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CCC Wednesday Communique — April 9, 2025

Red-necked Grebes beginning an elaborate courtship ritual involving dancing, diving, rushing, and bill-grasping—behavior that often happens in late winter and early spring, before the birds reach the northern lakes where they breed.  Look for these colorful birds on larger bodies of water in March and April as they migrate north along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, and up through the Great Lakes and Great Plains regions.  (Learn more here)
(Photo courtesy of Trish Snider / Macaulay Library)

Happy Wednesday!

New this week:

Community Brunch & Info Sessions
This is National Public Health Week, which Healthy Acadia is commemorating by holding a series of Community Brunch & Info Sessions today, April 9th, tomorrow, and Friday.  These are free gatherings to share your perspectives on community health needs, and learn more about the work we do at Healthy Acadia and the health and wellness resources we offer, all while enjoying a delicious brunch with your neighbors and friends. To RSVP, click here, email events@healthyacadia.org, or call 207-667-7171.
  • April 9th, 10am-11:30am  –  Wabanaki Cultural Center, 39 Union Street, Calais
  • April 10th, 10am-11:30am  – Machias Savings Bank Education Center,1 Colonial Way, Machias
  • April 11th, 10am-11:30am  – Healthy Acadia Office 77 Beechland Road, Ellsworth

Special Meeting of WCFPN

You’re Invited: Special Meetings of the Washington County Food Pantry Network this Thursday, April 10th, 3:30 pm at the Centre Street Congregational Church, 9 Center Street Machias, or on Zoom.  To join via Zoom, please use the following CORRECTED LINK, Meeting ID: 831 2966 3826.  This will be in the Church Vestry, before the Machias-Area Community Supper happens in the same space. So, stay after the meeting to enjoy a hot meal in the community setting.

First Five Years Parenting Class

Sunrise Prevention Council is offering “First Five Years,” a parenting class meeting on 4 successive Tuesdays beginning April 15th from 10 – 11 am on Zoom.  Learn about your child’s brain development and parenting methods for each developmental stage. To register, scan the QR code on this flyer, visit their website, call/text 263-5270, or email molivares@sun-rise.org.

Earth Day Puppet Play, Ain’t Gonna Rain No More

The Turtle Dance Co-op presents Ain’t Gonna Rain No More, an Earth Day Play for all ages featuring The Sea Junk Revue Puppets made by Chuck Kniffen, Lubec-based artist. The play features folk music and is an estimated 20-minute performance. All are welcome to the public dress rehearsal on Monday, April 21st at the Lubec Library. Earth Day, Tuesday April 22nd will be a great event at the First Congregational Church of East Machias, 10 Cutler Road, which houses the East Machias Cultural Arts Center. The fun will begin at 3 pm on both days and provide an afternoon of community theatre, music, and entertainment. All donations made will be used to tune the piano for future performances at the East Machias Cultural Arts Center. We hope to see you at this admittance-by-donation event!

Finding our Way Speakers

Wayfinder Schools is excited to announce the return of Finding Our Way, a live storytelling event featuring Wayfinder grads and other notable Mainers. Join us on May 1st at the Camden Opera House as our storytellers share funny, poignant, and heartfelt stories of finding their way in theater, art, film, business, writing, education, and the great outdoors!  The 2025 speakers include Cathy Ames, Ben Curtis, Josh Gerritsen, Ryan Jackson, Courtney Hayes & John Jurcheck, Greg Marley, McKayla Olsen, Kyleigh Philbrook, Kenzie Phifer, Margo Walsh, and Joan Welsh. General admission tickets are $30; proceeds from this event benefit Maine youth seeking a second chance at high school graduation. Doors and pre-show reception at 5:30 p.m., featuring mocktails & light hors d’oeuvres. Download a flyer to share.

Gracie Fund Accepting Applications

Sunrise County Economic Council is accepting applications for The Gracie Fund, a student loan repayment program that awards recipients $5,000 per year for up to 3 years to help repay student loans in return for community volunteerism.  Learn more.  Contact Jen Peters with your questions at scec@sunrisecounty.org or 207-255-0983.  Deadline to apply is July 15th.

Cobscook Institute is Hiring

Cobscook Institute is hiring a Director of Indigenous Teaching and Learning. This is a new position based out of our Trescott campus but whose work extends deeply into the community and beyond.  Click here for more information.  Download a flyer to share.

Help Protect Loved Ones from Foodborne Illness

Each year, 48 million people in the U.S. experience foodborne illness—and those most at risk are children, older adults, and people with chronic health conditions. In partnership with USDA Food Safety & Inspection Service, the Caregiver Action Network launched a new tool that breaks down:
  • Symptoms and next steps if you suspect illness
  • Safe cooking and storage practices
  • What high-risk individuals should avoid
  • Downloadable resources and expert contacts

Explore the guide today and stay informed.

Drink Coffee That’s Good for Birds

Check out how one of our local vendors is doing their part to help birds, many species of which are facing alarming declines, in the Updates section below.

Caregiving Can test you, and unlock a new Sense of Self

It’s well-known that family caregiving for sick or elderly adults can bring on stress, anxiety and depression. It can also turn you into someone you don’t even recognize.  Read more from NPR’s special series, What it Takes, an article by Kat McGowan.

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