Blue Ocean Society was founded by two whale watch naturalists, Jen Kennedy and Dianna Schulte, who were frustrated with the lack of translation of open ocean research into information that could be used by the public. Jen and Dianna met in 1995 during training for a whale research internship in Gloucester, which they did in winter 1996.
Following the internship, both Jen and Dianna were working on whale watch boats in New Hampshire, collecting unique data about whales on Jeffreys Ledge, which is an important whale habitat about 20 miles off the coast . They decided to start their own database, and work to translate their on-water experiences into educational programs for schools and the general public. Blue Ocean Society was started in 2001 and achieved non-profit status in 2002.
To learn more about this interesting organization, please visit their website at https://www.blueoceansociety.org/
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 The State of Maine Economic & Community Development Commissioner, Heather Johnson joined us via ZOOM this morning to update the club on this years' economic treads and the ways that the Maine Department of Economic & Community Development is assisting businesses during this time of COVID-19. Thank you Commissioner Johnson for your timely update! To learn more, please visit their website at http://www.maine.gov/decd/home |
YORK, Maine — Liz Cooper, special events coordinator with the York Parks and Recreation Department, had no idea what the turnout was going to be like for the annual Four on the Fourth “virtual” road race earlier this month.
The numbers spoke for themselves.
In total, 345 people registered for the event, and more than 200 submitted times from 19 different states and as far away as Okinawa, Japan.
“This went better than I could have ever expected,” Cooper said. “The overwhelming message I received from participants was of gratitude. They were grateful this race still happened, even virtually and are optimistic for 2021′s race.”
This year’s “virtual” race was about 25% of last year’s field.
“I think one quarter of last year’s number is great,” Cooper said. “Going virtual was an early and easy decision because I know people enjoy this race and the coveted race shirt, plus I was confident the safest route was going virtual. A lot isn’t ‘normal’ this summer, but York Parks and Recreation and Rotary wanted to provide some normalcy by offering this year’s Four on the Fourth virtually.”
Chad Flickenger visited York every Fourth of July weekend when he was growing up in North Attleboro, Massachusetts. The annual trips didn’t stop as he got older and he would often run in the holiday race.
Flickenger, now 40 and living in Shelbyville, Kentucky, and his family participated in this year’s race.
“We went our four miles right here in our neighborhood,” said Chad’s wife, Ketti. “It was really fun. We enjoyed it. We had a hot, humid day. It was nothing to compared to be able to run near the beach versus running in Kentucky. It was a little harder, and not nearly as relaxing, I can tell you that. It was still fun, and we were happy to still be a part of it, and support it. Our kids thought it was amazing to be able to run; we were glad the virtual option was offered.”
The race, despite it being virtual, was still part of the Seacoast Road Race series.
Dan Covino, 32, of Enfield, Connecticut, was the unofficial winner in a time of 23 minutes, 43 seconds.
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Service Above Self
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