"Sea Coast Mission" Reel 3

Date1939 – 1947

AbstractIntertitle: "When a doctor's call from the mainland may cost $75, the services of a nurse in the winter months are desperately needed. She is sponsored jointly by the Mission and the Delano memorial Fund of the American Red Cross." Views of a nurse, wearing her nurse's cloak and carrying a medical bag, walking across a snowy field in ankle deep snow, approaching a house where an older woman waits at the door. Intertitle: "Medical and dental clinics brought to the islands by the Mission prevent much suffering and teach health habits." A nurse instructs a group of children on brushing teeth, using a toothbrush and dental model. View of a dentist drilling a tooth of a patient in a chair. Intertitle: "Furniture contributed to the Mission is sold at nominal prices. Here goes a load to the Mission's store at Jonesport. " Views of furniture being loaded onto the stern of Sunbeam, and a loaded Sunbeam underway. The furniture is unladed from the hold of the ship at Jonesport and put in a building near the dock. Intertitle: "Sargeant [sic] House in Bar Harbor, which enables island girls to obtain a high school education." Exterior shots of the house in Bar Harbor. Intertitle: "In charge are Rev. and Mrs. Anson R. Williams." Rev. and Mrs. Williams pose outside the house. Interiors of three girls in front of a fireplace playing a game. Shots of two girls washing dishes in the kitchen of the house. One of the girls sits on her bed doing homework. Intertitle: "Mr [sic] Williams serves as pastor for a 50 mile stretch of isolated coastline." Exterior views of a traditional New England church with two entry doors. CU of Mr. Williams. Intertitle: "Let us follow him on an afternoon of pastoral calls." Views of two men walk down toward a dory at the shore, over snow. They row away from shore. Views of Mr. Williams carrying a small parcel carefully making his way over icy and snowy shore, and walking through snow to a small house where two children enter. A cat hanging around the door. Shots of Mr. Williams talking with man at door, and he gives her a copy of a magazine. Mr. Williams walks to another small house, covered in tar paper, and greets a young couple at the door, giving them a package of magazines. He chats with children playing outdoors with a sled. At another house, he speaks with a woman at her door, and a man at another house. He walks down a snowy road. Intertitle: "Early in November, the work of Christmas wrapping begins in the Mission House." Two women work with items stored on shelves, wrapping items in white paper and red string. Views of socks and warm clothing being selected for wrapping. Dolls are stacked on shelves with stuffed animals, books and games. Intertitle: "How would you like a Christmas list of 2,400 names?" A loose-leaf notebook contains pages of information regarding the Christmas gifts. Intertitle: "Ready to be taken to 100 places along the Maine Coast." Wrapped packages are put in large cardboard boxes for shipment. Views of the cardboard boxes being loaded onto Sunbeam. Views onboard Sunbeam as she travels in winter waters with waves splashing over the bow.

ScriptTHE MAINE SEA COAST MISSIONARY SOCIETY Bar Harbor, Maine INTRODUCTORY REMARKS (May be omitted if desired): The idea of making this movie of the work of the Maine Sea Coast Mission was born at the Sigma Kappa Convention in San Francisco in 1939. among the delegates present were Mrs. Grace Wells Thompson and Miss Patricia Thomas of Waterville, Maine. Mrs. Thompson is Regional President and Miss Thomas was at the time President of Alpha Chapter. Both of these Sigmas were present at the launching of the Mission's new boat, Sunbeam III, in Damariscotta, Maine, in December, 1939. The idea was presented to the Superintendent at that event, and it was proposed that Alpha Chapter sponsor the initial production as their gift to the Sorority and the Mission. The services of Mr. Joseph Smith of the Colby College staff were secured as photographer and he has taken frequent trips to the coast to make these pictures since that time. The primary purpose back of the project was to seek to acquaint Sigmas throughout the country with the work which has been Sigma's National Philanthropy for more than twenty years. The pictures have met with such hearty enthusiasm from every quarter that a duplicate film has been made for use in non-Sigma groups as well, in the hope that through it use those now supporting the work might gain a more adequate idea of the unique ministry and that new groups and individuals might wish to become regular supporters of this non-denominational work dedicated to the service of the coast of Maine. Read before showing Reel I This first reel gives an impression of the Maine coast and a bit of the atmosphere of the Mission's parish. It is difficult to realize just how broken and jagged the coast line really is, and the number of islands there are that dot the coast. Maine has the longest coast line of any state in the Union. There are 2500 miles of coast line if one follows the irregularities of the peninsulas and inlets, and it is three hundred miles in a straight line from one extreme of the Mission's parish to the other. There are over ten thousand islands large enough for people to live on and about ten per cent are inhabited. The Mission's program touches in some way over a hundred and fifty places each year. Within the parish ore fifty-four light houses and twelve coast guard stations, most of which the Mission includes in its far flung program. Lobster fishing, clam digging, and catching herring comprise the principal means of livelihood for the people of the Mission's parish in peace time. There are also several granite quarries which struggle for existence. The war has changed the picture somewhat. emphasis now is on ship building and other defense projects. This has caused great shifts of population, thus creating many new problems for the Mission and the Sunbeam. Until one has actually seen the coast and visited some of the islands in winter, it is difficult to grasp the true significance and seriousness of the island problem. A few people, living on an island separated from hospitals, schools, churches, and other special privileges, must grapple with the deadly foe, isolation. The role of a strip of storm-tossed or ice-strewn water is very often cruel, and the need for the Mission's services has multiplied. Read before showing Reel II In the next reel we shall see the Mission House and Rev. Neal D. Bousfield, the superintendent, and his family. Then going on a tour aboard the boat, a hasty glimpse will be given us of the missionaries at work on the field. Each one, ordained preacher or lay worker, is minister from one to a dozen communities or neighborhoods, and each one seeks to develop some special work among the people. Mrs. Peasley, for example, has developed and encouraged the making of hooked rugs. Mrs. Muir is the teacher of an island school as well as pastor. Mr. Bousfield, in addition to his administrative duties, serves as chaplain to the lighthouses and coast guard stations of the coast and acts as minister of several island churches. Read before showing Reel III Reel three will introduce us to the Red Cross Mission nurse, supported jointly until June, 1944 by the Delano Memorial Fund of the Red Cross and the Mission. Also, we will glimpse a Mission dental clinic in full swing. The Mission's furniture exchange is a comparatively new project. The films show the Sunbeam taking a load of things to a distant port in preparation for a sale. Through this project hundreds of poor homes are made more comfortable. There is also the story of Sargent House, a boarding home for island girls who wish to attend high school. Here girls from tiny communities too small to support a high school are given the advantages not only of an education but a happy home environment. We will also follow Mr. Williams of the staff on an afternoon of calls. The story of the Christmas work is best told by the pictures themselves. Suffice it to say that this is one of the biggest single undertakings of the calendar year. Read before showing Reel IV At the center of the program of the Mission is the good ship Sunbeam. To hundreds of coast people the sight of the Sunbeam cruising on her way brings memories which have greatly endeared her to them. There is hardly an experience in the life of the people that she does not share, and there is not an island that does not greet her with praise and follow her with blessing. Since the war, calls for the boat have increased by three hundred percent. It is by means of the Sunbeam that contact is maintained with the outer islands, pastoral visitation of the isolated families and religious services are made possible, and, in the absence of other means, emergencies are met. By means of the Sunbeam the sick are carried to the hospital; convalescents are returned to their homes; dentists, doctors, nurses, and public welfare workers are transported to the islands as needed; and the dead are taken to their long rest. In winter she breaks ice in their harbors to make way for mail and stores. A poem was written about the boat by the late Dr. Henry Van Dyke, who for many years served as President of the Mission's Board of Directors. It reflects the challenge of the coast as well as the affectionate regard in which the Sunbeam, which is the center and symbol of the whole enterprise, is held. These movies close with the rendering of this poem, interspersed with pictures to illustrate its lines."