, to overall enhanced mental health and wellness.  Our volunteers also frequently comment on how much better they feel after working with our amazing equine partners. We are grateful to be part of the Seen Through Horses campaign,” said Sarah Bronson, Executive Director.

Riding To The Top’s mission is enhancing health and wellness through equine assisted services. As we join the equine and mental health sectors around one message, shared together during the month of May, we encourage you to help us spread awareness of our services. You can support Riding To The Top leading up to and during the campaign, by visiting https://sth2025.raiselysite.com/riding-to-the-top-therapeutic-riding-center and making a donation.

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”

AUGUSTA, ME – On April 23, Sen. Stacy Brenner, D-Scarborough, welcomed Katelyn McKay of Gorham to the Blaine House to honor McKay with a legislative sentiment. Katelyn, a student at the Southern Maine Community College, was awarded the Maine Community College System’s 2025 Student of the Year Award.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

“Katelyn’s journey is one of tenacity,” said Sen. Brenner. “Their willingness to work hard to overcome obstacles to achieve an education is so admirable. It was an honor to recognize and celebrate their success and I wish all the best in their future endeavors.”

Each year, the MCCS Student of the Year Award is given to one student from each of Maine’s seven community colleges. Students are chosen for their academic success, service to others and commitment to making a difference on campus.

Katelyn is enrolled in the Southern Maine Community College’s fire science and automotive programs. They are pursuing many interests, including completing their EMT and firefighting certification and exploring a four-year degree in the future.

Katelyn McKay and Sen. Stacy Brenner, D-Scarborough, at the Blaine House

Submitted by The Gorham Food Pantry Friends

GORHAM, ME — Pantry friends, THANK YOU!!  Our new Amazon list is being found and utilized, and deliveries are making it successfully to the bins at the top of the ramp!  We are continuing to add and edit items that are of most need (as well as a few “nice to haves”), and your generosity is astounding and humbling. 

If you’d like a way to help out that doesn’t involve going to the store, shopping for an item, and bringing it to the Pantry, feel free to try this out!  At check out, you should be able to choose from the Pantry address in your dropdown list of delivery addresses. 

We’ll continue to watch and edit the list to make improvements.  Thank you for helping to feed your neighbors here in Gorham.

BRUNSWICK, ME — Each year, Independence Association and Spindleworks support over 350 adults and children by breaking down barriers and building a world where everyone – regardless of ability – has the opportunity to live with dignity, independence, and joy.

This isn’t just a race. It’s a celebration of strength, community, and resilience.

Every stride that you take helps provide life-changing programs, support services, and opportunities for individuals with disabilities and their families.

Run with purpose. Run with heart. Run with us.

Join us on Saturday, May 10th for the 13th annual Run for Independence. Brunswick Rec Center | 220 Neptune Drive. 5K, 1 Mile, and Kids’ Fun Run. First race begins at 10am

REGISTER NOW online

Not a runner? Hey, we get that! ?Walk it, Roll it. Stroll it. Dance it. Cheer from the sidelines. How ever you show up – you’re part of the movement.

This race is for everyone. Whether you are a marathon pro or just here for the snacks and good vibes, your presence makes a difference in supporting adults and children with disabilities in our communities.

You don’t have to be fast. You just have to care. Because it’s not about how you move. It’s about why.

WESTBROOK, ME – High school mascots are going head-to-head in a nationwide showdown —and Maine is in the game! The64, the new interactive online voting platform, kicks off its first-ever National High School Mascot Tournament on April 24, 2025, inviting schools, students, alums, and fans across the country to help crown the nation’s top high school mascot.

From fierce Volcanoes, Horned Toads, and mighty Spartans, the competition starts with two regions containing 64 mascots nationwide, including one from Maine, that will battle for Best High School Mascot and a cash prize for their school. And it’s not just about the schools; fans from anywhere can vote and rally behind their favorite mascot.

Representing Maine:

Westbrook High School (Westbrook) – Blue Blazes “Blazey”

“This mascot rivalry isn’t just a competition—it’s a national celebration of school pride and community spirit,” said Justin Woo, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and founder of The64. “We’re giving schools and their fans a chance to showcase their spirit in a fun, interactive way while engaging in some friendly competition.”

How It Works:

Sign up for free at www.The64.com

Vote in each head-to-head matchup as the bracket narrows from 64 ? 32 ? 16 ? 8 ? 4 ? 2 ? Champion.

Earn chips: Every vote earns you a chip. Use chips to spin The64 Prize Wheel and win gift cards, pizza discounts, merch, and entries into monthly sweepstakes.

The tournament runs for 18 days, with new matchups every 3 days.

The64 National High School Mascot Tournament kicked off on April 24.

Join the mascot battle and cast your votes now at www.The64.com.

More Than Mascots – More Ways to Win!

The64 isn’t stopping at mascots. New tournaments are launching weekly—locally and nationwide—covering everything from your favorite restaurants, attractions, destinations, and more.

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.