Nancy Albertson is a certified plant-based coach and is passionate about sharing the benefits of a plant based diet for anyone who is interested in improving their health.
Alice Bean Andrenyak is a Master Maine Guide and Maine native who lives at Mere Point in Brunswick. Owner of Alice’s Awesome Adventures and Maine e-Learning, she trains future Registered Maine Guides and outdoor enthusiasts in navigation, canoeing, SUP, sea kayaking, snowshoeing, nature studies, and overnighting skills, and is a former Guide’s Board Examiner. She has been visiting Malaga Island for over 30 years and leads regular sea kayak and hiking tours of Malaga Island. Alice is also a certified firearms instructor.
BoomerTECH Adventures was begun in 2014 by three friends and colleagues, all former educators who have worked with adults and technology for more than 100 years (collectively)! We provide expert guidance and personalized resources for the 55+ age group to develop competence and confidence using Apple devices. Our team: Ed Brazee, tennis player, runner, “refocused” professor & editor, consultant, and author; Jill Spencer, traveler, enthusiastic gardener and photographer, middle school teacher, international consultant, and author; Chris Toy, chef, YouTube cooking sensation, long-distance biker, school principal, international consultant, and author.
Dr. Paula Apro specializes in chronic conditions, both physical and emotional. She uses frequency and vibrational medicine along with her experience in many different modalities to uncover and balance the root causes of chronic health issues. Dr. Paula holds a Doctorate and Ph.D. in Natural Medicine, she is double board-certified as an Alternative Medicine Practitioner, as well as a Quantum Health Coach. She is also a certified Eden Energy Medicine practitioner, a certified Emotion Code™ & Body Code™ practitioner, a certified Bio-Well practitioner, as well as an Advanced Pranic Healer.
Debra Arter has been an educator with Adult Ed for over 30 years. She used the pandemic downtime to prepare several online classes while hosting people in her Airbnb. She also enjoys teaching baking and art classes in various venues.
Bill Babb is a retired teacher and home baker. He has searched for the perfect baguette for fifteen years taking several King Arthur Baking Workshops and attending Skowhegan Kneading Conferences along the way.
Jordan Benissan has been cooking for friends and students ever since he arrived in Maine in 1999, and finally realized his dream of opening a restaurant in 2017. His original Me Lon Togo restaurant is located in a distinctive blue and purple historic home on Rt. 1 in Searsport. He opened a new branch in Camden in July 2020, which moved to Rockland in late 2021. Jordan also teaches African drumming at Colby College.
Ashton Benn has been in the golf business for seven years, the last two at Goose River. Currently a PGA apprentice studying to become a PGA Class A member he previously worked at the Samoset Resort and Wawenock Golf Club. In the winter months he travels to work in Florida at courses among which have included Frenchman’s Reserve, Bear Lakes, Trump National Jupiter, and Grand Harbor Golf Club. His goal is to introduce golf to as many people as he can.
Jesse Bifulco is an elder law attorney who is passionate about helping his clients protect their family and property. A graduate of Brooklyn Law School, he is admitted to practice law in Maine and New York. Jesse belongs to national organizations devoted to the advancement of estate planning and elder law, as well as the Elder Law and Trusts & Estates sections of the Maine State Bar Association. Jesse has lectured in estate planning workshops since 1998 and he undertakes continuous training to keep informed of the latest in this ever-changing and complex legal practice area. His classes are designed to teach people how estate planning techniques can be used to preserve their family wealth and prevent needless family conflict.
Francis Boscoe is a retired university professor living in Camden. He leads an Italian conversation group at the Rockport Library, and in the fall of 2023 attended an advanced Italian course in Torino, Italy.
David Bradbury is an amateur musician who considers himself an artist who is writing and recording songs. Born in Dulwich, London, he is now living in Camden, Maine.
Mark S. Burrows, Ph.D., is one of the foremost experts on Rilke’s writings, engaging them in English and German, for experts and a general readership alike. He taught in a German university in Bochum where he was a member of the Bonn Rilke Project, which toured Germany giving performances of Rilke’s Book of Hours (in German) with jazz musicians and a visual artist. In 2013 he published Rilke’s original draft of what became The Book of Hours (Pt. I), which appeared as Prayers of a Young Poet, the only available version of that work in English. Since 2020 he’s lived in Camden where he writes and tries to keep up with an energetic Springer Spaniel named Keileigh. Visit him at: www.soul-in-sight.org
Tina Casteris is a self-taught knitter who loves sharing this craft with those who desire to learn and improve in a supportive environment.
Sandy Clement has been teaching sewing classes for over 10 years. She has sewn since she was a child and has found it to be a valuable life-long skill. She has helped with costuming for local school and theater groups.
Charles “Kim” Coit, a veteran of Maine’s largest real estate agencies, founded the Center for Real Estate Studies to help people navigate the route to becoming a real estate agent, associate broker, or broker. He was later joined by top legal and real estate experts to offer pre-licensing and continuing education classes and courses for people pursuing careers in real estate.
John Coffin has held his USCG License since 1985 and has operated charter vessels in the Florida Keys and Maine. He is a Master Maine Guide and a certified Boating Instructor for U.S. Powerboating and the National Safe Boating Council.
Barbara Davis is a Registered Expressive Arts Therapist (REAT), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and artist. Barbara holds a BFA from RISD and a MSW and MFA from Rutgers University. As a teenager Barbara experienced the healing power of the arts and since then has held a strong belief that participating in art-making processes is good for our physical, mental and spiritual health regardless of whether or not one is an artist. Barbara has taught all ages on and off throughout her career. When not at work or in her studio she enjoys cross country skiing, hiking and swimming.
Andrew Eckman has been involved in emergency services (police, fire, and EMS) for more than 45 years, and has been a medical instructor for more than 30 years.
Diana Falciani has extensive experience in apparel and costume design as well as pattern and hat making. She earned a Certificate of Achievement in Apparel Design from Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, California, and has been sewing since the age of twelve.
Randy Fein is an award-winning ceramic artist. She has found her way with clay for more than 40 years, producing original one-of-a-kind pottery, commissioned tile installations, and clay sculptures. She has also conducted over 100 artist-in-resident programs in public schools throughout Maine, and has taught at Unity College in Maine; Castleton State College in Castleton, Vermont; and Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts..
Carole Freeman, B.S. RRT, Breathing Specialist Carole’s background has been equal portions of respiratory therapy, exercise physiology, and massage therapy. Her career as a respiratory therapist began at Loma Linda University Medical Center where she discovered that most adult patients were in the hospital because of poor lifestyle choices. That inspired her to attend graduate school at LLUMC, majoring in Health Sciences. She now focuses her work in a relatively new field of pulmonary medicine – recognizing and treating breathing disorders. She has personally benefitted from improved breathing patterns, “I have found that each day I was mindful of my breathing pattern, I gained more energy, and my breathing became easier. It felt like I was turning the clock back as I continued to gain strength and endurance.”
Paul Garcia is a translator who taught at secondary and university levels for many years. He has lived and worked in Puerto Rico, Mexico, Spain, and Argentina.
Susan Hill is a visual artist with experience in collage, photography, and graphic art. She has apprenticed with Ansel Adams, Judy Chicago, and Betye Saar. She is also a member of a New England family of Makers, a line of knitters and seamstresses. Susan has professional experience as an embroiderer for museum exhibitions, theatre performances, and as a fine arts college instructor, and she has work in museums and private collections. However, her first love is teaching and collaborations, sharing and supporting individual creativity.
Sherwood Hilt first discovered wood carving at Camp Bomazen in 1990 where he learned how to do relief carvings, neckerchief slides, signs, and a variety of other items. In 2012 he started carving shorebirds and ducks. He has taught merit badge wood carving for the Boy Scouts for many years. Sherwood has a degree in building construction and worked at Lyman-Morse as a cabinet maker until retirement.
Susan Hurst is a lifetime arts and crafter having worked in many different mediums. She has done metalsmithing and jewelry-making, broom-making and leatherwork, made birdhouses, worked in clay, and most recently basket-making.
Germaine Koomen is a strong believer in the power of handwork. When she is not working with fiber, she can be found teaching young children, hiking, kayaking, or cuddling her cat.
Linda Leach and Sandy Clement have 30 plus years of painting and craft experience. They are the co-owner of the Maine Lights Collection. Visit their page at http://mainelightscollection.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/mainelightscollection/
Jacinda Martinez has been farming and gardening professionally for 16 years. She’s learned a thing or two along the way and loves teaching and sharing on this topic.
Kate Martino grew up in a card playing family, and is an avid bridge player, playing both social and competitive bridge.
Michelle McAnaney, former School Counseling Director at CHRHS, is the founder of The College Spy. She works with families nationwide to navigate the college admissions process with confidence. From choosing classes and building a thoughtful list of colleges to creating applications that truly tell an applicant’s story, Michelle genuinely gets to know students to support them in making one of life’s most important decisions. With over 25 years of experience and over 300 campuses visited, Michelle shares her insider knowledge with families through individual packages, group workshops, parent courses, free webinars and media features. Learn more at TheCollegeSpy.com
Mike McCune has a degree in Biology and has been carving and watching birds for over 20 years. He has taught duck carving for over 7 years.
Kate McMorrow graduated the Scherer Institute of Natural Healing in 1990 as a licensed massage therapist. She went on to study the Hakomi Method of body centered psychotherapy as well as Sheng Zhen Qigong. In 2009 she became a Certified Holistic Health Practitioner with a focus on Electro Dermal Stress Analysis and in 2019 became a Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach through FMCA.
Leslie Miller is a painter, printmaker, and papercut artist who taught in a suburban elementary school for 40 years, spending summers as a graphics instructor in a creative summer camp. In 1981, a small paperback book about Polish Wycinanki, opened a whole new world of paper cutting to her, and curiosity about this craft in other countries opened her eyes to many more possibilities. In 1994, an educators’ workshop with Paulus Berensohn taught her the value of journals and she began fabricating journals with her students. Students of all ages began creating journals in her workshops. Now retired from teaching, she still makes mandala type paper cuts for clients who want special presents, and her own handmade journals are considered prized gifts. See her work at www.originalpapercuts.com
joani mitchell has been playing and teaching piano in the Midcoast area for nearly 50 years. You may have heard her play for Our Lady of Good Hope Church, many of the musicals at Camden Hills and in local community theaters and The Penbay Singers, among others. She created and implemented the music program at The Riley School. She has a music degree in piano performance from the University of Maine, and has studied at the Berklee College of Music in Boston.
Anna Moorman has been with Allen Insurance & Financial for over 6 years. Anna has a background in healthcare and public health..
Dee Patel had so many requests for Indian food from her coworkers at Pen Bay Skin Care that she decided to open a three-day-a-week takeout in her family’s lodging The Ledges in Rockport in June 2019. She not only has been received with rave reviews but routinely sells out of everything on the menu.
Brie Pio is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ professional and is the Principal of Birch Point Wealth Management LLC, an investment advisory firm located in Rockport, Maine. Brie completed the Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree at DePaul University in Chicago, completed the Personal Financial Planning Certificate Program at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and has over ten years’ experience in finance, accounting, and operations.
Resa Randolph is an artist and musician who lives in Rockport.
Gary Roberts is a Registered Maine Guide and resident of Appleton and has been a volunteer naturalist, trip leader, and speaker for over 30 years. He specializes in guiding from a natural history perspective and focuses particularly on the native flora and fauna of Maine. Gary has been a long-time volunteer for Maine Audubon and has volunteered with the Maine Plant Conservation Volunteers, Mountain Birdwatch, Maine Owl Survey Project, and Seanet.
Antje Roitzsch is a mobile artist, sculptor and goldsmith. She loves to bring beauty into the world.
Mary Sabins was born and raised in Maine, and lives in Union. Her interest in the hobby of needle felting began in 2016 when she took an Adult Education enrichment class at Camden High School to learn needle felting. She began teaching this felting craft to family and friends for fun and on a casual basis before retirement, and more regularly since then. Her student’s response and enthusiasm for learning the needle felting craft inspires her to pursue teaching further.
Wayne Sainio was born and raised in Washington, Maine. After getting his degree in civil engineering, Wayne worked for an architect, Bath Iron Works and the Coast Guard. He’s experienced in all areas of home maintenance including electrical, plumbing, carpentry, and HVAC. He currently spends his time helping his neighbors with a wide variety of home projects.
Libby Schrum is a furniture designer and maker in Camden with nearly 20 years of woodworking experience. She often teaches at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship and offers one-on-one instruction in her studio.
Geoff Scott has been involved in all forms of snow sports for most of his life and has enjoyed exploring midcoast trails for more than 20 years. He’s instructed downhill skiing as well as worked in the outdoor industry in various incarnations for almost all his life, including with Outward Bound.
Mike Shunney is the Director of Inner Works Taijiquan and Qigong in Rockland – http://www.InnerWorksCenter.com. Mike is privileged to be recognized by the First family of Taijiquan in China, the Yang Family, as qualified to teach their system of Traditional Yang Family Taijiquan, which includes Qigong, Taijiquan, Taiji Jian (sword), Taiji Dao (broadsword), Taiji Qiang (spear/staff), and two-person play. He is the first person in Maine to hold that honor.
Holly Smith is a Maine native who graduated with a B.S. degree in Art Education from the University of Southern Maine. Retired from teaching high school art and photography for 31 years she now happily teaches adult ed. Holly is represented by the Portland Art Gallery, Bonnie Farmer Assemblage Art & Gallery, and the Lincolnville Art Gallery.
Jeff Space has been tying flies for 20 years and loves to share his knowledge with others. Jeff is a resident of Hope and loves to be on the water.
David Spahr is a naturalist, photographer, and forest farmer who has collected, photographed, and eaten wild mushrooms for 35 years. He is a member of the Maine Mycological Association and maintains a website devoted to the subject, mushroom-collecting.com. He is currently writing a book on foraging.
Annah Sullivan graduated from Husson University in 2011 as a Doctor of Physical Therapy. She has since worked in the pediatric setting where she works with a variety of infants and children. Annah enjoys teamwork with parents and creating a relaxed setting that is open for questions and learning.
Jessica Steele has a deep passion for the wilderness and for teaching. She has been working in the field of Adventure and Environmental Education for more than 30 years. This leg of her journey is about connecting more deeply with herself, others, and the wilderness. Join her for a program of connection, learning, and growing.
Sharon Turner owns Crystal Lake Farm and Nursery in Washington, ME. She specializes in open-pollinated vegetable and flower seedlings, native perennials, shrubs and trees, and cut flowers. She grows for Fedco Trees and Knox-Lincoln Soil and Water Conservation District. She has been a certified Master Gardener Volunteer for more than 20 years.
Karen Vellekamp is a retired math teacher who has been knitting for forty years. She taught herself to knit after finishing college. Her specialty is making sweaters, and her winter wardrobe consists almost exclusively of her knitted garments and accessories. She is also quite skilled at fixing mistakes in knitting (which is handy since she makes a lot of them) and often helps others with their knitting “disasters”.
Deb Vendetti holds a BFA in Painting (UMass Dartmouth) with Graduate studies in Creative Photography (Cranbrook). She has been active in the local arts community since 1981; Education Coordinator at the Farnsworth Museum (1987-1998); local chair, Union of Maine Visual Artists (2003-2008, and 2022-present). She has led adult drawing workshops for Maine Crafts Association, Lincoln Street Center, Round Top, Orppersdorf Studio, and CHRHS.
Mike Wilson’s passion has been helping 1000’s of adults and seniors learn computers in over 40 cities in 17 years. He has taught at colleges, workforce and development, community education centers, Parks and Recs, libraries, and many senior centers. His live remote sessions are great for dabblers, tinkerers, and those who have recently bought a computer for personal or business use.