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Friday, March 14, 2025 Volume 21 • Issue No. 11
41st Annual Maine Maple Sunday Weekend: March 22-23 STATEWIDE M a i ne M aple Su nd ay Weekend – March 22-23 this year – is a long-standing tradition in which Maine’s maple producers open their doors to their sweet operations for a weekend of educational demonstrations, tours, fun family activities, and samplings of syrup and other great maple products. “Maine Maple Sunday Weekend is an opportunity for us all to celebrate the world class products – and people – that make Maine unique,” said Governor Janet Mills, who is known to tour the sugar shacks, maple farms, and maple-centric
festivities throughout the state. “Our iconic maple syrup industry supports thousands of jobs, strengthens our economy, and
sets us apart nationwide.” “One of the benefits of maple syrup in Maine is that we have a diverse climate – colder
in the north and warming up in the south – along with mineral enriched soils,” said former Maple Producers Association President (MMPA) Scott Dunn. “This leads to unique syrup flavors, depending on the sugarbush you visit.” The weekend typically attracts thousands of visitors annually to sugar shacks across the state. The MMPA, which represents more than 250 of the 450 licensed maple syrup producers in Maine, said that in previous years, more than 100 sugarhouses have participated, from Aroostook to York County.
According to the MMPA, the maple syrup industry generates more than $27 million for the Maine economy, supporting more than 560 jobs that generate more than $17.3 million in wages. Annually, the state produces more than 575,000 gallons of syrup. Most sugarhouses offer maple syrup samples and demonstrations on how pure Maine maple syrup is made. Many farms offer guided sugarbush tours, games, activities, and treats. Local maple producers inSee MAPLE on page 11 . . .
Celebrating Women’s History at Rice Public Library KITTERY March is Women’s History Month, and Rice Public Library is doing its part in celebrating. One such work currently on display, “Women Striving for Equality” by Kittery artist Julia H. O’Connell, honors the contributions and achievements of women throughout history. O’Connell’s current display at the library features a large, triangular-framed collage highlighting women throughout history who have made a significant impact. Her piece honors more than 100 women in world history, upon whose shoulders she now stands. Next to the collage are three documents lined up left to right, with a framed docu-
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ment above them, describing the women featured and their contributions to everyday life. Julia O’Connell has spent her life as an environmental activist and conceptual artist. Among her environmental work, highlights include fighting forest fires in California in 1977, cleaning up an oil spill on Great Bay, NH in 1979, building passive solar homes throughout New Hampshire in the 1980s, helping to create Santuit Pond Preserve in Cape Cod in 1999, and protecting Kittery’s drinking water. From 2019 to 2022, she also worked to rework the Kittery Water District’s 100-year-old charter to make it more democratic. As a conceptual artist, O’Connell’s sculpture and paint-
OGUNQUIT The Town of Ogunquit has begun a dune restoration project at Ogunquit Beach, which started Monday, March 10. This process, known as beach scraping, involves carefully relocating sand from the beach to areas experiencing dune erosion to help restore and protect the coastal environment. Labbe Construction has been contracted for the project, and its primary access point will be the North Beach entrance near the Wells town line.
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Portsmouth, and creating ten Jersey barrier murals for the Kittery Foreside in 2022. Also on display are photographs and artifacts of U.S. Army Nurse Lt. Elizabeth Swain, donated by niece Elizabeth Martin. One portrait shows Lt. Swain in her U.S. Army Nurse uniform, circa 1943, standing in front of a brick doorway under a granite
See WOMEN on page 2 . . .
Ogunquit Dune Restoration Project Underway
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ing have promoted social change, self-awareness, and a greater appreciation of beauty in and around the area. Notable works include creating solar-powered fountain sculptures, contributing to the Missing Student Project to help reinstate funding to California’s public colleges, helping organize the New Hampshire Potters Guild show at Discover
sign that reads “Nurse Qrtrs.” She is smiling at the camera. Kittery native Elizabeth Swain was born in 1911 and attended Mitchell Primary School and Traip Academy, before going into a career in nursing. Growing up, she formed friendships with a number of Seacoast legends, including Rice Public Library’s longtime librarian, Eleanor Lovell. In 1942, after the United States entered World War II, Swain joined the U.S. Army as a nurse and was sent to London after additional training. She spent the rest of the war in England, treating Allied soldiers, sailors, and airmen, and often
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Work hours will be from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week (due to limited construction windows and tides). The project is scheduled for completion by Monday, March 31. Given its proximity to Moody Beach, some Wells residents may notice activity in the area. Beachgoers are urged to be aware of signage warning of active work zones, and to give construction vehicles a wide berth while using extra caution on the beach. This vital restoration effort will help stabilize the
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dunes, reduce erosion, and protect the coastline for the future. The Town of Ogunquit appreciates everyone’s patience and cooperation.
For more information, visit www.ogunquit.gov/CivicAlerts. aspx?AID=50 or email Town Manager Matthew Buttrick at townmanager@ogunquit.gov.
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