Test Your Knowledge of Downeast Maine – Where’s Charlie? #5
Follow “Where’s Charlie” on our EdGE Facebook page.
Project ReachOut Update – Nonagenarian Thanks Mission for Making Her Dream Possible
Isaac Marnik
CHERRYFIELD, ME — I wanted to give a Project ReachOut update on the great work happening.
Our calls have reached 830 local families, some needing help in several ways including: food assistance, home repairs, fuel assistance, rent/mortgage assistance, car repairs, electric bills, and appliance repairs.
Through calling we’ve also heard great notes and stories. For example, a 91-year old woman conveyed her gratitude to the Mission. She said the Mission paid for her schooling at University of Maine Machias, making it possible for her dream to be an elementary school teacher. She graduated UMM in 1974, taught in the Towns of both Milbridge and Columbia Falls, and retired when she was about 60 years old.
We could not be doing all of this great work without our amazing EdGE crew and volunteer callers making the connections with the families.
Isaac Marnik
EdGE Interim Director
Maine Seacoast Mission
Be Brave, Smart, Nice. Mission Staff’s Sing-A-Long of “Don’t Let Us Get Sick”
ELLSWORTH, ME — “Let us be brave and let us play nice.” The Maine Seacoast Mission staff offers our sing-along adaptation of Warren Zevon’s “Don’t Let Us Get Sick.” We think it’s a fitting prayer for our times and a reminder for all of us to be brave, smart, and nice during these challenging times.
Post your favorite part in the comments below: is it the bouncing Sunbeam? Steward Jillian’s wry smile at the end? Maybe it is Shep the dog’s contented sigh? Let us know on the Facebook thread for this video.
Food Pantry Update – 55 Families Served, Use Drive-Through
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- Food boxes awaiting drive-through patrons.
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- Cat and dog food to help pets stay healthy.
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- Food Pantry staff waiting to carry food orders to patrons’ cars.
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- Food Pantry staffer helps Food Pantry patron with their food order.
CHERRYFIELD, ME — On Tuesday, May 12, 55 families used our drive-thru food pantry. Some families picked up commodities and a food box, and we delivered food to other families.
Today’s theme was corn chowder. We gave out potatoes, heavy cream, corn and a recipe.
We tried something new today. We put all our produce outside where people driving in could see it. This way each family could tell us their fresh produce preference. It worked extremely well. People loved the idea.
I know I say this every time but the Food Pantry staff is amazing. Tuesday, even at its busiest, the staff put out quality food boxes, they were always upbeat and ready to help in any way possible. As our patrons’ needs increase, and I have to spend more time with food business at the computer and on the phone, I know the Food Pantry is in capable hands.
Megan Smith
Interim Food Pantry Manager
Community Resource Coordinator – Maine Seacoast Mission
Washington County Scouts Prepare, Deliver Over 100 Mother’s Day Ham Dinners
Pack/Troop 139 greeting travels coming for Mothers Day dinner. Photo courtesy Pack/Troop 139.
CHERRYFIELD, ME — Who doesn’t love a success story? On Mother’s Day, May 10th, Washington County Cub Scout Pack/Troop 139 “prepared, delivered, and handed out over 100 free Mother’s Day ham dinners,” said Amanda Davis on the Scouts’ Facebook page.
“It was a wonderful day and our way of giving back to our community during this pandemic,” said Ms. Davis.
Penobscot Island Air – A Wonderful Mission Partner
MATINICUS ISLAND, ME — With the Sunbeam out 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.