Portland, ME November 2025

Choose Gratitude

There's just something about Maine — am I right?

Let me be clear. I'm not blind to the fact that most everyone has their own home state pride, and for good reason, but there's a certain brand of gratitude you feel only when you're from our great state.

It's often the simple pleasures, like the perfectly crisp and intoxicating breeze that comes from the air mixed with the saltwater and sweetgrass over Back Cove that you just don't get anywhere else.

But the natural beauty is just the beginning. For me, it's the people here who take my daily thankfulness to new heights, and who give Maine its trademark uniqueness so many of us are grateful for.

For this year's Thankful issue, you’ll hear from four Mainers as they share their personal reflections on what gratitude means to them, discover where to find the best stationery in Portland for those heartfelt thank-you notes, and gain insights from renowned gratitude researcher Dr. Robert A. Emmons on the science behind why thankfulness changes lives. We also highlight the inspiring LifeFlight of Maine Grateful Patient Program, a reminder of the profound ways gratitude strengthens community.

And we’re thrilled to announce the return of our annual City Lifestyle Giving Campaign — a tradition that reminds us how powerful this community truly is. Last year, thanks to the incredible generosity of our readers, we were able to make a life-changing difference for a local family in need. This season, you have the chance to do the same by nominating someone in our community who could use a helping hand. With your support, we can turn gratitude into action. Learn how to get involved on page 38.

So no matter what's happening in our world or yours this season, we hope that as you flip through our November issue, you're inspired to choose peace over chaos and thankfulness over fear. We have so much to be grateful for, after all.

EMILY HARRADON,

November 2025

PUBLISHER

Emily Harradon | emily.harradon@citylifestyle.com

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Angela Smith | angela.smith@citylifestyle.com

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Meghan Morrison | meghan.morrison@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Angela Smith

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Josh Govero

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kathy Nguyen

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas

WE ARE PORTLAND TRUST COMPANY

Portland Trust Company is a Maine non-depository trust company focused exclusively on wealth management and fiduciary services. We work with individuals and families, nonprofits, and local governments. We do everything the giant financial services organizations do while providing local and accessible attention to your specific needs.

It’s more than just a name. Portland Trust Company is the only financial institution in the state with “Portland” as its namesake. We love our hometown as much as you do! This is more than a place of business for us; this is our home and our way of life. It’s our promise to treat you as more than a client, but as a friend and neighbor.

Our customer experience is “real,” like walking next door to borrow some sugar or eggs. We’ve created a home for our clients and their assets—managing their money, their lives, and their futures—with peace of mind knowing that we are a fully regulated financial institution. Together, we embrace our Maine way of life.

inside the issue

One-year-old Raelynn Quintal. The baby and her parents, Dominique and Nicholas, reunited with the flight crew that transported Dominique and Raelynn last year.

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city scene

1: Lauren Lear (left) and Krystina Fisher (right) at Cookie Fest at The Messy Cookie. 2: Campers from The Telling Room’s “Ekphrastic Excursions” during their visit with the Portland Symphony Orchestra. 3: Jim Baldi, Cody Brann, and Sai Kumar Guntaka at the opening of Taj Indian Cuisine. 4: Founder of The Atrium Group, Katie Zoe Brunelle (center) and guests celebrate its first anniversary. 5: Writer and producer Phil Rosenthal with social media influencer Ashlee McLaughlin at Merrill Auditorium. 6: Burundian drummers Batimbo United, with manager Dinah Minot, after receiving a City of Portland proclamation. 7: “The Power of Confidence” panelists pose at Throttle Car Club’s Sip, Shop & Socialize event.

Use AAA currency exchange to convert a portion of your spending money and limit unexpected fees from ATMs and debit or credit cards on small purchases. Purchasing foreign currency through AAA is fast, easy, and convenient, with more than 80 currencies available at competitive rates. Plus, next-day delivery is free with a minimum purchase.1

WinterKids Adventure Fund Backs Four Maine Programs

WinterKids announced 2025-26 Adventure Fund recipients supporting inclusive, multi-week winter programs for more than 1,300 Maine children. The grants reduce financial and geographic barriers so kids can learn, move, and thrive outdoors through community-rooted partnerships. Funding supports afterschool alpine and Nordic lessons, gear, and access at hills and trails. Recipients include Quoggy Jo Ski Center (Presque Isle), Ski 4 Life at Big Rock (Mars Hill), Sugarloaf Ski Club (Carrabassett Valley), and the MICA Project (Bethel).

Heat Up Fall at HOTWORX South Portland

Cooler days, hotter workouts. HOTWORX South Portland is a 24/7 infrared sauna studio offering fast, efficient sessions —15-minute HIIT or 30-minute isometric classes like hot yoga, Pilates, barre, cycle, and more, all virtually guided. Your first session is free—step in, sweat it out, and see why members can’t get enough.

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Mr. Tuna’s Jordan Rubin Earns Food & Wine Honor

Food & Wine named Mr. Tuna chefowner Jordan Rubin a 2025 Best New Chef, with a feature in the magazine’s October issue. Rubin opened Mr. Tuna’s brick-and-mortar in May 2024 after years as a cart, and is celebrated for sustainability-minded dishes like Tuna de Tigre and Skin N’ Dip. He was also a 2025 James Beard semifinalist for Best Chef: Northeast.

courtesy of Food & Wine

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Vivid Design Studios

Branding & Identity Systems

Logo Design

Websites

Campaign Design & Collateral

Packaging Design & Sourcing

Advertising Design (Brochures, Flyer's, etc.)

Social Media

Management & Content Creation

Illustration & Graphics

Murals

Vehicle & Food Truck (Wrap Design)

Widescreen Review Features Tucker & Tucker

Tucker & Tucker Audio Video by Design recently earned national visibility in  Widescreen Review, which featured a home cinema in Falmouth that the firm designed and installed. In “Immersive HDR Imaging and Sound in Home Cinema,” local calibrator John Bishop spotlights reference-level HDR imaging, precise acoustics, and expert system tuning—showcasing what’s possible in a residential space.

Back Cove Storage, Preble Field Completed

In September, Portland marked the completion of the Back Cove South Storage Facility and the new Preble Field at Back Cove Park. The underground tanks can hold up to 3.5 million gallons during storms, reducing combined sewer overflows into Back Cove and Portland Harbor. In addition, the renovated Preble Field provides a revitalized public space for residents to enjoy.

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Tapas & Toasts, On the Go with Angoor

Did you know Angoor Wine Bar now offers a mobile bar and catering service for your events? Angoor to Go offers wine, beer, and signature cocktails, plus a wide variety of tapas, charcuterie, and snacks. They’re ready to come right to you to make your event extra special. Call Angoor or message them on IG for details.

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Set your schedule. Make an impact. Build a life you’re proud of.

Behind each of our 200+ City Lifestyle magazines is someone who cares deeply about their community. Someone who connects people, celebrates businesses, and shares the stories that matter most. What if that someone was you?

Or maybe it’s someone you know. If this isn’t the right time for you, but you know someone who could be the perfect fit, we’d love an introduction.

Markets available nationwide Learn more at future.citylifestyle.com

the CITY LIST

We have such amazing, innovative business leaders in our community who are proud to serve you, our residents, with class and quality. We’ve compiled some of our top company picks for the services that might be on your mind this month in an effort to make your lives a little easier.

Specialty Shops

Harbor Fish harborfish.com | 207.775.0251

Sissle & Daughters: The Cheese Shop sissleanddaughters.com | 207.400.5344

Gooey Gump Designs gooeygumpdesigns.com | 207.536.1002

Portland Dry Goods portlanddrygoods.com | 207.747.8152

LeRoux Kitchen lerouxkitchen.com | 207.553.7665

Best Cleaning Service

Green Clean Maine greencleanmaine.com | 207.708.8375

Castle Island Cleaning castleislandcleaning.com | 207.572.2620

Totally Tidy totallytidyco.com | 207.705.3370

Want to suggest a monthly pick?

Maine Maid Services mainemaidservices.com | 207.685.6989

Pristine House Cleaning pristinecleaningme.com | 207.290.8744

THE Science OF GRATITUDE

A CONVERSATION WITH DR. ROBERT A. EMMONS, THE WORLD’S LEADING SCIENTIFIC EXPERT ON GRATITUDE

Dr Robert A Emmons

ARTICLE BY ANGELA SMITH

Before gratitude lists were a thing, a scientist who put gratitude on the map started his journey in Maine. Robert A. Emmons, Ph.D., UC Davis psychologist and a leading gratitude expert, earned his degree at the University of Southern Maine. He recently shared with us what gratitude is—and how to live it.

In our Q&A, Emmons brings gratitude from the Hallmark aisle to the lab and back to the kitchen table. He defines it as “affirming the good and recognizing its sources beyond ourselves,” distinguishes feeling thankful from becoming a grateful person, and offers simple practices. He links gratitude with resilience and community— and reminds us it’s a way of seeing, being, and giving back.

HOW DO YOU DEFINE GRATITUDE?

Gratitude is an affirmation of the goodness in one’s life and the recognition that the sources of this goodness lie at least partially outside the self. It emerges from affirming and recognizing. Gratitude is the recognition that life owes me nothing and all the good I have is a gift. Living with a grateful perspective is living in a posture of saying yes to life.

WHAT DREW YOU TO STUDY GRATITUDE?

I was invited to a scientific conference, “The Classical Sources of Human Strength.” The focus was love, hope, wisdom, forgiveness, humility, self-control, and gratitude. Experts chose a topic to report what had been learned through scientific inquiry. Nobody wanted gratitude, and I got it by default. The problem was, there wasn’t any science about it. In the human sciences, gratitude was forgotten. I seized the opportunity and began conducting research right away.

That’s what got me in. More important is what keeps me. My life is better than I could’ve ever imagined or deserved, and the only logical response is gratefulness. When you study a virtue like thankfulness, you subject your ego to constant bruising. It’s one thing to know about gratitude; it’s another to know gratitude. I’d like to say I always practice what I preach, but I can’t. On bad days, I complain, criticize, feel entitled, take things for granted. Having a regular gratitude practice isn’t easy.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FEELING GRATEFUL IN THE MOMENT AND BECOMING A GRATEFUL PERSON?

There are many layers and levels of gratitude, from being thankful for receiving a benefit to having the trait of gratefulness to developing gratitude as a way of life. The first is a momentary response, the second marks a person who frequently feels or expresses gratitude, and the third constitutes an enduring disposition. It’s not too hard to move from the first to the second, but the next jump requires lived experience and maturity, as well as struggle and suffering. In its most developed form, gratitude is more than an emotion, attitude, or action. It’s literally who we are.  Gratitude shapes identity. Seeing our life as an immense gift or full of gifts enables us to organize our experience. Gratitude becomes an enduring life orientation. From this view,

“MY LIFE IS BETTER THAN I COULD’VE EVER imagined OR DESERVED, AND THE ONLY logical response IS GRATEFULNESS.”

we freely give back the good we’ve received. By thinking of oneself as a recipient of gifts, gratitude confers a unique perspective on life. This identity stretches through our experiences, past, present, and future, creating a tapestry of accumulated kindnesses that form the story of who we are. Gratitude not only restores us but also re-stories us. Gratitude constitutes our existence — the being and essence of who we are.

YOU’VE SAID GRATITUDE HAS THE POWER TO HEAL, ENERGIZE, AND TRANSFORM LIVES. CAN YOU SHARE AN EXAMPLE?

Let me tell you about Clara Morabito. Years ago, she wrote to me after learning about my research. Clara had experienced three prolonged emotional downturns in her life, each triggered by a physical illness. After she read my book, Thanks!, she understood why gratitude worked,

and that it’s a choice. She swore the practice of gratitude, in combination with medication, transformed her life. Clara reported feeling truly happy and grateful every day. At 91, she was a living testimony to the power of gratitude and a highly sought-after speaker giving lectures such as “Prolongation of Life Via Gratitude.”

WHAT ARE THREE GRATITUDE PRACTICES PEOPLE COULD START NOW?

There are countless, and one size doesn’t fit all. But any practice that amplifies the kindness and benevolence of others in our mind paves the road to gratefulness. A caveat: I don’t think you can always get gratitude directly. Because when we try to get it, the focus is often misplaced on ourselves. Gratitude is other-focused; it’s about what other people do for us. Gratitude as a self-improvement project can be counterproductive.

THAT SAID, HERE ARE THREE STRATEGIES:

1. Remember the bad: Think about your worst moments – your sorrows, losses, etc., then remember you’re here. You got through the worst day, trauma, trial, temptation. You made your way out of the dark and survived. When we remember how difficult life was and how far we’ve come, we set up an explicit contrast in our mind, and that’s fertile ground for gratefulness.

2. Practice addition by subtraction: Contemplate not having a valued person, circumstance, or blessing in your life. Known as the George Bailey effect, this works every time. Most gratitude interventions, like the vaunted journaling practice, only direct a person to list good things. This practice asks us to imagine what life would be like if we didn’t have a particular good relationship, opportunity, job, or whatever in our lives. This especially works when we take these things for granted.

3. Watch your language: Be careful about your thoughts, interior languages, and what you say. Words create reality. Grateful people have a linguistic style that uses the language of gifts, blessings, fortune, and abundance. Less grateful people are preoccupied with burdens, curses, deprivations, entitlements, and complaints. Focus on what life is offering you. For example, replace “I have to do this” with “What a gift this is.” This has a profound effect. Instead of taking life for granted, we take it as granted.

WHAT’S THE MOST POWERFUL TRUTH YOU’VE DISCOVERED IN YOUR RESEARCH?

The tight connection between gratitude and suffering. We think gratitude is all about the good: Seeing, receiving,

“GRATITUDE IS THE AFFIRMATION AND recognition OF THE GOOD AND THE decision to GIVE IT BACK.”

and giving back the good. The stark reality: Life is suffering. Pain is unavoidable, and everybody hurts. Yet, opportunities for gratefulness abound. Gratitude isn’t a switch we turn on when life is going well; it also shines in darkness.

Evidence shows grateful people are more resilient to stress, from everyday hassles to personal upheavals. There’s a myth gratitude ignores suffering, pain, and the harshness of life. That’s toxic positivity and doesn’t stand up to scientific scrutiny. In fact, studies show gratitude is deepened and strengthened in trying times. People use gratitude more than any other positive emotion to cope, lending empirical support to the philosophical claim, “Gratitude is not only the best answer to the tragedies of life. It is the best approach to life itself.”

HOW DO YOU SEE GRATITUDE, JOY, AND GRACE CONNECTED? WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THESE THREE QUALITIES MEET IN OUR LIVES?

That is an ideal occurrence, but we can’t force it. We can only do the preparatory work to make this confluence more likely. There’s a magnetic, almost magical appeal to gratitude. It clearly speaks to a need entrenched in the human condition — the need to give thanks. We’re hungry for a life of value, significance, meaning, and joy, and we recognize it’s impossible to achieve these without gratitude. Gratitude is the foundation for joy. Joy is deep happiness not based on happenings. Grace is the ability to receive unbidden good — that comes to us freely and uncoerced. Gratitude is the affirmation and recognition of the good and the decision to give it back.

YOU SPENT TIME AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MAINE EARLY ON. HOW DID YOUR EXPERIENCE IN MAINE SHAPE YOU, AND HOW MIGHT GRATITUDE HELP STRENGTHEN COMMUNITIES LIKE OURS?

Let me answer with a story. Earlier in life, I wasn’t very grateful and believed my good fortune was a result of my own efforts. I was chronically dissatisfied, always looking for something bigger, better, and brighter, including when it came to college. I thought the University of Southern Maine was too small, reputationally challenged, and intellectually underwhelming. I envied friends at bigger or more prestigious schools. Years later, I realized I’d received a great education from highly dedicated professors at USM. One, Dr. William Gayton, mentored and believed in me. He supervised the first research I conducted. We lost touch, but reconnected 18 years later. I had begun studying gratitude, and returned to campus to thank him. He invited me to teach at the Psychology Summer Institutes he founded, which I did several times over 15 years.

He passed away in 2017, and the psychology department took up a collection to install a memorial bench in his honor. I was grateful to contribute. This is a tangible example of giving back the good.

WHAT

ROLE CAN GRATITUDE PLAY IN SHAPING COMMUNITIES—ESPECIALLY IN A PLACE LIKE MAINE, WHERE CONNECTION AND RESILIENCE ARE SO IMPORTANT?

I’m glad you brought up connection and resilience. Gratitude is all about connection — to others, ourselves, the environment/nature, God, and the transcendent. It’s the relationship-strengthening emotion and reminds us of everyone who has done things for us that we couldn’t have done for ourselves. In this context of relationships, the effects of gratitude are most potently and practically experienced. Gratitude drives

“GRATITUDE

IS THE FUEL THAT keeps US GOING AND PREVENTS OUR RELATIONSHIPS FROM unraveling and CONKING OUT.”

generosity, compassion, volunteering, and philanthropy. Can you imagine society without gratitude? Exchanges would be based on contracts. Without the moral glue of gratitude, families, organizations, and society would crumble. We’d be in relational ruin. Gratitude is the fuel that keeps us going and prevents our relationships from unraveling and conking out.

There’s no resilience without gratitude. Gratitude leads to resilience because we know any event or life experience contributes to the totality of life. If the bad is muted, so is the joy. This is the difference between gratitude as a feeling and as an attitude. One can choose a grateful outlook on life as a fundamentally enduring orientation that says, amidst the rancor of daily life, underlying goodness exists, and therefore, I will be grateful. I call this “defiant gratitude.” This prevailing attitude endures despite gains and losses.

Years ago, I was invited to Burbank, CA. Their goal was to become America’s most grateful city. A resident had published a book about gratitude among Hollywood celebrities, and they wanted to use it as a springboard for community-wide focus. They created a series of events, talks, etc., including creating the world’s longest gratitude list. It spanned several blocks and generated lots of buzz and enthusiasm. This is an admirable goal for any community. So, yes, Maine can benefit.

One thing I’ve learned is that people are hungry for scientific data on gratitude. They don’t want motherly advice on being thankful or pastors exhorting them to count their blessings. There are skeptics, and the best way to reach them and effect a sea change is through the latest cutting-edge science.

Critics contend that excessive focus on gratitude inadvertently discourages people from pursuing necessary change in their lives or society – that it fosters acceptance of harmful situations. To me, these are independent. I can be grateful for my life and the world without being complacent. The thought that grateful equals lethargy is a myth. Science demonstrates that being grateful inspires purpose, goal striving, and behaviors like generosity, compassion, and civic responsibility.

LOOKING AHEAD, YOU’VE DESCRIBED GRATITUDE AS PART OF A GLOBAL RENAISSANCE. WHAT EXCITES YOU MOST ABOUT THE FUTURE?

We’ve made progress, but work remains. Here’s a fundamental question: Is gratitude a human universal strength? Does it contribute to flourishing all over the world and throughout human history? Charting the global map of gratitude is exciting. My colleague Mike McCullough has been mapping gratitude across the world. His research strongly supports that gratitude runs as an undercurrent throughout human experience in all places and times. It’s part of who we are, have been, and will be. Gratitude is “the universal currency that we can spend freely without fear of bankruptcy.”

Critics argue the “gratitude industry” risks promoting a superficial, commodified practice, especially on social media. They’re right. It’s easy to oversell and cheapen gratitude, and to see it as a panacea for everything that ails us or society. But that’s not its job. Gratitude reminds us we’re dependent on the kindness of others to flourish. It directs us toward people and agents doing things for us that we can’t do for ourselves. Gratitude’s primary function is to remind us we’re not alone. That’s its job description. Perhaps that’s enough.

Air. Ground. Gratitude

Care in motion. Gratitude in person. How LifeFlight brings the ICU to patients, then helps complete the circle.

ARTICLE BY ANGELA SMITH

PHOTOGRAPHY BY HENRY FRANK AND MARK FLEMING

LifeFlight of Maine brings the ICU to patients. By helicopter. Plane. Specialty ground ambulance. They meet people on the hardest days of their lives and move them toward care. In one of the most rural states, bases in Bangor, Lewiston, and Sanford let teams reach 90% of Maine within 45 minutes — shrinking long drives, ferry rides, and gaps in access for patients who can’t wait.

An operational team of about 120 professionals powers the work. Crews of three—pilot, critical care nurse, paramedic — move more than 2,500 patients a year, about one every 3.5 hours, day and night. Since 1998, they’ve cared for more than 40,000 people. Nearly 90% of transports are hospital to hospital; the rest are from the scene. The fleet runs three helicopters, plus one airplane and three specialty ground ambulances. Each carries more than $500,000 in advanced equipment.

These numbers are impressive, but what matters most is the lives served and saved — and the human part. Steady hands. Clear voices. Reassurance during transport. Hope when needed most. That’s the heart of this work: skill, yes, but also presence, humility, and care people remember — and now can thank directly.

“When you need us on the worst day, we want to be the ones to help—to get the positive outcome everyone hopes for.”

— Sarah Healey

Enter LifeFlight of Maine’s Grateful Patient Program, which invites patients and families to reconnect — send a note, share an update, reunite with their crew, volunteer, or donate. It’s all meaningful, but the reunions are something else. You hear it often: “I wouldn’t be here without you.” Simple words. Never small. When patients and crew members meet again, the story feels full circle, and the healing is real and shared.

LIFEFLIGHT IN REAL LIFE. MEET DOMINIQUE.

Dominique Quintal and her husband, Nicholas, were on a “babymoon” in Bar Harbor when her water broke at 4 a.m. She was just 30 weeks pregnant. First baby. Not the plan. Her doctor said to get to the nearest hospital fast, which on Mount Desert Island is MDI Hospital. They stabilized her and called LifeFlight.

Bad weather complicated things further. LifeFlight sent a ground critical care team from Bangor: Charlotte Duncan and Sarah Healey. An ICU on wheels.

Duncan and Healey met Quintal, reviewed the plan, and started the transfer to Bangor. Ten minutes into the drive, her contractions jumped from eight minutes apart to two. The crew called ahead to ready the Emergency Department and NICU.

Today, when Quintal recalls the day, it isn’t just the medical part that surfaces. It’s the way Charlotte and Healey carried her through it — calm voices, steady checks, clear instructions, and, yes, humor to keep her centered. “Whatever you do, don’t push,” they told her. She didn’t.

They reached Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center around noon. Quintal refused to push until her husband made it. He did, and at 12:07 p.m., their daughter was born. At 12:16, she held her for the first time — 12/16 is Quintal’s birthday and the birthday of her best friend who passed away. That number has always mattered to her. Now it marks motherhood, too.

The next chapter was hard. Quintal didn’t hold her again for three days. They lived in hotels and Airbnbs. Eighty-one days in the NICU. About three weeks after birth, LifeFlight transported their daughter by ambulance to Massachusetts to bring care closer to home.

Quintal thought she’d never set foot in Maine again. Too much trauma. But a year later, she came back for something different: gratitude. LifeFlight’s Grateful Patient Program helped set up a reunion with the crew. Hugs. Photos. Joy and gratitude topped the list.

“It was very healing, for all of us,” Quintal said. “We’re here because of you.” She stressed appreciation for the whole team: “It’s not just the nurses. It’s the drivers, the pilots, everyone.”

Quintal and her husband brought Raelynn back to Maine to thank the people who helped start their family. Now, they’re expecting a baby boy.

“It’s not just the nurses. It’s the drivers, the pilots, everyone.”

— Dominique Quintal

THE CREW PERSPECTIVE. MEET SARAH.

Sarah Healey remembers the dispatch: pre-term labor on MDI. Weather grounded the helicopter. They headed out and made a plan — be ready for anything, from a simple transfer to the outcome no one wants: a delivery in the back of the ambulance. That’s LifeFlight: changing scenery, complex cases, lots of logistics, and a team that rises to the occasion, always striving for the best outcome.

Healey’s confidence comes through. “Dominique was a champion, very brave.” The goal was clear: move her safely, keep her supported, make sure she never felt alone. Highest level of critical care, this time by road.

Healey calls it the “coolest job in the world.” Where else do you care for very sick, complex patients and fly in a helicopter? She’s been with LifeFlight two plus years after eight in a cardiac ICU.

What keeps her here is the mix. “You never know what you’re going to encounter day to day.”

That readiness runs on people and systems. After tough calls, a peer support team checks in. That’s the personal piece. Professionally, every single call is reviewed by a peer and a medical director. Some cases are shared across the organization. You take what went well, fix what didn’t, and push the standard higher.

When it comes to the Grateful Patient Program, Healey simply says, “Fantastic program.” Most days, crews deliver their patient and move to the next trip. They rarely see what happened after. Notes, photos, reunions — those make it real. Seeing Quintal again with her one-year-old daughter was “mind-blowing.”

“It was emotional in the way you try not to be while you’re working. It was just lovely,” she said. “Not only is she grateful for us; we’re grateful for her.”

Bottom line: the Grateful Patient Program fuels crews. It also feeds the learning loop,  each experience becomes a case others can learn from, protocols can evolve, and outcomes can improve. If Healey has one line for LifeFlight of Maine, it’s this: when you need us on the worst day, we want to be the ones to help, to get the positive outcome everyone is hoping for.

CAN’T REMEMBER — AND NEVER FORGET. MEET LAUREN.

Lauren Lamberson doesn’t remember the crash. She was five. A seaplane tried to land with the wheels down, flipped, and sank. Her parents and brother escaped. She was trapped. Everyone was trying to get to her. Finally, it was her mom who pulled her out. A doctor on vacation from Colorado started CPR on a boat. No pulse, then a heartbeat.

“You never know what you’re going to encounter day to day.”

— Sarah Healey

An ambulance took her to a landing zone. LifeFlight flew her to the Portland Jetport (no helipad at Maine Medical Center then), and another ambulance took her the rest of the way. She woke up. No long-term damage. A fairytale ending delivered by real people and a program built for days like that. Lamberson doesn’t remember a thing, but she’ll never forget what LifeFlight means. For her sixth birthday and many after, she asked for donations instead of gifts. Although the Grateful Patient Program didn’t exist at the time, Lamberson met her crew several times over the years. Her gratitude still runs deep. “Every time I see the helicopter land, I still get chills and tear up,” she says. That awe fits. LifeFlight of Maine is one of the premier air medical programs in the country.

Today, Lamberson works at the LifeFlight Foundation. She started as an intern and now helps run the Grateful Patient Program — sending the annual mailing, collecting notes and photos, setting up reunions, and offering simple ways to give back or volunteer. The program is about reconnection and healing, letting patients and crews see the ending together.

Lamberson has watched many reunions, including Quintal’s. Happy tears. Powerful words: “Because of you, I’m here.”

She can’t remember the crash, but she’ll never forget the people who carried her through. And now she helps others say thank you.

Rescue starts the story. Gratitude helps finish it. LifeFlight of Maine brings ICU-level care to patients by helicopter, plane, and specialty ground ambulance when minutes matter. The Grateful Patient Program gives people a path to come back: write a note, share a photo, plan a reunion, and say thanks. For crews, it’s a chance to see what came next and why the work matters. For Maine, it’s a reminder that care doesn’t end at the hospital door.

“Every time I see the helicopter land, I still get chills and tear up.”

— Lauren Lamberson

Tristin

Oldmixon is more than a trusted mortgage expert— he’s a committed community leader.

Tristin Oldmixon, Vice President and Mortgage Loan Officer at Bangor Savings Bank, is a trusted guide for homebuyers across Maine and the East Coast. Known for his clarity, care, and deep industry expertise, Tristin helps clients navigate the homebuying journey with confidence and ease. Beyond banking, Tristin is deeply committed to community service. He serves on the board of Maine Needs, a nonprofit supporting individuals and families through challenging times. Tristin also volunteers with Camp Sunshine and previously was deeply involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Maine, mentoring youth and helping build brighter futures. His hands-on involvement reflects a genuine passion for uplifting the Portland community.

Whether guiding clients through homeownership or giving back to his community, Tristin leads with heart, integrity, and purpose.

Ready to explore your mortgage options with someone who truly cares?

Reach out to Tristin for a personalized consultation today.

Tristin

Oldmixon

NMLS #1679849

VP

Tristin proudly serves Southern Maine with lending services available in nine states—ME, NH, MA, VT, CT, RI, FL, NC, and SC.

ERS

I N

TA LKTHA

We recently caught up with four Mainers, neighbors you might recognize, to talk about gratitude. We asked two simple prompts that open big doors: 1. What does gratitude mean to you? 2. What’s something you’re grateful for right now? Their answers are personal and practical, reminding us that gratitude is both a mindset and a daily practice — shaped by the work we do, the communities we serve, and the people and gifts in our lives. In this month of thanks, their reflections offer fresh ways to notice the good, name it, and share it. May their words spark a little extra thanks in your day.

ARTICLE BY ANGELA SMITH FOUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS OFFER THEIR PERSPECTIVE ON GRATITUDE

DEQA DHALAC SHELBY COGAN

State Representative Owner, Portland Power Yoga

GRATITUDE IS

…the practice of recognizing the small and big gifts that shape my life each day. It grounds me, reminding me I’m not alone, I’m supported, and I have reasons to keep moving forward. It’s also a way of giving back. When I feel grateful, I’m inspired to extend that same care, generosity, and hope to others. For me, gratitude is a source of strength and a bridge connecting me to the people and community around me.

I AM GRATEFUL FOR

…my family’s love, my community’s strength, and the opportunity to serve with compassion and purpose. I give thanks for the resilience and faith that guide me, and for the allies who stand with me in building a more just and inclusive future.

GRATITUDE IS

...saying yes to life as it is. It’s not about forcing thankfulness, but a quiet acceptance that softens everything. When I stop trying to control or resist what’s happening, something shifts. Even hard moments become easier to hold. I don’t have to love every detail, but I can stop the inner fight, and in that space, gratitude shows up.

Sometimes it’s a breath, a kind glance, the way light moves through a window. Other times, it’s relief in not needing all the answers or holding everything together.

It’s less about what I have and more about how open I am to the moment. Gratitude becomes a natural state…quiet, steady, always within reach.

I AM GRATEFUL FOR

...sunlight, stillness, being with what is.

GRATITUDE IS

PIOUS ALI JOHN HATCHER

Portland City Councilor Broker, Keller Williams Real Estate

…remembering where I came from and honoring the people and values that carried me forward. As an immigrant, I know that every opportunity I have today is built on the sacrifices of others and the faith that sustained me through uncertain times. Gratitude is not only saying thank you but also living in a way that reflects those blessings.

I AM GRATEFUL FOR

…my family, whose love grounds me, and for the faith that continues to guide my path. I am grateful, too, for Portland, a city that welcomed me and gave me a place to grow and serve. Every day, I strive to give back by building community and helping others feel the same sense of belonging.

GRATITUDE IS

…acknowledging and valuing the kindness, support, and opportunities in my life, especially the meaningful relationships I share with my partner, friends, and loved ones.

I AM GRATEFUL FOR

… As I reflect on 40 years in the real estate business, I am deeply grateful for the unwavering support of my partner, friends, and colleagues. Their encouragement, trust, and collaboration have not only sustained my career but also allowed me to support many local charities and nonprofits.

Kindness Delivered

Local shops for cards that carry connection and joy

ARTICLE BY ANGELA SMITH

The art of a thank-you note is simple and mighty. It’s gratitude, love, and empathy, tucked inside an envelope. Putting words on paper and sending mail lands differently. Cards carry connection, evaporate distance, and affirm worth. Writing and sending cards takes time. Presence. It’s a personal act that goes a long way.

Fitz & Bennett Home

Curated Home & Gift

Situated at 43 Silver Street in Portland’s Old Port, Fitz & Bennett Home is a chic boutique offering home décor, stationery, cards, and gifts. They carry elegant, artful cards and design pieces, many from artists like Sara Fitz, blended into a beautifully curated, stylish downtown shopping experience.

Kate Nelligan

Coastal Design Store

Based at 221 Commercial Street in Portland (and in Kennebunkport), Kate Nelligan features coastal-themed graphic stationery and cards alongside vibrant home goods. Her signature patterns — cut-paper collage and block prints — bring a colorful, graphic sensibility, perfect for Maine-inspired, eye-catching thank-you cards.

Cards surprise and delight people. They land on a counter or desk and deliver lift every time they’re picked up. They’re joy you can hold.

Writing and sending cards is a ritual. Choosing a card that fits: humor, gratitude, deep and meaningful, or a laugh. Formal or informal. For someone you adore or an acquaintance you want to encourage.

Around town, you’ll find stationery and cards in all textures, with heart-crafted art—for thank-yous, “I’m thinking of you” notes, birthdays, and just-because nudges that elevate a day or spread a little magic.

And here’s the thing: writing a card can shift the day for the writer and the receiver. It invites presence and turns a good intention into a beautiful action. Keep a small stash of stationery or a pile of cards within reach so gratitude and expressions are always close. Make it a practice: intentional, simple, an act of service.

Up next, you’ll find a handful of our favorite Portland stationery and letterpress spots, plus local makers we love. Explore, choose, then head home, make tea, and write the note you’ve been meaning to send. It will travel farther than you think.

Portland Museum of Art Store

Museum-Inspired Goods

The museum store features an eclectic collection of art books, stationery, jewelry, prints, apparel, home décor, and items connected to exhibitions. Its stationery collection, including artful notebooks, beautifully crafted paper goods, and thoughtfully designed pens, blends art and function, transforming everyday tasks into moments of beauty.

Pinecone + Chickadee

Art, Apparel, Oddities

At 6 Free Street in Portland, Pinecone + Chickadee offers a playful, eclectic mix of stationery, cards (including letterpress thank yous), gifts, and local art. Bright, quirky, and full of Maine flavor, it’s a go-to for thoughtful, indie design items in the heart of the city.

PINECONEANDCHICKADEE.COM

H O P E

Begins with YOU A SEASON TO SEE THE UNSEEN

The holidays have a way of calling us back to what matters most—faith, family, compassion, and the quiet but powerful act of giving. As lights go up and calendars fill, there are still many who sit in silence, carrying burdens too heavy to bear alone. But what if this season, you could be the spark that changes everything for someone else?

The founders of City Lifestyle, through their private foundation, are once again launching its annual Christmas Giving Campaign—a heartfelt effort to seek out and support individuals and families who have quietly fallen through the cracks. The mission is simple: to bring light, dignity, and hope to those who need it most.

Since its beginning just four years ago, this initiative has grown from a humble idea into a life-changing movement. Last Christmas alone, more than 200 families across the country received unexpected support—financial relief, but also something even more powerful.

“We don’t just send checks,” says Steven Schowengerdt, CEO and founder of City Lifestyle. “We send a message: You are seen. You are loved. And you are not forgotten.”

Together with City Lifestyle President Matthew Perry, Steven has helped shape this into a tradition that goes far beyond charity. “This is about community,” Matthew adds. “We believe we’ve been blessed, so now we get to be a blessing.”

Every story begins with a nomination. Often, it’s a neighbor, coworker, friend, or teacher—someone who’s been quietly carrying too much for too long. One past recipient, after receiving unexpected support during a time of deep personal struggle, wrote:

SCAN TO NOMINATE

“We send a message: You are seen. You are loved. And you are not forgotten.”

“Beyond the very practical solution of receiving funds to fix my car, this thing you guys worked together to do is bigger than that. I carry the Christmas card you sent in my purse. When things get really hard, I pull it out and remember what it felt like to be seen. That card represents hope— that change for the better is possible. I’m not sure how many people get to carry hope around in their purse. But I do.”

Another wrote in after her husband was diagnosed with aggressive brain cancer and unable to work:

“This support has blessed our family not only financially, but emotionally and spiritually as we trust God to meet our needs throughout this difficult time. Thank you to our anonymous friend and to your foundation. What a joy and gift to be part of God’s family!”

Each year brings countless stories like these—real lives touched by simple acts of kindness. Some use the funds to pay overdue bills, others to afford groceries, medication, or repairs. But no matter the circumstance, the impact is the same: hope is restored.

This season, you have the opportunity to be part of that. The campaign is now open to nominations—completely confidential and prayerfully considered. Whether it’s someone battling illness, facing unemployment, or just in need of a helping hand, you can bring them a moment of grace that will ripple far beyond Christmas morning.

“Knowing my mom was chosen filled my heart with indescribable joy,” said another past recipient. “Your generosity doesn’t just brighten her life; it inspires hope and faith in all of us. It enables her to stay in her home and get back on her feet.”

Nominations are open from November 1st to December 5th, 2025. To submit someone you know, simply scan the QR code or visit @CityLifestyle on Instagram, where you’ll find the nomination form in the bio.

This holiday season, let’s give more than gifts. Let’s give each other the gift of being seen. Because sometimes, the smallest gesture becomes someone’s greatest miracle.

To nominate someone in need, visit: KingdomBuildingFoundation.org or scan the QR code.

THE PERFECT FALL TREAT

ACORN DONUT HOLES

ARTICLE BY MADELINE LEBLANC

As the vibrant colors of summer slowly yield to the warm and earthy hues of autumn, there’s a distinct charm in the air at the arrival of fall. It’s a season filled with the crisp rustling of leaves, cozy sweaters, and the promise of pumpkin-spiced everything. What better way to embrace the changing seasons than by indulging in a delightful treat that captures the essence of both summer’s sweetness and fall’s rich flavors?

My recipe for “Acorn Donut Holes” combines the light, airy sweetness of summer donuts with the warm, comforting tones of fall. Grab your ingredients and let’s get started!

Ingredients:

• Donut holes

• Melting chocolates

• Fall sprinkles

• Pretzels

Instructions:

1. Pour your fall sprinkles into a small bowl for dipping. Lay wax paper down.

2. In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt the melting chocolates in the microwave, about 15-20 seconds. Carefully watch to ensure they don’t burn.

3. Dip the top of each donut hole into the melted chocolate, covering about halfway down the donut.

4. After dipping, immediately dip the chocolate-covered portion of the donut hole into the bowl of sprinkles, coating it with the fall sprinkles.

5. Insert a pretzel into the top of the “acorn” to create the acorn stem.

6. Carefully place the decorated acorn donut holes on the wax paper to let them cool and allow the chocolate to set.

7. Once the chocolate has hardened, your acorn donut holes are ready to enjoy!

These delightful treats are perfect for fall and make for a fun and tasty dessert or snack. Enjoy!

A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS NOVEMBER 2025

events

NOVEMBER 5TH

TINA – The Tina Turner Musical

Merrill Auditorium | 7:00 PM

TINA—The Tina Turner Musical charts the rise of the Queen of Rock ’n’ Roll, set to her biggest hits. Celebrate a 12-time Grammy winner whose record-breaking tours sold more tickets than any solo artist. Written by Pulitzer Prize–winner Katori Hall, this high-voltage show will lift you to the rafters. https://portlandovations.org/event/tina-the-tina-tuner-musical

NOVEMBER 9TH

Portland Wedding Show

DoubleTree by Hilton | 12:00 PM

Love is in the air. Join an afternoon of fun, advice, tips, and trends at the Portland Wedding Show, and get in the planning mood. From photographers and bakeries to wedding decor and attire, this show offers everything for wedding day needs. myneevent.com/portland-wedding-show

NOVEMBER 14TH

Maine Celtics Home Opener

Portland Expo | 7:00 PM

Join the NBA G League affiliate of the legendary Boston Celtics as they face the  Long Island Nets at the season home opener. maine. gleague.nba.com

NOVEMBER 16TH

For the Love of Type

Mechanics' Hall | 2:00 PM

Join artist and typelooper Jessica Esch for a hands-on dive into type. She’ll show how she works, then let you try her tools: typewriters (lots), sign-making stamps, postage, and upcycled bits from her recycling bin. Discover a new art form. https://bit.ly/fortheloveoftype

NOVEMBER 28TH

Monument

Square Tree Lighting

Monument Square | 1:00 PM

Monument Square comes alive at the tree lighting! Watch the magnificent tree spark to life with twinkling lights while you enjoy family fun and live entertainment from 1–7 p.m. Bundle up, breathe in the winter-wonderland vibe, and kick off the season with festive cheer. visitportland.com/event/monument-tree-lighting

NOVEMBER 28TH

Disney On Ice

Cross Insurance Arena | 12:00 PM

Hit the road to adventure with a high-energy ice show featuring Mary Poppins Returns, Toy Story 4, The Lion King, Aladdin, Moana, and Frozen. Mickey and friends whisk you through Motunui, the Pride Lands, a princely parade, and a larger-than-life carnival. Nonstop music, dazzling skating, surprise-filled fun. First show — runs through the weekend: https://bit.ly/PortlandDisneyOnIce