EVENTS: Ecology Learning Center announces fundraiser

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Senior class presidents, Ada Dennison (in front, left) and Emma Wallace (back, right), opening the door for the first time with the key. (contributed photo)

The Ecology Learning Center, a public charter high school based in Unity, has announced a new fundraising campaign for the Clifford Arts & Student Center, which was gifted to the school in February. The campaign hopes to raise $150,000 by Sunday, June 30, supporting a “farm-to-cafeteria” program, in addition to covering capital and operating expenses. Every donation to our capital campaign will be doubled.

Gifted to the school on Valentine’s Day, the Clifford Arts & Student Center spans more than 8,000 square feet, featuring a theater that seats 200 people, ceramics studio with 12 pottery wheels and two kilns, classrooms, and office space. The new funds will allow the building to advance the Ecology Learning Center’s mission of deeply rooting students in Maine’s ecological and cultural landscapes, fostering authentic real-world learning while cultivating compassionate, resilient leaders who can engage in the challenges of today and tomorrow.

The Clifford Arts & Student Center is located at 42 Depot Street, in Unity. Interested donors can give money in the following ways:

Visit their website; send cash or check to “Ecology Learning Center” (230 Main Street in Unity);

Sponsor or attend a Community Program;

Donate an auction item and attend the live auction in the theater on Friday, April 26, at 5:30 p.m.

The Clifford Arts & Student Center hosted a grand re-opening last Sunday, March 10th, with The Al Corey Big Band playing music – showcasing the theme of “Some Enchanted Evening” – and the Ecology Learning Center’s student-chefs serving island fare, inspired by the South Pacific. The building was originally opened in December 2000 by Bert and Coral Clifford.

Local residents named to Clark Univ.’s dean’s list

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The following local residents were named to Clark University’s Fall 2023 dean’s list, in Worcester, Massachusetts:

Sam N. Golden, of South China, was named to second honors.

Maya L. Patten, of Mercer, was named to second honors.

Frankie D. Roberts, of Unity, was named to second honors.

EVENTS: Bird migration in central Maine

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These eastern bluebirds huddle in an attempt to stay warm. (photo courtesy of Massachusetts Audubon Society)

A bird migration in central Maine lecture will be held on Thursday, May 9, at 6:30 p.m., Unity Community Center, 32 School St., Unity

The Sebasticook River watershed provides a diversity of habitats that host well over 200 species of birds annually. Although many nest here, species composition changes throughout the seasons due to migration. Tom Aversa will lead in an evening of fun and exploration as they learn when and where to find this vast array of species. Aversa enjoys birds year-round while serving as the SRLT chairman. He has studied our avian friends for over 50 years, having penned several books on birds, serving on the Maine Bird Records Committee, and traveling worldwide in pursuit of natural history.

EVENTS: Ecology Learning Center moves to new location, Begin fundraising campaign

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The Ecology Learning Center is now the proud owner of the Clifford Arts & Student Center (formerly known as the Unity Center for Performing Arts), thanks to the generosity of Unity Environmental University in collaboration with Unity Foundation. In order to maintain and fully realize the capacity of this beautiful 8,000 square foot facility, they must raise $150,000 by June 30, 2024. Please support the public charter high school by donating to their capital campaign and attending events at the student-run theater!

The mission of the Ecology Learning Center is to deeply root students in Maine’s ecological and cultural landscapes, foster authentic real-world learning through mentorship and craft, and cultivate compassionate and resilient leaders prepared to engage in the challenges of today and tomorrow.

The center is located at 230 Main St., in Unity.

Friday, March 1:

Monte Selby: A Story To Be Told

The first event at the Bert & Coral Clifford Arts and Student Center will be Dr. Monte Selby performing original songs with the school’s students – A Story To Be Told.

Ecology Ctr. accepting ninth grade enrollment

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Ecology Learning Center (photo: Unity College)

The Ecology Learning Center, a public charter high school (9-12 grades) in Unity, enrollment is still OPEN for 9th grade! If interested, please fill out the Intent to Enroll form on our website.

At the Ecology Learning Center, we offer:

focused English, math, history, and science instruction; French and Spanish language courses, taught by native speakers; art electives, including music and woodworking; outdoor adventure and leadership training; FREE breakfast and lunch using locally-grown produce, prepared by students.

Reach out to info@ecologylearningcenter.org with questions.

SRLT hires program manager

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Cheryl Daigle

Sebasticook Regional Land Trust (SRLT) has announced the hiring of Cheryl Daigle as program manager. The membership-supported conservation association works to conserve and restore the lands and waters of the Sebasticook River Watershed in Central Maine, and has been all-volunteer for more than six years.

Daigle will take the lead on operations and coordinate the activities of the board and volunteers beginning in early March. She brings extensive experience in communications and outreach at diverse community-based conservation organizations across New England. Her career focus has been on conservation, restoration, cultural vitality and economic health of the communities in which she has worked. She most recently served as the editor of Northern Woodlands magazine. Managing SRLT marks a return to Maine for Daigle. Her previous conservation work in the Pine Tree state has been in the roles of executive director at the Maine Lakes Society, outreach coordinator at the Penobscot River Restoration Trust and publications specialist at Maine Sea Grant.

“Our dedicated core of volunteers has struggled to do more than maintain our preserves, monitor easement holdings and present outreach events,” said SRLT board president Tom Aversa. “Cheryl’s skills in community engagement, fundraising, grant writing and land stewardship will help us meet the challenges of the future.”

Sebasticook Regional Land Trust focuses on land conservation, habitat restoration and environmental education, working with landowners to help them voluntarily protect their land for future generations. In its first ten years, the SRLT and its landowner partners have ensured the permanent protection of nearly 4,000 acres of wild and working lands. Learn more at sebasticookrlt.org.

New mental health provider welcomed to Unity practice

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Jennifer Turner

Northern Light Primary Care in Unity welcomes Jennifer Turner, LMSW-CC, a licensed master social worker, to the team. Jennifer was the Unity practice manager for the past five years and has transitioned into this new role. Jennifer has been with Northern Light Inland Hospital for 21 years.

Jennifer earned her undergraduate degree in social work at Saint Joseph’s College of Maine and her master’s degree in clinical social work from the University of New England. She is state licensed.

Jennifer shares, “I want to be a part of changing the stigma around mental health/behavioral health. It is an honor to be “allowed” into a patient’s world and be a part of their healthcare journey, one I don’t take lightly. It is important to listen, then listen more. I enjoy coming alongside the patient to help them reach their goals while providing a safe place with no judgement.”

Jennifer is a generalist social worker who provides individual therapy. She works with patients, ages 10 years and older, who have all types of symptoms and diagnosis, such as: substance use, grief, women’s health, and chronic illness. She also has experience working with learning disabilities and challenges. She will be seeing patients in-person at the Unity practice with telehealth as an option.

For referrals or more information, please call our practice at 948.2100. The practice is located at 80 Main Street in Unity.

Local students on Springfield College dean’s list

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William Banks, of Jefferson, and Kyle Ingraham, of Unity, were named to the dean’s list at Springfield College, in Springfield, Massachusetts, for academic excellence for the 2022 fall semester. Banks has a primary major of physical education, and Ingraham in sport management.

Local residents earn award from WGU

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The following local residents have earned an Award of Excellence at Western Governors University, in Salt Lake City, Utah. The award is given to students who perform at a superior level in their coursework.

Jen Paradis, of Augusta, has earned an Award of Excellence at Western Governors University College of Business.

Abigayle Laverdiere, of Fairfield, has earned an Award of Excellence at Western Governors University School of Education.

Crystal Perry, of South China, has earned an Award of Excellence at Western Governors University Leavitt School of Health.

Olivia Nicks, of Unity, has earned an Award of Excellence at Western Governors University College of Information Technology.

PHOTO: Sign of early spring

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Because of the warm weather, Corinne Dubois, of Unity, decided to go check on her bulbs in the flower gardens – they tend to sprout very early at times in February. However, not on January 1.