December 31, 2018 marks the conclusion of CCLC’s first twenty years; 2019 dawns upon its next. The theme of this edition of Cobscook Currents is Legacies and CCLC’s Emerging Future. It is offered as a “come all ye,” inviting your participation in securing that emerging future for the Center and the people and communities it serves.

CCLC’s journey over the next twenty years will be shaped by the global challenges facing our planet and how people anticipate and respond to them locally.

In April 2018, Alan Furth, co-founder and executive director, became development director to continue building a strong future for CCLC. Sanna McKim stepped in to guide operations as interim executive director.

“When we became involved with CCLC, we joined a coalition of people from different walks of life passionate about education, who celebrate the strengths and resilience of this beautiful place and also respect and work to alleviate the challenges and hardships; people who are willing to do what it takes to ensure all boats rise.”

“My dad never expected me to do what he did, but I want to carry on his legacy. I want to be remembered as a good person, as the son of a great canoebuilder, and as somebody that is willing to seize the beauty in that and share it with my younger brothers. I want to be somebody that made an impact in a road less traveled.”

With TREE, teachers, students, families, and communities are coming together in ways that provide opportunities and hope for addressing the many stressors which affect our schools.

“I’m so excited that I get to go to school here,” chimed a new Cobscook student. “At my old school my confidence was here [holding a level hand by her waist]. Now my confidence is here [moves her hand to her neck].”

“As soon as I walked into Heartwood Lodge, I stopped and said, ‘Wow. It’s beautiful.’ The campus and surrounding region provided an ideal location for a retreat that was not only easy to coordinate but also perfect for encouraging our students and faculty to get to know and learn from each other in a comfortable and beautiful setting.” –Shane Moeykens, Maine EPSCoR Director.

Just imagine Maine youth leaders coming together for a conference on resiliency—using state of the art video technology to connect to their peers around the world—or a writing retreat that provides quiet indoor and outdoor break-out spaces. Residential retreats, professional conferences, annual meetings, weddings, camps, art intensives and more are possible now more than ever at CCLC. Contact Daphne Loring, Coordinator of Retreats and Community Programs, if you would like a tour or to sign up to make this space yours.

In 2002, eight local high school students worked with CCLC co-founder Dute Francis and landscape architect Todd Richardson to create a thoughtful and beautiful design for CCLC’s campus. CCLC’s classrooms and meeting space, the final feature of their design, will be completed and open for business by April 1, 2019! Sign up now with Daphne Loring to be one of the first to enjoy CCLC’s new building.

Maxene has given a bequest to CCLC because, in her words, “It just made sense to me. I want to help. I care about people and the world and that is one way to express it.”

Frank reflects on his decision to give a bequest to CCLC as a logical, simple thing to do. “You don’t need a will to do a bequest—it’s very simple. I went into my retirement account website, typed in CCLC’s address and tax code, and it was done in ten minutes. Giving a bequest extended my time.”

Annual charitable giving, planned giving, and grant and foundation dollars fuel 75% of CCLC operations and program development and delivery. Each type and all scales of support are essential. A planned gift to the CCLC is one way to demonstrate your values in supporting education, the environment, and our global well-being while making a lasting difference in the lives of our students and community in Maine and beyond.

A young student exploring beneath a large tree with roots branching out, seeking connection. In the background we see an adult and another student, symbolizing safety and support with room to grow. The student featured wanted to build a fort with peers for her “Someday.” TREE Resource Coach Laura Thomas and Milbridge Elementary School teachers embedded learning standards within her Someday in collaboration with Maine Outdoor School to make that student’s dream come true. It is the start of a beautiful relationship.