Community Circle Series to Connect, Share, Imagine
Jillian – Pies Make Me Think
Written by Jillian
A friend and I were talking on the phone recently. In the conversation he posed this question to me: Name an item in your life that brings you comfort during these trying times? I didn’t have a ready answer, but have since been giving it thought. What exactly did he mean by “an item”? An amulet? A self-care gadget? A Linus blanket? A talisman? A favorite sweater?
My beloved water bottle covered in wool brings me comfort on chilly nights or when I’m sick. Also, I wear a sea urchin necklace I ran 26.22 miles to get. It reminds me of an available inner reserve. Crossing a parking lot early in our relationship, Steve saw a tiny pewter high-heeled shoe. He picked it up and gave it to me. I imbue this little treasure with true love.
None of my precious objects speak to these troubling times though.
With more reflection, I recognized I do have something that reassures me lately. Something that says to me “Things will get better.” This beautiful objet d’art leans on the windowsill, right next to where I sit catching the sun’s rays. It is, of all things, an eight piece pie scorer.
This nifty aluminum device has nine arms radiating from a center knob. It is a kitchen tool. By pressing down with it on a pie, the pie scorer makes perforated marks. It is incredibly useful for cutting many uniform slices of pie quickly.
My friend Julie presented me this pie scorer at the onset of the pandemic. I have yet to use it. Julie, a pie maker herself, knows I handle a lot of pies both aboard the Sunbeam, and at our weekly Table of Plenty community supper. Making pies has always been so enjoyable for me. All the steps involved, from incorporating the cold butter into the flour, to rolling out the pastry and wrapping it around a delicious filling, require time, attention and practice.
Pies are confectionery sculptures. Betty, a steward on the Sunbeam for many years, is remembered for her beautiful pies. It is my honor to humbly carry on her tradition.
My mother taught me to make pies. Pies fall into one of four categories – cream, fruit, custard, or savory. All are delicious, but, living in Cherryfield — “the blueberry capital of the world” — blueberry might be my most favorite.
Pies make me think of home, hearth, bounty, family. Pies embody love. They are baked to share with others. They are given in friendship to say thank you or, I care about you; I hope you are feeling better, I’m sorry for your loss, or, I was thinking about you. Pies are served after Sunday suppers, at coffee hours, receptions, picnics, and gatherings where people are enjoying one another. Pies are part of a caring community.
This pie scorer awaits when, once again, we come together. This utensil gives me hope.
EdGE Student’s Balloon Car Run
CHERRYFIELD, ME — Students in our EdGE program were given take home kits with suggestions and instructions for projects. The separate kits on different subjects included art, baking, games, and STEM. EdGE student Brayden put together this STEM balloon car and sent this video.
Jillian and St. Francis of Assisi
From Scott Shaw this morning:
“I wanted to send this pic of Jillian ‘caught in action’ posting one of her inspiring signs in Cherryfield. I happened to be driving by and busted her red handed posting one of her quotes of hope and inspiration!”
Scott Shaw is the Mission’s Downeast Campus Facilities and Housing Rehabilitation Manager. Jillian is the Sunbeam Steward.
Thank you Thursday for Laura, Tom, and the People We Meet
It’s Thank you Thursday. Today’s shout out of Mission love goes to Laura and Tom, and the many kind, memorable people Mission staff encounter in our daily work.
Sunbeam Steward Jillian says of Laura and Tom, “They have refreshing spirt and I always enjoy our conversations when I pass them on the slip. Here they are on their boat which docks near the Sunbeam in our lovely little water neighborhood in Northeast Harbor. These two,” adds Jillian, “are making a good life together on their own terms.”
From the Sunbeam, to the Downeast Campus, to our Mount Desert Island headquarters, to our social media, we appreciate and look forward to the people we encounter who help the Mission with their kind words, their ideas, and their camaraderie.
This is what community looks like.
Thank you Thursday for Our Many Christmas Elves
It’s Thank You Thursday. A Christmas Eve shout out of Mission love goes out to the many elves who helped create a cheerful Mission Christmas 2020 for over 1,400 people.
Thank you to the Mission staff and volunteers who coordinated the Christmas Program. They are Tracy Reynolds, Carla Cote, Marilyn Nickson, Maria, and Dannie. Our heartfelt thanks go to many others who helped wrap and deliver presents, including the Mission’s elf, Charlie.
This is what community looks like. Learn more about The Mission Christmas Program here.