Robertson’s Power & Sports has a new owner, longtime employee Kevin Normand.
Photo: Robertson’s Power & Sports
Compiled by Carolyn Cadigan
New ownership at local power sports dealership: For more than 30 years, Garry Robertson has owned and operated Robertson’s Power and Sports on Route 202 in Sanford. In August, he sold the business to longtime employee Kevin Normand, whose history with Robertson’s spans over two decades. Normand first joined the staff as an entry-level tech in 2004. After a shorhiatus, he returned in 2010, was named service manager in 2013 and General Manager in 2019. As GM, he bought into the business, forming a partnership with founder Robertson. This past August, Normand acquired full ownership of the business.
The multi-line power sports dealership will retain its name under the new ownership. “The name is well-known in the industry, and we wanted to honor the dealership’s long history,” Normand added. While the dealership has always been known for its service, Normand is focused on continued investment and customer experience improvements. Recent renovations will allow the team to offer a better shopping experience. They also plan to upgrade online customer service options to enhance digital interaction. The commitment of the staff is personal as most of Robertson’s team are enthusiasts who regularly ride their favorite in-season machines.
Robertson’s Power and Sports provides sales, service, storage, and accessories for ATVs, side-by-side UTVs, motorcycles, personal watercraft, snowmobiles and trailers. To celebrate their new chapter and kick off the holiday season, they will host their winter open house and customer appreciation days on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, Nov. 28 – 29.
Rabid raccoon in Sanford confirmed: The Maine CDC has confirmed a case of rabies in a raccoon within Sanford city limits. Animal Control is following CDC guidelines and a dog has been quarantined. Nearby residents have been notified, vaccinations checked, and precautions shared.
To protect yourself and your pets, avoid contact with wild or stray animals, and do not approach, handle, or feed wildlife or unknown domestic animals. Be sure both indoor and outdoor pets as well as livestock are vaccinated. In case of a bite or scratch, follow these steps: (1) wash the area with soap and water immediately; (2) contact your doctor and Animal Control; (3) report wild animal encounters to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife; and (4) call Maine CDC (24/7) at 800-821-5821.
Weigh the options and make a choice: The open enrollment period has begun for those Mainers either looking to enroll or re-enroll in a healthcare plan through the Maine Marketplace. For any community member needing help, Nasson Health Care has certified Maine Enrollment Assisters on staff who can offer free assistance during enrollment or re-enrollment. To make an appointment for assistance, call 207-490-6900, or learn more here. For 2026 coverage beginning Jan. 1, the deadline is Dec. 15.
Looking to get rid of that RV or old truck in your yard? Since launching its Cars for Homes vehicle donation program in 2005, Habitat for Humanity has accepted over 160,000 vehicles for reselling or recycling, raising funds that enable the organization to partner with families to build safe, affordable homes. The organization accepts a wide range of vehicles, including cars, trucks, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, boats, snowmobiles, farm equipment, and construction equipment. Donors may qualify for a tax deduction. FMI on the program, visit Habitat for Humanity.
Individuals and businesses asked to help this Christmas: It Takes a Village (ITAV) is looking for sponsors for its 2025 Christmas Assistance Program, which aims to help children ages 0 – 17. Applications for assistance have increased beyond what they had at this time last year, and the number of children in need far outweighs the number of sponsors they currently have. A sponsor can choose to adopt one child or multiple children, and will receive the age, clothing size, needs and likes for each child. There is no minimum or maximum spending amount. All gifts should be new or unwrapped. Through Amazon Wish Lists and toy donations at local drop-off boxes, ITAV ensures that every child receives the same overall amount of gifts. All gifts must be returned to ITAV in Standish by Sunday, Dec. 14. FMI, email ITAV207@yahoo.com.
In addition, ITAV needs businesses to host toy drop boxes or giving trees with child tags. For drop boxes, ITAV will supply a sign with details about the program and can share a list of commonly requested gifts. The unwrapped toys would need to be dropped in the boxes by Friday, Dec. 12. For giving trees, the business is responsible for setting up the tree and ITAV will provide tags with each child’s details. Customers or employees would select the tags and return gifts by Sunday, Dec. 14. Any business interested in participating should email ITAV207@yahoo.com.
H.E.L.P. is available from local Lions: The Acton-Shapleigh Lions Club has taken over the Hospital Equipment Loan Program (H.E.L.P.) previously managed by the Sanford Lions. Equipment for loan includes a hospital bed, wheelchairs, raised toilet seats, transport chairs, shower seat, transfer bench, commode, walker, rollator, lift chair, bed rails and crutches. The organization will accept donations of additional equipment, with the exception of battery-operated wheelchairs. FMI, contact Lester at 207-324-8867 or Richard at 207-229-5351.
The Sanford and Kennebunk Fire Departments teamed up earlier this month to work on the International Woolen Mill building, improving access points to facilitate future firefighting efforts.
Photo: Kennebunk Fire-Rescue
Planning ahead to save lives: The Sanford Fire Department was assisted by Kennebunk Fire-Rescue on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at the International Woolen Mill building, which was the site of an Oct. 27 fire. Crews worked to make access and egress points for firefighter safety in the event that there were additional fires in the building. The access points were enlarged and labeled. The effort provided the team with an opportunity for response planning and enhanced training at large mill fires.
Santa’s workshop has nothing on them: Kona Ice of York County and Laura’s Legacy of Love are ready to launch 2025 Operation Santa, which is in its sixth year. In 2024, the organization distributed gifts to a total of 412 kids in 29 communities and handed out nearly 200 additional gifts to children in the hospital and at domestic violence shelters in Maine. The need this year is even greater. Donations can be made by ordering gifts on Amazon here and they will be shipped directly to Laura’s Legacy of Love. More items will be added as additional applications are received. Alternatively, the organization is accepting financial donations. Donors may mail a check, with “Santa” in the memo line, to Kona Ice, 40 Hay Brook Drive, Alfred, ME 04002, or donate via Venmo under @LaurasLegacy-ofLove.
Feeling hot to trot? The Sanford Parks and Recreation Department is holding their annual Turkey Trot 5K/10K and 1 Mile Dog Jog/Walk (dog not required, but always welcome on leashes) on Saturday, Nov. 22. Participants will receive Parks and Recreation gear, ribbons, and snacks after the race. Prizes go to the top 5K and 10K finishers, plus a $15 gift card will be raffled for 1 Mile walkers. The organization will also be collecting non-perishable food items for a seasonal food drive.
Check-in on Nov. 22 is at the Memorial Gym cafeteria, 8 – 8:45 am. The race start time is 9 am in front of Sanford Pride Elementary School (Gowen Park tennis courts). Register online before midnight, Wednesday, Nov. 19, for a discounted rate, or register on Nov. 22 for $25 (5K/10K) or $20 (1 Mile Walk). The cost for Sanford school students is $5 (on Nov. 22 only). Get race details and register here. FMI, contact Sanford Parks and Recreation at 207-324-9130.
All the fixin’s for the holiday table, and Maine Harvest Bucks apply: Sanford’s Thanksgiving Market will be held Saturday, Nov. 22, at Central Park, 8 am – noon. The event, put on by Sanford Farmers’ Market, will offer an array of items for the holiday table — veggies, herbs, homemade pies, apples, cider, breads, honey, prepared dishes and more.
The Thanksgiving Market is also participating in Maine Harvest Bucks for SNAP participants. In response to the SNAP funding crisis, Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets will continue providing Maine Harvest Bucks at farmers’ markets during the month of November. When participants show their EBT card at the Info Booth of any participating farmers’ market throughout the month, they will receive $15 in Maine Harvest Bucks to spend on fresh produce. No EBT balance is needed.
Made by hand, given from the heart: Just in time for the holidays, the Oldtimers’ Shop is holding “A Timeless Season” raffle, showing off the talents of some of their makers. Many items are being offered, including a Log Cabin quilt (full/queen size), Victorian doll, holiday arrangement, Nutcracker, holiday towel and dishcloths, glass angel and more. Tickets are on sale now with the drawing scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 20. The nonprofit gift shop offers handcrafted items from makers across York County. Stop in at 917 Main St. – Suite A in Sanford, Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am – 3 pm, to see the items and purchase a few tickets.
Refresh your grocery bag supply and help fight youth hunger: For the entire month of November, when shoppers purchase a reusable Fight Hunger Bag for $2.50 at Hannaford, the store will donate $1 to the Sanford Backpack Program to help the organization fight youth hunger. The Hannaford Helps Reusable Bag Program has been operating since April 2014 when the first Fight Hunger Bag was sold.
For those planning to donate food to the Sanford Backpack Program, filling the bag with canned soup or cereal, snacks and protein bars maximizes your contribution. Drop off the food donation, bag and all, at the Trafton Center, 19 Elm St. in Sanford, or at Sanford High School. Every donation helps.
Photo: Samreen Al via Creative Commons
Choosing the right Medicare plan: Medicare Open Enrollment runs through Dec. 7 for healthcare coverage in 2026. To get any remaining questions answered, plan to attend a Medicare Check-up on Tuesday, Nov. 18, at 10 am at Goodall Library. Attendees can learn about 2025 cost changes; coverage differences related to Parts A, B, C and D; enrollment and sign-up periods; and how to choose the most appropriate plan.
Holly Daze tradition lives on: Sanford Parks and Recreation announced that registration for the Holly Daze Parade is now open. The parade will take place on Friday, Dec. 5, starting at 5:30 pm, followed by the tree lighting in Central Park at 6:15 pm. The deadline to register is Tuesday, Nov. 25. All applications and waivers, driver’s license, vehicle registration and insurance information must be turned into the office by this date. There is a $25 registration fee to enter the parade. FMI, including the registration form, go here.
New food donation drop-off site: Springvale Library is now a collection site for perishable and non-perishable food donations. The Sanford Food Bank and the Salvation Army will have boxes in the library foyer. The Salvation Army is accepting fruit and vegetable donations on Thursdays for Friday distribution. Those donations, as well as non-perishable items, should be dropped off on Wednesdays or Thursdays. The Sanford Food Bank is accepting non-perishable donations only.
A kid-free evening out for holiday shopping or whatever: The Sanford-Springvale YMCA is offering a night of Babysitting for Holiday Shopping on Sunday, Nov. 30, 4 – 8 pm. The Titans Swim Team will entertain the kids with movies, crafts, a Nerf battle and swimming. The cost is $20 for the first child and $15 for each additional child. Children must be age 4 or older and must be potty-trained. This event is a fundraiser for the swim team. To register, contact Member Services at 207-324-4942.
Help complete a family’s Thanksgiving dinner: Partners Bank is holding a Thanksgiving Food Drive through Nov. 23. They are collecting non-perishable food items such as boxed stuffing mix, instant mashed potatoes, canned vegetables and cranberry sauce, gravy mix or canned gravy, pie crust mix and pie filling, and shelf-stable desserts. Donations may be dropped off during business hours at the bank’s branches in Sanford, South Sanford and Springvale. The drive will benefit the First County Food Pantry, formerly known as York County Shelter Programs Food Pantry, in Alfred.
The road to change: The Maine Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, to discuss the massive reconstruction of downtown infrastructure scheduled to begin next year. DOT senior project manager Ernie Martin plans to make a live presentation in the City Council Chambers on the third floor of City Hall Annex at 919 Main St. He will discuss plans to discuss implementing one-way traffic on certain streets to maintain through routes while construction proceeds in phases. A $25 million federal RAISE grant is paying for the lion’s share of the improvements. The streets targeted for reconstruction include .7 mile on Cottage Street, .5 mile on William Oscar Emery Drive, .5 mile on Main Street, .2 mile on Washington Street and .2 mile on School Street. The project includes reconstruction of streets, sidewalks, crosswalks, underground utility ducts, streetlights, traffic signals, parking spaces, drainage areas, multi-use pathway and a park & ride facility on Emerson Street.
The post News Notes appeared first on Sanford Springvale News.
