The circus came to town

Preserving the past

In the early 1900s, the Pepperell Mill employed nearly 10,000 people, most of them foreign, manufacturing blankets and other textiles. Before the mills closed in 2009, thousands were still employed at the facilities.  The Pepperell Mill was “a real hub employment,” said Don Guillerault, a former employee of the mill for 43 years. Guillerault remembers […]

BFD celebrates long-time captain’s retirement

BIDDEFORD — Dozens gathered at Biddeford’s Central Fire Station on Wednesday afternoon to celebrate the career and retirement of Fire Capt. Norman Melancon. Melancon’s retirement comes after 42 ½ years of service with the Biddeford Fire Department, a career he began in January 1975. Friends, family and firefighters came together to honor Melancon for his […]

Luxury and lavishness in Las Vegas

Did you miss me? Don’t answer that. You may have noticed I was absent from last week’s food page, and that’s because I was on vacation in Las Vegas, the land of fame and excess. And while I was there to see the fabulous Britney Spears — don’t judge me; she’s amazing, OK? — I […]

Biddeford unveils long-awaited Laconia Plaza

BIDDEFORD — Residents and tourists, walkers, runners and those who just want to lounge around have a new place to do so in Biddeford, with the long-awaited opening of Laconia Plaza along the Biddeford RiverWalk on Thursday. Dozens of residents, along with city and state officials and members of the press gathered at the spot […]

Everyone ‘instant family’ at annual Greek Festival

SACO — Despite a little rain and some humid weather, spirits were high over the weekend at the 22nd annual Greek Festival at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Saco. Scores turned out for the event, which featured Greek dancing, vendors, tours of the church and — everyone’s favorite — authentic Greek food and pastries. […]

Everyone ‘instant family’ at annual Greek Festival

SACO — Despite a little rain and some humid weather, spirits were high over the weekend at the 22nd annual Greek Festival at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Saco. Scores turned out for the event, which featured Greek dancing, vendors, tours of the church and — everyone’s favorite — authentic Greek food and pastries. […]

‘We celebrate you, our American heroes’

BIDDEFORD — Children ran up and down Main Street in Biddeford, waving tiny American flags and jumping for candy as it flew through the air. Members of the armed forces, both current and former, proudly displayed their colors as they marched through the city. Scores of people lined the streets on Friday, gathering to honor […]

Stormy weather on the way out

A man walks along Fortunes Rocks Beach in Biddeford on Tuesday as the remnants of tropical storm Hermine created large waves just offshore. Forecasts call for sunny skies this weekend.

Biddeford Easter egg hunt draws hundreds

BIDDEFORD — Five thousand plastic eggs. Two hundred-plus children. Fun and utter chaos.  That was the scene at Biddeford Primary School on Saturday, as hundreds of children from Biddeford and beyond charged through the school’s playground, gathering eggs as they went, in pursuit of the sweet prizes inside. It was Biddeford’s 18th annual Easter Egg […]