Saco to host 53rd
Annual Arts Festival

Saco Main Street will host the 53rd Annual Arts Festival, set to take place in the heart of the city’s historic downtown on June 22 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Arts Festival features an array of local and regional artists showcasing their talents. The festival includes: artisan booths, live performances, interactive art, food, and family activities.

“The Arts Festival is a cornerstone of our community, celebrating the creativity and spirit of Saco,” said Saco Main Street Executive Director Angie Presby. “We invite everyone to join us for a day filled with art, music, food, and family fun in our beautiful downtown. A special announcement will take place at 1 p.m., so be sure to join us!”

To accommodate the festival, Main Street will be closed to traffic from Thornton Avenue to Pepperell Square and Water Street. Main Street closes at 7:30 a.m., and will reopen by 4 p.m.

‘Exemplary student’ honored
at middle school graduation

Julia Morgenbesser received the Carl J. Stasio award at the Thornton Academy Middle School graduation ceremony last Tuesday.

The award, named in honor of Thornton Academy’s retired headmaster of 26 years, recognizes a student who exhibits a strong academic drive, participates in activities that extend beyond the classroom, and exemplifies the school’s pillars of Respect, Responsibility, Compassion, and Investment.

“Julia is an exceptionally dedicated, hard-working, student who brings her best every day to the classroom, extracurricular activities, as well as to interactions with other students,” said Principal Tiffany Robert. “She is an exemplary student and role model. I’m excited about what the future holds for her.”

Biddeford Mills Museum
relocates, reopens July 5

The Biddeford Mills Museum is relocating – just one floor up – in North Dam Building #18 on the Pepperell Campus. For this process, the museum door will be closed from June 16 through July 4. The new location will offer an even better view into the history of the Biddeford Mills. The museum doors reopen at 2 Main St., Building #18, Suite 230 at noon on Friday, July 5.

The Mill Tours will continue as scheduled throughout this time. Book a tour at the website, biddefordmillsmuseum.org. Tours take place on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday at 10 a.m.. The tours meet in the Pepperell Center, at 40 Main St.

Nominations sought for
Biddeford Hall of Fame

The Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center is seeking nominations for the 2024 Biddeford Hall of Fame, now in its seventh year. This annual BCHC program recognizes and celebrates citizens of Biddeford or others who have contributed to the history, heritage, and culture of the city or the world at large in a significant way. Honorees will be inducted at a ceremony which will be held in October.

“It’s great to be able to share some of the stories, the people and events that make Biddeford what it is today,” said Diane Cyr, BCHC board president. “It’s important to remember where we came from and how far we can go. BCHC is proud to host this event. Susan Deschambault, chair of the committee, is leading the effort. There will be some changes this year that will make this an even more special celebration for everyone involved.”

Nominations should be sent in on the official nomination forms available on the BCHC website. Official nomination forms are also available at the McArthur Library. Deadline for submissions is Aug. 1.

Along with this year’s nominations, most nominations that were submitted but not selected in past years, will also be considered. The Hall of Fame Selection Committee will take into consideration the significance of a nominee’s ethnic and cultural background as well as their other contributions. People may nominate themselves.

Committee Chair Susan Deschambault said, “The history of Biddeford is rich with stories of people who made contributions to our community. The current growth is evidence of the spirit we share with our past. The BCHC Hall of Fame recognizes and honors the benefactors, workers, religious, artists, athletes, musicians, educators, volunteers, philanthropists and business leaders in the community. We must preserve our past and strive to inspire our future.”

The inductees are featured prominently in a display at the Biddeford City Hall, which is open to the public for viewing during business hours. They are also featured on banners hung from the street lights on Main Street in Biddeford for a period of time.

To nominate someone for the Biddeford Hall of Fame, submit no more than two pages of text along with the nomination form to: BCHC, c/o Diane Cyr, PO Box 896, Biddeford, ME 04005-0896 or email documents to bchc04005@gmail.com. Documents may also be submitted via the website at BiddefordCulturalandHeritageCenter.org or submitted to any BCHC Board member or HOF Committee member. For more information, contact BCHC President Diane Cyr at 207-283-3993.

Dayton town treasurer
receives certification

Catherine Fisher, treasurer of the Town of Dayton, has successfully completed training and seminars to achieve the distinction receiving Certification as Treasurer with the Maine Municipal Tax Collectors’ and Treasurers’ Association.

Saint James School auction
benefits technology

Saint James School recently hosted the 2024 Live and Silent Auction April 27 at the Dunegrass Country Club in Old Orchard Beach, which raised more than $26,000 for Catholic education and technology, thanks to the generosity of families, alumni, parishioners, community members, and local businesses.

Though traditionally held every two years, this was the first auction hosted by the local school in four years, the first live event in person in six years, due to delays caused by the COVID pandemic.

“Kids are here because they want to be here; it’s a recipe for success, Saint James principal Nancy Naimey said. “The people are the secret sauce, because they’re the heart of the school. The kids, the parents, the teachers, the whole gamut.”

“In a Catholic school,” she said, “you’re teaching the whole child, about emotions, faith, academics. You teach them to help others. The staff are devoted to the kids here. They give themselves one hundred percent all the time.”

Saint James School’s history spans more than 140 years, and is fully licensed through the State of Maine and fully accredited through New England Association of School and Colleges (NEASC).

“We’re able to teach faith-centered, love-centered things here,” said first grade teacher Anna Gervais.

The school, located in Biddeford, provides Catholic education for students age Pre-K through Grade 8, following the ‘S.A.F.E.’ model of service, academics, faith, and excellence.

For more information, or for those considering Catholic education for their child, contact Saint James School at (207)282-4084 or visit sjsbiddeford.org.

AMVETS scholarship
awarded to BHS graduate

Biddeford AMVETS Post 1 selected Kylie Parent as scholarship winner of Biddeford High School’s graduating Class of 2024. Several members of AMVETS Post 1 were present when Kylie was presented with her scholarship check on June 10

In presenting the check, Commander Marshall Archer said, “As part of our mission here at Post 1, providing scholarships to a deserving Biddeford High School graduate, is something we do each year.”

Kylie will be a lifeguard this summer and will attend the University of New England in Biddeford this fall where she will be studying exercise science and nutrition.

“How appropriate,” Adjutant Gene Foster said. “Post 1 endeavors to provide charitable donations that benefit local citizens and when possible, used here in Maine. A Biddeford High graduate attending UNE, it doesn’t get more Maine than that.”