Welcome to the Bayside Neighborhood! The latest BNA goings-on are here. For more information about the BNA click on the menu above. Subscribe to get email notifications of new posts using the blue button on the right. Reach out to info@baysideportland.org with any questions or ideas. Thanks for staying in touch!
Ice Cream for Everyone!
Two Bayside Week events prove that nothing brings a community together like sharing some ice cream on a warm spring day. Sundaes on a Monday was a great success thanks to our partners at Avesta Housing and Wayside Food Programs, which provide community meals every Monday from noon-1pm at 409 Cumberland Avenue. This week dessert was just a little sweeter and a lot cooler, thanks to the BNA Events Team.
… and today the Bayside Opportunity Center crew got out to Stone Street Playground to give out cups and cones to kids after school, along with groups from Boys’ & Girls’ Club and United Way programs. Thanks to the City of Portland Office of Sustainability for the block party kit, and to Whole Foods Market for donating the ice cream.
COMING UP:
Midtown Properties Community Feedback Session Wednesday April 29th 4pm–6pm
City Hall, 389 Congress Street, Room 24 • Share your ideas for four City-owned, undeveloped parcels in Bayside.
Sidewalk Chalk Flash Mob Thursday April 30th 3pm–4pm
28 Portland St (under the big green Bayside sign) • Draw your dream streetscape, send a message of peace to your neighbors, or maybe play a little hopscotch!
MORE FROM BAYSIDE WEEK:
The Deb Van Hoewyk Bayside Community Garden
On a sunny spring Sunday afternoon yesterday, neighbors gathered at 78 Chestnut Street to give the Bayside Community Garden a name worthy of the woman who helped build it.
The garden is now officially the Deb Van Hoewyk Bayside Community Garden.
City Councilor Sarah Michniewicz kicked things off by picking up a screwgun and bolting the new sign to the garden shed herself. It is now officially, permanently, on the record. Then Deb’s nieces and nephews who were present planted flowers at the entrance to the garden.
Councilor Michniewicz, BNA President Tom Blackburn, and Deb’s husband John Van Hoewyk all spoke, sharing memories of a woman who gave so much of herself to this neighborhood — as a BNA board member for over a decade, a grant writer, a program builder, and an unfailingly generous presence who had a gift for bringing people together. Deb helped create the Bayside World Market & Fair, the Black Frame Art Sale, summer lunches at Unity Village, ESOL programming at the Immigrant Welcome Center, and was instrumental in getting the community garden funded and off the ground. She was still deep in the work of building the Bayside Opportunity Center when she passed away in August 2025.
To make it official, John cut the ceremonial ribbon alongside Deb’s sisters, Patience and Priscilla — a moment that was equal parts poignant and joyful, the kind of thing Deb herself would have appreciated.
The Deb Van Hoewyk Community Garden is located at 78 Chestnut Street, and it’s open for the season. More information is available here.
Spring Cleanup Success!
Dozens of neighbors and friends showed up yesterday to pitch in and help with the Annual BNA Spring Cleanup in collaboration with the City of Portland’s Great Portland Pickup. Thanks to Karly Meyer of the City of Portland’s Office of Sustainability and Leyla Hashi of Portland Parks Conservancy for helping put together the city-wide effort, to Eighty-8 Donuts and Coffee by Design for keeping us fueled up, and to Charlie Mitchell and staff at Bayside Bowl for hosting the afterparty. A great start to Bayside Week!
Along the way, some intrepid litter-pickers noticed some new neighbors in Bayside—the Bayside Gnome Roam got underway yesterday also. Here’s a sneak peek at some photos we’ve received already from gnome hunters:
As you can see, our friend Artie is in on the hunt too! follow him on instagram@mainely_the_child
You’re also likely to run into another beloved Bayside neighbor, the “Bayside Bunny” (okay there’s probably more than one) posing here for a gnome hunter’s camera. Be careful not to disturb the bunnies—or gnomes—and leave them where you find them for others to enjoy.
The Bayside Gnome Roam Begins!
How It Works: Start any time during Bayside Week, but get a headstart including hints and how-tos at the BNA Spring Cleanup Saturday April 25th from 10-noon at the Bayside Community Garden on Chestnut Street.
During Bayside Week (April 25–May 2) you can find gnomes hidden all over the neighborhood. See below for photos and clues on where to find them. Track them down in real life, snap your own photo and email it to gnomes@baysideportland.org or paste it into the uploader on the bottom of the page.
Capture the spirit of Bayside and win big. Your photos could earn you neighborhood gear, gift cards to local favorites, or a gnome of your very own!
We’ll get together at the end of the week to share stories, photos, and collect prizes. Join us at Wilson County BBQ on Hanover Street Sunday May 3rd at 5pm for the announcement of the Gnome-coming King and Queen!
Note: Please do not touch, move, tamper with, disturb or otherwise harass the gnomes. They are very sensitive; remember that the Bayside gnomes live here too, and if you move them they could get lost or confused. Please think of your fellow gnome hunters, too! Try to take a unique photo that shows that you and your hunting party were there with the gnome. Make it fun for everyone!
BEHIND THE SCENES: Maine Clay Collaborative Kiln Unload: Gnome Edition
New ESOL Group in Bayside starts May 4th
The Bayside Opportunity Center, in collaboration with Avesta Housing and the A. Philip Randolph Institute (APRI), is now offering a guided English Conversation Group — a fun and relaxed space to practice English and build confidence through real conversations. Sessions include interactive discussions and simple group activities designed to develop speaking and listening skills, led by professional teachers of English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) Ina Demers MS Ed, and Garrett Stewart, president of APRI ME.
Sessions are offered every weekday (5 days a week) in the Community Room at Pearl Place at 184 Pearl Street in Portland — Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 5–7 PM, and Tuesday from 5–6 PM. Free of charge, and no registration required. All ages and levels welcome, and support for parents with small children can be provided. For more information, contact demeri@portlandschools.org.
Groupe de conversation en anglais
Grupo de Conversação em Inglês
مجموعة المحادثة باللغة الإنجليزية
Kooxda Wada-hadalka Ingiriisiga
Kikundi cha Mazungumzo ya Kiingereza
The Spring 2026 Baysider is here!
The latest Baysider is out and about. Click the photo to download a pdf version, and visit your local Bayside businesses to find a print copy. Thanks to Maine Trust for Local News for help with the printing, and to all our contributors, advertisers, and supporters for making the Baysider happen. Let us know what you think, submit an article, advertisement, and/or join the Baysider Team by emailing baysider@baysideportland.org
Baysider Mission Statement: The Baysider is a quarterly newsletter published by the Bayside Neighborhood Association (BNA) to promote neighborhood activities, businesses, people, and news. It is intended to build neighborhood cohesion, strengthen relationships, recruit new members to the BNA, and spread joy.
BAYSIDE WEEK April 25th – May 3rd
Saturday April 25
Bayside Spring Cleanup 10am–12pm,
Bayside Community Garden, 78 Chestnut Street
Part of the “2nd Annual Great Portland Pickup.” Coffee, water & snacks provided. Trash bags, gloves, and pickers provided.
Gnome Roam Kickoff — Show up for the cleanup and get a headstart on the Gnome Roam with instructions, tips and clues. The more you photograph, the bigger the prize — including new Bayside swag, local gift certificates, and more. You may even get to take you very own gnome home! The Gnome Roam goes all week, with a wrap party on Sunday May 3rd. (see below)
Spring Cleanup Afterparty 12pm–3pm Bayside Bowl, 58 Alder Street • Free string of bowling for every cleanup participant, courtesy of Bayside Bowl!
Consider the Source w/ S.C.O.B.Y.
8pm–11:30pm, Bayside Bowl, 58 Alder Street
Live in concert. all ages. $20 adv. $25 door
Sunday April 26
Drag Brunch 10:30am–1pm
Batson River Brewing & Distilling, 82 Hanover St.
Deb Van Hoewyk Community Garden Naming Ceremony 1pm–2pm
Bayside Community Garden, 78 Chestnut Street
Honoring longtime BNA board member and community activist Deborah Van Hoewyk.
Tea Time Afterparty 2-3pm,
Two Fat Cats Bakery, 195 Lancaster Street • Every pie sold benefits the Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition
Rainbow Reels–Movie Watch Party 2pm–5pm
Equality Community Center, 15 Casco Street
Bach’s B Minor Mass, Portland Symphony Orchestra 2:30pm, Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle Street • Pre-concert conversation at 1:30pm.
Live Concert — Boyscout, The Fur, Robert Samantha 7:30pm–11:30pm
The Apohadion Theater, 107 Hanover Street
Monday April 27
Wayside Community Lunch 12pm–1pm
409 Cumberland Avenue • Presented by Wayside Food Programs. Open to the public.
Sundaes on Monday 1pm–2pm
409 Cumberland Avenue • After lunch join us for dessert!
Tuesday April 28
Bayside Opportunity Center Meet & Greet, Stay & Play 3:30pm–5pm,
Stone Street Playground, 170–174 Oxford Street
Learn about the BOC and imagine a community center in Bayside. Games, sweet treats, and freebies for kids.
Trivia Night with Sporcle 6:30pm–8:30pm
Batson River Brewing & Distilling, 82 Hanover St
Bach’s B Minor Mass, Portland Symphony Orchestra 7pm,
Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle Street • Pre-concert conversation at 6:00pm.
Wednesday April 29
Bayside Business Breakfast Club 8:30am Maine Clay Collaborative, 65 Hanover Street
Last Wednesday of every month. RSVP: breakfastclub@baysideportland.org
Midtown Properties Community Feedback Session 4pm–6pm
City Hall, 389 Congress Street, Room 24 • Share your ideas for four City-owned, undeveloped parcels in Bayside.
Trivia Night 7pm–9pm
Wilson County Barbecue, 82 Hanover St Suite 8
Every Wednesday 7–9pm. 75¢ wings + rotating beverage special.
Thursday April 30
Sidewalk Chalk Flash Mob 3pm–4pm
28 Portland St (under the big green Bayside sign) • Draw your dream streetscape, send a message of peace to your neighbors, or maybe play a little hopscotch! Thanks to the City of Portland Office of Sustainability for providing the chalk.
BNA Teams Appreciation Party 5pm–8pm
RSVP to info@baysideportland.org for information
Friday May 1
2026 Gallery Season Opening 5pm–8pm
82 Parris Gallery, 82 Parris Street • First Friday Art Walk
Clay Play 5pm–7pm
Maine Clay Collaborative, 65 Hanover Street
Free drop-in pottery wheel experience. No work kept — just fun!
Spring for the Kids 6pm–9pm
Boys & Girls Club, 277 Cumberland Avenue
Drag Race Viewing Party 7pm–9:30pm Batson River Brewing & Distilling, 82 Hanover St
Bearly Dead, Live in Concert 8–11:30pm, Bayside Bowl, 58 Alder Street
80’s Dance Night 8:30pm–12am
Bubba’s Sulky Lounge,92 Portland Street • Wear full 80s gear and get in FREE + chance to win $50 cash. Spectators: $5 cover.
Saturday May 2
USCF Monthly Chess Series 10am–2pm
Baxter Academy, 185 Lancaster Street
Registration 9:45am. USCF ID required.
$10 entry, $15 prize for quad winners.
Re-Urbanizing the Urban Fabric: Portland’s Franklin Street (Jane’s Walk)
9am-10am, Meet at Lincoln Park near Federal Street & Congress Street
Affordable Housing in Portland: Rethinking Expectations (Jane’s Walk)
11am-12:30pm, Meet at 72 Oak Street
The Potential Future Home of the Bayside Opportunity Center at 28 Portland Street (Jane’s Walk)
1pm-2pm, Meet at 28 Portland Street
Bayside Underwater (Jane’s Walk)
2pm-3pm, Meet at Chestnut St. and Congress St.
Vogue Ballroom 101 with Aquarius Funk
2pm–4pm, Equality Community Center,
15 Casco Street • Intro to vogue ballroom — practice and conversation about ballroom culture. By donation, no one turned away. Open to all 18+, centering QTBIPOC individuals.
Bayside Neighborhood Association Annual Meeting 5pm–7pm Equality Community Center, 15 Casco Street • Potluck, board elections, year-in-review. Bring a dish if you can!
Honey Tones in Concert 7pm–9pm,
“Last Church on the Left” at 58 Wilmot Street • Swing, blues, jazz, and folk. Suggested donation $20, all proceeds to performers. BYOB (no red wine) text 207-773-3434 for more information
Everything Dance Party with DJ Jon
9pm–12am, Bubba’s Sulky Lounge, 92 Portland St
Today’s hits plus everything else.
Sunday May 3
Gnome Roam Wrap Party 5pm–8pm
Wilson County BBQ, 82 Hanover Street
Share photos & stories and take home prizes and “gnomentos” from Bayside Week
Note:Schedule is subject to change. For the latest updates and more information please see the Bayside Neighborhood Association website at baysideportland.org
BNA Dev Team Shows Up for Bayside
Wednesday afternoon the City of Portland hosted the first of two public feedback forums related to the Midtown Properties in Bayside. Members of the BNA Relevant Developments Team, including team lead Amelia LaBreck, vice-president Rob Sylvain, and treasurer Peter Markoe attended to make sure Bayside voices are heard throughout the process. The city also is soliciting feedback though an online survey, here: Midtown Project Community Survey
The next public forum is scheduled for April 29th at City Hall. (The session’s hours have been extended to accommodate more members of the public, and will now be held from 4pm – 7pm.) For more information visit the City of Portland Website. Click the link below for an overview of the BNA’s position on Midtown, or use the search tool to the right for some historical perspective.
Please take the survey and consider joining us at the next public session. Feel free to contact us with any questions or ideas at developments@baysideportland.org As always, we want to hear from you!
Gnome Making Event Success!
Get ready for the Bayside Gnome Roam! 🧙♂️
What a night! During April’s First Friday, dozens of neighbors and friends packed Maine Clay Collaborative for our Gnome Roam prep event — and the results were magical. Scores of handmade clay gnomes are now drying, ready to be fired up and let loose on the streets of Bayside.
So what happens next? The fine folks at Maine Clay will fire all those little characters in the kiln. Then we’ll fan out across the neighborhood and tuck them into nooks, perch them on stoops, and hide them in plain sight — ready for neighbors to discover during Bayside Week, April 25th through May 2nd. Find one, photograph it, share it. It’s part art project, part hide-and-seek, and totally Bayside.
Bayside Week is shaping up to be something really special. Get a head start on the Gnome Roam by showing up at our kickoff cleanup event from 10am-noon on Saturday April 25th at the Bayside Community Garden. Check out everything that’s happening at www.baysideportland.org/community-calendar/ — and if you have an event to add or want to get involved, reach out to the events team.
Let’s show everyone why Bayside is the Playside!
Thank You Maine Clay Collaborative!
Nominating Committee Announces Slate of Candidates for May BNA Board Elections
Every year at the Annual Meeting, one-half of the board is elected for a two-year term. Last year the board voted to add two seats, so in order to keep balance between odd and even year members, two new seats are added this spring, bringing the total number of individual board members to ten. The nominating committee is charged with recruiting a slate of candidates for election to be announced 30 days ahead of the annual meeting.
Here are the 2026 Candidates:
Susan McCloskey
Susan is a longtime resident of Bayside and charter member of the BNA board, first elected in 1999. She is board liaison to the Community Garden Team and the Trees & Greens Team, contributor to The Baysider which she previously served as editor, and dependable volunteer for the Citizens’ Trash Brigade, Events Team, and Monday Community Lunches. Susan lives on Parris Street in Bayside.
Rayyaan Hakizimana
Rayyaan is Operations Manager at Food For All Services, a family food pantry located on Parris Street in Bayside. He was appointed to the board of the BNA in 2026 to a non-resident seat vacated by Alex Landry last year. Now leading the BNA Welcome Team, Rayyaan has laid out a plan to help with Bayside branding and social media outreach. Rayyaan lives in Gorham, Maine.
Sarah Gauvin
Sarah lives on Hanover Street in Bayside and works as a program manager at Hope Acts, a non-profit organization dedicated to serving asylum seekers throughout Southern Maine. She was appointed to the BNA board in 2026 to fill the seat left by Deb Van Hoewyk’s passing last year. Sarah has been active in the city’s ESOL Collaborative group, and has 10+ years working for non-profits in administrative, program management, outreach, and volunteer roles.
Michael Hayes
Michael lives at the corner of Cumberland and Forest Avenue in Bayside and has been a neighborhood resident for over six years. He has been attending BNA board meetings in recent months and currently serves on the BNA Safe Streets Team, participating in last year’s Pedestrian Safety Focus Group, and the recently organized Portland Safe Streets Coalition. He also regularly attends and assists the Wayside Food Programs community lunches in the apartment complex where he resides.
Patrick Beacham
Patrick lives in Westbrook and works in Bayside as the property manager for Avesta Housing’s Pearl Place Apartments. He brings experience in communication, budgeting, financial analysis, political advocacy, and both journalistic and academic writing. Patrick is committed to serving the community, drawing on years of close ties and a deep investment in Bayside’s wellbeing and future.
Elections Process Summary:
- January 6 – Submissions for consideration by the nominating committee opened
- April 1 – Last day for submissions to the Nominating Committee
- April 2 – Nominating Committee announces the final slate of nominated candidates
- April 25 – Deadline to announce write-in candidacy
- May 2 – Annual Meeting – General Members who sign a membership form vote on board candidates
- May 5 – Regular monthly board meeting – Board selects its 4 officers and organizational seats
Per BNA bylaws, the ratio of individual board members not residing in Bayside shall not exceed 1/3. A full description of the nominating process can be found here: Nominating & Election Procedures and Policies.
Current Board of Directors
- Tom Blackburn – President
- Rob Sylvain – Vice President
- Colette Bouchard – Secretary
- Peter Markoe – Treasurer
- Susan McCloskey
- Jim Hall
- Rayyaan Hakizimana
- Sarah Gauvin
- Betsy Boyd – representing Portland Downtown