Portland Monthly Magazine December 1991

PORTLAND

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ALKING IN FRONT OF the Portland Museum of Art, you’llfind,faintlypaintedon the bricks, a solid blue line about a cubitthick.

It was painted, we think, by the People from Before, aboriginal dwel¬ lers in the Imagine A City Too Good To Be True.

Who were these people, and why was it their custom to paint curious colored lines on the city sidewalks? After sending paint samples to Cal Tech to be carbon dated, we decided to follow the rune symbology to see if, in some determinist fashion, the line once carried a message.

Vector quantities being the pack mules they are for speed and direction, we reasoned that perhaps the line once signified a route to a onceimportant destination. Deep scores in

the Peruvian mountain country, ob¬ served from the air, carry similar meanings before dropping off into an avalanche of clues.

On shank’s mare then we headed west for two hundred paces, toward Mount Washington, only to have the vector disappear like something out of Time/Life’sMystic Places.

We were standing in front of the Sonesta Hotel Portland, apparently the endoftherainbowfortheoldblueline, but to what end?

We asked the doorman. No joy.

Then Ronnie the cabdriver came through: “Until recently there was this terrific art collection in the Sonesta. Incredible. World class. Now they’ve redecorated with decorator paintings, mauve and white stuff whipped out by the same cuisinart. Belongs on the dessert cart. Maybe the good stuff was too challenging for Portland. Maybe some hotel consultant felt the good paintings were bothering the guests or something. I mean, have you ever seen a guest sweat? The florid rush they get when they encounter something more lovely than they were intended to see? Or how about my favorite? ‘The good ones were becoming too beautiful to insure.’”

Yeah. Oh yeah. There’s a bright spot, though—the new series of 1927 photos oftheSonestainitsearlierdaysasthe home of the Egyptian Tea Room. Maybe some night these beautiful photographs will wake up, slide up the wall into the lobby, and strangle those decorator paintings.

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Mail

Top Ten

In regard to your article on in¬ creasing commerce with New Bruns¬ wick, Canada (“Invisible New Bruns¬ wick,” by Lane Macintosh, Portland Monthly Magazine, November 1991), I’d like to add that partnership oppor¬ tunities between Maine and New Bruns¬ wick are a significant and important aspect of Maine’s overall economic development strategy.

Ten areas in which I feel Maine and New Brunswick should consider en¬ gaging in increased economic activity include (no particular order implied): Retail Trade; Business and Consumer Services; Lumber and Wood Products; Agricultural Products/Food Proces¬ sing; Metal Products; Product Distri¬ bution; Tourism; Aquaculture; Oil; Electricity.

Gov. John R. McKernan Augusta

MissHillaryLee

Delightful story on New Brunswick. I’mforwardingthisissuetoaCalifornia friend who was manager of the new Hilton Hotel when it was built and opened at St. John.

Also equally delightful—“Letters to Miss Hillary Lee,” by Shippen Swift (Portland Monthly Magazine, Novem¬ ber 1991).

My compliments again!

Hartley Lord Kennebunk

Humble Farmer

Thanks for including me in the article on Tim Sample and Abrams & Anderson. (“The Export and Manufac¬ ture of Maine Humor,” by Elizabeth Peavey, October 1991). For someone who is struggling to get into the humor business, just being mentioned in the same breath with people 1 admire who have already made it is a big boost. Thanks again, and warm regards.

Robert Skoglund St. George

PORTLAND

Whorf Advertising

McAvoy Advertising Johanna Hanaburgh Copy Editor J a n e a Kelley Calendar StaffPhotographer;FrancisDiFalco Founders;ColinAndNancySargent

This magazine is printed on Maine-made paper pro¬ duced by Champion International, Bucksport. Maine.

Laser Cover Separations and image assembly by Cham¬ plain Color Service. (802) 658-6088. Cover printed by Spectrum Printing & Graphics, Inc., (800) 622-5885.

PORTLAND Monthly Magazine is published by Colin and Nancy Sargent. 578 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101. All correspondence should be addressed to 578 CongressStreet,Portland,ME04101.

Advertising Office: 578 Congress Street, Portland. ME 04101 (207) 775-4339.

Subscriptions: Inside U.S.: $20 for 1 year, $32 lor 2 years.$40for3years.OutsideU.S.:add$6.

Newsstand cover date: December 1991, publ. Novem¬ ber 1991, Vol. 6, No. 9. copyright 1991. PORTLAND MonthlyMagazineismailedatthird-classmailratesinPort¬ land, ME 04101. (ISSN: 0887-5340). Opinions ex¬ pressed in articles are those of authors and do not represent editorial positions of PORTLAND Monthly Magazine. Responsible only for that portion of any advertisement which is printed incorrectly, and as compensation we will run a correction in the following issue. Nothing in this issue may be reprinted in whole orinpartwithoutwrittenpermissionfromthepublish¬ ers. Submissions welcome, but we take no responsibil¬ ityforunsolicitedmaterials.

PORTLAND Monthly Magazine is published 10 times annually by Colin and Nancy Sargent. 578 Congress Street,Portland,withnewsstandcoverdatesofWinter¬ guide, February/March, April, May, Summerguide, July/August, September, October. November, and December.

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BestProofThat TheRecession WasHere.

We doff our hat to the Maine Sunday Telegram’s March 31, 1991 story, "Parents Spoil Egg Hunt,” by Tess Nacelewicz: "SOUTH PORTLAND— The program director of the South Portland Parks and Recreation Department wants the city to discontinue its annual Easter egg hunt because of the greed of parents participatingintheevent.

‘“1 saw parents pushing kids down and taking the candy,”’ said Debi Smith, describing the pandemonium that broke out Saturday afternoon. ‘Personally, I would just as soon see itend.’”

“Carol Wood of South Portland, who brought her 2-year-old daughter tothehuntforthefirsttimethisyear, said she was shocked by the way the adults behaved. She said she saw grown-ups racing children for the candy and snatching it if they beat theyoungsterstoit.

‘“How disgusting...to watch adults be greedy and take from little kids,’ Wood said.

...“‘(Then) there was a mass rush acrossthefield,’shesaid.‘Aparent would knock over a child going after something.”’

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popular example hand-painted on the “Bernie’s Fashion’s” sign on Congress Street.

BestNewFun Spot.

The Varsity Grill above Tennis of Maine, Route 1, Falmouth. Try the Frightfully Hot Jamaica Jerk Sauce, the Spicy Thai Peanut Sauce, the Sweet Barbecue Sauce, and the Hoodoo Cajun Sauce. Or try Nothing At All. Great diversions, fun dining, great sports decorating (including historical area sports photos and mementoes), interactive sports TVs, a basketball hoop surrounded by nets attableside.Bestchiliintown. Refreshing and brand new this year. A winner.

BestPlaceTo MissTheOld Portland.

The Roma Cafe, if you’re sitting near the cabinet that once housed the restaurant’s wonderful collection of Portland Glass.

The 1991 Falmouth High School performance of “You Can’t Take It With

SpookiestPlace To Spend ChristmasEve.

At the site of the wreck of theAnnie C. Maguire, Portland Headlight. (Wreck occurred Christmas Eve, 1884.)

boat ramp and renovations at East End Beach (too bad no one in Portland can afford a boat anymore after the property tax hike).

The 34 years that Ruthie Baker worked to make Recordland a Portland fixture since 1957. “We were thefirststoretoeverhaveaDJinthe window," says Baker. “You couldn’t even stand on the sidewalk here there were so many kids packed in outside.” Recordland, which closed its doors this year on 30 November, has sold albums to patrons from locals of three generations as well as Joni Mitchell (April 16, 1976), Eddie Van Halen, Stan Kenton, Billy Taylor, and Arthur Fiedler. William Buckley. Not all at once.

ShortestLight.

Crossing Forest on Marginal Way.

The end of altemate-side-of-the-street parking.

Most Uneven Sidewalk.

West Street, between Pine and Carlton. (Townhouse side.)

4.3 feet, March 3, 1947

4.1 feet, March 1, 1914

3.9 feet, December 14, 1917

3.7 feet, November 30, 1945

3.6 feet, February 19, 1972

3.5feet,October30,1991

3.5 feet, November 26, 1950

3.5 feet, February 7, 1978

3.3 feet, August 31, 1954 (Hurricane Carol)

3.2 feet, December 2, 1942

3.1 feet, March 16, 1954

3.0 feet, January 15, 1956

3.0 feet, November 30, 1944

3.0feet,February7,1951

3.0 feet, March 12, 1959

Ferry Terminal.

BestThingToDo With Summer Visitors,1991.

Pick them up at the airport, go directly to Route 1 South. Take Pleasant Hill Road to Route 77, turn left, proceed to Kettle Cove (stay in car). Go next to Two Lights State Park, use bathrooms (if necessary), walk in until the ocean can be seen, return to car. Drive to the Lobster Shack, get shore dinners to go, eat them in the car while en route to Fort Williams. Point out Goddard Mansion, dispose of lobster shells, drive over to Portland Headlight. Allow time for leg-stretching and photos (make up stories about hauntings and shipwrecks to add color). On to Spring Point for more lighthouse photos; lie about the names of islands you can’t remember. Back in the car and over the Million Dollar Bridge; drive around the Western Prom (point out all the mansions in which you have been a frequent guest). On to Congress Street; point out Longfellow Statue, Joe’s Smoke, Museum, Longfellow’s house, First Parish Church, and the Observatory (make up facts at will). Take a right onto Exchange Street, double park for a Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, a lobster bottle opener, and a “Way Life Should Be” t-shirt. Stop on Commercial Street for lobsters packed to-go, and then up around the Eastern Prom to the view of Back Cove and onto 295. Return to the airport, drop off guests, and pick up next round of visitors. Repeat until fall.

fried lobster. Count the lights on in the Chandler’s Wharf and 5 Portland Pier condominium projects. Wonder out loud why they fry it.

WorstPlaceTo WearHighHeels.

On the breakwater leading from the Spring Point Lighthouse. Take my wordforit.

Drive slowly along the coast with videocameras; stop and point out storm devastation to coastal homes; make tongue-clucking sounds at the misfortunes of homes in Cape Ellis; wonder what that means. Make it back to DiMillo’s in time to try the

The duck house rock in Deering Oaks

Street, from Hapag-Lloyd to Merrill’s Terminal.

You Can Night at Portland Stage. Patrons are allowed to pay what they feel they can pay, all the way to zero if they’re sure they’ll miss the show otherwise, for tickets to the 9 p.m. show of the first Saturday performance of a production. 774-0465.

TheReturn OfWest Market Row

Themiracleofanewhistoricalretaildistrict.

ByColinSargent

HEN DOUGLAS HARDING made the announcement that he was going to buy the Hay Building on Congress Square, now that was extraordinary news—a superball dropping from the Top of the East amid a startled group of old men smoking. It was young somehow, impossible. Viewed as an individual stroke of

boldness in a sulky, virtually bankless city of shadow caves, just the ticket, something to celebrate, a glamour business electrifying the city’s most gnawing vacancy in the city’s most popular historic commercial structure.

But it was notan individual stroke of boldness. Continued

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Good News Item.

At that very moment, Harmon’sBarton’sFloristwaskickingoffits100year anniversary by completely ener¬ gizing its staff; upgrading its image with new graphics, promotions, and awnings; completely repainting its Romanesque Revival style brick row building, an 1889 beauty designed by John Calvin Stevens; and commis¬ sioning Anthony Taylor of Taylor Sign Co. to execute a sweeping, city style mural to jump out of the darkness at night,overthecity’srooftops.

An attention getter, you might say.

“I knew I had a blank wall that didn’t do anything, that was unnoticeable. 1 put it out for bids. 1 know it was a recession, that it seemed crazy to do it now,ofalltimes,butwehadtodoit.1 knew it would be a breakthrough. I couldn’t afford not to do it. I took a chance, gambled, and it’s paying off. The inside had been redone for five years, but it was kind of hard to get people in here because the outside was so dull. We’ve had an incredible response that is generating profits.” His budget for the project? “Not more than $22,000.”

Barton nods his head in vigorous approval of Doug Harding’s purchase. “It’sgreat.I’vetalkedtohissonalready. His bookstore is going to be a des¬ tination store, one that turns people into shoppers.”

Goodnewsitem.

“Having the Impressionist exhibit (at the Portland Museum of Art) was the best thing I’ve seen happen here,” says Barton. “We had incredible spill¬ over. (Museum director) Barbara Nosanow’s new leadership at the Portland Museum of Art is more tuned to people than anyone before. Record crowds. Before it was looked at as a vault where paintings were stored. Now they’re thinking about audiences. And it pays. They made money this year!”

The Museum’s acquisition of the world-class Payson collection and its present “Berenice Abbott, Photo¬ grapher: A Modern Vision” show, here through January 12, are touchstones for this new popularity.

Goodnewsitem.

Inexplicably, at this same unlikely instant, Ralph Pride of Cross Jewelers

growth and progress, but very good.”

The newly restored facade of Cross Jewelers on 570 Congress Street. “I’d like to see an upscale ladies’ apparel/accessory shop move downstairs,” says owner Ralph Pride. was pulling off his large corrugated plasticsignonthefrontofthebuilding and discovering...an architecturally exciting deco/Egyption motif across the top of his building.

“When we took the sign down, the words Bickford Building, 1937 were revealed. Some detail above the win¬ dows became more evident. We were contemplating putting canopies over the windows, but we agreed not to. There was real old wood and brick beneath the facade.”

Pride, who has chosen this time to completely restore his building’s ex¬ terior at 570 Congress, is under¬ standably happy about the design windfall.

Even so, why of all times restore your building now?

“What better time to be working on a building facade improvement? We purchased the store four years ago. We’ve already done the back, and the inside. This is Phase III, right on schedule. This has been a very good year, not like in the 1980s in terms of

Pride, who is enthusiastic about the approaching arrival of Douglas Hard¬ ing at the Hay building, says he likes the term West Market Row very much.

“The thing 1 don’t like about ‘Intown’isthatitisadirection,notthe name of a place. West Market Row is a very evocative name.”

But where did it come from, this vaunted West Market Row? It has a good, sound feel, bringing to mind thriving small brick stores and markets in the mid-19th century, yes; certainly it’s better than ‘Gateway,’ the moniker tried down the hill a few years back, resultingintitleslike,well,theunfor¬ tunate “Gateway Garage.”

“Gateway sounds so sixties,” says a sidewalk social critic watching me write this story. “It feels like a bus station.”

Sure, it’s easy to pick on Gateway, but the point about West Market Row is that it does signify a place and not simplyadirection.Bestofall,it’swhat this set of buildings at the top of

Congress Street used to be called a long time ago, when they were orig¬ inally conceived.

“When people think of Old Port they see something,” says Pride. “A set of brick buildings becomes visible in the mind’s eye. But downtown, again, is simply a direction. West Market Row could be a unifying vision, with things that tie the area together, such as identification banners.”

Goodnewsitem.

West Market Row is a term that was discovered recently during a casual conversation at Greater Portland Land¬ marks. The Clement Pennell Store building on 578 Congress Street which houses the quarters of this magazine, builtin1822,wasanoriginalpartofthe brick West Market Row, as was the Hay Building (1826). It was a line of flourishinglittledoorwaysatthetopof the hill on Congress Street, such as smoke shops, tailors, clothing stores, apothecaries, furniture companies, newsstands, you name it.

Badnewsitem.

At press time we can report that West Market Row is losing a favored business. After 34 years as the founder and owner of Recordland, Ruthie Baker is retiring and probably closing the business effective 1 December 1991 (see our Best of Portland entry on Ms. Baker in this issue). “Recordland was an institution for a long time and Ruthie Baker was that institution,” says Rick Beaulieu of Springer’s Jewelers. “I called Bill O’Neil and talked with him about moving there, but he’s busy with his Saco store.”

Goodnewsitem.

Springer’s Jewelry Store has long planned to be positioned for the hoped-for prosperity. “We moved here in 1947-48,” Beaulieu says. “We ended up buying the building in the mid1960s. We restored the facade eight years ago, and we’re going to change the sign within the next year. My sister is working with us now, and 1 have a son. We want the sign to reflect the familytradition.”

He says that “We saw a window of opportunity one time a few years ago, when prices were very high and we could have sold and moved out of the area. But the charm is here and we have all these permanent, important cultural centers around us, such as the Portland Museum of Art, the Children’s Museum, Portland Stage (which is drawing record crowds this year and extending run-times of popular shows), and Portland Concert Asso¬ ciation, which our clients enjoy. We’ve made a conscious effort to stay here.”

He points to the fact that many West Market Row buildings are owneroccupied businesses as a plus, and, like the other owners, marvels at the recent success of the Portland Museum of Art to invigorate business. “That Impressionist show had some type of magic to it. Some sales were involved,” he understates.

His building was built in 1912onthe site of the famous Union Hall, built in 1826.

“At one time, Central Maine Power used to own the building. They in¬ stalledthefirstair-conditioningherein the state of Maine. It still works! The

second story used to house an Arthur Murray Dance studio. We still have some of the records in storage,” he says. At one time, Springer’s had a display level on the third floor full of glass and china. Patrons would ascend intheSpringer’sElevator.

Asked about the closing announce¬ ment of Carter Bros. Jewelers down the street, Beaulieu says, “I was surprised byit,yeah.Idon’tknowtherealstory.

People come to this area to find in¬ formed jewelers, and that’s why we appreciate sharing the block with Cross, and vice versa. If Cross weren’t here we’d probably move someplace else.”

Goodnewsitem.

The Children’s Museum of Maine is coming to the immediate area. Dir¬ ector Anthony Mollica reports, “We purchased the Chamber of Commerce building at 142 Free Street outright on October 31. The present occupants will have gone by January 2.”

There is a design competition for the new museum, for which 31 architects have registered. “On December 11, the three finalists will be announced,” he says. “We’ll announce the winner on January 13. We hope to occupy the new building this November.”

Regarding Doug Harding’s arrival at the Hay building, Mollica beams: “I feel that’s a great match there to make it more an educational/intellectual center. When kids come there it helps prioritize the idea of learning, of reading.”

Like the Hay building, the Chamber building was picked up for a song. “Three hundred thousand dollars,” Mollica says. We have just over $700,000 right now as a result of our $2.3 million capital campaign, so we

can use all the help we can get.”

Fred Thompson of WCSH-TV, the chairman of the capital campaign of the Children’s Museum of Maine, was the man who reintroduced the idea of bringing the Chamber of Commerce buildingtotheirattention.

Says Mollica: “We’re looking to put a Class A museum here. Because we’re going to be right beside the Portland Museum of Art, the result will be that we’ll generate far more collectively than from the sum of our individual parts.”

With Doug Harding’s announce¬ ment and the other activity, things are picking up a lot of speed as oppor¬ tunitypresentsitself.

Goodnewsitem.

For example, quietly, surprisingly (since they have parking spaces of their own), Holiday Inn has for some reason swept in just a week ago and purchased the entire Free Street park¬ ing lot beside the future Children’s Museum of Maine.

Greater Portland Landmarks dir¬ ector Martha Deprez explains the West Market Row area was a central focus of the 19th century because, according to Elwell’s Portland and Vicinity, 1876, the area was sort of a “Zion’s Hill.” Churches of every denomination were constructed on top of the hill, their white wooden spires aiming for the heavens like so many surface-to-air missiles. “Closer to God,” says Ralph Pride.

A few streets away there was a place called Huckster’s Row, by the way, a name which might not be brought back to life real soon.

Theatres were in the area. Mer¬ chants. Crowds.

“Ralph Pride talked to us some time

ago and we met with him about the Congress Street Facade Program. He saidthathemightnotwanttobepartof the loan program, that he might not want to follow the guidelines,” says Deprez.

“Life is complex enough,” says Pride. “It just seemed like one more levelofcomplexitythatIdidn’twantto have to deal with.”

“Everybodyhistorical hassignedoff. Theyhaduntil December2todothat, butthey’vealready doneit.Obviously we’releavingthe buildingthesame color.Idon’t seeanyhitches.”

—DouglasHarding

The first floor facade of the Cross restoration is fashioned from “Hon¬ duran mahogany. Our builder con¬ cluded that its long-term performance and weather-resisting properties would be best, and we agreed.

“Windham Millworks is doing a superb job. Murray Contractors is putting some of the other pieces together.”

Pride will be adding two signs to the

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front of the building, one a “vertical projecting sign” matching the one on the Free Street side of the building.

“We’ll have a canopy across the entire front, colored blue, dark blue, with a one-quarter inch vanilla stitched edge. Window boxes. The dentil across the top of the building was made by Windham Millworks and installed in three pieces.” Pride says the improve¬ ments began with “a collection of rough sketches I did in Edinburgh, Scotland; Quebec City; and New York City. Then my builder took it from there and defined it better.”

The first floor, which is for rent presently, is 2,500 square feet, which he’d like to rent out to one tenant. The rate?“Seven-fiftypersquarefoot.There are also 1,250 square feet in the basement.”

“That’s our preference right now. It’s always certainly a possibility that we could expand from our upstairs lo¬ cationandoccupythefirstfloor,butif we did it, we’d do a different aspect of the jewelry business—a different ap¬ proach, equally wonderful.”

Price tag for the renewal is “some¬ thing under $80,000.” The horizontal sign will be “hand-carved out of pine, 15 feet long, 19 inches high, with the same blue background and deepcarved gold letters. On the ends will be deeply, richly carved acanthus leaves, I gold leafed along with the letters.”

Sixty-eight thousand people at¬ tended the Impressionist show, says Pride.“Itreallytransformedthearea.1

feel the Children’s Museum of Maine and Portland Museum of Art will complement each other just as Spring¬ er’s and Cross do. Rick and I are good friends. His customers are mine, and minearehis.It’sthenatureofanyretail entity.”

The science of benefitting from the anticipated museum spillover is in high gear. Pride has, for years, picked up the entire printing cost of the parking tickets in the Free Street Parking Lot so that he can have “The Upstairs Gallery” printed on each one. Infact,he’schartedparkingalloverthe citytoincludealltheoff-streetparking areas nearby as well as 29 parking garages. “Rick and I both have com¬ mented that when the Free Street Lot is full, our businesses tend to be quiet,” he says.

Cross logos have been on the backs ofthoseticketsfor15years.

Over at Zeitgeist on 576 Congress, owner Melle Katze is happy about seeing people wearing museum but¬ tonswalkingintoherstore.“Afriendof mine, Lori Dorr, who runs Terra Firma, first got me into this area. I also knew people with studios in the Congress Square building. The rent is better here; I’ve worked in the Old Port before andjustdon’tlikethefeelingofit.”

And Newcomer Doug Harding is excited about the spillover now that he’s closer to his closing date in early 1992, financed by Fleet Bank. “Every¬ body historical has signed off. They had until December 2 to do that, but they’ve already done it.”

Both Landmarks and the Maine Historic Preservation Commission had the right to match his undisclosed price and purchase it out from under him. “I don’t see any hitches. Ob¬ viously, we’re leaving the building the same color. We’d like a sign on the front, above the door, but nothing monstrous. I’d like an elevator, but I can’tafforditrightnow.”

The present third-floor tenant, New England Journey, a publishing com¬ pany,willlikelyremain.“Ican’tuseit for retail because of the fire laws,” Harding, 53, says. “When they finished the second floor they didn’t run a second staircase up to the third.”

Books and prints will be on both the first and second floors of the new Harding’s Antiquarian Books on Port¬ land’s West Market Row. □

The Furniture Revolution ofPortland,Maine

byEdWelch

The early settlers of Maine made their furniture, brought it with them from Eur¬ ope, or simply did without. Shortly after the American Rev¬ olution the population of cities like Portland had grown to the point where cabinetmakers could expect to be kept busy enough to warrant the establish¬ ment of furniture factories. These early factories were little more than cottage industries employing only members of

By 1853, the Walter Corey Furniture

Company

$75,000

was producing

worth of furniture a year at 50 Exchange Street— amazing when you consider they were selling furniture for half what it cost in 1840.

one family. By 1825, Portland had over two dozen such factories. The few surviving examples of furniture from this period indicate that some of these small shops produced furniture of superior quality.

Jonathan 0. Bancroft (1807-1860) made two sets of chairs for one of his customers somewhere between 1830 and 1835. One set was a set of six; the other apparently a set of twelve. These two sets were made to use together. They are both of the GrecianKlismos design (sabre-leg type) and patterned after illustrations found on classical Greek pottery.

The Maine State Museum now owns six of the original 18 Bancroft chairs. These chairs are important because they are signed and because they are formal in design. Very little formal

Period furniture was made in Maine, and signed pieces are extremely rare. Jonathan Bancroft was indeed a talented cabinetmaker, but his role in life was destined to be that of an innovator, an inventor of machinery and production techniques that change furniture from a hand-crafted luxury into an inexpensive massproduced commodity that everyone could afford to own.

WWTY alter Corey (1809-1889), a ■ WIMassachusetts native, moved **/ to Portland in 1836. He bought WW out a small cabinetmaker, ff Nathaniel Ellsworth, who had a shop on Exchange Street. Mr. Corey founded what can literally be des¬ cribed as a one-horse-powered furni¬ ture manufacturing business. The onehorse-powered treadmill soon gave way to a steam engine to power the turning lathes and saws. Walter Corey hired Jonathan Bancroft and gave him complete control of the manufacturing process, while retaining for himself the position of salesman and promoter. Together these two men revolu¬ tionized the process of manufacturing furniture and built a business that expanded well beyond the State of Maine. By 1840, production had topped 300 chairs a week. In 1842, Corey bought water rights on the Presumpscot River in Windham and built a saw mill, employing 25 men. In 1843 Corey was selling over $30,000 worth of furniture a year. He cut the sellingpriceofhisfurnitureinhalfasa result of using labor-saving machines designed and built by Jonathan Ban¬ croft.

By 1850, all the heavy sawing, planing, and turning was done in Windham. The parts were sent to Portland for assembly and finishing. The 50 Exchange Street plant had ex¬ panded to include a drying house; an engine house; a sawing division; two mills for grinding paint; a finishing workshop; and a turning, boring, and carving shop in addition to the sales rooms and general office. According to a newspaper article of the time, Corey had on hand nearly a 100 million feet of Maine lumber and one hundred thousand feet of imported mahogany, walnut, and rosewood.

Bancroft’s genius at inventing and improving labor-saving equipment was equalled by his ability to organize

the labor force. Besides organizing the sawmill in Windham and the plant on Exchange Street, he created a depart¬ ment for the sale of feathers used in mattresses, an upholstery department, a “manilla and hair” department (used in padded furniture), and a depart¬ ment that wove cane chair seats. By 1853 Corey Furniture Company pro¬ duced $75,000 worth of furniture a year—amazing when you consider thattheyweresellingfurnitureforhalf what it cost in 1840.

In 1860, Jonathan Bancroft died. A Portland paper, The Advertiser, stated on the occasion, “...the establishment, of which he was the mechanical and executive head, is one of the largest in New England...The arrangements which he had just perfected in the shops in Exchange Street are admir¬ able...no other establishment in New England could turn out...so large an amount of good furniture...”

In June 1866 a fire broke out in the machine shop on Exchange Street. The fire caused considerable damage but of more damage was public concern over the danger of having such a large manufacturing plant in a built-up area. A common remark was, “When Corey’s goes, Exchange Street will be swept.”

Walter Corey did not have a chance to decide whether or not to move. One Julyfourthafirebrokeoutatadistant boatyard and burned a large section of the city, including what remained of the Corey plant and sales gallery. The Great Portland Fire left twelve thou¬ sand people homeless and caused $ 10,000,000 in damages. Corey set up a temporary plant on Kennebec Street and opened a new showroom off Free Street. The company, however, could not survive the double loss of Bancroft and the fire. By 1870, the plant was closed and the Windham operation sold. From 1870on,especially after the death of Walter Corey in 1889, the company was known as a furniture outlet specializing in articles of the finest quality, style, and workmanship.

It is interesting to note that the Walter Corey Company employed nearly 250 individuals during the 30 years that furniture was manufactured. After the Great Fire, the work force dropped to about 50 and remained at that number until 1941, when the company went out of business. □

KEVIN LEDUC

Lighthouse

Whenthelightswentdarkfor24-48hours.

byCharlieBrown

N THE SPACE OF TWO MONTHS

Isouthern Maine played host to two major tropical storms; what few people realize is that Hurricane Bob was, in these waters anyway, a baby brother to the events generated by Formerly Grace on October 30.

The development of the two systems illustrates just how widely divergent these storms can get. Bob was the media darling, muscular, fast on his feet, dangerous; the East Coast taped windows and tuned into the Weather Channel in record numbers. In short, the very model of a modern storm. But for Maine hurricane fans Bob was kind of a Gloria, weakening quickly in the cold North Atlantic to the status of Overblown Nuisance, just another budget buster for the overworked

public works departments of the area.

The situation with the storm that began life as Tropical Storm Grace was totally different. Safely out at sea 300 miles south of Nova Scotia at 7 a.m., diminished below hurricane force, she was no longer even named when she encountered an unusual upper air flow which blocked her normal easterly progress. Consequently, she con¬ founded tradition and headed due west, eventually reaching a point by 6 p.m. 100 miles east of Cape Cod. This location to the southeast of the Gulf of Maine caused significantly higher than normal flood tides and unexpectedly high damage in the coastal region from Portland south; Formerly Grace even¬ tually died off Virginia the next¬ morning, leaving behind some im¬

pressive destruction and a lesson in unpredictability.

For Maine, FG’s statistics are major league weather. She was responsible for one of the highest tides ever re¬ corded, 13.18 feet above Mean Low Water, with a storm surge of 3.5 feet, the fifth all-time. The Weather Bureau hasn’t recorded numbers like that since the nor’easter of February 7, 1978, which holds the all-time high tide recordat14.7feet.Infact,allofMaine’s previous top ten most serious storms are winter blows, except for 1954's Hurricane Carol. In other words, Formerly Grace is not only one of the strongest storms in twenty years but a highly unusual south-to-west tracker— and most people away from the coastal regions didn’t even notice. But for those caught in her wind and tides Formerly Grace was hard to ignore. Fishermen, caught off guard, lost tons of gear. George Bush had pieces of his seawall in the living room. The scene of destruction was repeated at every coastal community to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars.

Offshore, the southern coast’s most well-known marine landmarks bore the full intensity of the storm. Nav¬ igational buoys were moved or put out of commission, and many are still inoperable. All four of the Coast Guard’s major lights sustained damage, the heaviest at the southern locations on Boon Island and Isle of Shoals. These historic structures have seen a lot of bad weather, but not since ’78 have they been beaten up to the degree witnessed last month. Boon Island, ten miles east of Kittery, was constructed in 1854 of solid granite blocks 80 feet in the air. Automated now, it is a good thing no one was home when the sea struck. The island is low-lying, and all the outbuildings were destroyed or damaged. Photos show big blocks of rock strewn around but the lighthouse itself intact. Sea¬ water ruined the generators, and the light was dark for 24-48 hours until the

“ThewinterkeepersfortheStarIslandHotel,EdithandDavidPierson, watchedthedramaunfoldallafternoon.Sprayfromthepoundingsurf easilyreachedabovetheheightofthelighthouse,perhapsahundred feetintheair.Davidsayshesawonewavethatcouldhavewashed theequipmentawayalone.”

Coast Guard installed a temporary solar-powered replacement.

The most impressive monument to the power of Formerly Grace has to be the destruction at the Isles of Shoals light. Ten miles out from Portsmouth, this brick beacon has been a landmark tolocalshippingsince1859;itsitsona point of rock about 30 feet above high water and reaches a height of about 85 feet. Photographs indicate the twin generators, each about 8x10x15 foot structures weighing over 3,000 pounds

are totally gone. Fuel tanks are scat¬ tered about or missing entirely. The wall of water required to move so much weight such a great distance can only be imagined. But unlike Boon Island, there were witnesses to this event. Directly across the channel from the light lies Star Island; the winter keepers for the Star Island Hotel, Edith and David Pierson, watched the drama unfold all afternoon. Spray from the pounding surf easily reached above the height of the lighthouse, perhaps a

hundred feet in the air. David says he saw one wave that could have washed the equipment away alone, but couldn’t be positive; typically for this storm his best pictures didn’t come out. The Piersons, the only people on the island, were not able to get to the mainland fora week due to high winds but report that damage on the island was not as bad as on neighboring Appledore, which was cut in half by high seas, a testimony to the big storm with the little coverage. □

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Slate’sRestaurant,169WaterStreet,Hallowell:good,inexpensivenightlyspecials.

Slate’s Restaurant

ASurvivorWith1970sCharm,SteakDiane

Enteringslate’srestaurant in Hallowell is like entering a popular historical recreation of what life was like in the 1970s. (Remember The Bag on Port¬ land’s Free Street?) In this case the restaurant occupies the first floor of two old buildings with the tin ceilings and brickwork left intact. The retro touches such as faux Tiffany lamp¬ shades add even more period dimen¬ sions to the casual and comfortable atmosphere. But it is really the menu that places Slate’s squarely back in the seventies. Fifteen years ago such dishes as Steak Diane, Shrimp Scampi, Stuffed Haddock, and Scrod with Almonds and Pecans (a variant of name-your-fish almondine) were the flagship dishes of any restaurant that thought itself on the cutting edge. Forging ahead, 1 did find compelling reasons for why Slate’s remains as popularasitis.

The appetizers are primarily things the restaurant purchases and then plates, such as Smoked Seafood Plate ($6.95), Warm Brie with Almonds or Pepper ($5.50), Pickled Herring Plate ($5.95), and Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail

($5.95). Of the two things prepared, Caesar Salad and Chicken Liver Pate' ($5.95), we chose the patef. It arrived with chopped red onion, freshly cut apple slices, and bread rounds that needed to be toasted. The pate' had been lightened in a way that made it fresh and light tasting. The garnishes were supportive instead of super¬ fluous. I enjoyed it very much.

A salad of green leaf, grated carrot, and cucumber with a choice of fam¬ iliar dressings comes with the meals.

The entrees are primarily fish and seafood with fruit, nuts, and cheese figuring in prominently, for example, Tuna, Salmon, or Swordfish with Cran¬ berry Apple Rum Raisin or Pepper, and Havarti ($11.95). Some of the nonaquatic choices were Beef Tenderloin Au Poivre or Diane ($13.95), Cashew Chicken ($9.95), Grilled Chicken with Honey Papaya BBQ Sauce ($11.50), Vegetable Saute with Many Nuts ($8.95).

We chose Tenderloin Au Poivre and Grilled Salmon with Aioli. The tender¬ loin was a perfect medium rare as ordered and served with baked squash, red potato, and a large fruit

garnish. The potatoes were on the large side of adequate, and excepting the sauce, the meal was well prepared. The sauce seemed too aggressively thickened so it congealed to a solid mass as it cooled, tasting more like orange liqueur than pepper.

The salmon was grilled flawlessly— moist with a strong, smoky grill taste. The aioli, a garlic mayonnaise though it can have other forms, was well textured with a pleasantly subdued garlic flavor. Cumin-scented rice, baked squash, and another pile of fruit filledouttherestoftheplate.

We drank a Caymus Zinfandel ($15) chosen from a relatively small (about 30 selections total), inexpensive wine list. The restaurant has wisely chosen only reasonably priced wines instead oftryingtoplaceafewbottlesinevery price category. Understandably, white wines predominate.

For dessert we chose a chocolate pecan pie and a raspberry custard. The pie tasted good, but when you chocolatify a pecan pie you lose the unique consistency which makes it so endear¬ ing. The custard was devoid of any perceptible sweetness, and the nut¬ meg was so strong as to render it inedible. When this was brought to the attention of our server the problem was resolved very courteously. The des¬ serts in general are a small-town bake shop compendium of cakes, cookies, pies, and cheesecakes.

They served a freshly baked poppy¬ seed, orange-rind bread that would have been more suited for breakfast. As a rule, life’s too hard to have to worry about whether orange rind and poppy seeds are going to make a weird tasting combination with your garlic mayonnaise. Even so, if you serve a good variant of simple French breads then you never have the problem of the bread clashing with the meal.

The popularity of Slate’s is grounded in its convivial atmosphere, wellprepared food, and, with its nightly specials, the possibility of a good, inexpensive meal. And I know many people who think the use of all that fruit is innovative. Why fiddle with a winning formula? Just stoke up your Defiant, crank up the James Taylor and SteelyDan,andletitflow.Majorcredit cards. (207) 622-9575. □ —Review by Mark Mickalide

We welcome Mark Mickalide to these pages as our

Loss Of A Legend

CarterBros.Jewelersisclosingafter137years.

“We had a meeting at MooseCrossinginFal¬ mouthafewweeksago. Mr.Finn’scousin,David Finn,madetheannounce¬ menttous.Heworksin thestorehere.”

After 137 years as a highly respected Portland jewel¬ rystore,CarterBros.FineJewel¬ ers, 521 Congress Street, is closing. It is the oldest jewelry store in Portland.

Like the loss of Porteous, Mitchell & Braun across Congress Street earlier this year, it’s a disappointment for sentimental city shoppers, a resound¬ ing silence in the heart of downtown.

“It was a family decision, made by Phillip H. Finn, of Boston, who has owned the store 43 years,” says a disappointed Carter Bros, employee Bob Steffen. “He bought it from the Carter family in 1948.”

Mr. Finn is now in his 70s and is a former Portland resident.

“Basically, he considered selling the store but decided it was too much of a risk that someone might take the Carter Bros, name and end up turning it into a

lessdiscriminatingstore,”Steffensays.

Customers with china patterns on file will be provided information about where they can continue to find the pattern.

“Itwasadecisioninthemakingfora long time,” Steffen reports.

Where do you go to make such a decision?

“We had a meeting at Moose Cros¬ sing in Falmouth a few weeks ago. His cousin, David Finn, made the an¬ nouncement to us. He works in the store here.”

Heralding the store as the onetime “Tiffany’s of Maine,” the press release statesthat“theentireexquisitecollec¬ tion of diamonds, pearl, estate and heirloom, precious gem and 14 karat goldjewelry,aswellasallfinegiftware and watches must be liquidated” during a going-out-of-business sale that “should last through Christmas,”

Steffensays.

“In 1854, Franklin Pierce was presi¬ dent of the United States, when a man named A. Dunyon opened a jewelry store in Portland at the corner of Middle and Temple Streets. After the Great Fire of 1866, Mr. Dunyon moved to the corner of Congress and Casco Street (the store’s current location) and re-established his business with the inventory he was able to save from the fire. The Carter brothers, Abial and John W.D., worked for Mr. Dunyon for several years before purchasing the business from him in 1872.

“Inside the store has remained much like it was back in 1872. The original wooden showcases, glass¬ door display units along the walls, and the striking, gold-framed mirror which hangs on the back wall take all who enter the store back in time.”

Events THEATER

TheSunshineBoys, a play by Neil Simon, will be presented by the Portland Players, 420 Cottage Road, South Portland. Performances are scheduled for December 7, 8,13 and 14. The players will present another Neil Simon play, Rumors, opening January 24. For more information, call 773-6276.

The Mad Horse Theatre, 955 Forest Avenue, Portland, will present A LifeintheTheater by David Mamet, through December 15. Per¬ formances are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 7 p.m. From December 19 to December 23, the players will perform A ChristmasCarol:The1940sRadioVersion. This play for all ages will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, with a special 3:00 performance on Sunday. 797-3338.

The theatre department of the University of Southern Maine will present three one-act PremierePlays, written and performed by USM students, through December 8. Matinee at 5 p.m. on December 8; all other performances at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call the box office at 780-5483.

I Have No Control Productions will perform The LittlePrince on Saturday and Sunday afternoons through December, and TheBradyBunchLive will open in early December. For more infor¬ mation or reservtions, call 879-0070.

The Portland Stage Company, located in the Portland Performing Arts Center, 25A Forest Avenue, Portland, will present MyChildren!My Africa!, a play by South African playwright Athol Fugard about the effects of apartheid, through December 22. The company will also present Niccolo Machiavelli's The Mandrake, from January 7 through 26. For more information, call 774-0465.

The Portland Ballet Company, 341 Cumberland Avenue, Portland, will present TheNutcracker through December 22. Performances are at 8 p.m., with matinees at 2 p.m. Call 772-9671 for information.

The Vintage Repertory, a touring theater com¬ pany based in Portland, will give a performance of Edward Albee’s Zoo Story on December 11. On December 18, the company will perform A Child'sChristmasinWales. For more information, call 828-4654.

On January 23 at 7 p.m., the National Theatre of the Deaf will present Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic, TreasureIsland. This performance, for both hearing and non-hearing audiences, will take place at the Maine Center for the Arts, University of Maine, Orono. For more infor¬ mation or for tickets, call the MCA box office at 581-1755.

The Brightest Work ByAustralia’sTop “Outback” Artists

CHRISTMASINAUSTRALIA

Events

Maine at Farmington, on December 7. UMF students admitted free wih I.D.; all others, $2. For more information, call Amy Lainoff at 778-7346.

The City Theater in Biddeford will hold auditions for parts in its upcoming play, Mousetrap on December 15 and 16. From January 11 through 13, auditions will be held for Carousel. For more information, call the theater at 282-0849.

(207)871-1078

Desks•Hutches• Bookcases •Tables "PLEASEVISITOURSHOWROOM”

OpenTuesdaythruFriday10-6 Saturday10-3. 102PortlandStreet AcrossfromtheMainePostOffice (207)874-0943

ATTENTION

is what your business will be able to attract for your next Open House, Media Event, or Sales Promotion. NEW ENGLAND PROMOTIONS can help you get the attention you need...and deserve! Go ahead, give us a call. It's free! 207-775-2789/1-8OO-639-39O2

Through December 8, Theatre UMF will present SteelMagnolias, directed by Andrea Castle Southard. Curtain time is 7:30 p.m.; admission is $4 for adults, free for UMF students with ID, and other students will be admitted for $3. For adults 65 and over and children under 13, the cost is $1.50. For reservations, call 778-7465.

The Children’s Theatre of Maine will present Yes YesNoNo:TheSolaceofSolsticeApogeelPerigeeBestial/CelestialHolidayShow, a holiday play full of carols, poetry, dance and masks, at Porteous in downtown Portland. Per¬ formances will be on December 14,21 and 28 at 10:00 and 12:00; December 18, 1 and 20 at 3:30; and on December 27,30 and 31 at 1 p.m. For more information, call CTM at 874-0371.

The Hackmatack Repertoiy Theater in Dover, New Hampshire, will present Nunsense on January 2-5, 9-12, and 16-19. Performances begin at 8 p.m..Thursday to Saturday, with a Sunday matinee at 3 p.m. Admission is $10 for the Thursday show, $12 for Friday and Saturday, and $8 for the Sunday matinee. For reservations, call (603) 749-3996.

The Center for Performance Studies, 25A Forest Avenue, Portland, will present Scenesfromthe AmericanTheater, a collection of scenes and monologues, on Tuesday, December 17 at 7 p.m. For information about classes, call 774-2776.

MUSIC

On January 7, the Portland Symphony Orches¬ tra will present KurtNikkanen, considered one of the world's leading young violinists, perform¬ ing the Beethoven Violin Concerto and the ElgarEnigmaVariations. On January 11 and 12, PSO will present AllAboardtheOrient Express as a part of its Pops Series, and on January 26, the Candlelight Series will con¬ tinue its Mozart&HisFriends. For more infor¬ mation or tickets, call 773-8191.

The Portland Folk Club hosts Music Swaps on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, at the Swedenborgian Church, 302 Stevens Avenue, Portland. For more information, call 773-9549.

The Cumberland County Civic Center will host the Queen’s Own Highlanders, the Cold Stream Guards on December 7. From December 1822, there will be performances of Sesame StreetLive. For more information, call the Civic Center at 775-3458.

Quilted Kitchen Accessory Covers

BringMaine'sfavorileberriesintoyour kitchenwithourQuiltedKitchenAcces¬ soryCovers.Hand-stenciledandcraft¬ edtofitanysizetoastertofoodproces¬ sor. Machine-washable, 100% cotton quiltedmuslin,coordinating100%cot¬ toncalicolining,decorativepiping. ChoiceofstrawberryorMaine’sblue¬ berrydesign.Alsoavailableinassorted calicoquiltedfabrics.Two-slicetoastercover,$12.50;Minifoodprocessor, $14.50;4-sliceoblongtoaster,$13.50;Electriccanopener,$12.;Blender, $18.50; Regular food processor, $19.50. Add $3.50 shipping & handling. Maine residents ad 6% sales tax. MasterCard, Visa, check or money order accepted.The CountryCrafter:

Elaine Sedgwick, P.O. Box 1166-P.M. Rockland, ME 04841-1166 Phone: (207) 596-0963 Toll-free outside Maine: 1-800-257-7585

1991 Blueberry Basket

Bring Maine's favorite berries to your home with our Maine-made clam basketfilledwithblueberry delights,includinga stenciled tea towel and matching potholder, 2 blueberry mugs, blueberry tea and jam. All items accent wild-blueberry muffin mix. Nestled among these items are blueberry beverage napkins and magnetic notepad.Atreatforyourselforagiftsuretoplease.$49.50. Add W% postage and handling. Maine residents add 6% saleHRK. MasterCard and Visa accepted. Call or write for brochure. Distinct Impressions Gift Baskets, P.O. Box 1745, Auburn, Me. 04210. Tel. 207-777-1725.

Maine Marinade and Salad Dressing

Maine Marinade is an all¬ purpose salad dressing and marinade which will enhance vegetable, seafood ana meat dishes. It isano-cholesterol,all¬ natural product, produced and bottled in Boothbay Harbor. $6.50 ppd., per 12.7-fl.-oz.bottle,giftboxed with recipes. Call 1800-4SALAD2 or 207-6334074 with MasterCard or Visa number, or send payment to: Maine Marinade, P.O. Box 115, Boothbay Harbor, Maine 04538.

TheKennebunks-ANarratedTour

Anyone who lives in Maine or loves to visit will enjoy discovering all the Kennebunks has to offer by watching this new VHS tape 'The Kennebunks-A Nar¬ rated Tour.” Learn where to go; what to see; and what to do along with the histo¬ ry of this beautiful coastal area. Spend some time with the Bush family on Walker’s Point. VHS cassette runs approx¬ imately25minutes.

$16.95 plus $2.00 shipping & handling

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“ 1 Pure Vanilla and Lemon Extracts

Foss' famous extracts since 1866for“theflavoryou remember." Packed in an attractivewoodengiftbox. One 5-oz. bottle of each. $11.95 plus $3 shipping and handling. (Maine residents add$.72salestax.)Call1800-777-4666 or 207-7724666. fax 207-774-3449. or write: Schlotterbeck & Foss Co., P.O. Box 8609. Portland. Me. 04104. Visa, MasterCard or checks accepted.

TRILLIUM

HANGING BASS.

These primitive fish decoys have become extremely popular. Handcarved and strung with fish line, they are richly painted with many layers to create a look that equals rare antique fishing lures. Each carving is about 11“ X 3". $45. per Fish. (UPS shipping included) Maine residents add 6%salestax.

Carriage House Square 204 U.S. Route 1 Falmouth, ME 04105 NEW (207) 781-2545 LOCATION

UL-Listed FlameGard® Rug

Thisattractiveadditiontoyour fireplace or woodstove is made of100-percentfiberglass.Itwill not burn! The rug comes in assortedcolors,plainorprinted, half-moon, rectangular or special order.Pricesstartat$39.95.Call toll-free 1-800-666-RUGS. Thomas Industries, P.O. Box 30, Lewiston, Me. 04243-0030.

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We have a unique andeclecticselectionof giftsforalltastes; includingwrap, cards,andsuch.

Stopbyforallyour Christmasgift-givingneeds.

HANGING BASS.

These primitive fish decoys have become extremely popular. Hand-carved and strung with fish line, they are richly painted with many layers to create a look that equals rare antique fishing lures. Each carving is about 11" x 3". $45. per Fish. (UPS shipping included) Maineresidents add 6%salestax.

Events

will present the Pau/ Winter Consort. The group will appear at the Peter and Paul Church with ‘Songs of Peace from Around the World’. Tickets are $16 and $18. For more information, call LA Arts at 782-7228.

On December 8 at3p.m.,the UMF Community Orchestra will give a concert at Nordica Auditorium, Merrill Hall, UMF. Admission is $3 for adults; $2 for senior citizens and children; UMFstudents free with ID. For more information, call 778-7290.

The Portland Concert Association will sponsor a performance by IsaacStern on the violin, January 4 at 8 p.m. For details, call 772-8630, or 1-800-639-2707.

The Maine Center for the Arts at the University of Maine, Orono, will present the internationally recognized ShanghaiQuartet, on January 18 at 8 p.m. On January 23 at 8 p.m., MCA will host the Philharmonia Hungarica, conducted by Yehudi Menuhin. For tickets or more informa¬ tion, call the Maine Center for the Arts box office at 581-1755.

The Bates College Concert Series will present jazz musicians The John Faddis Quartet, January 17 at 8 p.m. in the College Chapel. For reservations or information, call 786-6135.

The Center for the Arts at the Chocolate Church in Bath will present Peggosus, a blend of folk, rock, and jazz. The performance will take place Saturday, January 18 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 and $5. For reservations, call 442-8455.

On December 7 at Colby College, the Music at Colby Concert Series will present the Colby Symphony Orchestra's An Evening in Old Vienna. This performance will take place at 8 p.m. in the Student Center. The series continues on December 8 with the Colby-Kennebec Choral Society’s AMessiahSing, at the Lorimer Chapel at 8 p.m. The 22ndAnnualServiceof CarolsandLights will take place at 7 p.m. on December 12 and 13, and at 4 p.m. on Decem¬ ber 14.

The UMF Band, conducted by Philip Carlsen, will hold a concert on December 14 at 7:30 p.m. in the Nordica Auditorium, Merrill Hall, Univer¬ sity of Maine at Farmington. The concert is free and open to the public. For more information, call 778-7290.

On December 11, there will be a MessiahSingAlongwithorchestra at 7:30 p.m. in the Nordica Auditorium, University of Maine, Farmington. The concert is free and open to the public. Information: 778-7290.

GALLERIES

The Baxter Gallery at the Portland School of Art, 619 Congress Street, Portland, will hold its FacultyExhibition through December 19. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; open until 9 p.m. on Thursdays.

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Events

For more information, call 775-5152.

The Chocolate Church Art Gallery in Bath will feature a Members’ Show through December 21.0n the weekend of December 14-16, there will be a sale of members' paintings. A Juried Photography Show will open on January 10, and run through the end of the month. Entries for this show are being accepted on January 7, and the price is $ 10 for three entries; $8 for two; and $5 for one. Opening reception for this show is January 12 from 3 to 5 p.m. Gallery hours are 10 to 4, Tuesday through Friday; and Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. 442-8455.

Gallery Sixty-Eight, 68 Main Street, Belfast, will feature rotating shows of gallery artists, including work by Phil Barter, Herbert Lewis Fink, Yvonne Jacquette, Alex Katz, David Little, Tom Osgood, Robert Pollien, Fairfield Porter, Karl Schrag, Neil Welliver, and over 100 other printmakers. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 9 a.m to 5 p.m.

Greenhut Galleries, 146 Middle Street, Portland, will exhibit ArtforChristmasGiving by gallery artists including Connie Hayes, Glenn Renell, Jane Dahmen and Alison Goodwin. Hours are Monday to Saturday, 10:30 to 5:30.

The Danforth Gallery, 34 Danforth Street, Portland, will feature its Group Show, an exhibit representing the artists in the old Molasses Building, 20-36 Danforth Street. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11 to 5.

The Art Gallery at 6 Deering Street, Portland, is exhibiting its Annual Christmas Show through December, featuring watercolors by Pamela Johnson and acrylic paintings by Richard Haynes. Hours are 11 to 5, Tuesday through Saturday for the first two weeks of the month; thereafter, by chance or by appointment, 772-9605.

The Stein Glass Gallery, 20 Milk Street, Portland, will show GroupShow:GalleryArtists, featur¬ ing a wide variety of techniques, textures and styles of blown, cast, sandblasted and construc¬ ted glass. Hours are Monday-Friday, 11 to 6; Saturday and Sunday, 11 to 5.

The Katahdin Restaurant is exhibiting Mostly Maine, a show of color photographs by Bob Gross, through January 4. Call Katahdin for hours during which the exhibit may be viewed 774-1740.

The Hudson Museum at the University of Maine. Orono, is exhibiting From Native Hands, an exhibit of basketmaking, weaving, pottery, and other Native American crafts. The show also consists of historical photographs and other educational material. For more information and hours, call the Hudson Museum at 581-1901.

SculpturesbyRobert‘Dan’Daniels, a metal sculptor, are on display at several galleries in Maine, including the Pine Tree Shop & Gallery in Portland, the Port Clyde Gallery in Port Clyde,

Events

and the Pine Tree Shop & Gallery in Camden.

Through December 12, the Maine Gallery on the University of Southern Maine’s Gorham campus, 37 College Avenue, will hold its annual FacultyExhibition, with a closing reception on December 12 from 4 to 6 p.m. Call for gallery hours: 780-5409.

At the Bowdoin College Museum of Art, Walker Art Building, Brunswick, The Here and Here¬ after:ImagesofParadiseinIslamic Art will be displayed through December 15. The show consists of art in many media which explore Islamic concepts of the afterlife. Through Janu¬ ary 5, the museum will show Rembrandt and HisContemporaries, which demonstrates Rem¬ brandt's contribution to the art of printmaking. Starting January 7, ThePhotographyofTodd Webb will be exhibited. Also on display through February 9 is Twentieth-CenturyArt:Selec¬ tionsfromthePermanentCollection. For more information, call 725-3275.

The Portland Museum of Art, 7 Congress Square, Portland, will exhibit BereniceAbbott,Photog¬ rapher:AModernVision, through January 12. TheJoanWhitneyPaysonCollection:Inaugu¬ ralExhibitionatthePortlandMuseumofArt will be on display through January 13. Hours are 10 to 5 Tuesday through Saturday, open until 9 p.m. on Thursday; and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, 775-6148.

The Bates College Museum of Art, Olin Arts Center, Lewiston, will show RobertIndiana:the HartleyElegies, a tribute to Lewiston artist Marsden Hartley, through December 20. Begin¬ ning January 10, the museum will display Works on Paper by John Hegan Eames, an exhibition of etchings, watercolors and draw¬ ings of architectural scenes from Europe and the U.S. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and I to 5 p.m. on Sunday. 786-6158.

The Maine Craftsmen’s Association will hold an exhibit, ForgottenConnections:Maine'sRole intheNavajoTextileTrade1880-1930, through January 16. at the York Institute Museum, 371 Main Street, Saco. Hours are 1 to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday; 1 to 8 p.m. Thursday. For more information, call 282-3031.

The Portland Public Library will hold an exhibit of Photographs by Members of the Portland Camera Club through December 30. From January 4 to 30, the library will present Seeds of Change, a nationwide traveling exhibition presented in conjunction with the Columbus Quincentennial. This exhibition is based on a major show at the Smithsonian Institution. Library hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday from noon to 9; and Saturday 9 to 5.

December 14-16 is the CACC Community Christmas Weekend, featuring AChristmasin

Events

Wales/Al Miller/Brad Terry on Saturday at 8 p.m.; a Children'sParty on Monday at 7 p.m.; and Sing!It'sChristmas! on Monday at 7 p.m. All Christmas Weekend events are free. 442-8455

Mad Horse Theatre will present A Christmas Carol:The1940sRadioVersion, from Decem¬ ber 19-23. Performances are Thursday through Monday at 7 p.m., with a special 3:00 perform¬ ance on Sunday. 797-3338.

On December 13 in the town of Kennebunk, there will be a ChristmasTreeLightingand Santa'sArrival at 6 p.m. From December 13 to 15, shops in Kennebunk will be providing holiday favorites for shopping, special events and gift wrapping, and on December 15, the Second Annual Walk Through Bethlehem will take place. The walk will begin at the Catholic Church at 4:30 p.m., make its way to the churches in the town, and reach a live nativity. The walk will terminate at the Giving Tree, followed by refreshments at the Town Hall. 985-6868.

From December 1 until Christmas, there will be Caroling at Santa’s Headquarters, the Hay¬ wagon, Portland. For more information, call 772-6828.

The town of Saco will have its annual Christmas Parade on December 7 at 9 a.m. Santa Claus will be coming to town, and stores will be open on that Sunday for the convenience of harried Christmas shoppers. RickCharette will be per¬ forming on December 8 in Saco. For more information about the performance, call Jim at 284-6781.

From December 6 to 8, the Kennebunk Business Association will hold its 10thAnnual Christmas Prelude, commencing with the annual TreeLighting at the dock at 5:30 p.m. on December 6. For more information, call 967-0867.

There will be a Christmastreelighting in Freeport on December 7. Information: 865-1212.

Also on December 7, the town of Kittery will have its Annual Christmas parade and tree lighting. For more information, call 363-4422.

The Maine State Music Theatre in Brunswick will perform a concert reading of AChristmasCarol on December 7 at 8 p.m.; and on December 8 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $ 18 for orchestra seats; $ 15 for balcony seats; and $ 10 for children under 12. For reservations, call 725-8769, or tollfree in Maine 1-800-698-8769.

From December 12 to 15, there will be a celebration of Christmas at the Victoria Mansion in Portland. For more information, call 772-4841.

December 13 to 15 marks the celebration of the 5th Annual Christmas by the Sea in Ogunquit. For more information, call 646-2939.

On December 14 and 15, the United Maine

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Events

Craftsmen's Holiday Craft Show will take place at the USM gym. For details, call 377-6803.

From December 12 to 15, there will be a celebration of Christmas at the Victoria Mansion in Portland. For more information, call 772-4841.

ChristmasatHenry’s will take place at the Longfellow House in Portland from December 12 to 15. For details, call 772-1807.

The Portland Symphony Orchestra will have its MagicofChristmas concerts, on December 13 through 15, and December 19 through 22. Performances are at 7 p.m., with 2 p.m. concerts on the 14th and 15th; 21st and 22nd. For tickets, call 773-8191 or toll-free 1-800-639-2309.

The Lyric Theater, 176 Sawyer Street, Portland, will present Have Yourself a Merry Lyric Christmas, a program of fun and unique yuletide tunes, as well as some more traditional favorites, from December 20 through 22 at8p.m.,witha matinee on December 21 at 2:30 p.m. For reservations, call 799-1421 or 799-6509.

The Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth, N.H., will hold its 12th annual holiday CandlelightStroll through its houses and streets, on December 7, 8, 14 and 15 The theme of the stroll is different ways of celebrating the Christmas holiday. Admission is $9 for adults, $5 for children age 10 to 16; and free for children under 5. For more information, call the museum at (603) 433-1100.

The Rockport-Camden-Lincolnville Chamber of Commerce will present ChristmasbytheSea, from December 13 through 15. Activities will include the 4th Annual Holiday House Tour, appearance of Santa Claus and other children’s events, home and business decoration, and traditional Christmas activities. For more infor¬ mation, call the Chamber at 236-4404.

OTHER

The Maine Island Trail Association and the Island Institute in Rockland will host the next part of its series of RoundtabeDiscussionson theUseofMaineIslands on December 13 from 1 to 5 p.m..The group plans to continue monthly meetings throughout the winter. For more information, call the offices of the Island Institute and the Maine Island Trail Association at 594-9209.

Sunday River Ski Resort in Bethel will offer Vacation Ski Camps for adolescent skiers during school vacation periods. Participants may select from concentrations in snowboard¬ ing, racing and freestyle skiing. The Freestyle program will be led by three-time World Free¬ style Champion Scott Brooksbank; the racing program will be directed by Sunday River Director of Skiing and former US Ski Team Coach Bob Harkins; and champion coach Bruce Cole will lead the snowboarding program. The next camp will be held from December 26 to 30 For

Events

more information, call 824-3000.

The Center for Performance Studies in Portland is offering ActingClasses for people at various levels of skill and experience. Acting Classes for Ordinary People are basic, introductory level classes; Kids Classes are for ages 9 to 13; High School Classes are intensive workshops for student performers serious about developing their skills. Intermediate Classes and Profession¬ al Classes are also offered by the Center. The next session begins in January; for more information, call 774-2776.

Southworth Planetarium, USM, 96 Falmouth Street, Portland, presents several astronomy (A TouroftheSolarSystem,TheBirthandDeath ofStars,TheMarsShow,Introductiontothe Planetarium,What'sUpandWhere) and laser light shows. Public evening shows are Fridays and Saturdays. Doors open at 6:30; astronomy shows begin at 7 p.m., and laser light shows begin at 8:30 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults and $2.50 for children and senior citizens. Children under 5 are not admitted to evening shows. Call the Planetarium office, 780-4249, for show schedules.

On December 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Eighth Annual SELFHELP Crafts Sale will be held at the Church of the Servant, 35 Lafayette Street, Portland. Proceeds from this sale directly benefit craftspeople in more than 35 developing coun¬ tries. Call 774-8578 for more information.

The Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth, N.H., will hold a DecorativeArtsSymposium on January 17, 18 and 19. To register or receive more information, call the museum office at (603) 443-1100, between 8:30 and 4:30, Monday through Friday.

On December 8, the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath will hold a Holiday Open House and A Children'sChristmas in the Donnell House. Call the Maine Maritime Museum at 443-1316 for more information.

At Bates College in Lewiston, there will be a lecture on Lines of Demarcation: Gods and MeninGreekThought, hosted by Jenny Strauss Clay, professor of classics at the University of Virginia, on January 20 at 8 p.m. This lecture will be held in the Olin Arts Center Concert Hall. On January 23 at 7:30 p.m., in the Muskie Archives, University of Texas Law School Profes¬ sor Sanford Levinson will speak on Law,Ethics andPoliticalActivity. Both lectures are free.

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DoctorDodge

NE OF THE MORE CHARMING RUMORS OF MY CHILDHOOD was that a certain Dr. Dodge, owner of most of Dodge’s mountain, in back of Rockland, had one summer’s day gotten so thirsty that he had gotten in his buckboard and driven down to the town, to the south end of town where the criminal element lived. There he went to a small store called The Market Basket. It was reputed to have the best lemonade in four towns. He drank a cup,

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he drank a gallon, he drank two gallons, his stomach burst, no more Dr. Dodge.

Or is there? At least his name lives on, the mountain lives on (even though houses are being built there now), and most of the more upstand¬ ing Baptists, Catholics, and Episcopals are not remembered more than a few months after their descent. But Dr. Dodge will go down in history as a discoverer of sorts.

Lemonade was not his favorite drink—it was only when he wanted something a little different, something strange. His real drink was coffee.

He loved coffee and hated tea. In New England, tea was the drink of choice. He determined to find the very best coffees from all around the world and make a blend that was superior to all others and wipe out the tea merch¬ ants. (I should explain here that his mother and father were both tea totallers and would never let him drink coffee—they were also tea merchants and he didn’t much like them and hoped to run them out of business). For his pleasure he sniffed his way around town to find where the best coffee was brewing. That always led him to Sea Street, where in the little candy shops he found the perfect cup. Having found his perfection as a boy of fourteen, he determined to make a lot of money so he could follow his dream to the ends of the earth and other places. First he got the coffee concessions all along Sea Street. He did not do this as a ruffian but demon¬ strated to the various pimps and bully boys that good coffee would attract customers. Soon the street was hop¬ ping and he began to try additives such as cocaine and llama’s breath. The streetwentevenwilder.Finallythecity marshall stepped in and substituted rum for all coffee. But by that time Dodge had earned enough for a boat. It was a small two-masted schooner that was sound and cheap. It was cheap because it had stuck on the ways during launching and people thought it was “hoodood.” But by paying the men a little more he set to sea in fine condition.

In the four-year voyage Dr. (of Phrenology) Dodge tasted almost coffee in almost every where it was grown. He had Mocha with the sheiks and Java with the pirates. He had

English Buskin (grown solely in hot¬ houses) with the Queen. He drank Camenbrut (watered by giraffe) in the zoo in Paris and Lion and Lamb playing polo in Kenya. In short, any¬ where the bean would grow he tried it, except in the Americas—he was sav¬ ingthatforthelasttoseewhatsunand surf had done for the mother beans. He sailed to Cuba from Africa. There he sold his ship and bought a yacht with an auxiliary steam engine, loaded both new sails and coal. He then explored every river and any island where coffee was known or rumored to exist. He made seven hundred stops or so, sampled many thousands of cups. He made notes on each cup in what he called “the golden notebooks” be¬ cause he was sure the right blend would make him rich beyond belief.

Dodge had one problem that ir¬ ritated him no end. It was that perhaps some vital bean had been plowed under—some island that grew the best had blown up and with it all the good stuff—after much soul searching and reading and rereading of the note¬ books he decided his would at least be better than anyone else’s and would make him both richand famous.

So Dr. Dodge worked and worked on his Mountain Blend; most coffee is grown on mountains so he was not far wrong. Using Jamaican Blue Mountain as a standard, he roasted and mixed, mixed and ground, sampled and flavored, added and subtracted. He mixed what he thought was the best of all the combinations (still secret, you understand), took it down to Sea Street.

Thenewstraveledlikeaflash.Allthe friendly ladies and all the friendly sailors hurried for a drink of Dr. Dodge’s special concoction. During the six years he had been away sampling and collecting, there had been a new city marshall elected who was a follower of Neal Dow and was interested in finding a way out of the rum pool. Coffee was it.

When the first of Dr. Dodge’s packaged goodies came out in the Blue and Gold can, it was just called Rockland Blend. Within a year it was selling to the soldiers of the West, the gold miners of California, the BuckeroosoftheOldDodgetrail.Intheeast, it appeared on nearly every table, and since it was not expensive, that was

nearly every table. The Rockland Blend was endorsed by the biggest gamblers of Monte Carlo, Cossacks praised it in battle, and the Mongols gave it to their Khan.

Dodge was a fabulously rich man, but he wasn’t enjoying it; he had drunk somuchcoffeethathedidn’tlikeitany more. He stayed in his house which had a grass roof with goats grazing on it (for coffee milk) and brooded. For many years he had drunk nothing but coffee—now he wanted a change. It was a hot day, he drove down the mountain, went along Main Street through the center of town, not raising his hat in his usual affable manner. He entered the criminal zone, no¬ thing new to him, the much feared South end. He stopped at the Market Basket, just up the street from a place known as the Eelpot and a nearby dancehall known as the Hogwrassle. These two places were in full swing even though it was mid-afternoon.

The doctor was not interested in thesepalacesofsin;hewasthirstywith a powerful thirst. So he went into the littlestoreandsaidinapowerfulvoice, “Sadie, do you have any ice?”

“Yes, sir, Mr. Dodge.”

“Well, Sadie, make up a gallon or two of Sadie’s blend—ice in little pieces, the juice of eight lemons, two cups of sugar and water to fill the gallon. Make it snappy as 1 am thirsty and 1 will pay double if you can satisfy me with the gallon in ten minutes. And after you make that one if I haven’t gotten the taste out of my mouth of that damnable coffee, I’ll have another."

“Why, Mr. Dodge, you’ll drown or at leastsplitagut.”

“Don’t worry about me. Just keep those glasses of lemonade coming.”

“Soon she had made a batch and he commenced to drink, and he drank from the cup he usually carried with him to sample coffee. He drank and he drank and he drank, one cupful after theother.Afterfiveorsixquartshesaid he didn’t feel too good but that he decided that he needed more lemon¬ ade for the good of his stomach- After 31 cups or nearly two gallons the world’s premier coffee blender died of another spirit. He tried to whisper something to Sadie who was kneeling over him. She later said it had some¬ thing to do with the recipe for Rock¬ landBlend...butshegotonlyhalfofit.

'One of the things I've learned after ten years and = twenty-two fine ' art reproductions is that it is not possible to achieve an excellent reproduction ■ without the finest high-quality color ' separations that Champlain Color has consistently r provided us.‘ Edward Gordon on Champlain Color

EmptyRoomt, alkyd on panel, 1984, 34*x 24“

Stillneif.

DreamDancing, alkyd on panel, 1990, 3l*x 33'

ilkyd on panel, 1989, 27*x 31*

All artwork (c) 1991, Edward Gordon, P.O. Box 337, Walpole, NH 03608

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