GORHAM, ME — All are invited to attend a public Open House:

When: October 15th from 5:30 to 7:30pm on Tuesday, October 15th

Where: Gorham Municipal Center (Burleigh H. Loveitt Council Chambers)

 The Town of Gorham has hired Camoin Associates, a leading economic development consulting firm, to create an Economic Development Strategic Plan.  This plan will define an economic vision for the next 5-10 years with corresponding goals, strategies and actions through economic and market research, land use analysis and a comprehensive assessment of local assets.  In addition, the consultants are engaging community and business leaders in one-on-one interviews and small group forums, and they are seeking input from citizens to inform and guide their recommendations.

The Open House is an opportunity for citizens to contribute their opinions and feedback to the strategy.  The format allows for participants to “drop in” at any time between 5:30pm – 7:30pm.  Topics will include local business climate; commercial land use; development opportunities; and community assets.

Unable to attend?

Citizens unable to attend can share input via a digital survey at the Town’s website.

Questions

For assistance with questions leading up to the event, please contact Kevin Jensen – Economic Development Director via email at kjensen@gorham.me.us or by phone at 207-222-1628.

WESTBROOK, ME — Join us as we play toe-tapping fun and familiar music for all ages – show tunes, marches, and patriotic tunes!

Tuesday, October 15, 2024  7PM – 8PM

Westbrook Community Center

426 Bridge St. Westbrook, ME

GORHAM, ME — White Rock Community Clubhouse at 34 Wilson Road, Gorham invites the public to a homemade bean supper on Saturday, October 5,  4:00-5:30pm.

Eat in or take out. Meal includes baked kidney & pea beans, coleslaw, potato salad, macaroni & cheese, biscuits, hot dogs and dessert.  $10 adults, $5 under 12

Follow us on Facebook for updates: facebook.com/whiterockcommunityclub

GORHAM, ME — Real estate and personal property tax bills for the fiscal year 2024-2025 will be mailed to property owners and available online by or before October 1, 2024.

The tax rate that was set as of the commitment date of September 19, 2024 is $14.70 per one thousand dollars of assessed value.

Town of Gorham taxes are due on November 15, 2024 and May 15, 2024. Payments can be made in-person in the Town Clerk’s Office or placed in the mail and addressed as follows:

Town of Gorham

Tax Collector

75 South Street, Suite 1

Gorham, ME 04038

For assistance with questions relating to real estate and/or personal property taxes, please contact the Assessor at the Cumberland County Regional Assessing Office at 207-699-2475.

GORHAM, ME — Join University of Southern Maine Art Gallery for a panel discussion on October 5 at 4 pm on issues around land claim, mining’s impact on the local economy, and how themes of economic and ecological intertwinement can be viewed as a microcosm of the concerns that face many communities throughout the ecoregion.

This program is part of our under/current exhibition.

Panelists include:

Stephanie Garon, Artist

Bruce Taylor M.D., Public health physician

Nickie Sekera, Community Water Justice

Nick Bennett, Natural Resources Council of Maine Staff Scientist and Healthy Waters Director

Jan Morill, Earthworks Tailing Campaign Manager

Please note: This program will be in-person in our McGoldrick Center and held simultaneously via Zoom. Register for the Zoom session at USM’s website.

This event is sponsored by a Maine Humanities Council Major Grant.

MAINE — Goodwill Northern New England now offers donation pick-ups, thanks to a new partnership with ReSupply. The partnership will begin in the Greater Portland, Maine area and expand in the coming weeks.

“Getting to a donation center can be difficult for some folks, especially if they have large, bulky items like furniture,” said Goodwill’s Director of Logistics Rick Mooney. “Our goal is to make donating easier and more accessible for our communities by offering donation pickups.”

ReSupply offers a fee-based pickup service to donors and in turn provides that donation to Goodwill. Goodwill does not take any part of the pick-up fee. Any items Goodwill cannot take ReSupply will then take to other charities to further help keep items from ending up in landfills.

Goodwill stores and donation centers will always remain a free option for donating clothing and household items. 

ReSupply will initially serve folks surrounding these stores: Biddeford, South Portland (Maine Mall), Gorham, Westbrook, Falmouth, Windham, Topsham and Brunswick.

“We hope our donors find value in this alternative donating option,” Mooney said. “If it’s not your cup of tea, our donation specialists are ready for you at our stores.”

Visit goodwillnne.org/donate/ or call (361) 264-1467 to schedule a donation pickup. ReSupply will reach out to coordinate the pickup within 24-48 hours.

BUXTON, ME — Join us Saturday, October 5, 2PM-4PM at Buxton Town Office, 185 Portland Road, Rear Entrance for guest speaker Gerard Bianco, an award-winning artist, author, teacher and lecturer.   He holds a BA in Studio Art and an MFA in Writing.

 His books can be found on Amazon. His short stories have appeared in various literary journals and his lessons, exercises and advice on the art and craft of creative fiction have appeared on the web and in the book, Now Write! Mysteries: Mystery Fiction Exercises From Today’s Best Writers and Teachers.

 His latest book, Marlee, takes place in Maine and contains thirteen of his unique illustrations. He lives in Maine. Please visit his website at https://gerardbianco.com/

Refreshments will be served.  FREE an  RSVP appreciated contact Lorraine  lindcabin@gmail.com

PORTLAND, ME — In September, the American Red Cross stresses the continuing critical need for blood products to ensure patient care. Donors of all blood types are asked to give now to keep blood supply levels rising after a summer shortage. Type O blood donors and those giving platelets are especially needed.

A steady increase in lifesaving blood products is vital to ensuring hospitals stay ready for any situation this fall. As National Preparedness Month continues, the Red Cross highlights the importance of having a strong supply of blood products already on hand for disasters and emergencies of all kinds and to meet the needs of patients every day.

Now is the time to book an appointment and help patients counting on lifesaving transfusions. To schedule a time to give blood or platelets, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

All who come to give Sept. 16-30, 2024, will get a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Fall.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Sept. 19-30

Cumberland

Brunswick

9/25/2024: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Elks Lodge, 179 Park Row

9/27/2024: 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., American Legion Post 20, 1 Columbus Drive

Falmouth

9/24/2024: 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Lunt Auditorium, 74 Lunt Road

9/30/2024: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., The Episcopal Church of St. Mary, 43 Foreside Rd

Freeport

9/30/2024: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn Freeport, 5 Park Street

Harrison

9/25/2024: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., United Parish Congregational Church of Harrison and N. Bridgton, 77 Main Street

North Yarmouth

9/27/2024: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Wescustogo Hall and Community Center, 120 Memorial Hwy

Portland

9/20/2024: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Alexander Hall, 716 Stevens Ave

9/30/2024: 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Maine Medical Dana Center, 22 Bramhall Street

Scarborough

9/19/2024: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Saint Maximilian Church, 150 Black Point Rd

South Portland

9/26/2024: 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Portland Sheraton at Sable Oaks, 200 Sable Oaks Drive

Standish

9/19/2024: 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Standish Town Hall, 175 Northeast Road

Yarmouth

9/20/2024: 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., American Legion Post 91, 196 Main St

WESTBROOK, ME – In collaboration with the award-winning Maine nonprofit I’m Your Neighbor Books, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) held The Pine Project’s Welcoming Libraries Celebration, marking the start of this first-in-the-nation initiative. Welcoming Libraries are collections of picture books exploring themes of immigration, diversity, and belonging, curated to foster inclusive communities. 

“We know the power of a story. We know the power of books to help transport readers and help them identify with others, feel more connected, feel included in their communities, and feel a sense of belonging. Each story in the Welcoming Libraries: Pine Collections reflects that power of being included,” said Maine DOE Associate Commissioner for Public Education Megan Welter. “We know that through this initiative, readers will get to immerse themselves in wonderful stories and, at the same time, provide educators with the tools to create an even more welcoming and inclusive environment for all students.”

The Pine Project, initiated by the Maine DOE, has evolved from a small-scale initiative to a statewide program. Initially, the project comprised 16 libraries that went to as many Maine Schools. Now, through a collaboration with I’m Your Neighbor Books, the Maine DOE has expanded the project to include all public schools in the state and incorporate professional development. This expansion extends the project’s benefits to students and educators throughout Maine, providing every Maine school administrative unit with a Welcoming Library: Pine Collection.

Every collection includes 30 books and a Maine-made bookshelf. Each book includes discussion questions developed by Maine educators and community leaders to facilitate conversations in the classroom.

“I didn’t realize how complex the subject of immigration was because I am an immigrant myself. It was my lived experience. But now, seeing students enjoying reading these books and hearing the conversations they inspire, I understand,” said Ina Demers, an educator involved with the project, who has already had a chance to read some of the curated books to her students.

“It’s super inspiring and exciting and energizing and really gives a sense of hopefulness about growing our capacity for truth-telling and welcoming and creating a sense of deep, deep, deep belonging,” said Francie Latour, author of Auntie Luce’s Talking Paintings, one of the books included in Welcoming Libraries: Pine Collection. “We know that belonging is really tied to our ability to learn. It is hard to learn and thrive in school if we don’t feel safe, and belonging gives us that feeling of safety.”

The Pine Project’s Welcoming Libraries Celebration featured a full cast reading of “I’m an American” by Darshana Khiani, performed by fifth graders from Westbrook Middle School. One parent who came to watch her son read shared that the Pine Project made her feel like she and her family truly belonged in Maine.

“I love seeing everyone here. It’s nice,” the parent commented. “After coming here from the Congo seven years ago, it is finally feeling like home.”

The Pine Project has been entirely Maine-based. The collections have been curated by I’m Your Neighbor Books, a Maine nonprofit, containing books by Peaks Island author Anne Sibley O’Brien and audiobook-enhanced titles provided by Portland’s AudioFile Magazine. The libraries sit on a bookshelf designed by Biddeford’s Nomak Design, manufactured by Lisbon Falls’ Orion Woodworking, and topped with signage from South Portland’s Banacom Sign. Martin’s Point Health Care Volunteers packed each set of books and bookshelves with custom packaging designed by Biddeford’s Volk Packaging.

“To have the opportunity to do something with such a strong public mission statement was like a dream come true for us,” said Katie Clark of Nomak Design.

“Maine is a special place for craftsmen and artisans, so it feels good to give my time to make quality products that are a part of Maine’s culture,” said Ryan Cathcart of Orion Woodshop.

The Pine Project also includes free professional learning, designed by the Maine DOE and I’m Your Neighbor Books, to aid educators in utilizing the libraries in their schools.

“The professional learning is a self-guided training to use the featured picture books to teach self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making,” said project lead Melanie Junkins, Maine DOE Multilingual and Bilingual Education Specialist. “This is not a curriculum. Instead, this is an application of the Collaborative for Academic Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) framework.”

“This project aligns with the CASEL framework in lots of ways. First of all, it is specifically intended to encourage welcoming communities and to help students have a greater sense of belonging,” explained CASEL Director of Policy Andrew Tucker. “In general, the CASEL framework is about belonging. It’s about creating these communities where students can acquire important lifelong competencies like self-awareness and self-management. [The Pine Project] allows for social awareness in a huge way because it helps students understand the life experiences of other people. It helps them to talk amongst themselves and build the relationship skills they need to understand somebody else’s perspective.”

The Pine Project’s Professional Learning will be available on September 30th on the Maine DOE website. The Pine Project was funded through Federal Emergency Relief and is a part of Maine’s Whole Student Pandemic Response. You can learn more about Maine’s use of Federal Emergency Funding on the Maine DOE website.

GORHAM, ME — Mark your calendars, because we have a busy September at the Library! For more information, please visit our website at https://baxterlibrary.org/, or visit us on Facebook!

Tuesday, September 24, 6 PM  Author Event: Caroline Ailanthus

Join us for a reading by author Caroline Ailanthus. Caroline is a creative science writer with a master’s degree in Conservation Biology. She has three published novels with more on the way.  Bifurcation Events, set partially in Maine, is Caroline’s most recent book. There are moments that divide life into before and after. Death can do it. But so can miracles. So can love. Andy, a scientist, calls these moments bifurcation events. He’s seen his share, most dramatically in the complete collapse of the old civilization–and the beginnings of another.

Bifurcation Events builds on Ailanthus’s earlier novel, Ecological Memory, set a few decades after the end of civilization – and the beginning of another. Part scientific detective story, part post-apocalyptic travelogue, Ecological Memory is at heart a tale about what happens after you lose everything.

Wednesday, September 25, 6 PM  Meet the Candidates

Join us to hear from the candidates for School Committee, Town Council, and Maine House and Senate seats, plus special guest Heather Perry, followed by a meet and greet. This event will also be livestreamed and filmed for later broadcast.  We’ll share links to those when we have them!

Thursday, September 26, 6 PM  Evening Book Group

Join us for a discussion of All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson.  There are many valuable reasons to read memoir, including the opportunity to see yourself reflected in the pages or the opportunity to read about lives very different from your own.  This award winning memoir has been one of the top challenged books in the country, but we invite you to form your own opinion.  Our focus in this discussion is on the book as a work of literature rather than a debate on its inclusion in any particular library.