From the Community

Dense stands of knotweed line any number of roads in Harpswell. It's easy to identify at this time of year, when clusters of small, white-green flowers bloom along its stems. Knotweed's height — at times up to 10 feet — and its hollow, segmented stalks cause many to mistake it for bamboo.

In July's Anchor, I offered some reasons why Harpswell should have a certified comprehensive plan. In this submission, I'd like to summarize the key goals and recommendations in the draft plan that will come before the town for approval in November.

The Meadow Tennis Club, of Orr's Island, is celebrating 100 years of offering tennis to the community.

The Maine Women's Giving Tree awarded $96,000 in grants to 16 area nonprofits at a May ceremony. Each awardee went through an extensive review process.

As the town prepares for a final vote on the comprehensive plan in November, it's worth reiterating some of the key reasons why having a plan is important.

A Harpswell student has been named to the dean's list at Fairfield University in Connecticut. Jasmine Huntsman earned the honor for the spring semester. To make the dean's list, students must have a grade-point average of 3.5 or better for the semester.

All Saints Chapel, an Episcopal chapel on Orr's Island, will celebrate the 125th anniversary of its consecration on Aug. 3 with a choral evensong service officiated by the Rt. Rev. Thomas Brown, Episcopal bishop of Maine.

Moving Ink Media, the creative company behind the award-winning web comic and animated short "Kamikaze," will launch a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign on July 22. Their goal is to publish "Kamikaze: Before the Storm - Part 2," the fourth volume in their science fiction graphic novel series. The monthlong campaign has a goal of $11,000 to fund the final polish and printing of the 120-page comic book.

A new community initiative in Phippsburg has established a fund to support its efforts and honor a generous and dedicated person who made a difference in the lives of many people.

Dan and Ellen Hoebeke retired to Orr's Island eight years ago. Interested in becoming involved with their community, they began volunteering with Harpswell Aging at Home.