Maineâs famed fruit focus of new museum
COLUMBIA FALLS â Everyone knows the saying âAs American as apple pie.â
In Maine, though, the saying really should be âAs American as blueberry pie.â
Says who? Addison baker and nutritionist Marie Emerson, who observed National Blueberry Pie Day last Wednesday, April 28. Emerson estimates she has hand-baked about 25,000 blueberry pies in her lifetime. Before retiring six years ago, she taught culinary arts, nutrition and hospitality at Washington County Community College in Calais for 30 years.
For 20 years, she has operated Wild Blueberry Land, the blue geodesic-domed shop on U.S. Route 1, in the Washington County town of Columbia Falls. The family-run gift shop, known for its freshly made wild blueberry pies, is an institution for locals and visitors. This summer, the pies will be sold through a takeout window.
Briefs
Virtual Trail Trek accepting registrations
Great Works Regional Land Trust is accepting registrations for its Virtual Trail Trek fundraiser in June, held in conjunction with the celebration of National Trails Day.
The Virtual Trail Trek 5k/10k/13-mile outing will be held at GWRLT preserves from June 4-13, featuring more than 18 public preserves and nearly 30 miles of trails, to provide an opportunity to explore the space while raising money to maintain the land.
The entry fee is $35 per participant and proceeds will go toward GWRLT’s conservation and environmental outreach efforts. All mileage and time entries must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. June 13. Information to submit results will be provided upon registration. All participants will receive limited edition GWRLT swag, which you can see at conceptdesignstudios.com/custom-printed-face-buffs.
WCCC program offers lobster industry education
CALAIS Haul the traps and get to the closest computer because class is in session. Washington County Community College is launching a first-of-its-kind course to give a top-to-bottom education on Maine’s famous red-claw crustacean.
The Business of Maine Lobster will be a 10-week course that will provide an overview of the lobster supply chain, showing participants everything needed to get the state’s most famous export from the seafloor to the restaurant plate.
The class is free, open to the public and can be taken for three college credits if desired.
“It could be earlier college folks, traditional lobstermen or sternmen,” said Denise Cilley, the entrepreneur program director at the Sunrise County Economic Council, which helped put on the class. “It could literally be anybody.”
WCCC program offers lobster industry education
CALAIS Haul the traps and get to the closest computer because class is in session. Washington County Community College is launching a first-of-its-kind course to give a top-to-bottom education on Maine’s famous red-claw crustacean.
The Business of Maine Lobster will be a 10-week course that will provide an overview of the lobster supply chain, showing participants everything needed to get the state’s most famous export from the seafloor to the restaurant plate.
The class is free, open to the public and can be taken for three college credits if desired.
“It could be earlier college folks, traditional lobstermen or sternmen,” said Denise Cilley, the entrepreneur program director at the Sunrise County Economic Council, which helped put on the class. “It could literally be anybody.”
Aquaculture training program in development in Maine
April 17, 2021
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WALPOLE, Maine (AP) A Maine aquaculture center and a community college are working together to develop a new aquaculture workforce training program in the state.
Maine aquaculture operations grow shellfish, salmon, seaweed and other seafood species. The U.S. Department of Agriculture s National Institute of Food and Agriculture has awarded a $500,000 grant to the Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center in Walpole to develop the workforce pilot program with Washington County Community College.
Democratic Rep. Chellie Pingree said the program will train aquaculturists and help students get access to good jobs in the aquaculture industry. She said the project s programming will meet a need for entry-level skills in aquaculture sectors including finfish, shellfish and others.