Digital Commons Network^™

The Permaculture Discussion Group: Participatory Learning For Community Connection And Systems Transformation, Belu Katz

Honors College

There is a need in our society to have a more holistic understanding of the polycrisis, the intertwining of environmental and social crises that create compounding effects, and the underlying issues that have temporarily and psychologically separated humans from our local ecosystems and biophysical limits. This requires creating space to deeply discuss these issues and possible responses. Permaculture is an ethical framework for designing regenerative and resilient human systems that work within, instead of against, nature. The Terrell House Permaculture Living & Learning Center is a student housing project where four resident stewards run the Permaculture & Gardening Club (PGC) …

Room For Opportunity: An Investigation Of Catholic Student Life At The University Of Maine, Jacob Buttarazzi

Honors College

Like most Honors graduates before me, the final work for this thesis became something much different than what I had originally intended. Originally, I wanted to make short videos and blog posts about the nature of religion at UMaine. However, the project evolved into a short documentary focused specifically on Catholic students. I produced, directed, shot, and edited the film. My primary goal was to investigate whether or not Catholic students felt like a minority and how that affected them. I was repeatedly forced to reevaluate my own experience with faith throughout the production process. As a practicing Catholic, I …

Spatial And Temporal Variation In The Aquatic Invertebrate Community Structure Of Rock Pools Along The Penobscot River, Maine, Chase R. Gagne

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Pools of water that form in the fissures and depressions of rock outcrops, known as rock pools, are fairly common aquatic habitats that can easily be found along the rocky banks of many of Maine’s major rivers. In general, rock pools and the aquatic invertebrates inhabiting them have received little research attention and, though ubiquitous, have never been studied in Maine. My research addressed this knowledge gap by surveying 40 rock pools at four sites along the Penobscot River in Maine. The rock pools themselves had highly variable environmental characteristics and differed across sites and over time, especially in hydroperiod. …

Associations Between Avian Spruce-Fir Species, Harvest Treatments, Vegetation, And Edges, Brian W. Rolek

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Habitat loss is the primary cause of species loss and declines of global biodiversity. Several birds associated with the spruce-fir forest type (hereafter spruce-fir birds) have declining populations across the continent in the Atlantic Northern Forest, and the extent of coniferous forest has declined in some areas. This region is extensively and intensively managed for timber products.

To investigate the influence from harvest treatments on the spruce-fir bird assemblage during the breeding and post-breeding period in lowland conifer and mixed-wood forests, we used avian point count detection data to test for associations between avian assemblages and seven common harvest treatments. …

Where The Blueberries Are, Christina M. Gillis

The Catch

No abstract provided.

Improving The Health Of Communities Through Population Health Assessments, Ron Deprez, Chloe Manchester

Maine Policy Review

This paper describes a comprehensive, science-based approach for conducting a popu­lation health assessment (PHA), a process for identifying upstream nonmedical, social and economic determinants of health in a community, including risk factors associated with poor health status. A PHA focuses on diagnosing and improving population health disparities using public, private, and community-based strategies and resources. The paper traces the evolution of PHAs from community health needs assessments and community benefits planning. It describes the PHA process, methods, data, and analyt­ical techniques that permit the identification of specific underlying factors in a commu­nity that adversely affect health. It also suggests criteria …

Bangor Livable Communities Discussions, David Wihry Mpa, Lenard W. Kaye Dsw/Phd, Jennifer Crittenden Msw

Maine Center on Aging Research and Evaluation

This report includes discussions among 105 members of the community of the Bangor area in regard to aspects of livability. The goal was to identify and understand the strengths and challenges of the citizens of Bangor as an age-friendly and livable community. This was concluded from from eight different domains of livability. The following are key findings to emerge from these community discussions: outdoor spaces and buildings, transportation, housing, social participation, respect and social inclusion, civic participation and employment, communication and information, and community and health services. Citizens were encouraged to share their opinions about aspects of the city that …

The Forgotten Cousin In Freshwater Community Ecology: Tidal Freshwater Wetlands, Jack R. Mclachlan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Tidal freshwaters are unique in their placement in the landscape, forming where freshwater riverine flows are sufficient to overwhelm the saline water of the incoming tide, but not strong enough to suppress tidal water-height fluctuations. Tidal freshwaters and their wetlands have been overlooked by freshwater and marine researchers alike; neither discipline considers tidal freshwaters to fall under their purview. Invertebrate communities in tidal freshwaters are thought to be species depauperate; the consensus is that they support fewer taxa than nearby non-tidal freshwaters, but little is known about how these communities are structured. This study investigated how tidal hydrology, an atypical …

Cohort Differences In Aging In Place Needs Among A Rural-Serving Area Agency On Aging Client Population, David C. Wihry, Lenard W. Kaye, Dyan Walsh, Jennifer Crittenden

Maine Center on Aging Research and Evaluation

This study was conducted as part of a foundation-funded initiative to better coordinate the system of care in a rural New England area for older adults and individuals with chronic conditions and disabilities. It utilized a needs assessment in order to identify challenges and needs of area community members. Respondents included 347 individuals from the community, ranging from 55 to 105 years old, with a mean of 73.4 years old. Among the respondents, 57.7 percent lived along, 55.7 percent identified as having a chronic condition or disability, 70.3 percent lived in their own home, and 87.9 percent were not receiving …

The Maine Memory Network: Re-Imagining The Dynamics And Potential Of Local History, Stephen Bromage

Maine Policy Review

Stephen Bromage explores the Maine Historical Society’s experience creating, nurturing, and sustaining the Maine Memory Network (www.mainememory.net), a nationally recognized statewide digital museum. In particular, the article focuses on the opportunities that the digital humanities create to foster collaboration, to engage communities in the practice of history, and to collapse traditional geographic and institutional boundaries.

Bridging Gaps And Building Solidarity, Shannon Brenner

Honors College

Real innovation for a more sustainable and inclusive food system requires collaboration based on resilient relationships between a diverse range of community partners and across socio-economic boundaries. SNAP incentive programs at farmer’s markets are bridging gaps in food access and sovereignty for thousands of individuals across the country, but what are the far reaching implications of these programs in terms of a sustainable food system, especially in an uncertain economic landscape? Using the findings of a quantitative, interdisciplinary and community inclusive research project of the Community Supported Farmers’ Markets (CSFM), a SNAP incentive program organized by Food and Medicine in …

Are Libraries Necessary? Are Libraries Obsolete?, Linda Silka, Joyce Rumery

Maine Policy Review

Libraries are under siege. They face competing demands not only from different people but also from the same people at different times. Some assert that libraries must continue to strengthen their role as physical centers at the heart of their communities. Others argue that the future of libraries is at the leading edge of the revolution in digital information technologies. The authors introduce this special issue of Maine Policy Review on libraries and information. They provide an overview of the importance and complexity of the issues underlying these varying visions for how Maine libraries should serve their communities in the …

Rural Caregiver Network Project Final Summative Internal Evaluation Report, University Of Maine Center On Aging

Maine Center on Aging Research and Evaluation

The Rural Caregiver Network Project is an initiative to support caregivers through both formal and informal resources in order to establish support systems in rural Washington and Hancock Counties. The focus of this project was to maximize residents’ ability to access home and community-based services at a lower cost. The sources of information for this report include the following: 88 intake surveys gathered from caregivers, 69 follow-up surveys from caregivers, 84 caregiver and professional training surveys, and 26 project partner process survey responses. The project has majorly served white, female caregivers in households with an aggregate income of less than …

A Subgroup Analysis Of Legal Needs Among Older Adults In Rural Communities, David C. Wihry, Jennifer A. Crittenden, Lenard W. Kaye, Jaye L. Martin

Maine Center on Aging Research and Evaluation

A legal needs assessment of older adults in Maine was conducted by surveying key populations of older adults who are often hard to reach through traditional outreach and service provision methods. The focus of this assessment was on basic demographics, use of LSE services, legal issues, preferred methods for receiving legal information, and the utility of various legal service options. Surveys were distributed via area agencies on aging, and concluded that the ley legal issues included financial scams, home repair problems, obtaining or retaining government benefits, debt collection, and accessing medical services. Sixty-seven percent of individuals aged 70 or older …

Washington County Community And Caregiver Needs Assessment Summary Of Findings, University Of Maine Center On Aging

Maine Center on Aging Research and Evaluation

The purpose of the Washington County Caregiver Needs and Resources Assessment Survey was to discover the extent of knowledge of available services for caregivers of older individuals in Washington County, as well as their perceptions on the strengths and deficiencies of these services. Participants included a total of 98 survey respondents from a diverse range of professions, 81 percent of which have been or currently are care providers. The survey spans 39 communities in Washington County. The survey concluded that only 40 percent of respondents were knowledgeable about local services, but most knew of general services. Eighty percent of respondents …

Hancock County Community And Caregiver Needs Assessment Summary Of Findings, University Of Maine Center On Aging

Maine Center on Aging Research and Evaluation

The Hancock County Needs Assessment Survey was conducted to evaluate the Hancock County region in regard to resources, or lack thereof. The goal was to uncover the knowledge of resources as well as the perceptions of the strength and deficiencies of them. The assessment was executed through surveys and focus groups, and involved a variety of participants throughout 25 communities in Hancock County. Just over three quarters of respondents were, or currently are, caregivers. Challenges that were noted by respondents involve transportation, lack of formal resources/money for expanding services, respite, and the fact that caregiving is complex and demanding. Strengths …

Healthy Aging, Mary Walsh, Peggy Haynes, Chris Sady, Matt L'Italien

Maine Center on Aging Research and Evaluation

It has been scientifically proven that preventative measures such as regular physical activity and healthy eating are crucial in maintaining good health, reducing the impact of disease, delaying disability, and reducing the need for expensive long term care for older adults. Among individuals in Maine aged 65 or older, 43 percent are overweight, 18 percent are obese, and 36 percent do not do any leisure time physical activities. Most of these individuals suffer from one or more chronic health problems. This can be avoided by incorporating moderate physical activity, good nutrition, and no smoking, thus delaying disability by as much …

Civic Engagement, Paula Burnett, Andrew Matlins, University Of Maine Center On Aging

Maine Center on Aging Research and Evaluation

This report looks at civic engagement as volunteerism and community activism. It looks to analyze whether or not seniors will seek to become civically engaged, as well as the best methods for attracting, engaging, and retaining these individuals. By 2020, approximately one in six Americans will be 65 years of age or older. Maine’s population is now the oldest in the nation. These statistics are causing many nonprofit organizations across Maine and the nation to rethink how they can attract and retain volunteers, which are crucial assets to the agencies. Some suggest that we can expect a rise in volunteers …

Hancock County Needs, Resources, And Readiness Assessment On Older Adult Alcohol Abuse, Lenard Kaye, Maine Office Of Substance Abuse

Maine Center on Aging Service and Consultation

This tip-sheet will provide you with key project recommendations and action steps to utilize within your community to implement project findings. It includes tips for many distinct groups, such as healthcare providers and administrators, advocates, local leaders and officials, researchers, program planners, administrators and policymakers, and practitioners. They include implementation of models for healthcare strategies, open discussions, system changes, funding, decision making, intervention, and education. Resources include the Office of Substance Abuse Information Resource Center, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Agency, the Centers for Disease Control, and the recovery community. It identifies key partners and crucial aspects of …

Harpswell's Working Waterfronts, Maine Sea Grant

Maine Sea Grant Publications

This eight-page informational brochure was produced in an effort to bridge the cultures of newcomers and established residents in working waterfront communities. It was designed to engage newcomers, developers, and realtors in helping to understand and protect the waterfront character of Harpswell, Maine's various fishing villages.

Supporting Maine’S Families: Recommendations From Maine's Relatives As Parents Project, Sandra S. Butler, Barbara Kates, Bonny Dodson, Deb Chapman, Lendard W. Kaye, The Maine Rapp Task Force

Maine Center on Aging Research and Evaluation

Maine is experiencing an increasing rate of children being raised by their grandparents or other relatives. The common reasons these individuals have taken on the responsibility of surrogate parenting, when the biological parents are unwilling or unable to do so include drug and alcohol abuse, child abuse and neglect, mental health problems, illness and death, incarceration and family violence. Under the vast majority of circumstances, relatives take responsibility for these children instead of the State Child Protective Services; this saves the State money but can be very burdensome to the family. Though relatives welcome the children, they often face unexpected …

Woman's Literary Club, Dexter, Maine, 1909-1910: English Literature, Art, Miscellaneous, Woman's Literary Club (Dexter, Me.)

Maine History Documents

A program of discussion topics for the 1909-1910 season, with a list of members.

Woman's Literary Club, Dexter, Maine: Studies In Italian Art And Literature Of The Victorian Era, Woman's Literary Club (Dexter, Me.)

Maine History Documents

The program of topics presented by members of the Woman's Literary Club of Dexter, Maine, during the 1900-1901 season. Includes a list of members.

Centennial, Congregational Church, Bluehill, Maine, Congregational Church (Bluehill, Me.)

Maine History Documents

Includes background on events that led to memorial services, the text of an address by Rev. Stephen Thurston, and poems.