Gift Recipients Year to Date

Our “75 For 75” Gift Giving Campaign heads down the peninsula to Boothbay Harbor where Colby & Gale’s Troy Sawyer (right), a Colby & Gale employee for more than 33 years, presents his selection, (Gift Number 4 of 75), to Fire Chief Nick Upham of the Boothbay Harbor Fire Department.

For over 80 years the all-volunteer Boothbay Harbor Fire Department has provided provide emergency response services to the residents of Boothbay Harbor and West Boothbay Harbor.

Our 75th Anniversary, Community Gift Giving Campaign continues with former Colby & Gale President and CEO, Robert Clifford (left), presenting his selection, Gift Number 6 of 75, to Alna-Anchor Lodge #43, Master, Jonathan Eaton. Among the many community-based programs Alna-Anchor Lodge #43 sponsors is the Masonic “Bikes for Books” program to encourage students to read. Since its inception, more than 10,000 bikes have been given away by Masons across Maine.

Children are asked to read as many books as they can in a set amount of time. Then they are asked to fill out a entry ticket for every book they read. The tickets are then placed into a drawing with tickets from other children of the same grade; a ticket is then drawn, and the winner receives a brand new bicycle and helmet.

Freemasonry is the world’s oldest and largest fraternity and for three centuries has beckoned men of good character to its ranks. The Masons have no regard for differences in race, color, creed, religion or station in life.

Our Community Gift Giving Campaign is with John Murphy (right), a Colby & Gale employee for 21 years, as he presents his selection, Gift Number 9 of 75, to Commander Bruce Poland (left) of American Legion Post 42 in Damariscotta and Al McKay, Americanism officer for the American Legion Department of Maine.

Chartered by Congress in 1919, the American Legion is a patriotic veterans organization focusing on service to veterans, servicemembers and communities.

The Legion has evolved from a group of war-weary veterans of World War I into one of the most influential nonprofit groups in the United States. Over the years, the Legion has influenced considerable social change in America, won hundreds of benefits for veterans – both male and female – and produced many important programs for children and youth.

Later this spring, American Legion Post #42 will also be purchasing more than 85 American flags which will be displayed throughout the summer months along Main Street from the Newcastle town line to Route 1.

American Legion Posts are organized into 55 departments: one each for the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, France, Mexico and the Philippines.

Our Community Gift-Giving Campaign is with Rhonda Mott (right), a Colby & Gale employee for 20 years, as she presents her selection, Gift Number 10 of 75, to American Legion Post #42 Auxiliary President, Bonnie Poland, at the Legion Hall in Damariscotta.

For more than a century the American Legion Auxiliary has answered the call of “Service Not Self.” The ALA (American Legion Auxiliary) is made up of male and female spouses, grandmothers, mothers, sisters, and direct and adopted female descendants of members of The American Legion. Some being veterans themselves.

Among their many sponsorships, the ALA #42 supports the Dirigo Girls’ State Delegation. “Dirigo Girls’ State” is a non-partisan opportunity for young women to learn about responsible citizenship in a democratic society. The Girls’ State program is a government simulation in which delegates role-play campaigns and elections for local, county and state government.

The American Legion Post #42 Auxiliary also supports, the Barbara Bush Foundation, Special Olympics, Lincoln County food pantries, Breast Cancer awareness and research, and provides scholarship opportunities to local high school students pursuing higher education.

Our Community Gift-Giving Campaign heads to the Town of Jefferson where Gary Higgins (right), a Colby & Gale employee for 20 years, presents his selection, Gift Number 11 of 75, to Jefferson Area Community Food Pantry Chairperson, Allison Brooks at St. Giles’ Episcopal Church. St. Giles’ serves as the fiscal sponsor and food distribution site for the JAC Food Pantry.

Started in 2015, the JAC Food Pantry provides food assistance in the area with the help of parishioners from St. Giles’ and neighboring parishes, Jefferson and Somerville town residents, local Masonic organizations, the Whitefield Lion’s Club and community members.

Since 2015 the JAC Food Pantry has more than tripled the number of families it serves – and over the past year – has stepped up its response to increased food insecurity created by the COVID 19 pandemic. The JACFP is open twice a month, on the second and fourth Weds. from 4:00-5:30 pm.

For volunteer information please contact Allison Brooks, Chairperson, at 315.1134; To make a contribution, please make your check payable to St. Giles’, and note on the memo line, JACFP.

Our 75th Anniversary Community Gift-Giving Campaign is with Leigh Benner (right), a Colby & Gale employee for 16 years, as she presents her selection, Gift Number 14 of 75, to Nobleboro Historical Society President, Mary K. Sheldon,Ph.D., outside the Nobleboro Historical Society Center. Located at the front of the Nobleboro Central School, the Society’s Center it is one of Nobleboro’s 12 original, one-room schoolhouses.
Chartered in 1978, the Nobleboro Historical Society has a membership of about 200 people. Programs of special interest are presented during the year and in June school children also come to the Historical Center to view the exhibits and learn about the history of Nobleboro. The Society features a fine collection of memorabilia and maintains records related to the Town of Nobleboro and its people. These are preserved at the Historical Center.
Each spring, the Nobleboro Historical Society selects awardees for their Society scholarships. Each scholarship is for $1,000. Eligible high school and post-secondary students are those who will attend an accredited undergraduate post-secondary school or college in the 2020-2021 academic year and who reside in the Town of Nobleboro. Also, students who are members or children of members of the Society are eligible.

Our 75th Anniversary Community Gift-Giving Campaign is with Bill Bryant, a Colby & Gale employee for 15 years, as he presents his “75 for 75” Gift selection for the Bristol Veterans Memorial Fund, to committee members (clockwise from upper left); Andrea Perley, Janet Montuori, Bill Bryant, Sandra Lane with “Oakie” and Frank Montouri.

Situated in Bristol’s Ellingwood Park, the planned Veterans Memorial River Walk will feature a 500-foot pathway that will meander along the river from the parking area to an outlet near Benner Road. The goal is that over time and through community involvement the river walk will evolve to include memorial benches and tree plantings, and a garden for residents and visitors to enjoy while serving as a living memorial to all veterans past and present

Our 75th Anniversary Community Gift-Giving Campaign is with Donnie Leeman (right), a Colby & Gale employee for 8 years and Chief of the Bremen Volunteer Fire Department, as he presents his “75 for 75” Gift selection for the Bremen Fire Department to fellow firefighters David Adkins and his wife Rose outside the Station in Bremen. Since the early 1950s, the all-volunteer Department has provided emergency response services to the residents of Bremen – for the past three under the leadership of Chief Leeman. In addition to Bremen, the Department of roughly twenty-five members also serves surrounding towns and communities through Mutual Aid Agreement.

Our 75th Anniversary Community Gift Giving Campaign continues with Steve Michaud (right), a Colby & Gale employee for 6 years , presenting his selection, Gift Number 26 of 75, to the Waldoboro Food Pantry. Accepting for the WFP are (from left to right), Natalie Masse, Treasurer, Janet Lee, Volunteer, Ellee Simons, Secretary, Board Member Gordon Webster, Lenny “Ya Baby!” Ryan, Volunteer, and Jeff Brown, Operations Manager. The entire Board, managers and support staff of the WFP are volunteers.

Established in the late 1980’s, the the vision of the Waldoboro Food Pantry is to eliminate food insecurity in the Towns of Waldoboro, Bremen and Nobleboro. Each food pantry day, volunteers distribute packaged goods, eggs, milk, bread fresh fruits and vegetables to anywhere from 60 to over 100 households.

Operating from their new location at 124 Friendship Street in Waldoboro, the food pantry operates 100% on donations. Donations come from individuals, businesses, towns, churches, and other community organizations. The Food Pantry also receives donations in the form of food, toiletries, pet food, and other household items from same.

The Food Pantry operates the first and third Tuesday of each month from 12-3pm.

Our 75th Anniversary Community Gift-Giving Campaign is with Dan Pendleton (left), a Colby & Gale employee for 5 years, as he presents his selection, Gift Number 27 of 75, to Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust Executive Director Steven Hufnagel at the Denny Conservation & Education Center in Damariscotta.

Formed in March 2019 through the unification of Damariscotta River Association and Pemaquid Watershed Association, Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust’s mission is to care for the lands and waters of the Damariscotta-Pemaquid Region by conserving special places, protecting water quality, creating trails and public access, and deepening connections to nature. Coast Rivers is a membership supported, community based, nationally accredited land trust and conservation organization with more than 1,800 members conserving nearly 4,000 acres of the region’s most significant lands for public benefit.

While Coastal Rivers’ land conservation efforts are focused primarily in Lincoln County their educational programs benefit individuals and families in Maine from Yarmouth to Lincolnville, as well as visitors from around the world. Coastal Rivers provides nature education and skills programs for youth and adults including Programs like Oyster Gardening, Camp Mummichog, Mushroom Workshops and Edible Seaweed Courses, to name a few.

Our 75th Anniversary  Community Gift-Giving Campaign is with Derek Brilyea (left), a Colby & Gale/Phillips Power Products employee for 6 years, as he presents his selection, Gift Number 28 of 75, to Somerville Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Chief Tim Dostie.

Formed in 1965, the 15 member, all-volunteer department operates out of two stations, utilizing five trucks and a rescue boat. The Department serves the Town of Somerville as well as neighboring towns through mutual aid agreement.

Our 75th Anniversary  Community Gift-Giving Campaign is with Cappy Dean (right), a Colby & Gale employee for 5 years, as he presents his selection, Gift Number 29 of 75, to Community Energy Fund President and Lincoln County business owner Todd Maurer at the C&G campus in Damariscotta. 

Conceived a decade ago in Damariscotta when several friends gathered at a local pub for food and conversation, the Community Energy Fund of Lincoln County’s was established to help those in need in our community who do not necessarily qualify for state or federal heating assistance programs. The fund is primarily used to help provide fuel – whether it is oil, kerosene, electricity, propane or wood. The Fund may also be used to help families who encounter an unexpected emergency that has more significance than the need for energy assistance alone.

The CEF is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with one hundred percent (100%) of all donations being used for charitable purposes, all administrative functions are voluntary and requisite overhead and all related costs are covered by the continuing generosity of the community.

Our 75th Anniversary Community Gift Giving Campaign joins Trudy Gamage (left), a Colby & Gale employee for 5 years, as she presents her selection, Gift Number 30 of 75, to Twin Villages Foodbank Farm Co-Founder and Farm Development Manager Megan Taft at the farm in Damariscotta.

Co-founded and established in 2016 with Farm Manager Sara Cawthon on land donated by Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust, the Twin Rivers Foodbank Farm distributes 50,000 lbs. of farm produce annually and another 35,000 lbs. of food from other sources as well. All of the produce and food is collected and distributed via the farm’s hub at the Darrow’s Barn. The TVFF supports a range of food pantries and youth programs in Lincoln County including food pantries in Wiscasset, New Harbor, Boothbay, Alna, Whitefield, Jefferson, Waldoboro and Newcastle. They also support FARMS at the “Y”, cooking programs, CLC-YMCA Thrive at the “Y” after school program, Newcastle Headstart, CLC-YMCA Daycare, and weekend backpack programs in Bristol and Boothbay that send kids home with food to help their families feed them through the weekends when school meals are not available. Coastal Rivers also donates storage space at Darrows Barn and serves as fiscal sponsor for the farm and provides administrative support.

Our 75th Anniversary Community Gift Giving Campaign joins Shane Osier (left), a C&G employee for 3 years, as he presents his selection, Gift Number 32 of 75, to Healthy Kids Executive Director Leslie Livingston, at their offices in Damariscotta. 

Healthy Kids is a community based family and professional network, offering support and educational outreach to families throughout Lincoln County. Since 1985, Healthy Kids has worked to enhance and improve the lives of children and parents, providing a wide variety of programs. These programs are designed to help parents, caregivers and professionals in raising emotionally, physically and cognitively healthy children.

Our 75th Anniversary Community Gift Giving Campaign joins Larry Hooper a C&G employee for 3 years, as he presents his selection, Gift Number 33 of 75, for Lincoln County F.I.S.H. to Founder Edie Vaughan (left) and Terri Taylor outside Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Newcastle.

LC F.I.S.H. (Friends In Service Helping) is an all-volunteer organization that offers rides (at no charge), to people who have no other transportation alternative. LC F.I.S.H. volunteer drivers provide rides for medical appointments, grocery shopping, personal appointments and other important errands.

Our 75th Anniversary Community Gift Giving Campaign joins Dave Putnam, a C&G employee for 3 years, as he presents his selection, Gift Number 34 of 75, for Inn Along The Way to Co-Vice President Sharon Abair at the farm in Damariscotta. 

Inn Along the Way is a collaborative community offering older adults, and those seeking temporary relief from the responsibilities of caregiving, an environment of support, purpose, and sustainability in a multigenerational and mutually interdependent setting. The facility, situated on 31 acres of rolling fields with a pond, provides a unique and innovative community design in which elders live interdependently in a neighborhood-style setting of small, environmentally friendly homes.

Our 75th Anniversary Community Gift Giving Campaign joins Kerri Lincoln (center), a C&G employee for 8 years, as she presents her selection, Gift Number 35 of 75, for Great Salt Bay Community School’s, Student Fund, to School Principal Kim Schaff (right), and Assistant Principal Kami Peaslee, at the School in Damariscotta.

The GSB School Student Fund assists individual students in gaining access to everyday personal  and school items and products – that when not readily available – often result in lack of engagement in school activities or absenteeism.

Matching donations for the GSB Student Activity Fund may be made, in whole or in part, by contacting the School at (207) 563-3091 or by email at gsbfrontoffice@aos93.org.

The mission of the GSB Community School is to provide a nurturing, safe and enjoyable environment in which all children are challenged and inspired to pursue excellence in all aspects of their education. The School serves children grades K through 8.

Our 75th Anniversary Community Gift-Giving Campaign is with Stephanie Christopher (right), a Colby & Gale employee for 2 years, as she presents her selection, Gift Number 39 of 75, for RJP (Restorative Justice Project) Maine to Lincoln & Sagadahoc Counties Case Coordinator Leigh Anne Keichline at the C&G campus in Damariscotta.

Restorative justice is a growing movement within educational and criminal justice systems around the world. The approach focuses on the rehabilitation of offenders through reconciliation both with the harmed parties and with the community at large. Those harmed take an active role in the process, while offenders are encouraged to take responsibility for their actions to repair the harm they’ve done. Restorative justice reestablishes the role of the community in supporting all parties affected by crime. When those that have been harmed, offenders, and community members meet to decide how to repair harm, the results can be transformational.

Our 75th Anniversary Community Gift-Giving Campaign is with Dustin Creamer (right), a Colby & Gale employee for 2 years and a former Edgecomb volunteer firefighter, as he presents his selection, Gift Number 40 of 75, for the Edgecomb Fire Department to Fire Chief Roy Potter outside the Station in Edgecomb.

The sixteen person all volunteer Department, under the leadership of Chief Potter, responds to nearly 200 calls per year. The Department serves the town of Edgecomb and also surrounding communities through a mutual aid agreement.