Happy Wednesday!
New this week:
Creative Listening Workshop with Dr. Sue Carroll Duffy
Cobscook Institute and Healthy Acadia are pleased to announce that registration is now open for Creative Listening, a hands-on workshop led by Dr. Sue Carroll Duffy. This engaging two-hour session offers a playful and powerful approach to deep listening that resonates across age groups and settings. Scheduled for Monday, May 5, from 6 to 8 pm at the Cobscook Institute, the Creative Listening workshop will introduce participants to “the Wonder Box,” a unique tool developed by Dr. Duffy. Using natural and found objects in a tray of sand, the Wonder Box invites symbolic expression beyond words—deepening understanding through story, gesture, and connection. Each participant or family will receive their own Wonder Box to use during and after the workshop. Attendees will also be invited to join ongoing monthly Zoom sessions with Dr. Duffy to continue learning. The workshop counts toward certification as a Moving Storyteller. Before the workshop, participants are invited to join Cobscook Institute’s monthly Community Dinner, Game Night, and Fiber Circle, held on the first Monday of each month. Dinner begins at 5 pm. The workshop is free, but space is limited. Early registration is encouraged. Learn more and register. For more information, contact Sara McConnell at (207) 255-3741 or by email at sara@healthyacadia.org. Download a flyer to share.
Maine Hospice Council Listening Session
The Maine Hospice Council invites you to join a conversation on “Living with Complex and Serious Illness in Washington County,” on May 15th at UMaine Machias, Science 102, from 10:30 am — 1 pm (lunch provided). We will discuss access to services, information about palliative care services, and challenges families face surrounding complex and serious illness of loved ones. See flyer for details. Register here.
The 2025 Women’s Spring Outdoor Skills Day will be held Sunday, May 18th from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm at Camp Beech Cliff in Mount Desert. To register for the program or to learn more, visit the event’s website.
Come join Gordon Smith, Director of Opioid Response for the State of Maine, as he provides Sunrise Senior College with an important update, particularly as it relates to Washington County, on the work being done with Governor Mills’ Opioid Response Strategic Action Plan that was originally presented to Sunrise Senior college in June of 2023. This is a hybrid class – held in-person in UM@M’s room SCI 102 and via Zoom on May 21st, 10:30 am — 12 pm. This class is being offered Free and Open to the public and we encourage everyone with any interest in the material being presented to attend. Learn more here.
Washington County Community College is launching an A la Carte option for students who have met the requirements for some of the domains, but need a class or two to complete the certification. See the flyer outlining the courses that will be available and general information. These are funded by the Harold Alfond Foundation and are available free for individuals wanting to complete the certification requirements. Reach out to Nichole Sawyer with questions.
Three members of the Cobscook Currents 4-H Club proudly represented Washington County at the 2025 Speak Up, Maine 4-H! public speaking event, held on Saturday, April 5 at the University of Maine in Orono. Senior 4-H’er Soren D. presented an illustrated talk titled “Machias Dike and Marsh: What Should Be Done?” and received a blue ribbon for his thoughtful and well-researched presentation on a timely local environmental topic. Junior members Ira D. and Théo M. also delivered engaging presentations. Ira received a blue ribbon for their demonstration talk, “A Cheese Board for a 4-H’er,” while Théo was awarded a red ribbon for his illustrated talk, “History of the Fishing Rod,” which explored the evolution of a tool important to Maine’s culture and heritage. The state showcase brought together 4-H youth from across Maine to present on a wide range of topics, while practicing critical public speaking skills and building confidence in front of a live audience. In order to qualify for the state event, they had to receive an average score of 78 or higher at a county event. For more information about 4-H programs in Washington County, please reach out to Gabrielle Brodek at 207.255.3345 or gabrielle.brodek@maine.edu.
Maine Seacoast Mission President John Zavodny has announced the two recipients of the Sunbeam Award for 2025: Cornelia Cogswell Rossi Foundation and Sunrise County Economical Council for their commitment to the communities that the Mission serves. Learn more here. Both awardees will be recognized at this year’s Sunbeam Award Gala, Thursday, August 21st at the Bar Harbor Club. Beginning Monday, June 2, reservations for the Sunbeam Award Gala can be made through the Mission’s website at or by mailing a check to PO Box 600, 6 Old Firehouse Lane, Northeast Harbor, ME 04662. The Gala will take place at Bar Harbor Club and includes a presentation and cocktail hour.
The Caregiver Action Network has a video with tips on how to talk to your loved one’s doctor. As a caregiver, your role in your loved one’s healthcare journey is pivotal. Effective communication with healthcare professionals can mean the difference between adequate and exceptional care. The Caregiver Action Network recognizes that caregivers are essential members of the healthcare team, with a unique perspective that can significantly impact medical outcomes. Here, we share tips for how to talk to your doctor as a loved one’s caregiver.
Caregivers Survival Guide