Be Like Buckle

A splash of fun. A wave of purpose. A crew kids will remember. IT’S TIME TO MEET THE CREW! I am thrilled to introduce three unforgettable new friends who are ready to make a splash and help children discover that safety can be part of every great adventure. BUCKLE, NEAL THE SEAL and POPPY THE HARBOR PORPOISE Three new friends, One big adventure, One powerful mission Adventure Starts Buckled is a fun, heart-filled story about friendship, courage, smart choices, adventure, and looking out for one another. It was created to make boating and water safety feel exciting, memorable, and meaningful for children, while carrying a message every family can understand. Beneath the waves of this little story lives a deeper purpose: helping young readers discover that a life jacket is not just safety gear, it is part of the adventure, part of the promise, and part of coming home. This book also honors those who went out on the water and never came home. It honors the lives behind the statistics: the empty chairs, the unanswered calls, the families forever missing someone they love, and the communities changed by loss. It also honors those who continue to carry those memories forward: parents, spouses, children, siblings, friends, first responders, teammates, and neighbors who know why this message matters. Throughout this journey, I have had the privilege of meeting families who have experienced unimaginable loss. I have listened to their stories, shared tears with them, and talked with them about what this project could become. Their trust, compassion, encouragement, and willingness to help turn tragedy into purpose has profoundly moved me. To those families, I Thank You!!! Your loved ones matter. Their stories matter. Their memory is part of the reason Buckle and crew exists. After more than 40 years on the water, I also think about the extraordinary people I have had the privilege of serving and working beside. They know the rescues, the searches, the moments when everything went right, and the moments we desperately wish had ended differently. They know that behind every boating tragedy is not just a number. It is a person A family A story May this project honor them as well, because that is why Buckle’s message needs to be bold, memorable, and shared. If we can help one child make a safer choice, help one family avoid the heartbreak of a preventable loss, or help one young adventurer learn that wearing a life jacket is simply part of the fun, then a choice made today may change the ending of someone’s story tomorrow. So, let’s help children fall in love with the water. Let’s teach them to respect it. Let’s show them that looking out for one another is what good friends do. And let’s do everything we can to make sure that when the adventure is over, they come safely home. For those we have lost. For those who carry their memory. And for the next generation whose stories are still being written. BE SMART, WEAR IT FROM THE START. I owe an enormous debt of gratitude to the many people who have helped bring the #BeLikeBuckle project to life. I cannot wait to begin sharing their stories, their purpose, and the wave of good this crew is ready to create. THE ADVENTURE IS JUST BEGINNING!!!!! Keep Being Amazinggg, Tommmyyyyyyyyy Adventure Starts Buckled is available for sale by visiting Downeast Graphics & Printing at 477 Washington Junction Rd Hancock or by clicking the link below to place your order today. The book is $5.00 plus $4.99 Shipping: https://square.link/u/cf7LnHMA [read more]

Healthy Peninsula

Healthy Peninsula is a community health organization which serves the nine towns of the Blue Hill Peninsula and Deer Isle/Stonington. We focus on the areas of healthy eating, healthy families, and healthy aging, and help community members connect to resources in for issues like food security, older adult supports, home safety, new baby resources, etc. [read more]

1932 Criterion Theatre

The History of the Theatre Bar Harbor’s Criterion Theatre opened at 7 o’clock p.m. on Monday, June 6th, 1932. The lavish opening night lasted from 7pm until after midnight, and drew nearly 2,000 people to two separate shows, each of which featured a speech by Julien Emery - chairman of the Board of Selectmen, live music by a seven-piece orchestra, vaudeville acts, and a screening of “Arsene Lupin,” starring John & Lionel Barrymore, and Karen Morley. In the opening ceremony, a large basket of flowers was given to George & Ethel McKay, and congratulatory telegrams from stars such as Greta Garbo, John Gilbert, Joan Crawford, and John Barrymore were read aloud. Harry A. Smith, “well known in Portland and New York theatrical circles,” was the director of the opening shows. [read more]

Abbe Museum

To illuminate and advance greater understanding of and support for Wabanaki Nations’ heritage, living cultures, and homelands. In recent years, the Abbe has grown from a small trailside museum, privately operated within Acadia National Park, to an exciting contemporary museum in the heart of downtown Bar Harbor. At the Abbe's downtown museum, visitors find dynamic and stimulating exhibitions and activities interspersed with spaces for quiet reflection. The history and cultures of the Native people in what we now know as Maine, the Wabanaki, are showcased through changing exhibitions, special events, teacher workshops, and workshops for children and adults. “The museum is heartfelt, accessible, and has something for all visitors but doesn’t shy away from telling the hard truths of the past and present. We are all involved in the process of making the world better. Thank you for the opportunity to learn and appreciate, to recognize beauty and work, and the unity of all things.” —Emma, 2018 [read more]

Bar Harbor Historical Society

From a small room under the stairs of the Jesup Memorial Library to a three-story “cottage,” the Bar Harbor Historical Society has certainly seen big changes in our nearly-80 years of operation! Here at the BHHS, our goal is to serve and safeguard Bar Harbor’s history for generations to come, and for La Rochelle to be a part of the future as a cultural center, with exciting events and enriching programs for all to enjoy. [read more]

Cody's Closet

About Information: Cody's Closet is a non-profit organization started in Hancock County serving the needs of teenagers in foster care across the state. A foster closet that also provides advocacy for teens in custody, our goal is to support teens with basic necessities, socially acknowledged skills and help to build roots in a community to stabilize their foundation from which they will launch into adulthood. [read more]

Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce

Welcome to Ellsworth - Maine Our region's picturesque coastline and close proximity to Acadia National Park create a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. The recreational opportunities are boundless, from the traditional allure of lobstering and the thrill of whale watching to the serenity of hiking and kayaking. Ellsworth's charming downtown invites leisurely exploration of unique local boutiques offering exquisite fine chocolates, handcrafted jewelry, and a delightful array of gourmet dining experiences. Whether you seek the thrill of outdoor adventure, the richness of historical exploration, or the tranquility of relaxation, you will find something to captivate your spirit here. The diverse landscapes surrounding Ellsworth showcase exceptional natural beauty, historic landmarks, and hidden gems, all wrapped in the warmth of small-town charm. Uncover the many facets of this enchanting area for an unforgettable visit. [read more]

Ellsworth Historical Society

Ellsworth Public Library

The Ellsworth Public Library is a vibrant and essential community resource, educating and inspiring the people we serve. [read more]

Families First Community Center

Our Mission: To break the cycle of homelessness by equipping families with minor children with the skills they need to gain self-sufficiency. Our Vision: Together we will build a community free from poverty, discrimination and neglect. We envision a community where all members stand on solid ground with the skills and confidence they need to achieve their dreams. When Residents leave the Center, they will have reliable housing, parenting skills, a steady income and savings, and affordable transportation. [read more]