BELFAST, ME — As Sunbeam Captain Michael Johnson says, “We’re getting into the nitty gritty now.”
The one photo, courtesy Front Street Shipyard in Belfast, ME, shows the Sunbeam V inside, out of the elements, ready for refit.
The second photo, courtesy Capt. Johnson, is the “nitty gritty” refit work underway in the Sunbeam salon.
NORTHEAST HARBOR, ME — With the Sunbeam V out of the water for a routine major refit, the Mission had to find a way for the Sunbeam crew to travel among the islands without the Sunbeam. After researching, locating, and inspecting several boats, Sunbeam Engineer Storey King identified a 34-foot wooden Downeast Cruiser to serve as six-month transportation. Thursday, May 23, 2019 at 12:30 pm, the Sunbeam crew, Mission staff, and others gathered at Billings Boat Yard in Stonington, ME to christen the new Mission boat, Moonbeam.
Storey King will captain Moonbeam while Sunbeam Captain Michael Johnson oversees the Sunbeam refit.
“It’s really important for the Seacoast Mission to maintain our presence on the islands. The Moonbeam is more than just a way of getting our crew to the islands, it’s our way of living our commitment to the health and well-being of these vital communities, as we have been doing for over 100 years,” said Mission President John Zavodny.
With schoolchildren who named the Sunbeam in mind, Island Outreach Director Douglas Cornman came up with three possible boat names, and asked island schoolchildren to vote for their favorite name: Hope, Promineo, or Moonbeam. Hope was the Mission’s original 1905 vessel. Promineo means “to reach out.” Moonbeam is a name complementary to Sunbeam.
No one was surprised Moonbeam was the island schoolkids’ favorite name.
Captain Johnson said Moonbeam “was in solid condition when purchased. We made a few repairs and modifications to bring her up to our standards. Being a wooden boat, the primary concern was ensuring the bottom was watertight. Also, we made significant changes to the pilothouse seating arrangement, allowing better use of space and providing a small table/workstation. Mechanical upgrades,” said Johnson, “included a 120 volt inverter to allow charging of laptops and phones, a heating unit to warm the living space, and an improved main engine fuel filtering system,” he said.
Thursday, May 23rd, Mission President John Zavodny opened the christening with welcoming remarks, then turned over christening proceedings to Island Outreach Director Cornman. Sharon Daley, the Mission’s Island Health Director placed a green-leaved branch on the boat bow symbolizing a safe return to harbor after each voyage.
Then the three Isle au Haut students who helped choose the boat’s name, poured sparkling cider from four clear glasses over the bow while Moonbeam Captain Storey King said of the boat, “I christen thee, Moonbeam.”
BettyAnn and Ben Haskell of Brewer, ME also attended the christening and presented a special quilt given to Ben Haskell’s father, Rev. Stanley Haskell, who was Sunbeam Boat Minister (1974-1985).
Ben Haskell said, “When dad retired the women of the various island churches presented” his father and mother, Ethel, “with an amazing goose down quilt, exquisitely handmade, with each panel telling a story of the local church, the Sunbeam visits, and the coast of Maine.”
“For over 15 years the quilt hung on a wall [of my parents’ Northeast Harbor home,” Mr. Haskell said. BettyAnn Haskell restored the quilt to original condition, and the Haskells donated “this incredible piece of island craftsmanship and message of love from the churches to my father,” to Maine Seacoast Mission.
Then the Moonbeam, with full crew aboard, was lowered to the water for the first of several sea trials before being put into service on June 5th.
Moonbeam will be stationed in Northeast Harbor. The crew will also, depending on weather conditions, use airplanes and mail boats to do their work until the Sunbeam is back in service.
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February 21, 2019
Friends of the Mission,
A beautiful, snowy morning on Frenchman Bay seems like the right moment to reflect a little on my first days as President of the Maine Seacoast Mission.
My first days have been gloriously filled with stories: how, in 1917, the Sunbeam I first brought dental services to Maine’s coastal island communities, how a young scholarship recipient found her voice with help from the EdGE program, how both lives and homes are transformed through the Housing Rehabilitation program, and how, for a century, the Mission has served as safe harbor for all. Stories of great good work, stories of fearless service, and stories of commitment to the Mission values. The Mission’s long legacy has been the ever-present backdrop for my first week of service.
Mine has been a week of powerful firsts. My first full tour of the grand Colket Center. My first meetings and meals with the welcoming Mission staff. My first extended time with the Rev. Scott Planting — what obvious love he has for you all and what big shoes to fill. And I look forward to so many more firsts to come: voyages, school visits, community meals, and so many more.
Of all the firsts to come, I am most excited to meet all of you and to hear all of your stories about what the Mission has meant to you and your families through the years.
I’ve only been on the job for a few days and already I am grateful for the Mission — grateful for the welcome I am receiving, for the Mission’s work, for the excellent staff and board of directors, for stories shared, and for stories yet to come.
Mostly I am grateful my own meandering story has led me here.
I am grateful to all of you for the opportunity to steward the Mission’s legacy. Together, I trust we can respond to the challenges of the present, anticipate a bright future, and always — by our actions and in our words — honor the rich past of the Maine Seacoast Mission.
Everyone wants to know my first order of business. That’s easy: learn as much as I possibly can from the collective wisdom of a century of powerful service. Starting now.
For the Mission,
John
BAR HARBOR, ME — On Thursday February 7th Maine Seacoast Mission Island Health Director Sharon Daley, RN joined two other island leaders in speaking to nursing students at University of Southern Maine College of Nursing’s Casco Bay Fishing and Island Partnership. Fourteen nursing students will partner with the Casco Bay islands during their nursing school studies. For many nursing students this was their introduction to Maine islands.
Island Health Director Daley spoke to the students at the invitation of Nurse Practitioner Peggy Akers. Ms. Akers teaches the Partnership course, and is a member of Sharon Daley’s Island Elder Care Conference, a group of health care workers focused on finding ways for island residents to age in place, among family and friends.
Maine Seacoast Mission hosts an Annual Elder Care Conference where members gather in person. Between Conferences, group members stay connected with the internet and phone.
USM’s Casco Bay Fishing and Island Partnership course is taught by Nurse Practitioner Peggy Akers who also participates in Director Sharon Daley’s Island Elder Care group.
As explained in USM’s College of Nursing course description, “The Casco Bay Fishing and Community Partnership is primarily focused on those individuals and families who make their living in the commercial fishing industry, and those living on the remote islands in Casco Bay.”
Island Health Director Sharon Daley shared with the nursing students information about island life, the Sunbeam, telemedicine, and answered questions about the sustainability of island life, health care, emergencies, schools, telemedicine and daily life on islands. Peggy Akers, NP of the USM School of nursing said it is especially important for the students to learn about the collaboration of mainland providers and Maine Seacoast Mission in providing health services to Islanders.
Learn more about the Mission’s Island Health services.
Learn more about University of Southern Maine College of Nursing’s Casco Bay Fishing and Island Partnership.
CHERRYFIELD, ME — The Mission’s Sunbeam V Steward Jillian sends these photos and an update from Super Bowl Sunday’s Downeast Table of Plenty:
“Even on Super Bowl Sunday our community supper was full of fellowship!
“Ocean wanted to celebrate her birthday at Table of Plenty, so her mom, Savannah hosted the meal and sure made it look easy.”
“We thought to put and apron on Ocean this Sunday so that she didn’t need to be thrown in the dryer.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 4, 2019
For More Information:
Contact:
Scott K Fish, Communications and Marketing
sfish@seacoastmission.org or 207-458-7185
John Zavodny, Ph.D., to be new Maine Seacoast Mission President
BAR HARBOR, ME — The Maine Seacoast Mission has announced that John Zavodny, Ph.D., will be its new president beginning on February 19, 2019.
Stacey Smith, board Chair, noted that “we are fortunate to welcome John to the Mission. During our interviews with him his excitement and compassion for the work of the Mission and an understanding of life in rural Maine were evident. He is a broad and collaborative thinker, an empathetic communicator and we look forward to the next chapters of the Maine Seacoast Mission with John at the helm.”
Dr. Zavodny comes to the Mission from his current position as chief of staff at Unity College in Unity, Maine. Unity College offers a unique education based on sustainability science that engages students with its rural environment. During his 18-year career at Unity College, Dr. Zavodny has also served as professor of philosophy and humanities, academic chair, director of the Center for Environmental Arts and Humanities, and dean of academic services.
Dr. Zavodny has also been active as a community volunteer, serving on the board of WERU Community Radio in Orland and in various capacities for the Camden Conference and the Maine Humanities Council, among others. He holds a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Tennessee and a bachelor’s degree in classical languages from Lipscomb University. He currently lives in Belfast, Maine, but plans to relocate to the Mount Desert Island area.
Dr. Zavodny assumes the Mission’s presidency with the retirement of the Reverend Scott Planting, who has served as president since 2010.
“What an incredible opportunity and humbling responsibility,” said Zavodny. “Over the last century, leaders like Scott Planting have helped Maine Seacoast Mission establish a powerful history of service with island and coastal Maine communities. With the support of the board, friends of the Mission, and amazing team of professionals already in place we can steward that legacy, honor community relationships, and build on the good work that has already been accomplished,” said Dr. Zavodny.
As president, Dr. Zavodny will oversee the operation of the Maine Seacoast Mission and its many programs delivered from campuses in Bar Harbor and Cherryfield and from the Sunbeam, a 74-foot boat. Since 1905, the Mission has served the isolated communities of the unbridged islands and coastal villages of Hancock and Washington counties with health, education, food assistance, Christmas, and community-building programs, and pastoral care.
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Maine Seacoast Mission – 127 West St. – Bar Harbor, ME – 04609