Happy Wednesday!
New this week:
Jess Maurer, Maine Council on Aging’s beloved ED, is turning 60. To help celebrate MCA is asking people to donate $60 in July to reach their goal of $6,000 to help build an age-positive Maine. This goal is only $300 short! Donate in honor of Jess Maurer’s 60th birthday here.
The deadline to apply to Sunrise County Economic Council for the new position of 2Gen Health Specialist-Home Visitor has been extended to July 24th. This position supports participating families through Family Futures Downeast and Start Up Downeast, helping improve child health outcomes while supporting parents in achieving education, workforce, and entrepreneurship goals. Competitive salary & excellent benefits. Learn more and apply.
University of Maine Cooperative Extension will offer a new series of webinars about preserving local foods from 2–2:45 pm on Tuesdays, beginning July 28. The series will continue on August 25 and September 8. “Preserving the Maine Harvest” topics include fermenting, freeze drying, and quick and easy preserving techniques. Instructors will provide research-based information and demonstrate recipes in an interactive format. Registration is required on the program webpage to receive the link and resources; a $5 donation per session is optional. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Kate McCarty at 207-781-6099 or kate.mccarty@maine.edu.
The Peter Yarrow Memorial Golf Tournament will take place at the Blue Hill Country Club on Thursday, July 30, with proceeds benefiting Friendship Cottage, an essential adult day service program in Blue Hill operated by Community Action in Aroostook, Washington and Hancock Counties (CAAWHC). The event celebrates the legacy of Peter Yarrow, the beloved folk singer, activist, and co‑founder of the iconic trio Peter, Paul and Mary—known worldwide for songs such as “Puff, the Magic Dragon,” “If I Had a Hammer,” and “Blowin’ in the Wind.” The tournament is organized by a group of local community members, including Peter’s longtime bandmate Noel “Paul” Stookey, who has been a dedicated supporter of Aging Services. Stookey, a resident of the Blue Hill Peninsula, has long championed supporting older adults and caregivers throughout Hancock County.
Down East Hospice Volunteers is bringing Peggy Ottman, Author of Losing Mom, to A Boatload of Books in Eastport, Saturday, August 1st, at 1 pm for a reading, discussion & book signing.
Authentic and Persuasive Stories
- Finding your passion and communicating from a place of “why”
- Examples of storytelling that truly move people
- Do’s and don’ts for engaging and inspiring audiences
Together, we’ll explore what makes stories memorable, practice crafting your own 60-second story, and learn how to engage audiences in meaningful ways. We hope you join us! Learn more.
- An overview of the key roles within the Child Protective Services system, including the caseworker, parent attorney, guardian ad litem, assistant attorney general, and judge.
- Practical strategies for supporting parent engagement throughout the Child Protective Services process.
Please register using this link. Download a flyer to share.
Machias Blueberry 5-Mile Run/Walk
The Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center announces the 50th Anniversary of the Machias Blueberry 5-Mile Run/Walk & 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk, taking place on Saturday, August 15, 2026, during the annual Machias Blueberry Festival. We are honored to once again sponsor the race, with proceeds benefiting our Center’s Down East Cancer Patient Navigation Program. This free program provides compassionate, one-on-one support to individuals and families facing cancer throughout Washington, Hancock, and Aroostook counties. Information to sponsor or participate.
Intimate Partner Violence Training
The CCC is pleased to bring an in-person Intimate Partner Violence training to Washington County, presented by the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence. This training will be hosted by the CCC at Sunrise Opportunities’ Kay Parker Building, 26 Hadley Lake Road, Machias, and delivered by MCEDV staff, Amanda Taisey and Regina Rooney, on Wednesday, September 30th from 9:30 am — 5 pm and Thursday, October 1st from 8:30 am – 4 pm. This 12-hour training fulfills the Maine State licensure requirements for social work and clinical staff who need it, but we welcome any and all who wish to grow their learning and understanding around this topic. Registration will be limited to the first 25 participants. Learn more and register by September 24th. Register yourself or a group. Cost is $150 to cover presenter fees. Download a flyer to share.
Libraries as Age-Inclusive Spaces
September 24th, 12 – 1:30 pm, virtual: Across the Tri-State region, libraries are stepping into expansive roles as connectors, educators, and gathering places that help older residents stay engaged, informed, and rooted in their communities. This online event will spotlight several public libraries throughout the tri-state region that are leading the way in thoughtful, age-inclusive programming. Please join us for this free webinar to hear directly from library staff and community partners about the creative outreach efforts they have built, the age-inclusive programs they offer, and the lessons they are eager to share. Register here.
Acorn to Oak Family Fair
Saturday, September 26th, 10 am – 2 pm at the Reynolds Center UMM Gym: 1st annual Acorn to Oak Family Fair — a free event for families with Touch-a-Truck, face painting, live music, live animals, free bag lunch, car seat checks and more. Download a flyer to share. Contact Kat Nyssen for more info at katnyssen@gmail.com.
In honor of our country’s 250th birthday, Aspen Dental is offering free services to veterans on November 7th. Schedules will open up in late September and appointments will fill up quickly. If you or a veteran in your life would like to be notified when schedules open, please visit www.AspenDental.com/DayofService to register for updates.
Sunrise County Economic Council has launched a new All Thing$ Funding page on their website to make it easier to find grants, scholarships, business funding, workforce supports, and community resources. Explore funding opportunities all in one place. Whether you’re a business owner, nonprofit, student, educator, municipality, or community member, you’ll find opportunities to help you grow, build, launch, and lead. And don’t miss the Tools & Resources tab at the bottom of the page, featuring funding databases, grant search tools, planning resources, and other helpful funding supports. Explore All Thing$ Funding.
Full Plates Full Potential has added the approved SNAP ABAWD (Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents) guide to their website. This “Work Requirements Guide” is live and ready for people to reference.
The National Center for Equitable Care for Elders has a new publication, Brain Health As We Age: A Practical Guide for Health Centers. This publication discusses the difference between cognitive aging and cognitive decline, highlights lessons from the Alzheimer’s Association’s U.S. POINTER Study, and offers patient engagement strategies around brain-healthy lifestyle behaviors.
Healthy Food Financing Initiative
Sunrise County Economic Council shared this announcement in last week’s Local Happenings: Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) are grants from $20,000-$250,000, plus technical assistance, available for projects that improve healthy food access in underserved communities. Food Access & Retail Expansion Fund – Inquiry Deadline 7/31 – Learn More.
Families First Community Center in Ellsworth is hiring an adult and a children’s case manager, with starting salary of $50k/year, 2 weeks PTO, flexible scheduling, competitive benefits, and supportive leadership. Apply today by emailing your resume and cover letter to:shainafraser@familiesfirstellsworth.org. See flyer for details.
Creating a Resilient Response to Loss: The Special Challenge of Dementia by Anne Tumlinson. Caring for someone with dementia brings a unique kind of grief called “ambiguous loss.” And the usual customs or rituals that help us manage grief do not work in this situation. There are ways to help us make sense of this complex emotion. Read now.