The history of dairy farms and milkmen in South Portland has always intrigued me. Even before joining our historical society about 18 years ago, I had started my own collection of South Portland milk bottles and had researched 75 different milkmen and dairies who had worked in our community over the years. I’m sure the […]

For roughly six decades, the miniature building at 575 Westbrook St. in the Redbank area of South Portland served as a busy barbershop close to Clarks Pond, the airport, and eventually the Maine Mall. The first barber business located there was established in 1948 by George Stoehr, who had just moved to the Libbytown section […]

Nature-based solutions to coastal climate threats are an innovative approach to building resilience in our coastal communities. Natural infrastructure is the introduction or restoration of natural resources and systems — such as salt-marshes, rain gardens, open space, or even rocks and seagrass — that not only enrich the natural environment of a given area but […]

The city of South Portland and the state of Maine offer a number of tax relief and tax exemption programs. We would like to ensure our residents are taking advantage of these programs and help you understand how to access them. One of the programs offered by the state is the Property Tax Fairness Credit, […]

Last week we looked at Norman “Allie” Anderson and his Anderson’s Variety Store at 97 High St. in Ferry Village. The store on the right side of that same building, with a 95 High St. address, was operated by Frank W. Richardson, Jr. and his wife Lila Thompson Richardson. Let’s take a look at Frank […]

Here in South Portland, we are a coastal community tied culturally, environmentally, and economically to our waterfront. For as long as we can remember, our waterfront has been a source of recreation, economy, and transportation and we need to prepare for the fact that our waterfront is changing. Due to climate change, we are facing […]

In the days before large shopping malls, Walmart and the internet, you could find most anything you needed by heading across the bridge to the stores on Congress Street in Portland. If you lived in or near the Ferry Village neighborhood in South Portland, however, you could simply take a quick walk to Anderson’s Variety […]

The Gulf of Maine Research Institute is dedicated to the resilience of the Gulf of Maine and the communities that depend on it (like us). As the climate continues to change, and our landscapes along with it through increased precipitation and coastal flooding, we are teaming up with the institute to emphasize the importance of […]

“Ms. K” (as she is fondly called by her students) is one of those special teachers that former students would frequently return to visit. For Janet Kandoian not only taught her students the prescribed subjects for fourth and fifth grade, but she also taught her students about life – how to work together and build […]