From the Community

This year marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Throughout the country, towns and historical organizations are planning exhibitions and events to honor the nation's past and look toward its future. Harpswell, too, will celebrate many facets of its long and interesting history as it joins the celebration from April through September.

It's been a long time coming, but the Harpswell Summer Swim Program will return this June. The program ended in 2019, when the Bowdoin College pool closed during the pandemic. The lack of swim time meant the loss of instructors and volunteers needed for this highly regarded instruction program, which had served up to 240 students from Harpswell and surrounding towns every summer.

It's been a busy winter at Mitchell Field, with one of two big projects completed and the other nearing completion. In addition to these major evolutions, we are seeing progress on several initiatives I mentioned in an earlier update. Here's a brief overview.

Dozens of Harpswell residents are benefiting from a new collaboration between Harpswell Aging at Home and the local fishing community as food prices and insecurity are on the rise.

The collection and celebration of art has always been an important part of Curtis Memorial Library's mission and culture. Now, the library is seeking to curate and expand its art collection to ensure it reflects the many voices and stories of Brunswick and Harpswell.

The Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust, in partnership with the town of Topsham and community supporters, has opened to the public Hideaway Farm Preserve, a conserved 33-acre property along the Cathance River.

After nearly 20 years leading Curtis Memorial Library as executive director, Elisabeth "Liz" Doucett will retire in July.

For the second time in four years, the Maine Lobstermen's Association presented its Marine Patrol Officer of the Year Award to Spc. Evan Whidden during the Maine Fishermen's Forum in March.

There's a new women's movement in Harpswell that is raising a new kind of consciousness. If the 1970s movement was about breaking boundaries, Harpswell's 2020s version is about binding the community together. GALA — Girls, Active, Laughing, Altogether — is Harpswell Aging at Home's newest program. It's gathering a growing number of enthusiastic followers to events that stimulate the mind, build camaraderie and make neighborly connections.