Presenter: Elizabeth (Liz) Champeon

Elizabeth (Liz) Champeon is a geologist by trade but has had a long-time interest in history. She is a graduate of the University of Maine and her father’s family has lived in New England since the 1600’s.

Presenter: Mike Bell

Mike Bell loves American history! With a master’s degree in both history and teaching and an undergrad degree in political science, he has enjoyed a varied career in teaching and historical interpretation. Mike appeared on a History Channel special about PT 109, and for over 20 years portrayed many historical figures, including Butch Cassidy and Sam Houston.

Learn about Kennebec Land Trust’s (KLT) land conservation criteria, our work to address climate change, the difference between conservation easements and fee ownership, new trails and properties, careers in the conservation field, Local Wood WORKS (LWW) and sustainable forestry, and more. As the owner of land in Kennebec County, KLT pays taxes at the open space rate. We look forward to seeing you! Bring your questions and suggestions for future partnerships.

Presenters: Theresa Kerchner and the Staff of the Kennebec Land Trust

Theresa Kerchner is the executive director of KLT. She oversees the operations of the Trust and works with the Board of Directors and KLT staff to develop and implement organizational, land conservation, and fundraising goals. Theresa is a founding partner of LWW, a statewide initiative that aims to promote and advance forestland conservation and northeast wood products markets simultaneously.

KLT stewardship staff Jean Luc Theriault and Tyler Keniston, and outreach staff Baylee Bachelder and John Whittaker will highlight upcoming 2025 projects, with a focus on “A Trail for Everyone,” education programming and public access to conservation land. https://www.tklt.org/staff

This lecture will be a review of the fascinating life of Irving Berlin who, in his life span of 101 years, wrote the words and lyrics of 1500 songs, many of which we know and can sing today such as Alexanders Rag Time Band, Blue Skies, and There’s No Business like Show Business.

Presenter: Peter Rosenberg

Peter Rosenberg is a retired Otolaryngologist who was educated at Clinton Grade School, Poughkeepsie High School, Princeton University, Tufts Medical School and Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He practiced ENT at Fort Bragg, solo in Norwich CT, and at the Togus Veterans Administration Hospital. His wide range of activities include playing piano, golf, tennis, bridge, model boats, stained glass and teaching at UMASC.

Surrounded by water, islands can be found in oceans rivers or lakes. All are classified as either continental (ex: Greenland) or oceanic (ex: Hawaii). This program will look at the different types of islands with examples from six continents. It will touch on geography, history, biology, geology, and other interesting facts, depending on the island. Come and be surprised by each island.

Presenter: Elizabeth Reinsborough

Elizabeth Reinsborough was born in Northern Ireland. She was educated at Queens University, Belfast and University College, London. She has worked in a plant breeding program in Tanzania and taught biology in Maine for 20 years. Elizabeth has traveled widely in the United States, often with a focus on our National Parks. She enjoys hiking and for 20 years was a maintainer on the Appalachian Trail in the 100 mile wilderness.

Among the largest of our native bees, bumble bees are social creatures that form small colonies in nests and inhabit temperate to arctic regions of the world. Pollination by bumble bees is essential to the propagation of many native plants. Bumble bees are perhaps the most efficient of the pollinators. Because of this, they also have become commercially important for crops like tomatoes and blueberries. We will discuss some bee biology, the species found in the St. John Valley, the plants they prefer, and what you can do to favor them in your yard or neighborhood.

Presenter: Dave Hobbins

Dave Hobbins is a University of Maine at Fort Kent Emeritus Professor who retired in 2018. He lives in Fort Kent with his wife of 33 years and pursues his interests in hiking, history, backyard astronomy, bumble bees, and working his woodlot. This presentation is based on work he continues since his first involvement with the Maine Bumble Bee Atlas in 2016.

In the presentation, I will attempt to define Congestive Heart Failure and its various presentations. We will then discuss common treatments for the condition and briefly outline prognosis and the natural progression of the illness.

Presenter: James Schneid

James Schneid is Board Certified in Family Medicine as well as Hospice and Palliative Medicine. He is the previous Program Director and Chair of the Maine Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency and is an Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine at the Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine. Jim has a lifelong interest in End of Life issues and in 2017 helped develop the first Hospice and Palliative Care Fellowship for physicians at the Togus V.A. Hospital and Maine Medical Center. As the VA Hospice Medical Director, he enjoyed teaching nurses, chaplains, social workers, medical students, Resident physicians, fellows, and attendings the art of Palliative Medicine. Jim is still a faculty member preceptor at the Family Medicine Institute in Augusta and on the active staff of Androscoggin Home Healthcare and Hospice.

This is an updated version of a talk first given in January 2022, It illustrates the branch of marine art converging with natural history. Sea explorers often had illustrators aboard who sketched new animal and plant species encountered on their voyages. This work was often published and contributed to an interest in scientific study and tourism. Later land-based artists, like JJ Audubon, traveled by river and stream to record the flora and fauna they found. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, such art was used to publicize new travel routes and destinations available by steamship and ocean liners.

Presenter: Patricia Sullivan

Patricia Sullivan received her B.A. and M.A. in History from George Washington University. She directed three notable American historic house museums and later became a consultant for the American Association of Museums and the Institute of Museum Services. In addition to curating several exhibits and developing major collection management strategies, Sullivan also developed the action and operating plan for the Newseum, a Washington DC museum of journalism, and she created future operating plans for the U.S. Mint (Bureau of Engraving and Printing) and the Museum of Latin American Art, both in Washington D.C. Sullivan established the Museum of Maritime Pets in 2006, and is its Chief Operating Officer. The Museum has a world-wide following and as of September 2021, shares space and collaborates with the Maine Lighthouse Museum in Rockland.