Cookie Jar to open at the end of May

Great Falls Construction, a construction management and general contracting company, will finance rebuilding of The Cookie Jar in Cape Elizabeth. 

Great Falls’ owner, Jon Smith, has designed a plan to finance and renovate the building that was closed after storm damage.

The bakery had been in Cape Elizabeth for more than 50 years when it closed in 2006 after a storm tore its roof off. 

Great Falls will install everything from structural elements, to cabinets and display cases. The project is expected to be completed at the end of May.

Memorial Day activities planned

Cape Elizabeth will observe Memorial Day May 31 with a parade and memorial ceremonies. 

The parade begins at 9 a.m. Parade participants are asked to gather on Fowler Road at 8:15 a.m. The parade route begins at the intersection of Fowler and Old Ocean House roads, continues north on Route 77, onto Scott Dyer Road and ends at the War Veteran’s Memorial.

A brief ceremony and laying of the wreath will be held at the monument.

The parade will include members of the Cape Elizabeth Police, Fire and Rescue departments, the WETeam, Lions’ Club, Middle School Marching Band, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.  

Veterans of previous wars as well as active duty personnel are invited to march. Organizers encourage anyone who has a family member serving in the armed services to notify Jim Huebener at 767-1754 or 831-3625.

The 2010 Memorial Day Parade marshal is Gerard LaBerge, an Air Force veteran and Cape Elizabeth resident.

Following the ceremony, residents and guests are invited to an open house at the Town Center Fire Station.

Festival planned for June 12

Cape Elizabeth’s Family Fun Day will be June 12 at Fort Williams Park. The rain date is June 21. This annual event is open to all and proceeds benefit local nonprofit groups. There’s still time to plan a club or group’s participation to help with fundraising.

The day kicks off at 10:30 a.m. with a parade starting from Cottage Farm Road. It will include floats from community groups and sports teams as well as antique cars and fire equipment.  Activities are scheduled throughout the day, including games for all ages, face painting,  talent show and numerous crafts and booths serving a variety of foods and beverages. The traditional “Fun in the Foam” event sponsored by the fire department will also take place. ReMax will reprise its morning balloon rides from 8 to 10 a.m. 

Added to the festivities this year is a dog show open to all. Those with a canine with a special talent, gift for exhibition or who’s too cute to ignore, contact Karen Pride at 232-2579 for more information or to register.

Nonprofit groups or organizations that want to take part in this year’s celebration should contact Gene Weismann at 767-7111. Local artists or crafts persons interested in having a booth should call 799-1674. 

For more information on participating or volunteering this year, call 767-9072.

School board recommends vote

The South Portland Board of Education unanimously agreed Monday to send a high school renovation bond to referendum. If the city council agrees, the question would go to voters in November.

South Portland residents in 2007 defeated a $56 million referendum for a high school upgrade. This time, voters may be asked to approve a $41.9 million plan the board endorsed March 8.

A decision on whether to hold the referendum in November should be made by late July or early August, City Clerk Susan Mooney said last month following a similar vote by the secondary schools facilities committee.

Several committee members cited cost savings as a major reason for voting in November instead of waiting until June 2011 or later.

Dan Robbins of Harriman Architects and Engineers, the project’s designer, said waiting until next year could add $3 to 3.5 million to the total cost. 

Construction could begin in spring 2012 if the bond is approved this fall. A 10- to 11-month timeline is required for bidding, awarding the contract and preparing for construction, Robbins said.

“We have a responsibility to the taxpayers to save them money,” said board member Sara Goldberg. “If we wait any longer on this, it’s going to cost a lot more.”

 “We want to present to the community the best possible high school we can for the kids. I believe we have the right proposal with the right funding in place,” said Board Chairman Rick Carter.