(Resourcefulmanagement financialisthekeytostrength"
-JamesH.Whittaker,Chairman&CEO,CoastalBank
TheCoastalBankseniormanagementteamatworkanalyzingstrategicplansincludes:(1tor)AnneF.Craigs,SeniorVicePresidentRetailBanking;MikeYandelJL,PresidentandChiefOperatingOfficer;JamesII.Whittaker,ChairmanandChiefExecutiveOfficer; Stephenlovejoy,VicePresident-MortgageOriginations;andGeraldMerriman,SeniorVicePresident-CommercialLending.
$“Intoday’seconomicenvironment,you mustdemandsecurityandstabilityfroma financialinstitution.”
AtCoastalBank,we’reawareoftheimportance thesefactorshaveinyourmakingpersonal, monetarydecisions.Ourmanagement’sskillsand abilitytoadapttotheserapidlychangingtimesare hallmarksofCoastal’sstrategicplanforthe1990s. Wearecommittedtoprotectingeverydollarof ourdepositors’accounts.Andwekeepyour moneyclosetohomebyreinvestingthosefunds intheeconomyofsouthernMaine.
Withour133-yearhistoryofservicetolocal communities,weremainastrong,competitive resourcetodayforresidential,commercialand consumerloansaswellasasecureplacetokeep yourhard-earnedsavings.
Atyearend1990,ourassetstotaled$238 millionandCoastal’scapitalof$19millioniswell inexcessofregulatoryrequirements.Thebottom lineisclear—Coastalisastrong,wellcapitalized financialinstitutionpositionedtoofferthe productsandservicesourcustomershavecome toexpect.
So,what'sthebigdeal?
.... ask Tom Dunham.
IDEXXCorporationplanstomoveinto156,000squarefeet*ofspacein theformerDataGeneralbuilding,oneofthelargestsinglestory buildingsinMaine.That'sabigdeal!
Aftercarefulhandlingofthemany details,TomDunham,exclusivelisting brokerfortheDataGeneralfacility,is pleasedtoreportthatIDEXXCorp, planstomoveto80EisenhowerDrive inFiveStarIndustrialPark, Westbrook.
IDEXXisaMainebasedinterna¬ tionalmanufacturerofbiodetection productsforhealthcareandquality controlapplications.Thisexpansion willallowIDEXXtoincreaseitscurrent workforceof200employeesinthe future.IDEXXjoinsSteegoAutoParts whichrelocatedintoa55,000square footportionofthebuilding.
DataGeneralbuilding,Westbrook
AprincipalofTheMacBrideDunham Groupandbrokerforthedeal,Tom considersthis,"excellentadaptivereuse ofanexistingMainemanufacturing plant."
*Thatsaboutthesizeofthreefootballfields.
Vanishing Maine Neighborhood VarietyStores,TownMeetingHalls,WildGame Butchers,Route1Cabins,AtwaterKentRadios,Yankee Software,ItalianSandwiches,Moxie,LocalColor,every¬ thingthatkeepsushere.PhotographsbyFrancis DiFalco,KevinLeDuc,andJohnAlphonse
761-2150
538 Congress Street
10am to 5:30pm • Mon - Sat
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Singleitemsorlargecollectionswanted BROWSERS
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Visit our Wells Book Shop Route 1, Wells 646-8785
New Customers!
Wouldyouliketoreach1,200 new homeowners and new moversinCumberlandCounty everymonth?Wereachthis extraordinaryaudiencewhich hasnotyetestablishedshopping patternsorloyaltieswiththe highestqualitypresentations. Thecostisroughlyequivalentto thecostofpostage,production andcreativeincluded.Pleasecall ustoinquireaboutnew,loyal customers.
Openers
was,“It’sliketheinsideofatree.Where yougettolookdownintotheaction."
Another mind-numbing question: “Why is WCSH-TV named that way?" Answer:"ItstandsforCongressSquare Hotel,whereitsheadquartersusedto be.”
Jeff'sworkingonapilotprogramto developnewstrainsofelmtreesthat aremoreresistanttoDutchElmDis¬ ease,theblightwhichclaimed60,000 treesinPortlandand“changedthe appearanceofthecitymorethanany bombcouldhave.”
We’re5YearsOld
JEFFTARLINGisPortland’sCity Forester,awonderful,old-world title,that.He’senergetic,filled withabundantknowledgeandasense ofpurpose.Consciousofthehistorical significanceofthecitytitlehecarries. Jeffcantickoffthenamesofbearded cityforestersthroughthecenturies here,andhowtheystackupagainstthe onslaughtoftarandmacadam.And becauseofthisknowledge,heknows answerstosimple,directquestions thatpossesstheabilitytogentlystun. Abletopinpointthelocationofthe 56survivingAmericanElmtreesonthe Peninsula(page18),Jeffsays,“The biggestone’sinfrontoftheformerTree Cafe.It’san85-footer.”Aha!Iwonder howmuchcoffeetalkhastranspired amongpeopletryingtoguesstherea¬ sonforthatname.Iadmitthatmine
Infact,atthearboretumoveratPay-: sonPark,he'sbringingupover200 babyelmtrees,christened“Deering Elms,"butJeffdidn’twanttomention: hisdarlingsinthearticle“becausejust likepeoplewantthewarwithIraqover instantaneouslywhiletheywatchon CNN,theymightwantthesetreestobe? fullydeveloped,80feettall.They're reallyjuststarting.They’re8to12 inchestall."
Wehavethegreatpleasuretoan¬ nouncethefifthanniversaryofthis magazineandthenewsthat,beginning withthis50thissue,we'vebeenac¬ ceptedbyanationalcirculationfirm formajornewsstanddistributionin Boston,Hartford,Worcester,biwrence. Lowell,theNorthShore,andpointsin¬ between. Portland Monthly. A new magazineforanexcitingcity.Thank youforreadingus.Here’stoyouand year number six! '
HailingTaxi
ToTheEditor:
1reallyenjoyedElizabethPeavey’s “Taxi”articleintheDecemberissueof PortlandMonthly.1hadtolaughatthe quotebyGeorgeBurns...Howtruethat is!Cabdrivers,hairstylists,andbar¬ tendershaveseenandhearditall!
Ihavebeenastylistfor17yearsand couldwriteabook;frompeopleinsist¬ ingongettingtheirhairdoneduring blizzards,hurricanesandpowerfail¬ uresto90-pluswomenbringingin photosofFarrahFawcettandPrincess Diandinnocentlysaying“Canyoudo this?"
K.C.Conley SouthPortland
MissPortlandDiner
ToTheEditor;
IcontinuetoreceiveandenjoyPort¬ landMonthly.1amwritingtoaskifyou knowtheartistwhodidthecover whichincludedapaintingoftheMiss PortlandDiner,andhadasmallswitch enginebehindit,severalissuesago.I wonderifthatpaintingisavailable,or onesimilartoit.
KennethMoller,M.D. Yarmouth
OurMay1990"MissPortlandDiner" coverisbyartistC.MichaelLewis.The originalisownedbyJohnS.C.Carter, formerdirectorofMaineMaritimeMu¬ seum,Bath.—Ed.
Radical Cheap
ToTheEditor:
MycomplimentsonPortlandMonth¬ ly’s"RadicalCheap.”Whataninnova¬ tivesubject.Andperfectforthese times.
Hope the Chamber of Commerce hascopies,theArtMuseum,etc.,as wellasalltheotheractivitiesandres¬ taurantsinvolved.
Youarebringingalotofpleasureto
thosewhoreadthisissueandtoall activitiesthereaderswillbevisiting.
HartleyLord
Kennebunk Beach
ObjectDarts
ToTheEditor:
1wasverydisappointedtoreadyour recenteditorialentitled“500Pointsof Light”whichdecriesthecurrentefforts toaddresstheproblemsfacingDown¬ townPortland.Atthismomentthere areliterallyhundredsofpeoplein¬ volvedinPortlandissuesinamulti¬ tudeofpositiveways,andtheyshould beoffended,asIam.
ThecityofPortlandhasjustap¬ provedtheDowntownPortlandCorpor¬ ationwhichgreatlyincreasesitseco¬ nomicdevelopmenteffortandoffers financialincentivestoencouragepri¬ vateinvestmentinDowntownPort¬ land.TheCityManager'sAdvisory CommitteeandtheMayor’sCitizens AdvisoryCommitteearefocusingon downtownissues.PortlandCARESis inthemidstofahugeefforttorebuild theCityHallAuditorium.TheArts Alliance and Museum and Gallery Associationaremountingstrongef¬ fortstostrengthenPortland’scultural community.GreaterPortlandLand¬ marksjustconductedaseriesoffour lecturesaimedatdowntownPortland issues. The Downtown Improvement DistrictFeasibilityStudyCommitteeis developingaprogramofservicesand activitieswhichwillcontributetothe revitalizationeffort...
...Nooneshouldsitonthesidelines andsimplythrowpoorlyaimeddarts.
J.SpencerJones Chairman
Downtown Improvement DistrictFeasibility Committee
Weferventlystandinfavorofvolun¬ teerismandagainstnewandaddi¬ tionaltaxassessmentsonsmalllocal businessandpropertyowners,espe¬ ciallyhereinPortlandduringthe recessionyearof1991.—Ed.
NCOLASCAGELAURADERN
PORTLAND
Established1985 VolumeVI.NumberI.FebruaryMarch
Colin Sargent Editor&Publisher
Nancy D. Sargent ArtDirector
Kirk Reynolds Managing Editor
Cathy Whore Advertising
Christopher Foster Advertising
Thomas Knight Advertising
Johanna Hanaburgh CalendarEditor
Staff Photographer Francis DiFalco Founders Colin And Nancy Sargent
This magazine is printed on Maine-made paper pro¬ ducedbyChampionInternational.Bucksport.Maine. LaserCoverSeparationsandimageassemblybvVision Graphics.1-800-228-6299.CoverprintedbySpectrum Printing&Graphics.Inc.,1-800-622-5885.
PORTLAND Monthly Magazine is published bv Colin andNancySargent.578CongressStreet.Portland.ME 04101.Allcorrespondenceshouldbeaddressedto578 CongressStreet,Portland,ME04101.
AdvertisingOffice:578CongressStreet.Portland.ME 04101(207)775-4339
Subscriptions:InsideU.S.:$20for1year.$32for2 years.$40for3years.OutsideU.S.:add$6.
Newsstandcoverdale-FebruaryMarch,publ.January 1991.Vol.6.No.I,copyright1991.PORTLANDMonthly Magazineismailedatthird-classmailratesinPort¬ land. ME 04101. (ISSN: 0887-5340). Opinions ex¬ pressedinarticlesarethoseofauthorsanddonot represent editorial positions of PORTLAND Monthly Magazine.Responsibleonlyforthatportionofany advertisementwhichisprintedincorrectly,andas compensationwewillrunacorrectioninthefollowing issue.Nothinginthisissuemaybereprintedinwhole orinpartwithoutwrittenpermissionfromthepublish¬ ers.Submissionswelcome,butwetakenoresponsibil¬ ityforunsolicitedmaterials.
PORTLAND Monthly Magazine is published 10 times annually by Colin and Nancy Sargent. 578 Congress Street,Portand,withnewsstandcoverdatesofFebru¬ ary'March.April,May,Summerguide,July.August,Sep¬ tember.October.November,December.andWinterguide.
VISIT ONEOFPORTLAND'S MAINATTRACTIONS.
BudgetRentaCarisoneofthenice thingsaboutlivinginthePortlandarea. Whileit’strueit’snotashistoricasthe HenryWordsworthLongfellowhome orasexcitingasaMaineMarinersgame, itisthebestplacearoundtorentacar ortruck.
Budgetoffersacompletelineofcars, fromeconomy-sizetothepopularLincoln TownCai;evenpassengervans.Andour fleetofrentalsincludesmanynewmod¬ els.Ifyou’reinterestedintrucks,you shoulddefinitelyvisitBudget.Because wefeaturemanysizesfrommini-cargo
vansandhi-cubesto24footdieselvanssoyou’llfindjustwhatyouneed.Youcan alsorentBudgettrucksone-way.And nomatterwhatyourent,carsortrucks, you’reguaranteedservicethat’sfast andefficient.
SovisitoneofPortland’smainattrac¬ tions.StopbyBudgetRentaCar.Orcall 772-6789forinformationandreservations.
ConnieHayes, DeckChair, oil
TheKing'sHighway(RouteI)wasoncelinedwithmotorcourts,thoselittlevillages thatofferedaffordablebutprivatefamilyaccommodations"withTV."Manyofthose notsincedemolishedhavebeensecretedawayintobackyardsasprizedstoragesheds.
TownMeetingHalls,OddFellowsHalls,GrangeHallsofferingpublicsuppers,and crackerbarrelpoliticshaveproblemscompetingwithfastfood,phonepolls,andabsen¬ teeballotsinabattleforyourtime.
Inanefforttoslowtherushofretailerstothemall,didwebecometoopreciousfor thelocalcolorthatmadeusdifferent?WhocouldforgetdogmanDavidKoplow?
JOHN ALPHONSE
Vanishing MAIN!
It'shardformanytostomachtheviolentritualofkillingwildanimals, buthuntingandtrappingwereanimportantpartoftheMaine economy,longbeforetheindustrialrevolutionbroughtthemills. Whowouldnotregretthepassingofathree-decadeFrancoAmericanwildgamebutcheringbusinesssuchasthisonein Topsham?
GenerationsofMainersdependedonfunnylittlevarietystoreson everycornerforEveningExpressesandItalianSandwiches,which nowfaceuncertainfutures.
■LongbeforeCNN,radios designedbythelateAtwater *ent (Bar Harbor and KenneBunkport)werethevoiceof Jadio Free Europe and FDR's firesideChats,tellingthe SvorldofWorldWarIIthrough maple and mahogany boxes. bannedlighthouseshave aspiredgenerationsofmariimestorytellers,buttheir ’inmannedfuturewillbe )levoidofcoffee,potbellied toves,raincoats,friendship.
’ublicaccesstothewater self was once something we ookforgranted.
RHONDA FARNHAM
One of the problems was that elms became a monoculture in Portland and many Mew England citiesandtowns.
PORTLANDIANA
Portland,The
LMTREES!ThisdescribeswhatPortland,knownas“The ForestCity,”waslikeuptoabout25yearsago.Elmtrees dominatedtheskylinefromtheEasterntotheWestern Promenade.Theytoweredaboveallbutthelargestbuildings inthecity,reachingheightsupwardsof85to100feet.Port¬ land’stree-linedstreetsweredefinitelyimpressive!State Streetwasperhapsthegrandestofstreetsinthecity.Post¬ cardsshowingthebeautiful,elm-linedstreet,oftenwith sprigsofpoetry,wereverypopulararoundtheturnofthe century.
Lookingbackhistorically,Portlandwasoncecoveredwith spruce,pine,oak,andothernativetreesandshrubs.These wereslowlylostasPortlandexpandedintoasmallcity.Inthe early1800sPortlandbeganactuallytoplant“streettrees” alongmanyofitsnewurbanstreets.Thetreeofchoicewas
PORTLANDIANA
ForestCity
theAmericanElm,knownbotanicallyasulmusamericana. Elmshaditall.Theywereeasytotransplant,fastgrowing,and tolerantofurbanconditions,theirwine-glassshapesmaking themidealcitytrees.Bythelate1800sPortland’stree-lined streetswerereallybeautiful.Theelmshaddevelopedacan¬ opyofgreenthatrivaledanycity’s.
ThecitizensofPortlandwereproudoftheircityandofits treesandparksintheearly1900s.Cityparkswereexpanded asPortlandresidentsvisitedBostonandreturnedwithnew ideasonhowtomakePortlandabetterplacetolive.Lincoln Park,DeeringOaks,theEasternandWesternProm,andBax¬ terBoulevardwerealldrawntogetherbyMayorJamesP. Baxter.Hisvisionof“CityBeautiful”includedtree-lined streetsandboulevardsassomethingtowhichallcitiesaspire. Portlandbythe1930swasbecomingthe“CityBeautiful”
Wallsofelmtrees seem to go on forever looking west near Walnut Street, 1937, on the Eastern Promenade.
PORTDANDIANA
Baxterhadinspired,bolsteredbymany federalprogramssuchastheWPAand ERA. The city made many improve¬ mentstoitsparksandtoitstreecare. ReportsfromtheCityForesterindicate problemssuchasBrownTailmoths, icestorms,andeventeamsofhorses thatchewedontreesupto1934.Nine¬ teenthirty-fourwillberemembered howeverastheyearthatthedisease carriedbytheelmbarkbeetlebecame thegreatthreattothecity’sextensive elmtreepopulation.
Bythe1960s,DutchElmDiseasehad becomethedevastatingproblemit
Portland was estimated to have lost 60,000 elm trees alone. This single disease perhaps did more to change the appearance of Portland than anything else.
wasfearedtobe.MillionsofAmerican Elmswerekilledthroughoutthecoun¬ try.Portlandwasestimatedtohavelost 60,000elmtreesalone!Thissingledis¬ easeperhapsdidmoretochangethe appearanceofPortlandthananything else.Oneoftheproblemswasthat elmsbecameamonocultureinPort¬ landandmanyNewEnglandcitiesand towns.Thismadeforidealconditions forthediseasetospreadtreetotree. Everyeffortknownwasusedtocombat thedisease;somehelpedandsome didnot.Bandsofbarkwereoftencut aroundthetreetokeepthedisease fromtravelingupintothecrown.This destroyedthethincambiumlayerof thetreejustbeneaththebark—thus, thetreewasoftenkilledbythetreat¬ ment.Chemicalcontrolwaswidely usedbothbysprayingandinjection withonlylimitedresults.Timelyre¬ movalofdeadordyingelmsandsani¬ tationbylandfillingthewoodwas aboutthebestprevention.
Bythelate1960sandintothe1970s, Portlandemergedasacitydecimated bythelossofitselmtree-linedstreets. Viaanumberoflocal,state,andfed¬ eralreplantingprograms,Portland maderapidgainsinreestablishing
I PORTLANDIANA I
The elm tree for which The Tree Cafe was named. tree-linedstreets.Thecity,under guidanceofthenCityArboristKeith Jones,plantedonetotwothousand treesayear!KeithJoneshadlearned thelessonofnotplantingamonocul¬ tureofonetypeoftreebyplantinga widevarietyofshadetreesfromGinkostoLindenstoLocuststoflowering Crabapples,BradfordPears,andWash¬ ingtonHawthorns.Manyofthetypesof treesplantedweretreesthathadnot
beenwidelyused,suchastheJapa¬ nesePagodaZelcova,Katsura,Amur Corktree,andtheLondonPlanetree. Althoughthisdiverseplantingadded manynewinterestingtreesthathad notbeenwidelyusedinthisarea,itdid notreplacetheAmericanElm.Manyof thenewvarietiesofelmsintroducedas beingresistanttotheDutchElmDis¬ easehavenotbeentotallysuccessful ashoped.
LUCAS
Curing
REPLY CARD
Iwouldbeinterestedinfree information/consultationforthe followingGreenTeamservices: Tree Work
□TreeCabling/Bracing
□TreePruning
□TreeRemoval
□ Stump Removal
□TreeFertilization
Landscape
O Landscape Design
□LandscapePlanting
□RetainingWalls/Decks
OPatio/Walkway
Pest Management
□GypsyMothInspection/Treatment
□InsectDiseaseSpray
□IntegratedPlantManagement
□MosquitoSpray
□BirchTreatments
Lawn Care
□LawnCareTreatments
□ Lawn Renovation
□LimeApplication
Maintenance
□SpringClean-Up
□ Shrub Trimming
□ShrubFertilization
□ Mowing
□FallClean-up
Hydroseeding
□Lawns/FieldsSeeding
□WildFlowerSeeding
□ErosionControl
Other
□DamageAppraisal
□Consultation
□PublicSpeaking □_ □_
Please
TodayPortlandhasapproximately 56matureelmsleftonthePeninsula, ranginginsizeupto85feet.Thelargest oftheseislocatedonDanforthStreetin frontoftheformerTreeCafe.The remaining elms are not immune to DutchElmDisease,justmoreresistant. Thereispromisethatimproved,resist¬ antelmscanonceagainbeplantedin Portland.Ifeelitisworththeriskto plantresistantelmsinsmallnumbers tokeepspeciesaroundforfuturegener¬ ationstoenjoy.Inthecomingspring theCityofPortland’sForestryDivision willplant202'/2-inchcalipersize(15foot)HollandicaElmsonthePenin¬ sula.OurgoalistocontinuePortland's ForestCityimage,planting200to300 treeseachyearinthecitythrougha varietyofprograms.LastyearPortland receivedtheNationalArbordayFoun¬ dation's“TreeCityUSA’’awardforthe 10thyearinarow!
PORTLANDIANA
Boundaries:St.JohnStreet, ParkAvenue,andMarginalWay
Z 9 C Street 6 inches At Vaughan St. & Western Prom. 23 inches .? Vaughan St. & Western Prom. 18 inches Z 149 Western Promenade
<T Western Promenade Western Promenade 7- Western Promenade
PORTLANDIANA
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StoryByJeffTarling PortlandCityForester
Think Console. Buy Desktop.
THE PICTURE SHOWS
Oilpaintonacanvas,asitages,sometimesbecomestrans¬ parent,whenthathappensitispossible,insomepictures,to seetheoriginallines...thatiscalledpentimentobecausethe painter‘repented,’changedhismind.Perhapsitwouldbeas welltosaythattheoldconception,replacedbyalaterchoice,is awayofseeingandthenseeingagain.”
—LillianHellman Pentimento
CITYISAconstantlychanging,dynamicorganism. Centersofactivityshift,buildingsriseandfall—orare abandoned,guttedandrenovated.Cobblestonesare tarredoverandthenreclaimthestreet.Generations addlayeruponlayer,astheartistdoestothecanvas. Continued
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Whatonetendstoseeandacceptis thesurface,thepresent-dayfacade. But one need only look up, peer aroundacorner,followalineofinter¬ rupted molding to see beyond the present,tounearthadormant,and perhapsforgotten,past.
Iwasrecentlycompelledtoscratch Portland’ssurface.Theimpetuscame asIquizzedfriendsaboutwhatthey feltbestexemplifiedavanishingPort¬ land.Thesubjectoftheatersand movie houses came up again and again,spawnedperhapsbytherecent interestinthepossiblerenovationof theStateTheater.CongressStreet, oncetermed“TheGayWhiteWay,”it seems,wasformerlyahotbedofenter¬ tainment and home to a number of theaters.
GazingdownCongressStreettoday, itishardtoimaginethatitteemedwith lifebothdayandnightbeforemalls luredtheshoppersawayandtelevision boarded up the movie houses. The streetnowisscarredandfading,its futureuncertain.Ateyelevelonesees vacantstorefrontsandfailingbusiness¬ es,butIwasdeterminedtoseebeyond ;itspresentstateofdisrepairbacktoa ■timewhenmarqueesglowed,bubble I lights blinked, and people swarmedthesidewalks.
MyjourneybeganatthePortland TheatreonPrebleStreetasafriend Iregaledmewithacertaintaleofmis¬ chiefthathadoccurredanumberof: :yearsago.Atheaterbuff,hehadbeen| tippedoffthatwithinthecrumblingj IfacadeofthebuildingexistedstilltheI !actualtheaterspace.Thisknowledge! wasmorethanhecouldstand,and thusarmedonenightwithropeand flashlighthe,well,brokein.(Heas-| suresmethathisaccessisnolonger ।available,duetotheconstructionof |thelibrary,ifitwere,Imightverywell bewritingthisfromajailcell.)
Within,hefoundanintacttheater space,albeitinastateofdecay.“The placewasfullofbirds,theseatshad; beenrippedout,everythingwastat-j teredorsmashed,butthestagewas j still there and the wings were crammedwitholdsceneryflats.Iwan¬ deredaroundandfoundthatothers hadfoundaccesstothebuilding— thereweremakeshifthomesinthe
Highborn Inn
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Come let us pamper you this weekend
just2hoursfromPortland 2minutesfromRoute1&Searsport <& ChurchStreet Stockton Springs, ME 04981
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dressingrooms.”Hecontinuedonin anecstasyofdetailsofhisdiscovery, butIcouldn’tevenpictureabuilding onPrebleStreetthatmight’vehouseda theater.Hetoldmethenexttime1was downtheretolookup.
Atstreetlevel,oneseesaninnocu¬ ousbrickfacade,butabovearchthree greatwindows,nowsmashedout,that intheirdaywere‘‘magnificently draped.”Thefacadeisdecoratedwith ornatefriezes,crumblingbutstill intact.
ImustadmitthatIamnohistorian:1 preferpeopletotellmefactsthat,in mostcases,1promptlyforget.Butthere wasacertainthrillinseeingthisstruc¬ ture,asifforthefirsttime,armedwitha mind’s-eyepictureofitonitsopening dayin1909whenShaw’smarketoccu¬ piedthestreetlevelandcrowdswaited toenterthis“modernstructurewith extensiveVermontmarblepaneling,a vaultedceilingandlargelobby”tobe entertainedbyProfessorH.C.Wilson’s dogs,bears,andanteaters.Itwaslike pullingupacornerofhideouswall-towallcarpetinganduncoveringabeau¬ tifulhardwoodfloor.Withthissmall discovery,Iwasreadytorollbackthe sociologicalrugonPortlandandsee whatlurkedbeneath.
MyresearchonthePortlandTheatre ledmeacrossthestreettoB.F.Keith’s (latertheCivic),situatedonthecorner ofPrebleandCongressintheChap¬ manBuilding.Todayithousesoffices andanarcadeofstoresslopingdowna runway.Mr.TheaterBuffhadinformed methattheslantwasthelocationof theaudienceseats.Manyrollsof microfilmlater,1wasabletorebuffMr. Buff:theslantwasmerelytheCongress Streetentrance,onceamirror-lined subwaychamberconnectingthePre¬ bleHotelwiththelobby,andthenren¬ ovatedin1939toitspresentstatewhen Keith’sbecametheCivic.Themain entrance, however, was on Preble Street,andtheonce-imposingarchway remainsintact.Asoneenters,thefeel¬ ingofalobbyofagreattheateris apparent,despiteitschopped-upand sub-dividednature.B.F.Keith'swas unrivaledinNewEngland”foritsopu¬ lentdecor.Itwasarevolutionarytime inentertainment,asfilmreplacedlive shows and theaters became show-
CityBeat
cases—asevidencedinthiscomment intheMarch7,1920PortlandSunday Telegram:“...Insharpcontrasttothe barrennessofthefirstmoviehouses aretheluxuriousappointments,un¬ iquesideboxes,lightingandventila¬ tionofthepresent-daytheaters.Uni¬ formedushersnowguidethepatrons totheseatstheyformerlyhadtofind forthemselves,illuminatedclocksfur¬ nishthemwiththecorrecttime,and everythingpossibleisdonetoprovide fortheircomfort.”
WhentheCiviccloseditsdoorsand wasrazedin1965,CascoBankhad
offeredittoanyonewhocoulduseitas aperformingartscenter,butthere were no takers. We would soon be returningtothe“barrenness”ofthe firstmoviehouses.
It was creepy wandering around insidetheChapmanBuilding,asifI wereprivytoasecretsideofthestruc¬ turethatnooneelsecouldsee.But realitypresentsitselfinaharshlight, when,awashinthepast,youfollowthe longcorridordowntowhatwasthen thetheater’sentrancebutyouarecon¬ frontednotbyauniformedusher,buta
After (see above): RushhouronCongressStreet,1991.
Before (see below): TheStrandinitsheyday,besideEmpireChopSuey.
RHONDA
Indulgeinthe luxurioussplendor ofMaine’sHistoric castleoverlooking thesea.Graciously decoratedwith antiques,each charmingbedroom hasaprivatebath;' somehave fireplaces,some haveharborviews. Norumbegaisopen yearroundandis theperfectsetting forromantic weekends,elegant weddings,and smallmeetingsand seminars.
NorumbegaisontheNationalHistoricRegister.Inquireaboutour“Murderby theSea”MysteryWeekends.
ORUMBEGA 1886
61
336 Fore St.. Portland, Me., Under the Red Canopy, in the Old Port
You liked us. We’re good at food & drinks. We’re the best of the neighborhood. What a neighborhood! Remember?
Tryourgreatdinnerspecials—5:00p.m.-10:p.m.!!
Monday—2 for 1 pizza Tuesday— 2 for 1 Mexican Dinners Wednesday— All You Can Eat Pasta Thursday— NY Sirloin Steak w/ salad, Special ($3.95) potato & Vegetable Friday-Sunday— 2 for 1 appetizers.
Check out our improved Happy Hour— Monday-Friday: 4:00-7:00 p.m. (Monday 4:00-closing)
$1.25 domestic bottled beer $1.50 imported bottled beer $1.75 well drinks freehothorsd'ouevresWednesday-Friday(pizza,calzones,tacos,eggrolls,etc.) Despitethenewfederalliquortax,ourregularpriceshavenotincreased!
Don’t miss these great upcoming events!
Sunday February 17: Ray Hawkins semi-annual Jimmy Buffett Bash (festivalattireencouraged!)
Sunday February 24: Mexican Sunday— great Mexican food and drink all day!
parkinggarage.
Backatmyroostinthelibrary,sur¬ roundedwithreelsofmicrofilm,Ihad finallypiecedtogetheramentalmapof |“TheGayWhiteWay”andwassoon backoutonthestreets.
Ihadgrownsuspectofeveryfacade, mistrustfulofeverybrick,couldno longerseeCongressStreetinitspres¬ entstate,butcouldonlymentally undressit.Iroamedupanddown, headintheair,bumpingintopeople, trippingovercurbs,snoopinginto corners.Iknewanumberofthegreat theatersweregone:TheJefferson,on thecornerofOakandFreeStreets,was demolished in 1933 (and replaced withtheyellowbrickSearsbuilding now the headquarters of Blue ICross/BlueShieldofMaine);theElm I ' Theatre,atElmandCongress,had beenrazedin1952(althoughduring thePortlandPublicLibrary'sconstruc¬ tionin1977,thehugestonemaskthat residesoutsideGreenMountainCoffee wasunearthed);theEmpireTheatre onOakStreet(thentheParisCinema, theParisChristianTheatre,andfinally, theNewArtTheatre)wastorndownin 1983.Mylistincludedanumberof othertheatersthathadrisenandfallen, butmyinterestlayinthosestructuresI couldidentifyandinvestigate.
TheStateTheatrewasobviouslystill intact,andasidefromitscurrentstate oflimbo,itwastheonlytheatertohave retaineditsoriginalappearancesince itsconstructionin1929.TheFineArts, too,stillstandsbuthardlyresembles itsformerself,KotzschmarHall,con¬ structedin1891.Thesitehasbeen hometoanumberoftheatersandeven servedbrieflyastheFirstChurchof ChristScientists.Italsomadefront¬ pageheadlinesin1939—whenitwas called the Casco Theatre—when a bombwasplantedsomewhereinthe regionoftheprojectionbooth.The explosion“rockedtheneighborhood” andpeoplefledtothestreetfromtheir apartmentsandhotelrooms“scantily clad.”TheFineArtsturnedtopornin 1981;thebuilding’sfacadeissealed tight,showingnotraceofdayspast. Amidthesetwomoviecentersex¬ istedathird,betweenForestAvenue andOakStreet.1hadrepeatedlyreadof theStrandTheatrebuthadbeenun-
I CityBeat
abletolocateit.IsupposeIcouldhave simplyaskedsomeone,but1wassleu¬ thingandhadtofinditformyself.A photographinthearchivesdepicting theblockasitlookstodaymadethe jobeasier.TheStrandwasactuallya compositeoffourbuildings,starting withConventionHall,locatedat17-21 ForestAvenue.ItlaterbecametheBig Nickel Theatre, where five cents boughtyouadmission,“includinga seat.”In1915,whenitbecamethe Strand,anentrancewasmadeat56514 Congresstocompetewiththeother theatersforthefoottraffic.Thebuild¬ ingstillbearsthenameetchedin stone,andtheironringsthatheldthe marqueearestillinplace.OK,soit wasn’texactlylikestumblingupon Tut’stomb,butthenthisain’tEgypt, either.TheStrandwasclosedin1963.
Downtheblock,onthecornerof OakandCongress,wasthesiteof DreamlandTheatre.Today,onlyfrag¬ mentary'remnantsofitsoncemagnifi¬ centfacaderemain.
1hadtwostructuresleftonmymap toinvestigate—first,thePortlandMu¬ seumandOperaHouse,oneofPort¬ land’sfirsttheaters,whichwaslocated atthecornerofExchangeandCon¬ gress.WhenIenteredthebank’slobby onExchangeStreet,Ianticipatedthe grandeurandobviousappointmentsof theChapmanbuilding.Instead,Ifound myselfinamazeofsubdividedoffices andcorridors—notanarchwayorbit ofmoldinginsight.Ididfind,however, aphotographofthebuildingwhenit wastheUnionMutualBuilding,con¬ firmingIwasindeedintheFluent Block,confirmingitwasthesiteofthe PortlandMuseum.Breakingintothe PortlandTheatrewasbeginningto growappealing.
LastonthelistwastheSavoy,pur¬ portedlylocatedonthecornerofPearl andCongress.Accordingtothedatain hand,thestructurestillstood,but when1arrivedonthespotIfoundonly theCentralFireHouse.Nowwhenyou letyourthirdeyegetthebestofyou, whenyouconvinceyourselfthatwhat youareseeingisdeception—youcan getcarriedaway.Aftercirclingthesta¬ tionanumberoftimes(thankfully therewerenofirecalls),Ifeltassured >thatthestructurewastheSavoyThea-
Wouldyouliketohavebeenabletopayforall thosethingswithincreasedsalesandstillhavethe cash? If so, send for our brochure: “How
treandproceededtowastemoretime withmicrofilmonlytoprovemyself wrong(towhichMr.TheaterBufflater smuglyresponded,“Icould’vetoldyou that.’’).Inmyinvestigation,370-372 CongressStreetremainsatlarge. Andthus,myresearchwasdone. AsidefromtheStateTheatre,thegreat movie houses were gone. The “Gay White Way” was neither merry nor bright,itsonce-magnificenttheaters nowreducedtofragmentsoftheir formerselves.Ifeltasthoughhistory hadstoppedinthe1960swhenmostof thesetheaterswentdarkorwererazed. Buthistorydoesn’tstop,andmost oftenitrepeatsitself.Itisyettobeseen ifPortlandwillexperienceagreat theaterrevivalagainorhowthefaceof theentertainmentindustryitselfwill change. One might even wonder if futuregenerationsmightnotlookback wistfullyatthemoviehousesand theatersoftodayasatimewhenpeo¬ pleactuallysoughtpublicdiversion. Ihadleisuretomuseuponthese issuesatlengthwhen,thankstoa ratherunpleasantboutofindigestion brought on by some nasty Mexican food,Ifoundmyselfawakeat4a.m.Ij, ponderedtheopeningandclosing,ris-' ingandfallingofPortland’stheaters:I’ triedtoimaginewhatithadbeenlike? tomarktheendsoftheseeras.Sud¬ denly,likeadullboltoflightning,I realizedthatIhadbeenapartofthe historyIhadbeenresearching,thatI hadbeeninvolvedinthelastperfor¬ manceatthePortlandStageCompany onTempleStreet.
ItwasMayof1983,andIwaswork-T¬ ing with Abrams & Anderson, the;? Portland-basedimprovisationalcom-' edyduo,ontheirannuallocalproduc¬ tion.ThethemeoftheshowwasNew| YorkCity,andtheywantedtoaddsome> authenticitytotheset,Irecalled,and wespraypaintedgraffitialloverthe| backwallofthestage.Laterintheday,I calledTomandLesleytoconfirmtheS fact."Basicallyweweregivenlicense totrashthejoint,”theyremindedme.y “Aftertheshow,weweredrinking champagneinthedressingroomand: themoverswerethere,rippingupthe,.7 seatsbeforetheyhadevencooled,to| shipthemofftosometheaterinD.C.It| wasreallyprettyweird."Anditwasthe g
endofanera.
And the Nickelodeon Cinema on ForeStreethadalsocomeandgone, despiteitspottedplantsandGodiva chocolates.Manywereconvincedat thetimethatitwoulddriveTheMovies onExchangeStreetoutofbusiness, butTheMoviesperseveresdespitethe competitionfromtheconglomerates. Itsabilitytosurviveis,perhaps,an indicationthatthemovie-goingcom¬ munitywantsmorethanwhatthebig theatershavetooffer.
Andthisideabroughtmearoundto thespeculativefutureoftheState.Ihad contactedafriend(IshallcallhimMr. Buff *2) who had done extensive researchontheStateTheatre.Sitting amidhismassivecollectionofnotes andclippings,ourconversationcen¬ terednotonthetheater’spast,buton itsfuture.HeisconvincedthatPort¬ landwouldsupportsuchaperfor¬ mancespace,andmore,thatitwould breathelifebackintoCongressStreet, thattheatersareliketrees,refreshing theatmospherewithoxygenandlight, againandagain.“Theaterdoesmore thanentertain.Itisacenterofactivity and an impetus for commerce.” He notesthattheareaalreadyhasthePort¬ landPerformingArtsCenter,Zoots,
CityBeat
andanumberofsmallrestaurantsand businessesinadditiontoBackBay Towers.Heenvisionstherevitalization ofCongressStreetmuchakintothatof theOldPort,asartistsandsmallbusi¬ nessesseekoutcheaprents.Congress Street,hefeels,isripe,andfurther,that theStateTheatrewouldbethecoreof thistransformation.Thischange,how¬ ever,isnowtenuousasthefundingfor
Many were convinced it would drive The Movies out of busi¬ ness. hut The Movies perseveres...
theproposedrenovationhasrecently fallenthrough.
"We have grown accustomed to watching the same movie over and overinchoppedupboxesonover¬ glorifiedvideoscreens.ButIamnot convincedthatthatiswhatpeople want.Theactofattendingapublicper¬ formanceaffirmsasenseofcommun¬ ityfoundinnootherway.Whereelse doyoufindsuchacross-culturalmix, experienceacommonemotionalreac¬ tion?Weallhavethebasicneedand desiretobeentertained,toescape
ourselves."
AndperhapsMr.Buff*2iscorrect, thatonceagaingreatcentersofenter¬ tainmentwillfindpublicsupport,that thecycleofhistorywillcontinueto spin,asnotedintheaforementioned 1920article’sconclusion:“Trulyit seemsthatthefilmdramahascometo stay.Whenitisconsideredthatthis formofentertainmentisstillinanearly stageofitsdevelopmentitmakesone wonder what the movie shows and theatersofthefuturewillbelikewhen theirfaultsarecorrectedandtheirpos¬ sibilitiesdevelopedtotheutmost."
Itwillbeinterestingtoseewhatthe movieshowsandtheatersofthefuture willbelike,whatthenextlayeronthe citywillconcealandalter,especially inviewoftheHoytCo.’sdecisionto yanktheNickelodeonfromdowntown thisAugustandrelocatenearthe MaineMall.Iimaginefuturegenera¬ tionssnoopingaroundthePPAC,The Movies,theCivicCenter,lookingfor tracesofaprojectionbooth,aconces¬ sions stand, a marquee—finding a dormantpastbeneaththefuture’s facade.
Asgenerationscontinuetoseethis city and see it again. □
—By Elizabeth Peavey
The Waterfront Hobo Jungle
BY FREDERICK S. SCHWARTZ
ONAQUIETrainyTuesdayafternoon,myfriendGeorgeNanoswastalkingaboutthe“morr andpop”varietystorehisparentsusedtorunonthecornerofAtlanticandCongress;theolc ParisCinema:andquitebyaccidenthemen tionedthatheandhisnine-year-oldfriendshad actuallystoppedaCanadianPacificRailroad trainbyplacingrocksontherailroadtracksinc placecalledHoboJungleinPortland.
“ItwasahugehillattheedgeofMunjoyHili betweenEastEndBeachandTukey’sBridgeby theoldcitydump.Themomentumalonecarried youdownthehill,whichwassurroundedbye ravinecrestedwithbamboothatwasindigenous toPortland,hencethenameHoboJungle.”
Ididn'tknowifIwasmoreastonishedthat GeorgehadactuallystoppedaCanadianPacific Railroadtrainwithhisfriends,orthattherewas actuallysuchathingasaHOBOJUNGLEin Portland.
“OnetimeaftersupperwewentdowntoHobo Jungleandapproachedtwoorthreehoboes: Youdressfunny!’‘Go home to your mom.' 'Homcomeyou'remearint*thatfunnyhat?'‘tow right,youdumbkid,I’llcatchyou!”'
othekidsfled.“We’dteasedthem.Wedidn’tknowiftheywouldhurtusifthey caughtus.Theyshoutedatuswithalotofrusty'“r’s”hangingontheirspeech.We wereafraidthey'dcaptureus,takeuswiththem,andforceusintohoboslavery'.We dreamedthey’dtakeusNorth,probably,intothefarreachesofCanada—itwasquite frightening.
S“Theywereroughcharacters,butresourceful,”saysNanosoftheAtlantichoboes,who “smokedalot”andfishedwithsomeskillfor“mackerel,saltwaterfish,maybeherring.They wereunidenfifiedSmithes,Joeys,nothingreallydignified,intheir30sand40swithgrizzled beards.Theydidn’tcatchus.Theyweren'ttoofast.TherewerevarioustrailsthroughHobo Junglesoweeludedthem."
GeorgeNanosisgrownupnow,isasubstituteteacher,drivesalatemodeldarkblue ChevrolethecallsMissBlue.Hewearsabluepolyestercapfromhisdaysservingonthe
U.S.S.Conygham,anoldtincandes-. ■troycrthathadabadfirelastMay.Slow andcarefulabouthismovements,her walksasifhe'scarryinganinvisible* cupofcoffee.Heknowsifhetravels toofast,hemightmissorlosesome-; । thing. '
"Ineveractuallysawonehopintoa boxcar,”Nanossaysofthehoboes. ‘‘Suddenlythey’dappearandwere^ | gone. The open boxcars slowed as 5 theycircledpasttheBurnham&Mor-, rillcompanyontheirwaynorth.B\ nighttimetheyweregone.OnceIsaw onefishing,slumpedover,dozingoff.
“Theysleptunderneaththetrestleandfishedthereandcaughttrainsto|
By nighttime they were gone. The open boxcars slowed as , they circled past the Burnham & Morrill I company on their \ wax north. I
Canada.Thetrestleisaccessibleatlow tide.
“Wenevertoldourparentsaboutthei hoboes.Asfarastheycouldtell,we| wereoutinthejungle,havingfun.That■ was the term, going back to the s
“We weren't « homeless. What we were.” says Maine । hobo Fish Bones. now living in Corinna. Maine, “is scenery bums.”
Depression,probably.Itwashobo junglethisandhobojunglethat.*
“Thehoboeswereproud.Theywerej proudfishing.Wewerejustafewmin- : : utesofagitation.Theycouldhavebeeni alcoholic,buttheydidn’tswaggerlike that.Theyworelongovercoats,oldtat¬ teredleatherjackets,clothesunder constantrepair,jeans—workingmen's chinos.Withlongleathershoes,they seemedlikeflotsamfromWorldWarII.
“Theyweremisunderstood.Iguess wedidn'tdoanythingtohelpthat.
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• BIW VARIETY SHOW—April 5-6
• THE SECOND CITY NATIONAL TOURING COMPANY—April 13
• AN EVENING OF FOLK MUSIC—April 19
• COASTAL DISTURBANCES—April 26-28, May 3-5 Call: 442-8455 formoreinformation.
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either!Theywerequiteresourcefulto liveweekafterweekontherailroad tracksbyfishing,foragingforfood Theyweren'tself-satisfied,butthev wereself-sufficient,maybe.It’slikein TheGreatEscape—each hobo had a differenthobojobtohelpgetthrough collectively.
‘‘Some people look like hoboes nowadays,butuponcloserscrutiny
“The man that travels fast I ravels
alone." Irving Stevens says seriously. “1 carried
only a
safely razor and a piece ol soap." you’dseetheywereabreedapart.They werequitestrong,frazzled,robust, withfairlyshorthair.Theyknewhowto takecareofthemselves.They’dtravel ingroupsoftwoorthree;thenext morningyou’dfindtheoldfireembers, cigarettepackets,acoupleoldcansof beer,candywrappings,stuffstrewn about—it wasn’t much. Sometimes youwouldn'tseethemforaweek.”
In1973,HoboJunglewascleared awaybythecityofPortlandtomake roomfortheflyingsaucer-shaped sewagetreatmentplantsontheEast¬ ernProm.“Theyremovedthebamboo andundergrowth.Fewertrainscame |by.”AndintheHoboworld,Portland droppedoffthemap.
MEETformerMainehobo IrvingStevens,68,whorode therailsinthe1930sand 1940s.“Myfather’safish¬ erman.Mypeoplewere seafaringpeoplefromEastport.Iwas oneofsevenchildren.Iwasworking forawhileinamillinMassachusetts, andbecauseIwasskinnyandfrom MainetheycalledmeFishBones.”
AskedaboutthetermHoboJungle, theareawheretherailsusuallypassby thewatertankofeachtown,Fish Bonessays,“Ithinkthatgoeswayback beforeWorldWarI.
“Nevercarriedanyweapons,”he says.“InafightIletmyfeetdothe Continuedonpage47
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Whatallthesepeoplearoundthecountryhaveincommonisalittlepiece ofBucksport,Maine—heldrightintheirhands.
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Events
Portland Players, Thaxter Theater, South Portland. The Players present Broadway Bound March 22 to April 13. From Neil Simon's acclaimed autobiographical trilogy, we find Eugene Morris Jerome—whom we met a couple of seasons ago in BrightonBeach Memoirs —all grown up and ready to tackle Broadway. 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday; 2:30 p.m. on the first Sunday; and 7 p.m. on Sundays thereafter. 799-7337.
Portland Lyric Theater, 176 Sawyer Street, South Portland. Come see My One and Only, featuring toe-tapping tunes by George Gershwin and a story about aviators, aquacades, amorous animosity, and antsy anarchists. Through March 3. Then be sure to catch Man of La Mancha, the story of Don Quixote, who dreamed "The Impossible Dream.” A music lover's delight. April 19 to May 5. Friday and ' Saturday evenings at 8, Sunday matinees at 2:30. For tickets call 799-1421 or 799-6509.
Hackmatack Playhouse, Cocheco Falls, Main Street, Dover, N.H. February: The Gin Game. March: Macbeth. April: The musical comedy Murders of 1940. Curtain time is at 8 p.m. for evenings, Tuesday through Sunday. Call (603) 749-3996 for details.
Mad Horse Theater Company, 955 Forest Avenue, Portland. Through March 3, it's Reckless by Craig Lucas. April4to28: Tent Meeting by Larry Larson, Levi Lee, and Rebecca Wackier. | Supernatural events on the religious revival circuit compel a family to I examine the boundaries between faith and fanaticism. Performances 1 will be Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m; Sunday at 7 p.m. Tickets £ are S14 and $10. For reservations write Mad Horse at P.O. Box I 9715-343. Portland, ME04I01. 797-3338. I
Penobscot Theater Company, 183 Maine Street, Bangor. Through ’ March 9: Steiglitz Loves O’Keeffe. For tickets call 942-3333.
The Theater Project, School Street, Brunswick, ME 04011 presents Eleemosynary March 7-24. A touching story by Lee Blessing of the * relationship between a grandmother, a mother, and a daughter. These three very separate but related women experience a range of emotions as they deal with their relationships. April 18-May 5 : A new interpretation of Macbeth that is both faithful to Shakespeare's | intentions and relevant to our time. Thursday-Saturday, 8 p.m., and * Sunday, at 2 p.m. 729-8584. |
Portland Stage Company, Portland Performing Arts Center. Mirando¬ lina, by Carlo Goldoni appears March 5-March 24. This play revolves around the exploits of a young innkeeper, Mirandolina. She’s smart, snappy, shrewd, and irresistible. Every man who meets her thinks he s in love with her. The only exception is a misogynistic ; Baron whom Mirandolina takes on as a challenge. She strips away his j defenses until he loses control of himself, revealing a sexual energy < which is far more than she bargained for. Mirandolina reveals the , vanity, the paternalistic assumptions about women, and the drive for j sexual possession of the men orbiting around her. The members of the audience come to examine their own subconscious sexual stereotypes.
Events
April19-28, Wolf at the Door, by Erik Ehn, an extremely touching and theatrically exciting piece that deals with a family struggling to survive in an increasingly complex world. As with many families, each member is struggling to be close and to help sustain the family unit while simultaneously pulling away and trying to fulfill his or her own individual needs. Even when they’re physically separated, they move in and out of each other’s consciousness, bound to each other by both love and guilt. For ticket information call 774-0465.
Chocolate Church, Bath, The Fantasticks— an off Broadway musical directed by Priscilla Montgomery, Curtis Little Theater. Through March 10, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.; Sunday at 3 p.m. 443-3828.
Music
Bates College Concert Series, Bates College Chapel, Lewiston, will provide an unfor¬ gettable experience with The Theatre of Voices. Director Paul Hillier conducts a new setting of the Mass and other vocal and organ works by Estonian composer Arvo Part on April5, at 8 p.m. 729-8584.
LA Arts presents Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens : South Africa’s superstars of mbaganga—a spicy ’stew’ of musical elements—in an explosive performance that defies the limits of human energy on March 2 . Then enjoy the irresistible charm of Acadie-Quebec. French-Canadian songs performed by Andre Marchand, formerly with La Bottine Souriante, with Normand Miron, the spirited "house party" dance music of Nova Scotia’s Les Tymeux de laBaie,andtheFrench-Scottishvirtuosityof one of the northeastern maritime region’s most famed fiddlers, Joe Cormier, on March 16. Both at 8 p.m. at Lewiston Junior High School. Then hear traditional and contem¬ porary bluegrass by Alison Krauss and Union Station on April5,8p.m.,at United Baptist Church. 782-7228.
Chocolate Church, Bath, March 16. Hear the Bangor Symphony Orchestra & Tim Sample. Directed by Leonard Werner Torkanowsky. For showtimes and further information, call 443-3828.
Portland Symphony, 30 Myrtle St., presents a musical version of Fiddler on the Roof with members of the Maine State Music Theater on March 2at8and March 3at3 in Portland City Hall Auditorium. Youth concerts on March 4 and 5 at 9:30 and 11 a.m. March 6-14 Follow-the-Leader Kinderkonzerts will be performed by a woodwind ensemble. Call 773-8191 or 1-800-734-2577 for more information. On March 10 inthe Eastland Ballroom of Portland’s Sonesta Hotel, guest soprano Jane Bryden will be
Events
featured in a program of 20th century American music performed by the Cham¬ ber Orchestra Everything Old is New Again at 2 and 6 p.m. on March 16 magic and music are combined in a family concert. The Symphony and the Sorcerer, at2 p.m., and on March 26 the PSO performs Verdi’s Messa da Requiem with the Choral Art Society. Concerts and recitals by Youth Ensembles of the PSO on March 7 and April3. Portland City Hall Auditorium.
Raoul’s, 865 Forest Ave, Portland, presents the Blues Party Wednesday evenings through the Winter. Call 773-6886 or the Entertainment Hotline 775-2494.
The Bath-Brunswick Folk Club presents Sparky & Rhonda Rucker, bluesartists on March 23, 8 p.m. at the Curtis Little Theater, Chocolate Church, 804 Washing¬ ton Street, Bath. 729-3185.
The Mid-Coast Jazz Society presents Scott. Reeves Quartet February 22 (possiblyl 23) and the Frank Carlberg Trio March1| and 2 at Cafe No, 20 Danforth Street/ Portland, 772-81 14. At Little Willies, 36 Market Street, Portland, 773-4500, Swing¬ ing Hot Vocalists February 22 and 23 1 February 23 and March 2: Music Educa-I tors’ Jazz Session atVerrillo’s,155River-1 side, Portland, 775-6536. February 24 at Hurricane, Perkins Cove, Ogunquit, 646-1 6348, Charles Brown Duo; and Ray De Marco on March 3. At Gilbert’s Public House, Bayview Ave., Camden, 236-4320, Ed Greenwood Trio, February 24 and March 3. February 24: the Peter Dembski Duo and March 3 Marguerite Juneneman & Gary Wittner at The Bagel Shop, 1 Main Street, Bangor, 947-1654. Stan Catell & Friends come to the Samoset, February 24 and March 3. March 6-8: USM Jazz Festival in Corthell Hall, Gorham, 780-5256.
Galleries
Joan Whitney Payson Gallery of Art, West¬ brook College, 716 Stevens Avenue. March 2-April21, Selections from the Per¬ manent Collection. The gallery’s superb collection, which has earned it the appel¬ lation "the little jewel box," features works by Degas, Renoir, Klee, Whistler, and Pren¬ dergast. This exhibition also includes many special loans to the gallery; among them are works by Monet, Picasso, Gauguin, Ingres, and Stuart. Also be sure to see Nancy Fried's almostlife-sizedceramicsculp¬ tures—theyareaboutvulnerability,andloss. Her own cancer was the impetus for these honest figural works about pain, disfigure¬ ment, and truth. These pieces are not merely unsettling and sad, they are also startlingly powerful in expressing their universal mes-
| Events J..
sage and their spirituality. Recalling pre. historic and classical imagery, these "ex& plorations of unclaimed territory” are done gwith "intelligence, emotion, and wit” (Arts I Magazine) Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fri¬ days: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Thursdays: 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays: 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Closed holidays and between exhibits. 1797-9546.
Bowdoin College Museum of Art, Walker Art Building, Brunswick. Twentieth-Cen¬ tury Art from the permanent collections through March 31. The Hand-held ■ Camera through March 3. Our Lives In Our Hands: Micmac Indian Basket¬ makers throughApril 5and Arctic Acqui¬ sitions ’89-’9O, ongoing, at the Peary. Macmillan Arctic Museum, Hubbard Hall. Hours for both museums: Tuesday-Sat¬ urday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday 2-5 p.m. 725-3003.
Greenhut Galleries, 146 Middle Street, Port¬ land. Original artwork by Sarah Knock, David Unholtz, Baychar, Thomas Connolly, Richard Saltonstall, David Etnier, Terrell Lester and many others. Monday-Saturday: 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
USM’s AREA Gallery, Campus Center, Bedford Street, Portland, presents The Devil’s Music: Portraits of the Blues through March 1. Photography by Myron Samuels. Mon.-Fri., 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Sat. & Sun., 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Art Gallery at 6 Deering Street, Portland, opens its 5th season March 1 with a new posthumous exhibit of watercolors by Maine artist Eliot O'Hara (1890-1969.) 772-9605.
The Chocolate Church Art Gallery, 804 Washington Street, Bath, presents a juried show Flights of Fantasy through March 2. 442-8627.
Portland Museum of Art, 7 Congress Square, Portland, presents Of Time and Place: Walker Evans and William Christianberry, an exhibition of fifty-five photograghs, a sculpture, and two signs depicting the distinctive character of Hale County, Alabama, and the surrounding region over fivedecades, throughApril15.
Miscellaneous
Ram Island Dance, 25A Forest Avenue, Portland. Dance Access workshops for children aged 6-14 is offered through March 20. For more information call 773-2562.
LA Arts , 36 Oak Street, Lewiston, presents Hansel and Gretel with the Bennington Marionettes March 23 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the High Street Church. 782-7228.
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Fiction ItWasAlmost LikeParis
^nIlowdaysitaxisalmostlikeSati^ OrShrtlamisunckanyedanda)tloewfooli.
SOturnsamearyll&cawojromkiS'row/eriml
New Fiction by Kenneth Rosen
OXANNE WAS Sim NG nexttomeandeatinga sandwichofeggsalad andsproutsoncrusty wholewheat;sheleaned close.’enoughformetoseefoodonher teethandwhisper,“Estelleismy sister."
WeweredowntownintheSunTav¬ ern,ourwire-backedchairsagainstthe wallinthathighchamberonceabank tofinanceacanalfromSebagoLaketo Portland.Roxannelookednothinglike Estelle,whosatacrossourovaltable, herarmsandlegsfolded,butmaking appreciativeeyesatthevisitingpoet, pretendingnottobelievewhathe whispered.HewasataciturnDutch¬ manfromlowerIllinois,Wabash,1 recall,andsatratherstifflyinhisover¬ sizedandfullybuttonedmilitaryover¬ coat.Tomehecomplainedaboutthe wetandcold,wasitalwaysthiswayin Portland,butheleanedforwardlan¬ guidly,ahandnearhismouth,tomur¬ murthings1couldn'theartoEstelle.
Estelle'sfacewasgorgeouslysmooth, hercheekbonessuchbilliardballsher expressionwasconstantlywild,her eyesthecolorandshapeofalmonds. Herhairwasblack,slickandstraight, andboundinapaisleyscarfabout whichwe'darguedearlier.
“You'renotgoingtowearthat,are you?"
Thescarfcoveredherheadtightly. I’dbeenatherbureau,fiddlingwithher husbandRodney'sblackenedsilver dresserset,brushesandacomb,and thenI’dthrownmyselfonherbed.
shockedandtryingtorelax.Down¬ stairsanewsitterwasfeedingsupper toherkid.
“OhI'mnotgoingatall,"shesaid, andtoreoffthescarf.
SoafterpickingupRoxanne,we’d arrivedanhourlate,andthevisiting poethadbeenwaiting.I’dhopedhe’d fedhimself.
Inthosedaysyoucouldattendtothe businessoflife,asopposedtolife’s business,byobservingthetablesand cornersofbars,asinthatPicassojust auctioned,Harlequinandthepouting womanbroodingovertheirliquor,the ownerinyellowshoesstrumminga guitaronstageinbackamidhismusi¬ cians.InthosedaysPortlandwas almostlikeParis.OrPortland’sun¬ changedandwewerefools.Itwasan earlyPicasso,fromhisroseperiod.
Sammy Morel came in leading an entourage,lookingunruly.Hesat downwithhiswifeMarshaandacou¬ pleoffriendsatatablecattycorner fromours.Thevisitingpoetgotup withoutaglanceatMorelandsaun¬ teredtowardthemen’sroom.
“Thereheis,"saidMoreltohis friends,amanandwomanwholooked politeanddistressed,wellturnedout. suburban.Thevisitingpoetwasgone andMorelmeantme,thoughIdidn’t knowifhemeantmygettingabook accepted,myinvitingthevisitingpoet toPortland,ormydatewithEstelle. Rodney Dongo was one of his ex¬ students.
“Howdoyoulikethevisitingpoet?"1 askedEstelle.
“He’sthecoolestmanIeversaw,’ shesaid,hereyesdark,yetfox-colored andfiery.
Theownerofthebarstrodeinwear ingaskiparkashingledinfrontwith multicoloredliftticketstubs.He’d beenanearOlympicgymnastonlya fewyearsago,muscularfigureand faceregularlyonthesportspagesas hischanceatatriptoMunichroseand fell.HenoddedtoEstelle,spoketohis waitressatthebar,anddisappeared withafamiliarbulgeinhisjawintohis kitchen.
Cattycornerfromus,buttowardthe back,satDemetriaGregoireandtwo boysbarelydrinkingage.Shewas laughingandasshepulledoffher sweaterraisedherjerseyalongwithit soherbreastspoppedout.Ihadonce metherboyfriendWayne.Demetria pulleddownherjerseyandsawme looking,soshelifteditagaintoflash mejustasEstelleturnedtosee. “Friendofyours?"inquiredEstelle. Waynehadbeentifootballstaranda pothead.He’dfoundDemetriaafarm¬ housetheycouldhaveinexchangefor hisworkasamilkerandherdsman,but amongotherthings,Demetriagottired ofhisgoingtobedeverynightateight¬ thirtyandstartedascenewithanerdylookingyoungdrunkardwhoworked inabank.AguywhoknewWaynefrom footballandcommunitytheaterbrought metothefarmforthedrinkingand smoking,buttheatmosphereofsexual rancorwasnotimprovedbythepres¬ enceofapoet-professor.Waynetold metomove,pushedthekitchentable againstthewall,openedthesofa-bed andspreadasheetandblanketonitfor Demetriaandthebanker.Demetriasat smoking,laughinganddrinking,eyes happilyeverywhere,asifitallwerethe mostnaturalthing.
"Soyou’reapoet,"Waynesaid, standinginthedoortotheadjoining bedroom.“Whydon’tyoureadmea poem?"
Hisflannelshirtwastornsoyou couldseehisundershirtsleeveand blueveinsinhisarms,andhisjeans wereworntowhitefray.
“Imighthaveoneinthecar,”Isaid. “Mybriefcaseisinthecar."
Waynewaskilledayearlaterinan avalanche, skiing across a snow-
Fiction
meadow in Colorado. Outside the house1sawthemilkingbarnandsome
musicians.Someonewouldalwaysun¬ packaguitarandstunthesilencewith
said,frowningandnodding,soshe sighedandreachedherarmsintoher silos,cowsbunchedinayard,thenthe roughtopofapineforest,andaboveit thestars,ibroughtinalongpoem aboutkillingaroosterwho’ddevel¬ opedaboilonhisleg.Inthemiddleof itIhadtosing.
Chickencrowformidnight anditsalmost day— andbythetimeIfinishedIwasalmost afingerpickriff.
“Yougo,”saidthevisitingpoet.“I’m goingtotakeawalkaroundtheblock. Wherewouldyousendmeforabiteto eatbesideshere.I’dlikesomeoys¬ ters,”hesaid,“andabowlofchili.”
“J’sOysterBar,”saidRoxanne.“But it’swhereJosephineworks,”shesmirked atEstelle.“Justwalktotheendof ExchangeStreetandcrossthetracks. Youcan’tmissit.” coat.
InaminuteweweresittinginJim's withthreedraftbeers.
ItwastheendofOctober.Indian SummerhadsurrenderedtoJackFrost; rainhaddriventheleavesintothe street,whichglistenedblackly.1tried torelaxinJim’s,butEstellebentfor¬ wardtoexaminetherimofherglass likeachickenwithgravelinitsfeed.
“Do you come here often?” she crying,Ifeltsostupid.
Waynewatchedmelevelly fromhisdoorway,andnod¬ dedwhenIwasdone.Faras heknew,Iwasdrawingstraws forDemetriawithhisoldfoot¬ ballbuddyandthebanker.
“I’vegottogotobed,”he said.“Thankyou.Thatwasa goodpoem.”
Thevisitingpoetreturned from the men’s room, his overcoatopensoyoucould seehiscolorfullyembroi¬ deredvest.Earlierintheeven¬ inghehadreadthewholeofa booklengthpoemcalled The Cowhoy'sGun. Sammy Morel hadshownuphalfwaythrough thereadingandstoodinthe backoftheroomwithasick smile on his face, head cockedtooneside.
“Arethereotherplacesin thiscitytodrinkabeer?” askedthevisitingpoetwith¬ outsittingdown,gazingfirstat me,thenEstelle.
“HasRoxannefinishedher sandwich,"Estelleaskedme.
“Let’sgotoJim’s,”Isaidto thevisitingpoet,mantoman, androsecheckingthepocketsofmy coatformygloves.“It’sonlyacrossthe street.”
Jim’swaswhereI’dwantedtobein thefirstplace.Ithadnofrills,justcard tablesandchairsonabarefloor,and Jimchargedhalftheaveragefordraft beer.Someonealwayshadtheirhead onatablewhilesomeonewaitedor coaxed,smoothingtheother'shair. LadyZusedtobangonhispianoand singbluestwiceaweek,noname,just LadyZ.Theplacewasamagnetfor
1couldn'tbelievesheandEstelle weresisters,orunderstandwhythey werefriends.AsforJosephine,I'd neverlaideyesonher,thefabledbar¬ maidforwhomRodneyDongo,after she’dhelpedhimthroughlawschool, hadlefthiswifeandbabygirl.
“Idon’tcare,”saidEstelle.“We’ll meetyouatJ’s.Whydon’twestayright here?”sheaskedme.
IglancedoveratSammywhoglared rightbackatme.
“Weshouldshiftacrossthestreet,”I asked.
Aguyatthenexttablewear¬ ingthreeorfour.shirtsoverhis thermalunderwearturnedhis chairsohecouldsitandgrin atus.Hehadasix-daybeard andagapinhisteeththat matchedthewhitishpatchof undershirtathisthroat.
"Could you spare me a cigarette?”askedRoxanne, recrossingherlegsandlean¬ ingtowardshimasiffasci¬ natedbywhateverhe’dreply. Themangrinnedandhand¬ edheraChesterfield.
Jimwasabusinesslikefel¬ lowwhofavoredchinosand oxford-clothshirts.Hebrought usanotherroundandsud¬ denlystaredatEstelle.
“Hi,”hesaid.“Ididn’trec¬ ognize you when you came in.”
From the way he didn't smileandavoidedlookingat me,Iassumedhewasafriend ofherandRodney.Heleftus fourbeerssayingtheround wasonthehouse,sotheguy wearingalltheshirtspulled hischair.
“YouknowJim?”IaskedEstelle.
“Fromalongtimeago,”shesaid. “Whatdoyoudo?”Roxanneasked ourguest.
“WhatdoIdo?”repliedtheunkempt man,swallowingoffathirdofhisglass andwipinghismouthonthebackof hishand.“Idoalotofthings.Letme see.Whatdo1do.”Helickedhislips. “Whatdoyoudo?"hesaid.
“We’vegottogogetthevisiting poet,”ItoldEstelle.“Yousureyou’re notgoingtomindgoingtoJ’s?”
FromourCourteousticketagentstoourdependable
“JosephineandIareoldfriends,” shesaid.“AndImightrunintoRodney ,andhaveawordwithhimaboutvisit¬ inghisdaughter.”
“Ishesendingyousupport?”
“Hepaysthemortgage.Hisfather bringsmegrocerymoney."
When1toldhershewasentitledto more,shebecameangryagain,and silent.Roxannegotridofthefellow withtheChesterfieldsandfledgling beard,lecturinghiminaloud,schoolmannishvoice,tellinghimtositdown andstay,andwhenInoddedsolongto Jimatthedoor,hedidn’trespond.The
The windows over the waler were half fogged, hul you could see I he fishing boats crowded at moorings, motionlessly facing I the wrong way. ycl as althesiarlofarace.
threeofuswalkeddownhillonthe bricksidewalk,thenoverturtleback cobblestonesandrailroadtracktoa sidewalkalongthewharfandadoorto J’s.Insidewascrowded,dark,andriot¬ ouslynoisywithmusicandpeople. Thewindowsoverthewaterwerehalf¬ fogged,butyoucouldseethefishing boatscrowdedatmoorings,motion¬ lesslyfacingthewrongway,yetasat thestartofarace.IsawDemetriaGreg¬ oireandhertwoyoungmen,andthe moment I saw the visiting poet a woman screamed and the place be¬ camesilent.
SammyMorelwasstandingoverthe visitingpoet’stableandwavingagun. Marshaandthesuburbancouplewere nearthedoorthatledfromtheparking lot.
“Howaboutthisforacowboygun?" askedSammyinavoicethatcarried easily.
“Nicepiece,”saidthevisitingpoet. “Whydon'tyouputitonthetable.”
“I'llputitonthetable,”saidSammy, “andwe’llhaveatalkaboutpoetry. Whodoyouliketoread.”
“WilliamShakespeare,”saidthevis¬ itingpoet,“andJohnDonne."
“Butwhatdoyouthinkofthenew
Fiction
guys."askedSammy,rattlingoffthe namesofseveralcontemporaries,in¬ cludingtheNewYorkfigurewho’d acceptedmybook.
“I’vegottousethemen’sroom,” saidthevisitingpoet,risingtohisfeet. “Didyouwanttotalkaboutpoetry,or didyouwanttogossip?Don’t—”he said,andpaused.
Someonebehindthebarwasonthe phonetothepolice.MarshaMorelhad comeupbehindSammy.Shereached overandtookthegun,andstoodwithit pressedagainstherchest.Sheap¬ pearedpleadingwiththevisitingpoet to be kind, and the whole room strainedtohearwhathewantedtosay, evenSammy.
“—falloffyourchair,"hefinished, nodded to Marsha, and pressed throughthecrowdtowardthejohn.
Everyonegotoutbeforethepolice arrived,thoughthecopsmovefast whensomeonementionsagun.LaterI heardtheywenttoSammy’shouseand impoundedhisrevolver.Wewalkedto theendofaneighboringwharf,admir¬ ingthelights,thebuoys,andtheoily water. A cat crossed our path, a medium-sized rat drooped in its mouth,andRoxannegotoffagood laugh.Shewasarealcackler,andin thosedaysIneversawherwithouta leathercoatandaskirtthatstoppeda footaboveherknees.Bynowmycar wassevenblocksaway,andEstelle refusedtowalk.
“Okay,”Isaid,“ifthat’swhatyou want,we’llhavetogobacktoJ’s.It’s quietenough,andI’llcallacab.”
“Youtakethecabtoyourcar,”said thevisitingpoet,asheprovidedeach womanwithacigarette,“andI’lltakeit tomyhotel.”
“How long have you been smok¬ ing?"IaskedEstelle.
Sheconcentratedonblowingher firstpuffintheair.anddidn’tanswer.
IrecognizedRodneyDongo,whose longarmsandtheatricalheadofhair seemedtotakeuphalfthebarand noddedhello,butheturnedawaytoo blurredtorecognizeme,gesturingto thewomanbehindthebar,intenton somepointhewasmaking.Hewas wearingablackraincoat,business apparelandtie.IstaredatJosephine's coarsemopofhair,boundwithapink
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ribbon, amazed at how homely she was,builtalongthelinesofSammy Morel,likeabathtub.Nothomely,just ordinary,andnotbuiltlikeabathtub, butnotthinasawhiplikeEstelle.1 watchedthemandhungeredtoknow whatpeopleinlovetalkedabout.Itel¬ ephonedforacabandwentbackout-
1 watched them and hungered Io know what people in love talked about. side.Maybe1wasdrunk.Iwascertainly emotional.1gotdownonmykneeson thedampsidewalkandtookEstelle’s hand.
“Forgivemeforbeingsostupid,"1 said,andI’mnotsureIknewwhatI meant.
Forthefirsttimeallnightthevisiting poetlaughed,andRoxanne,hercigar¬ ettetiltedtowardthesky,scrubbedmy hairwithherfingers.
“Whatyouneed,”shesaid,“isa sister."
—By Kenneth Rosen
Itkeeps morethan memories alive.
Waterfront Classifieds
Continuedfrompage34
talking.Iwasaprettyfastrunner.That’showIgotby.”
Travelincompany?“Themanthattravelsfasttravels alone,"IrvingStevenssaysseriously.“Icarriedonlyasafety razorandpieceofsoap.Forfoodwe’deateggsfroma housewife,stalebakerybuns—maybeagrocerwouldgive usasliceofcheese.Mulliganstew.Thehobowasawan¬ derer.Heneverlikedtostayatoneplaceatonetime.We weren’thomeless.Wewerescenerybums.”
FishBones’collectionofYankeehoboanecdotesand lore,titled“FishBones,"includessomedelightfulhobo names,towit:PortlandGray,Mr.Nobody,LordOpenRoad, IronWorkerWillie,ReeferCharlie,FryPanJack,Winnipeg Jack,PopBottleCharlie.It’sarticulate,insightful;thelong¬ timeboxcartravelersaysnowadaysinCorinnawhenhe openshisfrontdoorhestillwaitsfortheoutdoorstoslow downbeforeheventuresastepoutside.
Irving‘FishBones’Stevensnowdevelopsandmanufac¬ turesIrving’sFlyDopeinCorinna.
FishBonesfoundsomeareasmorereceptivetohoboes thanothers.“They’vealwaysbeennicetousinthemid¬ west.Inthe1930shoboeswentuptoAroostookduring potatoseason.AndupthereinNovaScotia,peoplewould thinknothingofputtingyouupforthenight.They’re generous!”
ASelectedHoboGlossary
Boomer .Transient Railroad Worker Bull.Railroad Policeman Bum. A Bum is a Bum, is a Bum Canned Heat.The Stuff that Keeps a Bum Warm Cinder Trail.Now Covered with Crushed Rock; a Hobo's Path Crummy.The Caboose, where the Shack Lives Deadhead.Empty Car in Back of Engine Tender Herrin' Choker.Sardine Packer Hundred on a Plate.A can of B&M beans Jungle.Home Away from Home, down by the Water Tank O.P.C.Other People's Cigarettes, Recycled Punk. The Staff of Life: Bread Shack .The Brakeman Sinker.One of Ma's Doughnuts Side-Door Pullman.Hobo's Boxcar Hotel Skipper.The Conductor Sneaky Pete. Cheap Wine Reefers . Refrigerator cars Varnish.Passenger Train
Excerptedwithpermissionfrom“FishBones,"publ.1982byIrving Stevens,Corinna,ME.Photopage30isofMr.Stevens,printedwith permissionfrom"FishBones."
HobocodesarefamiliartoFishBones.“Theyusuallyuse apieceofcoalandmarkitoutsidethehomesonapicket fenceoragate,somethinglikethat.Ajaggedlineupand downmeansthere’sameanmaninthehouse,someone who’llgiveyoutrouble.Othertimesyou’dseeaname,‘Joe,’ say,andanarrowwrittenincoalonawatertankbythe tracks.Thatmeant,Tilmeetyouatthenextjungle.SorryI missedyou.’Mosttimesyou’dneverseetheguyagain.”
—ByFrederickS.Schwartz
Editor’s Note: Thisfinestory.HoboJungle,wasthelast thingfoundrolledintoFredSchwartz’stypewriteraftera lateDecembertrafficaccidentclaimedhislife.Hiskind¬ nesstoourstaff,talent,andgenerositywillberemembered aslongasweandhismanyotherfriendsarearoundto rememberit.We’llmissyou,Fred.
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