After a long wait at the Bucksport Animal Shelter, Brownie found a forever home! Interested in volunteering or donating to the shelter? Call 469-7951 and ask for Dan Joy.

Send us your news!

Have a special event, promotion, sale, or other news to share? We want to help you spread the word.

Call the Chamber at 469-6818, post to our Facebook page, or e-mail Leslie or Alecia and give us all the details.

Chamber Business Directory Online

From Advertising & Design Services to Lodging, Photographers, and Non-profit and Community Groups, our online directory is a comprehensive listing of all of our members by category. Find the Member Directory online here.

Shop Second Saturday

The Shop Second Saturday initiative, created by the Retail Association of Maine, launched on August 9th.

You can follow Shop Second Saturday on Facebook or add your business to the participating list at the website.

2015 GPMCT Calendars

2015 GPMCT Calendars

ARE HERE!

Get yours at BookStacks in Bucksport,

or the GPMCT Office.

Congrats to Kayla Ames for winning July's prize drawing amongst photo entries.

This year's photo contest theme (for the 2016 calendar) is ON THE WATER. Submit your favorite photos taken on or around lakes and ponds or the Penobscot River in Bucksport, Orland, Verona Island or Dedham. Pondscapes, flora and fauna and people having fun on the water or ice in all seasons.

E-mail up to 8 photos to[email protected]. See entries in our Shutterfly Gallery.

Bucksport Fitness Center

The Bucksport Parks and Rec Department operates a fitness center at the Jewett School that includes many exercise and weight machines. It is open Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Fridays, 7:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m.

Bucksport residents under the age of 65 can use the center for $20/month; ages 65 and over, $10/month.

Orland, Verona, and Prospect residents may pay $30 per month or $15 (65 and over).

All others may use the center for $40/month.

For more information, call Tim Emery at 469-3518.

Learn about the Internet

RSU 25 Adult Education is offering a six-hour course called "The Internet." The first of three sessions begins on October 28th.

Call 469-2129 for more information on this or any class.

Happy Home Wanted

Royce is a roughly eight-year-old neutered male black shorthair kitty who has been at the Bucksport Animal Shelter since July.

He seems to have been on his own for some time and it shows; however, he is incredibly sweet and loves attention. He has plush black fur and light sea-green eyes. He has received his rabies shot.

Adoption fee: $65.00

Call 469-7951 for more information and a chance to meet Royce.

BookStacks Book Club

All are welcome to join in a lively discussion of a shared book. The second Thursday of every month at 6:30pm at BookStacks.

71 Main Street
Bucksport, Maine

October's book is "Islands of Time." A Maine novel. Author Barbara Kent Lawrence will be coming to BookStacks to participate in the October meeting!

Yoga in the news

Pick up a copy of the Ellsworth American next week to see members of the Orland Fire Department doing Yoga with Naomi!

Garden Club Sale, 10/4

The Bucksport Garden Club will hold its annual bake and bulb sale on October 4th, 9 a.m. until noon in the parking lot next to the old Rosen's building.

End of an era...

The news of Verso's decision to close the Bucksport paper mill spread through town on Wednesday faster than wildfire.

There is much we don't know about the days ahead. The impact of the mill's closing on individuals, families, and the town of Bucksport will be tremendous. Everything from public safety to schools and real estate will be affected. But while there is a great deal we do not know about the future, there are a few things we do know for certain.

We know, for instance, that our community is made up of hard workers, folks who know how to tighten their belts and get down to business. And we know that if any community can rise to this challenge, it is ours.

We at the Chamber will continue to work as hard as ever to grow, expand and develop, in productive and sustainable ways, the business community of the Bucksport Bay Area. We offer our sincere support to those who are directly impacted by the mill's closing. And we invite you to join us at the Alamo Theater on October 8th for a 30-minute film, "Reviving Freedom Mill" and a discussion about ways to create revitalization and economic growth in our community.

Reviving Freedom Mill at the Alamo, 10/8

The Alamo will be hosting a special event on October 8th.

GrowSmart Maine will screen a 30-minute film "Reviving Freedom Mill."

The trailer for the movie, which was released at last year's Camden Film Festival and continues to travel the film festival circuit around the country, can be see online here: www.compasslight.com/productions

Per GrowSmart Maine: "The film is about encouraging community revitalization and economic growth through the resources to be included in Making Headway in Your Community and the inspiration of this film."

Ghostport, October 18th

On Saturday, October 18 (10 a.m. to 10 p.m.) the 6th Annual Ghostport celebration comes to Bucksport!

The Chamber is seeking support from our membership to help reach our goals. With just a one hundred dollar donation you will help us with things like music for the "Spider Ball" dance and kids scary cartoons at the Alamo Theatre. You will get a sign thanking you at an event location of your choice. You may also choose a $25 or $50 level that also helps us reach our goals and also get a sign thanking you at one of the activities during the day.

Please make checks payable to BBACC/Ghostport & send in your donation to:

BBACC/Ghostport

PO Box 1676

Bucksport, ME 04416

If you have any questions please feel free to contact the Chamber office at 469.6818 or email [email protected]. You can also find a lot of other information about Ghostport on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Ghostportme. OR on our website http://www.bucksportbaychamber.com/ghostport.html

Heirloom Apple Day, 10/11

Woodlawn in collaboration with Healthy Acadia and College of the Atlantic to host an Heirloom Apple Day, Saturday, October 11, 11 am - 5 pm

In 1850, there were thousands of named varieties of apples in the state of Maine. On every farm and homestead they were eaten fresh and used for cooking, drying, and for making hard cider. The Downeast Food Heritage Collaborative, a partnership between the College of the Atlantic, Woodlawn, and Healthy Acadia, is hosting an Heirloom Apple Day, Saturday, October 11, 11 am to 5 pm. The morning will feature a series of activities aimed at educating people about this rich history including cider pressing, apple identification, apple tastings and kids' activities.

From 1 pm to 2 pm, author Claude Jolicoeur will give a lecture about Hard Cider: History and Techniques. A book signing session for his recently published book The New Cider Maker's Handbook, will follow. At 2:30 pm, Seed Saver Exchange orchard manager, Dan Bussey, and Maine apple expert, John Bunker, will talk about American Heirloom Apples: A Lost Treasure. The lecture will be followed by a hard cider tasting. Apple Day is supported by a grant from Maine Coast Heritage Trust.

The Downeast Food Heritage Collaborative is a project of Woodlawn, Healthy Acadia, and the College of the Atlantic with a focus on the food heritage of Downeast Maine. The partnership's goal is to provide Downeast communities with the opportunity to think about the history of farming so that they can envision a future that includes healthy food produced on local farms. The initial focus on apples is the result of College of the Atlantic Professor Todd Little-Seibold's class titled "The History of Agriculture: Apples" in which students undertake local historical research on apples and orchards in the area. In addition, Healthy Acadia offers The Apple Project in schools across Hancock and Washington County, inspiring children through apple history lessons, heirloom apple taste tests, and hands-on cider pressing.

For more information about Heirloom Apple Day, visit woodlawnmuseum.org.

Woodlawn is an educational, cultural, and recreational treasure for the people of Downeast ME. The main house is open for tours through October 31st. The public park is open year round, sunrise to sunset. 19 Black House Drive (Surry Road), Ellsworth, ME. For more information please visitwww.woodlawnmuseum.org.

Ghostport: Lil Goblins' Parade and PTO Brunch with the Witches, 10/18

Ghostport kicks off on Saturday, October 18th with our annual parade.

Our participants outdo each other year-after-year with fun and creative costumes. Ghosts and goblins march downtown while their grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends line the street to take photos and cheer them on.

Children of all ages (and their parents or guardians) are welcome to dress in costume and walk in the parade. Participants should plan to meet in front of the Bucksport Town Office on Main Street at 10am.

Children will walk from there to Town Dock to enjoy a healthy Brunch with the Witches. Brunch is served by the witches in front of the Bucksport Historical Society until 11:30am. $2.00 a plate!

Get more details at the Facebook event page.

Meet the Candidates, 10/15 & 10/16

You are invited to attend two "Candidates Community Breakfasts:"

Wednesday, October 15th from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at Big Cats Catering, 15 Fairway Lane, Hancock

Thursday, October 16th from 7:30am to 9:30am

at the Pellon Center, 90 Main Street, Machias

Hosted by Child and Family Opportunities, Healthy Acadia, Washington County: One Community, and Washington Hancock Community Agency.

The breakfasts are free and seating is limited - to attend, please RSVP by Thursday, October 9 to Nina Zeldin at [email protected] or 288-5331.

Devilishly Delicious Chili Cook-off, 10/18

Ghostport, ME will be having its 6th Annual Chili Cook-off this year. Sponsored by A & J Motorcycle Safety School, "The Heat is on!" on Saturday October 18th!

The Winner will receive a cash prize! To enter your chili come to The Bucksport Bay Area Chamber of Commerce where we will have entry forms available in the information center. Entry fee: $10

On the day of the contest, please bring your chili in an electric crock pot along with your own ladle and extension cord. For anymore information please come pick up a sign-up sheet or call the Chamber at 469-6818.

Haunted Hayride! Located at CBC Stables October 17th - 18th, 24th - 25th, 31st - 1st! 6 PM - 9:30 PM! $5 per person $3 under 12. Once again this event will be located at CBC Stables Inc. 471 Millvale Road, Bucksport. For more information visit their Facebook page or give them a call at (207)469-0669

Jonathan Buck's Race to the Grave, 10/18

Build your scariest coffin, dress up and race it to win! This year teams will compete to win a check issued to the charity or non-profit of their choice.
Come out to watch or participate in this fun event and see who will reach the grave first. Contact Bernie Higgins, 207.326.1004 or Leslie Wombacher, 207.469.6818 or visit us online for more information.

Inspection & Pre-judging happens in the Bangor Savings Parking lot on Main Street between 12:45pm and 1:45pm. The coffins march down Main Street to the parking lot behind the Town Office where the racing will begin at 2pm.

Bucksport Bay Farmers' Market Every Thursday

The Bucksport Bay Farmers' Market is on Main Street every Thursday from 2:30 - 5 p.m.

Here are just a few of the vendors you can support with a visit the the market:

King Hill Farm
Kravings (coming soon)
Lally Broch Farm
Once Was
Peasley Pottery
Pebblestone Farm
Rock and Pebble Farm

Our market accepts SNAP, so spread the word to seniors and others you know who can redeem their benefits for fresh, nourishing produce and food items.

We thank our sponsors, without whom the market would not be possible, including Ocean's Edge Realty, Sundial Photography LLC, WERU Community Radio, and Yoga With Naomi.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Now playing...

THE NOVEMBER MAN, sponsored by PENOBSCOT FILM SOCIETY

Fri 3 Oct, 7:00 pm - Sat 4 Oct, 7:00 pm

Sun 5 Oct, 2:00 pm

http://www.thenovemberman.com/

ex-CIA operative (PIERCE BROSNAN) is brought back in on a very personal mission and finds himself pitted against his former pupil in a deadly game involving high level CIA officials and the Russian president-elect.
108 minutes
R

Follow The Alamo on Facebook.

Fright at the Fort 2014 TV Ad

Fright at The Fort, What's Bugging You? 2014

Gentle Yoga Classes

Beginner-friendly healing hatha yoga for adults and teens:

Wednesdays, 5-week series (Oct 1 - Oct 29). $50 for 5 weeks

10/1: 3:30-4:30 pm

10/8: 4pm-5pm

10/15: 4pm-5pm

10/22: 4pm-5pm

10/29: 3:30-4:30 pm

Thursdays, 5:45 - 6:45 p.m. (Oct 2 - Oct 30). $50 for 5 weeks

Drop-ins are always welcome:

$12 per class

$10 per class for first-responders

Free to Beth Wright Center clients

Where: Education Room, Bucksport Regional Health Center, Broadway in Bucksport

All classes are for adults and teens. Anyone under 18 must have a signed waiver from their parent or guardian. Children under 13 are only permitted with previous permission by the instructor. Mats and props are provided and no yoga experience is necessary.

Questions? Contact Naomi Graychase (Yoga with Naomi) at [email protected] or 370-9589.

More details online at www.facebook.com/yogawithnaomi

Senior Center Meals & Activities

Friday, October 3

BAKED HAM, SWEET POTATO, BROCCOLI, VANILLA ICE CREAM

8:00 - 9:00 Morning Exercise

10:15 - 11:15 Music with Scott Grindle, (Transportation Dependent)

10:00 - 11:00 Skip-Bo Cards & Games

12:30 - 1:30 Off Broadway Chorus Rehearsal

Monday, October 6

BAKED HADDOCK, RICE PILAF, BROCCOLI SLAW, MIXED FRUIT W/YOGURT

8:00 - 9:00 Morning Exercise

9:30 - 10:30 Knitting & Crocheting

10:00 - 11:00 Skip-Bo Cards & Games

12:30 - 1:30 Three 13 Cards w/Nickels

6:00 Poker for $, Hand & Foot Cards

6:30 Bridge

Tuesday, October 7

9:00 - 3:00 Daytime Quilters

5:45 - 8:00 B-I-N-G-O

Wednesday, October 8

MEATBALL SUB W/MOZZARELLA CHEESE, GARDEN SALAD, BROWNIE

8:00 - 9:00 Morning Exercise

7:00 pm Bedtime Quilters

Thursday, October 9

6:00 Poker & Scat/31

Friday, October 10

OVEN FRIED CHICKEN, BAKED POTATO, GREEN BEANS, PEANUT BUTTER COOKIE

8:00 - 9:00 Morning Exercise

10:00 - 11:00 Skip-Bo Cards & Games

Bucksport Senior Center Special Events

The Bucksport Senior Center has been invited to a private seating

at the SANDY POINT HARVEST SUPPER on Saturday, October 11.

ALL YOU CAN EAT roast turkey, ham, mashed potato, squash, green beans, pickles & pie, all made from scratch! Sounds WICKED good!

$9 per person will hold your reservation. Space is limited; don't dilly dally!

Depart from The Center at 4:00

Call Jennifer @ 469-3633.

Friday, October 3

12:30 The return of Joan Mercer & Off Broadway Chorus Rehearsals!

- new members welcome!

Sunday, October 5

12:00 Potluck & 1:00 Music with WADE DOW & FRIENDS

$1 Activity Fee

Thursday, October 2

6:00 Poker & Scat/31

Raffle Tickets on sale for a Gorgeous Quilt

Hand Stitched over a period of 3 years by Dorothy Lake

$1 apiece or 6 for $5 (there was a misprint; they are not 10 for $5)

Drawn on Friday, December 12th

Donated by David Chevaree

Summer Schedule - Doors Open 8:00 - 2:00 Mon, Wed & Fri & for Scheduled Activities

Contact Jennifer with questions: jennifer.jacobibucksportmaine.gov

Volunteers Needed for Fright at the Fort

The Friends of Fort Knox are actively seeking volunteer actors, tour guides, security help and costumers, for the 15th annual award-winning Fright at the Fort event this October, at Fort Knox, Prospect, Maine.

One of Maine's largest Halloween events, Fright at the Fort takes place the last two Fridays/Saturdays and on Halloween. This year: October 17, 18, 24, 25 and 31st, from 5:30 PM until 9 PM.

This year's Fright at the Fort theme is "What's Bugging You?" and will feature all things creepy crawly.

Fright raises money for Fort Knox restoration and improvement projects. Last year's Fright proceeds are helping to pay for masonry work on the State Historic site.

Volunteers are being recruited to help haunt the Fort or lead guests through the twisted Fright course. Groups of volunteers are encouraged and there are areas of the Fort available for assignment for groups who want to spook. An orientation session for all Fright volunteers will take place at the Fort Knox Visitor and Education Center, Saturday, October 4, at 10 AM. Volunteers are asked to commit at least two-nights and must be aged 18 unless accompanied by an adult.

Interested volunteers may contact Leon Seymour, executive director of the Friends of Fort Knox, at 469-6553 or email him at [email protected]
Volunteer forms may be found on the Friends' web site fortknox.maineguide.com under the Fright section.

Fright now in its 15th year features many enthusiastic volunteer actors, professional props found no where else in Maine and the Fort itself, whose dark passageways and massive granite walls, make visitors feel that they are in a haunted castle.

The Friends of Fort Knox are a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving Fort Knox and enhancing its educational, cultural and economic value for the people of Maine. The Friends manage Fort Knox through a lease with the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands. Fright sponsors include Spirit Halloween stores of Maine and Electricity Maine.

It's a win-win!

The Bucksport Bay Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to offer a Member to Member Discount Program, called Win Win!

This member-driven program offers a unique combination of promoting member-to-member buying, boosting sales for our members, and increasing member visibility.

Why should your business participate?
It's simple: save money; generate new exposure and new clients; support your local economy by choosing Chamber members for your business and personal needs.

How do I submit my offer?

Send a JPEG of what you want displayed with your offer (a logo, product, etc.)
Provide us your special offer or discount and how long you want to run it. You are capable of changing your offer month to month or keep it the same throughout the year.
The deadline for submission is the 15th of the month before your offer begins. You can send all of this via email to [email protected]

Contents and recipients will be updated monthly.

How do I redeem my coupon?
Chamber members are sent an email that they can print or display on a mobile device. The email titled "Win Win" will need to be presented to the participating business in order to receive their special offer.

Please give us a call here at the office, 207.469.6818 if you have questions.

Bucksport Farmers' Market vendors

Now in its second season, our local Farmer's Market is blossoming. You can find food, arts, crafts, information, friendship, and delight when you visit each Thursday afternoon.

Keep up-to-date on offerings, make requests, and interact with your farmers, growers, and artisans via the market's Facebook page.

Our vendors are:

D&M Farms
D.G. Arts
Donkey Universe Farm
Gander Gardens
H.O.M.E. Co-Op
King Hill Farm
Kravings (coming soon)
Lally Broch Farm
Once Was
Peasley Pottery
Pebblestone Farm
Rock and Pebble Farm
Searsport Rug Hooking & Island Garlic (coming soon)
The Good Kettle
Tomato Seed Organics (coming soon)
Udder View Farm/ Sugar hill Cranberry
White's Farm

Monthly cancer support group, 11/5

The Cancer Support Center of Maine offers a cancer support group on the first Wednesday of each month at 12:30 PM, at Bucksport Regional Health Center's Education Room, at 110 Broadway in Bucksport.

Cancer patients and their loved ones are welcome. Lunch is not provided, but guests are welcome to bring a bag lunch or snack.

For more information, please call the Cancer Support Center at 469-6363.

Adult Children of Alcoholics meetings Tuesdays

Serenity Group (Adult Children of Alcoholics & Dysfunctional Families) meets in Bucksport every Tuesday, 7-8:30 pm at the Franklin Street Methodist Church. Starting in October, the meeting time will change to 6:30 pm-8pm.

ACA is an anonymous Twelve Step, Twelve Tradition program for adults who grew up in an alcoholic or otherwise dysfunctional home. The meetings are a place of mutual respect and are intended to create a safe environment in which to acknowledge common experiences as part of the healing process.

Everyone is welcome.

Please help spread the word about this new local meeting.

Address Your Industry's Training Needs through Partnership

October 6, 2014, 9:30am-1:30pm

Augusta Civic Center

No-cost workshop providing information on best practices and funding sources for workforce training. Lunch will be provided.

Additional details coming soon.

Who should attend?

Businesses having a hard time finding workers with specific skill sets, trade and professional associations, workforce, education and economic development professionals, and Chambers of Commerce.

The Maine Department of Labor provides equal opportunity in employment and programs. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to people with disabilities. Contact [email protected] for assistance.

Fling into Fall in Searsport, 10/10 and 10/11

As part of Searsport's annual Fling Into Fall celebration on October 10and 11, Searsport resident Joe Plummer has scheduled Tonka truck repair workshops for children who would like to fix up a truck. The restored trucks will be displayed in Mosman Park at Fling Into Fall and trophies and prizes will be awarded by age group for Best Restoration.

Tonka truck repair workshops will be held at Searsport Motor Company, 315 E. Main St. in Searsport on Saturday, September 27, 9:00 am to noon, and at Searsport Automotive and Tires, 357 W. Main St. on October 4, 9:00 am to noon. Contact Joe Plummer at 207-548-2834 if you would like to register for the project and receive a truck to repair.

"Last year we had forty-five children sign up," says Joe Plummer in a press release. "When the kids come to the workshops, they get to work with professionals and use a sandblaster and paint. It is very exciting for them. We have both boys and girls repairing trucks. We are grateful to Searsport Automotive and Tires and Searsport Motor Company for donating their time and materials to the project."

The Tonka Truck Restoration Project is part of Searsport's annual autumn celebration Fling Into Fall, which is on Friday and Saturday, October 10th and 11th. There will be a parade, music, an antique car show, a craft show, delicious food, a scarecrow contest, face painting, pumpkin carving, an art exhibit and more. The parade begins at 11:00 am on Saturday and the Antique Car Show begins at 11:30 am at Mosman Park. The Tonka Trucks will be on display during the car show and judging will be at 2:30 pm.

For more information on the Tonka Truck Restoration Project call Joe Plummer at 207-548-2834.

Retail Association of Maine events

All Bucksport Bay Area Chamber members are eligible to attend RMA events. Here are a couple coming up this fall. Visit the RMA online for a full schedule and more details.

2014 Annual Meeting and Awards Celebration, 10/16, 4:30 p.m. at the Cross Center in downtown Bangor. The event will start off with a networking reception and the opportunity to visit legislative leaders and exhibitors, followed by an awards presentation.

Security - Protecting Yourself, Your Store and Your Merchandise. Wednesday, October 22, 2014. Kevin Plante, Owner and President, KMP Security Consulting will review categories of tools and equipment that can be utilized to prevent loss in a retail store while also giving insight into factoring in risk, acceptable loss and customer perception in making a decision about buying physical security items. To register for the Security webinar: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/188422168

Fall Career Fair, 10/15

On October 15, 2014 the Bangor CareerCenter along with the Bangor Daily News, Maine Army Guard, Tri-County Workforce Investment Board, Bangor Mall, General Rental Center, Eastern Maine Development Corporation, and the Maine Department of Labor will be sponsoring a Fall Career Fair.

The fair will be located at the Bangor Mall, 663 Stillwater Ave, Bangor, ME. The hours of the event are 10am to 2pm with the first hour from 10am to 11am being dedicated to military veterans only. Please call if you have any questions, (207) 561-4050. You may also register and submit payment online. You may still reserve your table by phone, fax, or e-mail.

We are giving vendors a lunch option for this fair. You may order a boxed lunch or take advantage of one of the "Job Fair Specials" that some of the food vendors at the Bangor Mall are offering: (vendors must show company badge or company ID to get discount).

The Bangor CareerCenter and the Maine Department of Labor are here to assist you in filling any open positions you may have within your company. They ask all employers to list open positions in the Maine Job Bank. By listing your openings in the Maine Job Bank you gain access to a database with nearly 17,000 registered job seekers. You may list your openings free of charge any time by going to www.mainecareercenter.com. Job openings may be listed on MJB for a period of 90 days.

Wildlands Trail Race, 10/26

GPMCT and Frenchman Bay Conservancy (FBC) are offering the 2nd annual Downeast Double Trouble Trail Race Challenge, with the GPMCT Wildlands Trail Race (Sunday, October 26) and the FBC Autumn Trail Race (Sunday, November 2), both at 11 am. Participants who run (or walk!) both races are eligible for a special prize.

The Wildlands Trail Race is a 6.3-mile course on dirt roads and single track, over roots, rocks, mud, hills and streams, past lovely views and munching moose.

The 4-mile FBC Autumn Trail Race starts at Sumner High School in Sullivan and traverses FBC's Baker Hill and Long Ledges Preserve. Get details at www.greatpondtrust.org or www.frenchmanbay.org, link to online registration and download forms and maps; or call 469-6929.

Sponsors of the 2014 Wildlands run include Stanley Subaru, Awards, Signage & Trophies, Curtis Shoe, Penobscot Bay Yacht Exchange, Tradewinds of Blue Hill, Podiatrist Nicholas S. Vachon, DPM.

They need 1-2 more sponsors. Can you help? Call Cheri at 469-6929 or e-mail[email protected].

Chamber members working together

We are pleased to share the news that Chamber member Christina Perkins, an attorney at Fellows, Kee, Tymoczko & Pierson, LLC in Bucksport is one of the newest members of the board at Healthy Acadia, which is also a Chamber member.

Health Acadia is a community health coalition serving Hancock and Washington Counties,.

Christina handles real estate, elder law, MaineCare, and estate planning matters. She lives on a small farm sanctuary in East Orland with a number of rescued farm animals and is the founder and president of Maine Farm Animal Advocates. Christina has a special interest in advocating for a healthy and active life style using plant-based food choices.

"I am passionate about helping people to lead healthier lives, and serving on Healthy Acadia's Board is a wonderful way to support our community members throughout the region," stated Perkins in a press release. "I am particularly interested in supporting healthy aging for all; Healthy Acadia is doing exciting work around this issue and many others."

Congratulations on this new collaboration to both of these valuable members!

Fund to support senior citizens in Hancock County

Community leader and Birch Bay resident Ed Kaelber is spearheading the creation of a fund to support seniors in need throughout Hancock County.

The "Pay it Up Fund," which is being managed by the Maine Community Foundation, will be used to provide mini-grants each year to seniors in need across Hancock County. Healthy Acadia and Birch Bay Village will coordinate the granting process, working with other partners in the region to establish a process for outreach, review and awarding of the small grants.

"My inspiration for this Fund comes from my desire to give back to our community, and to encourage others to support seniors in the community who have unmet needs," stated Ed Kaelber. "My focus is on encouraging seniors to contribute to the fund as a way to support our peers who are struggling. But of course, I welcome support from all community members of any age!"

Kaelber has a rich history of serving the community. As founding president of both College of the Atlantic and the Maine Community Foundation, he has worked tirelessly to benefit local communities and enhance opportunities for all.

Ed reached out to Maine Community Foundation because of their track record of success in managing such funds. He connected with Healthy Acadia and Birch Bay Village to administer the fund because of their experience in coordinating small grant processes.

To support the fund, community members can write a check payable to Maine Community Foundation, with "Pay It Up Fund" in the memo line, and send it to the community foundation at 245 Main St., Ellsworth ME 04605.

Birch Bay Village is a retirement community on Mount Desert Island. Their mission includes assisting elders to live safely and enjoyably wherever they reside. Their Straus Center Adult Day Program in Southwest Harbor serves seniors who are living at home or with their loved ones by providing a vibrant place to spend part of their day enjoying their peers along with a wonderful array of programs and services. Birch Bay also provides in-home support through their "life-line" program where seniors are able to seek assistance by pushing a button and receiving help whenever they are in need.

Healthy Acadia is a community health coalition serving Hancock and Washington Counties. They are dedicated to building healthier communities by connecting individuals with health supports, building partnerships, coordinating education and prevention services, and improving policies and environments.

For more information about this initiative or to get involved in Healthy Aging issues in Hancock County, contact Elsie at Healthy Acadia, 288-5331 or Debra at Birch Bay Village, 288-8014.