Southernty’s n York Cou
Sentinel The Weekly
ws Good Ne
ECRWSS PRSRT STD
U.S. Postage
PAID Seacoast Media Group Portsmouth, NH POSTAL CUSTOMER
Your Community Newspaper Serving: ARUNDEL, BERWICK, CAPE NEDDICK, ELIOT, KENNEBUNK, KENNEBUNKPORT, KITTERY, KITTERY POINT, MOODY, NORTH BERWICK, OGUNQUIT, SOUTH BERWICK, WELLS, YORK & YORK HARBOR
Friday, June 26, 2026 Volume 21 • Issue No. 26
Brick Store Museum Celebrates America250 Throughout Summer KENNEBUNK As the United States approaches its semiquincentennial milestone, the Brick Store Museum has announced its yearlong celebratory programming theme: “From Many, One: Results of Revolution.” Moving beyond a simple look back at 1776, the events offer an immersive exploration of the long, winding aftermath of the American Revolution and how it continues to shape local and national identity today. Throughout the summer, the museum will serve as a cultural hub by hosting a series of contemporary art exhibitions, celebrations, interactive educational initiatives, and historical showcases designed to engage audiences of all ages and backgrounds. “This milestone is an opportunity to examine both our shared history and our ongoing national evolution,” said Brick Store Museum Executive Director Cynthia Walker. “Through ‘From Many, One,’ we invite the community to ref lect on how a historic revolution echoes through our modern lives, celebrated through art, trade, and gathered stories.” The museum’s signature 250th anniversary lineup features: “From Many, One: Results of Revolution Exhibition”: A cornerstone gallery experience that
Local Average Tide Chart Date High Low am pm
Sat 27 10:34 10:35 Sun 28 11:17 11:15 Mon 29 11:58 11:55 Tue 30 12:36 Wed 1 12:33 1:14 Thu 2 1:11 1:50 Fri 3 1:49 2:27 Sat 4 2:28 3:05
am pm
4:18 5:01 5:41 6:19 6:55 7:30 8:06 8:42
4:17 4:59 5:38 6:17 6:54 7:32 8:11 8:53
Sun Rise Sun Set Sat 27 Sun 28 Mon 29 Tue 30 Wed 1 Thu 2 Fri 3 Sat 4
5:03 8:26 5:04 8:26 5:04 8:26 5:05 8:26 5:05 8:26 5:06 8:26 5:07 8:26 5:07 8:25
Saturday, June 27 Kittery Independence Day Celebration Events begin at 9 a.m. at USS Thresher Memorial Park, 200 Rogers Rd., Kittery. The state’s oldest town will kick off area Independence Day celebrations with the annual Whipple’s reading.
The Maine Historical Society’s original copy of the Declaration of Independence will visit the Brick Store Museum as its exclusive York County stop during a statewide tour July 30–Aug. 1.
Classifieds
Pets
Dining
Finance & Careers Home & Business
27-28
25
29
21-24
Obituaries Puzzles
Sports & Outdoors And More!
9-10,23
11
6
29
27-28
PAGES
Local chapters of the Daughters and Children of the American Revolution, dressed in Colonial attire, have also participated in past Kittery Independence Day celebrations. The ceremony will be followed by a reception at the Kittery Historical and Naval Museum, where refreshments will be available. The celebration is funded by the Shipyard’s Naval Civilian Managers Association and local resident Desiree Barris of Hoppi’s Barber Shop.
Friday, July 3 Portsmouth’s 250th Independence Day Portsmouth’s 250th Independence Day celebration and fireworks show takes place at South Mill Pond and Leary Field. The free, family-friendly event features live music, food trucks, a laser show and a fireworks finale. Rain date: Sunday, July 5,
York Middle School Students Deliver Comfort, Kindness YORK Days before the beginning of their summer vacation, a group of York Middle School sixth graders spent part of their final week of school making a difference. On a beautiful June morning, 15 students from the York Middle School Leopard Team walked to York Hospital carrying bags filled with blankets, each one hand-created with care to bring comfort to York Hospital patients. Accompanied by teachers Cindy Bernier and Olivia Hammer-Grant, the students arrived at York Hospital, full of excitement and pride, as they presented their donations to hospital staff. The blanket project marked the second consecutive year that the Leopard Team has combined creativity, teamwork, and community service to support local patients. “I started making blankets for different groups with
Petition for Freedom, written by Whipple’s manservant, Prince. The event also features the Piscataqua Rangers Junior Fife and Drum Corps in Revolutionary War-era uniforms, Colonial militia reenactors from Capt. Henry Dearborn’s Company, and the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Color Guard.
For more information, visit www. kitteryme.gov/m/newsflash/home/ detail/87.
See 250 on page 11...
Library News
13-16
Gen. William Whipple, the only known Maine native to sign the Declaration of Independence, returns to his hometown for the public reading. Whipple and guests will also read from the
bridges past and present. The exhibition features contemporary artwork exploring modern concepts of patriotism, juxtaposed with local historical artifacts and narratives from York County’s foundational years. “Maine by Hand” Contemporary Exhibition Series (through December): Hosted in the Bauman Contemporary
Arts & Entertainment 18-20 Calendar
Fourth of July Events and Festivities
my church during COVID,” explained Bernier. “As someone who has been a patient at York Hospital for many years, I’m grateful the hospital is here in York. I thought this would be a wonderful opportunity for our sixth graders to learn about local philanthropy while doing something fun and meaningful for a nonprofit organization that serves our community.” The students embraced the project, spending time learning new skills while creating the blankets. “I really enjoyed making blankets with my friends and helping people,” said sixth grader Jacob James. For Chloe Davis, the experience was both rewarding and a source of pride. “I made three blankets—the most in my advisory class,” she said with a smile. Lucy O’Neill noted the f r ie nd ly compe t it ion t h at emerged during the project,
adding, “The girls made more blankets than the boys.” Charlotte Griffin said her favorite part was “learning about knots and getting to help people.” Hammer-Grant said the project highlighted the compassion and generosity of the students. “It was incredible to watch them work together toward a common goal and find ways to give back to others,”
The program begins at 1:30 p.m. with opening ceremonies at Leary Field. Live musical performances by Black Sheep, Texas Pete, and the Redemption Band run from 2 to 6:30 p.m. At 9 p.m., Ally White performs the national anthem. Fireworks and a laser show presented by Key Auto Group follow at 9:15 p.m. The event is alcohol-free and open to the public. Parking, street closure and event updates are avail-
See LIST on page 17...
See YMS on page 12...
food & drink!
Health & Fitness
Take a tour of our
A section concerning your health.
26
Real Estate section.
30-32
Our page all about food and drink!
5