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winter 2010 • vol. 13, no.4
Giving from the Heart PLUS:
kismet rocks! giving back the rail world
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editor’s note
Lake Living is published quarterly by Almanac Graphics, Inc., 625 Rocky Knoll Rd, Denmark, ME 04022 207-452-8005. lakeliving@fairpoint. net www.lakelivingmaine.com ©2010. All rights reserved. Contents of this magazine may not be reproduced in any manner without written consent from the publisher. Annual subscriptions are available by sending check or money order for $20 to the above address.
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sarah oakley
6 giving from the heart
by leigh macmillen hayes
9 kismet rocks!
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by laurie lamountain
11 giving back
by laurie lamountain
13 feeding a need
by leigh macmillen hayes
14 the rail world
by david harry
16 once upon a winter
Book reviews from Bridgton Books david harry
Editor & Publisher Laurie LaMountain Contributing Writers Leigh Macmillen Hayes, David Harry, Perri Black, Justin Ward, Pam Ward Contributing Photographers Ethan McNerney, Anne Skidmore, Sarah Oakley, Bridie McGreavy, David Harry Graphic Designer Dianne Lewis Proofreader/Copy Editor Leigh Macmillen Hayes
winter 2010 • vol. 13, no. 4
anne skidmore
From the moment I realized this issue was going to be about gifts and giving, that theme has sort of magically thread through the articles—tying them all together. It began with the idea of giving thoughtful gifts handcrafted by local artisans and then grew to include the many intangible gifts we give to each other as fellow humans. When it came time to write the final piece on the Bob Dunning Memorial Bridge, it was clear that there is so much to be gained from giving. This note is usually the last thing I write for each issue, and usually at the very last minute, so in some ways it’s the hardest. Thanks to Sally Dunning, the work has been done for me this time. On November 27th, three years after her husband’s passing, Sally graciously acknowleged the inherent gift in the act of giving at the dedication for the Bob Dunning Bridge. The bridge is the gift of many in honor of one who gave. So, I end this note with Sally’s words to everyone gathered at the bridge on November 27th. “Each day the world as we know it changes for someone. Live well. Do good works. Pay it forward. Be gentle with yourself and with others. Celebrate the gifts we bring to each other. Live your authentic life. Thank you all for your gifts to Bob and me, and to my family. Thank you for this gift to yourselves and to your children and your grandchildren. Thank you for this gift that will keep Bob’s memory alive and present in our hearts today and for all our tomorrows.” Thank you Sally. —Laurie LaMountain
18 finding time to read
by perri black
20 mindful habits
by perri black
Bridgton Books
Over 20,000 different titles, plus books on tape for rent or sale, cards, magazines, used books, bargain books, music and more. 140 Main Street Bridgton, ME 04009 207-647-2122 justinatbridgtonbooks@ myfairpoint.net
cover photo by ethan mcnerney
o o o
your maine tea o o o Warm up with the best of Common Folk Farm herb teas Available in-store and on-line through L.L.Bean or at
www.commonfolkfarmherbs.com
o o o
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Giving from the
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by leigh macmillen hayes
xchanging gifts, whether for a holiday, birthday, wedding, other special occasion or “just because” is a very powerful way that we establish bonds and make connections with others. And meaningful gifts help strengthen the connection. These are the gifts that remain special for a long time to come, whereas random gifts evaporate from our memories. Sometimes the most meaningful gifts are homemade, which take time, creativity and energy. Here are some ideas to consider: Create a handmade recipe book that includes old family recipes, photos and stories. Make coupons for services you might offer, e.g. an hour of babysitting, a homecooked meal, free snow shoveling for a season, etc. I still have coupons from my guys. On red hearts cut awkwardly yet lovingly from construction paper they include the following scribbled messages: “To Mom, listening to a CD together, Shep,” “This card entitles Mom to Pat being Quiet, Pat,” “This card entitles Mom to room cleaning from Pat and Shep.” And from Allen, “This card entitles Leigh to a trip to a hot tub anywhere.” Hmmmm . . . what am I waiting for? So I haven’t traded them in, but for the last twelve or so years they’ve warmed my heart each time I’ve looked at them. And perhaps someday I’ll include them in scrapbooks for the boys to share with their children. Memory Jars are a fun way to remember moments shared with the recipient. On the outside of folded colored strips of paper, I write “Remember when . . . ” in calligraphy and include the memory on the inside. These are placed into a special box or pottery jar I’ve purchased. Pat did the same for me on my 50th birthday. His typed messages include the following: “We went to Shep’s Geo Bee and I got to meet the UMaine hockey team,” and “We got pulled over in Windham rushing home from Massachusetts the day after Christmas.” Okay, we won’t go there, but every once in a while, I enjoy sipping a cup of tea and pulling the slips out to remember. It’s also fun to be the secret giver of gifts. If you haven’t already read the novella Christmas Jars by Jason Wright, I strongly encourage you to do so. It’s the kind of book you might overlook, but this little book has a big message told through the eyes of the main character, Hope, (note her name) 6
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Erikson Fine Arts and Illustration
who receives a jar full of spare change left anonymously at Christmas when so many things are going wrong in her life. Consider starting your own Christmas Jar tradition. Or purchasing gift cards at local grocers and sending them anonymously to those who are in a pinch. You might think about honoring someone special with a donation to a local, national or international non-profit. These are just a few organizations in our area and beyond that need our goodwill to continue their good works all year long: Lakes Environmental Association, Loon Echo Land Trust, Greater Lovell Land Trust, Kids Skiing for Kids at Shawnee Peak, Christmas Angel Program, Camp Sunshine, Good Neighbors, Inc., Harvest Hills Animal Shelter, Kismet Rock Foundation, Bridgton Community Center, Lakeside Garden Club, The Summer Camp, Inc., Camp Susan Curtis, Make A Wish Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, Konbit Sante and the list goes on. Also in need are the local food pantries, community theatres, churches, Scouts, Lions clubs, 4-H clubs, libraries, historical societies and museums both here and beyond. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with purchasing gifts. If you enjoy buying for people, I suggest you think about purchasing locally made crafts. Then, not only are you lovingly selecting something of value, but you are showing your support for local artisans. Each piece is unique since the artists’ and artisans’ work is constantly evolving. R
saco river pottery
62 Denmark Road, (Route 160) Brownfield 207.935.3454 www.sacoriverpottery.com. Hours vary by season; call ahead to make sure the shop is open. prices: $-$$$ Kathy McGreavy’s gallery on Denmark Road in Brownfield is filled with decorative stoneware and porcelain pieces she’s hand turned on the wheel. Her work is inspired by nature and her interest in Chinese brush painting. Most recently she’s learned to make dramatic mica and botanical paper lamp shades for her lamps. From ornaments to dinner place settings, ikabana flower vases to sushi serving plates, you’ll find it all right here at Saco River Pottery.
pottery by celia
520 Sebago Road, (Route 114) Naples 207.693.6100, www.potterybycelia.com Open daily in the summer; call ahead in the winter prices: $$-$$$
Celia Talbott finds it’s the Maine woods, flowers and garden that influence her work. “I like to do a lot with textures,” says Celia. Birch, ash and oak bark, barn board, bracket fungi, sunflowers, cantaloupe, pineapple, lace and other fabrics play a key part in the texture of her hand-turned pottery. The gallery, on Route 114 in Naples, is filled with fine porcelain and stoneware pieces for every day use or display. Celia’s work is also for sale at Gallery 302 in Bridgton.
pleasant mountain pottery
82 Main Street, Bridgton 207.647.4117 Open year round prices: $-$$$ Barbara and Joseph Randall opened Pleasant Mountain Pottery in the barn behind Beth’s Cafe on Main Street in Bridgton this past spring. It’s a showcase for their pottery, including tart warmers, aromatherapy bowls, pasta bowls, votive candle holders, fanciful paperweights and night globes. They also feature handcrafted pieces from other local artists and artisans.
hilltop handspun yarns and knitwear
16 Lucy Lane, (off of Route 5) Lovell 207.928.2000 www.hilltophandspun.com Hours vary by season; call ahead to make sure the shop is open. prices: $-$$ Lucy Rogers has been handspinning and dyeing her own yarn since the 1970s. Her fleeces, purchased at local shows and fairs, include alpaca, wool, angora and mohair. What she can’t spin, she takes to a small mill in Otisfield, Maine. All of the dyeing takes place in Lucy’s kitchen and she tries to imitate the colors of nature
in her yarn. “I find dyeing the most fun. I get fascinated by it.” Yarn, hats, mittens, scarves, patterns, needles and kits are available on her Web site or at her studio in Lovell.
hand-painted polymer clay to highlight her fun, festive jewelry. She wakes up with ideas in her head and transforms them into wearable art. “My jewelry really comes alive when you put it on.” Holly’s custom made jewelry plus her funky necklaces, bracelets, pins, pendants and earrings are available by appointment at her home studio or Gallery 302 in Bridgton, Edge of Maine Gallery in Brownfield and Ambiance Day Spa in South Paris.
kezar river farm
73 Lochan Way, Sweden 207.831.8401 www.kezarriverfarm.com Open by appointment prices: $$-$$$ Steffi and John McKeith purchased their first alpacas in 2005 and the herd has grown since then. From her alpaca and alpaca blends, Steffi offers hand knit items, needle felting kits including a felted bangle bracelet kit and felted heart kit, duvets, plus Red Maple alpaca wool jackets and vests. You may view her work at the Web site, but need to contact Steffi to make a purchase.
hr best design
Denmark 207.452.8034 www.hrbestdesign.com Studio open by appointment prices: $$-$$$ Holly Best uses dynamically shaped and richly textured beads, gemstones, pearls and
I suggest purchasing locally made crafts. Not only are you lovingly selecting something of value, but you are showing your support for local artisans. Each piece is unique ...
erikson fine arts and illustration
Bridgton 207.647.0903 www.eriksonfinearts.com Studio open by appointment prices: $$$-$$$$ Christine and George Erikson have been creating fine art for years. She is an illustrator/ painter and he is a sculptor. Some of Christine’s work is on display at Pleasant Mountain Pottery, while a few of George’s sculptures can be viewed at EFG Books, both on Main Street in Bridgton. The best place to see their work, however, is at their Web site or by contacting them for an appointment.
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Embrace this time-honored tradition of giving gifts. Embrace the recipient and yourself. Embrace our local artists and artisans. And give from your heart.
common folk farm
Naples 207.787.2764 www.commonfolkherbs.com Open by appointment prices: $-$$ Betsey-Ann Golon (a.k.a. Betz) and her husband, Dale, harvest and package their own herbs at Common Folk Farm in Naples and Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village in New Gloucester. Their herbal products include teas, herbal seasonings, mulled cider and traditional wassail, aromatherapy pillows and sachets. Their products are available on their Web site or year round at LL Bean and seasonally at Shaker Village. Special events also occur at their farmhouse in Naples.
deerwood farm and gardens
571 Norway Road, (Route 118) Waterford 207.583.2412 www.deerwoodgarden.com Open seasonally, but products available on-line year round prices: $-$$$$ Beverly and Brian Hendricks own DeerWood Farm and Gardens in North Waterford. Bev’s FarmHouse Organics include salves and muscle rubs plus terra cotta gift pots. She also offers homemade pickles and “too die for” peasant breads. Brian’s FarmHouse Designs consist of handcrafted rustic garden furniture, pet couches and bird houses plus cement garden sculpt-
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ing. You may purchase these items during the farm season or on-line year round. Gift certificates are also available.
harvest gold gallery
Route 5, Center Lovell 207.925.6502 www.harvestgoldgallery.com Open daily year round prices: $-$$$$ Goldsmithing for 30 years, Lynda Rasco and Bill Rudd have created top quality, unique and affordable handcrafted jewelry in classic and contemporary styles. Their seven room gallery is filled with fine arts and crafts by local artists and artisans, including Leslie David, a line of contemporary women’s clothing that is either oneof-a-kind or a limited edition piece. At Harvest Gold Gallery you’ll discover sophisticated and diverse artwork that represent an eclectic appeal.
hole in the wall studioworks
1544 Roosevelt Trail (Route 302), Raymond 207.655.4952, www.holeinthewallstudioworks.com. Open 7 days a week from April thru January 1, ThursdaySunday in winter and by appointment prices: $-$$$$ Joyce Mastro’s paintings are narrative by nature. Her daughter, Tracy Sunday Mastro, creates original copper enamel jewelry. At their Hole
in the Wall Studioworks on Route 302 in Raymond they also feature functional pottery and fine contemporary craft by other American artisans, including many locals. In the backroom gallery they exhibit paintings of established and emerging artists. During the summer months, the sculpture garden is open.
edge of maine frame & gallery
182 Main Street, (Route 160) Brownfield 207.935.2817 www.edgeofmaine.com Open Tuesday-Saturday from 10-6 prices: $-$$$ At the Fullers’ Edge of Maine Frame and Gallery in Brownfield, Rebecca creates custom frames while Brad specializes in photography and 2-D
Hole in the Wall Studioworks
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artwork. They also exhibit the works of local artists and artisans in their gallery. You’ll discover select jewelry, clothing, photographs, pottery, greeting cards and other fine locally handcrafted gifts for sale here. “We try to keep work as local as we can,” says Rebecca.
gallery 302
112 Main Street, Bridgton 207.647.2787, www.gallery302.org Open year round with reduced hours during winter months pices: $-$$$$ Gallery 302 on Main Street in Bridgton is a multimedia artist cooperative that showcases a variety of subject, quality and medium by local artists. In the back corner, Serendipity Gifts offers artwork for a less expensive price. Exhibits include pottery to puzzles, oils to watercolors, photography to wood cuts, and furniture to stained glass. Monthly opening receptions honor featured artists, including youth from area high schools and summer camps. Art in the Park is their signature event, held each July at Shorey Park.
text by laurie lamountain photos by anne skidmore
The day before my interview with Kismet Rock Foundation founder and director, Michael Jewell, I was driving back to Maine from New York City and happened to look over my right shoulder at a billboard along I-84. The background image was an open spiral-bound notebook and at the top of the page was written “Recession 101.” Below that was simply stated “Self worth beats net worth.” I should also mention that on the way down to the City three days earlier, I had listened to a riveting piece about high school kids from the Chicago area using poetry as a means of expression for their teenage angst. Expressing themselves in this medium had been nothing short of life-saving for some of them. Now in its eleventh year, “Louder Than a Bomb” is the annual competition in which over 500 students and 60 poetry teams from diverse neighborhoods, backgrounds and cultures prepare for and compete in the largest teen poetry slam in the country. In the end, it’s all about the defining work of finding one’s voice. The word kismet is defined as a predetermined course of events, destiny or fate. I have to think there was a little of that going on with the two “signs” I’d had prior to the interview with Mike Jewell. Also in its eleventh year, Kismet Rock Foundation spent several years as an idea in Mike’s head before becoming a reality. A full-time technical climbing guide, Mike asked a childhood friend from New Jersey if he knew of four kids who might like to come to the White Mountain region of New Hampshire for one week of climbing instruction but didn’t have the financial means to do so. During the summer of 1999, with very little money and a great deal of effort and generosity from others, Mike’s idea came to fruition. The project received media attention, including airing on “New Hampshire Crossroads,” and members of the community approached Mike with the idea of starting a nonprofit organization. And so it was that Kismet began in 2000 with a small board of six and the support of many friends and other organizations. Since then, as Mike puts it, “Kismet has determined its own existence.” Climbing naturally builds self worth by requiring the application of all lakelivingmaine.com 9
When asked what kind of impact the program has on kids, Mike says that almost all of them point to it as one of the most important things in their lives. Almost all beg to come back for the four years. Many of them speak of how transformational it has been for them. King Middle School and Portland High School are the current serving schools in Maine. Portland High has been involved with the program for the past three years, and it’s been a very positive association. For one thing, PHS administrators have worked to raise the school’s standards and have become quite selective about which outside organizations they will involve themselves with. The fact that they approved Kismet says a lot about the organization. Additionally, southern Maine has seen a significant influx of immigrants in recent years, and it has resulted in a culturally diverse student base. One of the things
that is most remarkable about Kismet is the relationships that grow out of it. Because of the personal character of climbing bonds, students of various backgrounds quickly learn to reach across boundaries of race and differing social experience. The compassion and consideration required to sustain a stable climbing partnership offers an opportunity to gain empathy and understanding for others. Kismet offers its students full scholarships that cover all their expenses while at Kismet, including instruction, food, transportation during the program, live-in staff, and even evening activities. A formalized internship program that brings former students in to act as liaison between staff and current students provides a really nice connection for both past and present participants. Fifty percent of the funding for Kismet comes from private family foundations in the form or grants and endowments. The other half comes from individuals, businesses and fundraising events, such as Caliente!, an annual event that features a silent auction and evening of salsa dancing. Mike is also quick to credit the local climbing community for their steadfast and generous financial support. If you would like to lend your support to the Kismet Rock Foundation, the best and easiest way to do so is by visiting them on the Web at www.kismetrockfoundation.org and clicking on “Join Us” for levels of giving. Note: Since writing this piece about KRF, I had the chance to read Breaking Night, a memoir by Elizabeth Murray (a review of the book appears on page 16), and am convinced I’ve stumbled upon the third sign. Kismet rocks! R
has taken part in the program these past two summers. Bright, articulate and enthusiastic are three words that spring to mind in talking with her. When asked about her involvement with KRF she said, “It’s been an extraordinary growing experience. I’ve gained a lot of self-confidence, knowing that I can put myself through scary situations. I feel like I’ve grown a lot through this program. When I first found out about the program I was a little afraid. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to
handle heights, but everyone was so supportive. They wouldn’t make you do anything you felt you couldn’t do, but they’re there to help you broaden your thoughts about what you can do. It’s more about learning about yourself, in my opinion. It’s more about gaining self-confidence. I feel like I have gained a lot of confidence, and it has also shown me there are more opportunities out there that I could take advantage of. It’s a huge growing experience. I had an awesome time. It’s tremendous!”
“… After Kismet, I’ve noticed that my patience has widely increased and now I can communicate with people a lot easier. For example, in school the other day, we did this little game where we had to communicate a sentence but we had to make sure the sentence was short, and I was one of the few who were able to pull it off. I thank the communications we learned at Kismet. Like when we had slack, ‘Joshi, up rope!’” aspects of one’s being—physical, mental and emotional. It teaches interpersonal responsibility; students are taught to assess what and who is trustworthy and how to fix what is not trustworthy. It demands the development and use of good judgement and requires focus and presence of being; “note your intuition but verify through analysis.” Technical climbing can build the courage to persevere through extraordinary challenges, but it cannot be learned in one week. Therefore, if students are good Kismet citizens and interested in climbing, they are invited to return yearly. Kismet Rock Foundation invites qualifying students for comprehensive courses in rock climbing and mountaineering in seven, one-week programs of instruction during the summer months. Students from grade six and up are selected from six serving schools in Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Being selected as a scholarship recipient is no small feat. Students who wouldn’t otherwise have access to an education in technical climbing due to economic and cultural factors are invited to attend a presentation on the Kismet program. If, after attending the presentation, they are interested in taking part in the program, they must submit an application and are then interviewed. The next determinant of whether or not the program is right for them occurs when invitees bring the permission slip home for parents or guardians to sign. They naturally undergo an examination or interview process with themselves and their parents to determine if they’re a good fit. Finally, the fifth of Kismet’s fivefilter selection process is the first year in the program. There’s nothing like experience to determine who is a good Kismet citizen.
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sarah oakley bridie mcgreavy
The bridge is safe and accessible to everyone, it incorporates local wood species, it’s beautiful, and it will most certainly stand the test of time.
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n a beautiful, blue-sky Saturday, when our collective memory inevitably returned to the devastation and destruction of another September morning nine years ago, a few dozen people gathered in Bridgton, Maine, to raise a bridge. It’s interesting that two words pronounced the same have such opposite meanings, and a timber frame raising is indeed the opposite action of deconstruction—or razing. Bent by bent, sixteen in all, the Bob Dunning Memorial Bridge was raised above the bowed footbridge that now spans a serene section of Stevens Brook. The thing about losses is that they are all referential and not only was 9/11 quietly on the minds of everyone present, but so was Bob Dunning, the man whose name will grace the bridge and in whose honor it is being built as the signature entrance to Pondicherry Park. As entrances go, the bridge makes quite a statement. A long, slightly curving walkway leading out to it affords those who approach the unique beauty of the design. Bowed like a boat, the bridge tapers at either end and thrusts its upturned belly skyward. The tie beams for each bent are from sixteen different species of trees, each of which Bob Dunning would easily be able to identify as black cherry, white birch, white pine, beech, poplar, white oak, red oak, ash, red pine, rock maple, black birch, yellow birch, red maple, elm, and hemlock. The
idea for using different species was one of many ways the project has been thoughtfully conceived to honor Bob and his love of wood, but also so that the bridge would serve as a natural classroom for school children who pass under it. It’s been three years since Bob Dunning passed, and it’s testament to how he lives on in the hearts of others that the bridge project has been unfaltering in its progress—despite a recession—since it began at an informal meeting in the spring of 2008. Even though local timber framer Andy Buck led the committee that designed the bridge, it’s as though Bob was the in absentia architect who guided the members in their process. Sally Dunning’s intentions for the bridge, which she stated at that March meeting, have been met: the bridge is safe and accessible to everyone, it incorporates local wood species, it’s beautiful, and it will most certainly stand the test of time. The bridge is also testament to the strength of a community. It’s not possible to name everyone who has given their time, talent or tender to the Bob Dunning Bridge and Pondicherry Park projects. Lakes Environmental Association and Loon Echo Land Trust staff and board members were instrumental to both the bridge and park projects by working together in a leadership role. In addition to overseeing sitework for the bridge, Peter Lowell of Lakes Environmental continued on page 19
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winter calendar december ‘1o
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Shawnee Peak Learn to Ski or Snowboard FREE! (pre-registration required) Free Lesson, lift ticket and rental equipment! FMI: call 207-647-8444 or visit www. shawneepeak.com Limited supply of times—call early!
february ‘11
18&19
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Ullr Fest 2010 at Shawnee Peak Ski Resort Fireworks, torchlight parade, live entertainment and giveaways. Free! www.shawneepeak.com
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New Year’s Eve Bash in Blizzard’s Pub at Shawnee Peak Ski Resort Live music, dancing, buffet dinner, champagne toast! FMI: 207-647-8444 or visit www.shawneepeak.com
january ‘11 1
Ski Until 1 a.m. at Shawnee Peak! Late night fun on the snow and in the lounge! FMI: 207-647-8444 or visit www.shawneepeak.com
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Super Hits Sunday Kick-Off at Shawnee Peak FMI: 207-647-8444 or visit www.shawneepeak.com
5-6
Racing with the Moon Series Begins The kick-off to another fun season of corporate team racing at Shawnee Peak! All abilities are welcome to join this weekly racing league. FMI: 207647-8444 or www.shawneepeak.com
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Red Cross Blood Drive at Shawnee Peak Give a Pint, Get a Free Ticket! FMI: 207-647-8444 or visit www. shawneepeak.com
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Mushers Bowl & Winter Carnival A weekend of fun-filled family activities including dogsled and skijoring races, Carnival dance, polar bear dunk, ice fishing derby and lots of great food! FMI: www.mushersbowl.com or call 207-647-3472.
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Sing and Ski with WBZ at Shawnee Peak Join the gang from WBZ in Blizzard’s Pub for an all out karaoke fest! FMI: 207-647-8444 or www. shawneepeak.com
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New England Tele-Daze at Shawnee Peak The folks from New England Telemark will be on hand all day with free tele demos and tips for those who want to lift their heel! FMI: www.shawneepeak.com
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WBLM’s Captain of the Ski Team Promotion at Shawnee Peak Meet the Captain and qualify to join his “team” for free skiing and apres-ski fun in Blizzard’s Pub. FMI: 207-6478444 or www.shawneepeak.com
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AAA Member Appreciation Day at Shawnee Peak Show your AAA Card for discounted lift tickets! FMI: www.shawneepeak.com
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21st Annual Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge at Shawnee Peak Ski Resort The largest family ski racing series in America! Races for all abilities. Product sampling all day plus a huge apres-ski party on the patio. www.shawneepeak.com
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Shawnee Peak’s 23rd Annual Family Fest Poker Run, Snow Volleyball Tournament, Pie-Eating Contest, Scavenger Hunt, Tug-of-War, and Snow Sculpture and Ugliest Ski Sweater contests. It’s all about free family fun! FMI: 207-647-8444
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KISS-FM Winter Games at Shawnee Peak Ski Area FMI: 207-647-8444 or www.shawneepeak.com
march ‘11 5
Ski Until 1 a.m. at Shawnee Peak! Late night fun on the snow and in the lounge! FMI: 207-647-8444 or visit www.shawneepeak.com
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8th Annual Mary’s Fireman Race for a Cure at Shawnee Peak Firemen race in full turn-out gear to raise money for the Maine Chapter of the Susan G. Komen Foundation. FMI: 207-647-8444
5&6
Sebago Lake Rotary Club’s “Derbyfest 2007” FMI: 888-ICE-FLAG or www.icefishingderby.com
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Red Cross Blood Dri ve at Shawnee Peak Give a Pint, Get a Free Ticket! FMI: 207-647-8444 or visit www. shawneepeak.com
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26th Annual Spring Fling Beach Party at Shawnee Peak Ski Resort Say goodbye to the 2010 season with BBQ, live entertainment and the slush cup—Shawnee Peak’s 200-foot pond! As always, WHEB 100.3 FM-Portsmouth will be in the Blizzard’s Pub with giveaways and tons of fun promotions! FMI: visit www. shawneepeak.com
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4th Annual America’s Mattress Race at Shawnee Peak Ski Resort Decorate your old mattress and race it down our course for a chance to win a brand-new Queen-sized mattress and box spring from Americas Mattress & Furniture Gallery Value: $999!! FMI: 207-647-8444 or www.shawneepeak.com
Feeding a Need
by leigh macmillen hayes
O
ur region’s poor economy, high cost of living and lack of affordable housing means folks are still struggling to find their way through this recession. Feeding hungry mouths often takes a back seat. And hunger doesn’t just strike during the holidays or winter months. There’s a need for food every day. The need can happen to anyone—hardship is impartial. Some folks might be temporarily down on their luck, while others just don’t have enough money to make ends meet. Many are children who don’t have control over the resources available to them. A number are senior citizens who can’t make it through the month on a fixed income. Local efforts help, including food pantries, community meals and senior lunches. Some of these programs must abide by state and federal regulations while others base their service solely on need.
Food pantries offer fresh fruit and vegetables, canned goods, bread and other staples. The Brownfield Food Pantry serves all of southwestern Oxford County. Marion Mitchell says their goal is to provide ten days worth of food to clients. The client base varies from month to month, but the highest traffic occurs during November and April--at times when people are more likely to be out of work. Barbara Merrill at the Harrison Seventh Day Adventist Food Pantry, which also serves low-income families, says that they’ve seen a weekly increase of clients this past year. At the Naples Food Pantry, Reverend Barbara Adlard says they open with prayer and share coffee. She’s discovered that the camaraderie is almost as important as the food. The non-profit Crosswalk Community Outreach in Naples offers a food pantry plus a nutritious meal, nutrition classes, blood pressure screening, clothing closet and social worker who provides help with social services.
Community Kettle Bridgton Community Center 16 Depot Street, Bridgton Sponsored by Bridgton Alliance Church Thursdays: 5 p.m. Free Contact: Elaine Lemieux, 207.647.3774
Brownfield Food Pantry Lions Building Route 5, Brownfield Serving southwestern Oxford County 3rd Thursday of the month: 1-5 p.m. Contact: Marion Mitchell, 207.935.2333
United Methodist Church of Bridgton Food Pantry 98 Main Street, Bridgton Tuesdays: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Contact: Deborah Davenport, 207.787.3904
Casco Alliance Church Food Pantry Route 302, Casco Third Monday of the month: 6-7 p.m. Contact: Judy Theberge, 207.221.5852 or Pip Richardson, 207.318.2329
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Food Pantry 225 South High Street, Bridgton Fourth Tuesday: 1-4 p.m. Contact: Chris Minnicozzi, 207.653.9522 St. Peter’s Café Bridgton United Methodist Church 98 Main Street, Bridgton Sponsored by St. Peter’s Episcopal Church 3rd Tuesday of the Month: 11 a.m. Contact: Ernestine Bash, 207.625.2301
Casco Community Supper Casco Alliance Church 450 Roosevelt Trail Second Monday of the month: 4:30-6 p.m. Free Contact: Judy Theberge, 207.221.5852 Casco Village Church Food Pantry 941 Meadow Road, Casco Last Friday of the month: 9-11 a.m. Contact: Theda Logan, 207.627.4282
Joanna Moore says the program is meant for those who don’t meet the guidelines for other services and fall through the cracks in the system because they are either underemployed or only earn minimum wage. Community dinners also help meet the demand by providing a hot meal plus socialization. Anyone is welcome to share a meal with neighbors. Each Wednesday during the school year, the parish hall at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Fryeburg is transformed into Dinner Bell North, a place for locals to come together for a meal. There is no set fee, but donations help defray costs. Bebe Toor says, “It’s a social time and people come for companionship . . . It’s a mix of families and elderly people.” Innumerable volunteers, including a contingent of Fryeburg Academy students, help make this meal happen on a weekly basis. Similarly, the Community Kettle at the Bridgton Community Center offers a free meal and social evening on Thursdays. Occasionally, speakers on issues of community interest and local entertainment have enhanced the evening. All of the food pantries and community meals in the lakes region rely on the generosity of people who donate time, money and food to help replenish dwindling supplies. A donation here, a canned good there, some time—it all adds up. In the words of Mother Teresa, “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.” Below are some of the services available. Weekly senior luncheons are also offered in some towns. R
Dinner Bell North St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church Route 5, Fryeburg Wednesdays: 5 p.m. during the school year Donation Contact: Bebe Toor
CrossWalk Community Outreach Naples Town Hall Gym 15 Village Green Lane, Naples Every other Monday: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Contact: Joanna Moore, 207.615.3226
Harrison Seventh Day Adventist Food Pantry Seventh Day Adventist Church basement 2 Naples Road, Harrison Tuesdays: 6-7 p.m. Contact: Barbara Merrill, 207.712.1384, Imelda Arris, 207.446.0333
Community Meal Christ Chapel 37 Northern Pines Road, Raymond Last Saturday of the month: 4:30-6 p.m. Free Contact: Tammy Gisel, 207.655.5058
Naples Food Pantry Naples United Methodist Church 1000 Roosevelt Trail, Naples Sponsored by the Community Resource Council Tuesdays: 10 a.m.-noon Contact: Reverend Barbara Adlard, 207.693.6759
Raymond Food Pantry Lake Region Baptist Church 1273 Roosevelt Trail, Raymond Second and Fourth Thursday: 4-6 p.m. Contact: Pastor Young, 207.232.5830 Oxford Hills Food Pantry Christ Episcopal Church 16 Green Street, Oxford Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 9-11 a.m. Contact: Beth Rice, 207.743.6430
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The Rail World text and photos by david harry
The caboose in Hiram resident Ed Pierce’s front yard is visible proof he is a railroad buff, but those who need further convincing are invited to visit the Hiram Station Museum and view his model railroad collection on weekends in December. born into a family where his father was a fireman and a grandfather an engineer on the Boston and Maine Railroad, Pierce said he has always lived near railroads, including at his home-turned-museum near the Brownfield town line. It is hard to miss his house on Route 113 even without the vibrant yellow and green caboose as it is strategically placed near the grade crossing for the abandoned Mountain Division railroad line. Inside the long rectangular one-floor museum, the railroad tracks are far more active. Pierce’s vast array of model railroad layouts and an enormous collection of locomotives and railroad cars, which he calls the Hiram and Maine railroad, spans the history of model railroading over the last 90 years. Since 1968, Pierce, has opened his home on weekends during the holidays so visitors can watch trains of all sizes chug and chuff through cities, over bridges and through tunnels. The tradition began at Pierce’s former home in the center of Hiram, where the first open houses hosted above his garage were often punctuated by the sound of trains passing by outside.
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The Hiram and Maine Railroad features novelties such as Thomas the Tank Engine, boxcars emblazoned with logos for candy bars and the Abominable Snowman waving from the back of a gondola. The serious rail buff will find plenty to love as well, with ornate and exquisite replicas of the steam locomotives that crossed Maine and the American continent when the Iron Horse was king. Pierce, 75, still has the first train set he was given when he was 5. The silver Lionel O-scale locomotive and two passenger coaches hearken to the post-World War II era when Lionel and American Flyer train sets were on the wish lists for children and urban department stores set up massive model railroad displays to lure shoppers. In those days, the popular model railroad scales were O and S. Scales are measurements contrasting the size of a model train and a real train, and in O-scale, a quarter inch equals a foot. Lionel trains, with the ubiquitous center rail, were the first and most popular mass-marketed Americanmade model trains. While the locomotive Pierce got as a boy no longer runs, he said it made many happy circuits around his base-
ment when he lived in Massachusetts before he moved to Maine about 60 years ago. S-scale, where 3/16 of an inch equals a foot, was the size made popular by American Flyer trains after World War II. American Flyer trains are slightly smaller than O-scale and gained a reputation for better realism, but both sizes can require considerable space to set up. HO scale, an acronym for “half-O,” is approximately half the size of O-scale, but is now the most popular selling size and Pierce’s favorite to work with, he said. It combines realism and smaller space demands while not requiring the patience and dexterity needed to work with even smaller N- and Z-scales. Several of the layouts at the Hiram and Maine Railroad combine the scales and include trains like the camera car that allows visitors to see themselves and the layout close up on a TV screen. The layouts here are more whimsical, designed to draw smiles from young visitors who may have never ridden on a train or even seen a real one in motion. Serious rail fans can step over to an eight by 20 foot table to see HO trains pass through freight yards, over bridges, into and out of tunnels and along urban and rural scenes. Pierce said he is not as strict about running his railroad as some buffs with basement layouts. “Some people won’t even pick up a car by hand,” he said about
model railroaders who use switch engines to assemble individual passenger or freight cars for a train. Even if he does not follow the tightest guidelines, visitors can expect to see several trains running at once and find fun vantage points to watch them pass each other along the journeys. The HO layout may appeal to more serious railroad buffs, but it is not without its humorous touches, as trains pass a pond where workers try to pull a wrecked locomotive from glassine waters. Rest assured no small plastic figures were injured when creating the scene. There is more to see than what moves along the tracks at the Hiram and Maine Railroad Museum. A former engineer at WCSH-TV in Portland, Pierce is an inveterate collector of electronic equipment and vintage train sets. Along glass shelves, almost a century of model railroading is on display, including cast-iron street cars, a pressed tin Army supply train (with a rattling machine gun) and more recent special edition train sets in all scales. Outside the museum is the caboose, a relic Pierce bought from a friend in Newfield and had trucked to his property about a decade ago. “I told him, ‘Don’t sell it to anyone but me,’” Pierce said about making sure the caboose did not end up in a scrap heap or hidden away on a siding somewhere. Once the working office for crews
making sure freight trains were running smoothly, the caboose still has the potbelly stove and one visitor from Minnesota sent Pierce an authentic lantern after noticing it was needed. Tours of the caboose are available during the open houses. Work to restore service on the Mountain Division Line running from Portland to Fryeburg and beyond has started, and the prospect of renewed service excites Pierce. “I would love to hear an engine go up through here again,” he said. The Hiram Station Museum is located at 1996 Pequawket Trail (Routes 5 and 113) in Hiram. For more information and museum hours during the holidays or tours in the New Year, call Pierce at 207-625-4678. Fans of O-scale model trains likely know Lionel and other brands including Atlas have expanded and enhanced the realism and detail of the locomotives and rolling stock offered. For those interested in starting their own model train collection, Norm’s O-Scale Trains (a.k.a. Trains & More) in South Casco, Maine, is a good place to begin. For more than a decade, owner Norm Pullen has offered a wide range of O-scale trains and equipment. Like Pierce, Pullen’s enthusiasm for railroads is immediately evident—he has a locomotive in front of the store on Roosevelt Trail (Route 302). For more information about Norm’s O Scale Trains, visit www.normsoscale.com. R
lakelivingmaine.com 15
Once Upon a Winter Book Reviews from the Owners of Bridgton Books
justin’s list Ever since high school, there has always been a special place in my heart for The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Oh, to be with Huck and Jim floating down the mighty Mississippi River, never knowing what lies around the next bend. Twain’s novel captured my imagination and made me want to learn more about that place and time. Enter Lee Sandlin and his wonderful new book Wild River: The Mississippi When It Last Ran Wild. This work of nonfiction gives a splendid accounting of Mississippi River life during its heyday, from the early 1800s, when it was essentially the western frontier, through Civil War times. There are plenty of natural and man-made disasters, such as earthquakes, floods and fires. There are pirates, regulators, confidence men, and many other colorful personalities and legends of the river. Duels and battles are fought, revivals attended and slave uprisings squelched. I found the section on the Siege of Vicksburg especially interesting. Sandlin is akin to your favorite history teacher: a gifted storyteller who brings characters and events to life in an entertaining fashion. There was never a dull moment in his book. We have already sold tons of copies of the next two books, but I want to make sure everyone hears about Abraham Verghese’s masterpiece Cutting For Stone, and Christopher Moerk’s unique work entitled Darling Jim. Cutting for Stone is an exceptional novel of love, loss, betrayal and redemption. In Ethiopia, a woman dies giving birth to twin boys. The anguished father abandons them and they are raised by two Indian doctors who run a small mission hospital in Addis Ababa. Although different in many ways, the boys lives are fatefully intertwined. Told through the eyes of one of the twins, from a governmental coup, and then to the United States, this story has so much to offer, and I wish it never ended. Christian Moerk has the ability to write outside the box, and Darling Jim is much more than your average mystery. A charis-
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matic storyteller comes to a small Irish town and charms the ladies while leaving behind a trail of bodies. Three memorable sisters see through his façade, but will anybody believe them? Told through flashbacks, diaries and storytelling, this clever, gripping story is a true original. Children can become remarkably resilient when faced with hunger and neglect on a regular basis. Perhaps this is because they don’t know any better and believe that’s just the way it is supposed to be. Liz Murray and her sister knew that on the first day of the month their parents would buy a bag or two of groceries with their welfare checks, and proceed to spend the rest of their money on cocaine and other drugs. When the food ran out around the end of the first week, the kids had to get creative to survive the rest of the month. Living in a Bronx apartment in virtual squalor, Liz kept a positive outlook even when faced with incredible hardships. She spoke recently at a booksellers’ conference and had most of us in tears. Her story is inspirational to say the least, and in many ways reminiscent of Frank McCourt’s autobiography, Angela‘s Ashes. After her mother died from AIDS and her father lost the apartment, she found herself homeless at age fifteen. Most people would probably succumb to the ways of the street and fall victim to drugs and prostitution, but Liz was not your average kid. Read her memoir Breaking Night and share her amazing journey from homelessness to Harvard. Sometimes it is refreshing to get away from all the blood and gore and darkness and evil that is so omnipresent in today’s mystery genre. For that we have “Cozies,” which still involve crime, but are usually lighter and more humorous. The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith is a prime example of this group. Two new authors who have recently
contributed impressive works in this category are Alan Bradley and Tarquin Hall. In Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Bradley, eleven-year-old Flavia de Luce has to solve a murder in order to free her father who was wrongly imprisoned for the crime. A precocious, amateur chemist, Flavia is an unforgettable character who is relentless in her battle against crime as well as against her older sisters. Vish Puri is India’s “Most Private Investigator” in The Case of the Missing Servant, and author Tarquin Hall gives a vivid picture of the spicy world of India in this comical who-done-it. As to be expected, a private investigator’s job description is quite different in India than the United States. Vish spends much of his time doing background checks for perspective brides and grooms in arranged marriages until he is hired by a client accused of murdering his servant.
pam’s pic ks for kids & young adults William and the Magic Ring A Shadow Casting Bedtime Story By Laura Robinson Ages 1+ Children’s books come with more bells and whistles that entertain and leave less to the imagination. Some books talk, screech or beep, while others offer flaps to lift and tabs to pull unveiling hidden pictures. William and the Magic Ring brings us back to a time when kids gathered in the bedroom at night, turned off the lights and used a flashlight to cast images on the wall with hand formations. Author/artist Laura Robinson’s interactive book offers a rare and unique combination of paper silhouette pages with an
included flashlight that catapults the story into life size proportions on any bedroom wall or ceiling. The lights go out and William hides under his covers patiently awaiting sleep. A barely audible noise followed by a casting shadow gives William a sinking feeling something’s lurking nearby. Join William on an exciting adventure full of animals, a ring and a ferocious crow. The story, told in poetic rhyme, has a wonderful surprise ending and is sure to delight readers of all ages. Also available is William and the Christmas Moon. Find My Friends By Carl R. Sams & Jean Stoick Ages 2+ Nature has a way of camouflaging wildlife to protect unsuspecting prey from attacking predators. Mother Nature’s palate of greens, browns, yellows and reds provides homes and shelter for God’s creatures. This hide and seek board book challenges little ones to look beyond the leaves and sticks and find a fawn, tree frog, katydid, walking stick and turtles. Those who know how to count can try figuring out how many turtles are near the alligator and how many reflections are in the water. Beautiful photographs paired with colorful text make this a great choice for young nature lovers. The Sixty-Eight Rooms By Marianne Malone Ages 10+ Art Institute of Chicago enthusiasts familiar with the Thorne Rooms will revel in the adventures of sixth graders, Jack and Ruthie. The Thorne Rooms contain 68 realistic, miniature rooms created in the 1930s that replicate historical interiors and attire from various time periods. The miniature furniture, clothing and accessories were purchased by Mrs. James Ward Thorne during
her travels around the world. Although The Sixty-Eight Rooms is fiction, the rooms and collectables do exist. Jack and Ruthie discover a key that they suspect has magical powers. One visit to the museum confirms their suspicion as they trespass into employee-only rooms and test the key’s powers. A long hallway leads to the back of the 68-rooms exhibit. Jack and Ruthie can’t wait to explore the unknown as long as they don’t get caught. My Life in Pink and Green By Lisa Greemwalk Ages 12+ Lucy’s life just got more complicated. As if being a teenager isn’t hard enough, Lucy overhears her grandmother and mother talking about the financial woes of their family-owned pharmacy. Box stores are opening nearby and Lucy desperately wants to help save the pharmacy and her family’s life from financial ruin. She discovers her gift for make-up and knowledge of beauty products when a hair disaster strikes the school’s Homecoming Queen on the day of the Homecoming dance. Lucy quickly fixes the excess frizz and green color caused by a professional treatment gone bad. Word of her talent for makeovers spreads and sales pick up, but not enough for the pharmacy to survive the cut-rate chains. Things turn when Old Mill High School’s Earth Club seeks new members. Lucy reluctantly joins and uses her new found “earth-friendly” knowledge to write a business proposal for the pharmacy to go green, but convincing her old-fashioned grandmother and mother to implement it presents another challenge. Young teens will enjoy the beauty and business tips at the beginning of each chapter in My Life in Pink and Green.
Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour By Morgan Matson Ages 15+ Traveling across the country is not Amy’s way of dealing with her father’s death, but her mother has just moved from their home in California to a new job in Connecticut. Arrangements are made for Amy to drive their car cross country with the son of an old family friend. The itinerary is set and hotel reservations confirmed. All Amy needs to do is meet the young man with whom she’ll spend the next week. Her jaw drops and stomach clenches when she meets Roger, a tall, gorgeous, nineteen-year-old college student. Amy’s astute knowledge of maps, Roger’s excellent driving skills and an array of tunes start their journey according to schedule. Both, however, have other destinations in mind due to unresolved personal issues. Unplanned detours quickly get them off course. Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour is a must read for teenagers and adults. It is a great romance that is impossible to put down. Kiki Strike - Inside the Shadow City By Kirsten Miller Reviewed by Georgina Johnston Rathkeale, Co. Limerick, Ireland Ananka Fishbein, a young teenager growing up in New York City, discovers a sinkhole that will change her life forever. She has no idea what it means until she meets the mysterious Kiki Strike. Kiki, a small elf-like girl who seems to appear and disappear like magic, offers friendship to Ananka. Kiki and Ananka gather four other girls and they become The Irregulars, a group of girls with extraordinary talents. Kiki leads her gang into Shadow City, the dark underworld of New York City, where they discover sites that horrify, delight, scare and excite them. The Irregulars soon discover that Kiki is not as she seems to be. What is she up to? Who is she really? Unable to trust her they must work with her to avoid trouble . . . This book is a great read for all daring girls. After a slow start the reader is taken on a rollercoaster ride of adventures. Throughout the book the reader is offered life-skills from “How to spot a fake diamond” to “How to take advantage of being a girl” – useful when looking for a life of excitement! Girls with attitude will love this book. The book keeps the reader enthralled to the very last word. Luckily there are more Kiki Strike adventures to be had. R lakelivingmaine.com 17
findin g time to read by perri bl ac k
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eading is a quiet, private and very civilised pursuit, so perhaps that is why I find it virtually impossible to do here in Hanoi, one of the noisiest and most extroverted places on the planet, and hardly what I call civilized (with a few notable exceptions). It wasn’t always this way, as evidenced in old sepia-toned photographs hanging in the famous Metropole Hotel and stories friends my age tell me of their childhoods, but since Vietnam has been undergoing its doi moi (renewal) process of development, all Hanoi seems to have developed is an extreme case of ADHD. Of course, many things have improved greatly, but some, particularly the traffic, have become much worse and, with over 60% of the population under the age of 30, the city is rather like spring break—full of narcissistic teenagers on motorbikes honking their horns for no apparent reason (and I include people who are older than teenagers in this equation). Since coming here a little over three years ago, I have only read about four books, which is a far cry from the three or four a week I used to read in Maine. Some of this is due to the fact I have a TV (I didn’t have one in Maine) but the general atmosphere of the city seems to have infected me with a sort of ADD which makes it impossible to focus on anything for very long, certainly not long enough to read a book. This is not to say I don’t read anything; I work as an English language editor for a few newspapers and companies and I edit translated books for one of the big publishers so you can say I actually read for my ersatz living. This, however, does not compare to the joy of reading a well-written novel or poem. Making translations like, “For economic organizations, small business was clearing a house but no clear trail of where the direct business is not supported to stop production and business,” readable is mindnumbing (I never did decipher the meaning of that sentence) and after 50 pages of that, all I want to do is veg out in front of the TV. I do have the time to read, but I don’t have the focus. There is even a good bookstore in Hanoi called the Bookworm, which is a bit like a smaller version of Bridgton Books, and I go there every now and then to chat with the owners and even buy a few 18 lakelivingmaine.com
books, but I never manage to read them. I find this very distressing and feel I am really “out of the loop.” I miss my morning and bedtime reading sessions with my cat (she was usually asleep) but I just can’t manage to establish that routine over here, perhaps because I can’t have a cat. Other expats manage to read and the Bookworm does a steady trade, so I guess it’s just me. Fortunately, this reading drought is not a permanent state. As soon as I get back to Maine, I begin devouring books again. Maybe because I stay with my book-loving family, or maybe because the atmosphere is more conducive to quieter pursuits; whatever the reason, I am able to read again which grounds me and makes me feel normal. I will be spending the holidays with my family in Maine for the first time in three years, and I eagerly look forward to catching up on my reading. I have already placed book orders with Justin at Bridgton Books so I will have new reading fodder immediately upon my return (not that I ever lack books at my parents’ house…) and my folks have cats so the scene is set for reading. No doubt I will be haunting Bridgton Books,
too, so maybe I can recommend some more good books, as soon as I read them, to anyone who might be interested. Below are some of the books I’ve ordered and I can tell you about them after I’ve read them: China Witness by Xinran The Three Inch Golden Lotus by Feng Jicai Song for Night and Kalakuta Republic, both by Chris Abani The Housekeeper and the Professor and Diving Pool, both by Yoko Ogawa Visible Language, edited by Christopher Woods (the catalogue of a current exhibition at the University of Chicago Oriental Department) Letter Perfect by David Sacks (a history of our alphabet) A Week at the Airport, the latest by Alain de Botton, (quite suitable after my 30 hour plane journey that feels like a week…) The Way It Is, poetry by William Stafford
Association organized several work parties during which volunteers and professionals worked to groom trails, construct foot bridges, and install walkways. “Hard work, generosity, craftsmanship and ingenuity prevailed to complete the Bob Dunning Memorial Bridge in early November— ahead of schedule and under budget,” notes Peter. Q Team Tree Service began the whole process by clearing the project site for construction and P&K Sand and Gravel built the temporary road that supported the enormous crane. Brill Lumber teamed up with Guardian Building Products in providing most of the lumber and donating much of the GuarDeck composite decking for the walkways. Terry Hubka and his crew constructed the extensive walkways at either end of the bridge. Snapdragon LLC played a major role by donating the right of way for the bridge access. Without their generosity, there would have been no way to link the park with the downtown. Hancock Lumber and the Carol and David Hancock Charitable Trust donated the architectural shingles for the bridge and are donating materials for other park elements. Contractors donated their time or charged discounted rates and were willing to work with teams
Good Works Locally At Shawnee Peak Kids Ski for Kids
For every Kid’s Season Pass sold at Shawnee Peak Ski Area in Bridgton, $15 is donated to the Maine Children’s Cancer Program at Maine Medical Center in Portland. Along with this, 4% of all season pass sales are donated to the program. And all current patients in the Children’s Cancer Program, their families and social workers receive unrestricted seasons passes at Shawnee Peak Ski Area. To date, Shawnee Peak has donated $37,000 to the program, thus helping MCCP offer low- or no-cost treatment to juveniles from the time of diagnosis until full recovery. Chet Homer, owner of Shawnee Peak Ski Area, hopes to donate another $10-$12,000 this year. To learn more about Shawnee Peak, contact Melissa Rock at 207.647.8444 x 15 or visit their Web site at www.shawneepeak.com. And for more information about the Maine Children’s Cancer Program visit their Web site at www.mmc.org.
of volunteers with great patience and dedication to see that Bob’s standards were met. Many people, both from here and from away, gave generously to insure that momentum would not be lost due to a lack of capital funding. It’s remarkable that nearly $200,000 in contributions and volunteer labor was donated to the bridge project alone. Five years ago, Pondicherry Park was a patch of woods hidden away remarkably close to Bridgton’s downtown. It was Stevens Brook that probably kept the forest land undisturbed for decades. A river crossing was never envisioned until the friends of Bob Dunning decided to build a traditional covered bridge in his memory. Today there is a bridge leading into Pondicherry Park that will stand as a symbol of Bob Dunning’s connection to a community for generations to come. The entire Pondicherry Park project will be completed in the summer of 2011 after townspeople vote to accept the gift of the park and its bridges at the Bridgton annual town meeting. In the meantime, there is still an opportunity to make a gift to the Pondicherry Park and Dunning Bridge Project. Donate to Loon Echo Land Trust- Pondicherry Park Fund, 1 Chase Street, Bridgton ME 04009; www.pondicherrypark.org or 207-647-4352. R
Bridgton Lions Club Helps Blind Veterans “See” With Their Tongues
The Bridgton Lions Club, with the help of Dearborn Precision Tubular Products, Inc., has raised $3,650, which was matched by an undisclosed grantor, to help fund a BrainPort Vision Device for blind veterans. The device is a non-surgical visual aid consisting of a digital camera, which rests on a pair of sunglasses and is linked to an electrode “lollipop” that sits on the wearer’s tongue. Electrical pulses are sent from the tongue and translated into grainy black and white images. Use of the device provides orientation, mobility, object identification and spot reading. The BrainPort awaits FDA approval and currently costs $10,000. Dick Olmsted, of the Bridgton Lions Club, first learned about this amazing device in the March 2010 issue of Lion, the official magazine of Lions Club International. In the article, “Blind but Seeing,” Erin Perry O’Donnell explains that this experimental device helps blinded veterans regain their independence. If you are interested in helping, please make checks payable to either the Bridgton Lions Club, PO Box 103, Bridgton, 04009 or Louis J. Fox Center for Vision Restoration, For the Sensory Substitution Project, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, 450 Technology Drive, Pittsburg, PA, 15219.
bridie mcgreavy
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“Hard work, generosity, craftsmanship and ingenuity prevailed to complete the Bob Dunning Memorial Bridge in early November—ahead of schedule and under budget.”
Fryeburg’s Dream Come True
Brad Littlefield’s vision for a real-life “Field of Dreams” in Fryeburg is close to becoming complete. Involved with Fryeburg youth sports programs in leadership roles since 1984, Brad was instrumental in the purchase of a 20-acre parcel of land for the Community Recreation Complex in 1996. Since then, he has led donation drives and organized annual fundraising events that have raised $100,000, funding all programs and improvements to the Complex. The goal is a recreation facility that youth can take advantage of with little or no cost to them or their families. As a professional builder, Brad has done a lot of the construction work of the Complex himself. And if he’s not building dugouts or installing fencing alone, he skillfully enlists volunteers to help get the work done. If that weren’t enough, Brad is now President of the Capital Campaign to build an indoor Community Center that will house a multi-purpose court, kitchen, function room, teen and senior centers, and tech center. The site is prepared and ready for construction. With a budget of just over $1 million, the Capital Campaign Committee is currently seeking individuals and businesses to help meet that goal. You can reach Brad at 207-935-3195 for information on how you can help. R lakelivingmaine.com 19
by perri black
Mindful Habits
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morning cup of coffee, daily yoga practice, a yearly cleansing fast, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Tet, funerals, birthdays, weddings. These are some of the rituals that make up the fabric of our lives and mark the milestones along the journey.
I hope that during this “holy day” season you will take the opportunity to continue your own personal rituals and connect with the past, or create new ones that will be a foundation for the future.
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Rituals have been part of human life since the dawn of time. They seem to be inherent in humans and other animals (think of mating rituals), part of our make up; essential acts that ground us, and perhaps even connect us on some deep, primordial level. They provide a degree of spiritual structure in the chaotic turmoil of daily life, allowing us to remember the past and giving us the motivation and courage to carry on and create new memories in the future. We all have our own personal, private rituals. Mine is the morning “wake up,” which I’m sure in some form, is shared by many. I am not a morning person and I don’t like to deal with others until I have had a cup of strong, black coffee with a spoonful of sugar and a certain amount of time to clear away the fog of dreams. I honor this ritual by getting up at least an hour before I have to leave my home, which, over here in Vietnam, has sometimes meant getting up at 4 a.m. before leaving around 6 to drive to the countryside for work. I get out of bed, open the front door, stumble into the kitchen to put the kettle on, and turn on the TV to watch the BBC news. I then begin to prepare my strong Vietnamese coffee: get cup out of cupboard and place on draining board; get saucer out of cupboard and place on counter next to sink; get coffee-maker (a small metal cylinder with an internal strainer) out of cupboard and place on top of cup; get glass coffee jar off shelf, place 2 small buffalo-horn spoonfuls of coffee in coffeemaker, put jar back on shelf. When the kettle boils, pour a little hot water on the coffeemaker to wet the grounds; wait about 2 minutes, then fill the coffee-maker with boiled water, put its little lid on, and wait for the coffee to drip through. The coffee is ready when
it overflows from the cup onto the draining board. I remove the coffeemaker and put it in the sink, get the sugar jar off the shelf, put one spoonful of sugar in the coffee, put the sugar jar back, stir the coffee, place the cup on the saucer and take it into the living room, place it on the coffee table, and settle in to watch the morning news. Before I came to Vietnam, my “wake up” was a bit different and involved my cat and reading books, but the solitary time and basic coffee preparation has remained unchanged (except for different coffee-maker styles) on three continents and for nearly 30 years. While some rituals, like my morning “wake up,” are private, many are public. We all participate in, or are affected by them in some way . . . they are nearly impossible to avoid. The first definition of “ritual” in my dictionary shows they originated in religious practices, which is true for most public rituals such as holidays . . . the very word is a contraction of “holy days.” Hanukkah and Christmas, two of the major holidays in the Judeo-Christian calendar, and Tet, the Vietnamese lunar New Year, are comprised of many rituals, both private and public. Some of the rituals that make up these holidays are religious and formal (lighting a menorah, attending midnight mass, visiting pagodas and temples) and some are secular and private (decorating a Christmas tree, singing Christmas carols, exchanging gifts, and relieving holiday stress by arguing with your neighbors, or anyone else with whom you have a grievance), and individuals personalize them with their own special additions. Other universal rituals marking time, such as funerals, birthdays, weddings and graduations, are considered individual “rites of passage,” and many still follow a basic “religious” format. Funerals are
perhaps the oldest human ritual, maybe because they honor the greatest mystery of life, which is, ironically, death. They represent the basic existential dilemma of being human . . . the awareness that someday we will die . . . but they also inspire contemplation and, perhaps, renewal for those who are left behind. Conversely, the birth of a new baby is often celebrated with a christening or similar ritual to prepare it for its amazing journey through life, which will be filled with other rituals that mark the passage of time. Because of their basic “religious” origins, most public rituals are solemn occasions, even if they celebrate a happy event. They are meant to make us stop for awhile and think about more spiritual matters that are often lost in the daily struggle to survive, even if an individual is not usually inclined to do so. A wedding makes us pause to think about the awesome decision to join our life with another and focus more on the union rather than the individual (then we party at the reception!). Graduations celebrate the importance of hard work and force us to think about the future. Public rituals are group activities, that require the participation of many people to make them successful and meaningful, whereas private rituals are solitary pursuits meaningful to an individual or a very small, close group. They are usually less formal and may or may not have religious/spiritual connotations, but they are deeply significant to those involved and, as with public rituals, provide grounding and the opportunity for reflection. A private ritual differs from a habit in that it is a conscious act. Habits are done without thinking . . . brushing your teeth before you go to bed, taking a morning shower, not to mention the more unhealthy ones like smoking cigarettes or putting salt on your food before tasting it. A private ritual can be described as a “mindful habit” or a form of meditation, and any habit can become a ritual if one thinks about the process and considers its implications and significance in one’s daily life. After being away on the other side of the planet for over three years, I am now looking forward to spending the holidays with my friends and family in Maine. I look forward to several cherished private rituals, especially a special dinner with a close group of friends, Christmas Eve breakfast with certain friends, the drive to visit my brother and his family for dinner on Christmas Day, and making gravy with my sister-in-law using a plastic bag (a useful technique I learned from TV on Good Morning America years ago). Rituals, whether private or public, are a basis of civilization and essential to human life. I hope that during this “holy day” season you will take the opportunity to continue your own personal rituals and connect with the past, or create new ones that will be a foundation for the future. R
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