News Notes

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs indicated that the Sanford Vet Center building is closed due to structural safety concerns.

Photo: Carolyn Cadigan

Veterans seeking services at Vet Center now directed to Portland: The Sanford Vet Center at 628 Main St. is temporarily closed. A note attached to the door on May 12 indicated that the center will not be available for in-person or walk-in appointments at this time. Veterans who currently have appointments at the center are being contacted and rescheduled. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website indicated that they’ve closed the center for the safety of veterans and the staff.

According to Fox 23 News, the VA released a statement on May 13 indicating that Togus VA Medical Center inspectors determined on May 8 that the Sanford Vet Center building was no longer structurally sound. The statement noted that the building will remain closed while VA finds a new permanent location. In the meantime, veterans can schedule in-person sessions at the Mobile Vet Center parked in the lot at the Sanford Vet Center or at the Portland Vet Center at 707 Sable Oaks Dr. in South Portland. Veterans can call the Vet Center Call Center at 877-927-8387 for scheduling.

Journey through three centuries of chamber music:Ensemble Ad Libitum (“with free rhythm and expression”) will perform a concert of chamber works for flute, violin and piano on June 8, 1 pm, at the Sanford Unitarian Universalist Church, 5 Lebanon St. The concert features Elizabeth Downing on flute, Anatole Wieck on violin and Marina Minkin on piano. Minkin also serves as pianist and organist at the Sanford Unitarian Universalist Church. Ensemble Ad Libitum was founded in 1995 to perform music from the Baroque era as well as lesser known classical and contemporary works. Admission to the concert is free; however, donations are accepted.

Library service update: Springvale Library posted to social media on May 6 that there will be no interruption to their interlibrary loan van service or their internet service. The Maine State Library confirmed that the proposed funding cuts to the Institute for Museum and Library Services, the primary source of federal support for the nation’s libraries and museums, will not affect these services.

Plant lovers, mark your calendar: A free Community Plant Exchange is planned for May 24, 10 am – noon, at Eldredge Lumber, 1787 Main St. in Sanford. The first arrivals have the first choice of items. All plants must go before noon. Attendees may bring plant divisions, seeds, cuttings and house plants; however, exotic invasive plants in the State of Maine will not be accepted. FMI, contact Bridget Salantri at 267-261-2122.

Maine author discusses book about an unsolved murder: Maine author Sharon Kitchens will be at Springvale Library on June 18, 5:30-6:30 pm, to talk about her new true crime book, “The Murder of Dorothy Milliken.” On November 5, 1976, Dorothy Milliken, 27, left her rural home in Sabattus, Maine, to go to an all-night laundromat. The following morning her body was found slumped against the outside wall. Nearly five decades later, author Sharon Kitchens examines the cold case – interviewing over 40 people, including Dorothy’s family, friends, former neighbors, law enforcement and forensic specialists. Who was Dorothy? Why has her killer never been found? Did she know her murderer, or was her death the result of a random attack?

Attending the April 27 ribbon-cutting at Otto Portland in Sanford were (left to right) Remon Geris; Kevin Remon; one of Otto Portland’s top patrons, Gary Traynham (cutting the ribbon); Chamber President Rick Stanley; Karen Hebb of Town Square Realty; Brian Conlin, Otto Portland business partner; Al Hebb of Town Square Realty; and General Manager Mr. Roux.

Photo: Sanford Springvale Chamber of Commerce

Otto Portland in Sanford hosts open house: Otto Portland’s new pizza restaurant at 1299 Main St. in Sanford cut the ribbon for their open house ceremony on April 27. Employees, friends and the Sanford Springvale Chamber of Commerce welcomed the new restaurant to Sanford.

SCAE seeks clothing and shoe donations: Sanford Community Adult Education is collecting gently used clothing and shoes to support its students and their families. They are especially in need of professional attire for students preparing for interviews and other important occasions, as well as clothing for its students’ children. Only donated items that are clean, gently worn, and free of stains or rips will be accepted.

Birds Before Work Walk at Sanford Lagoons: Join Three Rivers Land Trust and local birder and naturalist Josh Fecteau for a bird walk at the Sanford Lagoons, a popular birding location, on May 23 at 7 am. May is a common migration time for warblers, and York County Audubon lists an impressive number of birds that have been spotted at the Lagoons. For the best experience, Three Rivers Land Trust is limiting this walk to no more than 20 people. Sign up here to join the walk.