GORHAM, ME — Are you ready to make new friends and embark on exciting adventures? We invite girls in grades K-3 and their caregivers to our unique new member sign-up event, held at Narragansett Elementary School 284 Main Street, Gorham, ME 04038 on Tuesday January 21, from 5:30-6:30PM.

What to Expect:

Make New Friends! Connect with other girls and caregivers in a welcoming environment.

Creative Activities: Enjoy hands-on crafts like secret code bracelets and a magical unicorn-themed project!

Discover Girl Scouts: Learn about our exciting programs and volunteer opportunities that empower girls to build confidence, courage, and character.

Don’t miss this chance to explore the wonderful world of Girl Scouts and kick-start your journey of friendship and adventure!

GORHAM, ME — Life Forms is a sculpture collective of twelve artists and an experiment in artistic community building. Through a series of exhibitions over four years (2023-2027), each in a different location and featuring a different subset of artists, the group aims to deepen relationships with each other, discover new connections through their creative work, and share in conversation with the public.

The University of Southern Maine Art Gallery in Gorham has the pleasure of hosting the third exhibition, Life Forms: Grow, featuring Jackie Brown, Leah Gauthier, Elaine K. Ng, and Ashley Page.

Running from January 16 – February 15, 2025, the works in this exhibition span a wide range of interpretations around the word “grow”, from the growth of biological life as well as that of knowledge across cultures, to shape-shifting materials that blur the real and the imagined; forging resiliency amidst massive change; and the vulnerability, grace, and complexities of the Black experience.

This event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be available.

University of Southern Maine Art Gallery

5 University Way, Gorham, ME, United States, Maine 04038

Thursday January 23, 6-8PM

By Will Sedlack, Executive Director Presumpscot Regional Land Trust

MAINE — Looking back on my first year leading the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust, I’m struck by the collective power of this community to achieve big things. Together, we’ve strengthened connections to nature, preserved critical lands, and laid the groundwork for an even brighter future.

Here are just a few of the highlights from 2024:

East Windham Conservation Area Opening: This long-awaited project, made possible through partnerships with the Town of Windham, the Greater Portland chapter of the New England Mountain Bike Association, and Runaways Run Club, has become a community favorite. With Gorham Savings Bank as a key sponsor, the trails will soon be even more accessible, with ADA-compliant paths coming in 2025.

Enhancements at Rivermeadow: Located in downtown Westbrook, this preserve is nearing the completion of new boardwalks, with plans for story walks in 2025. These efforts will ensure that over 8,000 Westbrook residents can easily access and enjoy the beauty of the Presumpscot River.

A New Treasure in Gorham: Thanks to a generous gift, Deer Woods—a pristine 30-acre property—is now protected forever, adding to the tapestry of conserved lands in our region.

Water Quality Monitoring and Alewife Migration Support: Our Water Quality Monitoring program continues to safeguard the health of the Presumpscot River, a vital ecosystem for native species like the alewife. Each spring, thousands of alewives migrate upstream, a sign of the river’s resilience and a testament to our conservation efforts. This natural phenomenon connects us to the rich biodiversity of our watershed and the traditions of this land.

Trail Challenge Success: Participation in this year’s Trail Challenge grew by 150%, encouraging even more families and individuals to explore the outdoors and deepen their connection to nature.

Looking ahead, we are planning exciting new conservation projects in Westbrook, Gorham, and Standish and finalizing a strategic plan that will guide the Land Trust’s next chapter. None of this would be possible without your generosity.

We’re so close to reaching our $100,000 goal for 2024, and your tax-deductible gift can help us get there. Every dollar fuels projects like new ADA-accessible trails, habitat conservation, and water quality monitoring. Let’s cross the finish line together!

Thank you for being a vital part of our success. Together, we are building a legacy of conservation for generations to come.

LIMINGTON, ME — Did you know your holiday tree can continue to bring joy even after the season ends? Saco River Wildlife Center is accepting tree donations to provide enrichment for our curious patients—they love to climb, chew, and explore them for enrichment!

Donation Details:

Drop-off Location: 238 River Rd, Limington

Hours: 9 AM – 6 PM

Important Guidelines:

Trees must be completely free of tinsel, garland, ornaments, or any decorations.

Natural trees only, please!

Please note, we are a working rehabilitation center and cannot offer tours. Our patients’ safety and well-being remain our top priority!

Thank you for your kindness and support—our patients appreciate it!

GORHAM, ME — Ring in the new year at New Year Gorham, Gorham’s annual New Year’s Eve extravaganza, with activities and entertainment for people of all ages, great food, and an amazing laser light show finale!

2024 Program Information & Event Times for All New Year Gorham Events

The New Year Gorham committee, comprised of volunteers from the community, have lined up family-friendly stage shows, family-friendly food options, and a laser light show display at 9pm. See the full lineup online. The start times for events and activities are as follows:

USM Ice Skating (55 Campus Avenue) begins at 2pm

Young family events begin at 3:00pm on the Gorham Recreation side of the Gorham Municipal Center (75 South Street); doors will open at 3pm.

Performances at Gorham High School begin at 4:30pm

Laser light show at the Gorham High School Gym at 9pm

Tickets

Pre-register for tickets online or pay at the door.  Pricing is as follows:

$7 per person December 26 – December 31

(Children under 2 free)

$7 per person at the door

Sponsors

The New Year Gorham event is made possible by donations and the generosity from various businesses and individuals. Thank you very much to the 2024 New Year Gorham Sponsors.

The New Year Gorham Committee and the Town of Gorham wish everyone a safe and happy New Year!

GORHAM, ME — Gorham Food Pantry Friends are getting ready to hand out toothbrushes and toothpaste to our clients during the month of January; any dental care items that we receive during December will be put to good use in the next few weeks.  Thanks!

GORHAM, ME — Gorham BackPack Program is giving a heartfelt THANK YOU to all the incredible volunteers who make the BackPack Program possible! Whether you’re managing inventory, placing orders, packing or distributing bags, donating items, or contributing financially—you are the backbone of the program.

Your generosity and dedication ensure that no child in the Gorham Schools goes without food, and we truly couldn’t do it without the unwavering support of our amazing Gorham community.

As we head into Winter Break, our hearts are filled with appreciation and gratitude for each and every one of you. Together, we are making a difference.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us!

GORHAM, ME — If you are looking for a fun senior center with lots of activities daily, come join us at Little Falls Activity Center, 40 Acorn Street, Gorham, Maine.  We are open from 8:30 to 2 or 3 pm depending on the activity.  Our calendar is online. 

Call Gerry Day, President, at 839-3859 for more information 

Membership fee is $20 a year with many perks. 

GORHAM, ME — Every two weeks for the past two years, a group of women meet at the library to discuss the prose and poetry they have written. They call themselves Women Who Write. Last month, they co-hosted a community reception with the library and read stories, poems, and other works they developed over their time together.

Afterward, everybody got to enjoy delicious refreshments and delightful conversations at the Women Who Write reception. Hands down, the event was a great literary and social success!

Many thanks (L-R) to Cheri Wing-Jones, Windham; Annie Boissevain, Gray;  Mary Snell, Gorham; Carolyn Gaul, Windham; and Lynne Mentzer, Gorham. Your works were thoughtful, funny, serious, well-written, and well-delivered. Also, thanks to our friends next door, the North Gorham Fire Department, for letting us use the Community Room.

We’re already talking about next year’s reception!

MAINE — If you use a generator, be aware of the danger of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and know how to use your generator safely:

1) Never run gas powered generators in the garage, barn, or shed (even with the door open).

2) Keep the generator at least 20 ft. from windows and doors.

3) Make sure your CO detectors in your home have fresh batteries.