January 2026 News

Exciting events and cheer await you!

View this email in your browser Friends of Woodfords Corner News January 2026   FWC news It's not to late to donate to FWC! Since Friends of Woodfords Corner began, people have been at the heart of this organization—neighbors helping neighbors, finding connection through serving our community, and making this place not just a corridor to drive through, but a place that is well worth the walk. This special part of Portland has so much potential to be a thriving village hub for all of us living and working here — accessible to all people with diverse markets, restaurants, business, nonprofits, public spaces, beautiful planters, great signage, safe and welcoming sidewalks and more!  Read more about what we hope to accomplish in 2026 and donate today >>> The 4th Annual Woodfords Weekend was a success!   Thank you to everyone who attended the Odd Fellows Craft Bazaar and played in the Woodfords Weekend bingo game! The craft bazaar was bustling with music, food& drinks and gorgeous crafts from over 30 local makers.  We had over 100 people play the bingo game and over 20 winners! Woo hoo! A big thank you to all of the local businesses that participated in the bingo game and donated prizes! Something puzzling is going on in Woodfords Corner...   Woodfords Corner Jigsaw Puzzle Competition & Puzzle Swap! WHEN: Sunday, January 25, 2026 – 2:00pm - 5:00pm (1:30pm check-in) WHERE: Odd Fellows Hall, 651 Forest Avenue, 2nd Floor, Portland TEAM REGISTRATION: $30 per team of two Join us for a fun-filled speed puzzling contest! Teams of two (2) will compete to finish the same 500-piece puzzle within a 3-hour time limit. After the competition, teams will get to keep the puzzle. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 teams. Puzzlers of all ages and abilities are welcome! A free Puzzle Swap will be included for all registered puzzlers. Please do not bring any puzzles with missing pieces. The puzzle swap is optional - participants are not required to bring a puzzle to swap. Register here >>> Ripe for Repair is Back! Sunday, January 11th from 1-4pm Odd Fellows Hall, 651 Forest Avenue, 2nd Floor Repair Meetups are free community events where people come together to help each other fix everything from small home appliances to damaged textiles. They’re about celebrating under- appreciated skills and learning new ones, holding on to things that take a lot of resources to make but can quickly end up in landfills, and connecting with other humans. Experts, novices and curious spectators welcome! Bring something that needs repair – small electrical appliances, housewares, speakers, bicycle wheel and a spare tire, mending and darning projects, toys, clothing, and more! Follow Ripe for Repair on Instagram to stay up-to-date! Thank you Nancy Grant for your FWC Board Service! As Nancy steps down from Board service to volunteer team level, we want to acknowledge her enormous impact on the Friends of Woodfords Corner. Since 2018, Nancy has made significant contributions our neighborhood hub through her leadership and advocacy, particularly in active transportation and community safety and the development of a strong board. Nancy’s long-standing commitment to safer, more walkable streets and her service as a board leader have been integral to FWC’s mission of fostering a thriving, welcoming, and sustainable Woodfords Corner. Read more about all Nancy's contributions here >>> Welcome Betsy! Welcome to the FWC board Betsy! Betsy has lived in Woodfords Corner for over 15 years and is excited to join the board. She has been an active member of the FWC Green, Clean and Sustainable Team for the past 2 years.  A gardener and native plant enthusiast, Betsy is passionate about building biodiversity, increasing habitat, and strengthening ecosystems throughout the neighborhood. This past fall, Betsy and a team of volunteers installed a native pollinator garden in Saunders Triangle. She looks forward to future planting projects in Woodfords Corner!   corner news Snow Removal Volunteers Needed  great program run by Age Friendly Portland looking for volunteers willing to shovel snow for an elderly neighbor this winter. They are also looking for Neighborhood Coordinators from Rosemont and Deering Center to help match Portland homeowners with volunteers. For more information or to sign up as a volunteer, contact Linda Weare at 207-541-6620 or send an email to agefriendlycommunity@portlandmaine.gov If you are a Portland homeowner age 65+ in need of snow removal assistance, call 207-541-6620.  Please spread the word if you can! City of Portland Community Survey The City of Portland is launching a community survey and invites all residents to take part. This important survey provides an opportunity for Portland residents to share their feedback and insights regarding the programs and services provided by the City. The survey will help City officials understand community needs, as well as satisfaction with services and programs, and may help inform future City initiatives and policies.  How to Participate A random sample of residents will receive a paper copy of the survey mailed to their home in late November. The mailing will come from the City’s consultant in this effort, ETC Institute.  The survey is also available online at portlandcommunitysurvey.org for anyone who wishes to participate.    corner events There are myriad events, classes, and happenings in Woodfords Corner every week – check out our Community Calendar to view all that's going on! January 7th: Maine's Downtowns panel discussion VFW 687 Forest Ave, Portland  5:30-7:00pm Maine's downtowns are places that build human connections through good design and bringing people together. This panel presentation and networking event will highlight the work being done in different Maine downtowns and the ways they are improving human connections and public health. Free and open to the public.  For more information and to RSVP click here! about fwc Support Friends of Woodfords Corner! For 10 years Friends of Woodfords Corner has served as a voice for the Woodfords area and a catalyst for building a sustainable, diverse community. And we're just getting started – we have big plans for the coming years! Make a donation in honor of 10 years of Friends of Woodfords Corner, and help us be successful for many years to come! Donate Today! Join Our Team: Volunteer for Friends of Woodfords Corner! Join us in our efforts to foster a thriving, welcoming, and sustainable village hub in Woodfords Corner, and make an impact on your community! We're always looking for more volunteers for our committees and folks who want to serve as board members. Complete one of the forms, linked below, to inquire and learn more! Volunteer with FWC Inquire About Board Membership FWC & Main Street America In 2019 (a mere 6 years ago) Friends of Woodfords Corner became a Main Street Affiliate, and we thought it might be time to explain what this means for our organization and our community, and how how this makes us unique among many varied community groups in the Portland area! Learn more>> Friends of Woodfords Corner is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization that works to preserve the diversity and unique history of Woodfords Corner and foster a thriving, welcoming, and sustainable village hub.  Copyright © 2026 Friends of Woodfords Corner, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website. Our mailing address is: Friends of Woodfords Corner 651 Forest Avenue #2 Portland, Maine 04101 Add us to your address book Call us! 207-805-1151 Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.