The Sarah Orne Jewett House is all dressed up for Independence Day. Historic New England staff used photos from the 1936 Berwick Day Parade as inspiration.

Sarah Orne Jewett House is located at 5 Portland Street in South Berwick, Me. It is open June 1 through October 15, Friday through Sunday with tours at 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.  Admission: $5, Historic New England members and South Berwick residents free.
For more information, contact  (207) 384-2454 or visit www.historicnewengland.org.

Harvey Reid at Hamilton House on Sunday, July 6

Historic New England kicks off its Sundays in the Garden Concert Series at Hamilton House with a performance by Harvey Reid on July 6.  A  local favorite, Reid has garnered national recognition as one of the treasures of American acoustic music.  Reid’s music includes a range of influences from folk to rockabilly and a vast repertoire of traditional and contemporary songs, which he weaves seamlessly together with his own compositions and wry humor.

The gardens of the Hamilton House provide a picturesque setting for these relaxed late-afternoon concerts.  Pack your picnic basket and enjoy great music in a beautiful setting.

The concert begins at 4:00 p.m.  Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, $4 for Historic New England members and children, free for Historic New England Garden and Landscape Members.  Concert goers are welcome to bring their own chair or blanket and picnicking is encouraged.  In case of rain, concerts are held in the garden cottage.

Hamilton House is open for tours the day of the concerts with tours leaving from the garden cottage at 11, 12, 1, 2, 3, and 4 pm.  House tours are $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, $4 for children, and free to Historic New England members.  The price of the house tour is not included with concert admission.

Hamilton House is located on Vaughan’s Lane, adjacent to Vaughn Woods, a mile off Route 236 in South Berwick.  For more information Historic New England at (207) 384-2454 or visit www.historicnewengland.org.

a big froggy smile.

So. Berwick Strawberry Festival brings out families, visitors
Portsmouth Herald
It’s a family affair for Lisa Flynn. When she was just a small child, she said, “I remember tugging on my dad’s hand. ‘Let’s go to the strawberry festival. Let’s go to the strawberry festival.’”

Huppe defends title in Strawberry Festival 5-miler
Portsmouth Herald News
Finishing behind Huppe, Mark Gosztyla, Sullivan and Beal in the men’s top 10 were Colby Nixon (30:01) of Eliot; Dave Manz (30:22) of Eliot; …

Regatta Banquet Center opens in Eliot
Fosters Daily Democrat
The Regatta Banquet and Conference Center, located at the Eliot Commons on Route 236 next to the Shipyard Brew Pub, officially opened Thursday afternoon.

Power line plans cause angst in S. Berwick, Eliot
Portsmouth Herald
Of the 25 local residents attending the Central Maine Power Company’s public information meeting at Town Hall onTuesday night, many were not satisfied with the company’s answers regarding the company’s planned …

Marshwood High School fourth quarter honor roll 2007-08
Fosters Daily Democrat
Marshwood High School 2007-2008 honor roll Term 4

Bid for $11.43m in shipyard funds advances
Foster’s Daily Democrat
US Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, DN.H., recently announced House Appropriations Committee approval of her $11.43 million …

New bookstore opens
Fosters Daily Democrat
Marie MacDonald, owner of the new SoHo Book & Bean, holds a pair of ribbon-cutting scissors during an opening ceremony for her coffee shop, book store in downtown South Berwick.

Program to keep families warm needs help
Portsmouth Herald News
The rising cost of fuel is affecting everyone, but none more so than those who fall between the cracks of the various …

Neighbors: No progress in Eliot junkyard snafu
Portsmouth Herald
Neighbors are complaining that they haven’t yet seen progress by the town in cleaning up the junkyard owned by Timothy Fernald on Spruce Lane. Some report they believe he is continuing to bring junk onto his property, which they…

Monday, June 30
Library Planning Meeting
6:00 PM - Auditorium Hall

Tuesday, July 1
Planning Board\-may be rescheduled due to holiday (as of Monday am still on Town web site, check before attending)
7:00 PM - Council Chambers

Wednesday, Meeting Schedule for July 2 has been rescheduled to July 9
EDC Meeting
1:00 PM - Council Chambers

Friday, July 4
Independence Day\-Town Offices Closed
All Day

Every year for thirty two years on the last Saturday in June the Strawberry Festival fills the heart of South Berwick with entertainment, food, artisans and strawberry shortcakes.    The festival is run by volunteers and provides an opportunity for local non-profit organizations to raise funds at booths and by selling food to support their important work in the community.

This year adds one more successful festival to the history of South Berwick.  Here are some views of the festival.

Trolleys provide transportation to the festival from points all around the town.  For children, the trolley ride is their first adventure of the festival.

Read the rest of this entry »

The Artists of The Mill at Rollinsford are announcing a ground-breaking Front Street Market running from mid-July through mid-October every Saturday 8:00AM ’til 1:00 PM.

The Market will feature a variety of locally grown vegetables, fruits, meats and prepared food, livestock area, music, street performers and educational entertainment. Unique gift items fromartists in The Mill and local craftspeople will be available.

As a community focused initiative The Market is looking for local growers, small livestock farmers, artisans, musicians and performers who would like to participate. Fees will be competitive to those of other local markets.

All proceeds from The Front Street Market Association will be donated to area non-profit organizations.

Contact: Laurie at 941-204-5574      Frontstreetmarket@yahoo.com or Patrick at 603-617-8573

Lots of strawberry related news today…

Ripe and ready Heat has sweet results, ripening strawberries to …
Foster’s Daily Democrat
The recent heat wave that swept over New Hampshire and Maine may have been the final ingredient needed to produce this month’s …

South Berwick flag placings make cemeteries ‘more meaningful’
Foster’s Daily DemocratNathan Lord helped drive the French out of Nova Scotia during the Siege of Louisburg in 1745. …

South Berwick Strawberry Festival goes green
Foster’s Daily Democrat
The strawberries will be fresh and tasty as they are every year at the South Berwick Strawberry Festival, but this year strawberry shortcake …

Fireworks and more planned for the 4th of July
Foster’s Daily Democrat
The First Parish Federated Church will host a yard sale and barbecue on Friday, July 4, and Saturday, July 5, 8 am-3 pm, …

Strawberry Festival returns to South Berwick on Saturday
It is by all accounts a record strawberry season this year, and what better way to enjoy some of nature’s great early summer treats than at the South Berwick Strawberry Festival.

You’ll get a spicy sweet surprise when you try strawberry poppers
The Canadian Press
Strawberry Poppers 24 medium-sized fresh local strawberries, hulled 50 ml ( 1/4 cup) light cream cheese, softened 15 ml (1 tbsp) finely chopped jalapeno …

Peppered Strawberry and Spinach Salad
Detroit Free Press
Place the strawberry slices in a large serving bowl and sprinkle with the pepper. Toss to coat the slices with the pepper and set aside for 10 minutes. …

… a baby grasshopper sitting on a Stella D’oro Daylily

South Berwick resident Tony Lemmo had an idea that it would be good for local entrepreneurs and business owners to have a way to meet each other.  A year ago, as entrepreneurs are likely to do,  he decided to just make it happen.  So for the last year he has been hosting monthly networking meetings at various local businesses where entrepreneurs and business owners have come together to socialize, enjoy refreshments, and make the kind of connections that can be invaluable for growing a business.

On Tuesday, June 24 South Berwick Networking celebrated its one year anniversary with a gathering hosted by the Links at Outlook Golf Course.   In the beautiful setting of the Red Barn a crowd enjoyed great food and drink, prize raffles, learning about local businesses, and getting to know other local business people.

Tony Lemmo says he had no idea what would happen when he hosted the first meeting a year ago in the Ocean National Bank parking lot.  He has been pleased with the turnout for meetings with more people being added to the list each month.  He encourages local business people who would like to be added to the South Berwick Networking email list to contact him at  lemmo@verizon.net

South Berwick residents OK $265g in extra town funds
Foster’s Daily Democrat
Residents finally gave permission for the Town Council to transfer $265000 from the town’s savings account to cover unexpected payments incurred this fiscal year.

Tourism officials’ opinions mixed on impact of lower I-95 traffic
Portsmouth Herald
Since the beginning of June, traffic coming through the Hampton and York, Maine, tolls on Interstate 95 has been down substantially from last year. Dan Paradee of the Maine Turnpike Authority sees this as a bad sign for the…

Pellet stove sales brisk
Portsmouth Herald
The big jump in heating oil prices is fueling a boom in sales of wood pellet stoves, with some Maine dealers saying demand is so great that they can’t keep them in stock. Marty Farnum of Northern Lights Hearth Sports…

No need to count calories at 32nd annual Strawberry Festival
Foster’s Daily Democrat
Feeling guilty about gorging on all that delicious strawberry shortcake and cheesecake at South Berwick’s annual Strawberry Festival June 28? Bring along your running shoes and take part in the 5-mile Road Race/2.

County impact on North Berwick tax rate just 2 cents per $1,000
Foster’s Daily Democrat
The town’s county tax for fiscal year 2009 will rise $13,024 over this year to $287,456, Town Manager Dwayne Morin announced to the Board of Selectmen Tuesday night.

North Berwick man saves home from being demolished
Foster’s Daily Democrat
Wilbur Butland, the local resident who was in danger of losing his Pleasant Street home due to unsanitary living conditions, has redeemed his property by removing the waste that littered his house and repaying thousands of dollars in fees he owed the town.

Central Maine Power Company will host a public informational meeting from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24 at the South Berwick Town Hall, 180 Main Street, South Berwick in the third floor auditorium.

CMP proposes to rebuild an existing transmission line between the company’s Quaker Hill substation on Burnham Road in North Berwick and the Three Rivers substation on Houde Road in Eliot. The line will be built within an existing utility corridor that passes through portions of North Berwick, South Berwick, and Eliot.

The public is invited to view plans of the route and the proposed project design.

Read previous post about this project….

Below you will find the public notice that was sent to all abutters to the powerline corridor in the affected area: Read the rest of this entry »

Maine YardScaping Workshop
Wednesday June 25, 2008, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Counting House Museum, South Berwick, Maine

Join the growing number of Mainers who have decided to change their yard care ways for the health of the environment, people and wildlife.  Learn the six step program to reduce your reliance on pesticides, fertilizers, and water, and minimize polluted runoff from stormwater.

6:30 Introductions/Historic Museum and Park landscape
6:45 YardScaping presentation (Master Gardener, Pat Ianni)
7:15 YardScaping Game/Tour of Park
7:45 Door prizes/wrap up
8:00 End Program

Pat Ianni is a Master Gardener from Falmouth and has been gardening in her home gardens for 15 years.  Employed as a Senior Environmental Specialist for TD Banknorth in the risk management department, her education and career have focused on environmental science, with an undergraduate emphasis in biology, chemistry and soil science, and a 25 year career specializing in assessment of the risks posed by hazardous wastes and toxic materials at properties around the country.  In 2005, she completed her Master Gardener training, and subsequent YardScaping training through the Cumberland County Cooperative Extension Service.

To RSVP or for more information, contact Kristie Rabasca, PE, LEED AP at Sevee & Maher Engineers, Inc. 207.829.5016

(The second floor of the Counting House Museum is not handicapped accessible.  Please call advance if you cannot navigate stairs so the program can be adjusted accordingly.)  Sponsored by:  The Towns of Kittery, Eliot, South Berwick and Berwick; Maine YardScaping, and The Old Berwick Historical Society

Special Town Meeting
Special town meeting was held to vote on the following three warrant articles that were voted down at a May 12 special meeting.

Citizen Audrey Fortier made a motion to vote on the articles by secret ballot.  The motion for a secret ballot failed on a hand vote.

The Articles:
–To see what sum the Town will vote to appropriate and expend from the Undesignated General Fund Balance to cover the unexpected orverdraft in the Highway budget for 2007/08 Winter Maintenance.–Town Council Recommends: $150,000 from Undesignated General Fund-Passed on a hand vote.

Read the rest of this entry »

South Berwick again asking residents to OK $265000 in plowing …
Foster’s Daily Democrat
The second round in an ongoing effort by the Town Council to gain permission from residents to spend $265000 on unexpected payments starts tonight at 6:30 pm at Town Hall.

Fire destroys North Berwick garage, damages nearby home
Foster’s Daily Democrat
Once at the scene crews reported seeing flames from the building, and quickly called for mutual aid from the Berwick and South Berwick fire departments…

CMP holding another hearing on power line project in South Berwick
Foster’s Daily Democrat
As the project is currently proposed, a new pole would be added 20 feet from Eliot resident Mary Fournier’s backyard pool, and one-fifth of a mile of tree line along Brad Jones’ South Berwick farm …

8 charged in Eliot crime spree
Portsmouth Herald News
After a months-long investigation, police said Sunday they have arrested eight teens and charged them with a total of 58 counts ranging from burglary to criminal mischief.

Eliot selectman resigns
York Weekly
Selectman Roland Fernald has stepped down after nine years. Board members said …

Editorial:  Reconsider access to Seapoint Beach
Portsmouth Herald News
For the vast majority of NH Seacoast residents who are likely still unaware, the Kittery, Maine, Town Council passed an ordinance that prohibits non-residents from parking at Seapoint Beach …

South Berwick Strawberry Festival
Saturday, June 28, 2008

Always the last Saturday in June, the South Berwick Strawberry Festival officially kicks off summer. The kids are out of school, camps are open and the weather is getting warm. All over town one can see the bright red, white, and green strawberry flags that not only line the main streets, but can also be seen flying from many houses.   The day is filled with food, entertainment, games, and crafts.

For thirty-two consecutive years hundreds of volunteers from South Berwick have come together to put together a South Berwick tradition. As always, official Festival activities will take place only on the grounds of Central School, on Main Street, in the center of town. A stop at the Strawberry Festival Information Booth is a must to find out more about the day’s schedule for the entertainers, as well as where all the various activities are located and to purchase strawberry festival memorabilia.

This year, the Strawberry Festival Committee is pleased to announce that they will serve their Strawberry Shortcake and Cheesecake on biodegradable bowls, plates and spoons.  We have collaborated with BIOSMART- a company that sells sugar cane Bagasse tableware.  Bagasse is the biomass remaining after sugarcane stalks are crushed to extract their juices. 

Read below to get all the information and find out what to see, do, and how to get involved: Read the rest of this entry »

Central Maine Power Company Public Informational Meeting
Tuesday, June 24, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
South Berwick Town Hall, 180 Main Street, South Berwick - 3rd floor auditorium.
CMP proposes to rebuild an existing transmission line between the company’s Quaker Hill substation on Burnham Road in North Berwick and the Three Rivers substation on Houde Road in Eliot. The line will be built within an existing utility corridor that passes through portions of North Berwick, South Berwick, and Eliot. The public is invited to view plans of the route and the proposed project design.

Here’s some local newspaper coverage about the powerline project:
CMP holding another hearing on power line project in South Berwick
Foster’s Daily Democrat
With an official ruling on the Central Maine Power Company’s proposed reconstruction of 9.4 miles of power lines in Eliot still about two months away, CMP officials will hold another public information meeting June 24 at …

Residents protest CMP power line project
Foster’s Daily Democrat
Brad Jones has owned a 300-acre hay farm on the South Berwick/North Berwick town line since 1991. One of the greatest things …

Central Maine Power wants to replace aging lines
Foster’s Daily Democrat
She said an offshoot to the Maine Power Reliability Program project is a $450 million Maine Power Connection project that would install a 345 kilovolt line …

Utilities Commission to hold public hearing tonight about proposed …
Foster’s Daily Democrat
The Maine Public Utilities Commission is holding a public witness hearing tonight about the high voltage transmission line proposed for Eliot …

I’m off downeast for a wedding this weekend. I will try to check in on the236diner but I’ll be at a remote campground so internet access may not be in the cards. Enjoy the weekend and be nice to each other on the blog.–Molly

Monday, June 23
Special Town Meeting, Town Council to follow - 6:30 PM - Council Chambers
Special town meeting will be held to vote on the following three issues that were voted down at a May 12 special meeting.
–To see what sum the Town will vote to appropriate and expend from the Undesignated General Fund Balance to cover the unexpected orverdraft in the Highway budget for 2007/08 Winter Maintenance.–Town Council Recommends: $150,000 from Undesignated General Fund
–To see what sum the Town will vote to appropriate and expend from the Undesignated General Fund Balance to cover the unexpected orverdraft in the 2007/08 Town Manager budget.–Town Council Recommends: $100,000 from Undesignated General Fund
–To see what sum the Town will vote to appropriate and expend from the Undesignated General Fund Balance to cover the unexpected orverdraft in the 2007/08 Administration budget.–Town Council Recommends: $15,000 from Undesignated General Fund

Town Council meeting agenda:
Unfinished Business
1. Discuss/take action on ordinance establishing position of Assistant Town Manager.
New Business
1. Review PSAP bill.
2. Discuss/take action on 20 Knight’s Pond Rd.
3. Take action on renewal of liquor license & special amusement permit for Links @ Outlook.
4. Take action on renewal of liquor license & special amusement permit for Pepperland Café.
5. Discuss/take action on appointment to Conservation Commission.
6. Discuss/take action on appointment to Planning Board
7. Take action on CMP pole permit application for Thurrell Rd.
8. Discuss/take action on acceptance of monetary gifts to SB Recreation for summer 2008.
9. Take action on board & committee reappointments.
10. Take action on Town Council Transfers
11. Confirm current list of municipal officials.
12. Take action on uncollectible taxes.
Wednesday, June 25
Town Council Workshop with Solid Waste
11:00 AM - ecomaine facility Portland, ME

Salmon Falls Garden Center is hosting a weekend long fundraiser from June 20 through June 22 to support the Great Works Regional Land Trust (GWRLT). Mention GWRLT at checkout and 15% of your purchase will go toward local land conservation.

The fundraiser kicks off tonight (Thurs 6/19) with an Evening in the Garden starting at 5 pm. There will be music and refreshments and an opportunity to meet land trust members. Salmon Falls has a spectacular assortment of peonies and other June blooming plants to enjoy.

This is a great opportunity for gardeners to take advantage of Salmon Falls Garden Center’s end of spring sale and support the Great Works Regional Land Trust at the same time.

Salmon Falls Garden Center is located at 16 Nursery Lane (off of Rt. 236 just north of South Berwick) Berwick, Maine 03901 Hours: 8:30AM-5:30PM. Phone: (207) 384-0120

The Counting House Museum offers visitors “South Berwick’s Attic,” an exhibit of local curios from past generations, and exhibits from the 17th century Chadbourne home site. Regular weekend summer hours are from 1 to 4 pm on Saturdays and Sundays through October. Admission is free.

For over four decades, local families have been placing historic objects in the care of the Old Berwick Historical Society, who own and operate the museum in a textile factory building dating to the 1830s.

Now on display is a bridal gown of the wife of the minister of South Berwick First Baptist Church, Rev. Elisha Sanderson, who lived from c. 1863 to 1939. Their daughter, Abby Sanderson, became a missionary in Asia, and one of her hymn books is on exhibit.

Other mementos pertain to St. Michael’s Church and St. Michael’s School, the latter run in the early 1900s by the Sisters of St. Joseph. St. Michael’s Church was recently purchased by the town of South Berwick. The display also includes an old-fashioned lightning rod sold by a resident of Academy Street, models and relics of gundalows, and a typewriter used at the Cummings Shoe Factory over 100 years ago.

Another exhibit at the Counting House is devoted to the Humphrey and Lucy Chadbourne family, among the first settlers to ever live in present-day South Berwick, about 350 years ago. Remains of the family’s household items and tools from their sawmill are on display.

The Counting House Museum is also a small local history research center offering thousands of documents, photos, and historic objects gathered by local residents. The collection is under the care of local amateur historians or professionals who donate their time and will assist visitors in doing research.

Volunteers are needed to staff the Counting House Museum on occasional afternoons throughout the summer and fall. Previous experience is not required. More information is available at www.obhs.net, by calling (207)384-0000 or by writing info@obhs.net.

…a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers working on a dead tree near my house. I think this is the same two who have lived here for several years. We often hear their “woody woodpecker” call and the jackhammer sound they make on the trees. It is amazing to see them.

Marie MacDonald, an editor, free lance writer, and book lover, has taken over the ownership of Sobo Book & Bean in downtown South Berwick. Marie’s passion for books and community is driving the transformation of this downtown place. She is increasing the selection of used books, adding new books, and will provide special orders so patrons can order any book they want right here in South Berwick. Sobo continues to offer an array of coffee and tea drinks and baked goods and will roll out a distinctive casual fare menu in a few weeks. Marie is putting together a calendar of events, including author talks, workshops, and art shows that will make Sobo a community center.

Marie is happy to be part of the vibrant downtown of South Berwick. She believes that the presence of an independent bookstore is an important asset to a community and plans to build on the tradition that Sobo has established of being a gathering place where residents can relax, find good books, and meet their neighbors.

Stop in soon and say hi to Marie MacDonald and Alice Baker, South Berwick’s newest baristas & booksellers.

Sobo Book & Bean is open from 9 am - 2 pm Monday through Saturday, and additional hours by chance and for special events.

Sobo Book & Bean, 241 Main Street, So. Berwick, ME 03908 (207) 384-8300

You are Invited: The Town of South Berwick Economic Development Committee is holding a ribbon cutting to celebrate the new ownership of Sobo Book & Bean at 9 AM on Thursday, June 19. Join them to celebrate and support this South Berwick business.

MSAD No. 35- Board of Directors - Regular Meeting
Marshwood High School, Wednesday, June 18, 2008 - 7:00 p.m.

Summary of Agenda: (See the full Agenda)
Scheduled Audience to the Public: Catalina Bakas, South Berwick
Report of the Chairperson:
1. Luncheon with Town Officials
Report of the Superintendent:
1. MHS Drop Out Committee Report
2. Job Description for District Director of Technology
3. Analysis of FY 09 Transportation Wages and Van for Facilities Director
4. Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance Grant
5. Other
Report of the Committees:
1. Report of the Finance and Facilities Committee
2. Report of the Educational Policy Committee
3. Report of the Community Relations Committee
New Business:
1. Approve the Computation and Declaration of Votes of the Referendum Vote of June 10, 2008.
2. Computation and Declaration of Votes of the Referendum Vote of June 10, 2008 be entered upon the records of the District.
3. Approve that a certified copy of the Computation and Declaration of Votes of the Referendum Vote of June 10, 2008 be sent to each of the town clerks within the District.
4. Consideration / action to approve the fundraising request from the Marshwood Football Boosters.
5. Consideration / action to approve the SAD 35 District Crisis Plan.
6. Consideration / action to ratify the contract with District Nurses.
7. Consideration / action to approve the following nomination: Karl Honkonen, MHS Science, One Year Only, BA3, $34,154.00
8. Consideration / action to approve the increase in school lunch prices for the 2008-2009 school year.
9. Consideration / action to approve two students attending out of zone.
10. Consideration / action on Board of Directors ByLaws.
Executive Session - Consideration and action to enter into an Executive Session for the purpose of Administrator and Director contract negotiations pursuant to Title 1 MRSA §405(6)(D).
-Consideration and action to approve contract provisions for Administrators and Directors.
Executive Session - Consideration and action to enter into an Executive Session for the purpose of Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent contract negotiations pursuant to Title 1 MRSA §405(6)(D).
-Consideration and action to approve contract provisions for Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent.

Tuesday, June 17
Budget Workshop
5:00 PM - Town Manager’s office

Tuesday, June 17
Town Council Workshop with the Planning Board
6:00 PM - TBD

Tuesday, June 17
Planning Board Meeting
7:00 PM - Council Chambers
On the agenda:
Old business
1. Rules of Procedure and Code of Ethics: Planning Board Bylaws - Amended.
New business
1. MSP#07-08; South Berwick Yoga, Rachel Martin & Denis Bessette, Map 28 Lot 168 - Amended Site Plan permit.

Facilitator to help South Berwick figure out development issues
Foster’s Daily Democrat
The Economic Development Committee is organizing a civil, constructive public process where residents will determine how they want the town to develop in the next few years and beyond…

Most school budgets survive validation vote
Portland Press Herald
Fears that tax-weary voters would reject the spending plans appear to be unfounded. Only a handful of communities statewide have turned down their spending plans and in at least two towns it appears voters rejected the budgets because they were too low…

Artifacts and relics on display at museum
Foster’s Daily Democrat - Dover,NH,USA
An exhibit featuring possessions from one of the first settlers to live in town highlights the opening of the Counting House Museum’s …

Central Maine Power wants to replace aging lines
Foster’s Daily Democrat
Central Maine Power Co. officials are ramping up their efforts to begin a billion-dollar project that would upgrade 485 miles of transmission lines and substations stretching from Orrington, Maine, to Newington, N.H.

Residents protest CMP power line project
Foster’s Daily Democrat - Jun 13, 2008
Brad Jones has owned a 300-acre hay farm on the South Berwick/North Berwick town line since 1991.

Marshwood ousted in girls lacrosse semifinals
For the second year in a row, members of the Marshwood High School girls lacrosse team said they felt like they played the best game of their season in the Western Maine Class A semifinals.

Play The Links at Outlook, but take a cart
Foster’s Daily Democrat
Thousands and thousands of years ago when the land around the Maine and New Hampshire Seacoast was carved and molded by retreating …

MHS grads urged to ‘change the world’
Portsmouth Herald
The words painted on windows of the older model car said it all. After announcing to the world that the owner was “MHS Class ‘08,” there were two words proclaiming in a sassy voice you could almost hear: “Yeah …

… an Easter Tiger Swallowtail.

Searching for your roots this summer? The South Berwick Public Library now offers the Library Edition of Ancestry, a Web-based tool that allows you to search millions of ancestral records online for FREE!. You can look at military, census, birth and death records, marriage records, past addresses, and immigration information, some going back to the sixteenth century. The program is easy to use, even for beginners. Find out if you have any royalty or scallywags in the branches of your family tree.

The Library is located at 37 Portland St. in South Berwick. It is open Monday and Wednesday from 1 PM to 8 PM, Tuesday and Thursday from 10 AM to 5 PM, Friday from 1 PM to 5 PM, and Saturday from 9 AM to 1 PM.

If you have any questions, please call the Library at 207-384-3308.

South Berwick resident Cliff Gilliam has started a website where you can buy and sell items locally. The site works similarly to Ebay but is for local users and allows you to sell anything that you have, upload a picture of the item, bid on items, and buy it now. Because it is for local residents, you can check out items before you buy and eliminate shipping costs. Mr. Gilliam hopes it will be a way for local residents to make a little extra money or pick up a bargain from a neighbor.

Check it out at www.sbshopandswap.com

Cliff Gilliam is the owner of Ye Olde Computer Shoppe which offers technical support solutions. He provides local in home and in shop computer repair & upgrade assistance to the Southern Maine and the NH Seacoast Region as well as training & online remote computer support nationwide.

…June busting out all over. Poppies, Siberian and German irises, wood anemones, peonies, salvia, nepeta are all in bloom.  What’s in your garden?