What's Happening Down East?

City of Ellsworth

Ellsworth City Council is holding a special meeting on Tu. May 29th at 7pm in Council Chambers at Ellsworth City Hall.  The meeting’s purpose is a public hearing to provide info & receive tax payer comments on a citizen-initiated petition to begin the process for withdrawing Ellsworth from RSU #24.  A special City Referendum election is scheduled for June 12thon this issue.  For more info, copies of the citizens’ petition may be obtained from the Ellsworth City Clerk’s office. 
Downeast Scenic Railroad

ALL ABOARD!  Want to take a ride on a REAL vintage train?!  The Downeast Scenic Railroad in Ellsworth is back for another fun-filled season, starting on Memorial weekend, May 26th, 27th and 28th. Voted Ellsworth Chamber's winner of the Revitalization Award for 2012. For ticket information, go to: www.downeastscenicrail.org

City Of Ellsworth

Attention Ellsworth tax payers!  The City of Ellsworth is holding a free, fact-finding forum on Tuesday, May 29th at 6pm in Ellsworth City Hall.  This meeting explores the pros and cons of Ellsworth removing itself from Regional School Unit #24.  Ellsworth tax payers contribute 9 MILLION dollars to the overall 2012 school budget, which is a 7.1% increase in one year.  Come learn where are YOUR local school tax dollars being spent. 

Harbor House Fundraiser

Diana Novella at Harbor House in SW Harbor tells us that they are hosting a scrumptious fundraiser called “Island Dining at Fiddler’s Green Restaurant” on Main St. in SW Harbor on Wed. May 23rd .  Cocktails & hors d’oeuvres are served starting at 6pm, with dinner to follow at 7.  Cost is $55 per person and reservations ARE suggested as this event can sell out quickly.  To reserve your spot, call 244-3713.

Brooksville Congregational Church

On Tuesday, May 22, the Jolly Helpers of the West Brooksville Congregational Church UCC will serve lunch in the church vestry beginning at noon.  The menu will include a variety of quiches, corn rolls, salad, and blueberry buckle with whipped cream for dessert. The cost is $7. Take-out meals are available and may be ordered by calling 326-8283 on the day of the lunch. Take-out meals will be ready for pickup at 11:30.


BH Ladies Golf Association League

The Bar Harbor Golf Course Ladies Association’s golf league continues every Tuesday afternoon, with t-off at 4:45pm.  Sign up is on a week by week basis and all are welcome to play the course on Rte 3 in Trenton.  To learn more, call Donna at 667-7505.   

The Ellsworth Community Blood Drive, sponsored by Ellsworth Moose Lodge #2698, takes place on Tuesday, May 29th from one to six at the Ramada Inn Convention Center on High Street in Ellsworth.  WNSX broadcasts live on site from 1 to 4 with Michael W. Hale.  All presenting donors may sign up to win two free box seat tickets behind home plate to a Boston Red Sox Fenway Park home game.  All blood donors receive a Red Sox t-shirt.  For more info, or to make an appointment, go to: www.redcrossblood.org

First Congregational Church of Ellsworth - supper

The First Congregational Church of Ellsworth is holding a lasagna supper on Saturday, May 26th from 5 to 7pm.  Cost is $8 for adults, and $20 per family.  Free for kids under 5.  Menu includes lasagna, tossed salad, rolls, home-made desserts and beverage.  Proceeds go towards the on-going fund-raising project to improve handicap accessibility in and around the church.  For more info, call the church at 667-8321.

Woodlawn Museum

May is for Mainers at Woodlawn Museum in Ellsworth because the Black House tour is FREE for all Maine residents through May 31st.  You can explore this premier historic estate at your own pace via a self-guided audio tour system.  The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 1 to 4 during May.  For more information, go to:
Woodlawn museum - dot - org.

Ellsworth 1st Congregational Church

Ellsworth area residents are invited to a new, weekly FREE community meal each Wednesday called "The Welcome Table." Home cooked healthy food will be on the menu. The supper takes place at the First Congregational Church of Ellsworth on Church St every Wednesday afternoon  from 3 to 6.  If you would like to volunteer, donate food items or have any questions, please call 667-8321.  For more information, contact: info@fccellsworth.org

Blue Hill Public Library

The annual Blue Hill Public Library plant sale is scheduled for Sat May 26th from 8 to 11 on the library lawn, rain or shine. The sale will include perennial divisions, soft fruit plants, seedlings, a gardener's advice table, a raffle, a silent auction, a gardening book sale and a breakfast/coffee bake sale.  For more information, call the library at 374-5515.

Golf Tourney for MDI Scholarship Fund

The 19th Annual David R. Harding Memorial Golf Tournament is coming up Tues May 22nd at Kebo Valley Golf Club in Bar Harbor . This year the hole-in-1 prizes will be a Vespa Scooter from Stanley Scooters & a 2012 Chevy Cruze Eco from Darling’s Chevrolet. A Scholarship Fund at the MDI High School for graduates attending a trade/vocational school, is the beneficiary of this year tournament. This is a scramble format tournament (18 holes) with an 11:30 shotgun start. Registration is $85 per person & includes golf cart, gifts, evening BBQ & prizes. To register your team go to BHBT.com.

Ellsworth Fire Department
The Ellsworth Fire Department is sponsoring a musical variety show this summer to raise money for the 50th Annual Maine State Fire Fighters Convention to be held in Ellsworth in 2013. “Music, Music, Music!” will feature hits from the 40s & 50s with Ellsworth and Bangor area performers. Show coordinator Penny Weinstein has a list of hits from the time period. Contact her at 669-6616.

ME HDSA "Team Hope" Walk
The 2nd annual "Team Hope" walk to benefit The Huntington's Disease Society of America will be taking place on Sunday, October 7th on the Down East Sunrise Trail in Ellsworth.  Aside from walkers and bikers, new this year will be ATV'ers! (There are 35 miles of atv trails available to participants.)  Sponsorship opportunities are available to area businesses, and individuals may sign up to participate in the event by contacting Nancy Patterson at: pattersonnancy68@gmail.com

Down East Family YMCA

Robin Clarke, Fitness Director at the DE Family YMCA tells us that YOGA classes at the Y are now FREE with your Y membership! Yoga classes take place each Tuesday and Thursday morning from 8:30 to 9:30am in the gym with Martina Haines. For more details, call Robin at the Y:  667-3086.

ME Seacoast Mission in Cherryfield
The public is invited to stop by for games and hot soup at the Maine Sea Coast Mission’s Down East campus in Cherryfield each Wednesday.  The gatherings, which are free of charge, will run from 10 to 2.  For more information, call Alice Duston at 460-7559.

SERC - Volunteer

Child & Family Opportunities
Child & Family Opportunities is currently accepting applications for full day child care located in Ellsworth, Sedgwick, Machias & Calais, as well as Head Start applications in Ellsworth, Calais , & Lubec.  If you would like more information about these programs, please call Jamie in the Enrollment Office at 667-2995.

Woodlawn Museum

Enjoy the area’s only YEAR-ROUND Farmer's Market EVERY Sunday from 11 to 2 on the grounds of the Woodlawn Museum. There's locally produced food and fine crafts - no matter the weather -  as it’s located IN the Sleigh Barn adjacent to the parking lot. Real food.  Real people.  Real good!   Woodlawn Farmers’ Market, every Sunday 11 til 2 at Woodlawn Museum in Ellsworth.  Learn more at:  www.woodlawn museum.org.  

If you’re looking for a nice place to just go for a walk, think Birdsacre in Ellsworth!  Located on Route 3, just before China Hill, Birdsacre nature center offers an amazing 200 acres of protected wilderness for year-round hiking, picnicing & just plain enjoying the beautiful grounds. It’s all free & the grounds are open 12 months of the year.  See photos of what you’ve been missing at their website: www.birdsacre.com.

Ellsworth Historical Society

Terri Cormier, President of the Ellsworth Historical Society, tells us that they are ALWAYS welcoming new club members!  You’re encouraged to join and help support the preservation of Ellsworth's History.  Yearly membership is just twenty dollars and may be sent to: Ellsworth Historical Society  PO Box 355 Ellsworth, Me 04605. The group meets once per month, most often with an interesting guest speaker.  For more info, contact Terri at 667-8235, or Linda Grindle at 667-5716.