Sea Bags: Musings from Maine

Image via: SailMaine.

We’re excited to announce that we’ve partnered with SailMaine to create a scholarship fund to introduce and encourage students ages 8-18 to learn the sport of sailing.

Individuals who drop off a sail to Sea Bags will receive a complimentary Sea Bags accessory, or, they can donate their sail to the “Sea Bags Scholarship Fund.” We will then donate to SailMaine, made as a quarterly donation. The program started in 2007 and has just been enhanced by this commitment to work together. 

SailMaine is a non-profit organization formed to support sailing in Maine at the grass-roots, community level. SailMaine connects people of all ages and abilities to the coast of Maine through fun and affordable sailing education, recreation, and competition, stimulating individual growth and creating community.

“We know that all children should have the opportunity to sail and we’re thrilled to be a part of these efforts,” said Hannah Kubiak and Beth Shissler, co-owners of Sea Bags. “Partnering with SailMaine is a perfect match for our business and we’re extremely proud to support our local community.”

Sails can be dropped off at Sea Bags located at 25 Custom House Wharf in Portland, ME. For further information about the program, call Sea Bags at 1.888.210.0744.

For mine, I played hooky from my normal responsibilities at work and played all afternoon. Hannah and I went back to the “old days” and played on the design floor. Looking at the old funky colored sails with their beautiful colors was like opening a bunch of great presents. The colors reminded me of ice cream and sprinkles on a cake–the end result was delicious! See them in our Freeport Store while they last. Like birthdays, they won’t last long!

If you received your issue of Better Homes & Gardens last week, check us out on page 40! The article explains that blue is the ultimate crowd-pleaser. “Nautical blues express simple truths: honor, strength, purity – what we’re all looking for this year.”

The magazine features our Custom House Gull tote - a new addition to our website. It can be purchased for $145.

July’s issue of Marie Claire features a feel-good fashion page, which includes our Wine Tote! We’re in good company with other great summer finds to make your vacation one to remember. It features a TO – FROM label at the back to record the names of all the gifters and giftees on its way around the globe, eventually begging the question, “Where has your wine bag been?!”

Marie Claire says, “Reduce your carbon footprint with eco-friendly Cape Cod style: It’s how Jackie O would hit the Vineyard today.”

Our Wine Tote can be purchased through our website for $29. It also makes a great hostess gift!

Haitians still have a pressing need for food and shelter as they recover from the massive earthquake that struck in January. We’re partnering with others in the Maine sailing community to collect used sails to be shipped to Haiti to be used as makeshift shelters. The rainy season is quickly approaching in the Carribbean, so the faster we can get our used sails to Haiti, the better off the 770,000 homeless will be. 

Donate your used sails to us by March 21st and you will in turn be supporting this effort. We”ll give you a Sea Bag in return as our thanks.  Our address: 25 Custom House Wharf, Portland, ME.

Check out the recent press coverage about the Sails for Haiti efforts:
Maine Sailor Organizes Sail Drive for Haiti
Used Sails from Mainers to Help Out Haiti
Old Sails Recycled as Tents for Haiti