By RANDY SEAVER, Editor How do you know you've been covering Biddeford news for a long, long time? I have covered the city's annual WinterFest celebration since --- well – since before it was called WinterFest. Biddeford’s annual downtown winter celebration was the brainchild of newly elected Mayor Alan Casavant in 2012. Casavant -- who … Continue reading OPINION: Those were the days . . .
Category: FEATURE STORIES
Stories that highlight Biddeford’s unique characteristics, its people and their stories
Biddeford city manager: Cheering for the Seahawks on Sunday?
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Nearly 128 million people are expected to watch Sunday’s Superbowl Championship game between the 17-3 New England Patriots and the 16-3 Seattle Seahawks. One of those people who will be watching the Superbowl LX game on television is Biddeford’s relatively new city manager Truc Dever. Dever relocated to Biddeford last summer … Continue reading Biddeford city manager: Cheering for the Seahawks on Sunday?
Biddeford Middle School presents ‘Moana JR.’
By KAREN GARNETT, Contributing Writer Disney’s Moana JR. is playing at Biddeford Middle School’s Performing Arts Center on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, and Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. each evening. The 60-minute musical, adapted from the book by Susan Soon He Stanton and the 2016 Disney animated film, brings the adventures of Moana and her … Continue reading Biddeford Middle School presents ‘Moana JR.’
The Fire of 1947’s devastating impact on Biddeford
Local author Susan Graham discusses her book that recounts devastating damage to Fortunes Rocks and other Biddeford neighborhoods By RANDY SEAVER, Editor It would become the largest natural disaster in Maine’s history, and it destroyed dozens of homes in many of Biddeford’s coastal neighborhoods. Overall, the “Great Fire of 1947” caused more than $30 million … Continue reading The Fire of 1947’s devastating impact on Biddeford
COMMUNITY: When the helper needs help
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor Those who know Don Creighton will tell you that he is always the first to step up and help others in their time of need. Unfortunately, Don is now on the other end of that equation and wondering how he’s going to make it through the next few weeks and months … Continue reading COMMUNITY: When the helper needs help
Tough Guys Don’t Dance
This is the first installment of the five-part 'Biddeford After Dark" series that was originally published in 2001 by the Biddeford-Saco-OOB Courier By RANDY SEAVER, Editor [Oct. 2001] A heavy and ominous fog — the precursor of a cold and damp weekend — rolled westward over Biddeford early on Friday evening, and it remained like … Continue reading Tough Guys Don’t Dance
West Brook skating: an enduring legacy in Biddeford
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor The West Brook skating rink in Biddeford was first opened to the public roughly four weeks before Warren G. Harding was inaugurated as the 29th president of the United States in 1921. Although the outdoor rink has undergone some dramatic changes over the last century, the heart of its mission has … Continue reading West Brook skating: an enduring legacy in Biddeford
OPINION: Bacon & Eggs
What's it like to be unhoused and hungry on Christmas Day By TOM McPHEETERS, Contributing Writer “What I miss most is bacon and eggs,” he said. I see this gentleman every week at Seeds of Hope and have struck up a bit of a relationship. He agrees that breakfasts at Seeds of Hope are pretty … Continue reading OPINION: Bacon & Eggs
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Santa Claus gets real
By RANDY SEAVER Originally published in Saco Bay News; Dec. 24, 2023 He’s known by many names. Some call him Father Christmas; others call him St. Nicholas or Kris Kringle. But here in North America, he is best known as Santa Claus. Just two days before the Christmas holiday this year, Santa made time to … Continue reading EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Santa Claus gets real
Finding meaning in community and each other
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
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 GAZETTE 