Friday, September 29, 2017

Islesford Dock Restaurant Fundraiser To Challenge Cancer A Success


Healthy Acadia thanks the Islesford Dock Restaurant for partnering on a September fundraising event as part of Healthy Acadia's Hungry for Health 2017 campaign challenging cancer Downeast. The event featured delicious food and great local music, with bands FrogPipe and A-Frame playing to a full room. Between generous gifts from the Islesford Dock Restaurant and community members the evening brought in  $1,317.00 to support cancer prevention and treatment access across Hancock and Washington counties.

"Healthy Acadia offers a wide variety of cancer and other chronic disease prevention services," said Shoshona Smith, Healthy Acadia Development Coordinator. "In partnership with the Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center, we also offer services to cancer patients and caregivers to help navigate the healthcare and social service systems and access appropriate diagnostic, treatment, recovery, support, and financial services. We greatly appreciate Islesford Dock Restaurant and the community's support for these critical health needs.”

This collaboration with Islesford Dock Restaurant was part of Healthy Acadia’s Hungry for Health 2017 campaign to Challenge Cancer Downeast. This is the second year of the annual “Hungry for Health” campaign, which addresses a critical community health need each year. The funds raised will support Healthy Acadia and the Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center’s cancer prevention, education, and treatment services.

To learn more about Islesford Dock Restaurant, which is open throughout October, please visit their website at http://islesforddock.com/.

To learn about additional Hungry for Health 2017 events, visit www.healthyacadia.org and go to “What’s new!” or to get involved, please contact Shoshona at shoshona@healthyacadia.org or by calling 667-7171.

Thursday, September 28, 2017

Bar Harbor Bankshares Hires Joseph G. Schmitt, Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer


Joseph G. Schmitt has joined Bar Harbor Bankshares as Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer.  His office is located at the corporate headquarters in Bar Harbor, Maine.  Mr. Schmitt will lead the marketing strategy for the Bank, deploying it across the entire Northern New England market area of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.

“Joe is an innovative executive who brings a terrific perspective to his work,” said Curtis Simard, President and CEO of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. “His talent for aligning products, process, people and technology will enrich the customer experience.”

Mr. Schmitt has 20 years’ experience in bank marketing, having worked with companies all sizes from local community banks to multinationals.  Most recently Joe was Director of Product Marketing for Consumer and Business Banking at Santander Bank, N.A. where he worked for 10 years in various marketing roles (formerly Sovereign Bank).  Earlier in his career he worked for Brookline Bank, Rockland Trust, and Eastern Bank.  Mr. Schmitt earned his bachelor’s degree from Skidmore College and an MBA in Marketing from Suffolk University in Boston.

In the community Joe has volunteered with the Greater Boston Food Bank and Junior Achievement.  He also served on the board of Brookline Arts Community Center.  A competitive mountain biker, Joe and his wife, Debra will be relocating to Bar Harbor from the Boston area.  

Bar Harbor Bankshares (NYSE MKT: BHB) is the parent of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust with more than $3 billion in assets. Founded in 1887, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust is a true community bank serving the financial needs of its customers for 130 years. Bar Harbor Bank & Trust provides a full range of financial services through its 49 branch locations in all three Northern New England states of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. Bar Harbor Bank & Trust was named one of the 2017 Top 200 Publicly Traded Community Banks in the nation by American Banker magazine. For more information call 1-888-853-7100 or go towww.bhbt.com.  Member FDIC.

Friday, September 8, 2017

Healthy Acadia's “You’ve Got a Friend Fund” Seeks Applicants and Donors



Qualifying examples may include:

  • Successful completion of the majority of college degree requirements, in need of tuition funds to graduate;
  • Need for a single rent, mortgage or loan payment to retain housing or transportation at risk due to temporary employment discontinuity;
  • Need for car repairs in order to maintain reliable transportation to and from work;
  • Local micro-farmers and gardeners wishing to share an overabundance of seasonal produce needing support to transport and distribute the food to individuals and families in need.

To be considered for a YGAFF grant award, applicants must provide the following:

1)    A clear objective that has been embarked upon, partially achieved and/or a specific misfortune or setback that threatens to disrupt normal quality of life;
2)    A demonstrated need for $1,000 or less to enable completion of this objective or to overcome the setback; and
3)    A willingness to remain in contact with YGAFF to provide feedback regarding the efficacy of the grant.

YGAFF is coordinated by a Steering Committee under the non-profit home of Healthy Acadia, a community health coalition dedicated to building vibrant communities throughout Hancock and Washington counties: www.healthyacadia.org. Download a grant application at: https://healthyacadia.org/documents/Draft_YGAF_grant_application.pdf.

The You’ve Got a Friend Fund was conceived and has been initially funded by Elin and David Poneman of Goldsboro. “We hope that these small grants can make a lasting difference, enabling individuals to overcome a barrier or address a critical need for themselves and their families.  We are pleased and honored to partner with Healthy Acadia in this effort.” said the Ponemans.


“For the many individuals in our region who are working to achieve greater self-sufficiency and independence, a YGAFF grant can be the boost needed for those inspirations to take flight,” said Elsie Flemings, Executive Director of Healthy Acadia. “This is a critical initiative, and we at Healthy Acadia are honored to be a part of it.”

To learn more about the You’ve Got a Friend Fund, contact Nina Zeldin at Healthy Acadia at 667-7171 or nina@healthyacadia.org.  Donations to the Fund are welcome. Please make checks out to Healthy Acadia, YGAFF and mail or deliver to Healthy Acadia, 140 State Street, Suite 1, Ellsworth, ME 04605.

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Welcome to new Chamber Member Charlotte Rhoades Park!


Please join us in welcoming Charlotte Rhoades Park to our Chamber community.
"Charlotte Rhoades, a resident of Southwest Harbor, owned this property in the1950’s. In 1978 the property was given to the town in her memory with the request that it be used as a quiet park for children and their parents.
"The Butterfly Garden at the Charlotte Rhoades Park was established in 1998 to promote conservation education and gardening instruction in the community. Volunteers work throughout the season with school children and adults to learn more about butterfly habitat and observation. Suggestive of butterfly wings, the garden beds were designed by Bar Harbor landscape architect Bruce John Riddell and includes perennials, annuals, and shrubs that are butterfly host plants."
Please take time to visit our treasured pocket garden while you are in the area. You can learn more about the Garden, and it's programs and activities, at their website: http://www.rhoadesbutterflygarden.org/index.html