North Gorham Library to Host Local Author

The North Gorham Public Library will host Westbrook author Kathy Eliscu Thursday evening at 7p.

Eliscu is the author of the book Not Even Dark Chocolate Can Fix This Mess, and the event is free to the public.

- John C.L. Morgan

NoGo Sunrise: November 13

6:34a

- John C.L. Morgan

2016 Election: How Gorham Voted

Gorham voters largely reflected Maine voters as a whole Tuesday by preferring Hillary Clinton as president; choosing Chellie Pingress as its representative in the U.S. House of Representatives; and supporting the legalization of marijuana, an increase in the minimum wage, and the adoption of ranked-choice voting. 

The one area Gorham voters differed from statewide voters is on the expansion of background checks to private sales: About 56% of Gorham voters voted 'Yes' on Question 3 to expand the background checks, but Maine voters overall rejected Question 3.

Q1

Q3 

Q4

Q5

Images are from the Portland Press Herald.

- John C.L. Morgan

2016 Election: McLean, Volk Win Races

Incumbents Andrew McLean (D-House District #27) and Amy Volk (R-Senate District #30) both won their respective races Tuesday:

Images are from the Portland Press Herald.

- John C.L. Morgan

2016 Autumn Chess Open

The North Gorham Chess Club will be hosting its inaugural Autumn Open Saturday, November 12 at the United Church of Christ at North Gorham. The tournament, which will be held in the church's Alexander Cairn Community Room, will be from 10a-12p. 

There is no cost to participate in the event, and players of all ages and skill levels are welcome. Each player is guaranteed to play in at least three, 20-minute unrated games.

To participate, players can pre-register for the event by e-mailing me at jclmorgan26@gmail.com or complete on-site registration between 9:30a-10a on the morning of the event.

- John C.L. Morgan

NoGo Sunrise: November 6

6:25a

- John C.L. Morgan

2016 Election: Another Look at Senate #30 Race

PPH:

[Democrat Jean-Marie] Caterina is a publicly funded candidate under Maine’s Clean Election Act, which limits private contributions and provides supplemental public funding. She had received $3,000 in seed money contributions and nearly $42,000 in Clean Election funding as of Sept. 20. By the end of that period, she had a cash balance just shy of $37,780. [Republican Amy] Volk is running a privately financed campaign, and she reported roughly $47,334 in contributions as of Sept. 20. She had spent about $12,120, meaning she had a balance of more than $35,000 in her campaign coffers at the end of that period.

- John C.L. Morgan

Election 2016: Another Look at House #27 Race

PPH:

State Rep. Andrew McLean, a freshman Democratic legislator, is being challenged Nov. 8 by Republican James Means in a race for the House District 27 seat representing parts of Gorham and Scarborough. Both Gorham residents, the candidates differ on some major issues facing Mainers, such as raising the minimum wage and requiring background checks for private gun sales, and they agree on others, such as opposing the proposal to legalize marijuana for recreational use.

- John C.L. Morgan

NoGo Sunrise: October 30

7:15a

- John C.L. Morgan

2016 Election: BDN Gives Edge to McLean, Volk in Races

The Bangor Daily News has come out with its latest projections for all the competitive match-ups in this year's State House and State Senate races, and incumbents Andrew McLean (D) and Amy Volk (R) have been given the edge in the State House #27 and State Senate #30 races, respectively.

The BDN's projections categorize McLean's race against challenger Jim Means (R) as "Strong D," which means McLean is a strong favorite. And its latest projections have shifted Volk's race against challenger Jean-Marie Caterina from "Toss-Up" to "Leans R," or that Volk is now the favorite.

The projections, which are not based on any polling, take into consideration the partisan make-up of each district, past performances by the candidates, and spending.

Here are the statewide projections for State House races (top) and State Senate races (bottom):

- John C.L. Morgan

North Gorham Library to Host Westbrook Author

Westbrook author Eleanor Phillips Brackbill will be speaking at the North Gorham Public Library Thursday, October 27 at 7pm. The event is free and open to all.

Brackbill is the author of The Queen of Heartbreak Trail: The Life and Times of Harriet Smith Pullen, Pioneering Woman. In 1897, Harriet Smith Pullen landed in Skagway, Alaska, from Washington State, in the midst of the Klondike Gold Rush, broke and alone. Her enterprising attitude and gregarious nature would make her an Alaska legend.

For more information about the book, click here.

- John C.L. Morgan

NoGo Sunrise: October 23

7:07a

- John C.L. Morgan

2016 Election: A Look at State Senate #30 Race

The Forecaster:

SCARBOROUGH — Town Councilor Jean-Marie Caterina, a Democrat, is challenging Republican incumbent state Sen. Amy Volk in Senate District 30. The district includes most of Scarborough, plus Gorham and Buxton.

- John C.L. Morgan

NoGo Sunrise: October 14

6:55a

2016 Election: A Look at State House #27 Race

AJ:

In the race for Maine House District 27, Democrat Andrew McLean, the incumbent, is being challenged for the seat by Republican James Means. Both are from Gorham. The district represents part of Gorham and part of Scarborough.

- John C.L. Morgan

Gorham Historical Society Gains New Leadership

AJ:

Following passionate pleas Monday [September 26] to preserve the Gorham Historical Society, members averted a potential collapse of the group. The historical society, plagued in recent months by lack of filled leadership positions and dwindling meeting attendance, rallied when a large turnout backed continuing the organization. Then membership elected a new slate of officers. They chose Suzanne Phillips, a School Committee member and former town councilor, as president. “I am looking forward to helping the historical society have more of a presence in the community,” Phillips said Wednesday. “We have wonderful members and lots of great ideas.” The society’s assets include archives housed in a town-owned building at 28 School St., and a White Rock farm bequeathed to the society several years ago. Disbanding the society would likely have led to legal issues.

- John C.L. Morgan

NoGo Sunrise: October 6

6:48a

- John C.L. Morgan

Maine DoT Repairs Babb's Bridge

AJ:

After years of patchwork repairs to damage from vandalism and car accidents, the Maine Department of Transportation is making major renovations to the historic Babb’s Bridge in South Windham. The repairs, which started Sept. 19 and are expected to continue through the end of October, have completely closed the bridge, which connects Covered Bridge Road in Windham to Hurricane Road in Gorham. Doten Construction, the contractor for the project, will be replacing the bridge’s wooden roof and sides, which have seen extensive damage caused by vandalism. The budget for the project is $89,000, according to Ted Talbot, spokersman for the department.

- John C.L. Morgan

Related: Babb's Bridge Among Five Best Watering Holes in Maine (August 22, 2016)  

10% for Maine: October 3

(Editor's Note: This is a weekly feature that will highlight North Gorham residents' ability to spend at least 10% of a weekly grocery bill on Maine-owned products at a major grocery store in the area.)

Percentage of Maine-owned goods bought: 28.7%

Allagash White (Portland)
Bar Harbor Clam Chowder (Whiting)
Fox Family Potato Chips (Blaine)
Kate's Sea Salt Butter (Old Orchard Beach)
Montecito Roadhouse tortilla chips (Westbrook)
Oakhurst Heavy Cream (Portland)
Randall Orchards apples (Standish) 

- John C.L. Morgan

NoGo Sunrise: October 1

(Editor's note: This is the first of what will be a weekly installment capturing a sunrise over North Gorham Pond. Perhaps no spot in North Gorham captures the four seasons better than the pond, so this feature is meant to document our changing landscape over the next year.)

6:40a

- John C.L. Morgan

2016 Election: Clinton Leads Trump in Gorham Donations

The Bangor Daily News has tabulated statewide contributions to the presidential campaigns of Hillary Clinton (D) and Donald J. Trump (R) through August, and Clinton has edged Trump in fundraising from Gorham residents $4,549 to $3,298.40. 

Clinton has raised her money from seventeen donors spending an average of $264.59 per donor, and Trump's twelve donors contributed an average of $274.87.

- John C.L. Morgan 

10% for Maine: September 26, 2016

(Editor's Note: This is the fifth installment of 10% for Maine, a weekly feature that will highlight North Gorham residents' ability to spend at least 10% of a weekly grocery bill on Maine-owned products at a major grocery store in the area.)

Percentage of Maine-owned goods bought: 10.8%

Kate's Sea Salt Butter (Old Orchard Beach)
Oakhurst Dairy Skim Milk (Portland)
Shipyard Pumpkinhead (Portland)

- John C.L. Morgan

2016 Election: Candidates' Web Presence

Besides the presidential race, congressional races, and the various referenda, North Gorham voters will be voting for a state senator and a state representative to represent them in Augusta. 

Below are links to the four candidates' web sites, Facebook pages, and/or Twitter profiles. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order:

State Senate #30

Jean-Marie Caterina (D)
Web site
Facebook
Twitter

Amy Volk (R)
Web site

Facebook

Twitter

State House #27

Andrew McLean (D)

Web site

Facebook

Jim Means (R)

Web site

Facebook

Twitter

- John C.L. Morgan

10% for Maine: September 19

(Editor's Note: This is the fourth installment of 10% for Maine, a weekly feature that will highlight North Gorham residents' ability to spend at least 10% of a weekly grocery bill on Maine-owned products at a major grocery store in the area.)

Percentage of Maine-owned goods bought: 16.3%

Backyard Farms tomatoes (Madison)
Giffords French Vanilla ice cream (Skowhegan)
Kate's Sea Salt Butter (Old Orchard Beach)
Oakhurst Dairy Skim Milk (Portland)
Pineland Farms corn (New Gloucester)
Sebago Brewing Company Simmer Down beer (Gorham)
Wicked Joe Wicked French coffee (Topsham)

- John C.L. Morgan

10% for Maine: September 12

(Editor's Note: This is the third installment of 10% for Maine, a weekly feature that will highlight North Gorham residents' ability to spend at least 10% of a weekly grocery bill on Maine-owned products at a major grocery store in the area.)

Percentage of Maine-owned goods bought: 14.3%

Backyard Farms tomatoes (Madison)
Kate's Sea Salt Butter (Old Orchard Beach)
Oakhurst Dairy Skim Milk (Portland)
Sebago Brewing Company Simmer Down beer (Gorham)
Wicked Joe Wicked French coffee (Topsham)

- John C.L. Morgan

Chess Club to Meet Saturday

The North Gorham Chess Club will be hosting its monthly meeting this Saturday morning from 10:15a-11:30a at the North Gorham Public Library.

Players of all ages and skill levels are invited to participate in informal games and lessons.

- John C.L. Morgan

10% for Maine: September 5, 2016

(Editor's Note: This is the second installment of 10% for Maine, a weekly feature that will highlight North Gorham residents' ability to spend at least 10% of a weekly grocery bill on Maine-owned products at a major grocery store in the area.)

Percentage of Maine-owned goods bought: 16.3%

Backyard Farms tomatoes (Madison)
Giffords French Vanilla ice cream (Skowhegan)
Kate's Sea Salt Butter (Old Orchard Beach)
Oakhurst Dairy Skim Milk (Portland)
Pineland Farms corn (New Gloucester)
Sebago Brewing Company Simmer Down beer (Gorham)
Wicked Joe Wicked French coffee (Topsham)

- John C.L. Morgan

Both State Senate Candidates Criticize LePage

AJ:

Asked for comment on her Facebook post, [Republican incumbent Amy] Volk said only, “Taking a stand is not about supporting or not supporting the governor’s policies, it’s about identifying inappropriate behavior and rhetoric. The only thing I would add is that I regret speculating about what may be going on with Gov. LePage. (However), I am concerned for his health.” She added, “I wrote my Facebook post because I am concerned about Gov. LePage’s behavior, as well as its impact on our state and our citizens, and my constituents deserve to know that.”

[snip]

[Democratic challenger Jean-Marie] Caterina released a statement Monday, which said, in part, “Gov. LePage has long utilized unfortunate exploitations of fear and bigotry when addressing issues that are not in line with his narrow world view, choosing to scapegoat those who live in poverty, lambast those who oppose his agenda and threaten those who are not afraid to call him out on his unacceptable behavior. It is long past time for this to stop.”

- John C.L. Morgan

Related: State Sen. Volk: LePage Needs to Be Held Accountable (August 29, 2016)

Neighbors Raise Funds for Congolese Family Reunited in North Gorham

The crowdfunding site established to help the family with living expenses while they adjust to the United States is here.

- John C.L. Morgan

10% for Maine: August 29, 2016

(Editor's Note: This is the first installment of 10% for Maine, a weekly feature that will highlight North Gorham residents' ability to spend at least 10% of a weekly grocery bill on Maine-owned products at a major grocery store in the area.)

Percentage of Maine-owned goods bought: 14.3%

Backyard Farms tomatoes (Madison)
Kate's Sea Salt Butter (Old Orchard Beach)
Oakhurst Dairy Skim Milk (Portland)
Sebago Brewing Company Simmer Down beer (Gorham)
Wicked Joe Wicked French coffee (Topsham)

- John C.L. Morgan

State Sen. Volk: LePage Needs to Be Held Accountable

PPH:

Republican State Sen. Amy Volk of Scarborough, who is facing re-election in November, told her constituents in a Facebook post Sunday that she shares their “deep concerns” about LePage’s recent behavior and said it may be appropriate for the Legislature to censure him. Volk said she had received numerous emails and phone calls from people who told her they were disturbed by the governor’s behavior.

- John C.L. Morgan

Committee Sends Comprehensive Plan to Town Council

AJ:

Following a sparsely attended public hearing, Gorham’s Comprehensive Plan Committee Tuesday recommended that the Town Council adopt the town’s updated version of the plan as amended by the committee. The committee voted 7-0 (Jon Smith and Doug Carter absent) that the Town Council adopt the town’s updated version of the plan with the committee’s proposed changes. “I anticipate it will go to public hearing with the Town Council most likely on Sept. 6,” Town Manager David Cole said before Tuesday’s committee meeting. The town’s Comprehensive Plan was approved in 1993 and amended in 1994. The proposed updated version with the committee’s multiple recommendations in red letters is posted on the town’s web site www.gorham-me.org.

- John C.L. Morgan 

Babb's Bridge Among Five Best Watering Holes in Maine

PPH:

Rope swings beside and under this covered bridge are the main attraction for swimmers, and on most hot days you can see kids of all ages launching into the slowly flowing river. One thing that’s a no-no is jumping from the bridge, which is strictly prohibited. It’s also a popular fishing hole, drawing anglers who set up both on the bridge and along its shore. 

- John C.L. Morgan

North Gorham Library to Host Local Author

AJ:

Chester Kay will speak at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 25, at North Gorham Public Library, 2 Standish Neck Road, Gorham. A retired minister, Kay has worked in a national denomination office, higher education and New England churches. He wrote “A Promise to Keep,” an adventure story about boys and the friendships and community that shaped them. 

- John C.L. Morgan

North Gorham Church to Host Bean Supper

The North Gorham United Church of Christ will be hosting its monthly bean-hole baked bean supper this Saturday from 4:30p-6p.

- John C.L. Morgan

Better Know a Rep

Residents in North Gorham are represented in the Maine State Senate by State Sen. Amy Volk (R-District 30) and in the Maine State House of Representatives by State Rep. Andrew McLean (D-District 27).

Below are the legislative Web pages for each of the representatives:

State Sen. Amy Volk (R-District 30)

State Rep. Andrew McLean (D-District 27)

- John C.L. Morgan

Where Is NoGo?

Despite the thickness of historian Hugh D. McLellan's The History of Gorham Maine, his geographical description of the area commonly known as North Gorham* is slight: "Great Falls, or North Gorham as it is now called, is situated on the Presumpscot River, near the most northeasterly corner of the town."

I'll see McLellan's spartan description of North Gorham's boundaries and raise him a few more:

• The Presumpscot River to the north and east separating North Gorham from Windham.
• A mostly straight line on the north and west between North Gorham Road and Route 35 separating North Gorham from Standish.
• The intersection of Route 237 and the Mountain Division Trail** to the south separating North Gorham from civilized Gorham.

Now that we've got our boundaries out of the way, let's go ahead and start documenting this little triangle of the world.

- John C.L. Morgan

* Or NoGo to those of us perpetuating the "SoHo Effect"

** If you squint wicked hard at the image above, the Mountain Division Trail is the faint gray line running from west to east near the bottom.

Introductions

Who am I, and what am I doing here? 

Usually these might be the questions we ask ourselves after a steady flow of Allen's or after an unexpected trauma to the head--or as might often be the case, a combination of both.

In this instance, though, they're likely the first couple questions the initial reader of this site might have about this upstart. 

So real quick: I moved to NoGo, my ancestral home*, in July 2014 with my family after spending the first thirty-one years of life living within the same ZIP code. 

Since moving here, I've spent the last couple years working on becoming a better teacher, jumpstarting a new youth soccer club, and surviving the daily grind that is raising a young family.

What I haven't been doing a lot of since moving to our relatively rural outpost, though, is being an active member of the community. Hence this blog, which will hopefully enable me to build up stronger connections to our neighborhood's people and organizations, while also doing my small part to helping others build those bonds as well.

That's the thought, anyway. We'll see how it goes.

- John C.L. Morgan

* My connection to North Gorham traces back seven generations to the original settler of the area, Uriah Nason, Sr., who established the first homestead in the neighborhood in 1765. Uriah Nason, Sr. and Abigail Knight begat Uriah Nason, Jr.; Uriah Nason, Jr. and Jemima Snow begat Charles Alonzo Nason; Charles Alonzo Nason and Emely Z. Bodge begat Harriet Ellen Nason. Harriet Ellen Nason and John Lenard Labrecque begat John Nason Labrecque, Sr. And yada, yada, yada for three more generations.