Casella to take old trash cans free of charge for Old Orchard Beach residents

Casella has agreed to take old trash cans at the Vallee Lane Transfer Station in Old Orchard Beach for free for residents through Sept. 22.

History Walk to take place on trail in Saco on Sept. 23

Saco Valley Land Trust (SVLT) and the Saco Museum are hosting a free and educational walk on Saturday, Sept. 23 at the Middle Goosefare Trail
in Saco.

While SVLT owns the property, Saco Bay Trails manages the Middle Goosefare Trail with the help of several committed volunteers. The property was once used by the community to ice skate when the wetland froze over. Today, many walk the trails and have lunch at the picnic area with a scenic overlook of a small clearing.

A history walk provided by the Saco Museum will commence at 3:30 p.m. It will feature local history of the property and its previous land owners, including the Brandt Family.

Participants should park at the northernmost trailhead just off of Route 1 located at 742 Portland Road in Saco. Attendees can park at the Citgo Gas Station and meet at the kiosk behind the station. This walk is free and open to all.

Those with difficulty walking should bring hiking poles to navigate the steep and uneven sections of the path. The walk will be about an hour long and less than a mile total.

Learn more about this event on Saco Valley Land Trust’s website: www.sacovalleylandtrust.org/events

Shaker Hill Apple Fest is major YCSP fundraising event

Come and enjoy the live entertainment featured at York County Shelter Programs’ annual Shaker Hill Apple Fest, on Saturday, Sept. 23,from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 24, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The event is free and offers lots to see and do.

Saturday features Northern Explosion dancers and musicians Dave Durrell, Eddie C. and C.A. Wortley. Sunday offers Haloye and the Boys, Joe Sweeney and his ukuleles and Frank Gallagher of the Portland Buskers.

There’s also a craft fair, activities for the kids, a yard sale, tours of the nearby Shaker Museum, apple picking at Gile’s Orchards, delicious fair food and more.

The festival is a fundraiser for YCSP and is being sponsored by numerous local businesses and organizations.

Holly Berry Fair takes place Nov. 18

Trinity Episcopal Church in Saco is hosting its annual Holly Berry Fair on Saturday, Nov. 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be crafters, a cookie walk, gift baskets, books, new to you and a luncheon available. The reception hall will have space for crafters. Eight-foot tables will be a available at $25 each, including two chairs and access to electricity for some tables. For more information contact Vanessa Daugherty at vbrancely1@gmail.com or 425-890-3893.

Sea level rise accelerating, action required

The Maine Climate Council released an alarming report in 2021. Titled “Sea Level Rise in Maine: An Accelerating Problem,” the document concluded that coastal communities needed to commit to manage 1.5 feet of sea level rise by 2050, with that number increasing to 3.9 feet by the year 2100. Without planning and adaptation strategies, the report warned, Maine could face property losses alone of $17.5 billion, with 336 miles of public roads, 61 miles of rail, and approximately 1,400 crossings and culverts with restricted flow exposed to inundation, according to a statement from SOS Saco Bay.

These issues and more will be addressed during a full day educational event in Saco on Wednesday, Sept. 27 when SOS Saco Bay will host its Second Annual Coastal Conference at the Ferry Beach Retreat and Conference Center in Saco. SOS Saco Bay hopes to build on the success of last year’s first annual coastal event at the same location, which drew more than 100 participants.

The event will feature three live presentations on the beach. One of those discussions will be led by Peter Slovinsky of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Energy. Slovinsky has been monitoring the changes at Ferry Beach and Camp Ellis, and will discuss the actions that have taken place, the results so far, and implications for the future.

A special student track has been added this year.

Coastal erosion is a serious issue at Saco’s Camp Ellis Beach, where 39 homes have been lost to coastal erosion since the construction of jetties at the mouth of the Saco River late in the 19th century, according to SOS Saco Bay.

The event will feature classroom sessions and live outdoor demonstrations on the water’s edge. Exhibitors will provide information on new technology, design assistance, best management practices and more.

“All coastal communities and property owners are feeling the impact of rising seas,” said SOS Saco Bay Vice President David Plavin, “the time for meaningful action is now.”

Public officials, nonprofit and student groups can attend the workshop at reduced rates. Registration, and more detailed information can be found at both https://sossacobay.com or at ferrybeach.org/sos.

Free drive-thru shredding event in Old Orchard Beach Saturday Sept. 30

Saco & Biddeford Savings hosts a free drive-thru shredding event in Old Orchard Beach Sept. 30 at 2 Portland Ave,

Saco & Biddeford Savings will host a free drive-thru shredding event at its branch in Old Orchard Beach on Saturday, Sept. 30 from 8 a.m. to noon, or until the truck is full.

Community members and businesses are encouraged to bring up to two boxes of documents (cancelled checks, old bills and invoices, medical records, etc.) for safe and confidential shredding. Shredding will be provided by Without A Trace® Mobile Shredding. Staff will assist with disposing shredding materials. For the most up to date information, please visit www.sbsavings.bank/shredding-event. The event is free and open to the public.

Attendees are also encouraged to bring non-perishable food items for the Old Orchard Beach Food Pantry.

Astronomers hole monthly meeting Oct. 6

The Astronomical Society of Northern New England will hold its next meeting on Oct. 6 at 7:30 p.m. at The New School, 38 York St., Kennebunk. The Business Meeting, also open to the public, commences at 7 p.m.

At the October Meeting, ASNNE will host a presentation by Dr. Elizabeth McGrath; her topic; Exploring the Growth of Galaxies in the Early Universe with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).

The JWST is revealing important new insights into the formation of the earliest galaxies, their growth, their super-massive black holes, the structure of galaxies at early times, and the nature of black hole seeds in these early galaxies. She will present results from the Cosmic Evolution Early Release Science (CEERS) survey, which confirmed one of the first record-breaking distant galaxies detected by JWST, found the earliest evidence of growing super-massive black holes, and contributed to the growing evidence that disk-like, or spiral galaxies were common in the early universe. She will also discuss the implications of these discoveries, as well future work that will shed light on some of the greatest mysteries revealed by these observations from JWST.

The October meeting agenda includes: Bernie Reim’s “What’s Up for the Month” and the ever popular “Astro Shorts” where attendees and members share questions, activities, news and observations. Our Astro Shorts always give way to lively and informative discussions!

ASNNE is a local association of amateur astronomers that meets monthly at the New School, on Rte. 1, (York Street) in Kennebunk. Meeting 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. The general public is invited and welcome.

ASNNE hosts Star Parties at its own Talmage Observatory at Starfield, on Route 35 in West Kennebunk.

To see any last-minute changes to the October meeting, due to weather, or other circumstances, visit www.ASNNE.org. For more information about ASNNE, including directions and events, or to contact the club, visit www.ASNNE.org.

Goodwin Kindness Program wins grant for the Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club

As a Rotarian, Earl A. Goodwin set the bar high in giving and kindness, Earl joined the Rotary Club of Biddeford-Saco in 1971 and was elected president of the club in 1976. A devoted Rotarian, Earl made it his goal to raise money through Rotary and help those less fortunate in our communities. With the news of his passing on Aug. 2, 2022, Rotarians of the club realized that they owe a debt of gratitude to Earl. Earl’s commitment to giving continued as his wishes were in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Rotary Club of Biddeford-Saco. The club received more than $9,000 for the Earl A. Goodwin memorial fund. Past President Brenda Pollock commented, “We put these funds to use in a way Earl would have and created The Earl A. Goodwin Kindness in the Community Day” program. The club formed a committee, created a logo, instituted a kindness program, and reached out to the community focusing on seniors, veterans, and children. The result, random acts of kindness bestowed upon citizens in our community ranging from grocery gift cards, a colossal number of diapers for the diaper bank, lunch with veterans, Christmas gifts for seniors in the local nursing homes, to most recently, creating a movie night for more than 300 refugees complete with pizza, popcorn, and snow cones.

Club President Paulette Bonneau recognized the impact Goodwin Kindness Days had not only in the community, but for Rotarians. “There’s a lasting effect on Rotarians when they see the result of their efforts in these small but significant acts of kindness”, she said. “When the Rotary District Grants became available, I knew this was a program Rotary should continue indefinitely. The more funds we have, the greater impact we will make for so many in our area”.

Bonneau was successful in her request for funding and received an additional $3,098 to add to the program. “We continue to receive donations in Earl’s honor for this program on our website. It is a true testament to the legacy he left in the community”.

The club has also organized a group who are working on further honoring Earl for his love of hockey and the community at the Biddeford Ice Arena. He made it a focal point to welcome high school athletics, and for families who came from across the state and frequented the facility.

To lean more about The Earl A. Goodwin Kindness in the Community program or to make a contribution to the Earl A. Goodwin Kindness program, visit: www.biddeford-sacorotary.org

Oktoberfest takes place in Biddeford Sept. 30

Heart of Biddeford has teamed up with Biddeford’s brewing community to host the city’s inaugural city-wide Oktoberfest on Sept. 30 from noon to 6 p.m. German food, folk music, beer, and wine will be taking over Lincoln Street to celebrate one of the best beer traditions right in the downtown.

Banded Brewing Co, Batson River Brewing & Distilling, and Blaze Brewing Co have been working with Heart of Biddeford to plan the festival. This family friendly event will take place on Lincoln Street and will be tented and take place rain or shine.

Biddeford breweries and Lorne Wine will be pouring a selection of craft brews and German wine. Water from Liquid Death will also be available for sale.

Local food trucks and stalls will be selling a selection of German fare along with collaborations between the participating breweries. Some offerings will include Plot Twist Pretzels, beer-battered whoopie pies from Reilley’s Bakery, and beer brats with sauerkraut, apples, and bacon from Gotta Be Frank food truck. Nibblesford, Mulligan’s, Ore Nell’s BBQ, and Sweet Cream Dairy will also be selling food at the festival.

The music lineup includes Jason Roman playing from 1-2 p.m., Michael Corleto from 3-4 p.m., and Biddo Honeys from 5-6 p.m. In between sets there will be German music and scheduled stein hoisting and cup carrying relay race activities.

Guests can try their hand at tabletop games provided by The Pint & Pawn, keg rolling, or cornhole and other lawn games throughout the day.

Heart of Biddeford Executive Director Delilah Poupore is energized about the upcoming event. “Getting to partner with the breweries is a whole new twist on events in Biddeford. This means we have a major downtown event in all four seasons and we’re certain the community will enjoy this new addition to the lineup.”

organizers said they are excited to bring the community together and kick off autumn with a day of fun. Advance tickets are $25 and include admission to the event, four half-pour (or two full-pour) drink tickets, and the first 600 ticket buyers will receive an official Biddeford Oktoberfest commemorative plastic stein. Day-of tickets will be available at the door for $30. Non-drinker and under-21 tickets will be sold at the door for $10 and children 12 and under will be granted free admission.

More details and tickets can be found on the Eventbrite website, the @biddeford_oktoberfest instagram page, and the Heart of Biddeford website and Facebook pages.