Backside Blast, Black Hawk Helicopters, Awards and Everything in Between
Community Round-Up: This Week's Briefs and Press Releases from the Bar Harbor Story
A QUICK NOTE FROM US: Each week, we compile briefs and press releases and event images and share them all in one (sometimes very long) story.
Our briefs article is mostly just press releases that we don’t write, or claim to write, but just share from the agencies, businesses, people, and organizations that send them in.
If things are not a press release, they are labelled “BRIEF” in their headlines. The press releases will not have that label.
BACKSIDE BLAST BEGINS TONIGHT!
TREMONT—It begins tonight with a lobster feed at Archie’s and continues all weekend long. Rain on Saturday? It doesn’t matter. It’s the Backside Blast and it’s happening in sun and rain. Join in the celebrations, okay?
According to the Blast’s Facebook page, “Archie's WILL be open tonight during the lobster feed. If you don't eat lobster, no problem! You can pick off their menu instead and still enjoy the live music and slippery fish race. (They are no longer BYOB because they now offer adult beverages!!)
“Saturday's event is RAIN OR SHINE! Mainers are tough so let's show up and make a great day with Al over at Gordius Garage! It is the 71st year of their business. Wow!!
“Sunday: the weather seems to be improving consistently and our dedicated team of safety personnel will be there to ensure safe racing and fun!
“COME ON OUT BACKSIDERS! Let's make it a great weekend!!”
BRIEF: LOCAL RESPONDERS TRAIN WITH MAINE ARMY NATIONAL GUARD HELICOPTER AND CREW
BAR HARBOR—Members of MDI Search and Rescue and Acadia National Park staff had the opportunity to train with members of the Maine Army National Guard (MEARNG) and one of its UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters on the athletic fields at MDI High School Thursday evening, June 26.
The flight crew consisted of members of the 3rd Battalion 142nd Aviation Regiment, 1st Battalion 126th Aviation Regiment, and Joint Force Headquarters MEARNG.
The training took place on the ground and was focused on the helicopter specific rescue equipment and techniques, capabilities, requirements, and protocols for requesting the assistance of the MEARNG for mission assistance.
After the training was complete, the flight crew found time to speak with three young men who are summer interns at the MDI Bio Lab. The men had seen the helicopter and wandered over. The crew allowed them to sit in the helicopter and then performed a "low pass" flyby as they departed into the setting sun.
BRIEF: LEAGUE OF TOWNS ELECT TREMONT TOWN MANAGER JESSE DUNBAR AS ITS NEW CHAIR
MOUNT DESERT ISLAND REGION—The League of Towns, the regional and collaborative group of administrators from area towns and Ellsworth, elected a new leader June 24, a necessity after former Chair and Town Manager Durlin Lunt announced his intention to retire late this summer.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed over the last 12 years,” Lunt said the group.
“You’ve done a stellar job of keeping things moving,” said Lamoine Administrative Assistant Stu Marckoon.
“It’s one of the things that I’ve hated to let go. It’s starting to be a good force,” Lunt said.
“I wasn’t aware we accepted your resignation,” Trenton Select Board Chair Fred Ehrlenbach teased.
Tremont Town Manager Jesse Dunbar was nominated by Ehrlenbach and Marckoon seconded. Dunbar had been the secretary. Southwest Harbor Town Manager Karen Reddersen was unanimously appointed to that position.
“I’m happy to serve the group,” Reddersen said.
“I wanted to say thank you, Durlin,” Ehrlenbach said after the election of the chair and secretary.
“It was my pleasure. It’s a great opportunity to get to know everyone a little bit better,” Lunt said.
COMMUNITY FORUMS ABOUT REORGANIZATION
MOUNT DESERT ISLAND REGION—There are multiple community forums planned to discuss the potential school reorganization. This week’s meeting is Monday and at the Pemetic Elementary School gym.
The forums are open to the public and the public is encouraged to attend.
BRIEF: LIBRARY BUILD CONTINUES!
BAR HARBOR—The Jesup Memorial Library received two more big pieces via the back of a truck on Thursday afternoon.
Simons Architects designed the building and E.L. Shea is providing construction management.
The 11,400-square-foot addition almost doubles the size of the 1911 library. Construction began in September 2023.
BRIEF: COMMUNITY PIANO IS BACK!
BAR HARBOR—It's back! River Francis reports that the community piano has been fixed and is back in working order in the bandstand at the Bar Harbor Village Green!
“May the sound of music ring out once again,” Francis said.
BRIEF: One of Maine’s Largest Real Estate Companies Expands Onto MDI
by Kathleen O'Brien/Bangor Daily News
MOUNT DESERT ISLAND—One of Maine’s largest real estate companies is merging with another to expand its reach up the coast into Mount Desert Island.
Portside Real Estate Group, based in the greater Portland area, has merged with Swan Agency Real Estate of Bar Harbor. The Swan Agency will join Portside — the larger company of the two — but keep its name, as it has grown to be a recognizable brand in Hancock County, said Dava Davin, Portside’s founder.
The merger will allow Portside Real Estate Group to extend its reach into the Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Island area to meet demand it has felt from consumers, Davin said.
Merging two locally owned and operated companies also bucks a growing nationwide trend of real estate agencies moving to be entirely virtual, Davin said. This ensures Mainers still have the opportunity to visit brick and mortar offices and work with agents face-to-face when selling or buying real estate.
“You can solve so many problems when you’re belly-to-belly,” Davin said. “Real estate needs to be local, tender and attentive. You can’t do that if you’re a virtual company.”
Since its founding in 2012, Portside Real Estate Group has grown to include eight offices across Maine and New Hampshire. The company will also open a new flagship location in Portland later this summer.
The company saw a historically profitable year in 2024. The company’s agents sold 775 properties in the past 12 months to slightly more than 1,000 buyers and achieved more than $1 billion in sales — a 25 percent growth over 2023, according to the agency’s website.
Aside from expanding Portside’s territory, the merger launched the company’s new hospitality division, which will specialize in the sale of hospitality properties, such as bed and breakfasts. Dana Moos of the Swan Agency will head the division, according to a statement from Portside.
In the 50 years since its founding in 1975, Swan Agency Real Estate has grown to become a recognizable brand in Hancock County and found success in luxury oceanfront homes, commercial real estate and hospitality properties.
Kim Swan, who has led Swan Agency Real Estate since 1994, said the merger made sense because both agencies are women-owned, independent and have a passion for giving back to their communities.
The Swan Agency’s “Share Our Success” initiative is similar to Portside’s “1% Back,” which has allowed the firm to donate more than $1 million to nonprofits in Maine and New Hampshire.
“Mount Desert Island is where I grew up, spent my company ownership career growing a second generation family business and prospered in a community that has been so supportive, enabling me to be in a position to give back and that’s what I appreciate most,” Swan said.
This story appears through a media partnership with the Bangor Daily News.
BRIEF: ERICA BROOKS RECEIVES ACADIA COUNCIL’S REALTOR OF THE YEAR
BAR HARBOR—Erica Brooks received the Acadia Council’s Realtor of the Year Award this week. The 2025 Realtor of the Year award at the Acadia Council of Realtors annual luncheon at The Links at Kebo Valley Golf Course.
“Your passion, leadership, and unwavering dedication have truly made a difference. Thank you for inspiring everyone around you — this recognition is so well-deserved!” the association wrote.
BRIEF: LIFEFLIGHT’S NEW LANDING PAD UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN BAR HARBOR
BAR HARBOR––A landing pad for LifeFlight of Maine helicopters is finally under construction. The project, approved by the Bar Harbor Town Council in September of 2020, will be located at the corner of Park Street and Main Street on one of the town's ball fields.
In February of this year, the council approved a memorandum of agreement with LifeFlight solidifying the use by LifeFlight, who is paying for the construction and also agreed to deposit an initial $10,000 to create a fund for the landing pad's maintenance.
Construction began today and according to a worker onsite, should be complete in two weeks, pending any unexpected delays or weather interruptions.
There will be refuse collection on July 4, 2025 in Mount Desert.
MOUNT DESERT—There are no changes to the collection schedule There WILL be refuse collection, Friday, July 4, 2025.
You may call the “Garbage Hotline” at 276-5733 to leave a message regarding trash collection.
The town office will be closed on Friday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day.
Planning Department Updates Webpages to Reflect 2035 Comprehensive Plan
BAR HARBOR—The Comprehensive Plan serves as the foundation for the Town’s planning efforts over the next decade. It outlines a vision for the future of Bar Harbor and uses interconnected Planning Themes to address community priorities—such as housing, the environment, transportation, and the local economy—in a coordinated and thoughtful way.
Each theme summarizes key issues and opportunities and shows how topics interrelate. In some cases, the Plan even suggests how overlapping themes can be addressed together. This approach helps the Town avoid working in isolation and instead encourages 'systems thinking' to ensure all planning efforts work toward Bar Harbor’s shared community goals.
The Planning Themes also support implementation of the Plan’s Future Vision and Future Land Use Strategy.
To learn more or get help navigating the new webpages, please contact Cali Martinez at (207) 288-1788.
The Planning Department's home page: https://www.barharbormaine.gov/202/Planning
WHOOPIE PIE MILE!
ATLANTIC BREWING MIDTOWN’S FIRST ANNUAL SUMMERTIME CLASSIC!
COFFEE AND CONVERSATION ABOUT THE HEATING COOLING CENTER IN SOMESVILLE!
Island Connections Surpasses Halfway Point in Match Challenge Goal!
BAR HARBOR—Island Connections is thrilled to announce that it has officially surpassed the halfway point toward its 2025 Match Challenge goal. Thanks to the generosity of community members, more than $12,000 has already been raised towards the $20,000 goal.
This year’s Match Challenge runs through July 4, a date chosen with purpose. “Our mission is all about supporting independence and dignity,” said Executive Director Carissa Tinker. “We believe that everybody, regardless of age or disability, deserves to stay connected to their community and maintain as much autonomy as possible. Our services play a big role in making that a reality for a lot of folks across MDI.”
Every dollar donated to Island Connections through July 4 will be doubled, up to $20,000, thanks to a group of committed matching donors: The Witham Family Hotels Charitable Fund, Liz Cutler, Glenn & Nancy Tucker, and two anonymous donors.
Since 1997, Island Connections has been providing free transportation to older adults and people with disabilities on MDI and the surrounding islands. All funds raised will go towards helping neighbors stay connected to food, essential services, medical care, and community.
“We’re so grateful for the outpouring of support so far,” said Tinker. “Every donation brings us closer to our goal and helps us meet the growing demand for rides here on the island.”
With more than half the goal already met, Island Connections is calling on the community to help carry this momentum across the finish line. To learn more or make a contribution, visit islconnections.org.
Anniversary Celebrations for 130 years of Service to the Community from 1895-2025
Pre-Celebration Week Events – Richard Russo Book Groups & Screenings
SOUTHWEST HARBOR—Featured writer Russo, who will speak Thursday, July 24, has written two memoirs and ten novels, most set in fictional small towns in New England. They include Straight Man, Bridge of Sighs, and three books set in upstate New York and referred to as the North Bath series: Nobody’s Fool, Everybody’s Fool and Somebody’s Fool. His 2001 Empire Falls, set on the Maine coast, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for fiction, and Russo later adapted it into a television mini-series. Check out the News Center Maine Interview with Richard Russo.
Wednesday, June 11 – Empire Falls Book Group, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, June 25 –Empire Falls Screening Part 1, 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, July 2 – Empire Falls Screening Part 2, 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, July 16 – Life and Art Book Group, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
July Exhibit
Celebration Week Events – July 21-27
Monday, July 21 – Town Proclamation and Cake, time to be determined.
Tuesday, July 22 – McCue Lecture with Lincoln Caplan, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Lecture “”Does the Supreme Court have too much power — or not enough?”
Wednesday, July 23 – Children’s Celebration and Cookie Decorating, time to be determined.
Children’s activities and library cookie decorating.
Thursday, July 24– Author Talk with Richard Russo, 5:30-6:30 p.m., on the Lawn of St. John Church across from the library.
Friday, July 25 – Open House and Oral History Booth, time to be determined.
Saturday, July 26 – Front Lawn Read-a-Thon, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Bring your favorite passage or poem to read to an eager audience on the Front Lawn.
Sunday, July 27 – Pig Roast Plus!, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Pig Roast Plus! catered by Clark Point Cafe with live music by J.B. Harrison and the Seal Harbor Boys. More information about tickets coming soon.
Tickets for the Pig Roast+ available. Tickets are $130 each.
Share the Harvest Farm Dinner Returns
BAR HARBOR— A beloved evening of local food and community spirit returns this summer, coordinated by Share the Harvest (STH), College of the Atlantic’s student-led food access initiative.
The Share the Harvest Farm Dinner will take place at COA Beech Hill Farm on Friday, July 18. The three-course meal, prepared by Havana restaurant, features produce and provisions from COA Beech Hill and Peggy Rockefeller farms. Tickets are available at coa.edu/sharetheharvest. Proceeds directly benefit low-income families on Mount Desert Island by increasing their access to fresh, organic produce from Beech Hill Farm.
Nearly one in five children in Hancock County live in food-insecure households, according to Maine's 2025 Food Insecurity Fact Sheet.
“As food insecurity grows in the face of limited federal funding for food access, projects like Share the Harvest become all the more necessary,” said STH student coordinator Azilee Ball ’25. “Come enjoy a lovely on-farm dinner in the name of food for all!”
The event begins at 5 p.m. with cocktail hour and farm tours, followed by dinner at 6 p.m. Havana is contributing culinary and service staff for the evening. Event sponsors include Bar Harbor Savings & Loan, Sawyer’s Specialties, and other local businesses.
Led by COA students, Share the Harvest is the only direct farm‑based food access initiative serving the Mount Desert Island community. Since 2008, STH has supported over 70 families annually through farmstand vouchers and produce home delivery for families with transportation barriers, and has distributed an additional $25,000 in organic produce through SNAP/EBT matching. The program partners with island food pantries and other organizations dedicated to ending hunger on MDI by filling critical gaps in access, sparking community conversations around food justice, and helping build a more equitable island food system
Making Waves With Purposeful Giving
BAR HARBOR — Insights on seeking purposeful impact as a path to fulfillment and happiness are the focus of College of the Atlantic Coffee & Conversation on Tuesday, July 8.
“Wave Making: Inspired by Impact” with social entrepreneur David Shaw takes place at the Davis Center for Human Ecology and live online at 9:30 a.m.. Registration is required at coa.edu/coffeeandconversation.
Shaw, the CEO of Black Point Group, will discuss his new book, Wave Making: Inspired by Impact, with COA President Sylvia Torti. The book draws from Shaw’s lifetime of diverse experiences in modern science, entrepreneurship, investment management, public service, environmental stewardship, and other adventures, offering insights on how intentional contribution can lead toward meaning and joy.
Shaw is the founder of IDEXX Laboratories, founding CEO and Chair of Ikaria Pharmaceuticals, and co-founder of Covetrus, among other leadership roles in firms advancing healthcare and environmental innovation. His public service includes appointments as faculty at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, treasurer emeritus of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and chair emeritus of The Jackson Laboratory. He has supported numerous organizations in science, conservation, and media, and produces documentary films and public presentations to advance advocacy initiatives.
Torti, the eighth president of COA, is an accomplished writer, ecologist, and innovative academic leader. Before taking the helm at COA, she served as dean of the Honors College at the University of Utah, where she achieved ambitious goals through dedicated strategic planning, including tripling the diversity of the student body, creating a successful office to mentor students for nationally competitive scholarships, and initiated and implemented a vision for globally oriented, integrated curricula in ecology, health, and human rights.
The Coffee & Conversation series features discussions between invited guests and COA faculty members and trustees. The series hosts authors, entrepreneurs, scholars, artists, researchers, thought leaders, and more. Sessions are one hour long, and include a Q&A session. Coffee and pastries are served. Coffee & Conversation events are free and open to the public, but pre-registration at coa.edu/coffeeandconversation is required for both in person and online participation.
“Gifts from Former Shores" to be Discussed at Northeast Harbor Library
MOUNT DESERT—Shell mounds—rich in clam and oyster shells, animal bones, tools, and pottery—reveal the long-term, year-round presence and sophisticated stewardship of marine resources by Wabanaki people. A 1993 underwater discovery of oyster shells, dating back 9,000 years, supports evidence of ancient coastal living when sea levels were lower. Today, while warming waters are enabling the return of oysters, rising waters and storms threaten the integrity of cultural heritage sites. Preserving shell mounds and the Wabanaki knowledge they hold offers vital lessons for sustainable living in a changing world.
At 5:30 on Wednesday, July 9 at the Northeast Harbor Library, journey through thousands of years of dynamic coastal transformation and enduring human presence with Bonnie Newsom and Catherine Schmitt as they discuss "Gifts From Former Shores," their article in the MDI Historical Society's history journal, Chebacco. Through the lens of ancient shell mounds, they will explore the sophisticated foodways, seasonal movements, and environmental stewardship of Wabanaki people, past and present.
This program is a collaboration between the MDI Historical Society and the Northeast Harbor Library. It will be offered in person and remotely via Zoom and will be recorded for later viewing. To register, go to: https://nehlibrary.libcal.com/event/13287794
Dr. Bonnie Newsom is a member of the Penobscot Nation and an archaeologist with an interest in the pre-contact lifeways of the Wabanaki peoples. She is an Associate Professor of Anthropology and Faculty Associate in the Climate Change Institute at the University of Maine. She and her husband Les are both military veterans, and they live in Eddington, Maine. They have four children and three grandsons.
Catherine Schmitt is a science communication specialist with Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park, and previously served as a science writer and communications director for Maine Sea Grant at the University of Maine. She is the author of the books Historic Acadia National Park, The President’s Salmon, and A Coastal Companion: A Year in the Gulf of Maine from Cape Cod to Canada, as well as articles and essays for varied publications. She lives in Bangor.
Set Sail with Seagoing Superstar Steven Callahan
BAR HARBOR — A seamanship seminar, “From Ocean Survival to Seasteading,” is showcased at the 2025 College of the Atlantic Coffee & Conversation series July 15, featuring sailor, author, naval architect, and inventor Steven Callahan and COA Director of Marine Operations Toby Stephenson ’98.
The event takes place at 9:30 a.m. at the Davis Center for Human Ecology and online via livestream. Registration is required at coa.edu/coffeeandconversation.
Callahan is widely known for his 1986 New York Times best-seller Adrift: Seventy-six Days Lost at Sea. Steven is a self-proclaimed jack of all trades in the boating industry: he designs, builds, and sails craft, has authored hundreds of articles in the marine field, consults for film and television, and has delivered presentations across the world. He often works and sails with his wife and best mate, Kathy Massimini ’82, a nurse, author, and editor.
Stephenson began working at COA in 2011 to oversee the build and launch of MV Osprey. Toby has dedicated his career to marine mammal studies, climate change impacts, and aiding in student research.
The Coffee & Conversation series features discussions between invited guests and College of the Atlantic faculty members and trustees. The series hosts authors, entrepreneurs, scholars, artists, researchers, thought leaders, and more. Sessions are one hour long, and include a Q&A session. Coffee and pastries are served. Coffee & Conversation events are free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required for both in person and online participation.
Grassland Bird Conservation and Maine Agriculture
BAR HARBOR—Learn how Maine farms are supporting grassland bird conservation and enjoy an interactive field walk with Ag Allies founding program director Laura Suomi-Lecker at College of the Atlantic Peggy Rockefeller Farm July 11.
From 8-10 a.m., Suomi-Lecker and farm manager April Nugent will lead a walk and presentation on threatened grassland bird species, the importance of preserving open grassland for a variety of wildlife including ground nesting birds, and how Maine agriculture benefits bird conservation. The sliding scale fee is $10-$30 and space is limited. Purchase tickets at coa.edu/farmworkshops.
The interactive presentation will explore the farm’s Delaittre fields to observe a variety of species in action on Ag Allies program sites. Species that may be spotted include bobolinks, savanna sparrows, two species of swallows, northern harrier hawk, and more.
Ag Allies works with Maine landowners and land trusts to increase the nesting success of grassland birds through on-farm incentive payments, technical assistance, outreach and education. The group seeks to empower landowners to make sustainable bird-friendly management changes on their land and improve the opportunity for nesting success of grassland birds.
MDI WHEELERS PARTNERSHIP
Organic Poultry Processing Workshops Set
BAR HARBOR—Learn how to safely and humanely harvest chickens and prepare them for cold storage or cooking at College of the Atlantic Peggy Rockefeller Farm June 28 or August 2.
For a sliding scale registration fee of $70-$90, participants will work with farm staff in our licensed, on-farm facility to process chickens from live birds to bagged whole carcasses. Everyone will take home a fresh, organic, whole chicken. Register at coa.edu/farmworkshops.
The workshop covers the safety and cleaning protocols of the Maine 1000-bird exemption processing license, explores humane slaughtering and handling techniques, and works through scalding, plucking, evisceration, and bagging.
Participants should arrive wearing closed-toe waterproof shoes (ideally boots), long pants, clothes they don't mind getting messy, and layers appropriate to the weather. Please bring water and a bagged lunch. Light refreshments provided.
Pre-registration is required. Call 207-610-0552 or email anugent@coa.edu with any questions.
Discover Your Next Great Summer Read at the Giant Book Sale and Library Fundraiser
SOUTHWEST HARBOR—Discover your next great read at the Giant Book Sale and Library Fundraiser! Join us at the Southwest Harbor Public Library’s Giant Book Sale—happening Friday through Sunday, July 11–13, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This giant sale will be returning to the library this year, both inside and outside - on the Front Lawn and Children’s Garden as weather allows. This beloved annual event is part of Southwest Harbor’s Flamingo Festival, hosted by the Harbor House Community Center.
Browse tens of thousands of gently used books—from paperbacks and hardcovers to rare vintage finds. You'll also discover DVDs, CDs, framed artwork, puzzles, and games, plus a fantastic children’s book section full of treasures for young readers.
Whether you're looking for beach reads, rainy-day puzzles, or something new for your shelves, you’re sure to find it here!
Volunteers needed! We would love help during the sale, and especially for set-up on Thursday and take-down on Monday.
Visit https://tinyurl.com/3pcc89by to learn more about this and other events this summer. For more information about the book sale, or to donate books or volunteer, call the Library at 244-7065.
RECENT REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS IN THE MDI REGION
BAR HARBOR
• Jessica M. Damseaux and Matthew P. Damseaux, Baltimore, Md., to Trollip Joint Trust, Bar Harbor, land with buildings and improvements.
• Kevin W. Currie, a/k/a Kevin Currie, and Deborah Currie, Bar Harbor to Kevin W. Currie and Deborah Currie, Bar Harbor, as joint tenants, land with buildings and improvements.
• Scott D. Boucher and Dena I. Boucher, Bangor to Evelyn Swan, Bar Harbor, land with buildings and improvements.
MOUNT DESERT
• Robert L. Falt, Northeast Harbor to Susan Lois Falt, Southwest Harbor, Sarah Elizabeth Falt, Southwest Harbor and Gordon Robert Falt, Southwest Harbor, land with buildings.
• Robert E. Dodge, Sarasota, Fla., to Robert C. Fitzsimmons, Ridgeway, S.C., land with buildings and improvements.
• Seal Harbor Cemetery Association, Mount Desert to Electra Reed, Seal Harbor, land.
SOUTHWEST HARBOR
• Royal L. Goheen, Kennebunk to Royal L. Goheen and Jean H. Goheen Living Trust, Kennebunk, time-share estate at Harbor Ridge Condominium, Southwest Harbor, unit 31, week 1.
• Michelle R. Hunt, Emily L. MacLeod, f/k/a Emily L. Hunt, and Abigail I. Hunt, Bucksport to Roberto O. Reyes and Cathie E. Reyes, Orrington, as joint tenants, time-share estate at Harbor Ridge Condominium, Southwest Harbor, unit 11, week 9.
• Darrell Townsend Jr. and Judy D. Townsend, Hudson to Harbor Ridge Condominium Association, Southwest Harbor, 50% interest, timeshare estate at Harbor Ridge Condominium, Southwest Harbor, unit 22, week 2.
• Mary Ann Perlman, Lamoine to Patricia Burscough, Auchenflower, Australia, land with improvements.
• Vaughn S. Clark and Julie A. Clark, Southwest Harbor to Joseph Pizzo and Radha Vallee-Pizzo, Sarasota, Fla., as joint tenants, land. • Estate of John P. Grindle, Mount Desert to Paul M. Grindle, Mount Desert, land with building and improvements.
TRENTON
• Robert Elliott, Cushing to JAMS Land LLC, Hancock, land with buildings and improvements.
• Joanne Robinson, Ellsworth to Robert Elliott, Cushing, land with buildings and improvements. • Inhabitants of municipality of Trenton, Trenton to Estate of Evette Forrest, land with buildings.
STATE PRESS RELEASES
New research examines rising economic output and wages in an environment of slowing job growth and workforce implications of AI
AUGUSTA—The Center for Workforce Research and Information (CWRI) released a report analyzing forces shaping the state’s labor market. The article, Output and Jobs in the 2000s: the economy and average wages growing while job and population changes slow, documents that the value of economic output in Maine increased at a much faster rate than jobs in the 2000s.
Adoption of technology and other factors contributed to rising wages, along with strong demand relative to available labor supply, and a rising share of jobs in higher-paying sectors. A notable finding is that workers without college education experienced the fastest rates of wage gains, especially in the last five years.
An additional report, delivered to the Governor’s AI Task Force, explores the implications of generative artificial intelligence. It documents the potential use of AI among a wide range of occupations, including how likely they are to be impacted by its’ adoption. This includes characteristics, such as current jobs, wages, and educational requirements. AI has the potential to enhance the productivity of some workers and to displace others as it is implemented for certain job functions.
More information from CWRI can be found here: https://www.maine.gov/labor/cwri/
Registration Now Open for 2025 Maine Coastal Cleanup
AUGUSTA—The Maine Coastal Program, a Division of the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR), has opened registrationfor the annual Coastal Cleanup. The Coastal Cleanup is a volunteer-driven initiative designed to clean debris from Maine’s coastal shores and waterfront communities.
Part of the International Coastal Cleanup, Maine’s Coastal Cleanup will run from September 6 to the 20.
Once a registration has been received, DMR will remove the chosen location from the available sites on the online registration form. If a coordinator indicates on the registration form that they are seeking volunteers, DMR will list that site on its website, along with contact information, so interested volunteers can reach out to cleanup coordinators.
Prior to the date of each cleanup, coordinators will be sent a package containing resources to collect and record trash. “We encourage Coordinators to have their volunteers bring gloves, hats, sunscreen and water to stay hydrated,” said Theresa Torrent, Outreach and Stewardship Specialist for the Maine Coastal Program.
The International Coastal Cleanup was established nearly 40 years ago to address the problem of trash in our oceans and on our coasts. The non-profit Ocean Conservancy, which coordinates the global initiative, maintains a database of all the items that volunteers around the world record when collecting trash.
“Every year the Maine Coastal Cleanup provides a chance for people to join a global initiative aimed at improving the health of our oceans and to support Maine’s vital coastal communities,” said Torrent.
“As the state coordinator for the International Coastal Cleanup for over 30-years, the Maine Coastal Program remains committed to supporting and facilitating efforts like this to keep our coastal beaches and waterways clean,” said Torrent.
Anyone interested in coordinating a Coastal Cleanup can register online via the DMR website.
For more information regarding Maine’s Coastal Cleanup program, please contact theresa.torrent@maine.gov
COOPER FLAGG DAY DECLARED
AUGUSTA—Governor Janet Mills has proclaimed June 25, 2025, as "Cooper Flagg Day" in Maine to celebrate the remarkable basketball achievement of Maine's Cooper Flagg, who is widely expected to be the first overall selection in today's NBA draft.
"Cooper Flagg's extraordinary talent and dedication to basketball has earned him national acclaim as perhaps the most promising player of his generation. He is a source of tremendous pride for Maine," said Governor Mills."I have proclaimed today as Cooper Flagg Day, so all the people of Maine can celebrate his achievement, hard work, perseverance, and sportsmanship, which should inspire youth across our state to pursue their dreams with Cooper's signature determination."
"I am so proud to call Maine my home state and I am grateful for all of the support I have received," said Cooper Flagg. "Thank you to Governor Mills and New Balance for helping to reinforce my belief in the value of teamwork and that if you stick to something and keep working, you can make anything happen."
In 2022, Flagg, a native of Newport, led Nokomis High School as a freshman to its first state basketball championship, and earned honors as Maine's Boys Basketball Player of the Year and USA Basketball's Male Athlete of the Year.
In 2024, Flagg was the youngest player chosen for the USA Basketball Men's Select Team, prior to attending Duke University. At Duke, he was named both the 2025 Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year.
Maine-based New Balance, which has a partnership with Flagg, is celebrating "Cooper Flagg Day" by raising flags today at its facilities in Norway and Skowhegan.
"The intrinsic connection between Cooper and New Balance is far closer than the 24 miles between Newport and our domestic manufacturing craftmanship center in Skowhegan," said Chris Davis, Global Brand President & Chief Marketing Officer at New Balance. "Cooper's work ethic, integrity and family values represent everything that our brand strives to realize on a daily basis. To us, this partnership was more a matter of destiny than serendipity. We are so proud to have Cooper as part of the New Balance family and look forward to supporting him in his bright future ahead."
The text of the Governor's proclamation can be found here.
Antlerless Deer Permit Reminders
A licensed hunter with an antlerless deer permit can harvest an antlerless deer in the designated district and an antlered deer statewide. Antlerless deer permits may be acquired through the lottery, and any remaining permits will be available for purchase on the MDIFW website.
The antlerless deer permit lottery will be open June 26 - July 31, 2025 at 11:59 PM (ET). Applications must be completed online. There is no fee to apply to the antlerless deer permit lottery. If you receive a permit, you must pay the $12 permit fee and $2 agent fee to claim the permit.
Pre-payment option: Applicants have the option to pay for their permit at time of application, if their first choice WMD is a WMD where the applicant is almost certain to receive a permit based on the number of permits available in that WMD. WMDs/subunit eligible for pre-payment option include: WMD 15-17, 20-25, 26a, and 29. If for some reason you do not receive a permit in the lottery, we will refund your payment in full.
Dates to know
Lottery Application Open: June 26 – July 31, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Lottery Drawing: August 14, 2025
Lottery Permit Payment Due: September 11, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Extra Permits for Sale: September 16, 2025
Proposed change for 2025: Either-sex hunting in designated WMDs
In Wildlife Management Districts 21–25 and 29, hunters may harvest one deer, either antlered or antlerless, under the authority of their big game hunting license during the firearms and muzzleloader seasons (no antlerless deer permit required). This deer counts as the hunter’s one deer for the year. If a hunter wants to take an additional deer, an antlerless deer permit is required.
*This proposal is still pending rulemaking process and subject to change.
Either-sex hunting is also permitted during the youth hunt (October 24 and 25, 2025) and regular archery season statewide.
Funds from Antlerless Deer Permits Help Purchase over 10,000 Acres of Critical Habitat
Proceeds from the antlerless deer permit fee help fund the purchase and management of deer wintering areas (DWAs), a critical habitat for white-tailed deer living at the northern end of their range. Since 2022, these funds have helped acquire and manage over 10,000 acres of DWAs.
Senator Collins Receives Inaugural Lieberman Award from No Labels
WASHINGTON, D.C.—This week, at a bicameral meeting of congressional No Labels members, U.S. Senator Susan Collins was presented with the inaugural Senator Joseph I. Lieberman Award.
The award, established by No Labels in memory of its co-founder Senator Joseph Lieberman, recognizes courageous leaders who embody his legacy of principled pragmatism and bipartisanship. These individuals have endeavored to persuade and forge consensus for the good of the country, often in opposition to powerful constituencies within their own parties. By acting according to principle rather than party allegiance, they inspire others to follow their lead, just as Senator Lieberman did during his many illustrious years in public service.
“I had the privilege of serving in the Senate alongside Joe Lieberman, and I saw firsthand his deep commitment to public service and bipartisanship. Joe believed that respectful dialogue could bridge even the deepest divides, and he never stopped working to bring his colleagues on both sides of the aisle together to solve problems,” said Senator Collins. “I’m honored to receive this inaugural award in memory of my good friend, and I remain committed to carrying on his spirit of cooperation as we confront the many challenges facing our nation.”
“Susan Collins is a giant of the United States Senate who should be a model for every member of Congress who comes to Washington,” said No Labels board chair Andy Bursky. “She exudes decency, works tirelessly to understand the issues that matter most to her constituents, and has authored and led the passage of the most consequential bipartisan legislation in modern American history. She is both courageous and pragmatic, and I cannot think of anyone who better deserves No Labels’ Lieberman award.”
Senator Collins has ranked as the most bipartisan member of the Senate in 9 of the last 11 years, according to the Lugar Center and Georgetown University’s Bipartisan Index.
Senator Collins, Bipartisan Group Introduce Bill to Support America’s Nursing Workforce
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senators Susan Collins, Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) introduced the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2025. This bipartisan bill would reauthorize, update, and improve critical programs under Title VIII of the Public Health Service Act, a law passed in 1944 to support public health and health care professionals. The Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act reaffirms Congress’ commitment to addressing all aspects of nursing workforce demand, including education, practice, recruitment, and retention.
“The State of Maine continues to face a serious shortage of nurses, particularly in rural communities where hospitals struggle to recruit and retain staff,” said Senator Collins. “This bipartisan legislation would help strengthen the nursing workforce by reauthorizing critical programs that support nursing education, expand access to clinical training, and help schools prepare more students for careers in nursing. Doing so is essential to addressing the workforce shortages facing hospitals across our country.”
The Title VIII programs were last reauthorized as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in March 2020. Under the CARES Act, the Title VIII programs are authorized through September 30, 2025.
Specifically, the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2025 would:
Reauthorize funding for the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs from Fiscal Year 2026 through Fiscal Year 2030;
Make technical changes to the Advanced Nursing Education Program and makes clear that grants for traineeships can cover the costs for clinical education and preceptors;
Allow nurse education, practice, quality, and retention grants to be used to cover the cost of audiovisual or other equipment, simulation and augmented reality resources, telehealth technologies, and virtual and physical laboratories, as well as to be used to increase the number of faculty and students at schools of nursing in order to address nursing workforce shortages; and
Clarify that nurse education, practice, quality, and retention grants can be used to provide care for survivors of sexual assault and to partner with a health care facility that provides educational opportunities for the purpose of establishing or expanding clinical education.
The Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act is endorsed by more than 50 organizations, including the American Association of Colleges (AACN) and the American Nurses Association (ANA).
“Maintaining access to healthcare services is necessary for achieving the best care outcomes and keeping Americans healthy,” said Dr. Deborah Trautman, President and Chief Executive Officer of AACN. “We are thankful for the bipartisan support for the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2025, which helps ensure that our nursing workforce can continue to meet the needs of all communities, including those with limited access to nurses and other healthcare providers.”
“Federal investment in Title VIII is essential to sustaining nursing schools, faculty, and students,” said Dr. Jean Giddens, Chair of the AACN Board of Directors. “With the introduction of the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2025, we applaud the commitment of Senator Merkley, Senator Collins, Senator Baldwin, and Senator Blackburn for their support of a thriving healthcare workforce that will have a lasting impact on both nurses and patients across the nation.”
“We are deeply grateful to Senators Merkley and Collins for championing the reauthorization of the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Program. This legislation is more than funding — it is a lifeline for the nursing profession. Title VIII supports the education, training, and advancement of nurses across the country, ensuring we have a strong, skilled, and sustainable workforce ready to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. At a time when our healthcare system depends so heavily on nurses, this investment is critical to the future of our profession and the health of our nation,” said Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, President of the ANA.
In addition to Senators Collins, Merkley, Baldwin, and Blackburn, the bill is cosponsored by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Coons (D-DE), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Adam Schiff (D-CA).
The complete text of the bill can be read here.
Senators Collins, Shaheen Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Access to Diabetes Self-Management Training and Lower Treatment Costs
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), co-chairs of the Senate Diabetes Caucus, reintroduced the Expanding Access to Diabetes Self-Management Training Act. This bipartisan legislation would expand Medicare coverage for diabetes self-management training (DSMT) sessions, where diabetes educators help train Medicare patients on how to manage their glucose, maintain a healthy weight, eat healthy foods, manage their insulin levels and improve general care for their diabetes. DSMT is associated with a reduction in risk for diabetes-related death and heart attack and, importantly, leads to improved self-care behavior and wellness, which greatly reduces hospital care costs.
“Diabetes self-management training equips Americans with diabetes with the tools they need to successfully manage their disease,” said Senator Collins. “By supporting education and patient engagement, our bipartisan bill would improve health outcomes, enhance quality of life, and reduce health care costs by helping to prevent complications and hospitalizations.”
“Diabetes is a lifelong condition that affects millions of Americans. Expanding access to diabetes self-management training will allow patients to improve their well-being and live healthier lives while being more self-sufficient in their care,” said Senator Shaheen. “Our bipartisan legislation would lower the cost of treatment for patients with diabetes and I’m proud to work across the aisle to continue supporting diabetes treatment, research and investment.”
“The Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES) applauds and thanks our champions, Senators Collins and Shaheen, for introducing legislation that would improve access to diabetes care and education for Medicare beneficiaries,” said ADCES President Veronica Brady, PhD, RN, FNP-P, BC-ADM, CDCES. “DSMT services help individuals with diabetes improve their health and reduce complications which in turn can decrease health care costs.”
There are 38.4 million Americans living with diabetes and one in three adults with prediabetes, a condition that is known to progress to diabetes without early intervention, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States and can lead to many other chronic diseases and conditions, such as blindness and kidney failure. As one of the most expensive chronic diseases, diabetes costs the American health care system billions of dollars each year. Overall, one in every ten health care dollars is spent on diabetes and its complications, and one in every three Medicare dollars is spent on the condition.
As co-chairs of the U.S. Senate Diabetes Caucus, Senators Collins and Shaheen have led action in the U.S. Senate to advance priorities that will lower the costs of insulin, invest in treatment, and prioritize diabetes research. Last month, they introduced the Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act, legislation that would improve care for patients with diabetes by allowing nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician associates/physician assistants (PAs)—who often act as sole primary care providers for many patients with diabetes—to prescribe therapeutic shoes.
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