The South Portland War Veterans’ Memorial Association announced last week that it has canceled plans for a Memorial Day parade. The group applied for a parade permit with the city of South Portland on March 31.
“We received a reply from the city COVID Committee that stated, ‘Due to concerns about crowd density and crowd control, parades are not recommended at this time,'” said Michael Pock in an email. “On April 22, we received an additional statement from Fire Chief Wilson reinforcing the COVID Committee’s non-recommendation.” Pock is secretary for the veterans memorial association.
Memorial Day, formally known as Decoration Day, commemorates the deaths of American service men and women who have died in the service of their country.
The South Portland War Veterans’ Memorial Association, made up of veterans from the American Legion and VFW, will still celebrate the holiday.
According to the association, starting on May 28, with a select group of veterans, it will place flags and wreaths at some of South Portland’s smaller cemeteries and memorials. On May 29, the association invites those who want to help flag the four major cemeteries of South Portland to meet with the veterans and friends at the Stewart P. Morrill American Legion (413 Broadway) at 9 a.m. From there, four teams will depart for the cemeteries.
Flags will be provided for each veteran grave. Additional flags are available for personal use and to be given to loved ones and are provided by Ace Hardware, Inc. On the May 31, Memorial Day, the veterans will place wreaths on memorial sites around the city and hold a formal ceremony at the Veterans Memorial in Mill Creek Park at 11 a.m. It will be followed by coffee and doughnuts at Post 35 with a wreath for lost seamen at the public boat landing at 1 p.m.
Land trust, parks and rec host South Portland cleanup
A city-wide cleanup was held April 24 in South Portland. The event was hosted by the South Portland Land Trust and the South Portland Parks and Recreation Department.
Town & Country to host Virtual Money Conference
After a year of financial challenges and struggles, Town & Country Federal Credit Union’s 2021 Money Conference is eyeing the future with a special focus on Women and Money featuring personal finance expert Jean Chatzky. Due to the ongoing conditions regarding large in-person workshops, this year’s Money Conference will again be virtual and take place on Tuesday, May 11, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., and is open to anyone.
Chatzky is currently the CEO of HerMoney.com, appears frequently on major media outlets, and served as the finance editor for NBC’s Today Show for 25 years and is the Financial Ambassador for AARP.
To register for the live Virtual Money Conference, visit www.tcfcu.com. There is no charge to participate.
Skillin receives $5,000 donation
Burlington Stores, the national off-price retailer, through its partnership with the national nonprofit organization, AdoptAClassroom.org, has donated $5,000 toward school supplies to Waldo T. Skillin Elementary School in South Portland.
The donation is in celebration of Burlington’s new store open in South Portland. A representative from AdoptAClassroom.org contacted school administrators and helped to secure the donation for Skillin Elementary, which will provide new supplies for each teacher’s classroom.
According to Principal Bethany Connolly, the teachers will use the funds on a number of new classroom items such as instructional materials, incentives, art and music supplies, multicultural books, and hands-on learning materials.
“On behalf of the South Portland schools, I would like to welcome our new local Burlington store and thank them and AdoptAClassroom.org for their generous donation to our school,” said Connolly in an email. “Our teachers are so excited to purchase the tools they need. We are thankful for the support we received from Burlington and AdoptAClassroom.org.”
Each time Burlington opens a new store, Burlington celebrates by adopting and funding a local elementary school in the market. The new Burlington store is scheduled to open April 30 at 200 Running Hill Road.
From left, Huck, Max, and Nick Charov pitch in as part of the city-wide Earth Month cleanup held last Saturday in South Portland. South Portland Land Trust has hosted the annual event for more than 30 years. South Portland Land Trust photo
Residents throughout South Portland pitched in to pick up trash and debris as part of South Portland Land Trust’s annual Earth Month. From left, Dave Davis, Dominick Davis and Jack Goshtigian. South Portland Land Trust photo
Volunteer and South Portland resident, Jack Goshtigian, pitches in to help clean up Davidson Beach. South Portland Land Trust photo
A large pile of debris picked up from Davidson’s Beach in Ferry Village by volunteers this past Saturday. Over 100 residents pitched in to pick up trash from South Portland beaches, parks, and trails as part of South Portland Land Trust’s annual Earth Month. South Portland Land Trust photo
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