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MakingHeadwayinYourCommunityKatahdinRegion

Medway,EastMillinocket,andMillinocket,Maine

January–September2017

CompleteProgramReport

1. MovieNightReport,page22. ProjectPitchNightReport,page73. CommunityCelebrationReport,page14

MakingHeadwayinYourCommunityisaprogramofGrowSmartMaineandtheMaineDowntownCenter.MakingHeadwayintheKatahdinRegionwasledbyGrowSmartMaineinclosepartnershipwithOurKatahdinandKatahdinRevitalizationandfundedbytheElminaBSewallFoundationthroughagranttoTheNatureConservancyinMaine.

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MakingHeadwayintheKatahdinRegion

CommunityEvent:MovieNightMarch1,2017SummaryReport

MakingHeadwayinYourCommunityisaprogramofGrowSmartMaineandtheMaineDowntownCenter.MakingHeadwayintheKatahdinRegionwasledbyGrowSmartMaineinclosepartnershipwithOurKatahdinandKatahdinRevitalizationandfundedbytheElminaBSewallFoundationthroughagranttoTheNatureConservancyinMaine.

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Purpose

Ourfirstcommunityevent,movienight,wasthekick-offtotheMakingHeadwayintheKatahdinRegion(MHKR)process.Thepurposeoftheeveningwasto:

● IntroduceMHKRtothoseinattendance● Viewthefilm“RevivingtheFreedomMill” ● Discussthefilmandidentify things people are passionate about in the three towns:

Medway, East Millinocket, and Millinocket ● Prepare community members for the next public meeting.

Over 50 community members gathered at Katahdin Region Higher Education Center for Making Headway Movie Night. Here Nancy Smith of GrowSmart Maine provides an overview of the Making Headway Process to assembled attendees. Event Summary Just over 50 community members from Medway, East Millinocket and Millinocket and other Katahdin Region communities gatheredattheKatahdinRegionHigherEducationCentertheeveningofMarch1,2017toviewthemovie“RevivingtheFreedomMill”andtosparkacommunityconversationaboutrevitalizationprojectideas.MakingHeadwaysupportingorganizations,OurKatahdinandKatahdinRevitalization,werepresentandhelpedfacilitatetheevening.StafffromGrowSmartMaineledthediscussionandstafffromOurKatahdinandTheNatureConservancyassistedwithscribingandeventdetails.Communitymembersarrivedaround5:30forrefreshmentsandsocializing.AfteradescriptiveoverviewoftheMakingHeadwayprocessprovidedbyNancySmithofGrowSmartMaine,wewatchedthefilm“RevivingtheFreedomMill”.TonyGrassi,theownerandprojectmanageroftheFreedomMillrehabilitationprojectfeaturedinthe30-minutedocumentarystylefilm,attendedtheeveningandansweredlivelyandenthusiasticquestionsfromtheaudienceafterthefilm.TylerKidderofGrowSmartMaineledtheaudiencethroughtwoadditionalquestionsthatprobeddeeperintoconnectionsbetweenthefilmandourtowns,andopportunitiesforrevitalizinginourtowns.Theeveningendedwithachargetodevelopprojectideas,adescriptionofthecontentsoftheprojectpitch,andaninvitationtopitchaprojectideaatthenextcommunityeventonMarch15th.

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MovieNightOutcomes

Initialreactionstoandcommentsaboutthemovie:“Inspiring,beautiful.Reallyinspiringforwhatcanbeinthisregion.”“Greatforesighttoseetheneedforafilmtocapturetheprojectandstartfilmingbeforetherenovationstarted.”

● Communitymemberswereimpressedthattheprojectemployedover150Mainepeople,andappreciatedTony’scommitmenttotheprojectandhonoringofMainecraftsmenintherebuilding.

● Therewasamutualsenseofappreciationforhonoringtraditionandhistoryofthemillandthetown.

● Manypeoplewereinterestedinthetechnicalcomponentsofthehydrodam,restoringthetimberframe,andhowtheprojectwasfinanced.Tonyadvisedthatthemostexpensivewordsare“whilewe’reatit”.Forexample,“whiletheywereatit”theyaddedaplaygroundfortheschoolchildrenandinstalledabridgeoverthedam.

● RevivingtheFreedomMillaswaytocreatealong-term,positiveanchorinthecommunityisworking!Severalnewfamilieswithkidshavemovedtotown,boughtlotsandtorndownoldhousesandhaveplanstorebuild.Thisresonatedwithourcommunities.

● Weareresilientcommunitiesandcanrebuild.Wehavemadeitthroughverytougheconomictimes,andcontinuetoshowup,andarewillingtowork.

● Thereisgreatpowerinstories.Wewanttohonorandacknowledgeourhistory,whilepreparingforthefuture.Storieshelpdothatandfosteraconnectionbetweenolderandyoungergenerations.

● OnewomanappreciatedTony’ssenseofcuriositythroughouttheprocess,whichshethoughtallowedhimtocreatespaceandtimetoseewhatcouldbe.

Left:TylerKidderofGrowSmartMainefacilitatesthecommunitydiscussionfollowingthefilm.

Right:TonyGrassianswersquestionsfromtheaudience.

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Questionsfromthemovie:

● Whatisthecapacityofthehydrodam?50kW,butoperatingabout15kWlastyearwiththedrought.Itpowersthemill,not10separatehomes,anditistiedintothegrid.

● HowdidregisteringtheprojectasaHistoricalSiteeffecttheproject?Isitstillhistoricwiththemodernfireandsafetycodes?Yes,itislistedonthehistoricregistry.It’srenovatedaccordingtotheSecretaryoftheInterior’sStandardsforhistoricpreservation.Registeringitprovidedaccesstotaxcredits.Asarequirementofthecredits,Tonywillownthebuildingforfiveyears.

● Weretheoriginalobjectivesachieved?TheobjectivesweredifferentbetweenTonyandhiswife.Hewasfocusedontherevitalizationofhydropower,andshewasfocusedonbuildingasenseofcommunity.Bothwereachieved,butcreatingastrongsenseofcommunityendedupbeingthemoremeaningfuloutcome.

● Didyou(Tony)everfeellikeabandoningtheproject?No.● Whatisyour(Tony’s)bestpieceofadvice?Getthedecision-makersincludinglocal,

stateandfederalagencies,alltogetheraroundatable,oratagatheringtotellthestoryandvisionoftheproject.Itmakesiteasiertogetthemon-board,supportiveandtovote“yes”inthefuture.

Possibleprojects/placespeoplecareabout:

● Wehavebeautifulandrichnaturalresourcesthatserveastheirowninvitationtotheregion.

● Wewanttostrengthentiesbetweenolderandyoungergenerations.HonorhistoryandsupporttheprojecttheMedway8thgradersaredoingwithoralhistoriesandhistoricalresearch.

● Wehaveastrongsenseofheritageandculture,andwanttorepresentthosetovisitors.

● Thereareamazingopportunitiesforgrowth.● Weneedtocommunicateoursmallwins,andprogressmadesofar.Therehavebeen

successfulprojectsinthearea.● Wewanttosupportouryouth.● Highschoolstudentsareinterestedinre-startingtheschoolgardens,andwantto

createasummerlunchprogramtoprovidevegetablesforfamiliesofstudentswhoneedthem.

● Wewanttocreateopportunitiestoinvestinlocalyouth,andcreateayouthentrepreneurshipprogram.

● Therearelotsofemptybuildings.Weneedaninfrastructureplan.

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ConclusionTheeveningwasagreatsuccess,withstrongattendanceandlivelyquestionsandconversation.Initialprojectideasforthepitchnightrangedfrominvestinginyouthtoencouragingentrepreneurs,andfromhonoringourhistorythroughstoriestogettingoutside.Themesthatemergedwere:honoringourhistorywhilepreparingforthefuture,foodandschoolgardens,investinginyouthleadership/entrepreneurship,oralhistories(wantingtoconnectolderandyoungergenerations),communityskillshare(i.e.havingaworkshoponcanningvegetables,orshingling,orgrowingseedlings,etc.),andcelebratingournaturallandscapeandbeauty.Atleastfourprojectpitchesareintheworks,andwillbepresentedatthenextcommunityeventonMarch15thintheeveningatKatahdinRegionHigherEducationCenter.TranscriptionofnotesfromtheeveningwerecompletedbyLucyVanHookofOurKatahdin.ThisreportwaspreparedbyLucyVanHookincollaborationwithGrowSmartMaine.

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MakingHeadwayintheKatahdinRegion

CommunityEvent:ProjectPitchNightMarch29,2017SummaryReport

MakingHeadwayinYourCommunityisaprogramofGrowSmartMaineandtheMaineDowntownCenter.MakingHeadwayintheKatahdinRegionwasledbyGrowSmartMaineinclosepartnershipwithOurKatahdinandKatahdinRevitalizationandfundedbytheElminaBSewallFoundationthroughagranttoTheNatureConservancyinMaine.

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Purpose

Oursecondcommunityevent,ProjectPitchNight,launchedsixprojectsaspartofMakingHeadwayintheKatahdinRegion(MHKR).Thepurposeoftheeveningwasto:

● ContinueinvolvingcommunitymembersfromMedway,EastMillinocketandMillinocketintheMakingHeadwayprocess

● Provideanoverviewofavailablefundingandresources ● HearProjectPitches ● VoteonProjectstodeterminewhichmoveforward ● Identifynextsteps,connectvolunteerstoProjectLeaders,andlaunchfundraisingefforts.

53 community members gathered at Katahdin Region Higher Education Center for Making Headway Project Pitch Night. Here Jim Phelps of Millinocket pitches his project idea for a regional Katahdin Area Arts Festival to assembled attendees. Event Summary Just over 50 community members from Medway, East Millinocket and Millinocket and other Katahdin Region communities gatheredattheKatahdinRegionHigherEducationCentertheeveningofMarch29,2017topitchorlistentopitchesforrevitalizationprojectideas.MakingHeadwaysupportingorganizations,OurKatahdinandKatahdinRevitalization,werepresentandhelpedfacilitatetheevening.StafffromGrowSmartMaineledthediscussionandstafffromOurKatahdinassistedwithscribingandeventdetails.Communitymembersarrivedaround5:30pmforrefreshmentsandsocializing,andprojectpitcheskickedoffalittleafter6pm.SeveralattendeesvolunteeredtoprovidefoodandKatahdinFederalCreditUniondonatedmoneytowardpurchasedrefreshmentsfortheevening.AfteradescriptiveoverviewoftheMakingHeadwayprojectprocessandavailableprojectfunding,TylerKidderofGrowSmartMaineprovidedareminderofthethemesthatthecommunityhighlightedduringtheconversationafterwatching“RevitalizingtheFreedomMill”.Themesincluded:

·Wehavebeautifulandrichnaturalresourcesthatserveastheirowninvitationtothe

region.

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·Wewanttostrengthentiesbetweenolderandyoungergenerations.HonorhistoryandsupporttheprojecttheMedway8thgradersaredoingwithoralhistoriesandhistoricalresearch.

·Wehaveastrongsenseofheritageandculture,andwanttorepresentthosetovisitors.

·Thereareamazingopportunitiesforgrowth.·Weneedtocommunicateoursmallwinsandprogressmadesofar.Therehavebeen

successfulprojectsinthearea.·Wewanttosupportouryouth.·Highschoolstudentsareinterestedinre-startingtheschoolgardens,andwantto

createasummerlunchprogramtoprovidevegetablesforfamiliesofstudentswhoneedthem.

·Wewanttocreateopportunitiestoinvestinlocalyouth,andcreateayouthentrepreneurshipprogram.

·Therearelotsofemptybuildings.Weneedaninfrastructureplan.

LucyofOurKatahdinexplainedthevotingprocess,andremindedattendeesthattheywerealsoparticipants.Everyoneintheroomgottovotefortwoprojects.Presenterssigneduponthesign-upsheet,andat6:20pmthefirstprojectpitchkicked-offtheevent.Sixprojectleaderspresented.Projectsincluded:ATravelingStorybooth,aregionalmap,ayouthentrepreneurshiptraining,aschoolbackpacksupplyprogram,anartsfestivalandthePenobscotRiverFest.Votingfollowed,andtheTravelingStoryboothwonthemostvotes.Theconversationwasverysupportiveofmovingforwardwithallsixprojects,eveniffundingcouldn’tbeawardedtoeachgroup.Consensuswastomoveforwardwiththetopthreeprojects,andfindwaystosupporttheremainingthreeprojects.PeopleweresosupportiveofSchenckSophomoreJada’sBackpackprojectthatsheraised$200intheroomthatnight.ProjectPitchNightOutcomesSixprojectleaderspresentedsixverydifferentprojectsthatevening.Theprojectshitthecriteriaofinvolvingallthreetownsinthetri-townregion,andeachtownisrepresentedbyaprojectleader.ThesixprojectspresentedandreceivingsupportfromMakingHeadwayinyourCommunityareasfollows:

1) TravelingStorybooth–projectleaderMattDeLaney,MillinocketMemorialLibraryTheprojectwillcreateaphysicalstorybooththatwilltravelbetweenMillinocket,EastMillinocketandMedwaysolocalcitizenscancomeandbeinterviewedandrecordtheirstories.Eachparticipantwillgettokeepacopyoftheirstory,andahigh-qualityrecordingwillbestoredwiththeproject.TheprojectisbasedonStoryCorps,andencouragesyoungandoldfamilymemberstopartneruptotellstories.TheMaineFolklifeCenterandtheNationalParkServiceareassistingwiththisproject.Thegoalistocollect6-8storiesthisspringandearlysummer,andplaytheaudiorecordingsduringthecommunitycelebration.Theprojectwillcontinueintothefuture.Thebudgetis$4,200.

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Figure 1. Matt DeLaney pitching a Traveling Storybooth to capture stories throughout the Katahdin Region.

2) YouthEntrepreneurship:OwningYourFuture–projectleaderGailFanjoy,TeamKatahdinTheprojectwillcreateaprogramaimedatnurturingyouthentrepreneursinhighschoolatStearns,SchenckandKatahdinHigh.Itwillcultivateanentrepreneurialspiritandbusinessacumenatanearlyage,andconnectourcommunitiesthroughlearning,inspirationandinnovation.Itwillincludea40minuteclassroompresentation,andwillbepilotedinahighschoolinthelatespringof2016,withadditionalprogramminginthefallof2016andintothefuture.Thebudgetis$1,750.

3) PenobscotRiverFest–projectleadersLauriMcLaughlin,PeggyStanleyLastyearkickedoffthefirstPenobscotRiverFest.Itwasafun-filled,familyorientedthreedayevent.Thisyear,theorganizers,LauriMcLaughlinandPeggyStanley,hopetohaveadditionalactivitiesthatarefamilyoriented,includingatouroftheMedwaychurch–theintendedhomeofthenewlyformedMedwayHistoricalSocietyoncerenovationsarecompletedatthechurch.Alsoontheirlististobuytherequiredinsurancecoveragefortheevent.Festivalgoerscomefromaroundtheregion,anditwassuggestedasapotentiallocationforaMakingHeadwayCommunityCelebration.Thebudgetis$4,000.

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Figure 2. Penobscot Riverfest sign from 2016. This year the event will be August 18th, 19th, and 20th.

4) Jada’sBackpackProgram–projectleadersJadaKimball,NateCuttingJadaKimball,asophomoreatSchenckHighSchoolpitchedcreatingaschoolbackpackprogramforstudentsinneedofschoolandpersonalcaresupplies.Herprogramwillpartnerwithlocalteacherstohelpidentifywhichstudentsaremostinneedandcanbenefitthemostfromthisprogram.Theprogramwillbeavailabletopre-Kthrough12thgradestudentsattheelementary,middleandhighschoolsinMedway,EastMillinocketandMillinocket.Shehasbudgeted$25perbackpackandwillincludeageappropriateschoolsupplies,atoothbrushandtoothpaste,andsomehealthysnacksineachpack.Duringthepitchnight,MattDeLaneyofferedthelibrarytobeadrop-offandpick-uplocationforthebackpacks.Othersofferedresourcestohelpwithdonationsandpossiblegrantfunds.Jadahasagoalof140backpacksthisfirstyearandwillgiveoutthefirstbackpacksfall2016.Theprojectbudgetis$3,000.Uponthesuggestionthatjust300familieshadtodonate$10togetthisprogramupandrunning,communitymembersdonated$200onthespot.

Figure 3. Schenck sophomore Jada Kimball received $200 in donations to kick-off her backpack project for the area schools.

5) KatahdinAreaArtsFestival–projectleaderJimPhelps

HavingtargetedeventsintheKatahdinRegionisafantasticwaytobringnewpeopletotheregion–theMillinocketMarathonandHalfisagreatexampleofattractingthousandsofrunnerstothearea.Jimisproposingtohostaone-dayartsfestivalonAugust26thin

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downtownMillinocket.Therewillbeprizemoneyforthreecategories;paint,drawingandphotography.ThebusinessownersandtownaresupportiveofshuttingdownaportionofPenobscotAvenuetohosttheevent.TherearenootherartfestivalsinMainethatweekend,andotherregionshavehadgreatsuccesswithbringingartiststotown.SomeeventprogrammingthatJimwouldlikeassistancewitharemarketing,findinghousingforthevisitingartists,andcoordinatingeventsforchildren.Theprojectbudgetis$2,750,butJimexpectstorecoupover$1,750inregistrationfees.

Figure 4. Jim Phelps pitches the Katahdin Area Arts Festival for this summer. It would be a new attraction for the region and bring new members of the artist community to the region.

6) KatahdinRegionalMap–projectleaderWendeSairio,KatahdinAreaChamberofCommerce

Touristsvisitingtheregionfrequentlyrequestamapfortheentireregionbutonedoesnotcurrentlyexist.Therearespecificmapsforsnowmobiletrails,BaxterStatePark,thenewKatahdinWoodsandWatersNationalMonument,andtheScenicBy-Way,buttheregiondoesnothaveacomprehensiveregionalmap.WendeproposedcreatingamapfromBrownvilletoMillinocketanduptoMt.Chasethatalsohasdetailedboxeswithdowntowns.Tokeepthemapstreamlined,shedoesnotwanttohaveadvertisementsonit.Shealsowouldliketobeabletoincludebusinessesandattractionsthatarenotmembersofthechamber.Therefore,sheisraisingfundstocommissionthemapandhaveitprinted.Mapswillbesoldforanominalfeetocoverthecostofreprintingandupdatingthemapinthefuture.Theprojectbudgetis$4,300.

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Figure 5. Wende Sairio presents her idea of a comprehensive regional map that will complement other existing maps within the region.

ConclusionTheeveningwasagreatsuccess,withstrongattendance,livelyquestionsandconversation,andoverwhelmingsupportforallsixcommunityprojectspitched.Theaudiencerecognizedthevalueandimportanceofallsixprojectsandagreedthatthelimitedfinancialresourcesshouldbetargetedtowardsthethreeprojectsthatwonthemostvotes.Thosewere:thetravelingstorybooth,theyouthentrepreneurshipprogramandthePenobscotRiverfest.However,communitymembersandprogramorganizersalsowantedtosupporttheotherthreeprojectswithavailablefunds,resourcesandfundraisingopportunitiestoensurethattheymoveforwardaswell.Severalpeopleexpressedtheirconfusionattheendofthenightandinthefollowingdaysabouttheresourceallocation.Othersaskedwhyavotetookplaceifallprojectsweregoingtogetsupportanyway.LucyVanHookhassincemetwithallsixprojectleaders,finalizedabudgetforeach,offeredguidanceonnextsteps,andallareexcitedaboutmovingforwardandlaunchingtheirprojects.AlessonlearnedistobesurenextstepsandavailableresourcesareclearlycommunicatedattheconclusionoftheCommunityConversationtobuildtrustintheprocessandclarifyexpectationsfortheprojectteams.TranscriptionofnotesfromtheeveningwerecompletedbyLucyVanHookofOurKatahdin.ThisreportwaspreparedbyLucyVanHookincollaborationwithGrowSmartMaine.

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MAKING HEADWAYIN YOUR COMMUNITY

MakingHeadwayintheKatahdinRegionCommunityCelebration

August20,2017SummaryReport

MakingHeadwayinYourCommunityisaprogramofGrowSmartMaineandtheMaineDowntownCenter.MakingHeadwayintheKatahdinRegionwasledbyGrowSmartMaineinclosepartnershipwithOurKatahdinandKatahdinRevitalizationandfundedbytheElminaBSewallFoundationthroughagranttoTheNatureConservancyinMaine.

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TheKatahdinRegionisseeingmuchchange,asresidentsactivelyseekoutnewopportunitiesfordormantpapermillpropertiesandtheKatahdinWoods&WatersNationalMonumentcompletesitsfirstyearwithintheNationalParkService.GrowSmartMaineengagedcommunitymembersfromMedway,MillinocketandEastMillinocketonashort-termprogram“MakingHeadwayintheKatahdinRegion”tobegintoenvisionwhat’snextfortheregion,andcreatetangibleprojectsthatsetthestagefortheworkahead.TheCommunityCelebrationisacompletionofthisprogram.

PurposeOnSundayAugust20thresidentsoftheKatahdinregionjoinedfriendsandneighborstocelebratesixcommunityprojectsgeneratedthroughtheMakingHeadwayintheKatahdinRegionthisspringandsummer.ThiscelebrationmarkedtheconclusionofthesecondannualPenobscotRiverFestivalinMedwayandincludedappearancesbyprojectleadersreportingonprogress,sharedsuccesses,andofferingthankstothosewhohelpedthemalongtheway.Eachoftheseprojects,intheirownway,ismovingtheKatahdinregionforwardandbringingcommunitiesandcommunitymembersclosertogetherandpreparingthemtoaddresstheopportunitiesahead.

Event Summary

At2pmattendeeswereinvitedtoenjoyicecreamandaskedtothinkabout‘What’snextfortheKatahdinRegion?’Aflipchartwasprovidedwherepeoplecouldaddtheirthoughtsandideasorshowsupportfortheideasofothers.Communitymembersbroughthomemadetreatsandvolunteersscoopedicecreamforallagesonthehotday.TylerKidder,CommunityOutreachDirectorofGrowSmartMaine,welcomedthegatheredcrowdandinvitedprojectleaderstothestageforexcitingprogressupdatesandwaysforcommunitymemberstostayengaged.

Peoplegatheredunderanearbytentwhilelisteningtotheinformalpresentationsbyprojectleaders.TheFestivalwasheldonthebanksofthePenobscotRiverinatownpark.

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OrganizersofthePenobscotRiverFest,oneoftheprojectssupportedthroughtheprogram,thankedeveryoneforattendingtheirsecondannualweekend-longfamily-friendlyfestival.Despitecloudydaysandafewrainstorms,attendancewashigherthanlastyearwithfuneventsrunningfromFridaymorningthroughSundayafternoon.Diversefoodvendorsprovidedsustenancetothefestival-goers,acostumedfairyledfairytrailtoursthroughtheadjacentwoods,petscompetedforbestdressedandbesttrick,andlocalcrafterssoldtheirwares.WendeSairio,directoroftheKatahdinRegionalChamberofCommerce,presentedalargeformatversionofhersoon-to-be-printedregionalmapwhichwillbeavailableforvisitors.Sairioidentifiedaneedforacomprehensivemapthatincludedseasonalattractions,outdooractivities,businessesandservices,aswellastrails,stateparks,andthenationalmonument.Asanaddedbonus,themapincludesdetailmapsoftheregion’stownsandcitiestoprovideadditionalinformationandencouragevisitorstovisitthehistoricdowntowns.

AnupdateonaschoolbackpackprojectwasprovidedbyprojectleaderJadaKimball,ajunioratSchenckHighSchoolinEastMillinocket.FundraisingfortheprojectwasdonebyJadaandthroughcrowdfundingonOurKatahdin’swebplatformforcommunityprojects.Backpacksareavailabletolocalstudentswhomaybewithoutabackpack,schoolsupplies,orpersonalcareitems.35familiesregisteredinadvanceforbackpackswith65morereadytobegivenouttostudents.PenquisCommunityActionProgram,ToysRUs,andtheCalvaryTempleChurchalldonatedsuppliestotheprogram,withcommunitymemberscontributingfundsandsuppliesaswell.JadaishopingtoscaletheprogramuptoservemorestudentsandexpanditsgeographicreachtoMillinocketandLincoln.Jada,andhercommunity,recognizehowitimportantitisforstudentstohavewhattheyneedtobesuccessfulinschool.Jada’sprogramhasreceivedpositivepress.CheckoutthisTVcoveragefromoverthesummer:http://www.wlbz2.com/news/local/teens-backpack-program-will-send-100-kids-to-school-with-what-they-need/465112656.Youcanstayintouchwiththeprogramviaemail:jadasbackpackprogram@gmail.com. Anotherprojecthascontinuedfullsteamahead:‘YouthEntrepreneurship:OwningYourFuture’.TheprojectteamhascreatedandpilotedaprogramaimedatnurturingyouthentrepreneursinhighschoolatStearns,SchenckandKatahdinHighSchoolsandhasthestatedlong-termgoalofencouragingyoungadultsintheKatahdinRegiontoconsiderstartingbusinessesthatareconnectedtothenatural

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andculturalassessoftheregion.AgroupofcommunityleadershadbeenthinkingaboutthisideabeforetheMakingHeadwayprogramafterattendingaconferenceinruralPennsylvania.Theexperientialprogramisdesignedtocultivateanentrepreneurialspiritandbusinessacumenatanearlyage,andconnectlocalcommunitiesthroughlearning,inspirationandinnovation.Itincludesapaidteachercoordinatorrole,a40minuteclassroompresentation,pilotedinSchenckthispastspring,andisreadytoberolledoutinareahighschoolsthisfall.TheKatahdinRegion,likemanyinMaine,islookingforcreativewaystoengagestudentsandencouragethemtostayintheregionaftergraduation.Thisprojecthastheaddedbenefitoffeaturinglocalbusinessesinclassroomandexperientialsituationsbringingthegenerationsinclosercontactwitheachother.

InadditiontotheMakingHeadwayseedmoney,theyouthentrepreneurshipprojecthadlocalsuccesswithfundraisingandreceivedfinancialcontributionsfromtenbusinessesfromaroundtheregion.Inaddition,theteamhasconnectedwiththeareaschoolsuperintendentsandreceivedtheirsupporttointegratethisexcitingworkintothecurriculum.TheMakingHeadwayprocessprovidedanavenueforthisprojectgrouptojumpstarttheirfundraisingwhilegainingbroadpublicsupportfortheirinitiative,demonstratingthatMakingHeadwaycanboostexisting,aswellassparkingnew,ideasforacommunityorregion.

MattDelaney,LibraryDirectorattheMillinocketMemorialLibrary,presentedontheKatahdinStoryBoothProjectwhichisacommunityinitiativetorecordandsharethepersonalstoriesofthepeoplethathavelived,worked,andshapedtheKatahdinRegionweknowtoday.Delaneyplayedanewlyeditedcompilationofrecordingsfromlocalpeoplewhichweretouchingandthoughtful–manyintheaudiencerecognizedvoicesofneighbors,formerco-workers,andfriends.Morerecordingswillbeavailablesoonandwillliveonthelibrary’swebsiteastheprojectgrows:http://millinocketmemoriallibrary.org/storybooth/Delaneysays,‘Throughsoundrecordings,weinvitepeopletotelltheirstoriestoeachother,helpingpreserveourpastasweprepareforthefuture.Itisboththeordinaryandtheextraordinarystoriesthatconnectpeopleandstrengthencommunitiesthroughthesimpleprocessofstorytelling.’TheKatahdinStoryBoothProjectisamobilelisteningandrecordingexperiencethatprovidesanopportunitytoidentifycommonthemescrossinggenerations,politicalboundaries,andtownborderstostrengthentheregionalcommunity.Inaddition,collectedstoriesidentifypeople’srelationshiptothelandaroundthem.ThesegoalsfitwellwithMakingHeadway’soverallthemeofhonoringthepastwhilepreparingforthefuture.

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‘TheKatahdinStoryBoothProjecthasworkedwithover25storytellerssofar,andwelookforwardtobringinginmanymore.Weplantoexpandthereachofourprojectbylendingout“StoryKits”sopeoplecanconducttheirownLivingHistoryprojectswiththeirfriendsandfamily.Wealsolookforwardtopartneringwithstudentsandotherorganizationstohelpuseditourmaterialtomaketheprojectevenmoreaccessibleforlisteners.’saysDelaney.InadditiontotheseedmoneyfromMakingHeadway,theKatahdinStoryBoothProjectwasmadepossiblethroughthegeneroussupportofnumerouscommunitypartnersincludingMaineFolklifeCenter,NationalParkService,designlab,andEastMillinocketPublicLibrary.ThesixthprojectpresentedattheCommunityConversation:PitchNightinthespringwastheKatahdinArtFestival.OrganizersandadvisorshavedecidedtoholdthisevenindowntownMillinocketinAugust2018,givingthemtimetorecruitartistsandorganizeforthefestival.DebRountreeandStateRepresentativeSteveStanley,bothactivemembersofKatahdinRevitalization,closedoutthecelebrationbyannouncingthenextspeakerserieswhichwillbeheldintheKatahdinRegionEducationCenter,thankingalloftheprojectteams,andsharinginspirationalwordsthatdescribeachallengedbutmotivatedregionwhoistrulyMakingHeadway.Onekeypersonwasnotatthecelebration,andforgoodreason!OurKatahdinCommunityDevelopmentManager,LucyVanHook,hadrecentlygivenbirthtoahealthybabygirl.LucywastheleadlocalcontactandMakingHeadwayliaisonforprojectteamsforthedurationoftheprogram.Sheassistedwithandleadonlogistics,fundraising,coordinationinandbetweenprojects,press,promotion,andprovidinginsightandinspiration.WhenLucyreturnstowork,shewillbeabletocontinuesupportingthesenewandexistingcommunityleadersandtheirprojectsthroughherworkwithOurKatahdin.

CommunityCelebrationOutcomes AllsixprojectsmettheirfundraisinggoalswithcreativecombinationsofMakingHeadwayprogramseedmoney,individual&businesscontributions,andpartnershipswithotherorganizationsandinstitutions.Thisoutreachbuildsandcementssocialandfinancialnetworksforfuturecommunityworkandtheprojectteamsshouldbecommendedfortheirhardworksecuringthenecessaryresources.

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FinancialReportTheKatahdinRegionMakingHeadwayprocesswasuniquecomparedtopreviousexperiencesinparticipatingtownsbecausethreecommunitiesparticipatedandthe$1,000initialseedmoneywasaugmentedbyanadditional$6,650ascashmatchagainstdollarsraisedbythesixprojects.Thesixprojectshadatotalbudgetof$21,545.Thesixprojectsexceededtheirfundraisinggoalsof$6,650,andover$9,440wasraised.Inadditiontocashraised,theprojectshadatotalof$1,750equivalentofvolunteerhours.However,afterspeakingwithprojectleaders,thisnumberlikelyisanunderestimateofthenumberofvolunteerhourscontributedtotheKatahdinStoryBoothproject,PenobscotRiverFest,andJada’sbackpackproject.Todate,$17,841hasbeenraisedandappliedtothesesixprojects.Withtheinitialseedmoneyandcommunityfundraisingefforts,theseprojectshadaverypositiveimpactintheregionoverthesummer.Severalprojectshaveremainingfundsandcreatedplanstosustaintheprojectoreventinthefuture.

What’sNextfortheKatahdinRegion?

• LogRollContest• Moviesforfamiliesinthe

LONGGGG(!)winter• Airport–expanditforfly-in

fishing,hunting,hiking,etc• PaintBallFights• Moreopenareasfor

recreationaluse• MovieNightshere(@MedwayRecArea)

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• DriveinMovie!• 3-DayChristianRockFest• 3-DayLumber/Logging[Fest]• Amphitheater@MedwayRecorJerryPond:Entertainment&concerts• BurgerKinginMedway

MakingHeadwaystrivestoengageandempowercommunitymemberstogetinvolvedatthelocallevel,wheretheycanreallymakeadifferenceintheirhometown.IntheKatahdinRegionthereisnoshortageofspiritandpassionandthereisarenewedsenseofmomentumandpromise–localfolks,andpeoplemovingtoandvisitingthearea,havewhatittakestorevitalizetheirregion.Theideassubmittedaboveshowexcitement,humor,andcreativityforthefuture–forfamiliesandyoungpeopleaswellastheolderpopulation.MakingHeadwaycametotheKatahdinRegionatamomentwhentheregionwasstrugglingwithtoughdecisionsandchangeswhilereceivingalotofattentionstatewideandnationallyinresponsetothedesignationoftheKatahdinWoods&WatersNationalMonument.Astheycontinuemakingheadway,thecommunitycanpointtothesesixprojectsasevidenceoftheirability,success,andstrengthenedconnectionsamongthemselves,andwithoutsidepartners,thatwillsustainintothefuture.Peoplehaveidentifiedsharedvaluesthroughthisprocess,knittingtheregiontogether.Inthisway,MakingHeadwayKatahdinRegionwasapartofalargermovementtowardcommunitybuildingacrosstownlines,sharingresources,andworkingtogetherastheareafaces,andrespondsto,newchallengesandopportunities.ReportcompiledandwrittenbyTylerKidder,CommunityOutreachDirector,GrowSmartMaine,withinformationprovidedbyLucyVanHookofOurKatahdinandlocalprojectleaders.