Down East Resource Conservation and Development Area Success Stories

Washington County Cultural Directory Completed

The Down East Resource Conservation and Development Vacationland Resources Committee has completed a Washington County Cultural Directory.  The directory was given high priority by the Vacationland Resources Committee because it helps preserve and highlight Downeast Maine's cultural traditions, community character and artistic diversity.  Over 225 artists, crafters, musicians, museums and other cultural resources are highlighted in the publication.  To accomplish this huge undertaking the Vacationland Resources Committee established the Downeast Arts and Heritage Network. From September 2000 to September 2002 the Steering Committee held numerous meetings, applied for several grants to fund the project, solicited funds from the local community, sent out over 500 surveys and developed the database that was to become the directory.  The efforts of the committee produced $2,475 from private and business donations, and five successful grants totaling $27,000 from two funding sources.  Over 1,500 volunteer hours went into the project.  The Guide was presented to the people of Washington County at a gala that featured many of the artists and crafters in the book and was attended by over 150 patrons of the arts.  The directors are drawing local folks and people traveling through Downeast Maine to the shops, galleries and museums that are highlighted.

 
Down East Acadia Flag Project

In 2000 the Route 1 Corridor Committee and the Maine Department of Transportation  developed a full color logo to be used to promote the Down East Acadia region of Maine, which is the same two-county region that is the Down East Resource Conservation and Development Area. Two Council members, Orissa Sargent and Joline Stanley (who are also sisters) approached the Council with the idea of making flags with the logo. At its February 2001 meeting the Council accepted the Down East Acadia Flag project. Material and supplies were purchased by the Council to make the flags. Orissa and Joline then cut and sewed together 150 flags, 87 small (28”X32”) and 63 large (58”X28”). The flags were then sent to a local screen printer to have the logo printed on the material. At about the same time the Town of Sullivan, which is the sponsor the sisters represent on the Down East Resource Conservation and Development Council, was awarded a Maine Department of Transportation Gateway grant to erect a flag pole at the end of the newly constructed Route 1 bridge across the Taunton River that brings travelers into their community. The Down East Resource Conservation and Development Council contracted to have a special appliquéd flag made to fly on the pole along side the United States and State of Maine flags. With a little Down East Resource Conservation and Development money and a lot of energy these two ladies have made a lasting impact on their community and region.

The Council, through the volunteer efforts of Council members, has produced a low cost tool to promote the area and is marketing the flags to businesses, individuals and communities throughout the Down East Resource Conservation and Development area.

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