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, August 21, 2026 Volume 21 • Issue No. 34
Annual Chili Fest Marks 25 Years of Spicy Competition WELLS The Wells Chamber of Commerce will host its 25th Annual Chili Fest Saturday, Aug. 22, at the Wells Junior High Campus, 1470 Post Road, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Joe Harvey Invitational Cook Off, sanctioned by t he Inter national Chi li Society, is among the events where local chili enthusiasts, or “chiliheads,” can compete for a chance to qualify for the world championship, which will be held this October in Indianapolis, IN. Past competitors have traveled from across New
England and as far as Florida, Nevada, and Illinois to take part in the cook-off. The event will feat ure cooks and their specialty chilis in four categories: Traditional (beef and red chile peppers), Chili Verde (with chicken or pork and green chile peppers), Homestyle (traditional chili with beans), and Salsa. Cash prizes and plaques are given to the winners, along with bragging rights. Competitors will be presenting their chili 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the “People’s Choice” competition, with a $250 first
prize. Ballots for People’s Choice are included in the “tasting kits” available for purchase at $10. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Wells Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Fund. Kennebunk Savings, DF Richard Energy, and the Rotary Club of Wells are the main sponsors of the event. Vendors, crafters, and food booths will be on hand make this an event to remember. Admission and parking are free. For more information, visit www.wellschilifest.com or call the Wells Chamber of Commerce at 207-646-2451.
Seacoast Food Truck Festival Returns to Kittery Outlets KITTERY The fifth annual Seacoast Food Truck Festival will return to the Kittery Premium Outlets on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 29-30. The festival will be held in the Old Navy parking lot at the outlets, 345 U.S. Route 1, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. The festival will feature a craft market with 40 crafters and vendors, live music, and a Kids Zone with a bounce house, chalk activities, and bubbles. Buzz Lightyear will appear from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. both days, while Woody will appear from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday and 2 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickles the Clown will perform throughout both days. Live music on Saturday
Local Average Tide Chart Date High Low am pm
Sat 22 7:38 7:49 Sun 23 8:36 8:44 Mon 24 9:28 9:34 Tue 25 10:14 10:19 Wed 26 10:55 11:00 Thu 27 11:32 11:40 Fri 28 12:08 Sat 29 12:18 12:43
am pm
1:25 2:23 3:15 4:01 4:41 5:17 5:51 6:25
1:29 2:26 3:17 4:03 4:44 5:23 6:01 6:40
Sun Rise Sun Set Sat 22 Sun 23 Mon 24 Tue 25 Wed 26 Thu 27 Fri 28 Sat 29
5:55 7:34 5:56 7:32 5:57 7:31 5:58 7:29 5:59 7:28 6:01 7:26 6:02 7:24 6:03 7:22
will include Rooster Sauce from 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., Mason Trubey from 1:30 to 3:45 p.m., and Freddie Catalpo from 4 to 6 p.m. On Sunday, Jodee Frawlee will perform from 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., followed by Ralph Allen from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Area food trucks will offer a variety of options, including burgers, tacos, wood-fired pizza, and desserts. Local breweries and specialty drink vendors also will be on site, offering beverages for attendees throughout the event. Participating trucks include Bell’s Fresh Fruit & Waff les,
SOUTH BERWICK A small envelope can make a big difference. The South Berwick Police Department recently introduced the Blue Envelope Program, a voluntary initiative designed to help improve relations between law enforcement and community members who may benefit from additional support during traffic stops and other interactions. The Blue Envelope Program is designed to improve communication and safety during interactions between the police and drivers with autism, cognitive or developmental disabilities, or hearing loss. Participants keep
Library News
Classifieds
Pets
13-15,21-22
Dining
Finance & Careers Home & Business
27-28
25
26
21-24
gate and is valid for both days. Children ages 14 and younger are admitted free. For more in-
Blue Envelope Program Supports Safer Communication
Arts & Entertainment 16-19 Calendar
BKsprinkles, Butterfly Bakery of Vermont, Clyde’s Cupcakes & Ice Cream, Cousins Maine Lobster, Deimos Delectables, Heroes on Wheels, Jeff’s Jamaican Cuisine, Kona Ice, K-Pop Kimbap, Lucy Q’s Place, Seacoast Street Eats, Sip N’ Pour, Smokin’ Dads BBQ, Stop, Drop N’ Roll, Sweet Life Kettle Corn, Teenie Weenies, Thank You Cookies, The Sugar Lab, Twin Acres Farm & Bakery, Whatta Weiner, and Whoo(pie) Wagon. A portion of the event’s proceeds will benefit area high school girls’ soccer leagues. Admission is $5 at the
People & Business Puzzles
Sports & Outdoors And More!
7-11
12
6
30
27-29
PAGES
important vehicle documents, including a driver’s license or identification card, vehicle registration, proof of insurance, and emergency contact information, inside a specialized blue envelope.
When presented during a traffic stop, the envelope serves as a visual indicator that the driver may benefit from additional time, patience, or communication accommodations. The envelope also includes guidance for both drivers and officers to help reduce stress and improve understanding during an interaction. For those who experience anxiety, sensory challenges, or difficulty communicating in stressful situations, a traffic stop can be overwhelming. The Blue Envelope Program gives
formation, visit www.gnefoodtruckfest.com or email gnefoodtruckfest@gmail.com. drivers and their families a way to prepare in advance while providing officers with information that may help guide the interaction. The South Berwick program is voluntary, and blue envelopes are available at no cost. Those interested in receiving an envelope or learning more can contact South Berwick Police Department Behavioral Health Liaison Erin McGann at 207703-6627 by call or text, or email emcgann@sbpd.us. The program is part of its ongoing efforts to support safe, respectful, and effective communication between officers and community members. For more information, visit www.dsapmaine.org/blueenvelope-program and www. southberwickmaine.org/news_ detail_T5_R487.php.
tech talk
Health & Fitness
Take a tour of our
A section concerning your health.
20
Real Estate section.
29-32
Our Technology Page
5