BRIEFS! SOME COMMUNITY FORUMS ABOUT SCHOOL REORGANIZATION SET
Press releases and briefs: 2 Million Gift Establishes the George Wojtech Chair in Neurobiology at MDI Bio Lab, Measles alert, real estate,
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.
COMMUNITY FORUMS ABOUT REORGANIZATION
MOUNT DESERT ISLAND REGION—There are multiple community forums planned to discuss the potential school reorganization.
The forums are open to the public and the public is encouraged to attend.
ACADIA FESTIVAL OF TRADITIONAL MUSIC AND DANCE!
BAR HARBOR—The Acadia Festival of Traditional Music & Dance is a weeklong summer celebration of Acadian, Cape Breton, Irish, Québécois, Scottish and other Celtic-influenced traditions that contribute to the vibrant culture and authentic character of Downeast Maine.
This year’s festival takes place June 23-27 at College of the Atlantic. Registration for morning intensive classes is now closed, but tickets for afternoon programs and the evening concert series are still available online or in person, and everyone is welcome!
Drop in any or every afternoon to join the fun by taking part in a workshop, social dance, community singing, and more. Read about the afternoon offerings here: https://acadiatradfestival.org/workshops/
Monday through Thursday concerts will take you on a journey through Acadian, Cape Breton, Irish, Maritime, New England, Old Time, Passamaquoddy, Québecois, Scottish and other traditions! Friday night will showcase participants in Acadia Trad’s customary and well-loved Student Concert, followed by a community social dance! Tickets are on sale (individual or week-long pass) and are limited, so delay in purchasing yours: https://acadiatradfestival.org/concerts-2025/
ISLAND CONNECTIONS NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT
BAR HARBOR—Why is our Match Challenge running through the 4th of July?
Our mission is to keep our neighbors on MDI living independently, regardless of their age or disability, and Independence Day is a great opportunity to share what independence means to us.
We know that many Mainers take pride in their independence, and we want folks to know that being independent doesn't mean going it alone. Knowing when to seek out the resources you need to thrive is a way to strengthen your independence, not diminish it.
Your donation helps ensure that everyone can access the support the need, when they need it.Island Connections is inching closer to halfway to our goal of $20,000 matched!
Until the Fourth of July, our generous seed donors will match all donations that come in, up to $20,000. All funds raised will go towards providing free volunteer transportation to seniors and people with disabilities on MDI and the surrounding islands.
It truly takes a village to fulfill our mission and we are so grateful for the support from our community. Thank you to our seed donors and everybody who has helped us get this far already!
Donate here: islconnections.org/donate or mail a check to: 93 Cottage St, Suite 101, Bar Harbor, ME 04609.
Thank you to our generous seed donors: Witham Family Hotels Charitable Fund, Liz Cutler, and Glenn & Nancy Tucker.
BRIEF: BAR HARBOR WATER QUALITY REPORT
BAR HARBOR—The Bar Harbor water quality report for the town’s drinking water for 2024 is now available here. The report is a requirement because of 1996 amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act. The town’s water comes from Eagle Lake.
There were no violations in 2024.
BASH AT THE BOATYARD
NORTHEAST HARBOR—The 2025 Bash at the Boatyard is right around the corner and tickets are sailing away! If you’d like show your support for The Neighborhood House we’d absolutely love to have you join us, but you’ll need to act fast!
Tickets are available online (click the button below), or if you’d prefer you can just give us a call at (207)276-5039 and we’d be happy to add you to our guest list!
All proceeds from the evening support the growing slate of year round programs and events at The Neighborhood House.
The evening Includes
Mouthwatering Bites from Bar Harbor Catering Co.
Complimentary Beer & Wine with a Full Cash Bar Available
Silent Auction Featuring a Bevy of Local Art and More!
$2 Million Gift Establishes the George Wojtech Chair in Neurobiology at MDI Bio Lab
BAR HARBOR—The MDI Biological Laboratory is establishing its first endowed faculty chair, thanks to a generous gift from an anonymous donor. The George Wojtech Chair in Neurobiology is named for a New Jersey resident who displayed enormous courage and spirit through a long battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
“Our entire community is honored and humbled by this gift,” said Hermann Haller, M.D., MDI Bio Lab’s President and CEO. “It’s a gesture of great confidence in the Laboratory’s future as a center for biomedical discovery, and it will make a difference in the future of human health.”
The $2 million endowment provides essential funding for identifying new therapeutic approaches to the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS. With support from the Laboratory’s Board of Trustees, Haller appointed Assistant Professor Emily Spaulding, Ph.D., as the inaugural recipient of the new position.
“I am deeply grateful to the donor for this gift, which provides much-needed stability and assurance to my new laboratory,” Spaulding says. “The support from our incredible community, along with the memory of those who have fought ALS, provides daily motivation to my lab as we work to uncover new therapies for this devastating disease.”
Spaulding will be the guest for an upcoming MDI Science Café, “Worming our Way to a Better Understanding of Neurodegenerative Disease”.
The café will be held on Monday, June 23 at 5 p.m., in the Maren Auditorium, on campus, and on Zoom. Refreshments will be served and registration is free.
ALS affects more than 200,000 people worldwide. It has no cure and there are few treatment options. And the types of physiological disruptions that contribute to ALS are often seen in other neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s, Huntington’s and Alzheimer’s. Taken together these disorders affect millions.
A native of Rockland, Maine, Spaulding is breaking new ground in scientific understanding of how disruptions in the organization of cell structures can lead to neurodegenerative disease such as ALS. Still early in her career, she has published research and technically advanced imaging that upended some conventional thinking about the inner workings of the cell.
Spaulding works with a tiny, transparent roundworm, C. elegans, to pursue innovative research on an intricately organized structure of the inner cell called the “nucleolus” that, when disrupted, contributes to degenerative diseases.
Revealing how the normal mechanisms of nucleolar organization can go awry will inform the search for therapies that prevent or repair the damage that causes neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS.
Spaulding’s work has been published in the journals Science, Nature Communications, Journal of Neuroscience, and others, including new research published in Genetics just this month.
Rigorous and innovative research can’t happen without talented and motivated scientists such as Spaulding. As MDI Bio Lab works to grow its capacity for cutting-edge research, this new investment will support its neuroscientists’ pursuit of their own paths of discovery, with the goal of eliminating the threat of diseases such as ALS.
“We know that providing smart, innovative people with state-of-the-art technology and the resources needed to freely explore new ideas is a foundation for world-changing biomedical science,” says Haller.
“Establishing endowed faculty positions such as this provides stable, long-term funding needed to attract and retain outstanding scientists, accelerate discoveries and make life better for those we love.”
VIA TOWN OF BAR HARBOR: Measles Updates and Domestic Travel Recommendations
BAR HARBOR—Ongoing measles outbreak activity across North America poses an ongoing risk of measles infection to people living in or visiting areas with measles transmission. Unvaccinated individuals are at the highest risk of infection.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC) provides additional vaccination considerations for persons traveling outside of the U.S. The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) recommendations for persons traveling within the U.S. to areas with measles activity include an extra dose of the measles vaccine before age 12 months (in addition to the routine 2-dose series), an accelerated 2nd dose in older children, and two doses for adults without documented immunity.
COA Coffee & Conversation series starts July 1
BAR HARBOR—The College of the Atlantic 2025 Coffee & Conversation series kicks off on Tuesday, July 1 with Wistewestutuhwok, a dialogue on shared values and working for a brighter future, featuring Passamaquoddy friends Lisa Sockabasin and Michael-Corey F. Hinton.
The free event takes place in person at the Davis Center for Human Ecology and livestreaming online at 9:30 a.m. Registration is required at coa.edu/coffeeandconversation.
Lisa Sockabasin is a citizen of the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Motahkomikuk and a nationally respected leader in public health and Indigenous equity. She currently serves as Co-CEO of Wabanaki Public Health & Wellness. She sits on several boards across Maine and broader New England, committed to community-led solutions, cultural revitalization, and holistic healing.
Michael-Corey F. Hinton is a distinguished attorney and citizen of the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Sipayik, serving as the leader of Drummond Woodsum’s Tribal Nations Practice Group in Portland, Maine. He has more than a decade of legal expertise spanning federal Indigenous law & policy, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, natural resource management, and advising nonprofits. He is a former president of the Native American Bar Association of Washington, D.C., and a former member of the Iroquois Nationals Lacrosse team.
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.
OCEAN FEST THIS WEEKEND!
EDP RENEWABLES
Bar Harbor Solar is EDPR NA’s second operational solar project in the Pine Tree State
BAR HARBOR—EDP Renewables North America LLC (EDPR NA), a leading renewable energy developer and operator in the United States, today announced through its subsidiary EDP Renewables North America Distributed Generation LLC (EDPR NA DG) that Bar Harbor Solar, a 999 kWac distributed generation project, has reached commercial operations. Located in Hancock County, Bar Harbor Solar is EDPR NA’s second operational solar project in Maine.
Bar Harbor Solar will provide affordable, clean and reliable power to the Bangor School District, Epstein Properties and more local businesses and institutions, shoring up the state’s resilience and energy independence. The solar facility will avoid more than 1,480 pounds of carbon emissions annually and generate more than $88,000 in energy savings in the first year of operations. Over the course of its development and construction, Bar Harbor Solar supported approximately 50 local jobs.
“Maine needs reliable energy to power its communities and its economy, and we’re proud to meet that need with innovative, affordable power solutions that support jobs, investment, and continued growth,” said David Kane, Director of Development at EDPR NA Distributed Generation. “Bar Harbor Solar is proof of our commitment to Maine’s energy future, and we look forward to delivering more cost-saving, tax revenue-generating power infrastructure that serves the state’s residents, communities, and businesses.”
EDPR NA and EDPR NA DG are trusted partners to Maine’s energy and economic development goals, with a combined statewide clean energy portfolio of more than 400 MW in development that will power approximately 186,000 homes and support hundreds of jobs during construction and operations. When completed, EDPR NA and EDPR NA DG projects in Maine are expected to generate more than $228 million in revenue to local governments, with an additional $1 million paid directly to landowners. In February 2025, EDPR NA DG announced the successful completion and energization of the Bristol I community solar project in Bristol, Maine; this 3.4 MW project delivers power to more than 400 homes and businesses throughout the Midcoast region and generates ongoing economic and tax benefits for the local community.
EDPR NA DG is a proven leader in the community solar sector, with more than 83 MWac of operating assets spanning 29 projects across six states. An additional 38 MWac of community solar projects are currently under construction.
Mount Desert Nursing Association will host their 1st annual lobster bake
BASS HARBOR—Mount Desert Nursing Association will host its first annual lobster bake on Thursday, June 26, at Archie’s Lobster in Bass Harbor from 5:30 to 8 p.m. All are welcome to enjoy dinner on the harbor with live music provided by Derf McKeeton. Beer and wine available by donation. Tickets can be purchased in advance online at mountdesertnursing.org. Each ticket is $40 and includes a main course of a 1.5 pound boiled lobster or beet salad with chicken, a roll and dessert.
All proceeds from this fundraiser go towards MDNA’s mission of providing compassionate home health care — consisting of skilled nursing, occupational therapy and physical therapy — to residents of Mount Desert Island, Trenton and Lamoine. For more information, visit mountdesertnursing.org.
For event-related questions, call 207-276-5184 or email megan@mountdesertnursing.org
SUMMER FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS ON THE BALL FIELDS
BAR HARBOR—Please come support Summer Festival of the Arts on the Fourth of July for some Family Friendly fun at the Bar Harbor Ball Fields.
Summer Festival of the Arts will be hosting family fun activities as a fundraiser at the Bar Harbor ball field from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., on the fourth of July. $5 per activity station.
If interested in volunteering please email director@sfoamaine.org
Author Talk with Amity Gaige: Heartwood
Thursday, July 3, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.
BAR HARBOR—On Thursday, July 3, author Amity Gaige will offer a book reading and signing of her newest release, Heartwood, at the Jesup Memorial Library. A reading of the book will be followed by a conversation with fellow novelist Carrie Jones. Copies of Heartwood will be available for purchase, courtesy of Sherman’s Bookstore.
In the heart of the Maine Woods, forty-two-year-old Valerie Gillis has vanished two hundred miles from her final destination. Alone in the wilderness, Valerie pours her thoughts into fractured, poetic letters to her mother as she battles the elements and struggles to keep hope alive.
In charge of the investigation is Beverly Miller, the determined Maine State Game Warden leading the search on the ground. Meanwhile, Lena— a seventy-six-year-old birdwatcher in a Connecticut retirement community—becomes an unexpected armchair detective. Roving between these compelling narratives, a puzzle emerges, intensifying the frantic search, as Valerie’s disappearance may not be accidental.
"A riveting wilderness suspense novel by a novelist at the height of her powers” (Jennifer Egan, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of The Candy House), Heartwood takes you on a gripping journey as a search and rescue team race against time when an experienced hiker mysteriously disappears on the Appalachian Trail in Maine.
Amity Gaige is the author of four previous novels, O My Darling, The Folded World, Schroder, and Sea Wife. Sea Wife was a 2020 New York Times Notable Book and a finalist for the Mark Twain American Voice Award. Schroder was also a New York Times Notable Book and a best book of 2013 according to The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, among others, and was shortlisted for UK’s Folio Prize in 2014. Her work has been translated into eighteen languages. In 2018, Amity was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in Fiction. She lives in West Hartford, Connecticut, with her family and teaches creative writing at Yale.
Fifth Annual Ashley Bryan Lecture: Anthony Walton
Friday, July 11, 2025 at 7:00 pm
BAR HARBOR— The Jesup Memorial Library is honored to announce that the Fifth Annual Ashley Bryan Lecture will take place on Friday, July 11 and feature poet and writer Anthony Walton. Anthony Walton is perhaps best known as the author of The End of Respectability and Mississippi: An American Journey as well as a chapbook of poems, Cricket Weather. His work has appeared widely in magazines, journals, and anthologies, including The New Yorker, Kenyon Review,Oxford American, the New York Times, Harper's, the Atlantic Monthly, and Times Literary Supplement. He is also the coauthor, with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, of the best-selling Brothers-in-Arms: The Epic Story of the 761st Tank Battalion, and coeditor, with Michael S. Harper, of The Vintage Anthology of African American Poetry. He is currently a professor and the writer-in-residence at Bowdoin College.
The Annual Ashley Bryan Lecture is named in honor of the late printmaker, author, puppet maker, painter, storyteller and illustrator Ashley Bryan, who devoted his life to bringing people together through art. This yearly lecture brings a distinguished artist or critic of color whose work reflects similarly this deep interest in racial equity to discuss that work with the Downeast Maine community.
The Fifth Annual Ashley Bryan Lecture, featuring poet and writer Anthony Walton, will be held at the Jesup Memorial Library on Friday, June 11th at 7:00pm. The program is available online and in-person. Please register online at www.jesuplibrary.org/events/anthonywalton.
Author Talk with Robert Nickelsberg: Legacy of Lies: El Salvador 1981 - 1984
Thursday, July 10, 2025 at 6:30pm
BAR HARBOR—In the early 1980s, the Cold War clashes that had bloodied other parts of the world shifted to Central America. Following the overthrow of Nicaragua’s Somoza government by the left-wing Sandinista rebels in 1979, the United States sought to prop up El Salvador’s right- wing military government as a backstop against home-grown insurgents and rising Soviet and Cuban influence. Its role helped fuel a lethal 13-year civil war. Legacy of Lies contains previously unpublished black-and-white images that American photographer Robert Nickelsberg produced on behalf of Time magazine and is supplemented by essays by renowned journalists. On Thursday, July 10th, 2025 from 6:30 - 7:30, Nickelsberg will share excerpts and images from Legacy of Lies during his upcoming author talk at the Jesup Memorial Library, 34 Mt. Desert Street, Bar Harbor.
Robert Nickelsberg worked as a Time magazine contract photographer for nearly 30 years, specializing in political and cultural change in developing countries. He is the author of Afghanistan – A Distant War, published in 2013 by Prestel, which represents his 25 years of work in Afghanistan. Nickelsberg’s second book, Afghanistan’s Heritage: Restoring Spirit and Stone, done in conjunction with the U.S. Department of State, was published in English, Dari and Pashto in May 2018. In April 2024, Kehrer Verlag published Legacy of Lies, El Salvador 1981-1984, a collection of black and white images shot during the civil war in El Salvador, 1981-1984, for Time magazine. Nickelsberg lives in Brooklyn, New York.
BAR HARBOR INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION
NEIGHBORHOOD BLOCK PARTY
2025 Dawnland Festival of Arts & Ideas Performance Lineup Announced
Live music, dance, and storytelling celebrate Indigenous culture and creativity
BAR HARBOR—The Abbe Museum’s Dawnland Festival of Arts & Ideas has announced its full lineup of market and featured performers for this year’s event, taking place July 12-13, 2025, on the campus of College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, Maine. These performances are a key element of this free outdoor event, celebrating Native cultures through music, movement, and storytelling.
The 2025 schedule features traditional and contemporary storytelling, music, and dance that resonate across generations and geographies. These performances are part of a weekend that also includes panel discussions, Native artisan market shopping, and family-friendly programming, all presented by the Abbe Museum.
Saturday, July 12, 2025 - Performer Schedule
(All performances to take place on the campus of the College of the Atlantic)
9 a.m. - Market Opens
10-10:30 a.m. - Market Performance: Hawk Henries (Nipmuck)
Hawk has been composing original music and making Eastern Woodlands flutes with hand tools for over 30 years. He plays a variety of flutes and shares his experiences, creating a calming yet engaging atmosphere with a touch of humor. He has presented at prestigious venues, including the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, and enjoys engaging audiences of all ages..
11-11:30 a.m. - Market Performance: Jennifer Pictou (Mi’kmaq Nation)
Jennifer Pictou, a member of the Mi'kmaq Nation, is an artist and a traditional storyteller with a diverse background as a museum director, tribal historic preservation officer, and historian. Her true passion lies in leading tours and sharing stories, connecting people to Maine's landscape and Wabanaki cultures. She is the founder of Bar Harbor Ghost Tours, which has been recognized by USA Today as one of the top ten ghost tours in the country for seven years.
1-1:45 p.m. - Featured Performance: Ty Defoe (Ojibwe + Oneida Nations)
A Grammy Award-winning interdisciplinary artist and writer, Ty Defoe moves fluidly across mediums and movements. His work has been recognized with fellowships from the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, MacDowell, Sundance Institute, and as a Trans Futurist with the Pop Culture Collaborative. Ty is also a recipient of the Jonathan Larson Award, a Grammy Award, and the Helen Merrill Playwriting Award. Ty creates across landscapes—from rural communities to Broadway stages to the metaverse—building relationships that center Indigenous and decolonial futures. He currently serves as Professor of Practice at Arizona State University and Writer-in-Residence at PACE.
5 p.m. - Festival Close
Sunday, July 13, 2025 - Performer Schedule
(All performances to take place on the campus of the College of the Atlantic)
9 a.m. - Market Opens
10-10:30 a.m. - Market Performance: Minquansis Sapiel (Passamaquoddy)
Minquansis Sapiel is a member of the Passamaquoddy Tribe from Sipayik. She is a published author of a Children’s Book called “Little People of the Dawn,” which was illustrated by her daughter Minsoss Sapiel-Bobadilla. As a self-employed storyteller, she strives to provide people with a better understanding of Wabanaki History and Culture.
11-11:30 a.m. - Market Performance: David Lonebear Sanipass (Mi’kmaq Nation)
David Lonebear Sanipass is a Mi’kmaq storyteller, flutemaker, and artist. His grandfather taught him how to carve flutes when he was nine years old, and even today, David tunes all of his flutes using the same song his grandfather used all those years ago. He incorporates this rich background into his storytelling, encouraging listeners of all ages to discover new and different ways to see and experience the world.
1-1:45 p.m. - Featured Performance: Cipelahq Ehpicik - Thunderbird Women
Cipelahq Ehpicik – a Passamaquoddy women’s drum group from Sipayik (Pleasant Point) – They drum, sing, and dance for the people as a way to heal and a way to stay connected to their ancestors. Barbara Paul, the lead for the group and keeper of the tribe’s sacred drum, says, “The drum is the heartbeat of our people.”
5 p.m. - Festival Close
All panels and performances are free and open to the public. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to pre-registered attendees.
Register at www.DawnlandFestival.org.
Assistance with registration is available by calling Abbe Museum at (207) 288-3519 or emailing info@abbemusuem.org.
Summer Science Series with University of Maine Cooperative Extension
SOUTHWEST HARBOR—The Southwest Harbor Public Library and the University of Maine Cooperative Extension are excited to announce a new Summer Science Series for kids going into Grades K-5. These are Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (S.T.E.A.M.) programs will be led by University of Maine Cooperative Extension staff, and will take place from 2:00-3:00 p.m. Wednesdays, July 9, 23, and August 6 at the library. Space is limited. Please register early.
On July 9th, Leah will lead a hands-on Seaweed Lava Lamp Workshop. Youth can explore the importance of seaweed aquaculture, learn about the foods we know and love that benefit from seaweed, and get to take home their very own lava lamp. See you there! Register at https://tinyurl.com/mrvnvhbw.
On July 23rd, Join Tess for the ocean-inspired workshop, Learn to be an Oyster Farmer. Tess will lead a group through what it’s like to be an oyster farmer. Youth will engineer oyster cages, learn about biofouling, and see if they have what it takes to join the ranks of Maine’s amazing aquaculture workforce! Register at https://tinyurl.com/2den98uk.
On August 6th, play the Marine Invasives Game with Leah and learn about the intertidal zone, one of the harshest ecosystems nature has to offer. Accidentally inviting non-native species doesn’t make it any easier for our local sea critters to survive. Green crabs are here, and they are very keen to stay! Do you think you can outlast our invasive foes? Register at https://tinyurl.com/5n72a943.
Program details and registration for kids and teens are at https://tinyurl.com/y2ardrp2. For more information email children@swhplibrary.org or call 244-7065.
Sit, Stay, and Read to Argos the Therapy Dog!
SOUTHWEST HARBOR—Want to make reading even more fun for kids? Register your child for a 15-minute time slot to Read to Argos, a charming certified therapy dog, at the Southwest Harbor Public library on Monday, July 7 and 14 from 12:00 - 2:30 p.m. After the session, your reader will get a chance to win summer reading prizes for a job well done! Suggested for children ages 5+, or children who are practicing their reading skills independently. To sign up, call the library at 207-244-7065 or email childrens@swhplibrary.org to secure a spot. Spaces are limited, so don’t wait—call today!
Argos is a certified therapy dog who is eager to become a friend to all children who love to read. Along with his handler Ann, Argos is excited to hear the stories you want to share. Bright Spot Therapy Dogs, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing comfort and care through trained, certified therapy dogs.
https://www.bright-spot.org
Program details and registration for kids and teens are at https://tinyurl.com/y2ardrp2. For more information email children@swhplibrary.org or call 244-7065.
Banning Books in America: Not a How-To with Samuel Cohen
SOUTHWEST HARBOR—Join us in person or online at the Southwest Harbor Public Library on Tuesday, July 1st from 5:30-6:30 p.m., to hear “Banning Books in America: Not a How-To with Samuel Cohen. Since 2020, the U.S. has seen unprecedented efforts at the state and local level to exert control over what is taught and read by banning, challenging, or censoring books in K-12 schools, colleges and universities, and public libraries. Beginning with criticisms of the 1619 Project and gathering steam with attacks on Critical Race Theory and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI), these efforts have led to state legislatures, school boards, and city councils becoming culture war battlegrounds. In this talk, Sam Cohen will look at these contemporary battles in the contexts of the long history of book bans, of specific books challenged by them, and of the larger questions raised about the competing interests and values at play.
Samuel Cohen teaches English at the University of Missouri. His books include After the End of History: American Fiction in the 1990s, The Legacy of David Foster Wallace, The Clash Takes on the World: Transnational Perspectives on the Only Band That Matters, and 50 Essays: A Portable Anthology; he also edits the book series The New American Canon: The Iowa Series in Contemporary Literature and Culture. He is writing a book on the history of university presses in the U.S. and has a forthcoming edited collection on book bans entitled Banning Books in America: Not a How-To.
To register for this in-person and online talk, visit https://tinyurl.com/mrym35km. Call 244-7065, or email programs@swhplibrary.org.
REAL ESTATE
BAR HARBOR
• April L. Stafford and Bryant S. Hagaman, Fredericksburg, Va., to April Leah Stafford Revocable Living Trust, Fredericksburg, Va., land.
• Broadway Properties LLC, Bangor to Peter R. Kisselburgh and Colleen A. Kisselburgh, Thomaston, Conn., as joint tenants, land with buildings and improvements.
CRANBERRY ISLES
• Gail M. Carr, a/k/a Gail Manning Carr, Miami, Fla., to Gail M. Carr Revocable Trust, Miami, Fla., land with buildings and improvements.
MOUNT DESERT
• Robert J. Moore and Kay T. Moore, Mount Desert to Keith Tracy Moore, Coco Beach, Fla., and Robert Tracy Moore, Pepperell, Mass., land with buildings and improvements.
SOUTHWEST HARBOR
• William Blair Malcolm III, Southwest Harbor to William Blair Malcolm III and Diana Wilson Malcolm, Southwest Harbor, as joint tenants, land with buildings and improvements.
TREMONT
• Inhabitants of the town of Tremont, Bernard to W. Morgan Churchman, Malvern, Pa., land with improvements
TRENTON
• Robert Nolan and Ellen Nolan, Southwest Harbor to Gott Bros. Leasing Inc., Southwest Harbor, land with improvements.
• Gott Bros. Leasing Inc., Southwest Harbor to Robert Nolan and Ellen Nolan, Southwest Harbor, as joint tenants, land with improvements.
STATE PRESS RELEASES AND NEWS
Governor Mills Promoting Maine to Canada
BOSTON—Governor Janet Mills announced today that she will travel to Atlantic Canada next week to promote Maine as a top destination for Canadian tourists and to strengthen cross-border relationships and economic ties.
The Governor made the announcement during today's summit between Northeastern Governors and Canadian Premiers at the Massachusetts State House in Boston. The convening was organized by Governor Mills and Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey to discuss the impact of the president's tariffs and how American and Canadian leaders can maintain economic relations that benefit local businesses and residents in energy, trade, tourism, and manufacturing.
Details regarding the Governor's trip to the Maritime Provinces -- which will include bilateral meetings with New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt and Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston -- will be released by the Governor's Office later this week.
"Maine has long enjoyed a special relationship with our Canadian neighbors," said Governor Mills. "As summer begins, I look forward to visiting New Brunswick and Nova Scotia to showcase everything Maine has to offer -- from our beautiful coastline and vibrant downtowns to our world-class food, outdoor recreation, and welcoming communities. We want Canadians to know: Maine is open and excited to welcome you."
"Maine, the Northeastern US and Eastern Canada share not just a border, but an economy as well," said Wade Merritt, President of Maine International Trade Center. "Our state is located the center of a dynamic, binational region, and we enjoy close linkages to our Canadian neighbors in natural resources, manufacturing, tourism, and energy. Today's meeting -- and next week's visit -- will give insights on how best to build on that strong foundation to the benefit of Maine's people and businesses."
In addition to Governor Mills and Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, participants in today's summit included Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee, Vermont Governor Phil Scott, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Prince Edward Island Premier Rob Lantz, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt, and Newfoundland and Labrador Premier John Hogan.
Governor Mills has been a consistent champion of Maine's relationship with Canada. Since taking office, Governor Mills has worked closely with her fellow Governors and the Premiers of Eastern Canada. She has regularly attended the annual New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers (NEG-ECP) to discuss shared economic, energy and environmental priorities.
In the wake of the president's actions and rhetoric toward Canada, Governor Mills has worked to make sure Canadians are welcome in Maine. Last month, the Governor unveiled new signs welcoming Canadian visitors during a roundtable with York County business leaders impacted by declining visitation from Canada. She has brought Maine's message of welcome directly to the Canadian people through television appearances on CBC News Network's Rosemary Barton Live, CTV Atlantic News, and CBC New Brunswick.
Canadian visitors are an important part of Maine's tourism economy. In 2024, nearly 800,000 Canadian visitors spent approximately $497.7 million in Maine, according to the Maine Office of Tourism. Overall, the state welcomed 14.8 million visitors, who spent more than $9.2 billion, supporting 115,900 jobs and generating $5.4 billion in wages.
REPRESENTATIVE GARY FRIEDMANN MESSAGE
AUGUSTA—With just a week away from when the legislative session is scheduled to adjourn, my colleagues and I have been hard at work at the State House fighting for Maine families.
So far, we’ve enacted more than 140 bills that are now law. This includes legislation to lower upfront costs for more utility ratepayers, improve access to respite care for family caregivers, protect Maine’s natural resources from invasive species and strengthen privacy protections for health care providers who prescribe mifepristone and misoprostol — medications used for miscarriage management and early abortion care.
We’ve done a lot so far, but there’s a lot of work ahead of us between now and the end of June. The Legislature still intends to take action on the second part of the state’s two-year budget – a supplemental bill to the budget we passed in March to prevent a state government shutdown and provide funding for K-12 public education, municipal revenue sharing and other essential services. The details of this bill aren’t set in stone yet, but I look forward to providing you with updates in the weeks ahead.
As always, I enjoy hearing directly from you. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any ideas, questions or concerns.
Nominations now being accepted for the 2025 Fly Rod Crosby Outdoor Lifetime Achievement Award
MAINE—The Fly Rod Crosby Outdoor Lifetime Achievement Award is presented annually by Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to individual who is dedicated to the stewardship and wise use of Maine's natural resources and who has been active in the Maine outdoors for a lifetime.
The Fly Rod Crosby Outdoor Lifetime Achievement Award honors not only the annual recipient, but also recognizes Cornelia "Fly Rod" Crosby, and her work in promoting and showcasing Maine's outdoors.
Crosby is well known as Maine's first registered guide, a program that she worked hard to establish, but she was also an outdoor mentor, and an ambassador for the state. For 15 years, she wrote an outdoors column in the local newspaper, the Phillips Phonograph, in which she detailed her outdoor adventures, passing on tips and tales that helped others enjoy the outdoors. She organized Maine sporting exhibits at national sportsman's shows in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia, showcasing the wonders of Maine's rich outdoor resources, and of course, she guided, sometimes introducing people to their first taste of the Maine outdoors, and for those more experienced, helped fine tune their skills.
Nomination Information
To be eligible, nominees must have hunted, trapped, and fished in Maine for a combined total of 40 years. For example, to meet that requirement an individual may have fished for 20 years, trapped for 10 years, and hunted for 10 years; or could have fished for 30 years and hunted for 10 years. Ideal candidates would also be active in mentoring, teaching, or instructing outdoor activities.
Nominations should include the nominees name, address, phone number, photograph and a few paragraphs about the individual, their experience in the Maine outdoors, and an explanation of why they are a deserving candidate. The nominators contact information should also be included.
Nominations must be submitted between January 1 and July 1 of the calendar year and can be sent by email to Emily MacCabe at Emily.MacCabe@maine.gov or by mail to 353 Water St, SHS 41, Augusta, Maine 04333.
Download nomination form (PDF) or submit a nomination online
The recipient(s) of this year's Fly Rod Crosby Lifetime Outdoor Achievement Award will be selected by a committee of individuals from the Department and will be recognized at the Sportsman's Alliance of Maine Annual Banquet this September.
MOM WILL RETURN!
MAINE—Last week, a concerned community member spotted a young fawn walking near their home in the afternoon, blatting. As a wildlife lover, this individual was tempted to intervene, but he remembered hearing that touching or moving a fawn might actually put it at greater risk. So, he chose to wait and observe.
By 5pm, the fawn was still calling out, prompting the individual to do the right thing: he contacted Public Safety Dispatch, who connected him with a Maine Game Warden, Wildlife Biologist, or Wildlife Conflict Agent.
Soon after, and just as the Wildlife Conflict Agent was returning his call, he witnessed the mom slowly make her way across the field and reunite with the fawn.
Thank you to this responsible community member who remembered to contact a trained wildlife professional before interfering with wildlife. He not only helped this fawn stay wild and with its mom, but was able to experience first-hand how incredible nature is.
What may have looked like a fawn in distress was, in fact, a natural part of its learning process—a youngster trying to hurry along its feeding. When people don’t see the mother nearby, they often assume the worst. But in this case, the mother was simply teaching an important lesson: making a lot of noise will not get you an early dinner.
The nutrient profile of a mother’s milk enables a doe to leave her fawn for many hours while she feeds on her own to sustain the demands of nursing. Until the fawn is strong enough to keep up and come along, an adult doe may hide her fawn in the forest floor leaves, returning two or three times a day to nurse. During this time, the fawn is protected from predators by its camouflaged coat and its lack of scent.
Bravo to this wildlife lover for resisting the urge to “rescue” a baby animal that did NOT need rescuing. Thanks to his thoughtfulness and knowledge, this young fawn remains wild where it has the best chance at long-term survival.
Keep wildlife wild. If you care, leave them there.
Learn more at mefishwildlife.com/fawn
Deane Smith of St. Albans Honored As Legendary Maine Guide
MAINE—The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is proud to announce Deane Smith of St. Albans as the 2024 recipient of the Wiggie Robinson Legendary Maine Guide Award.
This annual award honors the legacy of Wiggie Robinson, a consummate outdoorsman and a remarkable ambassador for the Maine outdoors. Each year, we recognize a registered Maine Guide who embodies that same spirit—mastery of outdoor skills, lifelong dedication, and a passion for sharing the Maine wilderness with others.
Deane Smith has been guiding in Maine for more than 45 years. But his contributions go far beyond guiding. For nearly four decades, Deane has been a dedicated member of the Penobscot County Conservation Association (PCCA), where he’s helped raise over $1 million in scholarships for Maine students studying wildlife conservation or conservation law at the University of Maine and Husson University.
He has served on PCCA’s Board of Directors for over 30 years, including three terms as president, and continues to volunteer at the Eastern Maine Sportsman’s Show and on public land projects in Stetson. He’s also served on the board of Maine Operation Game Thief, supporting conservation law enforcement efforts statewide.
Deane’s impact on the next generation of outdoorspeople is undeniable. As a certified Hunter Safety Instructor for over 30 years, he has helped more than 1,000 students earn their certification. He’s also coached youth shooting teams, volunteered at Camp Roosevelt, and mentored young hunters through his involvement with the Hampden Rifle and Pistol Club.
As a guide, Deane is known for his deep knowledge, generosity, and willingness to share his love of the outdoors. He donates his time to individuals who face barriers to participating in outdoor activities, including fellow veterans. Through his volunteer work with House in the Woods, Deane has guided turkey, bear, and moose hunts for active-duty military members, veterans, and their families.
One of the most memorable stories comes from a triple-amputee Afghanistan veteran who joined Deane on both a turkey and moose hunt. Reflecting on the experience, the veteran wrote:
“I was injured in Afghanistan in 2010, so the opportunity to hunt moose was something I had never even imagined. The hunt was a success, but more than that, it’s an adventure I will never forget. The moose hanging on the wall brings back memories of Deane and all he has done, not just for me, but for so many others like me, helping them reconnect with nature and the healing power of the outdoors.”
We are honored to add Deane Smith to the distinguished list of Legendary Maine Guides. His decades of service, stewardship, and mentorship make him a true leader in Maine’s outdoor community and a shining example of what it means to be a Maine Guide.
Congratulations, Deane, and thank you for your extraordinary contributions to Maine’s outdoor heritage.
The Legendary Guide Award is presented annually to a member of the Registered Maine Guide profession who has served as a leader within Maine’s outdoor community. The award was created in 2009 in memory of Wilmot “Wiggie” Robinson. Past recipients of the award include Gil Gilpatrick, Gary Corson, Gardner Defoe, Matthew P. Libby, Don Dudley, Danny Legere, Richard Scribner, Donald E. Helstrom, Jr, Lance Wheaton, Bonnie Holding, Carroll Ware, Polly Mahoney, Jerry Packard, and Kevin Slater.
Virtual Sessions To Explore Local Switchboard Findings
MAINE—Following four months of Local Food Switchboard research - including in-person community gatherings across Maine, one-on-one interviews, focus groups, digital surveys, and more - the Maine Food Convergence Project is excited to share their findings.
The Maine Food Convergence Project is hosting three digital Research Findings and Sensemaking Sessions. During each session, participants will:
Share themes, learnings, and early insights from research so far
Be invited to confirm, challenge, and deepen understanding of the key findings
Explore how these insights should shape the next phase of the Switchboard
Session Details (On Zoom - choose the one time that works best for you)
Session #1: Tuesday, July 8 from 11:00 am – 12:30 pm (click here to register for session #1)
Session #2: Tuesday, July 8 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm (click here to register for session #2)
Session #3: Wednesday, July 9 from 8:00 – 9:30 am (click here to register for session #3)
Senators Collins, Reed Lead Bipartisan Group of Appropriators Urging Labor Department to Reverse Closure of Job Corps Centers
Letter was signed by nine members of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senators Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Jack Reed (D-RI) led a bipartisan group of Appropriations Committee members in sending a letter to Department of Labor (DOL) Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, urging the DOL to reverse its decision to begin the closure of Job Corps Centers nationwide.
Joining Senators Collins and Reed in signing the letter were Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), John Boozman (R-AR), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR).
“The sudden announcement that the Department of Labor began the process of closing all Job Corps Centers on May 29, 2025, will harm students and local economies in every state across the nation,” the senators wrote. “We urge you to retract this announcement and to faithfully implement the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Full-Year Continuing Resolution Act, which President Trump signed into law and which includes $1,760,155,000 for Job Corps.”
“Job Corps has helped millions of young people, ages 16 to 24, many of whom face significant economic and social challenges, develop the skills and resilience they need to succeed in work and in life through intensive education, training, and support services in a residential setting since its creation in 1964,” they continued. “The sudden closure of Job Corps Centers not only puts young people’s lives at risk, but local communities will pay a steep price, especially the thousands of individuals who work at the Centers and will lose their livelihoods.”
“Abruptly canceling contracts for the nation’s Job Corps Centers will leave students and communities in the lurch and will undermine opportunities for young people to get education and training to succeed in valuable trades. While we would be pleased to work with you to improve the Job Corps program to do even more to serve our young people and address growing workforce needs, it is essential that you faithfully implement the program in accordance with the FY 2025 Continuing Resolution and reopen all Job Corps Centers,” the senators concluded.
The complete text of the letter can be read here.
In April, Senator Collins sent a letter to Secretary Chavez-DeRemer urging the DOL to lift the halt on enrollment at Loring and Penobscot Job Corps Centers in Maine. Last month, Senators Collins and Reed sent a separateletter to Secretary Chavez-DeRemer requesting that the DOL provide information on the Job Corps’ contracts, background check processing, and evaluation plan.
Also last month, at a hearing to review the Fiscal Year 2026 budget request for the DOL, Senator Collins urged Secretary Chavez-DeRemer to reverse the Department’s halt of new enrollment at Maine’s two Job Corps Centers and the proposed elimination of the Job Corps program altogether. During the hearing, Senator Collins spoke about Adais Viruet-Torres, a graduate of the Loring Job Corps Center and later Husson University who overcame homelessness and now works as a nurse practitioner.
A long time champion of Job Corps, Senator Reed questioned U.S. Labor Secretary Chavez-DeRemer at a May 22 hearing about the Trump Administration’s efforts to terminate Job Corps. Senator Reed helped launch Exeter Job Corps Center in Rhode Island, which has a capacity for 185 students, with rolling admissions throughout the year. Exeter Job Corps Center employs a staff of about 85 and offers vocational training in 6 trades, a GED program, and two high school diploma programs. Reed recently led a rally to help save Job Corps.
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