Downtown Beat

Welcome to the Heart of Ellsworth Blog!

Here you’ll find information about our organization — a 501(c)(3) committed to helping provide a vibrant community and promoting activities in “Downtown” Ellsworth, Maine — as well as our programs, what’s happening around town, and guest posts. Are you a downtown business or community member interested in guest blogging? Contact Us we would love to hear from you!

Cara Romano Cara Romano

Heart of Ellsworth Appoints Two New Board Members

“Both Lucille and Tracy bring valuable talent, passion, and energy to our board and I’m excited to have them as part of our team”, commented Jon Stein, current Vice president and 2023 President-elect of the Heart of Ellsworth Board of Directors.

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Cara Romano Cara Romano

Meet me at Merrill Park

In 2017 Amy and Michael Reisman moved to Franklin Street. As Amy, a master gardener and now Heart of Ellsworth Board member began to settle into her new neighborhood she discovered this sweet little park less than a block from her house.

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Cara Romano Cara Romano

And now we are 13...

We recently nominated two new members to join the Heart of Ellsworth board of directors. Maggie Iannuzzi and Timothy Tunney will be joining as members at large later this month bringing the total number of board members to thirteen.

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Cara Romano Cara Romano

Tugging at our HEARTstrings

“Good morning,

I'm an Employee at Eyes PA across the street. We had an amazing employee Daisy that had worked for us for 26+ years she was 84 years old and still worked 5 1/2 days per week, she worked in the lab making eyeglasses. From the lab window, you can see the Wall where the Mural will be painted. Daisy and her partner Caroline passed away in December of 2020 from Covid-19.

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Cara Romano Cara Romano

Manifesting Main, Asset Mapping Downtown Ellsworth

If you are reading this you probably already know how the Heart of Ellsworth feels about our great city. You know that we aim to foster a community that is supported and enriched while planning for a sustainable future. You know that we value your opinions and now is the time to share those opinions with us! On Wednesday April 13th from 6-730pm we are hosting a community workshop where your participation is necessary! We will be gathering on the stage at The Grand to hear from YOU! We want to learn why you love Ellsworth and what you perceive as assets of the city. How do you want to see the city grow and what role do you want to play in that growth?

Come help us 'Manifest Main' in order to build a future that serves us all!


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Cara Romano Cara Romano

2021 Year in Review

Grab your favorite beverage and tune in to meet Heart of Ellsworth’s Board of Directors and staff. Learn about 2021 accomplishments plus what’s in store for 2022. There will be time for participants to share ideas and needs for our downtown community. RSVP is required, to register, follow the link to the short google form so the meeting link can be sent to you via email.

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Andrea Saunders Andrea Saunders

Explore Ellsworth – HIKE Video Series

We recently launched an Explore Ellsworth video series showcasing the seven hikes from our Heart of Ellsworth HIKE page. New residents and local vloggers, Wayne and Jemily Ayers-Creech (also of our 2021 Taste of Ellsworth video series), laced up their boots and set out to explore the trails to give you a look at the outdoor adventures available in our backyard.

Special thank you to our video series sponsor Desert Harvest.

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Andrea Saunders Andrea Saunders

Struttin’ Their Stuff in Harbor Park

We’ve been adopted by a chicken. We first spied it in Harbor Park and Marina hanging with a bunch of ducks. Nancy said, “Poor chicken, it thinks it’s a duck.”

It started popping into the yard not long thereafter.

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Andrea Saunders Andrea Saunders

A Perfect Find at Union River Book and Toy Co.

On a quiet, sunny Saturday morning, I brought my 3-year-old daughter, Dylan, to Union River Book & Toy Co. She had been asking for a “blue kitty” all week. Not only had she been on her best behavior, but we had recently traveled to Maine and her toy stash was a bit sparse, so when she asked nicely with a please, I decided a trip to the local toy store was in order.

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Andrea Saunders Andrea Saunders

Breakfast on Union River

Our family recently returned to the Ellsworth area, and we’ve been happily discovering a few of the quiet corners of the city this summer. Over the last few months, we’ve found a Saturday morning routine surface — a quick stop for a takeout breakfast before enjoying the sights and sounds of the Union River at Ellsworth Harbor Park & Marina. This has quickly become one of my 3-year-old daughter’s favorite ways to spend a weekend morning.

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Cara Romano Cara Romano

Taste of Ellsworth 2021 Virtual Celebration Video Series

Each June, Heart of Ellsworth hosts Taste of Ellsworth — a celebration of the delicious restaurants in the greater Ellsworth, Maine area. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual event was turned digital for 2021. Thank you to our sponsor, Machias Savings Bank for the support, producing this video series was a fun way to connect with local businesses and great food.

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Cara Romano Cara Romano

What’s the Heart of Ellsworth Logo All About?

Our goal was to create a logo that was unique and would stand out from those of other downtown logos. We didn’t want the standard front view “streetscape.” Instead, we wanted a design that was contemporary and abstract, yet gave us room for growth. Our discussions centered around showing depth and showcasing our downtown


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