Upcoming Events

Author's  Note

It has been a while since my last post due in part to life getting in the way, and accumulating too much information that needed refining.  I do promise to continue to tell, as best as I am able,  the stories of those who contributed to the settlement of Portland, and in particular those who settled in the area of what we call, East Deering, especially those whose family members are interred at the Presumpscot/East Deering; now Grand Trunk Cemetery.

For now, I want to invite readers and followers of the blog to consider two upcoming events, and hope you will want to participate in them if you are willing and able.

     Since 2011, we have held a Spring Cleanup and Planting Party with particpants from our Portland Girl Scout Troops, local families and friends.  This May 19th, the emphasis will be on planting flowers to enhance the beauty of this small, but none-the-less significant, historic burial site to get ready for Memorial Day and the June 21st Remembrance Ceremony and Unveiling of the wonderful new interpretive sign.

     Through the generosity of dear friends, I received a birthday gift of a Skillins gift card to purchase plants for the cemetery.  I'm looking forward to warmer days in May so planting can begin!

     My husband and I stopped by Risbara's Greenhouse to see Claudia and Peter and were treated to a glimpse of some beautiful pansies which would be a wonderful and colorful addition to the cemetery's gardens, along with gerber daisies. ( a favorite of mine!)  Can't wait!

     

    As always, we will borrow garden tools and gloves from the Cemeteries department through the generosity of Bob McMann and Joe Dumais, but participants may bring along their own tools if they wish.

     This year, we are delighted and honored, that our committed and supportive Girl Scouts of Maine Machigonne Service Unit (Portland) will hold a multi-level Bridging Ceremony for five Girl Scout Troops moving up to the next level of scouting at the cemetery.  This is a wonderful celebration, adding to the fun of the day for those who come to the Garden Planting Party. 

     Hope to see you at the GTC on May 19th at 1PM.  There is a rain date of Sunday, June 2nd that I hope we won't need!

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     Finally, please consider attending the ceremony on Friday, June 21st.  I have already heard from two descendants from the Sawyer family and one from the Noyes/Lunt family.  Hope to have descendants, no matter how far removed come to the celebration of this milestone for our Grand Trunk Cemetery project.

Details to follow soon!