Maine Women in the Arts is launching its 2022 show season with the Summer Fine Art and Crafts Show. The show features fine art pieces of paintings, sculptures, pottery, and photographs from area artists. In addition to the varied fine art items, a number of artists will have fine art crafts available. The show offers choices for items both in the realm of fine art as well as crafts. It’s an opportunity to support the arts and local artisans and have something to enjoy for years to come.

The show opens on Friday, July 29 at 9:30 a.m. with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. There will be live music at the reception. Saturday’s hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday’s hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The show is at the Masonic Lodge, 10 North St., Kennebunkport. Admission is free.

The objective of Maine Women in the Arts is to promote and give exposure to local artists and their work in all media. For more information about the organization, visit www.mainewomenarts.com.

Marketing agency announces sustainability competition

GLP Films, a content marketing agency dedicated to sustainable tourism based in Kennebunkport, announced a partnership with Sustainable Travel International to offer the winner of the Sustainability Storytelling Competition a carbon-neutral video production package.

GLP’s competition invites organizations of any size, from any industry, to submit their untold sustainability story for a chance to win a free custom video produced and distributed by GLP and global partners. Because of STI’s partnership, the competition’s sustainability efforts will now go a step further by offering the winner a net-zero production package.

“We love the stories that GLP is already telling, and we’re very excited to join this competition and help elevate the organizations that don’t always have access to these resources,” said Ivory Vogt, program manager for climate and resilience at STI, in a June 27 news release. “We want to hear the stories that are coming from different places and that intersect sustainability in different ways…We’re really excited to see a holistic sustainability story come out of this.”

The competition has six categories that cover critical issues surrounding climate, community, and social justice. Top-tier panelists from diverse industries will review submissions and identify winners based on story potential, greatest need, previous exposure, and positive impact.

“Now more than ever, the world needs inspiring stories of how people are coming up with innovative, sustainable solutions in order to drive environmental and social restoration,” said Founder and Chief Strategist of GLP, Rob Holmes, in an email. “STI’s offer to make the winner’s video package carbon-neutral is yet another example of how we can work together to drive sustainability forward.”

The Sustainability Storytelling Competition is open for submissions and will close July 31 at 11:59 p.m.

For more information and to submit a sustainability story for a chance to win a fully produced and globally distributed video, visit www.glpfilms.com/ssc.

Blueberry Festival scheduled for July 23

The First Parish Blueberry Festival and Crafts Fair is scheduled for Saturday, July 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, 114 Main St. Kennebunk.

The event features homemade blueberry confections, crab rolls, vegan wraps, hot dogs, and ice cream. Church volunteers have been working all winter to create blueberry related products, as well as items for the restored jewelry table.

Forty-three arts and crafts vendors from Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts will set up shot in tents on the lawn. Some have participated for several years and many new vendors will join in.

Blueberry cheese and a variety of other cheeses will be offered by West River Creamery, Vermont. Three award-winning authors will be in attendance and offer books for children, as well as teens and adults. New products from reclaimed wood, seascapes, and modern art will be displayed by artists from around the state.

Visitors will also find embellished clothing, wood and textile items, and hand-made pottery. Original cards, natural soaps, lotions, and fragrances, are a few of the many gift items, plus seacoast glass, silver jewelry, painted glassware, hats, wooden signs, and even gifts for a favorite pet.

For more information, visit www.uukennebunk.org.

Arundel Conservation Trust’s StoryWalk is in place

Arundel Conservation Trust invites visitors to its StoryWalk. The StoryWalk displays Miss Maple’s Seeds, installed along the the trust’s multi-purpose trail, so hikers can read and learn about nature as they walk the trail.

According to a trust news release, “Miss Maple’s Seeds is a gorgeous picture book that introduces the nature-loving Miss Maple, who celebrates the miracle in each seed. Illustrated with luminous paintings that feature beautiful landscapes, lush foliage and charming detail, this tender story celebrates the potential found in each seed. Even the grandest tree and most brilliant flower grows from the smallest of seeds into the magnificent plants they are destined to become. This is a terrific educational activity for hikers of all ages, who are interested in learning more about nature.”

The StoryWalk will remain in place through the summer months. There is no admission fee. The StoryWalk begins at the Arundel Conservation Trust Community Trailhead at the Arundel Municipal Building parking lot, 257 Limerick Road, Arundel.

According to the news release, “ACT is grateful for the support of the Kennebunk High School graduating senior, Sophie Dumas, who installed the StoryWalk as part of her Senior Project on the trail. Additionally, ACT is pleased to host four additional KHS graduating seniors, who have volunteered and are building bridges and other trail work on the new ACT Community Multi-Use Trail being built this summer.

For more information, volunteer or donate, visit www.arundeltrust.org or email info@arundeltrust.org.

Wood graduates from Williams College

Isabelle Clare Wood, daughter of Seana and Roger Wood of Kennebunk, received a B.A. in history from Williams College at the college’s 233rd commencement exercises on June 5.  Wood participated in the following activities: Williams-Exeter Programme at Oxford. Honors and prizes included: deans list, Bostert Fellow and class historian.

Norwich University announces dean’s list

The following local students were recognized on the dean’s list at Norwich University for the spring 2022 semester:

* Tobias Macedo, Kennebunk

* Ian Connors, Kennebunk

Legion Post 159 plans drive-through barbecues

American Legion Post 159 announced that it will host a free drive-through barbecue on July 22, Aug. 19 and Sept. 2. The barbecues will be held at 5 p.m. at Legion Post 159, Route 9, Kennebunkport (across from the police station).

The menu will feature pulled pork, smoked chicken, bratwurst, beans, cole slaw, potato salad, jalapeno corn bread and brownies. Donations are welcome. For more information, call 967-2400.

UMaine-Farmington releases dean’s list

The University of Maine at Farmington announced its dean’s list for the spring 2022 semester. Local students on the dean’s list:

Arundel: Calli Leach, high honors.

Kennebunk: Sam LaFond, high honors; Callister Montembeau, high honors.

McClelland Community Music Foundation to host concert

The Keith McClelland Community Music Foundation will present a free concert at Church on the Cape on July 24 at 4 p.m. The church is located at 3 Langsford Road in Cape Porpoise. The concert will feature The Funky Divas of Gospel.

The Funky Divas have been sharing their vocals for over 30 years, performing bluegrass, soul and gospel tunes. Their performances are suitable for all ages. The six-piece group features long-time area musicians: guitarist and singer Dan Poland, bassist Tom Kesel and multi-instrumentalist Peter Leavenworth on pedal steel, dobro and banjo, along with vocalists Vicky Poland, Diane Sanborn Arabian and Carolyn Hutton. The group regularly performs in concert halls, and at music festivals, benefits and conferences.

For more information about The Funky Divas, visit www.funkydivasofgospel.org or find them on Facebook, www.facebook.com/thefunkydivas.

The Keith McClelland Community Music Foundation is dedicated to encouraging, sponsoring and supporting the performance and appreciation of music in the Kennebunks. It is named in memory of Keith McClelland, beloved music educator in the local schools, director of the Sweet Adelines Chorus and organist at South Congregational Church and Church on the Cape.

To contact the Foundation or for more information, email billsusie58@hotmail.com.

How sweet it is: Mid-Week Music ‘60s R&B

Mid-Week Music presents a concert of ‘60s R&B on Wednesday, July 27 at 7 p.m. with an encore held Sunday, July 31 at 1 p.m. The monthly series is held at the Kennebunkport Historical Society’s Town House School at 135 North St.

Dana Pearson (guitar, bass), Mark Gunter (keyboards), Ron Breton (drums) and Alan Shepard (tenor sax) will perform songs that were hits for artists including Marvin Gaye (“How Sweet It Is”), Sam Cooke (“Another Saturday Night”), Otis Redding (“Dock of the Bay”), the Supremes (“Where Did Our Love Go”), and the Temptations (“Get Ready”).

Tickets are $15 for Kennebunkport Historical Society members and $18 for non-members. The evening show is BYOB (21 and older only). For more information and tickets, visit kporths.com/buy-tickets, email info@kporths.com, or call 967-2751.

Community Yard Sale is scheduled for Aug. 6

Kennebunk Free Library is hosting a Community Yard Sale on its lawn on Saturday, Aug. 6 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Shoppers will find an array of items from local artists and community garages.

Vendors can rent 10’x10’ spaces for $35 and 30”x72” folding tables are also available to rent for an additional $15. A clean-up deposit of $25 is required and will be returned at the conclusion of the event. Vendors receive prime visibility on Main Street, free advertising and all for a small donation to benefit the library.

Applications and fees are due by Monday, Aug. 1. Spots are limited. Applications and additional information can be picked up at the library or found on the website. For more information, call 207-985-2173 or visit www.kennebunklibrary.org.

Model of Positive Living Award nominees sought

The Center is seeking nominations for its eighth annual Model of Positive Living Award.

According to a June 16 news release from The Center, “The Model of Positive Living Award is given to a community member who is 50 or older who makes a difference in the lives of others through kind gestures, volunteerism and a can-do attitude. We are looking for folks who live their lives with vitality and compassion. We’re confident you know someone who has demonstrated these inspiring traits. Help us recognize their impact and influence.”

For a nomination form, visit The Center website. Deadline to nominate is Aug. 1. To make a submission, call or email The Center at 207-967-8514 or email inquiry@seniorcenterkennebunk.org. The award will be announced by The Center in September.

Chalk the Port seeks artists

Kennebunkport is inviting local artists to show off their talent and is asking them to register by Aug. 24 for Chalk the Port.

The Chalk the Port event returns Sept. 23-24 after a two-year hiatus; local artists participate starting at 8 a.m. on Sept. 24 and finishing up by 5 p.m. that day, creating pieces that celebrate the theme, “Kennebunkport: Past, Present, and Future.”

The free, family-friendly event takes place at the Recreation Complex at 20 Recreation Way, near Consolidated School.

“The first 10 qualifying local artists selected will be awarded a $100 stipend, to show the community’s appreciation for the talent right here in our own backyard,” said Town Manager Laurie Smith in an email.

To register, complete the application at www.chalktheport.com by Aug. 24.

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