To every person throughout the Boothbay region and those from beyond the borders of Maine, Scottsdale, Arizona, Grand Rapids, Michigan and all the way from France ... the 7th annual Set For Success went off like a well oiled machine because of your support.

Students have been filled up with everything needed to be Set For Success as educators welcome students to Boothbay Region Elementary School, Edgecomb Eddy School, Southport Central School. Boothbay Region High School students are also recipients of standard school supplies for their shopping pleasure on the first day of school.

Thirty event booths, coordinated by Nancy Van Dyke and supported by folks from local nonprofits and the business community, afforded lots of valuable information and gift handouts to roughly 800 visitors. We had a scientist from Bigelow Laboratory! The Food Pantry shared bunches of fresh dug carrots from local farms. Big Al had gifts of planning calendars. There was representation from the Girl Scouts and Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library, Boothbay Region Health Center, Karl’s Kids, New York Life, The Y and Boothbay Region Rotary with gift bags of personal hygiene products. Botanical Gardens had beautiful greenery and seeds of education and Chamber of Commerce shared opportunities of regional interest along with a raffle, with the prize going to a lucky Edgecomb student. Dr Thomas Nadeau, OD was on duty with medical screening testing for all. A large contingency from LincolnHealth; nurses, Dr Alamo, and staff, presented important medical information and handouts. Joining them was Lincoln County Dental, Coulombe Center for Health and Wellness along with Hannaford, yoked with Let’s Go 3 2 1 who kept everyone hydrated and full of vitamin C from fresh fruits. Lisa Sharp, BRES, had loads of free books. The Lions Club has been with us year after year with their traveling eye screening machine. Each year they detect possible issues in students’ eyes where parents are encouraged to seek a professional eye doctor for follow up. FAME (Finance Authority of Maine) offered information on NextGen Educational Grants. Three churches were represented: Boothbay Baptist, Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor and The Anchor Church. Anchor had creative face painting. Compass Rose set up a huge ‘Ship” bounce house.

A big round of applause for Annette Nager, owner of Shear Artistry Family Hair Salon, who has been with our event for the past six years coordinating a beautiful hair salon and nail painting studio for all students to receive free haircuts and polish. Volunteer stylists are Betsy Pitcher, Lucas Leighton/barber; Bonnie Erskine and Annette Nager. Nails: Kayce McDaniel, Veronica Robertson. Additional support: Dawn Coolbroth, Ciara Pitcher, Charity Farnham, Amber Johansson.

To all volunteers who worked Saturday event set up and Sunday to assist at school supply shopping centers, the bounce house, welcome center ... your assistance was invaluable. Thank you to Magen Chryplewicz and Sue Goodrich for leadership in supply center organization and to Bill, Shelly and Magen Burge for unconditional support. Finally big thanks to Andy Hamblett and Rose Mooney and team YMCA without whose every detail of helps cannot be matched along with Laura Honey and Lucinda Sanborn who created a delightful all inclusive Clothing Boutique. Calvin Crocker, resident DJ kept the tunes flowing and USCG officer in charge, Adam Smart with Coastie Dan Belliveau helped with crowd control along with school security officer, Larry Brown and Jim Powers traffic control.

We are on track for 2019 as I have recently been informed that new backpacks and lunch bags are on their way to Boothbay from Michigan donor, Erika Bolig.

Set For Success is “creeping” into other communities in Maine. Bath had a tremendous turnout of over 600 students at Bath Middle School on Sunday, Aug. 19 and Augusta Elks just completed their very successful second annual Set For Success on Saturday, Aug. 25. Damariscotta is on the books for 2019.

A workshop for interested persons from Maine who have indicated a willingness to learn how this event is designed will be held beginning in January. Please contact Sue Burge at vanmanbill@roadrunner.com to be placed on the invitation list when date and place have been determined.