OCTOBER 2015 • $4.00 MESENIORS.COM
Stephen & Tabitha King
Inside: Music and Memory Wayne & Loraine Hamilton Cooking with Delicata Squash
...and much more!
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417 Main Street, Bangor, ME 04401 Office 207.947.3363 | Fax 207.941.9866 | www.eradawson.com
Publisher's Note
• MAINE SENIORS
PUBLISHER
David. S. Nealley EDITOR IN CHIEF
Ellen L. Spooner
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Ian J. Marquis EDITORS
Catherine N. Zub Lois N. Nealley Mark D. Roth CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Cheryl McKeary Sam Rapaport
SALES & DISTRIBUTION
Christine Parker Sam Rapaport Ryan Habeeb Clyde Tarr Jim Gorham A. Peter Legendre Roseanne Bolduc Dale Overlock Fred Connell Gerrie Powell Florence Cooley WRITERS
Dr. Len Kaye Donna Halvorsen Hunter Howe John Christie Fia Fortune Paulette Oboyski Jane Margesson Joe March Brad Eden Lois Nealley Jane Calderwood SUBSCRIPTIONS
10 issues for $29.95 by making a check, payable to Maine Seniors Magazine. Mail to Maine Seniors Magazine, 87 Hillside Avenue, Bangor, Maine 04401. BUSINESS OFFICE
87 Hillside Avenue Bangor, Maine 04401 Phone: (207) 299-5358
Maine Seniors Magazine is published in the State of Maine by Maine Seniors Magazine, L.L.C. in association with Maine Media Consulting, L.L.C. All information herein represents the views of individual writers and their understanding of the issues at hand, and may not represent the views of the Maine Seniors Magazine, its management, or editorial staff. For more information about Maine Seniors Magazine, visit www.meseniors.com.
This is an old Snow & Nealley double bit ax like the one Paul Bunyan used—and it also reminds me of a scene in the movie The Shining, based on Stephen King's great novel...where Jack Nicholson, at the height of his cabin fever, swings an ax into the door and says "Here's Johnny". A special thanks to Stephen King for allowing me the opportunity of having the MAINE SENIORS radio program on his stations, which led to MAINE SENIORS Magazine. Also, as a member of the Bangor City Council, a giant thank-you to Stephen and Tabitha and the King Foundation for their immense generosity to the City of Bangor.
Wow! Stephen King, a real legend! One definition of legend is like that of Paul Bunyan. This legend is folklore and a tall tale, even though it seems real here in Maine. In fact, the Paul Bunyan Statue in Bangor has been a popular tourist attraction in Bangor only to be rivaled, in recent years, by Stephen King’s house. Yep, this is true! Stephen King is the other kind of legend. The other definition of legend is an extremely famous or highly celebrated person, especially in a particular field. Stephen King just recently received a National Medal of Arts award from President Obama for his significant contributions as one of the most prolific writers of our time. Stephen may be considered by most as a great artist, yet he is also a great businessman who has been extremely successful and generous. Through his philanthropy, Stephen has helped to raise the human condition here in Maine.
Recycled paper made in Maine
OCTOBER 2015 • 1
MAINE SENIORS • Publisher's Note
Born in Portland, educated at the University of Maine in Orono, and residing in Bangor, he met his wife Tabitha at the Fogler Library at UMO. They both loved reading books and then fell in love, and have been writing books ever since. We are very pleased to have one of our special writers, Paulette Oboyski, share an inside look with Stephen and Tabitha King. Another legendary couple in Maine is Wayne and Lorraine Hamilton. They started a marine supply business from scratch, Hamilton Marine, that is now the largest of its kind north of Boston. Wayne and Lorraine have been a gift to the town of Searsport, to the Penobscot Marine Museum, Hamilton Learning Center and more. In Maine we are very fortunate to have so many great people that “anchor their ships” here. Our From the Porch column, “The Autumn of My Years” by Hunter Howe, is like music to my ears. A must read! Speaking of music, you must also read “Remember When…” a very important column with information about memory and music that all of us should know more about.
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—David S. Nealley, Publisher
• M A I NE S EN IO R S M AGAZ INE
Four Ways to be a Senior Partner! Subscribe today! Get 10 issues for only $29.95.
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OCTOBER 2015 • 3
MAINE SENIORS • Contributors
Lois N. Nealley
Hunter Howe
Dr. Lenard W. Kaye
Brad Eden
John Christie
Michael LaRiccia
Joe March
Fia Marquis
Paulette Oboyski
Jane Margesson
OUR CONTRIBUTORS JANE MARGESSON Jane Margesson has worked for AARP for over 20 years in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and now, Maine. Her work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Parade Magazine, and other publications. FIA MARQUIS Fia is a food writer, recipe creator, and member of the Maine food scene. A Maine native and mother of one, she lives in Portland with her husband—Maine Seniors Magazine Creative Director Ian Marquis. HUNTER HOWE Hunter’s Maine roots run deep. He has written for the Cape Courier and penned a column called Senior Moments for the Senior News, a publication of the Southern Maine Agency on Aging. JOHN CHRISTIE John Christie is a native of Camden and an out-
door columnist. He is a former ski racer, ski area manager and owner, a ski historian, and member of the Maine Ski Hall of Fame.
DR. LENARD W. KAYE Dr. Kaye is the Director and Professor for the Center on Aging at the University of Maine. He has been in the forefront of promoting and planning elder issues at the state level.
PAULETTE OBOYSKI Paulette retired early at 45 to a farm in Washington, Maine, and edited ten fundraising cookbooks for nonprofits in town and cocompiled the book, Washington, Maine People and Places, for the town’s bicentennial. She now lives in Brunswick with her husband.
BRAD EDEN Brad Eden is an artist, writer, and registered Maine Master Guide. He has lived in Maine for three decades, and is an avid outdoorsman and sportsman.
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JANE CALDERWOOD Jane Calderwood is a Bangor native who now lives in the Washington DC area after spending 21 years working for members of Maine's Congressional Delegation. She is also the great, great, granddaughter of one of Searsport's sea captains, and her great grandmother was born at sea aboard her father's ship.
JOE MARCH Known as the "black dirt guy" Joe has been making organic compost and published The Black Dirt Book that is a how to manual for organically minded folks. Joe's work has appeared in Mother Earth News, Northern Logger, Backwoods Magazine, Farm Show, Countryside Magazine, and other publications. LOIS N. NEALLEY Lois graduated from high school in Massachusetts then moved to Maine to go to nursing school. She later went on to earn her BS in Education from the University of Maine. Lois is a resident of Bangor. MICHAEL LARICCIA Michael LaRiccia is a graphic designer, illustrator, comic book artist, and writer. He received a BFA and MFA in printmaking. In 2005 he was a recipient of the Xeric grant, an award for comic book self-publishers, and has published several titles including: Black Mane, The Death of Black Mane and the Feared Self, Satori, DISCO, TOO FAST: The Story of Blood Billin, and Pirahnaz. LaRiccia periodically teaches cartooning for children and exhibits at alternative comics conferences on the east coast.
Contributors • MAINE
SENIORS
FEATURED
Contributor MAINE SENIORS Magazine is very proud
to have a talented group of contributors, and will be featuring one in each issue. This feature is about Cheryl McKeary. Cheryl was born and raised in Kingston, Massachusetts, a small town south of Boston. She lived in what she fondly calls, “the house that Jack built”—a house built by her father, Jack and her mother, Ellen. This was not very far from where her Pilgrim ancestors first arrived (Plymouth) on the Mayflower in 1620. In 1987 Cheryl started a desktop publishing/graphic design business where she created brochures, catalogs and newsletters for the business community. In 2000 she and her husband moved to Washington, Maine where they built their dream home. At that time she expanded her business to create websites and write marketing plans for small businesses. She joined Maine Authors Publishing in 2010 to develop marketing plans for selfpublishing authors’ books, design websites, and create eBooks. Cheryl retired as managing editor in 2015 but continues to consult and assist with the creation of websites as well as pursue her interest in photography. Cheryl enjoys traveling with her husband, John. They have taken trips in their truck camper where she has had the opportunity to photograph spectacular scenery across the United States and Canada. Some of her favorite photographs are of the coast of Maine. Many of her photographs have been displayed and sold in libraries and organizations in Maine.
OCTOBER 2015 • 5
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For the prime of your life OCTOBER 2015 ISSUE 1 Publisher's Note 4 Contributors 8 Prime Mover: Stephen & Tabitha King 32 Prime Mover Too: Wayne & Loraine Hamilton 38 Sage Lens: Yes,You Can Come Home Again Page 8
42 Health Treasures: Kennebec Behavioral Health 46 The MAINE Point: Celebrating The CARE Act 48 Just Pondering: You're Annoying Me 50 Special: The Hermit of Manana 54 A Trail Less Traveled: It's Never Too Late to
Take up Archery
58 Energy: Home Energy Savings Page 32
62 Special: Music & Memory 68 Outdoors: Maine's Swing Bridges 72 Residential Review: The Park Danforth 76 Food for Thought: Delicata Squash 78 From the Porch: The Autumn of My Years
Page 68 Page 76
Scan for more info!
OCTOBER 2015 • 7
PRIME MOVER • Stephen & Tabitha King
Stephen & Tabitha
KING
BY PAULETTE OBOYSKI
Stephen and Tabitha Photo by Cheryl McKeary
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Stephen & Tabitha King • PRIME MOVER
Stephen and Tabby at the West Broadway Home in Bangor.Photo by Cheryl McKeary
Stephen and Tabitha King met and fell in love in their college library. They have been successfully married for almost forty-five years. Their mutual admiration and love for each other is unmistakable. As seniors, they remain active in their careers and in the Maine community.
B
oth agree that they choose to reside in Maine because they could not imagine living anywhere else. They are dedicated to the people and institutions of their home state. Stephen King says, “Do unto others, but don’t make a big deal about it. And give a bunch away. No one’s going to bury you with a loaded billfold.” And most notably, he says,“Maine is a great place to be a senior!” Stephen was born September 21, 1947 in Portland, Maine. Tabitha Spruce King was born in Old Town, Maine on March
24, 1949. Stephen’s mother, Ruth (Pillsbury) King and Tabitha’s parents, Sarah (White) Spruce and Raymond Spruce were all born in Maine. Stephen’s father, Donald King was born in Indiana. For this story, both were asked, “What would you like Maine Seniors readers to know about you?” Stephen responded, “That I’m basically just a regular Maine guy—born here, went to school here, live here, expect to die here…but hopefully not this week.” Stephen keeps fit by walking at least three miles a day, doing sit-ups and playing tennis. Tabitha says, “I have wrinkles, wear any damn rag that comes to hand so long as it covers my naughty bits, and find toast and tea a gourmet supper.” She gardens extensively, growing a wide variety of hybrid daylilies. She also enjoys kayaking and foraging for mushrooms. OCTOBER 2015 • 9
PRIME MOVER • Stephen & Tabitha King Stephen and Tabitha met in college at the University of Maine at Orono in the Raymond Fogler Library where they were work-study students. Stephen recalls, “The whole crew usually ate lunch al fresco on the lawn outside the Bear’s Den. We also both frequented the Coffee House, near the (now defunct) University Cabins, and attended a poetry seminar together. I was very impressed with her poetry, which was rational as well as beautiful. Eventually we became a couple. We were friends before we were lovers, which is—just my opinion—the best basis for a long-lasting relationship.” Tabitha gave reasons why their marriage has been such a success: “We had some things going for us. Books to be sure. We’ve both been four-eyes since childhood. We understand each other enough to know we don’t understand each other fully. We have much in common, and much not in common, and much uncommon in common. We accept that change is constant in life and that paradox is to be expected and possibly entertaining. Neither of us has ever stopped learning and wanting to learn. We find most of the same things funny.” Family, Friends and Pets
Young Tabitha and her pet cat.
Young Stephen and childhood pets.
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When asked to share any childhood experiences that significantly influenced who he is today, Stephen recalled,“I’d say being raised by a single mom, and moving around a lot as she worked different jobs to keep the three of us (Ruth King, my brother David, and me) together. Dave and I felt secure on a day-to-day basis, but we understood our security was a little more fragile than is the case in two-parent families. As a writer in embryo, our time in Stratford, Connecticut was important to me. There were two movie theaters within walking distance, and I went every time I had a quarter. The movies were my best teacher.” There were eight siblings in Tabitha’s family: Margaret (oldest), Anne, Tabitha, Catherine (deceased), Christopher, Thomas, Stephanie and Marcella, in that order. Old Town Public Library was a big part of Tabitha’s younger years. When she was twelve, she discovered the library’s periodicals storage room. She recalls, “I read my way through a wide variety of American periodicals that included Time, Life, Newsweek, The Saturday Evening Post, The National Review, The New Republic, The Atlantic —titles that would be familiar to those of us who grew up pre-internet. It was an excellent course in recent history, both political and cultural. I
Stephen & Tabitha King • PRIME MOVER
Included in their family are two Welsh Pembroke Corgi dogs: Vixen and Molly. Photo by Cheryl McKeary
learned that the same event could be “reported” from a number of different points of view. It taught me the power the media had and still has, to control perception. That something is in print, or in some other media, does not mean that it is true, accurate, or unbiased. I learned that there is more fiction in non-fiction and more non-fiction in fiction than the system of classification suggests.” The Kings have three children: Reverend Naomi King, 45; Joe Hill King, 43; and Owen King, 38. Tabitha says that each has taken something from their parents and has done something unique with it. Their daughter is a business entrepreneur and a spiritual leader. Both sons and Owen’s wife, novelist Kelly Braffet are published writers. Stephen said,“The best thing about being a freelance writer is home time. Tabby and I have worked all our lives, but we have also had more time for the kiddos than a lot of people.” They also have four grandchildren. Included in their family are two Welsh Pembroke Corgi dogs. Vixen is Tabitha’s 12-year-old rescue, who is a calm and elegant
grande dame. Molly is Stephen’s 11-month-old frisky puppy, of whom he writes about on Facebook and Twitter. He calls her, “The Thing of Evil” and shows photos of her goings-on. They also have two very beautiful Icelandic horses and an Appaloosa who get treated to apples from Tabitha’s orchard. Russ Dorr has been a King family friend since about 1974. He met Stephen right after his first book Carrie was published when Dorr became the family’s physician’s assistant at Bridgton Family Medical Center. They were both just getting started at their crafts and had a couple of children who were the same age. Dorr was involved in the pre-natal care of the King’s son Owen and he took care of the whole family. The friendship developed from there. Through the years, Stephen consulted with Russ for the medical details of many of his books. His wife, Florence (who was a nurse) gave Stephen great input for the character Annie Wilkes in Misery. When the Dorr’s attended the party in NYC for the 25th anniversary of the publication of the book, Carrie, they met the actress Kathy Bates, who played the fanatic OCTOBER 2015 • 1 1
PRIME MOVER • Stephen & Tabitha King
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• MA I N E S EN I O R S M AGAZ I NE
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Stephen & Tabitha King • PRIME MOVER
fan who was a nurse in the movie, Misery. Bates told them that due to her roles in that movie and Dolores Claiborne, Stephen King helped revive her career. Dorr expressed that as good friends,“Stephen and Tabitha King are just plain folks who have always been there for us. After Stephen’s serious accident in 1999, he promised that he would attend my daughter Mary’s wedding. I helped assist him in his recovery as much as I could and he kept his word and attended the wedding. Stephen and Tabby were there with support for us when Florence was ill. When Florence passed, Tabby had a daylily named in my wife’s honor: the Florence Dorr Daylily.” Retired Justice on the Maine Supreme Court, Warren Silver and his wife Evelyn have been family friends of the Kings for about twenty-two years. They met through their sons, Dan Silver and Owen King, who were friends in school. Justice Silver says,“The Kings are the kindest people and are generous to a fault. We all grew up in Maine. We share a love and respect for the people of Maine. We are all so fortunate that the Kings live here and are such public spirited citizens.” Dollar Babies
Tabitha with her dog. Vixen. Photo by Cheryl McKeary
The Kings have given many people a start in their careers. One example of this is Stephen’s Dollar Babies Program. It gives film students the opportunity to produce a movie from a list of Stephen King stories. All they have to do is pay a dollar for the rights and they can make a movie. They must sign a contract, which states that they will not make any profit and must provide Stephen King with a DVD of the finished product. Notably, Hollywood’s Frank Darabont got his start in filmmaking as a Dollar Baby. As a young man, Darabont entered the Dollar Babies Program and produced, A Woman in the Room, which was a short story about Stephen’s mother. He was nominated for an academy award for this movie. Through his close association with Stephen, he later went on to direct, write screenplays and/ or produce movies such as Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, and The Mist. Kings’ Generosity
Family Friend Russ Dorr and Stephen King.
Stephen says,“People deserve a hand up.” It seems that everything that the Kings do leads to opportunities for others. The Kings OCTOBER 2015 • 1 3
PRIME MOVER • Stephen & Tabitha King
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King's radio station. Photo by Sam Rapaport
also own a few radio stations in Maine. WKIT is their rock and roll station located in Bangor. It is manned 24/7 by “rock jocks” and it is the number one rock station in the state. Our very own MAINE SENIORS got its start as a radio show on Stephen King’s radio stations before it became a magazine. It was aired on The Zone on AM and The Pulse on FM. The show was on the air long enough to secure solid categories of content and then publisher, David Nealley, decided to create the magazine as it exists today. David is just one of many Mainer’s who are grateful for the generosity of the Kings. When interviewed about the Kings, former Maine Governor John Baldacci said, “Stephen and Tabitha King are two compassionate people who are dedicated to helping the people and institutions of Maine. They encourage reading and through 14
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Stephen & Tabitha King • PRIME MOVER
Stephen King and Former Governor John Baldacci
Dedication of Tabitha Spruce King Wing in Old Town Public Library, 1991. From left to right: Valerie Osborne speaking, Maine State Librarian Gary Nichols, and Stephen & Tabitha King.
OCTOBER 2015 • 1 5
PRIME MOVER • Stephen & Tabitha King
King's white house with gargoyle.
their foundation, they support libraries because many libraries may not be able to get money for things that are not book specific. The Kings are very nice people. The people of Maine could not find better friends than Stephen and Tabitha King. With all that they have, they are very well grounded – their feet are firmly planted in Maine.
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Maine Seniors June/July-August/Sept 1/4 page
“One time, they helped Maine troops arriving from Iran and Afghanistan get home in a timely manner. Stephen and Tabitha provided the transportation home from their drop-off point in New York. They also donate books to the troops.” Stephen says that he and his wife established the Stephen and Tabitha King (STK) Foundation “in the late eighties when it became clear to us that we should be sharing our own good fortune.“ Since that time they have given millions of dollars to Maine non-profits. Part of their mission was to focus on libraries, but they also wanted to give aid to education, health care facilities,
Stephen & Tabitha King • PRIME MOVER
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public safety departments, land conservation and some artistic endeavors as well. Tabitha’s sister, Stephanie Spruce Leonard, is the administrator for the STK Foundation. Although she does much of the work for the Foundation, she will not take any credit for it. She praises her sister, Tabitha and brother-in-law, Stephen for their humble generosity. The Foundation gives upwards of 3.5 to 5 million dollars annually to Maine non-profits. She does admit that this Foundation’s work has been a geography and a civics lesson for her. She says, “Through my work with the STK Foundation I have learned about the State of Maine towns, their locations, their needs and their visions for the future. Every day we receive thank you letters from people who have benefitted from the grants. This foundation is a source for non-profits when Federal and State funds are not available. We receive over 1,000 applications a year.” Stephen and Tabitha King have been reluctant to talk about their generosity to the Maine community. The STK Foundation
Detail of a bat on the Kings' gate.
OCTOBER 2015 • 1 7
PRIME MOVER • Stephen & Tabitha King awards approximately 125 to 130 grants per year. Recently, they were told that it is a good idea to talk about their altruism because it might inspire others who have the monetary means to do the same—give it away for a good cause. Tabitha King says, “As kids who grew up poor, we want others to have the educational opportunities that we had. The most rewarding aspect of our foundation is giving back. We were nurtured by our communities as kids and know it is the right thing to do.”
Left to right: Brooklin’s EMS Chief Paul Gallo and Fire Chief Sam Friend. Brooklin’s Fire Rescue Truck “Tabitha”
A 2009 grant from the STK Foundation was used to help fund a new fire rescue truck in Brooklin, Maine. In gratitude to the Kings, the truck was named “Tabitha,” which is displayed prominently on the top front windshield. Since 2009, it has been on 583 emergency calls. It is the most used truck in the fleet. It is called to use for fires, traffic accidents, emergency rescues and for EMS first responders. Brooklin’s highly trained professionals have all the equipment contained within the truck that is needed for these emergencies. Fire Chief Sam Friend said,“It is the lifeblood for the community. Without their donation we would not have been able to get the truck so soon and because of this grant, it did not impact on the community’s taxes.” Paul Gallo, Brooklin’s EMS Service Chief said,“The fire rescue truck has conveyed the professionalism of the EMS crew to the community. When they see the truck in their hour of need, they know that true help is on its way. It has also impacted surrounding communities for mutual aid.”
CPR Class with Jonathan Powers.
In 2010, Jonathan Powers, a paramedic with Union Ambulance Service, gratefully received a grant from the STK Foundation to help fund the purchase of seven automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for two libraries, one community center and three schools. These buildings, located in rural towns of Appleton, Hope, Union, and Washington, did not have any CPR equipment but were areas of routine community gatherings. The Red Cross states that AEDs are used to treat cardiac arrest and their use saves thousands of lives every year. Mr. Powers and members of Union Ambulance Service taught CPR classes to the communities along with the defibrillator presentations. There are 260+ libraries in Maine; most have received grants from the Kings and quite often, more than once. Stephanie
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Stephen & Tabitha King • PRIME MOVER
HELP IS HERE FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS IN MAINE.
A 2009 grant from the STK
Foundation was used to help fund a new fire rescue truck in Brooklin, Maine. In gratitude to the Kings,
the truck was named “Tabitha.”
A new law requires hospitals to record the name of a patient’s designated family caregiver upon admission and to keep that caregiver informed of the patient’s discharge plans. It also ensures that family caregivers have the instructions needed to safely care for loved ones when they return home. AARP Maine fought for the CARE Act because supporting family caregivers is a top priority for all of us.
For more information, visit www.aarp.org/me email me@aarp.org or call 1-866-554-5380.
Leonard, STK Foundation administrator, said, “It would be easier to name the few libraries in Maine that have not received grants in the past. If they have not gotten a grant, most likely they have never applied for one.” Valerie Osborne was the Old Town Public Library director for twenty-five years. She said that during her time there, Stephen and Tabitha King’s gift donation to the library was instrumental in building the Tabitha Spruce King wing. This annex added an additional 8,000 square feet to the library, which had been only 3,700 square feet.
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PRIME MOVER • Stephen & Tabitha King
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• MA I N E S EN I O R S M AGAZ I NE
Judith Redwine at Curtis Memorial Library Bookstore.
Presently, in her position as Northeastern Maine Library Consultant, Osborne observes,“All kinds of good is being done across the state due to the STK Foundation funds. Without the Kings, a lot of improvements may not have occurred in many Maine libraries. They put a lot of bathrooms in many libraries. The Vinalhaven Library did not have a bathroom for 99 years—they had to run across the street to the church to use the bathroom. In 2007, funds from the Foundation for their big library renovation included a bathroom! Their gifts have left a legacy for future generations of Maine. They have been my heroes during my professional career.” Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick, Maine has received funding from the STK Foundation for a library addition and a book-cataloging project. Judith Redwine, President of the Curtis Memorial Library Friends group said, “We are very grateful to the Kings for their generous grants and for another reason.
Stephen & Tabitha King • PRIME MOVER
Our library Friends group recently opened a non-profit used bookstore, Twice Told Tales. The proceeds help support the library. Any Stephen or Tabitha King books that are donated for our sale are sold soon after arrival. This is just another way that the Kings are helping our library.” The Stephen and Tabitha King Language Arts Collection, which contains over 40 foreign language-learning CDs, is prominently displayed in the Gibbs Library in the small town of Washington, Maine. Library Treasurer, Susan D’Amore, says, “Our rural library which is funded by donations only, has a limited budget. The support of the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation has had a major impact on our ability to purchase materials for our collection. Our foreign language-learning library rivals those of much larger libraries.”
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PRIME MOVER • Stephen & Tabitha King
Bangor Public Library Director Barbara McDade and Bangor City Councilor Joe Baldacci.
Kings of Bangor
Bangor may very well be the luckiest city in Maine. The Kings have resided here for a number of years. They have generously helped improve the community in many ways. Their business office is located in Bangor. They have a very loyal and friendly staff. Julie Eugley came to work for the Kings right out of Old Town High School and has been Tabitha’s assistant for 30 years. Marsha DeFilippo is Stephen’s assistant and has worked for him for almost 27 years. Barbara McDade, Bangor Public Library Director states,“I’m in awe at how much support they give to the library. The financial gifts are remarkable, and have helped us provide a library that a community this size could not begin to experience. They were major donors to both our capital campaigns, and provided help in-between, including paying to have the marble steps in
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the lobby repaired and purchasing a building that is now used as a last copy center for books from across the state. Tabitha was on the library board for many years and gave her time and experience to help grow the library.” The King residence in Bangor includes a couple of Victorian mansions—one is red and one is white—and they are surrounded by beautiful, well-tended gardens. The property is located right near the center of the city. This large acreage is enclosed with a black wrought iron fence with the most intricately designed gate and posts, decorated with bats, spiders and gargoyles. The estate has replaced Paul Bunyan’s statue as the number one tourist attraction of Bangor—and unlike Paul Bunyan, the Kings are not mythical—they are real. Some of Stephen King’s horror movies have been filmed in and around Bangor. As a result, the Internet website Trip Advisor says that Bangor has been dubbed, Transylmainia.
Stephen & Tabitha King • PRIME MOVER
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The Mayor of Bangor, Nelson Durgin, confirms, “Stephen and Tabitha King have been very generous to the Bangor community. For example, they gave the funding to build Mansfield Stadium, which is an up-to-date baseball and sports field. They have supported many area non-profits, which help the elderly and the needy. Both have recognized their roots in Maine and as a result of their talents they have been able to give back to the community where they now live. They have also helped boost tourism in Bangor. The first question that tourists ask when they arrive in Bangor is: ‘Where is Stephen King’s home?’” Books
Both Stephen and Tabitha are prolific writers. Stephen King’s website has a comprehensive list of his creations. Tabitha’s literary works, along with Stephen’s, are listed throughout the Internet as well. Maine State Library, Bangor’s, Old Town’s and Portland’s public libraries all have complete collections of both Stephen and Tabitha King’s literary works.
Mayor of Bangor Nelson Durgin speaks to examples of the generosity of the Kings.
Tabitha states that she, “Just finished Mourning Lincoln by Kate OCTOBER 2015 • 2 3
PRIME MOVER • Stephen & Tabitha King
Stephen and Tabitha Photo by Cheryl McKeary
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Stephen & Tabitha King • PRIME MOVER
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PRIME MOVER • Stephen & Tabitha King Pietree Orchard Sign
Pietree Orchard Stand
One of Tabitha’s hobbies is gardening and her favorite
food is Maine apples. About five years ago she bought the Pietree Orchard in Sweden, Maine.
HELP US BRING BACK MEMORIES AND LIGHT UP A LIFE AGAIN! It has been shown that bringing music back into the lives of people suffering from Alzheimer’s or other forms of memory loss can reignite their memories and light up their lives. This very special Music and Memory Program has been brought to the Bangor Region by The Bangor YMCA and PCHC’s Community Care & Geriatrics Division. The goal is to bring music to 500 patients suffering from Memory Loss. We Need Your Help. Please donate to this important cause. SPONSORSHIP LEVELS:
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Or, If you have an old iPod or mp3 player and want to make a difference in someone’s life, donate it to the Music & Memory Program. You can just drop them off at The Bangor YMCA on 17 Second Street in Bangor. Watch the ALIVE INSIDE Trailer: https://vimeo.com/80114021 26
• MA I N E S EN I O R S M AGAZ I NE
Stephen & Tabitha King • PRIME MOVER
Stephen King and his Rock Bottom Remainders Band
Kings’ Hobbies
They take their hobbies as seriously as they do their craft. Stephen plays rhythm guitar and likes rock and roll. Starting in 1992, he became part of a rock and roll band called the Rock Bottom Remainders. The group includes many notable writers. The band still exists but he does not play with them much anymore. Steve created their original motto,“Three chords and an attitude” because he said as a rhythm guitarist he could only play three chords. As they got older their motto became,“From acid to antacid”! One of Tabitha’s hobbies is gardening and her favorite food is Maine apples. About five years ago she bought the Pietree Orchard in Sweden, Maine. She grows apples, fruits, and vegetables and sells them at her farm stand. The property contains acres of apple orchards along with maple sugar bush and vegetable gardens. The stand also contains a bakery that
makes an apple pie that is better than a birthday cake. There is a gift section and they sell pizza that is made in a brick oven. The business is expanding and the community is happy to have them. The area has become a vibrant agricultural hub. Tabitha cannot understand why anyone would want to get apples from anywhere else but Maine. Tech Savvy Kings
The Kings are tech savvy. Stephen King’s website is very comprehensive. It is the best site to go to if you want information about his creations, to view videos of his interviews and to find out about his upcoming media appearances. Tabitha’s orchard website is complete with directions to Pietree Orchard, produce descriptions, and wonderful graphics. Stephen has a huge following on Facebook and Twitter— thousands of people! Recently, Stephen King tweeted: “Hard OCTOBER 2015 • 2 7
PRIME MOVER • Stephen & Tabitha King
On September 10, 2015, President Barack Obama awarded Stephen King the National Medal of Arts. The National Medal of Arts website states that he was endowed with this honor, “for his contributions as an author. One of the most popular and prolific writers of our time, Mr. King combines his remarkable storytelling with his sharp analysis of human nature. For decades, his works of horror, suspense, science fiction, and fantasy have terrified and delighted audiences around the world. The National Medal of the Arts is the highest award given to artists and arts patrons by the federal government.”
to be scary in 140 characters, but not impossible. Have you checked behind your shower curtain lately?”
for all of us. In doing so, they are an inspiration for us to give back to our communities.
Our Maine Treasures
Now that their children have grown, they do not observe Halloween anymore but Stephen has created an abundance of scary stories for us to read and make it feel like Halloween every day of the year.
It is obvious to most of us that Stephen and Tabitha King could just ride off into the sunset and live a life of leisure. Yet, they have stayed very active in both professional pursuits and in their benevolence with a wide variety of organizations. Due to their involvement and generosity, they have made Maine a better place
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Happy Halloween, Mr. and Mrs. King and thank you for all that you do! MSM
Stephen & Tabitha King • PRIME MOVER
The Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation awards approximately 125 to 130 grants per year. Below is a small example of the recipients for the past 10 years. Arts Augusta Symphony Orchestra Bangor Symphony Center Theatre for the Performing Arts Portland Conservatory of Music Waterville Opera House Penobscot Theatre The Public Theatre Portland Ballet Norway Opera House Maine Center of Arts Libraries Bangor Pubic Library Caribou Public Library Portland Public Library
Brewer Public Library Vose Library Camden Library Rockport Public Library Gibbs Library Vinalhaven Library Chase Emerson Memorial Library Shaw Public Library Pembroke Library Education RSUs MSADs Downeast Institute for Applied Marine Research and Education University of Maine Orono University of Southern Maine University of Maine Machias University of Maine Cooperative Extension University of Maine Fort Kent University of New England College of the Atlantic
Public Safety Union Ambulance Service Acton Ambulance York Ambulance Ashland Ambulance Bethel Emergency Ambulance Brewer Fire Department Old Town Fire Department Brooklin Fire Rescue York County Sheriff’s Office Maine Correctional Center Orono Police Department Maine State Police Maine Department of Corrections Newport Police Department Health Care American Red Cross - Maine American Cancer Society Penobscot Valley Hospital Mercy Hospital St Mary’s Regional Medical
OCTOBER 2015 • 2 9
PRIME MOVER • Stephen & Tabitha King
Stephen and Tabitha Photo by Cheryl McKeary
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Stephen & Tabitha King • PRIME MOVER (Health Care Continued) Maine General Medical Center Central Maine Medical Center Downeast Health Services Kennebec Dental Coalition Kennebec Valley Dental Saint Appolonia Dental Clinic Healthy Smiles Downeast Emergency Medicine Food Banks & Pantries Loving Hands Food Pantry Good Shepard Food Bank Helping the Hungry Food Pantry Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program Loving Caring Hands Food Pantry Wayside Food Programs Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry Westside Food Pantry Environmental Environment Maine Research Maine Trust of Education in Conservation
Sustainable Harvest International Royal River Conservation Environment Research & Policy Center Hirundo Wildlife Refuge Historical Societies Maine Historical Society Lincolnville Historical Society Caribou Historical Society Lovell Historical Society Grants to Municipalities City of Bangor City of Old Town Town of Blue Hill Town of Ellsworth Town of Medford Town of Willimantic Town of Fayette Town of Wellington Town of Bowdoinham Town of Frenchboro Town of Cornville
Other Charities United Way – Maine Learning Works Somali Bantu Community YMCAs – Maine Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland Maine Philanthropy Center Progress Center Tides Foundation Megan’s Fund Spectrum Generations
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PRIME MOVER TOO • Wayne & Loraine Hamilton
Wayne & Loraine
HAMILTON BY JANE CALDERWOOD
W
hat might catch your eye on the drive through is the large main sail that marks it as the home of the Penobscot Marine Museum (PMM). Searsport was the home of one-tenth of the United State sea captains in the 19th and early 20th centuries. She also boasted eight shipyards along her stretch of Penobscot Bay. The Museum seeks to preserve and celebrate the region’s maritime culture. It has created eleven education modules on maritime life that
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The town of Searsport, Maine is, for many, one you drive through to get to Bar Harbor or Camden. Its small uptown hosts two banks, a post office,Tozier’s Market, the Grasshopper Shop, several local eateries and a few other small businesses. If you are a boater, you know Searsport as the home of Hamilton Marine, the largest marine supply chain north of Boston.
schools across the country can access online. And it houses one of the largest archives of historical Maine photos with over 140,000 negatives, slides, postcards and daguerreotypes. Wayne and Loraine Hamilton started Hamilton Marine in their garage on the Black Road. After a few years it moved to the old gas station on Route 1 and found a home there until they outgrew it and the shop moved to its current location in the old Merrill Transport Building a bit further north. While
Wayne & LoraineGeorge Hamilton J. Mitchell • PRIME • PRIME MOVER MOVER TOO
the size has grown along with the staff, what has not changed is the philosophy the Hamiltons follow in both their business and personal lives – and that is that they believe in helping people. It doesn’t matter whether it is helping them find the right winch for their boat, taking graduation photographs for the high school seniors or dropping off some of Loraine’s mouthwatering stew to an elderly neighbor. The Hamilton family motto might as well be "We live to help.” The seeds of Wayne’s life-long love of the sea were planted at the age of ten by Charles ‘Charlie’ Blanchard and his family. Wayne fondly recalls that Charlie’s boat didn’t leave without him aboard. He credits Charlie for instilling his love of all things maritime as well as for teaching him how to set a mooring, splice rope and a number of other skills he still uses today in his role as Searsport’s Harbor Master. Charlie also gave him his first boat, a 12-foot row boat that turned Wayne into a lobsterman as a sophomore in high school. He started his first season with 12 traps, bought 12
The seeds of Wayne’s life-long love of the sea were planted at the age of ten by Charles Blanchard and his family.
Their boat never left withoutWayne aboard.
more mid-season and 12 more at the end of the season. At the beginning of his second season, the motor was giving him trouble so he took the boat to Walkers’ Machine Shop in Belfast and ended up with a brand new 14 foot aluminum boat with an 18 horse engine. It was his first loan – his parents had to cosign – and the boats continued to grow after that with the 36 foot Ciloway III now moored in the harbor and outfitted with every gadget you can imagine – for testing purposes, of course! She
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PRIME MOVER TOO • Wayne & Loraine Hamilton Hamilton Marine
handles the rough water, heavy winds and icy blasts through the long Maine winters with ease as she picks up and drops off pilots guiding ships in and out of the bay for docking at Mack Point. Wayne’s love affair with the museum began while he was in high school. He would stop by the museum almost every day on the way home from school. He was fascinated by the ship models including one of a Friendship Sloop that showed its ribbed construction, and later by a whaling exhibit. He also loved the paintings of Waldo Pierce, a local artist. He has held every position there is on the board, and if there is an event at the museum, whether it is a musician, a lecture, or a photograph exhibit, you will undoubtedly find Wayne there. Boat Building Students. The Seine Loft – the second home to Hamilton Marine —remained empty for a long time after the company moved up the road. It did serve as storage for the store as well as for Wayne’s Model T—which slowed down traffic when he had it in the front window. When I asked why they had 34
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hung onto it for so long he explained that he was looking for the right fit and if that didn’t come along, he figured it would be good for their retirement fund—not that anyone who knows him believes for a second that he will ever retire! Well, something fitting did come along. The Museum and the Searsport District High School were running a joint boat building class in the vestry of the museum, but for reasons related to OSHA regulations, they needed to find a new home or end the program. Wayne and Loraine knew then why they’d been holding onto that old building, and it was given new life and purpose as the Hamilton Learning Center at the Penobscot
Courtesy of the Penobscott Marine Museum.
Wayne & Loraine Hamilton • PRIME MOVER TOO Marine Museum. The sign with the new name went up on the building shortly before Loraine passed away in January so she was able to see yet another project she had helped engineer get off the ground. And thanks to a lot of help and overtime put in by Charlie Plourde and his team at Northeast Construction, the building was made ready in time for the next class. The students in the program learn math, chemistry, teamwork, and pride in a job well done with the rowboats they make by hand. Given all the angles there are in a boat, they learn that geometry actually has real life applications. Wayne passes along his love of the sea by teaching them navigation, just as he was taught by Charlie. The school sells the boats, through the museum, to help raise funds for the next class. Wayne’s favorite story is when the principal pointed to a young man and said that it had always been a problem getting him to come to class but now he can be found eagerly waiting when the bus comes to take them down to the Learning Center. Loraine bought one of the student's boats for Wayne, and he won his age class, yet again, in Searsport’s annual row boat races.
Hamilton Learning Center, Penobscot Marine Museum.
The students in the program
learn math, chemistry, teamwork, and pride in a job well done with the rowboats
they make by hand.
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PRIME MOVER TOO • Wayne & Loraine Hamilton Wayne Hamilton at the Retired Skippers Race.
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He did, however, lose his long held title of the fastest time. He blames it on a bum shoulder, not the boat. Loraine told him he had to accept that loss gracefully, which, he assures me, he did after pointing out that the title now belongs to a much younger person.
The Museum is a place for history but also a place for education, the arts and community learning.
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The Museum is a place for history but also a place for education, the arts and community learning. The pirate exhibit a few summers back was a huge hit with every child (including a few who have retained their inner child) who experienced it. During the winter there are photography exhibits, local musicians share the sea shanties once sung on board the decks of the Searsport built ships, and authors provide new views of life at sea and how the ancestors of many in the audience lived day-to-day. It also draws visitors to Searsport, not just by car but by boat as well. Some come, as Wayne explains it, to see the ‘new museum’ aka Hamilton Marine, and he always asks these folks if they’ve been to the‘old’ museum and if not he sends them packing to the Penobscot Marine Museum.
Wayne & Loraine Hamilton • PRIME MOVER TOO
Wayne and Loraine
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Searsport has a guest mooring so if you’re ever sailing Penobscot Bay, just call the Harbor Master (Marine Channel 9 or 16 or by calling 207.548.0035) and he’ll see you are set. Maine is a special place for many reasons – including the beauty of Mother Nature that lurks in our woods, mountains, and our rocky coastline. She is also special because of folks like the Hamiltons who will help a stranger as easily as they would a neighbor because they are, as the saying goes ‘The Finest Kind’. MSM Check out the Penobscot Marine Museum website at penobscotmarinemuseum.org or call 207-548-0334. OCTOBER 2015 • 3 7
Yes, You Can Come
Home Again BY DR. LEN KAYE
would they choose to return to Maine and other destinations in northern New England?
I don’t know about you, but I have grown increasingly weary of hearing about the mass exodus of people, young and old alike, from Maine to distant lands far and wide.
The story of David and Billie Kull is revealing and a good example of the return migration trend that deserves to be recognized and appreciated. In the name of full disclosure, I must tell that Billie and her husband David, both 68 years old, are my sister and brother-in-law. They have lived for the last 10 years or so in Scottsdale, Arizona.
A
lmost every day someone I know or read about seems to bemoan the unfortunate loss of their children and grandchildren who have packed their bags and deserted their namesakes having been lured away by the excitement and opportunity that remains in apparently large supply in the proverbial “big cities” of America. Still others, in their retirement, have been drawn to the warmer climates of the southern and southwestern states.
Well, I think recognition is long overdue of those brave and adventurous souls that have seen the light and are choosing to return to the great state of Maine. What draws them back? Why
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They are sleeping, as I write this piece, in the guest room of Dyan’s and my home in Orono, having spent the last couple of weeks getting to know Portland, the Maine coast, traveling to Nova Scotia and back, and discovering all that Orono and Bangor have to offer. They leave later today headed for Cooperstown, New York, David’s family home as a youth. Billie and Dave had lived in many places on the east coast prior to relocating to the Grand Canyon state including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania. And, now they have determined they are ready to leave Scottsdale.
How come? In their own words, this is their story: "As we're growing older we feel an increasing desire to live near family members who are close to our age, who live in the East. At the same time our granddaughters, whom we have enjoyed living near out West in order to be a part of their childhoods, are growing increasingly independent. This combination of circumstances has led us as, we approach our seventies, to consider moving our base from our current home in Arizona to Maine. "This will be a dramatic emotional and financial move for us, with important implications for others in our lives. We would be moving away from our son and daughter-in-law in Los
Angeles and our daughter, son-in-law and two granddaughters in Scottsdale. We would also be asking Billie's and Len’s mother to pull up stakes and move back East or be left behind away from us. Eight years ago she moved West to be near us and worked hard to establish a life there in a senior residence. We would also be leaving friends behind and facing the challenge of making new ones and establishing a new support system in our new home. Lastly, we would have to find new doctors and other professionals whom we depend on in our daily lives. "Faced with these daunting issues, the pull of Maine must be strong for us to contemplate overcoming them. What is this pull? First, the state happens to be centrally located relatively near our siblings, David's mother, and old friends, who stayed put in New England and New York State when we moved away. We feel it's important to be near them as we enter this new phase in our lives. Second, we love the state's beauty, especially the coast. Next, we find we feel more naturally at home here than we do out West. Though the West has much to offer, we grew up in the Northeast and spent most of our
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OCTOBER 2015 • 3 9
careers here. We feel comfortable with the people and the culture. "And, finally, through Len and his wife, Dyan, we know something about Maine's support systems for older adults. Both work at developing programs to help the elderly and we've watched the dedication they and their colleagues apply to their professions. While they sometimes express frustrations with the pace of developments, we feel the state is working hard to provide the kind of support that we will be needing in the not too distant future. "It all seems very daunting, but also energizing as we face this next chapter."
arrive at the decision to come back, let’s make sure we welcome their return with open arms. Oh yes, I’m thinking it’s probably best not to remind Dave and Billie that another humdinger winter is predicted for these parts. Others might want to do the same when talking to people like them who are coming home again. MSM
I predict that Dave and Billie’s story will be an increasingly common one in the years ahead. I expect it will be told not only by people in the later stages of their lives but by younger people as well who, lo and behold, discover that the grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence. When they
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OCTOBER 2015 • 4 1
Kennebec Behavioral Health
Evolving & Innovating Mental Health Care for Maine Residents BY ELIZABETH KEANE
In the early 1900s, the provision of mental health care was dramatically different than it is today.
P
eople experiencing mental illness were often misunderstood and feared, resolved to be society’s castoffs and war victims. This would all change when the mental health system, in moving people with mental illnesses out of institutions and into communities, exposed a significant lack of support. In 1958, psychologists Charles Rothstein, Ph.D., Paul Perez, Ph.D., Joseph Sanders, Howard White, Ph.D. and psychiatrist Price Kirkpatrick discussed the almost non-existent mental health services available to Kennebec County residents . These five men presented their findings about mental health to the community and civic leaders and initiated the incorporation of the non-profit, Kennebec Valley Mental Health Associates 42
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(KVMHA) on December 21, 1960. The organization’s purpose was to be a leader in promoting a comprehensive community mental health program and in improving the lives of Kennebec residents. Of course, envisioning a mental health organization was only the beginning. KVMHA had to adapt to the changes in society as did Maine residents after wars, changes in medicine, and civil rights movements. By 1970, the organization now known as Kennebec Valley Mental Health Centers (KVMHC) served fewer than 400 people. However, demand for services increased when the Augusta Mental Health Institute rapidly released 1,400 patients into surrounding communities. In response, KVMHC increased its budget to support these patients. The agency found hang-out locations for the mentally ill, improved their technology and incorporated case management to prevent
Guest Article
families from bankrupting themselves getting loved ones into hospitals. The world and Maine itself were certainly changing in the 70’s and the agency had to change with it. Over the next forty years, the organization would continue to expand its services as increased awareness highlighted rising needs. Evidence revealed that many people experiencing homelessness were victims of marginalization due to mental illnesses. Without housing or job assistance, counseling or social support, many were left to the streets. Between 1990 and 2000, KVMHC would open supported housing facilities with fulltime staffing to provide these services. However, it wouldn’t stop there. Maine residents living with mental illnesses were still often forgotten in society and stigma would continue to prevent them from fully finding their place in society. To respond to this ever growing issue, the late Jim Schmidt, a KVMHC board member and clubhouse model
Mal and Barbara Wilson at the dedication of High Hopes Clubhouse 1998.
proponent, began to bring ideas to Maine from Fountain House, a transitional employment program in New York City created to enhance opportunities for its members and to reframe stigma in behavioral health. Schmidt and the late Mal Wilson helped
Carmen Celenza; Charles Rothstein PhD, Retiring Clinical Director; and Leo Marcus, DMD Board President. OCTOBER 2015 • 4 3
Senior Management Team (front row) Bob Anderson, Robert Long, Tina Chapman and Josée Shelley (back row) Bridget Gray, Tim Beaucage, Cheryl Davis, Carla Stockdale, Tom McAdam and Donna Kelley
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KVMHC launch the High Hopes program, a vocational clubhouse, in Waterville in 1997. Two more clubhouses would follow. “These clubhouses would teach essential job training skills and help people who had been marginalized find their place to contribute,” said High Hopes Director, Lisa Soucie. One significant moment in Maine’s mental health history would be especially poignant in the fight against stigma. In 2004 the Augusta Mental Health Institute closed and the Maine Cemetery Project, a project created to restore the dignity to the 11,647 patients who died without burial records in the hospital’s 165- year history, came to fruition with a reading of the names of those unrecognized patients. Two KVMHC employees, Dr. Karen Mosher and the late Linda Pellegrini, would participate in this reading. “It was a huge restorative justice that said to those with mental illness: ‘your life matters,’” says Dr. Mosher, retired Kennebec Behavioral
Guest Article
In 2004, the Maine Cemetery Project, a project created to
restore the dignity to the 11,647 patients who died without
burial records in the hospital’s 165-year history, came to fruition. Peter Mosher, Linda Pellegrini, and Dr. Karen Mosher.
Health Clinical Director and employee of 35 years.“Afterwards, Linda took huge steps after the closing of the hospital to ensure that patients would have a place whether it was at KVMHC or elsewhere. She impacted a lot of lives.” Since then, the organization has split into four entities and renamed itself Kennebec Behavioral Health (KBH) to provide a more hopeful and positive connotation of its services and clients. KBH has increased to provide over a dozen services to 16,000 Maine residents. However, the fight still continues. The capacity to include those marginalized is still met with resistance, but with this fight comes the opportunity to change and improve. “We still face many obstacles helping people who have been marginalized. The future will bring many new challenges with legislature, budgets and the change in culture, but KBH will continue to improve to its best capabilities and reach as many in need as possible,” says Tom McAdam, KBH’s CEO. “KBH has grown up alongside the current generations of Mainers for 55 years and will continue to do so, adapting and fostering compassion with future generations.” MSM
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OCTOBER 2015 • 4 5
THE MAINE POINT
Celebrating —The CARE Act
After a long, challenging legislative session, AARP Maine is proud of many successful results which will have a positive impact for Mainers in 2015 and in the years to come.
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ne highlight is the passage of the CARE Act which was sponsored by Representative Drew Gattine of Westbrook. This law goes into effect on October 15, 2015 and it is of paramount importance to every caregiver in Maine. CARE stands for Caregiver Advise Record Enable and this law features three important provisions: The name of the family caregiver is recorded when a loved one is admitted into a hospital; the family caregiver is notified if the loved one is to be discharged back home; and, the facility must provide an explanation of the medical tasks that the family caregiver will perform to help their loved one recover at home.
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BY JANE MARGESSON
I know first-hand why the CARE Act is so important. In last month’s column which focused on our collaboration with the American Red Cross in Maine to raise awareness about home fire safety, I mentioned that my mother had suffered a terrible incident in 2001 which required months of treatment in a burn unit. The second part of that story is what happened when she was sent back home. When the day finally came for my mother to be discharged from the hospital, her ordeal was far from over. She required multiple medications which needed to be administered at specific times of the day—some with, some without food -- extensive wound care, physical therapy, special bathing procedures and she needed to be on a restricted diet as well. For any caregiver of any age, the
THE MAINE POINT
post-hospital care for my mother was overwhelming. With little instruction other than an armload of prescriptions, bandages, unctions and an order for a physical therapist, my mother was discharged into the care of my then 80-year old father who was still in shock from the entire incident. The CARE Act would have enabled my father to be better informed and a more integral part of the hospital discharge plan before my mother set foot out of the hospital. So much of that plan came as a surprise to him because he simply wasn’t included in the discussion and no one made certain he understood the care instructions. While we as his children were ultimately able to assist, for many caregivers there is no such built-in support when a loved one returns home from the hospital.
In Maine, the CARE Act happened to pass the same day as the release of the AARP Public Policy Institute’s new report, “Valuing the Invaluable: 2015 Update”. According to the report, 178,000 family caregivers in Maine provide 165 million hours of unpaid care annually, with an economic value of $2.22 billion statewide. Most seniors who receive assistance at home rely exclusively on these unpaid family caregivers for help. With the passage of the CARE Act, Maine has taken a significant step toward providing critical supports to family caregivers and their loved ones. MSM
This is just one example of how the CARE Act will make a difference to family caregivers. For more information, you can visit www.aarp.org/me or call our office at 1-866-554-5380.
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OCTOBER 2015 • 4 7
Just Pondering
You’re Annoying Me BY WALDO CLARK
Mainers sure know how to speak our mind if someone annoys us.
O
ur sensible instincts tell us to keep our emotions in check resorting to a firm, calm voice or a suggestive don’t do that glance, rather than toss a verbal hand grenade, at least for a while.
Perhaps we subscribe to the astute words of the Roman poet Ovid, who said, “It is annoying to be honest with no purpose.” Ah, the voice of reason. But don’t push us. I’ll admit that on more than one occasion, I want to violate the conventional wisdom of “careful of being right at the wrong time.” Think about that. How about the insensitive fella on the stool next to you in your favorite breakfast nook, loud-talking on his cell phone? How about the impatient lady who keeps banging your cart in the grocery check-out line? You’d like to pull out your verbal disinfectant and spray the buggers with a few chosen saucy words. But, you’re a Mature Mainer, right, and you bite your 48
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tongue, at least for a while. Ya know, in these instances, I’d like to act like that curmudgeon Larry David and speak my mind, regardless of good form and accepted posture. David, the co-director of Seinfeld, hit the I’m annoyed bulls-eye with his situation comedy Curb Your Enthusiasm, an HBO series that ran from 2000 to 2011. The show’s all about the exasperating minutiae of daily life, everyday encounters that irritate and test us. Larry plays a semi-retired sitcom mogul with too much time on his hands. He frequently gets annoyed with other people’s behavior. The inciting incident snowballs. Larry overreacts and irritates and infuriates the perpetrator taking being right at the wrong time to a new and unsatisfying level. Poor Larry, he can’t help himself. The annoyed becomes the annoyer, the ultimate faux pas gone wrong.
Just Pondering
I’ll admit that on more than one occasion, I want to violate the conventional wisdom of “careful of being right at the wrong time.” Think about that. Although often well-intended and although basically a good guy, his snarly behavior ratchets up the situational tension and he delves deep into the social etiquette abyss. His frustration shows through his deadpan stares of disapproval, his sarcastic smirks, his exaggerated outstretched arms, his realization that he has stepped into people poopie, once again, fanning the flames of instant conflict. Get the picture. The mental disturbance and background noise consumes him. Think of a perturbed Archie Bunker or a neurotic Woody Allen, both on steroids.
At least Larry’s honest with himself, saying “I’m cranky … I’m surprised sometimes at how some of my actions are misinterpreted … I tolerate lactose like I tolerate people.” Yet, we nod and smile. You see, like Archie, Woody, and Larry, we identify with their frustrations over life’s most annoying and maddening moments. And that’s why, at times, we’ve had enough. We want to abandon diplomatic détente, assume the Larry David role, with a tad of the insult comedian Don Rickles’ (Mr. Warmth) ornery stare and abrasive tone of voice thrown in, and tell the pain-in-the butt, “You’re Annoying Me.” It would sure feel good. That is, until we find out, like Larry, that being right, at the wrong time, can backfire. It’s not easy out there in Larry Land.
MSM
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OCTOBER 2015 • 4 9
HEALTH TREASURES SPECIAL
Photos by Yolla Niclas
THE HERMIT of MANANA In 1930, Ray Eugene Phillips, often called the hermit of Manana, sailed his ancient sloop into Monhegan Harbor.
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he skipper proclaimed the nearby tiny Maine island of Manana beautiful and would live there for forty-five years with only a gander named Donald and a flock of twenty-three sheep for company.
Phillips, with ever-present pipe, long white flowing beard and bushy hair certainly looked the part. A tall walking stick was always near at hand. Born in 1892, Ray fought in World War I, graduated from the University of Maine, and worked in New York City. In the 1920’s, he rejected a career in the grocery business in New York in favor 50
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BY JOE MARCH of a life of solitude on this barren uninhabited rock island. Manana (meaning “island of the sea") is twelve miles from the mainland. Only 1/4 mile long by 1/2 mile wide, tiny Manana was a fishing spot for Europeans in the 1600s. The U.S. Coast Guard built a signal station there in 1855 and staffed it until 1980. The Monhegan Light is visible twenty miles at sea with a flash every fifteen seconds. The fog horn (now automated) sounds twice every sixty seconds. What possessed an educated man with a good job and seemingly secure financial future to drop out of society to live a solitary life on this barren rock? No South Sea island, Manana can dole out a heavy dose of Mother Nature . . . a roaring sea breeze, fog, snow, sleet, rain
SPECIAL
and long cold winters. Manana is no Shangri-la, no Holiday Inn. Ray’s shack was only a couple of notches above a cave man’s dwelling. The more I thought about the hermit of Manana, the more I became determined, if not quite obsessed, to find out more about Phillips and the mystical Manana. I hopped on the beautifully-maintained wooden mail boat “Laura B" in Port Clyde, Maine to try to experience what Phillips had found so appealing about Manana Island. An on-shore breeze made a wool shirt welcome. Salty old“Laura B” was loaded with Maine islanders and people“from away”. Piles of gear, food, clothes, equipment, LP gas bottles, a kayak, two mountain bikes, and a lawnmower filled in spaces between people. Sea birds swooped and dived. The bay was absolutely speckled with bright lobster buoys. I could clearly see Monhegan Island
(shaped like a whale) and the signal station perched high on tiny Manana some twelve miles distant. A slight chop drummed on the bow and gull cries mixed with conversations and the clicking of cameras. I drifted into thoughts of Ray Phillips and what prompted him to drop out of society. I departed “Laura B” at the pier on Monhegan Island and soon struck a deal with an enterprising young fellow for a skiff ride across the harbor to Manana. The lad’s small craft sported wood shingles stating; ‘Water Taxi’, ‘Fresh Mussels’, ‘Lobsters’, 'Directions’,‘Cash Only’. Misjudging the wave action, I stumbled on the slippery rock and got a wake-up call of icy Atlantic sea water up to my crotch. My boatman snickered something like, “Watch that first step; he’s a beaut!” I cautiously picked my way up to a smooth dish-shaped rock, sat down and stretched out my legs to dry my pants. Small torrents
MAINE’S BEST OLDIES
OCTOBER 2015 • 5 1
SPECIAL
of water surging through a notch between two rocks made a sound like a kid sucking the last dregs of a frappe through a straw. Beams of bright sun warmed me and my rock and dried my pants. Gulls wheeled, glided, swooped, called and almost stood still in flight. Two black-crested cormorants enjoyed a tasty, free Atlantic sushi bar near the shoreline. Flashes of silver light mirrors sparkled off wave tops breaking beyond the protected harbor. Lobster boat motors, men talking and traps banging on the docks in Monhegan faded into silence. I closed my eyes envisioning years past . . . sheep on the rocks, their bells tinkling; a rough driftwood cabin; a wooden flatbottom skiff pulled high above the water and an old bearded man sitting on a discarded lobster trap enjoying a favorite pipe, gazing out to sea. A few pot buoys hang from the eaves of the weathered shack; muscles boil in a pot on a driftwood fire. I can faintly hear gulls, sheep, and the fire crackling; I smell the
woodsmoke and pipe tobacco. Gulls sing, a goose honks. A fresh breeze gracefully bends bunches of grass. A captive round rock sounds like a bowling ball bumping down stairs as waves push it up, only to let it roll down again into the surf. “Hey, mister!. I was instantly awake and abruptly returned to the twentieth century.“You wanna swim back to the mainland? The mail boat is coming”, announced the lad from his old punt/water taxi/clam skiff/lobster boat/information kiosk.“Let’s get crackin’. I got chores to do”, the young captain ordered. My fee paid to the young entrepreneur with a previously agreed upon tip of two Hershey bars, I scrambled onto the mail boat for my return to reality. I sat away from the other passengers and gazed at the lump of rock that held all those memories. Even the few hours on the island had slowed my heartbeat and sharpened my senses. I saw beauty in many things, studied intently the most trivial but
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SPECIAL
In my mind, Ray Phillips was no nutcase. He was an educated man who danced to a different tune. important things; sun, wind, waves, wildlife, rocks, trees, grass, fog, birds. God’s work is truly astonishing. Back at my house, running hot water, flush toilet, stove, fridge with ice maker, electric lights, heat with the touch of the thermostat all took on a new meaning. I marveled at them. Could I live without this stuff and be happy and feel fulfilled? Would I be able to trade the trappings of modern life for the peace, beauty and solitude of Manana? No way! Am I going back? You bet!
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I want to camp over where Phillip’s cabin was and experience the sunset, sunrise, night, moon, stars, sounds and dreams this special place has to offer. I’m growing my gray beard, buying a heavy homespun raw wool sweater, and cutting a suitable stout hardwood walking stick. In truth, I will have a down sleeping bag, gas camp stove, freezedried food, thermos and gas lantern. But, in all honesty, it’s not what I take to Manana but all that I absorb while I’m there. In my mind, Ray Phillips was no nutcase. He was an educated man who danced to a different tune, trading what we call a normal life for one of peace, beauty and solitude. Some folks can be alone, but not lonely. Ray got pneumonia, never fully recovered, and died in his cabin in 1975. Local fishermen, concerned about Phillips' health, had tried to get him medical help but Ray announced that if his light was on at night, he was okay. Coast Guardsmen stationed on Manana found Ray dead after receiving a call from a woman on Monhegan telling them that she had not seen his light. Like the hermit of Manana, the island has a grip on me. Not much has changed since Ray sailed into the harbor 80 years ago. Some say things seldom change, I think the best never do. MSM
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HEALTHLess TREASURES A Trail Traveled
It's never too to take up
late archery STORY AND ARTWORK BY BRAD EDEN
Shooting a bow and arrow is fun whether you are trying to fill your freezer or just flinging arrows at a target.
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ost archers target shoot year round, but late summer is when they ramp up their shooting practice, hang tree stands, construct ground blinds, and generally prepare for the upcoming bow seasons. Early fall is when all that groundwork comes into play.
Managing Maine’s whitetail deer population. Maine established an Expanded Archery Season back in 1997 to address burgeoning and potentially problematic deer populations in Central and Southern Maine, particularly along the coast and in residential areas that have firearm discharge ordinances. Since then the zones have expanded to include urban centers from Portland to Bangor. The expanded archery season, not to be confused with the statewide October archery season, generally runs from mid-September until mid-December. Ex54
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panded archery hunters can purchase one antlered (buck) permit and multiple anterless (doe) permits for specifically designated areas. Keeping the doe population in check is the key to successful deer management. To understand the management objective of the expanded archery season it helps to know why Whitetail deer thrive amongst developed areas so well. A century ago whitetail deer had been pretty much wiped out in most areas of the United States by unregulated hunting and poaching. Even as late as 1960, seeing a whitetail deer was reason for celebration. Through the 70’s and 80’s they rebounded and started showing up in suburbs and small towns. By the 1990’s their population had exploded and with it the problems associated with an overpopulation of deer living elbow to hoof with people: Lyme
A Trail Less Traveled
disease, crop damage, landscaping destruction, and vehicle collisions. The true culprit is human sprawl. With sprawl came a less hunter friendly attitude leading to an oasis for deer. Whitetails thrive where varieties of flora meet, called edge cover, which is predominant around suburban subdivisions, and coastal second homes. These conditions give whitetail deer a lush habitat with all they need; abundant food, protective covers, and lack of predators–including man. Many municipalities with hunting and firearm restrictions, and private property owners who posted their property, are now chomping at the bit to tamp down all the deer. Some townships have organized special bow hunts and bow hunting clubs are often called on to cull problem deer herds. Some towns hire companies who employ what amounts to “assassins" who sit in tree stands at night, over bait piles, armed with rifles equipped with night vision scopes and silencers. It makes more sense to institute bow seasons in potential problem areas before the deer herd becomes a nuisance. Maine does that and landowners and bowhunters are lucky for it.
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You are never too old to fling some arrows. Shooting a bow and arrow is fun whether you are trying to fill your freezer with lean chemical-free protein or just flinging arrows at a target. Most bow hunters and target shooters use what’s called a compound bow. A compound bow has wheels and cams with cables attached to the limbs. When you draw a compound bow you are initially pulling the full draw weight of that particular bow, when suddenly the weight lets off to a fraction of the bow's peak weight at full draw. For the older archer this “let off” is a godsend. I have a damaged right shoulder but can comfortably draw a 55-60 pound compound bow. Another alternative for older folks is a crossbow. A crossbow is essentially a combination of a rifle and a bow that launches smaller arrows called bolts. You pre-cock a crossbow with a rope or a cranking mechanism and it remains ready to shoot, relieving the archer from drawing the bow for every shot. They are highly accurate and require considerably less practice to become a proficient shooter. Crossbows have only recently been made legal for hunting in Maine but there are restrictions. The
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OCTOBER 2015 • 5 5
HEALTHLess TREASURES A Trail Traveled
"
I feel like a kid opening presents
on Christmas morning when I hike into the woods to check a trail cam."
good news is that people with disabilities or those 70 years old or older can hunt with a crossbow in all open seasons including the expanded archery season. Scouting and just having fun with trail cameras. To be a successful bowhunter you need to be constantly scouting for deer signs and potential stand sites and that includes using trail cameras. But, you don’t have to be a hunter to use and enjoy trail cameras. I place trail cameras year round in a variety of areas. I feel like a kid opening presents on Christmas morning when I hike or snowshoe into the woods to check a trail cam. I have photos of bucks, does, fawns, coyote, bobcat, moose, bear, and some hysterical shots of critters checking out the camera. By the time I’m strapped into a tree stand or sitting in a ground blind I am reasonably sure something will eventually mince by. At my age I bowhunt smart, not hard. I use ladder stands that are easier and safer to set up and to climb into, and ground blinds where my bum knee and gravity aren’t factors. I may be a bit less driven these days, but I understand the need for wildlife management, and a free range deer in the freezer helps with grocery bills and is a much healthier alternative on the dinner plate. MSM
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ENERGY
HOME ENERGY SAVINGS Reducing your home-related energy costs is a great way to prepare for retirement living or to help a family member on a tight budget meet expenses.
F
inancial planners often recommend that homeowners whittle down their monthly expenses as their careers wind down in order to make a fixed retirement income go further. “Housing costs make up one-third of the average American household’s budget, the largest monthly expense for most families,” CBS News MoneyWatch wrote recently. “And since reducing living costs is the most common way to make ends meet in retirement, it makes sense to take a hard look at your housing costs and what you can do to reduce them.” U.S. News and World Report recently offered similar advice to retirees:“It’s important to take a close look at our expenses as we 58
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enter retirement. Eliminating and reducing some costs can offset the increasing cost of travel and hobbies.” Retirement experts often suggest that retirees downsize to a smaller home or even move to a more affordable community, but those suggestions are unhelpful for homeowners who prefer to stay put in the place they call home. To trim costs without relocating, it makes sense to determine the total annual cost of owning the home and find expenses that can be reduced. Reduce the Heating Costs One of the largest recurring expenses in many homes is the energy used for heating. Whether the heat is provided by natural gas, heating oil, propane or electricity, there is often a significant opportunity to reduce the costs. If the home is in a cold climate
Guest Article
ENERGY
Rumford Hospital
and the Central Maine Medical Family –
bringing high-quality specialty healthcare close to home.
and is not yet optimized for energy savings, the heating bills may run in the thousands of dollars. A homeowner who brings those costs under control can realize significant savings that will make a fixed or limited income stretch to cover other costs. They can also reduce the risks of untimely equipment failure necessitating budget-busting expenses like a replacement heating system. Robert and Diana Sommers upgraded their home heating a couple of years ago in anticipation of retiring from their jobs as schoolteachers. They had already downsized from a fivebedroom home and moved to a winterized cottage they owned on a lake in midcoast Maine. As retirement loomed, they wanted to make themselves safe in their rural locale and minimize the risk of any major, unforeseen expenses once they were on a fixed income. With the help of a local contractor, Charlie Burnham Energy & Heating Services, they installed a new backup generator, new propane tanks and a new high efficiency System 2000 boiler from Energy Kinetics. “You have to take care of things,” said Mrs. Sommers. “You are going onto a fixed income, and you won’t have the big salary increases to cover you. We all know the cost of everything is going up, and even if you do get a cost-of-living adjustment, your other expenses will eat that right up.” The heating contractor advised the couple that the new boiler could bring their heating costs under control. “We wanted the costs to be stable and not fluctuate so much so we could keep a better handle on it going into retirement,” Mrs. Sommers said.
Through its affiliation with Central Maine Medical Center and the Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute, Rumford Hospital provides a number of specialty healthcare services, including:
Audiology Cardiology
including device checks, echocardiograms and stress testing
Diabetes Education Endocrinology Infectious Diseases Nephrology Occupational Health
Oncology/ Hematology
infusion services, including chemotherapy 369-1129
Orthopedics Podiatry Pulmonology Urology Wound Care Urgent Care 207-369-1127
For more information:
207-369-1130
www.rumfordhospital.org
OCTOBER 2015 • 5 9
ENERGY
You can manage the replacement of your boiler on your terms. • • • •
Financial and Energy security No surprises in retirement 30 year service Reduce Energy cost to better manage your retirement budget • Flexibility with heating choices
Family Obligations Energy-saving upgrades can help other family members, too. Manisha Thakor, founder and CEO of MoneyZen Wealth Management, recently told the Wall Street Journal that today’s retirees may face extra financial burdens due to family obligations. “Many retirees are finding themselves needing or wanting to provide economic support to adult children in their 20s and even into their 30s who are struggling in this economy
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(versus years past where the ‘financial obligations of parenting’ tended to end upon graduation),” she wrote. By helping an adult child upgrade their home heating, a parent gives a gift that keeps on giving—reduced energy bills month after month, year after year, with improved peace of mind. Reducing a home’s heating expenditures is also a great hedge that protects owners in the event of energy price increases. By making their home less energy-needy, owners reduce their exposure to
Guest Article
"My furnace was 45 years old and I
wanted to plan for our future and make a decision on my terms and not wait for it to break. I meet Bob Beckett, and he introduced me to System 2000 and it was the best move for us! It is so quiet and has saved us at least 1/3 on our heating bills. Thank you System 2000!" —Roger Caouette, Topsham, Maine rising energy costs, which means they can withstand future rate hikes and fuel cost increases without breaking their budget. Reducing a home’s energy costs is also one of the best ways to increase the value. A recent survey by the National Association of Home Builders indicates that energy efficiency is the most desired characteristic in a new home. “The good news for
ENERGY
homebuyers is that the nation’s housing stock is becoming more energy efficient through remodeling,” the magazine wrote. One question that comes up often regarding home heating is whether electric heat pumps are more economical than fuel burning appliances. The U.S. Department of Energy says heat pumps may not be the best choice in a colder climate.“Although air-source heat pumps can be used in nearly all parts of the United States, they do not generally perform well during extended periods of sub-freezing temperatures,” the Department reports on its Energy Saver website.“In regions with sub-freezing winter temperatures, it may not be cost effective to meet all your heating needs with a standard airsource heat pump.” MSM Energy Kinetics is a U.S.-based manufacturer of high efficiency boilers for natural gas, heating oil and propane. www.energykinetics.com Give MSM a call at 207-299-5358 to find out how you can tell your story to our readers in your very own Guest Article.
OCTOBER 2015 • 6 1
SPECIAL • Music & Memory
Remember when... Several years ago I went to a local nursing home to visit someone very near and dear to me . . . my stepfather. Though he smiled and greeted me very cordially, he had no idea who I was . . . Alzheimer’s.
I
tried to carry on a brief conversation but found him fairly unresponsive. We were in the lounge and as we sat there, a lady began to play the piano. My dad did sit up a bit but his face remained expressionless until she played the Maine Stein Song. To my utter amazement he stood up, clapped his hands, and sang the words! His only comment was, "I went to school there, you know." Yes, I did know and so did he; he remembered! Over the years hundreds, maybe thousands, of professionals; psychiatrists, neurologists, gerontologists, musicians, social 62
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BY LOIS NEALLEY
workers and others have studied the connection between music and memory. They have found a strong connection between the two. Music is not compartmentalized in the brain, it runs throughout, allowing it into parts of the brain (such as memory and emotion) which are lost because of dementia. It sparks or triggers memories and emotions that have long lain dormant and stimulates the patient in various ways. Depending on the individual, it may only evoke some "foot-tapping", some smiles, perhaps some humming. It may lead to some socialization or maybe some conversation about the music played or that specific time in one’s life and the emotions recalled. In some cases it is effective in calming anxiety and confusion and enables the patient to focus on the present. It can even be given in place of some medications.
Music & Memory • SPECIAL
In the 1970's, noted neurologist Dr. Oliver Sacks, (recently deceased—see Bangor Daily News 8/31/15) worked with the brain damaged or those mentally incapacitated by dementia, "sleeping sickness", Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and others "imprisoned in their own bodies". He firmly believed that they were alive inside and the brain could be stimulated, though he had many colleagues who disagreed. He introduced the use of the drug L-dopa which was effective in many cases. However, in time the drug was discontinued due to undesirable effects. He continued to espouse the theory that there are many ways to reach the brain. He researched, studied and documented the value of music therapy. Whatever the results, it is a reconnection to the world. It often results in better awareness of what's going on around one and some interaction with others, improving the qualitiy of their lives. The most succesful experiment of late involves personalized music which has been heavily studied and researched. My stepfather, who graduated from the University of Maine, is certainly a good example of that. They were playing "his song''.
Please help make it happen...
a new dog park coming to Thomaston Serving Rockland, St.George, Cushing, Warren and surrounding areas — for residents and visitors alike! Almost 4 acres of land.
READY FOR FENCING! Please make it happen soon by sending tax deductible donations to: Thomaston Dog Park Association, Box 340, Thomaston, ME 04861
For more information please email us at: thomastondogparkmaine@gmail.com www.facebook.com/ThomastonDogParkAssociation OCTOBER 2015 • 6 3
SPECIAL • Music & Memory
In 2006 Dan Cohen was listening to a discussion about the ubiquitous iPods. It occurred to him that they could be used anywhere. Any place you chose to go, you could bring your own music with you. How about nursing homes? If he were ever to go to a nursing home would he be able to take some of his favorite tunes with him? Well, why not? Dan had a Masters in Social Work, a Masters in Professional Studies, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. Along with these he was highly trained in high-tech sales and software with rehabilitation and community services. He became the founding Executive Director of Music & Memory, Inc. The goal is to provide iPods to nursing homes with personalized music on each. He launched his campaign for the iPods by putting together a documentary film about his project. With the collaboration of Michael Rossato-Bennett, film director and producer, "Alive Inside: A Story of Music and Memory" was born. It soon became an award winning documentary at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah. It follows the trials with personalized music. It shows the remarkable reactions to the music in each person. Since then it has gone national. "Alive Inside . . .” is truly a well-documented, heart-warming and inspiring film. Yes, there are bittersweet moments, but it leaves you smiling and filled with the hope that some "lost identities" can be sparked, and at least partially, reclaimed. It was shown recently in the Gracie Theater at Husson University in Bangor. The price of admission was a donation toward the purchase of iPods. It was sponsored by Penobscot 64
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Community Health Care and Dr. Larry Smith (former overseer of PCHC's long term care and Geriatrics) and the YMCA under CEO Diane Dickerson. It was such a great experience, a real "must-see". Look for it online. This past summer my granddaughter Eliza, a senior at the University of Southern Maine majoring in music therapy and gerontology, worked in an internship program at PCHC under Dr. Larry Smith. Her role was to visit healthcare establishments (those amenable to the idea) and interview patients and/or families to find their favorite music, then load the iPods and get the music to them. She was able to "playlist" 61 people and give their devices to them. Eliza notes, "Normally we try and give the music to people suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's but often we may choose someone due to high levels of anxiety or if they seem introverted and isolate themselves in their rooms." The program has now been started in several institutes in the area: • • • • • • • •
Westgate Manor, Bangor Cedar Ridge Nursing Home, Skowhegan Stillwater Health Care, Bangor Maine Veterans' Home, Bangor Brewer Rehab and Living Center, Brewer Ross Manor, Bangor Bangor Nursing and Rehabilitation, Bangor Mount St Joseph Nursing Home, Waterville
Music & Memory • SPECIAL
At the Maine Veterans' Home, Activity Director Editha Young, spoke with great enthusiasm about the iPod program, calling it "wonderful to watch". She says that about an hour is set aside for the music and the group sits in one room. This gives staff members a chance to observe and interact; both are revealing and rewarding experiences. Some patients don't want to give their music back and may be allowed to keep it a while longer.
You'll never have a dull month...
At Mount St Joseph's Home, Carla Back of the Life Enrichment Program said that both she and Hospital Administrator Diane Sinclair are really excited about the Music and Memory therapy. "It is amazing how it takes people back and reminds them of special times". They respond with lots of foot-tapping and movements, sometimes even singing. It also has a calming effect on those who are highly stressed. They use ear pads rather than
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OCTOBER 2015 • 6 5
SPECIAL • Music & Memory
musicandmemory.org/training-publications. ) Brewer Rehab and Living Center uses the Music and Memory approach not only for those with dementia. According to Kaitlyn Furge, Activities Assistant, the music is also good for those patients who, for some reason or another, spend their time in their rooms with little or no socialization. It brings some of the outside world to them and lights up their day a little. The program is used about twice a week with a member of the staff present to observe and enjoy their smiles and singing. Memory loss, with its many causes and many ways of manifesting itself is, at best annoying, but at its worst, life-stealing! How nice if some of that life can be "awakened"...maybe even just enough to keep us smiling and singing our favorite songs. MSM
Diane Dickerson
Diane Dickerson, CEO of the Bangor Y, is pleased to be involved in raising funds for this special Memory and Music Program. You can help! Make checks payable to Bangor Y/Memory and Music and mail to 17 Second St. Bangor, ME 04401.
iBuds, and like other places, label each individual’s iPod. It does take a little organization to keep the appliances ready to use in a proper storage unit, but is definitely worth it. There is , by the way, a special certification course offered online by Music & Memory. It is offered to institutions (profit or non-profit). It consists of three 90 minute live webinars. When completed it should assure that caregivers will have learned the best methods to set up, run, and reap rewards from this musical therapy. Mount St Joseph's has taken advantage of this program and is now fully certified. (For more information go to 66
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Phil Music Emery & • PRIME MemoryMOVER • SPECIAL
DID YOU KNOW THAT YOUR HEARING HEALTH HAS A DIRECT EFFECT ON YOUR OVERALL HEALTH? DEPRESSION Uncorrected hearing loss gives rise to poorer quality of life, isolation and reduced social activity, leading to depression. FALLS Uncorrected hearing loss has been linked to an increased likelihood of falls. Even people with mild hearing loss are shown to have a greater chance of losing their balance.
COGNITIVE DECLINE Adults with hearing loss are more likely to develop problems thinking and remembering than adults whose hearing is normal. DEMENTIA Adults with severe hearing loss are 5 times more likely to develop dementia than adults whose hearing is normal.
Dr. Gary D. Schwartzberg believes that to hear better, is to live better and that you deserve care from a professional who understands the medical and psychological effects of hearing loss and how they affect your lifestyle.
We’d like to introduce you to Z Series, featuring a full line of power options from behind-the-ear to small custom products. Z Series hearing aids lead the way in performance, comfort, personalization and connectivity. They are designed to: Help you hear and understand conversations better in noisy environments like restaurants Make loud sounds more comfortable while boosting soft sounds Stream TV, phone calls and more, directly to your Z Series hearing aids
Dr. Gary D. Schwartzberg has over 28 years of experience specializing in exceptional hearing healthcare, from diagnosis to treatment. He and his staff provide personal attention, superior service, and advanced, customized solutions necessary to 859 Commercial Street Rockport, ME 04856 (207) 226-0288
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effectively meet the unique needs of every individual patient. Dr. Gary Schwartzberg, Au,D.,FAAA
OCTOBER 2015 • 6 7
© 2015 Starkey. All Rights Reserved. 3/15 34719-15
Maine's
Swing BRIDGES
BY JOHN CHRISTIE
South Bristol Bridge, Closed.
A swing bridge is a unique structure, with the roadway pivoting on a central platform in the middle of a river, allowing water traffic to travel on either side of the fulcrum when it's open, and automobile traffic to pass when it's closed.
A
while ago, as I paddled under the swing bridge connecting Southport Island to the mainland in Boothbay, I started to wonder how many of these utilitarian bridges actually existed in Maine, and where they might be. It also occurred to me that whatever ones existed were probably in some pretty places, and visiting them would be well worth the trip. How right I was! But planning a trip, once I located them, was going to require making a pretty important decision . . . which I made one day last week. Once I found that Maine's four swing bridges (not to be confused with“swinging” bridges, like the pedestrian one linking Brunswick and Topsham) were located within a circumference that would require about a 200-mile round trip from my midcoast home, the tough decision revolved around whether to hop
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ROCKLAND CONDOMINIUMS
Brand new, energy efficient, luxury condominiums with 2 bedrooms, 2 full baths, open floor plan, hardwood floors and a gas fireplace. Each of the five units has a one-car garage, plus additional storage. The units are handicapped accessible with an elevator to each floor. Convenient to shopping, medical facilities and cultural activities. • $279,500-339,500 Contact: Susan Smith-Riedel • ssmith-riedel@jaretcohn.com
1504 Atlantic Highway, P.O. Box 878 • Waldoboro, ME 04572 OFFICE: 207-832-5219 Ext. 205 CELL: 207-441-7471
OUTDOORS
South Bristol Bridge, Opening.
1504 Atlantic Highway, P.O. Box 878 • Waldoboro, ME 04572 OFFICE: 207-832-5219 Ext. 205 CELL: 207-441-7471
South Bristol Bridge, Open.
on the motorcycle for a delightful excursion, or take the Jeep with the kayaks on top so I could see the structures from water level. Since my summer biking has been limited to date, I opted for the former and, as it turns out, what a great decision it was. First, a little bit about Maine's swing bridges. The four are the aforementioned Southport Island Bridge; another in Boothbay allowing traffic to access Hodgdon Island; one in South Bristol, passing over a 20-foot gut under Route 139 to Rutherford Island; and another over the Crooked River on the State Park Road at the Songo Locks, allowing boats to access Sebago Lake from Long Lake and Brandy Pond to the north. The four represent the two technologies that are represented in swing bridge engineering: mechanical and manual. The
Southport Island and South Bristol are examples of the former, in which motors swivel the road, while Songo Locks and Hodgdon Island are mechanical, turned with muscle power. Upriver from the Songo Locks bridge, the mechanical swing bridge that had carried traffic on busy Route 302 for years and allowed big boats like the Songo River Queen to travel south to Sebago Lake was replaced in 2012 with a permanent structure. Manual bridges are pretty unique among the roughly 70 swing bridges still operating daily in this country, with another 20 serving highway and river traffic in Canada. In New York City alone, there are 7 such bridges spanning the Harlem River, with several more in New Jersey up and down the Mississippi River. Maine's bridges have the advantage of being located in four very scenic spots, and visiting them all in one day is a piece of cake, as I found out on my recent delightful bike ride. The trip west in the early morning, from my home in Washington, with the advantage of having the rising sun at my back, was a nice OCTOBER 2015 • 6 9
OUTDOORS
Songo Locks.
ball’s w o n AS ce. Chan
cruise through Gardiner, Lewiston, Poland Spring and Naples on my way to the Songo River Bridge. The bridge is accessed by turning onto the Sebago Lake State Park road a few miles south on Route 302. A pretty little picnic area overlooks the bridge and the locks, and the calm early morning air stirred barely a ripple on the placid stream under the bridge. It made me sort of wish that I had the kayak, but the die had been cast.
Retired psychiatric nurse Carol Murtaugh is easing fearful Snowball back to emotional health. Carol has a gift for working with patients who exhibited extreme shyness or withdrawal. Now, those same skills are coming in handy as she tries to help Snowball, the timid tom she adopted.
Please donate today and give many more dogs and cats a second chance.
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207. 230.8285 | PAWSadoption.org/capital-campaign
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Then it was down through busy North Windham, across to Gray and Yarmouth, and up the coast through Wiscasset and down to Boothbay. The Hodgdon Island Bridge, Maine's other manual crossing, is operated by hand to allow the passage of boats, and it made for a wonderful side trip off the Town Common in Boothbay. The fourth visit on my scenic ride was to South Bristol, down river from Route 1 in Damariscotta. Perhaps the most famous, and oft-photographed swing bridge in the state (for good reason), this so-called “bobtail swing bridge” was built back in the 1930's, and has served summer and year-round Rutherford Islanders,
OUTDOORS
as well as visitors, faithfully for lo these many years. An operator on duty opens the bridge for passing boats, as travelers wait in the scenic little village. But there's no joy in South Bristol, as the deteriorating structure is slated for demolition, to be replaced by a draw bridge proposed by the Maine Department of Transportation. Locals have provided input, and residents of Christmas Cove on Rutherford Island, where most of the summer folks live, even hired an independent architect to come up with a smaller, more palatable design in keeping, they felt, with the quaint surroundings. That swing bridge will be operating all this summer. Construction on the new bridge, which began last fall and continued through the winter, has been discontinued for the summer. So get down there this summer or fall to see one of Maine’s small wonders while you still can. MSM
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OCTOBER 2015 • 7 1
RESIDENTIAL REVIEW • The Park Danforth
A quiet moment to read the paper
Shopping for Assisted Living:
Some Helpful Tips
BY JUDITH MILLER, MSW, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND ADMISSIONS, THE PARK DANFORTH, PORTLAND, MAINE
Whatever the reason, you may find yourself searching for an assisted living program. For many, this is a search fraught with stress, confusion and a deadline.
F
amilies are often tossed into the world of assisted living with little direction. The jargon is all new—MaineCare, Assisted Living, Residential Care, Long Term Care. And then there’s the deadline! Those who are lucky are beginning their search without the added stress of an impending discharge date. Often the search for assisted living is undertaken when a loved one is ready for discharge from a hospital or nursing home. Here are some suggestions to make the process of gathering information and making a decision easier.
THE LIST: Start by making or obtaining a list of potential programs. Talk with social workers, discharge planners, local Agencies on Aging, the Department of Human Services—ask 72
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for their recommendations. Talk to friends, co-workers, clergy— they may have suggestions based on experiences they have had. Having a notebook dedicated to your search helps keep all the information in one place and makes for easier comparisons down the road. THE CALLS: Once you have a list of programs you are ready to make calls. Start at the top and keep going! Ask as many questions as you can think of that are important to the loved one you are shopping for: Are rooms shared or private? Do residents have a private bathroom? A kitchenette? What are the financial options and obligations? What care is routinely provided? What social activities are offered? How are potential residents assessed when there’s an opening? Is there currently a waiting list and approximately how long is the wait from application to admission? Once you’ve asked all your questions, and if you remain
Guest Article
The Park Danforth • RESIDENTIAL REVIEW
Once you have completed your
tours and gathered the information you need, take time to review your notes. Consider bringing your loved one for a second tour and a meal. It’s a great way to
meet current residents.
interested, ask the program to send you written information. Request a menu and activities calendar. Be sure that the information will include a fee schedule or rate sheet. Ask if the packet will contain the necessary forms for application. Different facilities will have different application requirements, so be sure
Enjoying a cup of coffee with good friends OCTOBER 2015 • 7 3
RESIDENTIAL REVIEW • The Park Danforth
An evening of entertainment
hesitate to ask questions—this is your best chance to gather firsthand information. While touring use all your senses. Do you see residents out and about? Does the place smell pleasant and clean? Do you hear laughter and talking? Do the staff and residents look happy? Are residents addressed by name? Are the rooms and common areas well-lit and pleasant? Does the program feel warm and comfortable? Can you imagine your loved one being happy there? THE DECISION: Once you have completed your tours and gathered the information you need, take time to review your notes. Consider bringing your loved one for a second tour and a meal. It’s a great way to meet current residents. The next step is to submit applications. Check again to make certain that you are providing all the information necessary to complete the application. Nothing is more frustrating than to find out that there is something more you need to provide and you haven’t been added to the waiting list.
to check with each place you talk to. You’ll also want to ask if there’s an application fee. THE VISIT: After the calls are done and you’ve reviewed your information, it’s time to make some on-site visits. Select the two or three places that seem to best fit the needs of your loved one. Call and schedule an appointment for a tour. Many programs will have an admission’s coordinator who will meet with you. They should be able to show you all common areas, dining rooms, and a sample of the living accommodations. The person you meet with should be able to answer your questions—be sure to bring your notebook so you won’t have to rely on your memory later! There are many check-lists available for no cost on-line that can help make comparing programs easier. Don’t 74
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Although these steps won’t guarantee a bump-free trip on the road to assisted living, they can help ease the way and make the search feel more manageable. Remember, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by going one step at a time. Never feel pressured to sign anything before you have all the information you need. You are in the driver’s seat—even if it feels like driver’s ed! MSM
Give MAINE SENIORS a call at 207-299-5358 to find out how you can tell your story to our readers in your very own Guest Article.
Guest Article
Parker Ridge • RESIDENTIAL REVIEW
Always something fun to do
The CrownJewel of Maine Radio
Breakfast with Bach WEEKDAYS, 6-10AM
ClassicJazz with Arnold Olean SATURDAYS, 6-10PM
The Paul Parent Garden Club SUNDAYS, 6-9AM
OCTOBER 2015 • 7 5
Delicata: Nothing says fall quite like the ubiquitous squash.
BY FIA MARQUIS
F
rom pumpkin spice-flavored everything, to farm stands and grocery store displays overflowing with more exotic varieties, it's almost impossible to go anywhere without seeing squash, to the point that over-saturation may make you overlook it. Squash is not just a side for a turkey dinner, boiled and mashed with butter and brown sugar (although it is delicious like that!) It can be made into rich soups, both sweet and savory, sauce or even filling for pasta. I'm fond of a number of varieties of squash, in particular sunshine squash (an orange-skinned, "kabocha" variety, similar in size and shape to a buttercup squash) sweet dumpling squash (which resembles a smaller acorn squash, with pale yellow and dark green mottled skin) and of course, delicata squash (similar in color to the sweet dumpling, but small and almost cylindrical in shape.) When the fall harvest comes in, I just can't get enough
Harvest Moon "Mezzaluna" Ravioli. Photo by Ian Marquis
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Autumn's fleeting harvest
delicata. Its sweet, tender flesh is particularly delicious roasted; in fact, I hardly bother cooking it any other way. Since they're thinner-skinned than other winter squashes, they don't last as well without ideal storage conditions, so I have to get my fill while I can—by the time Thanksgiving comes, they've disappeared from the produce department, making way for their hardier cousins. Most of the time, it barely makes it to the table, but on the rare occasion that I don't simply attack my delicata squash with a spoon fresh out of the oven, I like to use it to make filled pasta. Blended with creamy ricotta and sweet Italian sausage, it's the perfect filling for an easy, homemade ravioli that can be eaten right away, or frozen for later. It's simple, yet elegant, plated with brown butter on top and crispy fried sage leaves as a tasty garnish, and is just as well suited as finger food for a hungry toddler as it is a dinner party entree. One thing is certain: like the squash they're filled with doesn't stick around at the market, these ravioli won't last long once you put them on the table. MSM
Featured Recipes HARVEST MOON "MEZZALUNA" RAVIOLI
DIRECTIONS:
INGREDIENTS:
1. Preheat oven to 450°F. Place delicata squash halves on a baking sheet. Drizzle with canola oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder and cinnamon sugar. Place in oven for 30-45 minutes, or until fork-tender. Allow to cool.
2 delicata squash (halved and seeded) 16 oz. ricotta cheese 1 lb. package sweet Italian sausage (cooked, drained and minced) 1 package round dumpling wrappers 1 stick salted butter Sage leaves Salt, pepper Canola oil Cinnamon sugar Garlic powder
2. Scoop cooked delicata squash out of skins into a large bowl. Add cooked, minced sausage and ricotta, and mix well. Drop by spoonfuls onto dumpling wrappers. Fold over into crescent shapes, sealing the edge with water. Make sure not to trap any air inside the ravioli. 3. Place in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze for later, or drop immediately into boiling, salty water and cook until they float to the top. 4. In a frying pan, melt butter over medium heat until the solids begin to brown, then add the sage and cook until crispy. Serve over ravioli.
OCTOBER 2015 • 7 7
FROM THE PORCH
Autumn THE
OF MY YEARS
Autumn symbolizes a pause between summer and winter, between a beginning and ending, between living and uncertainty. Autumn signifies life, aging.
A
utumn anchors us. It’s the Big Cuddle Cozy, calm, comfortable, and colorful, like an old quilt, something we snuggle down under on a chilly night, a fort providing a sense of security.
For seniors, in particular, Autumn slows our pace. It refreshes us, it’s restful, melancholy, peaceful, reassuring like sitting in a quiet pew in church on a Sunday morning; it’s therapeutic, a cleansing of body and soul, a time for plain thinking. It triggers hidden emotions, blasts us with a surge of seductive feelings, and harvests deep buried memories. It draws us to our past, time winding backward. I find that I’m reluctant to let HER slip away. As Robert Frost wrote in “Reluctance,” 78
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BY HUNTER HOWE
To yield with a grace of reason, And bow and accept the end Of a love or season. Each Fall, I tread into a fallow field to seek out my pal, Scarecrow. His roving eyes see all. This year, he told me about his friends. The black and gold Monarch butterfly had migrated; the ripe apple rotted on the ground; the hearty pumpkin sagged into the soil. Only the bird, once a fearful stranger, now joined him. He reminded me that we’re all just passing through, that time marches on. Scarecrow smiled. He told me that although his body spewed straw and his clothes had grown tattered, he felt invigorated as well, by the Fall Feeling. He cited John Donne, “No spring nor summer hath such grace as I have seen in one Autumn face.” And, it’s in the face of Scarecrow that I find myself. I embrace the simple joy of poking about Maine, driving past deserted fields
FROM THE PORCH
Autumn bursts with a marriage of color and light. That special Fall sunshine washes over us, gentle pillow puff breezes and soft winds brush our backs.
filled with haystacks and discarded rusted vintage vehicles, past classic white houses with side porches and hammocks and picket fences and smoke escaping from their chimneys, past churches advertising bean suppahs, past secretive dirt roads leading to camps closed for the season. And I think about that word, PAST. I taste and smell Autumn in jams and jellies, apple and pumpkin pies, waffles ladened with maple syrup, cider with cinnamon sticks, biscuits dripping with honey, and pea soup with ham
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hocks simmering on the stove. Nutmeg, cloves, and vanilla assault my nose. It’s a time to sip and savor a southern Cotes du Rhone red wine with its fruity, herbal, or earthy aroma, smooth and round, dark cherry flavors, food-friendly when paired with stews and roasts. Autumn bursts with a marriage of color and light. That special Fall sunshine washes over us, gentle pillow puff breezes and soft winds brush our backs, clear dark blue skies provide an umbrella over a rainbow-like landscape with its riches of gold and amber, more than found in Fort Knox, a color rush of vibrant reds, apricots, yellows, oranges, and tarnished browns. At night, it’s easy to spot the constellation Cassiopeia the Queen with her M or W shape. It’s a magical season for poets, writers, and painters. Sarah Addison Allen, in “First Frost,” penned,“It looked like the world was covered in a cobbler crust of brown sugar and cinnamon.” OCTOBER 2015 • 7 9
FROM THE PORCH
of decaying leaves, looking up at bare branches. Bitter sweet, this performance of a lifetime. A leaving. George Cooper in “October’s Party,” wrote, October gave a party: The leaves by hundreds came,-The Ashes, Oaks, and Maples And leaves of every name. The sunshine spread a carpet, And everything was grand; Miss Weather led the dancing Professor Wind, the band … The sight was like a rainbow New-fallen from the sky … Scarecrow smiled again and I wondered why, his sadness lingering, his life so short, his future uncertain, with November’s gray and Winter’s shadow looming. He told me that he’s not ready to go yet, his time will come, but not now. The farmer wants him back for another year to perform guard duty over the new life of crops. He told me that there are indeed beginnings and endings, and for some of us, there’s another Spring. It’s a good thought. William Cullen Bryant said,“Autumn … the year's last, loveliest smile.” L. M. Montgomery, in “Anne of Green Gables,” wrote, “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” A George Wesley Bellow’s work “Romance of Autumn” hangs in the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland; and contemporary artist Leonid Afremov captures the essence of the season in a color riot with his “Autumn Mood” and “Farewell to Autumn.” I detected Scarecrow scanning the trees. He asked me if anything defined Autumn better than the leaves and then quoted Albert Camus, “Autumn is a second spring where every leaf is a flower.” He shrugged his shoulders and said, but flowers wither, leaves fade. He told me that he admired their fortitude, how they cling to life, fragile, losing their internal light, a last hurrah, then letting go, swirling like acrobatic helicopters cascading in a symphony leaf shower, to meet up with others, strewn about in piles, a cemetery
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• MA I N E S EN I O R S M AGAZ I NE
I sit here on my porch, in the Autumn of my years, unafraid of the future. And like Scarecrow, I smile too. There’s more. MSM
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