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  Newsletter

May 2007

President's Letter

Greetings from the Cranberry Isles!

The record-breaking storms of April left a chill in the air that lingered a little longer than usual, but the trees have finally begun to bud out, and even CIRT is experiencing a degree of rejuvenation! I am pleased to report that all three of our houses are occupied, and in two cases, by families with children! lan and Sheila Krasnow moved into the house on Islesford with their two children, Samantha and Isaac, last September, and just three weeks ago Wendy Rackliff moved from Islesford into the Rice House on GCI with her three children. Paul, Casey and Joe have attended the Islesford School for the past two years, which they continue to now do as commuters! We are tremendously pleased to have been able to assist these families in their dream of calling the Cranberry Isles home.

When I joined the CIRT board three years ago, many of our discussions centered around issues over which we had little control — job availability, ferry service, the closed school on Cranberry. As an organization whose mission is affordable housing, we needed to focus our attention and our efforts. Last year, we began polling our communities, both formally and informally, to gain new ideas and perspectives on how we might be more effective in our mission. We were thrilled to then subsequently receive a grant from the Genesis Fund for the purpose of researching and developing some of those new ideas into programs.

We are looking forward to speaking with you in the months ahead about these new ways that we can help you, help us, help sustain the year-round island population through affordable housing! Happy Spring! We look forward to seeing you on the islands soon!

Sonja Moser, President
Islesford

Time Flies for the Krasnows

A message from Sheila and lann Krasnow

Spring has sprung for us here on Islesford for the third time. Boy how time flies. It wasn't too long ago when we lived in a city of 32,000 people and decided we wanted a change. We have been coming to Islesford for 14+ years and decided to move to the one place that meant the most to us. With the encouragement of family and friends including Steve and Soos Krasnow, Edgar Blank, Roy and Nan Hadlock and Denise and Mitchel McCormick, we decided to just DO IT. After our first winter in the Gifford House (thanks Will and Amy), the CIRT house became available that following fall and we were able to apply. We were subsequently awarded the CIRT house. Now that we have secured housing, we are able to devote our time to preparing our piece of land for our own home. More to follow.

CIRT receives 3-year grant to expand its efforts

by Katrina Van Dusen

The Cranberry Isles Realty Trust is a beneficiary of an 8-island grant to address affordable housing and community development needs. The funding comes from the US Department of Agriculture's Rural Community Development Initiative through the Genesis Fund in Maine. According to Elizabeth McPherson, Executive Director of Genesis Fund, the three-year grant will provide resources vital to the long-term development and sustainability of eight of Maine's year-round island communities.

CIRT will receive about $25,000 over three years to help build the organization's capacity and to work with the community on initiatives that will sustain or increase the year-round population. The CIRT board hopes that work accomplished under the grant will help:

• Expand the array of tools the CIRT board understands and uses to tackle the islands' affordable housing needs;
• Make available a greater array of affordable housing opportunities, focusing on Islesford; and
• Attract new year-round residents, focusing on Great Cranberry.

More specifically, CIRT proposes to hire consultants to help the board:

• agree on long-term affordability covenants;
• develop a second mortgage program;
• learn more about charitable giving opportunities;
• explore innovative tools to secure property and help people buy houses; and
• assist with marketing to prospective residents.

Not only is CIRT looking, in some cases, for legal interpretation and language, but also to have the CIRT board and the interested public trained about how these tools can be used.

We will be looking for your involvement in our work at events this summer.

Did You Know?

If you are age 70-1/2 or older you are now allowed to distribute up to $100,000 this year from your IRA to a charity tax-free. By making a gift to Cranberry Isles Realty Trust from your IRA you can fulfill all or part of your annual distribution and not be taxed on the gift as you would for normal distributions.

Please Continue to Support CIRT

Please continue to support CIRT by purchasing our notecards for sale at island fairs and gift shops, at Archipelago in Rockland, and through Sonja Moser on Islesford. We now have two images on cards: Northern Lights Over the CIRT House by Bill McGuiness and Town Field by Mark Howard. We appreciate the artists' generous donation of the use of their work.

Cranberry Isles Realty Trust
Board of Directors

The work of the Cranberry Isles Realty Trust is important to me.  Please accept my donation of $_______ to help provide year-round housing on the Cranberry Isles.

Name ______________________________________________

Address ___________________________________________

Telephone _________________________________________

E-Mail ____________________________________________

Contributions are tax-deductible.  Please mail this form and your check to:
Cranberry Isles Realty Trust, PO Box 129, Cranberry Isles, ME 04625

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