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Harpswell marks America’s 250th with reading and reenactments

Harpswell marks America’s 250th with reading and reenactments

By Hannah Miller • July 29, 2026

"History has a bad reputation of being boring," 17-year-old reenactor Addie Miller said. That wasn't so during Harpswell's Colonial Days celebration from July 16-18.

In a Cundy’s Harbor tradition, church members handcraft quilts for graduates

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In a Cundy’s Harbor tradition, church members handcraft quilts for graduates

By Hannah Miller • July 27, 2026

Handmade quilts lined the walls of the sanctuary at the Cundy's Harbor Community Church of the Nazarene on Sunday, June 28. Carrying on a tradition that has lasted more than 20 years, volunteers crafted quilts for high school graduates with connections to the church.

Purple shark warning flags to fly all season

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Purple shark warning flags to fly all season

By Jeffrey Good • July 8, 2026

After a fisherman spotted a shark swimming near Bailey Island's Cedar Beach in late June, Harpswell town officials raised a purple caution flag alerting beachgoers to the potential risk. But rather than continue to raise and lower warning flags at this and other swimming spots as shark sightings occur, they've decided to keep them up throughout the summer tourist season.

The other oyster: How an alien shellfish with a strange taste made Harpswell its home

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The other oyster: How an alien shellfish with a strange taste made Harpswell its home

By John Gormley • July 1, 2026

About 30 years ago, Scott Moody was clamming near Harpswell by the Sea when he came across "a monster bed" of shellfish he couldn't identify. "What the hell are these?" he asked himself. He showed some of them to Bob Waddle, a lobsterman and seafood buyer. Waddle recognized them right away: European oysters.

HCS kids launch rockets and learn to cook in volunteer-led mini courses

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HCS kids launch rockets and learn to cook in volunteer-led mini courses

By Hannah Miller • June 30, 2026

There's no better time at Harpswell Community School than a Wednesday afternoon as the school year draws to a close. For four weeks in May and June, community volunteers bring their skills to the elementary school at 2:30 p.m. each Wednesday to offer students hands-on learning opportunities.

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Experts criticize ‘excessive’ redactions in state report on fatal house fire

Government transparency advocates say the state went too far in redacting an investigator's report on a fatal March 2025 house fire on Bailey Island, withholding details that are typically disclosed after an investigation has concluded.

byJ. Craig Anderson

June 25, 2026