The Gatherings is a non-profit community center in the heart of Surry, Maine.
HISTORY
A group of approximately thirty Surry residents came together with a core group of 10 – 12 meeting and then 5 – 6 every week or two since the late spring of 2014 to discuss our shared interest in developing and maintaining a vibrant multi-use community center. The town of Surry then had no such place and community activities were dependent upon space in the local school when was available or historic buildings that were not winterized and / or lacked plumbing and /or would require major structural renovations. The Gatherings incorporated as a nonprofit and received 501c3 tax-exempt status in 2015. After considering the renovation of historic buildings in town or building something from scratch, the group determined that those options would require more time and money than was feasible and that needs would be best met by purchasing the property that previously housed the Blue Moon Gallery, as it could accommodate a variety of uses and is centrally located in Surry Village. The property was purchased in October 2015 and renovations to the ground floor were supported by Tradewinds Marketplace in Blue Hill and a local family. The grand-opening of the ground floor was the following spring in May 2016. With support from the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation, the second floor was also renovated to open in 2018.
LOOKING FORWARD
We have lofty visions for the community center. With your support we hope to continue to improve the building to include:
- Better insulation in the basement to reduce heating costs
- EV charging stations
- Solar panels to offset electrical costs and maintain a safe and warm place for the local community to use in the event of a power outage
- A gazebo for hosting extra special outdoor events such as weddings
- A community orchard and playground
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
We have support from the town selectmen, town committees, local businesses and other nonprofits in the area. More than 200 donors and volunteers have given their time, talent and treasures to The Gatherings and we hope that others can help move us into the future.
We would like to give special thanks to the following donors:
Gray Charitable Trust for their lead matching grant of $20,000
TradeWinds Marketplace for their lead grant to meet that match
Ellsworth Building Supply (EBS) for a $1,000 gift card to purchase materials for renovations
Mike Sealander with help from Michael Wade for architectural drawings and advice on renovations for safety and accessibility
Openshaw Electric
Martin Electric
Ray Plumbing
Wallace Party Rentals
BOARD MEMBERS
William Matlock, Secretary
Bill was born, raised and educated in Colorado. After college he went to work for AT&T in the Product Management and Product Development area. This was in both the domestic and international organizations. He retired in 2004 and moved to Surry. In 2010 Bill was elected to the position of Selectmen for the town and held that position until 2021. I joined the Board of the Gatherings in 2022.
Florence Reed, Fundraising Committee
Also the Founder of Sustainable Harvest International, Flo has been involved with international development work since graduating from the University of New Hampshire and joining the Peace Corps in the early nineties. She moved to Newbury Neck Rd. in Surry in 2004, where she still lives with her teenage son in a house built by family and friends using mostly local materials and mostly renewable energy. The family compound has continued to expand over the years and now includes a round Deltec home for Flo’s mother, a Lucerne-inspired covered bridge connecting the two homes, a tiny house for another family member and a small energy-efficient home for rental to close friends. The older house that came with the property is rented to other friends.
Dave Hollenburg, Fundraising Co-ordinator, Outreach Committee
Following completion of a graduate degree in chemistry at UMO, Dave spent 30 years in the paper industry working for a number of paper companies, mostly in Wisconsin. He retired in 2003 and moved back to Maine in 2008. Dave has three children and six grandchildren.
Quint Bixby, Chair A long-time resident of Surry, Quint spends time on a variety of interests including crafts, healthy living and grandchildren. She works in home health-care.
Maya Jacques, Board Member
Matt Slater, Caretaker
Clarisa Diaz, Program Coordinator