Vana Carmona, founder of The Prince Project, will visit Kennebunk Free Library on Tuesday, June 6 at 6 p.m. to discuss her research.

According to press release from the library, Carmona discovered the gravestone of a man named Prince near several of her family’s plots nine years ago. Learning he had been enslaved by her ancestors, she embarked on a historical quest to find others. Soon she found out that enslavement in Maine was more common than she ever believed. Moreover, many of the founding fathers were complicit in the human trafficking from Africa, as well. Carmona subsequently founded The Prince Project. Today it has evolved into a database of almost 2,000 people of color who lived in Maine prior to 1800. The result has been a unique understanding of Maine enslavement, as well as New England that is misunderstood – if not ignored. Carmona’s goal is to help rewrite the historical narrative of the state and to ensure that the next generation knows the truth about earlier Maine families.

Carmona has done presentations on her work at various local historical societies, libraries and schools throughout the Maine. In addition, Carmona is a docent/guide for several historic sites in the Portland area, including Maine Historical Society and Spirits Alive (Eastern Cemetery). Eastern Cemetery is the oldest public burial ground in Portland and has two sections of African American graves. She is a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College, and completed her master’s of liberal arts (focusing on medieval history) at California State University-Sacramento.

The program is free and wheelchair accessible. Kennebunk Free Library is located at 112 Main St. in Kennebunk. For more information, call 207-985-2173 or email kfl@kennebunklibrary.org.

Graves Library activities announced

Technology help: Visit Graves Library for technology help anytime. No appointment is necessary.

The library also offers technology classes, Wednesday, May 31 at 10 a.m. when the topic in Tech & Tea will be “Let’s play on our phones.” Join the library for the information session on what apps can do and how to use them.

Port Knitters: Have a knitting project and would like to continue in a social setting? Join the library every Wednesday from 1-3 p.m. to sit and knit. Bring any current project and supplies. The session is not a learn-to-knit class.

Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library is located at 18 Maine St., Kennebunkport. For more information, call 967-2778 or visit www.graveslibrary.org.

Animal Welfare Society offers microchip/rabies clinic

Animal Welfare Society’s Community Veterinary Clinic is offering free microchips and rabies vaccines for dogs and cats over 12 weeks on Friday, May 26 from 8 a.m. to noon. The clinic is located at Animal Welfare Society, 46 Holland Road in West Kennebunk.

According to a news release, pet microchips are small rice-sized devices implanted just under the animal’s skin near their shoulder blades. The microchip insertion is relatively painless for the pet and can be completed in a few minutes. Most veterinary practices, animal control officers, and humane societies, including AWS, are equipped with special microchip scanners. When a pet’s microchip is scanned, the owner’s contact information comes up.

“Since many pets get out unexpectedly or lose their collar while lost, microchips are so important,” said Adam Ricci, AWS director of operations, in an email. “The first thing we do when a stray pet arrives at AWS is scan for a chip. We are so happy when the contact info comes up and we can place a call to the pet’s family. Microchips are truly the number one way to keep pets and their families together.”

Once the microchip is inserted and activated, pet owners are responsible for keeping their contact information up-to-date. Instructions on how to do so will be provided when the pet is microchipped.

To receive a free microchip and/or rabies vaccine, RSVP at https://animalwelfaresociety.org. Pets can receive a microchip, a rabies vaccine, or both, and pet owners can specify which service their pets needs when reserving. To receive a three-year rabies vaccine, pet owners must bring the pet’s previous rabies certificate or records from a vet. Otherwise, the pet will receive a one-year vaccine.

While there will be no cost for microchips or rabies vaccines, donations are welcome and will support AWS’ mission of providing for pets and their families. More than 10,000 pets come through AWS and its on-site Community Veterinary Clinic each year.

For more information about the AWS Community Veterinary Clinic, visit https://animalwelfaresociety.org/veterinary-care/.

Southern Maine Agency on Aging celebrates Older Americans Month

Established in 1963, Older Americans Month is celebrated every May. Led by the Administration for Community Living  is a time to acknowledge the contributions and achievements of older Americans, highlight important trends, and strengthen a commitment to honoring older citizens.

This year’s theme, Aging Unbound, offers an opportunity to explore a range of aging experiences and to promote the importance of independence and fulfillment by paving individual paths as people age.

Southern Maine Agency on Aging is doing that through its regular monthly programming to support older adults. The following are some of the educational options and community events that will be available during the month of May and continue throughout the year:

Community Cafes (multiple dates) – Provides participants with an opportunity to socialize with other attendees while enjoying a nutritious lunch. The events often include entertainment or educational components, such as this month’s visit from Youth Full Maine at the Hollis location, which provided fresh produce, locally-sourced meats, and a variety of other grocery items to Cafe attendees. It was an opportunity for intergenerational connection and provided attendees with nutritious food items to stock their homes with at no cost. Cafes are available throughout Cumberland and York counties and dates vary by location.

Family Caregiver Support Group (multiple dates) – A safe space for caregivers to connect with others in similar situations. Multiple locations and a virtual option are available.

“Every day we are focused on supporting, recognizing, and appreciating older adults, but Older Americans Month is a great opportunity to raise even more visibility for the important role older adults play in our vibrant southern Maine communities,” said Megan Walton, CEO of Southern Maine Agency on Aging, in an email. “As we celebrate 50 years of serving those communities, we’re excited about the variety of programming designed to support older adults that will continue throughout the year – and into the future.”

For a complete list of upcoming events, visit smaaa.org/events.html or call 207-396-6500.

Art Guild of the Kennebunks select six artists

Six area artists have been selected for membership in the Art Guild of the Kennebunks, following a juried event held on April 22, according to Linda Van Tassel, president of the guild. The artists, reflecting a variety of media, subject interest and styles, were selected following a review of submitted work, judged by a jury of the guild’s members.

The new members include:

Jody Agustadt of Gorham: medium – oil

Kailleigh Archibald of Scarborough: medium – oil, colored pencils

Joseph Cousins of Freeport: medium -acrylic, watercolors

Robert Milaschewski of North Berwick: medium – pen & ink

Deborah Platz of Springvale: medium – acrylic

Nancy Van Tassel of Lyman: medium – watercolor

“The the annual juried event,” said Van Tassel in a May 22 news release, “serves to maintain a vital and ever expanding horizon of talent, insight and energy within the guild, securing its position and that of the Kennebunks both locally and in the broader New England artistic community.”

First Church to host suppers, yard and plant sale, concert

First Congregational Church is hosting its monthly baked bean and American chop suey supper on Saturday, May 27 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the church, 141 North St., Kennebunkport.

First Church bean suppers will be held on the last Saturday of each month through October. There will be two types of home baked beans, American chop suey, hot dogs, rolls, and coleslaw and a slice of homemade pie. Exact change is required: adults and children age 12 and older, $10 per person, and children younger than 12, $5 per child. There will be limited seating outdoors, weather permitting.

For more information about the supper or yard sale, call Carol at 207-710-7060.

Members of First Church will hold the annual Yard and Plant Sale on Saturday, June 3 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tomato plants, Dahlias, a variety of perennials, annuals, and houseplants will be sold.

Another summer event hosted by First Church is a concert by the Kennebunk River Band Duo to be held on Sunday, June 11 from 2 to 4 p.m.

First Congregational Church is located 1.5 miles south of the Seacoast Trolley Museum where Log Cabin Road becomes North Street, next to Arundel Cemetery and the Kennebunkport Historical Society.

Artisans Marketplace opens May 27

The Kennebunk Artisans Marketplace will open at the Waterhouse Center (51 Main St.) in Kennebunk on Saturday, May 27. The marketplace provides shoppers with a variety of items created by dozens of Maine-based artisans.

According to organizers, a juried application process is utilized to ensure a high level of quality and diversification for all the items being sold. Vendors could change from week to week, but the quality and diversity is maintained.

The marketplace is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Saturday from May 27 through Oct. 7. For a list of approved vendors and their products, visit www.kennebunkmaine.us/artisansmarketplace.

Summer exhibition open at Brick Store Museum

The Brick Store Museum recently opened its summer exhibition, “Making the Modern World: A Century+ of Progress.” Based on the style and theming of the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair, the exhibition explores changes in communications, transportation, health, and well-being, all of which affect each of our lives today.

Visitors exploring the exhibition can expect to find nearly 100 artifacts that many in the community will remember using, but may have not seen each format collected together. For instance, a discussion of the moving picture showcases everything from a Magic Lantern to a 1980s television set.

The exhibition also includes a never-before-seen navigation chart, used by a local 19th-century ship captain, which measures at eight feet long.

The exhibition is open through August and is sponsored by Saco & Biddeford Savings.

The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday with varied hours. For more information, visit www.brickstoremuseum.org.

The museum also announced last week that its education department will host upcoming classes and camps available for children and adults to explore local history and art this summer. Drawing on Gooch’s Beach, weeklong children’s art camps, and storytelling evenings will begin in June.

For adults looking to learn drawing, teaching artist Susan Demeo will offer four sessions (starting June 1) at Gooch’s Beach to sketch in “plein air.” All levels are welcome, to learn how to draw complex forms in the open air. Participants will draw outside at Gooch’s Beach, with Demeo’s instruction and support. Sessions are $35 each, and registration is available through www.brickstoremuseum.org or by calling 207-985-4802.

For children, the museum offers a June early-release workshop on Wednesday, June 7 from 1-3:00 p.m., in which students will learn the art of mono printing using material from local beaches. The workshop fee is $25 per student. Three weeklong summer camps are also planned for the weeks of July 17 (Wool Week); July 24 (In the Maine Studio); and Aug. 7 (Community Art Project).

For more information, visit www.brickstoremuseum.org/calendar.

Maine Women in the Arts Awards Show set for May 26-28

Maine Women in the Arts launches its 2023 show season with its annual Awards Show, May 26-28. The show is being held at the Brick Store Museum Program Center at 4 Dane St., Kennebunk.

The event is an opportunity to celebrate the arts and local artists. More than 40 local artists will share their best work with the community. Work will be presented in a variety of mediums including oil, acrylic and watercolor paintings, encaustics, photography, and more.

The opening reception is 4-7 p.m. Friday, May 26, with live music and refreshments. The show continues May 27, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and May 28, noon to 3 p.m.

The objective of Maine Women in the Arts is to promote and give exposure to local artists and their work in all media. For more information, visit  www.mainewomenarts.com.

Tri City Community Chorus celebrates 25th anniversary

Tri City Community Chorus will present “Awake My Soul and Sing! The Year of the Silver Jubilee,” a concert that celebrates all the reasons people sing, on June 3 at First Parish Church in Saco. The concert begins at 7 p.m.

After making it through two years without performing, the chorus is back to celebrate its Silver Anniversary with new director, Dr. Christian Giddings, and accompanist, Jeffrey Coggins.

The concert will feature works including “Georgia on My Mind,” “The Awakening,” “Hope For The World” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

Tri City Community Chorus has nearly 20 new members who have joined for the season. Tickets may be purchased for $10 at www.tricitycommunitychorus.com or at the door, also for $10.

First Parish Church is located at Main and Beach streets in Saco.

Astronomical society will meet June 2

The Astronomical Society of Northern New England will hold its monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 2 at The New School in Kennebunk. The New School is located at 38 York St. (Route 1). A business meeting, also open to the public, commences at 7 p.m.

The society will host a presentation by Peggy Schick. Schick is a professional astrologer who serves individual clients through her private practice in Topsham. Doctoral study in-depth psychology informs her work. She also teaches astrology classes and offers presentations through nonprofit organizations. She is certified in archetypal astrology through the Institute of Transpersonal and Archetypal Studies in New York.

For more information, visit www.peggyschick.com.

The Astronomical Society of Northern New England is a local association of amateur astronomers that meets monthly at The New School in Kennebunk. Meetings are on the first Friday of each month. All those interested in astronomy are welcome, from stargazers and hobbyists, to serious observers, astrophotographers, and those interested in astronomical theory.

For more information or updates about meetings, visit www.ASNNE.org.

Amateur Radio Society announces meetings

The New England Radio Discussion Society meets biweekly on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. throughout the year at The New School in Kennebunk.

The club informally gathers to support and promote amateur (Ham) radio. Discussion topics include: early and contemporary equipment, digital technology, internet integration, and striving for rare international contacts. Most meetings include a tech talk by one of the society’s members.

Upcoming meetings will be held June 6 and June 20. The New School is located at 38 York St.

For more information, contact Alex at 207-967-8812.

Arundel Memorial Day observance planned

The Arundel Historical Society will host a Memorial Day observance on May 28. It will be held at 11 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial, at the fire station on Limerick Road in Arundel.

The event will feature a reading of the honor roll, a message from the moderator, laying of a wreath and Taps. The children from Mildred L. Day School will perform songs in honor of veterans. The public is invited to pay respect to those who have served in the armed forces.

Arundel Historical Society schedules bean supper

The Arundel Historical Society will host a baked bean and pasta Supper on June 3. It will be held at the Mildred L. Day School gym from 4:30 to 6 p.m.. The school is located on the Limerick Road in Arundel.

The menu features two types of baked beans, mac and cheese, American chop suey, hot dogs, coleslaw, cornbread/rolls, drinks and coffee and homemade desserts. Takeout is available.

Suggested donations: Adults, $10, children 6-10 years, $5, children 5 and younger, free. There will be historical displays, membership information, raffle calendars, and merchandise available. The event benefits the Arundel Historical Society and all are welcome to attend.

 

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