Arundel nomination papers are available at the town office. Nomination papers for the upcoming June 8 municipal election will be available at the town 0ffice beginning Monday, March 1, for the following positions:

Selectman – two positions for a three-year term;

RSU 21 director – one position for a three-year term;

Budget board – two positions for three-year terms;

Budget board- two positions for two-year terms;

Budget board- two positions for one-year terms.

To qualify for a municipal office, a person must be a resident of Arundel, 18 years of age or older and registered to vote in Arundel. A minimum of 25 signatures of registered Arundel voters must be submitted prior to the close of business on April 9, 2021, in order for a candidate’s name to be placed on the June ballot.

For more information, call 985-4201 or stop by the town office at 468 Limerick Road.

BlixxHorses offers vacation week visits

BlixxHorses will welcome kids, couples and families (maximum four people) for Valentine’s Day visits during school vacation week, Saturday, Feb. 13 through Sunday, Feb. 21. As a special treat for those who have participated in programs or visits over the years, know the horses and are familiar with the gentle and interactive training techniques, BlixxHorses invites participants to enjoy private time, alone with the horses.

BlixxHorses will offer kids, couples and families (maximum four people) Valentine’s Day visits during school vacation week, Saturday, Feb. 13 through Sunday, Feb. 21. BlixxHorses photo

Being in the company of horses, especially during the stress of the pandemic can provide a way to lower stress, laugh, have fun or enjoy a quiet, reflective time. Animals are great therapy and horse’s prey energy is calming. See for what good care looks like – the horses, their behavior and their space.

Visits are limited to one morning and on afternoon. Visitors must call to reserve a time. CDC guidelines will be followed, masks worn in the barn with hand washing and sanitizer available.

For more information and fees, visit www.blixxhorses.org. Donations will go toward care of the horses. As a nonprofit, the primary goal is for visitors to benefit, learn and enjoy. Donations are appreciated, but not required. For directions, call 985-1994 or contact via email link on website. BlixxHorses of West Kennebunk is a 501(c)(3) educational organization and has provided interactive, therapeutic non-riding programs since 2007.

Apex Youth Connection announces board members

Apex Youth Connection, a local organization with 20 years of history that is reinventing itself around youth mentorship, has announced its board of directors for 2021.
Apex board officers include chair Brian Chin, partner and director at p3; vice-chair Craig Cunningham, owner of Maine Manufacturing; Kristen Lane of Kristen H. Lane, CPA in Saco, who serves as board treasurer; and Anne-Marie Davee, assistant clinical professor at the University of New England, board secretary.

Additional board members include Amy Grohman of Biddeford, Donna Buttarazzi of Arundel, and Carrie Hutchings of Saco. Apex’s youth representative on the board is Sreylen Thor, a sophomore at Biddeford High School.

“We are so honored and fortunate to have the support and expertise of this incredible group of people,” said Executive Director Melissa Cilley in a written statement. “As Apex grows and evolves, we benefit tremendously from the diverse opinions and experiences of our board members, including our youth representative. Our board is our front line related to strategy, resource development, and mentoring for our youth. We cannot thank them enough.”

Transitioning off the board after seven years each are Doug Dolan, who remains a volunteer and member of the Facilities Committee, and Ben Tettlebaum, who continues to serve as legal advisor.

According to a press release, “Apex gets Biddeford-Saco area youth “out there” into the community, the great outdoors, and toward a fulfilling future. As it has since 2001, Apex Youth Connection continues to guide youth grades 5-12 through various mentorship programs as they aspire toward achievement, persist through challenges, and explore the world around them. With programs encompassing outdoor adventure and exploration, leadership and empowerment, and job readiness, Apex works to bring out the best in every youth by actively and intentionally engaging them with and in their communities. Apex programs are free to participants.”

Apex encourages interested community members with all types of life and professional experiences to join the board. For more information about Apex Youth Connection, visit www.apexyouthconnection.org.

Libraries team up to host middle school book group

The Middle School of the Kennebunks Book Group is returning. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 17 with a Zoom meeting. Meetings are 2:15 to 3:30 p.m. and open to teens in the sixth to eighth grade.

The book club is being hosted by Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library and Kennebunk Free Library. Hosts will be Terri Bauld from Graves Library and Jon Roy from Kennebunk Free Library. This month the group will read “Look Both Ways” by Jason Reynolds. Participants can stop by either library to pick up a copy of the book.

Please sign up in advance by calling either the Graves Library, 967-2778, or Kennebunk Free Library, 985-2173. Participants are asked to read the book in advance of the meeting. For more information, call either library.

Teens take-home kits for February

Every week, kits will be available to be picked either on library in-person days or via curbside pickup. Each kit will include the supplies and instructions necessary to complete the weekly project, either a craft or a science experiment. Every Monday, participants will meet via Zoom to chat and complete the previous week’s project. To join the meeting at 3 p.m., visit https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/86356573384 or see the library calendar for the Zoom link.

All teens, ages 10 and older, are welcome.  The event is free and wheelchair accessible. Kennebunk Free Library is located at 112 Main St., Kennebunk. For more information and to register, call 985-2173 or visit the www.KennebunkLibrary.org.

Friday afternoon gaming at library

Teen Gaming is scheduled for every Friday at 3 p.m. at Kennebunk Free Library. Participants will play Jackbox. It’s a multiplayer game that can be played from a distance. All participants need is a device with internet access. Before the game begins, participants will be given a code to log in and play along. The group also occasionally dabbles in Minecraft.

The group will meet via Zoom at 3 p.m. to chat while gaming. For the link, visit https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/88980582413 or check Kennebunk Free Library’s online calendar for the Zoom link. Open to all teens ages 10 and older.

For more information and to register, call 985-2173 or visit www.KennebunkLibrary.org.

Crocker on Coastal Carolina dean’s list

More than 2,300 undergraduate students at Coastal Carolina University were named to the dean’s list for the fall 2020 semester, including Brianna Crocker an early childhood education major from Kennebunk.

Coastal Carolina University is located in Conway, South Carolina.

Legacy Properties retains No. 1 spot

Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty, with offices in Portland, Kennebunk, Brunswick, Damariscotta, and Camden, announced last week that it again retained the No. 1 ranking for luxury property sales in Maine. The company reported results based on its ongoing success selling residential homes priced over $1 million.

According to Maine Listings’ statistics, Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty closed 183 transaction sides over $1 million in 2020 which is a nearly 54 percent increase from its own 2019 record. Dollar sales volume also expanded by more than 95 percent to $351 million in luxury sales compared to $180 million the previous year. The statistics also show that the company held a very substantial lead over the No. 2 agency in the market segment. With luxury sales performance exceeding that of its next closest competitor by more than double in dollar terms, the company continues to extend its leadership role in both listing and selling the highest value homes in Maine.

“We have been investing heavily in innovative products and global advertising that were critical to cementing purchase decisions when buyers and sellers did not have the flexibility to travel<‘ said Chris Lynch, president, in a press release. “This high-value segment of the market really requires the global access, luxury branding, and white-glove service we provide. There were lots of new buyers looking at Maine real estate this year and we were well-positioned to help them.”

Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty also reported that it ranks as the top real estate company in Maine for all property sales above $450,000.

“We are very fortunate to have so many top-performing agents who have built their businesses around a high-touch approach, exceptional personal service, and professional sales results,” Lynch said. “We have been able to offer our exceptional service and advertising model across more price points and new markets. The size of our company allows us to be focused on our efforts while providing the service our clients expect. We believe that all of our clients’ homes deserve the kind of custom attention we provide.”

Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty attributes its success to offering its clients a package of marketing services including professional photography, Matterport 3D Virtual Tours, glossy print advertising, global property distribution through its network of professional agents, and luxury branding through its affiliation with Sotheby’s International Realty.

“Despite the very low availability of homes for sale, we managed to achieve a record number of transaction sides,” Lynch said. “Closing 1,034 sides as a company in 2020 is a direct reflection of the focus, diligence, and professionalism of our talented agents. They were able to find the gems for their clients and get the properties closed, which should not be taken for granted in 2020.”

Museum hosts Valentine’s play and dinner

To celebrate its Year of Stories, the Brick Store Museum announced a program and dinner (take-out) for Valentine’s Day Weekend.

“Dear Sarah,” a play that uses the romantic letters written by Capt. Charles Barry to his wife, Sarah, between 1846 and 1850, will premiere virtually on Saturday, Feb. 13. Tickets to view the two-person play are $5, and ticketholders will receive a video link via email. To add to the experience, participants can also add a romantic Valentine’s Dinner – as take-out – or various Valentine packages available at the Museum that weekend. Tickets and packages can be reserved on brickstoremuseum.org/calendar.

The Brick Store Museum will host “Dear Sarah,” a play that uses the romantic letters written by Capt. Charles Barry to his wife, Sarah, between 1846 and 1850. It will premiere virtually on Saturday, Feb. 13. Tickets to view the two-person play are $5, and ticketholders will receive a video link via email. To add to the experience, participants can also add a Valentine’s dinner. Tickets and packages can be reserved on brickstoremuseum.org/calendar. Brick Store Museum image

The play uses archival letters written between 1846 and 1850 by Charles and Sarah Barry, a married couple in Kennebunk. As a ship captain, Charles was often away at sea, and wrote letters back to his wife at home.

Along with the play, streamed to ticketholders via an online platform, participants also have the option to sign up for a take-out catered Valentine’s meal; and/or a package treat. Take-out catered dinners include a choice of: Beef Wellington, butternut squash ravioli, or chicken Marsala. Dinners must be reserved by Feb. 10; and are $30 for members/$35 for non-members.

Additionally, participants can purchase play tickets only for $5 per person; or add a Valentine’s gift package (including flowers, chocolates, a book, and more) for an additional cost. All proceeds support the museum’s 2021 Annual Fund. All tickets can be purchased using the Museum’s website at www.brickstoremuseum.org.

A recent calm, clear morning at the Kennebunk River jetty. The National Weather Service has forecast a 30 percent chance of snow Saturday night with a low around 10. On Sunday, there’s a 50 percent chance of snow with a high near 25 lows dipping into the single digits. Dan King photo