Receiving a diagnosis of incurable dementia can feel like a death sentence. The degenerative diseases encompassed by the term slowly erode the brain of affected individuals, hindering their ability to think and ultimately to function. For 50‑year‑old Mark Timmons of East Machias, being diagnosed with early‑onset Alzheimer's in 2016 did not signal the end of his life but the beginning of living it in earnest. Now, as his condition develops, Timmons is fully focused on the realization of a dream he has held all his life: creating Haven.
     Born and raised south of Boston, Timmons married and lived with his wife in New Hampshire. There, they raised three children together: Mark Jr., Abby and Joe. Timmons was a highly talented tax accountant who handled large estates and the accounts of private foundations. After the death of his first wife, he moved to Arizona for a fresh start. He remarried, though his second wife would also pass away. "I was living alone with my dog and an occasional child," he says.
  Mark was managing his situation well enough when his work took an unexpected turn. "All of a sudden, I noticed I was making mistakes that I'd never made before." In the 2015‑16 season, it "came to a head," Timmons explains. "I noticed so many mistakes. I would sit in a meeting, and an hour later I'd forget what we'd talked about." He found himself unable to remember what changes to the tax code had taken place from year to year.
     In attempting to describe his issues to his doctor, Timmons put it as simply as he could. "I just feel like every week I'm getting more stupid." The symptoms were frustrating for Timmons, who had had a higher‑than‑average IQ since taking his first test as a preteen.
     Timmons was given a series of tests. The results suggested an early‑onset dementia, and he was subsequently referred to a neurologist. After taking one look at the results of his positron emission tomography (PET) scan, the specialist quickly identified the indicators of Alzheimer's. "When that happened, it was like, 'It's time to stop talking. Life is short and it's time to do these things while you still have the ability.'" He sold almost everything he had, packed up his dog and moved to East Machias last August. Timmons was determined to create Haven.

Haven: an evolving concept
     To Timmons, the term "haven" was initially connected with his passion for photography. "'Haven' is a safe place. It's a place you go to get out of dangerous elements. When you go to haven, you go to a place of peace." During his past health and personal challenges, photography was his first haven. "The one place I could escape to, the one thing that was attached to me, was photography."
     Over time, haven took on a new form. His first wife's family comes with a legacy of ale brewing in the Jamaica Plains, and he still has several original labels from the Jacobs family's 1800s‑era brews. To honor his first wife and his children, Timmons dreamed of owning and operating a traditional tavern with rooms to rent for weary travelers and an abundance of hospitality. "The name continued to make sense for everything we wanted to do."
     With his diagnosis, Timmons realized he would need a partner to help his dream come to life. He spoke to his children, and Abby -- now 23 -- came forward to help with the business. Abby was previously living in Arizona as a pharmacy technician but found the work unfulfilling, and when the opportunity came to start Haven with her dad, whom she describes as having "always been my best friend," it was an easy decision to come with him.
     It wasn't by accident that the Timmons selected Washington County for their endeavor. Years ago, Mark visited Lubec with his father, staying at the Eastland Motel. He was charmed by the area and kept it in mind while the concept of Haven developed. After his diagnosis, he'd reached out to the owners -- Heather and Glen Tenan -- and asked if they knew of any properties for rent in the area. The Tenans had a property available in East Machias, and, after learning about Mark and his goals, they agreed to sell him the property. 
     The 19th‑century farmhouse sits on 20 acres, 18 of which are forested with a mixture of tree species and sizes. Both the home and the area are an ideal match for Timmons. "I love the rural feel to it. The history. I really missed being in an area with history," he says, sharing that the town he lived in in Arizona was founded in the 1970s. "I also missed the winters. I had a great time this past winter." With his new home secured, Timmons set his sights on opening Haven in downtown Calais.
     After arriving in Washington County, it took some time for Timmons to get his doctors established. Once he did, a "routine" scan to obtain a baseline reading led to troubling results that threw Haven into jeopardy. "The latest test results took me by surprise," he explains. His doctors informed him that he was experiencing two seizures a minute, and another test showed scarring on his brain indicating he had been having strokes. It was apparent that Timmons had a rare combination of multiple dementias. There would be no way he could drive to Calais on a regular basis to operate Haven.
     The test results prompted Mark and Abby to come up with a new vision of Haven, one that would be simpler, start smaller and build over time. "Looking out the window, we saw 18 acres that we already own."

The Haven of tomorrow: Middle Earth comes to Washington County
     With an ample amount of land, native fruit bushes and trees, and a profound desire to create a warm and inviting place, the Timmons will be gradually unfolding the newest iteration of Haven on their East Machias property on 10 Elders Hill Road. It will begin simply, as a small outdoor venue where local musicians and performing artists can play. Timmons emphasizes that their goal with the venue is to complement existing businesses such as Obadiah's Bohemian Café by not conflicting with performance nights, explaining that his desire is to be a good neighbor in the community in each respect. Along with the venue, they will be offering their visitors refreshments from the Haven café, a smaller version of the Haven tavern concept scaled down to fit their farmhouse's accommodations.
     The newest iteration of Haven has taken on a distinctly compelling theme. Inspired in part by their youngest family member, Joe, a natural musician and avid Tolkien fan, Haven will be serving foods and beverages that one would expect to encounter in Middle Earth. Large meat pies, soups, chowders, breads and other basic dishes will be served, and eventually the Timmonses will be offering their own specially‑made mead flavored with native fruits and herbs. They will be gradually expanding their existing organic garden to include an array of vegetables for their dishes.
     As Haven gains momentum, the Timmonses will commence the final stage: a series of Hobbit‑like cottages and minimalist tree houses offering a simplistic and highly rustic night's stay. The Timmonses see the trend toward minimalism -- particularly in the younger generations -- as being a prime indicator that their vision would be well received by a certain demographic looking to escape the wired world. "It would be real primitive, back‑to‑nature style. Perfect for the artist that wants to get away from it all," Timmons explains.
     With socially conscious backgrounds, profits will be used to help causes that are important to Timmons, including finding a cure for dementia, music and the arts, homelessness and poverty. Even though the concept of Haven has evolved, portions of it remain soundly intact. The Haven café will offer a specially brewed ale created by the Lubec Brewing Company featuring labels based on the Jacob family's line of ales.
     While the Timmonses estimate that the complete vision of Haven, including the stage, café and lodging, is about two years from being built, they are beginning work on the first steps immediately. He considers working on it to be nothing less than his lifeline for the future. "I hate not being mentally engaged throughout the day. In the back of my head, I have this notion that if I stop thinking for a second, I'll lose something and never get it back."
     Determined to be Alzheimer's first survivor, Mark wants to change the public perception of the dementia‑affected individual. "It's important for people to realize that with an Alzheimer's diagnosis, we don't become useless members of society. I have Alzheimer's and I still have a lot to do with my life."
     The Timmonses are currently planning on doing a crowd funding operation to raise funds for the building portions of Haven. They are open to investors and won't rule out any suggestions for how they can make their dream a reality.
     Timmons' photography work, which he sells under the name Haven Gallery, is available for viewing at the Eastland Motel or through personal appointments. He can be reached via email at <LCorso68@zoho.com> or through Facebook. Follow along with Haven on Timmons' blog at <havendowneast.wordpress.com>.