Downtown Beat

Welcome to the Heart of Ellsworth Blog!

Here you’ll find information about our organization — a 501(c)(3) committed to helping provide a vibrant community and promoting activities in “Downtown” Ellsworth, Maine — as well as our programs, what’s happening around town, and guest posts. Are you a downtown business or community member interested in guest blogging? Contact Us we would love to hear from you!

Cara Romano Cara Romano

Meet our 2024 bricks & Clicks experts

Meet the experts of this year’s Bricks & Clicks program! Apply for a chance to learn from these seasoned Ellsworth-area professionals in a free one-on-one consultation.

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Celebrating 2023: A Year of Community Growth in Downtown Ellsworth

As the year draws to a close, we at Heart of Ellsworth are thrilled to reflect on an eventful journey that has shaped Downtown Ellsworth into a vibrant, thriving hub of community engagement and cultural richness. In 2023, we embarked on numerous initiatives, from groundbreaking projects to lively events, each leaving an indelible mark on the heart of our town.

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We Lit Up Main Street!

Just in time and with lead sponsorship support from First National Wealth Management for the holiday season, volunteers with the Heart of Ellsworth Design Committee descended on Downtown Ellsworth to bring festive cheer and sparkling lights to Main Street, Merrill Park, and, for the first time ever, the Union River Bridge.

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Cara Romano Cara Romano

Entrepreneur Ecosystem

A group of entrepreneurs gathered on Tuesday, February 7th, in the office of Heart of Ellsworth to discuss…

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Cara Romano Cara Romano

Holiday Lights on Main Street with First National Bank

"First National Bank is proud to sponsor Main Street Lights. Supporting our Main Street merchants and restaurants during the holiday season through lighting up the downtown helps to stimulate the local economy, visually inviting folks to shop local and keep revenue circulating in our community all year long."

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Cara Romano Cara Romano

Heart of Ellsworth Appoints Two New Board Members

“Both Lucille and Tracy bring valuable talent, passion, and energy to our board and I’m excited to have them as part of our team”, commented Jon Stein, current Vice president and 2023 President-elect of the Heart of Ellsworth Board of Directors.

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Cara Romano Cara Romano

Meet me at Merrill Park

In 2017 Amy and Michael Reisman moved to Franklin Street. As Amy, a master gardener and now Heart of Ellsworth Board member began to settle into her new neighborhood she discovered this sweet little park less than a block from her house.

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Cara Romano Cara Romano

And now we are 13...

We recently nominated two new members to join the Heart of Ellsworth board of directors. Maggie Iannuzzi and Timothy Tunney will be joining as members at large later this month bringing the total number of board members to thirteen.

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Cara Romano Cara Romano

Tugging at our HEARTstrings

“Good morning,

I'm an Employee at Eyes PA across the street. We had an amazing employee Daisy that had worked for us for 26+ years she was 84 years old and still worked 5 1/2 days per week, she worked in the lab making eyeglasses. From the lab window, you can see the Wall where the Mural will be painted. Daisy and her partner Caroline passed away in December of 2020 from Covid-19.

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Cara Romano Cara Romano

Manifesting Main, Asset Mapping Downtown Ellsworth

If you are reading this you probably already know how the Heart of Ellsworth feels about our great city. You know that we aim to foster a community that is supported and enriched while planning for a sustainable future. You know that we value your opinions and now is the time to share those opinions with us! On Wednesday April 13th from 6-730pm we are hosting a community workshop where your participation is necessary! We will be gathering on the stage at The Grand to hear from YOU! We want to learn why you love Ellsworth and what you perceive as assets of the city. How do you want to see the city grow and what role do you want to play in that growth?

Come help us 'Manifest Main' in order to build a future that serves us all!


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Cara Romano Cara Romano

2021 Year in Review

Grab your favorite beverage and tune in to meet Heart of Ellsworth’s Board of Directors and staff. Learn about 2021 accomplishments plus what’s in store for 2022. There will be time for participants to share ideas and needs for our downtown community. RSVP is required, to register, follow the link to the short google form so the meeting link can be sent to you via email.

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Guest User Guest User

Explore Ellsworth – HIKE Video Series

We recently launched an Explore Ellsworth video series showcasing the seven hikes from our Heart of Ellsworth HIKE page. New residents and local vloggers, Wayne and Jemily Ayers-Creech (also of our 2021 Taste of Ellsworth video series), laced up their boots and set out to explore the trails to give you a look at the outdoor adventures available in our backyard.

Special thank you to our video series sponsor Desert Harvest.

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