July 2023

JULY News from Heart of Ellsworth
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News from Main Street
 Trees on Main Street Returns & We Need Your Help
 
This year our Design Committee is reviving a tree program inspired by two prominent Ellsworth businesswomen: Norma Beal and Ruth Foster. Trees on Main Street supports the Green Ellsworth initiative to plant more trees in our city.

We are working to make this program sustainable by replacing some of the flowerpots on Main Street with trees! When these trees reach maturity, they will be permanently planted and become fixtures of the urban landscape.

We're grateful to grow from the roots of these hard-working women who were entrepreneurs and community builders. To make this project a success, we need volunteers to help water the trees. Volunteers water the plants just once during their week. Can you help?
Sign up to volunteer here
Meet Our Board's New Student Representative

"My name is Rowan Tate and I am currently a rising senior. Last summer I participated in the first Ellsworth Green internship, where my passion for community work continued to grow. This year I was inducted into the National Honors Society and the National Science Honors Society. I am a member of the varsity soccer, cross country, and indoor and outdoor track teams, where I spend the most time with my friends. My favorite passion, however, is my membership in the band, where I play drum set for concert, pep, and jazz band. My membership in band has also sparked my interest in community involvement, thanks to my band director who has us perform for the community as much as possible, in events such as the Yellow Tulip Project and Pride Fest. I love to participate in the community and am very excited to have been selected as the new Heart of Ellsworth student representative." 

Welcome, Rowan! We are thrilled to have you join our Board this year.

 
See all of Heart of Ellsworth's Board of Directors
Heart of Ellsworth Selected for the Citizens' Institute on Rural Design

The National Endowment for the Arts, in partnership with the Housing Assistance Council, recently announced Heart of Ellsworth as one of the community organizations taking part in the 2023 Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design.

We are one of 17 organizations selected for the Design Learning Cohort in which leaders receive training in rural design and creative placemaking, coaching on facilitation techniques, assistance navigating funding opportunities, and one-on-one technical assistance on community design project.

The Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design works in communities with populations of 50,000 or less to enhance quality of life and economic vitality through planning, design, and creative placemaking.
Learn more about the Citizens' Institute on Rural Design
Be Part of the City of Ellsworth's Comprehensive Plan

Are you looking for more information about the Comprehensive Plan? Do you want your voice to be heard and want to be part of the process?  

The city encourages folks to share ideas about their hopes for Ellsworth in 2035. The Comprehensive Plan seeks to create actionable steps to address current priorities and guide the future of our city. Using the provided digital tools - a vision board and interactive map - you can vote, comment, or add to other community members' posts about the city's strengths, challenges, and suggestions for improvement.

Your submission will help guide future steering committee discussions and illuminate the needs and values of the city today as it prepares for tomorrow's opportunities.
Find out more about the Comprehensive Plan here
New Business Benefits Page & Brochure
 
Have you seen our new Business Benefits page on the Heart of Ellsworth website? We've also created a handy brochure to outline all of the benefits available to you.

Check out the FREE services and resources Heart of Ellsworth provides to local businesses and entrepreneurs, and contact us if we can help you with marketing, business programs, networking, advocacy and more. 
Check out Heart of Ellsworth's free business benefits
Free Downeast Rock & Roots Music Festival
 
Come down to Knowlton Park on July 9 for the Downeast Rock & Roots Music Festival. Starting at 11 a.m., this one-day event will feature music, food & drinks.
View their Facebook Event for more info
Join us on July 19 for Coffee & Donuts in the Parklet!
 
Last month's Coffee & Donuts event was a hit! Join us this month for more conversation, idea sharing and treats on July 19, 8:30-9:30 a.m. in the Franklin Street Parklet (or The Gathering Place in case of rain).

Special thanks to Flexit Café and Rooster Brother for providing coffee and pastries in June!
Check out our Facebook Event
Downtown Map Update for 2023
 
The Downtown Ellsworth map has been updated for the 2023 season. Learn more about the map by checking out the installation on the wall in the Franklin Street Parklet, visiting our website to download the map on your phone, or stopping into any shop or eatery in downtown Ellsworth to pick up a postcard!

We want to extend a special thank you to Hampton by Hilton and Witham Family Hotels for sponsoring the 2023 Downtown Map project.
View and download the map on our website
Farm Drop is Now Live!
 
Check out tons of local farmers, producers, and artisans on the Ellsworth Farm Drop site. Current participants include Garens Greens, Fountain Farm, Fogtown Brewing Co., and Precipice Coffee.

This will be Farm Drop's first collaboration with a public library! Pick up at the Ellsworth Public Library (20 State St.) will be Wednesdays from 2:00-5:00 p.m.
Check out the Ellsworth Farm Drop site
What Does the Water Street Mural Mean?
 
Over the past few months, we’ve heard a few community members ask: “What does the mural mean?” We’re happy to answer!

Check out our Water Street Mural page for the full story about all 15 mural elements. In-person, you can find a new explainer and QR code link in the bottom left-hand corner of the mural. Thank you to Banner City Graphics for installing the new educational feature to the Water Street Mural. Thank you, Judy Taylor, for your talent and grit! And, thank you Coastal Interiors for donating the 3,000-square-foot space for public art!
Learn more about the Water Street Mural here
Tai Chi to Nourish Mind and Body, with Nina Zeldin & Julie Daigle - Healthy Acadia

Thursday, July 6: 5-6 p.m.

Tai chi, an ancient Chinese martial art, offers a transformative path to enhance both physical and mental well-being through deliberate, flowing movements that synchronize mind and body. Tai Chi for Health exercises are adaptable and suitable for people of all ages and physical abilities.

 
Online via Zoom

FREE
FMI + Register: Website
Alice Mullan Presentation - Ellsworth Historical Society

Monday, July 10: 7 p.m.

Join the Ellsworth Historical Society for a well-researched presentation on the recently discovered diaries of Alice Mullan (1889-1961), spanning the years of 1914 through 1919. They depict a fascinating network of young Irish Catholic women in Ellsworth during a period of great social and technological change.

Holly Hendricks, the presenter, is a retired archivist and active member of the Ellsworth Historical Society Board of Directors.

Riverview Room of the Ellsworth Public Library
20 State St.
Ellsworth


FREE
FMI:
Website
Ellsworth City Council Meeting 

Monday, July 17: 6 p.m.


You can tune in and participate in Ellsworth City Council meetings through various online methods. Please visit the City Council webpage for meeting notices and participation instructions.

1 City Hall Plaza + Online
Ellsworth


FREE
FMI: Website
Fairy Garden Day - Woodlawn Museum 

Saturday, July 22: 9:30 a.m.- Noon.

Celebrate Woodlawn’s new Fairy Garden by building fairy houses, enjoying family crafts, and exploring the new space. The Darling’s ice cream truck will be there from 10 a.m.-noon to provide treats! RSVPing on their website is highly recommended.

19 Black House Dr.
Ellsworth

FREE
FMI & to RSVP: Website
Summer Events - Ellsworth Public Library

All month long

Visit the Ellsworth Public Library this summer for FREE programs, concerts, performances, and more. You can also read to earn prizes! 

20 State St.
Ellsworth

FMI: Website
Email Notifications - City of Ellsworth

Did you know you can sign up for email notifications from the City of Ellsworth? You can choose from notices for the Planning Board, City Council and more, plus there's a City newsletter. Check out these steps for signing up:
  • Go to the City of Ellsworth website 
  • At the bottom of the Home Page you will see a section labeled "Meeting Notices, Agendas & City Alert Notifications" (see image)
  • Select the notifications you would like to receive
  • Enter your email address and then click “Sign Up”
You will receive an email confirmation.
 
Contact Maura Condon, Communications Specialist, at mcondon@ellsworthmaine.gov, with any questions.

1 City Hall Plaza
Ellsworth

FMI: Website
DOWNTOWN NEWS
 

 
Congratulations, Sugar Mags Central!
 
Sugar Mags was 1 of only 3 Maine businesses to receive a grant from the Backing Small Businesses program presented by American Express in partnership with Main Street America. Businesses in Bath and Gardiner also received grants.

Thank you, Sara Sika Bowden for tossing your hat in the ring and putting Ellsworth on the map. You receiving this grant elevates all of downtown!

Heart of Ellsworth is an Affiliate Community of Maine Downtown Center and Main Street America. Our affiliation benefits Downtown Ellsworth businesses by connecting you with and helping you apply for programs like these.

Learn more about Main Street America opportunities here.
So many of you have told us how much downtown Ellsworth means to you, how a vibrant downtown has enriched your life or increased your sense of pride and connection to place.

Perhaps you participated in one of our events, stopped to take in the Water Street Mural or downtown wayfinding map, enjoyed the free outdoor summer concert in the parklet, received one of our downtown grants, enjoyed a cider + cheese bag, took part in our tasting event, or pressed apples as part of the Downeast Cider + Cheese Festival. Maybe you or your child took part in our asset mapping event, Manifesting Main or hiked the refurbished trail behind the library or tuned in for Meet the Candidates forum or just simply enjoyed the flowers and holiday lights on Main Street. However you interfaced with Heart of Ellsworth this past year we hope you will take a moment to support us this year.

With your help, we can increase the number of people who have access to a vibrant and thriving downtown community!

 
Thank you for your support of Heart of Ellsworth!

Heart of Ellsworth is a 501c3 nonprofit organization.
Your gift is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. 
DONATE HERE
SHARE YOUR DOWNTOWN NEWS!
 
Please POST OFTEN and create FACEBOOK EVENTS so that we can more easily share your posts!

#heartofellsworth

Have some news you would like us to share?
Please submit via our online form at:  heartofellsworth.org/newsletters

Thank You!
SAVE THE DATES!
 
Aug. 31         Oshima Brothers Concert
Oct. 7+8       Art of Ellsworth:Maine Craft Weekend 

Oct. 17          Meet the Candidates
Nov. 10-12   Downeast Cider + Cheese Festival
Nov. 25         Small Business Saturday
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