☀️ Summer Isn't Over Yet! 🌻
August is here, and we're making every sunny day count! From exciting outings and farm adventures to community events, celebrations, and opportunities to spread kindness, there's still plenty of summer fun ahead at Opportunity Enterprises.
As the season begins to wind down, let's soak up the sunshine, make lasting memories, and enjoy everything this incredible month has to offer. Inside this edition, you'll find upcoming events, program highlights, important reminders, and all the latest happenings across OEI.
Here's to a month filled with laughter, friendship, adventure, and making the most of every moment. Let's make August amazing!
| Exciting news from Team Oxford! | |
We now have our very own Little Free Library!
A huge thank you to an OHCHS senior who built this beautiful library as his senior project and donated it to us. What an incredible gift to our community!
Our participants are excited to help keep it stocked with books, so there's always something new to discover. Whether you're looking for your next great read or have a book you'd like to share, stop by and check it out!
We're officially on the Little Free Library map, too! Click the link below to find us and pay us a visit.
https://map.lflapp.org/N9YhBvgrA4b
Take a book. Leave a book. Share the joy of reading!
| |
🎣 The Biggest Catch Challenge: Summer Series is still going strong through September 1st
There is still plenty of time to cast your line, reel in your biggest catch, and join the fun. Whether it's your personal best or just a great day on the water, we would love to see it.
To enter, simply send your fishing photos to Julie at jcarlow@oeime.org by September 1.
Good luck, and happy fishing. We can't wait to see what you catch.
| Rising Stars Therapeutic Farm |
🌻 Happy August from the Farm! 🌻
Summer is in full swing, and there's no better place to enjoy it than at the farm! August is packed with exciting activities, special events, animal visits, outdoor adventures, and plenty of opportunities to connect with friends while enjoying everything the season has to offer.
Whether you're looking to spend time with our amazing animals, get your hands dirty volunteering, explore nature, or simply relax and enjoy the fresh air, there's something for everyone this month.
Be sure to check out the August Farm Event Calendar below so you don't miss any of the fun! If you'd like to attend an event, please RSVP to Emily by emailing ewillette@oeime.org or simply let her know in person. RSVPs help us plan ahead and ensure everyone has a fantastic experience.
We can't wait to see you at the farm this August—let's make it another month full of fun, friendship, and unforgettable memories!
🐴🐐🌼
| The Cupcakery Cafe & Bake Shop |
🧁 Sweet News from The Cupcakery Café & Bake Shop!
Summer may be flying by, but we're already looking ahead to some of our favorite seasons! As families prepare for back-to-school, couples celebrate fall wedding season, and we start dreaming up all things HALLOWEEN 🎃, our bakers are busy creating sweet treats for every occasion.
Need lunch, coffee, or dessert but can't make it to the bakery? Great news—we're now on DoorDash for both pick-up and delivery! You can also find our convenient Order Online button on both our website and social media pages, making it easier than ever to enjoy your Cupcakery favorites.
Planning a birthday, wedding, baby shower, office celebration, or holiday gathering? Please submit all special-occasion orders through our custom order request form:
https://oei417.wixforms.com/f/7180613318539739943
Our form makes ordering easy and even lets you upload inspiration photos so we can help bring your vision to life.
We can't wait to bake something special for you this season. Happy August from all of us at The Cupcakery Café & Bake Shop! 🧁
| |
Breakfast MEAL Deal
Rise and shine with breakfast at The Cupcakery Café & Bake Shop! For only $7.99, enjoy a delicious breakfast featuring: Your choice of a breakfast sandwich, crispy hash brown patty, & a med. hot or iced latte
| Starfish Greenhouse & Farm Stand | |
August 2026 brings vibrant, late-summer color to the coast of Maine, with gardens thriving in increasingly warm conditions. The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens (CMBG) in Boothbay remains a premier destination, featuring five giant trolls—"Guardians of the Seeds"—hidden throughout its trails, which are a must-see for visitors from May 1 through October 19, 2026.
August 2026 Garden Highlights & Blooms
-
Peak August Blooms: Coastal gardens in August are defined by hardy perennials, including vibrant dahlias , asters , delphiniums , and hibiscus .
-
Hydrangea Season: The "strawberries and cream" variety of hydrangeas are notable in August, alongside the massive blooms of Hibiscus 'Midnight Marvel'.
-
Unique Floral Displays: The Lerner Garden of the Five Senses features Angelica gigas and late-summer coneflowers like Echinacea 'Cantaloupe'.
-
Native Stars: Coastal plain Joe-Pye weed (Eutrochium dubium 'Little Joe') and Ruby Spice summersweet (Clethra alnifolia) add fragrance and color to coastal landscapes.
Fun Facts & Features
-
Largest in New England: CMBG boasts over 325 acres, making it the largest botanical garden in New England.
-
5 Giant Trolls: Created by Danish artist Thomas Dambo, these massive, eco-conscious sculptures are hidden along about 3 miles of trails.
-
"Book" Gardens: The Alfond Children's Garden features spaces inspired by Maine children's books, including a Blueberries for Sal statue and a Charlotte's Web corner.
-
Water-Safe Gardens: Slater Forest Pond uses native aquatic plants and minnows to naturally control mosquito populations .
-
Wabanaki Wisdom: The Three Sisters Garden showcases traditional Indigenous planting methods of corn, squash, and beans .
-
Living History: The Dahlia & Iris Garden features the Currier McEwen collection, honoring a famous Maine hybridizer of Japanese and Siberian irises .
Coastal Gardening Tips for 2026
-
Zone Shift: Coastal Maine is increasingly operating as Zone 6a, allowing for more diverse plantings due to a longer, warmer growing season, but this also introduces new insects and pests.
-
Combatting Ledge: Coastal gardeners often deal with "ledge" (bedrock just below the soil surface), requiring the use of raised beds or retaining walls to ensure proper drainage.
-
Best Soil: Maine's acidic, pine-heavy soils are ideal for acid-loving plants like hydrangeas and rhododendrons, rather than traditional vegetable crops.
-
August Protection: With summers getting hotter, using shade cloth can protect plants during high-heat August days.
|   | Out & About in the Community |
| Team Auburn having a coastal adventure cruising through the beautiful islands of Casco Bay aboard the Casco Bay Lines Mailboat Tour | | Visiting Clark's Bears in Lincoln NH | We love our four-legged friends :) | Exploring Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth | Learning the game of tennis was a blast! | Attending the Dock Dog competition event at Ruff Mountain(Sunday River) | | |
It's a great day to be outside!
| Tending the raised garden beds | Nothing but blue skies and sunshine! | Participating in an art project at the Beacon House | |
Happy 78th Birthday to you!!
| | Enjoying our beautiful coastal Maine landscape | | |
Daniel Kazadi – Direct Support Professional
Penza Lemba – Direct Support Professional
| |
🌟 August Star of the Month: Donald "Scott" Dubord!
Since joining Opportunity Enterprises, Inc. in 2013 as a Residential Direct Support Professional, Scott has consistently demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to the individuals we support and to his fellow team members.
Shortly after joining OEI, Scott expanded his role by working in both residential services and community supports, always ensuring those he served received the highest quality of care. His dedication and leadership quickly earned him a promotion to Lead Staff—now known as an Assistant Program Manager (APM)—for our Bath office.
Throughout his career, Scott has continually embraced new responsibilities, often stepping up before being asked. He remains committed to professional growth by staying current with required trainings and mastering the many responsibilities involved in managing services and supporting individuals.
Scott consistently goes above and beyond. Time and again, he has rearranged his personal schedule to ensure the needs of the individuals we support and the program are met. Whether it's covering shifts, providing extra support, or spending long 12-hour days with members simply because it's the right thing to do, Scott leads with compassion, dedication, and selflessness.
As a participant in OEI's PTL Training Program, Scott continues to develop his leadership skills while serving as a trusted resource for both staff and members. His professionalism, flexibility, and unwavering commitment make him an invaluable member of our team.
Scott's willingness to serve without hesitation has made a lasting impact on the lives of the people we support and on everyone fortunate enough to work alongside him.
Congratulations, Scott, on being named OEI's August Star of the Month! Thank you for your outstanding dedication, compassionate heart, and the positive difference you make every single day. We are incredibly grateful to have you as part of the OEI family!
| |
July Kindness Recap: Animal Rescue & Shelter Kindness 🐾
Throughout July, we celebrated Animal Rescue & Shelter Kindness by encouraging everyone to make a difference in the lives of animals in need. Whether it was donating food and supplies, volunteering at a local shelter, adopting or fostering a pet, or simply helping raise awareness, every act of kindness made an impact.
Thank you to everyone who participated and showed compassion for the animals and the organizations that work tirelessly to care for them. Your generosity and support help provide comfort, hope, and second chances to countless furry friends.
Together, we proved that even the smallest act of kindness can leave a lasting paw print. Thank you for making July a month full of love, compassion, and community!
| | |
| How did you like this email? | | |
| | | |
