Save The Date!
Upcoming Activities
Nov. 19th: OWL Outing: Unique Organisms | 12 – 3 pm | Ingersoll Point Preserve in Addison | OWL: Outdoor Women Lead | https://whrl.org/programs/owl
Dec. 17th: OWL Outing: Winter Plant & Tree Identification | 12 – 3 pm | Pike Lands Preserve in Lubec | OWL: Outdoor Women Lead | https://whrl.org/programs/owl
December 2nd – 4th: Winter Tree Festival & Auction | WHRL’s Office| https://whrl.org/festival
- Friday, Dec. 2nd from 12pm – 6pm
- Saturday, December 3rd from 9am – 3pm
- Online Silent Auction from 12 pm on Friday – 8 pm on Sunday
Program Updates
Incredible Edible Milbridge
A huge round of applause to our new garden crew who totally ROCKED IT this season! Both gardens were incredible.
Christina, Becca, and Joe did a fantastic job at Milbridge Commons; the beautiful gardens flourished under their care. And the greenhouse – wow! This was the first year we had a greenhouse, and without their collective knowledge, we would have been in over our heads. They took on this ambitious project and did a terrific job.
We can’t forget Adam at the Red Barn Motel! The gardens there this year were lush and filled with everything you might wish for. In fact, there’s still a lot of kale growing — go make yourself a winter salad! Adam brought with him a wealth of gardening knowledge, a relaxed and easy-going attitude, and a volunteer-following from Cherryfield. After spending the garden season with him, we know why! He’s a great guy and a talented gardener.
It was such a relief to have a crew of talented gardeners, and we are so grateful. We can’t wait till next year!
Outdoor Women Lead
Participants in our first-ever skills-building workshop: Orienteering for Women and their Families.
On Oct. 22nd, OWL hosted an orienteering workshop for women and their families. This was our first skills-building workshop for OWL, and it was very successful. Participants learned how to navigate using a compass and a map, and then practiced their skills by orienteering their way through the woods to a delicious lunch spread.
We will be expanding OWL in 2023 and plan to offer three skills-building workshops. These workshops will be focused on skills you need to navigate and survive the outdoors and will be available for women and their families (age dependent on topic). In addition to these workshops, we will continue offering our monthly outing group and OWLette, a summer camp for pre-teen/teenage girls at Milbridge Commons.
The remaining outings for 2022 are:
- “Unique Organisms” at Ingersoll Point Preserve in Addison on Nov. 19th. Participants will learn about mosses, lichens, and mushrooms on a 3.4-mile trail network.
- “Winter Plant and Tree Identification” at Pike Lands Preserve in Lubec on Dec. 17th. This easy trail network offers a diverse forest with ocean access and views – perfect for brushing up on your winter identification skills!
To learn more and register, visit: https://whrl.org/programs/owl
Book Discussion Group
Our book discussion group series, Maine Women: Finding Our Strength, was a resounding success. In total, 60 participants joined us for six books and over 31 hours of discussion. We reflected on challenges – both personal and societal –- and learned more about each other and our community.
We’re happy to announce that we’ll be doing another book discussion series in 2023. The theme will be “Women in Transition” and will feature the following books:
- “The Year of Magical Thinking” by Joan Didion
- “Their Eyes Were Watching God” by Zora Neale Hurston
- “She’s Not There: A Life in Two Genders” by Jennifer Finney Boylan
- “The Dirty Life: On Farming, Food and Love” by Kristen Kimball
- “Finding Me” by Viola Davis
- “Lifesaving Lessons: Notes from an Accidental Mother” by Linda Greenlaw OR “Homegoing” by Yaa Gyasi.
These book discussions will start in January; registration will begin in December. For more information, visit: https://whrl.org/programs/book
Event Updates:
Winter Tree Festival & Auction
It’s time to brush off your Pinterest board and find your holiday inspiration. WHRL’s Winter Tree Festival and Auction is set for December 2-3, 2022. And it will be in-person for the first time in three years!
We are seeking creative elves (that’s you!) to make items for our auction. As in years past, Charlie Brown trees and wreaths will be available for adoption. Eastern Maine Millworks has donated some live-edge wood board for artisans to adopt and turn into winter and holiday art. We are inviting crafters and artisans to create their own winter/Christmas decorations. Think holiday wall art, homemade wreaths, trees, centerpieces, and decorations – let your imagination be your guide!
Donated auction Items may be delivered to WHRL during the following times: Tuesday, November 29, from 10:30 – 3 pm, and Thursday, December 1, from 8 am to 5:30 pm.
Help us with our planning, and let us know how you’d like to participate. Click here to complete the participation form: https://whrl.org/festival
Organization Updates:
Buy a beautiful sunflower t-shirt designed by local artist Jada Fitch. $5 from each shirt will be donated to Doctors Without Borders to assist with their efforts in Ukraine. You can buy these shirts online (https://whrl.org/shop) and ship them directly to your house or arrange for local pick-up at our office on Tuesdays/Thursdays from 11 – 3 pm.
It is the holiday season. Amazon Smile donates to the charity of your choice every time you shop. Search for “Women for Healthy Rural Living” at https://smile.amazon.com.
Thank you, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust!
Employees at the Milbridge Branch of Bar Harbor Bank and Trust presented Chris Kuhni, WHRL executive director, with a check for $1810. Bank employees raised funds through their “Casual for a Cause” program; they make donations throughout the year while having the opportunity to wear casual attire on Fridays. We are so grateful to these community philanthropists! Thank you for building a stronger, healthier community.
New Office Hours
WHRL is now open to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11am – 3pm, weather permitting.
Are You A Champion?
Thank you to our SUPER donors who signed up for monthly giving. When you join WHRL’s “Growing Community Champions,” your monthly donation means fewer costs for WHRL and fewer “asks” for you. And most importantly, sustained giving allows WHRL to plan more effectively. The result is greater impact on our community. Give at a level that feels right for you; you choose the amount of the monthly donation. Donating is easier than ever on our secure website: https://whrl.org/giving/recurring
Legacy Giving
Please consider remembering Women for Healthy Rural Living in your will. If you would like more information, contact Chris Kuhni at chris@whrl.org.
Community Updates:
Winter Donations Needed
Mano en Mano is looking for winter donations to help keep our community warm this winter.
Along with coats, they are looking for blankets, bedding/sheets, socks, gloves, scarves, hats, thermal underwear, long-sleeve shirts, unisex t-shirt, jeans, unisex robes, sweatshirts, sweatpants, sweaters, boots, and heat warmers.
Please contact Laura Thomas, Director of Access Essential Services and Advocacy. (207 745 0479) if you have any questions!
Volunteer Updates:
We had a lovely gardener and volunteer celebration in early October. We celebrated the successes of our gardening team as well as the hard work, time and energy donated by our dedicated volunteers.
Were you interested in volunteering with us in the garden, but didn’t know where, when, or how? Are you interested in other volunteering opportunities at WHRL? Our application is now easier than ever and puts you on the email list for upcoming volunteer opportunities.
Visit https://whrl.org/giving/volunteer or email volunteer@whrl.org for more information.