Commit to Be Fit this Fall
The Southern Maine Agency on Aging is keeping the heat up as the weather gets cooler with virtual exercise and yoga classes. These classes are drop-in, making them flexible to people’s schedules and desired regimens.
Gentle Exercise classes meet once a week on Thursdays from 10 to 11 a.m. starting Sept. 28. This class includes a full body routine of movements to gently warm-up joints, stretch and strengthen muscles, and practice balance.
Yoga for Healthy Aging classes meet once a week on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to noon starting Oct. 4. This class includes a modified series of traditional poses, which can be done by almost anyone — of any age or ability. Special emphasis is placed on strength, balance, fall prevention, and “bone-safe” practice.
Both classes have a combination of seated and standing poses, but all of the poses may be done seated. Pre-registration for all classes is required. Register once, but come as often as able.
Visit the events page at www.smaaa.org/events.html or call 207-396-6578 to pre-register and check out our other Agewell class offerings. For more information, contact the Agewell team with any questions by calling 207-396-6578 or by e-mailing agewell@smaaa.org.
The Southern Maine Agency on Aging is the focal point in Cumberland and York counties for resources, services and information to empower older adults and adults with disabilities.
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.
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.
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.
Astronomers hold 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.
Biddeford Mills Museum will be open during Maine Craft Weekend
Biddeford Mills Museum will open at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7, to participate in Maine Craft Weekend. The museum’s 30-minute film, “A Walk Through History,” will be shown in the museum at 11 a.m. and again at 2 p.m. While at the museum, people can visit the new exhibit featuring a small-scale loom refurbished by the curator staff at the Lowell Historic National Park in Lowell, Massachusetts. Entrance to the museum and both film shows are free to the public.
Historical Society Hosts Bean Supper
The Arundel Historical Society will be hosting a Baked Bean and Pasta Supper on Oct. 14. It will be held at the M.L.Day School Gym from 4:30 to 6 p.m. located on the Limerick Road, Arundel. There will be Baked Beans (two kinds), Mac and cheese, American Chop Suey, Hot Dogs, Cole slaw, Cornbread/Rolls, Drinks and coffee and Homemade desserts.Takeout is available. Suggested donations are: adults $10, $5 for kids 6-10 , and children 5 and under Free.There will be historical displays, membership info, raffle calendars, and merchandise available. Proceeds benefit the Arundel Historical Society and all are welcome.
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
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