Birch Bay Retirement Village

11/27/2025

Thankful hearts gather here! Warmest Thanksgiving wishes from our community to you! 🦃

11/26/2025

Our Employee Activities Committee recently organized a Fall Food Drive in support of the Emmaus Homeless Shelter. Starting next week, our staff and residents have pledged to purchase gifts for 60 children through our 9th Annual Angel Tree program. Let’s work together to uplift those in need!

11/22/2025

Baking brings joy, memories, and connection! Our seniors love staying active, creative, and social while making delicious treats together at our adult day program.
We are pleased to offer baking as one of the many programming opportunities at the Don & Beth Straus Adult Day Program.

11/21/2025

How ‘Bout Them Apples Cookoff was a big hit! 🍎

11/21/2025

Congratulations to the winners of our How ‘Bout Them Apples Cookoff! Melissa Violette came in first place with her Apple Egg Rolls with homemade ice cream followed by Peter with his Red Cabbage and Apple Sausage and Georgiana with Apple Cinnamon Rolls👩‍🍳 🍎

11/20/2025

At Birch Bay Retirement Village, working together to care for our residents is what matters most. If you are a caring person and want to use your skills, perhaps Birch Bay Retirement Village is the right fit for your next career. Voted 2024 & 2025 Best Places to Work in Maine. For more information about career opportunities, visit: birchbayvillage.us/careers

11/18/2025

11/17/2025

Birch Bay Retirement Village is pleased to announce leadership changes designed to strengthen our community operations by enhancing the quality of life for our residents and the community we serve.

James Hoke, MBA, CDP has been appointed Director of Community Operations. In this expanded role, James will oversee Facilities, Housekeeping, and Dining Services, ensuring excellence in the day-to-day operations that support our residents and staff. In addition, James will lead the Community Lifeline Program, which provides medical alert services for the greater Mount Desert Island and Hancock County community. James will continue to report directly to Rob Hemenway, Executive Director. Previously James held the role of Director of Programs & Resident Engagement and has been with Birch Bay Retirement Village since 2016.

Melissa Violette, MT-BC, NMT, has been named Director of Therapeutic Programming and Activities. Melissa will oversee our Music Therapy Program, Straus Adult Day Program, and Life Enrichment and Activities Programs, guiding our efforts to provide innovative and meaningful engagement opportunities for residents and participants. Melissa will report to Stacey Conary, RN, Director of Clinical Operations. Melissa previously held the role of Music Therapy Program Director. Melissa has been with Birch Bay Retirement Village since 2014.
These leadership updates reflect Birch Bay’s ongoing dedication to teamwork, resident-centered care, and operational excellence. We congratulate James and Melissa on their new roles and look forward to their continued contributions to our wonderful community.

11/16/2025

A friendly game with neighbors on a warm fall day!
Life at the Birch Bay Inn includes a variety of cultural, social, and educational events hosted by staff and volunteers. The enriched activities program with scheduled transportation to performances, social events, local theaters, and the Bangor Symphony as well as field trips to the park and local galleries are available to Inn residents. Learn more by visiting: www.birchbayvillage.us

11/15/2025

Music Therapy is at the heart of the Safe Harbor Memory Care neighborhood at Birch Bay Retirement Village. Our Board Certified Music Therapist uses her demonstrated knowledge and skills to provide residents with individual and group therapy. The benefits of Music Therapy are known to make an impact on resident’s levels of agitation, improve communication capabilities, reduce pain, improve sleep patterns, reduce sundowning, and assist in resident’s ability to communicate. Learn more by visiting: https://www.birchbayvillage.us/living-options/safe-harbor-memory-care/

11/13/2025

Birch Bay Retirement Village offers medical alert solutions for residents of Hancock County who want the comfort of knowing that emergency assistance is available 24 hours a day, seven days per week.

Within 90 seconds, a highly trained representative of Lifeline will respond by telephone to quickly assess the situation and dispatch the appropriate help to your home. This may include medical, police or fire personnel. You may even request a call to a neighbor or family member. Lifeline offers you or your loved one peace of mind and a greater sense of security.

For more information, call 288-8014 x 5202.

11/12/2025

On Veteran's Day, November 11th, Birch Bay staff and residents gathered to celebrate the veteran's in our community. Thank you to all who have served. We are eternally grateful for your service.