Bar Harbor Food Pantry Finds a New Home at Mama's
Briefs and Press Releases: Park Loop Road Opens April 15, Parking Permits in Bar Harbor, FEMA funds, Shore Path Update, Lions Club event and more
The following are press releases and briefs.
BAR HARBOR—Faced with a historical rise in the need for its services, late in 2023, the Bar Harbor Food Pantry board set out to find a new home that would allow the pantry to meet the needs of our community members facing food insecurity.
The board is thrilled to announce that, thanks to the overwhelming generosity of three MDI residents who supplied almost half the total project cost and the unwavering support of our community, the pantry secured interim financing and purchased the former Mama DiMatteo’s building in downtown Bar Harbor.
“We are sad to say goodbye to our long-time home and will miss the great people at the YWCA,” says Tom Reeve, executive director of the pantry. “Their support of the pantry for so many years has made our work possible, but we are thrilled to start this new chapter that will allow us to meet the needs of the growing number in our community who need our help.”
Since 2022, the number of households seeking assistance from the pantry has more than doubled, and this figure is on track to double again in 2024. This surge in demand has stretched the capacity of our current space, particularly the dry and cold storage areas, resulting in shortages of staple goods for our customers and higher costs for the pantry. The pantry's staff and volunteers have been grappling with this situation in the basement of the YWCA, our home, for over 25 years.
“Food insecurity is on the rise all over the state and the country,” Reeve said. “In one week, we now see more people looking for help than we used to see in a whole month. And we are not alone. I hear the same story from other food pantries. With our new location in downtown Bar Harbor, near public transportation, something essential for many of our customers, we are hopeful that we will be able to rise up and meet this need.”
Plans are underway to transform the new space from a restaurant into a choice-model food pantry tailored to current and potential needs. Later this year, The Pantry will launch a campaign to raise the rest of the funds needed for renovations, establish an endowment for its maintenance, and finalize the building's purchase.
Mama’s Says Goodbye
On Facebook, Eric , Mama’s owner wrote:
A Farewell with a Heart Full of Memories
Dearest Friends and Mama’s Family,
It is with bittersweet feelings that I announce the sale of Mama DiMatteo's, a restaurant that has been a part of my life and yours for nearly four decades. While we're one year shy of our 40th anniversary, the time has come to pass the torch.
I'm very excited to see what the new owners, The Bar Harbor Food Pantry, do with their new home!
Looking back, I’m so grateful for the incredible journey we've shared. So many of you, our loyal customers and dedicated employees, have become like family. The friendships forged overcountless baskets of foccacia are the true treasures of Mama DiMatteo's.
From Humble Beginnings...
Mama’s first entrees were served in 1985 on the corner of Mt. Desert Street and Route 3. Our dream was simple: to create an affordable, family-friendly restaurant. We served up breakfast buffets for early risers and bus tours, alongside delicious dinners complete with a salad bar. The first winter we shuttered Mama's doors and headed south to work for the winter. After completing our second year, we drained our pipes and prepared to head south for another winter, packed our bags and paused.... Bar Harbor was home and where we wanted to stay.
By 1986, Mama DiMatteo's was a year-round fixture, and our menu expanded to include Friday Fish Fry, pizza, and free delivery service. One delivery I’ll never forget was a pizza to a ice fishing hut on Eagle Lake, ordered by payphone (ah, pre-cell phone days!) from the Maineway convenience store.
...To a Thriving Community
In 1993, we found our current home atop Rodick Street. Back then, Rodick Street was considered a low-rent neighborhood far from downtown. But, Bar Harbor grew and Rodick Street blossomed. Miguels and the Lompoc sprouted in nearby homes, Out To Lunch joined the scene, eventually changing to ZEBO and then to the current Dog and Pony, soon Side Street, The Annex and Thrive added their names to the mix. And Rodick Street, once an underdog, became a major player in downtown Bar Harbor, and Mama DiMatteo's was proud to be a part of its evolution.
Thank You!
While this chapter of Mama DiMatteo's story is coming to a close, the memories we've shared will forever be in my heart. Thank you for your unwavering support, for the laughter shared over happy hour pizza, and for the friendships that warmed our restaurant through many a foggy Bar Harbor night.
With heartfelt appreciation,
Eric
Summer 2024 Parking Permits Now Available
BAR HARBOR—Parking permits for Summer 2024 are now available to be applied for. Permits are only available online via www.thepermitportal.com & all users must have an account or create one to apply for a permit. All summer 2023 residential permits were automatically renewed.
If you have any questions regarding residential, non-residential, employee or COA student permits please call the Finance Department at 207-288-5096. For questions regarding all other permit types, please call Parking Enforcement at 207-288-1777.
MDI Lion's Club Hosts Golf Tournament to Support Community and Vision-Related Needs
MOUNT DESERT ISLAND—The MDI Lion's Club is thrilled to announce the MDI Lions Annual Golf Tournament is back and set to take place on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at the Kebo Valley Golf Club. With a 12 P.M. start, this exciting event promises a day of camaraderie, competition, and most importantly, community support.
The MDI Lion's Club has long been a pillar of charitable work in the Mount Desert Island community, dedicated to serving those in need, particularly in the realm of vision-related issues. They aim to raise crucial funds to further their mission and support local community needs.
"Golf has always been a sport that brings people together, and we couldn't think of a better way to unite our community in support of a worthy cause," said Peter Gott, King Lion for the MDI Lion's Club. "This tournament is not only about enjoying a day on the green but about making a tangible difference in the lives of those who need it most."
The tournament will feature a scramble format. Participants can look forward to exciting on-course contests, and a post-tournament awards ceremony. Additionally, sponsors will have the opportunity to showcase their support for the community through various sponsorship packages.
All proceeds from the tournament will directly benefit the community as the MDI Lion's Club continues its support of community needs, necessary programs, and their scholarship fund which awards 4 new and 4 returning students in the trades. Every dollar raised will make a meaningful impact on the lives of this community.
"We are incredibly grateful for the support of our sponsors, participants, and volunteers who are helping to make this event possible," added Gott. "Together, we can make a difference and continue to uphold the Lion's Club motto of 'We Serve.'"
Sponsorship packages and player registration for the MDI Lion's Annual Golf Tournament is now open. For more information on registration, sponsorship opportunities, or to get involved, please contact Heather Jones at Heather@Jones-Business.com or 207-266-0114.
About MDI Lion's Club: Founded in 1934, MDI Lions has remained a pillar in the community, boasting a membership of 45 dedicated individuals committed to making a tangible difference in the lives of others. With a mission of service, MDI Lions annually donates $50,000 to address various community needs, support essential programs, and bolster non-profit organizations. Their outreach spans a wide spectrum, extending aid to vital institutions such the Mount Desert Nursing Association (Wheelchairs), MDI Hospital (Ophthalmology Dept), Kid's Corner, School Health Corp, Island Connections, Downeast Horizons, American Diabetes Association, the Bar Harbor Food Pantry, and MDI Regional School System (Eye Machines).
Additionally, their philanthropic endeavors include granting eight scholarships (four new and four renewing) each year to college students pursuing careers in the trades, ensuring a brighter future for aspiring professionals.
Join the Urgent Effort to Restore Bar Harbor's Beloved Shore Path
Over a Century of History Threatened by Coastal Storms
Bar Harbor, Maine––The tranquility of the Shore Path, a beloved landmark cherished by locals and visitors alike, has been shattered by the relentless force of coastal storms. On January 10 and 13, unprecedented waves, fueled by record high tides, ravaged significant portions of this iconic pathway, leaving destruction in their wake. Over 500 feet of retaining walls were washed away, rendering the path inaccessible and reminding us of nature's awesome power. Today, the Bar Harbor Village Improvement Association (VIA) stands at the forefront of a critical mission to revive and protect this cherished pathway.
Historically, the Shore Path has been more than just a trail; it has been a place of peaceful retreat, a window to the breathtaking natural beauty of Bar Harbor, and a thread connecting the community. The latter represents the VIA’s 141 years of stewardship and generosity of the private landowners who have shared this treasure with our community. The VIA, alongside generous donors like the Bar Harbor Inn, has already marshaled $600,000 towards the restoration. Yet, an additional $300,000 is required to meet the $900,000 goal essential for the comprehensive restoration and preservation efforts.
"This is your moment to make a difference," urges Andy Shea, Vice President and VIA Board Member. "Your contribution is not just a donation; it's a legacy. Every dollar given will fuel the ongoing restoration efforts and secure the future of this iconic pathway."
To support the restoration of the Shore Path, donations can be made through three convenient channels:
1. GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/restore-the-bar-harbor-shore-path
2. PayPal: https://barharborvillageimprovementassociation.com/donations/
3. By Check: payable to "Shorepath Fund Bar Harbor VIA," mailed to 127 West Street, Bar Harbor, ME 04609; OR deliver your check to Window Panes at 166 Main Street, Bar Harbor.
"We thank you for your generosity," says David Witham of Witham Family Properties and VIA Board Member. "Together, we will turn the tide and ensure the Shore Path remains a beacon of beauty and tranquility for generations to come."
Park Loop Road Opens to Motor Vehicles on April 15
BAR HARBOR––The National Park Service looks forward to welcoming visitors to Acadia National Park this season!
Scientists’ predictions of more frequent extreme weather events as a result of climate change were a reality for Acadia National Park this winter and spring. Sections of the park endured storm damage throughout multiple extreme storms. However, the majority of the seasonal opening schedule will not be affected. As the NPS continues to assess storm damage throughout the park, visitors should exercise caution while exploring.
On April 15, the Park Loop Road will open to motor vehicles and Carriage Roads will reopen to pedestrians. The Hulls Cove Visitor Center opens to visitors on May 3. Campgrounds and other park facilities will open on various dates throughout April and May. Learn more about operating hours and seasons at Acadia.
Due to icy conditions, Cadillac Summit Road will remain closed to motor vehicles. The park expects the road to open as soon as weather conditions allow. Please visit our website to learn more about current conditions. Cadillac Summit Road will also be closed for an additional 3-7 days before May 22 to complete repaving. More information will be available in the coming weeks.
Bridge restoration work at the Otter Cove Causeway will begin in mid-April, temporarily reducing traffic flow from two lanes to one. A detour will be in effect through Memorial Day weekend near Wildwood Stables to accommodate carriage road bridge restoration. Please visit our website to learn more about current conditions.
We expect the 2024 summer season to be BUSY, so make sure to plan ahead and recreate responsibly while you’re here. Prepare for your trip to Acadia National Park by following our list of the top five tips
CULTURAL FUSION FESTIVAL
Cultural Fusion Fest Welcomes Seasonal Workers and Year-Round Residents
BAR HARBOR—Mount Desert Island’s tourist economy owes an incredible debt to the hundreds of seasonal workers who come for the summer to work in hotels, restaurants, and other venues. The majority of these workers are people of color who work on Mount Desert Island (MDI) seasonally to support their children and families in their home countries. They are an essential part of the MDI economy, yet they may be virtually invisible to the year-round community, working long hours and living in employee housing or lodging.
A group of nonprofits and former seasonal workers who have made MDI their home have come together to plan the Cultural Fusion Fest, a free, family-friendly event to celebrate diversity and inclusion, welcome seasonal workers to MDI for the 2024 season, provide connections to community resources, and offer opportunities for cultural exchange.
The Cultural Fusion Fest will take place on Thursday, May 2, 2024, from 3:30-7 p.m. at the YWCA, located at 36 Mt. Desert St., Bar Harbor. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend! The event is designed to be a cultural exchange, primarily focusing on Caribbean and New England cultures in this first year. It will feature live music from Stream Reggae, a Maine-based Reggae band composed of members from Dominica and Jamaica, and the Big Moose Contra Dance Band, who will lead attendees in a traditional New England contradance. The event will also feature information tables with area nonprofits and businesses offering resources of use to seasonal workers who are new to the community. These resources will help connect workers with transportation, food access, health resources, and more.
Island Take Out, a Jamaican-owned business in Bar Harbor, will prepare traditional Jamaican foods for the event. The event will also feature traditional New England foods to extend the sense of cultural exchange. All food will be free for attendees.
An overarching goal of this event is to help build a sense of belonging among seasonal workers who make MDI their home for a significant portion of the year, as well as to help bridge the gap between seasonal and year-round community members.
This event is being organized by Bar Harbor Food Pantry, College of the Atlantic, Healthy Acadia, Island Take Out, Jackson Lab, Open Table MDI, YWCA MDI, and Witham Family Hotels. Sponsors include Choco-Latte, Cleary Law, Mount Desert Island Hospital, Ocean Properties, Royal Indian Restaurant, and more. For more information on the event or to support this effort, please reach out to Healthy Acadia, at katie@healthyacadia.org or by calling 207-667-7171. The group is deeply thankful for the community’s generous support.
Healthy Acadia is a 501(C)(3) community health organization building vibrant communities and making it easier for everyone to lead healthy lives throughout Washington and Hancock counties. For more information about Healthy Acadia’s health and wellness programs and services, visit
https://www.healthyacadia.org
FEMA Disaster Assistance staff in Bar Harbor 4/16
FEMA Disaster Assistance team members will be available to meet with Bar Harbor residents on Tuesday April 16, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Municipal Building Auditorium to provide information and take applications for financial assistance from homeowners and renters that experienced financial losses as result of the 09-13 January storms that occurred in Hancock County.
If you’re unable to meet with FEMA on April 16, you’re welcome to visit the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center, every day, 8 A.M. to 6 P.M. at the Moore Community Center, 125 State Street, Ellsworth. Or, residents may call: (800) 621-3362 at their convenience to begin the assistance process.
Maine nurses call on Gov. Mills to support nurse-to-patient ratios
Today, nurses publicly called on Gov. Janet Mills to support LD 1639, a bill that would create mandated nurse-to-patient ratios based on patients’ needs in Maine’s acute-care hospitals, announced Maine State Nurses Association (MSNA). Gov. Mills has not yet taken a position on the bill. Nurses say the governor’s support is critical to pass the bill, now pending in the House.
At the event, nurses revealed a letter in support of LD 1639 sent to Gov. Mills today, and signed by more than 500 Maine nurses, pointing out that "Understaffing is not a new issue. Hospitals intentionally understaff to maximize profits and excess revenue. ... The current staffing crisis was foreseeable and preventable. We can fix it if we act now."
The letter also asked Gov. Mills to:
“Meet with nurses, face-to-face, hear our stories, and truly understand the moral distress and injury that we face every day, in every hospital across our state.”
“Look carefully at the powerful evidence that has been compiled over decades to show the efficacy and the necessity of enforceable nurse-to-patient ratios." And,
“Stand in support of nurses, patients, and The Maine Quality Care Act and make Maine the next state to take real steps to address our state and national nurse staffing crises."
The Maine Quality Care Act (LD 1639), sponsored by State Sen. Stacy Brenner (D-Scarborough),passed the Maine Senate with a bipartisan 22-13 vote on March 27. In her floor speech introducing the bill, Sen. Brenner stated, “The bill in front of you today accomplishes two primary goals: increasing patient safety and encouraging nurse retention. Not all of us are going to practice as nurses but at some point in life, we are all either going to be a patient or going to have a loved one as a patient.”
Janel Crowley, chief nurse representative and neonatal ICU nurse at Maine Medical Center said, “All of us know of nursing colleagues who have left the bedside because of poor working conditions. The good news is we also know nurses who would come back to the bedside if conditions improved.”
Another Maine Med RN, Anthony Abdallah, who works in the cardiac intensive care unit, said, “We hold vulnerable people’s lives in our hands. It makes sense that reasonable ratios will improve patient outcomes and protect nurses. We are not asking for the moon. We are only asking for what decades of research backs up: Safe staffing saves lives.”
The hospital industry has vehemently opposed the Maine Quality Care Act, citing what it calls a “nursing shortage.” But MSNA President Cokie Giles, RN said, “There is no nursing shortage in our state or our country. There is only a shortage of nurses who are willing to work in the unsafe conditions they’re being given. The Maine Quality Care Act will bring nurses back to the bedside, which is what our state and nation need right now.”
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Maine State Nurses Association is part of National Nurses Organizing Committee, representing 4,000 nurses and other caregivers from Portland to Fort Kent. NNOC is an affiliate of National Nurses United, the largest and fastest-growing labor union of registered nurses in the United States with nearly 225,000 members nationwide.
The Long Shadow of New Ireland: British Designs on Downeast Maine 1775-1815
Thursday, April 25 at 7 p.m.
BAR HARBOR—Join us at the Jesup for a talk with Dr. Patrick Callaway!
The local history of the American Revolution and the War of 1812 is shrouded in mystery for many audiences. On the island, we may be familiar with the Margaretta incident in Machias, or the Penobscot Expedition of 1779 during the revolution, or perhaps the War of 1812 through the story of the Tenedos raid of 1814. However, these seemingly isolated moments conceal a longer and more detailed plan for downeast Maine that envisioned the creation of a new royal colony under British rule. Examining how British authorities saw the region and interacted with Mainers in peace and war reveals a different picture of the past when we view local history through British eyes.
Dr. Patrick Callaway is a lecturer in the Department of History at the University of Maine, and the Collections Manager at the Mount Desert Island Historical Society. He earned his Ph.D. in Canadian-American History in 2019 from the University of Maine, and was a Fulbright exchange student to Dalhousie University from 2018-19. His research focuses on the economic connections between the United States and British North America in the late 18th-early 19th century.
This program will be offered in person and virtually through Zoom and is a collaboration between the MDI Historical Society and the Jesup Memorial Library.
Free and open to the public. Register at: https://www.jesuplibrary.org/events/callaway
Foster Care and Adoption in Maine with A Family for ME
Saturday, April 20 at 1 p.m.
Bar Harbor—Join us for a presentation to learn more about foster care and adoption with Patty Tate from A Family for ME. A Family for ME is a partnership between the Department of Health and Human Services and Spurwink Services, with the focus of raising awareness of the urgent need and finding Maine families who are willing and able to parent children in foster care. Hear about the need for foster care parents and how to become licensed. Q&A to follow.
Patricia Tate is a Recruitment Specialist for Hancock, Washington, Waldo, Knox and Lincoln counties. She graduated from the University of Maine in Orono. She brings with her experience as a Recruiter and a Behavior Health Professional. She believes every child deserves a place to call home.
Free and open to the public. Register at: https://www.jesuplibrary.org/events/foster
Downeast Trout Unlimited Annual Meeting
April 17, 2024, 5:30
Please join us for the Downeast Trout Unlimited Annual Meeting on April 17 at the Moore Center in Ellsworth. We have two open board positions and one candidate has been submitted thus far. Nominations will be accepted and voted on at the meeting; you must be a DETU member to vote. If you or someone you know would like to join our board contact Rob Packie rbpackie@gmail.com. The Rising Trout Award, recognizing outstanding contributions to DETU’s mission to conserve, protect, and restore cold-water fisheries and their watersheds, will be presented to Downeast Salmon Federation this year. Executive Director Dwayne Shaw will receive the award. The Knife Raffle will be drawn. 30 tickets remain for a Limited Edition LL Bean 2014 Collectors Knife with a Boker 3” locking clip point blade and staghorn handle. A sheath and wooden display box included. Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20 and will be sold right up until the time of the drawing. Knife donated by DETU President Rob Packie, with an original value of $250.
Following the annual meeting David Lamon, Maine Audubon’s Director of Northern Programs and Operations will present Stream Explorers: Aquatic Insects & Water Quality. Stream Explorers is a volunteer community science partnership project with Maine’s Department of Environmental Protection. Aquatic insects are indicators of stream health. Data collected through this program is submitted to DEP and acts as a screening tool for prioritizing where to focus DEP’s in-depth surveys. Come delve into the world of aquatic insects and learn what they can tell us about wildlife habitat and water quality. Presenter David Lamon, Audubon Fields Pond Center Manager, is a resident of Ellsworth and has a lifelong passion for all things aquatic.
Contact DETU secretary at tpackie@gmail.com for info. Hybrid meeting April 17 5:30 pm at the Moore Community Center 125 State Street Ellsworth and via Zoom. Pre-register at
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEtf-qoqDsuH9RqbyOy4v0ZnRaj2olttWdc