Dear ACT members, volunteers and friends, I hope this finds you and those you love safe and healthy.
These past weeks have been among some of the most tumultuous and emotional that many of us have experienced in our lifetimes. The impact of the coronavirus pandemic has been felt by individuals and families, companies and our communities across our country and around our world.
ACT was established as a way to strengthen our community and we are working to find ways to do just that during these stressful times. We believe that our community is stronger than any virus. We believe that strength comes from caring for each other, helping each other and at all times acting in kindness.
Let’s focus on some of the things we can do for ourselves and each other. Staying healthy is our first priority, for our own safety and that of our community. We are coming together as a community by physically separating. We are so lucky to be living in a community where we can still get outside and enjoy nature as it starts its new spring beginning. Please get outside, breathe in some fresh air ~ nature can do wonders for both the body and the soul.
ACT currently has two trails open for your enjoyment.
Welch Woods, on River Road about a ½ mile beyond Durrell’s Bridge towards Kennebunkport, is an easy ½ mile loop through woods and ferns to the shore of the Kennebunk River. At the river you can sit for a while and enjoy the river from several benches and log stools. There is a small parking area for a few cars just off the road by our ACT trail sign.
Arundel Community Trails, connects the new Town Hall property on Limerick Road to the Eastern Trail. This trail was just built last fall and is still a bit rough but beautiful. The entrance from Limerick Road is not currently accessible due to Town Hall construction. You can access the trail from the Eastern Trail about a ¼ mile past the Kennebunk River Bridge on the Arundel side.
The Maine Land Trust Network set out some
“rules of the road” for safely using trails during this time of social distancing. Please read them and adhere to their commonsense practices so we may keep our trails open and available for all.
One way to help us keep our trails open: don’t congregate at trail heads or on trails, and please don’t come out if you are not feeling well!
How else can we help? We are supporting two efforts led by two of our Board Members.
Henry Ingwersen, our local Maine State Representative has in conjunction with others pulled together a group of volunteers to support the elders in our community. If you would like to learn more, volunteer or know an elder who could use some help with shopping, critical errands or just a check in phone call please contact Henry at 207-251-6278.
Michelle Allen Moore is very involved with COS (Community Outreach Services). They serve Arundel, Kennebunk and Kennebunkport and have teamed up with each of our Town governments to supply food and other support services to our neighbors in need. COS is doing an incredible job feeding community members and meeting an increasing demand during this time. They need volunteers as well as food and monetary donations. If you are able to help in any way please check their website at
http://coskennebunks.org/ or call 207-604-0445.
Additionally, the town of Arundel's General Assistance office has been fielding calls and getting all needs met - people in need and people who can't leave their homes (or choose not to). Wendy Lank is the town's General Assistance office contact and Social Services Administrator, you can reach Wendy at 985-4201 Ext 113 or email her at
ga@arundelmaine.org.
Our
business community is also suffering through this time. We are grateful to all the businesses in our community who have supported the Arundel Conservation Trust in the past and are seeking ways we can help them in their time of need. ACT is a proud member of the KKA Chamber of Commerce who is doing an outstanding job of working with local businesses to find creative ways to continue to work within the current restraints. The KKA
website is a great reference as is Henry Ingwersen on how the Federal Relief package might help our local businesses.
Below are a few
additional resource links from board members Henry and Michelle that may help you, or your business, during this difficult time:
Informational:
Health Care and Coverage:
For Businesses and Employees:
- A Maine Department of Labor fact sheet and COVID-19 webpage to help employees and self-employed figure out the unemployment application process.
- An online application for businesses that believe they should be classified as essential under Gov. Mills March 24 Executive Order.
- How to apply to the Paycheck Protection Program, a new loan program for small businesses and sole proprietors with options for loan forgiveness.
Other:
- Maine Helps is a website created by the Governor’s Office that outlines four predominant ways Maine people can address immediate needs.
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Lastly, we also have a board member in the midst of our health care system preparing to care for any of us that might need medical attention. If you know of any health care workers or first responders reach out in kindness to them and let them know how much we all appreciate their dedication, selflessness and work.
We will get through this, and we will be all the stronger for it.
Be well, be safe be kind.
Joan Hull
ACT President
