September has arrived and with it we had an exciting calendar of events for our residents. However, the unwanted visitor of Covid, more specifically the Delta variant, arrived as well. We have worked so hard since March of 2020 to keep this virus out of Bartlett Woods and we cannot let our guard down now.
Therefore, we have had to make some changes to this month’s activities. We have decided to post pone all entertainers until we are safely passed this latest surge of cases in our community. We have also decided to not take trips to any indoor stores, museums, restaurants, etc. The only exception is we will continue our weekly trips to Hannaford on Wednesday mornings.
Despite these changes, we will have a great month with lots of fun. Fortunately in these challenging times, we have learned to adapt as have many others. One such way is by working with the Portland Symphony Orchestra. While they are doing in-person performances again, they are still offering a digital version of many of these shows. We will continue to take advantage of this and purchase as many as we can. This month we are showing an encore performance of “America, America Patriotic Music for the Kotzschmar Organ”. We previously aired this last month with great participation and enthusiasm.
I’m also very excited to have Maine historian and Camden Herald Columnist, Charles H. Lagerbom offer to us a Zoom discussion about his most recent book “Maine to Cape Horn”. This book is about Mainers testing their skill against the infamous waters of this iconic spot. This is sure to be a very interesting presentation.
Along with these digital presentations, we are still able to take our scenic rides, dine out (outdoor settings only), have picnic lunches, attend the Rockland Farmer’s Market, walk the Rockland Boardwalk and visit our favorite ice cream stands, Dorman’s and Bray Brook Farm Ice Cream!
We are also very thankful for our relationship with the YMCA, as they are still able to come see us twice a week for exercise classes, as we are the only facility our instructor is currently visiting. Lucky us!
We will still have our in house activities of exercise classes, discussion groups, cocktail hour, games and documentaries. And as always….we saved a seat for you!
So while Covid has once again foiled our plans, we will not let that ruin our fun. While we are enjoying ourselves safely here, we hope you all remain healthy and safe.
Karen Tooley/Activities Director
Golf anyone? Mini golf that is. A fun afternoon it will be at Cardinal Cove in Rockport.
Another great museum is the Penobscot Marine Museum just up the road a bit in Searsport Maine. This museum is a true gem, and so much history is available to explore on the large campus. Along with tours of the museum, they have some of the most talented people who love to share their exhibits. Kevin Johnson is the Photo Archivist for PMM and he comes regularly to visit us with collections of his photos and the history behind them all. He is a great speaker and friend to us and we love having him here.
This area is also rich in local talent. We are so thankful to have some wonderful music here at Bartlett Woods. Route 17 Ramblers are pretty much famous in these parts. They bring some good old “Americana” music along with some Country and traditional classics. They always pack the house and lots of toes are tapping and hands are clapping.
As you can see, staying local has so many benefits for our residents. Along with all of the above, we will visit some local shops including Reny’s (A Maine Adventure) and enjoy scenic rides to see all the beauty this area has to offer.
Don Reimer is a lifelong birder and photographer residing in Warren, Maine. A board member of the Midcoast Audubon Society, he has led field excursions for local environmental organizations and the American Birding Association National Convention. He is a board member of the Friends of Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge in Rockland, Maine.
Compass Rose Images was established by sisters Shelley Lance-Fulk, Jacklyn Amtower and Jacklyn’s husband Jon. We have all had a passion for traveling the world and photographing wildlife. We have been to all seven continents several times to enrich and expand our collection of animal photographs. We reside in a small community in Central Maine where the abundance of local critters, moose, deer, raccoon, fox and birds (not to mention our golden doodle, Latte and golden retriever, Bailey) keep us amused and reaching for our cameras. We travel three to six months each year to capture images of wildlife from animal-rich regions around the globe.
This month we received a very generous and special offer. This offer was made possible thanks to a grant from the Maine Bicentennial Commission. I am so very excited and honored to announce that the DaPonte String Quartet will be playing here at Bartlett Woods on Thursday July 22nd. The concert will be followed by a cocktail reception and appetizers. The Maine Bicentennial Commission offered this grant for the quartet to be able to take their music to the communities for the Bicentennial celebrations. Obviously due to the pandemic, those celebrations last year were cancelled. Now they are celebrating the Bicentennial plus 1. We are honored to be included as a location for their music.
Here come the holidays!! Ready or not, they are coming. This year Thanksgiving will look a little different for many people. Most families, we hope, are following CDC guidelines and celebrating with those who live in their home. That is exactly what we are doing here! Our kitchen will make a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for all to enjoy. Many of our staff, who also aren’t able to be with their families, will be here to help make the day a little more special and help serve dinner.