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ISLAND HEALTH CLINIC OPENS - NOVEMBER 2007
The new medical clinic opened its doors on Thursday, November 15, with an open house offering health screenings, flu shots, and skin cancer screenings. Drs. Kuffler and Heniser, from Community Health Center in Southwest Harbor were on hand to see patients at the open house. Sharon Daley, R.N. from the Sunbeam, Maine Sea Coast Mission's boat, gave flu shots to island residents. Donna Wiegle drew blood on 30 residents for a range of tests, including cholesterol, blood sugar, PSA and thyroid screenings.
More than 100 community members attended the open house with over 70 people receiving services. The open house started at 6AM, with coffee and pastries from the Island Bake Shoppe being served.
MDI Hospital in Bar Harbor and the Maine Sea Coast Mission have been instrumental in getting the clinic up and running.
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NEW STORE OPENS - JUNE 2007
A most welcome sight on Swan's Island - a new store! Sheena Kennedy and Eric Greenlaw were behind the counter greeting customers on opening day, June 11. The store is very charming and has a little bit of everything, canned goods, fresh produce, frozen foods, dairy products, and ICE CREAM!
The opening of the store has lifted the spirits of islanders who have been without a store for quite some time.
The small store is temporary, with a larger store planned for sometime in the future. The store owners wanted to be open for the summer season, so they built the small store building for now.
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ANNUAL TOWN MEETING HELD - MARCH 2007
The 2007 Annual Town Meeting was held on Monday, March 5. About 100 town residents gathered in the school gym to discuss and vote on many topics including law enforcement, healthcare, funding for the library, recreation department, and fire and rescue. Much lively discussion preceded the voting on several issues.
Nancy Carter was re-elected to a second three year term as selectman. Vacancies on other boards were filled, including the planning board and school board.
The Swan's Island Educational Society, Fire Department, and Lighthouse Committee, all had exhibits set up for residents to enjoy.
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SANTA VISITS SWAN'S ISLAND - DECEMBER 2006
An early visit to the Swan's Island School by Santa Claus was enjoyed by children and adults alike on Monday, December 18. Each child got a chance to sit on Santa's lap and received a present.
Afterwards, members of P.I.K., (People Interested in Kids) served holiday cookies and ice cream to everyone. |
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CEMETERY RESTORATION WORK - SEPTEMBER 2006
Fred Wieninger and his son-in-law, Matt, of Fred Wieninger Monuments in Milbridge, have been working on restoring some of the old cemetery stones in the Grindle Hill Cemetery this fall. There have been approximately 50 stones that have been restored and righted to date. In 2007, they are planning to come back and do work in the old section of the Rose Hill Cemetery. The funds came from the Cemetery Restoration Fund which was money originally given in memory of Milton 'Bud' Staples, but donations will be accepted in memory of other loved ones.
There has been a great group of volunteers that have been laying the foundation work for Fred so he can spend his time repairing the stones and setting them back in their original places. There was also an effort to match the foot stones up with the rightful owners after they had been removed from the graves. Volunteers also cleaned the old stones.
We hope to, someday,be able to give the unmarked graves a marker of some sort. If anyone knows the names of the people in the unmarked graves, please email gwenjmay@tds.net
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CONSTRUCTION BEGINS - JUNE 2006
A large hole was dug in January for the foundation of the new town office addition. Then, the idea of incorporating a medical clinic with the town office addition arose and it was decided to present the issue at town meeting in March to decide what voters wanted to do.
Voters recently approved locating the medical clinic at the Olde Salt Restaurant/Nursery School building at Mill Pond Park instead of at the existing town office. Once that was decided progress on the town office addition could move forward.
The concrete footers were poured the last week of June, which is the first step in constructing the new town office addition.
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MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE
May 28, 2006
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Pastor Ken Dutille welcomed community members to a memorial service held at the Veteran's Memorial in the harbor on Sunday, May 28. Paster Doc Uber offered a prayer at the beginning of the service. World War II veterans, Johnny Wheaton and Sheldon Carlson, each did a patriotic reading.
Summer resident and WWII veteran, Steve McCormick, gave a moving speech about the war. Steve's wife, Theo, also gave a brief speech. Theo, better know during the war as Saipan Ann, was the U.S. version of Tokyo Rose. She was an armed forces radio personality. Theo and Steve met during the war and have been married for over 60 years.
The service concluded with the playing of "taps" by Paul Joy on his trumpet. Following the service, a procession to the harbor, where a memorial wreath for those who lost their lives at sea, was thrown in.
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NEW MEDICAL CLINIC LOCATION DECIDED
May 5, 2006
There was a special town meeting held on May 5 at 7 PM at the school gym to determine the location of the medical clinic which was approved at town meeting in March. Terry Staples was elected moderator. Dexter Lee presented the options: space in the new addition at the existing town office, or the upstairs of the Olde Salt's Galley, which currently houses the island nursery school. After much discussion, a written vote was taken. The vote, 40-0 was in favor of locating the medical clinic in the nursery school building at Mill Pond Park in Minturn.
The building will undergo extensive renovation moving the nursery school downstairs, which will also be renovated for the children and teachers.
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Benjamin Franklin visits Swan's Island
April 5, 2006
In celebration of his 300th birthday this year, "Benjamin Franklin" has been visiting several Maine Schools. On April 5, Mr. Franklin visited the Swan's Island School and Town Library, where he met with students and community members.
Following his talk, children sang "Happy Birthday" and presented Franklin with a cake.
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Saying Goodbye
March 20, 2006
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Pictured: Carroll Staples being sworn in as new selectman by town clerk, Gwen May. |
Town Meeting
March 6, 2006
Town Meeting was held at the school on Monday, March 6 beginning at 9 AM. Many items were addressed and voted on at the meeting. Minutes of the meeting will be available for review on the site soon.
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December 19, 2005
Santa visits Swan's Island -
Island children received a visit from Santa on Monday, December 19, at the Swan's Island School. Santa brought gifts for every child on Swan's Island. Christmas carols and refreshments were enjoyed by young and old alike. The event was sponsored by P.I.K., (People Interested In Kids).
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November 18, 2005
Island Thanksgiving Supper
Over 200 people gathered at the Swan's Island School for a Community Thanksgiving Supper on Friday, November 18. Johhny Wheaton gave the blessing of Thanksgiving. The meal and community fellowship were enjoyed by all.
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September 24, 2005
Lorraine Stockbridge was honored for 25 years in the Emergency Medical Service at a dinner held in her honor on Saturday, September 24. Lorraine received a plaque commemorating her years of dedicated service on the island.
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August 27, 2005
Country and Western Singer KATY BLAKE performed on Swan's Island
KATY BLAKE performed a benefit concert with tunes from her debut Country and Western CD and selections from Phantom of the Opera and Evita, in which she played the starring roles in Broadway productions.
Katy grew up spending summers on Swan's Island and returned to help boost "Lighthouse Restoration". A night of fun music and an opportunity to learn what's happening with the lighthouse restoration was held on Saturday, August 27, 2005.
SEE KATY'S WEBSITE - WWW.KATYBLAKE.COM
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FIRE DESTROYS SWAN'S ISLAND GENERAL STORE
July 10, 2005
View more images...
A devastating fire broke out early Sunday, July 10, destroying The General Store. The fire quickly engulfed the store and apartment above.
Swan's Island Fire Department and Ambulance Crew quickly responded to the 911 call. Southwest Harbor and Tremont Fire Departments assisted Swan's Island Department, arriving on the ferry after the fire was well in hand.
The building burnt to the ground and is a total loss.
View more images...
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Lucinda (Sprague) Lowell placing
a wreath upon the memorial monument. |
MEMORIAL DAY CELEBRATION - May 29, 2005
A ceremony honoring and remembering veterans was held on Sunday, May 29 at the War Memorial in Swan's Island Village.
Twelve veterans were present at the service. Many members of the community turned out to pay tribute to our island veterans, and others, who proudly served their country.
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Veterans pictured are Johnny Wheaton and Sheldon Carlson seated, David Joyce and Al Layton standing.
The ceremony concluded with a walk to the waterfront to throw the memorial wreath into the water to honor those who lost their lives at sea during war time.
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May 8, 2005
BOOK RELEASE - John M. Bryan
The work of Mount Desert Island architect Fred Savage is profiled in the new book "Maine Cottages", by noted author John M. Bryan. John is a long-time summer resident on Swan's Island.
Read the Mount Desert Islander "ARTS" section review.
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