The holiday season can be difficult for many people, but there are resources for those struggling with the extra stress By State Rep. MARC MALON The holiday season is a source of joy for many. The lights are pretty, the kids get excited for Santa and families gather in reunion and celebration; and obviously for … Continue reading Finding meaning in community and each other
Category: FEATURE STORIES
Stories that highlight Biddeford’s unique characteristics, its people and their stories
2025: A year of big changes in Biddeford
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor There is little doubt that 2025 was a year of substantive change for the city of Biddeford. From political fallout to major infrastructure improvements and new business openings, this year featured a plethora of news stories about change. In fact, even the news/media landscape changed as a new digital news source … Continue reading 2025: A year of big changes in Biddeford
Despite cold, ‘Merry & Bright’ night attracts crowd
Once again, Biddeford's downtown holiday celebration and annual tree lighting ceremony Friday night drew a decent crowd downtown on lower Adams Street. Poppy (3) was excited to see Santa Claus arrive along with her parents Stephanie and Michael of Biddeford (Seaver photo) Santa Claus arrived on schedule, escorted by the flashing lights and the wailing … Continue reading Despite cold, ‘Merry & Bright’ night attracts crowd
“I hear that train a coming . . .”
Given increasing complaints, are train horns in Biddeford louder and more frequent? By JIM KRAUSE, Contributing Writer People living near railroad tracks in Biddeford are making noise about freight train horns that sound at all hours of the night. Rail officials say they are required by law — and in some cases for public safety. … Continue reading “I hear that train a coming . . .”
Turning a wrench and sparking imaginations
The Apex Youth Connection in Biddeford offers a wide range of programs to help teens transition to adulthood By RANDY SEAVER, Editor It’s quite common to hear about after-school programs that get kids off the streets and into a productive, structured setting. Apex Youth Connection (AYC) in Biddeford, however, takes a different approach to nurturing … Continue reading Turning a wrench and sparking imaginations
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
Boys & Girls Club gets ‘big surprise’
Contributed Story/ Special to the Gazette Members of the Southern Maine Boys & Girls Club got a special surprise on Wednesday when they were presented with a new passenger van to support the many programs the Club offers to area youth. The van was donated by Bridgestone Retail Operations as part of an ongoing celebration … Continue reading Boys & Girls Club gets ‘big surprise’
Pumpkins will fly and smash in Dayton
You may have heard about the Great Pumpkin, but have you ever seen a pumpkin fly hundreds of feet through the air and smash into a thousand pieces? Well, get ready because the much anticipated 22nd annual Pumpkin Chunkin event will take place on Sunday (Nov. 2) across the road from Andy’s Farm and Garden … Continue reading Pumpkins will fly and smash in Dayton
Talkin’ Biddeford Politics with Randy Forcier
Once again, I had a blast as a guest on the Randy Forcier Podcast. We talked about the upcoming municipal elections, my predictions on the various races and voter turnout. Randy is a Biddeford native and a former member of the Biddeford School Committee. You can find his podcast on several platforms, including YouTube, Spotify … Continue reading Talkin’ Biddeford Politics with Randy Forcier
Biddeford Education Foundation raises more than $20K to help students
By KAREN GARNETT, Contributing Writer The Biddeford Education Foundation (BEF) held its Eighth Annual Pillars of Pride event to honor two remarkable community members: longtime educator Joyce Tarpy and local photographer Maureen Grandmaison. The celebration, hosted at The Lincoln Hotel in Biddeford, raised over $20,000 for the Foundation, which provides resources outside the school budget … Continue reading Biddeford Education Foundation raises more than $20K to help students
Ready to have some BiddeFUN?
By EMMA BOUTHILLETTE, Contributing writer Once listed among Food & Wine’s Next Great Food Cities, Biddeford does not disappoint when it comes to the food and beverage scene. But between eats, treats and sips, what’s there to do in and around downtown? The answer is PLENTY! Rift Arcade or The Gutter will take you back … Continue reading Ready to have some BiddeFUN?
Biddeford girl finds passion in gymnastics
[CONTRIBUTED STORY] Marie Metcalf, 12, of Biddeford, has been named the STAR Student of September at Maine Connections Academy, a tuition-free online public school serving students in grades 7-12 statewide. Marie began her first year at Maine Connections Academy as a 7th grader this year, and she couldn’t be happier as she balances online schooling and her … Continue reading Biddeford girl finds passion in gymnastics
New cookie business opens in Biddeford
In a modest, second-floor apartment on Alfred Street, Zimra Winters is making his dream come true. Winters, 29, has a daytime job working as a baker at Rover Bagel in Biddeford. But his real passion is cookies – cookies so delicious that after your first bite, you may think you have died and gone to … Continue reading New cookie business opens in Biddeford
Turning addiction into something positive
Ryan Paige grew up in Biddeford, and he has now taken the worst part of his life and turned it into a resource that has helped hundreds of people achieve sobriety all across Maine. Paige, 43, has been sober and drug-free since 2019. Flash forward six years, and he is now running a statewide non-profit … Continue reading Turning addiction into something positive
Get on the bus! Check out ‘Childish Things’
Why run from your problems, when you can drive? Although they are not yet as famous as the Coen brothers, Cash and Nick Cassidy are already making quite a splash in the world of independent (indie) filmmaking. Their latest film – Childish Things – will kick off this year’s Vacationland Film Festival at City Theater … Continue reading Get on the bus! Check out ‘Childish Things’
BHS Champions recognized by city leaders
The Biddeford City Council Chamber came alive with excitement Tuesday as members of the state champion high school baseball team filed into the room amidst a buzz of respect and admiration. Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman said, "today is a proud day for Biddeford," as the players and coaches stood against the wall, holding the giant … Continue reading BHS Champions recognized by city leaders
Should Mainers be concerned by shark sightings?
By JULIA TILTON, Maine Monitor John Chisholm has been interested in sharks as long as he can remember. Growing up in Plymouth, Mass. in the 1970s, he spent a lot of time searching for great whites on his dad’s commercial fishing boat. An adjunct scientist at the New England Aquarium’s Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean … Continue reading Should Mainers be concerned by shark sightings?
‘For Biddeford’ event draws 150 volunteers
By JUSTIN SWEENEY, New Life Church, Lead Pastor (Photos by Joe McKenney) On Saturday, July 12, New Life Church hosted its 8th annual “For Biddeford” event, a citywide serve day where close to 150 volunteers spread out across Biddeford to complete 10 service projects to bless the community. For Biddeford is built on a simple … Continue reading ‘For Biddeford’ event draws 150 volunteers
Bringing a bit of southeast Asia to Biddeford
Almost two years ago, Sima and Breese Reagle opened their sandwich store on Main Street in Biddeford with a simple mission: to bring the flavors of Cambodia to southern Maine. In just a short amount of time, the BiddoBanh shop has built a loyal fan and customer base. Breese and Sima Reagle help a customer … Continue reading Bringing a bit of southeast Asia to Biddeford
Biddeford Tigers will face Mt. Ararat Eagles for Class A state championship
In just a few hours, fourteen young men from Biddeford will create a memory that they will likely never forget. Tomorrow, the Biddeford High School Tigers (15-4) will face the Mount Ararat Eagles (17-3) in the Class A Maine State Championship baseball game. The game begins at 1 p.m. Saturday at St. Joseph’s College in … Continue reading Biddeford Tigers will face Mt. Ararat Eagles for Class A state championship
