GORHAM, ME — Governor Janet Mills announced on December 3, 2024 that a second round of applications is now open for Maine small businesses to help them rebuild and recover from last winter’s devastating storms.

The Department of Economic and Community Development opened applications on December 3rd for approximately $2 million in remaining funding for Maine small businesses and nonprofit organizations through its Business Recovery and Resilience Fund to make storm-related repairs and strengthen infrastructure to better withstand future storms.

The Business Recovery and Resilience Fund was created as part of the $60 million storm relief package secured by the Governor and approved by the Legislature earlier this year — the single largest investment in storm recovery by any Administration in Maine history.

The Mills Administration has already awarded approximately $8 million through the first round of Business Recovery and Resilience grants to 109 Maine businesses and nonprofit organizations to help them recover from last winter’s devastating storms. The Administration has also awarded $21.2 million in resilience grants to help rebuild 68 working waterfronts and $25.2 million in grants for 39 communities to help them recover and build more resilient infrastructure.

The Business Recovery and Resilience Fund provides grants for businesses and organizations, including nonprofit organizations, that have been affected by last winter’s severe storms. Business and non-profit applicants may initially request up to $100,000 toward design, permitting and construction costs for their project. Projects receiving grants may include a recovery component for damage sustained and must include efforts to increase business resilience to future storms and other climate conditions. Funds awarded through the program may can pay for up to 50 percent of total project costs, with applicants providing matching funds equal to the total amount requested. Applications must show that the funding will support efforts to make properties resilient to future weather events.

The application and a Frequently Asked Questions document with additional information are available online. Applications are due by no later than 11:59 pm on January 14th, 2025.

GORHAM, ME – It’s that time of year again, and we are excited to announce our 3rd Annual St. Nick’s Christmas Fundraising Fair, taking place on December 14th at Cressey Christian Church on Cressey Rd., Gorham, ME. Additionally, we will host our “Polar Express Experience” on December 7th at the Kennebec YMCA in Augusta, Maine. Santa & Mrs. Claus will be at both events for the kids along with John Merrifield, musician playing music for the day and featuring an amazing luncheon.

Both events will feature gift collections, raffles, and silent auctions showcasing amazing Maine-made items. We are incredibly thankful to everyone who supported us last year, enabling us to assist families throughout Maine in need.

This initiative began in 2019 with our daughter, Julia Swett, who started the “Giving Tree of Maine.” Julia was featured on WCSH6 207Maine and was honored as the youngest recipient of the WCSH6 Teens Who Care scholarship and award. Since then, we have made significant strides with our events, and we are thrilled to host two major ones this December!

In addition to these events, we are also hosting our “Queen’s Winter Ball” (Bridgerton Experience Event) on November 30th at the Senator Inn & Spa in Augusta. This event, which is currently sold out, aims to raise funds for my husband, Joe Swett, who is on dialysis and on the Maine Transplant List.

The Queen’s Winter Ball will feature an exciting silent auction with amazing items, including a signed helmet by Tom Brady, a signed stand-up photo by Taylor Swift, and signed memorabilia by Larry Bird and Kevin McHale. We are also proud to present performances by Thomas Bailey, a talented 13-year-old sixth-generation violinist who plays at Maine hockey games, and Steph Dlugan, who will perform on the electric violin.

GORHAM, ME — North Gorham Public Library will be hosting its annual Holiday Craft & Book Fair on Saturday, December 7, from 9 to 2. Mark your Calendar!

This year, we’re offering a little more than usual and a few changes. First, we’re taking advantage of all the available space in our corner of North Gorham. The Library, Fire Department, and United Church of Christ will all buzz with activity.

The book sale will be in the Fire Department Community Room to the left of our front door. In the library, to the right of the front door, we’ll sell raffle tickets for a beautiful quilt, several gift certificates to local businesses and establishments, and a few other items.

The library will also be offering free child care. Leave your children in the capable hands of Paula Boyce, who runs our weekly Story Hour, Becky Steenburg, who fills in when Paula is away, and St. Joseph’s College student and library volunteer Ava Moffet. They’ll read stories and do crafts with the kids while you shop, shop, shop!

We are also hosting two mini estate sales in the library. Collections from two separate estates — Ice Yarns for knitting enthusiasts and costume jewelry. Every penny raised from the sales will go to North Gorham Public Library.

The craft fair will be next door in the church’s community room. The extra room will allow us to include more vendors. The Church Guild will also be there with their annual Holiday Bake Sale. Delicious homemade goodies.

We’ve been working hard to get everything set up. We hope you’ll take the time to visit all three locations, which are all accessible.  Our volunteers will help point the way for you and answer any questions.

See you Saturday, December 7 from 9 am to 2 pm!

GORHAM, ME — The Cherry Hill Dryland Dash is back! Save the date! Saturday December 7 at 7AM!

This one day race will feature the same 2.2 mile course as last year. Classes will include canicross, 1 & 2 dog bike, 1 & 2 dog scooter, fun run, and the relay. More info to come!

Cherry Hill Rd, Gorham, ME 04038, United States

GORHAM, ME — Paul Doiron will read from his crime novel series featuring Maine game warden Mike Bowditch, answer questions, and sign books, which will be available for purchase from The Bookworm at the event.

This reading is open to the public and free of charge

GORHAM, ME — Will they do it? Can a theatre ensemble possibly perform thirty plays in under an hour?! Join the USM Department of Theatre for the high-octane, interactive theatre experience that is Greg Allen’s 30 Neo-Futurist Plays from Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind (30 Plays in 60 Minutes), one of Chicago’s longest-running theatre phenomena.

Each night audiences receive a menu of play titles that run the gamut between funny, serious, political, poignant, and abstract. Part theatre, part sporting event, each night is different as the audience determines the order and cheers on the cast to make it past the finish line before the buzzer sounds.

USM Theatre’s Associate Professor, Rachel Price Cooper, directs the USM Department of Theatre’s first-year cohort in this play that truly has something for everyone. “There is a lot of audience participation in that everyone receives a menu of all the plays on their way in and gets to yell out which ones they want to see”, she says. “It’s a kind of choose-your-own-adventure theatre experience. It’s a great one to take your friend to who thinks they don’t like live theatre. It is also great for those of us (myself included) who don’t have the longest attention span. This will keep you interested, start to finish. You’ll laugh, you’ll think, and can come back a second time and have another totally new experience.”

30 Neo-Futurist Plays from Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind (30 plays in 60 minutes)

By Greg Allen

Directed by Rachel Price Cooper

December 5-8, 2024

Russell Hall, USM Gorham Campus

Performances

December 5th at 7pm

December 6th at 7pm

December 7th at 7pm

December 8th at 2pm

Location

Russell Hall Stage, USM Gorham Campus

Tickets

Online: https://usm.maine.edu/department-theatre/box-office-tickets Box Office: 207-780-5151

$18 for Adults

$14 for USM Faculty, Staff & Students

$12 for Seniors

$8 for Students/Youth

Pay-What-You-Can on Thursday, December 5th.

Content Advisory

This show contains the use of strobe and flashing lights; profanity, depictions of alcohol consumption, violence; brief references to suicide.

Appropriate for ages 14 and up.

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.

Students Jamie Henderson, Cece Flint, Ethan Mann in a recent rehearsal.  Photo by Kat Moraros Photography.

GORHAM, ME — Holiday Closure Notice

The Gorham Municipal Center, Administrative Offices, Recreation Office, Baxter Memorial Library and Public Works will be closed on Thursday, November 28th and Friday, November 29th in observance of Thanksgiving.

Weekend Events Hosted by Gorham Recreation

On Saturday, November 30th, Gorham Recreation invites everyone to get outside for their annual Burn Off the Turkey 5k Run/Walk around Robie Park starting at 9am. To register or learn more, visit Gorham Recreation’s website.

Join Gorham Recreation again on Sunday, December 1st for their annual Light Parade and Tree Lighting at Robie Park, with festivities starting at 2:30pm. Folks can watch the parade along Route 25 and South Street, and enjoy festivities at the Gazebo on the Municipal Center Lawn (adjacent to Baxter Memorial Library at 71 South Street), including reindeer games and holiday treats! To register for the parade, please email Community Recreation & Events Manager Zachary Lambert at zlambert@gorham.me.us with your name, company name (if applicable), and vehicle type that will be in the parade. Be sure to tune your radio to the University of Southern Maine’s station WMPG 90.9 for Christmas music!

Wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

BUXTON, ME — Try our delicious Haddock Supper Buffet – Saturday, November 30, 2024 – 5:00 pm at Living Waters Church, Parker Farm Road, Buxton. Suggested donation: $10 Adult, $5 Child, $20 Family.

Please note: We will offer the option of takeout containers for those who do not want to come inside for seating.

Wearing of face masks for those who wish is optional.

Hand sanitizer is available for those who wish to use it.

GORHAM, ME — Join us on December 1st for our annual Light Parade & Tree Lighting!

Watch the parade along route Rt.25 & South St and/or enjoy our festivities at the Gazebo at the Municipal Center including reindeer games and holiday treats! Fun and games start at 2:30pm!

Line up for parade begins at Noonan’s at 3:30pm

Parade Leaves at approximately 4:30 pm from Noonan’s and arrives Robie Park at approximately 5:00pm

Light parade route: Main Street/Rt 25 to South St. to Morrill Ave. to Ball Park Road around Robie Park and High School.

Ball Park Road will be closed to traffic from 4:15 until 6:00pm. Please use Access Rd.

To Register for the Parade please send an email to Zachary Lambert at zlambert@gorham.me.us with you name, company name, and what vehicle type you will have in the parade

GORHAM, ME — Looking to stay active and connected with nature as the year winds down? Join us for a walk on December 11^th | 10-11:30am at Little River Preserve in Gorham. Little River Preserve consists of over 28 acres of wooded wildlife area bordering the Little River. Paths and bridges allow a scenic walk through the woods and along the river. Each of the trails wind through hemlock and aspen forests, complete with a wide variety of wildflowers in the springtime. The trail is mostly flat with some hilly sections at the beginning.