Local ten year old is ready for her first art exhibit and a lot more news briefs.
Aug 22, 2025
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by The Links Pub.
A QUICK NOTE FROM US:
Each week, we compile briefs and press releases and event images and share them all in one (sometimes very long) story. You may have to click through to read it all
Our briefs article is mostly just press releases that we don’t write, or claim to write, but just share from the agencies, businesses, people, and organizations that send them in.
If things are not a press release, they are labelled “BRIEF” in their headlines. The press releases will not have that label. Also, if you or your organization has something you’d like us to share, just email us here.
BAR HARBOR PROHIBITS CAMPFIRES
BAR HARBOR—Due to high fire danger conditions, the Bar Harbor Fire Department is prohibiting any outdoor burning, including campfires, until further notice.
For more information:
Continuing Care in Women’s Health: Longtime MDIH OB Nurse in New Role as Women’s Health Nurse Navigator
BAR HARBOR—For more than two decades, Ellen DaCorte, RN, BSN, CBC, has been a trusted presence in the lives of families at Mount Desert Island Hospital. As a longtime OB nurse, she supported generations of families with calm reassurance, deep understanding, and genuine joy, celebrating every new life and every growing family.
When birth rates declined and the hospital’s Labor & Delivery Unit closed, it was a profound change for the community, and for Ellen personally. “The shift away from delivering babies has been a hard one,” she reflected. “That part of my role has meant a great deal to me and to the families I’ve cared for during my 29-year nursing career at Mount Desert Island Hospital.”
Even so, Ellen’s commitment to the women and families of the island never wavered. Today, she is the Women’s Health Nurse Navigator at MDI Hospital’s Lisa Stewart Women’s Health Center in Bar Harbor, where women can continue to receive the care they need at any stage of life. In this role in particular, Ellen helps women navigate every phase of their healthcare journey, with dedicated emphasis on prenatal care, the newborn transition period, and postnatal recovery.
“As women’s healthcare at MDI Hospital and our health centers evolves, I’m focused on continuing to serve this community in a new and different way, by engaging with families during pregnancy and providing continued support and connection when they return home after birth,” she said. “I recognize that the prenatal and postpartum period can be both an exciting and vulnerable time for individuals and families, so I am honored to be here for them during this time.”
Already, Ellen has hosted a breastfeeding education class at the Lisa Stewart Women’s Health Center, and lactation support appointments are underway. She has also begun meeting with pregnant individuals and connecting them with MDI Hospital OB providers. Whether it’s one-on-one guidance or group education, she brings the same warmth and dedication that have defined her decades of service.
In addition to prenatal care coordination, Ellen helps facilitate two-day postpartum visits on the island for newborns, hearing screenings, bilirubin checks, circumcisions with providers, and weight and blood pressure monitoring. “Being present for parents and their babies in those early days after hospital discharge is incredibly meaningful work,” Ellen said. “It’s a critical opportunity to offer support, guidance, and early intervention.”
For Ellen, listening is key. “I think it’s really important to listen, stay flexible, and help shape this new Women’s Health Nurse Navigator role to meet the evolving needs of our community, pivoting when necessary to help families access the care they need, as close to home as possible,” she explained. “Helping each patient receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time will help ensure health and well-being for the growing families in our community.”
Ellen’s colleagues also share her commitment to women’s healthcare on MDI. Katie Gassman, DO and Sveva Brown, MD, both Family Medicine providers with specialties in women’s health and obstetrics, continue to see patients at the Lisa Stewart Women’s Health Center. This includes pregnant patients for prenatal appointments and to answer questions and concerns leading up to deliveries at partner hospitals.
For Ellen, the setting may have changed, but the heart of her work remains the same: being there for women, babies, and families, as a resource and a warm presence.
If you are looking for family planning or pregnancy resources on MDI, please contact the Lisa Stewart Women’s Health Center at 207.288.8100.
College of the Atlantic named #1 LGBTQ-friendly, #1 green-minded college
The coastal Maine college ranks among the top 20 in 17 categories, highlighting its rigorous academics, strong financial aid, and high quality of life.
BAR HARBOR—College of the Atlantic has been named the #1 LGBTQ-Friendly college and the top school for “Green Matters: Everyone Cares About Conservation” in the 2026 edition of The Princeton Review’s Best 391 Colleges. The college also ranks in the top 20 nationally across categories from most active student government to best campus food.
The recognitions reflect COA’s long-standing commitment to an inclusive and supportive community, as well as its innovative approach to education. Every student designs their own major in human ecology, an interdisciplinary program that integrates knowledge across fields and empowers students to explore the relationships between humans and the natural, built, and social environments.
“College of the Atlantic is a place where people can bring their whole selves and be met with respect, curiosity, and care,” says COA President Sylvia Torti. “That spirit of openness fuels the creativity and intellectual engagement that define our academic life—and launches graduates who lead, innovate, and challenge the status quo.”
COA’s tight-knit community fosters mutual respect, creating an environment where students can thrive academically, personally, and socially, Torti says. It’s a culture that continues to earn COA top marks from students in The Princeton Review’s annual survey.
“There’s an ‘encouragement to pave our own paths and build our learning to suit ourselves,’” The Princeton Review quotes one student as saying. This approach “attracts a self-selected group of passionate, driven, and deeply curious individuals who are committed to interdisciplinary learning and environmental and social justice,” another says.
The Princeton Review rankings are based entirely on surveys of 170,000 students attending the 391 schools in the guide. Only about 15% of America’s four-year colleges are profiled.
Founded on the belief that education should not only help students understand the world but empower them to change it, College of the Atlantic has been named the #1 Green College in the U.S. by The Princeton Review every year since 2016. The Review’s 2026 Green Rankings will be released in the fall. Learn more at coa.edu.
College of the Atlantic’s 2026 top-20 Princeton Review rankings:
#1 Green Matters: Everyone Cares About Conservation
#1 LGBTQ-Friendly
#3 Most Active Student Government
#4 Best Campus Food
#4 Lots of Race/Class Interaction
#5 Best Quality of Life
#6 Most Engaged in Community Service
#6 Town-Gown Relations are Great
#8 Friendliest Students
#12 Most Politically Liberal Students
#12 Students Study the Most
#14 Most Politically Active Students
#15 Great Financial Aid
#15 Professors Get High Marks
#17 Happiest Students
#17 Most Beautiful Campus
#18 Least Religious Students
Princeton Review Ratings for COA:
Academics: 90/99
Admissions Selectivity: 90/99
Financial Aid: 97/99
Fire Safety: 92/99
Quality of Life: 98/99
Green: 99/99
Professors Interesting : 94/99
Professors Accessible: 93/99
Local Landscapes and Creative Curiosity: Art by Vicky Smith and Juniper Witkowski
SOUTHWEST HARBOR—Stop by the Southwest Harbor Public Library from September 4 to 29 to view an exhibit of Vicky Smith’s plein air landscape oil paintings and a showcase of mixed media art by Juniper Witkowski featured in the Holmes Reading Room display case. All are welcome to an art reception for Vicky Smith on Tuesday, September 9, 5-7:30 p.m. Light refreshments to be served.
“When painting en plein air the vistas change with cloud cover or the sun moving across the sky. You might get a glimpse of an unexpected color. Absorbing that color into my painting can be delightful.”
Vicky Smith, a primarily self-taught oil painter, began her art journey after raising her children. Inspired by local artists, she enjoys plein air painting and capturing new landscapes. Her work has been shown at numerous venues, including the Northeast Harbor Library, MDI Open, Artwaves, Smart Studio, Jesup Library, and currently at the Islesford Dock Gallery.
For Juniper (Junie) Witkowski, the mixed media pieces in her showcase are daily explorations in color, texture, and technique.
“I am honored to share a selection of my favorite creations from the past year. From sculpting and painting, to jewelry and bookmarks, I’ve enjoyed experimenting with many forms of art. I hope the community finds as much joy in viewing my work as I found in making it.”
Witkowski, a 10-year-old homeschooler from Southwest Harbor, believes that crafting is an essential part of every day. What began as handmade gifts has grown into a lasting love of the arts. A self-taught creator, Junie eagerly explores a variety of mediums—currently favoring crochet, drawing, and pyrography—as her curiosity and creativity grow with each new project.
For questions or for more information call the Library at 207-244-7065, visit https://tinyurl.com/m4vvft2r, or email exhibits@swhplibrary.org
ABBE ANNUAL MEETING!
Abbe Museum Annual Members’ Meeting
5 – 7 p.m., September 26
BAR HARBOR—We are excited to connect with you at this year’s Annual Meeting, Friday, September 26, 2025, here at the Museum, from 5-7 p.m. Mingle over food and beverages alongside the Abbe trustees, council, and staff while we update you on the museum and our plans for the future. A highlight of the evening will be remarks from Mi’kmaq artist Jordan Bennett, whose contemporary art exhibit Mi’kmaw Tepgunsejig – 13 Moons Full Suite is on display in our Community Gallery through the end of October.
This event is free and open to the public.
BRIEF: Bar Harbor Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting Cancelled Due to Lack of Quorum
BAR HARBOR—At its August 18 meeting, the Bar Harbor Parks and Recreation Committee had to reschedule due to a lack of a quorum. The committee was scheduled to hold its election of officers, but only current Chair John Kelly and current Vice-Chair Greg Veilleux attended. Member Ann Tikkanen had an excused absence and member Jeff Dobbs was given an excused absence due to recent health issues. Member Erin Cough was not present.
After twenty minutes, the meeting was cancelled and one of the four members of the public attending, the representative for the Vettes of Coastal Maine, said that he had been to town twice in a row and had the meeting canceled on him. The first time the scheduled meeting was canceled due to the cyber-attack on the town’s computers.
The decision was made to carry the agenda items over to the next scheduled meeting date of Monday, September 15, including the Vettes of Coastal Maine park use application, but to not require any representation from the applicants to be present at the meeting since the group has a long-established history.
Final Coffee & Conversation of the season
“Gardening, Creativity, and Health”
Psychotherapist and author Sue Stuart-Smith, landscape architect Tom Stuart-Smith, and COA Rachel Carson Chair in Human Ecology Suzanne Morse explore the power of nature to radically transform people’s health and well-being and the inclusive benefits of community gardening at the last Coffee & Conversation of the 2025 summer season.
The panel will discuss the Stuart-Smith’s Community Interest Company, The Serge Hill Project for Gardening, Creativity, and Health, a community garden located on a one-acre former orchard on their family’s estate in Hertfordshire, England. The project is rooted in Sue’s research and writings—particularly her book, The Well-Gardened Mind (Scribner, 2020), which explores the transformative power of gardening for mental health.
Location: Davis Center for Human Ecology
Date & Time: August 26, 9:30 a.m.
The Coffee & Conversation series features discussions between invited guests and College of the Atlantic faculty members and trustees. This summer, you are invited to join conversations with authors, entrepreneurs, scholars, artists, researchers, and thought leaders.
Sessions are held live at COA and online at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday mornings in July and August.
Click here to check the schedule and here to register.
NOVA SCOTIA-MAINE FERRY SERVICE – 2025 SEASON MONTHLY UPDATE
Bookings on the Nova Scotia-Maine ferry service are significantly increasing over the previous month.
BAR HARBOR—A total of 33,832 passengers have booked travel on The CAT as of August 14, 2025, compared to 24,613 as of July 8, 2025. This increase of 9,219 passengers in the last month represents a jump of more than 37%.
“July was a strong month and indicators are very good for a continued strong performance for the remainder of August and into September,” said Mark Wilson, Chief Executive Officer of Bay Ferries Limited (BFL), the operator of the ferry service between Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, and Bar Harbor, Maine. “We are holding very close to last year in terms of American bookings for the service as travel into Nova Scotia and the Maritimes remains strong.”
A significant drop in Canadian bookings, however, continues to be the major factor in an overall year-to- year decline in passenger bookings. As of August 14, 2024, a total of 40,950 were booked for travel on The CAT.
“It’s clear that the national trends of Canadians choosing not to visit the United States are having an impact on overall passenger numbers,” added Wilson.
Year-to-date, the vessel has completed 70 round trips, with nine round trips cancelled, all due to poor weather conditions in May, June and July.
The CAT season started on May 15 and operated five days per week until June 18. Daily service began June 19 and will continue until September 22. As of September 25, The CAT operates five days per week until the final sailing of the season on October 15.
Departure times are 9:30 a.m. Atlantic from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, and 3:00 p.m. Eastern from Bar Harbor, Maine.
For further information, please visit the company’s website at www.ferries.ca.
SEAL COVE AUTO MUSEUM WILL BE CLOSED SATURDAY TO REMEMBER RODRIGUEZ
Sunset Cruise to Benefit the SPCA of Hancock County
BAR HARBOR—Enjoy a two-hour sunset cruise while supporting the animals at the SPCA of Hancock County’s animal shelter.
The SPCA Critter Cruise will be held on Sunday, September 14, aboard Acadian Boat Tour’s 149-passenger vessel, the Acadia, and includes a Happy Hour hors d’oeuvres, raffles and a cash bar, with all proceeds benefitting the animals. Tickets for the cruise are $75 each. Please note that animals are not permitted on the cruise.
The cruise will depart at 5 p.m. sharp from the Atlantic Oceanside Hotel dock at 119 Eden St., Bar Harbor. Guests are encouraged to dress warmly and to arrive 20 to 30 minutes prior to departure to allow time to park and board the boat. Guests are required to check in at the ticket booth at 119 Eden St. to ensure the captain and crew have an accurate count of cruisers.
The Acadia will go along the shoreline of Bar Harbor and will include views of the summer mansions, Egg Rock Lighthouse, seals, harbor porpoise, seals and eagles. An Acadia Boat Tours experience naturalist will narrate the tour with history and anecdotes. The boat will stop in the bay during the last portion of the cruise to watch the sunset just before 7 p.m.
The cruise is being held rain or shine. It will only be postponed at the captain’s discretion in the event of severe wind or fog.
The event is being presented by Bar Harbor Bank & Trust with support from Acadian Boat Tours and Atlantic Oceanside Hotel.
Tickets may be purchased online spcahancockcounty.org/donations/critter-cruise-tickets/
FILM PRESENTATION at NEH Library MASTERS OF THE MOVEMENT …
The Tradition of Studio Furniture
Featuring Ted Blachly, Jon Brooks, Tim Coleman, Duncan Gowdy, Yuri Kobayashi, David Lamb, Joe Tracy
Thursday, August 28
5:30 p.m.
Tyra Hanson, Director of the Gallery along with Filmmaker Michael Perlman have created a 30-minute documentary film showcasing seven of the Gallery at Somes Sound’s furniture makers who have been taught or apprenticed under the founders of the studio furniture movement, an American sub-field of studio craft. Names such as Wendell Castle, James Krenov, Gere Osgood, just to name a few, are the influences and motivators behind these artisans/craftsmen …
The film starts at 5:30 pm with a Q&A to follow featuring furniture maker, Joseph Tracy. This event is open to the public. Donations are welcome and will be donated to the NEH Library and the New Hampshire Furniture Masters.
NORTHEAST HARBOR LIBRARY
- Melon Room
- 1 Joy Road
- Northeast Harbor, ME
Trailer, MASTERS OF THE MOVEMENT .. The Tradition of Studio Furniture
DATES OF FILM PRESENTATION:
FIRST VIEWING at the NEH Library in Northeast Harbor, MDI, Maine, on Thursday, August 28 at 5:30 p.m. with a Q&A to follow featuring furniture maker, Joseph Tracy. This event is open to the public. Donations are welcome and will be donated to the NEH Library and the New Hampshire Furniture Masters.
SECOND VIEWING will be held at the Wendell Gilley Museum, Southwest Harbor, MDI, Maine, on Friday, October 10, social gathering at 5:30, film presentation at 6:00 p.m. and Q&A to follow featuring furniture maker, Joseph Tracy. This event is open to the public. Donations are welcome and will be donated to the Wendell Gilley and the New Hampshire Furniture Masters.
THIRD VIEWING will be held at the Currier Museum of Art, Manchester, NH, on Wednesday, November 12. (more information to follow)
International One Design World Sailing Championship Returns to Maine Waters
September 6-12, 2025 | off Northeast Harbor, Mount Desert Island
NORTHEAST HARBOR—This event brings together sailors from all over the world, including Bermuda, Norway, Canada and various American fleets, to race against each other in beautiful antique racing sloops.
Twelve of the original 14 IODs delivered to Northeast Harbor in 1938 still race each summer; the boats have storied pasts. For example, number 5, now named Tundra, was once called the Queen Mary and was raced by Nelson Rockefeller.
The Northeast Harbor Fleet, which is running September’s Worlds championship, has produced a disproportionate number of elite sailors. Several IOD sailors from this fleet have won America’s Cup campaigns, and some have raced in the Olympics or are preparing to do so.
Watercolor Workshops with Guest Artist Deena Ball
TOWN HILL—We are thrilled to welcome artist, Deena Ball, to ArtWaves this fall! Deena’s work is a beautiful fusion of her passions for nature, science, and art.
She is celebrated for her innovative approach to landscape painting, often using watercolors on unique, textured surfaces. Her art is largely created en plein air, capturing the essence of a moment in time. Deena’s deep connection to her surroundings shines through in her expressive and evocative pieces.
Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to learn from an artist whose work reflects the beauty of nature. Learn more here.
SAVE THE DATE
CRITERION SCHEDULE UPDATE
Friends of Acadia’s 36th Annual Benefit Raises Funds to Restore the Carroll Homestead in Acadia National Park
Over 430 people gathered under the tent to celebrate and support the park
NORTHEAST HARBOR—Over 430 people gathered under a full moon to celebrate and support Acadia National Park at Gate House Farm in Northeast Harbor on Saturday, August 9 for Friends of Acadia’s 36th Annual Benefit.
A highlight of the evening was raising more than $200,000 to date to support the restoration and revitalization of the Carroll Homestead in Southwest Harbor, one of Acadia’s most cherished cultural heritage sites. Acadia National Park will match these donor funds with an additional $250,000 from entrance fees to support needed repairs.
Built in the early 1800s and celebrating its 200th anniversary this year, Carroll Homestead is a rare, authentic example of 19th-century life on Mount Desert Island. Built by John Carroll in 1825, the farm was home to three generations of Carrolls. Donated to Acadia National Park in 1982, the homestead has inspired generations of park visitors, students, educators, and historians.
“The Carroll Homestead offers a rare and tangible glimpse into the island’s past and is an important educational resource for the many fourth graders in the area who visit each year as part of school curriculums,” said Eric Stiles, Friends of Acadia CEO and president. “We are grateful to the many generous donors, sponsors, and our hosts, for helping us preserve and protect this historic treasure for future generations to explore and enjoy.”
The Benefit evening began with a festive cocktail hour and silent auction where guests bid on items ranging from original art, unique experiences, one-of-a-kind jewelry, beautiful items for the home, and accessories for adventures into the park. Guests then enjoyed an elegant dinner catered by Bar Harbor Catering Company. The spirited live auction featured a three-night stay at Corcovado Wilderness Lodge in Costa Rica, a dinner for 12 with Martha Stewart and Wabanaki leaders at Skylands, an original landscape painting by renowned plein air painter Emily Buchanan, and a 1974 custom-built mahogany runabout, donated by Meghan Savage and daughters in memory of Tom Savage.
The evening continued with dancing to the music of DJ June and the Hudson Horns.
The 2025 Benefit Committee, led by Lesley Draper and Jill Hinckley, worked hard throughout the year leading to an extraordinary night of fun and fundraising for the park.
“This year’s Benefit was truly remarkable—from our record ticket sales to the amazing turnout of young people,” said Jen Byer, Friends of Acadia special events manager. “The energy was palpable, especially with the dance floor packed all night long thanks to the incredible band. It was a joy to see so many supporters, old and new, come together to ensure Acadia National Park’s future.”
“We are so grateful for the continued generosity and enthusiasm from everyone who made this event a success and to everyone who has helped support the park this year in so many different ways,” Byer continued. “A special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Chilton Trust, who supported the Annual Benefit for the 12th year in a row and to our cocktail tent sponsor, Interactive Brokers. A heartfelt thank you to the Savage family for hosting us on their beautiful farm, and to all the businesses, artists, craftspeople, and individuals who donated incredible auction items to help Acadia National Park.”
Friends of Acadia preserves, protects, and promotes stewardship of the outstanding natural beauty, ecological vitality, and distinctive cultural resources of Acadia National Park and surrounding communities for the inspiration and enjoyment of current and future generations. Visit www.friendsofacadia.org.
League of Women Voters: Local Government in Maine
Thursday, September 4, 2025 at 6:30p.m.
BAR HARBOR—The League of Women Voters of Maine encourages citizens to get more involved with local government. On Thursday, September 4th at 6:30pm, Rick Lyles and Ruth Eveland will appear at the Jesup Memorial Library to inform residents of various ways that they can step into local government as well as participate in the long-term.
A nonpartisan presentation, this educational session will first review the very basics of how Maine communities govern themselves. Participants will gain a better understanding of chartered versus unchartered communities, how cities and counties are governed, how statewide representation is set up, and more.
Rick Lyles is a professor emeritus at Michigan State University with broad experience in urban planning and transportation engineering/planning. A resident of Ellsworth, he is active in local civic affairs, principally related to city planning and housing and with the League of Women Voters-Downeast. He “discovered” MDI/Acadia in 1971 on his way to Nova Scotia in a VW van—ANP was a tent/tree symbol on a fold-up map and looked like a good place to stay overnight.
Ruth Eveland wisely settled here with her family in 1993. She has been an active volunteer with a number of organizations, served three terms on the Bar Harbor Town Council, currently serves on the Planning Board, and loved beyond belief her twelve years as the library director of the Jesup.
YMCA NEW SCHEDULE BEGINS IN SEPTEMBER
POP-UP ART EXHIBIT AT NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE
Local Food Community Potluck at Beech Hill Farm
ArtWaves Founder Liz Cutler Steps Down as Organization Embraces New Leadership
BAR HARBOR—Over the summer, founder and long-standing instructor, Liz Cutler, stepped down from her formal roles at ArtWaves. This transition marks a pivotal moment for the organization; celebrating Cutler’s contributions while embracing a future of continued growth and creativity. With new staff and board members, this local community arts center is excited to enter a new era as Acadia Center for the Arts.
Liz Cutler started ArtWaves in 2012 from her studio in downtown Bar Harbor with the simple mission of offering art classes to locals and visitors. In April 2017, ArtWaves relocated to Town Hill and established itself as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The Town Hill campus has a rich connection to the arts. It was formerly established as a dance school and then briefly owned by Marion Boulton ‘Kippy’ Stroud, a talented fiber artist, teacher, generous philanthropist, and impassioned promoter of contemporary art and artists, before being purchased by ArtWaves.
Liz Cutler and other founding members of Artwaves were pivotal in this expansion, establishing visual arts studios and programming and recruiting teachers and groups to use the campus’s state-of-the-art dance studio.
Over the years, the campus has enabled ArtWaves to host guest artists, organize summer festivals and events, and support other local nonprofits and community organizations. Now, Cutler hopes that the organization will continue to grow as she enjoys some much-deserved time in the studio, furthering her own artistic practice.
“The creation of ArtWaves came from a desire to be surrounded by creativity, connection, and community, and I’m proud to witness it continue to grow,” says Liz Cutler, “I’m incredibly grateful to our new staff and board members that have stepped into leadership roles with such enthusiasm and a focused vision, and with their support, I look forward to stepping away.”
The organization has been strengthened by the addition of a full-time Creative & Executive Director, a role which Katie Hodgkins has held since October 2024. A College of the Atlantic alumni, Katie brings extensive experience in event coordination, program development, and organizational leadership from her prior roles at The Jackson Laboratory and COA. She’s supported by Assistant Director Will Erlanson, a marketing professional with over eight years of experience in brand development and digital strategy, and Mariah Reading, Visual Arts Instructor. A Bowdoin College graduate and eco-artist, Mariah has been an Artist-in-Residence at 4 national parks including Acadia, and will develop and teach a wide range of visual arts classes and workshops. This team, combined with the guidance of the Board of Directors—Isabel Mancinelli, Sam Coplon, Jaime Torres Jr., Kimberly Eason, Anne Woodman, and Lothar Holzke—represent a strong investment in ArtWaves’ lasting success.
Exciting changes are coming to ArtWaves this fall, including campus improvements, a new name and logo, a re-branded website, and engaging programming; all while staying true to the original mission to support the arts and our wonderful community.
To learn more about the organization or register for events, visit http://www.artwavesmdi.org.
About ArtWaves: ArtWaves is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community arts center dedicated to making creativity accessible to all. Located on Mount Desert Island, we offer a welcoming space where artists of all ages and skill levels can explore, learn, and connect through the arts. Through dynamic workshops, classes, and exhibitions, we provide opportunities for hands-on learning in painting, printmaking, fiber arts, mixed media, and more. Our programs are designed to inspire self-expression, foster collaboration, and support lifelong engagement in the arts.
Strengthening Community Care: Machias Savings Bank Supports MDI Hospital with Donation of $25,000
BAR HARBOR—Mount Desert Island Hospital is proud to celebrate a generous gift of $25,000 from Machias Savings Bank to its Building Our Future Campaign in support of the Campus Improvement Project.
The Campus Improvement Project will expand and modernize the Emergency Department, reorient the hospital’s main entrance to provide easier access from Main Street, and revitalize the existing structure to meet the healthcare needs of today, while ensuring the hospital remains strong and sustainable for generations to come.
“We are so grateful to Machias Savings Bank for their generosity and commitment to our community,” said Chrissi Maguire, MDI Hospital President and CEO. “Their support is helping us move forward with a project that will have a lasting impact on patients and families across our region.”
“Machias Savings Bank is proud to support the continued growth of our local hospital,” said Matt Horton, Vice President and Branch Manager, “We are truly fortunate to have an independent hospital here on MDI, and Machias Savings Bank will continue to stand behind its vision for the future. Thank you to the entire team at MDI Hospital for all that you do for this community.”
Horton celebrated this donation to MDI Hospital’s Building Our Future campaign not only as a representative of Machias Savings Bank, but as a local. Over the years he has interacted with the hospital in his other endeavors, understanding the impact of this project from all sides. He goes on to say, “Having served with the Fire Department for many years, I’ve had countless professional interactions with the Emergency Department, and I am always impressed by the care they provided. As a resident, I’ve also turned to the hospital personally and I can’t imagine going anywhere else. We are incredibly lucky to have this hospital on MDI.”
Members of the public are invited to learn more about the Building Our Future campaign and the hospital’s campus improvements at MDI Hospital’s Community Celebration and Campaign Launch on Wednesday, August 27, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Bar Harbor Club. Admission is free, but space is limited. To RSVP, please visit mdihospital.org/communitycelebration.
NIH Awards MDI Bio Lab $2.3M to Train Leaders in Regenerative Biology
BAR HARBOR—The MDI Biological Laboratory has been awarded a $2.3 million, five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to support an innovative training initiative that will build the future workforce of regenerative medicine—a field that is unlocking powerful new ways to heal injury and disease.
Titled “Emerging Leaders in Regenerative Biology and Development” (ReBilD), the program convenes international leaders in regenerative and developmental biology to train graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and early-career scientists who will become the next pioneers in the field. The program focuses on enrollees from institutions that can benefit from MDI Bio Lab’s wide array of expert mentors, investigative models and leading-edge research infrastructure.
“This is our sincere effort as an institution to create a new forum for leadership and learning in regenerative biology,” says MDI Bio Lab Assistant Professor Prayag Murawala, Ph.D., a leading researcher in limb regeneration who with Lab colleagues developed ReBilD in 2024. “Ultimately, this is about workforce development, equipping the next generation with the knowledge, skills and tools they will need to push the effort to a new level.”
A Three-Part Plan to Build Scientific Capacity
The ReBilD program is designed around three core components:
- An intensive 10-day summer course featuring hands-on lab work with highly regenerative models such as planaria flatworms, Hydra, zebrafish, and axolotl (Mexican salamanders). The course also provides seminars, lectures, training in microscopy and bioinformatics, and a networking symposium to connect participants with leading scientists in the field.
- A Visiting Scientist Program, offering immersive four-week residencies in MDI Bio Lab’s research groups. Visiting scientists train in advanced techniques such as transgenesis, RNA interference, 3D imaging and single-cell analysis —skills they can take back to their home institutions.
- A sustainable learning and mentorship community, centered on an open-source online classroom platform, to support long-term collaboration and professional development. Participants will have access to online materials, career-development and grant-writing workshops, and a continuing seminar series in regeneration and development.
Murawala says regeneration science is advancing rapidly, driven by tools such as CRISPR gene editing and next-generation sequencing. Yet the workforce has not kept pace. “To realize the full promise of regenerative medicine in Maine and globally,” he says, “we need to build a skilled and interconnected scientific community.”
Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute Of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R25GM160624
Healing Through Community Gardening
BAR HARBOR—The power of nature to radically transform people’s health and wellbeing and the inclusive benefits of community gardening are the subject of the final College of the Atlantic Coffee & Conversation of the 2025 summer season.
“Gardening, Creativity, and Health,” with psychotherapist and author Sue Stuart-Smith, landscape architect Tom Stuart-Smith and COA Rachel Carson Chair in Human Ecology Suzanne Morse, takes place August 26 at 9:30 a.m. at the Davis Center for Human Ecology and online via livestream, with a book signing to follow. Registration is required at coa.edu/coffeeandconversation.
The panel will discuss the Stuart-Smith’s Community Interest Company, The Serge Hill Project for Gardening, Creativity, and Health, a community garden located on a one-acre former orchard on their family’s estate in Hertfordshire, England. The project is rooted in Sue’s research and writings—particularly her book The Well-Gardened Mind (Scribner, 2020), which explores the transformative power of gardening for mental health.
Sue Stuart-Smith is a psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and author of The Well Gardened Mind (Scribner, 2020), a Sunday Times bestseller translated into 18 languages. After earning a degree in English literature at Cambridge University, she trained as a physician and served as lead clinician for psychotherapy in Hertfordshire. She now works with DocHealth, supporting doctors facing stress and burnout. Sue co-founded the Serge Hill Project for Gardening, Creativity, and Health with her husband Tom. Based in a restored orchard, the project offers a unique Plant Library and programming to support local schools and community organizations.
Tom Stuart-Smith is an acclaimed landscape architect known for his thoughtful integration of plants, place, and architecture. His practice spans private gardens, public parks, and cultural institutions across the UK and internationally. In 2024, he designed a garden for the National Garden Scheme at the Chelsea Flower Show, earning his ninth gold medal. Stuart-Smith leads a 20-person design studio from his home in Hertfordshire, where he continues to influence contemporary garden design. He is a trustee of the Garden Museum, a Vice President of the Royal Horticultural Society, and was appointed as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2023 for services to landscape architecture.
Suzanne Morse is the Rachel Carson Chair in Human Ecology at College of the Atlantic, where she has taught courses in botany, plant ecology, agroecology, and the intersections of science and society since 1991. Her research spans plant physiological ecology and evolution, mechanisms of drought tolerance, weed seed banks, and the impacts of climate change on plant dynamics, as well as participatory action research and traditional agricultural practices. Her teaching emphasizes experiential, interdisciplinary learning, and her students have completed projects ranging from seed-saving initiatives to research on genetic imprinting in plants. Before joining College of the Atlantic, Suzanne was a postdoctoral researcher in organismal and evolutionary biology at Harvard University and a visiting scholar at the Harvard School of Public Health and the University of California, Berkeley.
The Coffee & Conversation series features discussions between invited guests and College of the Atlantic faculty members and trustees. The series hosts authors, entrepreneurs, scholars, artists, researchers, thought leaders, and more. Sessions are one hour long, and include a Q&A session. Coffee and pastries are served. Coffee & Conversation events are free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required for both in person and online participation.
NEWS FROM THE HIGH SCHOOL
Chalk Talk with bus and bell schedules and news is here.
SEPTEMBER 6—INVASIVE PLANT WORKSHOP!
TRENTON—Trenton Butterfly Gardens is pleased to announce an upcoming workshop on invasive plants, aimed at educating the public on the dangers of these species and how to properly manage them.
Invasive plants are non-native species that can cause harm to the environment, economy, and even human health. They can displace native plants, disrupt ecosystems, and increase the risk of wildfires. Invasive plants are a growing problem in Maine and worldwide, and it is crucial to take action to prevent their spread.
The workshop will be held on September 6, 2025 at the Trenton Town Office, 59 Oak Point Road in Trenton and will be led by Lauren Landers, Maine Master Gardener. Participants will learn about the identification and control of invasive plants, including practical techniques for management, such as manual, chemical, and biological control methods.
The workshop is free and open to anyone interested in learning about invasive plants, including homeowners, land managers, and natural resource professionals. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions, share their experiences, and network with others interested in invasive species management.
Trenton Butterfly Gardens is committed to promoting the health and vitality of butterflies, pollinators, and native habitats.
To register for the workshop or for more information, please contact Barbara Acosta at trentonbutterflies@gmail.com.
MDI REGION REAL ESTATE NEWS
BAR HARBOR
Eric J. Muller and Lynne L. Wooby, Kihei, Hawaii, to Eric Jon Muller Living Trust, Kihei, Hawaii, land with buildings and improvements.
Stephen T. Hesse and Naoko Hesse, Kokubunji, Tokyo, to Hesse Revocable Trust, land with buildings and improvements.
Tranquility Rentals LLC, Miami, Fla., to Tranquility 45 LLC, Dallas, Texas, land with buildings and improvements.
Frank Moya Qualified Personal Residence Trust I, Miami, Fla., to Tranquility 45 LLC, Dallas, Texas, land with buildings and improvements.
CRANBERRY ISLES
Estate of Anthony Frazzitta, Steep Falls to Cherry Hill Investment Group LLC, Kirtland, Ohio, land with buildings.
Anthony C. Frazzitta, Steep Falls and Carl R. Frazzitta, Oceanside, N.Y., to Cherryhill Investment Group LLC, Kirtland, Ohio, land with buildings and improvements.
Andrei Pogany, Los Angeles, Calif., and Alexander Pogany, Aton, Mass., to Tangerine Blue Puma LLC, Acton, Mass., land with buildings.
LAMOINE
Kyle T. Bragg, Perry to Eva L. Bragg, Calais, land.
Robert L. Schust Jr., Saginaw, Mich., to Carl Mun, Raymond, N.H., land with buildings and improvements.
MOUNT DESERT
Norma R. Vollmer, Mount Desert to John Vollmer and Kathleen Vollmer, Mount Desert, as joint tenants, land with improvements.
Kristen Joy Walls, Mount Desert to Otta Crik America Trust, Bangor, land.
Estate of Frank Moulton Walls, Mount Desert to Kristen Joy Walls, Mount Desert, land with improvements.
Seal Harbor Cemetery Association, Seal Harbor to Joseph G. Fogg III and Leslie K.S. Fogg, Seal Harbor, land.
William L. Garrymore and Anne L. Garrymore, White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., to MDI Acadia LLC, New York, N.Y., land with buildings and improvements.
Anthony E. Cumberland, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, to Scott Douglas Brown and Corinne Barthelemy, Boston, Mass., as joint tenants, land with buildings.
SOUTHWEST HARBOR
JCA Faraway LLC, Cockeysville, Md., to Windswept Island LLC, Northeast Harbor, land with buildings and improvements.
Wayne Charles Elliott, Southwest Harbor to Wayne C. Elliott and Elizabeth A. Elliott, as joint tenants, Southwest Harbor, land with improvements.
Beverly A. Tapley, Southwest Harbor to Malcolm L. Pettegrow, Southwest Harbor, land.
Winter Cape LLC, Southwest Harbor to John Robert Kelley and Miriam Epstein, Yarmouth, as joint tenants, land.
Eleanor G. Bertolaccini, Orrington to Sandra Babin and Stephen Babin, Holland, Ohio, as joint tenants, Time-Share Estate at Harbor Ridge Condominium, Southwest Harbor, Unit 22, Week 37.
Denise M. Pelkey, East Millinocket to Franklin D. Bouchard and Maria F. Bouchard, Fairfield, as joint tenants, interest in Time-Share Estate at Harbor Ridge Condominium, Southwest Harbor, Unit 46, Week 25.
Keith W. Michaud and Vicki L. Michaud, Chapman to Jeffrey D. Jaye, Basking Ridge, N.J., 50% interest, Time-Share Estate at Harbor Ridge Condominium, Southwest Harbor, Unit 42, week 28.
Peter W. McPheters and Virgie A. McPheters, Millinockett to Peter W. McPheters, Millinockett and Kristi R. McPheters, Westbrook, as joint tenants, 50% interest, Time-Share Estate at Harbor Ridge Condominium, Southwest Harbor, Unit 36, Week 30.
Peter W. McPheters and Virgie A. McPheters, Millinocket to Peter W. McPheters, Millinocket and Kristi R. McPheters, Westbrook, as joint tenants, 50% interest, Time-Share Estate at Harbor Ridge Condominium, Southwest Harbor, Unit 28, Week 30.
TREMONT
Mary R. Allen, Fort Meyers to John R. Martelle and Elizabeth A. Vercruysse, Hermon, as joint tenants, land.
Douglas C. Hicks and Kimberly H. Hicks, Lake Mary, Fla., to Douglas and Kimberly Hicks Family Trust, Lake Mary, Fla., one-half undivided interest, land with buildings and equipment.
TRENTON
Gott Bros. Leasing Inc., Southwest Harbor to Robert Nolan and Ellen Nolan, Southwest Harbor, land with improvements.
Bowen & Lovin LLC, Elizaville, N.Y., to Jesse Fogg, Bar Harbor, land with buildings and improvements.
Inhabitants of municipality of Trenton to Branden and Kelley Hooper, land with buildings.
Kristin Taylor Farley, f/k/a Tanya K. Collins, Trenton to Ashley Munie Gardner and Nathaniel Gardner, Bar Harbor, as joint tenants, land with buildings and improvements.
STATE RELEASES
August 21, 2025
Dear Neighbors,
Last week, I organized an open forum with my fellow Hancock County House members, Representatives Holly Eaton and Nina Milliken, to discuss President Trump’s so-called “Big, Beautiful Bill,” which was pushed through Congress earlier this summer. This reconciliation measure was yet another move by Republicans in Congress to hand out tax breaks to the wealthiest in our country while shifting financial burdens onto working-class Americans. Although we do not yet know the full impact of this measure, we know that it will be significant.
As state lawmakers, it is our responsibility to do everything in our power to protect Mainers from Congress’ recklessness. One effective way to achieve this is by passing measures in the Legislature that offset some of the lost federal funding and make our tax system fairer. This will allow us to create sustainable revenue sources for essential services like health care, education and infrastructure, regardless of what happens in Washington.
Thank you to all who attended the event for your participation and for sharing your thoughts and concerns. For those who couldn’t make it, I have included a link to the transcript of my opening remarks here and you can watch it here. I look forward to continuing this conversation with you all in the weeks and months ahead.
Sincerely,
Rep. Gary Friedmann
Serving House District 14
(207) 460-7362
Gary.Friedmann@legislature.maine.gov
Connect with me on Facebook
AUGUSTA—With funding from the Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center (MAIC), the Department of Marine Resources (DMR) Aquaculture Division has purchased a new Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) to replace an older model which has significantly streamlined the evaluation of aquaculture lease applications.
DMR has received $51,024 from MAIC to purchase the new ROV. While the older ROV, a 2009 model acquired from a separate DMR bureau in 2023, provided significant time savings for lease site evaluations, it was beginning to fail and needed to be replaced.
DMR is required by law to conduct site visits for all proposed standard and experimental leases. As part of the site assessment, DMR must obtain or verify information related to the general characteristics of the area including flora and fauna, bottom composition, and water depths.
Before 2023, DMR scientists would complete most underwater assessments by diving with SCUBA equipment and using recording devices such as GoPro cameras – a relatively time consuming and labor-intensive process
In 2023, DMR began to explore ways to improve efficiency of site visits. “Efficiency is critical because of the increased interest in Maine’s aquaculture sector,” said Amanda Ellis, Ph.D., Director of DMR’s Aquaculture Division. “The number of lease application submissions has increased significantly over the past several years. It can take up to three years, from the date a proposal was deemed complete, to issue a final decision on the application. These timeframes are very challenging for industry.”
DMR’s lead aquaculture scientist, Meryl Grady, recognized that using a ROV could provide time savings without compromising the quality of site assessments. DMR immediately started testing that theory using a 2009 model ROV previously used by DMR’s Science Bureau. The technology proved valuable, greatly enhancing DMR’s ability to conduct site visits.
Use of the ROV nearly tripled the number of site visits DMR could complete in a year. In 2022, before deploying the ROV, DMR completed 20 site visits, while in 2023 and 2024, with the ROV, DMR completed 52 site visits each year.
Site assessments using the ROV require fewer staff which frees up personnel to work on other required tasks like writing site reports. DMR estimates that the ROV has saved the Aquaculture Division approximately 600 hours of staff time.
Since ROVs are also capable of collecting data, the new unit will also improve DMR’s report-writing process. “The data collected is easily integrated into written reports, reducing the overall time staff spend drafting and refining them, allowing them to focus on other critical tasks,” said Ellis.
With the older ROV beginning to fail, in winter 2025 DMR turned to the Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center’s Grants Program for support. Their proposal to purchase a Deep Trekker Pivot ROV was funded and the new ROV arrived at DMR in June. “The new ROV includes many features that not only save time and resources but also provide the potential for improvements to information and data gathering on lease sites,” said Ellis.
“The Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center has provided DMR with an important tool that will support the future of Maine’s aquaculture industry,” said Ellis.
“Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center is grateful to DMR’s Aquaculture Division for exploring the use of technology to make efficiencies when conducting site inspections, and we are proud to support the DMR team,” said MAIC Executive Director Anne Langston Noll, Ph.D. “This new ROV represents our commitment to fostering innovation in Maine’s aquaculture sector, ensuring that our industry can grow sustainably.”
Maine and Massachusetts Agriculture Commissioners Build Cross-Border Ties in Prince Edward Island
AUGUSTA—Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) Commissioner Amanda Beal, DACF Director of Policy & Community Engagement Emily Horton, and Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner Ashley Randle traveled to Prince Edward Island last week to meet with Agriculture Minister Bloyce Thompson and other provincial leaders, reinforcing the strong partnership between New England and Canada’s Maritimes.
The visit highlighted the importance of collaboration between the Northeast U.S. and Canadian provinces while showcasing PEI’s innovative agricultural and food enterprises.
Commissioners Beal and Randle toured several operations, including The Handpie Company, a creative food manufacturing facility; Fromagerie PEI, an artisanal cheese dairy; and a seed potato farm in partnership with the PEI Potato Board. The delegation exchanged ideas on sustainable agricultural practices with direct relevance to farming communities in Maine and across New England.
“This visit underscored the value of cross-border collaboration and sharing ideas to strengthen agriculture and our food systems,” said Commissioner Beal. “By learning from one another, we can best support our farmers and ensure the resilience of our region’s natural resource economies.”
The visit also included a breakfast hosted by the Honorable Rob Lantz, Premier of PEI, during the island’s Heritage Days celebration. The Commissioners met with additional provincial leaders, including Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Action Gilles Arsenault and Minister of Fisheries, Tourism, Sports and Culture Zack Bell, to discuss shared challenges and opportunities related to climate resilience, economic development, and agricultural innovation.
Maine has long prioritized strong relationships with Canadian provinces, reflecting the economic, cultural, and family ties that connect the region. Earlier this summer, Governor Janet Mills led a trade and cultural mission to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, reinforcing the state’s commitment to collaboration on shared challenges and economic opportunities. Commissioner Beal’s visit to PEI further underscores this administration-wide priority of cross-border partnerships that benefit communities on both sides of the border.
The Employment Situation in Maine – July 2025
Unemployment and nonfarm jobs both have modestly decreased in recent months.
These estimates are derived from two monthly surveys. The Current Population Survey collects information from households on labor force status, including labor force participation, employment, and unemployment. The Current Employment Statistics survey collects information from nonfarm employers by industry on the number of wage and salary jobs, hours worked, and wages paid to individuals on their payrolls. Both surveys are administered by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Preliminary estimates from the two surveys sometimes diverge in direction or magnitude of change. Over extended periods they tend to be more aligned.
Seasonally Adjusted Statewide Labor Force Estimates
The 3.2 percent unemployment rate for July was slightly lower than in recent months. It has been below four percent for 44 months – the second longest such period – and below the U.S. average for all but three months for more than 17 years. Unemployment continued to be below the long-term average of 5.4 percent for the state since January 1976, when the current methodology was adopted.
Unemployment averaged 4.2 percent for New England and the U.S. in the month.
Note on Preliminary Unemployment Estimates: They should be considered in the context of whether they are below, near, or above historical or U.S. averages, rather than if they are up or down a few tenths of a point from some other month. The household survey sample they are derived from is large enough for direct estimates for the nation. For states it is much smaller and statistical modeling is used to prevent large single-month changes that may overstate the magnitude or the direction of changes in labor market conditions.
One result of this is that preliminary unemployment rates for Maine tend to follow an undulating pattern, moving in one direction for several months and then the other through the course of a year. Revisions, published annually in March, have consistently smoothed these patterns. Upward or downward changes in preliminary unemployment or labor force participation rates often are not as indicative of improvement or deterioration in conditions as may appear. Though rates for many months will change when revised, unemployment rates for 2024 and to date in 2025 certainly will remain well below the long-term and national averages.
Seasonally Adjusted Statewide Nonfarm Jobs Estimates
Preliminary seasonally adjusted estimates indicate nonfarm wage and salary jobs decreased by 500 in July and 1,100 from one year ago. The decrease was in the leisure and hospitality sector, which was 1,200 lower over the year. That slippage was primarily in the last three months.
Seasonal adjustment compares patterns of change for recent months to the same months in previous years. Increases that are less than the usual rate are reflected as decreases; decreases that are less than the usual rate are reflected as increases after adjustment. The opposite applies for greater than usual changes. Hospitality jobs have increased significantly from winter lows, as occurs each year, though the rate of recent gains has been less than in previous years.
Nonfarm jobs estimates are derived from a survey of employers that report the number of workers on their payrolls. Employment patterns of survey respondents can provide an imperfect portrayal of job change for an industry for some months, especially those with large seasonal swings. Leisure and hospitality is the most seasonal sector in Maine, and July is the peak of employment most years. A few more months of data is necessary to definitively conclude whether the recent pattern among hospitality respondents to the survey is or is not representative of a broader slowdown in this tourism-impacted sector.
Note on Preliminary Nonfarm Jobs Estimates: Preliminary estimates of nonfarm jobs from the payroll survey of employers tend to provide a better indication of the magnitude and direction of change than labor force and unemployment estimates from the household survey. The payroll survey is much larger and revisions to jobs estimates tend to be smaller.
Not Seasonally Adjusted County and Metro Area Labor Force Estimates
On a not seasonally adjusted basis the statewide unemployment rate was 2.8 percent. Rates were at least 0.3 percentage points higher than that in nine counties, at least 0.3 points lower than that in five, and close to the average in two. Rates were lowest in southern and mid-coast counties and highest along the northern rim of the state.
Among the three metro areas, unemployment was below the statewide average in Portland-S. Portland, close to the average in Lewiston-Auburn, and slightly above the average in Bangor.
(Labor force estimates for substate areas, including unemployment rates, are not seasonally adjusted. Because of this, estimates for a certain month should be compared to the same month in other years and should not be compared to other months in the same or other years.)
Not Seasonally Adjusted Statewide and Metro Area Hours and Earnings Estimates
The private sector workweek averaged 33.2 hours and earnings averaged $32.45 per hour in July. Average hours decreased slightly, and hourly earnings increased 3.3 percent from a year ago. The workweek was longest in construction and shortest in leisure and hospitality. Earnings were highest in professional and business services and lowest in leisure and hospitality.
Hourly earnings were above the statewide average in Portland-S. Portland and below in the Bangor and Lewiston-Auburn metros.
August workforce estimates will be published Friday, September 19 at 10 a.m. The data release schedule is here
Nonfarm jobs data is available here
Unemployment and labor force data is available here
FEDERAL RELEASES
U.S. Department of Education Prohibits Federal Funds from Supporting Political Activism on College Campuses
The U.S. Department of Education rescinded Biden-era guidance that allowed Federal Work Study (FWS) programs to pay students to engage in certain partisan and nonpartisan political activities. In guidance issued today, the Department clarified that institutions should focus FWS funds on jobs that provide real-world work experience instead of political activities. The Department’s action follows a letter from sixteen Republican attorneys general that outlined how the Biden-era guidance violated federal law. In addition, the Department’s new guidance makes clear that the Higher Education Act (HEA) does not require institutions to distribute voter registration forms to students known to be ineligible to vote.
“Federal Work Study is meant to provide students opportunities to gain real-world experience that prepares them to succeed in the workforce, not as a way to fund political activism on our college and university campuses,” said Under Secretary of Education Nicholas Kent. “Under President Trump and Secretary McMahon’s leadership, the American taxpayer will no longer fund poll workers, voter hotlines, or political rallies on campus. We will also not require institutions to solicit students to register to vote if they know they are ineligible.”
Under the HEA, institutions are required to make a “good faith” effort to distribute voter registration forms to students. To give institutions ample flexibility to ensure that they are not aiding and abetting voter fraud, the Department has clarified that it does not interpret this “good faith” provision in the HEA to mean that institutions are required to distribute voter registration information to students who the institution has reason to believe are ineligible to vote in federal or state elections, such as foreign students. In addition, the Department requests institutions notify students that:
- Only citizens of the United States may vote in federal elections;
- Voting more than once, including voting in two or more states, is prohibited under federal law;
- Knowingly or willfully providing false information, including relating to name, address, or period of residence, in the voting district for the purpose of establishing eligibility to register or vote is prohibited under federal law; and
- In most states, individuals may only register to vote where they are domiciled, and they may not be domiciled in more than one place.
The Department drafted this DCL in response to the President’s Executive Order 14248 titled, Protecting the Integrity of American Elections.
Background:
Section 487(a)(23) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, requires certain institutions of higher education to “make good faith effort to distribute a mail voter registration form… to each student enrolled in a degree or certificate program and physically in attendance at the institution, and to make such forms widely available to students at the institution.”
The FWS program provides part-time jobs to students with financial need. The Department’s regulations under 34 C.F.R. § 675.22(b)(5) prohibit FWS funds from being used, among other things, to employ students whose work “involves any partisan or nonpartisan political activity.” Jobs involving voter registration, voter assistance at a polling place or through a voter hotline, or serving as a poll worker—whether this takes place on or off campus—involve political activity because these activities support the process of voting, which is a quintessential political activity whereby voters formally support partisan or nonpartisan political candidates by casting ballots.
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