Event hosted by Local Community Members Including Bandmate Noel “Paul” Stookey
Blue Hill, Maine — The Peter Yarrow Memorial Golf Tournament will take place at the Blue Hill Country Club on Thursday, July 30, with proceeds benefiting Friendship Cottage, an essential adult day service program in Blue Hill operated by Community Action in Aroostook, Washington and Hancock Counties (CAAWHC). The event celebrates the legacy of Peter Yarrow, the beloved folk singer, activist, and co‑founder of the iconic trio Peter, Paul and Mary—known worldwide for songs such as “Puff, the Magic Dragon,” “If I Had a Hammer,” and “Blowin’ in the Wind.”
The tournament is organized by a group of local community members, including Peter’s longtime bandmate Noel “Paul” Stookey, who has been a dedicated supporter of Aging Services. Stookey, a resident of the Blue Hill Peninsula, has long championed supporting older adults and caregivers throughout Hancock County.
Proceeds from the tournament will directly support the ongoing operations and planned enhancements at Friendship Cottage, helping strengthen the facility, expand programming, and ensure the long‑term sustainability of adult day services in the region.
Ben Wooten, one of the tournament organizers and a member of the Friends of Friendship Cottage group, highlighted the community’s role in sustaining the program:
“Friendship Cottage has always been a place where people are cared for with dignity, joy, and connection,” Wooten said. “This tournament is a way for our community to come together, celebrate Peter’s legacy, and support a program that means so much to local families.”
Friendship Cottage provides daytime care, nutritious meals, social engagement, and meaningful activities for adults living with physical, cognitive, or memory challenges. The program also offers essential respite and support for caregivers across Hancock County.
CAAWHC recently completed the purchase of the Friendship Cottage building, securing the future of the program after a remarkable community‑driven fundraising effort. More than $700,000 was raised in just a few months, including a $135,000 anonymous donation that finalized the acquisition and funded urgent capital improvements such as roof replacement and structural upgrades.
CAAWHC CEO Jason Parent emphasized the importance of continued community support:
“Friendship Cottage is a lifeline for families across Hancock County,” Parent said. “This tournament honors Peter Yarrow’s legacy of compassion and community while helping ensure the Cottage remains strong, welcoming, and sustainable for years to come.”
Peter Yarrow’s music and activism helped shape the American folk revival of the 1960s. Alongside Stookey and Mary Travers, the trio used their platform to advocate for peace, justice, and community—values deeply reflected in the mission of Friendship Cottage. The tournament celebrates Yarrow’s enduring spirit of kindness and connection while supporting a program that embodies those same values.
