Our resident artist and art teacher Constance Kiermairer gave a lively and informative talk about her current exhibition, CONTINUUM: Old and New Works by Constance Kiermaier, on Friday afternoon, November 8, 2024. Her show remains on view in our first floor Parlor, Lobby and Dining Room through January 3, 2025. An Artist’s Closing Reception will be held Friday, January 3rd from 4-6pm. Please join us!

As you can see from the images, many attended and were captivated by Constance’s recollections of a very artful life well lived. Guests were treated to refreshments created by our house cook Klara from recipes in our 25th Anniversary Cook Book, including Sarah’s Lemon Square’s, Joyce’s Coffeecake, and Marian’s Crazy Cake (copies of which are still available, just ask us!).

We look forward to enjoying Constance’s show for the rest of year, and the closing party in early January. This is an exceptional art show not to be missed. Hope to see you here soon . . .

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                           Multimedia Midcoast Artist Featured at 11/8/2024 Public Event at Bartlett Woods

The Art at Bartlett exhibition program is pleased to present a free public Artist’s Talk, featuring 97-year old resident artist Constance Kiermaier on Friday, November 8^th at 2PM at Bartlett Woods Retirement Community, 20 Bartlett Drive in Rockland. The artist and teacher will discuss her current show, “CONTINUUM: Old and New Works by Constance Kiermaier.”  The exhibition is one part classic Kiermaier mixed media objects, and one part called  The Portrait Project. Light refreshments will be served. Parking is limited to unmarked spaces, the driveway and along Talbot Avenue.   The public is also invited to visit during regular open hours, Monday to Sunday, 8AM to 4PM; the exhibition remains on view through January 3, 2025.

“Constance has been our beloved resident teacher for many years,” confirmed Kelly Osborn, Executive Director at Bartlett Woods. “The arts are important at Bartlett Woods. Listening to Constance discuss her life’s work is a privilege for all of us.  We hope to see many friends and make new ones at our upcoming Artist’s Talk”                                                                                                                                                  

Ms. Kiermaier’s constructions, paintings and prints are personal, mysterious, and timeless. Crafted with great skill, each piece demonstrates a refusal to be limited by material, method, or subject.

Additionally, she will show a new series of pastel portraits of some neighbors at Bartlett Woods, specifically those 95 years of age and older. The artist, herself 97 years old, will be included with a self-portrait. “ ‘The Portrait Project’ began as a series of self-portraits to be given to each of my children,” confirms Constance. “This effort evolved into capturing the likenesses of some neighbors who are 95 and above, up to 100 years old! I believe it is vital for people our age to be noticed. This is an important issue for me.” 

Constance Kiermaier is a graduate of the School of Fine Arts, Yale University. She has shown her work throughout the USA, including: Rhode Island School of Design, Yale University, National Academy of Fine Arts, Center for Maine Contemporary Art, and the Portland Museum. She has received many awards, including a fellowship from the New England Foundation on the Arts/National Endowment for the Arts. She was raised in Virginia, lived in Connecticut, Tenants Harbor, ME, has called Bartlett Woods home since 2016.

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Bartlett Woods, Inc. recently completed installation of approximately 350 solar panels on its roof in an effort to minimize impact on climate change.  The panels will meet approximately 50% of the nonprofit’s electrical requirements by maximizing the number of panels that could fit on the roof. A Ribbon Cutting celebration will be held on Wednesday, October 16th at 2pm with key participants and community guests.

”The panels will reduce Bartlett’s electric bill by about $30,000 annually,” confirmed J. Michael Lane, President, Board of Directors at Bartlett Woods.  ”The federal government will reimburse us for 30% of the cost due to recent changes made by the Inflation Reduction Act.  Overall, the project will offer a return on investment of over 10%.  The panels are expected to last at least 25 years.”

The panels will eliminate the generation of 230,000 pounds of carbon dioxide annually.  This will be the equivalent of planting 1,700 trees each year.

”Installation was done by Sundog Solar of Searsport, ME,” Lane further commented.  ”Their proposal was chosen as having the most favorable financial impact of three proposals submitted.” 

Statement from Sundog Solar Owner Danny Piper: “Working with Bartlett Woods on this project has been a rewarding experience for our team, and we are proud to have played an integral part in helping this community take a significant step toward sustainability.”  

More info about the project:

There are actually (2) independent systems located at Bartlett Woods. Together the systems will average 153,329 kWh/year:

– South System details…

– 84.24kW DC & 57kW AC

– comprised of (208) 405W panels & (5) 11.4 kW single phase inverters

– North System details…

– 56.7kW DC / 45.6 kW AC

– comprised of (140) 405W panels & (4) 11.4 kW single phase inverters

-Combined System details…

– 141.08kW DC / 102.6kW AC

– comprised of (348) 405W panels & (9) 11.4kW single phase inverters

Both systems are equipped with module-level monitoring, allowing for precise, real-time tracking of energy production and savings. This transparency ensures that the community can optimize its energy use and see the direct impact of reducing both energy costs and its carbon footprint.

More great green news . . .

”Work will begin this fall on converting our heating system from a fuel oil and propane heating system to one using heat pumps, saving even more energy,” announced Executive Director Kelly Osborn. “Once the system is completed, Bartlett Woods will be able to heat and cool our 58-unit apartment building by using only solar energy on an annual basis. This tremendous shift in our sustainability goals is something both residents and staff can be very proud of.”

For further information about Bartlett Woods, visit Bartlettwoods.com or call 207-593-1608. About Sundog Solar visit www.sundog.solar or call 207-548-1100.

 About Bartlett Woods: Bartlett Woods Retirement Community, founded in 1998, is a 501(c)3 non-profit, age 55+ apartment house featuring 58 one- or two-bedroom apartments, with customizable rental options. Led by Executive Director Kelly Osborn and a staff of 40, Bartlett Woods is one of the smallest communities in Maine yet offers many personalized healthcare support services and lifestyle enrichments that continue to set a new standard in active adult living. In 2023, Bartlett Woods celebrated 25 years of service to the Midcoast community. Located in Rockland, ME, visit www.bartlettwoods.com or call 207-593-1419.

–end–

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A message from Gail Kenny, our Comptroller/Business Manager. . .

My dad and mom,  John and Claudette Thyng, are life-long residents of Kennebunk, Maine.  Through the 55 years of my dad being on the Kennebunk Fire Department, he and my mom used to do all of the Chicken BBQ’s and Lobster Bakes for the community and the Maine Turnpike where my dad worked.  They enjoyed it so much that they opened a catering business where they even did a lobster bake that George H. W. Bush attended.  It was exciting to meet one of our Presidents.  Mom and Dad did the functions of weddings, retirement parties, family outings, and graduations for over 40 years.  And now that they are retired and in their 80’s and have taught us all well as to how to throw a party, they help their 4 kids (including myself) do the Lobster Bakes and Pig Roasts every year!

Thank you for allowing them to participate with our Bartlett Woods Family Functions!

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Multimedia MidCoast Artist Featured at September 28^th Public Event. 

The Art at Bartlett exhibition program marks the arrival of Fall with a free public Art Opening. Bartlett Woods’ resident artist Constance Kiermaier opens a solo exhibition on Saturday, September 28^th, 2-4PM at Bartlett Woods Retirement Community, 20 Bartlett Drive in Rockland. Entitled “CONTINUUM: Old and New Works by Constance Kiermaier,” the exhibition is one part classic Kiermaier mixed media objects, and one part called The Portrait Project. Light refreshments will be served. Parking is limited to unmarked spaces, the driveway and along Talbot Avenue.   The public is also invited to visit during regular open hours, Monday to Sunday, 8AM to 4PM; the exhibition remains on view through January 3, 2025.

“We are so pleased to host this event for Constance,” confirmed Kelly Osborn, Executive Director at Bartlett Woods. “The arts are important to us all here at Bartlett Woods. Resident artist Constance Kiermaier also teaches students in our own Art Center. We hope to see many longtime friends and make new ones at our upcoming artist’s reception.”                                                                                                                                                  

Ms. Kiermaier’s constructions, paintings and prints are personal, mysterious, and timeless. Crafted with great skill, each piece demonstrates a refusal to be limited by material, method, or subject. Additionally, she will show a new series of pastel portraits of some neighbors at Bartlett Woods, specifically those 95 years of age and older. The artist, herself a nonagenarian, will be included with a self-portrait. “ ‘The Portrait Project’ began as a series of self-portraits to be given to each of my children,” confirms Constance. “This effort evolved into capturing the likenesses of some neighbors who are 95 and above, up to 100 years old! I believe it is important for people our age to be noticed. This is an important issue for me.”

Constance Kiermaier is a graduate of the School of Fine Arts, Yale University. She has shown her work throughout the USA, including: Rhode Island School of Design, Yale University, National Academy of Fine Arts, Center for Maine Contemporary Art, and the Portland Museum. She has received many awards, including a fellowship from the New England Foundation on the Arts/National Endowment for the Arts. She was raised in Virginia, lived in Connecticut, Tenants Harbor, ME, has called Bartlett Woods home since 2016.

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On Saturday, August 10, 2024 the Bartlett Woods family and friends gathered for the first-ever (and now, annual?) Birthday Cake Potluck Party. Residents, families, staff and friends in the neighborhood were invited to flex their baking muscles and show off their skills for the celebration of our 26th year of incorporation as a not-for-profit retirement apartment house.

Chef Aaron and Cook Klara hosted us in the Dining Room, supplying some of Klara’s famous baking along with thirst-quenching refreshments.

And then . . . the cakes arrived. Big cakes, little cakes, fruit cakes, chocolate cakes, whoopie pies, Russian Tea Cakes, coconut layer cakes, Italian Blitz cake, a Watermelon cake, fudge squares, (homemade by Sharon) applesauce raisin cake, gluten free, dairy free, sugar free fruit tart (thank you Rosalie), pound cake, chocolate peanut butter giant cake, yellow layer cake with chocolate frosting . . .  even a Conceptual Birthday Cake sculpture by BW resident artist/teacher Constance Kiermaier. There was more birthday cake than any of us had ever seen, filling four tables in our dining room. Unforgettable.

Board of Directors President Mike Lane and Secretary Marion Grant as well brought baked delights from home. Mike led all in a sing-a-long of “Happy Birthday” to Bartlett.

Thank you so very much to everyone who came, participated, and celebrated Bartlett’s special day. See you next year!

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Art at Bartlett 2024 presents . . .

The Art Center’s Student Show:

Works from the class of Constance Kiermaier

Since 2016, The Art Center at Bartlett Woods has been an exciting place for students of all abilities. Under the direction of life-long artist and teacher Constance Kiermaier, who moved into Bartlett Woods in 2016, art students have enjoyed a weekly class designed to accommodate all or no experience. Because Constance has taught for a very long time, she is quite adept at tailoring interesting assignments to a highly diverse group of eager participants.

The Art Center is located in a 2-bedroom apartment. Filled with natural light and ample space, Constance holds class for Bartlett residents. On any given class day, a visitor can find easels, paintbrushes, pads of paper, and assorted still life objects being put to creative use. No matter which group of new students, Constance says,

”I try to engage students who don’t know anything about art making, or only know the basics . . . I try to get them to engage with their own thoughts about what they see and feel and know. It is my goal to try to get them to create on their own. We start simple, with a flat design that has color and patterns. We use simple tools, like acrylic paint (easier and cheaper than oil!), or ink. For example, I have used my heirloom Crazy Quilt as a source of inspiration.  What I love is the idea that they come in and WANT TO LEARN. It’s exciting for me, when during the course of the class, they come up with something they thought about, and it can be accomplished.”

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Special Celebration of Centenarian at Bartlett Woods

Avis Tolman Turns 100 March 20^th, 2024 and Well-behaved Dogs invited to the Birthday Bash

In honor of her 100^th birthday, dog-lover extraordinaire Avis Tolman was celebrated at her home, Bartlett Woods Retirement Community, on Wednesday, March 20^th. Well-trained and super social dogs from the Rockland area were invited to attend the birthday celebration.

Born and raised in Rockville ME, Avis built a home in Glen Cove, where she lived with her husband and raised their family.  Avis moved to Bartlett Woods in 2016, to remain near her local family. Avis has always been a passionate dog lover, and this canine-themed party was something she had wished for, upon turning 100 years old.

All dogs were well-trained, on leash and in mingling with people. They included puppies and mature canines.

Needless to say, Avis was thrilled!

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The Annual Friends and Family Holiday Dinner 2022 It was a celebration on many levels! On the evening of December 14, 2022, Bartlett Woods shared the joy of Christmas with many residents’ friends and family members. It was the much anticipated Friends and Family Party — the return of a beloved tradition that had been on hold for a few years due to the pandemic. The beautiful evening was filled with food, music and
laughter, celebrating all that Christmas brings and celebrating the return of
a Bartlett Woods tradition. There was so much involved in preparing for the festivities and the process was as enjoyable as the event. Many hands contributed to making the evening a success. The decorations, inside and out, set the spirit. The carols sung by our very own residents filled the parlor with cheer. The evening’s menu was thoughtfully planned and prepared by the dietary staff. The evening began with an abundance of appetizers and culminated with a generous slice of blueberry cheesecake.

For many, the event was the first and for others, the evening reminded them of years past and fond memories. A good time was had by all!

Amy Sabins
Activities Director
January 3, 2023

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