April 18, 2025
Two Lights for Tomorrow - A Nationwide Call to Action
Two Lights for Tomorrow is a nationwide initiative to commence the celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States of America. The famous ride of Paul Revere occurred overnight April 18–19, 1775. Two Lights for Tomorrow originated out of multi-state collaboration at A Common Cause to All in Williamsburg and uses the imagery of that shining light 250 years ago as a uniting call to action today for our fellow citizens, no matter where they are, to commemorate and remind ourselves that our history is about working together for a better tomorrow.
At its heart it is a call across the country, in private homes, local communities, and statehouses alike, for two lights to be displayed to remind us all of the importance to come together to form a more perfect union.
Two Lights for Tomorrow Events Across Maine:
Augusta (Maine State Capitol)
- At 11:30 a.m. join us in the Hall of Flags in the state capitol for a press conference with Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and enjoy excerpts of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem, "Paul Revere’s Ride," read by Portland Youth Poet Laureate Yashaswini Derisala.
- At 7:30 p.m., join us in Capitol Park for the lighting!
Caribou
- Lighting (not sure where yet)
Falmouth
- Lights at the Falmouth Historical Society, Falmouth Town Hall, Falmouth Congregational Church, Emmaus Lutheran Church, and OceanView at Falmouth
Gorham
- Gorham Historical Society will hold a lighting at First Parish Church and ring the Paul Revere bell.
Hampden
- Hampden Garden Club will host a potluck, reading of "Paul Revere’s Ride," story sharing, music, and other activities at Harmony Hall. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. and will conclude with the ringing of the Paul Revere bell and lantern lighting at 7:30 p.m.
Orrington
- Lanterns in the Town Hall cupola
- Lanterns in individual homes
Portland
- Lights at Henry Wadsworth Longfellow House
- Lights at Maine Historical Society
- Spirits Alive at Eastern Cemetery
- 7 p.m. reading of "Paul Revere’s Ride" and lighting
- On Saturday, April 19 there will be a special tour of Eastern Cemetery featuring Revolutionary War graves.
Presque Isle
- Lights at City Hall
- Lights at Presque Isle Historical Society
South Portland
- Bell ringing at Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse at 6 p.m.
Thomaston
- Lighting and ringing of Paul Revere Bell at the Henry Knox Museum.
Winterport
- Lighting at the Union Meeting House at 7 p.m. and a reading of "Paul Revere’s Ride."
May 3, 2025
Jane’s Walk is a global festival of free, volunteer-led walking conversations inspired by community activist Jane Jacobs. Jane’s Walks combine the simple act of exploring a place with personal observations, local history, and civic engagement.
The annual Jane’s Walk festival takes place the first weekend in May, in more than 200 cities and towns around the globe. In 2025, the walk roster will be available in mid-April and the festival will be held in Maine on Saturday, May 3.
Jane Jacobs was a community activist and writer who lived from 1916-2006. She is best known for galvanizing her neighbors to stop a highway from being built in their community. She believed in the power of individuals to influence the places they live. Today, her principles represent the participatory planning approaches that have been embraced in communities around the world.