By Charlie Friedman

The Latin Literacy Paideia Grant will support a series of educational programs at the Islesboro Community Center for students in kindergarten through fifth grade. The program will introduce participants to Latin language, Greek mythology, and Classical culture through games, storytelling, art projects, and collaborative activities. The goal is to foster literacy, creativity, and curiosity while making learning both accessible and enjoyable.

By Katie Wuori

For 30 years, Big Tree Boating (BTB) has helped island residents and visitors discover the joy of sailing on Penobscot Bay. Founded in 1996, BTB is a community sailing program based in Seal Harbor that teaches proper seamanship, respect for the water, and a lifelong love of sailing. Open to ages 10 and up – including adults – BTB welcomes complete beginners, seasoned sailors, and everyone in between.

Submitted by Melissa Olso

What is a Library of Things, you ask? Great question. We all know that libraries lend books, movies, magazines, puzzles and games. Now many libraries, including the Alice L. Pendleton Library, are lending other “things.” The ALP Library now lends garden tools, a cider press, a metal detector, telescopes, a food processor, ukuleles and more!

Submitted by Christina Noyes

There is a comforting sound at Boardman Cottage these days: the gentle rhythm of a full house. After a difficult winter during which our home said goodbye to four beloved residents, every bed is once again filled, bringing new voices, new stories, and a renewed sense of life to the Cottage.

In a place as close-knit as Boardman Cottage, each resident becomes part of the daily heart of the home. Residents are known not only by name, but also by their favorite seats at the table, familiar smiles, family visits, preferred routines, and the small kindnesses that make every day feel personal. The loss of four residents over the winter was felt deeply by staff, fellow residents, and families alike.

Submitted by Nancy Alexander

The Sewing Circle Annual Fair is coming on August 4th and it’s time to note it on your calendars now! We have worked all year creating the goodies that you have come to rely on; usually, we would set it all out for the Fair, and less than three hours later we would pack up what remains and carry it back to the Circle building. Last year we rebelled and stayed open later, made more sales, and gave more people a chance to see our goodies. This year we will do the same, staying open from 12 o’clock noon to 6 p.m.!

Submitted by Ted Pendleton, President, Islesboro Historical Society

The Historical Society held another spectacular, standing-room-only Talent Show on June 17th, photos and video of which should be posted to our website and YouTube channel by the time this article goes to print. Singing, dancing, playing, poetry, a little prancing, and comedy… these will be hard acts to follow in 2027! Thank you to all of the participants and to the audience.

Submitted by ISC President Scott Degrasse

Summer is here and we are here for it. We continue to have new members join us weekly and we love to see the new faces!

Submitted by Recreation Director Colleen Dove

I say Islesboro… you say Recreation! We’ve been busy this year and you may have noticed a couple of fundraising signs around town. Thanks to the generosity of our community members, we have raised money to make several improvements to Maddy Dodge Park, including a supply of H2O, a new shade structure (coming in the summer of 2027), and a brand-new basketball court.

Submitted by Sandy Oliver

Did you know that the Up Island Church has a player organ? Thanks to numerous people, we’ve got it working again just in time to celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary. Join us on Sunday, July 5th for a Picnic and Musical Celebration featuring island-connected musicians.

Submitted by ICC Executive Director Candice Provey

The winter and warming days of spring brought a cast of characters to the ICC stage for our first concert series: Louisa Stancioff with her clear-noted solo show, Eric Lieblein single-handedly powering through the band Steak’s popular song Big Bear for Pete’s sake, and the amazing old-time folk trio that played live with caller Chrissy Fowler for our contra dances. Josh Read and his bandmates reunited The Deadmen for the first time in fifteen years, and the crowd sang a very happy birthday for Caleb’s 18th before feasting on Laura’s famous ping-pong cake. Now the Deadmen are back this Fourth of July — at 7:30pm in Community Hall — to share their talents with a wider audience. Come by after your BBQ Chicken (thank you Islesboro Fire Department!) and your beach time. It’s going to be great and you won’t want to miss it.