OceanView Welcomes New Sustainability Coordinator

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OceanView at Falmouth has named Mitchell DeBortoli as its new Sustainability Coordinator.

In this position, DeBortoli will lead OceanView’s sustainability initiatives, which, over the last decade, have included the installation of solar panels on homes and common buildings throughout the community, the addition of heat pumps, solar-powered water heaters, the installation of electric vehicle car-charging stations, and a campus-wide naturalization plan, which has included the expansion of pollinator habitats. DeBortoli will also oversee the sustainability initiatives at OceanView’s sister community, Cumberland Crossing by OceanView, a community of freestanding homes in Cumberland, which features solar panels and generators as standard features on all homes.

“The community at OceanView recognizes the importance of sustainability and being conscious of the impact that humans have on the world around them,” DeBortoli said. “Working for an organization that recognizes these ideas is important to me, and getting to make an impact in the community I work in is very fulfilling.”

DeBortoli also aims to explore sustainable and carbon-neutral building materials and tiles that OceanView can use in the years ahead. Prior to joining OceanView at Falmouth, DeBortoli spent two years as an environmental scientist for the engineering firm and government contractor Leidos, which is based in Virginia.

He lives in Portland, Maine.

Falmouth House resident honored with the Boston Post Cane

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Congratulations, Betty!

“In recognition of the 23 years of residency in the Town of Falmouth, and that you have been declared the oldest female citizen of the Town at the age of 101, it is with great pleasure that we hereby honor you as our 33rd recipient of the Falmouth Boston Post Cane.” – Hope Cahan, Town Council Chair

Betty posing with the Boston Post Cane

The Boston Post Cane is a tradition dating back to 1909 honoring the oldest residents in a town. It is celebrated across hundreds of towns in New England to this day.

Falmouth House resident Betty was born in New Jersey but has spent most of her life in Maine. She and her family lived in Raymond for more than 40 years before settling into an OceanView cottage in 2000.

Betty moved to Falmouth House almost two years ago.

Surrounded by her neighbors and staff at Falmouth House, her close friends and family, and officials from the Town of Falmouth, Betty accepted the historic Boston Post Cane.

Sadly, Betty passed away in our care in January of 2024. 

Wildflower Meadow Blooms at OceanView

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Our new wildflower meadow is in full bloom, and it’s wishing you a happy summer solstice!

This week is National Pollinator Week, and it’s a fitting time to introduce you to our beautiful meadow packed with wildflowers.

This new project is an effort to make our 80-acre campus a more friendly environment for our local pollinators, like bees and butterflies, which play an important role in our ecosystem and are shrinking in population.

We have also designated many locations on campus to be naturalization areas, where we will allow the plants and grass to grow naturally, including the grass around the wildflower meadow. This will encourage biodiversity and help our pollinators.

This is all part of OceanView’s Commitment to Sustainability.

The meadow is near our conservation area and can be seen from Middle Road with the historic Whipple Farm House in the background.

The meadow is composed of a mix of a pollinator-friendly native flowers, and the bees are loving it!

Explore these images and expect more in the weeks ahead!

Whipple Farm Solar Project is Complete

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More than 50% of OceanView’s cottages are now solar powered!

The Whipple Farm Solar Project is complete, marking an important milestone in OceanView’s Commitment to Sustainability.

Scroll down to see a gallery of images from the solar panel installation.

Our friends at ReVision Energy installed 818 solar panels across 38 cottages in the Whipple Farm neighborhood over several weeks in March and April. Their team worked hard, often in chilly and rainy early spring weather, to make quick progress in this large project.

In addition to powering these homes with clean energy, the panels will also benefit the entire community by powering communal spaces like the Whipple Farmhouse and adjacent pool and locker rooms as well as the many OceanView community areas, like the Hager Fitness Pavilion, Main Lodge Dining Room, and other hallways and stairwells. The solar panels will also power streetlights along Whipple Farm Lane and Blueberry Lane.

The new panels are estimated to produce about 343,074 KWh of electricity annually, a substantial carbon offset that is equivalent to 17,160 gallons of gasoline not burned.

This is a major leap forward in our goal of becoming a carbon neutral campus!

 

OceanView’s New Year’s Resolutions for 2023

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Happy New Year from OceanView at Falmouth!

A new year is a new opportunity to set goals to improve yourself. If you haven’t made any New Year’s resolutions yet, it’s never too late! We have some suggestions for healthy new year’s resolutions, and you can read what some of our residents are striving for in 2023. Good luck!

“I want to reach out and help others. I want to exercise at least twice a week.” – Kathy

“I want to be less fearful about speaking my mind clearly on matters little and big. The truth is a balm.” – Sue

“In 2023, I look forward to good health and projects with my wonderful friends at OceanView!” – Mabel

“I aim to keep my visions of the future positive & creative, remembering that smiles from the heart shine through the eyes.” – Deena

“I would like to be kind like Lois.” – Patricia

“Learn & remember residents’ names. I have always had a problem with remembering names. I will work on it this year!” – John

“I resolve to do one fitness activity every day, and I resolve to plan a weekly activity with my family.” – Sue

“I’m resolving to tell my kids NOT to give me any more chocolates for Christmas!” – Connie

“My resolution is to prepare a binder with all the information my children will need to settle my estate after I die like account numbers, insurance policies, investments, names and addresses of people to contact, memorial service and burial plans.” – Nancy

“My resolution is to master the principles of an anti-inflammatory diet and understand which foods cause inflammation.” – Carol

“To make someone smile every day.” – Darlene

“My New Year’s resolution is to keep clearing out! I need to get rid of a lot of STUFF.” – Cynnie

“I have to admit, my car is not neat.
There are wrappers and dog hair all over the seats!
I’ll vacuum and polish and discard the mess;
So, it will help make the New Year less stressed!” – MMM

OceanView Announces First Sustainability Coordinator

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OceanView at Falmouth is pleased to announce the recent hire of Hannah Crayton as OceanView’s first Sustainability Coordinator.

In this new position, Crayton will be working on expanding OceanView’s solar power infrastructure and leading the Naturalization Plan of the OceanView landscape, among other projects that align with OceanView’s commitment to creating a sustainable and environmentally friendly community.

“We are thrilled to have Hannah join the OceanView team as our first Sustainability Coordinator,” said OceanView Director of Operations, Diane Kibbin. “Hannah will play an invaluable role in expanding our current initiatives that include the use of locally-sourced foods, environmentally-friendly cleaning products, a robust recycling and compost program, and the continued expansion of our solar program.”

Originally from Winslow, Maine, Crayton graduated from Thomas College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science and Policy and minors in education, sustainable management, and global sustainability. Crayton is currently in the process of becoming Building Performance Institute (BPI) certified to further her expertise in sustainable building practices and solutions.

“I’m very passionate about environmental stewardship and sustainability and want to help preserve the Earth for the next generations to come.” said Crayton. “This job melds together my goals and dreams to help people and the planet!”

Chef Jeffrey Stewart in Dining Room

Introducing OceanView’s General Manager of Catering & Food Services

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Chef Jeffrey Stewart brings 25 years of professional experience to OceanView’s Dining Services. Our residents, and their tummies, welcome Jeffrey to the OceanView community!

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Falmouth Fire-EMS Chief Howard Rice and his team

OceanView Recognizes Local Police, Fire & Emergency Medical Services

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In honor of National Police and EMS Weeks, OceanView’s General Manager of Dining Services, Jeff Landry, dropped off some well-deserved meals for our local heroes.

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OceanView Reopens WGME Segment

OceanView Residents Featured on CBS News

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WGME News reported on how glad our residents and staff are to finally have life at the community return to normal!

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OceanView residents dining.

OceanView Partially Reopens Dining, Activities & Visits!

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With the vast majority of our residents and staff having completed their Covid-19 vaccination series more than two weeks ago, we are grateful to be able to safely offer limited in-person services and amenities!

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