MAINE – The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education held its second annual “I Belong” Youth Summit at Central Maine Community College on Thursday, May 29. This event brought together students from across the state with individualized education plans (IEPs) for a day dedicated to empowerment, connection, and celebration of student voice. Student participants ranged in age from 10 to 22 years old.

The summit is an initiative that happens through the Transition Maine program, which was developed by the Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education to provide accessible and inclusive transition services for students moving from high school into adulthood. The Executive Student Transition Committee, a team of students who assist with the Transition Maine program, plays a large role in the organization of this event, designed to amplify the voices of youth with varying abilities.“To see our students meaningfully engage and included in hands-on activities to help them imagine their future makes me and our team very proud,” Executive Student Transition Committee Co-Chair Connor Archer said, reflecting on the success of the summit. “As someone who received special education services right here in Maine, I know how unique and powerful this experience is.”

Secretary of State Shenna Bellows kicked off the summit by speaking with students about Maine’s new accessible voting machines, known as the ExpressVote.

The system allows voters to mark their ballots using a touchscreen or keypad, and it includes audio instructions for those who are visually impaired. It then prints a paper ballot that can be scanned and counted. Bellows emphasized the importance of civic participation and ensuring that all Mainers, including those with disabilities, have full access to the process.

The daylong event allowed students to discover post-secondary opportunities through engaging, hands-on activities. Career paths in trades, culinary arts, agriculture, health care, media, and more were highlighted throughout the day. Students practiced knife skills with chefs, pulled lobsters from traps, and planted vegetables. They participated in Central Maine Power’s “Safety City” demonstration, regarding safety around power lines, and joined the Maine DOE Rethinking Responsive Education Ventures (RREV) team, along with the Student Leadership Ambassadors of Maine (SLAM) from Nokomis High School, for mock media interviews, designed for those interested in journalism and broadcasting.

L.L. Bean introduced the students to the world of retail through an interactive clothing activity that focused on merchandising and apparel knowledge. The iconic “Bootmobile” was also on display, drawing students in and sparking conversations about careers in retail and outdoor recreation.

Students from the Deering High School Unified Cheerleading Team pose with Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows.

“I want to become an EMT. If that doesn’t work out, I want to work in a mortuary,”  Abagail Giles, a student from Stearns High School, shared in an interview with NEWS CENTER Maine.

Educators and business partners at the summit emphasized the importance of creating inclusive pathways to employment.

“There is a ton of value, skill, brainpower, and I think it’s essential not to exclude a segment of the population,” Kim Cotta, Talent Development Manager at Darling’s Auto Group, said.

Titus O’Rourke, the Transition Specialist with the Maine DOE, emphasized the goal of the event in an interview with NEWS CENTER Maine: “[These students] belong in every single career pathway, and it’s important for students to understand what is available to them.”

By connecting students with real-world experiences and professional mentors, the “I Belong” Youth Summit helps to ensure that all Maine students with IEPs have the tools and confidence they need to shape their futures.

The third annual “I Belong” Youth Summit is set to take place in the Bangor area next spring. Due to the strong student participation from across the state for this event, Transition Maine and the Executive Student Transition Committee have plans to expand the “I Belong” Youth Summit.

For more information about the Maine DOE Transition Maine program, click here. Educators interested in connecting with someone about the Transition Maine program may contact her Titus O’Rourke at titus.orourke@maine.gov.

AUGUSTA, ME – The Maine Senate took initial votes in favor of two bills that advance legislative efforts to help residents of mobile home communities purchase their parks, preserving and protecting some of the strongest affordable housing options in Maine. Residents and legislators held a press conference at the State House to celebrate the positive votes and discuss more pending legislation that would combat the growing trend of out-of-state private equity firms attempting to buy up parks.

LD 1145, “An Act to Protect Residents Living in Mobile Home Parks,” sponsored by Sen. Tim Nangle, D-Windham, would create a right of first refusal for resident cooperatives to match a third-party offer to purchase the park they live in, providing them with the ability to control their future housing costs while ensuring that sellers receive the full market value of their property. The Senate took a strong, bipartisan vote of 25-7.

“When these communities get bought up by corporate landlords, rents rise,” said Sen. Nangle in remarks on the Senate floor. “Repairs get delayed. Evictions become more common. People who live their lives like any other homeowners suddenly are faced with seemingly insurmountable consequences: They own a structure, but not the ground beneath it. And the ground is shifting under their feet. [LD 1145] says: if the residents want to own their community — and they have the means to do so — we ought to let them.”

LD 1016, sponsored by Cameron Reny, D-Bristol, would create a per-lot transfer fee on the purchase of mobile home parks which applies only to purchasing entities with a net worth of more than $50 million, preserving the ability of local for-profit, non-profit and resident co-ops to buy and sell parks as they have for decades. Revenues from the transfer fee paid by equity firms and other high-end investor entities would go to a permanent Mobile Home Park Preservation Fund to support residents at risk of displacement.

“This bill helps protect affordable housing at a time when we need it most,” said Sen. Reny in remarks on the Senate floor. “It’s time to make rich, out-of-state investors pay their fair share and make sure our older Mainers, young families, veterans, and more, can afford to stay in their homes.”

Both bills have received strong support from the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future (GOPIF).

“Mobile home parks are an essential source of affordable housing in our state, providing homes to 45,000 Maine people,” said Greg Payne, senior housing advisor in the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future. “That’s why the Mills Administration partnered with the Legislature to pass the Opportunity to Purchase law and create and fund the Mobile Home Park Preservation Fund. These bills further protect mobile home park residents by helping them compete against wealthy investors when parks go up for sale and generating new funds to support housing stability and preservation.”

LDs 1145 and 1016 now await further votes in the House and Senate.

In a press conference following the Senate votes, the chairs of the Joint Standing Committee on Housing and Economic Development discussed the package of work the committee has done to protect mobile home communities from having their costs driven up by out-of-state investors.

“As legislators, we consistently hear that one of the top issues on the minds of Maine people is access to safe, affordable housing,” said Sen. Chip Curry, D-Belfast, Senate Chair of the Housing and Economic Development Committee in his remarks. “That’s why our committee has been focused on two deeply connected challenges: how to build more housing in Maine, and just as urgently, how to protect the affordable housing we still have. It has become very clear to us that a critical component of this mission is protecting the residents of mobile home parks. I’m incredibly proud to stand here with some of those residents and report that the Senate has just voted in favor of some really fantastic proposals to help them and thousands of Mainers.”

“We need every available tool to tackle the complicated housing crisis our state faces,” said Rep. Traci Gere, D-Kennebunkport, House Chair of the Housing and Economic Development Committee in her remarks. “Collectively, all of the bills we’ve mentioned here today will work together to protect Maine’s mobile home parks and their residents, which are one of Maine’s most vulnerable – and underappreciated – types of housing.”

“In March, we were notified that our park was for sale, and that there was an interested buyer from California,” said Dawn Beaulieu, a 30-year resident of Friendly Village Mobile Home Park in Gorham, and the President of the newly created Friendly Village Cooperative in remarks at the press conference. “After researching the interested corporation, we started organizing immediately to try to retain an affordable housing option for ourselves and our fellow residents. We, the residents, formed a cooperative and have since made a counteroffer to purchase the park. As of today, we are still waiting for a response to that offer. Our livelihoods should not be in the hands of an out-of-state conglomerate that sees us not as a community, but as an investment. The legislation being considered here in Augusta will help us put our fate in our own hands.”

Other legislative efforts from this year regarding mobile home parks that were discussed included:

LD 1183, “An Act to Ensure Rent-to-own Protections Apply to Mobile Home Park Tenants” Sponsored by Rep. Traci Gere, D-Kennebunkport

Signed into law by Gov. Janet Mills

LD 1723, “An Act to Amend the Laws Governing Manufactured Housing Communities to Prevent Excessive Rent and Fees Increases”  Sponsored by Rep. Cheryl Golek, D-Harpswell

Majority “Ought to Pass as Amended” report in committee, awaiting votes by the full Legislature

LD 255, “An Act to Support Mobile Home Residents in Purchasing Their Mobile Home Parks” Sponsored by Sen. Joe Baldacci, D-Bangor

Initially approved by the House and Senate, awaiting funding

LD 554, “An Act to Encourage Resident-owned Communities and Preserve Affordable Housing Through Tax Deductions”  Sponsored by Sen. Cameron Reny, D-Bristol

Initially approved by the House and Senate, awaiting funding

LD 1768, “An Act to Protect Residents of Mobile Home Parks by Amending the Real Estate Transfer Tax” Sponsored by Sen. Donna Bailey, D-Saco

Initially approved by the House and Senate, awaiting further action in the Senate.

 Dawn Beaulieu, a 30-year resident of Friendly Village Mobile Home Park in Gorham, and the President of the newly created Friendly Village Cooperative, speaks at a press conference at the Maine State House while Democratic legislators, advocates and mobile home park residents look on.

GORHAM, ME – Our Bucket Step Garden at the Community Garden at Cressey Road Christian Church, 81 Cressey Road, Gorham  is free, user friendly, minimal bending required, water available. Just bring your plants or seeds.

Bucket Steps were built by Eagle Scout Christopher Bolton with help from his troop, scout leader Kelley Deprez and Rick Smart.  Bucket Steps have 3 rows, with 4 buckets each.   You may plant a full set or share them with someone. 

There is no fee.  To use one of these planters, please contact Lorraine lindcabin@mail.com or call the church at 839-3111.

Buckets ready for seeds or plants.

GORHAM, ME – A special event on May 30 brought students on a scavenger hunt throughout Gorham for a day of excitement and exploration with the participants hopefully having enriched their future aspirations by the finish line. The “Amazing Race” paired eighth graders from Gorham Middle School with fifth graders at Village Elementary School to solve and follow clues that led them on a journey to businesses and community organizations in town. One location happy to welcome the inquisitive students for a visit along the way was Norway Savings Bank’s Gorham branch, located on 65 Main Street.

“The Gorham team welcomed the students in and answered questions about the banking industry, our Go>2 digital checking accounts, and our summer teller program. As they get older, they might aspire to a career in banking!” said Pam DiPietro Hale, Commercial Loan Officer VP for NSB. “Many questions also revolved around the handling of money and the vault.”

Among the NSB team members who engaged with the students were Kelly Sturmer, Mortgage Loan Officer VP; Amy Lehigh, Market Manager VP; and Matt Petros, Jo Allard, and Katlyn Doughty, all customer relations representatives.

“Their willingness to welcome our student teams, share their time, and bring energy and kindness made this event truly special,” said Lexie Caddell, an organizer of the event and ed tech at Village Elementary.

Part of the exercise is for the students to utilize the formal introduction techniques they have learned and pose questions they had prepared for NSB team members.

“It was wonderful to see the respect and courtesy the students showed to each other and to us, and observing their genuine interest in learning is a great sign for our future,” said Lehigh.

Now in its fourth year, the “race” is aptly named simply for the amazing connections, community, and camaraderie it inspires.

“It was a joy to watch our students explore their community, meet the people who help make it thrive, and begin to imagine their own future roles in it,” said Caddell. “I’m excited to grow and improve this tradition together.”

AUGUSTA, ME – Sen. Stacy Brenner, D-Scarborough, welcomed Reverend Christine Dyke of First Parish Congregational Church in Gorham to the Senate chamber to give the Opening Prayer.

“It was a privilege to welcome Reverend Dyke to the Senate,” said Sen. Stacy Brenner. “I am always inspired by the warm and comforting words of Rev. Dyke. She truly makes my heart sing.”

On session days, faith leaders deliver a brief inspirational message to guide lawmakers through their deliberations for the day. Out of respect for the diversity in the Senate Chamber, the Senate Secretary’s Office asks that these invocations are non-political.

To sign up to give the Opening Prayer, contact Alex Ferguson at (207) 287-1540 or Alex.Ferguson@legislature.maine.gov.

Rev. Christine Dyke and Sen. Stacy Brenner in the Senate chamber

WINDHAM, ME – St. Anthony of Padua Summer Festival will be held on June 28 from 8-3 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Windham.

This is the 4th Annual Summer Festival with a yard sale, sales of plants, books and jewelry, Italian food, quesadillas, Knight of Columbus Grill for breakfast and lunch, and homemade baked goods. There also will be music, games for children and adults, and raffles.

This year featured is the “Golden Ticket” raffle.  The winning ticket gets two passes for all the dinners at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, St. Hyacinth’s in Westbrook and St. Anne’s in Gorham for a year starting in September 2025.

GORHAM, ME – Spring is here! Flowers are in bloom, and on some days it’s warm outside! Here at the North Gorham Public Library, we’re getting geared up for our spring Plant and Book sale on Saturday, June 7, from 9 am to 1 pm.

Do you have any books or plants you’d like to donate?

Drop off books anytime the library is open, or if you only have a few, put them in our front door book drop. Please do not put books in the big green parcel container. We accept all books in decent condition except encyclopedias, textbooks, yearbooks, or Reader’s Digest condensed books.

Plants can be put in front of the library where the pavement begins or in the little driveway to the right. If you know the name of the plant, please add a label. We can dig up your plants for you if you need some help. You’re also welcome to donate plant pots, gardening tools, and other useful gardening paraphernalia.

If you want to get in touch, please drop by the library, email libng@north-gorham.lib.me.us, or leave a message at 892- 2575.

To keep you better informed about what’s happening at our library and in our community, we will now be sending out a monthly newsletter instead of a quarterly one.

Thank you for your support,

Diane Atwood, Library Director

Debbie Ledoux, Library Assistant

MAINE – We at Presumpscot Regional Land Trust hope you are enjoying Spring as much as we are. This time of year is filled with hope, rain, and busy days for our team.

With the help of donors to the Path Forward Fund, our team and generous volunteers have been building boardwalks at several properties, including Black Brook Preserve in Windham.  Check out the pictures below for an amazing before and after!

This incredible transformation is possible because of donors, making trails accessible and safe for our community.

Blackbrook Trailwork

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. 

The Rummage sale will be held on June 1 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 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.”

Come to the sale and shop!

GORHAM, ME – The North Gorham Public Library’s longstanding Monday Morning Book Club usually meets in the library on the fourth Monday of the month. This year, the fourth Monday in May is Memorial Day, and so the group will meet the following Monday, June 2, from 11 to noon. They are reading How to Age Disgracefully by Clare Pooley. You are welcome to join either of our Book Clubs. You’ll need a library card, but we can give you one at no charge.