WELCOME TO AMERICA. The York Diversity Forum, York Adult and Community Education and Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce hosted a Seasonal Workers International Mixer at the York Senior Center on June 23 in an effort to welcome summer workers from Kazakhstan, Turkey, Poland, Russia and other places from around the world to York and to America. Pictured here is Guillermo Larrea with friends Viktoriya Koval, left, and Amina Narembekova. Both young women are from Kazakhstan while Larrea is part of the Diversity Forum's program to provide assistance to visiting workers, including used bicycles to provide a mode of transportation between jobs and housing locations. Larrea has fixed up all the bicycles that have been donated to the program to date, so that they are in good working order for people to use. Following the mixer, Selectman Ted Little described the event as "just a glorious time" and added that there is still a need for housing options and bicycles. He urged anyone who might have a bicycle to donate, or ideas on housing options, to contact members of the Diversity Forum at igive@maine.rr.com or 363-4214, Ext. 2113.
Photo by Tori Rasche

STARBURST SPANGLED SKIES. With the Fourth of July just a few days away, there are many vantage points in York County for viewing fireworks this season. However, fireworks like those seen here at a past Ogunquit fireworks show will not be on view this year, as the  Ogunquit Spirit Committee has announced, with regrets, that there will not be a fireworks display this year. Fireworks fans will be able to view public displays in Kennebunk, off Gooch's Beach, at 9 p.m. on July 5, as well as in front of Palace Playland in Old Orchard Beach on both July 3 and 4 at 9:30 p.m. In York, those in York Harbor or strolling along Harbor Beach on the evening of July 5 may witness the annual display put on for members of the York Harbor Reading Room, which is scheduled for July 5 at 9 p.m. with fireworks by Atlas Advanced Pyrotechnics, according to information compiled by the Maine State Fire Marshal. In nearby Portsmouth, N.H., the annual fireworks display will be July 3 at the South Mill Pond, located across from Portsmouth City Hall, beginning at 9:15 p.m. The rain date is Saturday, July 5.
Photo by Tori Rasche