Our Burns Night Supper was a big success, but I will admit that the part I personally enjoyed the most was hearing our house band, Spence & Co., in performance for the first time. I want to introduce you to them now: Spence & Co is a trio consisting of Spencer Nelson on drums, Glenn […]
It’s been a busy month. Winter soldiers on. We’ve turned into the light. On Monday, February 1st, Diane, Robert, Spencer and I attended the Orland Town Planning Board meeting. We sat through a lengthy presentation from a subdivision project, and finally it was our turn. I made a brief presentation, they had a short discussion, […]
Here at Oranbega Retreat Center we believe in providing our Residents and Guests with delicious food that is also nutritious. We strive to use local and sustainable food sources. Oranbega partners with Foot of the Mountain Farm, just a few miles away, and our freezer is stuffed with their happy pigs and chickens, with lamb […]
We at Oranbega Retreat Center want to make sure you keep up with the full slate of free upcoming events! There’s something for everyone! Please note all times are Eastern. Sunday, February 21: Creating the Beloved Community: Celebrating Black History Month, 7PM to 9PM; music by Spence & Co. to follow, 9PM to 10:30PM“Creating the […]
Though this New Year has started off darkly—both in metaphor and in grim reality—the wish of seeing the light that overcomes all darkness carries us. As we look out from the start of a New Year marred by both pandemic and insurrection, I hope that we can all still fix our eyes on the hope, […]
From the Retreat Coordinator, Rev. Dr. Jenny Reece As I write this there is news of a storm on the way, but for now the sun is shining warmly through my window and the river is gleaming below me, still flowing swiftly down to Penobscot Bay with only a hint of ice along the reedy […]
Many years ago someone asked me “What would you really like to do as a job?” or “If you were suddenly alone.” I said “I would go to a retreat center, and try to work my way up to being a cook.” It wasn’t until after Robert, Jenny and I planned the Oranbega Retreat Center, […]
Per aspera ad astra.* It’s a common Latin phrase of unknown origin meaning “through hardships to the stars.” It occurred to us as a fitting description of our first 9 months of the gestation of Oranbega Retreat Center. Yes, we have encountered hardships and stumbling blocks in our first months: Buying the house on Narramissic […]
diane watches the birds adjust to fall on the narramissic river Bird life on the river is changing a bit as the wind blows us into fall. All the insect eaters departed with the insects to warmer climes. The Kittiwake tribe of about 28 departed after lounging on the river for about a week. Once […]
In Memoriam Dr. Michael P. Reece, August 12, 1927 – June 3 2019 This essay about my Uncle, whose legacy makes Oranbega Retreat Center possible, is expanded from the words I wrote to be read at his funeral in London in June 2019. – Jenny Reece My uncle Mike was always a bit of a surprise […]
