BELFAST, ME — Received a short note and photo late yesterday from Sunbeam Capt. Mike Johnson, who said, “Brian and Art from Art’s Canvas & Upholstery in Belmont, ME were aboard the Sunbeam Monday night, June 22, to measure for our new cushions. These two know their stuff. I believe even sewed their own masks!”
Thanks, Capt. Mike, for the updater.
Screenshot of recent Zoom conference among Island Elder Care group. (Not part of original USDA press release).
Students and Healthcare Services on Maine’s Island Communities Stay Connected
Posted by Timothy P. Hobbs, USDA Rural Development State Director for Maine in Rural Technology
Jun 19, 2020
Maine’s island communities are scattered up and down the coastline, many of them miles out to sea – they’re rural communities carving out a life both in and on the Atlantic Ocean. Despite the distance from the mainland, the educators and healthcare workers in this remote area of the state are dedicated to providing the critical services our island residents depend on and have adapted to the necessary changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the elements of this adaptation has been through the use of telecommunications, and as State Director of USDA Rural Development in Maine, I’m happy our agency has been able to serve as a key partner in bringing this technology to our rural island communities.
Telemedicine…depends on quality broadband connections to provide support to our island communities. For example, Sharon Daley is the nurse for the Maine Seacoast Mission, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of life and wellbeing for residents in Maine’s coastal and island communities. Sharon recently organized a videoconference for residents on the Cranberry Isles, hosting Barbara MacPike, an infectious disease specialist from Mount Desert Island Hospital in Bar Harbor. Barbara shared current information about COVID-19 and residents were able to ask questions about coronavirus, and get answers to their concerns.
BAR HARBOR, ME — Recently, Mission Island Health Services Director Douglas Cornman announced his planned schedule for hosting Sunday services for Maine islands where Covid-19 is keeping churches closed. Douglas’s services will be available to those island residents through Zoom.
This video is a recording of the first virtual Sunday Service, June 7, 2020.
For more information email Douglas Cornman.
CHERRYFIELD, ME — It’s Thank you Thursday and today’s shout out of Mission Love goes to the Vazquez family, owners/operators of Vazquez Mexican Takeout Restaurant in Milbridge.
The Vazquez family was instrumental in connecting and coordinating our Food Pantry’s recent delivery of food for the Latinx community. In partnership with Mano en Mano, together we were able to arrange a big distribution of many foods that Latinx families love to have in their pantries but that are largely unavailable in our area.
Vazquez children are EdGE alumni! And, in another happy shout out, Mission staff love ordering take-out from their wonderful restaurant!
This is what community looks like.
On the web: https://www.facebook.com/vazquezmex/
BELFAST, ME — From Front Street Shipyard a photo and Tweet letting us know the Sunbeam galley is taking shape.
SUNBEAM's new galley is underway. pic.twitter.com/yu5DhHrJgU
— Front Street Shipyard (@FrontShipyard) June 12, 2020
