Your Community Paper USM Takes Protective Measures During COVID
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NONPROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID Your Community Paper GORHAM, ME PERMIT NO. 10 Volume 26 Number 19 | October 1, 2020 A Free, Not-for-Profit Newspaper Serving Gorham Since 1995 Courage House: USM Takes Protective Measures A Year Later During COVID Pandemic JOHN ERSEK their vehicles, they Staff Writer would be wearing masks, as all per- Visits to USM’s cam- sons on the cam- puses in Gorham and pus are required to Portland by the gener- do at all times. The al public are currently only exceptions are not allowed. But if a for those inside a hypothetical member vehicle or inside of the public were to their own dorm drive through USM’s room. Gorham campus, one Some less notice- of the first things they able but equally would notice would be important improve- the three large white ments are mea- tents placed around the sures like frequent campus. There is also COVID-19 testing. one on the Portland Approximately 2,000 Photo credit Roger Marchand campus behind Payson asymptomatic mem- Smith Hall. These tents Photo credit Roger Marchand bers of the University KATHY CORBETT are intended as places Three large tents have been placed around the USM campus for students to congregate or of Maine on-campus Staff Writer where students can socially isolate in a safe manner. community are test- congregate or socially ed every 10 days, In late June 2019, Courage House isolate before, during, and after classes, since the spring 2020 semester. The which has increased the state-wide level welcomed its first resident, a man in a safer manner than traditional indoor parking lot would still appear full, of testing. (Specific percentages for who was recently released from pris- settings. There are designated places in as total USM student enrollment has the number of students and staff being on and in recovery for substance the tents where students can sit while actually increased slightly. Full time tested at USM’s campuses are not yet abuse disorder. Some Gorham resi- accessing Wi-Fi, taking part in after-class enrollment was 1,223 as of the first available.) In addition, the University dents had expressed concern over discussions, or participating in meetings day of classes, although the number of Maine is using wastewater testing the location of a halfway house in the of clubs and other student organizations. of students in Gorham residence halls to monitor possible COVID-19 lev- center of town. But 15 months later, Anyone driving through the campus was down to 728, a number that is els at USM’s Gorham dormitories, as Al Garcia, Courage House program might not notice all of the significant below capacity. If a visitor happened director, said, “We have not been improvements that have taken place to see any students exiting or entering CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 perfect, but we are glad to be able to show people we are good neigh- bors.” The Board of Directors There are currently 16 men liv- Maine Maple Sunday: Take Two ing in the house on School Street and staff of the Gorham and every bed is filled. It is a vol- LESLIE DUPUIS Times extend our most untary program. All applicants are Editor heartfelt sympathy to screened with case workers recom- our editor Leslie Dupuis mending applicants who they believe The pandemic altered plans for will benefit from group living. All are Maine Maple Sunday in March, but the and her family on the required to have counseling. During Maine Maple Producers Association loss of their son Jacob the past year about 50 men have lived announced that some farms will par- Dupuis, as well as to the ticipate in a rescheduled fall week- in the house. “Some stay for just a family of Henry O'Neill. few days,” Garcia said, “because they end, October 10-11. In Gorham, local are not a good fit and move on.” farms will participate but the activities Both young men were Others stay and become part of the and offerings will be limited. 2019 graduates of Gorham community. Jo’s Sugarhouse (Hartwell Farm) Gorham High School. will be open both days from 9 a.m. First Parish Church welcomed the The grief within our men from the beginning. “Courage to 4 p.m. for product sales. There House residents are our neighbors,” will also be an opportunity to pet the newspaper family and said the church’s pastor, Christine goats on the farm. Curbside pickup is greater community is Photo credit Merrifield Farm Dyke, adding, “They live right across available for those who feel more com- palpable. Rest in peace. the street.” Members deliver wel- fortable shopping from a distance. For summer. Given the restrictions with come baskets to new residents which the latest details, visit Jo’s Sugarhouse COVID, they feel more comfortable include socks, underwear, playing Facebook page. waiting until next year to hopefully cards, and personal hygiene items. Parson’s Farm and the Lockman participate as they have in previous Courage House is a line item in the Farm have opted to forgo Maine years. SEE CANDIDATE PROFILES church budget and some members Maple Sunday this fall. Both have had As of press time, Merrifield Farm have even donated their federal stim- success selling their maple products had not confirmed if it would be par- FOR SCHOOL COMMITTEE ulus checks. locally throughout the spring and ticipating. ON PAGE 5 “Men leave prison with only the clothes on their back, sometime just in their orange jump suits,” said insidetheTimes GORHAM TIMES IS THRIVING Lynn Kalloch, who coordinates the WITH STUDENT INTERNS church’s outreach, “and many had 2 Around Town 5 Municipal 10 Sports 15 Calendar SEE PAGE 8 4 Living 7 School 14 Community 15 Blotter CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 NEWS FROM AUGUSTA letters to the Editor ** Due to the early resignation of Letters to the Editor must be fewer than 300 words, signed with a first and last name, typed or Rep. Andrew McLean from the Maine e-mailed and include a phone number. The Gorham Times reserves the right not to publish letters BRINGING THE NEWS TO All OF GORHAM Legislature, we will not have a News from that include personal attacks or inflammatory language. Letters are solely the opinion of the writer PO Box 401 Augusta article this issue. and not that of the Gorham Times. They are published at the discretion of the Gorham Times and are Gorham, Maine 04038 subject to editing. Phone and Fax: (207) 839-8390 [email protected] Dear Editor, Dear Editor, www.gorhamtimes.com Last year, I sat down with Kyle —— I’ve known Kyle Bailey for over The Gorham Times is a free volunteer-run Thank you Bailey for a beer at Sebago Brewing 10 years as a friend and neighbor. It community newspaper distributed every other doesn’t take long until you know he and was excited to learn that he had Thursday to more than 100 pick-up sites is a good listener with a great sense decided to run to represent Gorham throughout Gorham. Jane Farr of humor. After a while it’s appar- and Scarborough in the Maine House. —— I have known Kyle for nearly a decade News [email protected] ent that Kyle is very bright, explains Sports [email protected] things clearly, and uses good common and here’s what I have learned about Features [email protected] sense. Two issues I know he cares him: He doesn’t avoid tough issues, Of Interest [email protected] deeply about are reducing money in he takes them on. He knows that’s Calendar item [email protected] politics and having healthcare acces- where the problems exist and where Advertising gorhamtimesadvertising@ there are opportunities for solutions gmail.com or 839-8390 sible to everyone. He will work hard School News [email protected] to achieve these goals that benefit all to improve the lives of others. I have —— of us. watched him stand up to special inter- SUBSCRIPTIONS Please join me in voting for Kyle ests and win, helping to help end dis- $20/year in Gorham; $25/year elsewhere Bailey to be our Representative in crimination in state law and put more $15/year for college subscription power in the hands of voters. Snowbird subscriptions available Augusta. upon request Judy Ringo Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Subscriptions and renewals are available Kyle has found ways to connect with online on our website. Dear Editor, hundreds of Gorham voters and lis- —— I first heard of Stacy Brenner ten to their concerns and ideas. Kyle Editor: Leslie Dupuis is an entrepreneur and innovator, so Business Manager: Stacy Sallinen GORHAM TIMES STAFF through her work with Maine it’s not surprising to me that he has Advertiser Coordinator: Stacy Sallinen Farmland Trust and Maine Organic Design/Production: Shirley Douglas After more than 13 years, Jane Farr has Farmers and Gardeners Organization done so. Staff Writers: Diane Abramson, Jacob Adams, given up her distribution role of deliver- (MOFGO). Our citizen legislature can often be Kathy Corbett, John Ersek, Sheri Faber, ing papers for the “Eastern Route” along I have since then learned more a hectic and challenging place to get Edmund Ricker, Cathy Walter Main Street to the Westbrook town line. about her through her work in the things done. Kyle is a strategic thinker Features: Chris Crawford In the beginning, she would take community with local schools and and an effective doer. He has relation- Photographers: Amanda Landry, Roger her three young sons with her, employ- ships with existing lawmakers in both Marchand hosting summer camps.