The Friends of Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge announced the winners of its 2024 Sense of Wonder photo contest. The photos are featured in the group’s 2025 calendar.

The 2025 calendar cover features a photo of a piping plover “out for a morning stroll.” The image was captured by Kittery resident Bill Gringas on the Laudholm Beach area in Wells, contiguous with the refuge’s salt marsh.

According to a news release, the migratory piping plover is threatened under the Endangered Species Act, and the birds are a signal species along much of the Maine coast. Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge is in partnership with area conservation organizations to protect piping plovers and other endangered birds.

Twelve winners were selected in the competition, and each photo is featured in the recently released 2025 edition of the group’s annual calendar. The calendar can be purchased for a $20 donation (which includes shipping) at www.friendsofrachelcarsonnwr.org/calendar/2024-friends-of-rachel-carson-national-wildlife-refuge-calendar.

Winning images featured in the 2025 calendar were submitted by Reid Appleby, Jacqueline Scott, Betsy Wish, Karen Suhrhoff, Grayson Bell, Gingras, Jack Coughlin, Bud Marvel, and Susan Goewey.

The Friends hope to expand the annual Sense of Wonder photo contest in 2025 to introduce new entry categories and a youth photographer competition. For more information, visit www.friendsofrachelcarsonnwr.org/ or email friendsofrachelcarsonnwr@gmail.com.

All proceeds, beyond the costs associated with the calendar, will be used directly in the Friends’ mission to support the refuge’s preservation of land for migratory birds and local wildlife.

The Friends support the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge in its mission to preserve land for migratory birds and local wildlife. The Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge is located in York and Cumberland counties and consists of 11 divisions totaling 5,600 acres scattered throughout the towns of Kittery, York, Ogunquit, Wells, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Biddeford, Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Scarborough, and Cape Elizabeth.

 

Class of 1965 seeks

scholarship nominations

The Kennebunk High School class of 1965 is accepting nominations for a scholarship recipient from the Kennebunk High School class of 2025.

Applicants must be enrolled/attend Kennebunk High School and will be furthering their education after high school in any field, trade, college, or training, and they must have a relative or direct connection to a Kennebunk High School class of 1965 graduate.  The connection includes grandchildren, great-grandchildren, godchildren, foster children, nieces, nephews, cousins, etc.

For  more information or to apply, contact Donna Bull Thompson at donnawjhs2003@yahoo.com.

 

Pulitzer Prize winner

at Graves Library

Pulitzer Prize winning author and Maine native David Rohde will visit Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library on Saturday, Nov. 9, at 4 p.m. Rohde will be interviewed by author and associate editor for the Washington Post, David Maraniss.

Rohde’s book (published August 2024), “Where Tyranny Begins: The Justice Department, the FBI, and the War Against Democracy,” will be featured in the discussion. A suggested donation is $25. To reserve a seat, visit the library or call 207-967-2778. Tickets can also be purchased at www.graveslibrary.org/support.

A reception and book signing will follow the presentation. The library is located at 18 Maine St. in Kennebunkport. Parking is available at Consolidated School (School Street) or the Village Fire Station (North Street). A shuttle will be provided from Consolidated School from 3:15 to 3:45 p.m. and a return to the school from 6 to 6:30 p.m.

According to a news release, Rohde is an investigative journalist and American author. He is the former news director for The New Yorker and now serves as senior executive editor, national security for NBC News. While a reporter for The Christian Science Monitor, he won a Pulitzer Prize for international reporting in 1996 for his coverage of the Srebrenica massacre. From 2002 to 2005, he was co-chief of The New York Times’ South Asia Bureau. He later contributed to the newspaper’s team coverage of Afghanistan and Pakistan that received the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for international reporting, and was a finalist in his own right in the category in 2010. He is also a global affairs analyst for CNN.

While in Afghanistan, Rohde was kidnapped by members of the Taliban in November 2008, but managed to escape in June 2009 after seven months of captivity. His publications include “Endgame: The Betrayal and Fall of Srebrenica,” “Europe’s Worst Massacre Since World War II;” “A Safe Area: Srebrenica – Europe’s Worst Massacre Since the Holocaust, 1997;” “A Rope and a Prayer: A Kidnapping from Two Sides;” “In Deep: The FBI, the CIA, and the Truth about America’s ‘Deep State.'”

 

Coastal Winds concert

at Holy Cross Church

Coastal Winds Clarinet Quartet will present a concert at noon on Sunday, Nov. 17, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Kennebunk. The quartet’s selections will range from Big Band to Gospel, Blues to Latin, and Broadway to Rock.

Selections scheduled to be performed include a medley from Les Miserables; Scarborough Fair, as arranged by Pentatonix; Tico-Tico; Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen; and Basin Street Blues.

The instrumentalists include Joan DeVittori of Hampton, New Hampshire, Ted Hagarty from Wells, Jack Kupp of Kennebunk and Jean Quinn from South Portland.

There will be a free-will offering with proceeds going to the church. A coffee hour with dessert will be offered at 11:30 a.m. prior to the concert. It will be in Luther Hall which is adjacent to the sanctuary.

 

Republican committee

meeting on Nov. 13

The York County Republican Committee will meet Wednesday, Nov. 13 at Alfred Town Hall. Doors open 6 p.m. with a business meeting from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Members are asked to bring a gift for the kickoff of the annual Toys for Tots drive and nonperishable food items for donation to the local food pantry for Thanksgiving.

Alfred Town Hall is located at 16 Saco Road. For more information, email communications@yorkgop.org or call 207-468-2395.

 

Audubon presentation

features Arctic artist

In 2019, North Yarmouth wildlife artist Michael Boardman was selected to be the artist-in-residence for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Northern Alaska. Boardman will share his latest adventures in the Arctic, telling stories of animals, geology, human history and why people should be concerned about the endangered landscape. The program will be presented in Mather Auditorium at Wells Reserve at Laudholm, and via Zoom, on Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m.

The landscape, according to a York County Audubon news release, has become embedded in Boardman’s focus and artwork, and he has returned several times to explore the natural history of the refuge, recording his experiences through sketching. Since then, he has returned to the Arctic several times.

The presentation is free and open to all ages. No registration is required for attending the program in person. To view it via Zoom, register in advance at yorkcountyaudubon.org.

Boardman, according to the news release, is known for his watercolor bird portraits and nature journal sketches. He has connected his art to wildlife science through artist residencies at Acadia National Park, Hog Island Audubon Camp, Glacier Bay National Park, in addition to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. He is also the owner and artist of Coyote Graphics, creating nature-based garments from his artwork.

 

Community Connections

at Graves Library

Graves Library will host a Community Connections session on Thursday, Nov. 7 at 9 a.m. This month’s event will feature a presentation on the new town of Kennebunkport website.

Members of the Kennebunkport Communications Department will lead the session. Light refreshments will be provided.

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

 

First Parish

rummage sale

First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Kennebunk will host a rummage sale on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 9-10. Sale hours are 8 to 11 a.m. on Nov. 9 and 8 to 10 a.m. on Nov. 10.

On Sunday, everything is $2 per bag. First Parish is located on Main Street, next to Kennebunk Free Library.

 

Library schedules

strategic plan launch

Kennebunk Free Library extended an invitation for residents to participate in its strategic plan launch. Participants are invited to drop in anytime from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 19 to pick up copy of the plan, have light refreshments, and talk with members of the Strategic Plan Subcommittee.

According to a news release, the library was “overwhelmed by the level of engagement and thoughtful responses we received through our survey, focus groups, and interviews. The board of trustees also participated in a retreat that focused on community feedback to establish our strategic priorities. All these insights and suggestions combined were instrumental in shaping a strategic plan that will ensure the library continues to meet the evolving needs of our community while fostering a space that inspires learning, creativity, and connection.”

Copies of the plan will be available at the launch event, and it will be posted Nov. 20 at kennebunklibrary.org.

Kennebunk Free Library is located at 112 Main St., Kennebunk. For more information, visit the library on Facebook and Instagram or call 985-2173.

 

Understanding grief

session at library

Kennebunk Free Library will host a lunch-and-learn session on understanding grief featuring Linda Hopkins, MD, bereavement coordinator for Northern Light Home Care and Hospice. The event is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Nov. 15.

The presentation will provide information to help understand grief (in all of its forms and contexts) and will help provide suggestions for coping. To register, visit kennebunklibrary.org.

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

 

Songwriting workshop at

Kennebunk Free Library

Unlock the secrets of songwriting with award-winning singer/songwriter Briana Cash in this engaging workshop tailored for all skill

levels. Kennebunk Free Library will host the workshop on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 6 p.m. where Cash will share her expertise and guide participants on a journey to discover their voice as songwriters.

Session topics will include: Crafting a musical vision, exploring artistic identity, question-and-answer period and live song sharing.

Space is limited. To register, visit kennebunklibrary.org.

For more information, call 207-985-2173 or email kfl@kennebunklibrary.org.

 

High school exhibits

artwork at museum

The Brick Store Museum is partnering with Kennebunk High School visual arts students to exhibit their work on a project starting Nov. 8. A new exhibition will open in the museum’s Patsy Bauman Gallery featuring perspectives of historic Kennebunk through the photography of students.

The exhibit is the result of a project led by KHS art teacher Katie Mooney with research provided by the Brick Store Museum. It features on-location photographs selected and taken by students. The photos focus on architecture and historic structures of Kennebunk, taken when students visited the museum to explore the Main Street and Summer Street neighborhood histories.

“The Brick Store Museum is proud to partner with teachers and students to create new pathways for learning and exploring our world through history and art,” wrote Brick Store Museum Executive Director Cynthia Walker in a news release.

The exhibition will be open through December. Students and their families will have free admission to the exhibition. For more information about the museum’s education programming, email info@brickstoremuseum.org or visit www.brickstoremuseum.org/education.

 

Mid-Week Music

covers John Denver

Mid-Week Music presents Covering John Denver on Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Kennebunkport Historical Society’s Town House School. Host Dana Pearson (vocal, guitar) and Jen Comeau (vocal, guitar) will play selections from the catalog of the Bard of Colorado, including classics like “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” “Leaving, On a Jet Plane,” and “Sunshine on My Shoulders,” as well as lesser known gems like “I Guess He’d Rather Be in Colorado,” “Looking for Space,” and “Aspenglow.”

For advance tickets, visit kporths.com/buy-tickets, email info@kporths.com, or call 967-2751. Town House School is located at 135 North St. in Kennebunkport.

Mid-Week Music will wrap up the year with the fourth annual Christmas shows with Pearson, keyboardist Mark Gunter, and bassist John Kumnick on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 1 p.m. and Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 5 p.m. Tickets are available now.

 

Conservation trust seeks

online auction donations

The Kennebunkport Conservation Trust is seeking donations for items or experiences for its online auction. According to a trust news release, suggested items are “handmade/handcrafted pieces, clothing, art, quirky/nostalgic vintage items, useful services, gift cards, one-of-a-kind experiences, gift baskets, jewelry, antique or estate items in good condition, historical items and gifts that will enrich the lives of our community members.”

All donations are needed by Nov. 22. The auction will take place at the end of November. For more information or to coordinate drop off of items, contact Heather Magaw at hmagaw@kporttrust.org or 207-967-3465.

All proceeds benefit Kennebunkport Conservation Trust preservation efforts.

 

South Church

Chime Choir concert

The fall concert by the South Church Chime Choir is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 17 at 3 p.m. at South Congregational Church in Kennebunkport. The program will feature popular songs and light classical music.

The director and Chime Choir members will engage the audience with demonstrations and explanations about the musical selections.

The concert is free and open to the public. South Congregational Church is located at 2 North St. in Kennebunkport (near the Post Office) and is handicap-accessible.

 

Hope Woods walk

scheduled for Nov. 9

Friends

of Hope Cemetery & Woods will host a guided walk on Saturday, Nov. 9, at 10 a.m. for a guided walk through Hope Woods in the center of Kennebunk. Master Maine Naturalist Gordon Collins will point out facts about the flora that grows in the woods.

To register, call 207-387-9100 or email friendsofhcw@gmail.com.

 

Fitness class

for adults

Arundel Parks and Recreation Department will host a low impact fitness class for adults. The class is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays throughout November.

The class will feature aerobics, weights, balancing and stretching. Participants can be seated or standing and modifications can be made for any exercise. The goal is to increase energy, strength, and improve balance, all while making new friends. Organizers say the class will strive to combat isolation and make physical activity a part life. The program is sponsored by Kennebunk Savings.

For more information, contact Kristin at Arundel Parks and Recreation at 207-286-9241 or recprogrammer@arundelmaine.org. To register, visit arundelrec.com.

 

Maine Made Craft Fair

in Kennebunkport

Kennebunkport Historical Society announced the return of the Maine Made Craft Fair on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 6-7. The fair, according to a news release, will take place at White Columns, “the society’s historic mansion, offering the perfect setting for visitors to experience the beauty and craftsmanship of Maine-made goods.”

The event will showcase a curated selection of local artisans, featuring photography and textiles to jewelry, handcrafted goods, and literature.

The event is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 6-7. White Columns is located 8 Maine St., Kennebunkport.

Interested vendors can apply starting Oct. 1, on a first-come, first-serve basis. Spaces are limited to 12 spots For more information or to reserve a space, visit www.kporths.com or contact the Kennebunkport Historical Society at khaight@kporths.com or 207-967-2751.

 

Meals on Wheels

seeks drivers

Meals on Wheels of York County is in need of volunteer drivers. According to a Southern Maine Agency on Aging press release, the commitment is 1 to 2 hours, once a week. Volunteers are reimbursed for gas and clients, say organizers, are always glad to see the drivers.

Those interested should contact the Southern Maine Agency on Agency at 207-396-6500.

 

York County Amateur

Radio Club meetings

The York County Amateur Radio Club meets on the first Sunday of each month from September to June. The meetings begin at 2:45 p.m. at the Wells town offices at 208 Sanford Road.

All are welcome and membership is open to all. A ham radio license is not required. The club promotes amateur radio knowledge, offers educational programs, and organizes special events. For more information, visit w1yca.org.

 

Legion Post 159

meeting schedule

Monthly meetings of American Legion Post 159 are held on the first Thursday of the month. Upcoming meeting dates: Nov. 7 and Dec. 5. Dates for 2025 are Jan. 2, Feb. 6, March 6, April 3, May 1, June 5, July 3, Aug. 7, Sept. 4, Oct. 2, Nov. 6 and Dec. 4.

All veterans and Sons of the American Legion are welcomed to attend. Legion Post 169 is located at 102 Main St. (across from the police station) in Kennebunkport. For more information, call 207-967-2400.

 

Land trust nature

walk schedule

Kennebunk Land Trust released the dates for its Nature Walk series. The first Saturday of each month, the land trust hosts a nature walk on a different preserve following a different theme. Participants are invited to explore a new local preserve and enjoy nature in all seasons.

The walks are led by local Maine Guides and master naturalists, who take participants through the nature preserve and share knowledge and ask questions about the flora, fauna, and nature.

The walks are free of charge for all ages and held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Donations are accepted and well-behaved dogs are welcome. The schedule:

• Dec. 7 – For All Forever Preserve

The 2024 walk schedule is subject to change with notice. For more information and to register, visit kennebunklandtrust.org.

Kennebunk Savings and Southern Maine Health Care are sponsors of the events.

 

Legion Post 74
schedules meetings

American Legion Webber Lefebvre Post 74 in Kennebunk holds meetings on the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. Legion Post 74 is located at 15 Water St.

Legion Post 74 is looking for new members. Legion Post 74 participates in the May Day and Memorial Day parades, flag retirement ceremonies with the Boy Scouts, furnishes a scholarship to the high school and participates in many other local activities and charities.

 

Amateur Radio Society
meets at The New School

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. Wide-ranging discussion topics include: early and contemporary equipment, digital technology, internet integration, and striving for international contacts. Most meetings include a tech talk by a society member.

Those interested in amateur radio are invited to join. The New School is located at 38 York St. in Kennebunk. For more information, contact Alex at 207-967-8812.

 

Astro Society
hosts star parties

The Astronomical Society of Northern New England has set its schedule for public Star Parties through August and invites the public to attend. The society operates its own observatory, the Talmage Observatory at Starfield, on Route 35, in West Kennebunk.

At the Star Parties, the public, as well as society members, are most invited to observe the heavens through club telescopes, as well as member telescopes. Stars, visible planets, and deep-sky objects can all be viewed. Experienced society members are on hand to guide the observing, explain what is being seen, and answer questions. There is no fee.

The Talmage Observatory at Starfield opens at 7:30 p.m. for the events. For directions, visit asnne.org/where-to-find-us.php.

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. For more information, visit ASNNE.org.

 

Vets group launches

free-coffee Wednesdays

Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1044 has launched free-coffee Wednesdays to all veterans. Chapter 1044 is located at 508 Elm St. in Biddeford (basement of American Legion Post 26). Chapter meetings are held on the first Sunday of each month and begin at 1:30 p.m.

Those who served in the past, or are currently serving, are welcomed to the Wednesday coffee from 9 to 11 a.m. Veterans need simply to show military ID or wear an item that identifies their service, and the coffee is on Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1044. Tables will be set up with board games and a veteran service officer will be available to answer questions on veterans’ benefits or to help file a claim for disability through the VA system. The service is also available to spouses of veterans.

Also available will be a veterans assistance officer to help those veterans and or families in need of assistance with heating fuel or other issues. Additional days might be added depending on demand.

For more information, contact Joseph Armstrong, chapter president, at 207-494-9287 or visit www.vva1004maine.org.

 

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