Grassroots nonprofit breaking the silence of domestic abuse across Maine with innovative survivor-led initiatives as well as peer support.
Finding Our Voices
Member Businesses: Community
Trinitarian Congregational Parish of Castine
The Trinitarian Congregational Parish of Castine is an open and affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ. Our people are friendly and welcoming, our faith is alive and enthusiastic, and our mission is loving and serving our neighbors. We gather for worship on Sundays at 9:30am in our sanctuary at 68 Main Street in Castine or by livestream on our YouTube channel. Care and activities for children are offered during Sunday worship.
Friends of Holbrook Island Sanctuary
Community Support for Holbrook Island Sanctuary State Park
Blue Hill Garden Club
The Blue Hill Garden Club provides resources, programs and networking opportunities for the full-time and seasonal residents of the Blue Hill peninsula that will inspire the creation and stewardship of gardens that beautify and feed both our bodies and our souls.
Colloquy Downeast
Colloquy Downeast was formed in 2000 to provide a program for learning and thoughtful discussion of topics of general interest. Since then, we have organized more than 100 colloquies on a wide variety of subjects. The organization is managed by an all-volunteer Steering Committee comprised of up to 15 members of the community.
The mission of Colloquy Downeast is to create an independent learning community (supported and nourished by residents of the Blue Hill Peninsula, Deer Isle and beyond) engaged in enriching discussions through exchange of thoughts and ideas. This mission is supported by informed volunteer facilitators who offer analytical, interactive and conversational learning experiences to participants willing to share ideas and challenge their own assumptions.
Blue Hill Maritime Heritage Festival
Maritime Heritage Festival held in August (date is tide dependent) taking place at the Blue Hill Town Wharf and adjacent historic village.
In 2025 the 6th annual Festival will take place on Saturday, August 9th, 10am-4pm.
TSCA is a national 501c3 organization that hosts and cosponsors the Festival. It is registered in Maine.
BRAYN FREEZ Soft Serve
I am a mobile soft serve ice cream business. I travel on the peninsula and to events in the state during the warmer months while my trailer has a designated local spot 1 or 2 evenings a week.
Community Childhood Learning Place
The Community Childhood Learning Place is a year round, full-day program serving children, three-months to 4 years of age and an after school and summer programming for school aged children (5 years to 12 years), that recognizes the rich potential of each child physically, cognitively, and emotionally through child centered, play based discovery in the Reggio Emilia approach. The program values the contribution of family interaction, community involvement and the importance of engaging teachers well grounded in child development, learning philosophies and wellness principles
Three Points Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
We are a family owned and operated Brazilian jiu jitsu gym. We offer classes for kids and adults of all skill levels in a safe and welcoming environment.
Peninsula Pan
Created to manage the business affairs of Flash! in the Pans, the community steelband based in Blue Hill, our mission is to continue a decades-long tradition of performing and supporting steel drum music, and in the process strengthen the tradition of community-based live music on the peninsula.
Bartlett Tree Experts
Arborists in our Mount Desert office are committed to helping local residents and businesses maintain beautiful, healthy trees and shrubs. Our arborists are experts in diagnosing and treating tree and shrub problems specific to the Mount Desert and surrounding area. Some of our services are: storm response, tree removal, pruning, tree inspections, cabling & bracing. Tree & Shrub care plans, including root invigoration, shoreline zoning and inventory, soil sampling and diagnostics. Insect & Disease management, Browntail Moth, Dutch Elm, Beech Leaf, Tick & Mosquitoes.
Island Community Center Inc
We are similar to a YMCA — but also very community centered in our programs and events. We offer programs, events, and activities that center around health & Wellbeing for all members of our community – socially, emotionally & physically.
Blue Hill Fairy Trail
This is an interactive outdoor trail. You get a paper of clues and a mystery to solve. Hints can be seen throughout the trail and a prize at the end for those who solve the mystery!
Apricot Academy
We are a small K-8 Micro-school and believe in hands-on, minds-on learning.
Ebb And Flow Fiber Arts
Donation based fabric & fiber craft store with desire to provide affordable materials to all kinds of makers. We will take in donations from members of the community who have an overflow in their stash, give their things a loving name, and keep it all out of the landfill! I envision a community space as well as store, where we can gather and exchange knowledge and skills. I would love to collaborate with our local schools, artists, etc. to grow a space of learning and fun for all our local crafters!
Good Talks Mental Health, LLC
I provide quality, accessible, mental health support, especially focused on moms / femme parents. My sessions are online, choose-your-own-price, & flexible scheduling to make it as easy as possible for moms / femme parents to find support through behavioral questions, boundaries, development, & more.
Osprey’s Echo Sea Kayaking, LLC
Osprey’s Echo Sea Kayaking (est. 2021) is a small family-owned business dedicated to taking visitors and locals out on guided kayak tours of the amazing Stonington archipelago – touted by many as the best sea kayaking on the east coast. The Steinharter family have been devoted to Deer Isle for over 50 years and Founder/Lead Guide Will Steinharter focuses earnestly on his customers’ experience, telling tales about the history of the area, the amazing wildlife (ospreys, eagles, seals, porpoises, etc.) and the over 60 islands to explore.
Osprey’s Echo provide 1/2 day tours, full day tours, overnight camping experiences on an island, and serene 2-hour sunset tours, as well as custom experiences,
Community Compass
Community Compass is a collaboration of community members, Neighborhood Navigators, and partner organizations working collectively to break the cycle of poverty by engaging the financially struggling, reducing barriers to prosperity, and building opportunity for all citizens of Blue Hill, Brooklin, Brooksville, Castine, Deer Isle, Orland, Penobscot, Sedgwick, Stonington, and Surry.
Opera House Arts
We offer a year-round schedule of professional theater, music, film, dance, educational programs, community events, and more.
St. Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church
“We are a welcoming, engaged and diverse community of faith dedicated to the spiritual, physical and social well-being of ourselves and our neighbors. Whoever you are, whatever your beliefs, come explore and experience with us the mystery of God’s love.”
Island Meadow Arts
Island Meadow Art is an art studio for kids located in Brooklin Maine. Our classes aim to encourage students’ exploration, enliven imaginations, and bring art history to life through a variety of mediums. Painting, drawing, sculpting, and printmaking are among some of the mediums students have the opportunity to work with. Students get individual attention in a focused environment.
WNSX Star 97.7
Star 97.7 is the hometown radio for Downeast Maine. We love to be on the air, talking about events and the people of Hancock and Washington counties.
The Grand
The Grand is an iconic Art Deco theater in Downeast, Maine
that fosters social interaction and growth in artists and audiences
through the arts, entertainment, and education.
Island Heritage Trust
The Island Heritage Trust is a non-profit private land trust dedicated to conservation that protects significant open space, scenic areas, wildlife habitats, natural resources, and historic and cultural features that offer public benefit and are essential to the character of the Deer Isle area.
Our membership is open to all. We are funded by the tax-deductible charitable contributions of our members. A board of 11 volunteer members governs the Trust through its Chair and Executive Director and staff.
Mission Statement
IHT contributes to the well-being of the island community by conserving its distinctive landscapes and natural resources, maintaining public access to valued trails, shoreline and islands, and by providing educational programming for all ages.
Golden Sun Childcare
Childcare Center on the Blue Hill Peninsula providing amazing care and education for your children.
Accepting children from 6 weeks – 5 years old!
Native Gardens of Blue Hill
The mission of Native Gardens of Blue Hill is to create public gardens of Maine native plants to demonstrate their beauty and value and to encourage sustainable gardening practices. Since 2015, we have been building a demonstration garden at the campus of Bagaduce Music on South St with the help of volunteers. Recently, we have begun to deepen our mission to include training and support for existing and new businesses in the field of sustainable landscaping, including the nursery trade. We envision serving as a training ground for entrepreneurship and innovation, a hub for ecological best practices in the community, and the supportive home to a regional guild of sustainable landscape stewards.
Chickadee Compost
We are a community composting business that collects compostable waste from around the peninsula and turns it into a high quality soil amendment.
Blue Hill Concert Association
Non-Profit Organization that brings Chamber Ensemble concerts to Blue Hill in the winter months.
Cynthia Winings Gallery
When you step through the front door of the Cynthia Winings Gallery in Blue Hill, you enter one of the most dynamic and engaging art spaces in Maine. The humble façade (the building was once a barn) belies its compelling contents, from choice Maine landscapes and thought-provoking narrative and figurative work to abstract and conceptual art of the first order. Two floors of aesthetic surprises and delights await the art aficionado. And a new sculpture garden welcomes you to walk around outdoors and find contemporary sculpture artfully placed in the landscape.
24 Parker Point Rd
Blue Hill, ME 04614 United States
Stanley Subaru
We are a local Subaru dealer providing excellence in new and used Subaru vehicle sales, service, parts and accessories. stanleysubaru.com
WERU
Independent community radio station serving Midcoast, Downeast & Central Maine. Listener supported, volunteer powered.
The Gatherings
The Gatherings is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a mission to foster community through sharing, cooperation, learning and the arts.
Our vision is to create a vibrant, multi-use space where anyone can find opportunities for connecting with others, the arts, learning, real food, entertainment and good health.
The building has a big meeting room downstairs with an adjoining small kitchen and café. A small co-working space is also being set up. The recently renovated second floor, opening in early 2018, will have a game / craft room and another large open room that can be used for activities such as yoga or meditation.
Deer Isle Artists Association
We are a community of artists and patrons who promote the visual arts by exhibiting original work and supporting art education in local schools. During the summer, the Deer Isle Gallery is open 6 days per week. During the winter, DIAA offers a program called Art matters and individual artist members volunteer to teach workshops in local schools.
Haystack Mountain School of Crafts
Mission: Investigate craft and art in aesthetic climate that honors tradition while acknowledging the rich potential of contemporary visual art, craft practice and research. Architecturally significant campus and focused energy of Haystack provide an environment that supports serious exploration.
Offering two-week residency, one- and two-week workshops, conference; May-September. blacksmithing, ceramics, glass, graphics, metals, textiles, wood, writing, and more. Scholarships available. Residency and Scholarship applicant deadline: March 1. General applicant deadline: April 1. All levels welcome.
Haystack Mountain School of Crafts
89 Haystack School Drive, Deer Isle
On campus tours are offered on Wed., 1 p.m.,
for a nominal charge, from June 3 to August 26;
evening presentations, open to the public, 7:00 p.m.
348-2306 HYPERLINK http://www.haystack-mtn.org
89 Haystack School Drive
Deer Isle, Maine 04627 United States
ArtWaves MDI
Your community Arts Center where we connect the community with the power of art in our 3 visual arts studios or our state of the art Dance and movement studio.
1345 State Highway 102
Bar Harbor, ME 04609 United States
Word: a Blue Hill Literary Arts Festival
Word is a three-day, annual literary festival in Blue Hill, gathering a community of readers and writers to celebrate the written and spoken word alongside those who may not typically be engaged in those pursuits.
While the Blue Hill Peninsula has a rich and vibrant artistic and literary tradition, most literary events occur piecemeal and during the busy summer months while the shoulder season of summer/fall offers few events. In addition, there is no unifying community structure that brings word-lovers together to celebrate. Establishing a festival to occur each October will encourage year- round residents and visitors to connect with one another, enjoying author readings, workshops, performances, and panels without the distractions of the peninsula’s hectic summer schedule. Word will share and promote the many voices of Maine, including local voices not always given the opportunity to be heard, and will seek out diverse voices to ensure a full and rich cultural experience.
In addition to events scheduled throughout the weekend, a literary marketplace will serve as a central meeting ground for the festival, providing vendors and nonprofits an opportunity to share information about their roles in the literary life of the peninsula, as well as encourage festival-goers to interact and engage in crafts and collaborative activities.
In addition to the festival, Word promotes literary events year-round.
Blue Hill Congregational Church
Healthy Peninsula
Healthy Peninsula, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, works to improve the health and well being of the residents of the Blue Hill Peninsula, Deer Isle, and Stonington by mobilizing, supporting, and collaborating with community partners. Our work is based in the challenges and needs defined by the communities themselves, and we are currently focusing on three major initiatives: Healthy Aging, Healthy Eating, and Healthy Families. Under Healthy Aging, we are taking a lead role in the Choices That Matter Community Conversations and Age-Friendly Coastal Communities projects. Our Magic Food Bus, Summer Garden Camps in Brooksville and Penobscot, and food-security activities fall under Healthy Eating. We are currently collaborating with both school unions, early-childhood service organizations, and community members on a Early Childhood Community Planning Grant from the Maine Community Foundation, and the work of our Early Childhood Interest Group helps make Healthy Families a reality.
Hospice Volunteers of Hancock County
Volunteer Hospice
Lawrence Family Fitness Center / Blue Hill YMCA
We are a non-profit, community-based health and fitness center with membership and programming for all ages.
32 Mines Road
Blue Hill, Maine 04614
Mon - Fri 5:30am - 8:00pm / Sat - Sun 8:00am - 12:30pm
Woodlawn: Barn, Museum, Trails
Tree of Life Pantry, Inc.
Tree of Life is a nonprofit, volunteer organization dedicated to providing emergency and supplemental food for the community, providing and selling good used clothing, and fostering self-help and education on the Blue Hill Peninsula.
The Tree of Life Food Pantry and TurnStyle Thrift Shop work together as a unique, self-supporting organization. Sale of good quality used clothing at the TurnStyle is the primary source of funding, along with donations, for the Food Pantry.
Food is given free of charge to citizens from the eight towns on the Blue Hill Peninsula: Blue Hill, Brooklin, Brooksville, Castine, Orland, Penobscot, Sedgwick and Surry. No one in need of food is turned away. Currently over 900 families are registered. About 212 families come in for food each week.
Blue Hill Harbor School
The Blue Hill Harbor School is an independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) high school serving grades 9 through 12.
Bay School
School Union #93
Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries
Discovery Wharf offers a live touch marine tank, a map-based touch wall of the Coast of Maine, a virtual reality exhibit with a library of 360 degree experiences, a large projection wall with a video library theater, a workshop corner with trap building tools, a knot tying station, a makeshift lobster boat wheelhouse with working electronics and interactive pulleys, as well as other static fishing gear displays providing historical context. And if you are lucky enough, you may even get to hear first hand stories about life on the sea by our always entertaining Captain Leroy Weed.
Join the more than 5,000 visitors each year seeking insights into the workings of the fishing community and information about what is happening in our ocean ecosystem. We strive to ensure that every visitor learns something new about Maine’s coastal fisheries, the natural environment supporting the fisheries and MCCF’s work to sustain these important resources and support our coastal communities.
Discovery Wharf provides a positive and memorable experience for all visitors, so please plan to make us part of your travel plans May through October 2024. Discovery Wharf is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 4pm. We strongly recommend that you make your reservation today at https://coastalfisheries.org to guarantee you premiere limited access around our touch tank, you won’t regret it!
Admission Fees:
Adults (13 and older) $10
Children (2 – 12 years old) and seniors 65+ are $5
Children under 2 and Military are FREE
Families (up to 5 people) $25
Reservation Times:
10am –10:45am
11am – 11:45am
noon – 12:45pm
1pm – 1:45pm
2pm – 2:45pm
3pm – 3:45pm
Penobscot Bay Press
Penobscot Bay Press is an independently owned community information services company with offices in Blue Hill and Stonington. We publish The Weekly Packet, Castine Patriot, and Island Ad-Vantages weekly newspapers, as well as books, maps and special publications. We also share news and information about the local community through our website.
Two Locations:
PO Box 36, 69 Main St., Stonington, ME 04681, 207-367-2200
PO Box 646, 13 Main St., Blue Hill, ME 04614, 207-374-2341
Nichols Day Camps
Summer Day Camp. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit, originally incorporated in 1963 as Blue Hill Society for Aid to Children doing business as Nichols Day Camps. We host youngsters, both local and from away, between the ages of 5-16 in fun-filled, age-appropriate, and safe outdoor-oriented programs that run for eight weeks each summer.
New Surry Theatre
Community Theater and Performing Arts School
Shaw Institute
Shaw Institute is a non-profit scientific research and education organization based in Blue Hill, Maine. Established 35 years ago, the Institute’s mission is to work to discover and expose environmental threats to the health and wellbeing of people, wildlife and the environments we all share; while also offering an education center that includes a touch tank and gift shop.
Healthy Acadia
George Stevens Academy
An independent town academy serving as the 9-12 high school for students from the Blue Hill Peninsula and beyond. Discover your world at GSA.
Halcyon Grange #345
Halcyon Grange #345 is a fraternal organization sponsors dances, dinners, concerts workshops and educational speakers for the community. The grange promotes small farms, local food and the right to sustainable food and water.
Friends of Blue Hill Bay
Blue Hill Heritage Trust
The mission of the Blue Hill Heritage Trust is: To lead in conserving land, water, and wildlife habitat on the greater Blue Hill Peninsula. To teach and practice a stewardship ethic. To promote ecological, economic, and community health for this and future generations.
BHHT maintains a vast network of trails and road systems across the Blue Hill Peninsula and offers free programming year round. Visit their website for a list of events, trail maps, and more!
Who We Are:
We are a nationally accredited nonprofit, donor-based land conservation organization founded in 1985 by residents of the Blue Hill Peninsula in coastal Maine. We are working to conserve the farmland, forest, wetlands, and wildlife habitat needed to sustain ecological and community health in a changing climate. Our goal is to protect the resources and sense of place upon which traditional livelihood depends, and to work with our communities to embrace a stewardship ethic. We recognize the value of conserving land and water for its own sake, as well as valuing the recreational, economic, and quality-of-life benefits of conservation. By advancing this vital connection between healthy land and healthy communities, the Trust strives to be fully involved in peninsula communities through strong collaborations with our partners, including municipalities. To date, Blue Hill Heritage Trust has protected over 10,000 acres of land that will be forever stewarded for wildlife, recreation, scenic beauty, sustainable use and historical importance.