Work on Route 106 in Livermore Falls

LIVERMORE FALLS - The Maine Department of Transportation will be conducting culvert, drainage, and paving work along Route 106 in Livermore Falls. Work is scheduled to begin on August 19th and be finished by September 15th. The work area is just north of the south entrance to Strickland Loop Road. Route 106 will be closed to through traffic at the work site; vehicles will use Route 133 as a detour. Manter Construction of Maine, Inc. of Sidney is the contractor on this job.

Perennial Garden Maintenance talk

Event Location: Merryspring Nature Center, Camden/Rockport, Maine

Event Date/Time: Tuesday, August 20 at 12:00 pm.

Photo Caption: Merryspring’s perennial garden in August

Camden, Maine - Maine Master Gardener John Fromer will lead a presentation on practical perennial garden maintenance at Merryspring Nature Center on Tuesday, August 20 at 12:00 pm.

Maintaining your perennial garden can be fun and relaxing- and the right methods can save time, money, and back pain. In this installment of his perennial gardening series, John Fromer will teach methods and tips to keep the late summer garden healthy and attractive. Weeding, deadheading, mulching, watering, staking, and pest and disease prevention will be demonstrated in the beautiful gardens at Merryspring.

A selection of recommended gardening books and tools will be available for purchase after the program. This is an outdoor program. Guests should wear weather-appropriate clothing.

Fromer has been a Maine Master Gardener since 1998 and runs Appleton Ridge Flower and Vegetable Farm with his wife Kathy, also a Maine Master Gardener. Together they grow flowers, vegetables, and herbs in a sustainable and authentic fashion.

This event is part of the Summer Talk series, co-sponsored by RE/MAX Jaret & Cohn and The First Bank.

Admission to Tuesday talks is $5, with free admission for members of Merryspring.

Merryspring is your community nature center offering walking trails, cultivated gardens, wildlife, and ecology and horticulture educational programs all year round. The park is located at the end of Conway Road, just off of Route 1 in Camden behind Hannaford Shopping Plaza. For more information on this program, please contact info@merryspring.org or call 207-236-2239.

Nature's Tea Party

Event Location: Merryspring Nature Center, Camden/Rockport, Maine

Event Date/Time: Friday, August 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Photo Caption:  Wild sumac makes a refreshing and nutritious tea

Camden, Maine - Merryspring Nature Center will host a free program called "Nature's Tea Party" for families and children on Friday, August 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Many common and wild plants can be made into teas and summer drinks. In this program, children will be able to sample teas made from common backyard plants, as well as learn how to create their own mixtures.

After a short garden tour and demonstration, there will be a tea tasting and time allowed for free play in the garden.

Merryspring is your community nature center offering walking trails, cultivated gardens, wildlife, and ecology and horticulture educational programs all year round. The park is located at the end of Conway Road, just off of Route 1 in Camden behind Hannaford Shopping Plaza. For more information on this program, please contact info@merryspring.org or call 207-236-2239.

Quantum Electronica Concert at the Camden Public Library

Camden, Maine - Join Quantum on Saturday, August 18, at 2:00 pm in the Camden Public Library’s Amphitheatre for an electronic tapestry of groove. Quantum Electronica is comprised of Jason Dean on vocals, drum machines, and keys; and Michael Whitehead on bass and pedals. The performers describe their sound as “an eclectic electronic music style blending dance music with film score and a jazz flair.” This theatrical duo has produced three albums and has been touring in Maine and out of state for the past five years. The show is free and open to the public. Bring a chair or blanket for comfortable seating. For more information visit www.librarycamden.org.

To Catch a Thief Screening at the Camden Public Library

Camden, Maine - The Monday Night Movie Series at the Camden Public Library’s Amphitheatre continues on August 19, at 8:00 pm with the breathtaking thriller To Catch a Thief, directed by Alfred Hitchcock and based on the novel by David Dodge.

This classic tale of romantic intrigue stars Grace Kelly and Cary Grant as a retired jewel thief who will be arrested unless he can trap the copycat burglar on the French Riviera. Rated PG. 1hr, 46 min. 1955. Bring a blanket or lawn chair for comfortable seating. For more information visit www.librarycamden.org.

Bedtime Math at the Camden Public Library

Camden, Maine - Looking for a fun way to get the kids excited about back-to-school? Join children’s librarian Miss Amy for a “math-tastic” pajama party on Thursday, August 22, from 5:00 to 6:00 pm at the Camden Public Library. The Bedtime Math program will challenge kindergarten through fourth-grade children with math games in order to get their brains in gear for the new school year. Wear pjs and bring friends! For more information, call Miss Amy at 236-3440.

The Enchanted Hour at the Camden Public Library

Camden, Maine - Wall Street Journal writer Meghan Cox Gurdon presents her new book The Enchanted Hour on Tuesday, August 20, at 7:00 pm at the Camden Public Library. Gurdon’s book takes a a conversation-changing look at how reading aloud makes adults and children smarter, happier, healthier, more successful, and more closely attached, even as technology pulls in the other direction.

A miraculous alchemy occurs when one person reads to another, transforming the simple stuff of a book, a voice, and a bit of time into complex and powerful fuel for the heart, brain, and imagination. Grounded in the latest neuroscience and behavioral research, and drawing widely from literature, The Enchanted Hour explains the dazzling cognitive and social-emotional benefits that await children, whatever their class, nationality, or family background. But it’s not just about bedtime stories for little kids: reading aloud consoles, uplifts, and invigorates at every age, deepening the intellectual lives and emotional well-being of teenagers and adults, too.

Meghan Cox Gurdon argues that this ancient practice is a fast-working antidote to the fractured attention spans, atomized families, and unfulfilling ephemera of the tech era, helping to replenish what our devices are leaching away. For everyone, reading aloud engages the mind in complex narratives; for children, it’s an irreplaceable gift that builds vocabulary, fosters imagination, and kindles a lifelong appreciation of language, stories, and pictures.

Bringing together the latest scientific research, practical tips, and reading recommendations, The Enchanted Hour will both charm and galvanize, inspiring readers to share this invaluable, life-altering tradition with the people they love most.

Gurdon is a Camden Hills Regional High School and Bowdoin College graduate. Her book will be available for purchase and signing following the presentation. For more information visit www.librarycamden.org.

Images attached:

The Enchanted Hour Book Cover

Photo of Meghan Cox Gurdon

Escape the Upside Down at the Camden Public Library

Camden, Maine - An experiment at the Hawkins National Laboratory has gone wrong, and a gate has opened to another dimension, known as the Upside Down. Solve puzzles, open locks, follow clues, and try to escape the Upside Down in a Stranger Things-themed afternoon event for teens on Wednesday, August 21, at 4:00 pm at the Camden Public Library. Participants are encouraged to come dressed in their favorite ‘80s garb to fully immerse in the “escape box” experience. For more information, contact Loraine at 236-3440.

Maine DEP to test marine spill response on Penobscot River

AUGUSTA, August 9, 2019 — Emergency Response personnel from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection will conduct a boom deployment exercise on the Penobscot River on Thursday, August 15, 2019 in Brewer.

The training exercise will take place at the public boat launch located on North Main Street in Brewer beginning at 9 a.m. on Thursday and continuing until 3PM in the afternoon. The purpose of this exercise is to test the feasibility of emergency response strategies in the event of a marine oil spill in the river.

Maine has a total of 249 protection strategies designed for environmentally sensitive areas from Kittery to Calais, and the DEP has an active program to review and test these strategies to ensure natural resources are most effectively protected.

The North Main Street boat launch will be closed to the public for safety reasons and members of the public should seek an alternative site for boat launching and other recreational activities through the duration of this training exercise.


For additional information, contact:
David Madore, Communications Director
(207) 287-5842
[link]david.madore@maine.gov

August 20: Intergenerational Book Club at Thomaston Public Library

Thomaston, Maine - On Tuesday, August 20 at 2:30 PM, the Thomaston Intergenerational Book Club will discuss The Stars are Fire by Anita Shreve.

From the publisher:

"An exquisitely suspenseful new novel about an extraordinary young woman tested by a catastrophic event and its devastating aftermath--based on the true story of the largest fire in Maine's history.

"In October 1947, after a summer long drought, fires break out all along the Maine coast from Bar

Bedford St to Close for Paving Sunday, August 11 at 5 PM

Roadway will reopen to traffic by 8 AM Monday, August 12

PORTLAND, Maine -- On Sunday evening, August 11, 2019, the City will be closing Bedford Street as part of the Bedford Street Sewer separation project for roadway pavement installation. The closure will occur from August 11 at 5:00 PM to August 12 at 8:00 AM. Shaw Brothers, the City’s contractor, will be installing final pavement on Bedford and Durham Street during this closure. 

IMPORTANT INFO FOR MOTORISTS:  The left turn movement from Forest Ave onto Bedford Street will be shut down during the paving work.  Motorists will be directed to use Falmouth Street as a detour during this night closure. Local access to all USM facilities and businesses on Bedford Street will remain open and accessible via Deering Avenue and Brighton Avenue.  The entire roadway will be back open by 8:00 AM on Monday morning. 

SEEK ALTERNATE ROUTE
Motorists will be required to seek alternate routes around the closure until the roadway is reopened.

City Announces Finalists to Create MLK Memorial in Portland

PORTLAND, Maine -- The City of Portland announced yesterday that three finalists have been selected from the RFQ phase to move forward to the RFP phase to create a memorial to honor Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Portland. The finalists are: Robert Katz, Augusta, ME; TJD&A Landscape Architects, Yarmouth, ME; and Ironwood Design Group, Newmarket, NH. The memorial  is intended to inspire visitors to reflect on Dr. King’s life and the values he espoused, prompting everyone to consider how they can contribute to realizing his vision of an equitable and fair society.


The MLK Memorial Selection Committee issued an RFQ in May 2019 to seek interested applicants for the creation of a memorial. The submissions were due at the end of June, and nine submissions were received. The Committee met on July 22 to review the submissions and choose up to three finalists to move forward with the RFP phase. The City has allocated $100,000 for the creation of the memorial and the three finalists will each receive $2,500 to develop their proposals.


“I want to thank the artists and designers who took the time to respond to our RFQ. We received several quality submissions, and I look forward to seeing and reviewing the fully developed proposals from the finalists,” said Councilor Jill Duson, Co-Chair of the MLK Memorial Selection Committee.


“A monument to the life and legacy of Dr. King will serve as a special place of reflection and inspiration for all Maine people,” said Reverend Kenneth Lewis, pastor of the Green Memorial AME Zion Church in Portland, and Co-Chair of the Selection Committee. “I encourage the public to attend the presentations on November 14.”


The RFP phase of the process asks the finalists to develop proposals that include a written project statement, visuals, models, schedule, and budget, followed by an in-person interview and presentation on November 14, 2019.


After reviewing the materials and candidate presentations, the Selection Committee will recommend a winning artist, which is expected to be announced on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 20, 2020.


About the Process

The MLK Recognition Task Force was appointed to consider how best to recognize and acknowledge Dr. King’s life and work, determined it was best to site a memorial in an open area on the Bayside Trail located in the West Bayside neighborhood.


The City Council’s Sustainability & Transportation Committee established the MLK Memorial Selection Committee to oversee the RFQ and RFP process. The Committee, co-chaired by Councilor Jill Duson and Reverend Kenneth Lewis, were tasked with choosing up to three finalists to move on to the proposal phase.

Rockland Public Library-- Oshima Brothers Lawn Concert on Thursday, August 22

Photos credit: Robyn Nicole Film and Photo
Rockland, Maine - Oshima Brothers will perform on the lawn of the Rockland Public Library for a free concert on Thursday, August 22 at 6:30 PM. People of all ages are invited to celebrate summer, dance and enjoy the music, and to come early for a picnic. They are asked to bring a chair or a blanket, if they would like, as seating is not  provided.

Oshima Brothers' magnetic sibling sound and contagious joy result from a lifetime of making music together. Raised in a musical family in rural Maine, the brothers have honed a harmony-rich blend of contemporary folk and acoustic pop. On stage, Sean and Jamie create a full and complex sound with dynamic vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, octave bass, loops, and percussion.

Oshima Brothers write, record, and produce all their music and videos in their home studio. They currently have two albums to their credit, a self-titled debut in 2016, followed by the EP “Under The Same Stars” in 2019. Within a month of its release, the EP had garnered hundreds of thousands of streams online. Accompanying each of the five songs off “Under The Same Stars” is a music video, including one for the single “Ellie” which was featured as the lead track on NPR’s monthly “Heavy Rotation” playlist in March.

The brothers live together in Maine but spend most of their time on the road performing, writing, filming, and dancing.

The Library is located at 80 Union  St. FMI: 594-0310. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held in the Library’s Community Room.

Wade fires seven scoreless in a 9-0 win over Erie

Wade dominates on the hill, offense cruises to a 9-0 win!

Portland takes two of three from Erie

Portland, Maine - Konner Wade threw seven scoreless innings and the Sea Dogs (24-23) shutout the Erie SeaWolves (34-14) 9-0 in the series rubber match on Thursday afternoon at Hadlock Field.

Wade (W, 3-4) allowed just five hits with no walks and five strikeouts.

The Sea Dogs took an early lead on a solo homer by Charlie Madden over the Maine Monster off of Alex Faedo to leadoff the third inning.

Joey Curletta followed suit with a leadoff homer in the fourth off of Faedo over the Monster to make it 2-0 'Dogs.

Faedo (L, 6-7) left the game after four innings. He allowed two runs on three hits and struck out two.


The Sea Dogs extended their lead with three runs off of Alex Lange in the sixth. Joey Curletta led off with a walk, then Luke Tendler, Michael Osinski, and Brett Netzer hit three straight doubles to give Portland a 5-0 lead.

In the seventh, Portland sent eight to the plate and scored three more runs to go-ahead 8-0. Jarren Duran led off the inning with his first Double-A home run. Tendler later drove in a run on an infield single, then Brett Netzer capped off the scoring with an RBI double.

Chatham added an RBI on a groundout in the eighth to make it 9-0.  Portland combined for 15 hits - including a season-high-tying six doubles.  Eight of nine Portland hitters had at least one hit, while Chatham, Curletta, Tendler, Netzer, and Madden each had multi-hit games.

Jenrry Mejia made his Sea Dogs debut and pitched a scoreless eighth, allowing just one hit. Robinson Leyer finished the game with a scoreless ninth.

Portland begins a three-game series with the Akron RubberDucks (Indians affiliate) on Friday night beginning at 7:00 PM from Hadlock Field. RHP Denyi Reyes (6-9, 3.63) is on the mound for Portland against Akron RHP Eli Morgan (6-2, 3.13).

Radio coverage on the WPEI U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network begins at 6:45 PM. The game is available on the tune-in app and MiLB.TV.

Tickets for Friday's game are available at 207-879-9500 or seadogs.com. Book your nine-inning vacation today!

Loughridge Art Show Throughout August at the Camden Public Library

Camden, Maine - An exhibition of over thirty original paintings of the Maine landscape by South Bristol artist Sally Loughridge continues at the Camden Public Library in the Picker Room Gallery through the end of August. New paintings have replaced sold work. "The process of painting always excites me as I observe and connect with nature," she says. "I feel more alive when I paint."               

Loughridge shows her work extensively throughout the midcoast in galleries and juried or invitational shows. For more information about the show, visit www.librarycamden.org.

Rockland Public Library: Read ME Book Discussion

Tuesday, August 20th at 6:00 PM @ Rockland Public Library

Read ME! Book Discussion: After the Eclipse and Paris Was the Place
Rockland, Maine - It’s not too late to get some summer reading in! Join Librarian Jessie Blanchard for a lively discussion of the two picks for this year’s Read ME reading program, presented by the Maine Humanities Council.

Read ME is a statewide community read offered in partnership between the Maine Humanities Council and Maine State Library. Each year a well-known Maine author recommends two titles by lesser-known Maine authors. For 2019, recommending author Tess Gerritsen has chosen Paris Was the Place by Susan Conley and After the Eclipse by Sarah Perry. Both books can be requested through the Library. Sarah Perry will also be at Rockland Library for an author talk on August 29th at 6:30!

Oxford County Bridge Construction

WATERFORD - The Maine Department of Transportation will be replacing the bridge deck of the Horrs Bridge in Waterford. The bridge carries Valley Road (Route 35) over Crooked River. The work area is about one-third of a mile southeast of the Albany Township line. Drivers should expect one-lane traffic during construction. This job is scheduled to begin on August 12th and should be finished by November 30th. The contractor is BMB Construction LLC of Holden.

Railroad Bridge Work in Aroostook County

ASHLAND - The Maine Department of Transportation is working to strengthen the railroad bridge in Ashland that crosses over Sheridan Road and the Aroostook River. This project is one of two aimed at allowing increased speed and weight across the entire MaineDOT-owned rail line in Aroostook County. The Ashland bridge, which is officially named the Madawaska Subdivision over Sheridan Road and Aroostook River, is approximately one mile north of the intersection of Sheridan Road and Route 11. Work is scheduled to begin on August 14th and be finished in Fall 2020. Drivers should expect one-lane traffic on Sheridan Road. The contractor on this job is Koppers Railroad Structures of Madison, Wisconsin.

High School Students Enrolling Now in Early College Courses at UMA Rockland

Rockland, Maine - Local juniors and seniors are encouraged to enroll tuition free in college courses for the fall term at UMA Rockland. Known as "High School Aspirations", these students earn both college credit and high school credit to meet graduation requirements.

The University of Maine System and the Maine Department of Education are partners in waiving tuition for all qualified high school students.

High school students most often enroll in courses which meet general education requirements that will transfer into colleges no matter the student's path.  According to UMA Rockland Director, Deborah Meehan, early college students typically enroll in the following academic areas: English, math, biology, psychology, communications and history.  Meehan noted that UMA Rockland serves more than 60 early college students in a given semester.

"Although we prefer for these students to take in-person classes, there are many distance education options, including online courses." Meehan added, "Despite all of the options, we think attending class in real time with other University students offers the best experience."

She noted that these high school students form relationships with other college students and University faculty which are valuable in their development and in planning for their futures.

"Taking early college classes is a great way to increase student motivation and aspirations," Meehan added.  "This experience can often be the launching point for young students to begin to plan their futures. They gain confidence and begin to see possibilities beyond high school. And, in the long run, they save many tuition dollars."

Interested students are encouraged to call (596-6906) or visit the UMA Rockland Center on the 4th floor of the Breakwater Building on Route #1. Staff will guide students through the simple enrollment process.

University classes start September 3rd.

AG Frey Joins Multistate Coalition Challenging Trump's Move to Gut Protections for Asylum Seekers Fleeing Persecution

AUGUSTA, Maine - Attorney General Aaron M. Frey today joined a group of 21 State Attorneys General to challenge the Trump administration's proposed changes to asylum standards. If implemented, these changes would allow the Executive branch to arbitrarily deny asylum claims to immigrants seeking haven from domestic or gang violence. In a friend-of-the-court brief filed in Grace v. Barr before the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, the AGs argue that these stringent revisions-which would effectively bar asylum claims based on domestic or gang-related violence-go against longstanding federal law and judicial precedent, undermining the rule of law itself.

"It is our country's longstanding policy to protect individuals seeking refuge from persecution and violence. Our state has benefitted from the presence of asylum seekers who have chosen to make live, work, and raise families in Maine," said Frey. "The federal government's proposed changes to asylum standards not only run counter to our values, but also to federal law." The District of Columbia and partner states filed this amicus brief in Grace v. Barr, in support of the plaintiffs' challenge to the Trump administration's heightened asylum standards. The lawsuit was first filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Center for Gender & Refugee Studies, the ACLU of Texas, and the ACLU of D.C., in response to a policy former Attorney General Jeff Sessions implemented in June 2018.

Sessions articulated this policy change in Matter of A-B-, while intervening in the Board of

Rockland Public Library-- Author Talk by Jeffrey Ryan on August 15

Rockland, Maine - On Thursday, August 15 at 6:30 PM Maine author and historian Jeffrey Ryan  will present a talk on his soon-to-be published book, Hermit: the Mysterious Life of Jim Wyte,  in the Community Room of the Rockland Public Library. The book, which tells the story of a fascinating man who moved to Monson, Maine in 1895, has caught the attention of historians and reviewers on a national scale.

Based on a true story, Hermit weaves a tale almost too fantastic to be believed. When Jim Whyte settled outside the slate mining town of Monson, Maine in 1895, people hardly knew what to make of him. Almost 130 years later, we still don’t. A world traveler that spoke six languages fluently, Whyte came to town with sacks full of money and a fierce desire to keep to himself. It was clear that Whyte was hiding from something—enough to make even the FBI eventually come looking. But even the Feds couldn’t imagine how Whyte, who lost every penny he had when WWI broke out, amassed another fortune before he died. Hermit follows one man’s quest to discover all he can about Whyte’s secret life before it’s too late.

Ryan, author of several books, including APPALACHIAN ODYSSEY: A 28-year hike on America’s trail (Down East Books, 2016) and BLAZING AHEAD: Benton MacKaye, Myron Avery and the Rivalry that Built the Appalachian Trail (Appalachian Mountain Club Books, 2017), said, “I happened upon a reference to Jim Whyte when I was researching my earlier books and thought it might be an interesting story. I had no idea how interesting and unlikely the tale would become. Incredibly, Whyte lived a secret double life involving frequent trips to New York City with almost nobody being the wiser. How he was making his money will certainly intrigue modern readers.”

Maine State Historian Earle G. Shettleworth said, “The author takes us back to the mid-20th century in the Maine woods with a descriptive force and a gentle nostalgia that realistically evoke both time and place. ‘Hermit' will resonate with many readers who have experienced the mystique and beauty of the Maine wilderness.”

Rockland Public Library is located at 80 Union St. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, please  call 594-0310.

Rockland Public Library-- Art and Artists of Monhegan Talk on August 13

Rockland, Maine - Rockland Historical Society Board Member Leith MacDonald will give a talk on the Art and Artists of Monhegan, on Tuesday, August 13, at 6:30 pm, in the Community Room of the Rockland Public Library. Following Leith’s talk, there will be refreshments and conversation in the Museum of the Rockland Historical Society. This talk is co-sponsored by the Historical Society and the Rockland Public Library.


As a young artist, Leith spent significant time on Monhegan, painting the rugged coast. He developed a knowledge and love of Monhegan’s art history and began giving guided tours – following in the footsteps of George Bellows, Rockwell Kent, Edward Hopper, and others – exploring the sites that inspired many great masterworks.


After moving to Rockland, Leith worked as a member of the curatorial department of the Farnsworth Art Museum. He has curated or helped with exhibits for the Monhegan Museum, the Island Institute, Colby College Art Museum, the Brandywine River Museum of Art, the Delaware Art Museum, the Denver Art Museum, Langlais Sculpture Preserve, and the Ellis-Beauregard Foundation. Now working for the Wyeth Study Center at the Farnsworth Art Museum, Leith created the popular exhibit titled “Andrew Wyeth in Rockland,” incorporating the voices and stories of long-time Rockland residents.


Leith recently curated and cataloged a large private collection of Monhegan art. He will share photos of some of the paintings in the collection and explore the connections between the artists and their subjects on Monhegan, Maine’s premier art colony.


Rockland Public Library is located at 80 Union St. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, please  call 594-0310.

Rockland Public Library: Community Picnic Letter to the Editor

Rockland, Maine - Saturday, July 27th was sunny and warm, the perfect day for a Free Community Picnic with lawn games &  music, and what a great picnic it was for the approximately 175 participants!

The Rockland Public Library & WRFR Community Radio would like to thank the many volunteers and businesses that helped to make it such a special day:

Thanks go to City Manager Tom Luttrell and the Public Services Department for providing extra picnic tables and a grill, to the Library for the lawn games & giant bubbles,  Jessica Fratello at the Good Tern Co-op for the delectable coleslaw, Beth’s Farm Market for the early sweet corn, Wasses for the hot dogs, Hannaford for cups, the First Universalist Church in Rockland for use of their kitchen, and Rockland Food Service for plates. Maynard Stanley’s Beanhole Beans and kettle corn demonstrations were a huge hit and we are so grateful to him for the donation of his time and wonderful food.

Music was a big part of the day thanks to Ukes Rock, Dusty and Joanna and Friends, Miners Creek, and Mike Fletcher on the saxophone.

Thanks to WRFR's Kirk Gentalen, who assisted Maynard Stanley on the kettle corn, and WRFR's Chuck Gifford who served as grillmaster, and all-around volunteers Gabe Barter, Peter Lehman, and Rockland Librarian Jessie Blanchard. Rockland Parks and Recreation Committee and Renew Rockland shared information, served yummy zucchini lemon cake, and showed people the Community Farm. Special thanks go to Mike Grondin for all of his behind the scenes assistance.

Community is essential and we’re happy to have shared in such a big expression of it through the third Annual Community picnic. Here’s to many more picnics and community gatherings!

Patty King, Rockland Public Library

Jo Lindsay and Joe Steinberger, WRFR

Rockland Public Library-- American Travelling Morrice Performance on August 15

Rockland, Maine - The American Travelling Morrice group will perform in the side staff parking lot of the Rockland Public Library on Thursday, August 15 at 2:00 PM.

The American Travelling Morrice is comprised of dancers and musicians from across North America and abroad. While many  perform regularly with teams in their hometowns, they come together for one week each year to form the American Travelling Morrice. Since 1976, the group has toured throughout the Northeastern United States and England. Morris dancing is an English country tradition, with roots in medieval street theatre. For hundreds of years, teams of white-clad dancers have capered and stepped through the intricate patterns of the dance, clashing wooden sticks and waving handkerchiefs in time to lively traditional tunes.

The American Travelling Morrice continues this tradition for a week each summer, bringing the Morris Dance to a new geographical region. Since 1976, the team has toured throughout New York, New England, New Jersey, Maine, Pennsylvania, and England, with performances in settings both rural  (the town green, farmer’s market, etc.) and populated (The House of Seven Gables, Newport Folk Festival, Gloucester Fisherman's Memorial, Old Montreal, and the White House).

Rockland Public Library is located at 80 Union St. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, please  call 594-0310.

Portland Announces New Social Services Director

PORTLAND, Maine – The City of Portland is pleased to announce that it has hired Aaron Geyer as its Social Services Administrator. He assumed the role on July 31, 2019, and had been serving as the Interim Administrator for the last several months. Prior to that, Mr. Geyer has worked for the City’s Social Services Division for 13 years in a variety of capacities. For the past four years, he has served as the Program Manager responsible for overseeing General Assistance,Representative Payee, the HIRE and Workfare programs.  

“Aaron did a fantastic job serving in the interim capacity, and so I’m delighted he accepted our offer to officially assume the Administrator position,” said Kristen Dow, Director of the City’s Health & Human Services Department. “He has proven his leadership and ability to navigate through difficult situations, all while managing several Division initiatives.” 

Portland’s Social Services Division is part of the City’s Health & Human Services Department. The division provides quality programs to low-income Portland residents that encourage dignity, self-respect, and self-reliance in the transition from public assistance to self-sufficiency. Mr. Geyer will oversee a budget of $13 million and a staff of 90.

Author Event: Rebels against Tyranny

Where:   Blue Hill Public Library 

When:  Thursday, August 15th, 7:00 PM

Cost:  Admission is Free

Calendar listing: Author event: Rebels against Tyranny with Helena P. Schrader, Thu. Aug. 15, 7 PM, Blue Hill Library, 374-5515.


BLUE HILL, Maine – Local author Helena P. Schrader will share from her Chaucer-award finalist book, Rebels against Tyranny: Civil War in the Crusader States, at the Blue Hill Public Library on Thursday, August 15th at 7:00 PM. This historical novel is set against the backdrop of the Sixth Crusade, taking the reader from the harems of Sicily to the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, from the palaces of privilege to the dungeons of despair. According to Helena, her books seek to “bring history back to life as a means to better understand ourselves.”

Helena P. Schrader earned a PhD in History from the University of Hamburg and is the winner of seventeen literary accolades. Her novel, Envoy of Jerusalem, won seven awards, including "Best Biography 2017," and "Best Christian Historical Fiction 2017."

This event is co-sponsored by the library and Blue Hill Books. There is no charge, and everyone is welcome. Books will be available for sale and signing. For more information, call the library at 374-5515.

“Panels & Pizza,” Graphic Novel Discussion Group For Teens

Where:   Roland Howard Room, Blue Hill Public Library

When:  Friday, August 16th, 4:30 to 6:00 PM, and every 3rd Friday of the month 

Cost:  Admission is Free

Calendar listing: “Panels & Pizza” Graphic Novel Discussion Group for Teens will discuss Persepolis: the Story of a Childhood, by Marjane Sartrapi, copies avail. now, Fri. July 19, 4:30 PM, Blue Hill Library, 374-5515.

BLUE HILL, Maine — Teens are invited to the Blue Hill Public Library’s graphic novel club, Panels & Pizza, on Friday, August 16th at 4:30 PM, This month, the group will be reading Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi. In this graphic memoir, Satrapi tells the story of her childhood from 6 to 14 years old growing up in Tehran during the Islamic Revolution. Copies of the book are now available to check out.

Panels & Pizza is a graphic novel club for teens that meets on the third Friday of the month. Each month, the group reads a graphic novel and gathers to discuss the story, art, and the work as a whole. Everyone is welcome, even if they haven't had a chance to finish the book. Pizza will be served! For more information, contact the library at 374-5515.

Community Issues Forum: Public Works & Crisis Management

Where:   Roland Howard Room, Blue Hill Public Library 

When:  Wednesday, August 14th at 6:30 P.M.

Cost:  Admission is Free

Calendar listing: Blue Hill Peninsula Community Issues Forum: Public Works & Crisis Management, Wed. Aug. 14, 6:30 PM, Blue Hill Library, 374-5515.

BLUE HILL, Maine – The Blue Hill Public Library’s Community Issues Forum continues on Wednesday August 14th at 6:30 PM. The topic will be: “Public Works and Crisis Management: FDR and the Legacy of the New Deal.” As a reference for the challenges we face in 2019, the New Deal proved powerful in defining presidential leadership and government action creating a host of new agencies, a broadened regulatory climate and responsibility for social welfare, labor rights and conservation measures. Two speakers will use news reels, popular film clips, press coverage and political rhetoric to examine the contours of modern liberalism, the ideological divisions of the 1930s, and the contentious historical legacy of the New Deal for our own era.

Presenters will be Dr. Nathan Godfried, the Adelaide & Alan Bird Professor of History at the University of Maine at Orono, and Dr. Gregory Bush, a Blue Hill resident and retired history Professor from the University of Miami. David Weiss, Executive Director of Northeast Historic Film in Bucksport, will moderate the discussion. This event is sponsored by the library, and is free and open to everyone. For more information contact the library at 374-5515.

Poetry Reading at Blue Hill Public Library

Where:   Blue Hill Public Library 

When:  Wednesday, August 14th at 2:00 P.M.

Cost:  Admission is Free

Calendar listing: Poetry Reading: Elizabeth Tibbetts reads from her new book, Say What You Can, Wed. Aug. 14, 2 PM, Blue Hill Library, 374-5515.

BLUE HILL, Maine - Elizabeth Tibbetts will read from her new book of poetry, Say What You Can, at the Blue Hill Public Library on Wednesday, August 14th, at 2:00 PM. Elizabeth’s awards include a fellowship and grant from the Maine Arts Commission, the Bluestem Poetry Award and the Penobscot Watershed Poetry Prize. Her poems have appeared in numerous journals and have been read on Writers Almanac and Poems from Here.

Elizabeth grew up in Camden, Maine, and now lives in Hope with her husband and works as a nurse. She writes about her work, her roots in Maine, and her love and concerns for the natural world.

This event is co-sponsored by the library and Blue Hill Books. It is free and open to all. Books will be available for sale and signing. For more information, call the library at 374-5515.

Page to Stage: The Process of Staging Avalon & an Avalon-Themed Storytime

Where:   Blue Hill Public Library 

When:  Tuesday, August 13th, 10:30 AM and Thursday, August 15th, 2:00 PM

Cost:  Admission is Free

Calendar listing: Avalon-Themed Storytime, by Kate Russell of Opera House Arts in Stonington, Tue. Aug. 13, 10:30 AM, Blue Hill Library, 374-5515. 

Calendar listing: Lecture: Staging Avalon, by Judith Jerome, dramatist at Opera House Arts in Stonington, Thu. Aug. 15, 2 PM, Blue Hill Library, 374-5515. 


BLUE HILL, Maine –  Dramatist Judith Jerome will share a "page to stage" talk at the Blue Hill Public Library, on Thursday, August 15th at 2:00 PM, about the process of staging Avalon, a new play at Opera House Arts in Stonington. Judith has been making and thinking about theater for forty years, and was the founding artistic director of Opera House Arts at the Stonington Opera House with Carol Estey.

Avalon is playwright-performer Melody Bates’ reimagining of the Arthurian legend, set in the outdoor sculpture park that is co-creator Peter Beerits’ beloved “Nellieville,” at Nervous Nellie’s Jams and Jellies in Deer Isle.

Another Stonington Opera House staff member, Arts Director of Communications Kate Russell, will be doing an Avalon-themed storytime at the library on Tuesday, August 13th at 10:30 AM. She will read King Arthur’s Very Great Grandson, by Kenneth Kraegel.

In addition to producing extant plays over the past twenty years, Opera House Arts has built a legacy of cultivating both original and site-specific work. These events are sponsored by the library and Opera House Arts in Stonington. They are free and everyone is welcome. For more information, call the library at 374-5515.

Kent fires seven strong innings in 4-3 win at Richmond

Kent fires seven strong innings! 'Dogs win 4-3 at Richmond

Portland completes three-game sweep over the Flying Squirrels

Richmond, Va. - Matthew Kent (5-3) pushed through seven innings of work to outlast the Richmond Flying Squirrels (16-24, 39-68) 4-3 and hand the Portland Sea Dogs (20-21, 47-61) a series sweep Thursday night at The Diamond.

Jarren Duran led-off the contest with a single to extend to an 11-game hit streak and came home on an RBI single from Bobby Dalbec to snag an early 1-0 lead.
Richmond pushed back with a Hamlet Marte RBI single in the second inning to even the tilt.

The 'Dogs and Squirrels stayed locked until the sixth inning when all nine Portland batters reached the plate. Duran led-off with another single and Jhon Nunez cracked a hit of his own before Dalbec drew a walk to load the bases. Richmond starter Alfred Gutierrez (6-5) issued a wild pitch to bring Duran home and break up the tie. Joey Curletta walked to re-load the bases and chase Gutierrez from the game.

Reliever Raffi Vizcaino surrendered a bases-loaded single to Luke Tendler, sending two more Sea Dogs across the plate to a 4-1 advantage.

Jonah Arenado and Johneswhy Fargas scattered an RBI single each in the sixth and seventh innings to cut the lead 4-3 before Kent was retired. The southpaw finished the day after seven innings of work, limiting three runs on eight hits with three strikeouts.

Durbin Feltman and Jordan Weems combined for two innings of relief, permitting just two hits and one strikeout each to preserve the lead and take a 4-3 win. Weems picked up his sixth save in the effort.

The Sea Dogs and Bowie BaySox (Orioles affiliate) start a three-game series on Friday night (tonight) with a 7:05 first pitch from Prince George's Stadium in Bowie, Maryland. Righty Konner Wade (2-4, 3.20) takes on BaySox righty Mike Baumann (2-1. 1.16).

Radio coverage on the WPEI U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network begins at 6:50 PM. The game is available on the tune-in app and MiLB.TV.

Tickets for the next homestand are available at 207-879-9500 or seadogs.com. Book your nine-inning vacation today!

Midcoast Music Academy's The Other Room Performed at RPL

Rockland, Maine - Midcoast Music Academy's The Other Room performed at Rockland Public Library on Thursday, August 1st, 2019 in Rockland, Maine.

Wildlife Wonders of the Weskeag

South Thomaston, Maine - Georges River Land Trust and Friends of the Weskeag will co host Wildlife Wonders of the Weskeag, a bird, wildlife, and salt marsh habitat walk in the Weskeag Marsh on Thursday, August 15 at 10 am. Speaker for the event is Keel Kemper, Regional Wildlife Biologist with Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. The walk is free and the public invited to attend.

Kemper works to maintain and improve wildlife habitat conditions, maximize biological diversity and protect unique natural areas. He works on various wildlife issues from Bangor to Belfast, to Augusta, to Brunswick. Though IFW biologists are known for their game species management (moose, deer, bear, etc.), they also take part in endangered species conservation, have a research branch, manage state wildlife management areas (such as the R. Waldo Tyler Wildlife Management Area), and monitor state-held conservation easements. Keel will be able to answer all your Maine wildlife related questions.

Participants should meet at the Weskeag Marsh parking lot on Buttermilk Lane, and we’ll walk to the observation platform on the northern end of the R. Waldo Tyler WMA. We’ll look for birds and discuss a broad range of current fish and wildlife issues in the state of Maine. Dress for an easy walk in the woods, and bring your bug spray.

Georges River Land Trust is committed to protecting the ecosystems and traditional heritage of the Georges River watershed region. For additional activities and more information, visit georgesriver.org or phone (207) 594-5166. :

Photo of Weskeag Marsh, provided by Weskeag Conservation

Governor Mills: Happy Birthday to the State of Maine.

Maine has a proud and storied history, and our bicentennial offers us the opportunity not only to honor that history, but to recommit ourselves to the values that shaped us as a state and as a people.

Good morning, I am Governor Janet Mills and thank you for listening.

You know our little state, jutting out of the northeast corner of our country, with a population of only 1.3 million, with four fulsome seasons of the year, and with its secret waterfalls, its forests, and hills and tablelands, its potato fields, its shores and mighty rivers…this place with many ancient eskers and glacial erratics, and kettles, and cirques and moraines, all of which give this state its physical character…there are no straight lines here.

This place is unique, this place we call home, and it offers so much to so many.

Maine is not just its natural resources and natural phenomenon, it is also its people.

For more than two hundred years, sons and daughters of Maine with courage in their souls, kindness

4th Annual Maine Farmers’ Market Snapshot Week Starts August 4th

Damariscotta, ME - The Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets is celebrating the fourth annual Maine Farmers’ Market Snapshot Week, August 4-10, to coincide with National Farmers’ Market Week. Markets around the state participate in this week-long celebration by hosting special events, highlighting the unique character of their markets, and giving away special gifts to shoppers.

August represents the beginning of peak harvest season for farms in Maine. Farmers’ markets across the state feed tens of thousands of locals, tourists, seniors, and families, including many households with low-income. “This year’s Snapshot Week is an opportunity for farmers’ market members to celebrate their markets and engage customers in activities and prize giveaways,” says Jimmy DeBiasi, Director of Programs at the Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets. “Farmers work so hard all year to get to this point, and the fruits of their labor are on full display at farmers’ markets in August. Snapshot Week helps to capture this moment and encourage more people to enjoy the abundance of food produced by Maine farmers.”

There are farmers’ markets in every part of Maine, offering not just diverse food selections, but diverse programs as well. The Bureau of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources supports direct-marketing farmers, and appreciates the many organizations that support them. According to Nancy McBrady, the Bureau Director, “Maine farmers’ markets provide a multitude of benefits, including increasing access to fresh food, stimulating local economies, and providing steady revenue to farmers. They are also important social hubs for communities small and large. The Bureau of Agriculture encourages Mainers to shop their local farmers’ markets and enjoy the harvest bounty this August.”

This year, there will be a statewide photo contest for market shoppers (details are available online: http://www.mainefarmersmarkets.org/snapshot-week-photo-competition/). The contest is a chance for shoppers to post photos of their favorite foods and farmers and share their love for their farmers’ markets. Many markets will be giving away temporary tattoos and stickers, as well as hosting live music, taste-testings, and children’s activities.

The Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets was founded in 1991. Its statewide programs help sustain Maine farms, connect market farmers, strengthen farmers’ markets, and widen access to locally-grown food for all. To find a market near you or to learn more about Snapshot Week, visit mainefarmersmarkets.org.

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry is a sponsor of the 2019 Maine Farmers’ Markets Snapshot Week.

For more information contact:

Jimmy DeBiasi
Director of Programs
Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets
director@mffm.org(207) 370 1524

Rockland Library Announces New Children's Librarian

Rockland, Maine - The Rockland Public Library is pleased to announce Katie Drago as the new full-time Children's Librarian. Ms. Drago has worked at Rockland Library as a reference library tech since April 2017. She previously worked at Camden Public Library as a Children's library assistant and at Victorian Public Library (Texas) as Head Children’s Librarian. If you’ve been to the Library recently, you know that Katie provides exceptional customer service to both children and adults. Her creativity and enthusiasm have brought many new programs to the Library, most of which Katie will continue to provide for area youth in her new role. Please join us in welcoming her; if you don't know Katie yet, stop in and say hi!

Husson University Welcomes Incoming Class and their Families to New Student Orientation

BANGOR, MAINE – August 1, 2019 – One of the more important milestones in the lives young adults is the transition from high school to college student. To help students understand the campus community resources available to help them make this transition and academic life at Husson, the University will be holding a New Student Orientation (NSO) on Saturday, August 3, 2019 from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at 1 College Circle in Bangor, Maine.

The event will be the sixth and final New Student Orientation event of the year. Nearly 550 students will have attended an NSO event over the past six weeks. Over 90 percent of first-year students attend our New Student Orientations annually.

While some of the sessions during New Student Orientation are for both parents and students, other

Maine Animal Welfare Accepting Donations for Rescue Effort

AUGUSTA, Maine - The 96 dogs, 6 cats, 3 chickens and 2 horses seized by Maine Animal Welfare last week are receiving needed medical care and behavioral evaluations. At present, all of the animals are considered evidence in the complaint and the legal process is expected to take several weeks. The urgent and immediate need is for [https://www1.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/dog_license/donation.pl?step=begin">public contributions to help finance the rescue effort.

More than 70 adult collies and Dobermans are being cared for in an emergency shelter. "Everyone is doing a great job caring for the dogs and our next hurdle is to move to an emergency shelter that is larger and better equipped," said Liam Hayes, Maine Animal Welfare Director. We are trying to give the dogs the individual care they need, but this temporary shelter site is too small. We are working to move to a new location so we can focus on rehabilitation."

Secure donations are being accepted on https://www.maine.gov/dacf/animals

The emergency shelter location is and will remain undisclosed to provide security for the animals and the staff coordinating this effort.

Anyone wanting to help should check with their local shelter. Shelters across Maine are sending supplies and trained staff to care for the animals.

Big night for Chatham in a 4-2 win at Richmond

Big night for Chatham in a 4-2 win at Richmond

Portland seeks the series sweep on Thursday night!

Richmond, Va. - Brett Netzer blasted a home run to back another quality start from Daniel McGrath (3-0), as the Portland Sea Dogs (19-21, 46-61) beat the Richmond Flying Squirrels (16-23, 39-67), 4-2 Wednesday night at The Diamond.

Portland found more second inning magic against Richmond when losing pitcher Caleb Baragar (3-4, 3.80) surrendered a two-run home run to Brett Netzer to crack open the board, 2-0.

The Flying Squirrels cut the lead in half with a home run by Zach Houchins in the third inning. It was