The public is invited to a virtual conversation on Tuesday, June 29, at 7 p.m., when Gigi Georges, author of the just-released nonfiction book Downeast: Five Maine Girls and the Unseen Story of Rural America, talks with John Zavodny, president of the Maine Seacoast Mission.
The free event is being co-hosted by Left Bank Books, in Belfast, and The Bangor Daily News. To register for the event: tinyurl.com/GigiGeorges
Over the course of four years, Georges followed the lives of five teenage girls who lived in Washington County in Maine’s far northeast corner. Although the villages and towns they grew up in were only an hour’s drive from the heart of bustling and famed Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor, they lived a world away. The girls’ stories reveal surprising truths about rural America.
Kaitlin Beal from Sumner High School is the 2021 Angus MacDonald Scholarship recipient.
NORTHEAST HARBOR, ME — Continuing a tradition that started more than 100 years ago, Maine Seacoast Mission welcomes 23 new Mission Scholars for year 2021. The Mission this year awarded $49,000 in new scholarships and $109,000 in renewed scholarships.
Mission Scholarships Director Terri Rodick said, “Our 2021 scholarship awardees are from 14 high schools in Washington and Hancock Counties and the islands we serve.”
The 2021 Mission scholars were resilient and able to overcome the Covid-19 pandemic to achieve their college aspirations. During the scholars’ interviews with the Mission, they told stories of deeper connections with teachers, guidance counselors, and community members supporting them throughout the year.
“Mission scholars are pursuing degrees in science, early childhood education, construction, fashion design, social justice, art, and education. One student is a first-generation American working to create fashion and clothing that illustrates the American Dream and diverse fabric of America. Another is a local student focused on building his Washington County community through repairing homes and building sustainable housing,” explained Mission Downeast Director Melvin D. Adams III, Ed.D.
“The beauty of the Mission scholarship program is the importance of supporting college aspirations — where youth can create change and ask us to think deeply about our community through fashion, teach future generations, and discover life-saving medications,” Director Adams said.
Among the Mission’s several scholarships, its Angus MacDonald Scholarship provides an award of $14,000 over four years to an exceptional high school graduate who has demonstrated superior academic achievement, leadership skills, integrity, and commitment to the community. This year’s Angus MacDonald Scholarship recipient is Sumner High School student Kaitlin Beal from Gouldsboro, ME.
It’s Thank you Thursday. Today’s shout out of Mission love goes to Paul Bennett at Downeast Thunder Creations. Mr. Bennett describes himself on his Facebook page this way: “Engineer, Designer, Fabricator, and Maker [who] creates many items from a variety of materials at Downeast Thunder Farm in Milbridge, Maine.”
Mission Development Associate Anna Silver said, “I was first referred to Paul as someone who might help us create wooden awards for the Mission’s President’s Scholarship Celebration. He told me he was fan of the Mission and would be happy to help.
“After making the awards, Paul had a creative suggestion about making key fobs out of leftover mahogany from the Sunbeam refit,” Anna continued. Then, “He made me a lovely, completely unsolicited, office sign.
“While Paul and I have never met, he has been extremely good to the Mission. I encourage people to take a look at Paul’s work on his website,” Anna said. The Mission appreciates the many talented local business people who help us in so many ways.
Front cover of The Island Reader 2021 with a photograph from by book by Islesford’s Pat Mocarsky.
Celebrating poetry, prose, photography, and art, 2021 marks 15 years Maine islanders have shared their creativity and creative voice through the pages of The Island Reader. Sustaining Islands, this year’s theme, highlights islanders’ excellence as stewards of island resources and place.
We invite you to join us on island as you stroll through the pages of the 15th Anniversary The Island Reader. Enjoy!!!
The Island Reader is available free of charge. Please consider a donation when ordering your copy. Your gift will directly help the Mission Outreach program.
The large room inside the EdGE Ed and Connie Greaves Education Center with new paint and floor, and ropes course gear at the ready on tabletops.
CHERRYFIELD, ME — When Covid-19 forced a reduced 2020 Housing Rehabilitation Program, Downeast Campus Facilities Manager Scott Shaw used available time to oversee some desired renovations of Downeast Campus EdGE Center building.
Painters spruced up the building inside and out. The old tile flooring is replaced with new polyaspartic flooring. “We took the opportunity to renovate the kitchen – rearranged cabinets, added counter space, a gas stove, new refrigerator, dishwasher, and new sinks,” explained Scott Shaw. The upstairs classroom and offices were carpeted. “The classroom will be a breakout room or a main meeting room for the staff,” said Scott. The office walls had added insulation “to help with privacy.” Additional toilets were also added, the biggest part of the renovation.
The EdGE Center is looking – and serving us – better than ever with these improvements.
CHERRYFIELD, ME — I joined the Mission in 2002. My husband Charlie and I worked with Gary DeLong to create the EdGE. The EdGE model included working with children, their families, and community. My work was, and is, centered on families and community and the belief that children thrive when they have the support of the people around them. In 2007, I became the Director of Service Programs and began developing programs offering support to our neighbors — including EdGE families.
My favorite place has always been beside the ocean. My mother grew up on Nantucket in a fishing family. She instilled her love of the ocean in me. For the past 19 years, I have lived on Eastern Harbor and wake up to this beautiful sight every morning. This is my favorite place because of its beauty and because of the memories it holds for me.
