November/December
12/10/24 – It’s always a grand holiday at The Grand in Ellsworth! Star 97.7 talks with Grand Executive Director Nick Turner about this year’s musical, opening this week – the classic “A Christmas Story!”
11/26/24 – December programming at the Versant Power Astronomy Center includes some cool facts on ice, holiday music, and a look at the Christmas star. Star 97.7 gets the holiday scoop from Director Shawn Laatsch!
11/19/24 – Today is Women’s Entrepreneurship Day. Star 97.7 interviews Global Women’s Programs Executive Pam Seagle about the special challenges faced by female entrepreneurs.
11/18/24 – Star 97.7 talks with pediatrician and mom of two Dr. Whitney Casares about Instagram’s new Teen Accounts, designed to add a layer of safety and help teens monitor their online time.
11/13/24 – Two meteor showers, a super moon, and Jupiter and Saturn. This month’s sky is filled with opportunities for stargazers. Shawn Laatsch, Director of the Versant Power Astronomy Center, tells Star 97.7 about the Leonids.
11/12/24 – Local health leaders use wastewater monitoring data to make health decisions and curb the spread of seasonal viruses. Dr. Marlene Wolfe, Program Director at Wastewater SCAN tells Star 97.7, they can access data for our area at data.wastewaterscan.org.
11/11/24 – Star 97.7 talks with decorated veteran Lindsay Streeter about his 30+ years serving in the U.S. Army and what it was like to transition to civilian service – he gives Star 97.7 advice on what employees and employers can do to help veterans ease back into the civilian workplace.
11/08/24 – There are 65 stillbirths every day in the U.S. Changes in fetal movement are often the first and only sign of distress. Samantha Banerjee, Executive Director of PUSH for Empowered Pregnancy, tells Star 97.7, they’re working to create awareness.
11/01/24 – Despite all the gloom and doom about the economy, the numbers don’t bear that out. The latest GDP report this week showed a healthy 2.8% growth, and Mark Bennett, a Business Banking Expert with Bank of America, tells Star 97.7, small business owners are feeling hopeful and positive.
10/31/24 – Hauling traps, shoveling snow, stacking firewood – Mainers have plenty of reasons for suffering back and neck pain. Star 97.7 talks with Dr. Sherry McAllister, President of the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress, about possible treatments.
10/30/24 Coming up in November, some great programming for all ages, plus the Maynard Jordan Planetarium celebrates a special anniversary! Director Shawn Laatsch gives Star 97.7 the details.
10/25/25 Versant Power Astronomy Center Director Shawn Laatsch tells Star 97.7, the Planetarium has teamed up with author Stephen King to provide some spooky fun leading into Halloween Week!
10/24/25 When devastating storms hit anywhere in the U.S., a local man jumps into action to help restore power for those left in the dark. Star 97.7 talks with Roque Bluffs resident William Manchester about his recent stint in Florida, helping thousands recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
10/23/24 Lost on a Mountain in Maine – Maine children everywhere thrill to the true story of 12 year old Donn Fendler who survived more than a week in the remote wilderness of northern Maine. Now a major motion picture produced by Sylvester Stallone, The Grand in Ellsworth Executive Director Nick Turner talks with Star 97.7 about the premiere.
10/22/24 Today is National Nut Day! Star 97.7 talks with Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist Sammi Haber Brondo about why we should ALL be going nuts for this nutritious food!
10/18/24 Few may be familiar with the name Frances Perkins. But the woman who considered Maine her home was the first woman to serve in the US Cabinet, and every one of us benefits from her work in Washington under FDR. Star 97.7 talks with Giovanna Gray Lockhart, Executive Director of the Frances Perkins Center in New Castle about this amazing woman.
10/17/24 Can a simple panel of blood tests predict the risk of heart disease in women later in life? Star 97.7 talks with Harvard educated cardiologist Dr. Payal Kohli about the latest research on women’s heart health, as published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
10/15/24 Last week, the Social Security Administration announced next year’s COLA for those who have earned and are receiving benefits. Star 97.7 talks with AARP Vice President of Government Affairs Jenn Jones about what that means for Mainers, how AARP is advocating for seniors, what to consider before you decide to start drawing benefits, and where to find valuable information and resources to help with making those decisions.
10/14/24 Product reviews – we depend on them more than you might think! Star 97.7 spoke with Joe Burton, CEO of Reputation, about the importance of leaving reviews, how to spot fake reviews, and how companies can best respond when they get a bad review.
10/10/24 Star 97.7 News talks with Pediatric Sports Medicine Specialist Dr. Naomi Brown about common sports injuries in children and teens – and how best to prevent and treat them.
10/09/24 Shawn Laatsch, Director of the Versant Power Astronomy Center, tells Star 97.7, there are some spooking things happening this month at the center … and in the night skies!
09/17/24 Friends and Family Weekend is coming up at the University of Maine Orono campus, and the Versant Power Astronomy Center has some very special programming planned! We talk with Director Shawn Laatsch about this and the upcoming Stars Over Katahdin event.
09/12/24 The Credit Card competition Act would bring credit card swipe fees under control; but an expert with the Natinal Retail Federation tells Star 97.7, that legislation has been pending for two years.
09/10/24 Wrapping up our series on ARPA funding in Maine, today we talk with The Grand Executive Director Nick Turner about non-profits and the need for “rescue” funds after most were shuttered during the pandemic.
09/09/24 One of the areas of need in Hancock County highlighted by the pandemic, besides funding for broadband – upgrades for law enforcement equipment. Star 97.7 talks with Hancock County Sheriff Scott Kane about how ARPA funding helped him and his deputies with those much-needed public safety upgrades.
09/06/24 This morning, Star 97.7 talks with Penobscot County Grant Manager Wendy Dana about how that County spent its ARPA funds based on community input. Virtually all the monies went to struggling nonprofits.
09/05/24 Continuing our series on ARPA funding, this morning we talk with Washington County Manager Renee Gray about why that county’s funding all went to one much-needed building project.
09/04/24 This morning, Star 97.7 begins our series on ARPA funding. We spoke with officials from five of Maine’s 16 counties about how funds were earmarked, who made those decisions, and why funds were allocated as they were. We begin with Aroostook and Waldo Counties.
09/03/24
One of our favorites – this morning we talk with Shawn Laatsch, Director of the Versant Power Astronomy Center, about what’s happening there in September!
08/23/24 – The Blue Hill Fair opens in less than a week! Star 97.7 talks with Fair Manager Erik Fitch about what’s new, what’s back, and what’s good to eat on the Midway!
08-08-24 – The pandemic, inflation, staffing issues – it’s been a tough few years for small businesses. But business expert Carol Lee Mitchell tells Star 97.7, the future looks optimistic, according to small business owners.
08/06/24 – Star 97.7 talks with Shawn Laatsch, Director of the Versant Power Astronomy Center, about their August programming and about one of the year’s premier meteor showers – the Perseids!
08/02/24 – Star 97.7 News talks with Boston Globe contributor and award-winning filmmaker about his documentary, “Lobster War”, showing this Saturday at the Milbridge Community Theatre and Arts Center.
07/23/24 – It’s Milbridge Days weekend, and this year’s event is bigger and better than ever (is that even possible?!)! Star 97.7 talks with Volunteer and Organizer Richard Bondurant about the food, the parade, the vendors, the codfish relay and more!
07/17/24 – It’s a Grand July in Ellsworth! Star 97.7 talks with The Grand in Ellsworth Executive Director Nick Turner about current and upcoming happenings at the City’s iconic entertainment hub!
07/11/24 – It’s all about the moon at the Versant Power Astronomy Center this July! Director Shawn Laatsch tells Star 97.7, there’s programming on current space exploration, rockets for kids, and a 50th Anniversary celebration of Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” in this month’s music show! Plus matinees for kids of all ages – visit astro.umaine.edu to learn more!
6-28-24 – Star 97.7 talks with the Director/Caretaker of one of Ellsworth’s treasures about the best place in Ellsworth to “take a hike”. Grayson Richmond gives us the scoop on the Stanwood Wildlife Sanctuary and Birdsacre.
6-26-24 – Versant Power Planetarium director Shawn Laatsch tells Star 97.7 their summer matinee programming is in full swing – and there’s lots to look for in the night sky in July!
6-25-24 – Star 97.7 talks with Heart of Ellsworth Director Cara Romano about Downtown Ellsworth’s journey toward being designated a National Historic District – where the process stands, why it’s important, and how you can get involved.
6-24-24 Star 97.7 recently sat down with Corporal Shawn Merchant of the Ellsworth Police department to talk about tonight’s Tip-A-Cop event at Helen’s Restaurant in Ellsworth, which raises money for Special Olympics.
6-20-24 – American Idol finalist and Maine sweetheart and singing sensatin, Julia Gagnon, is coming to The Grand in Ellsworth! One local performer will have the chance to be her opening act! Star 97.7 talks with Grand Executive Director Nick Turner about the concer … and the contest!
6-14-24 Star 97.7 talks with Todd Houghton, President and CEO of Homewatch CareGivers, about a new program that utilizes technology to help seniors age independently in their own homes – while remaining safe and avoiding feelings of loneliness and isolation
6-4-24 Star 97.7 talks with retired Maine State Trooper and former DARE officer Christine Buchanan about the amazing Camp POSTCARD – a camp for kids referred by DARE officers that has its roots right here in Ellsworth.
5-29-24 Star 97.7 talks with singer-songwriter Lara Herscovitch about her musical journey and her upcoming concert at the Milbridge Theatre and Community Arts Center!
5-28-24 There’s a lot going on at the Versant Power Astronomy Center, including upcoming children’s programs all summer long, beginning June 19th. Star 97.7 gets the scoop from Executive Director Shawn Laatsch.
5-16-24 Star 97.7 talks with Corporal Shawn Merchant with the Ellsworth Police Department about the upcoming Special Olympics Torch Run and learns how YOU can be a part of the June 7th event!
5-9-24 Mental illness and suicide – Vic Armstrong, Vice President of Health Equity at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, talks with Star 97.7 about what signs to look for and how to talk with a person who may be contemplating suicide, and shares resources available to help.
5-2-24 For years, Grand Executive Director Nick Turner has been reminding us, this is OUR Grand! Star 97.7 talks with Turner about OUR opportunity to step up and help “Raise the Roof”!
5-1-24 Star 97.7 talks with Ellsworth Historical Society President Jennifer Sala about the upcoming Jane’s Walks this Saturday!