Maine master naturalists to lead a Biddeford City Tree Walk on Oct. 22
BIDDEFORD – Saco Valley Land Trust (SVLT) and Heart of Biddeford are hosting a city tree walk in Downtown Biddeford. The walk will be led by Maine Master Naturalists, Raquel Miller and Gracie Ballou on Sunday, Oct. 22.
Participants are encouraged to grab a beverage at Elements: Books Coffee Beer located at 265 Main St. and meet outside the café at 10 a.m. on Main Street.
The walk will continue down Main Street where participants will explore the coniferous and deciduous trees while also learning how to use leaves, twigs, and bark to identify these species.
Registration is not required and the event is free. Email awilson@sacovalleylandtrust.org with questions.
Learn more about this event on Saco Valley Land Trust’s website: www.sacovalleylandtrust.org/events
Saco author to hold book signing on Oct. 26
Local author and radio personality Jon Shannon, will present a book signing of his work, “The Longest Summer,” from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 26 at the Dyer Library on Main Street in Saco.
Shannon, who is a Saco resident and morning host on radio station WPOR’s popular morning program, explained to Dyer Library Trustee and Deputy Mayor Jodi MacPhail, “I was inspired to write The Longest Summer on a cold winter evening, ironically.” He continued, “My love for my wife and the city of Saco are plainly evident in the story. Anyone familiar with Saco will immediately recognize familiar settings described in the book including Camp Ellis, Rapid Ray’s, The Saco Scoop, The Way Way Store and more.”
From a description on Amazon: “The Longest Summer” takes readers on an emotional and suspenseful journey alongside Max, a man who awakens to a chilling reality where everyone has mysteriously vanished overnight. In this haunting world, Max is determined to find his missing wife, Hannah, and unravel the enigma of humanity’s sudden disappearance.”
According to Shannon “Biddeford and Old Orchard Beach locales are included, as well and I’ve been told the book almost acts as a travel guide to encourage tourism!”
The signing will be held in the Deering Room of the library and will also include readings from select parts of the book and a chance to have copies autographed by the author.
Seating is limited and the signing is first come first serve. Handicapped accessibility is available and all are welcome. Dyer Library is located at 371 Main St. in Saco. The event is free and copies of the book will be made available for sale and can be purchased in advance on Amazon.
Age Friendly Saco holds wellness fair Nov. 4
Age Friendly Saco will hold the Annual Volunteer and Wellness Fair on Saturday, Nov. 4 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This year the fair will be held at Thornton Academy in Saco. This is a free event, but pre-registration is required. To register call: (207) 710-5029 or sign up at agefriendlysaco.org.
The day will start out with coffee and donuts and registrants will be able to choose to attend two of the three seminars which include:
• City Planner Emily Cole Prescott will provide information about LD 2003 as well as Saco’s ADU ordinance ( accessory dwelling units). In addition, Chris Lee from Backyard ADUs , https://backyardadus.com/ will be present to discuss various ADU models and answer any questions you might have about building an ADU . He will also be at our vendor fair.
• Dr. Susan Wehry, a board-certified geriatric psychiatrist from the University of New England about “The Aging Brain” and ways you can stay healthy, reduce risk and live well with dementia. Dr. Wehry will also overview “dementia worry” a unique health anxiety one might have about getting dementia. She will also be present for our vendor fair.
• Senator Donna Bailey, has a civil practice in Saco which includes real estate law, family law, and probate law will present a talk on “Why Do I need a Will” and other legal documents.
After the seminars, a luncheon will be served in the TA Cafeteria followed by a Vendor Fair. Some of the vendors that will be present include Northern Light Healthcare who will be providing a Vaccine Clinic; Saco Cycles will be in attendance with the “CHAT” a 2-person adaptive bike that a new volunteer program has been utilizing to provide bicycle rides again to residents in Saco residing in some of our congregate living facilities; Dick Hilton, Age Friendly Saco’s resident Medicare expert will be present to answer any question about Medicare and prescription drug plans; also present will be The Saco Meals Program, The Balance Center and many many more vendors.
There will be door prizes; people must be present to win.
Dinner, conference takes place at Ferry Beach
Ferry Beach Retreat and Conference Center will host Kathleen Pigeon, one of the founders of Lucky Pigeon Brewing Co., a local small business in Biddeford who will speak at the October Community Dinner. Pigeon will speak about the brewing process in addition to the process of starting to operating a small business. Beer offerings from Lucky Pigeon Brewing will be available during dinner.
The menu for the evening includes a wide variety of options from appetizers of braised bratwurst & sauerkraut sliders, soft pretzels with a hefeweizen-Gouda dip, Ferry Beach pickled vegetable tray, followed with entrees of beef sauerbraten, butternut squash cabbage rolls, chicken schnitzel & apple mustard sauce, Bavarian potato salad, braised red cabbage with caraway seed, egg noodles and of course desserts like german chocolate cupcakes and Bavarian creme with fresh berries.
Join Ferry Beach Retreat and Conference Center on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $20 per person, children under 8 eat for free with the purchase of a ticket. Tickets can now be purchased on the website at http://fbch.me/dinner.
Biddeford to host START Summit
BIDDEFORD — The Roux Institute at Northeastern University in collaboration with key partners in Southern Maine will hold Workforce Innovation START Summit set to take place on Oct. 20 and 21 in Biddeford. This event invites participants to work collaboratively to address Maine’s most pressing workforce challenges. Planning partners include the Maine Department of Labor, Biddeford and Saco Chamber of Commerce, Think Tank, Heart of Biddeford, University of New England’s College of Business, the City of Biddeford, and the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology,
Anna Ackerman, Entrepreneurship program manager at the Roux Institute said, “The Workforce Innovation Start Summit aims to promote the development of revolutionary solutions to workforce challenges facing both employers and employees across the state. This happens by developing diverse teams, providing them with mentorship and support, and incentivizing them with the chance for their team to win a $2,000 or $1,000 cash prize for their idea.”
The 1.5-day event is free and open to people of all backgrounds, including employers and employees, students and retirees. The START Summit kicks off Friday evening, Oct. 20 at Think Tank in Biddeford, welcoming participants and framing the hackathon theme of “How might we develop a new solution to a workforce challenge in a way that benefits both employers and employees?” Saturday’s daytime event will take place on the Biddeford campus of the University of New England, with workshops on Design Thinking and Pitching 101. Participants will then apply these skills in newly formed teams to develop an innovative solution and pitch it hours later to a panel of judges for the chance to win a cash prize.
Registration for the Workforce Innovation Start Summit is required but open to the public at no cost; it is sponsored by the Maine Technology Institute, Think Tank Biddeford, Heart of Biddeford, and the University of New England’s College of Business.
To find out more details and secure a spot, visit https://rouxevents.northeastern.edu/workforce-innovation-startsummit
Biddeford AMVETS makes donation to Seeds of Hope
Biddeford’s Seeds of Hope receives a $650 donation as a result of AMVETS Post 1 September breakfast. Pictured from left are: Jim Thibodeau, Post 1 Finance Officer; Vassie Fowler, Seeds of Hope executive director; Lionel Lamontagne, Post 1 second vice commander; and Gene Foster, Post 1 adjutant. Courtesy photo
Biddeford’s Seeds of Hope receives a $650 donation as a result of AMVETS Post 1 September breakfast. Pictured from left are: Jim Thibodeau, Post 1 Finance Officer; Vassie Fowler, Seeds of Hope executive director; Lionel Lamontagne, Post 1 second vice commander; and Gene Foster, Post 1 adjutant. Courtesy photo
Biddeford AMVETS Post 1 recently made a $650 donation to Seeds of Hope. The money was raised from through the AMVETS monthly breakfast.
Seeds of hope began 15 years ago as part of Christ Episcopal Church. When the church closed, Seeds of Hope remained – and flourished. They serve on average 100 “neighbors” each day. That’s double the number from last year.
Their free services include meals, educational programing, clothing, personal hygiene items, and an over-night warming center when winter temperatures become dangerous for the homeless. In York County, Seeds of Hope operates the only seven-night a week warming center from Dec. 1 through mid-March. On heat advisory days, Seeds of Hope is open as a cooling center.
Seeds of Hope also offers a staffed support center, where individuals have access to computers, internet, employment, and housing applications as well as other resources. Partnering with Seeds of Hope are Southern Maine Health Care, York County Community Action, Biddeford Police Department, and many others.
Seeds of Hope Executive Director Vassie Fowler said, “Our efforts include helping ‘neighbors’ (what they call the people they serve), with finding meaningful solutions to poverty, isolation and despair, while promoting independence and personal growth.”
Seeds of Hope currently has 33 volunteers who provide necessary services. They rotate their time so four or five of them are there at any given time. Last year, volunteers accounted for over 6,000 hours of donated time and served over 10,000 meals. Fowler said, “Fifteen years ago it all started with one meal.”
To provide servies, donations are needed, Fowler said. “We always need donations: white cotton socks, backpacks, men’s boxers, sweatshirts, long johns and gift cards to name a few.”
AMVETS Post 1 Finance Officer Thibodeau said, “We do one breakfast a month and donate the proceeds to a local organization. We put Seeds of Hope on our rotating list this year. The next breakfast is October 29th and will benefit the Biddeford Boy Scouts.”
240 Strings, Holy Trinity join forces
240 Strings presents a free community concert on Nov. 4 at 3 p.m. at The Parish Hall of Holy Trinity Church, 133 Pleasant St., in Portland. The Portland Piano Trio will play music by Kirchner, Higdon, and Mazzoli, and 240 Strings students will take part in the program. This is the first of many concerts and events to take place at Holy Trinity.
One member of Holy Trinity, pianist Anastasia Antonacos, is a founding member of the Portland Piano Trio and 240 Strings. So the collaboration is a natural one. “We’re looking forward to turning this functional space into an accessible and comfortable concert venue!” Antonacos saod. “We at 240 Strings believe that everyone should have access to music, and people of faith want to welcome in those from all walks of life.”
The Portland Piano Trio, recognized as “among the city’s must-hear groups” by critic Allan Kozinn, has played public performances and house concerts throughout New England. Musicians Tracey Jasas-Hardel (violin), Jing Li (cello), and Anastasia Antonacos (piano) are committed to bringing “energy, understanding, technique, insight, great beauty, humor, impressive ensemble, and shared musical values” to the music they play. Their varied programs feature traditional repertoire alongside newer works.
The Portland Piano Trio is the resident ensemble of 240 Strings, which builds community among Portland, Maine youth through subsidized music lessons and affordable chamber music concerts.
S&B Financial Services grows with addition of Financial Advisor John Mueller
SACO — John Mueller has been hired by S&B Financial Services. With nearly 20 years of experience in financial planning, he joins the team as a Financial Advisor, Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®) and Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®).
Mueller earned his Bachelor’s Degree in International Politics from Boston College. He is state insurance licensed and currently holds his Series 6, 7, 63 and 65 securities registrations. Mueller has been dedicated to the financial service industry since 2005.
In this new role, Mueller will play a crucial role in helping clients achieve their financial goals. Additionally, he will collaborate with his team members to develop customized plans tailored to each client’s unique needs.
Mueller has worked for several of the world’s top asset managers in various roles. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Retirement Investing at Nuveen (a TIAA company) assisting employers in 401k plan design and helping individuals plan their saving and spending in retirement.
Born and raised in Maine, Mueller and his family have returned home from Boston, Massachusetts. He and his wife, Nicole, currently reside in Falmouth with their three children: Wyatt, Hugh and Grace. In his free time, Mueller enjoys cooking, camping and discovering the path less traveled.
Southern Maine Agency on Aging CEO named to Mainebiz 40 Under 40 list
Southern Maine Agency on Aging (SMAA) CEO Megan Walton has been recognized by Mainebiz on its 2023 Next Up: 40 Under 40 list. Recognizing rising leaders throughout the state, the list celebrates individuals from diverse industries and backgrounds who are changing Maine.
As CEO of the Southern Maine Agency on Aging since 2019, Walton has made a measurable impact on not only the organization but also within the industry serving older adults in Maine.
Dan Knox, Director of Program Impact and Evaluation at Southern Maine Agency on Aging, describes Walton as a “Data-informed” leader: “This might be a phrase thrown around a lot by leaders, but Megan truly puts this ideal into practice. She has pushed for increased Agency accountability with respect to strategic outcomes and metrics, disaggregated demographic data collection, and data review as a regular part of leadership meetings. She has encouraged the Agency to look not only at internal data, but also broader population health indicators around social determinants of health, and to factor this into our strategic planning as well. This data review is always in service to enriching the lives of older adults.”
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
