Around Southern Maine
York police adding extra Halloween patrols
YORK, Maine – The York Police Department will be adding extra patrols for this year's Halloween holiday.
Foot patrol officers, mountain bike patrols, and unmarked patrol vehicles will be added to ensure the safety of children throughout the community, according to the Police Department. The police are asking the community to help make this a safe time by "watching out for each other" and reporting any suspicious or unsafe activities immediately. The town of York will observe the annual Halloween trick-or-treat night from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30.
Halloween parade scheduled in York
YORK, Maine – All ghosties and goblins, Supermen and Hermione Grangers, take note: It's nearly the witching hour. It is time for the annual Halloween Parade, when local children from toddlers to middle-schoolers strut their costumes for the whole town to see. A party afterward continues the festivities.
Ryan Avery of the York Parks and Recreation Department said the parade has become bigger and bigger each year it's been held for at least the past decade. These days, as many as 300 to 400 children attend. "It's an absolutely fun time, and it's turned into a really big event," Avery said.
The parade begins at 4:30 p.m. "sharp" on Oct. 31 in front of Town Hall, with children and their families continuing to Village Elementary School. At the school, children parade into a gym decorated by students in the after-school program, Avery said. A DJ spins music for dancing, and there are drinks and popcorn for all. Everything winds down by 6 p.m.
Avery said a lot of different community partners make the events possible. Chiropractic Works, Pine Hill Excavation, Nana's Kids, Diaper Parties, Kennebunk Savings, Family Ear, Nose and Throat, and Coastline Electric are sponsors of the party. The York Police Department is also involved, sending officers to the parade. And this year, new York Middle School resource officer Jamie Rooney will be on hand to greet the children and their parents.
Eliot SALT Council holds Halloween party
ELIOT, Maine –The Eliot S.A.L.T. council Halloween Party (pot luck) is set for noon Tuesday, Oct. 28, in the community room at 150 Beech Road.
All seniors are welcome to join in the fun. Prizes will be awarded for best costumes.
Hill announces endorsements
CAPE NEDDICK, Maine – State Sen. Dawn Hill, D-York, has announced a variety of endorsements from a wide array of groups, including pro-business, pro-labor, and social justice organizations.
On Oct. 20, Hill announced endorsements from the Maine State Employees Union, Maine Education Association, Maine Conservation Voters, Maine Association of Realtors, Maine Credit Union League, Equality Maine, and Professional Fire Fighters of Maine.
Political scientist to discuss Maine, national elections
YORK, Maine – The York Public Library will be holding a talk, "The 2014 General Elections: Why Do They Matter," at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28. Political science professor Alan Gitelson of Loyola University Chicago and a York home owner will review the 2014 congressional and gubernatorial elections nationwide and in Maine. Time will be given for an exchange of ideas and perspectives.
York library hosts college planning night Oct. 29
YORK, Maine – The York Public Library will hold a college planning night for parents and students at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29.
A panel of experts will be on hand to discuss how to make college affordable as well as how to choose the right school and how to prepare. Topics to be discussed will include how colleges award financial aid, how to know which colleges will award the most financial aid, how to choose colleges that will maximize success, and tax and cash flow planning. The presenters are Joshua Bartlett, certified college planning specialist with In-Tuition Planning; certified public accountant Tanya Ouellette; lawyer Josef Winkler; and Greg MacDougal, an independent guidance counselor and global career facilitator.
Civil War researcher helps find ancestors
YORK, Maine – An estimated 100 million Americans are descendants of Civil War soldiers. York Public Library and the Museums of Old York are sponsoring Civil War researcher Clay Feeter of York to assist you in your search for your soldier-ancestor and bring his story to life. Feeter will be at the library from 1 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6.
Using an extensive database on the Union and Confederate armies, Feeter has performed more than 2,000 Civil War ancestor searches. "In most cases, we can learn what rank an ancestor held, which battles he was in, whether he was wounded or captured, and what town and state he lived in at the time he enlisted," he said. "Occasionally, we also find his wife's name and other rich details to broaden your family's story."
Try to bring the following information to the event: an ancestor's birth date and place of birth. Most Civil War soldiers were born between 1818 and 1847. It is also helpful to provide an ancestor's state of residence in 1861. Be sure to check all sides of your family. You may also want to bring in family history notes, genealogy books or even artifacts or discharge papers to share with others at this "Antiques Road Show" type event.