A Window on the Past: The convict ship Success visited Portland Harbor

Back in the 1930s, a ship was pulled out of the water for repairs at the Cumberland Shipbuilding yard at the end of Broadway in South Portland. The shipyard, initially constructed during WWI, would later be replaced by the Todd-Bath Iron Shipbuilding yard during WWII, making that site relevant to world history in both the […]

Council Corner: Investing in public safety and conservation this November 

This November three capital requests may be on the local ballot: Body-worn and in-car cameras for the Police Department for about $1 million, a fire truck replacement for approximately $1 million and a request to replenish our land bond fund for $6 million. Under the Town Charter, it is the Town Council’s responsibility to put […]

Through My Lens: Burning U.S. flag doesn’t help, it hurts

Burning the U.S. flag, attacking the police and writing “Hamas is coming” on walls do not help the Palestinian cause. These actions can actually harm the very cause they aim to support, creating a backlash and further division. Our country has experienced significant turmoil recently. We witnessed an assassination attempt on a former president and […]

Our Sustainable City: Feeling the effects of extreme heat and mitigating its impact

Cranking your air conditioner? Taking cold showers? Avoiding being outside? You might be one of many suffering from the recent effects of extreme heat. In recent weeks, we’ve experienced almost unbearable high temperatures, ranging from a manageable 78 degrees to an intolerable 92 degrees. Temperatures are rising due to climate change, and according to the […]

A Window on the Past: The Higgins family farmers of Highland Avenue

In September of 2019, we published an article about the Buck Bros. and Taylor farm at 501 Highland Ave. (the street has been renumbered – that address used to be known as 451 Highland Ave.; the farmhouse is still there and the former farm/greenhouse property is now home to the Church of the Nazarene). In […]

In the pink at parade

Council Corner: A path to continued land conservation in Scarborough

On July 17 at 5:30 p.m. the Town Council held a workshop to discuss the potential referendum questions for this November’s ballot. One of these questions includes a request to replenish the land bond fund. The land bond fund is a town fund that was created in 2000 for the purpose of purchasing land for […]

A Window on the Past: Ebenezer Hutchinson and the ‘little red schoolhouse’ on Highland Avenue

One of our catalogers at South Portland Historical Society recently discovered an interesting piece of history tucked away in an old, turn-of-the-century scrapbook: a newspaper clipping containing an unnamed person’s recollection of the District 3 “little red schoolhouse” on Highland Avenue. We’ve been looking for information on this school for many years. We had previously […]

Through My Lens: How do you want your steak cooked? Dining out can be challenging for immigrants

Summer in Maine is a delightful season, perfect for beach outings, scenic drives along the coast, and savoring the local culinary delights. Whether you’re indulging in pancakes or waffles with Maine maple syrup at a cozy diner, enjoying eggs Benedict and fries, or experiencing the quintessential whole lobster at a seaside restaurant, Maine’s food scene is […]

A Window on the Past: Cushman’s Bakery and the Nathan A. Cushman family

There are still many older residents in South Portland who have fond memories of Cushman’s Bakery with their great bread, rolls, doughnuts, pies and more. For younger generations, however, they may have never heard of this once-giant bakery in New England. I recently read an interesting biography, “Nathan A. Cushman; a rugged individualist,” and it […]