Press
Herald - More Mainers are seeking Canadian citizenship, some to connect
with heritage, some as an escape. Canada passed a law late last year that makes
it easier for U.S. residents to pursue citizenship.
Growing up in northern Maine,
Tommy Pinette said he didn’t consider himself a Mainer, or even an American. “I really saw myself as something else,” the
25-year-old said. “I didn’t identify with, you know, the lobster roll, clam
chowder kind of Maine.”
Pinette is among an estimated
one-third of Maine residents — nearly 90% living in the St. John Valley — who
can trace their heritage through Canada. A century or more ago, Maine’s vast
northern border was more like a town line where people moved freely, trading
and following work. A Canadian law that passed last December makes it easier
for people like Pinette to obtain Canadian citizenship, which could in turn
bring back a less strict border.
Previously, U.S. residents had to prove that a parent was born in Canada. Now, as long as they can provide documentation, they can go back as far into their family tree as they like. Canada sees this process as allowing “Lost Canadians” to return home.
YARMOUTH
Friends
of Casco Bay - The residents of
Yarmouth, Maine have begun imagining what it might be like to stand beside a
Royal River abundant with blueback herring, alewives, sea-run trout, eels—and
maybe even salmon. To see the river flowing naturally over ledge rocks. The
water clear, cold, and in rhythm with the landscape once again, after being
dammed and impounded for more than 250 years to power mills and industry.
This vision of a healthy river is
the goal behind the Bridge Street Dam removal in Yarmouth, where preparatory
work began this week. Friends of Casco Bay has a particular interest in how the
dam removal will impact the health of the water in the river, and thus also
Casco Bay….
HARPSWELL
Press
Herald - The owner of the
Mackerel Cove wharf Glen’s Lobsters has bought the Angie’s Lobster wharf next
door, a move that brings a piece of Bailey Island’s working waterfront back
under local ownership. Shawn Baumgartner
said he plans to do some repairs to the Angie’s dock and buildings and keep
that wharf operating for the foreseeable future.
The lobstermen who had been
selling to Angie’s will continue to use the wharf’s bait shed and workshop, and
will still access their boats from the Angie’s dock, according to Bernie
Johnson, the manager at Glen’s. But they will now sell their catch at Glen’s.
The Angie’s wharf last changed
hands just four years ago in 2022, when an Arizona-based fast food restaurant
bought it after the 2020 death of longtime Bailey Island Lobster Co. owner Doug
Pilon.
FREEPORT
A Yale research team is piloting a new method to
clean PFAS-contaminated soil on a two-acre trial farm in Freeport, potentially
turning polluted fields back into productive land. Their process uses crops,
rock dust, and biochar to remove ‘forever chemicals’ while also capturing
carbon, and they’re now seeking more partner farms to expand testing. (carbonherald.com)
Press Herald - The city of Portland has terminated its contract with Freeport-based Doten’s Construction, which was hired to complete repairs to the Riverton pool at Talbot Community School. The decision comes after several months of stalled work. City staff will now look for a new contractor to finish the job, which could add more delays.
JOBS
- L.L.Bean, Inc. posted a job opening for Retail
Assistant Merchant in Freeport. Apply here.
- Dunkin' posted a job opening for Team Member in
Freeport. Apply here.
- You can search for other jobs near Freeport here.
UPCOMING
Saturdays now 'til October
Through October 8:30am – 12:30pm at the BTLT Saturday Farmers Market at Crystal Spring Farm. 277 Pleasant Hill Road, Brunswick. The Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust Farmers Market was established in 1999 to advance the Land Trust’s mission of supporting local agriculture. With over forty vendors, many of whom have been with the Market since its inception, the Saturday morning market offers a variety of local, fresh products including vegetables, fruits, seedlings, dairy, meat, seafood, cut flowers, mushrooms, baked goods, and artisanal and prepared foods.
JULY 24
Yarmouth Clam Festival kicks off Friday, marking 61 years (wgme.com)
JULY 25
 |
Sat, Jul 25, 4:30PM - 8:30PM
| 30 East Coxon Road, Brunswick, ME |
917 Harpswell Neck Road, Harpswell, ME
Winslow Park, 50 Winslow Park Way, Freeport: The Flukes, 6-7:30, park has $3 entry fee
JULY 26
Memorial Park, 5 Park St., Freeport: Jacob R. Miller & The Bandoliers, 2-4
Auditions for “SÉANCE”: 6 pm at FHS Music Room, 30 Holbrook St, Freeport. Use back door.
The 34th annual Harpswell Lobster Boat Races, a Maine summer tradition featuring lobster boat races, food trucks, raffles, and more, all supporting the Harpswell Santa Fund. Check the event website for the most up-to-date info.
JULY 27
Town Manager Office Drop In 30 Main Street 4 pm
JULY 28
Auditions for “SÉANCE”: -- 6 pm at FHS Music Room, 30 Holbrook St, Freeport. Use back door.
Town Manager's Office Drop-In → Freeport, ME 30 Main Street, Freeport 4:00 pm
JULY 30
Thursday Night Concert Series at Winslow Park
For more info on the artists and to see the Memorial Park summer concert schedule, visit the Meetinghouse Arts website
JULY 30 — THE DELTA KNIGHTS BAND: Led by frontman Rob Babson, The Delta Knights Band has spent 30 years as a Southern Maine staple, delivering a tight, expert blend of blues, R&B, and classic rock.
AUGUST 6 — VINYL FOSSILS…Don't miss this six-piece band performing classic rock and roll music.
AUGUST 13 — CAROLE WISE | MARK ABRAHAM | DENNY BREAU | APRIL REED-COX: Four gifted Maine musicians unite to perform a harmonious, authentic blend of original songs celebrating friendship and collaboration.
AUGUST 20 — CORMAC MCCARTHY: Don't miss Cormac McCarthy's enthralling Americana set, showcasing his expertise as a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and storyteller.
AUGUST 27 — BESS JACQUES & THE STRAYS: Bess Jacques & The Strays deliver a vibrant, nostalgic blend of jazz and pop, featuring lush vocal ballads and hard-swinging originals from their debut album.
Winslow Park Concerts are a community collaboration between Meetinghouse Arts and the Town of Freeport View it on website
AUG 2
Music in the Parks – Memorial Park, 19 Bow Street, 2 pm
AUG 9
Music in the Parks – Memorial Park, 19 Bow Street, 2 pm
AUG 20
As global tensions escalate in the Middle East, you have a rare opportunity to hear direct analysis and ask questions of three world-renowned experts in our intimate Freeport Speech venue. Thursday, August 20, 2026 | 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM (music starts at 6:30 PM) Freeport Performing Arts Center, 30 Holbrook St. Get Ticket