Press

Congolese and Angolan immigrants find housing in Old Orchard Beach - but the stay is temporary

Maine Public | By Ari Snider Published December 29, 2021 at 4:06 PM EST

With the summer tourists long gone and many of the hotels shuttered for the season, Old Orchard Beach is pretty quiet these days. But, once a week, one parking lot near the beach is bustling with families speaking Lingala, Portuguese, and French.

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Asylum-seeking families find temporary housing in Old Orchard Beach motels

by WGMEThursday, December 30th 2021

The majority of the families came from the Congo, DRC and Angola.

Old Orchard Beach is known for bringing in tourists during the summer, but now it’s a temporary home for asylum seekers.

The families are staying in the Beau Rivage and Crest Motels.

Sergio, originally from Angola started his journey in the U.S. in Texas, then went to New York and now hopes to call Maine home.

“I like Maine and Old Orchard Beach,” Sergio said.

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Iraqi refugee's story reveals pathway to American dream

Portland Press Herald

The Portland man is among a growing number of English Language Learners who have turned to the Biddeford Adult Education program. 

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That time Prince crashed an Alabama cover band's gig

By Matt Wake | mwake@al.com

Earlier that day, Prince's manager had called Five Points Music Hall, telling general manager Sam Smithwick on the phone, "I have a certain artist in town who is interested in playing your venue later." Smithwick knew Prince had a concert in Birmingham that night. But he kept the possibility of Prince showing up at Five Points "somewhat secret." He even used the same language, "a certain artist," in talking things over with The Cheesebrokers.