By RANDY SEAVER, Editor As members of the Baby Boom generation continue to age, a relatively new organization is dedicated to helping seniors maintain their independence and remain in their own homes. The ‘Age Friendly’ program is an initiative launched by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and offers program services in several states … Continue reading Age Friendly: Helping seniors stay in their homes
Month: November 2025
UNE students help families in need during holidays
Contributed Story Students from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Sigma Sigma Phi (SSP) KAPPA Chapter continued a longstanding holiday tradition on Friday, Dec. 12, hosting their annual Holiday Giving Tree toy drive on UNE’s Biddeford Campus to support local families through the Biddeford Primary School. Now in its seventh year, the … Continue reading UNE students help families in need during holidays
Biddeford’s annual holiday celebration offers something for everyone
Contributed Story | Heart of Biddeford The Heart of Biddeford will once again host the city’s Merry & Bright Night on Friday, December 5th, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Adams Street in downtown Biddeford. The annual event offers families and friends to gather downtown and enjoy an evening filled with holiday performances, joyful activities, … Continue reading Biddeford’s annual holiday celebration offers something for everyone
Climate change & Biddeford: What’s next?
By THOMAS McPHEETERS, Special to the Gazette Municipalities all across Maine are attempting to respond to the challenge of climate change, but in contrast to the “Maine Won’t Wait” dictum in the state’s plan, local advocates and government are finding it slow going. That’s partly due to the nature of government, with its myriads of … Continue reading Climate change & Biddeford: What’s next?
NEWSLETTER: Catch you on the flip side
Although it may be hard to believe, we are now pushing up against the edge of the 2025 holiday season. Wow! Where did this year go? Over the next 30 days, people in our community will celebrate Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, the Winter Solstice and Christmas. For many people, this can be a stressful and lonely time … Continue reading NEWSLETTER: Catch you on the flip side
UNE’s new dormitory plan approved
The Saco River Corridor Commission (SRCC) voted 9-2 Monday to approve a plan that will allow the University of New England to transform a former convent on the Saco River into a student dormitory. The Biddeford convent was built in 1986 and features a 57-bed nursing home on a 21.4-acre parcel along the banks of … Continue reading UNE’s new dormitory plan approved
Biddeford convent could become college dorms
The former St. Joseph’s Covent in Biddeford could soon become a new dormitory complex for students from the University of New England (UNE). UNE purchased the property earlier this year. They are scheduled to present their plan before the Saco River Corridor Commission (SRCC) on Monday. The St. Joseph's convent in Biddeford could soon become … Continue reading Biddeford convent could become college dorms
Celebrating Thanksgiving with gratitude
There are many resources available for those struggling with food insecurity By STATE SEN. HENRY INGWERSEN Special to the Gazette This week, I hope that the residents of Senate District 32 -- whether in Dayton, Biddeford or Arundel, Hollis and Lyman, -- can celebrate the holiday with their families, friends and neighbors. This time of … Continue reading Celebrating Thanksgiving with gratitude
Biddeford Adult-Ed program earns prestigious, national grant
By KAREN GARNETT, Contributing Writer Biddeford Adult Education’s First Teachers Family Literacy Program has been selected as one of only three programs in the entire nation to receive a $10,000 grant through the newly launched Barbara Bush Fund for Family Literacy, an initiative of the George & Barbara Bush Foundation aimed at addressing America’s growing … Continue reading Biddeford Adult-Ed program earns prestigious, national grant
Bounce Pickle + Play celebrates grand opening
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor If you’ve ever found yourself wondering whatever happened to the former Smitty’s Cinema in Biddeford’s Five Points shopping center, wonder no more. The 140,000-square-foot space is now home to Bounce Pickle and Play – where Country Club meets Sports Bar -- or so says their marketing slogan. On Thursday, the Biddeford-Saco … Continue reading Bounce Pickle + Play celebrates grand opening
Platner brings his campaign to Biddeford
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor More than 1,000 people gathered Wednesday at Biddeford Middle School to see and hear U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner, and to learn more about his campaign to replace incumbent Republican Susan Collins. Platner, 40, took the stage wearing blue jeans and a flannel shirt, He was warmly received by a diverse … Continue reading Platner brings his campaign to Biddeford
OPINION | A change will do us good?
On Tuesday, I sat in my usual seat in the Biddeford City Council Chamber -- back row and closest to the door. With my back against the wall, I can see and monitor almost everything happening in the room. That perch also provides a quick exit in the event that the shit hits the fan. … Continue reading OPINION | A change will do us good?
Mayor-elect shares his hopes and goals for the city’s future
A little more than two weeks ago, Biddeford voters sent a clear message that they wanted change and more accountability from City Hall. In fact, nearly two thirds of the people who cast ballots in the Nov. 4 municipal election chose candidates other than incumbent Mayor Marty Grohman for the city’s top job. Biddeford City … Continue reading Mayor-elect shares his hopes and goals for the city’s future
OPINION: City Hall hours should serve the public, not employee preferences.
By TED COHEN, Special to the Gazette If the new Biddeford mayor really wants to serve the public, he needs to revamp City Hall’s hours, which are an insult to every city taxpayer. “In an effort to minimize public confusion, the council will consider streamlining business hours at City Hall,” the Biddeford Gazette reported. Minimize … Continue reading OPINION: City Hall hours should serve the public, not employee preferences.
UNE students bring some holiday cheer downtown
A group of roughly 30 students from the University of New England gathered downtown Sunday to help string holiday lights along Main Street. This is not the first year that students have stepped forward to help with the annual holiday decorations. It is now part of an annual tradition that began in 2017, according to … Continue reading UNE students bring some holiday cheer downtown
Chamber hires new director
The Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce announced Saturday that Alex MacPhail has been named as the agency's executive director. MacPhail, the husband of Saco Mayor Jodi MacPhail, is well known in the Biddeford–Saco region. According to a press release, MacPhail brings "strong connections with local businesses, community partners, and municipal offices. His familiarity with the Chamber’s … Continue reading Chamber hires new director
NEWSLETTER: Not Your Father’s Biddeford
New mayor; changing business hours at City Hall and approaching holidays The days are getting shorter and the temperatures are dropping, but it feels good to approach the holiday season with some enthusiasm and contentment. This week, we are asking our readers to tell us what they believe were the Top-Ten news stories in Biddeford … Continue reading NEWSLETTER: Not Your Father’s Biddeford
Zoning Board sides with UNE
The University of New England cleared another hurdle Thursday when the Biddeford Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) voted unanimously to reject an appeal of the university’s proposed research pier. Although the Biddeford Planning Board narrowly approved the controversial pier in August, a group of private citizens – led by the former chair of the Biddeford … Continue reading Zoning Board sides with UNE
Veterans Day 2025
Scores of people braved chilly temperatures and biting winds to celebrate the annual Biddeford-Saco Veterans Day Parade on Tuesday. This year's ceremony featured the unveiling of the Gen. Wallace H. Nutting Memorial Bridge. RELATED: Cities will dedicate bridge on Veterans Day Gen. Wallace Nutting's children attended the dedication ceremony of a bridge named in their … Continue reading Veterans Day 2025
Back to the drawing board for UNE?
City attorney finds new info, says UNE pier should go back to planning board By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Biddeford City Attorney Harry Center says that the Biddeford Planning Board should reconsider its prior approval of the University of New England’s controversial research pier. Although the planning board narrowly approved the university’s proposal in August, Center … Continue reading Back to the drawing board for UNE?
BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 