JOIN US THIS THURSDAY FOR THE ELLSWORTH AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS AFTER HOURS BLOCK PARTY ON AVERY LANE

The Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce, Ellsworth School Department and Community Action in Aroostook, Washington & Hancock Counties (CAAWHC) invite local business leaders and community members to a Business After Hours Block Party from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, on Avery Lane in Ellsworth.

The event will take place between the Ellsworth School Department office at 11 Avery Lane and the CAAWHC Customer Service Center at 18 Avery Lane. Guests will have the opportunity to network with fellow business professionals, make new connections and learn more about the organizations serving the region.

Attendees are invited to tour both facilities and enjoy food, music and conversation throughout the evening. Several food stations will feature dishes representing the diverse geographic regions served by CAAWHC across Aroostook, Washington and Hancock counties.

The Ellsworth School Department moved to their Avery Lane location in late 2024.

“We are really looking forward to being able to show community members our building,” said Ellsworth Superintendent of Schools Amy Boles. “We want our community to see how this space has really given us an opportunity to better invest in the lives of students.” Read more...

“Community in Action” is our weekly informational segment airing every Friday morning on Ellsworth-based Community Radio Station Star 97.7. The most recent segment features Nikki Chan, Assistant Superintendent of Schools for Ellsworth School Department and CAAWHC CEO Jason Parent, Washington and Hancock Counties talking about Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours Block Party.

These interviews air Fridays at 6:40 a.m. and 6:50 a.m., with replays at 8:40 a.m. and 8:50 a.m., and are featured here in our Weekly Briefing and on the Star 97.7 website.

To listen to this week’s segment, click on the image above.

Thank you Kneeland Landscape Contractors for sponsoring these radio segments.

AROOSTOOK BACK-TO-SCHOOL BASH A HUGE SUCCESS

This year's Aroostook Back to School Bash was a huge success! Thank you to all our community partners who donated and participated. With your contributions, we accomplish so much more for good in our communities. View photos from the Back-to-School Bash.

WAGM-TV: BACK TO SCHOOL BASH A HIT WITH MORE THAN

900 BACKPACKS GIVEN OUT.

Tap the image above or click here to access the full story.

TRIPLE P—POSITIVE PARENTING PROGRAM—CLASSES ARE BACK!

Triple P offers parents and caregivers practical, evidence-based parenting strategies they can use in everyday life. Rather than telling parents there is one “right” way to parent, Triple P provides tools and strategies families can adapt to fit their own children, values, and circumstances.

Upcoming sessions:

• Tuesday, August 18 6:00–8:00 p.m. Positive Parenting (Parenting Seminar – Ages 0–12) Hope & Prosperity Center – Lower Level; 1 Edgemont Drive, Presque Isle

Explore the foundations of positive parenting and strategies for creating a safe, supportive environment where children can thrive.

• Tuesday, August 25 6:00–8:00 p.m. Managing Fighting & Aggression (Parenting Discussion Group – Ages 0–12) Community Action; 771 Main Street, Presque Isle

Learn strategies for responding to fighting and aggressive behavior while helping children develop healthier ways to solve problems and manage conflict.

Virtual participation via Microsoft Teams is available to families in Aroostook, Washington and Hancock Counties.

If you would prefer one-on-one parenting support, ask about Triple P Primary Care.

APPLY FOR HEATING ASSISTANCE FOR THE 2026-2027 SEASON

There is no need to wait for an appointment to apply for heating assistance. You can apply at any time online. If you prefer an in-person or phone appointment, please call us at (207) 768-3053.

CARIBOU PUBLIC LIBRARY BOOK MOBILE VISITS GOULDVILLE

EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION CENTER

The Caribou Public Library Bookmobile visited the children at Gouldville Early Care and Education Center in Presque Isle last week. Children enjoyed exploring the many books on the shelves of the bookmobile and each child had the opportunity to choose one book to take home with them. "A love of reading is so important to success in school and in life", shared Education Manager Tammy Cyr. "We are thrilled to have access to community resources that support children's reading development." Thank you, Caribou Public Library, and everyone who made the bookmobile visit possible.

COMMUNITY ACTION EMPLOYEES TRAINED IN FIRST AID AND CPR

Training is an important part of how Community Action in Aroostook, Washington and Hancock Counties ensure its employees are ready to help - no matter the situation. For many of our staff, this includes mandatory first-aid and CPR training.

Health and Safety Managers Karen Milton, based in Aroostook, and Caley Smith, based in Ellsworth, recently provided Adult and Pediatric First-Aid and CPR classes to a combined 41 employees across Aroostook, Washington and Hancock Counties. The classes prepare employees to take action and provide critical assistance when people need it most.

COMMUNITY ACTION BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

With Community Action in Aroostook, Washington and Hancock Counties having expanded to cover a three-county region, our Governance Board has increased from a 21-member board to a 30-member board with representation from all three counties and a unique understanding of each county's needs. The Board Member Spotlight offers an opportunity to introduce each board member and highlight the strengths and experience they bring to our agency.

Board member John Zavodny is the president of Maine Seacoast Mission, a position he has held since 2019. Because of his work with Maine Seacoast Mission, a nonprofit organization providing for the needs of Downeast coastal and island communities since 1905, Zavodny has a wealth of experience and perspective to offer the ongoing work of Community Action.

Regarding his reasons for joining the board of Community Action in Aroostook, Washington and Hancock counties, Zavodny states, “I'm excited to continue supporting and learning about Maine's rural communities through this work.”

Prior to his position at Maine Seacoast Mission, Zavodny spent 18 years as a professor of philosophy at Unity College, during which he was also academic chair and chief of staff. Zavodny holds a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

In his spare time, Zavodny enjoys cross-country skiing, amateur woodworking and music.

AUGUST'S "COMMUNITY IN ACTION" FEATURE INTERVIEW

HIGHLIGHTS THE EFFORTS TO BUILD A THREE-COUNTY COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY AND A DEVELOPING AGENCY-WIDE STRATEGIC PLAN

The Maine Affordability Payment Program was approved by the Maine Legislature to support Maine residents who are considered to be disproportionately affected by Maine sales and excise taxes.

The program is administered by Maine Revenue Services (MRS). MRS will issue $300 one-time affordability payments in late July to eligible recipients who filed 2025 taxes.

If you are a full-time resident and did not yet file taxes for 2025, you have until October 15, 2026 to file so that you can claim your affordability payment. Thanks to our CA$H coalition partners, you can reach out for help to a contact from the list below that is closest to you, even if you don't live in the immediate area. Many coalitions can provide assistance over the phone or will help you determine the best way to get help.

• Aroostook County CA$H: 207-764-3721
• CA$H Greater Portland: 207-347-2335
• Community CA$H Coalition of Western Maine: 207-739-6530
• Central Maine CA$H: 207-859-1632
• Midcoast Maine CA$H: 207-295-6340
• York County CA$H: 207-459-2899

You can also contact Maine Revenue Services directly:

• Online: https://www.maine.gov/revenue/affordability
• By Email: [email protected]
• By Phone, MRS has a hotline set up for the $300 checks: 207-624-9924

According to MRS, in order to qualify for the affordability payment, you must:

• File a Maine individual income tax return as a full-year resident for the 2025 tax year by October 15, 2026.
• Not be eligible to be claimed as a dependent on another taxpayer’s income tax return for the 2025 tax year.
• Report federal adjusted gross income for the 2025 tax year that is less than:
• $100,000 if married filing a joint return or a qualifying surviving spouse;
• $75,000 if filing as head of household; or
• $50,000 if single or married filing separately.

Note that if you had little or no income and did not file taxes, you can still file and you may be eligible for the one-time payment. See the CA$H Coalition contacts above and give the nearest contact a call or contact MRS directly.

Spotlight positions available:

• Coach, Hancock County
• Health Assistant (on call/per diem), Friendship Cottage, Blue Hill
• Various Early Care and Education positions available in all three counties

See the full list of current openings on our website.

SNAPSHOT OF THE WEEK

On Friday, August 14, children and staff members from the Flaherty Early Care and Education Center on the campus of the University of Maine at Machias had a wonderful time participating in the Machias Wild Blueberry Festival Children’s Parade.

Many of our amazing families joined us for this special event. It was a beautiful day filled with smiles, laughter, and lots of blueberry fun.

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