We are so fortunate at Maine Audubon to have amazing members like Joyce Rumery and Kendra Burton, whose generosity and creativity have transformed our summer camp headquarters this year. Thanks to their collaborative efforts, campers and visitors alike are discovering two wonderful new additions to FPAC—and the joy on their faces says it all.
For Kendra Burton, Fields Pond Audubon Center has always held a special place in her heart. Having grown up visiting Fields Pond Audubon Center, she fondly remembered the original mural that once graced our grounds. Wanting future generations of campers and visitors to share in that same sense of wonder, Kendra put her artistic talents to work to restore the beloved mural.
Her efforts were made possible with the help of our wonderful volunteer Nancy Lowry, who assisted with the mural’s installation. Together, they’ve given FPAC back a piece of its history—one that’s already sparking new memories for a new generation. These new additions are already being enjoyed by our 2026 summer campers. The bench offers a peaceful spot to sit and appreciate the garden, while the mural brings color, history, and a touch of nostalgia to our campus.
Last fall, Joyce Rumery —a Master Gardener volunteer with UMaine Cooperative Extension—worked side by side with our campers to create a demonstration garden filled with native plants. It was a hands-on lesson in stewardship, ecology, and the beauty of gardening with purpose.
This spring, Joyce took her generosity a step further. She commissioned and personally funded the construction of a garden bench, giving visitors a quiet, reflective spot to sit back and take in the gardenscape she helped bring to life. The bench was handcrafted by local artisan John Chasse of RPM LLC (Remodeling, Painting, Maintenance), whose skilled work now offers a lasting place for rest and reflection amid the native blooms.
We hope you’ll come see these wonderful additions for yourself. The joy you see on the faces in these photos is proof positive that Joyce, Kendra, John, and Nancy’s generosity has brought real happiness to everyone visiting Fields Pond Audubon Center — and we suspect it will continue to for years to come.
Thank you to Joyce Rumery, Kendra Burton, John Chasse of RPM LLC, and Nancy Lowry for making these additions possible!
