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I95 North to Houlton Rt 1 North to Presque Isle. Marden’s is on the left.
HOULTON 207-532-9125 120 North Street
I95 exit 302. Marden’s is on your right.
LINCOLN 207-794-2013 28-32 Main Street I95 exit 227. Right turn off exit At intersection, turn left onto Rt 2 1-1/2 mile stop light Left turn onto Main Street.
CALAIS 207-454-1421 189 Main Street
I95 exit 182A 395E Rt 9E Rt 1S Follow to Canada. Marden’s is on the left just before the border. Furniture/Flooring store is on right across from McDonalds. Ph. 207454-1459
ELLSWORTH 207-669-6036 461 High Street
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I-95 exit 182A 395E Merge onto Rt1A to Ellsworth Rt 1A becomes Rt 1 and Rt 3 North Follow High St./Rt. 3E Marden’s is 1.3 miles on the right.
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Photo Copyright Š 2011 Michaud Photography, Fort Kent, www.michaudphotography.com
Contents
January, February and March 2011
F e at u r e s
14 Community Players by Sandy Gauvin 20 Turkey Trott by Tamra Kilcollins 28 Hiding in Plain Sight by Ruth Mraz
& George Montee
36 Northern Prosthetics by Cory Laplante 42 An Abridged History of the Can-Am Crown Races by Stan Flagg 54 No Ordinary Place by Kathleen Fortin
Departments 8 County Events 58 County Health Embrace Winter Make Life Easier 62 County Critters 64 aroostook Eats 66 Our Communities 72 Higher Education 80 Holly’s Crayons
by Holly Hardwick
o
ur Thoughts We welcome 2011 with an issue full of local stories that focus on what makes The County a great place to live and visit. We start in Presque Isle with the Community Players, a group responsible for putting on countless performances through their many years from plays to musicals for county audiences, all for the love of a good show. From Presque Isle we sprint to Caribou to get the low down on twenty-five years of the annual Turkey Trot 5k put on by the Harrigan Family, which has become a traditional event for several local families. Onward to Fort Fairfield, we get the story behind one of the town’s most interesting structures, from its past to the present and what the future may hold for this long-standing building. Northern Prosthetics may just be one of The County’s best kept secrets. The services they provide are state-of-the-art and go a long way in helping to improve the quality of life for residents in all of our communities. Follow us to Fort Kent, as we take a look at the iconic Aroostook County event that is the Can-Am dog sled races. Finally, we return to Central Aroostook for a walk down memory lane. We are always looking to learn new things about our favorite part of Maine from our readers, so if you know of a story you would like to see here or have one to tell yourself, don’t hesitate to contact us. Enjoy your winter Aroostook and we will see you in April.
4
WINTER 2011
Our Maine Street m agaz ine
Publisher Our Maine Street LLC Editor In Chief Craig Cormier Circulation / Advertising Charles Cormier Staff Illustrator Holly Hardwick
Many Thanks to: (in no particular order)
Tamra Kilcollins, Sandy Gauvin Cory Laplante, Ken Lamb Ruth Mraz, George Montee, Gene Cyr Stan Flagg, Kathleen Fortin Peter Freeman, Jen Brophy-Price Matthew Michaud, Kim Jones Allison Heidorn, Kristi St. Peter Dr. Terri McQuade, Carol Parks-Olson Content and subscription information: content@ourmainestreet.com 207.472.3464 48 Presque Isle Street Fort Fairfield, ME 04742 www.ourmainestreet.com Copyright © 2011 Our Maine Street LCC. Our Maine Street LLC is jointly owned by Charles, Cheryl and Craig Cormier. Proudly printed in the State of Maine, United States of Amerca.
OUR PRINTING IS 100% WIND POWERED
This publication is made possible by the generous support of our advertising partners. Please let them know you saw them in Our Maine Street Magazine and that you appreciate their support of County projects.
Aroostook Technologies Ben’s Trading Post Boondocks Grille Bouchard Family Farms Caribou Inn & Convention Center Cary Medical Center Clifford L Rhome CPA, P.A. County Abatement, Inc. Dean’s Motor Lodge, Inc. Doris’ Café Fort Kent Muskie Derby Fort Kent Ski-Doo Frank Martin Sons, Inc. Graves Shop ‘n Save Greater Fort Kent Area Chamber of Commerce Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce Greater Madawaska Chamber of Commerce Hand Me Down Antiques Husson University I Care Pharmacy Irving Woodlands LLC John’s Shurfine Food Store Maine Veterans’ Home Marden’s McGillan, Inc. Monica’s Scandinavian Imports Nadeau House of Flooring Nadeau House of Furniture Northern Maine Community College Northern Prosthetics P & E Distribution, Inc. Paterson Payroll Pines Health Services Power of Prevention Presque Isle Area Chamber of Commerce Presque Isle Inn & Convention Center Professional Home Nursing Quigley’s Building Supply Red River Camps Sitel Corporation Spring Break Maple & Honey St. John Valley Pharmacy The County Federal Credit Union Theresa’s Bridal University of Maine at Fort Kent University of Maine at Presque Isle Thank You!
Opinions expressed in articles or advertisements, unless otherwise noted, do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher, staff or advisory board. Every effort has been made to ensure that all information present in this issue is accurate, and neither Our Maine Street Magazine nor any of its staff are responsible for omissions or information that has been misrepresented to the magazine. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system without written permission, in writing, from the publishers. WINTER 2011 5
Clifford L Rhome CPA, P.A. 34 North Street, Suite 3 Presque Isle, ME 04769 Tel: 207 764-5800 Fax; 207 764-1083 crhome@myfairpoint.net
“A Name you can trust”
Presque Isle Area Chamber of Commerce Presque Islewww.pichamber.com Area Chamber of Commerce Proudly Serving the communities of Ashland, Blaine, Castle Hill, Chapman, Easton, Mapleton, Mars Hill, Masardis, OxBow, Portage, Presque Isle, Washburn and Westfield. 3 Houlton Road P.O. Box 672 Presque Isle, Me 04742 Tel: 207 764-6561
Fax: 207 764-6571
Š 2011 Gene Cyr, Washburn, northernmainepictures.com
County Events
January - March 2011 a look at upcoming activities in aroostook
February 3rd Maine State Biathlon Championships/ 10th Mountain Championships Nordic Heritage Center, Presque Isle For more information contact the Maine Winter Sports Center at 492-1444 February 4th-6th Biathlon World Cup #7 Location: Nordic Heritage Center, Presque Isle For more information contact the Maine Winter Sports Center at 492-1444 or visit http://discovernorthernmaine.com/ 2011-biathlon-world-cup/presque-isle-world-cup International Snowmobilers Festival Location: Madawaska and Edmundston, NB For more information contact the Greater Madawaska Chamber of Commerce at 728-7000 or valleyvisit@pwless. com or visit http://www.ISFIM.net February 10th-13th Biathlon World Cup #8 Location: 10th Mountain Center--Fort Kent For more information contact the Maine Winter Sports Center at 492-1444 or visit http://discovernorthernmaine. com/2011-biathlon-world-cup/fort-kent-world-cup/ February 22nd-24th Class A Maine State Championships Location: Nordic Heritage Center--Presque Isle & Big Rock--Mars Hill For more information contact the Maine Winter Sports Center at 492-1444 February 26th Winter Fun Day at Aroostook State Park For more information contact the Aroostook State Park at 768-8341 March 5th Aroostook Youth Festival Location: Caribou For more information contact the Maine Winter Sports Center at 492-1444
8 County Events
WINTER 2011
March 6th Aroostook Women’s Day Location: Nordic Heritage Center For more information contact the Maine Winter Sports Center at 492-1444 UMFK Annual Fiddlers’ Jamboree 1 to 4 p.m. Fox Auditorium For more information, call UMFK at 834-7557 March 12th Musical on Ice Location: The Forum For more information contact Pam at 551-3141 March 17th UMFK’s Annual Sucrerie & Acadian Meal 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nowland Hall For more information, call UMFK at 834-7557 March 19th Arooski Ski Day Location: Ski Trails County Wide For more information contact the Maine Winter Sports Center at 492-1444 March 19th & 20th McCluskey’s RV and Trailer Show Location: The Forum For more information contact Gary McCluskey at 7621721 March 25th-27th Agri-Business Trade Fair Location: The Forum For more information contact the Fort Fairfield Chamber of Commerce at 472-3802 or chamber@fortcc.org or visit http://www.fortcc.org
Photo Š 2011 Peter Freeman
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Photo Š 2011 Peter Freeman
14 Community Players
Presque Isle
Community Players by Sandy Gauvin
Humble Beginnings What do a large musical like Guys and Dolls, a dinner theater tribute to the memorable songs from World War II, an original play written by a local playwright, and an intimate theatrical piece such as Love Letters with a cast of only two have in common? The answer is easy – they have all been staged by the Presque Isle Community Players, an active group of performing arts enthusiasts who have worked hard to bring a diverse mix of live theatre to the Central Aroostook Area for more than 20 years. Incorporated in 1989, the PICP was established for charitable, benevolent, educational, and professional purposes. “The purpose is for literary and cultural activities — fostering and developing an interest in theatre and its related activities, both for local audiences and for interested performers,” states Dan Ladner, one of the founders of The PICP. “The group wanted to offer alternatives to what the other local theatre groups were already doing. Because no other local theatre group was staging dinner theatre productions, the Players started there.” Founding members include Margaret Coffin, Julie Daly, Barbara Dempsey, Barb (Frick) Ladner, Dan Ladner, Rick Landeen, Cissy Libby, Jeanette Perry, Glenna Smith, and Sylvia Weinberg. The group now has a core membership of about 45 local residents and dozens of other volunteers who devote an incalculable number of hours to the process of putting on a show. Their upcoming performances feature current
members in addition to some new talents. Veterans Jim and Twink Derosier join Claudia Stevens, Debbie Lamont, Sherry Sullivan, Frank Grant, Rod Thompson, Elaine Moody, Lin Chalou, Melbourne Smith, Mike Eisensmith, Sandy Gauvin, and Nadine Strelka. Brian Lamont and Gary Bowden work diligently in the background, as do many others. Basics In order to provide quality, staging a performance requires much time, preparation, and skill – much more than is evident to the general public. The play and theme of a dinner theater are chosen about a year in advance, as is the director, the producer, the location, and dates of performance. Two-three months before curtain time, auditions are held, actors are chosen, and rehearsals begin. Performers begin by the cast learning blocking, dialogue, lyrics, and music. They learn songs and movements as well as lines. Initially, they meet twice a week to practice; however, soon, rehearsals are held three times a week until the week before opening night. That week, rehearsals are held each night. During this whole time, actors and other volunteers work on creating, building, and painting sets and finding props and costumes. Not only is there a lot of work in preparing for a performance, but there’s a tremendous amount of fun. One can always hear laughing and bantering back and forth, someone hitting a sour note just to be funny, or a bunch of people singing just WINTER 2011 Community Players 15
for the fun of it. The camaraderie and enjoyment are very obvious. Top quality is the standard of the Presque Isle Community Players. In addition to, and usually including the actors, many other people work behind the scenes, from producers, stage managers and directors, to music directors and choreographers,
People often request that the PICP stage a play or perform music from Disney or that they perform more modern plays. The reasons that they are not able to comply are simple, in a complicated way. If the Disney Corporation even allows the rights to their music or plays, the royalties can be exorbitant.
that can be staged by the Presque Isle Communities Players are limited by the organizations that manage the properties. Through creativity and research, however, the PICP comes up with outstanding performances each season. Whether marching across the stage singing 76 Trombones,
costumers, hair and makeup artists, and seamstresses – all to ensure a stellar performance for the audience. It’s great fun to see the hustle and bustle backstage of people trying to figure out and mark where a lamp post should be or chasing an actor who forgot to put his wig on or making sure that an actor is coming onto the stage from the correct side. It’s all part of the creative process and the laughter. It also takes knowledge and precision to run the lights and to make sure that the props are placed correctly on the stage at the right times, ensuring that none of the performers collide with the props. The audio must be perfect for the audience as well. The result is usually a full house for a performance, a very satisfied audience, and more than positive critiques.
The rights to many of the more modern plays such as Mama Mia and Wicked have not been released yet to the general public. When they are released, there is a trickle-down effect, whereby the rights are released first to professional theaters, such as those on Broadway. As time goes on, they are released to repertory theaters, state performing arts theaters, and finally schools, in that order. All this takes many years before a group such as the PICP has access to the rights, and the cost, again, is often very high. The same play cannot be performed in areas that are close to each other. For example, once Mama Mia is released at our level, it cannot be performed in Presque Isle and Bangor at the same time because they are considered to be too close together geographically. The performances
crawling through a sewer to get to a crap game (Guys and Dolls), or Washing That Man Right Out of My Hair, the Presque Isle Community Players strive to bring enjoyment and fun to their audience. To date, the players have staged more than 100 performances of over 30 different productions. The greatest reward for the volunteer actors, singers, and technicians is keeping community theatre alive and growing in Central Aroostook County. According to Jim Derosier, “Theatre is the one art form that includes all the other mediums of the arts. It includes the written and the spoken word and along with music, design, and dance, as well as all the visuals, breathes life into our souls. It is the element of our humanity that nurtures our essence.”
16 Community Players WINTER 2011
The Why of It Staging a production for the community is an outstanding experience, but as one can see, it takes a lot of work to provide the quality that the Presque Isle Community Players stands for. There are many varied reasons why the performers put all the effort into their work. One point of view from Elaine Moody is, “…Where else can I join with fellow music lovers to entertain and possibly inspire others in my community? These people are important to my sense of belonging in my community and to my desire to serve others in my community.” Martha Grant agrees, stating that, “it’s a great way to meet people and to give to the community – and the community must like it because they keep coming to the performances!” Linda Chalou joined because “I needed a little dose of “simplicity and joyful noise” in my life… I found it! It’s prayerful, uplifting, and embracing. Whether a performer or a listener of the performance, the music will cultivate goodness in each one.” Another point of view is stated by Melbourne Smith. He says, “Watching sports and news after a day’s work only takes you so far. Bonding with live people over songs fills me with a lot more joy than watching others do an end-zone dance.” Not only does personal satisfaction play a huge role in the motivation of the performers, but a sense of community and community service complete the picture. Early Productions The first music revue, A Celebration of Irving Berlin, was staged in the fall of 1989 at the Northeastland Hotel. The public’s enthusiastic response suggested that The Players had, indeed, found a niche that needed filling. In the spring of 1990, they performed two one-act plays: An Episode in the Life of An Author and A Thurber Carnival. Other early productions included Nunsense, You Can’t Take It With You, A Tribute to Rodgers and Hammerstein, Love Letters, 25 Years of the Great White Way, God’s
Favorite, and Popcorn and Matinee Memories. Musicals In 2007, The Players staged their first full Broadway musical, The Music Man, with Jeff Ashby and Sherry Sullivan in the lead roles. The response was tremendous. The winter of 2008 saw Annie being staged, again to near capacity audiences, with the lead roles performed by Hannah Stoutamyer (Annie), Rodney Thompson (Daddy Warbucks), and
A Celebration of American Folk Music. The audience was treated to, and often participated in a variety of songs, from the rousing welcome of Walk Right In, Sit Right Down to the softness of Turn, Turn, Turn. Spiritual folk songs such as Rock My Soul and He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands were included, as well as Harry Belafonte’s Banana Boat Song, performed by Melbourne Smith. Of course, a feast of folk music would not be complete without a serving of Hang Down Your Head, Tom Dooley and This Land Is Your Land. When the Saints Go Marching In, dedicated to founding member Margaret Coffin rounded out the first half, and If I Had a Hammer began the second half in recognition of those who have and continue to serve our country. L’acadie, an Acadian folk song written by newcomer Lin Chalou was performed by its composer. And, of course, what’s folk music without some comedy, so Cissy Libby and Rod Thompson protested and parodied with The Ode to the Little Brown Shack and Be Prepared. Oliver is tentatively scheduled as the winter production. More information will be provided as the current year winds down. Membership in the Presque Isle Community Players is free and open to any and all residents of Aroostook County who have an interest in any aspect of theatre. The Future
Melissa Crowe (Miss Hannigan). The King and I was performed the following spring at the Presque Isle Middle School Auditorium with Rodney Thompson as the king and Tamia Glidden as Anna Leonowens. March of 2010 saw the performance of Guys and Dolls, with Jeff Ashby and Katie Buckley, Jim Derosier and Debbie Lamont in leading rolls. 2010-11 Productions During the first two weekends of November, 2010, the PICP presented This Land Is Your Land:
The Presque Isle Community Players has been a part of the landscape for more than 20 years now, possibly the longest continuously running community theatre group in Presque Isle’s history. Looking forward to even bigger and better productions in the years ahead, The Players are grateful to the audiences they serve, realizing that none of their success would be possible without community support. Please visit The Presque Isle Community Players at their refurbished Web site – www. picplayers.com. Community Players 17
Photo Š 2011 Ken Lamb, www.kenlamb.com
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Thanksgiving Traditions in Caribou: The Annual Turkey Trot Road Race Story by Tamra Kilcollins; race photos courtesy of Kevin Sjoberg, Aroostook Republican & News Family traditions and celebrating the holidays go hand in hand. At Thanksgiving, for some it’s enjoying mom’s homemade pumpkin pie and grandma’s special stuffing recipe. For others, it may be decorating the Christmas tree before having a bite of Thanksgiving “leftovers.” And some family traditions happen by accident. Just ask Dr. Dan Harrigan and his family. In 1985, Dr. Harrigan, Chief of the Cary Medical Center Emergency Department, organized the first annual Turkey Trot Road Race in Caribou as part of a Sports Medicine program the hospital provided at the time. Fast forward to 2010, and before you know it, 25 years of Thanksgiving holidays have come and gone, and what started out as a road race to promote health and wellness in a rural community in northern Maine, has become a local family tradition of fun and fitness for many participants and a “labor of love,” for the family who has worked together to host the event. Just as they’ve done for the past 24 years, the Harrigan 20 Turkey Trot WINTER 2011
Family of Caribou; Dr. Harrigan, his wife, Mary; and their children, who traveled home to Aroostook County from Portland and Boston, daughters, Caitlin and Lauren, and son, Eamonn; hosted the Annual Turkey Trot Road Race in November. For the 25th year, on the Saturday of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, while many County people were home recovering from their traditional “Black Friday” holiday shopping, almost 100 runners and walkers participated in the Turkey Trot 5K Road Race in Caribou. Dr. Harrigan explains that for many years the race was co-sponsored by Cary Medical Center and Solman Distributors of Caribou. It’s now sponsored by Cary and the Harrigan family, with continued support from several local businesses. The race course has remained the same throughout its 25year history, starting and finishing near the same telephone pole at Caribou High School. Dr. Harrigan explains that back in 1985, he set the course by measuring the distance “with an old 10-speed bike and Jones measuring wheel,
Above: The Harrigan Family, (L-R); Eamonn, Mary, Dan, Lauren and Caitlin. The Harrigans celebrated their family tradition of hosting the 25th Annual Turkey Trot Road Race in Caribou on Saturday, Nov. 27th, 2010. Opposite: The 2010 Turkey Trot gets underway. Below: Turkey Trot family runners, Bruce Freme and his son, Tim.
and that one year we did have to relocate the finish line because of the icy parking lot.” With Dr. Harrigan as Race Director, and the Harrigan family working the registration table, the tradition has also continued with the Small Family of Caribou working at, and running the race. Brotherin-law, Dr. Craig Small, and daughter, Paige, help out on the race course, and sister-in-law, Jane Small, and daughter, Abby, have run the race for the past several years. Dr. Harrigan explains that a running joke, no pun intended, over the years has been that he tells all participants, “to run until they see my brother-in-law, then turn around at the cone and head back to the high school.”
Although the Harrigan family members are all runners, Lauren is the only one who has taken some time out of working the registration table to run a few races. Dr. Harrigan usually runs the course after the race is over to check out his time. Aside from the fact that each year, “Tom Turkey,” registers for, and runs the race, in hot pursuit by Chef “Where’s Waldo” Libby equipped with a carving knife and turkey baster, there are many other fun historical facts to remember about the Turkey Trot Race. Incidentally, for the past 7 or 8 years, Tom Turkey is also known as Paul Lamoreau of Presque Isle, a local teacher and cross-country coach; and WINTER 2011 Turkey Trot 21
Above: Four of the six Caverhill family members running the Turkey Trot Race; Troy and Stephanie Caverhill, their son, Cullin and Troy’s Dad, Philip Caverhill. Troy and Stephanie’s two other sons, Lucien and Austin Caverhill, crossed the finish line a few minutes earlier. Left: Jane Small and her daughter Abby running the race. Opposite: Runners enjoying themselves during the race.
the Chef is aka Paul Libby of St. Francis. - Many racers who’ve run the race during the past 25 years are now participating with their kids. This past year, three generations of the Caverhill family, Troy, his wife, Stephanie, their sons, Cullin, Lucien and Austin, and Troy’s Dad, Philip Caverhill, all crossed the finish line. The Harrigans recalled that the Jepson family, Brent Jepson, his son, Taylor, who was 10 or 11 years old at the time, and Brent’s late father, Ken Jepson, also ran the race together about 10 years ago. Some other local regulars at the Turkey Trot Race over the years include: the Art Thompson family, the Prest family and the Freme family. Individual longtime runners include Connie McLellan, Chris Smith, and Angie (Edgecomb) Ewings. Dr. Harrigan reminisced that Art Thompson of Limestone has run many races with Tom Turkey, after running the first race 25 years ago. - Dr. Harrigan has kept every race result board. He displays them all each year, giving racers the chance to see 22 Turkey Trot FALL 2010
the names of past winners, and compare their own race times year after year. - Race participants receive a long-sleeve Turkey Trot t-shirt. The first year, 40 shirts were ordered and there were 22 runners. As the years have gone by, the number of runners (and now walkers) has varied. In 2010, the traditional t-shirts were given out to the first 60 registrants. - The registration fee has remained at $10 for many years, helping to defray race expenses. - Race participants are treated to Turkey Topped Cheese Pizza prepared all 25 years by Reno’s Family Restaurant in Caribou. (Reno’s in fact added Item #16 Turkey Toppings, to their pizza menu in honor of the Turkey Trot Pizza). - Rod Brewer Designs of Presque Isle has screen printed the Turkey Trot t-shirts for all 25 years, noting that the race logo has been their longest standing design without any changes, (except for this past year.) - Race winners, (there are five male and female divisions, including a walkers division), all receive carved turkey silhouette winners plaques. - Throughout the 25-year race history racers have braved the Northern Maine weather in temperatures ranging from below zero with the wind-chill factor to 52 degrees one year. Dr. Harrigan modestly says that the race “practically runs itself,” but for those of us who have some experience organizing special events, you know that a lot of work has to happen behind the scenes to make any event come together and run smoothly. And, when Tom Turkey and Chef Libby have gone home, the last bite of Turkey Topped Pizza has been gobbled down, and the race is over for another year, another Harrigan tradition takes
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place. After the race, the family heads out to Goughan’s Farm in Caribou to tag their Christmas tree. One last bit of Turkey Trot nostalgia. For the first 24 years, the Turkey Trot t-shirt logo remained the same, a turkey running, working hard and sweating his way along the race course. This past year, it being his 25th year and thinking perhaps he may retire as race director, Dr. Harrigan changed the logo. The 2010 t-shirt logo depicts Tom Turkey contentedly at the finish line. But, as Dan and Mary Harrigan began relating the story behind the 25-year Turkey Trot Race history, with all the many memories of family and friends coming together for what has become an
24 Turkey Trot WINTER 2011
Aroostook County Thanksgiving weekend tradition, I could see a wee bit of hesitation begin to surface about handing over the responsibilities for organizing year 26. The “oh, remember when,” “ gee, I forgot about that,” and “it doesn’t really seem like it’s been that many years,” from the both of them, may have started him thinking about postponing his retirement for another year. After all, family traditions, celebrating the holidays, and great memories go hand in hand…..and they make us all smile. Below (L-R): Chef “Where’s Waldo” Libby, complete with a carving knife and turkey baster. Tom Turkey. Runners giving it their all during the 2010 race.
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Photo Š 2011 Jen Brophy-Price, www.redrivercamps.com
Hiding in Plain Sight:
The Friends Church in Fort Fairfield by Ruth Mraz, afterward by George Montee Cars and trucks whiz by the Friends Church on Route 1A leading to Fort Fairfield with occupants hardly giving it a second glance. And certainly never realizing the mystery the old building holds. Its past was hidden away and gently guarded by tight-lipped members of the Society of Friends (Quakers) who settled in the Maple Grove area beginning in 1844. They had good reason to be quiet. They were involved in the Abolitionist movement and were part of a network of secret hiding places for slaves escaping from the South, headed to Canada prior to and during the Civil War. Nothing was ever written down that would imply their illegal activity. It was too dangerous. The Quakers were an upstanding group, admired in the community and would never generally break a law. If detected, their secret missions
could have meant the loss of their property, heavy fines, and time in prison. A code of secrecy evolved. Even as late as 1894, when Caleb Ellis wrote a history of Fort Fairfield, the only mention of freed slaves involved a local Quaker, William A. Sampson, who dedicated his lifetime to helping the “Freedmen.� He left Fort Fairfield after the Civil War, continuing his work with the blacks in Washington D.C., the Deep South and later in California, where he died. The illegal work done by the Fort Fairfield Friends was never mentioned in the book. The first Quakers to arrive in Fort Fairfield were Joseph Wingate Haines from Hallowell with his wife Mary Briggs of Winthrop. He had received a land grant of 1000 acres on the condition of building a sawmill for settlers.
Haines made the arduous journey to Aroostook through the dense woods with a long string of ox teams carrying household goods, provisions and machinery for his mill. Only 15 or 20 miles a day could be made over the rugged terrain. Fort Fairfield was 167 miles from a big base of supply (Bangor) about a six to ten day journey, with four days of it being in nearly unbroken wilderness. At the time Haines arrived, he had to go from Blaine west to what is now Presque Isle, follow the Aroostook River to Fort Fairfield and then south to Maple Grove. He made the comment that at the latter end of the trip, he traveled a long way to go a short distance. He immediately started the process to have a road grubbed out, linking Mars Hill to Fort Fairfield. This road is now US Route 1A. The Haines’ had 17 children, 12 of them living to grow up. After building the mill, he concentrated his efforts on farming and brought in the first blooded cattle to Aroostook. Later he built a large beautiful home for his family that became a showplace. It featured exterior columns and a fireplace in every room for heat. Being the first and only Friends in town, the Haines were not forgotten by the Society at-large. Other members visited them from central Maine from time to time and meetings were held in their home. It is not far fetched at all to realize that discussions would have taken place about the abhorrent conditions of the slaves in the South and the abolitionist movement sweeping the North. There were also Quaker families in Old Town and Houlton - Hodgdon area. In 1858, plans were made for several downstate Quaker families to move to Fort Fairfield, so very close to the Canadian border. Haines hastily put up some of the homes for these new settlers. They included
the families of William A. Sampson, William T. Sampson, Thomas Partridge, Valentine Estes, Jonathan Estes, Joseph Nichols and William Penn Varney. The Friends were very anxious to start building a meetinghouse. They met in homes and continued to do so until the basic, simple structure was framed, circa 1859-1860. The never-ending tasks of home and farm left little extra time to work on the building. Miles Hilton, a skilled carpenter by trade, had come from China, Maine, with his Quaker wife Hannah Estes and family to finish the building. Since Quakers believed that God lived in the heart and not in wood and stone, the meetinghouse was a simple whitewashed structure. Hilton constructed rugged bench seats and a raised platform with steps on either side. The building was bereft of any religious ornamentation according to Quaker tradition. William Penn Varney and his wife Lydia Cook Varney were the church leaders for 35 years. In 1906 church leader Hoffman felt it was time for a renovation. He garnered enough money to complete the project, which included tin ceilings and walls above wainscoting. New pews were installed as well as a larger platform, a new entry, folding doors to a Sunday school room, and a steeple with bell tower and weathervane proclaiming F for Friends. A beautiful stained glass window was commissioned from Redding Baird, a famous artist from Boston, to honor the Varneys. A grand opening was held in December 1906 with a lot of fanfare. Quakers came from as far away as Boston to celebrate the occasion. Over the years, as people died or moved, others in the growing area attended the Church thus making it more of a WINTER 2011 Friends Church 29
community service with all being welcome. The Quakers owned the church until 1972 when Orthodox Presbyterian Reverend Charles Stanton secured the church to start a congregation. He worked there until 1992 when he retired. Later in 1995 he discussed the historic significance of the church with local citizens and gave the structure to Frontier Heritage Historical Society of Fort Fairfield. Little had been done to the building since the renovation of 1906. Time had taken its toll. The wainscoting had bulged and the plaster behind the tin walls and ceiling had deterioriated from a leaking roof. The floors had been darkened with age and in one area it was severely burned where a wood stove had overheated. The belfry attic had become a shelter for feral cats and bees sought habitant behind the loose clapboard exterior walls. The stained glass window was bowed from the settling of the building.
1906 shipping crate of the stained glass window with the labels still on them. A portion of the original platform was altered during the early renovation. It appeared that a hidden trap door had been covered over, a possible hiding place for the escaping slaves. Frontier Heritage Historical Society worked with the Maine Historic Preservation Commission staff who proved to be very helpful during the process of placing this architectural significant structure on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000. As a Fort Fairfield native, I had been told since childhood by my mother that there was a secret hiding place somewhere in the church for runaway slaves and that the Haineses and other Quakers were involved in the Underground Railroad helping them get to Canada. My maternal grandparents the Seeley’s lived in a farmhouse across the road from Fred, twin son of Wingate
The first priority was to save the memorial window. Frontier Heritage is a small group with more enthusiasm than money. With the help of a few small grants, many fundraisers, the generous help of so many people interested in the restoration, and wonderful workmen who also donated much of their time, the project was on the move. The window was removed, sent to a skilled stained glass artisan for leading, reframed and returned to its original position in the church. Restoring the walls, floors, painting and refurbishing followed. The building is believed to be the oldest church still standing in Aroostook County. During the renovation, my husband and I stopped by to see our “devoted-to-the-cause-carpenter” Kirby Doughty. He was grinning from ear to ear,”I’ve found it-the hiding place” he claimed. He had taken up layers of old carpeting that covered the platform and discovered packing crate boards from the
Haines and nearby to the other twin Frank. (The twins’ wooden cradle is now on display at the church.) My mother, her sister and three brothers played with the Haines’ offspring and became fast friends. She said they would talk about the Quaker families helping the slaves escape and that there was a secret hiding place in the church. They said they didn’t know where it was and refused to say any more than that. The warnings about keeping quiet still had an impact. All of this mystery was very interesting to me, as I had discovered I had Quaker ancestors from Unity and Montville. I had graduated from Oak Grove School, a Friends School for Girls in Vassalboro that was founded in 1849 as Oak Grove Seminary attended by girls and boys, a co-ed school. So the “Inner Light” was kindled and I did extensive work with many Haines descendents to document the oral history that has been passed down. Lois Kearney Haines and her
30 Friends Church WINTER 2011
husband Romey Sr. were especially helpful as they lived in one of the early Haines built homes. Katherine Haines McKenney who restored the historic Haines Maple Grove Cemetery was also a source of information. Descendents of William Penn Varney other Quaker families and people who had attended the church were contacted. Everyone was willing to share memories of the valiant Quaker settlement. By October 2000 we were ready for the opening of the old Friends Church rededication as a museum. The church pews were fully occupied; folding chairs were placed in the Sunday school area and every available side space, with overflow seated on the floor. Many Quakers came from the Houlton-Woodstock New Brunswick Society group, and others came from as far away as Fredericton and St John, New Brunswick. Harriet Price, an author and the co-chairperson of the Maine Underground Railroad Association, was a featured speaker. Friends Harrison and Marylyn Roper, leaders of the Houlton area group, spoke about Quakers today and incorporated a Quiet Period into the program that was very inspirational. Before the program started, a Quaker John Calder from New Brunswick sought me out to show me an English copper Abolitionist token given to him years before by an elderly Quaker Englishman who had moved to Toronto Canada. Josiah Wedgwood designed the token in 1787. England abolished slavery in 1833. Mr. Calder was so pleased with what we had accomplished, he came back to us after the program and presented the token to Frontier Heritage. This started a long hunt by my husband to find the American token, which is similar to the English one but had replaced the male slave in chains with a female. In the early 20th century, a black man from the south named David Hooper arrived at the Maple Grove railroad stop in Fort Fairfield and found his way to the farm home of Cora Haines Houghton, a granddaughter of J. Wingate Haines. He told Cora’s cousin Pearl Haines and her nephew that he came to Maple Grove because he always had a soft spot for the Haines family because they helped “my people” during the Civil War. The gardening capabilities of David Hooper were extraordinary. Cora Houghton’s extensive flowerbeds, in the 35 or 40 years he worked, there were something to behold. I myself remember as a child seeing him hunched over the flowers, while visiting there with my grandmother Seeley,
who was a good friend of Cora’s. Hooper lived in what he called his “shanty” near the Haines Cemetery. (He also made a little home brew there I’m told.) He called Mrs. Houghton “Missy” and even though he was invited to eat lunch with the Houghton family, he never would. He always ate in the garden shed. Cora Houghton’s granddaughter told me that when Cora died, Hooper was the saddest person at the funeral. He was very old and arthritic. Shortly thereafter, his daughter arrived from the South to take him back by train. At that time Lois Haines’ mother took a snap shot of Hooper, which delighted him. He commented excitedly, “Lordy, I’ve never had my likeness taken before.” Attempts made to send him a copy were futile. He was never heard from again. The church is now used for lectures, various musical group performances, teas, fundraisers for upkeep and school visits with special artifacts. Weddings are also held there, often being the perfect romantic place for a ceremony in an antique church with a mysterious past and a reminder of a special group of people who made a difference. Afterward: A Meeting Place for Friends When Charles E. Stanton, former spiritual leader of the Maple Grove Reformed Fellowship transferred ownership of the Friends Church to Fort Fairfield’s historical society, Frontier Heritage; he requested only one thing, “That the building may continue to serve the people that visit.” Since that time 15 years ago, the building has not been idle. The earliest event after its acquisition, was a hymn sing in October of 1997 to celebrate that year’s harvest. The interior has marvelous acoustics and it would not be the last time that song and music was heard within the walls. The most recent hymn sing was this year’s Maine Potato Blossom Festival. Not only human voice has filled the historic site, but also the musical notes of various instruments. Piano, organ, the violin, as well as other string and wind instruments have embellished the ears of the listener. The many performers that have entertained attendees are too numerous to list. A recent example of the talent would include Isabelle Nehring when she played on the Gardena Evangelical Country Church organ. This pioneer instrument once served homesteading WINTER 2011 Friends Church 31
families out West, but has found a new home in the Friends Church. Public events are not restricted to just the musical variety. Home & Garden tours hosted by Frontier Heritage are generally held late July or early August to showcase the beautiful blooms of private homes in the area. The next one being planned for 2011, should once again delight the admirer of God’s green goodness. Other attractions over the years include art exhibitions such as the one that showcased Fort Fairfield native Wilda Burchell Hutcheon. Finding her inspiration in Maine and the Maritimes, her works have been exhibited far and wide. A fashion show of vintage clothing has also been held to educate and fascinate visitors. Most notable were the handmade silk gowns, once worn by Cora Reed, wife of former Maine Governor John Reed; and former US ambassador to Sri Lanka. Private functions are welcome as well. From Eagle Scout ceremonies to weddings, families seek this reverent setting as a place to celebrate and sanctify special occasions. School groups are also hosted and many of them have learned about the history of the structure and the early settlers. This includes the important role it played in the Underground Railroad that helped slaves escape to freedom. The young people often walk away with a deeper appreciation for our heritage. This and more have been available over the years, but will only continue with the support of our generous citizens. Although many projects have been accomplished such as a new roof, interior ceiling, and restoration of the stained-glass window; a new foundation is needed. Without it, the building will not stand. By attending ongoing events and having special occasions celebrated, the means to preserve this jewel in the Crown of Maine will be allowed to shine for generations to come. All are welcome in the endeavor! Frontier Heritage 18 Community Drive Fort Fairfield, Maine 04742
Winter Activities
in Central Aroostook County! Alpine Skiiing Nordic Skiiing Snowmobiling Snow Shoeing Ice Skating Winter Camping Birdwatching Weekend Escapes Plan now to join us for the 2011 E.ON IBU World Cup Biathlon February 4-6 and the Andy Santerre SNO-RUN.
Friends Church WINTER 2011 33
Photo Copyright Š 2011 Ken Lamb, www.kenlamb.com
Maine’s Platinum Trollbeads Dealer Clogs, Jewelry, Table Linens, Swedish Specialty Foods Scandinavian Sweaters, Crystal, Dinnerware, Bridal Registry www.monicasimports.com 176 Sweden Street, Caribou, Me 04736 Tel / Fax: (207) 493-4600
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Northern Prosthetics an extended focus on business by Cory Laplante
Fair is Fair
A Little History
My name is Cory Laplante. I am a by St. Dan John Valley native, a board-certified prosthetist and founder of Northern Prosthetics in Presque Isle. I received my undergraduate degree from the University of Maine at Presque Isle before going on for my post-graduate education in prosthetics through the University of Connecticut. I completed my residency requirements at Maine Artificial Limb in Portland, and then completed the required board exams to become a certified prosthetist. I became an amputee myself at the age of 16, due to a long battle with osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. At the time, I was faced with traveling hundreds of miles to receive quality care. It was during one of those long trips to New Hampshire that I made myself a promise to go on to college, become a certified prosthetist and open a practice in Aroostook County to provide services for area patients. And I did. Northern Prosthetics was incorporated in 2007 as the only full-time, state-of-the-art facility with full, 36 Northern Prosthetics WINTER 2011
on-site fabrication capability north of Bangor. It had a humble beginning, with me being the sole employee in a 1600-square-foot facility. The obstacles of being a new Ladner practice owner quickly became clear. I instantly had to become proficient not only clinically and technically, for which I was trained, but also in learning the ins and outs of medical billing, negotiating insurance contracts, networking with local physicians and marketing to the public with all of these tasks having their own unique hurdles. Despite all the challenges, the practice grew rapidly, and before long, I began receiving referrals for both prosthetics and orthotics from as far away as Bangor and Portland. It was at that point I decided it was time to expand my staff to include a certified orthotist as well as an office manager. I was fortunate to find an orthotist who was actually a former classmate during my post-graduate studies, Bryan Rammell. Bryan received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and pursued his orthotic education through the University of Connecticut. After completing his residency in Des
The creation of a prosthetic limb requires several steps to assure a perfect fit for the patient. A casting is made to which the materials that will eventually comprise the limb will be molded.
Moines, Iowa, he and his wife were looking to set roots and raise their family in a small, safe and inviting town. It took only one visit to The County to convince them that Presque Isle met all of these requirements, and they eagerly signed a contract the following week. The company has since grown to employ two full-time practitioners, an office manager, billing specialist, orthotic and prosthetic technician and an IT specialist. What’s Happening Now Our current office is located at 40 North St., Suite 5, in Presque Isle. We are open every business day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Both our practitioners and facility are board certified and accredited by the American Board of Certification, which is acknowledged by the American Medical Association. We are the only facility in Aroostook County where all custom prosthetics and orthotics are made in-house. Bryan can provide all orthotics, both custom and off the shelf. He has extensive experience in pediatric care, sports bracing and geriatric accommodative bracing. He specializes in all orthotics, from foot orthotics and
diabetic footwear to complex spinal bracing and pediatric cranial remolding helmets. Bryan is a compassionate and enthusiastic practitioner. He prides himself in quality fabrication and making sure to involve the entire clinical team, including the physician, physical-occupational therapist and, most importantly, the patient when designing a clinical approach. I offer all prosthetic services, including both upper and lower extremity. And I provide these services for all functional levels, from pediatric (currently, my youngest patient is 16 months old) to geriatric (currently, my oldest patient is 92 years old). I am fully certified to offer both myoelectric arms (including the new i-LIMB) as well as microprocessor knee units (including the unparalleled C-Leg). Being an amputee myself, I truly empathize with the struggles my patients face, as I have struggled with many of the same issues throughout my own life. It is always my goal not only to treat the patient clinically, but to treat them as a whole. I feel that providing the person with a well-fitting and functional prosthesis is only half the job; the other and more important half is taking the time to answer questions, listen to their concerns, understand their goals and make them the central part of WINTER FALL 2011 2010 Northern Prosthetics 37
Definitions For those of you who may be uncertain of exactly what a prosthetist and orthotist are and the services a prosthetic and orthotic facility may provide, let me give you a brief overview of some definitions. Prosthesis: Fabricated substitute for a diseased or missing part of the body (Stedman’s Concise Medical Dictionary). Orthosis: Orthopedic device appliance, as a brace or splint, which prevents or assists movement of the spine or limbs (Stedman’s Concise Medical Dictionary) Certified prosthetist: Medical professional who has been formally educated and trained to evaluate, design, fabricate and fit patients who have a limb deficiency. The limbs include both upper and lower extremities and are designed and fabricated to fit the needs of each patient. Certified orthotist: Medical professional who has been formally educated and trained to evaluate, design, fabricate and fit orthotic devices. This Page: Personal, local service is a huge benefit offered to Aroostook County Patients. Opposite: Cory Laplant pictured with Zach Cote, a local high school athlete who has benefited from Northern Prosthetics’ expertise and decision to locate in Aroostook County.
your opportunity Discover an exciting career or an affordable start to a four year degree...
33 Edgemont Drive l Presque Isle, ME 04769 (207) 768-2785 l www.nmcc.edu
the decision-making process. We also have the exclusive contract in Aroostook County for VA prosthetic patients. This means that if a veteran wants to be treated locally for their prosthetic needs and wants the VA to provide financing for the service, they now have a contracted facility on which they can rely. We pride ourselves in being the first facility in Aroostook County to meet the VA’s rigorous requirements and bring these services closer to home for The County’s deserving veterans. If any veteran is interested in these services, they can contact the Prosthetics Department at the Togus VA Hospital or contact our office for more details. What the Future Holds These are exciting times for us. We are pleased to announce that Northern Prosthetics will soon have a new home. Plans are in the works for a brandnew, 4000-square-foot facility to be constructed at 117 Academy Street here in Presque Isle. The facility should be ready for occupancy in early fall 2011. The new facility will be spacious yet inviting and will have even more of the latest fabrication equipment to provide the very highest quality devices in the state of Maine in the shortest time. We also have plans to construct a three-dimensional obstacle course, which will include ramps, stairs, uneven terrain, etc. This will allow our patients to use their new devices on terrain they face in their everyday lives in a safe, controlled environment. It will also provide the practitioner with invaluable information as to how the device is performing in a setting other than between the parallel bars. Once our new Presque Isle facility is operational, it is our hope to open satellite offices in Houlton and the St. John Valley in the near future. Our Vision and Hope It has been our vision from Day One to have Northern Prosthetics be a facility that patients come to not just because we are close and convenient, but rather because they know they cannot receive more quality, compassionate and timely care anywhere else in the state. It is our hope that if you need any orthotic or prosthetic care in the future, you would consider Northern Prosthetics to be your choice. I promise you will find the experience more enjoyable that you can imagine. WINTER 2011 Northern Prosthetics 39
Photo Copyright Š 2011 Ken Lamb, www.kenlamb.com
An Abridged History: The Can-Am Crown Races by Stan Flagg
In 1992, Ben Thomas approached some members of the Fort Kent Chamber of Commerce with the idea of organizing a sled dog race as a for-profit business. At the time, Ben was a teenager from Blanchard, Maine. He envisioned that the race would run a 100-mile course from Fort Kent, Maine, to Houlton, Maine. Since this plan went far beyond its bounds, the Fort Kent Chamber could not undertake the project. However, the members supported the idea of a non-profit sled dog race that would start and finish in Fort Kent. A race committee was then formed separate from the Chamber of Commerce, but with significant chamber input. Lisa Dumond, the then executive director of the chamber, became the first president of the Can-Am Crown board. The Can-Am Crown organization was founded on October 16, 1992, as a non-profit corporation under the laws of the State of Maine. It was established to provide a mid-distance sled dog race to a growing community of mushers from throughout the international region while striving to deliver a tangible economic benefit to the area and to enhance the region’s image as a travel destination. It has succeeded on all counts. The Can-Am Crown 250 has rapidly gained popularity as the longest sled dog race in the eastern United States. Fort Kent is located in the upper St. John River Valley on the international border between Maine and 42 The Can-Am Races WINTER 2011
New Brunswick. The upper St. John River Valley includes parts of Maine, New Brunswick, and Quebec. For many natives, especially on the Canadian side, French is the primary language, but nearly everyone also speaks English. The region is the center of Acadian history and culture in the U.S. In the years since they began, the Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Races have seen a variety of conditions and circumstances that have challenged the contestants and organizers of these first-class events. On Tuesday, February 16, 1993, the first 250mile sled dog race ever held in the eastern United States began in Fort Kent. Nine teams from throughout Maine, Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick competed for a share of the $10,000 purse, which was raised entirely through local contributions, many in small donations from individuals. The start was from Fort Kent Community High School, and the finish was at Lonesome Pine Ski Lodge in Fort Kent. The race was about 280 miles long. (This was before the days when GPS devices became common.) The course ran south along Rte. 11, through Eagle Lake, St. Froid Lake, and Portage Lake before heading into the woods of southern Aroostook County and northern Piscataquis County. An estimated 500 spectators braved frigid temperatures to experience the excitement and applaud
Photos Copyright Š 2011 Michaud Photography, Fort Kent, FALL www.michaudphotography.com 2010 The Can-Am Races 43
the local favorite, John Kaleta, from Eagle Lake. Veteran musher Georges Theriault of Sarsfield, Ontario, an officer with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, acted as race marshal. In answer to a question about headlamps, Georges said “If you want to hold a flashlight for 250 miles, that’s up to you!” That first year, Scott Johnson was chief veterinarian, and Joan Kassof, Nick Pesut, and Eric Hunter were the trail vets. In later years, the race has became so popular among the veterinarians that we regularly have ten or more veterinarians anxious to volunteer. Several have come from Ontario, one flies here from British Columbia, and two make the trip from Colorado. We have also had veterinarians from Quebec, Washington, Wyoming, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Florida, and, of course, Maine and New Hampshire. Weather conditions became very severe during the first 250-mile race. Beginning with a relatively mild temperature of 20/F at the start, a blizzard swept in and dropped 15 inches of snow during the first 24 hours. This was followed by strong northwest winds that dropped the temperature to 32/F below zero, which made our first race one of the most difficult for mushers and organizers. When the dog teams arrived at Maibec (the third checkpoint), we were impressed with the care the mushers gave to their dogs. The dogs received immediate attention. The mushers chopped frozen meat with an axe, then poured hot water over the meat and let it set to thaw. The dogs had dropped down to sleep as soon as the team was halted. While the mushers prepared the food, we spread blocks of straw for each dog. When the dogs saw us coming with the straw, they stood up and pawed the air. As soon as they had the straw, they collapsed on top of it. Then each dog was fed from a dish of its own. Only after the dogs were cared for, did the mushers take food and rest. Before a team left, the dogs’ paws were greased or booties were put on. It was good to see the rapport between dogs and mushers. On their feet and ready to mush on, the dogs were so eager that they even howled a bit as they awaited the signal to go. (Gale Flagg, checkpoint coordinator at Maibec, 1993) Andre Nadeau of Ste. Melanie, Quebec, pushed through the night in sub-zero temperatures to win the first Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Race and a cash prize of $3,425. When Nadeau arrived at the Lonesome Pine Ski Lodge in Fort Kent at 3:47 A.M., nearly two dozen people were there to welcome him in spite of the frigid temperatures and howling wind. Four hours and 19 minutes later, veteran Iditarod racer Don McEwen of Eldorado, Ontario claimed second place. McEwen, a veteran of the Iditarod, said he was lucky to be in the race after his team took off without him Thursday. He said his snow hook dislodged, freeing the dogs, but he managed to grab the hook and hang on.
Photos Copyright Š 2011 Michaud Photography, Fort Kent, www.michaudphotography.com
WINTER 2011 The Can-Am Races 45
He said the dogs dragged him about 30 feet before they stopped. Andre Nadeau went on to win the 250-mile race in 1994, 1995, and 1996. His winning streak was finally broken in 1997, when he came in second to Don Hibbs of Millinocket, Maine. In 1994, organizers added a 60-mile race, which attracted 11 contestants. The 250-mile race that year had 16 contestants plus one ski-jorer (Barry Dana). The weather was disastrously unusual for midFebruary, with temperatures rising to 60/F during the first day. Both races had to be called about halfway through because of thinning ice on water crossings. In 1997, a 30-mile race was introduced, and our race date was changed to the first weekend in March to avoid conflicts with midwestern races. Entries immediately began to pick up to the point where we had to limit each race to 30 entries in order to efficiently handle the teams on Main Street and at the remote checkpoints. The Can-Am races have gained a great reputation because of the friendly atmosphere; well-marked, scenic, but difficult (hilly) trails; substantial purses; a Main Street start with a large turnout of spectators; and many details which help the race to run more smoothly. Among the many major and minor details are race programs, brochures, posters, veterinary diaries, name badges on volunteers, carefully crafted race rules (with consideration to musher input), a very efficient send-off of teams from the starting line, experienced race marshals and veterinary staff, ham radio communications, search and rescue personnel, crossing guards, checkpoint cooks, host families, media coverage, and prompt posting of data to the Can-Am website. Except for the abbreviated race during the 1994 meltdown, Can-Am Crown has never cancelled or called a race in its eighteen year history. First-time competitors in the 30 and 60-mile races often find the courses a lot more challenging than expected. There are hills! A musher’s first time in the 250-mile race is usually a learning experience. Many first-timers ignore the admonition in the rules which states that due to the rigors of the course, drivers will have to exercise good judgment in pacing themselves and their teams. Ignoring this advice usually results in a scratch before the fourth checkpoint. The 250-mile marathon has become known as the longest and most challenging sled dog race in Eastern North America. Satisfactory completion of this race has been accepted as a qualifier for the Yukon Quest and the Iditarod.
Photos Copyright Š 2011 Michaud Photography, Fort Kent, www.michaudphotography.com
Photo Copyright © 2011 Michaud Photography, Fort Kent, www.michaudphotography.com
BOONDOCK’s BOONDOCK’S ~ ~ GRILLE est. 2009
Steak, Seafood, Pizza Phone: 207-472-6074 294 MAIN STREET, FORT FAIRFIELD T-TH 11am-8pm FR-SAT 11am-9pm SUN 8am-1pm CLOSED MONDAYS
These races have presented a great opportunity for news media from near and far to cover an event that has been growing in popularity by leaps and bounds. In the last 18 years, this small town has undergone an amazing transformation from obscurity to renown, due in no small part to an unsurpassed spirit of volunteerism and the resounding success of the Can-Am Crown Races. From its debut in 1993, when 500 spectators watched nine teams compete for a $10,000 purse, the Can-Am Crown Sled Dog Race has grown to the point where a crowd of 5,000 to 7,000 lines the Main Street of Fort Kent to see as many as 90 teams strive in three races for a share of the $40,000 purse. Stories and photos on the event have appeared in U.S. and Canadian newspapers including: The Bangor Daily News, USA Today, The Chicago Tribune, The New York Times, The Boston Globe, The Baltimore Sun, Echoes Press, The Telegraph Journal, Le Press, and many others. On the day before the races, the veterinary volunteers are busy examining all of the dog teams to determine that their vaccinations are current, and that all are fit to run the races. On the Friday night before the race starts, volunteers spread snow on Main Street and set up fencing. On Saturday, all three races start from Main Street. Beginning at 8:00 A.M., the 60-mile mushers start their 8-dog teams. At 9:10 A.M., the 6-dog 30-milers start, then the 12-dog 250-mile teams depart starting at 10:20 A.M. The 30-milers and 60-milers will be crossing the finish line at Lonesome Pine Ski Lodge in Fort Kent that same day in a range of times from about 12:00 noon to 6:30 P.M. This arrangement tends to hold the audience in town, since there is only an hour or so between the departure of the last 250-mile team from the start and the arrival of the first 30-miler at the finish. Just enough time for a leisurely lunch at a local restaurant. By early Monday, the leading 250-mile mushers will begin to cross the finish line. In addition to contributions and race entry fees, funds for the races are raised through the sale of souvenirs, advertising maps, raffle tickets, and race videos. Volunteers help to offset the considerable expenses involved in organizing and running these firstclass events. In addition to the prize payments, there are promotional costs, veterinary expenses, food & fuel for checkpoints and trail maintenance, communication costs, insurance, etc. Other than the purse sponsors, more than 50 establishments donate amounts ranging from $500 to $2,000 to support the organization. Annual expenses (including prize payments) may total more than $70,000. The races are run almost entirely on private land with the generous permission of landowners, large and small. There is no permanent established trail, although changes are not usually very great from year to year. The trail crew attempts to avoid snowmobile trails and plowed roads as much as possible. That often translates into a
huge amount of chainsaw work, building of temporary bridges, and clipping of brush. These races would be impossible without the wonderful spirit of community cooperation exhibited by the many volunteers. Volunteers may serve on the board of directors, clear and groom trails, prepare the starting sites, handle teams at the start, provide ham radio and CB communications, judge at checkpoints, guard at crossings, or help out in a variety of ways suited to almost anyone’s abilities and inclinations. Over 500 volunteers help to make the races a great success. Several loyal sponsors donate the prize monies for the three races (250, 60, and 30 miles). Pepsi Bottling of Aroostook sponsors the 30-mile race, which offers a $4,000 purse. The $7,000 purse for the 60-mile race has been donated by Phyllis Jalbert in memory of Willard Jalbert, Jr., who mushed dogs in Fort Kent decades before it became one of the biggest events of the year. Irving Woodlands currently provides the $20,000 purse for the Can-Am Crown 250-mile race. The prize money is awarded to the first 12 finishers in the race, with $4500 going to first place, then on down to $600 for 12th place. Another feature which the 250-mile mushers like very much is the $4,000 Finishing Touch purse, which is divided equally among all teams which finish the race before the 2:00 P.M. deadline on Tuesday. FairPoint Communications has been a steadfast sponsor of the Finishing Touch for several years. In addition to these prizes, stage sponsors offer $1,000 each for the fastest times in each of the five legs of the 250-mile race. To be eligible for stage prizes, a team must be among the first twelve to finish the entire race. For each stage, first prize is $300, second prize is $250, third prize is $200, fourth prize is $150, and fifth prize is $100. The stage sponsors this year were Thibodeau’s Insurance, Daigle & Houghton, M.S. Walker (Allens Coffee Brandy), Dead River Company, and Daigle Oil Company. All totaled, the Can-Am Crown races offer $40,000 in prize monies. There are four checkpoints in the 250-mile race. After the Fort Kent start, the first checkpoint is at the town office in Portage, the second at Irving’s Rocky Brook camps, the third at the Maibec logging camp, the fourth at Tylor Kelly’s camps in Allagash, and then on to the finish at the Lonesome Pine Ski Lodge in Fort Kent. Fort Kent, Portage, Allagash, and most of the rest of the 250mile race course are located in the upper St. John River Valley, which has a reputation as being the snowbelt of Maine. Mushers usually drop a dog or two at a checkpoint for various reasons ranging from sickness or fatigue to “he’s just not having fun anymore”. The dropped dogs receive veterinary supervised care until they are returned to their owners. Teams must layover a total of 14 hours plus start differential at the checkpoints. The complete race rules can be seen on our website at http://can-am.sjv.net. WINTER 2011 The Can-Am Races 49
Race status reports are relayed from each checkpoint throughout the day via ham radio, then immediately posted to the Internet (http://can-am.sjv. net). The Press is given unrestricted access to mushers, race officials, organizational meetings, and remote checkpoints. Transportation for media personnel is provided to checkpoints in the North Maine Woods and throughout the St. John Valley. Checkpoints west of Portage Lake are closed to the public, but all media persons have unrestricted access and escort to these areas. The racers are not tracked by GPS, although many visitors to our website believe that to be the case. The race animation is produced by a statistical program in combination with frequent ham radio reports from the checkpoints.(See http://can-am.sjv.net/WebRace/ CACFRAME.HTM and click on the TRACK button.) The estimates of speeds get better as the race progresses. Estimates of arrival times at checkpoints and at safety stations are often very accurate. After a checkpoint arrival time is confirmed, the estimate is replaced by the actual arrival time, and the speed on that leg of the race is updated. The unique animation on the Can-Am Crown website is accessed by a worldwide audience with over 20,000 hits during the four days of the races. Users from Hungary, Iraq, Switzerland, Thailand, Canada, USA, UK, Netherlands, Germany, Norway, Australia, Hong Kong, Finland, Italy, France, Mexico, South Korea, Japan, Turkey, New Zealand, and Russia all spent significant time viewing the website. There were 8 visits from Bangkok, Thailand that we puzzled over, because whoever was accessing the site was spending a lot of time on it. I later received a call from our race marshall, Georges Theriault, that explained the Thailand connection. Georges was in Bangkok serving as one of the referees at an international sporting event. He was one of a few who were asked to give a presentation to a large group of dignitaries and sports enthusiasts. He spent half of his time talking about Fort Kent and the Can-Am Crown races, including displaying our website on a 4-foot by 8-foot screen. Apparently, the talk was appreciated, because he got a standing ovation. Special thanks to Computer One for hosting the Can-Am Crown website.
50 The Can-Am Races WINTER 2011
Photo Copyright Š 2011 Michaud Photography, Fort Kent, www.michaudphotography.com
P.O. Box 430 291 West Main Street Fort Kent, Maine 04743 Tel: 207.834.5354 info@fortkentchamber.com www.fortkentchamber.com
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WINTER 2011 The Can-Am Races 51
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No Ordinary Place by kathleen Fortin
The rain ceased just before we reached Presque Isle. For the first time, I would see northern Maine’s potato fields. For years, I’d heard about this area from my husband. Dan had lived in Presque Isle back in the ‘60s. His father had taken a transfer to manage the F.W. Woolworth store on Main Street. After ten years, Dan’s parents decided to move back to New Hampshire to be closer to their families. They left Presque Isle right after Dan completed his sophomore year at the high school. He hadn’t been back since then. Ever since I first met Dan, I had heard stories about this place in rural Maine that had all the makings of what sounded like an idyllic childhood. As far as Dan’s parents were concerned, his father found his job there most satisfying and Dan’s mother reflected on Presque Isle, where they never locked their doors, as the best place to raise the family. For Dan, the area meant simple memories: long winters spent tunneling through lofty snow drifts; riding his bike for hours and hours through a maze of neighborhood streets; playing army and building forts in the backyard woods, and catching skippers and building dams in nearby streams. He was always outdoors is what he has told me. Most of all, Dan spoke about the fall potato harvest. When the schools closed for three weeks in mid-September into October, Dan picked potatoes. So, it was during this time of year Dan wanted to see Presque Isle again. When my in-laws first drove to northern Maine, the trip took eight hours. Today, it takes about six to travel the 385 miles due north. Back in 1959, Interstate 95 used to end around Orono. The rest of the way, 175 miles, was two lanes, 40 miles of which passed through the isolated Haynesville Woods. This stretch, the Haynesville Road, inspired one of Maine’s favorite country singers, Dick Curliss, to create the hit song, A Tombstone Every Mile. Its 54 No Ordinary Place WINTER 2011
lyrics tell the story of the lonely truckers hauling loads of potatoes across the desolate road they called a ribbon of ice in winter. It was a road that has “…never, ever, ever, seen a smile.” Even though, today, the four-lane interstate doesn’t pass through the same isolated stretch, it is cut through deep woods that gave me enough of a flavor of what the old route must have looked like more than fifty years ago. Seeing this, I understood why my mother-in-law had said to her husband during their first drive to the county, “Where are you taking me?” Now, I stood in her shoes. I was about to find out. *** About a half mile before we reached the first potato farm on the right hand side of Route 1, Dan’s instinct told him we were coming up on it. Right after pointing out Stewart’s Farm to me, Dan took a sharp left turn onto Tompkins Road. I knew he was heading somewhere specific. Soon, he pulled off to the shoulder of the road. Off to his right Dan recognized the fields and the barn of the ol’ Duncan Farm, as locals refer to it, as if he had been there yesterday. This was the site where Dan had picked potatoes in endless fields and where his friend’s father had let him drive the farm tractors. He and his friend had played in that barn until Dan’s eyes were red from the hay dust. But, today, Dan noticed there was no tractor in sight or within earshot. The furrowed potato fields he had known were now covered over with bright green grass. The farmhouse he once knew was gone. As Dan recounted his memories, I could tell he was trying to reconcile them with the new scene set out in front of him. This same challenge would persist for him throughout the weekend.
After turning around and getting back on the main road, we soon reached the University of Maine at Presque Isle. Dan didn’t remember if North of Ordinary, inscribed on the school’s sign, had been their slogan decades ago. On its grounds, Dan’s mother had obtained the autograph of Richard Nixon, which is still in his parents’ home, somewhere. His mother used to keep the slip of paper under a piece of glass on top of their television set. Dan took a right turn onto Maple Street and, before we knew it, we were on Sherwin Street. The wooden address sign hangs in his parents’ garage back in New Hampshire. The simple ranch looked different, Dan said. It didn’t have a garage when they lived there. I wondered if the bathroom still had the heated bathtub where Dan’s mother would put him, after long hours he spent playing outside on a bitter cold day. Dan reminded me about playing in the woods, saying, “I’d love to get back there. I bet I could pick out trees I knew.” The scale of the houses and the street itself looked smaller than he remembered. But, he was most struck by what had happened to all the trees. His father had planted an evergreen out in front of their house and that was gone and so too were other trees that used to be in front of the houses. Back then, it hadn’t been so open. As we drove further down Sherwin, his braking foot gauging a crawl, Dan named the families who had lived in each house. I couldn’t understand how he knew the streets so well when he hadn’t even had his driver’s license before he left. When he was last there, his driving experience had been limited to a handful of road hours spent with his school instructor, although his father used to bring him to the abandoned airstrip of the Air Force Base to practice. Then, I realized that he had ridden his bike for years, throughout all these streets, to and from the houses of his friends and even to and from school at Pine Street Elementary. On this late Friday afternoon, we saw no youngsters riding bikes. This is something Dan often points out in our own neighborhood. Kids just don’t play outside any more. As we took left and rights down adjoining streets. Dan pointed out which house was associated with which story. In one house lived a friend whose father was a popular outdoorsman. One year he shot the biggest buck in the State of Maine. This man wore a jacket with a patch on the sleeve as proof. At another house, every Saturday morning was standing-room-only for cartoon watching. The father used to manage the TV station, WAGM. Dan’s driver’s education teacher lived down another street. We would stop in and visit his widow later on. While sitting in her family room, I noticed a Norman Rockwell illustrated book resting on her coffee table. Seeing it, I thought of the parallel between that artist’s iconic images of American life and the simplicity of Dan’s youth. Around the corner from her house was Mantle Lake. It was on the path encircling this lake that Dan’s elementary school class had one time made stakes with the name of plants. His mother had saved the newspaper article about it. Dan was sure the signs were long gone, but, as we walked around the lake we both kept an eye out for them anyway. Driving down Main Street launched more memories. St. Mary’s Catholic Church was where Dan received his First Communion and Confirmation. Dan pointed out that the church entrance used to face Main Street and it never had a
parking lot next to it, where the entrance now faces. Inside, Dan looked up from the center aisle, towards the balcony where he had sung in the choir during the fifth grade. In the center of Main Street, The Northeastland Hotel sign stuck out. That was where Dan’s father would sometimes bring the family for breakfast after Sunday Mass. Dan remembers the English muffins, but what was most special was going out for breakfast. No one did it often back in those days. Next door, the Braden Theatre was where Dan and his friends went to Saturday matinees and where his parents took him and his younger sister and brother one Sunday night to see the Sound of Music. That night the owner let them in for free because he knew Dan’s father. Woolworth’s used to be across the street. The glass fronted building is still there, as are others, one after another in line, where Zayre’s, W. T. Grant’s and J.J. Newberry’s had been. Some of them are occupied by small retail businesses. Some are empty. Other buildings remained which held memories from the 60s. On one corner was where the Buick Garage had stood and where Dan’s father had bought a new Electra. At the old Eddies’ IGA, the owner used to cut special grades of meat for Dan’s mother. The former old barbershop was where Dan’s father brought him to get his crew cut. Dan remembers that the wax used to make his hair in front stand up straight made his eyes water. Just beyond what had always been the edge of town, we passed the mall and other new stores and restaurants. Dan pointed out, “There was nothing here before. There wasn’t even a traffic light.” Passing them, the countryside emerged. It was from then on, for many miles, that I saw expansive fields, sprawling out to my right and to my left. The sky was so big it surprised me, as I thought the only big sky was found out west. It rose in front of me and on both sides, like a true panorama. The clouds were gigantic formations. With the sky blue in between them, it made me think of them as continents on a map of the world. It also caused me to think that Isle in the town’s name could have come from the resemblance of these flat fields to long stretches of beach. This road led to Caribou and then a bit further to the Canadian border. It was wider than the old two lanes, but this change didn’t seem to alter Dan’s memory of the broad landscape. He noticed there weren’t as many potato fields or the old potato houses, distinctive for their roof edges meeting at ground level. Throughout recent years, he had heard that there are nowhere near the numbers of potato farmers there used to be. On our visit we heard that only a couple farms in the surrounding area are still family owned and even fewer of those are harvested by hand anymore. Some of the fields we saw had gone to scrub and on others rested old tractors and huge, newer harvesters. To me, they stood as monuments to Dan’s old memories and my new ones. On the way back from Caribou, we had a good view of the parade of wind turbines along the spine of Mars Hill Mountain. The wind had seemed to increase that afternoon, especially when, later on, we walked up to the one turbine back at the University. That’s also where I stumbled onto an adjacent potato field, already harvested, WINTER 2010 No Ordinary Place 55
but with many small and green potatoes strewn about. I told Dan it smelled a bit like a musty basement. It was a familiar scent to him. He even said, if he was blindfolded and dropped in a northern Maine potato field, he would know, from the smell alone, where he was standing. Now I also know that smell. We also felt a brisk wind while at the launch site of the Double Eagle II. In the summer of 1978, three adventurous men took off in a helium balloon from the open field. It became the first successful trans-atlantic crossing of its kind. We felt the incessant wind, yet again, at Echo Lake. Here, Dan’s father first launched the fourteen foot Starcraft boat he bought out on the road to Caribou. For years, the family used it on nearby Portage and Squa Pan Lakes. Later that same afternoon, while coasting along Route 10, the russet, gold and cherry red leaves, buttressed by lanky, deep green firs, filled the rolling hills behind some of the fields. Other fields seemed to go on forever. I told Dan how much I too loved the feel of the open vista. It was here I really saw how spending his formative years in Aroostook County had made a lasting impact on Dan, from his love of fields and open space to his enjoyment of mowing our small hay field back home with his John Deere tractor. Completing Dan’s memory-jogging tour of Presque Isle, we drove back to Stewart’s Farm to buy some Shepody potatoes. A worker there told us that way behind the barn were some fields still picked by hand. But, pickers weren’t working that day. The fields were too wet. One tractor had been pulled out of the muck, she said. While at Stewart’s, Dan happened to peek into a side room when a spontaneous reaction caused him to say, “I’ve been in this room before.” It was the smell of the stoked-up woodstove that unleashed the vivid memory of the time he had picked potatoes at that farm. The same woman said that the stove used to be in a shanty next door, but they had moved it into this room. The room’s smell had reminded Dan of potato picking on many rainy days, when his gloves would become clumped with muddy soil. He and his friends used to go inside to get warm. It was clear Dan loved picking just the same on those days, as he did those times he drove the tractor of his friend’s father on a clear day. As he remembers it, they were all good days. Kathleen Fortin received a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies from Dartmouth College. Concentrating in creative writing during her studies, she focused on nonfiction narrative, personal essay and oral history. Her graduate thesis was an oral history of the MacDowell Colony, a one hundred year old artists’ residence colony located in Peterborough, New Hampshire. Kathy is a freelance writer and continues her long time career in the legal field.
56 No Ordinary Place WINTER 2011
See the world from a
different perspective University of Maine at
PRESQUE ISLE North of Ordinary
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Husson in Bangor offers a university experience in a collegiate setting.
founded in 1898
But you can also get a Husson degree in Presque Isle. Offering graduate and undergraduate programs in business, health and counseling. Visit us online at www.husson.edu/presqueisle, or call 760-1176 for more information.
Healthy You:
Embrace Winter by Kim Jones, Cary Medical Center
A Maine winter can be quite daunting. Driving on icy roads, trying to keep your home warm, shoveling the driveway, trudging to work or running errands in mindnumbing coldness, scraping the roof, and going for days without hardly seeing the sun can all add up to a heap of stress and aggravation. Like many people, come February I yearn for the smell of freshly cut grass and barbecues in the backyard. But as much as I look forward to summer, some of my favorite memories are actually tied to times when the temperature strained to reach the 20 degree mark. I can vividly recall how much fun I had smashing into the snow banks with my dad in the old plow truck, the thrill of victory (or agony of defeat) I shared with my brothers during neighborhood snowball fights, helping my mom decorate our home to give it that magical holiday touch, skating in a parking lot turned ice rink, and sledding with friends on snow days. Embracing winter can lead to a lifetime of wonderful memories. It also presents us with many unique opportunities to participate in fun, inexpensive, and healthy activities. Check out these suggestions to help you and your family make the most of this season. Going Outside Bundle up in your warm clothes and . . . 1. Have a winter picnic. Spread a blanket out at your favorite outdoor site and enjoy warm sandwiches, soup, and cocoa. Just like a summer picnic, you can even play games such as Frisbee or relays.
see what happens when the frozen bubble bursts. 5. Take an alphabet walk. Walk around the neighborhood to identify one thing for each letter of the alphabet. For example, animal tracks, basketball hoop, car, etc. You can also pick one letter and try to find as many things as you can that start with that letter. This game is especially challenging when there is lots of snow covering up smaller objects. 6. Make ice candles. Place a plastic cup face down in the bottom of a small bucket. Fill the bucket with water and place it outside to freeze. To keep the cup from drifting off center, you may need to weigh it down by taping coins, rocks, etc. on the inside. Once it is frozen, take the ice out of the bucket (run warm water over it to help), remove the cup, and place a small candle in the hole. You can also use containers with covers, like a coffee can - float the plastic cup in the water-filled container and putting the lid on to hold the cup in place until it is frozen. Get creative . . . add decorative items or food coloring to the water before it freezes. Place the icy creations around your yard and light the candle for a beautiful decoration. 7. Host a family or neighborhood Winter Olympics. Think of easy, even silly, activities and award inexpensive prizes to the winners. 8. Create a snow daze maze. Shovel a path in the yard like a maze for your children or grandchildren to play in . . . better yet, get them to help you do the shoveling.
2. Go on a scavenger hunt. Finding pinecones, grass, leaves, rocks, and other nature items presents a whole new challenge when you have to dig in the snow to find them.
9. Walk the dog. The fresh air and exercise is good for people and pets. If you don’t have a pet, take a shelter dog out for a stroll – they will surely enjoy the change of scenery.
3. Play tag or hide and seek. Snow banks can provide new places to hide and diving out of the way of a tag doesn’t hurt nearly as much in snow.
10. Build a snow sculpture. Sure there’s the traditional snowman, but what about a snow dinosaur, snow spaceship, snow animal, or snow castle? Assemble your creation in the front yard for passers-by to enjoy.
4. Blow frozen bubbles. This is a great science lesson for kids. Chill a container of bubble solution in the refrigerator. When the outside temperature is below freezing (32 degrees), blow a bubble and catch it on the wand. As it freezes, observe the ice crystals forming on the surface and 58 County Health WINTER 2011
11. Participate in local winter programs and activities. In northern Maine, there are ample opportunities to go on organized snowshoe hikes, learn how to cross-country or downhill ski, attend a winter carnival, take a maple
sugaring tour, try ice skating, and much more – many of these types of activities are completely free or for a nominal fee, including the equipment. Staying Inside When the weather is lousy and you need to stay inside . . . 1. Put on a play. Write and act out a short story. Your children or grandchildren will love watching themselves (or you) for years to come. 2. Prepare a special meal. Try new recipes, eat by candlelight, use the “nice” dinnerware, etc. If you have children, get them involved. Let them help with the cooking and setting the table. It’s also fun to have a theme or challenge meal like a backwards dinner (wear your clothes backwards, eat dessert first, use the opposite end of the utensil - except for the knives of course!) or have an everything has to be eaten with chopsticks meal.
and get rid of items you just don’t need or use. Store the items in labeled boxes or totes until the weather is warm enough for a yard sale or use an online service, such as eBay, for selling any time of year. To motivate kids to help out, decide together on something that the family can do or purchase using the profits, like a weekend getaway or new bikes. Whether indoors or out, these are just a few of the countless ways you and your family can beat the winter doldrums. Make it a point to be active rather than hibernate when the first snowflake falls. Doing so can create lifelong memories and make for a happier, healthier you! Healthy You is a free community program from Cary Medical Center that addresses your overall well-being including physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual health. For program information or calendar of events, log on to www.carymedicalcenter.org or call Cary Medical Center’s Public Relations Department at 498-1361.
3. Have a spa day at home. Take turns giving and receiving a massage, polish your nails, soak your feet, listen to soothing music, meditate, light some candles, and relax. 4. Play games. Dust off the board games stacked in the closet and have a family and/or friend game night. Try a new game or have your guests bring their own favorite game to try. 5. Grow a plant. From a seedling in a paper cup to a large terrarium, growing plants inside is a fun way to add color and life to your home. Kids will especially like caring for their own plant and watching it grow. 6. Host a dance party. Get your family’s favorite music together for an evening of movin’ and groovin’. Make it a karaoke party for even more fun and laughs. 7. Make a time capsule. Fill a large jar with items that reflect this moment in time, such as newspaper clippings, music CDs, photographs, and a television guide. Be sure to add a personal note. Seal the jar tightly and write on the outside when it should be opened. Bury it in the yard or place it in storage (e.g. the attic). File the exact location of jar in your will, safe, or file cabinet. 8. Learn something new. Teach yourself how to juggle, crochet, whistle, speak another language, play an instrument, draw, or some other new skill. Search the internet or go to the library for ideas and instructions. 9. Have a movie night. Push PLAY to watch your family’s favorite movie or pick one from the 100 Best Movies Ever list (check the internet). Make the evening extra special with homemade snacks and cozying up in sleeping bags spread out on the floor . . . you can even make it a slumber party. 10. Gear up for a yard sale. Use your inside time to go room by room looking for ways to de-clutter, organize, WINTER 2011 County Health 59
Ask Alli
by Allison Heidorn
My 12-year-old son would play video games all day if I let him! When I ask him to shut off the game and do another activity he argues and becomes very upset. How can I get my video addicted son to find another interest and not spend all of his free time playing games? First off, you are not alone. Millions of young people LOVE to play video games and spend significant time doing so. Video games and other electronic media seem to transfix our kids, so much so that at times they are simply disconnected. The simple answer would be to tell you as the parent to take control of your parental authority and just say no! I can tell you that will lead you deeper into a power struggle between you and your child and will leave you in much the same space you are right now. Instead, what I would suggest is an inside out technique. What I am talking about is helping youth identify their “spark”. “Spark” is the part of each of us that generates passion and purpose in our lives. It is a deep sense of meaning and purpose, a gift that has been entrusted to just you. Furthermore, a spark must be something that makes a positive contribution to the world. It might be writing, science, learning other languages, helping others, being an artist, being a leader or making music. Our job as adults is to learn the spark of our own children and all the children who surround us and pull it out, provide opportunities to participate in the spark activity. I am confident that if you take the time to identify your child’s spark, nurture it and provide opportunities, your child will engulf themselves in it. What you may be thinking is, what if video games are what my child says is their “spark”? I challenge you to dig deeper! Ask them what it is about video games that makes them love them so much…hand-eye coordination, competition, or strategy. Whatever the skill may be, align your child with other activities that use that skill. Hopefully, your child will lose interest in video games and really find and live their passion in this world! What an amazing opportunity you have to light a fire under your child. Remember a fire begins with just one “spark”!
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WINTER 2011
Between work, the kids, my extended family, friends and all of life’s ups and downs; I have such little time to spend with my kids. How can I connect with them at a deep level if our time is always running from one thing to the next? First off, it sounds like you need to catch your breath! Inhale, Exhale! As a busy working Mom, I can relate to what you’re saying! The bad news is that as your kids get older, you get busier! The good news is that it is easy to connect with your child, even when life gets crazy! Search Institute, a non-profit organization that offers leadership, knowledge, and resources to promote positive youth development, came up with a guide to help called “Finding your way, 30 seconds at a time”. What the guide says is that to connect with youth keep three important principals in mind! First, one small effort does matter. Little things such as making eye contact, expressing gratitude, and simply listening without judging are a really big deal. You never know which encounter may change their life. Second, small acts add up. Small efforts over time become familiar patterns, and show them they belong, they matter and are valuable. It is threads, hundreds of tiny threads, which sew people together through the years” –Simone Signoret Finally, if you breathe, you are on the team. It does not matter who you are, what you do for work, how much money you make or where you live, you can connect.
Make Life Easier
by Professional Home Nursing Is it getting harder to bend over to tie your shoes? Is it getting more difficult to read your prescription labels? My grandmother would often tell me, “Kristi, just don’t grow old!” It is bound to happen to all of us, we cannot stop the aging process. We can however, with today’s technology, get through the aging process gracefully. There are many gadgets and techniques to make daily tasks simpler. You just need to be willing to try them out! Safety first!! Be sure to sit before putting on or removing lower body clothing. To make the far reach easier, try using a device called a reacher, or often referred to as a “grabber.” The reacher can be used to push your pants or underwear down over your feet. The reacher can also be used to clench the waist band of your underwear or pants to help get them up over your feet easier. Socks can be removed with this buddy tool as well. Shoes can be brought to closer proximity. The reacher is also most commonly used to pick up items that have fallen on the floor, or with a towel clenched at its claw end, can wipe up a water spill. Another cool device is a sock aid. It is an odd U-shaped device that once a sock is slid onto it, can very simply put your sock on for you without the need to bend over. Most folks who use it the first time, smile and say, “That was slick!” Now, I mentioned tying shoes earlier. There are these great elastic shoe laces that lace up shoes in the typical manner, leave them tied, then just slip the shoe on or off without the need to bend over. Some shoes may not cooperate so easy. There is also a long handled shoe horn which usually solves the problem of the heel collapsing, making the fight of getting on the shoe much easier as well. There are, of course, the simpler design of Velcro shoes. They have been available for years. Some people have the “pride” issue of not wanting to be seen in them, however there are many different styles out there, and I am sure you can find a pair very similar to the style you currently wear.
Is your vision not as great as it was? It is, of course, very important to make sure you are taking your medications as prescribed. To improve your visibility with the small print on the medication bottles, invest in a magnifying glass. It is a great comfort to feel that you are not second guessing the medication you take. “I think this is my blood pressure medicine.” You want to be 100% positive you have the right medicine at the right time. Many pills are the same color, shape, or size, so it is easy to get some medicines mixed up. Don’t feel bashful about asking someone for help if your vision has worsened beyond the help of glasses or a magnifying glass. Don’t let pride get in the way of your safety. Medication errors can lead to serious or even fatal outcomes. Don’t play around with it. Magnify! Magnify! Magnify!
Make the daily tasks easier so you can enjoy the more exciting things in life. If you need assistance to find any of the items mentioned in this Frequently, a rotator cuff injury, fracture or just article, contact your plain arthritis limits your shoulder movements making primary care physician, or a health care provider. it more difficult to reach your back. A simple solution to washing your back with greater ease is a bath brush or sponge. I would look for the style that has a long handle and Health and happiness to you, is slightly curved. This will also become useful for washing your feet. A tip for you ladies out there: try fastening your Kristi St.Peter, OTR/Lem bra in the front then twisting it to the back. There are also front closure bras available and sports bras that you don’t have to contend with any fasteners. WINTER 2011 County Health 61
County Critters with Dr. Terri McQuade
Winter Pet Care Cold weather can be hard on pets, just like it can be hard on people. Sometimes owners forget that their pets are just as accustomed to the warm shelter of the indoors as they are. Some owners will leave their animals outside for extended periods of time, thinking that all animals are adapted to live outdoors. This can put their pets in danger of serious illness. There are things you can do to keep your animal warm and safe. Take your animals for a winter check-up before winter kicks in. Your veterinarian can check to make sure they don’t have any medical problems that will make them more vulnerable to the cold. Keep your pets inside as much as you can when the mercury drops. If you have to take them out, stay outside with them. When you’re cold enough to go inside, they probably are too. If you absolutely must leave them outside for a significant length of time, make sure they have a warm, solid shelter against the wind, thick bedding (hay is a great insulator that they can snuggle down in), and plenty of non-frozen water. Try leaving out a hot water bottle, wrapped in a towel so it won’t burn your pet’s skin. Some animals can remain outside safely longer in the winter than others. In some cases, it’s just common sense: long-haired breeds like Huskies will do better in cold weather than short-haired breeds like Dachshunds. Cats and small dogs that have to wade shoulder-deep in the snow will feel the cold sooner than larger animals. Your pet’s health will also affect how long she can stay out. Conditions like diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and hormonal imbalances can compromise a pet’s ability to regulate her own body heat. Animals that are not generally in good health shouldn’t be exposed to winter weather for a long period of time. Very young and very old animals are vulnerable to the cold as well. Regardless of their health though, no pets should stay outside for unlimited amounts of time in freezing cold weather. If you have any questions about how long your pet should be out this winter, ask your veterinarian. Cats will curl up against almost anything to stay warm--including car engines. Cats caught in moving engine parts can be seriously hurt or killed. Before you turn your engine on, check beneath the car or make a lot of noise by honking the horn or rapping on the hood. If you live near a pond or lake, be very cautious about letting your dog off the leash. Animals can easily fall through the ice, and it is very difficult for them to escape on their own. If you must let your dogs loose near open water, stay with them at all times. If you light a fire or plug in a space heater to keep your home toasty warm, remember that the heat will be as attractive to your pets as to you. As your dog or cat snuggles
up to the warmth, keep an eye out to make sure that no tails or paws come in contact with flames, heating coils, or hot surfaces. Pets can either burn themselves or knock a heat source over and put the entire household in danger. It’s a good idea to have your furnace checked for carbon monoxide leakage before you turn it on, both for your pets’ health and your own. Carbon monoxide is odorless and invisible, but it can cause problems ranging from headaches and fatigue to trouble breathing. Pets generally spend more time in the home than owners, particularly in the winter, so they are more vulnerable to carbon monoxide poisoning than the rest of the family. Pets that go outside can pick up rock salt, ice, and chemical ice melts in their foot pads. To keep your pet’s pads from getting chapped and raw, wipe her feet with a washcloth when she comes inside. If your canine friend will tolerate it there are special booties that can help protect their paws from the winter elements and any chemicals or salts that are put out. This will also keep her from licking the salt off her feet, which could cause an inflammation of her digestive tract. If left alone outside, dogs and cats can be very resourceful in their search for warm shelter. They can dig into snow banks or hide under porches or in dumpsters, window wells, or cellars, and they can occasionally get trapped. Watch them closely when they are loose outdoors, and provide them with quality, easily accessible shelter. Keep an eye on your pet’s water. Sometimes owners don’t realize that a water bowl has frozen and their pet can’t get anything to drink. Animals that don’t have access to clean, unfrozen water are more likely to drink out of puddles or gutters, which can be polluted with oil, antifreeze, household cleaners, and other chemicals. Be particularly gentle with elderly and arthritic pets during the winter. The cold can leave their joints extremely stiff and tender, and they may become more awkward than usual. Stay directly below these pets when they are climbing stairs or jumping onto furniture; consider modifying their environment to make it easier for them to get around. Make sure they have a thick, soft bed in a warm room for the chilly nights. Also, watch stiff and arthritic pets if you walk them outside; a bad slip on the ice could be very painful and cause a significant injury. Go ahead and put that sweater on Princess, if she’ll put up with it. It will help a little, but you can’t depend on it entirely to keep her warm. Pets lose most of their body heat from the pads of their feet, their ears, and their respiratory tract. The best way to guard your animals against the cold is keeping a close eye on them to make sure they’re comfortable. When you’re outside with your pets during the winter, you can watch them for signs of discomfort with the cold. If they whine, shiver, seem anxious, slow down
your opportunity Discover an exciting career or an affordable start to a four year degree... or stop moving, or start to look for warm places to burrow, they’re saying they want to get back someplace warm. You can also keep an eye out for two serious conditions caused by cold weather. The first and less common of the two is frostbite. Frostbite happens when an animal’s (or a person’s) body gets cold and pulls all the blood from the extremities to the center of the body to stay warm. The animal’s ears, paws, or tail can get cold enough that ice crystals can form in the tissue and damage it. The tricky thing about frostbite is that it’s not immediately obvious. The tissue doesn’t show signs of the damage to it for several days. If you suspect your pet may have frostbite, bring her into a warm environment right away. You can soak her extremities in warm water for about 20 minutes to melt the ice crystals and restore circulation. It’s important that you don’t rub the frostbitten tissue, however--the ice crystals can do a lot of damage to the tissue. Once your pet is warm, wrap her up in some blankets and take her to the veterinarian. Your veterinarian can assess the damage and treat your pet for pain or infection if necessary. Hypothermia, or a body temperature that is below normal, is a condition that occurs when an animal is not able to keep her body temperature from falling below normal. It happens when animals spend too much time in cold temperatures, or when animals with poor health or circulation are exposed to cold. In mild cases, animals will shiver and show signs of depression, lethargy, and weakness. As the condition progresses, an animal’s muscles will stiffen, her heart and breathing rates will slow down, and she will stop responding to stimuli. If you notice these symptoms, you need to get your pet warm and take her to your veterinarian. You can wrap her in blankets, possibly with a hot water bottle or an electric blanket. As always, remember to wrap hot items in fabric to prevent against burning the skin. In severe cases, your veterinarian can monitor her heart rate and blood pressure and give warm fluids through an IV. Winter can be a beautiful time of year. It can be a dangerous time as well, but it certainly doesn’t have to be. If you take some precautions, you and your pet can have a fabulous time.
33 Edgemont Drive l Presque Isle, ME 04769 (207) 768-2785 l www.nmcc.edu
WINTER 2011 County Critters 63
Aroostook Eats
Irish Setter Pub
Please introduce yourself to our readers. My name is Debi Gustin. I live in Fort Fairfield, Maine. I have been a County girl since I married my husband in l971.
establishments. While living in the Chicago area, I worked at Olive Garden as a developer of server training, An Olive Garden trip to Italy to learn about wine and food was educational and will be of use in the establishment.
When and who established the restaurant? The restaurant was opened by Terry Greenier and Jerry What is the theme of your restaurant? We are trying to provide a warm and relaxing place Tanner in March of 2006. that resembles, in a small way, an Irish pub where people of the community gathered for news and socializing. We offer a variety When did you become involved? I came to work at the restaurant in August of 2007. I of food from snacks to full meals with some traditional Irish fare. learned that the restaurant was for sale. I thought I could do A large selection of beverages for all ages is also available. some exciting things with the place, so I made an offer and it was accepted. I became the owner in February of 2008. My husband Who is your chef? Our kitchen manager is Gene Hathaway. He has been came on board full-time in May of 2009 to help with financial with the Irish Setter Pub since it opened. He is one of the reasons aspects of the business. that people keep coming back. Our bar manager is Frankie What past experience did you have in the restaurant Robinson, who is well-known in the area. business? My father was a chef, and I grew up in this business. I worked as a server in fine dining rooms at large hotels and at smaller
Please tell us about your menu and specialties? Prime Rib is featured on Saturday. Irish fare includes Corn Beef & Cabbage, Bangers & Mash, Irish Shepherd’s Pie, Celtic Chicken, and Boxty. We have an, often copied, Reuben sandwich. We offer eight ounce Certified Angus beef burgers and sirloin steaks. People look forward to our Burger of the Month, which is always interesting and fun. Appetizers go from fried pickles to Irish pizza. Gene’s chicken stew gets great reviews. Nachos and salads are popular, too. Daily specials are available for lunch and dinner. What sets your restaurant apart from others? The atmosphere here makes people want to come back. People have fun here. No one goes away hungry or thirsty. We strive to live up to our motto of Good Times, Good Friends, and Good Food. Our prices are reasonable and the service is good. It is reassuring to us that our guests buy lots of gift certificates, so others may enjoy the Irish Setter Pub as well. We offer live music several times a year. St. Patrick’s Day and half-way to St. Patrick’s Day celebrations draw large crowds.
What are your establishment’s address, contact information and hours of operation? We are located at 710 Main St., Presque Isle. We are open Monday through Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m., Thursday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. We are closed on Sunday. The telephone number is 7645400. Do you take reservations, cater or have take-out? We take reservations for Monday through Thursday, weekends are on a limited basis. We offer take-out for any food item and non-alcoholic beverages. Is there anything else that we haven’t covered that you would like our readers to know? We offer Wi-Fi for our guests. Call ahead dining is available for those who have limited time. We have three televisions Our website is www.irishsetterpub.com. Our new outdoor dining area is complete and will be ready for use in the spring. We are affectionately known as the Irish Pub, the Red Dog and the Pub. Stop by and get to know us. WINTER 2011 Aroostook Eats 65
Our communities
in this issue:, Van Buren, Greater Limestone and Presque Isle
66 Our Communities WINTER 2011
Van Buren
We had been running a contest on Channel 8 for all kids grades k through 6th. The theme was “What Van Buren Means To Me”. We had several entrants and they have had their stories running on the TV for some time. However, not everyone has access to our channel, so we are reprinting those contest entries here. The winner will be decided soon, and they will receive a free personal pizza from Glam-R-Us. Let’s all spread the good feelings, appreciate what we have, and think positive towards our future. And if you get to speak with any of these children, thank them for their town spirit. Why I like living in Van Buren. I like to live in Van Buren because my parents are here with me and memere and pepere are too. There are not any tornados, hurricanes, or earthquakes. My aunts and uncles are around here. All my cousins are around here too. I also have a nice yard. If I lived in the city, I probably wouldn’t have a yard. All my friends are here too. If I lived in Florida, the season would just be summer. Our town has a park. Maybe other towns might not have a park. I’m happy with where I live. If I move, I’m going to lose all my friends and might not be able to find new ones. Abby Ayotte Grade 2, Age 7
The reason why I like my hometown Van Buren is because of the friendly people in a nice quiet town. I love to ride four wheeler with my mom and dad and my sister on the nice trails. You can trust most people. I like going to my big school. The teachers are all very nice. I like to walk in town with my dad and my sister. My whole family also lives in Van Buren. I like my house. Some of my friends live on my same street. This is why I like my home town Van Buren. Dominick Boutot Grade 2, Age 7 Why I like living in Van Buren. I like living in Van Buren because I have a lot of space in my back yard. I also have a big swing set in my back yard. I love the big house I have. I like the trees we have and the apples I get from the trees. I also love all the stuff that I got. I feel safe in this town. I love Van Buren. Brooke Caron Grade 2, Age 7 I like living in Van Buren because almost my whole family lives here. I love to live here because I have lots of room to play outside and have a garden. I like living in Van Buren because memere lives downstairs. I am happy I live in Van Buren because I don’t have to use an elevator or go down a whole bunch of stairs. I think Van Buren is beautiful. Eddie Saucier Grade 2, Age 7 I like to live in Van Buren because there is not a lot of traffic and most of us have a back yard. If we lived in the urban cities, it wouldn’t be too tranquil. If we lived in Van Buren most of the time, it would be tranquil. That is why I like living in Van Buren. Jayde Violette Grade 2, Age 7
Presque Isle the star city
Presque Isle Area prepares for a busy winter! As 2011 begins, the excitement in Aroostook County is increasing. People are watching the weather daily to see if we will have enough snow for the snowmobiling season and traditional outdoor sports. This year there is even more interest in the snow cover as we prepare to host the 2011 Biathlon World Cup Events 7 & 8 in Aroostook County. Biathlon is the winter Olympic sport combining cross-country skiing and rifle marksmanship. Alternating skiing and shooting, biathletes compete under the pressure of the clock that continues to run even as they stop to shoot. There is a penalty for each missed shot so biathletes must balance speed on the course and on the range with shooting accuracy. The athletes shoot from two positions – Prone and Standing – in various different sequences depending on the competition. In each shooting stage the athlete has five shots to hit five targets 50m down range. The target hit area for prone is 4.5cm (less than 2 inches) and 11.5cm (about 4.5 inches) for standing. When hit, the black target turns white showing everyone the shot hit the target – or not. Presque Isle and Fort Kent, Maine are preparing for the tens of thousands of fans who will descend on the area for seven days of Olympic-level competition during the E.ON IBU Biathlon World Cup. Maine is home to two internationally accredited, world-class venues that are licensed to host World Cup competitions. Presque Isle Nordic Heritage Center and The Fort Kent 10th Mountain Center competition sites join others in Germany, Italy, Austria, Sweden, Norway, and Slovenia that are hosting this year’s World Cup events. “Many of the world’s top biathletes view the facilities in Northern Maine as some of the best and most technically-challenging in the world,” said Max Cobb, President and CEO of US Biathlon. “Fans can expect an intimate experience with unparalleled access to the venues and the athletes themselves. It is like having a slice of the Olympics in Maine for ten days.” Athletes from 30 nations, more than 35,000 spectators, and members of the international media are expected at the Fort Kent and Presque Isle venues. The competitions will be watched live by an additional 120 million television viewers and fans in Europe. From the opening ceremonies in Presque Isle on February 3 to the closing ceremonies in Fort Kent on February 13, spectators will be treated to thrilling Olympic-level competition in the pristine natural beauty of northern Maine. The Biathlon World Cup will be an opportunity for residents and businesses in the area to show what makes Aroostook County special. Join us in the many activities surrounding the biathlon races and share in the excitement!
Greater Limestone Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. ~ Norman Vincent Peale And that’s exactly what happened in Limestone over Thanksgiving weekend. In more ways than one, Limestone was beautiful. The few inches of snow received earlier in the week simply helped set the scene for the weekend full of Holiday Festivities that were planned and coordinated by the Limestone Recreation Department Director, Amanda Brooker. The Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and Holiday Light Parade were held Saturday evening, which has become a tradition in Limestone over the past few years – providing families and friends a perfect opportunity to join together and kick off the holiday season in good style! The events gave everyone a chance to reflect on the spirit of the season … of being thankful, of giving, and of being merry! The Town Christmas Tree is in a new spot this year and can’t be missed as you turn onto Access Highway (Foster Ave.) from Main Street – or head north or south on Main Street. Community members joined the Girl Scout Troop by singing carols around the Town Christmas Tree before it was officially lit up for everyone to enjoy during the holiday season. And even the Grinch would appreciate this 20 foot tall, multi-colored glistening tree! …. Special thanks to Steve Brooker, Randy Brooker, and the Limestone Highway Department (Mike Cote & crew) for their gracious donations of resources, property, manpower & time! The theme for this year’s Annual Holiday Light Parade was “Sounds of the Season”, with entries choosing their favorite holiday song and decorating their float accordingly. This year’s Annual Holiday Light Parade consisted of roughly 20 entries – all of which were wonderfully alight with sounds of the season flowing from them, for young and old to marvel at! And you didn’t want to miss the parade’s finale … the arrival of Mr. & Mrs. Claus to the streets of Limestone!! Truly a very festive parade to be a part of and watch! Best Parade Theme - Edgecomb Farms, with candy canes lining the full length of the tractor-trailer bed … and their choice of sounds of the season was “Candy Cane Lane”. Best Lights - Limestone Fire Department, with lights all the way up the water chute! Most Musical – AL-BEAR’S Place, with their own special unique version of “12 Days of Christmas” being played from their float adorned with pizza boxes in red bows! Most Creative – Gary O’Neal & family, with Santa Claus sitting high on his red-light sleigh loaded with presents and the song “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” ringing through the evening air. Best Business – Mike’s Family Market, with Santa pushing his very own grocery cart piled high with groceries and gifts. We hope you were able to attend this year’s Annual Holiday Festivities in Limestone – and wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season!
Happy Holidays! Submitted by Grace O’Neal, on behalf of the Greater Limestone Chamber of Commerce Background © 2011 Gene Cyr, Washburn, northernmainepictures.com
WINTER 2011 Our Communities 69
Christmas Tree by Carol Parks Olson, Caribou
They stand proud in hopes of being chosen With arms outstretched and dressed to the hilt They are a monarch for all to admire But their reign is short lived Stripped of their precious treasures they are tossed aside To finish out their lives in wonder of why
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© 2011 Gene Cyr, Washburn, northernmainepictures.com
Cele bration Gets Underway for NMCC’s Golden An niversa ry
Christie Building entrance - Then and Now
Drafting -
Computer-Aid
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Library
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- Then
Library - Now
72 Higher Education WINTER 2011
On June 17, 1961, Maine Governor John H. Reed, an Aroostook County native from Fort Fairfield, signed a bill into law that established an institute in the deactivated buildings of the missile base in Presque Isle. Fifty years later, Northern Maine Community College is a thriving campus with record enrollment serving the region’s higher education and training needs. The New Year marks the beginning of a series of important milestones for NMCC that extend through 2015. The golden anniversary of the College will be celebrated both on campus and in the Aroostook County community throughout that time. Festivities began in the moments that lead into the heralding of 2011 in the heart of downtown Presque Isle when the Star City Star, built two years ago by NMCC welding and metal fabrication students, was raised near the intersection of Main and State Streets at midnight. The Star Rising has fast become somewhat of a tradition in central Aroostook that is looked forward to by area residents as a localized and unique claim to fame, not unlike the ball drop in New York’s Times Square. Activity on campus will begin with the start of the new semester, when the community is invited to join students, faculty, staff and alumni of NMCC, and its forerunners Northern Maine Vocational Technical Institute and Northern Maine Community College, for flashback to the early 1960’s. A sock-hop, complete with music from the era and a noon time malt shop themed meal, will be held
in the NMCC gymnasium on Wednesday, January 12, between 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Additional activities are planned for later in the year, including a luncheon set to mark the anniversary date of the signing of the legislation that created NMCC on June 17. Invited guests will include all current and former County legislators, and College officials hope to invite former Governor Reed to attend the event. Major events will be held on the weekend of September 9, 10 and 11 when the NMCC Alumni and Friends Organization hosts its second annual Homecoming weekend. A gala 50th anniversary banquet is planned for that time. That activity will include the honoring of NMCC’s 50 Stars, individuals from each of the graduating classes at NMCC over the past five decades who represent the vast array of careers that the College has prepared individuals for through that time, and who by virtue of their profession and service to their communities throughout the region, state and other parts of the country, embody the legacy of the institution. “The College has made a difference in the lives of the thousands of people who have graduated from our programs over the years, as well as their families and the overall economy of the region,” said Jason Parent, director of development and college relations. “We have a lot to celebrate, and we’re looking forward to the many opportunities to do that over the coming few years. We hope folks in the area will join us.”
renewable energy
★
efforts shine spotlight on UMPI campus
F
rom its announcement in May , the University of Maine at Presque Isle wind turbine project has been a source of interest and pride for the campus. The project was well-documented in the Wind film, which has been seen statewide on Maine Public Broadcasting Network, as well as regionally on WLBZ television. In October , the wind turbine project garnered national attention when the University of Maine at Presque Isle received the Second Nature Leadership Award for Institutional Excellence in Climate Leadership. This inaugural award was presented at the Annual Climate Leadership Summit of the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) held in Denver, Colorado. UMPI was the sole recipient in the public baccalaureate category. Second Nature is a supporting organization of ACUPCC, which was launched in in an effort to engage college and university leadership in addressing climate issues. ACUPCC is currently a network of educational institutions, representing all fifty states and the District of Columbia. The organization includes a broad range of American universities and colleges such as Duke, George Washington, North Carolina, Brandeis, Ohio State, Colgate, Middlebury, Rice, and Smith. This Award recognized the University’s commitment, from among the ACUPCC signatories, to environmentally responsible activities. UMPI shared the awards platform with other category winners including Cornell, Penn, the University of California-San Diego, Ball State University, and Dickinson College. More information about the award and the turbine project - including UMPI’s live turbine data at www.umpi.edu/wind/live - is available on the University’s website. On the heels of the Second Nature award announcement, the University received news of a grant that will support yet another alternative energy project on campus. The , Wood-to-Energy Conversion Grant announced by the Maine Department of Conservation will enable the University to replace two oil-fired boilers with a wood chip boiler. The new boiler will be the heating
source for the campus’ major classroom buildings, Pullen and Folsom Halls. This biofuels project will reduce dependence on nonrenewable energy resources, support sustainable forestry, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The wood-fired boiler selected by the University will utilize either wood pellets or chips. The University plans to use wood pellets manufactured locally from waste wood from certified local mills, which means the project has both environmental and economic benefits. The University of Maine at Presque Isle is serious about filling its role as an educational, community, and statewide leader in green power use. With the addition of the wood chip boiler, the University adds biofuels to the growing list of renewable energy projects on campus. In fact, right here in northern Maine within a space of yards or so on the UMPI campus, you can see working demonstrations of wind power, biofuels, solar photovoltaic systems, and heat pumps. UMPI education programs are benefiting and expanding due to the campus’ renewable energy commitment. Visitors who are interested in knowing more about any of these projects are always welcome! Keep in touch with what’s happening at the University of Maine at Presque Isle by visiting www.umpi.edu regularly. ★
ANTHONY CORTESE, ScD, (left) co-founder and president of Second Nature, with UMPI Director of Physical Facilities, DAVID ST.PETER U NIVERSITY OF M AINE
P
I
RESQUE SLE 73 FALL 2010 Higher Education North of Ordinary
Photo Copyright Š 2011 Ken Lamb, www.kenlamb.com
Photo Š 2011 Gene Cyr, Washburn, northernmainepictures.com
Photo Copyright Š 2011 Ken Lamb, www.kenlamb.com
SPRING BREAK SUGARHOUSE & GIFT SHOP
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