On a small stretch of beach on Islesford, remnants of broken wine bottles, smashed plates, and silverware dotted the sand. During two storms in January, a restaurant situated on the dock had an outbuilding they used for storage wash away. Now, months later, debris is still finding its way to the beaches. While this part of Islesford offers an extreme example of the impact the storm had, no part of the coast or the islands were untouched.  

After returning home, Mission staff started planning an initiative to help. Housing Improvement Program Director Jennifer Kempthorne, who works with volunteer groups each summer, spearheaded the coordination alongside Director of Island Services Douglas Cornman. Douglas talked with islanders to find out which shared or public areas needed assistance and Jennifer came up with a plan for each day.  

Now, on a cold and windy morning in March, a group of volunteers from the Mission and Island Institute boarded the Beal & Bunker mail boat to Islesford. Once there, they got to work around the lobster co-op and boat landing. The impact from the storms was clear to see: the steps leading to businesses on the Islesford Dock had disappeared, and rocks beached themselves onto the yard of the neighboring museum past the Islesford Boatworks.  

After a morning spent cleaning up the beaches near the docks, volunteers visited the Islesford Congregational Church to see the windows created by author, illustrator, and island resident Ashley Bryan. An important part of this volunteer trip was giving everyone on the trip a chance to learn more about each island and meet with residents. Lunches were open to everyone on the island and schools were invited to attend. On Islesford, Ashley Bryan School students helped volunteers clean up another beach and then the students invited everyone to see their school. They excitedly gave tours, talking about their days and sharing the projects they were working on.  

The following day, the contingent boarded the Sunbeam to head to Great Cranberry Island, where they were welcomed by island residents and Phil and Karin Whitney. In typical Maine fashion, the weather turned frequently from rain to snow, but the group persevered. They split into three groups with some working to clean debris with others focusing on cutting up trees which had fallen.  

After a morning of cold and hard work, the volunteers headed back to the Sunbeam for lunch. That afternoon, Phil gave everyone a tour of the island before ending at the island’s historical society. Phil, who is also the historical society president, told everyone more about the history of the island.  

With snow forecasted for much of the next day, it was decided to cut the trip short and not make the planned trip to Frenchboro the next day. Even with the shorter trip, the impact of the clean-ups was felt on volunteers and residents. Islanders passing during the day thanked everyone for their time and energy, they shared stories, and answered questions. For volunteers, this was a chance for many of them to get a glimpse into the lives the communities the Mission and Island Institute serve.  

Alice Peasley, better known as “Ma,” joined the Mission in October of 1917 as an assistant missionary. Alice became well known up and down the coast as a caring but firm figure, who worked with many island communities. She would go on to work for the Mission for 28 years, doing everything from teaching to leading church services. But the program she is most known for is the Hooked Rug Department, which began just over 100 years ago.  

When Alice moved there, many in the community were struggling to make a living. Repairs desperately needed to be made to the local church, but there were no available funds to make these updates. While talking to the women who attended the church, Alice realized they wanted to work and make money to support both their community and families. Alice knew how to make hooked rugs and some women had sold rugs in the past.  Seeing an opportunity, she helped the local sewing circle make and sell their first batch of rugs. The money they raised paid for the repairs. Starting with this first group of women, the idea for the Hooked Rug Department first started and the idea soon took off.  

A year later in 1924, another circle started on Frenchboro and other independent hookers soon joined the Department, after hearing about the success of the South Gouldsboro circle. Mission Superintendent’s Orville Guptill and Alexander MacDonald were at first unsure of the venture, but Alice knew the work was important for the women she worked with. In her book, Sadie’s Winter Dream, Judith Burger-Gossart writes about her influence on the program, “Without Peasley’s vision, energy, and guidance, the hooked rug enterprise would never have matured. She calmed ruffled feathers, organized the work, did the essentials necessary for the rug hooking to proceed, and offered her endless encouragement and instruction to the women.” When Alice later wrote about the department, her passion was clear. She mentions giving her own socks to a hooker who thought the color would work for the tulips she was adding to her piece.

The program had its largest sales in 1927 and sales remained steady until 1930 when the Great Depression vastly changed the program. By 1938, Alice notes sales were few and far between and by 1942, her title changed from “Superintendent of the Hooked Rug Department” to “Dean of Staff.” With World War II eminent, it was noted that dyes were harder to find and women were now working in the sardine canaries to supply the troops.  

In the years the program was operational, it had a great impact on the women involved, with more than 650 rugs made and sold during the period. And it went beyond the financial benefit, Alice wrote, “The rugs have been a bond between us and the workers. They have helped me to come into a closer relationship with them, and to gain a love and confidence in them that I otherwise might have been longer in gaining.” She employed any woman who showed interest, even if the finished product was considered “undesirable” writing the woman “tried with all her might to do good work, was cheerful, and teachable.”  

Alice’s belief women could contribute to their families and communities was unique for her time. However, it was clear she forged a path for the women around her. In the 1910 census, she was listed as a “teacher” rather than housewife, and for most of her marriage, Alice was the main breadwinner in the family. Throughout her time at the Mission, she is always referred to as Mrs. Alice M. Peasley, never by her husband’s name, which was common for the day.  

Alice continued to work at the Mission until 1945, spending her final years at the Mission as the “Dean of Staff” where she was the “only woman now handling executive matters on the Mission’s staff of 14, which includes missionary pastors, doctors, nurses, dentists, and others rendering professional service,” according to a profile of her in The Christian Science Monitor.  

Alice was just one of the many dedicated employees who shaped the Mission over its 119 year history. Learn more about the Mission’s history over the past century by looking at the Mission’s timeline.  

During a visit to the Mission’s food pantry on the Downeast campus, you will notice a lot of pantry staples available: beans, grains, whole wheat pasta, and more. Many of these items are on the shelves because of The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), a federal program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Through the TEFAP program, the government purchases these crops from farmers and then this food is given to pantries nationwide. The most common crops the USDA subsidizes include corn, soybeans, wheat, rice, sorghum, and dairy.  

Feeding America,the largest supplier of products to pantries nationwide, estimates that over 900 million pounds of TEFAP food was distributed across the country in 2023. This makes up 30% of all food given out by Feeding America. Good Shepherd Food Bank, Maine’s centralized food bank and distributes TEFAP in the state. Good Shepherd then distributes the food based on the number of households served by each pantry.

 Another similar program the USDA supports is the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFD) for low-income seniors. These commodities boxes, contain mostly shelf-stable food meant to supplement what they already have. While food for this program and TEFAP are provided at no cost, both make up only a fraction of the food needed for individuals and families. Because of the limitations of food provided both by TEFAP and CFSD, fresh fruits and vegetables are rarely included. Other programs and donations are needed to fill in this gap.   

Good Shepherd Food Bank and the Mainers Feeding Mainers program—which pairs farms with local food pantries—provides nearly 90% of the food to our pantry including fresh, local produce and other items like bread and meat.  

But there is still a large need for many items rarely found in a pantry, and that is where community support comes in. 

The pantry has recently started a “Donation of the Month” initiative which highlights popular items. During April, we welcome donations of snack foods which are always favorite when they are available. The other way to support is through monetary donations directly to the pantry which allows the Mission to source more items.

Some of the damage experienced—which islanders are still contending with—includes loss and/or damage to personal property, damage to community and business infrastructure, soil and coastline erosion, and ocean debris washed ashore. 

“The Mission has worked with Maine islands for going on 120 years. Following the storms, we wanted to show our continued support and do whatever we could to help, like the Mission has always done.” shares Mission President John Zavodny, “These trips also provide an opportunity for volunteers to do something to help their island neighbors and learn more about these amazing communities.” 

From March 19 to 21, 10 volunteers will travel to Frenchboro, Great Cranberry, Little Cranberry. From April 12 to 14, volunteers of Sigma Kappa Sorority’s Northeastern University chapter will travel to Matinicus. Following the spring trips, the Mission will consider whether the initiative should expand to additional locations in our service area. 

Mission President John Zavodny has announced the two recipients of the Sunbeam Award for 2024: Diana Davis Spencer Foundation and Island Institute. This year’s awardees were chosen for their commitment to the communities the Mission serves. The Gala is the Mission’s annual opportunity to celebrate those who embody the ideals of the community and whose work has made a lasting impact. The 2024 event will take place on Thursday, August 15 at the Bar Harbor Club. 

The Diana Davis Spencer Foundation will receive a Sunbeam Award for its committed philanthropic partnership with the Mission. As the Foundation’s Executive Chairman, Diana Davis Spencer, a journalist and activist, guides her organization’s grantmaking efforts. Her daughter, Abby Spencer Moffat, a former business leader and entrepreneur, leads the Foundation as Chief Executive Officer and President. Their commitment to preserving Maine’s natural beauty and environment is built on shared connections to the state and time on Mount Desert Island each year. The Diana Davis Spencer Foundation continues a multi-generational commitment to America’s founding values, including education, entrepreneurship, and national security.

As an award recipient, the Mission will honor Island Institute for its enduring role as a community partner. Together, both organizations have offered support to Maine’s unbridged island communities in education and community building. For 40 years, the Institute has remained committed to working alongside island and coastal communities in the areas of marine economy, sustainability, and community. This year, Island Institute has become a leader in ongoing storm response efforts and facilitating long-term resilience planning and information sharing.

Past Sunbeam Award recipients include:

• 2023 – Sharon Daley, RN & the Mission Healthcare Partners
• 2022 – Les Coleman & Downeast Education Partners
• 2021 – Acadia Senior College & Sigma Kappa
• 2019 – Bryan Colket and the Sunbeam “All Hands on Deck” Committee & Dr. Diehl Snyder, MDI Hospital Behavioral Health Center
• 2018 – Marjorie Withers & Maine Community Foundation
• 2017 – Robin Alden & Earl Brechlin and Alan Baker, The Mount Desert Islander
• 2016 – Edward R. Flanagan & Cookie Horner and Jack Russell
• 2015 – Joseph M. Murphy & Todd West
• 2014 – Senator George J. Mitchell
• 2013 – Charlie Harrington
• 2012 – Ashley Bryan
• 2011 – Edith R. Dixon & Ralph W. Stanley
• 2010 – Emily A. Sabah-Maren & Gary DeLong
• 2009 – Curtis L. Blake & Marianne Barnicle
• 2008 – Charlotte Bordeaux & Dr. Richard Dimond
• 2007 – James Gower & Henry Harris
• 2006 – Cornelia Greaves Bates & Alf Wakeman
• 2005 – Ruth and Tristram Colket & Myron Sprague
• 2004 – Jill Goldthwait & Fritz Dixon

Beginning May 15, 2024, seating and table reservations for the Sunbeam Award Gala can be made through the Mission’s website or by mailing a check. The Gala will take place at Bar Harbor Club and includes a presentation, dinner, and cocktail hour.

Davis Maine Scholars receive consistent mentoring and support from Mission staff throughout their last year of high school and all four years of college as well as a full cost of attendance, four-year scholarship at one of three partner colleges: Clark University (MA), University of New England (ME), and Wheaton College (MA). These partner colleges were selected based on their commitment to supporting first-generation students including those from rural communities.

Davis Maine Scholars are chosen in the spring of their junior year. As high school seniors, selected Scholars participate in cohort workshops, college visits, and guided preparation and transition to college.

Students apply in their junior year and are enrolled at a Washington County high school or Charles M. Sumner Learning Campus. Qualifications include having a cumulative 3.0 GPA and would become the first member of their family to attend college, also known as first-generation college students. 

Applications are accepted until Sunday, April 14. Learn more about the Davis Maine Scholarship and see the application.