Fall Trail Fest

registration open

Registration for the fourth annual Arundel Conservation Trust Fall Trail Fest is open. The event features  a 5K, 10K, and half marathon trail run or walk and is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 21.

The half marathon race starts at 9 a.m., the10K at 10 a.m. and the 5K at 10:30 a.m. The courses are set on the the trust’s multi-purpose trail and Eastern Trail and features woodland and stream views.

​Runners will start at the Arundel Municipal Building parking lot at 257 Limerick Road. All races return and finish at the Arundel Municipal Building parking lot. Winners in each age group will be awarded a prize. Prizes range from fresh Maine lobsters to local honey.

To register, visit www.arundeltrust.org. Each participant will receive a race day T-shirt. Arundel Conservation Trust said details for the after-race party will be announced soon.

The event is held in partnership with sister organization, Kennebunkport Conservation Trust,. Kennebunkport Conservation Trust’s trail fest is scheduled for Oct. 6.

​All proceeds from the Fall Trail Fest support local conservation efforts.

Parking is located at Mildred L Day School (600 Limerick Road) where a shuttle will run every 15-20 minutes, starting at 8 a.m. The last return shuttle will leave at 1:40 p.m.

The trust also announced that the Kids’ Flow Trail Fun Ride & Race will return. It will take place alongside the Fall Trail Fest on Saturday, Sept. 21. The event is open to children age 5-12. The Kids’ Fun Ride will kick off at 9:15 a.m. In addition to the timed ride on the top half of the Flow Trail, this year’s fun ride will offer an advanced option for any rider who would like to be timed going the full Flow Trail. Riders can sign up for both race options.

 

Seaglass Chorale

seeks singers

Seaglass Chorale announced that it will start rehearsals for its upcoming Winter Concert. The concert will mark the start of the chorale’s 31st season. This year, Seaglass Chorale will celebrate with two events: The group will join the St. Anthony Franciscan Friary for its Christmas Prelude Candlelight Concert the first weekend of December; and on Dec. 13 and 14, will perform Stella Natalis by Karl Jenkins.

Seaglass Chorale will rehearse 6 to 7 p.m. every Thursday beginning on Sept.19 at St. David’s Episcopal Church, Route 1 south in Kennebunk.

Founded in 1993 by Artistic Director Jean Strazdes, Seaglass Chorale is a non-auditioned adult choral group. The chorale represents about 20 southern Maine communities and regularly performs throughout the area, with concerts in Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Wells, Sanford, Saco, and other regional venues.

For more information, visit www.seaglasschorale.org.

 

Library to host session

on Eastern coyote

Chris Schadler, of Project Coyote, will discuss the Eastern coyote during a session at Kennebunk Free Library. The event is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, July 29.

According to a press release, an Eastern coyote is defined as much by its western coyote ancestry as by its DNA contribution from the Eastern wolf. The program will take a deep dive into the ecology and behavior of the creature, its indefatigability and how it is the human who must adapt to live with the coyote.

Schadler’s interest in wild canids began in the 1970s as a volunteer at the Wolf Park in Battleground, Indiana. The opportunity and others inspired an eventual master’s degree in conservation biology at Antioch University in Keene. Her thesis focused on the natural recovery of the Eastern timber wolf in Michigan. She lived in Michigan and Minnesota during the early-1980s where her research into the gray wolf continued and her speaking career began.

Schadler is the New Hampshire and Vermont representative for Project Coyote, a national organization promoting coexistence with coyotes. She co-founded the New Hampshire Wildlife Coalition, is a founding member of the North East Wolf Recovery Alliance and also chairs the Webster Conservation Commission.

The program is free and wheelchair accessible. For more information, call 207-985-2173 or email kfl@kennebunklibrary.org.

 

Graves Library schedules

Aug. 1 author events

Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library announced two upcoming author events to be held at the library located at 18 Maine St. in Kennebunkport.

On Thursday, Aug. 1 at 10:30 a.m., children’s author Ben Barrowman will share with young readers the latest story in the Parmesan Pig series. Attendees can look forward to an session where young readers will learn how to distinguish facts from opinions in enjoyable ways.

Also on Aug. 1, at 5:30 p.m., Maine author Matt

will launch his newest book at the library. Cost, an award-winning author of the Mainely Mystery series, will feature his latest release in the Brooklyn 8 Ballo PI series, “City Gone Askew.” Copies of the book will be available for sale and signing.

For more information, call 967-2778 or visit graveslibrary.org.

 

Wells Branch

golf fundraiser

The 24th annual Wells Branch Fire Association/Museum Benefit Open Golf Tournament is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 3,

The event will be held at Merriland Farm Par 3 Golf Course. The course is located at 533 Coles Hill Road in Wells.

No tee times are needed to participate for the event, that is scheduled for 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. The tournament features adult and children’s divisions, cash prizes and a raffle. Entry fees are $32/18 holes, $21/nine holes. The rain date is Sunday, Aug. 4.

Proceeds from the tournament support fire station projects and equipment, firefighters, the Community Hall and the fire museum.

For more information, call 207-646-0508.

 

Schmidt earns

UNH degree

Juila Schmidt, of Kennebunkport, graduated Summa Cum Laude in May with a bachelor of science degree in wildlife and conservation biology from the University of New Hampshire.

 

Audubon offers accessible

bird walk in Wells

York County Audubon’s final bird walk of its summer series, co-hosted with Wells Reserve, will be held Saturday, Aug. 3, in Wells Harbor at the Webhannet Marsh trail, an ADA accessible trail. For a description of the trail, visit www.mainetrailfinder.com/trails/trail/webhannet-marsh-trail.

The walk will start at 7:30 a.m. Beginners are welcome. Participants are asked to bring binoculars. The walks are free and open to the public. Space is limited and advance reservations are requested. To register, email suzanne@wellsnerr.org or call 207-646-1555, ext. 116.

 

Daniel Tiger to visit

Seashore Trolley Museum

Maine Public and Seashore Trolley Museum will welcome Daniel Tiger, from the PBS KIDS series Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, back for a visit at Seashore on Saturday and Sunday, July 27-28. The museum is open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Daniel Tiger will be visiting from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Patrons are invited to ride a trolley shuttle to Highwood Carhouse to meet Daniel and Seashore’s very own Biddeford & Saco trolley No. 31 to visit and take photos with Daniel and the trolley car. Other activities planned around the museum campus, include Maine Public Television’s activity tent and decorate-your-own Daniel Tiger sugar cookies. Guests can also visit the museum’s regular exhibits and displays, as well as take longer trolley rides on the 3.5-mile heritage railway.

Tickets are $15 per person; Seashore Trolley Museum members as well as children 2 and younger are free. The event is the museum’s largest fundraiser of the year and all proceeds support its mission and historic preservation efforts.

To purchase tickets in advance, visit at https://danieltiger.eventbrite.com.

Three food trucks, Crepe Elizabeth (Saturday) and Mobile Musette and Cheese The Day (Sunday), will be on campus during the event. For more information, contact Alissa at 207-967-2800, ext. 110 or email events@trolleymuseum.org.

 

Summer Band Blast 7

at Waterhouse Center

The Waterhouse Center, at 51 Main St. in Kennebunk, will rock once again on the afternoon of Aug. 25, when Summer Band Blast 7 kicks off at 5 p.m..

An afternoon of entertainment will be offered by local musicians including The Biddo Honeys, The Lisa, Jim & Byon Band, Dana Pearson, Gary Vail, Lincoln Continental, The Dock Squares, Gentlemen & Hooligans, Fugitive, and other special guests.

The free event runs from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The show is a benefit for Community Outreach Services. Concert-goers are asked to bring a nonperishable food item or cash donation to help those in need in the local community. Patrons are encouraged to grab a chair and some dancing shoes and enjoy the event.

For more information, call Faith at 207-502-2883.

 

Rotary Club to host

author Noah St. John

Noah St. John, a Kennebunk High School graduate and author, will return to his hometown to share his journey of success and innovation in a special Rotary presentation on Thursday, Aug. 1, followed by book signings at the South Portland Books-A-Million on Friday, Aug. 2, at 5 p.m., and the new South Portland Barnes and Noble on Saturday, Aug. 3, at noon.

St. John, a Rotary Scholar, National Merit Scholar, and author of 25 books, including the Amazon No. 1 bestsellers, “The Book of Afformations,” and “Millionaire Afformations,” will discuss the power of innovation and transformative thinking.

On Thursday, Aug. 1, from noon to 1:30 p.m., St. John will present at Kennebunk Rotary Club, where he will host a special question-and-answer session into his personal journey from a Kennebunk student to an author and speaker. His presentation, according to a news release is titled, Reflections of a Rotary Scholar, and aims to inspire and empower individuals to achieve exceptional personal and professional growth.

St. John lives in northeast Ohio with his wife, Babette. The events are open to the public.

 

Poetry returns to

Franciscan Monastery

Poetry in the Friary returns to St. Anthony Franciscan Monastery on Saturday, July 27.

The event, scheduled for 1 to 2:30 p.m., will feature Julia Bouwsma, sixth Maine Poet Laureate, 2021-2026; Mihku Paul, Native American poet; Jefferson Navicky, author, four books of poetry and winner of the 2022 Maine Literary Award for poetry; Sandra Regan, poet, MWA artist, and author; and Joao R. Victor, winner of 2019 Maine Poetry Out Loud.

The monastery is located at 28 Beach Ave. in Kennebunk. Admission is free with all donations benefitting the monastery. Refreshments will be available.

 

The Center

seeks nominations

The Center is seeking nominations for its 10th annual Model of Positive Living Award. The award is given to a community member who is 50 or older who makes a difference in the lives of others through kind gestures, volunteerism, and a can-do attitude.

In a press release, the Center wrote, “we are looking for individuals who live their lives with vitality and compassion for others. If you know someone who has demonstrated these inspiring traits, help us recognize their impact and influence.”

To nominate someone, contact the Center, 207-967-8514, or visit seniorcenterkennebunk.org to download the nomination form.

The deadline to nominate is Aug. 1, 2024. The award will be announced by the Center in September.

 

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 http://asnne.org/where-to-find-us.php.

Dates for upcoming Star Parties: Aug. 9 (rain date, Aug. 10).

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.

 

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.

 

Land trust announces
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:

• Aug. 3 – Hope Woods

• Sept. 7 – Wonderbrook Park

• Oct. 5 – Mousam River Wildlife Sanctuary

• Nov. 2 – Butler Preserve

• 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 159
meeting schedule

The monthly meeting of American Legion Post 159 in Kennebunkport is held on the first Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. All veterans and Sons of the American Legion are welcome to attend. Legion Post 159 is located at 102 Main St. (across from the police station) in Kennebunkport.

Future meeting dates are Aug. 1, Sept. 5, Oct. 3, Nov. 7 and Dec. 5.

For more information, call 967-2400.

 

Drive-through barbecue

at Legion Post 159

American Legion Post 159 will host a drive-through barbecue at 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 16. Legion Post 159 is located at 102 Main St. (across from the police station) in Kennebunkport.

The barbecue will run until the food runs out, say organizers. The menu includes pulled pork, smoked chicken, bratwurst, beans, coleslaw, potato salad, jalapeno cornbread and a brownie. Donations are welcomed.

For more information, call 207-967-2400.