Earlier this year, residents and staff began discussions about creating a Garden Club at Bartlett Woods. The first project would be to realize a raised bed vegetable garden for the entire community to enjoy. Our front lawn, off the sun porch, was chosen as a prime spot. It faces south, has good access to our outdoor water faucets, and may be visited either through our dining room doors or from the walking path along the parking lot.

As the spring season arrived, garden supply vendors were approached by our Business Manager Gail Kenney for potential donations to the project. GOOD NEWS! They said, “Yes!”

We want to thank each and every one for the generosity. From construction of raised beds, to delivery and installation and coaching, to the mountain of soil and mulch, kindness was on display at every turn.

Thanks to our important donors:

Ergonomic Gardens, LLC. (Chris & Kerry Stetson) https://ergonomicgardens.com

The Stetsons donated 2 Evolution Garden Beds with Trellis.  We are the first recipients of their kindness!  They would like to kick-start partnering with non-profits in a way to help make gardening accessible to everyone.

Viking Lumber Donated the Materials for the Maine State Prison Show Room to build 2 raised beds

JBI Inc. donated garden soil to fill the beds.

Ferraiolo also donated garden soil to fill the beds and Skip Starr donated the mulch for the gardens.

Duvall Designs (Charles Duvall) https://www.duvalldesign.com donated an Osprey awning for residents to enjoy the back patio.

WE ARE SO GRATEFUL! Thank you.

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New Board Members for NonProfit Bartlett Woods

Two local women join governing team of 26+ year-old apartment community.

Board President J. Michael Lane is pleased to announced the selection of new members to the Board of Directors for Bartlett Woods Retirement Community, located at 20 Bartlett Drive in Rockland, ME. At the recent May 15th meeting, Rev. Dr. Susan Stonestreet and Elizabeth Vonfelten, MD were confirmed by a unanimous vote.

(Photo Caption Info: L-R Executive Director Kelly Osborn; Treasurer Josee Shelley; Elizabeth Vonfelten, MD; President J. Michael Lane; Rev. Dr. Susan Stonestreet; W. Kevin Olehnik, MD; missing is Secretary Marion Grant, and William Chase.)

“We are pleased to welcome the new directors, each having former family connections with Bartlett Woods,” confirmed J. Michael Lane, President. “Our Board members serve on a volunteer basis, assisting the Executive Director with the business of operating our nonprofit organization. With all the exciting recent developments – new Executive Director, new solar panels and Efficiency Maine-granted heat/cool systems — we are especially grateful to have new colleagues join us in ensuring the solid future of Bartlett Woods.”

Rev. Dr. Stonestreet, recently retired, is a resident of Rockport. She earned her Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry Degrees from Bangor Theological Seminary in 1999 and 2007, respectively. She holds both a Bachelor of Arts Degree in American Studies and a Master of Science Degree from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. She was a CFP with American Express for fifteen years in Bradenton, Florida. Earlier, she was the Executive Director of Together, Inc., a 24-hour crisis intervention center in Oxford, Ohio. Susan has taught at Bangor Theological Seminary and Maine School of Ministry of the Maine Conference, UCC. She was ordained into the ministry with the United Church of Christ in 1999. She served eighteen and a half years as the Pastor of United Christian Church in Lincolnville, ME; upon retiring from that post, she began serving as the pastor of the Federated Church in Thomaston, and just retired from that position in April, 2025. Susan enjoys volunteering, writing, birding and her two dogs, Tripp and Roo, shared with her wife, Nance.

Elizabeth C. Vonfelten, MD, recently retired from MaineHealth PenBay Hospital. There she served as both outpatient General Practitioner and with inpatient Hospital Medicine; ultimately, she was elected as President of the Medical Staff from 2022-2024.  She received her medical degree from Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY, and completed her residency at St. Joseph’s Hospital, also in Syracuse. Prior to studying medicine, Liz obtained a Bachelor of Science from SUNY Buffalo, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Before entering the medical field, she worked in the Banking and Mortgage Industry. Liz has a special interest in promoting community awareness regarding planning and opportunities for quality living during the later years. She has maintained ties with Emergency Room and Hospital physicians, Social Workers and Case Management locally. Both her mother and mother-in-law lived at Bartlett Wood. She lives with husband, Ken, and dog, Winston. She has a 37 year-old daughter, Vanessa, and 2 grandsons, Manny and Wes. Liz grew up in the Casco Bay area and is a passionate sailor. A lifelong learner, she is currently teaching herself gardening and sewing.

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ART MEETS SCIENCE:

ROCKLAND “CORAL” REEF AT BARTLETT WOODS

Bartlett Woods Retirement Community is honored to host a unique, fiber art installation that brings important attention to a grave topic. The Coral Reef Project, an effort led by Bartlett resident Jill Schoof, is currently on view on the second floor of the apartment house, located at 20 Bartlett Drive (off Talbot Avenue) in Rockland. Regular business hours are Monday – Friday, 8am to 4pm. There is no admission fee.

Coral reefs are beautiful but fragile — and ocean pollution, climate change, and reckless fishing is killing them worldwide. A major effort is underway to restore these reef gardens, and to make the public aware of the damage. Over one-half of the Australian reefs are now dead, and the Maine cold-water reef is also endangered.

Local fiber artist Jill Schoof re-creates the creatures of the coral reefs using a crochet technique invented by mathematician Daina Taimiņa — these models celebrate the remarkable beauty of the reefs and explore the science and mathematics of corals. Crocheted coral reefs have been exhibited at major museums throughout the world, and a new exhibit has been launched here in Rockland by residents of the Bartlett Woods Retirement Community.

Jill, a retired engineering professor from Maine Maritime Academy in Castine, has turned to fiber arts and to the fascinating intersection of mathematics, science, and art. The beautiful exhibit at Bartlett Woods in Rockland is the result of a winter fiber arts workshop with a group of eight joining Jill to crochet and knit these colorful re-created coral reefs.

For more information about this project, contact Jill at downeastfiberarts@gmail.com.

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THANK YOU FIRST NATIONAL BANK

FOR BELIEVING IN BARTLETT

AND THE GREEN BARTLETT FUND.

L-R: BW Board President Mike Lane and FNP VP Jake Miller.

L-R: FNB Cathy Jackson, BW Admissions/Mktg Director Lori Schafer, BW Board President Mike Lane,

FNB Niki Janczura, FNB Nathan Wyman, FNB Kelsey Briggs, and FNB Jake Miller.

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Now Recruiting!

Serving Bartlett Woods as a Member of the Board of Directors

For 26 years, Bartlett Woods has operated as one of the only not-for-profit, 501c3 retirement apartment communities in the Midcoast region of Maine. Just 58 units, we are smaller than many of our neighbors, yet offer many lifestyle pleasures, programs, and peace-of-mind support services that have inspired our community to Believe in Bartlett.

Bartlett Woods is governed by a Board of Directors and administered by an Executive Director who supervises a dedicated and long-serving staff. Our organization’s mission is to provide exceptional housing, high quality assisted living services, timely access to appropriate health care and a variety of opportunities to enhance socialization for adults age 55 and older who desire such services within a welcoming, peaceful, and accommodating living environment.

Today, we are calling on our community members to consider being of service to our beloved organization as a new member of the Board.  Are you ready to join a vibrant and well-respected organization looking for creative, passionate, diverse and engaged advocates?

If you choose to apply, please know that membership on our Board includes the following commitments:

1. 1. Abide by the bylaws of the organization;
   2. Attend all meetings of the Board, including special meetings, unless excused;
   3. Avoid any conflict of interest or appearance of conflict;
   4. Participate in short- and long-range planning activities;
   5. Ensure effective fiscal controls and accountability;
   6. Work with staff and the finance committee to determine the annual budget;
   7. Ensure Bartlett Woods meets all legal and corporate requirements;
   8. Promote Bartlett Woods within the Mid-Coast community and among your circle of friends and associates.
   9. Cultivate and recommend applicants for membership to the board of directors each year;
   10. Visit Bartlett facilities at least once per year;
   11. Propose and help arrange speaking engagements for Bartlett Woods each year;
   12. Serve on at least one committee or task force each year; and
   13. Chair or co-chair fundraisings events as appropriate.

If this sounds attractive to you, and you would like to learn more about our recruitment goals and process, please reach out to Executive Director Kelly Osborn at 207-593-1259 or at kosborn@bartlettwoods.com.

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Dear Friends,

Tis the season for joy and kindness! As we plummet forward into 2025, we each have an opportunity to make someone’s holidays bright. It is truly better to give than to receive. Whether you reach out to an old friend or a new acquaintance to say hello or mail a card to someone local or someone far away, the gift of thoughtfulness and time is sure to add joy.

For many, the holidays can bring sadness. It is a time when we miss those we love who are no longer with us. It is the time when the distance between family and friends seems the greatest. There is no better time to reach for our inner joy and spread it to everyone we see. It is a smile across a crowded diner, a hand opening the door, an extra moment to listen to a neighbor talk about a grandchild.

At Bartlett Woods, we are fortunate to have a community of family around us every day. We are blessed to break bread and share laughter. I wish for all that you shine your own light and spread your joy and kindness. And, of course, enjoy your special recipes that you typically only make during this special time of year.  For me, it is Martha Washingtons (see recipe below). I remember my mother and my grandmother before her making them every Christmas. Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without them. Whichever holiday you celebrate, give from your heart.

Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah!

Best regards,

Kelly

Recipe for Martha Washingtons

1 (14 ounce) bag sweetened flaked coconut

1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

2 cups powered sugar

1 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled

1 ½ cups of chopped pecans

For Dipping Chocolate:

1 (12 ounce) package semi-sweet chocolate chips plus 2 tablespoons Crisco

Combine everything but the dipping chocolate ingredients and mix well. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Remove from refrigerator, roll into balls and place on parchment paper or baking sheets. Place balls into fridge while you melt the chocolate.

Melt the chocolate, stirring frequently. Quickly drop the balls one at a time into the melted chocolate and toss with fork to fully coat. Lift out, letting the excess chocolate drain. Place balls on parchment paper or baking sheet to set. Makes about 6-7 dozen.

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December 12, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Kelly Osborn, Executive Director 207 593 1259, kosborn@bartlettwooods.com    Photos attached, and others available.

26-year old Midcoast Retirement Community Launches

THE GREEN BARTLETT FUND

Efficiency Main Grant to be supplemented by community partners

(Rockland, ME) — Bartlett Woods has been approved for partial funding from Efficiency Maine to install a sophisticated, commercial next-gen heat pump HVAC system throughout the 3-story facility. This system will move Bartlett Woods into the future. Not only will the upgrade reduce costs and be easier on the environment, but it will also solve issues with the current system, which does not provide even heating to the 58 apartments and numerous common spaces within Bartlett Woods, located at 20 Bartlett Drive (off Talbot Avenue) in Rockland, ME. THE GREEN BARTLETT FUND was recently launched to raise support to match the grant funding, and generous donors and sponsors are now actively being sought.

This new system, installed by Efficiency Maine-qualified SolarLogix, LLC of Searsport, ME, will add layers of safety, comfort and affordability for residents. Compared with other heating systems, this sophisticated heat pump HVAC system is less expensive, greener, and provides heating that is more efficient. With the solar system just installed by Sundog Solar, also of Searsport, ME, and paid for by Bartlett Woods, the addition of heat pumps will move Bartlett to green innovation and sustainability. The electricity generated by the new solar panels will power the entire heat pump system. As one of the smallest not-for-profit retirement communities in Maine, Bartlett Woods strives to inspire other community organizations to improve efficiency and lower carbon footprint.

Bartlett Woods’ Executive Director, Kelly Osborn, explains: “As one of very few retirement communities in Rockland and surrounding towns for the past 26 years, Bartlett Woods is looking to the future, with a goal of ensuring sustainability for many years to come. Bartlett Woods is dedicated to providing affordable housing options for seniors in the Mid Coast area of Maine. As the cost of living continues to rise, Bartlett Woods recently invested over $400,000 in the installation of rooftop solar panels. These panels will lower carbon footprint, lower energy costs, and potentially increase property value while ensuring affordable housing for seniors. Bartlett Woods is committed to the people and the community of Rockland and the surrounding area. As the cost of living for older adults continues to rise, it is imperative that Bartlett Woods take the necessary steps to reduce the cost of providing housing. It is estimated that the green project, including both the solar panels and the heat pump installation, will reduce the cost of heating and cooling by more than 50% each year. The solar panels are expected to generate enough energy to cover the entire cost of operating the heat pumps. This reduction in energy cost will reduce the percentage of rental increases that Bartlett Woods would need to enact to cover the rising costs of living.

“U.S. News profiled 112 Assisted Living communities near Maine. Assisted living facilities, also called residential care or personal care communities, are for older adults who need help with daily activities such as medication management, personal hygiene and dressing. The median cost of assisted living in the Maine area is $8,712 a month, according to Genworth’s 2023 Cost of Care Study. This is $3,362 a month higher than the national monthly median of $5,350.”

More about Bartlett Woods and THE GREEN BARTLETT FUND:  Bartlett Woods is one of the most affordable Assisted Living/retirement communities in Maine. The monthly cost ranges from $4,159 to $6,755. The average cost to live at Bartlett Woods is well below $8,712 per month. Investment in clean, green energy is a huge step to ensure that elderly individuals in the community continue to have access to affordable living that meets their needs and provides a safe, comfortable home. The heat pump project will cost approximately $1 million; however, Bartlett Woods has been approved for $673,932 in funding from Efficiency Maine. Bartlett Woods will need to match the award with $315,968.

Bartlett Woods is currently looking for business sponsors and individual supporters to consider contributing to The Green Bartlett Fund. Sponsorship opportunities are described in full on the organizations’ website, or by calling 207-593-1259. Bartlett Woods would appreciate any level of support to improve the facilities, the lives of residents, and access to affordable living. Checks in any amount may be payable to Bartlett Woods Retirement Community, or visit the website to securely make a donation online through PayPal.

For further information, visit bartlettwoods.com, or call 207 593 1608.

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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Dear Friends,

As I sit here at my desk looking out at the fall colors, I am reminded of my childhood. Each Thanksgiving my family would gather around the big farm table – when you have ten children – you need a big table. My mother would be up by 3am making homemade yeast rolls, preparing pies, and pouring Coca Cola over the ham and turkey that had been baking over-night. My father would keep the wood stove filled and carry the heavy pots. Thanksgiving was always our family holiday. No matter where the older children had moved, they would return to the farm table where we would eat, laugh, and most importantly give thanks for our family, our friends, and our community.

This year, I am thankful to have found my way to Bartlett Woods. As the new Executive Director, I have come to cherish the residents, the staff, the families, the partners, and the amazing community. In six short months, I have developed a deep attachment to this incredible place we call Bartlett Woods. It is home. The minute you walk through the front door – you see it; you smell it; you hear it; you feel it. It feels like your favorite warm sweater just out of the dryer on a cold day.

I thank each of you for the warm welcome. I thank you for your commitment to living your best life. I thank you for giving of yourselves to make Bartlett Woods such a great place to live and work. I wish you all an amazing Thanksgiving, and I hope you take the time to appreciate all that you are and all that you do to make this world a better place.

Sincerely,
Kelly
Kelly Osborn , Executive Director
November 22, 2024

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What’s happening at Bartlett Woods?  What is that music?  Where is it coming from?

Let’s find out.

Stepping into the elevator, we hear joyful shouting:  YIPPEE!!  YAHOO!!

As the elevator opens, we hear explosive voices – WHOOP DEEDO and see a sea of colorful scarves floating toward the ceiling. Laughter takes over as some participants can’t locate their scarf and some have more than one.

They get matters sorted and the music continues and takes them to new moves, exercising their arms, legs, and brains.  Residents are comfortable with the moves their bodies can handle.  Laughter.

We check the activity schedule and see we’ve discovered an exercise class called “Scarves.” About a dozen resident participants are seated in a large circle, following the moves and instructions of the leader.   Today they are exercising to the show tunes from Oklahoma. Some are singing the familiar songs. All are moving. Following instructions, they are passing the scarves to the right and left and trying to toss their scarf and touch the ceiling.

This is an active class of laughter AND exercise.  It even gives the brain some challenges. We notice the participants are doing stretch moves and getting an aerobic workout that suits them. Each individual does what they feel their body can do – no pressure and no competition. At the end, the class shares their happy thoughts and they close with their response to the question: “What do we know?”  Everyone answers with a resounding, “All will be well” plus an even more resounding, “I am STRONG.”

The class members grab their water bottles and head back to their apartments   Some stick around enjoying the fellowship and the rejuvenation. There are smiles all around.

Another challenge accomplished.

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October 16, 2024, 2pm . . . .

It was a milestone moment, and our residents were indeed captivated and enthusiastic to learn all about our ever-growing green status. Our partner SunDog Solar, our Chamber of Commerce friends, and our Rockland City Mayor joined staff and Board to formally cut the ribbon (thank you Chamber for the loan of your giant scissors).

We will continue to provide updates as we go green through the installing of heat pumps throughout the house, the Phase II of our Green Bartlett project. Work has commenced, and excitement grows. Here is a statement by Maintenance Director Matt Waldron to all residents, staff and family members about the heat pump installation:

This Monday (9/23) is the start date of our much anticipated heat pump project. We want everyone to know what to expect, and to answer some questions that you all may have. If you still have questions please reach out to Kelly or Matt.

Most importantly there will be a full crew working around the property (inside and outdoors). Please use caution when walking outside, and do not enter any area that has barricades and/or caution tape surrounding it. Some North Wing Visitors Parking will be reserved for equipment staging.

Heat pumps provide heating and cooling, much quicker and more efficient than our current heating and cooling systems. We will have an in-depth lesson on how to operate these units upon project completion.

The current heating system (baseboard heaters) will stay in place and function as a backup heating system. All air conditioners will be removed following the completion of the heat pump installation, but not during the winter due to the cold air!

We will be working in all units, starting with the North Wing. The heat pumps will be installed in different locations depending on the layout of your unit, but all heat pumps will be mounted close to the ceiling. The total time spent in your unit should not be more than a day. We will do our best to give you as much notice as possible regarding work being done in your unit.

We look forward to keeping everyone updated. Most importantly we are extremely excited to provide everyone with a much more efficient and comfortable source of heating and cooling.

Thank you, 

Bartlett Woods Staff   

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