Have a Free Meal With the Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Police Departments
BRIEFS: Cruise Ship Q and A tonight, Criterion Gala tonight, Jail restored, ACT auditions
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Window Panes Home and Garden.
NORTHEAST HARBOR—The Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Police Departments have set a date for a community lunch on Sunday, September 8, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The event will take place at the Northeast Harbor Marina and is cohosted by the Neighborhood House.
This is free for all to attend, said Sgt. Soren Sundberg.
SPECIAL TOWN COUNCIL QUESTION AND ANSWER TONIGHT!
BAR HARBOR—On Tuesday, the Bar Harbor Town Council put out a meeting notice for a question and answer session on cruise ship management track two (Chapter 50). The meeting is set for 6 p.m., August 22, at the Mount Desert Island High School auditorium.
A one-page fact sheet is also available online, in the town office, and at the event. https://www.barharbormaine.gov//CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1451
CRITERION THEATRE GALA TONIGHT!
via the Criterion
BAR HARBOR—The Criterion Theatre holds a special place in the heart of Bar Harbor. It has been a pillar of our community for 92 years and counting, and we are working hard to make sure it is here for the next generation of artists, musicians, filmmakers, community members, and guests to our beautiful town. We would love to see you at our 2024 Gala at the Bar Harbor Club on August 22. It will be a wonderful night with music, an illusionist, silent auction. hors d’oeuvres, open bar, and time with friends.
If you have any questions or if you would like to help with a sponsorship, please reach out to info@criteriontheatre.org.
Saving Sick and Injured Wild Animals with Acadia Wildlife Center’s Tony Mullane
via SWH Library
SOUTHWEST HARBOR – Join us on Tuesday, September 3rd at 5:30 at the Southwest Harbor Public Library to hear from Acadia Wildlife Center’s new Executive Director Tony Mullane who will be presenting on the Center's mission to heal sick and injured native wildlife. The son of wildlife rehabilitator Ann Rivers, Tony is now joining his mother in her pursuit to heal injured wildlife of Maine. He will be presenting on his unique childhood, from catching eagles, to feeding baby squirrels, to pushing a moose calf through the woods. Plus he will be talking about the Center's work over the last 30 years, the importance of wildlife in Maine’s ecosystems, and showing a live education animal.
Acadia Wildlife Center, established in 1994, is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of sick and injured native wildlife in Maine. Through education and community engagement, the Center promotes awareness of wildlife conservation and the importance of preserving natural habitats.
https://acadiawildlife.org/
This program is in-person only. Registration encouraged. Register at www.swhplibrary.org or https://tinyurl.com/67ucsxwc. For additional questions or assistance registering, email programs@swhplibrary.org or call 207-244-7065.
Measure What Matters - Portrait of a Great School in Maine.
via MDIRSS
LAMOINE—Lamoine Consolidated School will be the location of a community meeting hosted by the Maine Department of Education. The title of the meeting is Measure What Matters - Portrait of a Great School in Maine.
The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is excited to host community meetings across Maine to bring educators, parents, students, and business leaders together to discuss a shared vision for our schools. These in-person conversations will take place in August and September across the state.
We need your voice!
Please join us Monday, August 26, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Please see the attached brochure for more information and to register—Community Conversation Flyer
Exterior Rehabilitation Completed on Old Hancock County Sheriff's Home and Jail
via Ellsworth Historical Society
ELLSWORTH—The Old Hancock County Sheriff’s Home and Jail, a cornerstone of the County’s history and Ellsworth’s historic district, has been fortified to ensure its stability for the next century. Phase I of the building’s rehabilitation is complete, which secures the 1886 structure for future generations.
“Ellsworth Historical Society’s significant project—an exterior repair of all the bricks—marks a triumph in the community’s ongoing efforts to preserve its rich architectural heritage”, said the Society’s President Jennifer Sala.
Over decades, the Old Jail had fallen into disrepair, with bricks crumbling from the eaves and with gaps in the masonry allowing in rain and snow. Since 2007, the Old Jail has been included on Maine Preservation’s Most Endangered Historic Places List. In 2022, the Ellsworth Historical Society began a 20-month grant writing campaign to fund Phase I. Grant support included funding from the REvitalizeME Gen-2 National Park Service Sub-grant program, the Maine Community Foundation Donor-Advised Funds, the Belvedere Historic Preservation and Energy Efficiency Grant Program, the 1772 Foundation, the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Ramassoc Chapter, and the Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust.
This year, from March to mid-August, expert masons Hascall & Hall of Portland, painstakingly rebuilt the building’s crumbling exterior using original materials, and they repointed the entire structure with appropriately-colored correct mortar. Ellsworth Historical Society Board Member and Project Manager, Carla Haskell of Design Group Collaborative Architects, directed the masons to follow the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, resulting in both historically accurate and sustainable best practices. The results reinforce the building’s status as a County cultural landmark. The before-and-after transformation is dramatic: where plastic sheeting and netting once held back falling bricks, all four walls now stand strong and resilient, looking as they did 138 years ago.
President Sala continues, “The rehabilitation of the brick exterior is more than just a repair; it signals a renewal of the building’s historic role in the community.” Local and regional community supporters of this project include Heart of Ellsworth, Ellsworth Public Library, Friends in Action, Green Ellsworth, the City of Ellsworth, Ellsworth Historic Preservation Commission, Sunrise County Economic Council, Maine Preservation, Hancock County Planning Commission, Cultural Alliance of Maine, as well as support from Senator Nicole Grohoski and Representative Mark Worth.
The Old Jail served as Hancock County’s law enforcement center and the sheriff’s family residence from 1886 to 1976. Since 1979, the building has continuously operated as an Ellsworth Historical Society museum, preserving the intertwined stories of the sheriffs, their families, and the county’s legal history in the context of 19th and 20th century Ellsworth. The building's unique dual function as a sheriff’s family home attached to jail cell blocks is preserved in its original state, making it a rare and valuable artifact of American law enforcement history. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The rehabilitation of the building’s exterior is the first phase, and future phases include roof repairs plus updating the interior for artifacts and exhibits.
Now, with Phase I completed, the Ellsworth Historical Society envisions the Old Hancock County Sheriff’s Home and Jail to continue its role as a museum and cultural heritage center. Sala concludes, “The building stands as a testament to what can be achieved when a community comes together to preserve its history. Located at the southern entry to the Federally-designated Downeast Maine National Heritage Area, the Old Jail is set to draw visitors from across the region, ensuring that its stories will be shared and remembered for generations to come.”
AUDITIONS FOR ACT’S HOLIDAY SHOW - BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER
BAR HARBOR—Acadia Community Theater will be holding auditions for our holiday show, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever on Tuesday, September 10 and Thursday, September 12 at the Northeast Harbor Library.
Auditions will be held on both nights from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m., but it is suggested that those auditioning arrive early to register and warm up. There are fun parts for male and female children between the ages of 8 to 15 as well as character parts for adults between the ages of 30 and 65.
Children must be 8 years or older to audition. Audition materials can be found in advance on ACT’s website at acadiacommunitytheater.net.
The show will be directed by Mark Carignan and Jacob Sanner and produced by Patti Savoie and Jonathan Bender.
For more information contact acadiacommunitytheater@gmail.com.
Rehearsals will start the week of September 15 and the show will be performed in early December.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is presented through special arrangement with Concord Theatrical Licensing. All authorized performance materials are also supplied by Concord Theatricals.
Hook ‘n I Hooked Rugs Exhibit September 3-28
Weekly Rug Hooking Thursdays, starting September 12
via SWH Library
SOUTHWEST HARBOR—From Karen McFarland’s “Oh Buoy!” to Mary Hays’ “The Cove” the hooked rugs on display at the Southwest Harbor Public Library will delight with color and variety from September 3 through 28th. Members of Hook ‘n I, Mount Desert Island’s rug hooking group, have created original designs while also working from traditional and modern hooking patterns. The Hook ‘n I group was formed more than 15 years ago, and the group meets weekly from September to May at the library. The first meeting of this season will be on Thursday, September 12th from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Exhibitors in September will include Judith Burger-Gossart, Sugar Fenton, Patsy Fogarty, Bianka Fuksman, Mary Hays, Cookie Horner, Rosemary Levin, Karen McFarland, Betsy Patterson, Jan Reed, Liz Rosenfeld, Nancy Turner, Nancy Weingarten, Sandy Wilcox, and more.
Rug hooking is a traditional Maine craft. Years ago, rugs were hooked by local women both to produce needed articles for their homes and to sell for pin money. The Hook ‘n I members enjoy carrying on this tradition, creating beautiful rugs, pillows, purses, and other articles. We also welcome knitters, needlepointers, and those who practice other fiber arts.
“We’d love to add new people to our group,” says Nancy Weingarten, coordinator of the group. “Whether you have been hooking for a while, would like to learn, or are interested in fiber crafts in general, we’d love to have you join us. Just come on a Thursday afternoon!”
For questions or for more information call the Library at 207-244-7065, visit www.swhplibrary.org, or email exhibits@swhplibrary.org.
For the Calendar: September 3-28, Rug Hooking weekly starting 9/12 1-3pm
Exhibit September 3-28. Southwest Harbor Public Library. Mount Desert Island rug hooking group, Hook ‘n I. 207-244-7065, www.swhplibrary.org or exhibits@swhplibrary.org.
LIFEFLIGHT OF MAINE NAMED AMONG “BEST PLACES TO WORK” IN THE STATE
via LifeFlight of Maine
“Best Companies Group” Releases 2024 Winners
BANGOR—LifeFlight of Maine was named one of the best places to work in Maine by “Best Companies Group” on their recently released list of top employers in the state. LifeFlight earned a spot for the Medium Employer Category (50 – 249 U.S. Employees). The list is based on a company’s practices, programs, and benefits, as well as a survey filled out by employees.
LifeFlight’s five helicopters, airplane, and ground ambulances are based in Bangor, Lewiston, and Sanford. Its crews cover the entire state, including offshore islands, complementing and supporting the work of local EMS and hospital personnel in caring for critically ill or injured patients. The crew is comprised of a highly qualified team of pilots, flight nurses and flight paramedics, EMT vehicle operators, aviation maintenance technicians, and communications specialists.
Compensation and benefits packages, crew appreciation activites, peer support programs, workplace culture, and its formidable reputation across the State of Maine reflect the dedication, professionalism, and compassion of its team. There are few places in the state that offer as challenging, meaningful, and gratifying a work experience as LifeFlight of Maine.
The survey revealed 100% of employees who responded say they “like the type of work that they do.” 96% say their job “provides them with a sense of meaning and purpose.” Meanwhile, 98% say they are “willing to give extra effort to help” LifeFlight of Maine succeed.
"We are incredibly honored to be named one of Maine's 'Best Places to Work' for 2023," said Bill Cyr, Chief Operating Officer at LifeFlight of Maine. "This achievement reflects our commitment to fostering a supportive and empowering work environment. The recognition is especially meaningful because over the last two years we have transitioned from a contracted employee model to having the majority of our team work directly with LifeFlight of Maine. I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to our dedicated frontline and behind-the-scenes team members, as well as our exceptional leadership team. Together, we have created a culture of collaboration and excellence that truly makes LifeFlight of Maine the best place to work in Maine."
“There are many excellent employers in Maine, and it is wonderful for us to be recognized among the top echelon,” said Joe Kellner, Chief Executive Officer of LifeFlight of Maine. “Our crew’s dedication to this organization and to the patients entrusted to our care is undoubtedly what sets LifeFlight apart. I witness their commitment and compassion every day, and I am honored to work alongside every single member of the LifeFlight team.”
The official rankings will be revealed at an awards celebration at the Augusta Civic Center on October 8, 2024.
About LifeFlight of Maine
LifeFlight of Maine is a nonprofit and the state’s only air ambulance service. Since 1998, LifeFlight has transported more than 38,000 patients, one life at a time, from every community in Maine. LifeFlight’s mission is to transform the critical care transport medicine system into an integrated, high-quality, patient-centered system worthy of the public’s trust.
LifeFlight’s airplane and five helicopters are based in Bangor, Lewiston, and Sanford. Along with dedicated ground ambulances, these vehicles cover the entire state and offshore islands. LifeFlight complements and supports the work of local EMS and hospital personnel in caring for the critically ill or injured. Each LifeFlight base is staffed by a highly qualified team of pilots, flight nurses and flight paramedics, EMT vehicle operators, aviation maintenance technicians, and communications specialists. LifeFlight of Maine is a joint venture partnership of Central Maine Healthcare and Northern Light Health. LifeFlight was fully re-accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems in 2022.
More information about LifeFlight of Maine is available at LifeFlightMaine.org.
It’s a Critter Cruise
Via SPCA of Hancock County
BAR HARBOR—Enjoy a 2-hour sunset cruise while supporting the animals at the SPCA of Hancock County’s animal shelter. Aboard Acadian Boat Tour’s 149-passenger vessel, the Acadia, includes a Happy Hour hors d’oeuvres, raffles, and a cash bar, with all proceeds benefitting the animals.
Guests are encouraged to dress warmly and arrive 20 to 30 minutes before departure to allow time to park and board the boat. Guests are required to check in at the ticket booth at 119 Eden St. to ensure the captain and crew have an accurate count of cruisers.
The Acadia will go along the shoreline of Bar Harbor and will include views of the summer mansions, Egg Rock Lighthouse, seals, harbor porpoises, and eagles. An Acadia Boat Tours experience naturalist will narrate the tour with history and anecdotes. The boat will stop in the bay during the last portion of the cruise to watch the sunset at 6:57 p.m.
The event will be postponed to Sunday, Sept. 15, at the captain’s discretion in the event of severe wind or fog. Pets are not allowed on the boat.
The event is made possible by Acadian Boat Tours and Atlantic Oceanside Hotel with support from Machias Savings Bank and Bar Harbor Bank and Trust.
“This will be a really fun and beautiful event. It will be a rare opportunity to see the Bar Harbor area from the water, enjoy some great food and drink while supporting the SPCA,” said Michelle Allvin, SPCA Board President. “Please join us for this incredible excursion.”
For more information, contact Jamie O’Keefe at (207) 299-8732 or jamieokeefe67@gmail.com
Tickets for the cruise are $60 each.
Sunday, September 8, 2024
5 p.m. departure (sharp!), Atlantic Oceanside Hotel Dock, 19 Eden St, Bar Harbor
31st Annual David R. Harding Memorial Golf Tournament
BAR HARBOR—Mount Desert Island (MDI) Hospital and Bar Harbor Bank & Trust proudly announce the 31st Annual David R. Harding Memorial Golf Tournament to be held on Thursday, September 26 at Kebo Valley Golf Club.
The David R. Harding Memorial Golf Tournament has been a signature event for Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, bringing together businesses and golfers from MDI and beyond to support many local organizations throughout the years. David Harding, for whom the tournament is named, was Chairman of the Board of Bar Harbor Bankshares for many years. Dave was a strong community supporter who was instrumental in launching the MDI YMCA. He loved golfing, and he loved Kebo.
In 2021, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust selected Mount Desert Island Hospital as the beneficiary for the tournament. Bar Harbor Bank & Trust and Mount Desert Island Hospital raised $15,000 to support the funding of a new MRI machine for the hospital. In 2022, recognizing its vital services to our community, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust selected Mount Desert Island Hospital to manage the tournament and be the primary beneficiary going forward, that year raising over $31,000. Bar Harbor Bank & Trust continues to support as the presenting sponsor, and its employees volunteer their time to help organize and staff the event.
“We are thrilled to once again partner with Bar Harbor Bank & Trust for the 31st Annual David R. Harding Memorial Golf Tournament,” said Chrissi Maguire, President/CEO of MDI Hospital and Health Centers. “This event is a wonderful tribute to a remarkable person and showcases the incredible support and partnership the bank has shown the hospital over the years. The golf tournament highlights the vibrant spirit of our community and local businesses coming together for a day of friendly competition and collective dedication to advancing our mission of providing high quality care to our communities.”
Curtis Simard, President and CEO at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust says of the tournament partnership, “Bar Harbor Bank & Trust has been a steadfast supporter of MDI Hospital for over 125 years, and we have increased our support in recent years, knowing that charitable contributions are making a difference for the lives of those in the region. The Hospital leadership and team have never been more committed to providing comprehensive care to all in our community. We recognize the significant challenges associated with operating a critical access hospital and appreciate the steadfast dedication of MDI Hospital’s team to invest in the staff and technological advancements that lead to the highest-level patient outcomes.”
Individuals looking to partake in this event can secure their spot for $100 per golfer, signing up in teams of four. Individuals or pairs that register will be grouped in a foursome after registration.
For more information, and to register, please visit https://www.mdihospital.org/giving/golf/.
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor at this event, please contact Claire.sasner@mdihospital.org
EMPLOYMENT CONFERENCE
Join Rudman Winchell for the 22nd annual Employment Law Conference: Legal Updates and Workplace Trends—a day-long event dedicated to exploring the latest developments and trends in employment law. This year’s conference promises to deliver essential updates, strategic insights, and practical solutions for navigating the evolving landscape of employment law and workforce management.
Time/Date: Tuesday, October 1, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Place: Wells Conference Center, University of Maine – 131 Munson Rd, Orono, ME 04469
Cost: $75 (includes speakers, written materials, breakfast, and lunch)
THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE AT THE FINBACK!
Lewiston Commission Report: Yellow Flag Process “Burdensome”
Though Commission was not tasked with proposing policy changes, report outlines what could improve safety.
via Maine Gun Safety Coalition
PORTLAND—The Independent Commission to Investigate the Facts of the Tragedy in Lewiston released its final report. While the Commission was not charged with proposing policy changes that could prevent another tragedy like the Lewiston shooting last year, the Commission’s findings underscore clear areas of improvement in Maine’s gun safety laws in order to make our communities safer.
Critically, the report spells out in the executive summary that law enforcement officials testified Maine’s yellow flag law is “cumbersome, inefficient, and unduly restrictive regarding who can initiate a proceeding.” Unlike red flag laws in other states, in Maine only a law enforcement officer is able to initiate a proceeding, thus limiting the ability of family or friends of someone at extreme risk to themselves or others to step in.
“When there is someone who is a danger to themselves, or to the community, do the uncomfortable task and protect us,” said Danielle Jasper, a survivor of the Lewiston shooting.
“The best way we can honor the victims of the horrific act of violence in Lewiston last year is by doing our due diligence through a thoughtful and honest examination of what happened and, critically, how it could have been prevented,” said Nacole Palmer, executive director of the Maine Gun Safety Coalition. “Today’s commission report does that, and the Maine Gun Safety Coalition thanks Governor Mills and those who served our state and our public interest by engaging in the difficult but vitally important work of learning from this tragedy to ensure no other Maine families have to go through this experience in the future. I want to underscore that gun violence is not inevitable. The most devastating conclusion to come from the report is that there were many times and ways that Robert Card might have been separated from his weapons, potentially preventing the tragedy that followed, but wasn’t.”
On page 71 of the report’s findings, the Commission writes, “some members of the judiciary and law enforcement expressed frustration with the yellow flag process. Law enforcement officers reported that the process was too burdensome and took too long, placing outsize burdens, especially on smaller law enforcement agencies' forces.”
Gun tragedies are preventable with commonsense tools that allow law enforcement and — of particular importance to this case — families to ensure that people who are at extreme risk to themselves or others are separated from deadly firearms while they're in crisis.
“My heart aches for the Lewiston survivors and family members every day, but especially today as they, too, read the Lewiston Commission’s findings,” said Palmer. “I look forward to working together with Maine leaders and community members to create the safer future that our families deserve.”
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