Stephen and Michele's Winter Break

Stephen and I are back in Unity, getting ready for Professional Development Days and the start of a sparkling new semester. I hope to keep that anything-is-possible feeling right through to the end of the semester.

Like last year, we spent the Winter Break at our old home in Gainesville Florida, where we lived from 2005 to 2008. If you've ever wondered what our trips to the old neighborhood in Florida look like,  check out the slideshow here. And best wishes for a wonderful Spring 2013 semester!

Out of the House!

On Monday, November 5th, I drove down to Freeport, Maine with Professor Aimee Phillippi and first year Unity student Ayla Blyther to visit a unique and inspiring learning environment. Coastal Studies for Girls (CSG) is a 16 week semester school for 10th grade girls. 

The day was a blast through the past for Ayla, who was part of CSG's Pioneer Class in the fall of 2011. CSG is the realization of Executive Director Pam Erickson’s decade-long dream to create the nation’s first ever residential science and leadership semester high school for girls. Pam (at right) had a lot of help along the way from generous supporters and other activists, but I think CSG was born largely because Pam had a vision and she never let go of it.

On the ride down, Ayla told me and Aimee about the many connections she sees between CSG and Unity College: the emphasis on science and leadership, the experiential curriculum, but most of all a shared sense of community. As we toured the "little yellow farmhouse" and the recently constructed yurt, I started to understand Ayla's love of CSG, and why that experience led her to choose Unity College.

I roamed around the yurt while Ayla chatted with Vanessa Jones, currently the Extended Programs Coordinator, who was the head resident advisor from 2010 - 2011. Much of the student work had a distinctly Unity-esque feeling about it. I noticed a lot of "we," and a lot of work that demonstrated student ownership of both process and content. Also, the bookshelves were full of familiar favorites.


At dinner (a very delicious dinner), Aimee and I got to talk with the fifteen current students at CSG, and we learned more about the program. We were both struck with how willing all of the girls were to answer questions, to speak up, and to ask their own questions -- must be that leadership piece!

Stephen and I are looking forward to building a sustainable, mutually enhancing relationship between CSG and Unity College. I love my new position as Special Assistant for College Outreach because it's all about making new friends -- and I guess we have to get out of the house to do that!

A Sustaining Relationship

On October 11, 2012, Unity House hosted a lunch for representatives from Allen Insurance and Financial and student Shayne Van Leer (pictured at left), the Allen scholarship recipient.

I asked Shayne what he thought about businesses like Allen supporting scholarships at a small college like Unity.  "I'm very thankful as an individual. But I also believe that businesses should be investing in education; it's where their future employees and customers come from.  And, it's a way of giving back to the community."

Conversation ranged over a variety of issues. Richard Crossman (far left) talked about his interest in risk management for renewable energy companies like Revision Energy, the installers of the new solar panels on our library. Dan Wyman (second from left) told us of his experience as an instructor and licensed captain with the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School. We all discovered common connections -- which make for sustaining and sustainable human relationships.

Oh, yes -- and there was dessert!

Bon Voyage, Joe Galli

 On September 13, Unity House hosted a bon voyage party for Joe Galli, who has served the college in several capacities over the last few years, most recently as the Interim Vice President for College Advancement. Like many Unity folks, Joe made our transition here easier with his friendly, generous personality and his commitment to furthering the mission of the college.


We had two cakes -- an apple cake and a carrot cake in honor of Joe's healthy lifestyle.

 We had serious moments . . .

 and we had silly moments,

new friends,

and old friends,

                                  hugs and more hugs,

 smiling faces,

 and sad faces.

Joe will be missed by faculty, staff, and students. but we all wish him the best in his new Southern California adventure. I will especially miss his sense of humor and his willingness to just be himself.  Stephen will especially miss his insight and wisdom. But the people who will probably miss him most of all are those who worked under him -- Reeta Benedict, Deb Noone, and Cindy Schaub, who valued his way of bringing out the best in people and his understanding of human sustainability.

RA Breakfast at Unity House

It was a glorious morning at Unity House on August 24 when the 2012-2013 Resident Advisors visited us for breakfast.  They stormed in yelling "Orange juice!" and "Coffee!" as if they had been living in the woods all summer, far away from the civilization of the Edwards Shop 'n' Save and Wyman Commons.   And knowing Unity students, maybe they were!

New faces and familiar faces sat around the table together. At right is new RA Austin Calvert, Veteran RA Eve Dietrich, and New RA Elizabeth Whitney.

And on the left, facing the camera, it's veterans Ryan Morrison and Eli Walker, newbie Rose Zoller (under a quilt made by my sister Lisa Swift), and Rob Eckelbecker, who has the coolest last name in the world.  Eckelbecker!

Unity RAs are well-known for their generous spirits. They share that spirit in creating nurturing communities in the residence halls. They share their time and talents on campus and in community events like Arts for Hunger.  Here, Matt Dyer goes a step further and shares his cranberry-walnut muffin with Keeper.

Heather was a bit overwhelmed with all the excitement, but she made time to demonstrate how well she matches the Unity House floor.

Our breakfast concluded with a group photo shot.  Say hello to your RAs, folks!  In the front row left, it's new RA Alex Bach next to "Boss Lady" Cassandra Thayer,  returning RA Rebecca Zerlin (official Keepie holder of Unity House.  It's a tough job, but someone has to do it!) Jen Moran, Elizabeth and Eve.  In the back row left (the tall people),. it's new RAs Derrick Maltman and Austin, veteran Molly Cronin, Eckelbecker, Eli, that Stephen dude, Matt, Director of Residence Life/Assistant Dean for Student Affairs Steve Nason, and Ryan. Welcome back, everyone!

Unity House Welcomes New Board Members

On August 16, Stephen and I welcomed new members of the Board of Trustees to an orientation at Unity House. Pictured here, from left to right, are Linda Povey, Andy Hamilton, and Hallie Flint Gilman. Linda is Vice President of Strategy at the Natural Marketing Institute. Andy is an attorney at the Bangor office of the Eaton Peabody law firm. Hallie is Assistant General Counsel at First Wind, an independent wind energy company located in Portland, Maine.  Not pictured is Sarah Ruef-Lindquist, an attorney who also serves as Chief Executive Officer of The Maine Women's Fund.

Like all of Unity's trustees, these talented folks are volunteers, giving generously of their time, expertise, and and funds to nurture our mission as America's Environmental College. Please thank them for this essential service when you see them!


Organized by Chris Melanson, Secretary to the Board and Executive Assistant to the President , the orientation was an opportunity for the new trustees to meet each other as well as some of the folks in administration. We heard brief presentations on structure and strategy from Bill Trumble, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Gary Zane, Dean of Students, Alisa Johnson, Dean of Enrollment, Debbie Cronin, Vice President for Financial Affairs, Bob Fitzpatrick, Director of Marketing, and Joe Galli, Interim Vice President for Development.

Some of our more experienced trustees also attended to share their wisdom with the newbies.  Rob Kelley, Margot Kelley, Nadine Mort and Martha Dolben were on hand to answer questions and to offer their services as mentors. Jeffrey Davidson, sophomore, blogger, and Admissions Office summer work study, led a tour of the campus after lunch.

Our tasty menu for lunch and snacks was created by Unity's own Campus Dining magician, Lorey Duprey, and her talented staff. Charlie Krause and Amber Kett from the Student Center were also part of the team.

Amber, evening shift supervisor at the Student Center, made a luscious parfait style dessert from a ginger-glazed lemon pound cake, whipped cream, and raspberries. It was one of the best desserts I've ever tasted -- and yes, as an avid follower of The Sugar Diet (I made that up), I've tasted many desserts.  Amber very graciously shares the recipe here:

Fresh Blackberries

Favorite Pound Cake

1 pint heavy/whipping cream

1 cup sugar+some sugar to taste for whipped cream

1 cup water

2 about 2" fingers fresh ginger root

-Peel and chop ginger root. Combine water and 1 cup sugar with chopped ginger. Bring to a light boil and remove from heat. Allow ginger root to steep for at least ten minutes.

-Cut pound cake in half running the length to create two thin cakes. Once ginger syrup has cooled and steeped, remove ginger and coat pound cake using a pastry brush. Allow to set.

-Whip cream to light peaks by hand or on medium speed in a mixer. Add sugar to personal taste. Some people prefer to omit sugar completely. The tartness or sweetness of your blackberries should be considered when deciding this.

-Cut pound cakes into bite sized cubes. In a glass, layer pound cake, blackberries and whipped cream. Repeat two to three times until glass is full. Allow dessert to sit in fridge for a half hour to allow all the flavors to infuse together. Top with a fresh blackberry for presentation if desired and serve.

Unity House in the news

Melissa Coleman interviewed me and Jesse Pyles about Unity House for the July installment of her column "Bright-Minded Home" in Maine Home and Design.  Melissa also publishes the column on her blog, where you can read the column and see some photos of the young Unity House from our own Mark Tardiff.