Thirty Families Apply for Latest Habitat Home

Amy Nucci, executive director, John Roberts, James Connally, development officer in front of Habitat for Humanity’s latest new home at 7 Normand Ave. Photo: Lee Burnett By Lee Burnett, Submissions editor Thirty families lined up to buy the latest home built by Habitat for Humanity in Sanford, an indicator of the lack of affordable housing in the region. The lucky winners are a single mother and her two children, who had been living in an apartment that was overcrowded and…

Victorian Nutcracker Returning to the Sanford Performing Arts Center

Press Release Following two triumphant years on the SPAC stage, Portland Ballet is back with the cherished holiday favorite, “A Victorian Nutcracker.” Performances start at 2 and 7 pm Saturday, Dec. 9.  Suitable for all ages, this enchanting performance brings to life the timeless tale of a young girl’s dream on Christmas Eve, ignited by the magical gift of a mysterious nutcracker. Whether you’ve seen it once or many times, “A Victorian Nutcracker” is an experience that never loses its…

You’ll Want Seconds of This “Oliver!” 

Oliver (Irie Mastrella) and The Artful Dodger (Bryn Rice) take their bows during the curtain call at Nasson Little Theatre's production of Oliver!This impressive production continues through next weekend.Photo: David Parent By Barbara Sutcliffe  “Please Sir, I want some MORE.”  The poor orphaned Oliver doesn’t get any more gruel in “Oliver!”, the musical being performed by Nasson Little Theater; fortunately, audiences still have more opportunities to see this outstanding production.  Based on Charles Dickens’ novel “Oliver Twist,” the musical directed…

Christmas at the Goodwin House 

Goodwin House Victorian Christmas Tree Photo: Thom Gagne  By Thom Gagne Have you visited the Victoria Mansion in Portland during the Christmas season? It showcases an elegant holiday display in a beautiful old building, but right here in Springvale we have our own version. The Goodwin House at 503 Main St. in Springvale can provide you with a sense of what Christmas might have been like in our town 124 years ago. Built in 1899, the Goodwin House is owned by…

Out in the Woods: Deering Pond History

Skim ice on Deering PondPhoto credit: Lee Burnett By Kevin McKeon, Director, Mousam Way Land Trust. Adapted from The Natural History of Deering Pond 1 by Gordon "Bud" Johnston.   Tombegewoc, an Abenaki word meaning “place of the rocky reef in the pond,” describes Deering Pond in Springvale on early maps of the area. John Deering of Old Kittery inherited the land surrounding the pond from his grandfather, John Lydston, who in 1744 was granted the land by the Crown for his services—including…

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