November 2008

Sally and Peter- Organizers of the East End Stroll

The East End Holiday Stroll is intended to give shoppers an opportunity to discover east end shopping at a festive time of the year in an unrushed environment. These mostly locally owned businesses hope you will enjoy the warm spirit of this neighborhood and partake of the music, art and goodies available to strollers.  Holiday Stroll is happening  Saturday, December 6^th from 2 pm to 7 pm.  Remember to ask about the Holiday Stroll Raffle!

Peter Eiermann and his wife Sally Struever own the Eli Phant (253 Congress Street) where much of the planning and organizing for this event has taken place. In fact, when MHN was in the store, several business owners participating in the Stroll came into the store to check on the printing progress of posters that will be posted next week all over Portland announcing the event. The couple who opened their store in May of this year specialize in handmade art and household goods from around the counry.

There are 20 organizations participating in the East End Holiday Stroll. They include restaurants, coffee shops, artists studios, etc. Some are on Middle Street, India Street, Cove, with most of them on Congress Street. According to Eiermann if this Stroll goes well, there may be interest in doing another event in the spring – perhaps for Valentine’s Day. For more information, please visit eastendshops.com

Share on Facebook

By Carol McCracken

A Company of Girls,”ACOG”, continues to search for a permanent home in which to house its after-school program for at risk girls in the area. Earlier this month, MHN reported that ACOG was negotiating terms of a 2 year lease with a landlord in the Bayside area of Portland. It was expected that the nonprofit would be relocating to its new facility on Preble Street by Thanksgiving Day. However, despite intense negotiations between the two parties, no agreement has been reached. 

There are rumors the non-profit may be looking elsewhere for a facility from which to run the popular program, although Jane Makela, president of the board would not confirm this.  In a fund raiser letter this month, the potential property was described as small enough so that office space and performance space would have to be rented separately from the program facility.  Makela had expressed disappoinment that the prospective site was not directly on the Hill where the need is the most for the program.

The award winning non-profit has been functioning out of the former Adams School on the Hill for about the last year. This arrangement has always been viewed as a temporary situation by both parties. The building is slated for demolition possibly next year to make way for new condominiums and a park expected to be built by Avesta Housing over the site.

In 2006, ACOG was evicted from its 11 year home at 10 Mayo Street when People’s Regional Opportunity Program, “PROP” sold the historic former church to businesswoman Roxanne Quimby. Through a spokesperson she told MHN she planned to restore the building, but so far little progress in that regard appears to have been made. Workman have indicated to MHN that they were waterproofing the outside of the historic building earlier in the fall.  ACOG has already received two extensions of time from the city to remain at Adams School – the latest extension was to have expired on Thanksgiving Day.

However, as of yesterday no lease had been signed and the negotiations were on-going said Makela.  ”We are collecting moving boxes but we don’t know where or when we’ll be moving,” she added, clearly wearied by the entire process.  “We have one staff member and I’m a volunteer.  It’s a lot of work.”

Share on Facebook

By Carol McCracken

Portland’s Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony will happen this Friday, November 28, at 5:30 p.m. in Monument Square. The tree is scheduled to be lit at 6:05 pm.

There will be entertainment for the entire family provided.

The tree was donated by Joyce Smith, Gorham. It was a gift from her daughter in the 1970s.

This event is the kick-off to the annual Twelve Days of Christmas hosted by Portland’s Downtown District. For more information, please call Elise Loschiavo at 772-6828. Elise is in charge of special events for Portland’s Downtown District.

Share on Facebook

Childrens' CHRISTMAS HOUSE At Post Office Park

On Wednesday, November 26 at 2:00 p.m., a childrens’ CHRISTMAS HOUSE will be set up in Post Office Park at Middle and Exchange Streets. It’s being donated by Kid’s Crooked House, the famed Maine-based whimsical wooden playhouse builders. It’s valued at $10,000.

The HOUSE will stand in Post Office Park until mid-December. If there is a special child in your life for whom you would like to win this HOUSE, you  are invited to write an essay to that end. It may be written on line.  The contest  is sponsored by Radio Station 97.9. The winning essay will be chosen by committee and the maximum word length is 250 words.  December 18 is the deadline for entires.  The HOUSE will be given away at the Portland Pirates game on Sunday, December 21 at 4:00 p.m.

For contest rules, please visit kidscrookedhouse.com.  Once there, click on kidscrookedholiday giveaway. Or please call Elise Loschiavo, at 772-6828. She’s special events and public relations manager for the Portland Downtown District.

Share on Facebook