Jillian – Pies Make Me Think

Jillian – Pies Make Me Think

Written by Jillian

A friend and I were talking on the phone recently. In the conversation he posed this question to me: Name an item in your life that brings you comfort during these trying times? I didn’t have a ready answer, but have since been giving it thought. What exactly did he mean by “an item”? An amulet? A self-care gadget? A Linus blanket? A talisman? A favorite sweater?

My beloved water bottle covered in wool brings me comfort on chilly nights or when I’m sick. Also, I wear a sea urchin necklace I ran 26.22 miles to get. It reminds me of an available inner reserve. Crossing a parking lot early in our relationship, Steve saw a tiny pewter high-heeled shoe. He picked it up and gave it to me. I imbue this little treasure with true love.

None of my precious objects speak to these troubling times though.

With more reflection, I recognized I do have something that reassures me lately. Something that says to me “Things will get better.” This beautiful objet d’art leans on the windowsill, right next to where I sit catching the sun’s rays. It is, of all things, an eight piece pie scorer.

This nifty aluminum device has nine arms radiating from a center knob. It is a kitchen tool. By pressing down with it on a pie, the pie scorer makes perforated marks. It is incredibly useful for cutting many uniform slices of pie quickly.

My friend Julie presented me this pie scorer at the onset of the pandemic. I have yet to use it. Julie, a pie maker herself, knows I handle a lot of pies both aboard the Sunbeam, and at our weekly Table of Plenty community supper. Making pies has always been so enjoyable for me. All the steps involved, from incorporating the cold butter into the flour, to rolling out the pastry and wrapping it around a delicious filling, require time, attention and practice.

Pies are confectionery sculptures. Betty, a steward on the Sunbeam for many years, is remembered for her beautiful pies. It is my honor to humbly carry on her tradition.

My mother taught me to make pies. Pies fall into one of four categories – cream, fruit, custard, or savory. All are delicious, but, living in Cherryfield — “the blueberry capital of the world” — blueberry might be my most favorite.

Pies make me think of home, hearth, bounty, family. Pies embody love. They are baked to share with others. They are given in friendship to say thank you or, I care about you; I hope you are feeling better, I’m sorry for your loss, or, I was thinking about you. Pies are served after Sunday suppers, at coffee hours, receptions, picnics, and gatherings where people are enjoying one another. Pies are part of a caring community.

This pie scorer awaits when, once again, we come together. This utensil gives me hope.

Thank you Thursday for DCP’s Mark Green

Thank you Thursday for DCP’s Mark Green

It’s Thank you Thursday. Today’s shout out of Mission love goes to Mark Green, Executive Director of Downeast Community Partners (DCP). Mark has recently announced his upcoming retirement.

Mission Housing Rehabilitation Manager Scott Shaw said, “When Mark Green started as Executive Director for DCP, we spoke about the Mission Housing Repair Program. He showed a lot of interest. As I learned about their Weatherization Program I began referring eligible families we were assisting.

“As Mark and I communicated more, we utilized their services for our Housing Program, and we became closer, eventually growing into the partnership we now have. Ours is a case of two organizations looking beyond what we do separately, to the positive impact we have working together for the families we both serve.

“Mark made CF Adams Charitable Trust aware of our housing partnership. As a result, program funding took off. With our many exceptional volunteers from in- and out-of-state, we were able to take on larger home rehabilitation projects. The Mission’s Housing Repair Program was reborn as our Housing Rehabilitation Program.

“The Mobile Home Rehabilitation Program and, most recently, the Downeast Maine Tiny House Project, are other Downeast Community Partners/Maine Seacoast Mission success stories.

“Bottom line? Mark Green and DCP improved many lives,” Scott Shaw said.

This is what community looks like.

On the web – https://www.downeastcommunitypartners.org

Sunbeam Back for Planned Tweaks

Sunbeam Back for Planned Tweaks

BELFAST, ME — With the winds cooperating, Capt. Mike Johnson was able to travel with the Sunbeam back to Front Street Shipyard for refit tweaks.

Capt. Mike sent this photo of the boat, explaining, “The Sunbeam is back at Front Street Shipyard for a few weeks to address a few minor issues that inevitably develop after a major project, and also to install some equipment delayed by the pandemic.”

Stay tuned for updates.

Continued Academic, Personal Mentoring

Continued Academic, Personal Mentoring

 

NORTHEAST HARBOR — Through Zoom screens, socially distanced driveway visits, and the U.S. Postal Service, our Student Pathways Team continues facilitating creative and meaningful connection with students during our ongoing, necessary, pandemic separation.

When we do engage, our Mission Scholars and Journey and College Exploration and Engagement students are impressive and inspiring in their resilience and perseverance. We will continue providing academic and personal mentoring in the months ahead, and look forward, whenever helpful, to connecting with students’ families.

Recent Pathways highlights include:

  • Sending monthly project materials to all Journey students including a recent STEM inspired toothpick-and-gumdrops holiday project.
  • College Exploration and Engagement Zoom information sessions with our Davis Scholarship partner colleges.
  • Our high school juniors met admissions colleagues and students/alums from University of New England, Wheaton College and Clark University.
  • Mission Scholars participated in Zoom group check-in sessions and enjoyed receiving Mission hoodies for their holidays.

The Student Pathways Team also recently launched a new mentoring initiative linking Mission Scholars with Journey students. Visit the Mission’s social media pages for updates.

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