Kennebunk High School senior Adora Olise received the 2023 Edmund Muskie Democracy in Action Award in the amount of $1,000. Olise is the fourth recipient of the award, given annually by the Democrats of the Kennebunks and Arundel to a high school student who best exemplifies the spirit of civic engagement by making a difference in their school and community through political and non-political actions.

Adora Olise Courtesy photo

Olise plans to attend the University of Maine in the fall, where she is interested in majoring in biology on the pre-med track with the goal of becoming an OBGYN.

According to a news release, Olise served as president of the Tri M Music Honors Society, an organization that hosted fundraisers, including performances, to raise money to ensure that Kennebunk High School students who wanted to participate in music activities could do so despite economic disparities. Since middle school, Olise has been a member of the Civil Rights Team. As a junior, she worked with the team to raise $9,000 that was used to purchase and distribute “Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You” by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi to all KHS students with books remaining to provide to the community.

She was a leader in discussion groups both with students and community that expanded, as she wrote in her application, “into having a serious conversation about race in a predominantly white area during a very intense social climate around the United States.”

During the summer of her junior year, Olise and her twin sister were chosen to represent KHS in the American Legion Boys and Girls State Program. Olise campaigned for governor and won which enabled her to meet with Gov. Janet Mills and to be the group’s first choice to participate in Girls Nation in Washington, D.C. This Girls Nation experience included an opportunity for her to speak with Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King.

As a senior, Olise was chosen by the YMCA as the only Maine Youth Advocate in the National Youth Advocacy Program where she worked with eighty other students nationwide on making action plans for the YMCA and local members of Congress about how to help youth post-pandemic. Olise wrote: “The action plan delved into policymaker support for expansion of civic education, healthy living, mental health resources, hunger relief, and childcare for working parents. I worked with Rep. Chellie Pingree and met again with Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King for this project.”

Democrats of the Kennebunks and Arundel Scholarship Committee chair Linda DeFelice said that Olise’s application best demonstrated the spirit of civic engagement. “The scale of her projects and her varied leadership experience are inspiring,” said DeFelice.

For more information, visit www.kennebunkdems.org.

Graves Library schedules summer reading kick-off

The Graves Library Children’s Department announced this year’s theme for summer reading, All Together Now, focused on kindness, community, and being back together. The special kick-off event will feature a firetruck, doughnuts, lemonade, lawn games, and a showcase of new books Saturday, June 17 at 9:30 a.m.

Participants can pick up summer reading packets that will include Graves Library book bags, summer reading buttons, stickers, crafts, and more. Supplies are limited. Participants can expect a special visit from Pete the Cat and
others.

Join the library again on Wednesday, June 21, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. for Kindness Rocks. As part of the All Together Now summer reading program, the group will paint rocks and write positive messages for folks to find around town.  The activities are suitable for all talent levels. Materials are provided and preregistration is required.

Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library, 18 Maine St., Kennebunkport. For more information, call 967-2778 or visit www.graveslibrary.org.

Museum seeks contributions to ‘Pride in Our Stories’ garland

The Brick Store Museum invites community members to add their contributions to a community-created garland recognizing and celebrating the stories of the LGBTQ+ community. Add a name, a drawing, a note or a memory (for those that are comfortable) on a ribbon that represents a love one who identifies as part of the LGBTQ+ community. A ribbon garland will be created that hangs outside the Brick Store Museum during the month of June.

The Brick Store Museum invites community members to add their contributions to a community-created garland recognizing and celebrating the stories of the LGBTQ+ community. Courtesy photo/Brick Store Museum

Participants can write a note, draw a picture, or write a name (for themselves, a loved one, or in honor of an iconic champion) who may identify as LGBTQ+ or an LGBTQ+ Ally (the activity also acknowledging that names are not necessary nor meant to “out” someone who may not wish to be named) on a colored ribbon, which will then be tied onto a garland. The activity will culminate with the museum planning on re-flying the garland every June.

According to a May 6 news release, “The museum plans on hosting this activity in its upstairs history exhibit reminding all of us that every story matters but to also elevate the importance of recording our stories so that they become remembered. The museum is proud to cultivate this Pride activity as part of its Diversity, Equity, Access and Inclusion mission. The museum views itself as a connector that brings people together to foster reflection, sharing, listening, learning and growing. The ribbon-making station will be open at the museum throughout the month of June.”

For more information, visit https://brickstoremuseum.org/pride-in-our-stories-project/.

Stuffed animal adoption at Kennebunk Free Library

On Wednesday, June 28, from 2 to 4 p.m., Kennebunk Free Library will be an adoption center for stuffed animals that are looking for forever homes. Drop in during adoption hours to pick out a stuffie to keep.

Participants will also receive an adoption certificate to take home. The Animal Welfare Society will be on hand to talk about their organization. While at the library, participants are encouraged to sign up for this year’s summer reading program.

The program will be held outside of the Children’s Room. In the event of rain, the program will be inside the Children’s Room. The event is free and wheelchair accessible. Kennebunk Free Library is located at 112 Main St., Kennebunk.

For more information, call 985-2173. The Stuffed Animal Adoption is part of All Together Now summer reading program. For more information about summer programs, visit www.kennebunklibrary.org.

Twirlers announce scholarship recipient

This year’s Nancy M. Falcone scholarship has been awarded to Sam Marquis in the amount of $1,200. Marquis will be attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Courtesy image

Since 2006, the scholarship has been awarded to Kennebunk High School seniors who have been active members for three academic years in band and/or majorettes (baton twirling).

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Kennebunk Twirlers annual show. It is also the 30th year of coaching for Sue Plass. This year, the twirlers will perform a twirling rendition of “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Little Mermaid” along with their other routines.

The show will feature basket raffles and the many door prizes, including free batons. A $5 donation at the door is appreciated per person. The show has been moved to the Kennebunk High School auditorium. Attendees are invited to bring a stadium seat or call Sue at 207-423-3019 to reserve a chair.

Library plans ‘Groovy 60s’ summer reading party

This year’s summer reading theme is All Together Now at Kennebunk Free Library. On June 26 from 5-7 p.m., the library will host a Groovy 60s Party. Participants are encouraged to dress in a 1960s-era costume. The party will include a DJ, crafts for all ages, games, a photo booth, and treats.

Graduating seniors from Kennebunk High School, Grace Bergeon and Renee Bergeon, received a Kennebunk PEO Chapter Grant of $1,000 apiece. Grace will attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute, majoring in computer science and Renee will attend George Washington University, majoring in international affairs. According to a PEO news release, the sisters, identical twins, had outstanding credentials academically, in community service, and in leadership. PEO is a philanthropic educational organization created in the 1870s for the purpose of encouraging young women to further their education beyond high school. Courtesy photo

All ages are welcome to participate in the summer reading program and keep track of how many hours they’ve read using a paper log and earn raffle tickets for local business gift cards. All ages will be eligible to enter a raffle in their age group. The summer reading program will run from June 26 to Aug. 19. Programs offered include:

Adults

· Shank Painters pirate band

· Carey Kish, author of Beer Hiking New England

· Craft programs for adults

Teens (ages 10 and older)

· Teen Tie Dye Party

· Dungeons and Dragons

· Anime Club

· Mario Kart Tournament

Children

· Stuffed Animal Adoption

· Special guests Mad Science of Maine and Children’s Museum of New Hampshire

· 31st Annual Pet Parade and Show

· Messy Art

All ages

· Groovy 60s Summer Reading Kickoff Party

· Ice Cream Social Finale Party

For more information, call 985-2173.

Intelligence officers schedule next meeting

The next meeting of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers will be held at Kennebunk High School’s Economos Lecture Hall at 88 Fletcher St. in Kennebunk on Saturday, June 17, at 2 p.m. The speaker, Dr. Seth Jones, a Bowdoin graduate, is a defense expert with a background in strategic and international studies with special emphasis on national security.

Jones will address the war in the Ukraine and the importance of technology and innovation (cyberspace, robotics, artificial intelligence, and open source intelligence) that has become crucial. The private sector has been leading the way in this part of future warfare and in competition with China. Space X, Microsoft and others have led much of this technological innovation in the largest war in Europe since World War II.

The meeting is open to the public and a question-and-answer period will follow the presentation.

Legion Post schedules drive-through barbecue

American Legion Post 159 in Kennebunkport will host a free drive-through barbecue on June 16. The barbecue is scheduled for 5 p.m and runs until the food runs out.

American Legion Post 159 is located on Route 9 (across from the police station) in Kennebunkport. The menu features pulled pork, smoked chicken, brats, baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw, jalapeno corn bread and brownies. Donations are welcomed. For more information, call 207-967-2400.

Crafters sought for Apple Festival

York County Shelter Programs is looking for crafters for the Shaker Hill Apple Festival, which will be held on the York County Shelter Programs campus in Alfred from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 24.

The juried craft fair is a mainstay of the festival, which also features music, family activities such as hay rides, food and more. The Shaker Museum will also offer events.

Those interested should contact Bonnie Leslie at bleslie@ycspi.org or 207-324-1137, ext. 109.

Franco-American musicians to perform in West Kennebunk

National Heritage Fellows Don and Cindy Roy will perform in the Concerts in West K! series at West Kennebunk United Methodist Church on Sunday, June 18, at 3 p.m. Partners in life and music for nearly 40 years, Don and Cindy Roy are exponents of Franco-American traditional music in Maine. In 2018 they were named National Heritage Fellows by the National Endowment for the Arts, the highest accolade that the U.S. bestows on practitioners of traditional arts.

Residents of Gorham, both Don and Cindy are descendants of French families that emigrated from Canada – Don’s grandparents from Quebec, Cindy’s from Prince Edward Island. Don’s fiddling and Cindy’s piano accompaniment, plus her step-dancing, have entertained audiences across the country.

The concert is part of the re-boot of the Concerts in West K! series following a pandemic-related suspension. It will take place Sunday, June 18, from 3 to 5 p.m. at West Kennebunk United Methodist Church, 160 Alfred Road. Admission at the door is $20 with open seating. Masking recommended. For more information, contact Paul Wells 207-985-2831.