Town of Mount Desert Approves $470,000 to Support Year-Round Housing at Ripples Hill Neighborhood
Bar Harbor Council Candidate Forum, Free Museum Passes with Local Library Cards, Real Estate, Events, Press releases and a ton more.
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. We’ve also started to put singular local briefs up on our website in their own tab as well. This will happen ahead of this weekly collection article. You can find those and past briefs/press releases here if you want those briefs a bit more timely. It’s just that there are so many that we’d be bombarding your email constantly if we sent them out individually.
Town of Mount Desert Approves $470,000 to Support Year-Round Housing at Ripples Hill Neighborhood
MOUNT DESERT—At its Town Meeting on Tuesday, May 6, the Town of Mount Desert voted unanimously to approve a warrant article authorizing up to $470,000 in general obligation bonds to fund the extension of Sydneys Way and Farnhams Way, along with the public sewer system, in the Ripples Hill neighborhood.
This investment will directly support the pressing need for year-round housing on MDI. It not only provides much-needed housing for Mount Desert Island’s workforce but also strengthens the overall economic and social well-being of the Town of Mount Desert and the island.
“We are so grateful to the Town and its residents for supporting our mission,” said Natalie Osborne, Programs Director at Island Housing Trust. “This unanimous vote reflects a shared commitment to sustaining year-round communities on MDI. With this support, we can expand the Ripples Hill neighborhood and bring nine more year-round homes to the workforce and families who want to call MDI home.”
Island Housing Trust’s mission is to promote viable, year-round island communities by advancing permanent workforce housing on Mount Desert Island. Since 2003, IHT has partnered with individuals, organizations, and all four MDI towns to develop permanent, year-round housing for those who want live, work, and go to school on MDI.
The Ripples Hill neighborhood is a cornerstone of this mission. Initiated in 2006 on land donated by the Town of Mount Desert off Beech Hill Road, Phases 1 and 2 created nine energy- efficient homes for year-round residents working on the island. Phase 3 will add nine more homes, doubling the neighborhood’s impact and completing a vibrant, inclusive community rooted in opportunity and place. The final phase is projected to cost $2.4 million.
“The unity and clarity of this vote speaks volumes,” said Marla O’Byrne, Executive Director of Island Housing Trust. “It shows how deeply this community values real, lasting solutions to our island’s housing challenges. We’re proud to continue this work alongside the Town of Mount Desert and are energized by this generous support.”
Island Housing Trust extends its deep thanks to Town Manager Durlin Lunt, Public Works Director Brian Henkel, Finance Director Mae Wyler, the Select Board, the Warrant Committee, and the residents of Mount Desert. Their leadership and vision demonstrate what is possible when a community comes together to ensure that those who want to live, work, and learn on MDI can continue to call it home.
MEET THE BAR HARBOR TOWN COUNCIL CANDIDATES
PAID PARKING RETURNS TO BAR HARBOR, MAY 15
BAR HARBOR—The Town Council's Permit and Paid Parking Policy is in effect in specified downtown areas. See the map below for permit and paid areas.
The Parking rates range from $2.00 per hour to $4.00 per hour.
Time limit: Parking is restricted to one 4-hour session for each vehicle in the $4/hour zone, on-street spaces only. The parking lots allow for all-day parking.
All major credit/debit cards are accepted as well as US quarters and tokens, but no paper money.
Paid parking will be enforced between the hours of 8 AM to 9 PM, Monday through Saturday and 12 PM to 9 PM on Sunday from May 15 to October 30.
Permit parking areas are designated by signage and will be available for residents, employees, College of the Atlantic students and a few other categories that require certain eligibility factors. Residential permits will automatically renew each season if the applicant choses to select that option. Non-residential, COA, and employee permits are good for one season and should be applied for online. They will be approved by authorized staff and issued electronically by vehicle plate number. Other specialty permits are available, such as contractor, dumpster, boat/trailer, or commercial fishing permits.
There are free 15-minute parking spaces available in three locations downtown.
Free all-day parking may be available on other side streets that are not signed.
https://www.thepermitportal.com/IPS
APPRECIATING TOWN CLERKS
MOUNT DESERT ISLAND—Town clerks were honored by the Downeast Chapter of the League of Women Voters of Maine this week in celebration of Municipal Clerk Appreciation Week. League members delivered flowers and treats.
BAR HARBOR TAXES
BAR HARBOR— The lien process for unpaid 2024 real estate tax bills begins in mid-May. If you’d like to check the status of your account call the Finance Department at 207-288-5096 or use the Property Tax Lookup tool on the town website. https://www.barharbormaine.gov//CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1609
High Street Paving – Traffic Impact May 6-23, 2025
BAR HARBOR—Contractor High Street restoration paving will be conducted from May 6 – 23. The street will be CLOSED to THRU-TRAFFIC; LOCAL ACCESS ONLY. One-lane travel will be in effect, and driveway access and on-street parking will be temporarily affected. Some delays should be expected. Contact the Public Works Department at 288-4681 with questions.
MOUNT DESERT COMMUNITY SHREDDING
Sustainability Committee is sponsoring a free document shredding event
Date: Saturday May 31, 2025
Time: 9:00 am - 1:00 p.m.
Place: 307 Sargeant Drive – Highway Garage
MOUNT DESERT—Bring any documents needing to be permanently destroyed\shredded such as old paper files, records, paperwork, etc. This free service is open to all Mount Desert Residents.
Free Museum Passes With Your Library Card
MOUNT DESERT ISLAND—Three new partners have joined the local library museum pass program: the Abbe Museum, the Dorr Museum, and Land and Garden Preserve.
Patrons from the Jesup Memorial Library, Northeast Harbor Library, and Southwest Harbor Public Library can borrow complimentary daily admission passes using their library cards.
New passes for 2025 include the Dorr Museum (Bar Harbor), the Abbe Museum (Bar Harbor), and the Land and Garden Preserve. Land and Garden Preserve passes will be available for the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden (Seal Harbor), as well as the Asticou Azalea and Thuya Gardens both located in Northeast Harbor.
Antonella Mastroianni, the Abbe Museum’s senior manager of visitor services, says, “The Abbe Museum prioritizes accessibility and takes pride in being a community partner. Because of this, we are excited to collaborate with local libraries to eliminate potential barriers that, for whatever reason, may prevent our community from visiting the museum.”
The other participating local museums in the program include the Maine Granite Industry Museum and Historical Society (Mt. Desert), the Oceanarium (Bar Harbor), Seal Cove Auto Museum (Tremont), and Wendell Gilley Museum (Southwest Harbor).
Contact your local library to reserve or borrow a pass. The Northeast Harbor Library and Southwest Harbor Public Library also offer passes to the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens (Boothbay Harbor), the Maine Discovery Museum (Bangor), the Farnsworth Art Museum (Rockland), and the Portland Museum of Art.
Contact any of these libraries to get more info and to reserve your pass:
Jesup Memorial Library, https://www.jesuplibrary.org/museum-passes, 288-4245, info@jesuplibrary.org.
Northeast Harbor Library, https://nehlibrary.org/services/, 276-3333, talktous@nehlibrary.org.
Southwest Harbor Public Library, https://swhplibrary.org/passes/, 244-7065, circulation@swhplibrary.org.
Support Local Food Access With Share the Harvest
BAR HARBOR— Celebrate local food and support access for all with a community soup dinner at College of the Atlantic Beech Hill Farm on Wednesday, May 21, beginning at 5 p.m.
Pick up a handmade ceramic bowl to enjoy some soup in and purchase original artworks by COA students, with all proceeds supporting Share the Harvest, COA’s student-run food access program. The evening includes live music performed by COA music professor Jonathan Henderson’s Advanced Samba class.
Share the Harvest is a farm-based food assistance program that aims to make fresh, local, healthy produce accessible to all members of the Mount Desert Island community. The student-run organization works as a liaison between the MDI community and the local food system, providing fresh produce to local families on food assistance. Share the Harvest is sustained by community support.
The community soup dinner is family friendly and open to all. Doors open at 5 p.m., food will be served until 6 p.m., and music will begin at 6:15 p.m.
MAY 9 - SHADOWCAST PLAYERS - CABARET
Bar Harbor Pride Fundraiser to Feature Soup, Salad, and Silent Auction
Hosted by Open Table, all are welcome at May 14 community event to support 10th annual Pride festival
BAR HARBOR, ME—At 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14, Bar Harbor Pride will hold a community dinner and silent auction at Open Table (116 Cottage St, Bar Harbor) to raise funds for its annual festival.
Everyone is welcome to attend this family-friendly event featuring local drag performer Carmilla Velour. Open Table will donate all ingredients for the soup and salad dinner, and no admittance costs will be charged.
To help support the tenth annual Bar Harbor Pride festival, attendees will have the opportunity to contribute via donation box, Venmo, or as part of the silent auction. Items for the silent auction have been donated by local artists, makers, growers, and community members.
The 2025 Bar Harbor Pride festival is slated for June 5-7, 2025. More details about festival events will be announced at May 14’s community dinner. Any questions may be emailed to barharborpride@gmail.com.
Living Memory
BAR HARBOR—“Living Memory” is a collection of ceramics inspired by land relationships, ancestral memory, and elder loss. The surfaces of these repetitive forms are embossed with imagery, drawings, and patterns collected while traveling the south of Italy and working in ancient olive groves.
This work navigates questions of identity and decolonial healing.
This Friday, starting at 6, at the COA BLUM Gallery there will be a closing reception and potluck.
If you feel inclined, please bring a dish, snack, or treat that holds a memory significant to you.
“I’d love to share a meal with you all,” Person said.
Addressing Climate-Driven Change in Southwest Harbor
SOUTHWEST HARBOR—From warmer winters to rising sea levels, discover how these shifts impact our environment and communities. Learn why these changes matter, the risks they present, and the opportunities they create for innovation and adaptation. Join the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) at the Southwest Harbor Public Library on Tuesday, May 20. Drop in and meet staff from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and join us for a talk at 5:30 p.m. to explore climate-driven changes in the Gulf of Maine and on Mount Desert Island through Southwest Harbor's Climate Vulnerability Assessment (in progress). Find out what we can do together to address these impacts and build a more resilient future through community-driven actions such as coastal flooding community science!
Following the presentation, you are invited to join GMRI on Wednesday, May 21 at 9 a.m. at Manset Town Dock to engage in the coastal flooding community science project. https://www.gmri.org/events/southwest-harbor-coastal-meetup/.
The Gulf of Maine Research Institute is an independent, objective nonprofit organization dedicated to the resilience of the Gulf of Maine ecosystem and the communities that depend on it.
To read about Southwest Harbor Climate Vulnerability Assessment.
To read about coastal flooding community science.
For more information and questions, go here. For program info, contact Sienna Zuco. 772-2321 x8090. szuco@gmri.org. For venue info, call the library. 244-7065. programs@swhplibrary.org.
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 second annual Cultural Fusion Fest, a free, family-friendly event to celebrate diversity and inclusion, welcome seasonal workers to MDI for the 2025 season, provide connections to community resources, and offer opportunities for cultural exchange. Last year’s event was extremely successful, with over 300 attendees representing both seasonal and year-round residents.
The Cultural Fusion Fest will take place on Thursday, May 22, 2025, from 4:00-7:30 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 Latin American cultures this year. It will feature live music from Stream Reggae, a Maine-based Reggae band composed of members from Dominica and Jamaica, and DJ Timeless who will put on a Latin dance party. 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. New this year, guests will have the opportunity to play or learn to play Dominoes and other popular Caribbean games.
Island Take Out and Pat’s Pizza, two Jamaican-owned businesses in Bar Harbor, will collaborate to prepare traditional Jamaican foods for the event. The event will also feature traditional Latin American food. 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, Healthy Acadia, Island Take Out, Jackson Lab, Mano en Mano, Pat’s Pizza, Witham Family Hotels, and YWCA MDI. Sponsors include Cafe This Way, Cleary Law, Coffee Matter / Mother’s Kitchen, Friends of Acadia, Geddy's, Geddy’s By the Sea, Geddy’s Down Under, Mount Desert Island Hospital, Nor'easter Pound & Market, Ocean Properties, Y&P Taxi Services, and more. Fundraising is ongoing to cover the costs of the music and food for the event. Community donations are gratefully accepted at bit.ly/SupportCulturalFusionFest. For more information on the event or to discuss other ways to contribute, 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 serves as the fiscal sponsor for this collaborative event. 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.
MARINE MAMMAL STRANDING WORKSHOP!
MINI GOLF TOURNAMENT FUNDRAISER!
BRUNCH AT THE BAR HARBOR INN
BAR HARBOR—The Bar Harbor Inn is delighted to announce the return of its celebrated Sunday Brunch at the Reading Room Restaurant, starting up on Sunday, May 4, 2025. This signature buffet brunch will be available on the first Sunday of each month through November, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Guests are invited to indulge in a sumptuous spread of seasonal favorites, meticulously crafted by our culinary team. Set against the backdrop of panoramic ocean views, the brunch offers an unforgettable dining experience that captures the essence of coastal Maine.
Brunch Details:
When: First Sunday of each month, May through November
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Location: Reading Room Restaurant, Bar Harbor Inn
Pricing: $52 for adults | $25 for children
Reservations can be made by calling (207) 288-3351.
BLOOMS-BUILD YOUR OWN BOUQUET EVENT!
Blooms is have a Mother’s Day event on Friday, to build your own bouquet, and have a fun evening with wine and charcuterie and blooms!
Their friends at Cool as a Moose are hosting this one and there will be more to come throughout the season.
The brand-new business’ website is still under construction, but it’s here. It’s Instagram page is up and running!
Bloom is a local source for stunning floral arrangements for your home or event.
Convenient delivery and pickup options! It’s located at 61 Beech Hill Cross Road, Mount Desert.
Open Barn Day at Willowind Therapeutic Riding Center
For Immediate Release
BAR HARBOR—Willowind Therapeutic Riding Center is excited to announce our Annual Open Barn Day scheduled for Sunday, May 18, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Once a year, Willowind opens the barn doors to celebrate community and showcase the programs and services we provide.
It's a wonderful event for all ages. Meet the horses, watch rider demonstrations, tour the barn, participate in a scavenger hunt, make tie dye shirts, create your own horse puppet with the beloved Frogtown Puppeteers and more!
David Folger, the executive director of Willowind, expresses his excitement in opening the barn doors to the community, “We look forward to welcoming everyone and provide a glimpse of how Willowind has been carrying our community since 1998. It’s a special place that provides a safe and enriching environment where riders build skills and achieve life goals through equine-assisted activities. The skills learned in the riding ring carry over to helping build a stronger and healthier community.”
Willowind Therapeutic Riding Center is located at 1140 State Highway 3, Bar Harbor. Come join the fun and see what Willowind is about.
This is a free event, rain or shine. Generously sponsored by First National Bank. Please note, due to safety concerns horseback riding is not permitted during the event.
Visit willowind.org for more information on the organization’s mission and programs. Or email office@willowind.org with questions.
MIDDLE SCHOOL SHAKESPEARE PROJECT PRESENT ROMEO AND JULIET
MAY 14 - MINECRAFTERNOON
MinecrAfternoon at the Library for Kids ages 5-11 years old
Southwest Harbor: Join Children’s Librarian Ms. Mae for an afternoon of (screen-free) Minecraft fun! Drop in on Wednesday, May 14th from 3:30-5:00 p.m., for a variety of crafts and activities, including a scavenger hunt where you can earn a special prize! This event is suggested for ages 5-11, and no registration is required.
For info visit https://tinyurl.com/2zy93rk9, email childrens@swhplibrary.org, call 207-244-7065.
MOTHER’S DAY TEA PARTY
CONVERSATION WITH NICOLE GROHOSKI
Bar Harbor Historical Society’s “Community Threads, Stitched Together” Celebrates Textile Makers in Our Community
BAR HARBOR—Join the Bar Harbor Historical Society for “Community Threads, Stitched Together” on Friday, May 15, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, May 16 and May 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The program celebrates historic and contemporary textiles and the people who made them.
This pre-season weekend is free and open to all, thanks to the Hattie A. and Fred C. Lynam Trust. There will be speakers, yarn spinning, and cordage making demonstrations, community weaving projects, and more. BHHS is honored to accept a donation of COVID-19 Community Masks made by Cristy Benson.
“From the time I could pick up a needle, I have always loved working with fibers. During the isolation of the pandemic, I made about 650 masks. The fabrics inspired me to make a quilt to honor all those making masks in our community,” Benson said.
This quilt is pieced together with the mask fabrics donated by seven local mask makers during the height of the pandemic and represents a fraction of the local handmade masks produced in 2020.
Benson explained, “I made two copies of this quilt. The other was donated to the Maine CDC and hangs outside Dr Shaw’s office.”
Quilts and other textiles record family history, narrate local and world events, and translate the world’s natural beauty. Historically, women have created utilitarian textiles that told stories of family and community. Contemporary quilting crosses gender lines and often focuses on social justice issues. Moser says, “ This exhibition is as much about family and community stories as it is about textiles.”
Events include:
Saturday 12:30-2:30 p.m. Demonstrations by the Wednesday Spinners, Susan Barrett Merrill, and the Community Loom
Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. “Quilt Talk” by Sarah Ann Smith, and 12:30-2:30 p.m. Cordage making with Bonnie Chase
The Bar Harbor Historical Society is a community and institutional leader that welcomes residents and visitors alike to discover the past in order to understand the present, and to take pride in community connections. It is a dynamic, bustling regional center for research, dialogue, and learning where stories are told through multiple media daily. Its mission is to effectively display, preserve, and interpret Bar Harbor’s rich past through our unique collections ensuring access, enjoyment, and educational opportunities for all.
For more information, please visit https://barharborhistorical.org/ or follow the Bar Harbor Historical Society on Facebook or Instagram. The Society is located at LaRochelle at 127 West Street, Bar Harbor, Maine.
Chamber Music Trio Offers Free Concert in Northeast Harbor
NORTHEAST HARBOR—Thursday, May 22 at 6:30 p.m. the Northeast Harbor Library will host a free chamber music concert featuring DownEast New Music’s artistic directors Clare Monfredo (cello), Edward Kass (double bass), and Conrad Winslow (piano, composition).
The program will include music of the 19th-21st centuries by Beethoven, Rossini, Shostakovich, and a new piece by pianist and composer Conrad Winslow.
Clare Monfredo is a cellist who grew up in Seal Harbor, attended Mount Desert Elementary School, and is finishing her doctorate at the City University of New York Graduate Center. Boston bassist Edward Kass performs internationally and has had recent festival appearances including Tanglewood and Huddersfield. Conrad Winslow is a composer and pianist living in Waldoboro; he studied composition at the Juilliard School and his work has been called “compelling” (New York Times) and described as a “scenic, boisterous and bumpy ride” (Albany Times Union).
Register at nehlibrary.org/events or by calling 207-276-3333.
Danny Fisher-Lochhead Large Ensemble Plays at COA
BAR HARBOR—The Danny Fisher-Lochhead Large Ensemble brings its dynamic fusion of jazz and contemporary composition to College of the Atlantic on Tuesday, May 13. The show takes place at the Thomas S. Gates, Jr. Community Center at 6:30 p.m., tickets at the door are $10 for the general public.
Saxophonist/composer Danny Fisher-Lochhead grew up in a musical family, and started playing the cello before eventually switching to the saxophone. After he graduated from the University of Michigan, he moved back to New York City and continued making music there. While living in New York he performed extensively—with Brass Magic, The Will Mason Sextet, Lora-Faye Whelan, Rose Hips and Ships, Harvey Eyeballs, Ancient Sky, Adam Schatz, and many others, and started performing and recording his own large-scale compositions with The Danny Fisher-Lochhead Large Ensemble.
Fisher-Lochhead has released five records as a leader or co-leader — Tools of the Abstract, Piano Songs, Wake The Baby Up, On Ceremony, and Piano Songs 2 on Fishkill Records, a record label he started with his friend and collaborator Ross Gallagher. Fisher-Lochhead lives in Bar Harbor.
Mount Desert Island High School Drama Presents: "Cyrano"
BAR HARBOR—MDI Drama proudly announces its spring production of "Cyrano," Barry Kornhauser’s vibrant and inventive adaptation of Edmond Rostand’s classic play "Cyrano de Bergerac." This bold and theatrical retelling brings the beloved story of wit, romance, and self-discovery to life on the Higgins-Demas Theater stage at Mount Desert Island High School.
Performances are scheduled for:
• May 16, 17, 23 and 24 at 7:00 p.m.
• May 18 at 2:00 p.m.
Kornhauser’s "Cyrano" captures the humor, heart, and heroism of the original tale, while infusing it with a fresh, modern sensibility that speaks to audiences of all ages. At its center is the unforgettable character of Cyrano—brilliant with words, brave in battle, and burdened by insecurity—who helps a young soldier woo the woman they both love.
This production showcases the talents of MDI High School’s student actors, designers, and crew members, under the direction of Mark Puglisi, with tech directors Carlene Hirsch and Grey Burkart and costuming director Flannery Dillon. With lively performances, imaginative staging, and poignant storytelling,
"Cyrano" promises an unforgettable theater experience.
Tickets will be available at the door. Come support local student theater and enjoy an evening (or afternoon) of laughter, love, and lyrical language.
Please visit MDIDRAMA.ORG for more information.
Bar Harbor Historical Society Launches "Evening at the Museum" Series with Special Community Hours
BAR HARBOR—The Bar Harbor Historical Society is thrilled to announce a new recurring program, Evening at the Museum, offering special evening hours once a month from May through October. From 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., visitors are invited to explore the museum with pay-what-you-can admission, making the museum accessible to everyone.
Unlike typical daytime visits, Evening at the Museum will feature rotating days of the week each month to better accommodate the diverse schedules of our community members:
Friday, May 16
Monday, June 9
Tuesday, July 8
Wednesday, August 6
Thursday, September 11
Friday, October 17
During each evening event, the entire museum will be open to the public. In addition, member-only guided tours will be offered as a special benefit for both new and existing Historical Society members.
“We're excited to make it easier for everyone to visit the museum," said Erin Cough, executive director of the Bar Harbor Historical Society. “Whether you're new to town, working during the day, or simply enjoy a quiet evening exploring history, Evening at the Museum welcomes you."
Join the Historical Society for these special evenings and experience Bar Harbor’s rich history in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Whether you’re a longtime resident or a first-time visitor, there's something new to discover.
The Bar Harbor Historical Society is a community and institutional leader that welcomes residents and visitors alike to discover the past in order to understand the present, and to take pride in community connections. It is a dynamic, bustling regional center for research, dialogue, and learning where stories are told through multiple media daily. Its mission is to effectively display, preserve, and interpret Bar Harbor’s rich past through our unique collections ensuring access, enjoyment, and educational opportunities for all.
For more information, please visit https://barharborhistorical.org/ or follow the Bar Harbor Historical Society on Facebook or Instagram. The Society is located at LaRochelle at 127 West Street, Bar Harbor, Maine.
12th AnnualWine & Whiskers
Please join us on Tuesday, July 22nd for a celebratory evening with delicious food, a cash bar, music, silent and live auctions, and a paddle raise. The event will be at the beautiful Bar Harbor Club,
This event raises essential funds to continue the SPCA’s life-saving work, while celebrating with a community that is passionate about the welfare of local animals.
COA Kippy Stroud Memorial Lecture
BAR HARBOR—Artist and photographer Pia Paulina Guilmoth presents the 2025 College of the Atlantic Kippy Stroud Memorial Lecture on Friday, May 16, at 6:30 p.m. in the Thomas S. Gates, Jr. Community Center. The talk is free and open to the public.
The College of the Atlantic arts and design faculty are pleased to welcome Guilmoth, who lives and makes art in rural Maine. She is a working-class, transgender woman who lives with her girlfriend and two cats in a small space inside of an old factory. In her free time she likes to lay in the dirt, shoot guns, hold her friends, and trespass into abandoned houses and barns.
Guilmoth’s work is foremost about harnessing beauty as a form of resistance to a world full of terrors. While making art she is thinking about class, gender, euphoria, dysphoria and whatever else is happening in her life at that given moment.
“In a world often too hurried to pause and observe, Pia Paulina Guilmoth offers us a profound gift, the chance to truly see,” says Alessia Glaviano in Photo Vogue.
Guilmoth released her third book in November 2024 with Stanley/Barker titled Flowers Drink the River, with her first major solo exhibition with Webber Gallery in London upon its release. She was a 2022 Macdowell Fellow in Visual Arts, and is a 2024 winner of the Google/Aperture Creator Labs and the Peter Reed Foundation grant. She has another solo exhibition opening in Italy at Studio Faganel in spring of 2025.
Marion Boulton “Kippy” Stroud was a talented artist, teacher, generous philanthropist, and impassioned promoter of contemporary art and artists. Starting in 1977, she founded, funded, and directed The Fabric Workshop and Museum in Philadelphia, an experimental program for artists working in textiles and many other media. She oversaw and funded the Acadia Summer Arts Program, affectionately known as “Kamp Kippy,” on Mount Desert Island, where she spent summers throughout her life. For almost three decades Kamp Kippy hosted hundreds of artists with their guests and families.
JUNE 25 and 26 - THE COUNSELING COLLABORATIVE!
Tabletop Gamers Gather in Northeast Harbor
NORTHEAST HARBOR—On Sunday, May 11th at 4:00 p.m. the Northeast Harbor Library will host Tabletop Takeover, an evening of board games and good food organized by local hobbyists.
They will offer a range of Euro Style games such as Wingspan, 7 Wonders, and Forest Shuffle. There will also be a table with adventure board games such as Root and Scythe. All are welcome.
Register at nehlibrary.org/events or by calling 207-276-3333.
Friends of Acadia: Volunteering at the Membership Table
Thursday, May 15, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
BAR HARBOR—On Thursday, May 15th at 6:30 p.m., JoAnne Wood from Friends of Acadia, who will discuss the vital role of volunteers at the Friends of Acadia (FOA) Membership Table. JoAnne will highlight the importance of these volunteers in supporting FOA's mission to preserve the natural beauty of Acadia National Park.
During this session, you'll learn about the responsibilities involved in this volunteer role, the impact volunteers have on the community, and how you can become part of this meaningful program. Whether you're a seasoned volunteer or new to the idea, this talk will provide valuable insights and inspire you to get involved. Don't miss this chance to learn how you can contribute to preserving Acadia National Park by joining the FOA volunteer team. We look forward to seeing you there!
This event is free and in-person only. https://www.jesuplibrary.org/events/foamembership
Music & Conversation: Phoebe Durand-McDonnell
Thursday, May 22, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
BAR HARBOR—Harpist Phoebe Durand-McDonnell and the Jesup Memorial Library present a free evening of music and conversation on Thursday, May 22, at 6:30 p.m. The program will include pieces by Gracia Baptista (the first woman to have instrumental music published in Europe), Antonio Cabezon, Luis Milan, Alonso Mudarra, and Martin y Coll. Composers in 16th-century Spain and Portugal published books of music "for keyboard, harp, and vihuela" in a variety of tablature notations. Tablature is a very early form of written musical notation. Some tablatures use numbers as notes, some use letters and fingering, and all use different techniques of showing rhythm. These books were shared throughout Europe and brought across the Atlantic to Central and South America.
Phoebe will be playing music from the original tablatures on a renaissance Spanish arpa de dos ordenes (or cross-strung harp) and discussing compositional techniques and historically-informed performance practices as well as the harp, tablatures, and cultural context of renaissance music making and sharing.
Phoebe Durand-McDonnell grew up in Bar Harbor and began studying modern harp at age 10 with Liza Rey Butler. She earned a BM in harp performance at Oberlin Conservatory studying with Yolanda Kondonassis. In 2019, she received a Fulbright Research grant to study historical harp in Switzerland. Phoebe received her first MA in 2021 from Haute École de Musique Genève in Geneva, Switzerland, with intensive study on medieval and renaissance single- and double-rowed harps, Spanish arpa de dos ordenes, Italian and Welsh baroque arpa doppia, and the harpe organisée, or single-action pedal harp. In 2023, Phoebe completed an MA in musicology at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where her thesis was titled “‘She Drew Forth Its Strongest Sounds’: Tracing the Historical Throughline of Women Harpists.” Phoebe is always thrilled to perform in her home community on MDI!
This event is free and in-person only. Register online at www.jesuplibrary.org/events/phoebe
Know Your Rights Roleplay: Bystanding & Upstanding with ICE
Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
BAR HARBOR—The MDI Red Cards will provide an informational session about the constitutional rights held by all people in the USA, regardless of their documentation status. Facilitators will also educate participants on the current happenings around immigration on the federal level, as well as in our community, and how they can help. Conversation will focus on the spectrum of allyship, from reporting an ICE sighting, recording/documenting an ICE encounter, and using one’s voice as a bystander and upstander when illegal searches and seizures occur, as well as illegal abductions/detainments.
Roleplay practice in embodying standing up for our rights, and protection of individuals having their rights infringed, is important to do. It may seem silly, but in the moment we can freeze or forget, so the more we can be educated and practice speaking up, the more effective an ally we can be!
Other resources and information will be provided; we hope this is an opportunity for your questions to be answered and for you to connect and help organize with fellow community members.
This event is free and in-person only. Register online at www.jesuplibrary.org/events/upstanding
Building Awareness, Joy, and Peace of Mind through Gardening - Free Workshop
MAINE—Healthy Acadia invites community members to participate in a free virtual workshop, “Finding Mindfulness Through Gardening,” on Thursday, June 5, 2025, from 5 to 6 p.m. via Zoom. The event, part of Healthy Acadia’s Monthly Mindfulness series, will feature special guest Jen Harry.
During this hour-long session, Harry will delve into the parallels between gardening and life. Participants will uncover the shared principles of gardening and mindfulness practices, exploring how they offer similar lessons. Through discussion, we'll explore mindfulness techniques inspired by the wisdom of nature, aiming to cultivate heightened awareness, acceptance, self-compassion, peace, and joy within the garden of our lives.
Jen Harry is passionate about providing busy people with tools and practices to transform stress, enhance well-being, and promote flourishing in mind, body, & spirit. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from Pennsylvania State University and has over 15 years of experience in the realm of mental health, and has also earned accreditations in Methods of Japanese Psychology, Applied Positive Psychology, and Resiliency Training. Based in Bar Harbor, Maine, Harry conducts group training sessions, one-on-one coaching, workshops, and outdoor mindfulness escapades through her venture, Acadia Mindfulness. For more details, visit https://www.acadiamindfulness.com
Pre-registration is required for this free event. To register and receive the Zoom link, visit bit.ly/mindful-6525.
For more information about this event, future mindfulness events, or other programs promoting mindful living, contact Ursula Hanson at ursula@healthyacadia.org. To stay updated and register for free events, subscribe to Healthy Acadia’s e-newsletter or visit healthyacadia.org/hpm-mindfulness-for-health.
Healthy Acadia is a 501(c)(3) community health organization dedicated to building vibrant communities and making it easier for everyone to lead healthy lives. Serving Washington and Hancock counties, the organization provides community health support and leadership across Maine. For more information, visit healthyacadia.org.
REAL ESTATE
BAR HARBOR
Estate of Judith H. Fischer, Scarborough to David Hackett Fischer 2000 Revocable Trust, Mountain View, Calif., land with buildings and improvements.
Estate of Judith H. Fischer, Scarborough to David Hackett Fischer 2000 Revocable Trust, Mountain View, Calif., land with buildings and improvements.
June H. Swan, Bar Harbor to June H. Swan Revocable Living Trust, Bar Harbor, land with buildings and improvements.
CRANBERRY ISLES
John S. Knott, New York, N.Y., to Matthew John Fondas, New York, N.Y., land with buildings.
John S. Knott, New York, N.Y., to Matthew John Fondas, New York, N.Y., land.
MOUNT DESERT
Eileen McMorrow Hallock, a/k/a Eileen McMorrow, Mount Desert to McJohnson Real Property Trust, Mount Desert, land with improvements.
Joseph F. Cistone, Lyndhurst, Ohio, and Alyne K. Cistone, Shaker Heights, Ohio, to 128 Oak Hill Road LLC, Milbridge, land with buildings and improvements.
Edward D. Stewart, Concord, Mass., to Katherine T. Jacobs, Mount Desert, land with buildings and improvements.
SOUTHWEST HARBOR
Duffy Family Revocable Trust of 2023, Parsonfield to Delbert B. Vanderheiden and Theresa M. Bevilacqua, Greenfield, Minn., as joint tenants, land with buildings and improvements.
SWAN’S ISLAND
Carolyn R. McMullin and William J. McMullin, Boston, Mass., to William J. McMullin Trust May 4, 2012, Boston, Mass., undivided 50% interest, land with buildings and improvements. • Carolyn R. McMullin and William J. McMullin, Boston, Mass., to Carolyn R. McMullin Trust May 4, 2012, Boston, Mass., undivided 50% interest, land with buildings and improvements.
Inhabitants of Swan’s Island, Swan’s Island to Leonard M. May, Swan’s Island, land with buildings. T8
Jason Dean Mauro, Fletchers Landing TWP to Jason Dean Mauro and Taylor Madison Towne, Fletchers Landing TWP, as joint tenants, land with buildings.
TREMONT
Eileen Canavan, Levittown, N.Y., to Eileen Canavan Irrevocable Trust, Wantagh, N.Y., land.
Tracy Lyn Hicks, a/k/a Tracey Lyn Hicks, Seal Cove to Tracy Lyn Hicks Living Trust, Seal Cove, land with buildings and improvements.
TRENTON
Colin McArdle and Christine McArdle, Brookline, Mass., to Christine Grizel McArdle Trust, Brookline, Mass., land with buildings and improvements.
FEDERAL PRESS RELEASES
Following Urging of Senator Collins, HHS Releases $400 Million for LIHEAP Program
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Senator Susan Collins released the following statement in response to the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Administration for Children and Families’ decision to release more than $400 million in funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). This action comes following a letter sent by Senators Collins, Jack Reed (D-RI), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and signed by 10 of their Senate colleagues, to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., highlighting the importance of swift distribution of LIHEAP funds and urging the Department to avoid any cuts to regular programmatic funding.
“LIHEAP funding provides vital relief to thousands of Mainers, helping them avoid the constant worry of having to choose between heating or cooling their homes and covering other basic necessities,” said Senator Collins. “I am glad that following our outreach, the Department has released the full amount of funding for this critical program. As Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue to support this program and work to ensure that households in Maine and throughout the country can afford to heat their homes.”
The federally funded LIHEAP is a crucial lifeline that helps 6.2 million low-income households and seniors on fixed incomes afford their energy bills, including those who use natural gas, propane, electricity, and home heating oil. Without this assistance, many Americans may not be able to afford their utility bills and could end up falling victim to extreme weather.
LIHEAP is administered by states and accessed through local Community Action Agencies. Eligibility for LIHEAP is based on income, family size, and the availability of resources. Senior citizens and those receiving Social Security Disability or SSI benefits are encouraged to apply as early as possible, but applications will be open to everyone until the funding is exhausted.
Senator Collins’ Statement on President’s Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued a statement on the President’s Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2026.
“The President’s Budget Request is simply one step in the annual budget process. This request has come to Congress late, and key details still remain outstanding. Based on my initial review, however, I have serious objections to the proposed freeze in our defense funding given the security challenges we face and to the proposed funding cuts to – and in some cases elimination of – programs like LIHEAP, TRIO, and those that support biomedical research. Ultimately, it is Congress that holds the power of the purse.
“The Appropriations Committee has an aggressive hearing schedule to learn more about the President’s proposal and assess funding needs for the coming year.”
Senator Collins Secures $50 Million for Maine Air National Guard Hangar
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she secured $50 million for the Maine Air National Guard to construct a new hangar in Bangor. This funding was included in the Fiscal Year 2025 full-year continuing resolution.
“Home to the MAINEiacs, the Maine Air National Guard’s 101st Air Refueling Wing in Bangor plays an important role in our national defense,” said Senator Collins. “This funding will provide for the construction of a new hangar that will improve the capabilities of the Wing and enhance the Maine Guard’s readiness.”
“We are extremely appreciative of the news that the Maine Air National Guard will receive much-needed funding for a new aircraft hangar. This exciting development means that the MAINEiacs will be able to better maintain their current refueler aircraft, while ensuring they have the flexibility to house newer-generation tankers in the future,” said Brigadier General Diane Dunn, the Adjutant General of the Maine National Guard. “We’d like to thank Senator Collins for her help in ensuring that our tankers and their pilots will have the infrastructure they need in Bangor for years to come.”
The existing hangar in Bangor was designed and built to accommodate the Wing's existing KC-135 aerial refueling tankers. This funding will support the construction of a universal fuel cell hangar that can accommodate the Wing’s existing aircraft as well as future generation tankers, ensuring the Wing can execute its mission well into the future.
In June, Senator Collins welcomed former Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall to the Bangor Air National Guard base to visit the 101st Air Refueling Wing, marking the first time that the Secretary of the Air Force has made a dedicated visit to the installation.
LEARN ABOUT ASH!
MAINE—APCAW is partnering with Maine Audubon and Gulf of Maine Research Institute in the coming months to offer a series of learning opportunities about ash and EAB. Scarborough Land Trust also has an ash flowering and inventory event coming up.
Check our website events page, or see below for more details!
Maine Audubon and partners will host a four-part series of evening webinars through May and June, each of which will focus on a specific aspect of the looming EAB crisis. The webinars will take place at 6 pm on the following Thursdays: Alison Kanoti (May 8th), Tony D’Amato (May 22nd), APCAW representatives (June 5th), Theresa Secord (June 12th). See more information and register through this link.
May 17 10-11:30 a.m.: Scarborough Land Trust Searching for Ash Workshop. Register here.
July 22: The Gulf of Maine Research Institute’s Ecosystem Investigative Network, APCAW, and Monitoring and Managing Ash are partnering to offer a full day of in person inventory and lingering ash training at Colby College for land stewards and private landowners. Find more information about the Action for Ash Day and register early here. Registration will be capped at 40 people.
If you missed the DACF municipal EAB update on May 5, the recording will be posted on the Maine Forest Service YouTube by next week. The conversation featured a panel of speakers (Jesse Wheeler of Acadia National Park, Ben Arruda and Sophia Cameron of the City of Bangor) who are managing lands outside of the quarantine and how they are preparing for EAB.
Maine Voters Want Restrictions on Ghost Guns
New Polling Shows Voters Support Proposal to Require Ghost Gun Serialization; Lawmakers Must Advance Gun Safety Bills
PORTLAND – Polling conducted in April shows that an overwhelming majority of Maine voters support restricting unserialized and untraceable weapons – commonly called ‘ghost guns’ – similar to a proposal currently sitting before lawmakers in the Judiciary Committee (LD 1126), which would require the serialization of all firearms assembled from parts purchased online or printed at home, just like any firearm purchased at a licensed dealer.
According to the polling, 73% of Maine voters approve of restricting ghost guns. Support for restricting unserialized ghost guns includes a majority of Democrats (85%), Republicans (60%), and Independents (71%). More than two-thirds of gun owners who responded that they keep firearms in the home also support restricting unserialized ghost guns. Additionally, voters in every region of the state support the proposal.
“I don’t see any reason for manufacturers to market unserialized gun components other than to allow purchasers to circumvent the law,” said Nacole Palmer, executive director for the Maine Gun Safety Coalition. “No matter what party you belong to or where you stand on this issue, I think all of us can agree that there isn’t ever a good reason for a company to sell firearm components explicitly marketed as unserialized and untraceable so dangerous criminals can avoid a background check. Ghost guns are a threat to Maine, and lawmakers need to pass this proposal that’s overwhelmingly popular with Maine voters of all political stripes.”
‘Ghost guns’ are unserialized and untraceable firearms that are either purchased as a kit or separate pieces by customers and assembled into fully functioning firearms at home, or guns printed at home by a 3D printer. Manufacturers of ghost guns knowingly sell these unserialized components, allowing purchasers to assemble a firearm at home without going through a background check or following any other state or federal laws around gun purchases. Between 2016 and 2021, the number of ghost guns recovered by law enforcement agencies nationwide increased by more than 1,000 percent. Maine is not immune to this new trend. In 2022, a 16-year-old Mainer who otherwise would not have been able to purchase a handgun was able to order parts online anonymously and assemble a gun which he then used to shoot and kill someone.
LD 1126 would not prohibit firearm enthusiasts from purchase or assembly of gun parts; it would assist law enforcement in tracing crime by simply requiring the serialization of all firearms – including those from completed kits or 3D printing – so that these firearms can be traced if used to commit a gun crime.
About Maine Gun Safety Coalition
The Maine Gun Safety Coalition is a nonprofit coalition of gun responsibility advocates, health care and mental health professionals, faith leaders, teachers, gun owners, veterans groups, and other advocates dedicated to reducing gun violence and saving lives. MGSC believes in an evidence-based approach to gun violence prevention and advocates for common sense policies at the state and federal levels that make our communities, schools, and families safer.
Governor Mills Issues Proclamation that May 2025 as Older Americans Month
WHEREAS, our communities benefit when people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds can participate fully with the highest level of independence; and
WHEREAS, older Mainers improve our communities through intergenerational relationships, community service, civic engagement, and many other activities; and
WHEREAS, Maine must ensure that as we age, we have the resources and support needed to stay involved in our communities, reflecting our commitment to inclusivity and connectedness; and
WHEREAS, Maine recognizes the valuable role of caregivers and the need to promote programs and services that support and foster their well-being; and
WHEREAS, Maine recognizes the profound impact of meaningful interactions and social connection on the well-being and health of older adults and caregivers in our community; and
WHEREAS, promoting age positivity and challenging stereotypes benefits everyone in Maine and improves the health, quality of life, and financial well-being of older adults; and
WHEREAS, as Governor, I established the Cabinet on Aging in 2022 to elevate the voices of older adults and to continue advancing policies that improve their quality of life, inclusion, and engagement throughout Maine;
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that I, Janet T. Mills, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby proclaim the month of May 2025 as Older Americans Month in Maine, and I urge all citizens to join me in recognizing the contributions of older people and promoting programs and activities that foster connection and support for older adults and build stronger communities for all.
In testimony whereof, I have caused the Great Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed GIVEN under my hand at Augusta this thirtieth day April Two Thousand Twenty-Five
Governor Mills Joins Northeastern Governors to Invite Canadian Premiers for Cross-Border Summit
Convening of six bipartisan governors and Canadian leaders would focus on maintaining strong relationships between Canada and northeast states
Governor Janet Mills and five other northeast Governors today invited six Canadian premiers to discuss the president's tariffs and the affirm the importance of maintaining strong cross-border relationships.
Governor Mills joined Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee, and Vermont Governor Phil Scott to invite the Premiers of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Québec to meet in Boston in the near future.
"Canada is Maine's single largest trading partner, with more than $6 billion in cross-border commerce occurring last year alone. Our economies and our cultures have enjoyed strong relationships for generations, which is now strained by the president's haphazard tariffs and harmful rhetoric targeting our northern neighbors,"said Governor Janet Mills. "I look forward to meeting with my Eastern Province counterparts to tell them that Maine deeply values our Canadian partnerships, and that we will work to ensure our historic friendship and deeply intertwined economies endure for generations to come."
Governor Mills has warned that the president's active and proposed tariffs on Canada will drive up the cost of heating oil, gasoline, food, and other everyday essentials that Maine people rely on. Last year, Maine traded more than $6 billion in goods with its northern neighbor. Maine is the most heating oil dependent state in the country -- and more than 80% of Maine's heating fuel and gasoline is imported from Canada.
"Maine and Canada share many bonds but the connection that we share between our economies is exceedingly important,"said Michael Duguay, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Economic & Community Development. " Not only have we enjoyed the flow of investment, labor, natural resources and even our people over our borders for centuries, we have enjoyed a trusted relationship with a friend. As a result, our economies and people are inextricably linked and require that continued close partnership in order to continue to thrive economically."
"Maine's economic and commercial relationship with Canada is far deeper than with other international markets," said Wade Merritt, President of Maine International Trade Center and International Trade Director for the Maine Department of Economic & Community Development. "It's best described as 'making things together' with a high degree of integration in natural resource based industries like potatoes, blueberries, lobster, and forest products. In addition, many manufacturing businesses across Maine rely on Canadian steel and aluminum to keep their factories running and workers on the job. Although previously announced tariffs are paused, significant uncertainty remains due to increased costs and the threat of retaliation. Whether real or perceived, this uncertainty affects business decision making and impacts their export sales."
The Governor has expressed her significant concern that the president's tariffs—and harmful rhetoric about Canada -- may impact Maine's summer tourism season. Last year, 5% of Maine's visitors came from Canada, and those visitors spent nearly half a billion dollars. Estimates show that Maine could see about 225,000 fewer Canadian visitors this summer -- about 25% less than last year.
"Canada has long been a vital part of Maine's travel market. For generations, we've warmly welcomed Canadian visitors--whether they come for vacations, to see family and friends, or to enjoy shopping and entertainment," said Carolann Ouellette, Director of the Maine Office of Tourism. "We acknowledge the concerns some of our Canadian friends may have about traveling to the U.S. right now. Maine's tourism leaders remain committed to nurturing our cross-border relationship for the long term--a message recently shared at the Outdoor Adventure Shows in Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa. Whether Canadians decide to visit this summer (and we truly hope they do) or at a later time, they will always find a warm welcome in Maine. Maine continues to invite travelers from Canada to experience all that our state has to offer--this year and for many years to come."
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) – most recently held in Boston – to discuss shared economic, energy and environmental priorities.
Details of the convening will be released at a later date.
MAINE ALEWIFE SEASON IS UNDERWAY
Alewife, a small Searun fish related to Atlantic herring, return to Maine in large numbers from April to late May every year.
“The alewife run is a harbinger of spring and gardeners will notice that alewives arrive in Maine’s rivers with the blooming of the shadbush (Amelanchier arborea), a native berry tree that grows all along the coast,” said Theo Willis, Ph.D., a Searun Fish Restoration Coordinator for DMR.
“Whether you garden or not, the timing means that a stroll to your local alewife run can be a lovely walk under a buzz of spring activity and aromas,” said Dr. Willis.
This year, with rivers swollen from ample spring rains and air temperature fluctuating between 50 and 70 during the day, alewife experts at the Maine Department of Marine Resources expect the fish migration to ramp up quickly.
“Alewife like to migrate on sunny days,” said Mike Brown, DMR’s head of Fisheries Management and Monitoring for Municipal Harvest. “They stack up below natural falls, any white water in a stream or below dams”. Alewife, and their close cousin the Blueback Herring, migrate into most streams along the Maine coast with a lake in the watershed.
“Small streams, like the aptly named Alewife Brook in Cape Elizabeth, to big rivers like the Kennebec and Penobscot have alewife runs,” said Dr. Willis.
There are many opportunities to see these fish in action.
“There is a popular hike to natural viewing areas on the Presumpscot River in Westbrook. Brunswick Dam has a viewing room open from Wednesday to Sunday, 1-5 pm,” said Dr. Willis.
On the way to Warren you pass a sign with a gilded alewife, part of the town seal.
“Payson Park, just upstream from downtown Warren, has a footbridge that overlooks the river where onlookers can watch clouds of fish push upstream to spawn in one of the six lakes in that watershed,” said Dr. Willis.
“On the Blue Hill peninsula, Walker Pond, Wight Pond and Pierce Pond all have natural fishways prime for watching alewife and the birds, especially osprey and bald eagles, that feast on this annual bounty,” said Dr. Willis.
Several locations provide enhanced educational experiences for the weekend visitor and school groups during the week.
“Damariscotta Mills has a strong affiliation with the Nobleboro Historical Society, providing signage and, with advanced notice, guides to help elementary and high school students understand how important alewives were to Maine’s economy and how important they are to Maine’s ecology today.
“This will be the second year that DMR has offered to help schools get kids to local alewife runs,” says Dr. Willis. “We have heard that busing is a limitation for most schools so DMR is offering to help facilitate kids learning about the state’s Searun fish heritage by picking up the tab to get classes to places like Damariscotta Mills.”
As far as how long Mainers and visitors have to check out an alewife run, the peak of the run is the week of Mother’s Day. If your school is interested in participating in the busing program visit https://forms.office.com/g/n7zaNmqNjT.
Peregrines are fast falcons, but Endangered Species Recovery is a Slow Process.
AUGUSTA—The peregrine falcon is the fastest animal on our planet. Capable of dives over 200 mph, peregrines are symbols of speed, power, and fearlessness. But the conservation history of this Endangered species reveals their more vulnerable side. Their story is one which highlights the importance of collaboration and practical, hands-on wildlife conservation.
Peregrines were absent from our state for over 30 years due to negative effects from the (now banned) pesticide DDT. Since reintroduction in the 1980s, a small breeding population has reestablished, successfully nesting on both natural cliffs and in urban environments such as quarries, bridges, buildings, and towers. The population remains vulnerable due to modest numbers and sensitivity to disturbance during the breeding season (March 15 to August 31).
Managing sensitivity to nesting disturbance across diverse sites remains a constant challenge for conservationists. When nest locations are identified, proactive, site-specific conservation strategies are developed to reduce disturbance risks, protect human safety, and promote nesting success.
The newly released Maine Peregrine Falcon Report highlights ongoing collaborative efforts to conserve this magnificent species and provides an update on the status of peregrines in Maine. Last year, 47 peregrine falcon nesting sites were surveyed. Of 33 pairs observed, 26 attempted to nest, and 25 successfully raised 59 chicks, at least 46 of which reached fledging age.
While these numbers represent cautious optimism for a stable Maine population, other northeastern states have uncovered alarming downward trends, underscoring the need for continued vigilance through productivity monitoring, banding, disease surveillance, and disturbance mitigation.
How you can help peregrine falcons
There are two main ways to directly support conservation of peregrine falcons. The first is to report observations through Maine eBird.
The second is to avoid disturbing nesting peregrine falcons while enjoying outdoor activities such as hiking or rock climbing. Respecting trail closures during nesting season keeps you safe from protective peregrine parents, and avoids negative effects of disturbance on nesting success. Familiarizing yourself with signs of agitated falcons will also help you avoid disturbance. Even on open trails, observations of vocal peregrines taking flight or dive bombing are clear signs to leave the area, choose a different trail for your adventure, and report the observation.
Get ready for adventure by completing a safety course!
Spring is a great time to learn something new and get ready for your next outdoor adventure in Maine. Safety courses are offered online and in-person, and we have a variety of courses coming up. Choose your path and get ready for a safe and ethical hunting and trapping season. Boater safety and snowmobile/ATV safety are also great courses that will prepare you to make the most of your outdoor activities. We hope to see you at a course soon!
Snowmobile/ATV Safety
Riding an ATV or snowmobile can be a great way to enjoy the outdoors, whether it's in your own backyard or exploring on the thousands of miles of trails available in Maine. It's important to ride safely, responsibly, and to be prepared before you go. Many of Maine's trails reside on private land. Respecting these generous private landowners by riding responsibly is critical to maintaining trail access in Maine. Educating yourself before you go is an important component of being a safe and responsible offroad operator.
ATV/Snowmobile Safety can be completed online or in-person.
Photo Credit: Visit Maine
Boat Safety
Participating in a recreational boating safety education course will teach you how to safely operate and maintain a boat and introduce you to Maine boating laws and resources. The Boating Safety Education Course is available both online and in-person.
Hunter Safety
Taking a hunter safety course is the first step to joining a wonderful community of conservationists! Hunters help keep wildlife populations at healthy levels and give biologists valuable harvest data. They also provide funding for wildlife management through the purchase of their license and a manufacturer-paid tax on firearms and ammunition. Without hunters, it would not be possible for the Department to closely monitor and protect game and non-game species in our state.
Learn more about hunting in Maine with Firearms Hunter Education or Archery Hunter Education. Both are available online or in-person.
Register for Firearms Hunter Safety
Register for Archery Hunter Safety
Next Steps with Maine Outdoor Programs
The Maine outdoors is a place for everyone. Whether you are looking to learn to shoot a firearm for the first time, improve your outdoor survival skills, or try your hand at fishing, hunting, or trapping, we have a workshop that might interest you. Programs are designed for first timers as well as those eager to bring their skills to the next level.
No matter where you are in your outdoor journey, there is always something new to learn or try. Browse our upcoming workshops and programs to select a workshop near you.
The fishing is heating up across the state
The ice is out of most Maine waters, the water is starting to warm up, and our hatchery teams are busy stocking waters with brook trout, landlocked salmon, brown trout, rainbows, and splake.
This month's fishing report is full of opportunity, from streams and rivers to small remote ponds and larger lakes. Whether you want to fish from shore, paddle a meandering river, or troll, you are sure to find a new place to fish or tip.
In spite of the warmer weather, the water is still extremely cold this time of year. Water levels are often high and fast, so ALWAYS wear a lifejacket! This could help save your life if you end up unexpectedly in the water. Accidents can happen to even the most experienced of anglers, and it's harder to put a life jacket on once you're in the water.
For more fishing tips and reminders across the state, be sure to check out the monthly fishing report.
Stay Air Aware: Maine DEP Observes Air Quality Awareness Week
AUGUSTA— While Maine has some of the best air quality in the nation, there are still pollutants like ground-level ozone and small particles that can harm the heart and lungs. This is especially important to remember during National Air Quality Awareness Week, occurring from May 5 to May 9, 2025. Ozone is produced when sunlight and warmer temperatures create chemical reactions with pollutants emitted by various sources. Particle Pollution is produced from both natural and man-made processes and include things such as dust, soil, soot, smoke and sea salt. Maine's peak ozone levels occur during the warmer summer months, while particle pollution levels are higher mostly during the summer and winter months. Additionally, May 6 marks World Asthma Day, a reminder of the ongoing battle that many face against respiratory conditions.
In recent years, Maine has seen an increase in smoke from wildfires in the western United States and Canada. When wildfires create smoky conditions, there are things you can do, indoors and out, to reduce your exposure to smoke. Reducing exposure is important for everyone’s health — especially children, older adults, and people with heart or lung disease.
Have enough medication and food (enough for more than 5 days) on hand.
Follow your health care provider’s advice about what to do if you have heart or lung disease.
If you have asthma, follow your asthma management plan.
If you feel sick, reduce your exposure to smoke and contact your health care provider.
Pay attention to public service announcements, health advisories, and air quality advisories.
Maine DEP forecasts Ozone and Particle Pollution year-round which is available on DEP's website, via toll free hotline, EnviroFlash emails and text messages. Forecasts are issued using a color-based Air Quality Index created by EPA. Green - good; Yellow - moderate; Orange - unhealthy pollution levels for sensitive people and Red - unhealthy pollution levels for all.
While sensitive people may feel the impacts sooner or at lower levels when the air is in the unhealthy for sensitive groups (USG) or higher category, everyone should think about ways to reduce their exposure. Please take some time to think about how you contribute to air pollution and what you can do to make a positive difference. Here are a few ways to help reduce air pollution in your community especially, on days when the air quality is expected to be unhealthy:
Conserve electricity
Choose a cleaner commute by carpooling or using public transportation where available
Combine errands, reduce trips
Defer the use of gas-powered lawn and garden equipment until early evening hours
Limit idling
Refuel vehicles after dusk
Use environmentally friendly paints and cleaning products
For more information about Air Quality visit Maine DEP's website at http://www.maine.gov/dep/air/index.html.
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