Peaks Island Radio

Chris Marot moderates A Conversation with Steve Mohr, Margaret Mills, and others involved in the Island Environmental, Cultural, and Issues Assessment.

Hear the entire conversation, recorded at the Peaks Island Library, regarding the key findings of the Assessment, the results of the Island survey, and how to take action on the recommendations.

I had an absolutely delightful conversation with Danielle Madore and Sage Hayes discussing the Spring Hop dance at New Brackett Church. The dance will benefit the arts community on Peaks. We also looked at some big picture ways to strengthen community on Peaks Island. If you want to join the conversation, reach out to me at chris@peaksislandradio.com

I'm so happy to share this conversation with Seamus Egan and Ellen Mahoney with you. This episode is filled with great moments about how music impacts the biggest and smallest events in our lives, how music can bring us together in community, and express our most personal feelings.

If you like what you hear, Seamus Egan will be at the New Brackett Church on December 17th at 7pm for concert #50. Please join me in cheering on Ellen and Ed as they celebrate this big milestone.

Casey Murray, Molly Tucker, and Eloise and Co are performing on Friday, October 27th for the Long Winter's Night Concert Series at the New Brackett Church on Peaks Island. In this conversation, Casey tells us about the terrific music they'll bring to the island, growing up with the Suzuki Method, and more.

For more information about Casey and Molly, and to support their music, please visit caseyandmolly.com

Peaks Island presents the Trunk Show at the Playhouse at the Lions Club, Thursday August 17, 2023 at 6:30 pm. Admission is free and donations to the Lions Club Scholarship Fund are strongly encouraged.

In this episode, you'll hear from the writers, cast, and crew of the Trunk Show talking about Peaks history and the making of this show.

Tom Faux joins me to talk about the Faux Fiestas Family Band performance at the Fifth Maine on July 7, 2023 from 7-8:30 PM. The show is part of the Peaks Island House Concert Summer Series and supports the Fifth Maine Museum. Admission by donation of $20.

In this fascinating conversation, Tom talks about music's ancient ties to humanity and the deep connection music can create between people. Tom also previews the music the band will play on July 7th, including music written by fellow island alum Juan Fiesta's family.

Sarah Cuetara hosts the second annual Peaks Island Poetry Night, held April 8, 2023 in this week's episode. For more local stories, conversations and event rebroadcasts, please visit peaksislandradio.com or search for Peaks Island Radio in your podcast app of choice.

About 100 people turned out to celebrate Emergence on Saturday night at New Brackett Church. 

When Judy Fitch first solicited volunteers for a women's portrait project she thought maybe five friends would join her. 26 women responded and touched off a winter of inspiration and connection among island women of all backgrounds and artistic abilities.

With special thanks to Bridget who reported from the event, you can hear from the artists and the guests about the exhibit's impact.

Judy Fitch talks with me about the portrait project she launched this winter with approximately 30 women living on Peaks Island.

The goal: Get people together after three years of isolation and masking to celebrate community and connection by partnering with other island women to make portraits of one another and see each other through their eyes. The response exceeded Judy's expectations. 

The project was so meaningful, Judy and the group decided to put on a public exhibit of the portraits. The exhibit is March 11, 2023 from 5:30 to 8:00 pm at the New Brackett Church on Peaks Island. All are welcome to observe the artwork and engage with the participants. 

Here's Judy:

"I’ve said from the beginning is that it’s more about the experience and the process than the outcome. At the end they each get to keep the portrait of themselves. What I love is that no one is hung up on what they will receive at the end.  I think that’s kind of extraordinary in a way. It is common for people to want to get something of equal value/quality etc to what they gave, and that just isn’t possible in this project. There are people who’ve never drawn before mixed with professional artists. I love that these women embraced that from the get-go." 

There's a lot more insight and information in the full interview. Enjoy!

The Oldhat String Band, led by Steve and Whitney Roy, plays at the Long Winter's Night Concert Series February 17th at 7:00 pm at the New Brackett Church. Steve and Whitney discuss their passion for old time, bluegrass, and many other kinds of music, recording their first album, and what's in store for Friday's concert. 

I recently learned that Sarah Goodman Cuetara, who many know as a Peaks Islander, has been diligently working on a new independent publishing company called Wheeling Tern Books. Wheeling Tern Books is a collaborative approach to publishing born of a pandemic-area project and close friendships between fellow creators. Please listen for all the details on the book, this unique publishing company, and ideas for bringing your own creative endeavors to life. You'll especially want to listen for Lisa Usani Phillips reading several of her poems featured in the new collection Guest People.

For complete show notes, check out peaksislandradio.com/sarah-goodman-cuetara-lisa-usani-phillips-and-the-team-behind-wheeling-tern-books/

This is a different take on my pre-concert interviews. I've composed a story out of a conversation I had with Ellery Klein, the fiddler for Fodhla, who's performing on Peaks on October 14th at 7:00 pm at the New Brackett Church. I'll guide you through our conversation that starts with the birth of her interest in violin, the path she took to a career in music, and finally to what music means to us as human beings. I hope you see a little of yourself in her exploration of her passions - if not, there's no time like the present to start. 

I hope now that you "meet" Ellery through this episode, you'll go see her, Nicole Rabata, and Bethany Waickman perform at the Long Winter's Night Concert Series October 14, 2022 at 7:00 pm at the New Brackett Church. 

If you have feedback on the show, don't hesitate to email me at chris (at) peaksislandradio (dot) com. 

Islander Leah Day talks with me about her new book, Changing Gears, a memoir about parenting and a cross-country bike trip with her son. We discuss the trip, the longer journey of parenting, and her new venture as a bike shop entrepreneur. 

Jo Israelson and Steve Devoney debut a new program dedicated to revisiting the news on Peaks Island from the last century through stories from the Casco Bay Breeze, a newspaper from the early 20th century. They scour the paper for interesting historical pieces to share with you and let you know what life was like on the island a hundred years ago. I hope you'll find this a terrific way to connect with the island's past!

Jim Lausier's April 29, 2020 talk on Peaks Island Radio, sponsored by the Friends of the Peaks Island Library. Jim covers a range of topics specific to Peaks and took listener questions as well. Any gardener will find some valuable tips and inspiration here!

Please note that the live conversation was one hour. For technical reasons, the first 20 minutes were unusable as recorded. This podcast joins at that point.

For more episodes, visit peaksislandradio.com or subscribe in your preferred podcast player.

In this episode, four community events you won't want to miss and the Marot Memo on the joys of outside boat rides.

In this week's episode, there are three events in our community calendar, and I discuss this week's presidential primary. I don't endorse a candidate, but I do endorse a way of thinking about our role in parties in this week's Marot Memo. 

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This week marks the beginning of a monthly conversation with Belinda Ray about city council issues and priorities with a particular focus on issues relevant to Peaks Islanders. This week, we discuss the City Council's Priority setting session that focuses all committees on top priorities that include housing, public transit, and easing the tax burden on city residents. 

If you have questions for Belinda Ray for February's talk, please email me at chris@peaksislandradio.com by February 10th. 

This is a talk from this spring when Perry Sutherland appeared at the Peaks Island Library to discuss gardening on Peaks. His presentation includes helpful tips, entertaining stories, and responses to listener's specific gardening questions. Truly a "gardener for all seasons" Perry gives you growing tips and suggestions on what to do with your bounty. Enjoy!