Forty models and dancers representing 30 countries from around the world celebrated the vibrant ethnic and cultural diversity of Maine women March 8 at the Italian Heritage Center in Portland. The 200-person gala, organized by local nonprofit Women United Around the World, raised $25,000 for Maine Stitching Academy’s nine-month tuition-free professional sewing program for immigrant […]

Two Portland cultural institutions — the Maine Jewish Museum and Maine Irish Heritage Center — celebrated their shared immigrant roots Sunday with a sold-out Shalom & Shamrocks kosher corned beef dinner and Jewish deli buffet. “Our mission is to foster appreciation and understanding of people of all backgrounds, and that is exactly what we’re doing […]

If you’ve seen an episode of “Project Runway” where the contestants visit a museum for inspiration, imagine that — except swap out the professional designers and judges for middle school girls designing and sewing for the first time and a roomful of supportive friends and family. That was the scene when a dozen young designers […]

Since life coach Deb Bergeron of Falmouth founded the Southern Maine chapter of 100+ Women Who Care just over a decade ago, the giving circle has donated $684,000 to dozens of local initiatives. “100+ Women Who Care of Southern Maine is a living, breathing example of the extraordinary power we have when women come together […]

Nearly 500 people attended the Center for Grieving Children’s annual Love Gala, raising more than $230,000 to make it possible for the nonprofit to continue supporting Mainers through their grief and loss — at no cost to them. More than 70 corporate sponsors and a dozen host committee households supported the Feb. 7 event at […]

Community Plate’s first story sharing supper in Portland was so popular the nonprofit has opened registration for a second round of “Stews & Stories” on Feb. 27. More than 80 guests at the Jan. 30 supper at Mechanics’ Hall unpacked charcuterie board makings and carried in towel-wrapped slow cookers of baked beans and soups, baskets […]

“Art. Auction. Appetizers.” Nothing like telling it straight with the name of a fundraiser! The 75 guests at the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association event Jan. 25 at The Press Hotel didn’t expect to be surprised. And yet they were. “That has to be the best scallop I’ve ever had,” said Pam Hadley, who was visiting […]

Maybe Portland is the next big tech hub. Uprise Partners, which received the Propel Ignition 2025 Business of the Year Award on Jan. 16 at Cellars at Allagash Brewing, was the nation’s second fastest growing IT services company last year out of a field of 35,000 peers. Chief Executive Officer Malinda Gagnon describes Uprise Partners, […]