Southern Maine Community College will present the 13th annual Maine Mayhem Film Festival May 11-13. Created 13 years ago by communications and new media studies professor Corey Norman and student Jimmy Crocco, the festival is designed to spotlight the work done by the program’s students at SMCC.

According to a news release, students get the unique, real-world experience of handling the creation of the films, as well as the running of the festival and the event promotion, all part of a year-end capstone project.

“Many schools put an emphasis on video projects within the classroom, but by taking the films out of the classroom and into the public eye, it provides students with an even more equitable experience that helps propel their professional careers,” Norman said in an email. “This is a unique experience that is unlike any other educational opportunity for filmmakers in New England.”

The festival also affords students the opportunity to showcase their talent and work to the public.

“Mayhem alumni have gone on to work for Academy Award-winning films like “CODA” and “Knives Out,” reality television programming like “Deadliest Catch,” “North Woods Law” and “Naked and Afraid,” and have used their Mayhem films to get into prestigious films programs at USC, Emerson and SCAD,” Norman said.

Mayhem returns to multiple locations this year: Nickelodeon in Portland, Magic Lantern in Bridgton and the Bangor Art Exchange.

May 11: Nickelodeon Cinema (Portland) 6 (sold out) and 8:45 p.m.
May 12: Magic Lantern (Bridgton) 6 p.m.
May 13: Bangor Art Exchange (Bangor) 7 p.m.

Norman said that all six films in the festival are directed by female filmmakers for the first time — some fantastic storytelling from our students. “Watching students grow throughout their time here at SMCC is why I teach,” Norman said. “And see no greater growth than watching a student evolve through the Maine Mayhem process.”

This year’s films are “The Vase,” “Shadow Nightmare,” “Go to Hell!”, “The City of Servers,” and “The Antique and Pitch Fest.”

For more information about Maine Mayhem Film Festival, visit smccme.edu.

Library to host climate resilient yard session

Those interested in creating a climate-friendly yard, filled with native plants and pollinators, are invited to South Portland Public Library at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 17. The library is located at 482 Broadway.

The library will host a presentation on building a biodiverse and climate resilient yard. The program is in partnership with the Wild Seed Project and the South Portland Sustainability Department.

Native plants offer benefits beyond such as purifying air, shading and cooling cities, storing atmospheric carbon, minimizing flooding and storm water runoff, and helping to sustain vital pollinators, birds and other wildlife. Learn how to transform a property by planting native species and adopting better landscape practices. From planting native trees to shrinking a lawn to letting leaves decay, discover the actions that can make a yard more biodiverse and climate resilient.

South Portland middle schools announce celebrations

South Portland’s middle schools will hold individual celebrations to mark the closing of their respective buildings at the end of this school year as a result of the new consolidated middle school opening in September.

Each school will highlight its role in the community of providing quality educational experiences for generations of South Portland residents. The celebrations are open to alumni and community members.

Memorial Middle School

Who: Memorial alumni, staff and community members are invited
What: Farewell Memorial Open House
When: May 16, 5-7 p.m.

Where: Memorial Middle School, 120 Wescott Road, South Portland

Memorial alumni and staff are invited to celebrate 56 years of educational history at Memorial Middle School. Memorial was built in 1967 when the decision was made to create two middle schools within the city. This is the community’s last opportunity to visit Memorial before it is torn down in early June. Open House events include a historical timeline and memorabilia walk, building tours, alumni band performances, music, and a commemorative ceremony at 6:15 p.m. featuring staff and administration from 1967-2023.

Mahoney Middle School

Who: Mahoney teachers, alumni and community members are invited
What: Final assembly for All Mahoney Raiders
When: June 1, 6-8:00 p.m.

Where: Mahoney Middle School, 240 Ocean St., South Portland

Mahoney teachers, alumni and community members are invited to celebrate the school’s 99 years of service to the South Portland community. The celebration starts at 6 p.m. and includes guest speakers, music, and reunions. Walking tours begin at 6:30 p.m. and include former teachers and staff. Visitors are welcome to take a photo in front of the iconic window overlooking the field. Organizers note that the picture has been in almost every yearbook dating back to the early-1950s.

Maine Brewers’ Guild taps Cusick to lead organization

The Maine Brewers’ Guild, a nonprofit that supports the craft beer industry, announced that Shea Hearsum Cusick as incoming executive director, effective May 1.

Cusick is sales manager at Nonesuch River Brewing in Scarborough. According to a news release, during her time with Nonesuch, she built a strong sales program, working directly with distributors and on-premises accounts to significantly increase the number of barrels sold. She also sits on the guild’s legislative affairs committee and is a certified beer server through the Cicerone Program.

“I am the quintessential craft beer cheerleader,” said Cusick in an email. “My greatest asset is my ability to build relationships and bring people together. I can sell anything if I believe in its value. I believe in Maine beer and in the people who make it. I am constantly reminded of the collaborative spirit and camaraderie found within it and I’m excited to see where we can take it next.”

Cusick joins the Maine Brewers’ Guild after a decade of rapid growth for the craft beer industry. According to the guild’s latest economic report, Maine beer adds $260,662,701 to the state economy each year and tourists cite craft beer as one of their top activities while visiting the state.

“The mission of the Maine Brewers’ Guild is to promote and protect Maine craft beer,” said Colleen Croteau, president of Maine Brewers’ Guild Board of Directors. “We know that Shea will take this mission to heart and lead our organization with enthusiasm, passion and a commitment to craft.”

The Maine Brewers’ Guild has more than 150 members and has introduced legislation, hosted craft beer events around the world and made Maine a destination for craft beer. For more information about the Maine Brewers’ Guild, visit https://mainebrewersguild.org/.

Walker is guest speaker at Kiwanis meeting

Emma Walker, corporate relations and events specialist at the Center for Grieving Children, will speak to the Kiwanis Club of Scarborough on Friday, May 26.

The club meets every Friday from noon to 1 p.m. at Cowbell Burger, 185 Route 1 in Scarborough. Meetings are always free and open to the public.

For more information, email the club at scarboroughkiwanis2@gmail.com.

Students named to dean’s list at Bates College

The following students have been named to the dean’s list at Bates College for the fall semester ending in December 2022:

Evan Boxer-Cook of Scarborough. Boxer-Cook, the son of Douglas R. Cook and Elisa S. Boxer, is a graduate of Scarborough High School. He is a first-year at Bates.

Sophie Martens of Scarborough: Martens, the daughter of Christian Martens and Laurie Martens, is a graduate of Scarborough High School. She is a senior at Bates majoring in biology.

Nina Greeley of Scarborough: Greeley, the daughter of David J. Greeley and Cindy K. Greeley, is a graduate of Scarborough High School. She is a junior at Bates majoring in biological chemistry and minoring in mathematics.

Musicians Circle scheduled

A Musicians Circle is planned at Scarborough Community Center. All levels of musicians are invited to the sessions that are held Wednesdays 3-5 p.m. Scarborough Community Center is located at 418 Payne Road.

Participants should bring instruments, capo and stand. A microphone will be provided for singing. Sheri and Ron Aube are the hosts.

Peoples United bean supper is May 20

Peoples United Methodist Church in South Portland will host a baked bean supper on Saturday, May 20. The event is scheduled for 5 to 6 p.m. at the church, located at 310 Broadway.

The menu includes homemade baked beans, hot dogs, casseroles, salads, and pies. The cost is $10 per person, $8 for ages 3-12.

For more information, call 207-799-3416.

240 Strings presents season finale

The Portland Piano Trio will perform works by Beethoven and Mozart in the 240 Strings Free Community Concert Series. This is the final concert of the 2022-23 series. It will be held 3 p.m. May 21 at the Portland Conservatory of Music, 28 Neal St., Portland. At 5 p.m., the public is welcome to stay and cheer for the students of 240 Strings as they present their end-of-year celebration concert.

According to a news release, 240 Strings has been presenting four free community concerts each year since 2026 in its mission to “mentor and empower young learners through free classical music education, concerts and community.”

No tickets or reservations are required.

The group was founded by the Portland Piano Trio (Annie Antonacos, piano, Tracey Jasas-Hardel, violin and Jing Li, cello). According to the news release, music critic Allan Kozinn wrote, ” enlivening tautness, flair and precision … The Portland Piano Trio unquestionably has the goods.”

The group has appeared on numerous chamber music series, including Portsmouth Atheneum, Fox Islands Concerts, Electric Earth Concerts, Bay Chamber, and Machias Bay Chamber Music Festival. The trio is serving as the founding musicians-in-residence of 240 Strings, a Portland-based nonprofit supported by the National Endowment for the Arts dedicated to providing private music lessons to economically-challenged children in Portland and providing affordable community concerts.

The trio has twice attended Avaloch Music Institute in Boscawen, New Hampshire, for a week of intense rehearsing and sharing with other nationally recognized chamber groups, and has served in residence at New England Music Camp.

Scarborough seeks applications for Community Center Committee

The town of Scarborough is accepting applications for a new Ad Hoc Community Center Committee. The committee is charged with the further exploration of the opportunity for a community center.

Members will study, evaluate, and analyze relevant opportunities in full and make recommendations to the town council during the feasibility study and design process for a community center.

Those interested should complete the Ad Hoc Community Center Committee application form to be considered. Applications will be accepted through June 7.

For more information and the application form, visit  www.scarboroughmaine.org/stay-connected/municipal-projects/community-center.

 

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