Happy Wednesday!
New this week:
Saturday, July 26, 12-2 pm. Cobscook Institute: Volunteer with staff to help the community center with outdoor tasks around campus. Held on the last Saturday of each month. Register for the July session here.
We are excited for our upcoming annual no cost G.E.A.R. Family Picnic on Sunday, August 3rd!! We look forward to seeing you there for a day of fun, swimming and connection with other families who have similar lived experience as you. We will have fun activities too for both kids and adults alike! Don’t forget your beach apparel, towels and sunscreen. Check out this flyer and register here: Registration is required so we can plan for lunch and snacks. If you would like more information or need support, please call 1-800-964-9224.
Friday, August 15, 11:45 am-3 pm. Cobscook Institute: Join expert guides Chris Bartlett (Maine Sea Grant) and Doug Hitchcox (Maine Audubon) to observe gulls and shorebirds in migration on the South Lubec mud flats. Meet at Cobscook Institute. Registration required at. See flyer for details.
Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center will again sponsor this year’s Machias Blueberry 5-Mile Run/Walk and 1-Mile Fun Run, scheduled for Saturday, August 16, 2025, as part of the annual Machias Wild Blueberry Festival. Pre-register by August 5th to reserve your “Machias Blueberry Run” T-shirt, featuring an original design by a Maine artist. Register here by 7 pm on August 15th. Race registrants pick up their race packets at the Machias Valley Christian School Parking Lot (the old Machias Town Office), 118 Court Street, Machias, Maine, on Friday, August 15th, between 5 and 7 pm. Event registrations will also be accepted at this time. For questions or additional information about this event, please contact Angela Fochesato at 207-664-0339 or 207-263-6230, or by email angela@bethwrightcancercenter.org.
- The Great American Getaway: 3-night escape for 6 guests to one of five iconic U.S. destinations — choose from Scottsdale, Joshua Tree, Asheville, the Oregon Coast, or Corpus Christi! Enjoy full kitchens, modern amenities, and scenic charm wherever you land. You’ll have 24 months to travel and Premium Guest Services to make your planning a breeze.
- Oceanfront Siesta – All-Inclusive Mexican Paradise: 5-star Mexican resort for 2 guests over 4 nights with all-inclusive dining, beach and pool access, 24-hour room service, and luxurious amenities, this is pure paradise. Just a $249 resort/tax fee — and you can add extra nights at your own cost if you want to stay longer.
- Into the Wild – Upscale Glamping Adventure: 3-night glamping getaway for 2 guests to one of three breathtaking National Parks: Bryce Canyon, Lake Powell, or the Columbia River Gorge. Stay in upscale accommodations with onsite dining, nightly campfires, your own stargazing deck, and access to amazing excursions. You’ll have 24 months to travel and full support from Premium Guest Services.
- PLUS… A Surprise Bonus Trip! We’ll also be auctioning off an incredible 4th mystery trip that will be announced live at the event! Trust us — it’s amazing, and you’ll want to be there to bid.
Questions? Call or text me anytime! Shaina – 207-271-1647.
Wednesday, August 27, 3-4:30 pm. Cobscook Institute: Learn techniques for an abundant ripe tomato harvest. A Q&A panel discussion followed by tomato pruning and trellising demo with Felicia Newman (Three Dog Fahm, Lubec), Mary Briggs (Far Out Farm, Lubec), and Regina Grabrovac (East Machias). In partnership with the Lubec Garden Club. This is a free/by donation event. See flyer or visit here for details.
August 3 and 17. Cobscook Institute Community Garden (behind Rice Hall): Volunteer with the Garden Steward to help us grow food for the community. Visit here for details.
Gardeners with a passion for community service are invited to apply for the 2025-26 Master Gardener Volunteer Training, offered by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. This popular program combines in-depth horticultural education with meaningful community service. Applications are open now through August 15th at 4:30 pm, and training begins in October. The Master Gardener Volunteer program features a flexible, online curriculum with self-paced modules, live virtual Q&A sessions with horticulture experts, and a 40-hour hands-on volunteer internship. After completing the training, certified Master Gardener Volunteers continue giving back by contributing at least 20 volunteer hours annually to projects such as community and school gardens, educational events, and local food security initiatives. For gardening enthusiasts seeking the educational content without the volunteer commitment, UMaine Extension will also offer the Maine Gardener Training, a non-volunteer track open for registration starting September 29, with no application required. Details on course fees, the full schedule, and how to apply are available on the Master Gardener Volunteer Training program website. For questions or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact us at 207-581-3188, Extension.mastergardeners@maine.edu.
Are you interested in getting involved with The Elder Abuse Institute of Maine (EAIME)? We are looking for Community Engagement Collaborators to join a dedicated committee of EAIME staff, volunteers, and board members to share ideas and help shape our direction. Whether you’ve worked with older adults, had personal experiences that connect you to this issue, or simply care deeply, your insight is valuable to us. No special experience is needed – just curiosity, care, and a willingness to think with us. Click here or contact Tuck Barclay, Development Director (Tuck@eaime.org) for more information.
“Are You Ready to Make Healthcare Decisions for Your Parents? Six Steps to Prepare,” by Anne Tumlinson. Our healthcare system can keep someone alive long after they’ve stopped truly living — which often leaves you in the hot seat, making high-stakes decisions for a parent who can’t speak for themselves. Sound overwhelming? It is — but there are ways to prepare. In this blog, we offer real-world advice on how to navigate conversations, documents, doctors, and legal tools so you’re not caught off guard when the time comes. Because doing this now means peace of mind later… (read now).