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 NRA 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.
Paula Apro is a Certified Practitioner of Eden Energy Medicine, and the Emotion Code, as well as a Certified Quantum Health Coach and an Advanced Pranic Healer. She is currently working toward her Doctorate and Ph.D. in Natural Health. Her practice, Mariposa Energy Therapy is located in Rockland, ME and she specializes in helping clients to optimize and/or restore their health using a new paradigm of energy medicine based on the premises of Quantum Physics and Neuroscience. Her motto is “Change your energy and change your life!”
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.
David Baker was formerly a cheesemaker with 26 years of experience making a wide variety of cheeses in Rockport and Waldo. He has taught both adults and children to love making cheese.
Patsy Baldus is a retired teacher who spent thirty-three years teaching everything from Kindergarten to Grade 6. She has always loved to write! Her memoir, “Love, Lutefisk, and Lemon Zest Sneakers” was written as a legacy for her two now-grown children, who are only slightly scarred by their mother’s book. Patsy lives with her husband in mid-coast Maine and continues to plot and scheme about her next adventure as a flower gardener.
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, the Watershed School, and other area schools.
Rick Bernard, a former school counselor, has been performing magic for numerous parties and corporate events for over 35 years. He has also taught magic classes for over 25 years.
Mary Beth Blake has been teaching Zumba Gold® for over 10 years. It is her joy and passion. She is known for bringing amazing music to her classes and keeping her moves safe and easy to follow.
Sandy Bodamer is the Senior Activities Coordinator for the Penobscot Bay YMCA, she has been working in the wellness field for over 30 years. Her passion for improving and enhancing the health and well being of older adults has been a focus of her career. Sandy brings her love for group exercise to the active older adults in the community by providing a safe, effective, and fun workout.
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.
Frank Burtnett, Ed.D., is a veteran counselor, school and college educator, educational association officer, and independent consultant. At various points in his career, Dr. Burtnett was responsible for the generation of external support for programs and services through the preparation of grant and contract proposals with philanthropic organizations, government agencies, and independent gift-makers. Additionally, he has served as a proposal reader and evaluator for numerous philanthropic organizations and government agencies.
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.
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.
Jacob DiGirolamo is a licensed arborist working in Knox, Lincoln, and Waldo counties. He grew up in the area and now lives in Union. He has been pruning apple trees since 2006.
Keith Drago is the Deputy Director of the Rockport Public Library. He has worked in the library field for over ten years and has his master’s in Library and Information Sciences.
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 has taught at secondary and university levels for many years. He has lived and worked in Puerto Rico, Mexico, Spain, and Argentina.
Ellen Goldsmith is the author of Where to Look, Such Distances and No Pine Tree in This Forest is Perfect which won the Hudson Valley Writers’ Center 1997 chapbook contest. Her poems have appeared or are forthcoming in numerous journals including Antiphon, Connecticut River Review, Dash, Earth’s Daughters, Mount Hope, Off the Coast, Third Wednesday and Westchester Review. In addition to 5-Town CSD Adult and Community Education, she has taught poetry for the Coastal Senior College and Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance She is a professor emeritus of the City University of New York.
Marta Haydym is a licensed Financial Advisor with Edward Jones based in Kittery. Alex Jackson is an Estate Attorney working for Jackson and MacNichol in South Portland.
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.
Fran Hodgkins is an award-winning author who has written more than 25 books for young readers, including The Secret Galaxy (Tilbury House) and Andre the Famous Harbor Seal (Down East). In addition to writing, she has worked as an editor in both trade and educational publishing. She is currently at work on a middle-grade trilogy.
Guillaume “Will” Hospod is a Parisian native and business professional who lives in Camden. He studied at the Sorbonne Université in Paris and has extensive experience teaching languages to students of all ages. In France, he helped high schoolers prepare for their Baccalaureate tests, in the U.S. he taught French at the Winter Academy in Stowe, VT, and held private discussions with Francophile adults.
Namdol Kalsang is originally from Tibet. She grew up in India and came to America in 2009. After living in Portland, Maine, for several years she recently moved to Rockland with her family.
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/
Patti Luchetti studied oriental dance for 25+ years with such stars as Katia of Boston, Morocco of NYC, Casandra of Minneapolis and is the Director/Choreographer of Shalimar’s Studio in Rockland, where she also teaches Modern Dance and Exercise/Stretch classes.
Jacinda Martinez is a garden designer in midcoast Maine. She enjoys sharing plant knowledge with anyone who is interested. Calendula and garlic are her two favorite plants to grow.
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 from 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.
Anna Moorman has been with Allen Insurance & Financial for over 6 years. Anna has a background in healthcare and public health.
Abigail Nash is a multi-faceted musician and educator. Her talents include piano, violin, viola, and vocals. She was a band and choral director for RSU #13 for five years, taught violin at local Montessori schools, and has been teaching at MCMA since its inception in 2012. Abigail collaborates frequently with local musicians on piano, violin/viola, and voice, and is currently working on her own original music.
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.
Laura Lee Perkins,BME, MS has authored 15 books, published 150+ articles, and recorded 5 professional flute CDs and 3 audiobooks. She is a former flute professor and orchestral performer who taught for Bates, Bowdoin, Prescott, and Rio Salado Colleges. Her newest book, SOUL MUSIC, is a collection of her poetry. Laura also teaches life-skills classes in ME, MA, NY, and AZ each year.
Laura Philbrook is a mom and wife who is always learning and making changes to live a more natural and healthy life. She uses essential oils to support many aspects of her family’s wellness.
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.
Alex Plummer is a PGA apprentice studying to obtain his Class A certification. He has been involved in the golf business for over 10 years, teaching golf for the past 6. He was an assistant at Goose River Golf Club before moving on to the Samoset as their first assistant professional. Currently, he is in his fourth year as the head golf professional at Goose River Golf Club. Alex wants to introduce the great game of golf to as many people as he can.
Resa Randolph is a local artist/musician with a passion for drawing birds with pastels.
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 longtime volunteer for Maine Audubon and has volunteered with the Maine Plant Conservation Volunteers, Mountain Birdwatch, Maine Owl Survey Project, and Seanet.
Antje Roitzsch started her career as a goldsmith, jewelry designer, and artist over 35 years ago with a 4-year apprenticeship in Germany. She now creates sculptural mobiles, jewelry, and is a Massage Therapist.
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.
Bev Shejen has been quilting blankets for over 20 years and is a huge fan of all kinds of quilts but especially enjoys creating a fast-creative gift using shortcut techniques.
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.
Olivia St. Claire’s love of nature and passion for photography are intertwined, resulting in happy landscapes and modern botanicals. She has spent time at artist residencies in 2018-2021 where she learned new art forms and taught workshops. Her work has appeared in Anthropologie, Minted, Urban Outfitters, Nordstrom, Papyrus Cards, Target, on book covers, and on walls of homes and businesses around the globe. Olivia has also been meditating daily for 6 years. She is an advocate of the benefits and life-changing effects of meditation. Recently Olivia has begun writing and recording guided meditations that can be found on Insight Timer app.
Hillary Steinau is a graphic designer who lives in Camden, Maine. Her design studio, Camden Design, has created local and international work for clients. Her expertise spans branding, logos, magazine design, book and editorial work, as well as web design. Hillary also taught graphic design and digital media at Camden Hills Regional High School, she loves to share her passion for design with others.
Bobbie Tilkens-Fisher explored quilting, bargello, embroidery, macramé, and sewing before she discovered weaving with a $15 child’s loom soon after the birth of her son – and never looked back. She soon graduated to a 60×64” frame loom and became immersed in the texture, color, and whimsy of modern weaving, transforming the natural fibers into a new, very contemporary form. Read more about Bobbie here.
Chris Toy is a lifelong teacher and learner. After a career as a school principal, he traveled around the world as an educational consultant collecting recipes and stories from local cooks. As a Registered Maine Guide and cooking instructor, Chris teaches classes and leads trips for adult education, Now You’re Cooking, and Stonewall Kitchens.
Katie Tranzillo is an independent dance instructor who has been leading partnered, individual, and group programs for 20 years, with children, teens, adults, and people with disabilities. She is spreading the joy of dance throughout Maine and building strong dance communities. www.joyfuldancing.com
Karen Tripolitis is a certified yoga instructor for children and adults. With 11 years of teaching mindful yoga and a career as a classroom teacher, she is always excited to teach these skills to students young and old. Her studies included a particular focus on yoga therapy, mindfulness in schools, and trauma-informed yoga instruction. She is the founder of Mindful Roots Yoga.
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.
Deb Vendetti received a BFA in Painting from SMU and studied Photography with Carl Toth at Cranbrook Academy of Art. Deb was the Education Coordinator at the Farnsworth from1987-1998; a member of the artist-run Gallery 407 (1998-2003); member of Artfellows (1990-1993); mid-coast chair, Union of Maine Visual Artists (2003-2008); and videographer for the early phase of the UMVA Maine Masters video series (1998-2005). She has lived in Maine since 1976.
Craig Wilson is the director of Midcoast Recreation Center.
Mike Wilson is a computer instructor and author whose 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. Mike gets overwhelmingly excellent comments about his unique style of teaching, which is basically simplistic. He takes even the advanced things and breaks them down so students can understand them. His goal is for “no student to be left behind” and he ranks extremely high in trying to fulfill that goal. Mike instructs students virtually from the privacy of their own homes! His live sessions are great for dabblers, tinkerers, and those who have recently bought a computer for personal or business use.