Maine Seniors Magazine - June 2017

JUNE 2017 • $5.95 MESENIORS.COM

Tim Sample, Maine's "Good Humor Man"

Also Inside: Maine State Music Theater

• A Conversation with Coastal Mainers • Lobster Rolls ...and more!

How Confident are You in Your Financial Future?

Joel West Joel JoelWest West Financial Advisor Financial Financial Advisor Advisor

Tom Duff TomDuff Duff President & BranchTom Manager President President& &Branch BranchManager Manager

There are no strangers here; Only friends you haven’t yet met.

- William Butler Yeats

Michael, Theresa, Jean, Rich, Linda, Ed, Linda, and Jim from Maine, North Carolina, and Delaware met for the first time in January in an HG resident’s home. Their own HG custom homes are to be built this coming year yet they have already formed lifelong friendships.

Multiply that times nearly 200 HG homes and growing and HG residents from 29 different states and counting. It’s a national destination with 55+ Active Adult living and neighborly ambience like no other.

Read the latest issue of our Lifestyle newsletter and visit our blog at: HighlandGreenLifestyle.com

The Northeast’s Premier 55+ Active Adult Lifestyle Community 7 Evergreen Circle, Topsham, Maine | 866-854-1200 / 207-725-4549 | HighlandGreenLifestyle.com

f

You Tube

Publisher's Note

PUBLISHER

David. S. Nealley

This is a great issue!

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Ellen L. Spooner

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Ian J. Marquis

EDITORS

Catherine N. Zub Lois N. Nealley Mark D. Roth Clyde Tarr

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Ian J. Marquis Victor Oboyski

SALES & DISTRIBUTION

Christine Parker Kimberly Reid Joline Bell George Holton Melissa Howard Jim Gorham A. Peter Legendre Roseanne Bolduc Dale Overlock Fred Connell Deborah Batting Victor Oboyski Clyde Tarr Franklin Koch

Also in this issue, Len Kaye, Director of the University of Maine Center on Aging, testifies before the United States Senate Committee on Aging of which our very own Senator Collins resides as the Chairperson.

Musicals and theater anyone? Meet “The Music Man” Curt Dale Clark of the Maine State Music Theater, and the others who keep this Brunswick asset thriving.

Then read about the “wicked good humor man”. Tim Sample has shared his story with MAINE SENIORS Magazine. This small town Aroostook County boy became a regular as a senior correspondent on the national television program CBS Sunday Morning. Wow!

WRITERS

Paulette Oboyski Avery Hunt Brad Eden Ellen L. Spooner Dr. Len Kaye Jane Margesson Fia Marquis Hunter Howe Sheila Grant

Tim shares with us how Noel Paul Stookey, Marshall Dodge and Bob Bryan of “Bert and I”, Stephen King, Charles Kuralt, and even children’s author Robert McCloskey, all helped him advance his career. His most recent creation is a program called Pumping Irony which utilizes humor as a stress management tool in the workplace.

By the way, Tim’s Maine license plate says HUMOR. Yes, laughter is the best medicine.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Shane Wilson

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.

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.

Recycled paper made in Maine

1 • MAINE SENIORS

E

njoy “Making Whoopie” and learn more about the Maine Whoopie Pie Festival. Take a behind the scenes look at folks who make their living on the coast of Maine. Avery Hunt gives us a profile of Charlie Wing and his book Salt in Their Veins – a Conversation with Coastal Mainers.

Cheers!

—David S. Nealley, Publisher

Well-being & Peace of Mind.

It’s Our Mission.

Four Ways to be a Senior Partner!

Subscribe today! Get 10 issues for only $29.95.

Visit our website!

Point your browser to meseniors.com

RossManor Assisted Living Skilled Rehabilitation Nursing Services Outpatient Services

Visit YouTube and search for "Maine Seniors"

Visit us on Social Media by searching for "Maine Seniors" on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and LinkedIn

To purchase a back copy of any issue,send $5.95/issue and $6.95 for shipping and handling to MAINE SENIORS Magazine 87 Hillside Ave, Bangor, ME 04401.

WOMEN OF INFLUENCE ISSUE MAY 2017 • $5.95

Robin Alden White House Champion Award Winner

Also Inside: • Maine's Women Hall of Fame Honorees • Celebrating Mom's and Caregivers • A Menu for Mom ...and more!

• State of the Art Technology • Outpatient Rehab • Expansive Occupational Therapy Kitchen • Newly Equipped Physical Therapy Gym

• New Outdoor Rehabilitation Courtyard • Many Private Patient Rooms • Speech Therapy Services • Nicely Appointed Rooms

Carolann Ouellette World Traveler, Promoter of Maine

Mushroom & Asparagus Quiche

Learn more about the services that our patients receive at Ross Manor. Call today to schedule a tour!

207-941-8400 • ross-manor.com 758 Broadway • Bangor JUNE 2017 • 2

NOW OPEN!

Assisted Living Specializing in Memory Care

At Avita, we create a safe and fulfilling home-like environment in our community specifically designed for those living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Our goal is simple - to make a positive difference in people’s lives by creating a special place where residents can thrive and families can have peace of mind.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Jay Dowe: 207.646.3444 We’re conveniently located at: 86 Sanford Road in Wells, Maine avitaofwells.com | facebook.com/avitaofwells

CUT YOUR HOME FUEL BILL by up to

BURN OIL OR GAS efficiently! ≈ Maximize efficiency in all seasons ≈ Virtually unlimited hot water ≈ NO energy is ever left wasted in the boiler ≈ Whisper quiet operation

800-661-0902 • EnergyKinetics.com Energy Kinetics is an ENERGY STAR Partner and a leading manufacturer of ENERGY STAR heating equipment.

MARITIME ENERGY Rockland 800-333-4489 maritimeenergy.com

A.E. ROBINSON Dover-Foxcroft 800-640-8131 aerobinson.com

BOB’S CASH FUEL Madison 207-696-3040 bobscashfuel.com

DODGE OIL Greater Portland 207-839-5536 dodgeoil.com

CHARLIE BURNHAM ENERGY & HTG Freeport 207-865-9010 charlieburnham.com

DEAD RIVER COMPANY Ellsworth 800-244-4681 deadriver.com

DEAD RIVER COMPANY Brewer 800-649-1645 deadriver.com

P. GAGNON & SON, INC. South Berwick 207-384-2213 pgagnon.com

Contributors

Maine’s

BIG

Brad Eden

Dr. Lenard W. Kaye

Hit Music Station Take us on the Turnpike from Kennebunkport to Newport!

Paulette Oboyski

Also learn more about

Fia Marquis

Ellen L. Spooner

Sheila Grant

the people of Maine with

weekday mornings!

Hunter Howe

Avery Hunt

GLEASON MEDIA SERVICES 555 Center Street, Auburn 207-784-5868 MainesBIGZ.com Jane Margesson

5 • MAINE SENIORS

Kathleen Fox

Page 7

JUNE 2017 ISSUE 1 Publisher's Note

BY DAVID S. NEALLEY

5 Contributors 7 Prime Mover: Tim Sample

BY ELLEN L SPOONER

Page 19

19 Prime Mover: Charlie Wing

BY AVERY HUNT

29 Prime Mover Arts: Curt Dale Clark

BY PAULETTE OBOYSKI

39 Sage Lens: Social Isolation

BY DR. LEN KAYE

43 Health Treasures: Care in Motion

GUEST ARTICLE

45 Just Pondering: Rogue Resume

BY WALDO CLARK

Page 29

47 The MAINE Point: The Garden

BY JANE MARGESSON

49 Outdoors: Fishing Over Seventy in Maine

BY KATHLEEN FOX

51 Legacy: How to Protect Your Finances

GUEST ARTICLE

55 Special: Maine Whoopie Pie Festival

BY SHEILA GRANT

61 A Trail Less Traveled: Busy as a Beaver

BY BRAD EDEN

Page 55

63 Residential Review: OceanView at Falmouth

GUEST ARTICLE

67 Food for Thought: Maine Lobster Rolls

BY FIA MARQUIS

69 From the Porch: Words that Soak up Life

BY HUNTER HOWE Page 67

JUNE 2017 • 6

PRIME MOVER

Tim with his dog Cosmo

7 • MAINE SENIORS

PRIME MOVER • Tim Sample

TIM

Sample Maine’s Quintessential Humorist

BY ELLEN L. SPOONER

“The human race has only one really effective weapon and

that is laughter.” —MARK TWAIN

“He’s a funny guy, you’ll get no argument from me

Spend an afternoon with Tim Sample and you will find yourself in the presence of a truly charismatic, engaging, intelligent conversationalist whose physical appearance and demeanor belie his sixty-six years.

W

hat does it take for a young lad, born in a small town in Aroostook County, Maine, to become a household name in New England and beyond? For Tim Sample it was a lot of talent and determination and meeting the right people at the right time.

Although Tim’s parents lived in Limestone, he was born on January 30, 1951 in Fort Fairfield where the nearest medical facility was located. Very early in his life, however, his parents were divorced and Tim moved, along with his mother, brother and sister, to Hancock County for a short time. They would ultimately settle in Boothbay Harbor where his mother remarried a man named Sample who adopted the three children. Tim’s family would come to include his brother, sister, a half-brother and three step-sisters, although Tim says they always considered themselves to be just brothers and sisters.

on that score, but no more a comedian than Mark Twain

Stephen King

or Artemis Ward.

Like them,Timmy (that’s what I always call him the way folks from up our way are apt to call their friends “dearie”)

isn’t acting; he’s just talking in a kind of heightened and gifted way, as folks do when they’re passing on valuable tales about the human condition.”

—STEPHEN KING

JUNE 2017 • 8

PRIME MOVER • Tim Sample

As a youngster, Tim was verbally gifted. He says, “I had a huge vocabulary and a voracious appetite for information.”

Tim was asked to be the keynote speaker, along with George Mitchell,

He also had the ability to memorize and repeat verbatim anything he heard from facts, to song lyrics, to comedy routines. During what he refers to as the “Cocktail Party Era”, Tim would linger in the background when his parents and their guests listened to recordings by entertainers like Alan Sherman and Shelley Berman.

All the while, Tim was memorizing their routines. He would soon be called on to perform for others and that’s when he first realized that he could make people laugh.

most powerful things that ever happened to me."

Tim was a very precocious child and, as a result, was placed in accelerated classes when he entered school. He continued to demonstrate strong verbal abilities and emerging artistic talent but struggled throughout his school years with academic subjects and consistently failed. He was accused of being lazy and not trying hard enough. Years later, it was found that Tim’s educational difficulties may have been caused, or at least exacerbated by a learning disorder.

Be a Foster Grandparent! enjoy the opportunity to work with disabled, disadvantaged and developmentally delayed children in one-on-one and small group settings.

Foster Grandparents: • are income-eligible volunteers aged 55 and over • volunteer 15 to 40 hours a week Benefits include: • a stipend for hours worked • paid holidays & earned time • assistance with transportation and meals For more information, call 207-973-3611 or 1-800-215-4942 or visit www.penquis.org

Foster grandparents are just ordinary people who reach out and take a child’s hand and together make a difference that lasts a lifetime.”

—Foster grandparent from sedoMoCha, dover-Foxcroft

9 • MAINE SENIORS

at the 200th Anniversary of Hebron’s founding. He was presented with the only honorary degree ever presented in the school’s 200-year history.Tim says, "It was one of the

Tim Sample on stage

PRIME MOVER

Tim Sample at Neworld animation, 1978

As he describes it, “I had a very serious closed head injury when I was 10 years old. I fell off a swing on a playground and hit my head in 1961. As a result, I almost died. I had massive convulsions, was in an induced coma . . . and long story short, I survived with no apparent outward effects but neurological damage that left me with a learning disability which, at that time no one knew anything about . . . a nonverbal learning disorder.”

Independent & Assisted Living for Seniors

Serving the Community for 20 Years!

Call Katelynn to take a tour!

Tim must have been a “gutsy” kid though, because he fought on using his artistic and verbal skills to get ahead despite the fact that he experienced grand mal and petit mal seizures and took Dilantin for years after the injury occurred.

Tim spent his first year of high school at Hebron Academy.

He was unsuccessful, flunked out, and it was suggested that he not

550 College St. • Lewiston, ME • 207-786-7149 www.montelloheights.org JUNE 2017 • 1 0

PRIME MOVER • Tim Sample MPBN TV Special with Noel Stookey

INSURANCE

Senior Planning CENTER

F IN ES A NC I AL SERVIC Farmington • Rumford • Presque Isle Backstage with Noel Stookey

Medical Insurance Disability Advocacy Taxes • Social Security Medicare Plans • Part D Rx 401k/IRAs • Legacy Planning

“Let our Statewide Team of Licensed Agents answer your most Important Healthcare and Retirement Questions” Tony Arruda, Founder and CEO

Maine’s Leading Senior Resource With a Statewide Team of Agents

207-778-6565 • 888-320-8765 Your call may be answered by a licensed agent.

www.seniorplanningcenter.com Y0067_AGT_SeniorPlanningMagAd_1016 IA 10/14/2016 11 • MAINE SENIORS

return the next year. The story didn’t end there. In 2004, Tim was asked to be the keynote speaker, along with George Mitchell, at the 200th Anniversary of Hebron’s founding. When Tim finished his remarks, he was asked to remain on stage and was presented with the only honorary degree ever presented in the school’s 200-year history. Tim says, "It was one of the most powerful things that ever happened to me.”

By the time he was 15, after years of challenge and failure resulting from his learning disability, Tim confides,“I was still having seizures and was virtually suicidal, but I did return to Boothbay Harbor and managed to graduate with my class largely because of my artistic abilities.” It was suggested that he pursue further education at a school for the arts. Tim applied to both the Rhode Island School of Design and the Portland School of Fine and Applied Art, now Maine College of Art (MECA), in Portland and was accepted at both. He opted for Portland.

PRIME MOVER

Tim Sample and Marshall Dodge

“I still had lots of problems and a low self image because of my nonverbal learning disability.” Tim reports,“and I dropped out and began performing in rock bands. I had performed in rock bands in high school as the vocalist because I had a decent voice and could memorize all the lyrics, and later, I picked up the guitar. But in Portland, I had found myself in the arts and loved it; I saw a future for myself as a creative person.”

Tim’s rock bands performed during the mid-70s but were hardly lucrative. He found that once the money the band received was divided up among the members, there wasn’t enough to live on. So, acoustic guitar in hand, Tim set out on his own until 1976, when Maine’s own Noel Paul Stookey, formerly of Peter, Paul and Mary, became aware of Tim’s talent and asked asked him to be his opening

Tim set out on his own until 1976,

when Maine’s own Noel Paul Stookey, formerly of Peter, Paul and Mary, became aware of Tim’s talent and asked asked him to be his opening act. act; to go out and tell a few of his stories to warm up the audience.

Referring to Stookey, Tim says, “We really hit it off. In fact, he (Stookey) produced my first album and helped edit the next three.

I also worked with him as an animator at Neworld Animation in Blue Hill.

JUNE 2017 • 1 2

PRIME MOVER • Tim Sample

And that became the first of a series of fortuitous opportunities that would skyrocket Tim Sample, and his contagiously humorous look at Mainers and Maine life, to national prominence over the next forty years.

In the late 70s, after a chance meeting and impromptu performance at a fundraiser in Portland, Tim and well-known humorist Marshall Dodge of Bert and I fame began performing together. They were very successful as a team and played to capacity crowds wherever they appeared. Their collaboration came to an end, however, when Dodge was killed in a biking accident in 1982. Following Dodge’s death, Tim began working with Bob Bryan, the other half of the original Bert and I duo.

Tim Sample and Robert Bryan Tim onstage, Deertrees, 2010

During a telethon in Bangor in the mid-80s, Tim met Stephen King and they became friends. Tim subsequently narrated King’s audio book The Sun Dog using 16 different voices. Then in 2015, he narrated King’s Drunken Fireworks and was one of the narrators for a second book Locke and Key by King’s son, who writes under

Great service in many ways.

“For years we have trusted the Bar Harbor Financial Services team to manage our securities portfolio as well as our insurance needs. When we need something, a quick call always gets it done. If anything ever happened to either of us, they would be one of the first calls we would make.”

Stephen and Wendy Cole, Founders, S.W. Cole Engineering

www.bhbt.com • 1-800-479-9963 NOT A DEPOSIT

NOT FDIC INSURED

NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY

NOT GUARANTEED BY THE BANK MAY LOSE VALUE

Bar Harbor Financial Services is a branch office of Infinex Investments, Inc., an independent registered broker-dealer offering securities and insurance products, which is not affiliated with Bar Harbor Bank & Trust.

13 • MAINE SENIORS

PRIME MOVER

“It was probably the highpoint of my career when on Sunday morning, October 26, 1993, I watched Charles Kuralt

introduce me for the first time.”

the name of Joe Hill. Both books were finalists for the 2016 Audi Awards, presented yearly by the Auditory Publishers Association. Tim was given high praise for his narration.

Perhaps, Tim’s biggest break came in 1993 when he was approached by renowned newsman Charles Kuralt and asked to become a contributor to his television show CBS News Sunday Morning. Tim jumped at the opportunity, thus beginning a relationship that would last for eleven years and produce 100 segments of Postcards from Maine. Tim says,“It was probably the highpoint of my career when on Sunday morning, October 26, 1993, I watched Charles Kuralt introduce me for the first time.”

Comfortable seats.

More room. First-class service.

All before take-off.

The newly renovated Bangor International Airport is really something to see.

From automated, self check-in kiosks to relaxing, comfortable places to wait. It’s a brighter, more spacious passenger services area. All designed to make the first part of your trip easy and enjoyable. Visit flybangor.com or come see the real thing!

Take advantage of new Delta nonstops to JFK. Plus new American nonstops to Charlotte starting June 3 and to NYC - LaGuardia July 1.

ALLEGIANT • AMERICAN • DELTA • UNITED JUNE 2017 • 1 4

PRIME MOVER • Tim Sample

What's Tim been up to?

Books by Tim: • Answers to Questions Nobody was Askin’: 2014 Down East Books • Maine Curiosities 3rd edition (w/Stephen Bither): 2011 Globe Pequot Press • The Summer with Jay (illustrator): 2005 Maine Humor Company • Saturday Night at Moody’s Diner (writer/illustrator): 1996 Down East Books • Postcards from Maine (writer/illustrator): 1988 Tillbury House • Aunt Shaw’s Pet Jug (illustrator): 1981 Thorndike Press • Hoskin’s Cow (illustrator): 1981 Thorndike Press • Stories Told in the Kitchen (illustrator): 1980 Thorndike Press • How to Talk Yankee (illustrator): 1978 Thorndike Press Audio by Tim: • The Cleansed: Fred Greenhalgh (Tim Sample/voice actor) Blackstone Audio 2017 • Answers to Questions Nobody was Askin’: Simon and Schuster Audio 2016 • Locke and Key: by Joe Hill & Gabriel Rodgriguez Tim Sample/ voice actor) Audible 2016 • Drunken Fireworks (by Stephen King Narrated by Tim Sample) Simon & Schuster Audio 2015 • Christmas in Maine CD /DVD MPBN 2013 • Bert and I Rebooted ( w/Robert Bryan): Bert and I of Maine LLC 2013 • Tim Sample Live at Stone Mountain Arts: Maine Humor Company 2011 • Tim Sample Collection Vol. 1: Maine Humor Company 2005 • The Tim Sample Collection Vol. 2: Maine Humor Company 2005 • Ain’t Life Grand: Sample Studio 1999 • Sample and Dodge The Summer of ’81: Sample Studio 1997 • Born in Maine: Sample Studio 1997 • Pumping Irony: Sample Studio 1992 • Four Past Midnight/The Sun Dog (by Stephen King/ narrated by Tim Sample) • Penguin Highbridge 1991 • Snappy Answers: Bert and I 1990 • Back in Spite of Popular Demand: Bert and I 1985 • Down Easy Stand-Up: Bert and I 1983 • How to Talk Yankee: Bert and I 1982 • The Tim Sample Comedy Album (sic): Elephant’s Graveyard 1980

15 • MAINE SENIORS

Film/Video by Tim: • Maine Humor in the 21st Century: Maine Humor Company 2006 • Back in the Day: Maine Humor Company 2006 • Lobsters, Laughter and Lighthouses: Sample Studio 1998 • Sunday Morning in Maine: Sample Studio 1996 • Tim Sample on Roll: Sample Studio 1994 • Maine Humor Behind the Barn: Sample Studio 1993 • Tourist Huntin’ in Maine: Sample Studio 1991 • Postcards from Maine: Sample Studio 1990 • Best of Tim Sample: Bert and I: 1987 • From Stump to Ship: Northeast Historic Films 1985 • King of the Cats _ Weston Woods 1983 • Burt Dow Deep Water Man: (by Robert McCloskey narrated by Tim Sample) Weston Woods 1983 TV • • • •

Shows by Tim: CBS News Sunday Morning (senior correspondent) 1993-2004 What’s for Suppah? (co-host): MPBN: 2004/2005 Tim Sample Live (host): WPXT 1991/1992 So You Think You Know Maine (host): Maine PBS 1985-1987

Rudman Winchell: A history of excellence, 100 years in the making.

Abraham Rudman begins practicing law in Bangor.

American “doughboys” are fighting in the Great War.

1917 Gerald Rudman joins the law offices of Abraham Rudman.

1952 Paul Rudman joins his father and brother in the practice of law.

U.S. launches first weather satellite.

Hemingway publishes “The Old Man and the Sea.”

1960

1965

Abraham Rudman appointed to the Maine Supreme Court.

Martin Luther King Jr. marches from Selma to Montgomery.

The firm moves into the historic Graham Building.

1971

“All in the Family” premieres on CBS.

The firm merges with an established law firm, and becomes Rudman, Winchell, Carter & Buckley.

1977

Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” hits #1.

1980

Edith Richardson joins firm as one of the region’s first female attorneys.

Gene Carter appointed to the Maine Supreme Court.

First FAX machines are made available to businesses.

U.S. boycotts Moscow Olympics.

1991 Paul Rudman follows in his father’s footsteps to the Maine Supreme Court.

The Euro currency is established.

1998

Firm attorneys John McCarthy and Brent Singer argue a case in front of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Last episode of “Seinfeld” airs on May 14.

The firm becomes a founding partner of the Cross Insurance Center.

2013

Red Sox win third World Series title in ten seasons.

2017

Rudman Winchell celebrates 100 years of service to the people, businesses and communities of Maine.

B A N G O R , M A I N E • 2 0 7. 9 4 7. 4 5 01 • R U D M A N W I N C H E L L . C O M

AUBURN - AUGUSTA - BANGOR - TOPSHAM SOUTH PORTLAND - WATERVILLE - MANCHESTER, NH. 800-439-3297

© Forevermark 2016. Forevermark ®,

® and

™ are Trade Marks of The De Beers Group of Companies.

www.daysjewelers.com

PRIME MOVER

"Laughter changes your perspective

in a healthy way and when you’re ‘stuck’, it’s as though humor lubricates the human experience.

By responding deeply and emotionally you allow the

truth to come in.”

For Tim, laughter, which he compares to crying, is vital to our well being. He says, “Humor is one of the most powerful things that affect the human condition. When you start laughing at something, it takes on a life of its own; it has a cathartic element to it. You hear people say, ‘I needed that, I needed to laugh.’ It changes your perspective in a healthy way and when you’re ‘stuck’, it’s as though humor lubricates the human experience. By responding deeply and emotionally you allow the truth to come in.”

To this end, Tim has created a program called Pumping Irony – Stress Management Through Humor which addresses stress management in the workplace. He has presented this program to numerous companies and it has been received very well.

Tim relates wonderful stories about his life. Like the time, following an appearance at the Grand Theater in Ellsworth, he was unexpectedly spirited away by boat to an island in Penobscot Bay for a visit with the famous children’s author, Robert McCloskey and his wife Peg. The boat’s skipper was their daughter Sal. It turned out that McCloskey was a huge fan of Tim’s and wanted to meet him. Years later, the experience would be recreated for a segment of Tim’s Postcards from Maine on CBS. Tim also narrated two of McCloskey’s children’s books, Blueberries for Sal and Bert Dow, Deep-Water Man. Tim and his wife Kevin have a blended family of 5 children. Kevin taught school for years, but after all of their children became adults and were out of the house, she went to the University of New England to become a Licensed Social Worker. Tim and Kevin now live in Calais and truly enjoy the friendly small town atmosphere; “where everyone knows your name.”

While enjoying his peaceful coastal home, Tim continues to write, narrate, record, and illustrate books. Although he makes fewer personal appearances than he used to, he still does 25-35 concerts or after dinner engagements per year, logging 40-50 thousand miles on his vehicle traveling throughout Maine and beyond . . . often with his adorable traveling companion, Cairn Terrier“Cosmo”.

Thank you, Tim, for making us laugh at the world around us and at ourselves.

MSM For more information about Tim’s illustrious career, visit timsample.com.

New England’s Trusted Appraisal & Auction Professionals

“Finally...we were told what our items are actually worth by someone who is as passionate about them as we are!”

Find out what your collections are worth.

• FREE APPRAISAL TUESDAYS 10:00 AM–NOON & 1:30–4:00 PM • SCHEDULED APPOINTMENTS • SEND US A PHOTO

Fine Art | Antiques | Decorative Items | Jewelry | Coins | Vehicles

Always Accepting Quality Consignments

51 Atlantic Highway (US Route 1), Thomaston, Maine • 207.354.8141

ThomastonAuction.com | appraisal@thomastonauction.com

JUNE 2017 • 1 8

PRIME MOVER • Charlie Wing

The coast of Maine is full of characters.

Many of them have lots of interesting quirks: the lobster wharf owner who has strong opinions on fishing regulations (Dain Allen of Allen’s Seafood in Harpswell); or the sturdy septuagenarian owner of a tiny local seafood joint in Cundy’s Harbor (Dawn Bichrest), or the legendary boat builder in Southwest Harbor who also handcrafts and plays a mean fiddle (Ralph Stanley).

CHARLIE WING and COASTAL MAINE CHARACTERS with

Salt in their Veins

BY AVERY HUNT

T

here are many more, such as the Bowdoin grad preacher who, with his wife, were teachers and ministers on two Maine islands, and then set up a unique apprentice shop for building boats and character. How about the scion of an old Maine family who inherited and revitalized huge coastal enterprises, or the son of a sheet metal worker at Bath Iron Works who went on to be President of the company? At the small business end of the spectrum, there is the hands-on proprietor of the iconic Moody’s diner. And of course, there are renowned artists, nautical craftsmen, humorists and seafaring experts. The list of talented and wise salty men and women of the rockbound coast, some quite famous, others just plain folk, goes on and on. It seems there is something

19 • MAINE SENIORS

in the briny atmosphere that forges a unique blend of fortitude, humility, humor and integrity. Coastal Mainers are a special breed.

For Charlie Wing, a great selection of these folks merited a book.

Wing, coastal born, with the salt of several generations of Harpswell people in his blood, is an author of well over 30 how-to books, all non-fiction and technical. Taking a totally different authorial tack, he felt these Maine stories had to be heard and set about to do so.

Bowdoin educated, with a PhD from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), he is a physicist, former Bowdoin instructor, sailor, energy expert, and otherwise a man of many talents, who might well be counted as one of this breed. But for Charlie, who modestly doesn’t think he’s that special, discovering and talking to

PRIME MOVER

For Charlie Wing, a great

selection of these folks merited a book. Wing, coastal born, with

the salt of several generations of Harpswell people in his blood, is

an author of well over 30 how-to books, all non-fiction and technical. coastal characters recently became a passion. The happy result is a book taking a totally different tack, Salt in their Veins is a must read for anyone trying to understand the unique Maine psyche. And, as his wife wryly puts it, his first book “with a pulse”.

It all came about because he was reading Studs Terkel’s classic book, Working, and fell in love with it.“I thought, why can’t I do the same Dain Allen, Allen's Seafood

sort of thing, talking with real working coastal Mainers, and just have them tell their stories like Studs did? I would just use their own words, with no editorializing on my part.” Through these shared stories would emerge a captive snapshot of the people of the Maine Coast – and not only fishermen.

JUNE 2017 • 2 0

PRIME MOVER • Charlie Wing

Dawn Bichrest (77), Block ‘n Tackle, Cundy’s Harbor

Charlie’s criteria for selecting subjects were pretty simple: they had to be born in Maine and be an intrinsic part of the coastal community. At first, he had no age criteria, but after interviewing a half dozen young folks, he gravitated toward the oldsters.“They had much more to say!” Later, he also added a few notables from away with such strong connections to the coast that they were, as he puts it,“almost from here”.

How did he begin this project? “I just started asking around with some folks I knew. I had been hanging around Handy Boat in Falmouth and became intrigued by this 70ish fellow who was forever working on a 57-foot aluminum yawl he called‘The Bucket’.

What was his first boat?, I asked. ‘One day at the beach I just had this urge. I was four and my sister helped me drag our sandbox down to the water. Of course it sunk, but I’ve been sailing ever since.’ So I just let the conversation run on, and at the end he said, ‘You know, you ought to talk to Walter Green [a Yarmouth boat builder].’ And that’s how it went. I would talk with one person, and

21 • MAINE SENIORS

The Red Barn • 455 Riverside Dr. • Augusta ME 04330

207.623.9485 • www.theredbarnmaine.org

PRIME MOVER

at the end he or she would say,‘you should talk to so and so’.”

In all, Charlie interviewed 88 people, from Cape Elizabeth to Midcoast to way down east to Lubec. It took him 8 years, logging more than 15,000 miles up and down the coast in his car. He shared the rough drafts with six friends who were asked to rank them. From there, he winnowed the subjects down to 35.

Salt is 480 pages long, with 12-14 pages, including pictures, for each interviewee.

Getting taciturn Mainers to open up wasn’t always easy. Charlie would start by talking about his lobsterman grandfather and other salty relatives and the many coastal towns he’s lived in, thus establishing his down-home Maine roots. (He would often deliberately forget to mention his academic credentials!)

His interview process was pretty straightforward.“I would start out talking about our lives and we’d always find some commonality. We would be laughing and joking about stuff.” Then he’d pop on the

St

a

in rt

g

$1 t a

,0 98

Ralph Stanley (86), Southwest Harbor

00

Welcome to Stonewood Cottages in beautiful Rockland, Maine—Voted this year’s “Best Place to Live in Maine” by Down East Magazine

If you’re an aCtIve SenIor seeking an independent and relaxing retirement, life at Stonewood Cottages gives you that and more! Nestled in a residential setting coupled with all the conveniences and benefits of in-town living makes Stonewood Cottages the perfect choice.

Call foR a touR!

207-593-2530

Comfort, convenience, affordability Quiet residential 55+ community just minutes from Main Street

Convenient to beaches, harbors, golf, and outdoor activities Minutes to doctors and hospitals

Access to events and meals at adjacent Bartlett Woods Retirement Community Thriving year-round arts, entertainment, dining and seaside culture

StoNewood Road, RoCklaNd, Me 04841 www.StoNewoodCottageS.CoM • 207-593-2530 JUNE 2017 • 2 2

PRIME MOVER • Charlie Wing

MAINE MARITIME MUSEUM The late Dodge Morgan

tape recorder and say: “here’s the deal: This is your story, not mine.

If I write something up from our conversation, I’ll send it to you for vetting. And if you don’t like it at all, I won’t run it!’ ”

INTO THE LANTERN

That approach had positive results. Few wanted to change even a word. One fisherman actually said: “Gawd, I never knew I talked so good!” Only two backed out. One felt she had been a bit hard on other people. The other had a ‘wicked’ smart reason: “Good God, man. I’ve told you things my wife don’t know!”

243 Washington Street • Bath, Maine • 207-443-1316 www.MaineMaritimeMuseum.org

To understand how he was able to get such great stories out of people, you have to understand a little about Charlie himself. He holds the aforementioned Bowdoin degree and the doctorate from MIT in Physical Oceanography and worked at the prestigious Woods Hole Institute. But he is also a Maine man at heart and as down-to-earth as it gets. Giving up a promising future at MIT and

Opening June 2017

A LIGHTHOUSE EXPERIENCE

23 • MAINE SENIORS

PRIME MOVER

Charlie is a Maine man at heart

and as down-to-earth as it gets.

Giving up a promising future at MIT and Woods Hole, he returned to his coastal roots and taught physics for 3 years at his alma mater.

Woods Hole, he returned to his coastal roots and taught physics for 3 years at his alma mater. While there, he created an odd-ball course in 1972 that set Charlie off on many new ventures. He may have been a highly technical scientist, but his “education” in practical matters, like construction or energy conservation, was woefully inadequate.

Jim Hennessey (57), Winter Point Oysters Charlie on sailboat

That course changed his life. At the time, Bowdoin came up with a notion to offer “senior seminar” programs in which professors would teach something way out in left field, far from their academic discipline. The idea was that the students would learn invaluable lessons, not only in some new subject, by also by being part of a course where the teacher was, in essence, learning along with them.

When it was the small physics department’s turn to come up with something, the top professors weren’t interested, so Charlie, as an instructor, volunteered himself, devising a course called “The Physics of the House.”

At the time, he was living in, and rehabbing, a Woolwich post and beam farmhouse that dated from 1790. To say it was badly insulated was a major understatement.“We would be sitting at the dining room table on a winter night and the candles would blow out,” he recalls. He set about trying to fix the leaky old house and realized he didn’t know what he was doing. How did he overcome that obstacle? “I bumbled along and read books like everyone else!” Well, maybe not everyone. In typical Wing fashion, he read everything he could get his hands on about home building. He devoured architecture books and studied construction engineering on his own. He asked questions, talked with local architects and used that intense learning curve to structure his Bowdoin seminar.

The course was a big hit among students, and it set Charlie on JUNE 2017 • 2 4

PRIME MOVER • Charlie Wing

Grandfather Clarence, great-uncle Howard, great-grandfather Frank Goddard at farm on Dinlgley Island, Harspwell, 1914

Personal Care / Companions / Handyman Aging Life Care Experts 1hr. to 24hrs.

Swift Wellness Program

Maine owned and operated!

LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT MAINE AND NEW HAMPSHIRE 1-866-988-0991 seniorsonthego.com

25 • MAINE SENIORS

a different course, writing practical books based on his new experiences. He was founding partner of the now-famous Shelter Institute from its humble beginnings in Bath in 1974. He then wrote a ground-breaking book on smart building (called, appropriately, From the Ground UP) which grew out of his handson curriculum at the Institute. He was in the forefront of the energy conservation movement back in the early 70’s when concepts like solar energy and super-insulation were in the fledgling stages of development. He wrote and hosted a national PBS series on energy conservation and developed the first Department of Energy home energy audit.

In his middle age, he spent nine years living aboard a cruising sailboat and, in typical Charlie fashion, wrote 5 marine-related books along the way, such as How Boat Things Work.

Today, at 78, he’s not slowing down one bit. In addition to promoting his new book, he is currently revising three of his earlier books on boating and building.

and receive d a s i � n o Menti f your first mon�! of $500

LOV E W H ERE YOU L I V E. Our two bedroom cottages boast inspired home designs, outstanding features and the finest

quality construction. Come see our meticulous

attention to detail. Find all this and more nestled along the banks of the Kennebec River.

Rentals starting at $3,200 monthly

Call today to schedule your personal tour!

Monthly Rent Includes: ⁜ Heat / AC / Electricity / Water / Sewer ⁜ Maintenance / Trash removal / Grounds keeping / Snow removal ⁜ Access to Plant Memorial Home activities ⁜ Transportation twice monthly to medical appointments ⁜ Picnic area, walking path, dog park ⁜ Raised garden for each unit

Apartment Finishes: ⁜ Adjustable blinds

⁜ Hardwood floors in living / kitchen ⁜ Granite / quartz countertops ⁜ Tiled backsplash ⁜ Full sized stainless appliances ⁜ Tile / glass walk-in showers ⁜ Tile bathroom floor

We welcome small pets 40 lbs. and under.

ONE WASHINGTON STREET | BATH, MAINE 04530 207.443.2244 | SALES@THOMASCOTTAGES.COM | THOMASCOTTAGES.COM

Thoughtful CARE IN A Spectacular SETTING After a hospital stay, we know your goal is to return home and it is our job to help get you there.

Our highly qualified Skilled/Rehab Team will work together to get you back home, doing the things you enjoy as soon as possible.

• • • • • •

Physician/Medical Provider Visits Physical Therapy Occupational Therapy Speech Therapy Skilled Nursing Care Discharge Planning and Education

GoinG Home m o H e e m o welC If you are in need of additional support with housekeeping, personal assistance, medication management, consider us as your new home.

With 28 Private Assisted Living Apts. and a variety of floor plans, our intimate size allows us to customize our services to meet your needs.

• • • •

Emergency Response System Activities and Outings Formal Dining Spectacular Ocean View

newly renovated assisted living apts. with ocean views coming Soon!

Call 207-781-4714 ext. 229 for more information and to schedule a tour 191 Foreside Road • Falmouth, Maine • www.falmouthsea.com • www.foresideharbor.com

PRIME MOVER

Will there be a Salt II? Responds Charlie, “Thoreau wrote, 'I have traveled a good deal in Concord…'. Well, I have traveled quite a bit on the Maine Coast. Now I’d like to go abroad in the rest of America to see what I might learn."

But Salt in their Veins, subtitled Conversations with Coastal Mainers, is still very much on his mind. He dedicates it to“the memory of my grandfather, Clarence Goddard, for passing me the salt.”

And who knows, maybe there will be another. He tells the story of a fellow who recently showed up at his house in a pick-up truck, and said to his wife: “I’m looking for that old guy, Charlie Wing.”

“What do you want with him?”, she asked. “Well, he’s wrote a book about Maine fisherman. I’m a Beal, from Beal’s Island, and he hasn’t us in the book!”

MSM Charlie and his book shirt

THERE IS STILL TIME TO GROW With Americans enjoying longer, more productive retirements, you need an investment portfolio that continues to work for you.

We specialize in comprehensive investment guidance to help you work toward your retirement objectives.

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC.

(207)873-2200 129 Silver Street, Waterville, ME 04901 info@goldenpondwealth.com JUNE 2017 • 2 8

PRIME MOVER ARTS • Curt Dale Clark

C

: K R A L C

THE MUSIC MAN UR

E L T DA

BY PAULETTE OBOYSKI

Curt Dale Clark as Professor Harold Hill in The Music Man, 2015 Courtesy of Roger Duncan Photography

29 • MAINE SENIORS

PRIME MOVER ARTS

Curt Dale Clark is the gracious Artistic Director

of the Maine State Music Theater (MSMT) located in Brunswick, Maine. Curt is an award-winning actor, singer, dancer, playwright, lyricist and director. He first arrived at MSMT to act as the Beast in their 2005 summer production of “Beauty and the Beast” and later accepted the Artistic Director position in 2013.

T

he Artistic Director is the person with overall responsibility for the selection and interpretation of the works performed by a theater company. Curt relates,“When I first came here, I fell in love with Brunswick and MSMT. I acted many seasons here including the year when they asked me to take the Artistic Director position on an interim basis. This theater has a special quality about it—board members, the people that surround it,

people from the town—they make actors feel like stars. The minute that I became Artistic Director, I realized that this was me—that I wanted to do this.”

When he is not in Brunswick, he lives part-time in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, with his husband, Marc Robin, who is the Artistic Director at the Fulton Theater in Lancaster. They are apart for about 7 months out of the year due to their job locations. Curt has collaborated with Marc on 15 children’s musicals as co-lyricist and writer. Marc also visits Brunswick and has directed MSMT shows such as “Ghost” in 2016.

Presently, Curt does not act in many MSMT productions due to his demanding job as Artistic Director. But, at the end of last summer he did appear in Portland as the Irish Tenor in the MSMT/Portland Stage Theater collaborative production of “The Irish and How They Got that Way”; which extended both theaters’ respective seasons. Marc Robin directed the show.

Senior Living at its Finest on the Beautiful Maine Coast.

SCHOONER COVE DAMARISCOTTA Riverfront Views Fine Dining and Friendly Neighbors Maintenance-Free Living Pet Friendly Communities Unique Access to Healthcare: Part of the LincolnHealth Care Continuum

Resident-Owned Independent Apartments Featuring One and Two-Bedroom Floor Plans and Glorious Riverfront Views

“Living at Schooner Cove is much easier than

trying to maintain a house. All in all, I feel very well cared for here: good company, good food, time alone or with others, the exercise classes, and I especially enjoy the beautiful view of the Damariscotta River. I can sit in my apartment or on my patio on the first floor and enjoy the view of the river and all the gardens. ~Schooner Cove Resident Eleanor Cappon

35 Schooner Street, Damariscotta, ME (207) 563-5523 www.schoonercove.com

JUNE 2017 • 3 0

PRIME MOVER ARTS • Curt Dale Clark

The MSMT Board of Trustees

is a working board of 23 people who help guide and promote the theater, make contributions, and volunteer to assist with projects and special events and even help maintain the

MSMT properties.

Courtesy of Annie Rose Photography

Clark as the Beast

Curt Dale Clark was born and raised on a farm in Pecatonica, Illinois. He loves his hometown and goes back to visit as often as he can. His father is Dale Clark, who is a retired farmer/tool and dye man. His mother, Kaye Clark, still works for an Illinois financial company. Curt is the youngest of four children. He has two brothers, Cory and Brad and a sister, Teri. His family still lives in Illinois.

He graduated with a degree in sales and marketing from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champagne. One of the many acting schools where he studied was Chicago’s Old Town School. He has

The Irish & How They Got That Way 31 • MAINE SENIORS

appeared in countless numbers of theater productions across the USA. Some of his signature roles are Harold Hill in “The Music Man” and Javert in “Les Misérables”.

Maine State Music Theater is in its 59th year. Victoria Crandall of Wiscasset, Maine founded MSMT in 1959 when she was 50 years old. It was first called the Brunswick Summer Playhouse and it is still located in the Picard Theater on the Bowdoin College Campus, where the troupe presents its summer season. In the 1970’s it became a non-profit in order to develop its intern program to train young artists in theater crafts. The name was changed to Maine State Music Theater in 1988. Bowdoin College is a partner and lessor of MSMT.

Courtesy of Roger Duncan Photography

PRIME MOVER ARTS

with the community are great, which enables me to work on the business end of the organization. I could not ask for a better partner to work with.”

The MSMT Board of Trustees is a working board of 23 people who help guide and promote the theater, President of MSMT make contributions, and volunteer Board Patrick J Scully to assist with projects and special events and even help maintain the MSMT properties. Pat Scully is the President of the MSMT Board of Trustees and is the CEO of Bernstein Shur, a law Firm in Portland where he is a practicing attorney.

Scully relates, “MSMT has been around for almost 60 years and it has a long history of providing fabulous musical theater in the mid-coast area. But what is fascinating, is what Curt has done since he has led MSMT as its Artistic Director. We have consistently strong shows. The quality of the productions and every interaction that people have with the theater has been enhanced just because Stephanie Dupal has been an employee of MSMT for 24 years. Since 2013, as Managing Director, she has shared coleadership responsibility of the theater with Curt. She is responsible for the business and financial end of the organization. Together they exceed their job descriptions.

ME Seniors_June17.indd 1

Dupal states,“There is nobody on this planet that is more enthusiastic and has more energy for MSMT than Curt Dale Clark. He loves what he does, he loves the community, and he loves the theater. When he is here, he is working 24/7 for MSMT. His personality and his determination are just perfect for his position. He makes sure that the artistic product is the best that we can ever produce and that the relationships

5/12/17 The MSMT property

11:53 AM

Courtesy of MSMT and Victor Oboyski JUNE 2017 • 3 2

PRIME MOVER ARTS • Curt Dale Clark Courtesy of MSMT and Victor Oboyski

MSMT Trustees & Staff

Curt has such high standards, expectations, and unlimited energy.

Curt has done a fabulous job of getting out into the community and spreading the message about MSMT and building support and alliances with local businesses.”

Scully concludes, “As a result, our subscriber base has gotten stronger; our advertiser and sponsorship base has gotten deeper.

Curt Dale Clark and Stephanie Dupal

Courtesy of MSMT and Victor Oboyski

33 • MAINE SENIORS

PRIME MOVER ARTS

The overall quality of the productions and the quality of the talent is very close to that of Broadway. We have sold more subscriptions this year than ever in our history. So, we know that even before the curtain rises for the first show, that we are going to have a successful season.”

MSMT uses local options as much as they can, such as purchasing supplies from area vendors. Last year, they partnered with Brunswick’s Curtis Memorial Library for a“Story and Song” event in which Curt presented excerpts from source material and sang songs from two MSMT kids shows: “Sleeping Beauty” and “Alice in Wonderland”. In June and July 2016, the Curtis Library featured an MSMT“Collaboratory” exhibition, which showcased the theater’s past, present and future, including theater memorabilia.

2017 Season Shows Always Patsy Cline Guys and Dolls Grease Newsies The All Night Strut (with Portland Stage) Monday Concert Series: The Hank Band, The Who’s Tommy, The Taffetas Theater for Young Audiences: Sleeping Beauty and Alice in Wonderland For more information visit www.msmt.org or call (207) 725-8769

The MSMT Company Manager position is a multi-faceted job, which is held by Kathi Kacinski, who has fabulous red hair.

She states that she is the human resources manager who, among

JUNE 2017 • 3 4

PRIME MOVER ARTS • Curt Dale Clark Curt Dale Clark at MSMT Office

many various tasks, arranges travel, housing and organizes daily calendar rehearsals as well as hospitality functions for the summer staff, talent and interns. Actor’s Equity Association has rules in which the talent can only be housed within ¼ mile from where the theater and rehearsal hall is located. So she must arrange all the living accommodations right within the town of Brunswick for the large group of summer staff who are here for the very short 14-week season.

Curt and the MSMT group have made a big effort to enhance the facilities at Elm Street, which is where the administrative offices are located. MSMT now has entirely renovated housing on the upper floor of the Elm Street building and the two buildings that they own in town for additional housing. They are in the process of acquiring a third house. Several hundred people come to Brunswick in the summer to work on the shows and MSMT has to find places to house them. Although they try to hire local as much as possible, many of them come from away.

Courtesy of MSMT and Victor Oboyski

Curt explained that when the actors first come to town, there are no sets or costumes, but the summer crew immediately starts

Cruise...

www.935trueoldies.com • www.facebook.com/Cruisin935

207-660-4888 35 • MAINE SENIORS

• 295 KMD Plaza Unit 3, Waterville, ME 04901

PRIME MOVER ARTS

Curt Dale Clark is truly Brunswick’s “Music Man”. Along

with his partner, Stephanie Dupal, he has enlisted a battalion of creative and generous people to help produce award-winning musicals for the pleasure of their patrons. working round the clock and the show gets put together almost in an instant. “My partner, Stephanie and I have to work hard to get the talent to come here the first time. But—we never have to try the second time. They always want to come back. It makes for a special occasion for the actors when the townspeople stop to express their appreciation.”

Every year, 20-30 young theater apprentice artists are selected by MSMT to receive an intensive training in their respective crafts and get the opportunity to study with the best professionals in the business. At the end of the season, they produce their own show at the theater.

One of the largest challenges for Maine State Music Theater is that they only have nine full-time employees. None of them have one job. Curt relates, “I am, at times, the janitor, gardener, window washer, mechanic, etc. If we hired all the people that we needed to do the things that need to get done, we wouldn’t exist. MSMT has an army of volunteers including the Angels.”

FRI JULY 7TH

FRI JULY 14TH

SAT AUG 5TH

SUN AUG 20TH

MAINE STATE PIER PORTLAND, MAINE

BLACKBERRY SMOKE WITH SPECIAL GUEST

gALACTIC

WED JULY 26TH

Carol Hammond, Director of Marketing and Communications for MSMT, states,“Our volunteer auxiliary, The Angels, form the core of our ushering volunteers, and also transport cast members to and from the airport, distribute posters and brochures throughout Maine, and provide food and support for the stage crew during show changeover weekends. They do a ton. Most are seniors.”

A large part of Curt’s job is raising money. He and his staff apply for grants and appeal to sponsors and individual patrons. MSMT is completely non-profit and everything that they make goes back into the company. Their capital campaign is the largest fundraiser.

REVOLUTION WED AUGCOME...

9TH AUGUST 9 MAINE STATE PIER PORTLAND, MAINE

TICKETS ON SALE VIA WATERFRONTCONCERTS.COM, TICKETMASTER.COM OR BY PHONE AT 1.800.745.3000

REVOLUTION GO TOUR

FRI AUG 11TH FRIDAY, AUGUST 11

WED AUG 16TH

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT WATERFRONTCONCERTS.COM MAINE STATE PIER, PORTLAND, ME

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT WATERFRONTCONCERTS.COM, TICKETMASTER.COM, CHARGE-BY-PHONE AT 1.800.745.3000 OR LOCALLY AT AURA LOCATED AT 121 CENTER STREET IN PORTLAND, ME.

JUNE 2017 • 3 6

PRIME MOVER ARTS • Curt Dale Clark Courtesy of MSMT and Victor Oboyski

2016 MSMT Interns John Wasileski with Highland Green Overview

Courtesy of MSMT and Victor Oboyski

One of MSMT’s biggest sponsors and patrons is John Wasileski, the founder of Highland Green (HG) 55+ Active Adult community in Topsham and Ocean View at Falmouth Retirement community. Many people who live in these places share John’s passion and attend MSMT’s productions. You will see HG’s and Ocean View’s prominent displays in the MSMT lower lobby.

Wasileski says,“Curt Dale Clark is a consummate professional with a great sense of humor and everlasting spirit with an indomitably positive attitude. I always leave a meeting with Curt, or when seeing him on stage, with a smile on my face and a quickening of my step.

We became the premier season sponsor in 1989 and that is a role that we have had ever since then. We do not intend to relinquish this sponsorship.”

Curt Dale Clark is truly Brunswick’s “Music Man”. Along with his partner, Stephanie Dupal, he has enlisted a battalion of creative and generous people to help produce award-winning musicals for the pleasure of their patrons. Together they have shaped a well-run organization with a strong endowment. This ensures that MSMT can exist for many years to come.

MSM

37 • MAINE SENIORS

Did you know 1 in 3 people over the age of 50 have hearing loss?

It’s important to take an empowered, proactive approach to health during every stage of your life – let it begin with your hearing health.

Effects of untreated hearing loss: > Adults with untreated hearing loss develop a significant impairment in their cognitive abilities, 3.2 years sooner than those with normal hearing.

Try our new Muse™ hearing aids, the next generation of wireless hearing technology.

> Adults with mild hearing loss are two times more likely to develop dementia. > People with mild hearing loss (25 decibels) are three times more likely to have a history of falling.

Dr. Gary D. Schwartzberg, Au.D., FAAA, has over 27 years of experience helping people with hearing impairment. He and his staff are dedicated to providing their patients with the most advanced technology and highest quality instruments currently available. They strive to provide exceptional customer service and are committed to comprehensive follow-up.

We Offer 2 Convenient Locations!

325D Kennedy Memorial Drive • WATERVILLE, ME 04901

(207) 873-7191

859 Commercial Street • ROCKPORT, ME 04856

(207) 226-0288

www.schwartzberghearing.com info@schwartzberghearing.com

Hearing Aids can reduce the effects of hearing loss by

50%

Individual results may vary. © 2016 Starkey. All Rights Reserved. 45865-16_5/16

Len Kaye, Ph.D, Director of the Center for Aging at the University of Maine, testifies in hearing at the US Senate Aging Committee.

SOCIAL ISOLATION Considered at Recent Senate Special Committee Hearing

I have just returned from Washington DC, where I had the opportunity to present invited testimony at a special hearing of the Senate Special Committee on Aging.

T

he committee is chaired by our very own Senator Susan Collins, and the topic of the hearing was: “Aging Without Community: The Consequences of Isolation and Loneliness.”

It proved to be an important opportunity to share with national policymakers the risks of living an isolated life as we grow older in a rural state like Maine. Social isolation and loneliness are increasingly recognized to be extremely destructive and even life threatening conditions, yet have been largely overlooked by not only our lawmakers but the general public as well. A rural state like Maine is especially at risk of older adults living separated from community life because of our long-standing tradition of stoicism and living independently. The fact is, there is a great deal of evidence to confirm that social isolation can be lethal – a silent killer because of its close association with a great many negative

39 • MAINE SENIORS

BY DR. LEN KAYE

outcomes in later life including higher rates of illness, dementia, disability, anxiety and depression, neglect and exploitation, falls, hospitalizations, and ultimately an early death. Feeling isolated and lonely is said to have the negative effects equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day!

At particular high risk are LGBT older adults, those with physical, sensory, and functional impairments, who live alone, are 80 years of age and older, are geographically isolated, living on limited income, lacking instrumental supports (access to transportation, the internet, telephones, etc.), with poor mental health, weak social networks, and facing critical life transitions (i.e., divorce, death of a spouse, an abrupt retirement, a health crisis, children moving out, etc.).

My testimony at the hearing emphasized that solutions to reducing the negative consequences of social isolation or preventing it from happening altogether need not be extremely costly and, not surprisingly, will be most effective if we mount them as a comprehensive and concerted effort involving families, communities,

GREAT PLACES. GOOD PEOPLE.

Social isolation and loneliness

are increasingly recognized to be extremely destructive and even life threatening conditions, yet have been largely overlooked by not only our lawmakers but the general public as well. and government programs all working together. In Maine, creative, low cost solutions include programs like Project Generations at the University of Maine which arranges for college students to regularly visit and provide an open ear and a helping hand with older adults living alone in the community. This program, of course, can be expected to reap benefits both for the young people who are volunteering to make friendly visits and the older adults who welcome them into their homes.

In at least one Maine community (Augusta), postal service workers are trained to ask questions of homebound older adults by checking in on them periodically and ensuring their well-being.

In my opinion, it would be easy enough to also expect medical professionals to screen for social isolation during their older patients’ routine appointments. That could represent another set of eyes and ears in the community available to identify and address social isolation.

One such program in Franklin County, Maine, sends sheriff’s deputies to regularly check in on older adults to not only help reduce the risk that an older adult is falling victim to a scam, but also to increase social contact and well-being for that person. A cross-generational strategy to consider is called co-housing where older adults live with younger adults. This can help to combat social isolation for elders and help to create a sense of purpose among older adults who can share their experience and wisdom gained over a lifetime with the younger people living with them.

Of course, we don’t want to forget important federal programs that provide lifelines to older adults who are homebound including

Your perfect view.

Let us help you find it.

75 Western Ave • Augusta, ME 207.623.1123 • www.spragueandcurtis.com

Just ask for Stillwater

2015

SILVER

Stillwater Health Care is a recipient of the 2015 AHCA Silver Quality Award.

Q we…when want to thechange care the way you think you need can We want to change waymake you think about abouttheskilled all the difference. skilledrehabilitation. rehabilitation.

Q We areDelivering an environment that strives We are anpersonalized, environment thatto offer strivesrehabilitation to offer structured, skilled structured, skilled opportunities professional service for in a rehabilitation opportunities in a positive and enjoyable setting. positive and enjoyable setting.

people in need of short-term, long-term rehabilitation and skilled nursing care.

334 Stillwater Avenue, Bangor | www.stillwater-healthcare.com 334 Stillwater Avenue Bangor, Maine 04401 www.stillwater-healthcare.com

207.947.1111

Stillwater Healthcare is an affiAvenue liate of 335 Stillwater

JUNE 2017 • 4 0

Len with Senator Susan Collins, the Chair of the Senate Committee on Aging.

the Meals on Wheels Program, a network that reaches over 800,000 homebound older adults across the nation, providing not only home-delivered meals, but also socialization. The Senior Companion Program, (part of the national network of Senior Corps programs) pairs older adult volunteers with homebound older adults in their communities for ongoing socialization and support.

We also know there are ways to prevent social isolation before it occurs. Encouraging older adults to be involved as volunteers in their communities at churches and local organizations and with civic groups can be important avenues for ensuring that older adults stay healthy and connected to the world around them. Programs like Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and Senior College offer older adults opportunities for meeting new people and learning new skills.

The discussion at the hearing that followed the presentation of testimony was lively and suggested that the senators in attendance were highly engaged and concerned about the implications

41 • MAINE SENIORS

of older adults living in an increasingly socially isolated world.

Senator Collins indicated she has proposed legislation that would set into motion the establishment of a national strategy for comprehensively supporting family caregivers of older relatives. I left Washington, DC hopeful that the threat of social isolation will be more appreciated by our policymakers.

Older adults residing in Maine’s small towns and rural communities and those in other rural states across the nation may be especially vulnerable to the dangers of isolated living, but such communities, with modest levels of support, can be mobilized to take action against this threat to well-being in later life.

It is great to know that this important issue and threat to late life safety, health, and wellbeing is now on the radar screen in Washington. Thank you, Senator Collins and the other members of the Senate Special Committee.

MSM For those interested in watching a video of the hearing or reading the written testimony please go to: https://www.aging.senate.gov/hearings/aging-withoutcommunity-the-consequences-of-isolation-and-loneliness

Northeast Pain Management Absolute Physical Therapy Setting the Standard.

Let us help

ease your pain

“After my treatment, this was the best I have felt in years!”

—KC, age 73

Above: Northeast Pain Management Team Below: Absolute Physical Therapy Team

At Northeast PaiN MaNageMeNt our expert teams will listen to you and review tests, then diagnose and treat you with proven non-surgical approaches guided by x-ray or ultrasound. We set the standard and are the best and least expensive at what we do.

942-6226 / northeastpainmanagement.com absolute Physical theraPy is an integral part of the NPM office offering a wide range of treatment options for all orthopedic injuries. Our knowledgeable and friendly therapists will work with you to customize a treatment plan based on your needs and goals so you can achieve your highest level of recovery. We treat patients with the focused attention of an experienced, licensed physical therapist using private rooms and the most up to date equipment.

942-2233 / www.absolutept.net Call today and say you saw us in Maine Seniors Magazine.

Care in Motion

HELPING MAINERS ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY SINCE 1988

If you’ve stayed in the hospital, spent some time in a rehabilitation facility, or even used crutches—you may have used one of Black Bear Medical’s specialty mobility products and not even known it.

B

lack Bear Medical has been helping people in Maine and the surrounding region since 1988. Their 30 qualified staff members serve thousands of clients each year from their offices in Bangor and Portland. From hospital beds, to chair lifts for homes and businesses, to tools to make your home bathroom safer, Black Bear Medical has the products to make life easier.

Black Bear Medical staff understands that your health and wellness are top priorities. Whether you are struggling with mobility issues or just need a little helping hand, there are solutions to keep you

43 • MAINE SENIORS

active, healthy, and independent. There are countless health and wellness products that make life more comfortable and people more mobile—tools that you probably don’t even realize exist.

Insurance has changed a lot over the years, and Black Bear Medical knows navigating your benefits can be intimidating and complicated. They make sure they are knowledgeable about Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance to answer your questions. Black Bear Medical is a Medicare approved and Joint Commission accredited facility. They accept many major insurance plans including Anthem, Martin's Point, Medicare, Medicaid, and Harvard Pilgrim.

High premiums, higher deductibles and copays, and stricter coverage guidelines are making some products harder to get. The staff at Black Bear Medical understands these changes. They’ll take the time to explain the insurance requirements so that you are properly informed.

Black Bear Medical strives to make life easier for everyone, regardless of age or lifestyle. They work hard to stay on the cutting edge of the new products out on the market. Not sure what you need? Stop in or visit them online! You might be surprised at the selection of helpful tools we have to assist you or your loved ones.

MSM For more information visit us at blackbearmedical.com or call us at the location nearest you at 871-0008 in the Portland area or 992-2337 in the Bangor area.

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.

JUNE 2017 • 4 4

Rogue

Resume

BY WALDO CLARK

My buddy Spencer Spoonfed often boasts that he enjoys an impeccable family heritage. Actually, he prefers the word “lineage” because it sounds more like highbrow English. I call it family snobbery.

W

riter Brander Mathews once said about an uppity “highbrow” individual, “A person educated beyond his intelligence.”

The way Lord Spencer tells it, proudly pointing to his coat of arms, there’s not a black sheep in his family. Not one. The Spoonfeds invented, discovered, explored, defeated, started, and ran just about everything. Well, I like Spencer but I grew tired of hearing about the insufferable swell Spoonfeds.

Skeptical, I knew something smelled and I decided to employ the old sniff test.

I hired a genealogist to climb the Spoonfed family tree and give the limbs a good shaking. Bad apples always fall to the ground and I suspected he’d find a few under that tree. But, I wasn’t prepared for the scorching report the specialist compiled, so sensational that the town gossip columnist wrote the following: “Spivey Spoonfeds Shocking Scenario.” Old Spencer’s pedigree was just that—unappetizing dog food. A lot of tail wagging and no bite.

45 • MAINE SENIORS

Let’s take a look at the sorry saga.

In 1620, Squire Spoonfed sailed across the Atlantic on the Mayflower. Seems the Squire was really Stinky Spoonfed—he labored on the poop deck and in those days, the word poop applied, a stinky place to work.

In 1776, Twig Spoonfed sympathized with the British. His neighbor, Paul Revere, called him “Twig the Tory”. Come to find out, Twig supported taxation without representation. After Sam Adams smashed a beer bottle over his head, Twig fled to England where he later died penniless.

In the war of 1812, Snig Spoonfed, continuing family tradition, sold cannon balls to the Red Coats. Faulty manufacturing practices

In 1620, Squire Spoonfed sailed across the Atlantic on the Mayflower. Seems the Squire was really Stinky Spoonfed—he labored on the poop deck and in those

days, the word poop applied, a stinky place to work.

produced so many defective balls that the enemy ships blew up at an alarming rate. Snig desperately tried to portray himself as a hero but loyal patriots hung him on the Boston Common.

In 1859, before the Civil War, Sack Spoonfed, a gentleman farmer in South Carolina, set the standard for buying and selling slaves.

Sack belonged to the Slippery Snakes, a secret organization that believed the South would lose the war. So, they shipped some of their slaves out west for safe-keeping. The scheme backfired when the Sioux rescued the slaves. By war’s end, the boys in blue uniforms had burned Sack’s plantation. With no slaves and no home, he became known as Sad Sack Spoonfed.

disgruntled man from the leather department grabbed Socks and held him out the window by his ankles. The next day, the headlines screamed. “Real heel Spoonfed slips to the sidewalk outside his shoe factory and succumbs.”

Poor Spencer. You should have seen the look on his kisser when he devoured the report on the many Spoonfed debacles, realizing that a whole lot of stink came out of the Spoonfed septic system.

Sordid stuff for sure. I must admit, I felt some bad for stooping so low with my buddy, but hey, enough was enough.

Then, I noticed a smile cross his face, his mouth stretched so far apart that his lips twitched. “You missed my Aunt Winnie, the fastest sardine canner in Maine!”

I countered. “Maybe so, but Winnie spurted blood so often she ended up in a Johnson and Johnson band-aid commercial.”

Well, so much for the Spoonfed lineage. Spencer never mentioned it again.

I do love genealogy.

MSM

Hillcrest Retirement Community (55+)

I had to give Spencer the benefit of the doubt. After all, the past is the past. However, the past does point forward. I read on, the more recent history revealing the same pattern of Spoonfed shame.

In 1933, Swig Spoonfed worked for the mob’s Al Capone. One foggy night in northern Illinois, driving a truck loaded with booze from Canada, drunk, he attempted to run over crime fighter Elliot Ness. Swig missed him, shot off the road, and turned over in a rocky river bed. After five years in prison, he secured a job toiling on a production line at the Anheuser-Busch factory.

In 1941, Snidley Spoonfed spied for the Germans. One dark evening, on a mission to check out potential clandestine landing sites in northern New Jersey, his parachute failed to open. Snidley the spy got squished but he did set a speed record.

In 1946, Socks Spoonfed operated a shoe factory. His employees, working under oppressive conditions, detested him. Finally, a

Hillcrest is a special place where your neighbors are your friends and each day can be a new adventure! AFFORDABLE RETIREMENT LIVING in Scarborough!

Visit the New Cottages at Hillcrest!

Final Phase Filling Up Fast!

126 Route 1 Scarborough, ME • (207) 883-2512

Open 7am–4pm M-F 8am–Noon on Saturday or by appointment

www.StateManufacturedHomes.com Celebrating Our 74th Year of Success!

JUNE 2017 • 4 6

Before

After!

The Garden When I was ten years old, my father and I decided to embark on a new project.

D

ad was an extremely whimsical person with a magical sense of humor which, for a young child, proved to be a gateway to marvelous adventures. Our new project would be no different.

What we decided to do was create our own garden. I’m not sure what got us started on this quest, but it captured our imaginations quickly. We had great ambition! “We can grow flowers!” I almost shouted.“Vegetables, too!” he said. In the days before“box stores,” in our little town in rural New York, we were limited in our selection.

We started to peruse seed catalogs and our dreams flourished.

We looked around our house for a good plot, but sunny, arable land was scarce. My father had a perfect solution: We simply dug our plot in the middle of the lawn where there was plenty of sun and the ground was relatively flat. I had a hard time getting my small

47 • MAINE SENIORS

BY JANE MARGESSON spade to penetrate the resistant grass that had grown into tight tufts over the years. Finally, we achieved a plot that was about eight feet square. We found a few flat rocks and made a make-shift path down the middle.

After much discussion, we settled on our crops: Zinnias and Marigolds for flowers, and string beans and carrots for vegetables.

The entire garden was to be wreathed in white and purple alyssum, “the royal carpet,” I remember its stating on the seed packet. Such tiny little seeds! A neighbor showed us how to plant them in little furrows and put strips of newspaper over the rows so the seeds would be protected during heavy rain.

We kept a diary and drew pictures of our progress. Soon the little seedlings burst through the newspaper strips and we were able to free them of their temporary paper shelter. The garden became my favorite hobby. I couldn’t wait to see the changes each morning!

The results were magnificent. The Zinnia’s appeared in glorious colors and took firm hold right next to the small flag stones. We had fresh beans all summer and the alyssum and marigolds were perfect borders for the little square. Only the carrots failed. How

THE MAINE POINT 

We kept a diary and drew pictures of our progress. Soon the little seedlings burst through the newspaper strips and we were able to free them of their temporary paper shelter.

could they succeed when the beans spread row upon row and took over an entire half of the plot? We would try again, we vowed.

As an adult, gardening has become quite a passion of mine, and perhaps it’s because of that first garden experience that I love it so.

Our communities abound with nurseries and options for shrubs,

flowers and vegetables. For the would-be gardener, great advice is available, too. Through the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, for example, you can learn everything about soil, plants and even how to become a master gardener. Just visit www. extension.umaine.edu/gardening for more information. Even if you have only a little starter plot in the middle of the lawn, good advice can go a long way. After all, we would likely have lost half our yield without those newspaper strips.

My father and I never did return to the glories of our little garden.

I spent the next summer with relatives and when we thought about trying again two years later, most of the grass had already grown back. We didn’t really mind it, though. The garden experiment had been a rousing success, and we had already embarked on our next adventure.

MSM

Looking for information on senior communities, activities or services? Visit the

! e e r f

Spring Senior Expos June 8, 2017

June 21, 2017

Elk’s Lodge Rankin Street Rockland

Hilton Garden Inn Great Falls Plaza Auburn

exhibitors antique appraisals lunch available afternoon entertainment

exhibitors • speakers antique appraisals lunch available afternoon entertainment gold sponsor: Spectrum Healthcare Partners

9 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

9 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

hosted by

All sorts of senior information on one free, easy-access website!

MaineSeniorGuide.com

thanks to our media sponsor:

FMI: 207-232-7847

Maine Seniors magazine

DMcLean@MaineSeniorGuide.com

JUNE 2017 • 4 8

OUTDOORS

Fishing Over Seventy in Maine STORY AND ILLUSTRATION

BY KATHLEEN FOX

This morning I caught a 12-inch trout for breakfast and sautéed it in butter, with fiddleheads on the side. It is the fifth trout I have caught this year.

“Beowulf looks worried”

A

s a person over 70 living in Maine, I was able to purchase a lifetime fishing license for $8.00.

hats that put my lobster boots and old pink fishing shirt to shame, but Beowulf and I didn't mind.

I left home on the coast of Maine at 5:30 am with my fishing gear, my Newfoundland dog, Beowulf, and a can full of worms I dug out of the garden. The birds were chirping and the sun was trying to come out from behind the clouds as I headed inland.

There were no cars anywhere around my favorite spot, just a couple of guys with a Labrador retriever chatting by the side of the road.

When I neared the general store in Burketville I felt like I was in a wonderful dream, where all is as it should be. This little store has been my source of fishhooks, coffee, night crawlers, and a biscuit for Beowulf for the last two springs.

The forsythia was in bloom, and the sticky, red buds were just falling off the maple trees as I headed up to my favorite spot on the St. George River. I passed several cars in more popular spots, and caught a glimpse of guys in fly-fishing waders, vests, and even

49 • MAINE SENIORS

Beowulf and I snuck off to our spot along the river and scrambled down the bank, where there is a pool full of brook trout.

I discovered a few days ago that this group of fish doesn’t like night crawlers. They grabbed the crawlers, and, I swear, tasted them!

When I pulled in the line, the crawlers had bites out of them; the trout were spitting them out!

You can use worms from the beginning of fishing season, April 1st until mid-August on rivers, streams, and brooks in Maine, and then can only use artificial lures until the end of fishing season, on October 1st.

OUTDOORS

Folks who fish are only allowed to keep one trout from the St. George River. The limit is generally two for most rivers and five further inland. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife stocks many of the lakes and streams in April and May of each year, and the fishing is fine when the new trout hit the stream or lake, silly and hungry.

Many of the fish are not caught, and winter over. These are the ones I am looking for on this beautiful May morning.

So I carefully thread my #6 hook with a worm right out of the garden, where the tomato plants will be living in a week or two.

They are all healthy looking worms, squirmy and long, and there are lots of them.

I toss in the bobber close to shore and it drifts only a few feet downriver before I get a hit! I flick the rod and the little rascal takes off with my worm.

Next toss and I let the trout have the worm for a good twenty seconds before I flick the rod, and, sure enough, breakfast.

Spruce up your lawn with Uncle Henry's

Beowulf is a tenderhearted guy

and I seriously feel he does not approve of killing trout. It’s the

uncomfortable look he gives me,

and the meaningful, soulful, glances in the trout’s direction

that clue me in.

Beowulf looks worried. He knows what is next – I have to dispatch the trout so I can get it home and cook it.

Beowulf is a tenderhearted guy and I seriously feel he does not approve of killing trout. It’s the uncomfortable look he gives me, and the meaningful, soulful, glances in the trout’s direction that clue me in.

Luckily for those of us who eat trout, most of the fly-fishermen agree with him, leaving enough for me to catch for breakfast.

When we get home I share my precious catch with my husband, and Beowulf gets the leftovers. He doesn’t turn it down.

MSM

Uncle Henry's Prints New Editions Every Thursday, Which Means There Are Thousands of New Deals Every Week!

Pick Up A Copy At Your Local Store Today!

Call For More Info

207-623-1411

Trout and fiddleheads for breakfast

JUNE 2017 • 5 0

LEGACY

Thomas Duff

Joel West

Quick Tips How to Protect Your Finances for Seniors:

BY THOMAS DUFF, BRANCH MANAGER & JOEL WEST, FINANCIAL ADVISOR

As we get older we frequently face issues on how to maintain our lifestyles and pay increasing medical expenses on a fixed income. Here are some money management tips for seniors to consider in their retirement years.

Develop a realistic spending plan

While the idea of retirement is appealing to most people, make sure the dollars and cents add up before you make that decision.

Unfortunately, we continue to see seniors who made the costly decision to retire early without a realistic spending plan. The outcome is not good. For seniors who are still able, they may find they have to go back to work, often at a lower pay rate and job function, than their previous position. Many seniors find difficulty in getting hired after they have left the work force for an extended period of time, or may no longer be physically able to go to work.

That will likely mean a reduction in the lifestyle that you would 51 • MAINE SENIORS

like to maintain. When developing a realistic spending plan the “difference” will possibly be in the smaller things that add up. For example, do you buy a coffee every day at the local Dunkin Donuts?

If so, do you know how much you will spend there in a year?

Probably not without taking some time to think about it. What did your beloved four-legged friend cost last year? Does that include not only their food and medications, but also their veterinarian bills? Frequently, like us, our four legged friends have unexpected health issues that may require a large expenditure. If that comes up, how will you cover it? A realistic spending plan that looks at the smaller details and includes a cushion for large unexpected expenses is one key to successfully retiring and staying retired in the lifestyle you want.

Consider limiting the mail and phone calls you receive from marketers to help stay on track with that realistic spending plan. Unsolicited offers from unfamiliar companies can result in

LEGACY

Review your credit reports at least annually to look for mistakes, even if you are not planning on borrowing money. Increasingly,

insurance companies are reviewing your credit score to help determine the insurance risk you represent.

overspending on our monthly budget and paying for low quality services and unnecessary merchandise. Consider being added to the national Do Not Call Registry. You can do so by calling 1-888382-1222 or visiting www.donotcall.gov . Also, review the privacy disclosures from financial companies you do business with to see if they share your information with third party vendors. They can explain if and how that information sharing can be limited. Be sure to review your monthly bank statements to be certain you haven’t inadvertently signed up for a paid subscription service that automatically deducts fees from your bank account on a regular basis.

loan. Unless you are willing and able to service the debt obligation for the primary borrower, you should not co-sign for it. A senior should give the request to co-sign for a loan careful consideration.

A reverse mortgage is another option available allowing seniors age 62 or older to borrow against the equity in their homes, without a current obligation to make monthly payments. This option is complicated and is dependent upon the property meeting a number of criteria. The seniors will need to agree to meet the terms of the loan, such as staying current on the property taxes, keeping the house insured and maintained. However, keep in mind that borrowed money will eventually have to be repaid plus interest, most likely when the heirs sell the home. Also, if you do use a reverse mortgage, make sure the terms of agreement allow for both spouses to stay in the home until death, especially if the home is only in one person’s name.

Earning Money

Fortunately, on a societal basis we are realizing more and more how much of a resource our seniors are to us. You may consider

Borrowing Money

Review your credit reports at least annually to look for mistakes, even if you are not planning on borrowing money. Increasingly, insurance companies are reviewing your credit score to help determine the insurance risk you represent and what they will charge for coverage. The higher score, likely the lower premium you will pay, all else being equal. Also, your existing credit card provider may raise the current interest they are charging if your credit score goes down. Monitoring your credit report is also one way to monitor for identity theft. You can order a free credit report every 12 months from each of the three main credit bureaus at www.annualcreditreport.com or by calling 1-877-322-8228.

Think very carefully about co-signing any loans for a child or loved one. The size of the student loan market in particular continues to grow, as do the number of seniors who have co-signed a loan and are now under the obligation to repay because the loved one isn’t paying for whatever reason. There is a reason they need a co-signer initially, whether it be for student loans, a house loan or any type of JUNE 2017 • 5 2

LEGACY

turning a hobby or a professional skill into a supplemental income by doing a seasonal job or freelance consulting. The additional income has an obvious benefit, so be sure to look at the “other side” of it, too, such as increased tax liability or possibly an increase in your Medicare costs, or a reduction in your social security benefits due to the increase in income.

Get organized to help you and your future heirs

Develop a list of your financial institutions and account numbers.

You will obviously want to keep the list stored in a safe and secure manner, but you will also want to make sure the right loved one or care taker can find it if necessary. We are all familiar with the expression “don’t keep all your eggs in one basket” and that continues to be timeless advice on a general basis, but sometimes on a functional basis people can take it too far. In doing so, we frequently will establish multiple banking accounts at multiple institutions. Many seniors have more than one, and sometimes several financial advisors, when likely one is not only sufficient, but may be more beneficial. For one thing, one advisor looking

Affordable Golf for Seniors Bangor Muni is your home for great Senior Specials!

Membership as low as $495.00 Play 18 Holes during the week before 11:00 AM for just $20.00 or $34.00 with golf car!

www.bangorgc.com 53 • MAINE SENIORS

When you pass away, will your loved ones even know where all of your financial accounts are? Get organized and let a trusted individual know

where they can find that information. at the whole picture is likely going to be able to give better advice than multiple advisors looking at a portion of the picture. Further, when you pass away, will your loved ones even know where all of your accounts are? Get organized and let a trusted individual know where they can find that information if you are not able to do so yourself.

Get Professional Advice

In addition to getting organized and letting a trusted loved one know where to find the information, consult with an attorney about establishing a legal document known as power of attorney (POA) which would allow one or more people to make decisions for you, in the event you are unable to. Generally speaking, the POA may be broad and allow for a wide range of actions the person can take on your behalf or they may be very limited to only certain activities.

A competent attorney can help you determine what your needs are. Also, have the attorney review your existing will, or help you develop an initial will or trust to make sure that your wishes are followed when you pass. It is always difficult when we lose a loved one. It is even more so when the heirs have to figure out what to do without any guidance. Establishing an estate plan, be it a will or trust, not only helps you to have your wishes known, it helps your loved one when that time comes.

A financial advisor can help you best maximize your retirement savings for now and for later years. While the vast majority of financial advisors are ethical and responsible professionals, be sure to check them out before taking their advice or agreeing to their services. There are an increasing number of designations that advisors at large are using, and frequently they are confusing about their real credentials. Regulators and the industry have

LEGACY

Before you make that decision to retire, consider getting professional guidance. Develop a realistic spending plan and stick to it. Get organized and make sure a trusted person knows where to find the information in the event you are unable to take care of things yourself. That professional guidance will likely include the legal tools such as wills and POAs that will allow your loved ones to make decisions for you when you are unable. Stay active, enjoy life and continue to give back to your community as you can, it will benefit you, too.

MSM Any information is not a complete summary or statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision and does not constitute a recommendation. Any opinions are those of Thomas Duff and Joel West and not necessarily those of RJFS or Raymond James. Links are being provided for information purposes only. Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse, authorize or sponsor any of the listed websites or their respective sponsors. Raymond James is not responsible for the content of any website or the collection or use of information regarding any website's users and/or members.

Duff and Associates,470 N Main St, Brewer Maine 04412, 207-9896082 and Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc.

Un

its

Av

aila

ble

!

Open Now! 58 New Independent Living Apartments

12

acknowledged this problem and are taking steps to fix the situation.

But until then, what is a senior investor to do? Start by talking with a trusted friend or relative to see if they have any recommendations on someone to use or avoid. After you have discovered a potential advisor you may be interested in working with, do some more homework. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority or FINRA, is a great place to start. Go to their website https:// brokercheck.finra.org/ and type in any licensed financial advisor’s information to see if they have had any regulatory issues. Generally speaking, with broker check, less is more. Meaning that if a financial advisor has had multiple or recurring disclosures through their career, that is likely a warning sign that you should look for someone else. Conversely, if there are no disclosures that is a good thing. Overall, the site is easy to use and is designed as a resource for the investing public.

Welcome to Living Well √

Excellent food

√

Terrific people

√

Attentive staff

√

Warm atmosphere

√

Convenient location

√

Outstanding value

That’s why residents love The Park Danforth!

Personalized Senior Living Since 1881

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.

777 Stevens Avenue • Portland, Maine 04103 207.797.7710

www.parkdanforth.com JUNE 2017 • 5 4

SPECIAL

MAKING

Whoopie

Folks in the Maine Highlands are getting ready to celebrate in the streets at the 9th Annual Maine Whoopie Pie Festival on Saturday, June 24 in Dover-Foxcroft.

L

ast year, the live music, street food, vendors, children’s activities, and opportunities to sample whoopie pies drew over 8,000 attendees—more than double the crowd from its early years.

“We had several goals when we launched the Maine Whoopie Pie Festival,” said Center Theatre Executive Director Patrick Myers, who coordinates the festival and is one of the event’s founders.“We wanted to celebrate the taste of what is now Maine’s official treat,

55 • MAINE SENIORS

BY SHEILA GRANT

and to encourage people to come to Dover-Foxcroft and the Maine Highlands, and to show off the wonderful area that we get to live in every day.”

Festival day always begins early with the “Earn Your Whoopie Pie” fun run/walk sponsored by the Piscataquis Region YMCA. By mid-morning, much of downtown is closed to vehicular traffic, with a food court and a performance stage/dance area set up in the town center, and food and craft vendors lined up throughout the area.

Other groups also offer low-cost and no-cost activities that day.

There are ticketed inflatables to play on. The Congregational Church holds its annual yard sale, Thompson Free Library holds a book sale, and the Dover-Foxcroft Historical Society opens for

SPECIAL the season. The Friends of Central Hall, a group endeavoring to repurpose the historic former town hall, gives tours of the building.

Center Theatre always offers family friendly entertainment on the evening of the festival, as well. This year, interactive illusionist Joel Meyers will perform his progressive brand of magic. Meyers has been called a “Wicked Sorcerer” by People magazine. His resume includes everything from off-Broadway performances to television appearances to a tour in China.

But let’s face it; the real draw is the whoopie! There will be a whoopie pie baking contest with prizes in several categories. A

"We launched the Maine Whoopie Pie Festival to celebrate the taste of

what is now Maine’s official treat,

and to encourage people to come to Dover-Foxcroft and the Maine Highlands, and to show off the wonderful area that we get to live in every day.”

The official festival mascot, "Sweetie Pie," enters the Your Whoopie Pie fun run.

Downtown restaurants provide indoor/outdoor dining on festival day.

JUNE 2017 • 5 6

SPECIAL

The festival has grown since it launched in 2009.

wide variety of bakers will be selling whoopie pies. There’s also a whoopie pie eating contest.

“Visitors can certainly expect to encounter lots of new and interesting varieties of whoopie pies, as well as everyone’s favorite, the classic,” said Myers. “We usually have between two and three dozen bakers, and they all enter one or two of the categories for the judged contest. Most years we have bakers all the way from York County up to “The County” (Aroostook), and occasionally from outside of the state.”

Entertainment is available for all ages.

57 • MAINE SENIORS

SPECIAL

Estate Planning • Trusts • Wills Probate • Real Estate •Business Succession

Live music and room to dance are part of the fun.

Call today for an appointment

(207) 848-5600

2120 Route 2, Suite 4, Hermon, Maine 04401 www.WeatherbeeLawOffice.com

The $5 admission also includes four tokens for whoopie pie samples and a “golden coin” that visitors can use to vote for their favorite baker for the People’s Choice award. Additional tokens can be purchased for 25 cents each.

The making of the Whoopie Pie Festival

Street vendors offer a wide variety of foods and beverages.

The whoopie pie wasn’t famous back in 2009 when Center Theatre and its partners launched the inaugural Maine Whoopie Pie Festival. People in much of the country hadn’t even heard of this sweet treat, let alone tasted one. Back then, the festival footprint took over only the municipal parking lot, rather than filling most of the downtown.

The whoopie pie, and the festival, have become more popular every year, and it’s no wonder—since 2009, the whoopie has been celebrated, battled over in the state legislature, and was at the center of a skirmish between Pennsylvania and the Pine Tree State.

By year two of the festival, anyone who attended had an inkling that great things were to come. An official event mascot had been

The festival includes family friendly activities.

JUNE 2017 • 5 8

SPECIAL

unveiled, with much buzz created through the Name-the-Mascot contest. The adorable, larger-than-life walking whoopie pie has been known as Sweetie Pie ever since.

The 2010 festival also saw Maine’s first lady at the time, Karen Baldacci, attend as part of her commitment to promoting Maine products during husband Governor John E. Baldacci’s administration. Beloved Maine comic Birdie Googins, “The Marden’s Lady,” helped entertain the crowds. A film student from Boston University attended, as well, to create a documentary on the phenomenon of the whoopie pie.

Bakers traveled from as far away as Los Angeles to compete for prizes and bragging rights. Even Amy Bouchard, the Whoopie Pie Queen, participated in the festivities. The founder/president of Isamax Snacks and creator of Wicked Whoopies brought samples

Maine’s own

Wicked Queen

“I just think that’s so funny,” Amy Bouchard, founder/president of Isamax Snacks and creator of Wicked Whoopies, said of her title as Whoopie Pie Queen. In truth, she’s earned it. Bouchard’s love of baking and desire to stay home with young children led to a home-based baking business more than two decades ago. Today, the queen reigns over a commercial bakery and two retail locations.

“I loved making whoopie pies so much and they made people happy,” Bouchard said.“I started selling them at little Mom-andPop stores. I knew I had something when customers started learning my delivery routes and when I would go to a local store to drop them off, customers were already waiting for me to make a delivery! I wanted to be different – stores already had traditional whoopie pies and peanut butter and pumpkin, but I never saw flavors like strawberry, chocolate chip, maple or raspberry. Not everyone loves chocolate so why not expand on the whoopie pie experience and make everyone happy!”

Bouchard concedes that people today are concerned about obesity, and whoopie pies aren’t health food.“We’re promoting a fun food,” she said.“You should not eat that stuff every single day. What we’re giving out is a reward for being good. If you’ve never had one, it’s amazing, but to all of us that have had them, it’s part of your childhood. It makes you feel like a kid again.”

59 • MAINE SENIORS

Celebrities, including the Marden's Lady, can sometimes be spotted at the festival.

from her own company, of course. Because Bouchard produced the “Hoopie Pie” for the Maine Red Claws basketball team, she was also able to bring their 15-foot inflatable mascot “Crusher” to the festival.

Whoopie becomes a statewide issue

By 2011, efforts were underway to protect the heritage and economic development potential of the whoopie pie by declaring it Maine’s state dessert. However, that proposition sparked a debate about which was more beloved in the state—whoopie pies or blueberry pies. Proponents said the effort had more to do with bringing tourism dollars into the state and supporting Maine bakers than it did with which dessert tastes best.

Whoopie pies were not common in the rest of the nation back then, save for Pennsylvania. That state, too, was considering grabbing the whoopie pie for its official dessert, and for a while it was neck and neck to see who would claim credit for the origins of the sweet treat.

The debate before Maine lawmakers, and the two states vying for bragging rights, led to nationwide interest in whoopie pies.

Articles cropped up in newspapers in Boston, New York and Pennsylvania. Maine bakers were featured on the Martha Stewart Show, Good Morning America, Unwrapped, and Oprah, and even during a Whoopie Pie Throwdown with chef Bobby Flay of the Food Network.

Ultimately, Maine did beat Pennsylvania in giving the whoopie pie a state designation. In a compromise move, the legislature

SPECIAL

"If you’ve never had one, it’s amazing, but to all of us that have had them, it’s part of your childhood. It makes you feel like a kid again.” —Amy Bouchard,Wicked Whoopies

declared blueberry pie the official state dessert, and the whoopie pie the official state treat.

While Maine Whoopie Pie Festival organizers did write letters of support for the state designation, and Sweetie Pie paid a few visits to the State House, Myers said the group was not directly responsible for the outcome.

“We were still fairly new at the game and not that involved in the goings on at the state level,” he said. “I bear the blueberry pie no ill will. I think it’s a fine thing to have it recognized in the state, and the whoopie pie being the official state treat is a very honorable designation.”

Myers is quick to note that he gets a lot of help producing the festival. The town of Dover-Foxcroft does a lot toward the event, and “the Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce is one of the leading partners,” he said. “Denise Buzzelli, their executive director, is integral to the success of the Maine Whoopie Pie Festival. We

also have a lot of long-standing sponsors and supporters. And we usually have upwards of 100 volunteers helping out at the festival, so if anyone is interested in volunteering, have them contact me at Center Theatre,” Myers quips.

“Parking is very limited. We offer free shuttle service from the Piscataquis Valley Fairgrounds, and that really is the most efficient and convenient way to see the festival,” added Myers.

Another issue that came to the front last year, with temperatures soaring into the 90s, was the comfort of four-legged festival attendees. “We’ve been seeing more and more people who bring pets,” Myers said.“Pets on leash are welcome, of course, but consider bringing water. It does get pretty hot walking around on pavement all day.”

MSM For more information about the Maine Whoopie Pie Festival, call 5648943 or visit www.mainewhoopiepiefestival.com.

JUNE 2017 • 6 0

A Trail Less Traveled

BUSY AS A

Beaver

STORY AND ART BY BRAD EDEN

Beavers are a crucial and important part of Maine’s ecosystem, but too much of a good thing can become a major problem.

I

have a beaver problem. I am fortunate to have several beaver ponds close by, and I own a few acres of a marsh. Although the ponds are compliments of the beaver, the industrious critters have a propensity to dam up a huge culvert that supplies water to the marsh. Without that water flow, the marsh becomes a muddy swamp, and the ducks, geese, turtles, muskrat, trout, heron, osprey, and bald eagles suffer or disappear. And if that culvert stays blocked for very long, especially after rain, the town dirt road gets washed out.

Besides being startled by the territorial slapping of their broad tail on the water, the presence of beavers is not hard to spot. Along with aquatic vegetation, they eat mostly bark and cambium (soft

61 • MAINE SENIORS

CHECK THE DATE ON YOUR LABELS! If your magazine mailing label says "EXP" with a bygone date in smaller print, you are at risk of missing an issue of MAINE SENIORS Magazine.

DON'T DELAY, SUBSCRIBE TODAY! Mail your check for $29.95 for 10 issues to MAINE SENIORS Magazine, 87 Hillside Avenue, Bangor, ME 04401

A Trail Less Traveled

Wherever there is a beaver and a trickle of water, there is likely

a beaver dam with a reservoir that can flood roads and properties. urban backyard. Wherever there is a beaver and a trickle of water, there is likely a beaver dam with a reservoir that can flood roads and properties. Unlike some nuisance animals you can’t legally go and shoot beaver, even if on your own property. Beavers are a furbearer and have a strictly regulated trapping season.

tissue that grows under the bark), with their favorite being poplar trees. If they can’t easily reach what they want, they just chew the whole tree down. The edges of a beaver flowage are littered with distinctive pointy stumps. Since beavers have front teeth that never stop growing, they have to gnaw on wood incessantly to keep them worn down. Along with mud to bind it all together, all that brush and sticks and logs, go into their determined dam construction.

Beavers live in lodges they have built on the sides or even in the middle of ponds and marshes. They are made of sticks and mud with an open chamber inside where the colony lives. A colony usually consists of an adult breeding pair, three to four kits from that year, plus the juveniles born the previous year. There are two lodges in the beaver ponds close by the marsh on my property.

Beavers are an instrumental part of the ecosystem. By building dams they create ponds and wetlands that support all sorts of animals, waterfowl and fish. They are master engineers and don’t care where they build their dams. It can be in the middle of nowhere or in an

In Maine we have an Animal Damage Control Cooperator (ADC) program. People experiencing problems with beavers can contact the Maine Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (MEIF&W) and talk with a wildlife biologist who can supply the phone number of a certified ADC agent. Traditional trapping methods can be employed or live trapping and relocating with a clamshell device can be used, depending on the circumstances and time of year. When younger, I completed classroom and written test requirements for trapping, purchased my trapping license, and helped an ADC agent friend perform nuisance beaver removal during the winter trapping season. A typical scenario was a property owner who at first felt privileged to have resident beavers, now wanted them thinned or removed completely. Any fondness curdled as the overflow flooded their yards and approached their back decks. But I no longer trap so my current beaver problem persists.

Despite attempts in the past by my town and state wildlife biologists to install beaver prevention contraptions, and periodically having them professionally removed, they keep coming back and winning the battle at the culvert. This spring the beavers are back and have been blocking the water flow with a vengeance, and several times the road has come close to flooding. Attempts at manually clearing the blockage periodically are not only dangerous, but are futile. It’s time, once again, to call in a professional state licensed trapper to help remedy the situation. Beavers are fascinating creatures for certain, but they don’t always make good neighbors.

MSM

JUNE 2017 • 6 2

RESIDENTIAL REVIEW

THE CHARACTER

of a Community The character of a community is ultimately defined by those who live there.

O

ceanView at Falmouth is a wonderfully diverse group of independent, active and friendly retirees. They hail from all parts of the country and all walks of life, including some from right in our own backyard, the greater Portland area.

Although OceanView at Falmouth is an adult community, it feels a lot like a neighborhood. Situated on a wooded hillside, there are over 80 acres of beautifully wooded and landscaped property overlooking Casco Bay in Falmouth. Scattered throughout are over 125 cottages, plus 120 apartments in the interconnected Blueberry Commons and Lodge buildings.

Both independent options offer a wide choice of sizes and layouts. Choosing between living in a cottage or apartment is a personal choice, with lifestyle and interests helping with the decision. In either case, the responsibility of home maintenance disappears, allowing residents to spend time doing the things they truly enjoy.

63 • MAINE SENIORS

OceanView at Falmouth has created an environment where you can continue to grow personally and at your own pace.

You may choose from a variety of stimulating classes, lectures, and excursions to museums, theaters, concerts, and more.

We’re just minutes from an abundance of cultural activities because Portland, Maine’s largest city, is just a few miles away.

On campus, with everything from movies in our Screening Room, to painting classes, hiking clubs and bridge groups, we have something for everyone. Health and wellness are paramount, with over thirty-five classes each week in a variety of programs such as strength training, water aerobics, yoga and tai chi. At OceanView, community is everything. And within that community, we offer all you could possibly ask for—including respect for your independence and privacy.

Peace of mind for the future creates a stress-free atmosphere at OceanView at Falmouth. Residents know that if care needs should arise, our Community Wellness Coordinator’s

RESIDENTIAL REVIEW

OceanView at Falmouth has created an environment where you can continue to grow personally and

at your own pace.

proactive health care advocacy and case management allows for an individualized response to each situation. On-campus resources in our care continuum include: PRO—OceanView’s own homecare agency, Falmouth House Assisted Living and Legacy Memory Care, along with adult day services at Southern Maine Agency on Aging’s (SMAA) Stewart Center.

We know that the desire may be strong to create an endowment that will keep your dream, your legacy, alive for years to come. We can help make that happen.

The Catholic Foundation of Maine administers over 112 endowments that support Catholic ministries in the State of Maine. If you wish to give to any of them or open your own in memory of a loved one, or for a special purpose, please contact the Foundation in confidence. Charitable gift annuities, gifts of life insurance, stocks, proceeds from a retirement account, and real estate may also be given to the endowments as well as outright bequests. For more information, please call Elizabeth Badger, Executive Director, at (207) 321-7820 or email elizabeth.badger@portlanddiocese.org.

207.321.7820 www.catholicfoundationmaine.org JUNE 2017 • 6 4

RESIDENTIAL REVIEW

We help you stay accessible Our community is also defined by the vision of its founder and owner, John Wasileski.

275 Marginal Way, Portland

207-871-0008 1113 Stillwater Avenue, Bangor

207-992-2337

(A PHM Company)

BlackBearMedical.com 65 • MAINE SENIORS

Having accessibility issues?

Our local, friendly and knowledgeable representatives provide site evaluations and estimates. For more information, please call our location nearest you.

A resident of Maine and an active community leader, Mr. Wasileski has over 30 years experience in the design and development of adult communities in Maine. He is closely involved in the planning, development and operation of OceanView at Falmouth, with a special focus on sustainability and smart growth. It is this level of commitment that earned him the Maine Governor’s Award for Business Excellence, along with recognition by the Maine Real Estate & Development Association (MEREDA) for a recent expansion (including Blueberry Commons, Legacy Memory Care, Lunt Professional Building, and Lunt Auditorium) as a “Notable Project for 2014.” With a commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability, OceanView was also recognized by ecomaine as the 2017 Business Leadership Award winner.

RESIDENTIAL REVIEW

There are so many ways to measure the benefits of life in OceanView at Falmouth. Some might say it’s the Maineowned, friendly and welcoming community. For others, it’s the location near Portland with a wide choice of beautiful cottages and apartments. Some might say it’s the emphasis on wellness, the variety of stimulating programs, or the peace of mind of our care continuum. Residents know that it is the sum of all these advantages that defines the true value of OceanView. Warm, welcoming, and comfortable, OceanView

at Falmouth is the perfect place to begin a new chapter and make the most of your life, now and in the years ahead. MSM For more information call Gloria Walker at (207) 781-4460 or visit our website at www.oceanviewrc.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.

JUNE 2017 • 6 6

FOOD FOR THOUGHT Drawn butter lobster rolls

Maine Lobster Rolls Two ways to enjoy a classic favorite Nothing says summer in Maine like a lobster roll, packed full of fresh, steamed lobster meat.

I

f you live near or take a trip to the coast, it's almost required eating. Of course, there is no shortage of debate on what the "proper" way to make a lobster roll is. There are passionate voices in every corner of the debate; some say nothing but a toasted roll and some drawn butter, while others argue a light dressing of mayonnaise is the only way. Still more folks argue additions, such as celery, make a lobster roll complete.

I'm a fence-sitter, myself, which is an excellent excuse to keep tasting them.

67 • MAINE SENIORS

BY FIA MARQUIS

Whether you like yours one way or the other, or are just happy to enjoy it however it's prepared, there's no denying that a lobster roll on a sunny day with a view of the ocean simply can't be beaten. I like to make them at home, too. There's something relaxing about steaming (or boiling) and picking your own lobster meat, toasting the bun, and serving up a generous portion to your loved ones— and it's much easier to afford a more generous portion when you make it at home after a trip to the fish market.

Depending on my mood, I'll opt for mayo or butter, never celery, but I typically concede to my better half 's request for lettuce, for a bit of color and crunch. The classic vessel for a lobster roll is, of course, a split-top frankfurter roll, toasted on the outside with a little butter, but this time I reached for an Amato's sandwich roll, because frankly, they can hold a lot more lobster.

MSM

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Featured Recipe BOILED LOBSTER (SERVES 2) INGREDIENTS:  3 quarts of water  3 1½ lb lobsters  Salt DIRECTIONS: 1. In a large pot, bring 3 quarts of water to a rolling boil. Add a generous amount of salt to the water, or if possible, use seawater.

DRAWN BUTTER LOBSTER ROLL INGREDIENTS:  Picked lobster meat (see previous)  ¼ cup butter, melted (plus some to toast roll)  Lettuce (we like Boston lettuce)  2 Amato's sandwich rolls

2. Place the live lobsters into the pot and cover; boil for about ten minutes, or until the shells have turned a vivid red.

3. Remove lobsters from hot water and allow to cool until they can be handled comfortably.

4. Crack shells and remove meat from claws, tail and body. If you are patient, there is also meat to be found in the legs.

DIRECTIONS: 1. Heat a skillet or frying pan over medium heat; butter the cut inside of the sandwich roll and place it flat against the skillet's surface until lightly browned.

2. Place lettuce on roll, then arrange lobster meat on top.

Drizzle with butter; serve with more for dipping!

MAYO LOBSTER ROLL INGREDIENTS:  Picked lobster meat  ½ cup mayonnaise  ½ teaspoon granulated garlic  Lettuce  Butter for toasting roll  2 Amato's sandwich rolls DIRECTIONS: 1. Toast roll as in previous recipe.

2. In a bowl, toss lobster meat with mayo and granulated garlic (use more or less mayonnaise, depending on how much you prefer. We also included the tamale and roe from our lobsters for a bit of added flavor.

3. Place lettuce on bun, and pile high with lobster salad. Enjoy!

Mayo lobster rolls

JUNE 2017 • 6 8

FROM THE PORCH

WORDS THAT

Soak up Life

BY HUNTER HOWE

Craftsmen build using the essential tools of their trade.

Bricklayers build with bricks, carpenters build with wood.

W

riters build with words. They’re word weavers who seek living words that connect with life. They seek the Write Words. In essence, they’re word hunters who prey on the pen.

Richard Goodman wrote,“A word is a seed. It’s alive.”

We live by our words and we learn to listen to the words of others.

An old Chinese proverb says, “If you wish to know the mind of a man, listen to his words.”

And we do. We listen to the words of lawyers, diplomats, columnists, sportswriters and analysts, authors, characters in movies, among others, some alive, some deceased.

69 • MAINE SENIORS

Think of actors Gregory Peck in To Kill A Mockingbird, Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca, Robin Williams in Patch Adams, Nick Nolte and Barbra Streisand in The Prince of Tides. Think of diplomat Henry Kissinger. Think of sports broadcasters/analysts Dick Button (figure skating), Joe Garagiola (baseball), Bud Collins (tennis), John Madden (football), Doc Emrick (hockey), Dick Vitale (basketball). Think of columnist Jimmy Breslin. Think of poet Robert Frost. Real life, onstage, believable, dramatic, emotional, in living color.

In his brilliant book, Getting the Words Right, Ted Cheney used an interview with Ernest Hemingway to illustrate the book’s premise: Paris Review: “How much rewriting do you do?”

Hemingway: “It depends. I wrote the ending to A Farewell to Arms, the last page of it, thirty-nine times before I was satisfied.”

FROM THE PORCH

We live by our words and we

learn to listen to the words of others. An old Chinese proverb says, “If you wish to know the mind

of a man, listen to his words.”

Paris Review: “Was there some technical problem there?”

Hemingway: “Getting the words right.”

To point, Israeli author Amos Oz nails it with, “I love words. I like collecting, arranging, shuffling, reversing, combining them.”

Virginia Woolf offered this advice to writers,“Use words that soak up life.”

Let’s look at some folks, writers and others, who did just that.

Columnist George Will, in a 1989 Los Angeles Times restaurant

review, wrote: “There they are, the men with carefully wrinkled $800 sports jackets … the BMW cowboys … they’re all here, grazing away in the arugula.”

Author James Carroll on JFK:“His assassination had made us wary, though, as if hope is not to be trusted.”

The Boston Globe columnist Kevin Cullen on the passing of rogue politician Dapper O’Neil: “On the way out, Dapper paused at the door. He looked up at the wall, where a portrait of his mentor James Michael Curley, smiled down. Dapper O’Neil smiled back, turned off the light, and shut the door.”

Wine writer Karen MacNeil expressed her feeling over a $150 bottle of Armagh Shiraz: “Smelling the wine, I had a vision of what it would be like to ride on a horse through a forest of wild raspberries.”

Washington Post columnist Dana Milbank on attending a political speech: “The Iowans stood like cornstalks on a still morning.”

The Boston Globe hockey writer Kevin Paul Dupont on the Boston Bruins: “By the second period, a stretch filled with turnovers,

Celebrate your

SENIOR POWER!

Maine Seniors Magazine is chockfull of inspirational stories about Maine’s seniors. Each issue speaks to the great value of our senior partners and how they improve our community way of life.

Become a Senior Partner!

10 issues for only $29.95!

Mail your check (payable to Maine Seniors Magazine) to 87 Hillside Ave, Bangor, ME 04401

Don't delay, subscribe today!

Learn more at www.meseniors.com JUNE 2017 • 7 0

FROM THE PORCH

mismanaged pucks, and scant down-low push in the offense zone, it was clear that the three games in four nights had turned their sticks into telephone poles.”

Maine’s adopted E.B. White: “I was watching television one day and saw the tower of Portland’s Union Station fall over, struck down, by a large steel ball swinging from the boom of a crane. I could feel the blow in the pit of my stomach.”

In Christmas Holiday, W. Somerset Maugham:“Rest, peace, silence, solitude. You would think they were luxuries that only the rich can afford, and yet they cost nothing. Strange that they should be hard to come by.”

In The Big Sleep, Raymond Chandler:“It was a crisp morning, with just enough snap in the air to make life seem simple and sweet.”

In Saints and Sinners, Edna O’Brien: “He kissed her in the coffin before they put the lid on it. The other person he kissed was a nun kneeling in the grotto, because she looked sad. They were the two people, apart from his granny, that he kissed.”

In Walking with the Wind, Georgia Congressman John Lewis, about the 1965 Selma march, called Bloody Sunday: “I can’t count the number of marches I have participated in my lifetime but there was something peculiar about this one. It was more than disciplined.

It was somber and subdued, almost like a funeral procession.

There were no big names, no celebrities. This was just plain folks moving through the streets of Selma … There was no singing, no shouting—just the sound of shuffling feet … Down Water Street we went, turning right and walking along the river until we reached the base of the bridge, the Edmunds Pettus Bridge … I noticed how steep it was as we climbed toward the top of the arched bridge. It was too steep to see the other side … When we reached the crest of the bridge, I stopped dead still. There facing us at the bottom of the other side, stood a sea of blue-helmeted, blue-uniformed Alabama state troopers, line after line of them, dozens of battle-ready lawmen stretched from one side of U.S. Highway 80 to the other.”

Yes, I’ve used many quotations. But, they’re about the words of others, those who have touched our lives. More important, I ask, what would we do without words?

Yet sometimes, it’s the absence of words, although there, underneath, that work as well. In a Walton’s television segment, poet Madeline Bennett comes to speak at John Boy’s college. They fall in love. She

Toni Judi, in The New York Review of Books, answers my question.“If words fall into disrepair, what will substitute? They’re all we have.”

MSM

71 • MAINE SENIORS

wants him to return with her to New York City. John meets her at the train platform. He drops his luggage, hugs and kisses her.

They hold each other tight, then she climbs aboard. He walks to her window and looks up; she looks down. The train begins to move … unspoken words. None needed.

Inga Muscio, feminist and anti-racist writer, wrote,“Words outlive people, institutions, civilizations. Words spur images, associations, memories, inspirations, and synapse pulsations. Words send off physical resonations of thought into the neversphere. Words hurt, soothe, inspire, demean, incite, pacify, teach, romance, pervert, unite, divide. Words be powerful.”

No Worries.

We rely on state-of-the-art technology and a talented staff to provide the best dental care possible to our patients.

And in our practice, there’s a lot of equipment, building and business needs to worry about.

But Varney Agency removes our worries by thoroughly looking out for us, our risks and our best interests.

So I can spend more time caring for my patients ‌ and their worries.

Portland North Dental Associates Robert A. DeRice DMD

ROBERT A. DeRICE, DMD Portland North Dental Associates Portland, Maine

www.varneyagency.com | 1-877-947-8637

OPENING SPECIAL Rooms start at /night and include FREE GOLF at exclusive Boothbay Harbor Country Club plus OFF of a bo le of wine at Paul’s Steak House.

Special available from 5/29-6/24

Visit Once.

Stay Forever.

www.BoothbayHarborOceansideResort.com Reservations: 800-762-8433 Other: 207-633-4455 35 Atlantic Ave., Boothbay Harbor, ME