Renowned author Michael Morpurgo inspires Scottish school to walk the Western Front Way

Renowned author Michael Morpurgo inspires Scottish school to walk the Western Front Way – African American News Today – EIN Presswire

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Community Calendar: Nov. 10-17

Reid Kehoe of Londonderry, New Hampshire, as Link from “The Legend of Zelda” and Ezra Brown of Portland as Captain America at last year’s Kids Con New England. This year’s kids comic con will be held at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in South Portland from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. Admission is $15, $12 for seniors and free for kids under age 5 at kidsconne.com. File photo / Portland Press Herald

Books/Authors

Tuesday 11/14

Isaac Fitzgerald author talk: “Dirtbag, Massachusetts,” 6:15 p.m., Longfellow Books, 1 Monument Way, Portland. longfellowbooks.com

Thursday 11/16

Rebecca Clarren author talk: “The Cost of Free Land: Jews, Lakota, and an American Inheritance,” 6 p.m., Jewish Community Alliance, 1342 Congress St., Portland. mainejewish.org

Ryan Britt author talk: “The Spice Must Flow,” 6 p.m., South Portland Public Library, 482 Broadway, South Portland. southportlandlibrary.com

Laurel Dodge book launch: “The Buoyant Letters of Mimsy Bell,” 6:30 p.m., Back Cove Books, 651 Forest Ave., Portland. backcovebooks.com

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Friday 11/17

Jeremy Nobel author talk: “Project Unlonely: Healing Our Crisis of Disconnection,” 4 p.m., Curtis Memorial Library, 23 Pleasant St., Brunswick. curtislibrary.libcal.com

Ongoing

Blurb Club in Mechanics’ Hall: Noon, every other Thursday, Congress Square Park, or Mechanics’ Hall, 519 Congress St., Portland, in bad weather. Informal book discussions for adults and seniors. Hosted by Portland Public Library. portlandlibrary.com

Books a la Carte: 2 p.m., third Tuesday, book and author discussions, no assigned reading. People Plus, 35 Union St., Brunswick. peopleplusmaine.org

Books and Brews: 6 p.m., first Wednesday, Flight Deck Brewing, Brunswick Landing, 11 Atlantic Ave., Brunswick. curtislibrary.com/book-groups

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Books on Tap: 4:30 p.m., third Monday, Sea Dog Brewing Company, 3 Cabela Boulevard, Scarborough. Hosted by Scarborough Public Library. tcorbett@scarboroughlibrary.org, scarboroughlibrary.org

Casco Bay Writers’ Project at the Hall: 10 a.m. to noon, Thursdays. Mechanic’s Hall, 519 Congress St., Portland. mechanicshallmaine.org

Civil War Book Club: 7 p.m., Monday, monthly, People Plus, 35 Union St., Brunswick. peopleplusmaine.org

Free e-Books: Free military history, African-American history and Latino history downloads at ebooksforstudents.org.

Great Books Discussion: 10 a.m. to noon, second Saturday, Topsham Public Library, 25 Foreside Road, Topsham. emma@topshamlibrary.org, topshamlibrary.org

Guerilla Poetry Whoop: 6:30 p.m., second Thursday, virtual via Zoom. Registration required. Hosted by Thomas Memorial Library in Cape Elizabeth. thomasmemoriallibrary.org

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Just Desserts Mystery Group: 6:30-7:30 p.m., second Tuesday, Curtis Memorial Library, 23 Pleasant St., Brunswick. curtislibrary.com/book-groups

LGBTQ+ Book Group for adults: 6 p.m., second Monday, Curtis Memorial Library, 23 Pleasant St., Brunswick. Registration required. curtislibrary.com/book-groups

Monday Afternoon Book Group: 1 p.m., first Monday, hybrid via Zoom and at Curtis Memorial Library, 200 Maine St., Brunswick. curtislibrary.com/book-groups

Preservation Pages: 6 p.m., monthly, various locations in Greater Portland. portlandlandmarks.org

Social Topics in Literature Book Group: 6:30-8 p.m., second Wednesday, virtual via Zoom. Registration required. Hosted by Prince Memorial Library. princememorial.org

South Portland Public Library Writers’ Group: 2-4 p.m., first and third Saturdays via Zoom. No experience necessary. Registration required. southportlandlibrary.com/writers-group

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Thursday Afternoon Book Group: 3-4:30 p.m., last Thursday. To register, email emanning@cumberlandmaine.com. Prince Memorial Library, 266 Main St., Cumberland. princememorial.org

Write On Writers: 1 p.m., Wednesdays, People Plus, 35 Union St., Brunswick. peopleplusmaine.org

Bulletin Board

Saturday 11/11

Celtic Fair: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Maine Irish Heritage Center, 34 Gray St., Portland. maineirish.com

Christmas Fair: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Mid-Coast Presbyterian Church, 84 Main St., Topsham. 729-3193

Rolling Slumber Bed Races: Noon, Park Row, Brunswick. Free. brunswickdowntown.org

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Sunday 11/12

Nor’Easters Synchronized Skating Exhibition: 2:45 p.m., Family Ice Center, 20 Hat Trick Drive, Falmouth. northatlanticfigureskating.org

Wednesday 11/15

Whiskey and Chocolate Pairing: 6 p.m., Ballast by Portland Schooner Co., 345 Fore St., Portland. $50. 21-plus. eventbrite.com

Friday 11/17

Celebrating Diversity in Maine calendar release party: 5 p.m., Abromson Community Education Center, USM campus, 88 Bedford St., Portland. $30, $25 students. eventbrite.com

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Friday 11/17-Sunday 11/26

Midcoast Tree Festival: St. John’s Community Center, 43 Pleasant St., Brunswick. $2, free under age 12. midcoastmaine.com/midcoasttreefestival

Ongoing

Adult chess drop-in: 3 p.m., Saturdays. Bring your own chess board if you have one. Prince Memorial Library, 266 Main St., Cumberland. princememorial.org

Bath ReStore: 1 Chandler Drive. 504-9340. habitat7rivers.org

Bellows Supportive Screaming Group: 7 p.m., second Friday, East End Beach, Portland; fourth Friday, Kettle Cove, Cape Elizabeth. renewcounselingme@gmail.com

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Bingo: 7 p.m., Mondays, Maine Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6859, 687 Forest Ave., Portland. facebook.com/vfwportlandmaine

Bridge: 1 p.m., Mondays, People Plus, 35 Union St., Brunswick. peopleplusmaine.org

Cafe en Français French Conversation Club: 2:30 p.m., fourth Tuesday, People Plus, 35 Union St., Brunswick. peopleplusmaine.org

CareerCenter Services: 1:30-3:30 p.m., every other Tuesday. Book an appointment at 883-4723, option 4, or email askSPL@scarboroughlibrary.org. scarboroughlibrary.org

Chess Club: 6 p.m., first Wednesday, Curtis Library Chess Club. All ages; children under age 8 must be accompanied by adult. Curtis Memorial Library, 23 Pleasant St., Brunswick. curtislibrary.libcal.com

Citizens Climate Lobby Portland Chapter: 9-10:30 a.m., first Saturday, Coffee by Design, 1 Diamond St., Portland. Email portlandme@citizensclimatelobby.org or visit citizensclimatelobbymaine.weebly.com.

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Connected: 7 p.m., first Monday, nondenominational social group for widowers, widows, divorced and singles 55 and over. St. Charles Borromeo Church Hall, 132 McKeen St., Brunswick. Guest speaker, light refreshments. 725-1266 or 725-8386, allsaintsmaine.com

Conversational Spanish Group: 1 p.m., Fridays via Zoom, hosted by South Portland Public Library. Open to all skill levels. Register at southportlandlibrary.com.

Critical Home Repair program: For low-income homeowners in Cumberland County. habitatportlandme.org and habitat7rivers.org

Down East Ship Model Guild: 1 p.m., second Thursday, American Legion Post 21, 200 Congress St., Bath. 751-2453, groups.io/g/DESMG

Figure drawing: 7 p.m., last Sunday, Hustle and Flow, 155 Brackett St., Portland. 18-plus. hustleflowstudio.com

Freeport American Legion: 5:30 p.m., second Thursday, Freeport Masonic Lodge, 33 Mallett Drive. mainepost83@gmail.com

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Hair Cuts with Margarita: 9 a.m., Fridays, People Plus, 35 Union St., Brunswick. $10, proceeds go to the center. Appointments required. peopleplusmaine.org

Live Tech Help: 1-3 p.m. Tuesdays, Topsham Public Library, 25 Foreside Road, Topsham. topshamlibrary.org

Loosen Up exercise classes: 9 a.m., Mondays and Fridays, People Plus, 35 Union St., Brunswick. peopleplusmaine.org

Mah-Jongg: 9 a.m., Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, People Plus, 35 Union St., Brunswick. peopleplusmaine.org

Maine Irish Heritage Trail: Self-guided historical Portland and South Portland tours, map at maineirishheritagetrail.org.

Portland ReStore: 659 Warren Ave. 221-0047. restoreportlandmaine.org

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Scarborough 55-plus Games and Gather: Coffee, snacks and games, 9 a.m. to noon, Tuesdays and Fridays, Scarborough Community Center Hub, 418 Payne Road, Scarborough. Free, no registration necessary. scarboroughmaine.org

Senior Bingo: Noon, Mondays, Scarborough Community Center Hub, 418 Payne Road, Scarborough. 55-plus, $2 at door, no registration necessary. scarboroughmaine.org

Sketcher Group: 10 a.m. to noon, second Friday; sometimes fourth Friday. Scarborough Public Library, 48 Gorham Road, Scarborough. scarboroughlibrary.org

Stump Trivia: 7:30 p.m., Tuesdays, Sea Dog Brewing Company, 3 Cabela Boulevard, Scarborough. 6 p.m., Wednesdays, 125 Western Ave., Portland. sporcle.com/events

Trivia Night: 6:30-8 p.m., Thursdays, Byrnes’ Irish Pub, 38 Centre St., Bath. 7 p.m., Wednesdays at 16 Station Ave., Brunswick. byrnesirishpub.com

Vigils for Peace and Justice: 5-5:30 p.m., Fridays, Brunswick Town Mall, Maine Street at Park Row. peaceworksbrunswickme.org

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Crafting

Ongoing

A Common Yarn: Textile craftsmanship group, 1-3 p.m., Thursdays, 5 Lunt Road, Falmouth Memorial Library. Email lnorman@falmouthmemoriallibrary.org to join. falmouthmemoriallibrary.org

Calico Quilters: 7 p.m., first and third Mondays, North Yarmouth Congregational Church, 3 Gray Road, North Yarmouth. Contact lclark@bates.edu.

Craft Meetup: 4:30-6 p.m., Mondays, Curtis Memorial Library, 23 Pleasant St., Brunswick. curtislibrary.com

Fiber Arts Club: 10 a.m., Mondays, People Plus, 35 Union St., Brunswick. peopleplusmaine.org

Library Knitting Group: 10 a.m. to noon, Saturdays, hybrid on Zoom and in-person at Scarborough Public Library. Email ljnorvell@scarboroughlibrary.org or call 883-4723, option 5. scarboroughlibrary.org

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Health

Through 11/16

Tai chi classes: Tuesdays and Thursdays, Scarborough Community Services Hub, 418 Payne Road, Scarborough; South Portland Public Library, 482 Broadway, South Portland. $50 suggested donation, registration required. smaaa.org

Ongoing

Free Age-Friendly Yoga Class: 11 a.m., Mondays, Freeport Community Services, 53 Depot St., Freeport. fcsmaine.org

Gentle Chair Yoga for Seniors: 9 p.m., Tuesdays, People Plus, 35 Union St., Brunswick. peopleplusmaine.org

Living Well with Chronic Pain: Group workshop by Healthy Living for Me. Registration required. Contact 800-620-6036, info@healthylivingforme.org or healthylivingforme.org.

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Medicare 101 with Spectrum Generations: 12:30-2 p.m., second Tuesday, People Plus, 35 Union St., Brunswick. peopleplusmaine.org

YMCA: Free online workout videos at ymcaofsouthernmaine.org/videos and ymca360.org.

Kids

Saturday 11/11

Kids Comic Con New England: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Doubletree by Hilton, 363 Maine Mall Road, South Portland. $15, $12 seniors and veterans, free under age 5. kidsconne.com

Ongoing

Children’s story time: 10:30 a.m., Saturdays, during the school year, Chebeague Island Library, 247 South Road. cheblib.wixsite.com/chebeaguelibrary

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Music Fun with Miss Teresa: 11 a.m., Fridays, Curtis Memorial Library, 23 Pleasant St., Brunswick. curtislibrary.libcal.com

OUT Maine free youth programs: Free youth LGBTQ+ programs, registration required at outmaine.org/programs/youth.

Paws and Read with Therapy Dogs: 3:30-4:30 p.m., Mondays, Freeport Community Library, 10 Library Drive. All ages. Call 865-3307 to sign up for a 15-minute session or go to freeportlibrary.com.

Play Me a Story: Theater performances and workshops for ages 4-10, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Saturdays, Portland Stage, 25A Forest Ave., Portland. $15 for a month, or specific date options. portlandstage.org

Storytime for Children: Ages 2-5, 10:30 a.m., Tuesdays, downtown Portland Public Library, 5 Monument Square, Portland. portlandlibrary.com

Storytime with Miss Robyn: Ages 2-5, 10:30 a.m., Wednesdays and Thursdays, Curtis Memorial Library, 23 Pleasant St., Brunswick. curtislibrary.libcal.com

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Storytime with Taylor: 10:15 a.m., Mondays and Thursdays, Freeport Community Library, 10 Library Drive, Freeport. freeportmaine.libcal.com

Teen Video Games: 2-6 p.m. Thursdays, 2-5 p.m. Fridays, downtown Portland Public Library, 5 Monument Square, Portland. portlandlibrary.com

Storytime at Merrill Memorial Library: 10:15 a.m., Thursdays for toddlers, Fridays for kids all ages, Merrill Memorial Library, 215 Main St., Yarmouth. yarmouthlibrary.org

Libraries

Ongoing

Chebeague Island Library: 4-8 p.m. Mondays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to noon Thursdays. 247 South Road, No. 3, Chebeague Island. cheblib.wixsite.com/chebeaguelibrary

Cundy’s Harbor Library, Harpswell: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, to 7 p.m. Thursdays, to 3 p.m. Saturdays. 935 Cundy’s Harbor Road, Harpswell. cundysharbor.me

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Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick: 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, to 6 p.m. Fridays, to 5 p.m. Saturdays, noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. 23 Pleasant St., Brunswick. Curbside pickup available Monday through Friday. curtislibrary.com

Falmouth Memorial Library: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, to 7 p.m. Wednesdays. 5 Lunt Road, Falmouth. falmouthmemoriallibrary.org

Freeport Community Library: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, to 2 p.m. Saturdays. 10 Library Drive, Freeport. freeportlibrary.com

Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, to 3 p.m. Saturdays. 215 Main St., Yarmouth. yarmouthlibrary.org

Patten Free Library, Bath: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, to 1 p.m. Saturdays. 33 Summer St., Bath. Homebound Delivery Service to cardholders in Arrowsic, Bath, Georgetown, West Bath and Woolwich. 443-5141, ext. 23. patten.lib.me.us/new-homebound-delivery-service

Prince Memorial Library, Cumberland: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. 266 Main St., Cumberland. princememorial.org

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Scarborough Public Library: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays, to 7 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays. 48 Gorham Road, Scarborough. scarboroughlibrary.org

South Portland Public Library: Main library (482 Broadway) open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays, to 8 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays. Branch library (155 Wescott Road) open noon to 5 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays and Sundays. southportlandlibrary.com.

Thomas Memorial Library, Cape Elizabeth: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. 6 Scott Dyer Road, Cape Elizabeth. thomasmemoriallibrary.org

Topsham Public Library: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, to 4 p.m. Saturdays. 25 Foreside Road, Topsham. topshamlibrary.org

Meals

Friday 11/10

Veteran’s Day lunch: 11:30 a.m., Toddy Brook Cafe, 925 Sligo Road, North Yarmouth. Free. 829-5100, hday@maine.rr.com

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Saturday 11/11

Bean supper: 4 p.m., Scarborough Free Baptist Church, 55 Mussey Road, Scarborough. 772-1535

Bean hole bean supper: 4:30 p.m., Blue Point Congregational Church UCC, 236 Pine Point Road, Scarborough. 883-6540

Ongoing

Brunswick Meals on Wheels: 10 a.m. Wednesdays, People Plus, 35 Union St., Brunswick. For more services, call 729-0757. peopleplusmaine.org

Free community dinner: 5:30 p.m., Thursdays, Deering Center Community Church, 4 Brentwood St., Portland. To volunteer, call 773-2423. deeringcentercommunitychurch.org

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Freeport Community Services Food Pantry: In-person shopping 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays. 55 Depot St., Freeport. fcsmaine.org

Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program: 12 Tenney Way, Brunswick, 725-2716. mchpp.org

Scarborough Weekly Senior Lunches: 11:30 a.m., Wednesdays, SCS Hub, 418 Payne Road, Scarborough. $8 suggested donation. scarboroughmaine.org

Souper Supper at St. Mary’s: 5-7 p.m., second and fourth Fridays, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 43 Foreside Road, Falmouth. Free. smary.org/souper-supper

The Sharing Table: Free food provided by MCHPP, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Tuesdays, Curtis Memorial Library, 23 Pleasant St., Brunswick. curtislibrary.libcal.com

Parks & Nature

Ongoing

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Explore Scarborough Trails: Explore local trails in Scarborough. scarboroughmaine.org

Falmouth Land Trust: Guided hikes throughout the year, free. falmouthlandtrust.org/events

Guided Walks with Freeport Conservation Trust: Freeport Community Services, 53 Depot St., Freeport. freeportconservationtrust.org

Maine Audubon sanctuaries in Falmouth, Freeport, Scarborough and West Bath: Free and open from dawn to dusk. No pets. maineaudubon.org/news

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife: Information about recreational opportunities, including fishing, riding, hunting, trapping and hiking at mefishwildlife.com.

Natural Resources Council of Maine: Maps to explore the state. nrcm.org

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Wolfe’s Neck Center in Freeport: Hiking, gardening, workshops and more, free and open from dawn to dusk. wolfesneck.org

Recreation

Ongoing

American Legion Junior Archery Program: 6 p.m. every other Thursday, American Legion George T. Files Post 20, 1 Columbus Drive, Brunswick. See Facebook page or contact 721-1172 or algtfpost20@gmail.com.

Bicycle safety classes, riding clinics: Bicycle Coalition of Maine, 38 Diamond St., Portland. Free. bikemaine.org

Maine By Foot: Maps of walking trails throughout Maine, including wheelchair-accessible trails. Can be filtered by town. mainebyfoot.com

Support

Ongoing

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Al Anon: Alcohol addiction recovery resources. 1-888-4AL-ANON. findrecovery.com/alanon_meetings/me

All-Recovery Meetings: Faith-based support for any recovery, noon Fridays, Portland Recovery Community Center, 102 Bishop St., Portland. youngpeopleinrecovery.org

Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter: Helpline at 800-272-3900 available 24/7. alz.org/maine

Dempsey Center: Classes, workshops and groups for cancer patients and others impacted. Free, registration required. Email registration@dempseycenter.org or call 877-336-7287. dempseycenter.org

Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous: 8 a.m., Saturdays, 30 Liza Harmon Drive, Westbrook. Additional dates and meetings on Zoom. foodaddicts.org

Grief Walks: 6 p.m., first Monday, various locations in Greater Portland. $18. yogaforyourgrievingheart.com

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Health Care and Frontline Workers: Free confidential coaching, wellness workshops and connection groups. 1-800-769-9819, workforceeap.com/strengthenme or email strengthenme@northernlight.org.

Maine Coalition to Fight Prostate Cancer One2One Confidential line: Leave a message at 441-5374 or 1-855-552-7200 ext. 801; a volunteer will call back. mcfpc.org

National Alliance on Mental Illness Teen Text Support Line: For ages 13-24, text 207-515-8398, noon to 10 p.m. daily. namimaine.org/teentextline

OUT Maine: Nonprofit serving LGBTQ+ youths, connects at-risk youth with staff via phone and social media. More information at outmaine.org.

Overeaters Anonymous: Virtual meetings and in-person locations around the Midcoast. oamaine.org

Sexual Assault Support Services of Midcoast Maine: Free and private virtual support groups at sassmm.org, or call ​1-800-871-7741.

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Take Off Pounds Sensibly: Weight loss support group, various locations and online. 729-6400, tops.org

The Yellow Tulip Project: Support and community for those with mental illnesses, online resources at theyellowtulipproject.org.

Walking with Moms in Need: 3 p.m., Fridays. Unplanned pregnancy support group and services. Holy Martyrs Church, 266 Foreside Road, Falmouth. 847-6885 or kim.palli@portlanddiocese.org. pothe.org

Volunteer

Ongoing

Dempsey Center: Help make life better for people affected by cancer in Scarborough and Portland. Clayton’s House host in Portland, orientation ambassador, wig and headwear consultant, Reiki, community gardeners needed. dempseycenter.org/volunteer

Northern New England Region of the American Red Cross: Review the most urgently needed positions at redcross.org/volunteertoday or contact Volunteer Services at volunteerNNE@redcross.org or 800-464-6692.

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Puppy raisers and sitters: Maine Region of Guiding Eyes for the Blind has ongoing need for people to teach basic skills and socialize puppies and for puppy sitters. maineregion@guidingeyes.net or visit guidingeyes.org/puppy-raising

Women Build: Habitat for Humanity program to construct affordable housing. habitatportlandme.org/womenbuild

Workshops/Talks

Tuesday 11/14

“Financing and its Role in Development”: 11:30 a.m., Holiday Inn By the Bay, 88 Spring St., Portland. $45. mereda.org

“Gift Giving Options You Can Feel Good About”: 6 p.m., Curtis Memorial Library, 23 Pleasant St., Brunswick. hopeactioneconomy.com

“Die Well Death Education”: 6:30 p.m., Scarborough Public Library, 48 Gorham Road, Scarborough. scarboroughlibrary.org

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PTSD Help and Healing Forum: 6:30 p.m., Hannaford Hall, 88 Bedford St., Portland. maineveteransforward.org

Thursday 11/16

“LIV, the Geopolitics of Golf”: 5:30 p.m., Purpoodock Club, 300 Spurwink Ave., Cape Elizabeth. $35. wacmaine.org

“Refugees, Asylees and Immigrants: How is Maine Meeting the Moment?”: 7 p.m., Wishcamper Center, USM campus, 34 Bedford St., Portland. Free. unamaine.org

Friday 11/17

“Scarborough Living” publisher guest speaker: Noon, Cowbell Scarborough, 185 Route 1, Scarborough. scarboroughkiwanis.org

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Ongoing

Career building, entrepreneurship and money management: Online classes by New Ventures Maine. Free, monthly schedule at newventuresmaine.org/class-schedules.

Free college courses: For adult education students through Maine DOE and community college system. bit.ly/3qL5RwC

“From Farm to Table Fare”: Seven-video series about preparing locally sourced cuts from a whole chicken, selecting and grinding cuts of beef, and using prepared beef and chicken in recipes, free at extension.umaine.edu/livestock.

Healthy Living for ME: Classes on a variety of health topics, many are free. Visit healthylivingforme.org for schedule and registration.

Interviews with the Irish in Maine: Hosted by Maine Irish Heritage Center on youtube.com.

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Maine Audubon: Nature and environment classes and workshops, many free. maineaudubon.org/events

Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Organization: Free newsletter at bit.ly/3ef1j9s. Resources and classes at mofga.org.

Songwriting Workshop: 6:30-8 p.m., first Tuesday, Thomas Memorial Library Community Room, 6 Scott Dyer Road, Cape Elizabeth. Registration closes at noon the day of the workshop. thomasmemoriallibrary.org

Southern Maine Agency on Aging: Resources, services and education for healthy aging, in-person and remote. Call 396-6500 or email SMAAResource@yarmouth.me.us. smaaa.org

Support Maine Wildlife with Native Maine Plants: Maine Audubon online plant finder at mainenativeplants.org for plants best suited for specific sites, provide best ecological function and benefit, and complement the landscape.

Techspresso: Help with technology, 2-3:30 p.m., Tuesdays, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth. Schedule a 15-min appointment. Sign up at circulation desk or by phone. yarmouthlibrary.org

Wolfe’s Neck Farm: Educational environmental activities at wolfesneck.org/educational-activities.

World Affairs Conversation Group: 11 a.m., every other Friday, People Plus, 35 Union St., Brunswick. peopleplusmaine.org

To contribute an item to The Forecaster’s Community Calendar, go to theforecaster.net and click on Add Your Event under the Things to Do heading.

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Generational African American students build a community on campus

Sajan Rhea Young ’24 has a connection to Princeton going back 250 years — but not because he’s a legacy student.

Young’s ancestors hail from Rheatown, a small community in eastern Tennessee that was named for Congressman John Rhea, Class of 1780. Rhea was one of more than 1,800 members of Congress who owned enslaved people.

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“The ‘Rhea’ in my middle name actually comes from a place called Rheatown, Tennessee, where all of the slaves who were owned in that area lived,” Young said in an interview with The Daily Princetonian.

Young is a Generational African American, a term that, according to the granddaughter of the person who coined the term, “implies descendants of enslaved people without having to have that in the name.” 

Until recently, Generational African American students didn’t have an organization specific to their community on campus. That changed with the founding of the Generational African American Students Association (GAASA) one year ago. The number of students from Generational African American backgrounds has been part of the national conversation in the wake of the overturning of affirmative action, focusing in on the moral responsibilities incurred by historic race relations in the United States.

“I had a hard time finding a place for me as a Black person because [for] a lot of Black students here, their family or their ethnicity is from somewhere in Africa,” said Aunyae Romeo ’26. “I don’t know where I’m from.”

“Coming into Princeton, I immediately felt anecdotally that there weren’t a lot of [Generational] African American students on campus,” said Chris Butcher ’25, who founded GAASA after talking with peers at Harvard. Talking to other African American and Black students, he realized this was a widespread feeling and decided that the University needed a space for Generational African American students. 

According to Butcher’s 2022 guest contribution in the ‘Prince,’ a leader of Princeton’s Black Alumni Association once estimated “that there are around 12 Generational African Americans per class at Princeton.” 

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In the past year, GAASA has served as a social and community-building organization for Black students, while eyeing larger advocacy on issues specific to Generational African Americans. 

“We are really passionate about forming a safe space for students and for African Americans,” Butcher told the ‘Prince.’

In addition to hosting social events typical of other clubs, such as movie nights and karaoke, GAASA has built connections with similar groups at the University’s peer institutions.

On the weekend of Oct. 20, GAASA Princeton hosted a summit for GAASA chapters from Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Cornell University. The weekend included a panel discussion on the African American student experience as well as professional development opportunities, such as a speed-networking event to connect African American students with internships.

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“We spent a lot of time just enjoying each other’s company and building community across our campuses,” Butcher said. 

“It just felt very warm,” said Romeo, the GAASA social chair. “I felt like, ‘oh my gosh, I’m finally in a room with a whole bunch of people who actually like know what it’s like to be African American.’”

“Another standout moment was the music,” said Makenzie Hymes ’26. “There was this one event, the cookout, with early 2000s music. And there’s so much camaraderie, everyone singing along, and that was really incredible.” 

Beyond the social events, GAASA advocacy is largely focused on the impacts of the Supreme Court’s ruling on affirmative action.

“We’re working on the [admissions] pipeline and trying to do our own part in correcting a lot of… issues that occur for Generational African American students,” said Young, one of GAASA’s political action chairs.

“There’s been some literature done here at Princeton that shows that, across socioeconomic barriers, African American students are underrepresented in comparison to their diasporic counterparts,” Butcher said.

A 2007 study by Princeton professor Douglas S. Massey and co-authors found that 41 percent of the Black students at Ivy League schools identified themselves as immigrants, as children of immigrants, or as mixed race.

As of the 2023–2024 academic year, 8.6 percent of undergraduate students at the University are African American. The University does not release specific numbers identifying Generational African Americans or other identities under the classification of “Black.”

To address this, GAASA is in the process of conducting a research survey to estimate the number of Generational African American students on Princeton’s campus. The goal of the survey is to address the historical impact of slavery on education outcomes for Generational African American students at Princeton today.

“We want to bring that data to University Admissions and help them brainstorm new ways to recruit and retain African American students, especially after the overturning of affirmative action,” Butcher said. 

According to the ‘Prince’ Frosh Survey, 11 African and 4 Afro-Caribbean countries are currently represented by international students in the classes of 2024, 2025, 2026, and 2027. The most frequently represented countries are Kenya (11 students), Ghana (10 students), South Africa (six students), and Tanzania (six students).

There are also a wide array of Black affinity groups on campus, including the Black Student Union (BSU) and the Princeton African Students Association (PASA), as well as smaller groups focusing on female, Caribbean, Nigerian, and Ethiopian and Eritrean students.

Current GAASA board members say they are focused on building a strong foundation for the organization so that it persists even after the founding board members have graduated. 

“Because we’re new, we want to make this a legacy thing. I personally have a fear that after I graduate, what’s going to happen to GAASA?” said Romeo. 

Butcher is careful to consider a long-term trajectory by “thinking about how the group is going to be sustained on campus after I graduate,” he said. 

Building GAASA has “definitely taught me how to think about the implications of the messaging of our events. It shows the importance of learning how to articulate an issue without alienating others in the process of advocating for yourself,” he added. 

Sofia Arora is a News contributor for the ‘Prince.’

Miriam Waldvogel is an assistant News editor for the ‘Prince.’

Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.

Satcher/St. Michael’s Clinic opens with praise, hope

The Monday morning ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Dr. David Satcher/St. Michael’s Clinic and Community Center had more of the feel of a church’s praise celebration than the opening of a medical clinic.

“That’s the way it should be,” commented Anniston Mayor Jack Draper at the conclusion of the hour-long event attended by an overflow crowd of more than 150, with most sitting on what used to be the former Boys and Girls’ Club basketball court.

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Ribbon cutting for the Dr. David Satcher & St. Michael’s Clinic & Community Learning Center Monday morning. Satcher speaks. Photo by Bill Wilson

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Ribbon cutting for the Dr. David Satcher & St. Michael’s Clinic & Community Learning Center Monday morning. Rev. David Hodnett and Satcher. Photo by Bill Wilson

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Ribbon cutting for the Dr. David Satcher & St. Michael’s Clinic & Community Learning Center Monday morning. This is the unveiling of the sign. Photo by Bill Wilson

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Ribbon cutting for the Dr. David Satcher & St. Michael’s Clinic & Community Learning Center Monday morning. Inside the clinic. Photo by Bill Wilson

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Ribbon cutting for the Dr. David Satcher & St. Michael’s Clinic & Community Learning Center Monday morning. Photo by Bill Wilson

A History of Student Activism on Campus

… the International Students Association, the African American Society, the Women’s Issues … of homophobia, sexual assault and racism in front of hundreds of … RankTribe™ Black Business Directory News