P
N E S
H E A LT H S E RV I C E S
97%
Pines Pediatric Care has been recognized by Maine's Centers for Disease Control for the state's highest immunization rate of appropriate vaccinations for 2 year olds with a rate of 97%. Pines Health Services, with multiple locations in Aroostook County, offers primary care, surgical services, occupational and environmental medicine.
Pines Health Services Because Nothing Is More Important Than Your Health PinesHealthServices.org
(207) 498-2356
1-800-371-6240
A Federally Qualified Health Center
our inventory comes from unlikely sources: closeouts, bankruptcies, salvage losses and more MADAWASKA 81 Fox Street
I95 North to Houlton � Rt 1 North to Madawaska � Left onto 25th Ave. � Left onto Fox St. Marden’s is on the right.
PRESQUE ISLE 207-762-3417 803 Main Street
I95 North to Houlton � Rt 1 North to Presque Isle. Marden’s is on the left.
HOULTON 207-532-9125 120 North Street
stretch
your dollars across maine
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 225 High Street
I-95 � exit 182A � 395E � Merge onto Rt1A to Ellsworth � Rt 1A becomes Rt 1 and Rt 3 North � Marden's is located on the right where Rt 1 and Rt 3 splits (behind McDonalds).
BREWER 207-989-1750 564 Wilson Street
There’s sure to be a Marden’s along your way. so stop in and see why we’re maine’s best bargain store!
I95 � exit 182A � 395E � Parkway exit � Right turn � Traffic light. Right turn onto Wilson Street.
We carry • shoes • clothing • hardware • furniture • flooring • fabric • housewares • general items • seasonal items!
make marden’s your first stop for all your needs!
we also have stores in biddeford, sanford, Portland, Gray, Lewiston, Rumford and waterville. Visit our website at www.mardens.com for driving directions
Our Maine Street Magazine is pleased to set aside a portion of every issue to feature the work of our local artists whether they be crafters, painters, illustrators, photographers, poets or writers. Š 2009 Kate Barnes, Fort Fairfield
Contents April, May and June 2010
F e at u r e s
14 The Log Cabin
Ted Blanchard discusses the life-long joys of a simple cabin in the woods and how they are an integral part of the way life should be.
18 Maple Sugaring
Chester Gage gives us a glimpse at maple sugaring over time through a collection of paintings.
26 A Healthier County
Our local Healthy Maine Partnership offices give us a glimps into the work they do within the communities of Aroostook County.
34 Fairy Houses
Dena Hensler provides us an imaginative introduction to the art of creating a fairy house.
34 Moving to the County
Noah Yoder recalls the process of deciding to move his family to the County.
Departments 8 40 46 48 50 52 60 63 80
County Events County Health County Critters The County Eats Focus on Business Our Communities Higher Education Inland Fisheries & Wildlife Our Farm by Holly Hardwick
o
ur Thoughts
Welcome to our fourth issue which marks the completion of our first year in publication. A big thanks to everyone that has supported us along the way during the past twelve to fourteen months! We look forward to discovering more about Aroostook over the next year and encourage you to share with us a piece of your part of The County through photos, stories, poems or simply drop us a line to say ‘hi.’ Spring is a great time to be in The County, as there is nothing quite like the smell of damp earth and seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces as the spring sun decides to stick around for more than an afternoon. Another winter has come and gone and we’re only a mud season away from summer. This issue we devote the majority of our pages to some of our creative locals from the realms of writing and painting as well as photography. We hope you will enjoy these works and that they will inspire you to explore your surroundings, cherish your memories and appreciate this amazing area that we live in.
Craig Cormier Our Maine Street Magazine craig@ourmainestreet.com
4
SPRING 2010
Photo © 2009 Kate Barnes, Fort Fairfield
Our Maine Street m agaz ine
Publisher Our Maine Street LLC Editor In Chief Craig Cormier Circulation / Advertising Charles Cormier Office Manager Cheryl Cormier Staff Illustrator Holly Hardwick Contributors Lloyd Archer, Kate Barnes, Edward Blanchard, Pam Crowford, Gene Cyr, Chester Gage, Dena Hensler, James and Stacie Hotham, Kim Jones, Tamra Kilcollins, John Mazo, Regis Trembly, Hope Walton, Noah Yoder Content and subscription information: content@ourmainestreet.com subscribe@ourmainestreet.com 207.472.3464 232 Main Street Suite 2 Fort Fairfield, ME 04742 www.ourmainestreet.com facebook.com/ourmainestreet 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 & Valley Home Health Services Aroostook Technologies Boondocks Grille Bouchard Family Farms Blvd Graphix Cary Medical Center Chandler Farms Inc. Clifford L. Rhome CPA, P.A. Cormier Cabinetry County Abatement, Inc. County Federal Credit Union Dean’s Motor Lodge, Inc. Fort Fairfield Chamber of Commerce Fort Kent Ski-Doo Frank Martin Sons, Inc Hillside IGA Hogan Tire Hotham’s Veterinary Services, Inc. Husson University I Care Pharmacy John’s Shurfine Food Store Limestone Chamber of Commerce Maine Solar and Wind LLC Maine Veterans Home Marden’s McGillan Inc. Monica’s Scandainavian Imports MoJo Nadeau House of Flooring Nadeau House of Furniture Northern Maine Community College Paradis Shop & Save PNM Construction Inc. Presque Isle Area Chamber of Commerce Professional Home Nursing Quigley’s Building Supply Robin’s Chocolate Sauce Sitel Corporation Spring Break Maple & Honey St. John Valley Pharmacy 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. Copyright © 2010 Our Maine Street LCC. 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. SPRING 2010 5
Little Allagash Falls It’s the weekend before Easter and for the third year in a row I’m at Little Allagash Falls watching the star studded show On center stage is the big dipper framed in shadowy firs I don’t think these actors ever have to rehearse I have never been here, in the summer or fall but the weekend before Easter, I seem to hear a call So, I come out here and camp on the snow to wake in my sleeping bag and enjoy the show Conditions are perfect with a little snow on the crust Traveling here, snowshoes are an absolute must This time of year with a change of a few degrees I would sink in the snow up over my knees The temperature tonight is around zero or below I’ve got a good sleeping bag, I’ve tried it out, I know So with a sheet of poly under my foam pad this is a better bed than a lot I have had I chuckle as I think of the otter above the falls today I sat there for over an hour and watched him play He’d climb up on the ice of the pond and run and slide right off the edge and into the icy water he would dive Last year the falls were completely encased in ice I could barely hear the water, the sound of the falls is nice I’ll take home a few pictures but most folks still won’t believe I love to sleep out here beneath the trees that have no leaves
from Living on the Edge volume two in a collection of poetry by Lloyd Archer
© 2009 Pam Crawford, Presque Isle
MOJO GETS YOU READY FOR
SUMMER FUN! Trek Gary Fisher Rocky Mountain Scott Rentals Clothing Shoes Accessories Repairs Tune-Ups Parts Heritage Kayaks Carlisle Paddles THULE Car Rack Systems Rentals
719 Main Street · Presque Isle 207-760-9500 • www.melsmojo.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
County Events
April - June 2010 a look at upcoming activities in aroostook
April 6th & 7th
MPG Farm Days Trade Fair and Expo For more information contact Lynwood Winslow at 768-5211
April 8th - 10th
Godspell Caribou Performing Arts Center For info call 493-4278
April 10th
Fit & Fun Day for Kids UMPI’s Gentile Hall For more information contact Christine Standefer at 768-9457
30th Annual Spring Runoff 5K Road Race UMPI’s Wieden Hall For more information contact Chris Smith at 768-9472 or christopher.smith@umpi.edu
April 10th & 11th
Spring Open Market The Forum, Presque Isle For more info call 764-0491
Southern Aroostook Trade Show Miller Civic Center, Houlton Call the Chamber for info 532-4216
April 14th
UMPI University Day Featuring student projects and research Evening lecture by Frank Schaeffer For more information call 768-9452
April 17th
Jon Reep For more information visit www.houltonfair.com
Bearkat Concert: the music of Katy Pearson UMPI’s Wieden Auditorium, 7:30 p.m. For more information call 768-9462
April 17th & 18th 8 County Events
SPRING 2010
Kiwanis Home Garden and Recreation Show
For more information contact A.J. Cloukey 1-877-726-8634
April 18th - May 5th
Evelyn Kok: A Creative Life UMPI Reed Fine Art Gallery Opening reception April 18, 2 – 4 p.m. For information call Sandra Huck at 768-9611
April 24th & 25th
Spring Trash and Treasure The Forum, Presque Isle For more info call 764-0491
Top O’Maine Trade Show Madawaska Multi-purpose Center Contact the Chamber at 728-7000
April 30
th
Dave Mallett Caribou Performing Arts Center For more info call 493-4278
May
Tribute To Courage For more information contact 728-4054 or visit www.nmmc.org/paradis.php
May 6th - 8th
Anah Temple Shrine Circus The Forum, Presque Isle For more info call 764-0491
May 10th
UMPI Community Band Concert Free concert in UMPI’s Wieden Auditorium, 7 p.m. For information call 768-9462
May 14th
Spring Strings: a concert by the students of Dr. Anatole Wieck UMPI’s Wieden Auditorium, 7 p.m. For information call 768-9462
May 22nd and 23rd
Caribou City-Wide Yard Sale Contact the Chamber at 498-6156
June 5th and 6th
Caribou Spring Arts and Crafts Festival Contact the Chamber at 498-6156
May 2nd
Northern Maine Chamber Society Concert Free concert in the UMPI Campus Center, 3 p.m. For information call 768-9462
SPRING 2010 County Events 9
June 12th
The closeness of a college;
Aroostook State Park Birding Festival 5am - 1pm For more information contact Scott Thompson at 768-8341
June 24th - 27th
Husson University offers: • Graduate and undergraduate programs in Business, Education, Health, Legal Studies, Pharmacy, and Science & Humanities
Acadian Festival For more information visit www.acadianfestival.com
Acadian Pioneer Family Reunion Gagnon Family For more information visit www.gagnonreunion.com
June 25th & 26th
• Regionally and professionally accredited • NCAA Division III • Affordable tuition In addition to our main campus in Bangor, the School of Extended Learning offers Husson degree programs for adult learners at off-site centers in Presque Isle, Calais and South Portland.
the breadth of a university. For information on Aroostook County offerings, please call the Presque Isle site at 760-1177 or visit us on the web at www.husson.edu/presqueisle. One College Circle • Bangor ME 04401 • www.husson.edu
Madawaska’s 5th Annual Art Show For more info contact Julie 728-4853
June 26th
Annual Acadia FCU Golf Scramble For more information contact the Long Lake Country Club at 895-6957
Mapleton Daze 2-Miler For more information contact Jeff Sprague at 380-9310 or jeffreywsprague@gmail.com
June 26th & 27th
Caribou Mid Sommers Festival Contact the Chamber at 498-6156
June 27th 10 County Events
SPRING 2010
S.W. Collins 5K For more information contact Diedra Violette at 492-0291
_____________________ Would you like your events listed here? Give us a call at 207-472-3464 or email us at events@ourmainestreet.com and be sure to use County Events as the subject The magazine goes to press one month prior to its newsstand date. To assure your event makes it into the appropriate issue please use the following submission deadlines.
July - September May 15th
October - December August 15th
January - March
November 15th
April - June
February 15th
SPRING 2010 County Events 11
Our Maine Street M a g a z i n e
232 Main Street Suite 2, Fort Fairfield, ME 04742 www.ourmainestreet.com 207.472.3464
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Photo Š 2009 Kate Barnes, Fort Fairfield
14 The Log Cabin SPRING 2010
The Log Cabin by Edward “Ted” Blanchard
When I was in the U. S. Air Force back in 1950, I found great interest in talking with new acquaintances about our respective local customs and living conditions. There was always a cabin in my life and it seemed that whenever I started talking about this subject, it brought the response, “Does everyone in Maine have a log cabin?” My writing on this subject is a fact-based account of “woods” cabins in Northern Maine. Based on personal experience, I will attempt to relate how cabins and the tranquil, wooded areas where they were built impacted me as a young boy and even now into adulthood. From my first knowledge of a log cabin in the woods with my Dad, to the one that my son-in-law and I have today is reminiscent of times gone by, yet times still available to some of us. There are many “old ways” that have been forgotten and while I still have memories of those times and ways, I have been fortunate enough to recapture them with a present-day, remote cabin that still bears a resemblance to those simpler times. The pack basket on my father’s back held a live, unsteady cargo...Me. I was three years old, too young and short legged to walk through uneven woods trails Dad spent many years of his life in the Maine woods. In his twenties, he left “civilization” to spend the harsh winter alone in a trapper’s cabin while he made a living trapping numerous fur-bearing animals. In the spring he returned to town with his load of furs and untrimmed red beard. Dad lived and worked in the woods until he was in his early 30’s when he married and settled down to a job in a lumber mill. The aforementioned pack basket with me in it was my introduction to the woods. I grew up loving the Maine wilderness and all that it offered. Fishing, hunting, trapping and just enjoying the peaceful trails and roads and especially the Camp. There was always a cabin in the family. Dad and three of his friends built a log cabin when I was very young. It was three miles from a highway. We always walked to it as there were no ATV’s back in the 1930’s. The cabin was only a few hundred yards from a brook teeming with trout. I spent many happy, memorable hours at that log cabin with Dad and friends. Unfortunately, the cabin burned to the ground one fall. It was not certain how the fire started. Dad was not adverse to ignoring the laws of the day. Sunday hunting was and is illegal in Maine. Also, there are seasons for hunting various species. One particular day we were coming out of the woods from Dad’s camp and noted a partridge sunning itself on the trunk of a fallen tree. It just happened to be closed season for hunting birds. Dad always carried a .22 Woodsman pistol and was an exceptionally good shot. Memory does not serve as to whether or not he hit the bird, but he did take aim and shoot at it. Just before we left the trail and got to the waiting car, a Game Warden stopped us for a license check. After the formalities of this he asked if we had seen any birds (partridge). Dad answered
in the affirmative and I thought to help out by saying that Dad took a shot at it. I have no idea why the warden did not pursue the subject! For a few years I had no cabin to go to for a night or day stay. This did not stop my hunting, fishing or tenting out although of course, the camp itself offers its own unique experience. Between cabins, while in high school, my friends and I spent many hours in two cabins. One belonged to a friend of Dad’s which was on the old road (really on a foot trail) that lead to Dad’s original camp that had burned. We would load our pack baskets with food then hitch hike, bike or walk the twelve miles of highway followed by a one and a half mile hike through the woods to the camp. This was back in the 1940’s and the old cabin had seen better days. It measured only about twelve by fourteen feet in size. The roof was low and one had to duck when entering the door. Purlins (logs placed lengthwise in the roof to which the roof was attached) were about the only thing holding the roof together. The roof was made of hand-made wooden shingles called cedar splits. The bottom logs were resting on the ground and over the years were rotting their way to be part of the earth from which they had originally sprouted and grown. There were three small windows, one in each end and one on a long wall. Two double bunks took up much of the available floor space. A small table and even smaller cook stove consisted of the furniture. We especially enjoyed the camp in the fall when winged pests were hiding under the bark of the logs getting ready for winter. All of us carried rifles but no one ever shot a deer from our trips at that cabin. In fact, I don’t recall ever seeing a deer. Probably because we were too noisy as a bunch of fun-loving, teenagers were bound to be. We spent hours on the beech ridge gathering beech nuts. The amount of food we consumed was unbelievable; but then, teenage boys burn lots of calories! A nice spring about fifty yards from the cabin supplied us with sweet, clear, cold water. It bubbled up from the forest floor and soon got lost as silently as it arrived. It was at this site that one of my friends and I introduced two of our other companions to porcupine stew. The two of us were hunting together when we spotted the quill pig (porcupine) in a large pine tree. After persuading it to come down, we dressed it and took it to camp. It was cut up and cooked in a stew. We then convinced the two innocents that it was rabbit stew and it was forty years later before we told them the truth. Sadly, the last time I saw the camp was about fifteen years ago and it was just a pile of rubble. Gone back to its origin. I wonder if that spring with its inviting clear water will ever host other guests to a log cabin. I hope so. About the same years that we spent time at this old camp, we also stayed a few nights at a cabin used by the boy scouts near Squa Pan Lake. It was a well made log structure SPRING 2010 The Log Cabin 15
and although privately owned, was kept unlocked for use by scouts or anyone wanting to use it. Outside of bunks, stove, sink and table, the place was virtually empty. Sometimes after tramping the woods all day and finding ourselves too far from the old camp, we would stay at the unlocked cabin. There was a huge pine in front and it was very soothing to listen to the wind whispering through the pine needles or taking advantage of its shade on a hot day. One of the nicest cold springs I have seen in the Maine woods was located a short distance away. The water was blue and ice cold. Two distinct memories remain after 60 years. One memory was the skylight in the roof. On a moonlit night one could rest in bed and watch the mice run across the glass on the outside or the screen across the window from the inside. The other memory was when we arrived at the camp very hungry for an unexpected overnight stay and we had carried no food. There was an opened box of pancake mix at the cabin. Nothing else. Pancakes with no syrup are great when you are a hungry teenager. Oh, did I mention that we strained the mouse droppings from the flour? A cabin in the woods will offer sounds that stay with you for years. A nut or spruce cone rolling down the roof can wake one out of a sound sleep until you get accustomed to the noise. A woodpecker rattling on a metal stove pipe at four o’clock in the morning, wood borers chewing on new logs. Their chewing sounds remarkably like the winding of an old clock. Little piles of fine sawdust attest to their presence. Coyotes after unsuspecting prey in the night. A porcupine chewing on a camp log or rain on the roof, the cracking of a wood fire in the heater stove, mice or weasel scampering in the dark. Then there is the unmistakable sound of bacon being fried or coffee perking or...just silence. In 1948, when I was a junior in high school, a couple of friends and I decided to build a log cabin. My Dad arranged to lease a plot of land in the woods upon which to build. As a crow flies, it was about three miles from his old burned camp. There was an old woods road within a half mile of our chosen site. This road was used only in the winter when it was frozen solid. In the summer it was a wet, boggy mess for the most part. We hired a firmer with a team of horses and a high wagon. Now a high wagon is one with large wheels and axles that keep the bed of the wagon higher than a normal wagon. He hauled a stove, lumber, roofing and the likes to the chosen site. I might add that he charged us $10.00 for the days work with the team of horses. My two friends and I decided to build the cabin with the logs standing opposed to laying them down. This proved to be the only way we could physically handle logs that we cut seven feet long. Sixteen foot logs were too heavy for us physically. We cut 100 fir logs seven feet long. Since the cabin was to be built on a hardwood ridge, the fir trees had to be carried between one hundred feet to several hundred feet away from the site. We peeled the bark off each log and carried them on our shoulders to our ridge location. Oh yes, there were no chain saws then, the trees were cut with a two-man cross cut saw. A spring was nearby and we enjoyed the sweet, fresh water it freely gave. In winter we “stored” canned goods deep in the spring to keep the food from freezing as the water never froze. Most waters in Maine freeze during the 16 The Log Cabin SPRING 2010
cold winters, but for whatever reason, this one did not. We had some surprise meals however when the labels washed off the stored cans. The cabin was sold when I returned from a fouryear stint in the Air Force. My next cabin was started on my father-in-law’s farm. He owned over one hundred acres of land, most of which was wooded. I had two brothers-in-law who helped start the building. We lost interest in the project in the summer when it was only a shell of a camp. It was not made of logs, rather old lumber that we had scrounged. Not even half finished, the project was soon abandoned. The next camp was purchased by my son-in-law and I at the lake where my Dad and Mother set up housekeeping when they were first married. We decided to sell it a few years later. In 1976, serious talk of building yet another log cabin in the back woods ensued between my son-in-law and I. We built a 16 by 18 foot log structure. The sight was leased and in the woods with no road or even a trail to it. Beaver Brook and the Aroostook River were within a ten minute walk. We both worked at regular jobs and did the building on weekends, holidays or whenever we could find time. We had to walk over two miles carrying everything from lumber for the roof and floor to a heater stove. We built it in one summer and fall thanks to plentiful help from friends and relatives. Even my Dad did his share at the age of 80. Over the years we have added two more rooms and enjoy the cabin year round. We can now drive to it except in winter when we use snowshoes or snowmobiles. We have kept a camp “log” where visitors register and so far over 400 different individuals have visited our cabin. They have come from as far away as California, England and points in between. Why am I writing this? I want to show that one can still enjoy the simple way to relax in our corner of the world. The old way of life can still be enjoyed by those who desire it. I recently read that a modest, two-bedroom apartment in New York City costs about $300,000. The average home now costs $150,000 or more. Thousands are spent on vacations and vacation homes. People work hard to “enjoy” these things. Living the real life here in Northern Maine, we can enjoy a simple log cabin for a few dollars a year. The future and modern world is a little slow in getting to our area but enjoying our leisure time, keeping the rat race at bay, not being flooded, torn by hurricanes, concerned about earthquakes, has to count for something. How many would like to have this in a setting abundant with moose, deer, bear, coyotes, pine martin and numerous birds? A place to pick wild berries, apples, gather beech nuts and hazel nuts, pick fiddleheads (a local delicacy) and truly just relax. All this within twenty miles of home. Our State license plate reads: “Vacationland”, Maine. Why not?
The Taste of Homemade Goodness!
In many ďŹ ne stores throughout the County! For a complete list, please visit: www.robinschocolate.com
Chester GAge:
Maple Sugar Sugar maple ( Acer saccharum) is also called hard maple or rock maple. It is a valuable tree not only for the products made from its’ sweet sap but for many other products. The wood makes strong and beautiful furniture, very durable hardwood flooring, tool handles, veneer, and a very large assortment of other wood products including those from birdseye maple which is also Acer saccharum. Firewood from sugar maples is some of our very best for b.t.u. output. It “coals up” well for long lasting heat and less need for kindling. In the autumn, the foliage of sugar maples has some of the most striking colors that we see. The colors range from yellow to orange to red, one good reason these trees have been planted throughout New England, along our streets and near our homes. The maple sugaring paintings shown in this article are oil on canvas created by Chester Gage of Caribou Maine. These paintings are from the private collection of Ray and Sandi Gauvin of Mapleton. Many thanks to them for their permission to reprint these works.
This painting shows northeastern Indian women maple “sugaring” before European settlers arrived. Most historians accept the fact that the Indians taught the white settlers about sugaring. The women did this work. ( Most women readers are probably not surprised). In late winter when the time was right a cut was made in the bark of the tree with a tomahawk. In some cases a second cut was made below the first and a chip of wood or stick was inserted there for the sap that flows this time of year. The sap dripped down into a birch bark container placed at the base of the tree. Sometimes the stick used would be made from a twig from an elderberry bush. These twigs have a very soft center core which was pushed out to make it hollow. When it came to making the birch bark containers for collecting, the ends were folded in such a way that they were seamless and therefore waterproof. The thinner bark that comes from young trees was probably used. It may well have been steamed to make the folding possible. The sap, which is mostly water and usually has 2 to 3 % sugar content was collected in the small containers and poured into a hollowed out log or even from one report, a clay kettle. Sometimes the hollowed out logs were first burned off to the length desired as shown in the painting. Rocks were made hot in campfires and placed into the sap with forked sticks. The Indians boiled the sap down past the syrup point, until they ended up with crystallized sugar, which was easier to keep for longer periods of time. The woman in the foreground of the picture is using a leather strap called a tumpline to carry her cradleboard and baby while she and her daughter collect and bring in firewood. The temporary shelter in the background was made of poles and birchbark with the inside out ( the same way their canoes were made) because that side of the bark was more impervious to water. The door covering for the shelter was made from an animal hide.
SPRING 2010 Maple Sugar 19
Early white settlers later used cast iron kettles over outdoor fires to boil down the sap. The largest kettle was filled first and as the water was boiled off, the sap was ladled off into the second and then third container. Then more “ raw” sap was added to the first kettle. Those early settlers used an augur to drill holes for wooden spouts to tap the trees. Wooden buckets made by a “ cooper” were used for sap gathering.
22 Maple Sugar WINTER SPRING 2010 2010
In the 1800’s sugar houses started being used to bring the work of boiling inside- out of the weather. Evaporator pans replaced the kettles. With the pans, the sap was spread out over a larger area and the sap boiled down more quickly.
WINTER 2010 Maple Sugar 23
In the mid to late 1800’s metal spouts and metal buckets came into use to replace those made of wood. The metal covers on the buckets help keep out “litter” from the trees and rainwater. The man in the painting uses a hand racheted bit and brace to tap the tree instead of the early settlers’ augur. Chester accepts commissions for many subjects not limited
to landscapes, seascapes, portraits, wildlife and buildings, He may be contacted at cgage@maine.rr.com or (207) 493-3200
SPRING 2010 Maple Sugar 25
Photo Š 2008 John Nyberg
A Healthier County Aroostook’s Healthy Maine Partnerships by The Staff Members of Aroostook’s Healthy Maine Partnerships On a crisp March morning staff members from and the Smoke Free Housing Coalition to bring statewide Healthy Aroostook and Power of Prevention gather, both in resources to the local level and promote the Maine Tobacco person and by audio/video connections, to discuss the work Helpline at (800) 207-1230.” that the Healthy Maine Partnerships have done recently Along with tobacco comes conditions aggravated or and to establish a game plan for the coming months. linked to tobacco use as Rachel Charette Project Director Aroostook County’s Healthy Maine Partnership offices of Power of Prevention continued, “We have been given a have been around for several years. Power of Prevention mini grant for Aroostook County to address high asthma and Healthy Aroostook are currently two of 28 Healthy rates and high ER use for asthma. We have worked with Maine Partnerships funded by the Fund for a Healthy all four hospitals and the federally qualified health centers Maine through Maine’s Bureau of Health, Department of to update their chronic disease registry for pediatric Human Services. The Maine Legislature asthma if needed. We also created a resource created the Fund for a Healthy Maine binder with asthma educational resources in 1999 to receive and disburse Maine’s for them to educate patients. Taking annual tobacco settlement payments. their medication as directed by their The FHM was to be used exclusively Health Care Provider, having regular for new or expanded programs that physician visits and avoiding triggers would prevent disease and promote are important aspects of disease good health among Maine’s children management. Besides spring and fall and adults. The Fund for a Healthy seasonal allergens, second hand smoke Maine is not taxpayer dollars and is a major trigger. There is no reason Power of Prevention’s service area includes not part of Maine’s General Fund why our children should be exposed Northern Aroostook. Account. The partnership offices reside to second hand smoke, especially at local facilities. Cary Medical Center the children with asthma. A child’s and Northern Maine Medical Center house Power symptoms should not be worsened or the of Prevention while ACAP and Houlton amount of medication they take should Regional Hospital house Healthy not have to be increased just because Aroostook. a parent refuses to smoke outside.” While officially separate, the two While tobacco and it’s Aroostook County partnerships work related consequences are a major together on issues that directly impact focus of the Healthy Maine the County every day, such as tobacco Partnerships, their scope of work is use, “Tobacco use is a big problem. far broader; team members throughout Healthy Aroostook and Power of Prevention the county combat and raise awareness staff members work throughout Aroostook about the many risk factors and County to address the tobacco challenge practices that greatly affect a county through prevention, education, citizen’s overall wellbeing. “One of policy and environmental change,” Healthy Aroostook’s service area includes Central and those factors is Alcohol”, says explained Martha Bell, Healthy Michelle Plourde Chasse, Project Southern Aroostook. Aroostook’s District Tobacco Manager for Community Voices. Coordinator. “We partner with local schools, community “Alcohol is the number one drug problem of youth and organizations, worksites, child care facilities, health care adults, and is a significant factor in County substantiated providers, social service providers, and municipalities to child abuse/neglect cases, domestic abuse cases, substance assess tobacco related-needs and provide necessary resources. related arrests, and total traffic crashes. We also work with the Partnership for a Tobacco Free Maine SPRING 2010 A Healthier County 27
According to the Maine Youth Drug Alcohol Use In conjunction with the RBS initiative, a proactive survey, one in seven grade eight service was jointly offered. students and almost half of 12th Community Voices assisted retailers Healthy Aroostook with the development of Alcohol graders in Aroostook County Presque Isle 207.768.3056 reported using alcohol in the Sales Policies. This initiative Houlton 207.532.0908 past 30 days. Of additional promotes internal responsible www.healthyaroostook.com concern is that: 87.1% of service practices, better business County high school students and healthier environments, Serving the communities of: report that they would not get encourages voluntary compliance, caught by police for alcohol; Amity, Ashland, Bancroft, Blaine, Bridgewater, and prevents violation.” As Cary Plantation, Castle Hill, Caswell, 67.1% report that alcohol is Plourde-Chases points out, “it’s not Chapman, Crystal, Dyer Brook, Easton, Fort easy to access; and 41.5% report just your average consumer that Fairfield, Garfield Plantation, Hammond, that parental attitudes favor needs to be aware of these issues; Haynesville, Hersey, Hodgdon, Houlton, alcohol use. Prevention partners there is something every sector of Island Falls, Limestone, Linneus, Littleton, strive to combat this through a Ludlow, Macwahoc Plantation, Mapleton, the community can do to assist in Mars Hill, Masardis, Merrill, Monticello, variety of approaches including alcohol prevention programming Moro Plantation, Nashville Plantation, enforcement, educational, and and harm reduction.” New Limerick, Oakfield, Orient, Oxbow training strategies. Plantation, Perham, Portage Lake, Presque Isle, A trend is threatening to Reed Plantation, Sherman, Smyrna, Wade, One initiative to reduce overtake alcohol as a Mainer’s Washburn, Westfield, Weston access is to provide Responsible substance of choice: misuse of Beverage Seller/Server Training prescription and over the counter Power of Prevention (RBS) to retailers in the County. medication. Carol Bell, Project Fort Kent 207.834.1944 This strategy makes training of Director of Healthy Aroostook Caribou 207.492.1089 Maine Liquor Law available to has been the HMPs point person www.powerofprevention.org liquor licensees, managers, clerks, on this front. “Unused, unwanted and servers of alcohol. RBS and expired medications sit in Serving the communities of: education lends to a reduction medicine cabinets in almost every Allagash, Caribou, Caswell, Conner, Cyr of underage access to alcohol and home, presenting a health and Plantation, Eagle Lake, Fort Kent, Frenchville, in the reduction of intoxicated safety threat to people, pets and Grand Isle, Hamlin, Madawaska, New Canada, related deaths, injuries, and New Sweden, St. Agatha, St. David, St. Francis, the environment. Since these no damages. In 2009, 150 sellers/ longer useful medications are left in St. John Plantation, Sinclair, Stockholm, Van servers of alcohol received state homes, it increases the possibility Buren, Wallagrass, Westmanland, Winterville certification from the Bureau of of accidental poisonings, drug Plantation, Woodland Liquor Licensing for attending overdoses and criminal a training coordinated by drug diversion. Community Voices and sponsored by the Healthy Maine Improper disposal Partnerships. through flushing or throwing in the
28 A Healthier County SPRING 2010
household trash can result in the release of toxic chemicals to the environment. Studies are now showing the environmental harm to ground and surface water due to long-term, chronic pharmaceutical exposure Medication misuse is a growing problem,” but Bell and the Healthy Maine Partnerships are increasing their efforts to reduce access and educate the public on risks involved. “The awareness by HCP of misuse in the community has increased but usage of the Prescription Monitoring Program by them could be better. Adults and children who use the medications of others inappropriately is a very different issue that requires a lot of education and change in behavior.” There is more to wellness than just avoiding harmful substances and addictive habits and these practices are also taken into consideration by the partnerships and form a large part of their mission. 5 2 1 0 is a community-based initiative to promote healthy lifestyle choices for children, youth and families in Aroostook County communities. Our goal is to increase physical activity and healthy eating for children and youth - from birth to 18. 5 2 1 0 is all about providing a consistent message that is easy to remember and follow. Each number stands for a strategy that can help a person live each day a little healthier. 5: Eat five or more fruits and vegetables. 2: Spend two hours or less in front of the TV or computer. 1: Participate in one or more hours of physical activity. 0: drink less
sugary drinks, substitute water or low fat milk. Finally, various chronic diseases round out the HMP’s responsibilities. Besides asthma, the partnerships have been trying to increase public awareness on the topic of colorectal cancer. Rebecca Bowmaster, Project Manager for Power of Prevention has been spearheading this effort. “Colorectal cancer is a real threat to both men and women in the County.” According to Bowmaster, “Aroostook County’s incidence of Colorectal Cancer is higher than the state average. We also have the lowest number of people being screened in the entire state. With such a high prevalence and a low number of screenings, we have the highest mortality rate. Power of Prevention and Healthy Aroostook are trying to spread the word that colorectal screenings saves lives.” Unfortunately it seems that the HMP team will have to continue to work creatively with what they have available as funding cuts appear to be on the horizon for these countybased programs but Charette still sees a future for these programs, “We have always done more with less, collaborated with other communities to get better funding or work on local events. We’ve had to in order to survive.”
An active community is a healthy community.
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30 A Healthier County SPRING 2010
Š 2009 Gene Cyr, Washburn
Fiddleheads, an early spring delicacy in Maine, are the young coiled leaves of the ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris).
General Contractors
Residental Commercial Industrial
www.johnsshurfine.com
Š 2009 Gene Cyr, Washburn northernmainepictures.com
Fairy House by Dena Hensler
Depending upon the time of year, there are a multitude of ways to occupy ones time at our camp, Beaver Brook Lodge. Constructed of logs that were cut (felled), peeled (debarked) and “persuaded” into place using peaveys, axes, chain saw and brawn, it is a tranquil setting offering a reprieve from the hustle-bustle of everyday life and a place for imagination to be nurtured, cultivated and expressed. Selecting one of the four seasons about which to write was perhaps the most difficult part of this exercise. However, as we are now in the throes of winter, bidding a sad farewell to autumn, I will write about one of our summer past times that as adults, we can enjoy in a childlike fashion for a brief time and that is...building a fairy house. With the help of family members, (including a niece and nephew who choose to accompany us to the woods rather than stay at home and be entertained with their electronic gizmos), we begin this project by selecting an appropriate site. We keep in mind that from what we understand, like so many forest inhabitants, the woods fairies are nocturnal, elusive and reclusive creatures coming out of “hiding” at night. The children are amused at the adults enthusiasm to participate in an activity that requires so much imagination. Little do they know that the endeavor provides us a respite from adulthood and allows us the opportunity to return to our youthful innocence if only for a short time. As we follow a meandering foot path through the
34 Fairy House SPRING 2010
woods, our senses are confronted with the earthy scent emanating from the moist ground. Our ears appreciate the call of a nearby Blue Jay and the staccato chatter of a Chickadee. After a thorough visual inspection of the wooded area, we find a suitable location a few yards behind the camp. Standing tall and proud is a giant pine tree, its exact age unknown but in all likelihood spanning more than two centuries. At its base, the circumference is easily large enough to provide visual obscurity to anyone wishing to be hidden and appears like a coniferous sentinel keeping vigil over the cabin and surrounding area. An exposed root protruding above the ground creates a small cavern beneath the curvature offering a sufficient opening for the house and protected in the back and on the two sides. With the use of our hands and a garden rake, the ground is prepared as we gently brush the area clear of unwanted twigs, leaves and other debris. It is important to note that in the “construction” of any legitimate fairy house, only items natural to the forest are acceptable. As we proceed, our goal is two-fold: to construct a sleeping area for the woods fairies and to provide an area for their enjoyment. For their pleasure, we will furnish them a botanical garden or arboretum. This may be a place for many mythical spirits to gather during their evening wakeful period. We begin by making a roof of sorts that will serve as a protective outcropping over the area below which will be the main assembly area. With our hands, we weave twigs
together to form a mat and gently fit this in place then cover it with boughs of fragrant cedar, feathery pine, short needled spruce and fir. A final top layer of white birch bark will help to minimize penetration of any rain that might fall. With the shape of the room being semi-circular therefore taking on the appearance of an amphitheater, a walkway of small, flat stones begins at the lower level and ascends towards the main entrance. The opening leading to the arboretum is draped on either side with lace-like, delicate green/white moss retrieved from nearby evergreen trees. Elegant in its simplicity, it takes on the appearance of the finest draperies as it cascades on either side of the entrance. We place two tall, slender pine cones to serve as sentries at either side of the entrance and at their base we neatly arrange clumps of bright red bunchberries, their buds the size of small peas, the color contrast stunning. Once inside the small semi-enclosed space, more magic awaits. An irregular shaped sheet of emerald-green colored moss obtained from the bark of a fallen tree serves as a plush carpet for the floor. Arranged in bunches, according to height, are some of Nature’s most spectacular summer flora. A clump of purple Violets stands next to white Pearly Everlasting along with Queen Anne’s Lace and blue and white Aster. Smaller, more delicate flowers such as the starshaped, white Wintergreen offer fragrance as well as beauty. To complete the effect, petals of Daisies are sprinkled to designate an inviting pathway across the mossy floor. The first part of our project is now concluded. Of course after the woods fairies complete their exhausting tour of the arboretum, it will be time for them to prepare for sleep as the night begins to transform to dawn.
Our goal is for their sleeping quarters to offer both comfort and protection from the elements. Once again, an entire piece of plush, green moss harvested from a felled tree serves as carpet upon which we provide a bed. The berth is made from a long, slender green flower leaf shaped similar to that of a banana peel. Both ends are narrow and the middle offers more width. Small, v-shaped twigs retrieved from the ground are inverted with the pointed ends puncturing each end of the leaf, the other ends fitted into the ground providing a hammock-like bed. A bird feather found on the ground will serve to make this a true “feather” bed. Flattopped mushrooms gathered from the moist ground are arranged by the bed for the purpose of providing tables. Using small pebbles arranged in a circle, we provide them a fire pit should the night be cool and damp. Their comfort is paramount to achieving our goal. With our tasks finally finished, both adults and children stand back to admire our work. We marvel at the simple creation that took thought and energy as well as an element of whimsy to complete. Looking down, we pause to watch a ladybug slowly, deliberately creeping toward the shelter, it’s bright red back making its progress easy to follow and seemingly sending a signal that it is safe to enter. As the sun begins its descent in the western sky, golden sunbeams stream through the branches of the trees. Through the filtered light, our eyes are searching and although we are unable to actually see the woods fairies, we have faith in their existence as we can begin to see faint signs of the fairy dust that transports the mythical woods fairies and is our signal to quietly step away.
SPRING 2010 Fairy House 35
Moving to the County During the spring and summer of 2005 as more and more Amish families moved from other states to our community in Heuvelton, New York, until we had nearly 200 families, several of us started making plans to relocate and start a new community. At the time the first Amish settlers arrived in St. Lawrence County area, there were many farms going out of production, many old and falling down buildings. The soil was badly depleted and many fields growing up in brush. It took many years of hard work to get many of the farms so they would grow good crops again. Now 33 years later this well established community became an attractive place for more Amish families to live and continue their farming. But for some of us, it was time to move on and start a new community. I gathered as much information as I could find about the State of Maine. We also looked at the northern parts of Vermont and New Hampshire before we actually saw Fort Fairfield. Based on all the information we could gather, before we traveled to any of these states, we picked Presque Isle and and the surrounding area, as the place we would be most likely to find the type of land and community, where we could continue with our traditional lifestyle. On July 4th, 2005, Joe Swartzentruber and I started by bus “Trailways� on what was our first trip East of New York State. We traveled to Oakfield, Maine where we met Milo Hilty and his family. I had contacted Milo by mail and told him of our mission. He agreed to be our tour guide. After introductions and the warm welcome we received, we bombarded them with questions about farming in Maine, until late that evening. By the next morning we decided to head South, where Milo suggested we would find more and closer markets for our products,
instead of continuing North to Presque Isle as our original plans were. After traveling many back roads in Central Maine, our new place of interest was the Skowhegan area. We spent more than a year trying to find a suitable location in Central Maine, but the high land prices there would not allow us to make a move to that area. In late 2006 we made our final trip to Central Maine only to go home and admit defeat. We all but scrapped our plans to start a new community. We decided to stay where we were and just forget about moving. In February of 2007 Harvey Miller and I decided we simply had to see more of Aroostook County, even though, most everyone was willing to offer advice against going to a place so far away, and some said, hardly gets any summer. Milo was once again our guide as we traveled around Easton, Fort Fairfield and on up North to Madawaska. We found the February weather much the same as back home in Heuvelton, New York . While we met many good, friendly people in our search for land, we were impressed with the friendly, helpful attitude of the people here in Central Aroostook County. After that trip we were all once again in a moving mode. The other two families also came to see the area soon after Harvey and I were here. Fort Fairfield and Easton were the choice location after studying the area, maps, business locations, etc. etc.. As we traveled through areas that people have not seen Amish before we saw some interesting reactions. One evening while we were traveling, and had checked into a motel, we decided to walk down the street to a Walmart store to pass some time. This evening happened to be Halloween, so many folks were out and about dressed in costumes. As the four of us walked into Walmart the
OMS artwork based off of a photo by Gary Thomas - Chesterland, Ohio
greeter got a surprised look on her face and said, “Wow! what kind of gangsters are you?” Equally surprised, I said, “We are Amish gangsters!” We all laughed and continued on our way. A few minutes later it dawned on us that she thinks we are only dressed up for Halloween! We have had many good laughs about that one! Almost two years after my first trip to the County I bought a farm in Fort Fairfield. Now we had a lot of work ahead of us. We had to sell most of our animals and all the things we could not bring with us. We set a moving date for August 28th, 2007. We had a lot of packing and preparing to do, but with lots of help from friends and neighbors we were ready on time. On August 27th our belongings were loaded on potato trucks that were returning to Easton from Pennsylvania. We spent the final night with other families. On the 28th our family of eleven children said goodbye to families and many friends. We boarded the bus at noon and would be traveling for the next 34 hours. Mr. & Mrs. Harvey Miller and their two children also moved at the same time, plus several extended family members came with us to help us unload our trucks and get all our furniture into our houses. The trip was all a new experience for the children. They had never been to a big city so they really enjoyed the trip, in spite of all the sleep we all lost, traveling all night.
One of our new neighbors brought enough cots and blankets for all of us to sleep in our new home when we arrived at 10 P.M. August 29th. The kids were up early the next morning, excited to see their new surroundings! There was not much time to look around. We had two 52 foot trailers to unload and find place to put everything. A steady rain started to fall as soon as the first trailer was unloaded, making it downright miserable to unload the open flat bed trailer that was loaded with machinery. The next few days were busy ones, trying to get organized and get ready for our horses that would arrive a few days after we got here. At the time we moved, we had only met a few local people who had helped us very generously, with the move, picking us up at the bus station in Presque Isle etc.. That first morning after we arrived, the mailman stopped in to welcome us to the area. It would be one month that not a day went by, without people stopping in to introduce themselves and welcome us to the area. Most also offered any assistance that we might need. Now, nearly two and one half years later we are still convinced that the county is the home of friendly, helpful people with good work ethics. We want to thank all of you that helped us in many ways, with building projects and getting ready for that first winter, the winter of the deep snow! Without your help our move to the county would have been much more difficult! Noah Yoder
Š 2009 Gene Cyr, Washburn, northernmainepictures.com
Cormier Cabinetry
163 Van Buren Road, Caribou, Maine www.carymedicalcenter.org 207.498.3111 an equal opportunity provider
Stroke. Are You at Risk?
by Hope Walton RN, Professional Home Nursing Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Survivors of a stroke can be left with major disability making normal activities of daily living difficult to manage. Knowing your risk factors and understanding how to take care of your health is important in preventing a stroke. What is a stoke? A stroke is when blood flow carrying nutrients and oxygen can’t reach areas of the brain due to a blood clot (ischemic stroke) or bleeding of a ruptured blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke) in the brain. When the area of the brain affected can not get the blood supply it needs, it begins to die. Most strokes are caused by blood clots.
What are the risk factors for stroke? There are some risk factors for stroke you can’t change (uncontrollable) and some you can change (controllable). Uncontrollable risk factors that can’t be changed - Age - Heredity (family history) and Ethnicity (race) - Prior stroke, heart attack or TIA (mini stroke)
Controllable risk factors that can be changed - High blood pressure - Cigarette smoking - Diabetes - Poor diet - Physical inactivity and being overweight What are the symptoms of a stroke? - High blood cholesterol Know the symptoms so you can recognize them and - Atrial fibrillation and other heart disease take the time to teach others stroke symptoms. A stroke is a - Carotid artery disease and Peripheral Artery disease medical emergency and every second during a stroke counts because time lost it brain lost! What can I do to reduce my risk factors for stroke? Talk with your health care provider about your risk Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, factors for stroke. Know what your own risk factors are so especially on one side of the body you can work on changing them for better health. Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or understanding Have your blood pressure checked. High blood Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes pressure is the leading cause of stroke and an important Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or controllable risk factor for stroke. Take any medication that coordination has been prescribed for high blood pressure as directed. Sudden severe headache with no known cause Have your cholesterol checked. Know your numbers and what they mean. If you or someone you are with has one or more of Inform your health care provider of your family the signs, immediately call 911, or your local emergency history. Include any history of high blood pressure, high medical services (EMS) so an ambulance can be sent for cholesterol, heart disease and stroke. you. It is also very important to know the time when the If you smoke; talk to your provider about ways to stroke symptoms started. Treatment with a clot busting stop smoking. medication called t-PA (tissue plasminogen activator) can If you are not physical active and are overweight; be given at the hospital within three hours of when stroke Being inactive, overweight, or both can increase your risks symptoms started. This medication can reduce long term for diabetes, high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, disability and is used for stroke symptoms caused by a blood heart disease and stroke. Talk to your provider first before clot, the most common type of stroke. starting any exercise program. Work up to at least 30 minutes of activity a day to decrease your risk factors.
© 2009 Gene Cyr, Washburn, northernmainepictures.com
If your diet is poor. A diet high in fat and cholesterol can raise blood cholesterol levels. A diet high in salt can raise blood pressure, and eating too many daily calories can lead to being overweight. Try to eat 5 or more servings of fruit and vegetables a day. Limit processed foods, salty and sugary foods. Whole grains, lean meats, fresh fruits and vegetables are always good choices. If you are a diabetic. Check your blood sugar and take your medication for your diabetes as your doctor has directed. Eat foods that are included in a diabetic diet. Meet with a dietician if you need help learning about proper food choices and meal plans. Keeping your blood sugar under control and eating healthy reduces your risk for stroke. If you have atrial fibrillation, heart disease, carotid artery disease (CAD) or peripheral artery disease (PVD). Take your medication as directed by your doctor. Some medications are given to prevent clots from forming. Coumadin or Warfarin may be prescribed for people with atrial fibrillation and prevent clots from forming which is important to reduce the risk for stroke. Sometimes aspirin and other medication may be given to people with heart disease, CAD or PVD to prevent blood clots from forming. Never stop taking any medication without discussing it with your health care provider. When you take action to reduce your risk for stroke you also reduce your risk for other diseases like heart disease. Becoming informed about your health and taking time to exercise and eat healthy is the key to stroke prevention. Where can I get more information on stroke? American Stroke Association – strokeassociation.org Healthy Maine Partnerships – www. healthymainepartnerships.org National Stroke Association – www.stroke.org National Institute of Neurological Disorders and stroke – www.ninds.nih.gov/ Sources: American Stroke Association Healthy Maine Partnerships
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ACCESS For Local Patients by Tamra Kilcollins, MSB
Did you know there is financial help available with obtaining free or low-cost primary healthcare services and prescription medications for residents who qualify in Aroostook County? Through Pines Health Services’ ACCESS and Prescription Assistance Programs, patients who meet income guidelines, do not have health insurance or who are “under-insured,” with health insurance that may not cover expenses; are eligible to participate in these two programs.
in Caribou, Presque Isle, Limestone and Van Buren. For more information about the ACCESS Program and to discuss your eligibility, please call the Pines Toll-Free number at 1-800-371-6240.
Pines Prescription Assistance Program The Pines Prescription Assistance Program is similar to the ACCESS Program, in that eligibility for prescription assistance depends on income and household size. Another factor includes whether individuals have current prescription medication help from state programs like Maine Care, (Medicaid). The program is generally Pines ACCESS Program According to Chief Executive Officer James Davis, provided for people who do not have insurance or have Pines Health Services has been designated by the limited Medicare D coverage. And, unlike the ACCESS federal government as a Federally Qualified Health Program, individuals do not have to be a Pines Health Services patient to participate. Center, or FQHC facility. This “We want to make sure that patients According to Vicki Flannery, designation has been awarded to don’t neglect their medical care one of three Pines Prescription many healthcare facilities across simply because of the expense.” Assistance Coordinators, the the nation, in recognition of the program has assisted many residents economic hardship and challenges of providing primary care services in rural communities. in Aroostook in receiving just over two million dollars of “We want to make sure that patients don’t neglect free or low-cost medications since its inception in 2005. The Prescription Assistance Program is provided free their medical care simply because of the expense,” Davis explained. “It’s so important that people have access to to qualified participants, however, some pharmaceutical routine medical care including annual physicals and companies do require payment for certain medicines. preventive care, and that individuals with chronic illness Once enrolled and participating in the program, your such as diabetes get the medical care they need. With prescription medications are usually filled in three-month our FQHC status, Pines was able to begin providing the intervals for one year and are shipped directly from the ACCESS Program, allowing us to assess an individual’s drug manufacturer to your physician’s office. Participants ability to pay for those needed healthcare services, and are required to re-apply for the program annually. “Many of our patients have chronic health issues; for those who qualify, provide that care at reduced fees or including diabetes and heart disease,” Flannery explained, even free of charge,” he said. The Pines ACCESS Program offers primary and “and for them, the Prescription Assistance program is preventative healthcare to uninsured or under-insured truly a life saver.” “Pharmaceutical companies recognize people of all ages who qualify, regardless of their ability that many people can’t afford their needed prescription to pay. Any charges for services are based on a “sliding medicines. It’s our job to work with them so their fee scale” of the patient’s household income and family products are available to help all patients in our area who size. For example, a family of four earning $41,895 need them.” The Prescription Assistance Program is available at all or less, (well above the federal poverty level guideline of $22,050), may qualify for a 100% write-off of their Pines Health Services locations. For more information please call any of the three Prescription Assistance healthcare costs at Pines. According to Davis, individuals qualify to participate Coordinators; Vicki Flannery at 498-1245 in Caribou; in the ACCESS program based on their current financial Ann Gove at 769-2025 at the Pines Family Health Center status and are required to re-apply for the program each in Presque Isle, or Tosha Gagnon at 868-2796 at the St. year. The program is provided at all Pines Health Centers John Valley Health Center in Van Buren. 42 County Health SPRING 2010
Healthy You:
A Life-Saving Decision by Kim Jones, Cary Medical Center
Picture a massive sports arena; bigger than even the biggest NFL stadium. Now imagine it’s filled with every man, woman, and child who lives in all of Aroostook County plus the city of Bangor. That would represent the number of people who are waiting for an organ transplant in the United States – approximately 105,000 in total. But on an average day, only 77 of those people will receive the transplant they need to stay alive, while 18 people will die because there is simply no other medical treatment available to reverse their organ failure. In addition to organ transplants, more than one million people each year have life-enhancing tissue transplants to repair or replace parts of the body including corneas, ligaments, heart valves, bone, cartilage, tendons, and skin. Patients with conditions such as blindness, burns, birth defects, and tumors have a chance to lead a healthy, productive life thanks to tissue donation. The need for organ and tissue donations vastly exceeds the availability. While 90% of Americans say they support organ donation, only about 25% of the U.S. population is actually a registered donor according to Donate Life America, an alliance of not-for-profit organizations. “Understandably, it can be difficult to think about your own death and what will happen to your body after you die,” said Ann King, RN, New England Organ Bank liaison at Cary Medical Center. “This, combined with the many misconceptions there are about organ donation, can unfortunately result in people choosing not to become a registered donor.” But in recent years, there has been a nation-wide effort to improve donation rates by standardizing the donor registration process in each state, through informational campaigns designed to dispel common myths about organ donation, and through the expansion of donor registries, particularly in states where none previously existed. Organizations like Donate Life America have had a significant impact in the steady increase in organ donor registrations, especially since the launch of the Donor Designation Collaborative (DDC) in 2006. Currently, there are about 80 million people enrolled in donor registries in the United States compared to about 70 million just two years ago. And while that is a significant increase, there is still a shortage of viable organs because many people in the registry end up not being good candidates for donating their organs when they die based on the strict medical criteria for transplantation. King explains, “A person usually decides to register as an organ donor when they are healthy. But, over time, they may be diagnosed with an acute disease or have a serious
accident that changes the condition of their body. They remain on the donor list, but their organs may no longer be suitable for transplantation.” It is for this reason that increasing the number of registered donors is the primary focus of Donate Life America and similar organizations– the more people in the registry, the better the chances are to close the gap between the need and the availability of donated organs and tissues. “Becoming an organ donor is a very personal decision that is best made after discussing it with your family and becoming familiar with your rights and options as a donor,” said King, who offers free consultations through Cary Medical Center for individuals and families interested in learning more about organ and tissue donation. “Being informed is the best way to feel confident about the choice you make.”
Know the Facts
The ideal time to learn about and discuss with your family the topic of organ donation is now; not during a time of high emotion and stress, such as when an illness or injury occurs. To decide whether or not becoming a donor is right for you, it’s important to know these facts: How do I become an organ donor? Almost anyone can be considered as a potential donor regardless of their age, race, and even medical history. (The transplant team will determine the viability of your tissues and organs on an individual basis at the time of death.) If you choose to become a donor, you should talk with your family about your decision. In many states, including Maine, you simply need to check that you want to be a donor on your driver’s license or ID card application. Additionally, Maine residents can enroll through the New England Organ Bank. What if I change my mind about being a donor? If you are registered as an organ/tissue donor, you can remove your name from the donor registry at any time. Will my family have to pay for my organ/tissue removal? No. The cost of removing your organs/tissue at the time of your death is covered by the regional organ donation bank and, when permissible, passed on to the organ recipient’s insurer. Can I have an open-casket funeral if I’ve donated my organs?
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The donor’s body is handled with the upmost of care and dignity. There will be no visible signs of organ or tissue donation, making an open-casket funeral possible. If I don’t live near a hospital that does organ transplants, can I still be a donor? You might be surprised to learn that organ/tissue donors and recipients live where you live – even in rural areas or communities that do not have a large medical facility. In fact, at Cary Medical Center donated tissue is often used for procedures such as ACL repair, eye surgery, bone grafts, skin grafts, bladder slings, and more. When a person passes away at a facility where there is no organ transplant team, a team from the nearest organ donor bank (which is in Bangor for cases in northern Maine) is flown to the local hospital where they can perform the surgical procedure to remove the organs/tissues. The organs/tissues are preserved and transported by the team to the closest transplant hospital to the recipient that best matches the organ/tissue type. Preservation times vary - a heart, for instance, can only be preserved for up to five hours, while a pancreas can be preserved for up to 20 hours. Tissues have the longest preservation life with some being upwards of five years. Thanks to these advanced preservation techniques, there can be thousands of miles between the donor and recipient. If I agree to donate my organs, will the doctors still work hard to save my life? Absolutely! When you go to the hospital, saving your life is the priority. In fact, the emergency and hospital staff have nothing to do with the transplantation process…this is done by a completely separate team from a different medical facility. It’s only after extensive testing, when it is conclusively determined that you are clinically dead, that organ/tissue recovery becomes the priority. Is organ donation against my religion? Probably not. Organ and tissue donation is acceptable in most religions, including Catholicism, Protestantism, Islam, and most branches of Judaism. If you are uncertain about your faith’s position on donation, talk with a member of your clergy.
Is there such a thing as living donations? Some organs and tissue can be donated by living donors. These can include kidneys, lobe of a lung, partial liver, pancreas, or intestine. Individuals usually considered for a living donation are between 18 and 60 years of age, in good health, and are a good match with the recipient (compatible blood type, similar size, etc.).
For more information about organ and tissue donation, contact Ann King, RN at 207-498-1282 or visit these helpful sites: www.organdonor.gov www.donatelife.net www.neob.org
One Recipient’s Story : Chris Klug On July 28, 2000, I had a liver transplant at University Hospital in Denver, Colorado. I had been diagnosed 9 years earlier with primary sclerosing cholangitis, a rare degenerative bile duct condition that required a liver transplant. It was truly an amazing experience for me and for my family. To receive the gift of life is incredibly humbling and I will forever be grateful for my second chance. Every day I thank God and I thank the donor’s family for their decision to donate. The doctors and their team took great care of me leading up to the transplant and the surgeon performed a perfect surgery. I was back doing what I love, snowboarding, less than 2 months later. The hardest part of the ordeal was the waiting game leading up to the transplant. You’re life is put on hold; you hope and pray daily for a second chance. I wore a pager every minute of the day and carried a cell phone as a backup in anticipation of receiving a call from the University Hospital transplant team informing me that a liver matching my blood type, age, and size was available. Three months after being upgraded on the waiting list to a more critical stage, my phone rang. When I finally got the call, I was relieved that the wait was finally over, but scared to death at the prospect of possibly not surviving the surgery. I received a perfectly matched liver and had one of
the best teams of doctors performing the transplant. Because I was physically fit before the surgery, I bounced back quickly. I was out of the hospital in record time- four days- and back in the gym doing light exercise. I had to listen to my body and to my doctors and go easy for the first month because the risk of a hernia was high. The doctors suggested that I walk and so my family and I walked to Broncos Games, Rockies Games, the new aquarium, and shops all over the city. I returned to Aspen a month after my transplant to begin my rehab. I eased back into strength work and was back on my road bike about four and a half weeks postsurgery. Three weeks later, I began light abdominal strengthening and a week after that I headed to Mt. Hood, Oregon, for my first runs back on my snowboard. It was pretty special. I remember being so excited to be back on snow and with my friends. I never take a day of riding with my buddies or a single turn for granted any longer. I was back on the World Cup Circuit four months after my surgery. Six months later, I stood atop the podium in Olang, Italy, for the first time. That winter was one of my best seasons ever. I attribute that to a new perspective on life and feeling lucky to be doing what I love again after running the “Race for my Life.” A year and a half later, I had the opportunity to represent the United States in my second Olympic Games, where I won a Bronze Medal in snowboarding and fulfilled a life-long dream.
NOW HIRING!
207 Development Dr Limestone, ME 04750 207-328-4515
Reprinted with permission from the U.S. Department of Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplant. 2010 Healthy You is a free community program from Cary Medical Center that addresses your overall wellbeing 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.
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www.mainesolarandwindllc.com mainesolarandwind@hotmail.com
Phone: 207-834-2651
Cell: 207-540-6669
Photo Š 2009 John Nyberg
County Critters with Dr. Hotham
A trip to the veterinarian’s office can be stressful for both you and your pet. Most animals, especially cats, are not used to taking rides in the car. Upon arrival at the veterinarian’s office animals are not only stressed out from the car ride, but are also confronted with new smells, sights and sounds the minute they set foot in the waiting room. With proper planning, a trip to the veterinarian’s office can be a much more pleasant experience for you, your pet and the veterinarian. 1.Be sure that your pet is either on a leash or in a pet carrier. The use of a leash will help you maintain control of your pet and prevent them from mingling with other animals at the veterinary clinic. If you have a retractable leash, be sure to keep it short. Even though your dog may get along well with others, the other animals present may not be open to a new animal invading it’s personal space. The use of a pet carrier is a good idea for smaller pets such as cats, as it provides them with the security they need. If you have difficulty putting your cat into a carrier, consider using a pillowcase – it works quite well and some cats actually prefer it. 2.Reward your pet. Let them associate a trip to the veterinarian’s office with a good time. Be sure to bring a favorite treat with you to give them after the visit or your veterinarian may have some right on hand for that purpose. 3.Become familiar with your pet’s medical records and history. Make time to take your pet for regular check-ups and vaccinations. It is important that your pet’s primary care giver is present during veterinary visits so that you can answer any questions the veterinarian may have. You know your pet the best and any changes in behavior or symptoms can be a critical part of a veterinary visit. It is often very difficult and frustrating to examine an animal who is sick and the person bringing the animal into the office is unfamiliar with that animal. A good history is always important for a veterinary visit and helps us determine in an efficient manner what may be wrong with your pet and what we need to do to help them. 4.Try to properly socialize your pets. Be sure your pet has experience interacting with other pets and people in a public setting. This will make it easier to take them into a vet’s office where the setting is new and there are certain to be other pets present. You may want to consider taking your pet into the vet’s office for a visit when you stop in to pick up supplies, so they don’t associate a visit to the office with anything negative. Pets are extended family members and very important to all of us. By following these simple tips, you can help to make your next visit to the veterinarian more enjoyable for you and your pet. SPRING 2010 County Critters 47
48 Aroostook Eats SPRING 2010
Aroostook Eats
Napoli’s Pizza Can you introduce yourself to our readers? I’m originally from Caribou, born and raised here and all my roots are here. I completed my college in Bangor and used my schooling to work in cities such as Baltimore, MD. and D.C. I’ve been back to my origin since 2001 and became an entrepreneur in 2005 with Napoli’s Italian Restaurant since purchasing it from the original owner, who tried to make a stand but was not used to our winters. Can you fill us in on the history you have with the restaurant business? I have been in the restaurant business since I was fifteen starting at the local Yusef ’s restaurant when Loring Air Force Base was still around. I moved to Bangor to further pursue my education and worked for Geaghan’s Irish Restaurant as kitchen manager who enabled me to complete my education at Husson College. When I moved back home, I was a sales representative for Northcenter PFG and became friends with various restaurateurs in the County. I accomplished many objectives in five years before going on my own with this new business venture. Basically the Italians said it well “Amici e vini sono meglio vecchie”, Old friends and old wine are best! What brought you back to the county? That is not an easy question. I feel that this is a place to raise a family, politics aside and that if we stay strong, we “the county” is the place to be. I love my kids and just want the best for them. My Ashley Jane, Jace, and Sadielee are why I push on in t h i s trying economy. This community is what I wanted
for them. As we stand strong we hope we can give something back to the community. What is the theme of your establishment? “Fine Italian Cuisine” You know when you come to Napolis there is a little piece of Italy that can be experienced in northern Maine. A piece of Boston, New York, Jersey, Connecticut and Maryland that can be had here for those who enjoy a taste of the big city right here in the county. All our sauces are homemade or done to order, something the chain restaurants can not boast. “Chi Mangia Bene, Vive Bene!” Who eats well, lives well! What is your menu? My menu consists of authentic Italian cuisine sautéed to order, I relish in finding new presentations for my friends in the County so I also do American cuisine such as burgers, ribeye, and stuffed haddock to keep my hometown at heart. I run daily specials that are affordable and fill the plate. I pride myself on original dishes such as the Polo Dolominte, Osso Buco, and Shrimp Alfredo which I create on a weekly basis. Napolis is here to be creative, even if I have to read Mario Batali to get the job done. Our homemade dough pizzas are cooked on the stone and spun in the air to give that crisp bite. They are unusual to the area, like our specialties, “the Greek”, “Buffalo Chicken”, and “Alfredo” to name a few. Watch out for out for our huge salads, the Antipasta and Chicken Caesar are a few examples. If you can handle it, we have homemade Canoli’s, Zepolis’, and Tiramisu to make it a finale. That’s Amore! What is your establishment’s address, what hours of operation are you open and do you except reservations? Because of our limited seating we do not normally take reservations but will try to accommodate. We at NAPOLIS do catering for Any Event and it doesn’t have to be Italian. We cater to all!
Napolis Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria is located at 6 Center Street across from S.W. Collins right in downtown Caribou. The establishment is open from 11am to 8pm Monday thru Thursday. 11am to 9pm Friday n Saturday. Sundays 11am to 6pm. Call for other functions.
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Focus on Business:
Spring Break Kevin’s great grandfather immigrated to Smyrna Maine from Canada. During the spring he boiled maple sap in a cast iron caldron and this was Kevin’s first exposure to making maple syrup. This tradition was carried on by his grandfather and his great uncle for many years using the traditional tap and a bucket. Before Kevin married Kristi they spent spring vacations on the sugar ridge making maple syrup. After marriage and children the springs were also spent on the sugar ridge with their children making maple syrup. When their children would have friends over night and pancakes or French toast was served the following morning many children asked for Aunt Jemima or Log cabin syrup but they had none. In the 1990’s an 80 acre woodlot was purchased with the intention of making maple syrup. In 1998 the first 75 taps were put in on pipeline, then next year there were 175 taps and in 1999 there were 900 taps and more pipeline. In 1999 more maple syrup was made than we could use so we gave some to other family member and some friends. It was then that we realized that there was a great demand for the pure maple syrup. So we began planning on turning our hobby into a business. For a business you need a name so we began searching and we came up with Spring Break Maple Sugar Farm and applied for a license. Spring Break came from the break (in the spring) that we have from our logging business. In 2000 we added vacuum to our pipeline system and increased our taps to 1500. And from this point on we had grown to where we are today. In 2001 we tried our hands at making added value products from maple syrup. It included maple cream, maple candy, maple sugar and maple coated nuts. We also decided to add a beehive. Falling in love with beekeeping we decided this would be a good addition to maple syrup so the next spring we were up to 25 hives. Having honey 50 Focus on Business SPRING 2010
for sale meant we needed to make an adjustment to our business name, so we changed our name to Spring Break Maple & Honey. In 2005 we built a sugarhouse roadside and added reverse osmosis which helps us reduce fuel and labor costs by 75%. A kitchen was installed for processing maple syrup for our added value products and a gift shop filled with our maple syrup, honey and quality Maine & USA made products too. The gift shop is open from March to December and always by appointment. In 2009, two representatives from Leader Evaporator Co. from Vermont came to Spring Break to help us redesign our sugar-bush pipeline system. We have since installed new pipeline using the latest technology which should increase our sap flow for the upcoming season. Our taps have increased to 3500 over the years on a vacuum system to get the maple sap to the sugarhouse faster so we can make a top quality product for our customers. Our sugarhouse is open anytime we are boiling during maple season. We do open to the public 2 weekends during the spring to celebrate sugaring season. Our visitors are welcome to take a tour of our sugar-bush, sugarhouse and enjoy ‘sugar-onthe-snow’ which is a special treat for visitors of all ages. 2010 will see us expanding once again as we add maple sugar candy and maple cream to our wholesale markets. Maple sugar candy is a special treat for many. Maple cream also know as maple butter is maple syrup taken to a creamy consistency and is enjoyed on toast, muffins, pancakes and biscuits. Maine maple Sunday will be celebrated on March 28th, so we will open our sugarhouse to the public on March 27 & 28, April 3 & 4 from 10 am to 3 pm. Educational trails were installed in our sugar bush in 2008 and educational signage was installed in 2009. These trails are self guided and are open 7 days a week. A guided tour may be arranged by appointment.
Our communities in this issue:, Presque Isle, Greater Madawaska Fort Fairfield, Caribou and Limestone
Agatha 2010 Sunrise Š 2010 John Mazo, www.pelletierislandphoto.com 52 Our CommunitiesSt.SPRING
Presque Isle the star city
Spring in Presque Isle and central Aroostook County After a busy season with United States Skiing Association Junior Olympics and good snowmobiling, we are now preparing for the wonders that spring brings to this area. As the ice and snow melt we prepare for spring fishing and the use of our many streams and rivers for kayaking and canoeing. There are a number of organized events making use of the waterways that enrich northern Maine. In April the Miss Presque Isle pageant, organized by Beta Sigma Phi Preceptor Alpha will feature a number of talented young ladies vying for the title of Miss Presque Isle. Other titles will be bestowed throughout the spring leading up to the Potato Blossom Festival competitions. Take time to visit the Presque Isle Forum in April for Spring Open Market and Trash & Treasure Sales plus the Kiwanis Home & Recreation Show. May 6-8 the Anah Temple Shrine will be in town for its annual visit. Enjoy the spring weather at Mantle Lake on May 22 for Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs Field Day and celebrate Memorial Day watching one of the many parades in the area. May 22, 2010 the Presque Isle and Washburn Rotary clubs will host a kayak/canoe race from Washburn to the Presque Isle Fish & Game Club. This 8 mile race features multiple novice and expert classes. This year there is a bike race associated with the kayak/canoe race. The bike trail will also be open for family biking. Visit the rotary website for more details. May and June see the celebration of convocations at our many education facilities. University of Maine at Presque Isle and Northern Maine Community College will release their qualified graduates to many employers in the region and beyond. It is our hope that these very capable young people will use their talents to develop and grow industries and businesses in the area. June also sees the beginning of fairs and festivals. The City Wide Yard Sale and Strawberry Shortcake Sale organized by the Presque Isle Area in Presque Isle are indicators that summer is starting in central Aroostook. Mapleton Days provide many opportunities for present and past residents of the area to eat, play and socialize. Take time to enjoy the beauty of a Northern Maine spring with trout, fiddleheads and neighbors coming out to reconnect.
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Greater Madawaska Frenchville, Grand Isle, Madawaska, St. Agatha and Sinclair
The Greater Madawaska Area is well known for its friendly people and warm hospitality, while serving as the center of Acadian culture in Maine. During the months of June, July and August one can expect an abundance of unique events that are only available in our own special corner of America. June 24th to June 27th 2010 enjoy the Acadian Festival. For over 33 years, the town of Madawaska has celebrated St. John Valley’s rich Acadian heritage by commemorating the arrival of the first Acadian settlers, in 1785. The Acadian Festival is Maine’s Largest Cultural Festival. Events include a re-enactment of the first Acadian landing in northern Maine, traditional Acadian supper, Soiree du bon Vieux Temps (Night of good old times), traditional cultural displays, Golf Tournament, Family Fun Day, a Festival parade, “Party du Main Street” and much more. Each year a family reunion takes place honoring a founding family in conjunction with the Acadian Festival. The Family being honored for 2010 is the Gagnon’s. We invite you and your family, to join in the festivities, “Ca va Swinger!” During July & August, enjoy an evening of entertainment with friends and family at Bi-Centennial Park with the 3rd Annual Madawaska Community Market & Festival Music Series. This weekly event sponsored by the Greater Madawaska Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the Acadian Festival will start at 4:00pm each Thursday with the opening of the Madawaska Community Market where one can find hidden treasures or farm fresh fruits and vegetables. At 6:00pm sit back and enjoy the Festival Music Series, with performances by local artists until 8:00pm. July 16th & 17th, Rock the Valley wants to welcome everyone to the counties finest Rock Festival. Started in 2005 by locals wanting to increase the interest
54 Our Communities
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of music in the valley, this 2 day event continues to be a crowd pleaser year after year. With this years bands ranging from local talent to well known headliner bands. The Four Seasons Trail Association invites everyone from everywhere to enjoy the free use of their trails. Through mountain biking and nature hikes they hope to encourage healthier lifestyles and a greater appreciation for the natural beauty of Aroostook County. The Four Corners Park Association welcomes everyone to the Four Corner Park, located prominently in downtown Madawaska, Maine, the park features an impressive 12-foot tall blue pearl granite monument and a lighted water fountain, surrounded by granite benches, tables and a fireplace. The park landscaping includes flowers and trees to create shade and beauty for visitors to enjoy. No matter what time of the year you visit us, you will find everything you need to enjoy a relaxing and memorable stay. If you enjoy the outdoors, festivals or colorful eye catching sceneries and no matter what your interests or leisure pursuits are, you will find something here, in the “Heart of the St John Valley.” Stephen Hughes Greater Madawaska Chamber of Commerce For more information on upcoming events call 207728-7000
The Fort Fairfield Chamber of Commerce recently recognized their 2009 Citizen of the Year and Business of the Year. This year’s Citizen of the Year honoree is an individual that exemplifies the meaning of this award – Giving of oneself with no expectation of anything in return. Have you found your driveway plowed or a bag of potatoes at your door that you didn’t expect? If you don’t have a garage to work in many nights you will see someone in his garage working on their personal vehicle. This gentleman has given back in many ways; yes, some during a time of tragedy, but most is given year round with nothing expected in return. Our 2009 Citizen of the Year is Keith Thibeau. Keith is a lifelong resident of Fort Fairfield, and is a 4th generation farmer, and has been farming for the past 22 years and employs between 15 & 20 employees. He is an active member and on the Board of Directors for the Fort Fairfield Snowmobile Club and is the proud father of 2 boys, Conner and Keith, Jr. The Business of the Year was presented to a business that has been in Fort Fairfield for over 21 years. R & J’s Market. This family owned and operated business has been seen many transformations over the years including an exterior renovation that was completed last year. R & J’s Market is owned by Reggie & Jocelyn St. Pierre. Truly a family owned business, you will find their son Camille in the store everyday. Their daughter Allison spends many evening working at the store as well. They have even started training the 3rd generation of family. Reggie truly appreciates our public services workers. Public Works and firefighters have enjoyed a place to warm up, a free cup of coffee on a cold, bitter night as well as hot meals during a snow storm. Our school aged children are important to Reggie & Jocelyn as well. They are always willing to assist the kids in the community in any way they can. Reggie feels our kids are an important piece of our community and showing them community service is very important in a small community such as Fort Fairfield. Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree Richard A. Levesque, Jr. “Tony” When Tony was 2 his mother sent him outdoors to go find some friends and he has never stopped looking. For Tony friends and family are what life is all about. It’s not enough to have them, he knows birthdays, anniversaries, phone numbers,
current and the number they had when they were kids, who they dated, married and what year they graduated, who they hung out with, where they work, where they used to work, what sports they played, their parents, brothers and sisters, etc. For Tony it is more than just about having friends, it is more than about doing things with friends, it is about doing things for his friends. First of all I think one of his missions in life is to feed us all. Tony loves sports but he can’t just watch or do it himself, he has to be helping. Through the years he has coached, umpired games, worked the clock or the book at basketball games, he runs the KC’s foul shooting contest in Fort Fairfield, taking students downstate to compete each year, he helps with Athletic Boosters Golf Tournament. As a young man Tony would walk with his dad to daily mass before school, which started a life long devotion to his church. He is a 4th degree knight; he organizes the honor guard, taking it upon himself to see that these duties are fulfilled honorably with the utmost respect for all involved. Tony’s work has been an extension of his life in this community and he could have easily taken his talents many places for significantly more money. Tony’s accomplishments in his work have been many and he is a standout at a public servant. Tony’s joy comes from service to others, seeing a need and seeking to meet it; we have all benefited from his generosity. This past year I have had the benefit of having Carolyn Dorsey-Durepo as the President of the Chamber Board of Directors. Through Carolyn’s leadership the Chamber has made great strides in becoming a vital part of our community. This past year the board of directors has grown and all the board members are taking active roles in making the chamber successful. Carolyn’s positive attitude and professionalism has played a key role in bringing the board together to accomplish our goal of bringing people to town and supporting our local businesses. Last year the Chamber hosted Fall Fun Fest and Christmas in the Village. We partnered with many different groups as well as having the support of the Town Council to make each of these events overwhelming successes. I am so thankful that she agreed to be our leader for 2009.
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Caribou As we begin the Second Quarter of 2010, we’re trying to keep track of the progress we’re making regarding our Chamber New Year’s Resolutions! Sigh....changing our mindsets is the main hurdle, and from there: anything is possible. At the beginning of the year, I googled around, in case there were things I could be resolving, which I might actually follow thru on (code for I’m mostly already doing them).... The lists related to our health and wellbeing is pretty standard: stop smoking, get fit, all kinds of those things. Yawn. I keep thinking if I read enough magazines about getting fit (on recycled paper), it counts yes? Evidently not enough: I now have two, not three folks, two frequent office guests and chamber friends, and my five year old, who are not hesitant to share: I am getting older, and wider. Huh. What I did find was a whole big patch of websites which will help you track, measure, and thus have the motivation to continue with your resolutions. Imagine. Sites which will measure our cement-edness...good. Ok, so as we call for a moment of silence, and collectively suspend our disbelief, I know the definition of crazy is something about expecting a different outcome while we’re doing the same old same old. So, I am going to sign up to track my resolutions, and I have been posting them (and many other things) to our blog: Caribou Notes. Perhaps this will keep us on track thru the end of mud season! The fun thing about part of this is, I can set a few smallish resolutions, which I can assign the ladies in the office to do. They are quite often not amused by these edicts, but what can you do. Edicts: it’s all in the spin. So, first our mindsets. We are working on keeping the motivational sayings catchy, and updated, which we keep planning to chant every day. Several times a day even, which seems a bit cult-like, but still... I had a visit at the first of the year, from a business person who said to me: I should be thinking about what I will do differently in 2010, than I was doing in 2009. I did not have an answer. I still don’t, but it has given me something new to dwell about, besides why and what we should be tweeting, CO2 emissions and recycling. I am going to stew about this some more, and I welcome anyone’s input. I do believe we ought to be changing, and doing more, differently, etc. I don’t know what that is, or will be for the new year, and I am planning it won’t be just one single thing, but we’re moving ahead, aggressively tweeting, facebooking, and blogging! As I pawed over lists of standard “resolutions,” the philosophy behind setting resolutions, and then why we don’t seem to keep them, I ran across two things which I thought were interesting: one of the most standard resolutions people make, besides getting fit, and resolving to be more spiritual, is in fact to start that business they’ve been dreaming/planning/fantasizing about. Really? Whewhua: it’s the equivalent of winning “the chamber lottery!” I happen to know where we have a few vacant buildings, and we even have monies to loan you to do it! If only it were that easy. I’ve come to think our entrepreneurs are a dying breed somehow. They must be related to the “young farmers,” do you think? I know they’re out there, but really, shouldn’t they be on the endangered species list? We see so few of them these days. Why would the most popular 56 Our Communities SPRING 2010
positions for college graduates in 2009 be civil service jobs? I understand seeking security, and wanting some stability. I cannot imagine we’re all without dreams of some new business, widget or idea we can grow ourselves; or that we don’t really want to have something we’re proud to call our own. The other interesting thing I found as I sifted around looking for things I ought to be resolving for us to do was an article about what resolutions “reveal about us”....huhhhhhh... The psychology of resolving: we eat too much, we spend too much, we don’t focus on our passion, and we aren’t connected enough to those around us. Yes, I’m there. At least in so far as eating and spending. Then there was an article about how we might actually help ourselves to keep our resolutions which I thought bears repeating: tell them to everyone, let people know why you’re want to make this change, and then join groups which help you meet those goals! Perfect! We’re tracking, and telling. Do join us, tell us your issues, and we’ll all commiserate together on how we’ll add some new things to our town, and The County! All bringing me back to what did we resolve at the chamber? Here’s the list! 1. Consume less, recycle more, and be “greener” and more efficient with our resources! Parts of this fall in the edict category, as fairly easily, if somewhat cumbersome, measurable, and attainable. 2. Resolve to be more actively involved in keeping our little people fit (an extension of Caribou Cares About Kids); and actively involved in their communities (encouraging them to be little civic minded folks!)! 3. Bring more people to our downtown! \4. Encourage/support our existing businesses, artisans, and people to become more involved (with each other, us, our community)! A work in progress. I expect we may Tweak, and Tweet this list of resolutions as we go along, but we’re still thinking about how to achieve these resolutions, and we welcome your input! Let us know as we go along if you have ideas on how we might achieve some of our resolutions, and if we can help you with any of yours (is opening that business which has been a dream of yours forever on your list?)!! Happy progress on your resolutions! Take Care! Take Care and Be Well!
Wendy Landes Executive Director Caribou Chamber of Commerce & Industry 24 Sweden Street Suite 101 Caribou, ME 04736
Greater Limestone Invitation to Celebrate Independence Day
music – and Limestone knows this. Held the evening before Almost 75 years ago, Limestone put together its first the 4th of July, downtown Limestone comes alive as music fills the air – and food booths & a beer garden take over the streets. 4th of July parade and The annual Street Dance has began a community-wide many community members, tradition of celebrating alumni, family and friends Independence Day. Local looking forward to it historians remember the first throughout the year - and few parades as being mostly why not, when there’s plenty a horse show and marching of food, beverages, music and band presentations. But as laughter available for young the years went by, various and old! organizations got involved And when the Street and participate in the parade. Dance is over, it is officially There are recollections of the 4th of July and the “party” organizations such as the keeps going, with various Civics Grange, the 4-H events being held both Club, the American Legion, downtown and at Trafton and the Rotary Extension Lake. Trafton Lake, located being present and involved. a few miles on the outskirts Today the parade still occurs of the town, is a great place on the 4th of July (starting to have that traditional 4th at 1 PM) and running down of July family BBQ, to hold Main Street – and is made a class reunion picnic, to up of nearly 100 entries. The participate in various games parade has definitely evolved provided by the Rec Dept. & over the years and has since other organizations, to fish, become a highly anticipated go for a boat ride, listen to a event, but it’s no longer live band, or simply sit back the one-and-only event … and relax … and wait for the certainly not the finale! fireworks! Since that day, There’s one more years ago, when the first thing that Limestone does Independence Day parade right – end a “party” in style! was held, the town has not The display of fireworks stopped and has continued to that light up the evening improve and introduce other sky as Independence Day events to allow families and comes to a close is one well friends to gather and celebrate worth watching. You won’t their independence through be disappointed in the a week-long celebration. spectacular array of bursting Events such as a Car Show, colors as the 4th of July Antique Tractor Pulls, Golf comes to an end. Tournament, Community We sincerely look Wide Yard Sale, various forward to sharing this year’s activities geared for children 4th of July celebration with (Puppet Show, Teddy Bear you! We’re sure you’ll enjoy Picnic, Scavenger Hunt, etc.) every part of it, just as much have all become staples that as we do. make up Limestone’s weeklong 4th of July celebration! Happy Independence Day! But to have a really good celebration, you need SPRING 2010 Our Communities 57
See the world from a different perspective
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www.umpi.edu
University of Maine at
PRESQUE I SLE North of Ordinary
Photo Š 2009 Christy Cormier, Fort Fairfield
Northern Maine Community College
Celebrating A Succesful Partnership
Over the years, Northern Maine in the College’s residential conCommunity College has worked struction program in the middiligently to partner with local busi1990’s, he worked on building nesses and civic organizations in order two of the homes. Now, he to better serve not only its students has become the customer for but also the businesses and residents of Sinawik House number 33. the region. One great example of this Work on the 1,300 square foot is the long-standing partnership bemodular ranch-style home is tween the College and the Presque Isle underway in the residential Kiwanis Club which results in a home construction lab at NMCC. being built each year for an Aroostook “I know the quality that County family. comes from the College,” said Giving back to the community Chavez. “From the framing has been the longstanding goal of the and insulation to the finish Sinawik (Kiwanis spelled backward) and interior work, every detail partnership forged between NMCC is taken care of and nothing is From left, Dawn Poitras and Janet Kelle from the PI Kiwanis Club were on hand at last year’s barbecue to and the Presque Isle Kiwanis Club overlooked. It’s a process and help celebrate the near completion of Sinawik House in 1976. In addition to providing a good learning experience for #32 with owners Holly and Kevin Tompkins and their students in several trade programs at the students and the home children, along with NMCC instructors Guy Jackson the College with a “real-life” practical buyer as well. The instructors and Roger Crouse. experience, the project provides a way in each of the programs that for Kiwanis to raise scholarship funds to invest in the local work on the house are top notch, they do a great job working community. Among the scholarships given by Sinawik each with the students to ensure the highest possible quality.” year are five awards to NMCC trade and technical occupa In addition to residential construction, students and intion students who work on constructing the home. structors from the College’s computer-aided drafting, plumb “This project has been a win-win for both the College ing and heating, electrical construction and maintenance, and Kiwanis Club,” said Guy Jackson, NMCC’s residential and welding and metal fabrication programs are also involved construction instructor, who has been key to the project for with the building of the home. the past 27 years. “Over the years, hundreds of students “Over the years, our club has built a great rapport with have had the opportunity to work directly on the construcmembers of the NMCC community. Because of the hard tion of a house that is placed in the local community and work and positive attitudes of NMCC’s students, faculty becomes a home for an area family. It has been an excellent and staff, the annual Sinawik project has become one of the teaching tool and great source of pride for both our students premier collaborative projects in Aroostook County,” said and for us as faculty.” A.J. Cloukey, president of Joining the the Kiwanis Club. newest ranks of Each year the College Sinawik home- and Kiwanis Club hold a owners is Bob Sinawik Open House and Chavez of Barbecue to showcase the lat Presque Isle, est home and the work of the who knows students over the past year. firsthand the The public is invited quality work- and encouraged to visit this manship year’s open house at NMCC “This is a very that goes on Tuesday, April 27, special day – r Guy instructo ents into one of between 11:30 a.m and 1:00 n o ti c u d tr s tu n s o r c a l a once in a sidentia h first ye p.m. For more information NMCC re enter) works wit on (left) and Jon these ti (c lifetime day.” rk ta n o n o ing w yr Pla Jacks on the project or the open ond of C ight) on the fram l con- houses. m u D n h (r Jo tia Holly Tompkins watches her As a tockholm e residen house, contact the college Sund of S house #33 in th new home being moved on site . ik student relations office at 768-2809. in August. of Sinaw b at the College la struction
60 Higher Education SUMMER & FALL 09
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FROM COUNTYWIDE PARTNERSHIPS gree. The students will become international teachers can addbeing to their list of jobon skills their experiences TO INTERNTIONAL COLLABORATIONS, who Research conducted campus that could Tthere ’S SPRING AT THE U NIVERSITY in teaching children of another language. Education have been several new efforts underway at the have an impact on the entire State of Maine is being M AINE AT P RESQUE I SLE , and OF UNIVERSITY OF MAINE AT PRESQUE ISLE that are students who remain at UMPI also will benefit indi-
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new learning opportunities have been popping helping to spur community development and ecoup all over campus – from Modular Origami nomic growth as well as offer the best educational, athclasses for community members to a Meletic and cultural opportunities to university students. dieval Faire put on by university and The University is now home local middle school students to a to re-the GEOSPATIAL INFORMATION T ECHNOLOGY search project that could influence CENTER, a state-ofthe-art GIS and GPS lab. The how backcountry evacuations aremore than $, lab – funded in part a grant from the Maine Techpaid for in the State of by Maine. nology in Institute – isand oneconof the best-equipped laboStarting February ratories of its kind in Maine tinuing through the end of May, and will be used for teaching GISfounder and GPSofclasses, Eva Szillery – the the training local profesin how to use– advanced Mainesionals Origami Society is offeringGIS and GPS technology, and O for researchWORKSHOP and development. One of the a MODULAR RIGAMI center’s major undertakings is to develop � a compreseries on Wednesday afternoons and hensive GIS database allows communities evenings in UMPI ’s Library.that Participants have been to do a wide range activities, including inventorying learning about theofart form that combines paper and marketing their assets, attracting folding and geometry, creating pieces and of allretaining shapes, businesses, fostering job creation strategies, and managing sizes and colors. Modular origami involves several infrastructure for units municipal growth. assemUnder Dr. identically folded paper (or modules) Chunzeng Wang’s leadership, center will continue bled into finished models that canthe resemble cubes, the work done in the last are three years to partner stars and flowers. Newcomers encouraged to joinwith communities in developing specialized GIS projects. in at any point during the series. For more information or to sign up for the On free workshop series, conthe international front, tact Susan Pinette at .thanks or susan.pinette@ to an agreement umpi.edu. signed between the UniOn March , students from UMPI’s Medieval versity and the LERTLAH History class and Presque Isle Middle School’s HisSCHOOLS OF THAILAND, tory Club, along with members of the Society for UMPI students will have the Creative Anachronism, hosted a opportunity MEDIEVAL starting FAIRE this in Wieden Gymnasium. Studentsspring from to across Arooscomplete their took County were invited to participate in this oneteaching certification by of-a-kind learning opportunity that transformed the traveling to Bangkok University gym into a medieval village, complete and working with stuwith castles, monasteries, peasantdents homes, and workthere. This will shops that showcased various aspects of medieval life, provide Education stuincluding: medicine, stained-glassdents making, bookwith the opportumaking, music, dancing, food, clothing, nity to spinning, gain a global weaving, weapons, and warfare. The goal ofon theeducation faire perspective was to give the attending middlewhile schoolearning students a detheir taste of medieval life through a fun and interactive learning experience.
spearheaded by Leah Finnemore, UMPI’s Maine Pol– UMPI Education faculty members will engage icyrectly Scholar for . Finnemore, a senior Recreation with and theirLeisure Bangkok counterparts educational Services major,on hasbest been conductpractices and the exchange of ideas, and bring those ing research throughout the - practices andacademic ideas backyear to the classroom. and, this spring, will recommend POLICY SOLUTIONS Closer to home, the University’s NORDIC SKI TEAM FOR WHO SHOULD PAY FOR is in the middle of its first year of competition under . BACKCOUNTRY EVACUATIONS its new NCAA Division I status, thanks in large part there is no policy adto a grant fromCurrently, the Maine Community dressing this issue Maine. Foundation and generous gifts frominlocal $ to build upon a donors totalingFinnemore more thanhopes ,. by Rep. Thomas The funding policy is beingsuggestion used to jumpSavielloathletic of Wilton in . As of now, start this top-tier program backcountry evacuations are primarily during a critical phase in its exisfundedand by to theensure Mainethat Warden Service and tence, the program con-volunteer organizations. In the the late direction spring, Finnemore will tinues to grow. Under of nationally present her findings in theSotskov, form ofthe a briefing a recognized Coach Alexei team hasto grown panel of state policymakers. to more than a dozen members. All of these elements spring, another well-known learning opporareThis coming together to ensure that these student-athtunity reaching an important mileletes at areUMPI givenwill thebevery best chance at success this stone. TheSki University’s Nordic season. kW WIND TURBINE – the very first midsize wind turbine to be installed on Whether they’re taking the–world a University campus in theplace Statearound of Maine will or in your neighborhood, many projects unmark its first anniversary there since are being commissioned derway and there are many more on the horizon. on May , . When installed, the turbine was If you aretointerested expected produce about million kilowatt-hours in learning of electricity per year and save the institution more more about annually in electricity charges. Offithan $, community cials anticipate the turbine will meet that expectapartnerships, tion. They also expect the project to continue to e d uasc aant ieducational onal serve opportunity for the greater opportunities, community – showing both the value and cost-effecor would like tiveness of harnessing natural resources for clean to suggest a as any problems encountered along electricity as well thecollaboration way. with Andthe the learning opportunities continue to mulUniversity, tiply. Visit WWW.UMPI.EDU and click on “News” to please callthe latest campus and community projlearn about .. � To learn how UMPI students could ects underway. help you with community-based projects, visit www.umpi.edu/academics/engaged-learning. � FALL & WINTER 09 Higher Education 61
UMFK hosts its 12th annual “Sucrerie” The University of Maine at Fort Kent hosted its first Sucrerie back in 1999. Since then, the campus has held the event each year during the month of March. The Sucrerie draws more than 300 people to the UMFK campus, annually. The “maple sugary recreation” is an event open to the public and features a maple sugar-making demonstration, a traditional Acadian meal, an old-fashioned maple taffy pull, and live entertainment. The Sucrerie provides an opportunity for students, faculty, staff, and the community to experience the local French heritage. A maple sugar operator from nearby Lac Unique, New Brunswick, Canada provides the maple syrup. Maple taffy, also known as “sugar on snow,” is a confection made by boiling maple sap past the point at which it forms maple syrup. The thick liquid is poured onto the snow, then lifted with a small wooden stick, such as a popsicle stick. Once sufficiently hardened, the candy can be picked up and eaten. The traditional Acadian meal is served with “ployes” by volunteers from the UMFK campus community, who are dressed in Acadian costumes. The costumes are provided by the Greater Madawaska Chamber of Commerce. The Sucrerie is a favorite of local school teachers who often bring their classes to the UMFK campus to sample the maple syrup treat, and experience a bit of the French heritage. 62
SPRING 2010
Promoting the Wildlife “Brand” by Regis Trembly
Promoting the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife “brand” and our role in protecting, preserving, and enhancing Maine’s natural resources is the mission of the Public Information and Education Division within IF&W. With a very small, but highly talented and creative staff, I&E, as we are more commonly known, is tasked with informing and educating our numerous and varied constituencies here in Maine and around the globe. To that end, we have embraced the Internet and Social Media to reach more people with fresh, timely, and important information that they need to make informed decisions. Because Maine’s natural resources and our very identify are at risk due to a serious downturn in the economy, a fast changing landscape, and shifts in outdoor recreational pursuits, it is more important now than ever for Mainer’s and visitors to keep abreast of trends that are changing our lifestyles and what we do in this beautiful and magical place. In order to connect with our customers and constituents, we are now using Social Media to reach as many people as possible with our messages. For those not familiar with Social Media, it is quite simply the coordinated use of our Internet Home Page, Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, and blogs. You can find links to these media on our website at www.mefishwildlife.com In just over three months on Facebook, we have close to 3,000 “friends.” Facebook is the most amazing site that connects people instantly and exponentially. Our Facebook page posts important news, events, and information that people need and want to know. It links visitors to our blogs, Youtube, the Home Page, and our Twitter page. Our Youtube “channel” hosts several video productions from TV shows and documentaries, to PSA’s and safety messages. If you “Tweet” you can keep up with the activities of our outdoor educator, our marketing representative, and our media relations representative. You can also follow our blogs: Inland Tracks, The Director’s Cut, the Insider and The Heron, a site on the Great Blue Heron maintained by one of our field biologists. There’s also lots of news and interesting articles in our monthly on-line magazine, The Insider, and our quarterly magazine, Maine Fish and Wildlife, is now being viewed by an average of 17,000 people from Maine and around the world. And that’s not all. Soon, our weekly TV show, the IF&W Insider, will be available on many of Maine’s community access stations. These shows will give you an inside look at our biologists, hatchery workers, and game wardens as they do their part to protect, preserve and enhance our natural resources. You’ll come with us on amazing journeys as we follow our biologists and wardens into the wilderness and back country. You’ll see our biologists studying bald eagles, black bears, deer, moose, Lynx, Black Racer snakes, the beautiful wild Maine Brook Trout and so much more. And, you will hear informed discussions about the issues and challenges your Department is dealing with. We’ll take you on Search and Rescue missions with our game wardens, and into the woods and onto the waters as they
work to enforce the laws of the State that protect our fish and wildlife and the environment. For those sportsmen and women who attend the various trade shows around the State, be sure to visit our booth. We are there to talk with you, provide all sorts of important information, and to bring your Department closer to you who have supported conservation and the resources for over 100 years by buying licenses, permits, and by registering your recreational vehicles. We’ve done all this because we want you to come to us first for the news, information, and facts about everything from budgets to legislation, from landowner relations to loss of habitat, from deer management to the recovery of the bald eagle, and to stay abreast of what is happening in the Legislature where that laws affecting your use of the resources are made. Check us out at www.mefishwildlife.com for all the information you will ever need about your Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. And what you can’t find there, you can call and talk directly to someone at 207-287-8000. See us first and see us last for all the latest news and information about your natural resources. Regis Tremblay is the Director of Public Information and Education at the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife. He can be reached at: regis.tremblay@maine.gov.
Photo Š 2009 Kate Barnes, Fort Fairfield
Fort Fairfield’s
Community Market locally grown and raised products and crafters Starting June 5th and running every Saturday throughout the summer.
AM’S VETERINA TH
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For more info: 472-3802
H S SERVICES, INC.
James E. Hotham, DVM 307 Centerline Road Presque Isle, ME 04769 Telephone: (207) 768-7387 Fax: (207) 433-1018 Office Hours By Appointment
66 Local Artists SPRING 2010
Š 2009 Kate Barnes, Fort Fairfield
Statewide Toll Free 1-800-660-2212 HEAVY DUTY TRUCK PARTS NOW AVAILABLE Tire Sales & Service, Retreading, Contractor Equipment, Equipment Repairs, Equipment Materials, Welding Supplies, Automotive Service
Photo Š 2009 Kate Barnes, Fort Fairfield
SPRING 2010
Local Artists 69
Š 2009 Gene Cyr, Washburn nothernmainepictures.com
SPRING 2010
Local Artists 71
72 Local Artists SPRING 2010
Photo Š 2009 Our Maine Street
Š 2009 Gene Cyr, Washburn nothernmainepictures.com
74 Local Artists
SPRING 2010
The County’s Long Term Care Home Health Provider Since 1983
Valley Home Health Service LLC
providing the human touch
Aroostook Home Health Services
Providing Skilled Nursing Services Across Aroostook County
658 Main Street, Caribou, ME 04736
658 Main Street, Caribou, Maine 04736
Caribou: 207 492.8250 Ft. Kent: 207 834.2990 Houlton: 207 532.9971
Caribou: 207 492.1149 Ft. Kent: 207 834.3756 Houlton: 207 532.9686
Helping Hands For Independent Living
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
Photo Š 2009 Kate Barnes, Fort Fairfield
SPRING 2010 Local Artists 77
Š 2009 Gene Cyr, Washburn nothernmainepictures.com
SPRING BREAK SUGARHOUSE & GIFT SHOP
www.mainemapleandhoney.com
HOURS: WED - FRI 10am - 4pm SAT 9am - 1pm Specializing in MAINE & USA made products 207-757-7373 (Sugarhouse) 3315 US Route 2 Smyrna Mills, Maine 04780
Our Farm
80 Our Farm
SPRING 2010