Welcome to the November 2018
Island Connector!
We share our monthly newsletter to make the most of our connections in the community!
The purpose of the Island Connector is to share our good work and help those who can benefit from our services or who may wish to volunteer and serve our organization for our beloved community. Neighbors Helping Neighbors is what Island Connections is all about and has been for over 20 years.
If you have a family member or know of a neighbor that could benefit from our
free
transportation services, please have them call us at 288-4457.
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Island Connections provides free transportation and other services to seniors and people with disabilities from Mount Desert Island and the surrounding islands to enhance their independence and quality of life by utilizing our core group of dedicated volunteers.
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IN THIS MONTHS' ISSUE
- Island Connector Message from the Executive Director
- 3rd Annual Running for Rides Mary Parker is in the books!!!
- Announcing our NEW Island Connections Website
- Witham Family Foundation Grant Funding
- jetBlue Raffle Tickets!
- Volunteers - we need your voice to be heard!
- Friendly reminder to our volunteers
- Rite Aid Flu Shot Information
- Neighbor Ride Eligibility
- Volunteers - Our heart and Soul
- Joy Riding with IC
- Beth C Wright Cancer Resource Center Living with Cancer Conference
- Coffee's On 2018-2019 season begins WITH a new name - MDI Coffee House!
- Monthly Giving Program
- On-Line Volunteer Application
- Yummy recipes from our volunteers and friends
- Volunteer Driver Reward Program
- Neighbor & Volunteers of the Month
- Healthy Acadia - Neighbor 4 Neighbor Application
- Events for Seniors
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Message from the Executive Director
I can't start the holiday season without being thankful for what I have in my life. My wonderful husband, John, who is my biggest supporter and cheerleader, our adorable kitty cats, my amazing family for their never ending love and support, my friends who help make life that much sweeter and everyone that I have come in contact with since becoming the Executive Director of Island Connections nearly 3-1/2 years ago. I have had the honor and privilege of meeting many new neighbors, volunteers, business owners, representatives from other non-profit organizations, people from the multitude of professional organizations who deal with an aging and people with disabilities population
AND
our generous donors.
All of these connections are in FULL support of our mission. I am truly grateful for the opportunity of working in this community to help make a difference for our neighbors and the volunteers who serve them. Thank YOU all for making MDI the outstanding community that it is to live in. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
All the best,
Doreen Willett
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ISLAND CONNECTIONS' OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12th IN OBSERVANCE OF VETERAN'S DAY.
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Honoring the sacrifices many have made for our country in the name of freedom and democracy is the very foundation of Veterans Day. -Charles B. Rangel
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DON'T FORGET DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS THIS WEEKEND! YOU'LL GAIN AN HOUR!!!
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3RD ANNUAL DRIVING FOR RIDES MARY PARKER MEMORIAL 5K RACE IS IN THE BOOKS!!!
Congratulations to THE OVERALL WINNER, Judson Cake for an outstanding time of 16:34 for the 3rd Annual Running for Rides Mary Parker Memorial Race! Thank you to ALL of the participants who came out that day, the volunteers who helped a great deal to make this happen and to our Title Sponsor
Bar Harbor Savings & Loan
,
Bar Harbor Pats Pizza
, and to our Community Sponsors
Acadia Veterinary Hospital
,
Bark Harbor
,
Carroll Drug Store Inc.
,
Dead River Company
,
Eden Therapeutic Massage
,
Peacock Builders
, Edgefish, Inc.,
Spruce & Gussy
and
Window Panes
Panes for your amazing support of Island Connections!
Here are our participants and their times!
Judson Cake 16:34; Tony Dalisio 17:43; Kris Garcia 18:48; Lance Kuehne 21:35; Stephen Whalen 21:51; Peter Davis 22:27; Ashley Santere; 22:54Sabina Gellrich 25:18; Mike Madell 25:38; Rick Maser 26:22; Lloyd Harmon 28:16; Susan Bean 31:06; Amanda Heanssler 31:22; Sarah Heanssler 31:31; Ann Marie Swanson 32:18; Jessica Swanson 32:18; Pat Roberts 34:06; Paula Osterle 39:59; Kristin Spears 40:00; Janet Wallace 42:14;
Kristin McKee 42:35; Carrie Caylor 43:34; Sherri Alley 43:41; Cecilia Garrity 43:43; Michelle Souza 48:09; Linda Parker 48:10; Richard Jewett 51:07; Joel Harris 51:36; Mike Biron 54:57; Peg Emple 56:38; Sue Lerner 56:39; Patricia Pinkham 58:03; David Parker 58:04; Rick Lerner 58:47; Philip Galperin 58:48; Wayne Caylor 1:02:24; Karen Farley 1:02:24; Donna Hutton 1:02:25; Tara Parker 1:02:27; April Arrington 1:02:28; Sophie Spiker 1:02:51; Amanda Austin 1:02:53; Jill Kubis 1:05:20;Barbara Weymouth 1:05:41 and Susan Blaisdell 1:05:42
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Click the link to read the story in the MDIslander about the race!
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Photo credit: Amanda Hambrecht Austin
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NEW WEBSITE!!!!!
Thanks to Chris Popper at WDEA in Bangor and his team at TownSquare Media, we are so excited to have partnered with them to create a brand new and vibrant look to the Island Connections website.
Have a look and share with your friends and family!
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Witham Family Foundation Grant Funding
We are so grateful to the Witham Family Foundation for their generous $ 2,000.00 contribution to Island Connections to help support our Driver Rewards Program.
In 2017, we went over our program's budgeted amount by $ 300.00 but due to the ride demand increase during this year, the program funding was depleted in September leaving a gap through the end of the year. This grant funding will alleviate any deficit in this program so that we may continue to reward our dedicated drivers with a $ 25.00 gas card to help offset some of the cost of being a volunteer driver for Island Connections.
For more detail, please see the section on the Driver Rewards Program
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jetBlue Raffle Tickets!!!
Thanks to one of our volunteers, Craig Roebuck, a retired jetBlue Pilot, we have 2 round trip tickets to anywhere jetBlue flies!!! We will begin selling tickets at the Mary Parker Race on October 13th through November 30th or until they're sold out! LIMITED NUMBER OF TICKETS TO BE SOLD - ONLY 100 to increase your chances! They will be available to purchase on-line using the link below.
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VOLUNTEERS - WE NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU!!!
Island Connections is in the process of researching our options to replace our wheelchair accessible van. While the van isn't very old and doesn't have a lot of mileage, we would like to replace it with a new van that can accommodate multi-person capacity
AND
wheelchair accessibility at the same time. With the increased number of rides on and off island in the past 10 months, it would make economic sense to transport more than 1 person at a time to Ellsworth, Bangor or Brewer when possible. Our desire is to identify a partner who would donate a vehicle to Island Connections. One of the companies that we are meeting with in the next week is Darlings Automotive in Ellsworth and although it's not a requirement, they want to know if anyone from or related to our organization has purchased a vehicle with them. Once again, you being one of our amazing volunteers could make one heck of a difference in our mission!
Would you be so kind to call the office at 288-4457 if you have purchased a vehicle with them? We would appreciate it so much! Thank you.
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Friendly Reminder to Our Volunteers
Please know that your time and privacy are very important to us at Island Connections. We try to adhere to your time constraints and don't give out your telephone numbers to our neighbors for good reason. We want to be sure that our neighbors are respecting our process of providing rides to them. What we don't want to have happen is that the neighbors are calling you directly for rides and not going through Island Connections. This not only disrupts our scheduling process and muddles our ride counts, but it also opens you up to our neighbors calling you for any number of reasons and, as a result you may not feel comfortable doing what they ask, but may end up doing the ride/task out of guilt rather than refuse them. It’s not to say that we don’t want to encourage good relationships between our neighbors and volunteers but believe that there is a line to be drawn so that you aren’t overburdened. We don’t want to hinder the organic friendships and relationships being created, we just want to be sure that you are always comfortable with the relationship.
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Rite Aid in Bar Harbor is offering Flu Shots now through March or until they run out. No appointment necessary and according to their website, it is free with most insurance.
34 Cottage Street
Bar Harbor,
ME
04609
Local Phone: (207) 288-2222
STORE
Day of the WeekHours
Mon 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tue 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wed 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thurs 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Fri 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sat 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sun 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
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PHARMACY
Day of the WeekHours
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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Who is eligible for Island Connections
Free
Transportation Services?
For over twenty years Island Connections has been providing free transportation for seniors and people with disabilities. We would like to ensure that all of our island community members are aware of our ride eligibility policy. We provide rides to seniors 70+, with no questions asked, as well as to both people with temporary AND permanent disabilities. To clarify, this means that if you are temporarily restricted or temporarily disabled to drive due to a medical reason determined by a physician and are under the age of 70, you are eligible for free transportation services with Island Connections. We simply ask you to provide a doctor’s note for our records to support your medical condition. If you are determined to be permanently disabled, under the age of 70 and can provide a benefits statement from the Social Security Administration, you are eligible for free transportation as well. Please share this information with your family, friends and neighbors so that they become fully aware of our ride policy. Thank you.
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VOLUNTEERS - THE HEART AND SOUL OF
ISLAND CONNECTIONS
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ANOTHER MILESTONE Increase in Island Connections Neighbors and Ride Demands
Our volunteers have done it yet again to respond to the ride demands and completed
477
rides in the month of October. We added 5 new neighbors and 5 new volunteers as well. We have increased our rides from January 1 - October 31st year to year by
841
rides. We have surpassed the total number of rides driven in the entire year of 2017 by 225 rides with 2 months to go until the end of 2018. It's all due to the dedication of our wonderful volunteers.
Dana's Joy Riding recruitment Program is proving to be an excellent recruiting method for Island Connections. The next Joy Riding event will be held on November 13th from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. at the Southwest Harbor Library. While our Volunteer Committee and Volunteer Coordinator are working on Volunteer Recruitment ideas and events, it is critical that we always reach out to our best resource, YOU our volunteer drivers to help spread the word about the amazing work YOU do for our island neighbors and how they can help too by volunteering some of their time to do the same.
As many know, it's actually very easy to help us and rewarding. We have 720 living hours in a month and by donating 1 hour of time, a neighbor can be transported to and from an in town medical appointment. Please share this newsletter with your friends or family members who who want to volunteer for Island Connections . They can merely click on the I wish to apply to Volunteer link below or have them call us at 288-4457 and speak to Dana Mastroianni. Thank you.
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THE CHART BELOW INDICATES THE RIDE DEMAND INCREASE SINCE JANUARY 2015.
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WHY VOLUNTEER?
- It brings people together. You get to meet new people and make new friends.
- It promotes self-growth. You can use your skills and learn new skills.
- You make a difference. Volunteering makes you feel appreciated and needed. It provides an opportunity to give back what has been given to you.
- It strengthens our community and breaks down barriers of fear and misunderstanding.
Thank you for your consideration
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JOY RIDING with
ISLAND CONNECTIONS
Please help us spread the word about "Joy Riding" coming up at the Northeast Harbor Library on Tuesday, November 13th - coffee and conversation about what it means to become a volunteer driver for Island Connections and the impact it makes on our neighbors' lives.
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Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center Annual Downeast Living with Cancer Conference
Our Volunteer Coordinator, Dana Mastroianni along with one of our lovely neighbors, attended the Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center's Downeast Living with Cancer Conference held at the Atlantic Oceanside Hotel in Bar Harbor on Thursday, November 1st. It was a great day for everyone and IC was there to spread the word!
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GET READY FOR THE MDI COFFEE HOUSE!!!
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The 2018-2019 season of the MDI Coffee House will begin on Tuesday, November 6th from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. at the YWCA MDI located at 36 Mount Desert Street in Bar Harbor.
Bring a friend, meet new friends and enjoy some social time!
A full schedule of hosts throughout the season will be available soon!
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Champion Connectors Circle Monthly Giving Program
As part of our annual appeal, we are able to offer an online giving option that offers you the ability to support Island Connections on a monthly basis. We invite you to seriously consider our
Champion Connector’s Circle Program
for the following reasons. Monthly giving makes it easier for you to plan ahead for your annual giving, and alleviates the potential challenge of a large outlay of funds at the end of the year.
Your donation can be easily and securely debited from a credit card or bank account of your choosing.
You can set it up to debit your account automatically each month, and not have to think about it again. And it helps Island Connections by providing a consistent and steady cash flow stream throughout the year. All you need to do is click on the link below and simply follow the instructions for the monthly giving program. It’s that easy! Please note that one time gifts can be made on this giving link as well.
If you require any additional assistance or have any questions, please call Doreen at 207-288-4457.
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Monthly recipes from our friends, neighbors & volunteers
of Island Connections
This month, our recipe comes from Pinterest. Please send us your recipes to be featured here and shared for all to enjoy! Email to [email protected]!
Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Cinnamon Butternut Squash, Pecans, and Cranberries
Prep Time
20 mins -
Cook Time
20 mins -
Total Time
40 mins
Perfect holiday side dish recipe. If you want a healthy side dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's Eve, try these Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Cinnamon Butternut Squash, Pecans, and Cranberries!
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 508 kcal
Ingredients
Roasted Brussels Sprouts:
·
3 cups Brussels sprouts ends trimmed, yellow leaves removed
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3 tablespoons olive oil
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1/4 teaspoon Salt to taste
Roasted Butternut Squash:
·
1 1/2 lb butternut squash peeled, seeded, and cubed into 1-inch cubes (Yields about 4 cups of uncooked cubed butternut squash)
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2 tablespoons olive oil
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3 tablespoons maple syrup
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½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Other Ingredients:
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2 cups pecan halves
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1 cup dried cranberries
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2-4 tablespoons maple syrup optional
Instructions
Roasted Brussels sprouts:
1.
Preheat oven to 400 F. Lightly grease the foil-lined baking sheet with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
2.
Make sure Brussels sprouts have trimmed ends and yellow leaves are removed. Then, slice all Brussels sprouts in half. In a medium bowl, combine halved Brussels sprouts, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt (to taste), and toss to combine. Place onto a foil-lined baking sheet, cut side down, and roast in the oven at 400 F for about 20-25 minutes. During the last 5-10 minutes of roasting, turn them over for even browning, the cut sides should be nicely and partially charred but not blackened (see my photos).
Roasted butternut squash:
1.
Preheat oven to 400 F. Lightly grease the foil-lined baking sheet with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
2.
In a medium bowl, combine cubed butternut squash (peeled and seeded),1 tablespoon of olive oil, maple syrup, and cinnamon, and toss to mix.
3.
Place butternut squash in a single layer on the baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes, turning once half-way through baking, until softened.
4.
Note: You can roast both Brussels sprouts and butternut squash on 2 separate baking sheets at the same time, on the same rack in the oven – that’s what I did.
Assembly:
1.
In a large bowl, combine roasted Brussels sprouts, roasted butternut squash, pecans, and cranberries, and mix to combine. (OPTIONAL): For more sweetness, add 2 or 4 tablespoons of maple syrup, if desired – do not add all maple syrup at once, start with 2 tablespoons, then add more, if desired, and toss with the salad ingredients to combine.
Bon Apetit!
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DO YOU KNOW ABOUT OUR VOLUNTEER DRIVER REWARDS PROGRAM?
Back in 2011, when gas prices were climbing higher than we had seen, Island Connections started a Driver Rewards Program to help our volunteer drivers who were working hard for our neighbors each day.
The way it works is that points are accumulated for every ride given by a volunteer to a neighbor. The point system is based on the number of rides given and destination of the rides. Each month Amy Manring, our Transportation Coordinator, reviews all of the data to create a list of those volunteers who have accumulated 30 points at which time we mail each of them a $ 25.00 gift card from Irving/Circle K. Their points revert back to 0 and they begin accumulating all over again. It's our way of giving back to those who give of themselves, their time and their resources. All of our active volunteers are eligible to accumulate points by driving for Island Connections.
Island Connections Driver Rewards Program is made possible through grant funding provided by the Hattie A. and Fred C. Lynam Trust Fund through Bar Harbor Bank and Trust Services.
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We are so fortunate to have so many wonderful neighbors be served by our outstanding volunteers who give of their time and resources. I wish to lend a reminder that YOU, as an Island Connections volunteer, may be the only person that a neighbor may come in contact with that day, that week or otherwise. Not only is the ride they are receiving important but the social aspect of the time spent together goes quite a long way.
Please keep in mind that they look forward to their time with you and by nurturing the relationship it can make all the difference to build trust and a real sense of security while in your care. We always want our neighbors to feel safe, secure and confident in your ability to get them where they they need to go while building a lasting friendship.
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To all of our volunteers -
Thank you for supporting our neighbors in every way that you do.
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Neighbor of the Month
The November Neighbor of the Month
is
Ricky Clark! Ricky has been a neighbor of Island Connections for many years. While Ricky has experienced his own challenges, still finds the time to help out a close neighbor who has very poor eyesight with needs she has on a daily basis. Ricky was also always so gracious to Island Connections by shoveling out our van when were located at Rodick Lorraine. Ricky, we so appreciate all that you have done and continue to do for Island Connections! We love you!
Volunteers of the Month
Our November Volunteer of the Month is
Dianne Lytle. Dianne has been a dedicated driver for Island Connections for many years. Dianne was able to do 19 rides for our neighbors and leave for winter on the 18th of October. WOW!!! Thank you so much, Dianne!
The Urgent Driver of the Month
is Joey Engling for being able to take multiple neighbors to Bangor on a couple of occasions from different sides of the island. Joey has been so good to our neighbors and they love driving with her! Thank you Joey!
Our Special Mention Drivers
are Mary-Lee Bayne, Ellen Brawley, Roger Bremekamp,
Deb Fisher, Jim Grover, Carol Johnston, Ned Johnston, Doug McGown, Sarah and Grover Nevells and Mary Smith for all the extra that you were able to do for our neighbors. It goes beyond words how appreciative we are for your dedication and kindness.
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The neighbor4neighbor Fund Now Accepting Applications
What: neighbor4neighbor Fund, a program of Healthy Acadia, is now accepting applications from seniors for grants up to $500 for unexpected expenses
Where: Hancock and Washington counties
Dates and Time: Applications accepted year round. Apply online:
The neighbor4neighbor Fund, a program of Healthy Acadia, is now accepting applications from seniors who are facing any one of many life crises which arise unexpectedly and for which a senior may not have adequate funds. The neighbor4neighbor Fund’s mini-grants, capped at $500.00, cover such things as new eyeglasses, dentures, medical equipment, household repairs, or other one-time challenges which can arise and undermine a senior’s ability to live independently and have a high quality of life.
The philosophy of the neighbor4neighbor Fund is that small grants can make a big difference in a senior’s life and the fund works to provide this kind of financial assistance. The goal is to help people to be healthy, stay in their homes and be able to function independently. Many seniors are struggling just to meet their most basic needs, so unexpected expenses are not part of their budget.
The neighbor4neighbor Fund is open to seniors in both Hancock and Washington Counties and is administered by Healthy Acadia.
Please contact Nina Zeldin at 667-7171 or
[email protected] to receive an application or learn more about neighbor4neighbor. Applications can also be downloaded by clicking the link below:
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HELPFUL INFORMATION:
FROM THE BAR HARBOR FIRE DEPARTMENT
Representatives of the Fire Department share the following advice: we should all have carbon monoxide and smoke detectors on each level of our homes; all detectors have expiration dates-so check and replace if needed; and of course replace batteries routinely. If a senior is having difficulty installing a detector or changing a detector battery, the Fire Department graciously offers to come and do that for you. They request you call them on the non urgent line to request this and they will plan a time to come and assist you.
FROM
THE BAR HARBOR POLICE DEPARTMENT
Members of the Police Dept spoke at a gathering last year to advise all citizens to report any suspicious or unsafe items to them. They ask if you accidentally dial 911 that you stay on the line—this negates the need for them to follow up on a hang up call. The Police note that if you have a problem they might assist with –such as needing sand for icy steps that you are not able to go obtain yourself---please call them on the non urgent line and they will make plans to help you.
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Local Transportation for Seniors
BAR HARBOR SHUTTLE
(year round service operated by Downeast Transportation)
This bus operates on Tuesdays
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We would love your feedback on how we're doing in our community. Please feel free to call or e-mail with your comments.
If you are in need of information about Island Connections or in need of a ride, please contact our Transportation Coordinator, Amy Manring.
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday
9:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Telephone: 207-288-4457
Doreen Willett
Executive Director
Island Connections
www.islconnections.org
Bar Harbor, ME 04609
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Have you given any thought to
Planned Giving?
Perhaps you would like to speak to us about leaving a bequest to Island Connections but didn't know how to get started.
Contact Doreen Willett to start the conversation about creating a sustainable giving plan. We thank you for your consideration.
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Island Connections * 93 Cottage Street, Suite 101, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
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