Satisfied customers show off their pumpkin ghosts, created Saturday during the Springvale Public Library’s annual Book Sale. The two-day event, which also featured music and thousands of books, puzzles and other items, raised more than $9,000 for the library.
Photo: Sheila Dube
Compiled by Gail Burnett
More library news: Goodall Library is inviting the public to help celebrate its newly renovated building next Saturday, Sept. 20, from 10 am to 2 pm. The party will feature activities for children, including a chance to touch a fire truck, food and more. The library, which recently returned to its longtime home following completion of renovations, also recently resumed Saturday hours. The board is still searching for a director to replace Ann Thomas, who resigned last October.
Correcting our Grammar: The city of Sanford has received notice that it will be awarded up to $1.05 million under a Municipal Partnership Agreement with MaineDOT to reconstruct Grammar Road in 2026. Total cost for the project is estimated at $1.9 million. City Manager Steve Buck last week said Public Works Director Matt Hill is “working feverishly” to get the engineering and design work in place to meet the timeline.
Pedestrian still hospitalized: Brenda Graffam, 71, was still listed in critical condition Maine Medical Center Wednesday with injuries sustained when she was hit by a car while she crossing Main Street on foot Aug 26. No one has been charged in the accident, which happened in front of Central Fire Station. According to a witness, the driver had no time to stop before Graffam crossed in front of her SUV.
Sun got in driver’s eyes: Solar glare was listed as a contributing factor in a car-motorcycle crash on Shaw’s Ridge about 6 p.m. Sept. 3, according to police. John Watterson, 62, of Newfield was riding a Harley Davidson motorcycle west on Cottage Street and slowed to turn right onto Shaw’s Ridge Road. Leo Rossignol, 62, the driver of a Ford sedan right behind him, was blinded by the sunlight and didn’t stop in time, according to police. No charges were filed. Maine Medical Center had no record of treatment of Watterson. (The names of both the car driver and the motorcyclist were misstated in last week’s Sanford Springvale News, based on preliminary information from the Police Department.)
Vet Center has a home, for now: The city has entered into an agreement with the Department of Veterans Affairs to sublet 2,500 square feet at the Anderson Learning Center building in Springvale at no cost to the veterans. The lease runs from Sept. 1 to May 30, 2026, but City Manager Steve Buck expects a future proposal from the VA that the city may find it viable to bid on. The Vet Center has been operating out of two portable office vans since May, when their previous space behind Mel’s Raspberry Patch on Main Street was closed due to concerns about building safety.
Rotary puts the “fun” in fundraiser: Save the date for the Rotary Club of Sanford-Springvale’s new beer festival fundraiser, Sanford on Tap, which will be held at the Veterans’ Memorial Gym Saturday, Nov. 8, from 4-7 pm. Look for more details as the event gets closer.
The topic will be housing: Members of the public are invited to a City Council workshop on housing-related issues Tuesday, Sept. 30, at 6 pm at City Hall. The council will describe the work that’s being done by local and state agencies to help address challenges in the city. In the meantime, those wishing to learn more about the issue can read an extensive report prepared by the city’s Homelessness Task Force here.
Help the car and the grads: During the month of September, Marc Motors is donating a portion of each oil change to Project Graduation. The program provides a safe, drug- and alcohol-free way for high school graduates to celebrate their achievement on graduation night.
Close to his heart: York County Community Action Corp. (YCCAC) received a $1,000 donation through Partners Bank’s Employee Donation of the Month program in August. The chosen employee, credit analyst Eric Gadbois, selected the agency because of the role it plays in improving residents’ lives and for a more personal reason: He said that in 2019, the agency helped his mother make much-needed home repairs when she became fully disabled. “They were truly a life saver,” he said. His mother passed away last year, “but I always told myself if there was an opportunity to give back, I would remember their miracle.”
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