A Day in Maine for NMEA Kids!!!Join Rippleffect for a learning adventure on our living classroom, Cow Isle. The day starts with a team building sailing adventure on Portland Schooners 100 foot historic Maine built schooner.  As we sail to Cow Island we will learn about the history of Casco Bay and learn why Maine is world renown for it nautical impact.  When we arrive on Cow Isle we will have a tour of the Rippleffect facilities that are built within Fort Lyons a 1907 military gun emplacement.  We then spend the rest of our time rotating between learning coastal kayaking techniques with a kayak tour and a challenge course experience that includes a ride down our 400ft Zipline.  Experience Maine at it finest, while learning about yourself and the natural environment.For more information about Rippleeffect, visit: http://www.rippleffect.net/home/

The Downeast 2007 Conference  is coming to Portland, Maine July 23 -27, 2007.  It is sponsored by the National Marine Educators Association (NMEA) and hosted by its local chapter, the Gulf of Maine Marine Education Association (GOMMEA).  This is a chance for teachers, other educators, and researchers who are interested in the “world of water, both fresh and salt” to come together to share inspiration, innovative ideas, and programs. 

To help support the conference, we will have an auction on Thursday, July 26 at the Eastland Hotel in Portland.  We are looking for items for the live auction

which would be valued at $100 or more.  Last year we had a computer, a digital camera, a beautiful painting, and a valuable rare fossil among the live auction items. 

We also run a silent auction featuring items with an environmental connotation that range in value from $10 to $100.  We will have a special section for educational programs, books, CDs, etc.  Baskets containing a variety of things around a particular theme are popular items as well.

We urge you to donate item(s) or cash  to our auction.  GOMMEA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit group, and all donations are tax-deductible.  You will be provided with a receipt for your donation which you may use for tax purposes.  Better yet,  your company or organization  will be promoted to 500 or more people who will be coming from around the world to Downeast 2007…. AND you will be helping to support our scholarship fund for teachers.

If you would like to be an exhibitor at our conference, and display your merchandise or products, please contact Beth Owen at beth.owen@maine.edu.

Representatives of Downeast 2007 can contact you directly or you may donate to the auction using the online Donation Form at our website at http://gommea.org./downeast2007/auction_donation_form.shtml or e-mail us at Downeast2007@gommea.org.  Items may be mailed to me at

 Sincerely,

Sharon Meeker, Auction Chair

              In 2007 join us July 20, 21 and 22.

The Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce invites you to celebrate our 42 years of Village Tradition! Experience the flavor of Yarmouth’s community and
history.

The Yarmouth Clam Festival takes place every summer, during the third weekend in July in the charming coastal village of Yarmouth, Maine. This summertime tradition draws visitors from all over the country who come to enjoy the music and arts, events and competition, and of course, the delicious food.

For More Information:

http://www.clamfestival.com/

Feel free to post your own questions, and we’ll check in often and answer.