Greetings Cobscook Family!

It’s with a warm smile that contrasts this frigid Maine morning that I write to you all with a wonderful set of news. First, I would like to introduce myself to the wonderful constellation of caring community members far and wide– you! My name is Colby Soctomah-Lewey and I am one of the Co-Chairs of the Board of Directors at Cobscook Institute. I previously served on the board many seasons ago, and I believe it most appropriate to try to share my enthusiasm for the work that we are doing and what is coming up in the future. 

When Ryan Cross created the design for our new shirt this past fall, the silhouette of Rice Hall on the hill was instantly recognizable and a fitting emblem for Cobscook as a whole. Since the first days of Cobscook, Rice Hall has been representative of our mission–the materials for the construction were financed by the community, the design included a community learning around timber frame construction, and we kicked off the building with a “barn raising” of the initial frame. In the nearly 18 years since Rice Hall went live, it has served as the nest for staff, students, and community partners all doing the good work of sharing, learning, and building connection.

Every year, hundreds of individuals and organizations from our community give generously of their time, their skills, their money, or make donations of items or equipment that will sustain Cobscook’s mission of strengthening the well-being of our community. Without their gifts, none of what we do would be possible.

Preventing the worst effects of the climate crisis requires action now. We’re positioning ourselves as an innovator in the green energy transition. In March 2023, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released its most recent report, reiterating the science from reports they've released over the last few years. The climate crisis is here, and we need to make systemic changes now to avert the worst outcomes.

June 6, 2023, we celebrate the exceptional young people who chose Cobscook Experiential Programs, offered in partnership with Calais High School, for their high school experience; our largest graduating cohort since the program launched in 2010.