The Forecaster

Merrymeeting Gleaners hosts its weekly sharing table Wednesday in front of the Topsham Public Library, and will continue through the winter, taking operations inside once the weather turns.

The annual event encourages people to simply be nice, with a make-a-friend booth, free hugs from a "lobster," flowers and trolley rides among the offerings.

It's been a successful tourist season so far for many local retailers, although some say it doesn't compare to the summer of 2021.

The fair celebrates its 168th year next week, with events scheduled Aug. 9-14.

John Morneau, conductor of the Bowdoin Concert Band for 43 years, says he hopes to increase the number of the band's concerts in coming years.

Local officials always "err on the side of caution" when a call comes in.

Connected was founded to bring together older people without partners, who often find it challenging to meet others, for speakers and good conversations.

The city has distributed 75 of 100 composting bins made of old lobster traps and hopes they spark further action to fight climate change at the local level.

From moral support to financial donations, including $10,000 raised at a fundraising event last weekend, the Bath community has showered the fire-damaged Dike Newell School's students and teachers with "an outpouring of love," the PTA says.

Ivan McTaggart is reaching the end of a 45-day bike trip from Portland, Oregon to Portland, Maine.

Rod Melanson, who previously worked in the Topsham planning office with a focus on natural resources, has taken the newly created position in Bath.

Chris Timm said he's excited to expand the museum's programming and exhibits.

Retired Army Command Sgt. Gretchen Evans will be presented with the Pat Tillman Award for Service for her advocacy work since suffering a traumatic brain injury in Afghanistan.

Matt Barter has used his creative talent to portray the working harbors of Maine for much of his life. Now he's using is work to raise money for Maine Coast Fishermen's Association.

After two years without the ability to gather in celebration, the festival's organizers want to give people what they've missed.

Bath officially took over the old high school building on April 1, 14 months after classes moved to a new $75 million school. Later this year, the city council will examine plans to repurpose the building into housing and a new fire station.

Phippsburg would see the highest jump in the towns' allocation to the district at 10.15%, while the increase for Woolwich would be less than a percent at .82%.

Catherine Fisher Clothing sells high-end clothing with a twist: Each garment is based on a piece of poetry written by the company's founder.

Founded in 2020, Youth Work Makes the Booth Work is encouraging teenagers to participate in the democratic process – whether by voting or by working the polls themselves.

On March 23, the Brunswick School Board voted unanimously to lift the district's pre-K mask mandate, reversing its March 9 decision.

A former resident is working with the town to refurbish the old family cemetery where Jonathan Brown is interred.

A new child care center would allow the YMCA to expand its Pre-K Enrichment Program by 50% and provide infant care for the first time.

While an alliance of health organizations supports the proposed prohibition on the sale of flavored products in order to protect children, some researchers are concerned it could be a step backward for public health.

Five racers competed in the opening night of 'The March Series' at Slot Car Junction & Fascination Station Toys in Brunswick. The friendly competition gives drivers a chance to test their skills in slot car racing, a deceptively tricky pastime.

After losing her husband Alan to cancer in 2020, Brunswick's Nikki Eckert sold a portion of his 'dream property' to the Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust for permanent conservation.

Tess' Market manager said the business had no choice but to raise prices for only the third time in 20 years.

Among the board's concerns is the Navy's upcoming work to remove toxins from the base’s stormwater retention system at Picnic Pond and Mere Creek.

High school math teacher Sam Farrell covers topics such as saving, investing and loans, with the aim of helping his students avoid burdensome debt as they enter college or start their professional lives.

BluShift Aerospace, which hopes to launch research projects and satellites into space with its environmentally-friendly rockets, celebrated a successful first test of its MARVEL 2.0 rocket engine March 1.

'You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown,' the high school stage company's first musical since 2020, opens at Orion Performing Arts Center March 4.

Political veteran Tyler Washburn of Orr's Island and newcomer Ryan Larsen of Harpswell Neck are running for a seat on the School Administrative District 75 Board of Directors.

The Maine 3-Railers entertained kids and their families during visits to Patten Free Library and Topsham Public Library during school vacation week.

Bath's three-day Winterfest begins Friday with a parade of lights, followed by a weekend of performances from comedians, dancers and musicians, as well as free events led by local organizations.

State testing showed the presence of lead in the drinking water of three Bath schools, but school officials blame that on water fountains being shut down during the pandemic.

Home births in Maine jumped by 23% in 2020 according to CDC data, as patients avoided hospitals.

Brunswick is one of 22 Maine school districts to offer freshly caught seafood through the Fishermen Feeding Mainers program.

Twenty-two teams of horseback riders and skiers compete, and an organizer vows to have more spectator parking available next year.

Births plummeted across the country in 2020, but Sagadahoc County's saw an especially stark decline.

Curtis Memorial Library plans to purchase a mobile library, which will provide books, Wi-Fi and programming services to the people of Brunswick and Harpswell.

Bath has earned another bronze-level "Bicycle Friendly Community" designation from the League of American Cyclists, but cycling advocates see a continued need to improve infrastructure.

The Board of Directors of will review nine applicants for the district's superintendent position. Four men have held the role since 2018.

Brunswick's Oasis Free Clinics is offering virtual cooking classes from some of Maine's top culinary minds. Proceeds will help the nonprofit provide free health and dental services to the uninsured.

The Brunswick High School Honors Wind Ensemble overcame pandemic-driven challenges to become a semifinalist for The American Prize: Ernst Beacon Memorial Award for Performance of American Music.

The pandemic has had an impact on how clients can reach out for help and how the group can reach them, the executive director says.

On Jan. 31, members of Bath's Beth Israel Congregation marched up Washington Street to their synagogue in a reenactment of the building's dedication a century ago.

Snow days are a beloved tradition, but are they needed in the age of remote learning? Maine school districts have come to different conclusions.

A pilot program from Merrymeeting Food Council and several partner organizations will try to address a labor shortage on Maine farms while helping low-income workers find steady jobs.

Local youth sports organizations report strong participation numbers despite pandemic challenges.

Skijoring, a winter mashup of waterskiing and horse racing, will make it's debut in Topsham Feb. 12.

Patten Free Library will stream five presentations on local history starting Saturday, Jan. 22.

After fully unifying with MaineHealth, Mid Coast Hospital spent 2021 updating their internal processes and medical records system while battling a global pandemic.

On Jan. 1, Brunswick took ownership of a "spectacular" piece of land it had sought for decades. Now, town officials envision a future for the historic property.

Brunswick Town Council approved a $50,000 budget for a consultant to aid in updating the town's Comprehensive Plan, which was due in 2020.

Two dozen local children are waiting to be matched with adult mentors, partly because of a pandemic-driven shortage of volunteers, according to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Brunswick/Bath.

This weekend, the Resurgence Dance Company will perform its contemporary ballet adaptation of "A Court of Mist and Fury," the second book of a popular series by Sarah J. Maas.

Bowdoin College has announced changes to its pandemic policies for the upcoming spring semester, including a booster mandate and a temporary shift to remote learning.

Two local environmental groups will host a six-part speaker series on climate change this winter. Viewers can attend the talks remotely on Zoom on Thursday nights starting Jan. 6.

A group that wants to preserve the Frank J. Wood Bridge had sued the state to prevent it from replacing the structure, and also sees win in judge's ruling.

Losee is hoping to raise $48,000 for the Good Shepherd Food Bank and encourage people of all ages to exercise regularly.

Town Councilor Jim Mason and school board member Beth Bisson were appointed chairs of their respective boards on Monday.

Many Midcoast store owners said they suspect supply chain delays affecting national retailers may have encouraged shoppers to shop locally, contributing to their boost in business.

This year's defense spending bill approves three Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, which Bath Iron Works can bid to build.

Sheep Island, off the coast of Owls Head in Penobscot Bay, will forever be protected from development, now that Maine Coast Heritage Trust has purchased it.

The Midcoast Youth Center had received nearly $45,300 from 79 donors in the community alone as of last week.

Lawmakers will consider whether to go along with a state environmental board's recommendation to hike its classification level from Lisbon to the sea.

The pump track is expected to bring more people to the area and help with the town's economic growth.

Motorists should expect delays and reduced speeds on the interstate between now and 2025.

Artifacts featured in the new exhibit reveal Bath-built ships and Maine captains and crews transported both enslaved people and crops manufactured by slavery.

About 150 businesses supporting around 2,600 jobs are operating at Brunswick Landing, more than double the original employment projections for 2021 and surpassing the previous annual Navy payroll of $140 million.

Maine native Kate Stookey will take over the position at Maine Coast Heritage Trust in early 2022 after current President Tim Glidden retires at the end of this year.

During a forum Tuesday, one resident argued that town meetings are sparsely attended, making it easier for special interests.

The food banks and pantries have seen an increase in their clients in the last few months.

What started as a pop-up store last winter is now a permanent, year-round marketplace operated by Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association.

“If you look at our heating bill, I think we heat our parking lot and part of Washington Street," said Chocolate Church Arts Center Executive Director William Lederer regarding the state of the 174-year-old building.

Sen. Angus King said he was impressed by the "vitality" of Bath’s thriving downtown while visiting small businesses Monday.

The change to the Frank J. Wood bridge applies to buses and commercial vehicles with a gross weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more.

Town officials say that the new 27-stop route will provide greater access and reliability for riders throughout Brunswick.

About 110 Bath-area students ages 5-11 got vaccinated through the clinic, making it the most well-attended COVID-19 vaccine clinics in a school, according Regional School Unit 1 Assistant Superintendent Katie Joseph.

The store would be the third Market Basket in Maine, following locations in Biddeford and Westbrook.

The Wabanakis revere the brown ash tree, which is a target of the destructive emerald ash borer, and use the trees in their traditional basket making.

Brunswick High School's opening performance of “Peter and the Starcatcher" is set to debut at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 18.

The clinic, which is offering appointments to children aged 5-11 regardless of school district, aims to vaccinate a total of 2,400 kids by Nov. 17.

The proposed project is expected to generate electricity that could power the equivalent of about 1,425 homes.

Age Friendly Communities hopes chess tables made by Bath Tech students spark new connections in downtown Bath.

Louis "Roo" Dunn defeated opponent Timothy Pratt 187-162, while Mary Ellen Bell ran unopposed to claim 301 votes.

With an unofficial total of 598 votes, early results show that Erica Carley Harris won the seat over three other candidates. Voters also elected two newcomers to the town council Tuesday.

The documentary, expected to premiere in January, follows the life of Josh Duffy, a Brunswick man with a rare disorder called Williams Syndrome.

The second-hand nonprofit store is among the latest businesses in the Bath-Brunswick area to close or scale back operations — a situation brought on by a lack of employees.

The survey is part of an ongoing revitalization effort for the Cook's Corner area, a commercial part of Brunswick dominated by strip malls and chain stores.

Learn the platforms of each candidate and see where they stand on issues such as COVID-19 protocols and the recent high school hazing incident.

Stephen August has held a seat on the RSU 1 school board for nine years, the last four or five of which he's served as chair.

Projects for this fiscal year, which began in July and will continue through June 2022, include LED streetlights, an extension to the Allagash walking trail, airport repaving and electric vehicle charging stations.

Sunflower Farm in Cumberland is on the tour, with goat yoga, goat visits, live music and a farmers market.

Fatal overdoses this year are on track to exceed 2020's, and isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic may be making matters worse.

According to Running Tide's website, the company is growing kelp that floats on the water’s surface to absorb and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as part of a pilot project.

The Maine State Music Theatre will finish its run of "Jersey Boys" in Westbrook before ending the season to avoid further monetary losses as a result of the pandemic.

The goal of the tours is to connect the state's history with its culture today.

The Maine Coast Heritage Trust has until the end of December to raise the rest of the money needed to preserve undeveloped islands off the coast.

Nationally, there was an 85% decrease in breast cancer screenings, 75% decline in colon cancer screenings, 74% decrease in prostate cancer screenings and 56% decrease in lung cancer screenings in April 2020 compared to the same time period in 2019.

The St. John The Baptist History Museum opened last week, featuring a number of historical items dating back hundreds of years.

There are a dozen companies in the state, including two in Portland, that offer tours that allow the public an opportunity to try their hand at lobstering.

The proposal would use bait containing an oral vaccine, but would only be effective if five neighboring communities join in.

The former Midcoast Hunger Prevention Program chairperson and minister hopes readers take away lessons about bullying and working through differences in his book, ‘Soren's Story.’

The Front Porch Project is offering free community training sessions at a time when many families are facing added stress from the pandemic, advocates say.

Incumbent Terry Nordmann says he is running for reelection; nomination papers for the open spots in Wards 2, 3 and 4 are due Aug. 17.

The annual fundraiser for the Maine Cancer Foundation had to go virtual due to the pandemic last year, but this time around there will be one component, a 5K road race, that participants may do in person if they wish on July 18.

Anna Korsen said the new state initiative, just the second in the nation, "has the potential to be the most important piece of child hunger policy" in the state.

Bob Kalish, said he looks forward to having nothing to write for the first time in decades.

Chef Christian Noe, "Nighthawk," will serve brewery customers from a food truck before also offering service inside the establishment at Freeport Crossing.

The Maine Outdoor Film Festival will take place in three locations in Portland over 11 days from July 29 to Aug. 8 and include more than 65 films from local, national and international filmmakers.

Airlines have resumed and added flights to and from the Portland International Jetport.

Its new Thrift and Gifts Shop is aimed at replenishing reserve funds it used during the pandemic to provide college scholarships and make other donations in town.

Gerry Holzman, a resident of Brunswick, is best known for his decades of work on the Empire State Carousel.

City officials expect the hiring process to go on through the summer as they shoot for a large, diverse pool of candidates.

A survivor shares her story to enlighten police and also wants to educate the public about how victims are subtly groomed for the sex trade.

Andrew Booth will replace Michael Field, who is retiring at the of the month.

Barry Dana started his artist in residency program at elementary schools this week.

A nine-member community panel will review and recommend Freeport Police Department policies and hold public forums to strengthen the resident-police relationship.

Personalized Pediatrics, working with Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast, will provide the service for donors and recipients, the first in the area.

The Maine Maritime Museum's new exhibit focuses on early print media and how it influenced how the world sees the state today.

A survey of residents is the first step toward considering a community center for the town, the Board of Selectmen chairman says.

Working through a pandemic year of preparations, the new Children's Museum and Theatre of Maine opens June 24 at Thompson's Point.

The Maine Audubon event, held since 1983, is looking for volunteer counters, particularly on Sebago Lake and Naples' Long Lake.

Brunswick's economic development director hopes that with new businesses moving in and infrastructure improvements, the town can combat "disinvestment" in the commercial service district.

Maine ranks worst in the nation for power outages, and the issue is especially acute in the Midcoast, where geography impairs restoration efforts.

New England Donor Services honored the top three contest winners last week.

A day of community service has been a tradition at the college for 23 years.

The Bath Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee has planned three kick-off rides to reunite bicyclists and welcome new riders.

K-8 members of the Brunswick Scholastic Chess Club have been ranking high in online tournaments and are eager for in-person contests.

Canceled last year due to the pandemic, organizers say they are excited to give residents a chance to get outside and have fun.

Oasis Free Clinics is trying to get its dental clinic back up to speed, but the pandemic and a lack of volunteers is making that difficult.

A recent spree of attacks in Topsham points to a potential cluster of rabies, but not more rabies in the state, experts say.

In-person instruction will be expanded to just over 50% of the college's offerings.

The Brunswick-based nonprofit assists people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The continuous monitoring stations will compile data from Cundys Harbor in Harpswell and Portland Harbor.

The free video series, Art for Good, focuses on four artists who have combined their artistic talents with charity work.

Lynda Doughty, Marine Mammals of Maine founding executive director, said there are no obvious connections between the recent deaths of four animals.

The University of Maine at Orono is using drones to monitor the population levels of sea birds in Maine.

Volunteer Charlie Austin, 15, is awarded for dedication to the organization and to his basketball players.

An outdoor program that sprung out of the pandemic last fall starts up again, bringing local schoolchildren closer to nature.

Sierra Club Maine will host a series of discussions ranging from waste reduction to the intersection of racism, economics and climate change, and Maine Audubon and the Maine Outdoor Film Festival team up for a special night of showings.

Officials said by far the biggest red flag appears to be a decrease of more than three-quarters of a million dollars in state education subsidies.

The local skate park, part of the Midcoast Youth Center, has grown to be a safe haven for some local kids.

A former Cumberland resident will open the Cumberland Fairgrounds to racing in May, with plans to expand at a new venue permanently in southern Maine.

The need for services was a growing concern before the pandemic, which clinicians say has sparked more cases of anxiety and depression.

Beacon Residences will be located on Desert Road on property formerly owned by L.L.Bean.

A partnership with Mid Coast Senior Health Center gives the school's CNA students practical experience and the center some much-needed caregivers.

Maine seniors remain the most at-risk group when it comes to the adverse affects of COVID-19 - both medically and socially.

Winslow Memorial Park Commission is slated to go over the 2020 park report on Feb. 8, along with a project to install an ADA-compliant ramp down to the beach.

The Casco Bay Regional Shellfish Working Group wants to know what kind of information shellfish communities would like to see in a public database, aiming to supply those in the industry with one comprehensive resource.

A new presentation to be updated daily throughout February on the library's website will feature special Black history projects produced by local residents.

Solar generation systems are not an allowed use; the planning board is scheduled to discuss amending its zoning Feb. 3.

College officials are opting to house students at a local hotel for the winter break and spring semester, giving students safe lodging and local business a boost.

As youth cope with social isolation, learn how to recognize and respond to signs of mental health problems.

Brandon Dudley's book 'Hazards of Nature: Stories' was selected out of nearly 60 submissions and will be published in 2021.

Police say the accident, in which a Falmouth couple was killed, occurred when traffic had slowed following the pursuit of a Topsham man by police.

Bruce King, Maine Inside Out's new Co-Executive Director, wants the organization's members to express themselves and become leaders for the voiceless.

A program that began in 2019 to discuss a wide range of social issues has re-focused on racism for the 2020-2021 school year.

Over the next five years, the money will pay for new campaigns about the dangers of marijuana use among teens and kids.

For the second year in a row, a lawmaker is working to replace the blue flag bearing the state seal with a flag that represented Maine in the early 1900s.

In addition to the music, the album also features a reading of the classic Christmas poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” performed by actor and voice-over artist Tamara Lilly. 

The owner who donated the property on Lufkin Road said it is 'too pretty to developed.'

Improvements include handicapped accessibility, a new vault and a new foundation for the barn adjacent to the 190-year-old building on Main Street.

Dozens of English students at Freeport High School wrote essays that explore the values that guide their lives in a year of uncertainty.

The event will be streamed Saturday, Dec. 12, and feature local actors reading and acting out two books.

Freeport High School's Mock Trial team won the first state competition in the school's history.

The center now needs less than $2,000 before the end of December to help pay for upgrades to the center's kitchen and cooking classes.

The deadline to apply is Dec. 31; the committee will have until late October 2021 to complete its work.

Brenda White, who retired from Freeport schools in 2017, also helps connect those who need food, childcare or other services to providers.

Main Street Bath has made COVID-19 safe adjustments to this year's holiday celebrations in Bath.

The town is seeking bids for drainage improvements, new paint and upgraded wheelchair accessibility.

The Maine Coast Fishermen's Association's new program looks to both feed the hungry and help fishermen struggling to make ends meet.

The clinic, which opened in 1995 to service homeless patients, still offers free services to those who can't help themselves.

The exhibit, “Hunting Positive,” is running through Nov. 18.

Ann Harford served 27 years with the department.

The annual event honors "individuals and groups that work to benefit the City of Bath and its residents."

The coronavirus pandemic has made it harder for the program to teach people to read, but the need for literacy tutors hasn't gone away.

Incumbent Megan Fuller is vying for her RSU 1 seat against newcomer Jamie Dorr.

Maya La Maya's debut single, 'Keep on Fighting' is, in part, a reaction to BLM and the microaggressions she experiences as a person of color.

Democrat Ralph Tucker is running against Republican Michael Lawler.

A new project this summer led to 2,000 seedlings being distributed so people can grow their own food.

Democrat Poppy Arford and Green Independent Fred Horch are competing for the seat currently held by Matthea Daughtry.

Gather in Yarmouth is planning ways to stretch the outdoor dining season and the Frontier Cafe in Brunswick plans to reopen with curbside service only.

Rep. Joyce "Jay" McCreight, D-Harpswell, faces a challenge from Republican Steve "Bubba" Davis.

The group has launched a survey to determine how best to continue aiding Harpswell's elder residents.

Rep. Denise Tepler, D-Topsham, faces a challenge from Republican Toni Bashinsky.

Pam Ferris-Olson explores the connection through her "Women Mind the Water" website.

This June's primary election saw far more voters filing absentee ballots than voting in person.

Nina Powers and Devin Gifford completed their books through the Young Emerging Authors program.

Republican Jay Finegan and Democrat Melanie Sachs seek to fill the post being vacated by outgoing House Speaker Sara Gideon.

The $2.6 million grant allows the college to expand current offerings for students with physical or learning disabilities.

Nina Powers and Devin Gifford completed their books through the Young Emerging Authors program.

Nina Powers and Devin Gifford completed their books through the Young Emerging Authors program.

Cody Curtis is donating at least 10% of the feature-length movie's proceeds to Greater Portland Health.

The work will expand the town's radio communications network for the police, fire-rescue and public works departments from two to four antenna sites.

As the coronavirus shows no signs of slowing down, many families have missed the community education hub that libraries offer.

The attack by two foxes of a man in Woolwich last week doesn't lead a regional wildlife biologist to think a new wave of cases has begun.

Interested homeowners are asked to contact Habitat this month.