by maineseacoast | Nov 18, 2019 | Island Health, Island Outreach, Maine Seacoast Mission, News, Sunbeam
Jillian in the ‘Sunbeam V’ galley. (Photo by Tristan Spinski)
CHERRYFIELD, ME — As Sunbeam V Steward my job is to feed the crew and guests and keep things tidy. Also, I work with Island Health Services Director Sharon and Island Outreach Director Douglas to extend our hospitality so it works in conjunction with the many additional programs and gatherings offered on and off the Sunbeam. Providing all-island-breakfasts, bingo snacks, care packages, holiday dinners, lots of cookies…
It has been interesting to figure out how to provide these services alternatively. Life without the beloved Sunbeam has been a lot of things, many of which had to unfold outside of planning. How many times in my life will I decommission a boat?
We have been traveling around these last months via the Moonbeam, ferries, charters, planes and carpooling. Our already honed boat people schlepping skills met/meet new challenges. Both Sharon’s portable telemedicine unit and Douglas’ backpack of emergency counselor/chaplain supplies weigh as much as my filled coolers.
We have stayed in parsonages and in islanders homes. We all carry along ready bedrolls. What a rare treat to get to know these parsonages. I have loved using their kitchens with their mix of vintage linens and cookware. In these homes we’ve hosted breakfasts, suppers and always popular taco feast. Islanders were delighted to spend time in their parsonages. Some shared stories of a long history of time spent in them and others had yet to have reason before though had driven by it for years.
We’ve grilled burgers and dogs on the beach, on docks and in front of the library. I’ve packed a bucket of iced sodas for a plane trip to Matinicus. I’ve also successfully gotten frozen ice cream to the island to accompany my hot apple crisp I planned to serve that night. Not a simple feat for a 4-5 hour commute on a warm fall day. Multiple ice packs and a towel wrapped around the half gallon ice cream tucked inside a Yeti bag cooler bag did the trick. Thanks to Sigma Kappa who gifted us the bag for my use during this transition time. It has been super handy.
Islanders have opened their doors to us and we’ve stayed in spare bedrooms and on comfy couches. It has be great to spend time in their homes and we’ve appreciated the overwhelming hospitality from our island friends.
To be continued…
by maineseacoast | Oct 17, 2019 | Island Health, Island Outreach, Maine Seacoast Mission, News, Sunbeam
Moonbeam returns from work. Steward Jillian is standing on the boat. Island Health Services Director Sharon Daley is standing on the dock.
NORTHEAST HARBOR, ME — Moonbeam is the Mission’s interim boat while the Sunbeam V undergoes its routine major refit. To carry on their work on Maine unbridged islands, the Sunbeam crew relies on Moonbeam and Captain Storey King to carry them to the islands and back. Sometimes Sunbeam crew members go to work using other means of transportation such as island mail boats and airplanes.
In this photo, taken just days ago at Northeast Harbor, ME, Island Health Services Director Sharon Daley, RN (purple coat), and Steward Jillian (standing on Moonbeam), are returning from a island telemedicine trip.
Learn more about our Island Services crew’s work here.
by maineseacoast | Sep 5, 2019 | Island Health, Island Outreach, Maine Seacoast Mission, News, Sunbeam
BAR HARBOR, ME — The Mission boat, Sunbeam V, is never better loved, perhaps, than when island communities gather for companionship and a meal inside the Sunbeam salon. Sunbeam Steward Jillian always has delicious food to offer. Jillian’s meals, in turn, are often enhanced by homemade dishes brought aboard the Sunbeam by islanders.
With the Sunbeam V out of the water for a routine major refit, the Sunbeam crew chose to keep alive the gatherings for conversation and food in new places among the islands.
Island Health Services Director Sharon Daley, RN this week snapped some photos this week of “Taco night at the Parsonage on Isle au Haut” really capturing the spirit of celebration.
“Good to be together,” said Sharon. “Special times and people telling wonderful stories and memories and building more.”
Learn more about the Mission’s Island Services
by maineseacoast | Aug 14, 2019 | Island Outreach, John Zavodny, Maine Seacoast Mission, News, Sunbeam
Maine Seacoast Mission President John Zavodny (wearing blue pants) speaks with Isle au Haut residents.
BAR HARBOR, ME — Maine Seacoast Mission President John Zavodny, Island Outreach Director and Chaplain Douglas Cornman, and Sunbeam Steward Jillian, traveled to Swan’s Island on Sunday, August 11, to meet with community members.
Lots of people showed up to meet John and share their thoughts on how Maine Seacoast Mission can continue it’s relationship with the island.
More photos
by maineseacoast | Jul 25, 2019 | Island Health, Island Outreach, Maine Seacoast Mission, News, Sunbeam
BELFAST, ME — Thank you, Captain Michael Johnson for keeping us up-to-speed, through words and photos, of progress on the Sunbeam refit.
The shower on the Sunbeam upper level, used only by me, is being removed. Two showers on a smallish boat are not necessary. This area will be repurposed into a closet with an upright freezer so Jillian, the Sunbeam Steward, will not have to leave the main deck for anything other than sleep. The blue tape shows the general outline of the freezer. This new configuration will also improve traffic flow in the forward hallway.
This area behind the pilot house is the re-vamped ventilation inlet for the lower cabins. This will allow better airflow to the lower deck areas with increased crew comfort in summer. The installed fan will be variable speed and reversible. Combined with open portholes we can quickly cool the cabins on hot days.
Removed 50 kw and 30 kw generators. These are being replaced more smaller, more fuel efficient and quieter units.
Learn more about the Sunbeam V, crew, and their work among Maine unbridged islands.
