MATINICUS ISLAND, ME — With the Sunbeamout of the water for a refit, and our temporary boat, Moonbeam, out of the water for the cold weather months, the Mission has partnered more often with our allies Penobscot Island Air, to carry out work on some of the islands. May 11, 2020’s air trip to-and-from Matinicus Island to restock the food pantry is a case in point.
Standing on the ground at Matinicus Airport, watching the Penobscot Island Air plane land and depart is something to see — and not many people get to see it happen.
Here’s a short clip made in January 2018 during a Sunbeam telemedicine visit to Matinicus. A New York Times writer and a photographer were on board for the three-day trip. They asked to see the Matinicus Airport. While we were there, the Mission’s communications and marketing guy shot this clip with an iPhone. The plane is arriving from Rockland, ME, delivering the island mail and a school superintendent.
CHERRYFIELD, ME — Jillian sends this work from home photo, writing, “I’ve been tasked with painting a rainbow for the food pantry which is bringing me joy this fine sunny morning.” She is Steward aboard the Sunbeam and Moonbeam. Jillian is also involved in many activities at our Downeast Campus in Cherryfield.
BAR HARBOR, ME — With the deadline for submission of applications for Mission scholarships behind us, Mission Scholarships Director Terri Rodick sends photos of a tall stack of 2020 applications.
How many in the stack?
“Right now,” Terri says, “I have no idea.”
But, she continues, “Our next step is to schedule interviews with our interview committee the third week of May. Once interview committee recommendations are provided to the Scholarship committee, we will review the recommendations and then contact the students. Maybe by early June,” Terri explained.
CHERRYFIELD, ME — Jillian, who serves as Steward aboard the Sunbeam, and is quite active in Mission activities at our Downeast Campus, has also a soft spot for uplifting quotes on road signs. In fact, the Weald Bethel Community Center inner walls on the Downeast Campus were once adorned with an exhibit of Jillian’s photo collection of road sign inspirations.
“This sign lives in the center of our 1/2 mile strip of downtown Cherryfield on the lawn of the Legion,” wrote Jillian. Hearing Mission President John Zavodny speak this bit of inspiration, Jillian added them to this sign and snapped a photo.
BAR HARBOR, ME — It’s Thank you Thursday and today’s shout out of Mission Love goes to Graham Fitch, our steadfast project manager at the Front Street Shipyard in Belfast, ME. For all of you Sunbeam fans, Graham has been the guy on the ground, in the yard, guiding the refit of our beloved vessel for almost a year now! His attention to detail, thoughtful suggestions, skills, and commitment make him a tremendous partner in the work.
When the Sunbeam gets underway again this summer, we know he and his colleagues will miss her in the shipyard but many grateful islanders – and our crew – will be thrilled to welcome her back into her next decades of service.
