Surroundyourselfinthreerowsofperformance,styleand'technology.Surroundyourselfin luxuriousleather-appointedseats,second-rowcaptain’schairs,class-leadingsecond-row legroom*andstandardGPSnavigation.Surroundyourselfinthenew,'full-sizeInfinitiQX56. Tolearnmore,seeBillDodgeAutoParkforatestdriveorvisitusatwww.billdodgeautogroup.com:
Natureisn’talwaysthemostnurturingmother.WhichiswhytheInfinitiG35comeswithintelligentall-wheel drivethatautomaticallychangeswhenconditionschange.Forall-wheeldrivetractionwhenyouneedit andrear-wheeldrivehandlingwhenyoudon’t.StopbyBillDodgeAutoParkforatestdriveorvisitusat www.billdodgeautogroup.com.
Woodstove by Robert Spring Watercolor,19"x26" American Welcome by Ronal Parlin Oilonlinen,40"x30"
Cozy Chambers by Michael McGovern Oiloncanvas,12"x16"
Winter Cliffs, Acadia by Caleb Stone Oilonlinen,20"x24"
19 Return of the Ninja: Kevin Eastman True Grit: Cindy Blodgett Wherearetheynow?ByColinSargent 28 Finding Ford
ElusiveauthorRichardFordistracked toateachingpostatBowdoinCollege. ByLindsaySterling
Maine's misfits
Onewoman'squesttosaveaherdof Mustangs,onehorseatatime. ByStaceyChase 41 How dry is dry?
ThehumbleFarmerdishesupgenuine Mainehumor.ByRobertSkoglund
Ruby's ladder
Theherowhosoundedthealarmfor Portland's1866firewasamost extraordinaryman.ByWinstonMcGill
Skiing after dark Schussinginthecity.ByLeeBellavance 53 Sweetheart stories Talesofloveandjewelry. ByJuliaKnox
Catchingair: KirstenClark InterviewbyColinSargent 67 Somewhere...below the street It'sarestaurant!It'sashow!It'sboth! ByAndrewR.Sparda
Departments bo Slow LegendaryDeeringHightrackstarandcoachJohnCasavola,88,passedawayrecent¬ ly,anditbringsbackafloodofmemories.Inthe1930s,hesetsprintrecordsinthe PortlandExpositionBuildingthatstillstand.Specifically,noonehaseverbeenableto tophis4.6secondsforthe40-yarddash.
Oh,Iknowyouheartimeslike4.1and4.2secondsonMondayNightFootball.But thoseguyshavearollingstartandprobablyarollingfinish.Theyhaveagentsandpub¬ licists.1defyanyonetogobackintimeto1933andgetinthoseicywoodenstarting blocksattheExpobesidethegreatJohnCasavola.
Nottomentionyoucan'tbreatheintheExpofromthecollectedsmokeandmemo¬ ries.Theancientwoodenfloorseatthespringinyourlegs.Nowslowlygetdowninto theblocksbesidehim,withthousandsshouting.Ready?Set?Areyouserious?
Adeftstudentofthesport,CoachCasavolawenttoMichiganState,wherehesaw JesseOwensflyoverthelowhurdles.HesawBooMorcumpolevault.Thenafterdirect¬ ingtacticalaircraftsortiesfortheMarinesduringWorldWarIIhereturnedtoteach chemistryandcoachatDeeringHigh,amazinghisathleteswithlegendsofthewood¬ enoutdoortrackrunnersusedforcompetitionnexttothehighschoolintheolddays.
Youtaughtustoturnourtoesslightlyinwardandputonefootdirectlyinfrontofthe other,evenwhenwewerewalking."You'llrunfaster.Thinkofthestepsyou'llsavedur¬ ingthecourseofalifetime!"Tothisdayobserverscanpickoutthemincinggaitof Casavola-trainedrunnerswalkingthestreetsofPortland:greatsfromCongressman TomAllentoPaulSoule,BobReno,andKenFlanders.
1rememberyoucallingout"tooslow"nomatterwhatyourstopwatchsaidaswe flashedbyduringtimetrials.AsthefastestguyeverinMaine,you'dearnedtheprivilege. Butonthecontrary,Coach,timehasgonetooquickly.Howwewillallmissyou.Theobit¬ uary'exaggeratedyourheighttobe5foot6.Brilliantandfeistytotheend,youwouldn't haveletanyonemeasureyoualive.Butdon'tgiveitathought,Coach.Nowit'sofficial.As arunner,mentor,andadvocateforMainetrackandfield,noonecouldevertopyou.
ColinSargent,Editor&Publisher
PORTLAND www.portlandmagazine.com
Editorialoffices: 722 Congress Street Portland, Maine 04102
Phone: 207.775.4339
Fax: 207.775.2334
E-mail: staff@portlandmonthly.com
ColinSargent
FoundingEditor&Publisher
editor@portlandmonthly.com
ART & PRODUCTION
NancySargent,ArtDirector
MiroslawJurek,ConsultingArtDirector
Jesse Stenbak, Production Manager staff@portlandmonthly.com
Danny Louten, Graphic Designer
ADVERTISING
LauraBethGrant,AdvertisingDirector lg@portlandmonthly.com
SteveLuttrell,Advertising
ColinS.Sargent,Advertising/Production
EDITORIAL
Amy Louise Barnett, Associate Publisher barnett@portlandmonthly.com
JasonHjort,Publisher'sAssistant•Webmaster DianeHudson,Calendar•Flash•Reviews ElizabethValente,AndrewSparda,JuliaKnox, Interns
ACCOUNTING
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Portland Magazine is published by Sargent Publishing, Inc All cor¬ respondence should be addressed to 722 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04102. Advertising Office: 722 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04102 207.775.4339. Repeat internet rights are understood to be purchased with all stories and artwork. If you have questions regarding advertis¬ ing invoicing and payments, call Alison Hills at 207.775.4339.
Newsstand Cover Date: Winterguide 2005, published in December 2004, Vol. 19, No. 10, copyright 2004.Portland Magazineismailedat third-class mail rates in Portland, ME 04101 (ISSN: 1073-1857). Opinions expressed in articles are those of authors and do not represent editonalpositionsofPortland Magazine. Letters to the editor are welcome and will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication and copyright purposes and as subject toPortland Magazine'sunrestrict¬ ed right to edit and comment editorially. Responsible only for that por¬ tion of any advertisement which is printed incorrectly. Advertisers are responsible for copyrights of materials they submit. Nothing in this issue may be reprinted in whole or in part without written permission from the publishers. Submissions welcome, but we take no responsibil¬ ityforunsolicitedmaterials.
Portland Magazine is published 10 times annually by Sargent Publishing, Inc, 722 Congress Street, Portland, Maine, 04102, with news¬ stand cover dates of Winterguide, February/March, April, May. Summerguide, July/August. September, October, November, and December
LETTERS Condorific Congratulationsonaterrificpublication [December2004]!Yourarticleonthehouse inDelanoPark,“TheYinandYangofJohn CalvinStevens,"istrulyinnovative.
LindsaySterling's“TheCondoWave"isa positivespinonwhat'shappeninginPort¬ land'shousingmarket.Nationalstatistics showthatcondosnowaccountfor12.8per¬ centofthehousingmarketandthatcondos haveappreciatedatanunprecedenteddou¬ ble-digitpaceforthepastfouryears.Iwince whenIthinkaboutPortland'speninsulabe¬ comingacondofest,butwithaminimum ofdevelopablespace,1thinkthatit'sin¬ evitable.Yes,itisa"condowave."
RitaYarnold,BayRealty,Portland
MalagaIsland Thankyouforyourstory["ShudderIsland" byJanGrieco,October2004].Whatshame andembarrassment!Tothinkthatonly100 yearsago,ourstateandsomeofitsaffluent communitiescouldbesocruelandunder¬ handed!Theyforeverdestroyedlifeonthat islandandthefamilieswhowereraisedthere. jemvhite@maine.rr.com
YourprotrayalofMainehistoryisfasci¬ nating.Ifeelsobadfortheatrocitiesthis groupsuffered.Ourcountrywasbuilton thepremiseoffreedomforeveryone.How canwelivewithourselvesafterreading this?Keepthiskindofjournalismcoming. KarenJohnson,Lexington,Kentucky
IsailedthecoastofMaineascaptainofa coastwisetanker.Seamen'slorehasitthat
LetterstotheEditor:editor@portlandmonthly.com
thecaptainsofMaineshipsreturninghome fromyears-longvoyageswouldputashore onMalagaIslandtheirdarkskinnedladies, andtheirchildren,andreturntotheirwives andSundayhymnsinging.Probablyjust anotherseastory.
CarlMcCann,CapeElizabeth
Iamverysadforthepeoplewholivedon thatisland.Iamvery'sorrythatthishap¬ penedinMaine,likeinthesouthernU.S.1 wasveryproudwefoughtto[abolish]slav¬ eryandnotabuseourfellowman.Iam gladthatwasouronlyshame,hopefully. RobertM.Boston,jubo@maine.rr.com,Saco
Thankyoufortheenlighteningandfright¬ eningstoryaboutShudderIsland.
Iamcuriousaboutthesearchfordescen¬ dantsandwhatthestateofMainewould feelcompelledtoofferthembecauseofthe horrortheirancestorssuffered.
DeborahBoyajian,Portland
WeDarlingsarestillaround.Manyofus. PeterDarling,Harpswell
Icaneasilytracemyancestrybackto BenjaminDarling. nkollias@maine.rr.com
Ibelieve1read[anewspaperaccountofthe MalagaIslandtragedyyearsago].1wasin themilitaryin.Brunswickandknowthis wouldhavebeenabout1965-66.1believeit wasentitled"KingofMaigaIsland."Itpor¬ trayedDarlingasonewhoclaimedhimself tobethekingoftheisland.Itgenerally paintedaPitcairnIslandtypeofsociety withDarlingbeinglordandmasterofthe island'sinhabitants.
Perhapsthiswastojustifyhowitall ended,eventhoughIdon'trememberthe articlementioningthattheywereremoved byforce.
Ihaveaplaneandhaveflownoverthe islandmanytimesovertheyearsandhave oftenwonderedabout“TheKingofMalaga Island."Thankyoufortherestofthestory. JohnBrier,Oakland
Wishing you and yours adisease-freeseason
Iwantedtothankyouforthehonoryou bestoweduponmebyfeaturingmeasone ofMaine's10mostintriguingpeopleinthe
DESIGNING IN THE MAINE TRADITION LOWER FALLS LANDING YARMOUTH. MAINE [207| 846-4136
BUILDING IN THE MAINE TRADITION CONSTRICTION. ING. LOWER EAI.LS LANDING YARMOUTH. MAINE [’O’; 846-1002 WWW. EIN ELI NESMAINI COM
Broadway meets the OldPort! Anthony’s Italian Kitchen LETTERS Live Entertainment from the Lower Depths!
151 Middle Street, Portland
You've voted our pizza "Best in Portland" for years. Now enjoy our Sopranos and Baritonesaslocalactorsperformhit Broadway standards onstage on Friday and Saturday nights at 8 pan!
Dinner show includes six-course gourmet Italian dinner and bottle of wine for S35/pp.
Reservations: 774-8668.
November2004issueof Portland Maga¬ zine. Notreallyknowingwhatthemaga¬ zineconsideredintriguing,Iwasgratified toseeyouevenattemptedtoprovideadef¬ initionforyourreaders,as"engagingthe interesttoamarkeddegree."
Sincemyfour"children"undoubtedly considermeanythingbut'intriguing/Iwill besuretoleaveacopyofthemagazinearticle forthem[thenexttimetheyreturnhome]!
Withbestwishesforpeacefulholiday season,andwithhopesthatyoustaydis¬ easefreethiswinter!
KathleenF.Gensheimer,MD.,MPH,StateEpi¬ demiologist,MaineBureauofHealth,Augusta
Slipperyelm Asalways,IenjoyedreadingtheOctober [2004]issueofPortlandMagazine,includ¬ ingtheeditorial"Ifthesewallscouldtalk." However,havingbeenaroundPortland longenoughtorememberTheTree,Ifeltit importanttocommentonafactualerror. Therewerenever,infact,anyDutchelm treeslivingbesideoranywherenearTire Tree.ThesewereAmericanelms,possibly themostmajesticnativetreetoevergrace ourgreatstate,andatonetimefoundin greatabundancealongthesidewalksof mostofourcitiesandtowns.Unfortunately, theonslaughtofDutchelmdiseasehas todayallbuteliminatedthepurestrainof Americanelm,includingthetwofoundin frontof45DanforthStreet.OK-soI’m picky.Thataside,greatmagazine!Thanks. Neil_C_Buitenhuys@KeyBank.com
Nype: no hype YourpieceonRussellNype['Tnandabout town," November 2004] brought back pleasantmemoriesofthenightin1958I sawhimintheBostontryoutofGoldilocks, anunderratedshowthatalsostarredElaine Stritch.ThankstotheoriginalcastLP,Ican stillenjoyhisrenditionof"SaveaKissfor ByeandBye."
It'sgreattoknowhe'sstillgoingstrong. FredVanVeen,Kennebunkport
Playingagainsttype
1knowitisromanticfortheStonecoast writers["Elementsofstyle,"September 2004]tothinkthatmyfatherwastheheirto theSmith-Coronatypewritercompany;but Iamsorry'tosay'itisamyth.
Myparentsboughttheproperty'in1946,
havingseenitinasnowstorm.Ithadbeen boardedupforover10yearsandthey decideditwouldbeaperfectsummer houseforthemandtheirsixkidstoescape theheatofWashington,DC.Myfather commutedduringthesummersforyearsas hewasalawyerinthegovernment.My mother,whoalwayssaidshewasinterested inorganicgardeningwhenitwasa"dirty word,"didnotplanttherhodies.Herbeau¬ tifulgardenwasbelowthenow-USMprop¬ erty.And,theHarraseeketisnotabaybut anestuary,calledtheHarraseeketRiver. MeredithS.S.Smith,SouthPortland
Witchy woman
Greatstory["Noplacelikehome,"JulyAugust2004].1neverknewMargaretHam¬ iltonlivedhereallthoseyears.Wewaited andwatchedthatwitcheveryyeargrowing up.Shewasthescariest. DaleHicks,Portland
Verywellputtogether.1havealwaysen¬ joyedherperformances.Neverknewshe livedinMaine. >iarey@maine.rr.com
1enjoyedthisarticletremendously.Ittook mebacktoahappiertimeandmademe smile.Margaretwasawonderfulactress; I'msogladshechoseMaineasherhaven. Deb,dmoriarty@maine.rr.com,Biddeford
Itookatwo-hoursight-seeingcruiseoutof BoothbayHarborearlierthismonth.Isaw andphotographed[MargaretHamilton's] house,andlocals[delightedmewiththe story]ofherrowingaboattomeetalimoat SouthportIsland.
S.M.Jenkins,smj0302@bellsouth.net, hcksonville,Florida
1—Apr. 17)
(May 13—May 29)
FireworksatFirebird It'saworkday.MikhailBaryshnikovwaitsforyouwithgolfclubsinthelimo.Teetimeissetandthe courseisinEurope.OrAsia.For Joe Giordano ofFalmouth,thisisjustanotherjobperk.Giordano,a world-renownedproptechnicianfortravelingballetsandoperas,hasworkedwithboththeKirov Ballet[hislightingandsetdesignsfortheFirebirdballet,above,metaphoricallysettheWangCenteron firelastJanuary]andwiththeBolshoiBalletinthelastyear.Hisprofessionalrelationshipwith Baryshnikovgrewintoafriendshipduringtheirsix-yeartourtogether.Perksaside,Giordanosays,'The realrewardisseeingtheshow-hearingthecrowd'sapplauseandappreciationasthecurtainisraised." -ElizabethValente
Blizzard flowers Nowthestreetsareallempty,letthe rhodiestakethestage!Someplantsseem tothriveonMaine'sharshwindsand deepsnow,especiallyrhododendrons, holly,juniperwithitsfrostyblueberries, euonynms,burningbush,and,ofcourse, evergreens."Don'tforgetpallida!"says SallyMartin atO'Donal'sNurseriesin• Gorham."It's12feettallandhasbright yellowblossomsintheveryearlyspring." They'vebeenseen"asearlyasFebruary" uphere.Andontheheelsofpallida,pray forcrocuses,alwaysamongthefirstto burstthroughthesnow. www.odonalsnurseries.com
CENT OF A WOMAN Pennyforyourthoughts?Arecentauction inBaltimorefeaturedthis1793Strawberry sLeafone-centpiececonsignedbythe 5StaplesfamilyofAuburn.JohnPackof a: yAmericanNumismaticRaritiesin |Wolfeboro,NewHampshire,says,'Thisis |certainlyacareerhighlight.It'soneofonly ifourknowncoinsofthisdesign."When <thehammerfellthefinaltallywasa “staggering$414,000,anewworldrecord <foraU.S.largecent.
CHOWDER Desert bloom Whowouldn'twanttheirveryown horse?PortlandMagazinehasadopted Reno, arescuedwildmustangresidingat BushBrookFarminBiddeford."He's ourambassador,"saysBushBrook's MonaJerome.[See"Maine'smisfits," page36.]RenowillstayinBiddeford withhis30herdmates;magazinestaffers getbraggingrights.Corporate sponsorshipinfomation:284-7721.
Postcard from the hedge Seeing Rec Hoorayfortheworld-championBostonRedSoxastheyparadedownchillyCongress SquaretoMonumentSquare.RedSoxplayersKevinYoukilis,DougMirabelli,Lenny DiNardo,MarkBellhorn,andRedSoxvicechairmanLesOttenridefiretrucksand hoisttheirWorldSeriestrophyaloftbeforeacrowdof5,000.BothYoukilisand BellhornstartedoutasPortlandSeaDogsontheirwaytothisdream.
SUGAR SHACKS OffMainStreetinYarmouthisthesweetestwarming cottageforiceskatersweeversaw.Justdrivebehind theKeyBanktofindthepondandtheadorabledacha, picturedlowerright.Falmouth'sicerinkandwarming cottage(topright)isawonder,too,withitsstone fireplaceandlocationbehindthecinemaoffU.S.Route1. IfonlyPortlandhadsuchaplace.Well,wedo.The CastleintheParkofferedskaterentals,hotdogs,and hotcocoatogenerationsofPortlandersinsearchofa winterwonderland.AnnePringle,presidentofFriends ofDeeringOaks,ishappytoreport"theCastlewillbe restoredtoitsoriginaldesign,completewithfireplace andcolored-glasswindows,bymid-June.We'veraised $300,000privatelyand$400,000fromthecity."
Sometimesittakesapostcardfromthepastto remindusofwhatwe'remissing.ThisJohn CalvinStevens-designedgazebooncedelighted crowdsasthejeweloftheWesternPromenade. Thebandstand'soriginalsketchstillexistsin MaineHistoricalSociety'scollection.
Diamond girl Howmuchdidyoupayforyourpairofdia¬ mond-encrustedshoes?TheseDiamond CinderellaSlippersfromtheKwiatRed CarpetCollection-hereforastopat Springer'sJewelersinPortlandand wornbysingerAlisonKraussatthe 2004 Academy Awards-go ' foracool$2million.Now, whateverhappenedto/' Prince Charming? ,
ROMANCING THE STONE Sometimesit'soiloncanvas.Butstone?ThisRoute77 glacialoutcroppinghasbecomesoholytosomany graduatingclassesofCapeElizabethHighthatlocalpolice hesitatetoarresttheever-changingartisticexpressionof politics,desire,grieving,andathleticpridetheyfind scrawledacrossitssurface.Cheverusstudentshavebeen knowntovisitatnightandmakeasplash.Whenayoung CapeElizabethanislostfromacaraccidentorwar,the £messageappearshere,too,asiftherockisaneight-ballora 9messagefromOsiris."Thosewordsholdgreatmeaning," |saysCapenativeBrianMaloney,checkingoutthenewest □sprayofpaint,notocean. -AndrewR.Sparda
They d rather
Row vs. Wade
Maine Olympians Wyatt Allen (8-manrowingshell),25(left), and J.SloanDuRoss (quadruplesculls),28,enjoyavisithometo sharetheirtriumphsatHarrisonMiddleSchoolinYarmouth. Gold-medalwinnerAllenstillfeelstheafterglow:"Otherthan physicalpain,therewasthisfeelingofconfidence."Allen's victorywasthefirstfortheUnitedStatesin40years.It'snice toseetheseguyscomeoutoftheirshells. -DianeHudson
DIANE HUDSON
CHOWDER Hale and Hardy FredHale,Sr., livedmostofhis113yearsinSouthPortland. Whileheheldthedistinctionofbeingtheoldestmaninthis countrywhenhediedrecently,hewasnottheoldestperson alive:GrandsonFredHaleIIIofRochester,NewYork,says, "Oneofhisfinalcommentswastolaugh,'Womenalwaysseem togetthebestofme!'"SowhyleaveMaineatage109?Was thereamomentwhenhesaidThatdidit.I'mouttahere? Nope.Helefttobenearhisson,FredHale,Jr.,whohad himselfmovedintoacongregatecarecenter.Fred,Jr., attributesdad'slonglifeto"raisingbees,eatinghoney andpollen,andworkinghard.Hisgenesdidn'thurt, either."PicturedwiththeelderHale:acaregiverin costumefromapageantattheretirementfacility.
Yougo,dirt! WeknowtheMainestateflower-pinecone-andtheMainestatebird, unofficiallytheblackflybutactuallythechickadee.Butin1999Gov.King alsohadoccasiontosignMaine'sstatedirtintolaw.Chesuncookdirt "belongstothespodosolorder.Spodosolsoilsdevelopincoo!andmoist climatesunderconiferousvegetation,"weunderstand.Thekindof beautiful,loamystuffyoufindunderthepointedfirs.Butisitreallypay dirt?Thedirthassomuchcelebrityitappearedinacalendarreleasedby theU.S.DepartmentofAgriculturetoincreaseappreciationofthe ecosystem,besting120rivals.
_ost & found "IjustlovePortland,Maine."Novelist Amanda Eyre Ward, finishinga whirlwindbooktourfromour Portlandtothatotherone,stillprefers theForestCity,whereshelivedfrom 2003toearly2004."It'saliterarycity, thepeoplearereallysmart,andithas greatfood."EventhoughWard, whosefictionwasfeaturedinPortland Magazinelastyear|"Swimtothe surface,"Summerguide2004],is gainingaworldaudience,weremain closetoherheart.Mainerswere delightedtoseehersecondnovel, HowToBeLost,reviewedinPeople magazine's"Picks&Pans"section lastmonth.What'snext?"Thebook tourmovestoLondonandFrancein March!"Oohlala.
Howard Hughes in Maine "Myfather[Col.WilliamN.Campbell,Sr.(18931947),owneroftheGoodallSanfordMillsand PalmBeachclothing],adoredanykindofaircraft andkeptaeroplanesatSanfordAirport,"saysBill CampbellofLakeAngelus,Michigan."Oneof themwasa1933BeechcraftBiplanewitha swept-backwing[above],reputedtobethe fastestcabinplaneintheworld.HowardHughes cameouttoSanfordtobuyitfrommydad.While theynegotiated,Idimbedtothetopofthe hangaratSanfordAirporttositandwatchthe planetakeoff.Mydadsaid,'Hell,hewouldn’t evenletmecheckhimoutin it'Hughessaid,'No,Icanfly thisthing,'andjusttookoff." LeoDiCaprioplaysHughesin TheAviator,right.
SERVICES:
■acquiringorsellingabusiness
•litigatinginstateandfederalcourts
■purchasing,selling,orleasing commercialrealestate
■businessfinancingwithpublicor privatecapital-,
■employmentlaw
■generalcorporatelaw
•zoningandlandusedisputes
■environmentallitigation,especially oilspillsandsoilcontamination
>bankruptcyandworkouts
■estateplanning
>administrativelaw
RETURN OF THENINJA Westbrook's Kevin Locals may be surprised to learn that Kevin Eastman commands a larger empire now than he did with his Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
BY COLIN SARGENT
Rememberthe1980s?It's1983,and Westbrook'sKevinEastmanisathis friendPeter'shouse,foolingaround, sketching,andwatchingTV.AsEastman recalls,"Wegotrealpunchy!Wewerebeing exposedtosomereallybadTV-T/Hooker, LoveConnection.By11p.m.,wewere...just jokingaround,throwingsketchesateach other."Thedrawingsgotwilderandwild¬ eruntilKevindrewanuprightturtlebran¬ dishingnunchucks.Underneaththedraw¬ inghewrotethewords"NinjaTurtle."Peter laughedand,accordingtolegend,asked, "Whynotateenagemutantninjaturtle?"
In1984,KevinEastmanandPeterLaird pooledtheirpizzamoney,"mytaxreturn, and$1,300frommyuncle"andcameup withthestaketopublishtheirfirstcomic bookatWellesleyPressinFramingham, Massachusetts,a40-pageblack-and-white Vol.1,No.1,introducingLeonardo,Dona¬ tello,Raphael,Michaelangelo,andtheir ninjamentorSplinterandarch-enemyThe Shreddertotheirundergroundaudience. TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles(TMNT) becamethemonsterhitofthe1980s. BetweenJune1988andMarch1989,over $23millioninNinjaTurtleactionfigures aloneweresold.Whenwelastinterviewed EastmaninApril1989,thefirstTMNT moviewasabouttocomeoutand"inthe lasttwoweeks,we'vehadthemostinten-
ThesourceforChemotherapy& PostMasectomyEssentials.Swimsuits, SportsBrasandTankTops.
Feeling alittleoff alance...
...duetobreastsurgery,reconstruction,lumpectomy, x j| or hypoplasia?
so,Amoena’sBALENCEtorms otterthelatestdesignstomatch youequally
WewillbillMedicare&MostInsurance.
sivephonebattleswe'veeverhad.From8 a.m.to5p.m.,we'vebeenonconferencecalls betweenGoldenHarvestinHongKongand Hollywood,SteveBaroninEngland,andus inNorthampton(Massachusetts,homeof EastmanandLaird'sMirageStudios,so named"becauseitwasamirage;wehad twoeasychairsandtwolapdesks").It's scarysometimes,"Eastmanconfidedtous. "Youwonderhowlongit'sgoingtolast. Theyearbeforewestarted,Imade$7,000 working50-hourweeksinpizzashops."
BorninPortlandinMay1962,hewas just26whenPortlandmagazinewriter JonathanWhitetalkedwithhim.Atthat timeEastmanhadtwootherMainersworking withhimatMirage:EricTalbotofPortland andSteveLavigne,aWestbrookHighpalof Eastman'swhodidtheletteringandcoloring forthefirm.TodayEastmanis41.
Butwhatcanyoudoforanencore?
Tellusaboutyourearliestdays.
IgrewupinGroveville[aclusterof snowbanksandmailboxesbetweenBuxton andGorham],Myfatherdrawsverywell, andmygrandmotherusedtopaintalot. Growingupinthecountry,Ispentalotof freetimedrawing.WemovedtoWestbrook whenIwasafreshman,andIwentto WestbrookHighSchool.Ihadsomegreat teachers,especiallyJaneHawkes-Ispent everyspareminuteinherartroom.
ThenyoustudiedatMaineCollegeofArt?
ItwasPortlandSchoolofArtbackthen.I wasthereforasemesterbutranoutof funds.1sortoffloated.Forfouryears,while IworkedsummersinOgunquit,I'dmove someplacedifferenteachwinter.Imovedto Amherst,Massachusetts,becausemygirl* friendwenttoschoolthere.
Volume1,No.1wassellingfor$300inthe springof1989.Nowwhatarecollectors payingforit?
Collectorsingeneralareseriousand crazy-andI'moneforsure.Irememberour firsthard-corefan,LawrenceKlein,came uptoPeterLairdandmeataconventionin NewYorkCityin1986andtoldushepaid $25foracopyofTMNTNo.1andwenear¬ lyfelloffourchairs!Wecouldn'tbelieve someonewouldeverpaythatmuchfora $1.50comiconlyayearafteritcameout, especiallywhenitwasours!
Recently,I'veheardofothercollectors
Today,collectorsare Daying$1,500forVol. ,No.IoftheTeenage MutantNinjaTurtles comic book.
outtherepayingmorethan$1,500forasin¬ glecopyofoneofthe3,000copiesweprint¬ edofIssueNo.1-whichisnuttyontheone hand,butontheother,itisoneofthose hard-to-finditemswhichmakescollectors wanttohaveitfortheircollection.
Whatareyouuptocreativelyandpersonallytoday?
Alotofcoolstuff!Ispentmostofthis pastyearworkingonananimatedmovie versionofHighlander withaHongKong/ U.S.companycalledImagiandaJapanese studiocalledMadHouse.I'mveryexcited tobeworkingwithboth,asMadHouseis oneofthebestanimationstudiosinJapan, andIalwayslovedtheHighlandercharacter.
Althoughthatprojectisthemainthing onmyplateatthemoment,Iwasableto developadealwiththesamecompany, Imagi,foraTeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesani¬ matedfilm.Itwillbeanall-computer-generated-filmlikeShrekandshouldbemore thancoolwhenitcomesout-unfortunately, thatwillbeinabouttwoyears.
Besidesthat,I'mworkingonabunchof otherkids'andsci-fiprojects.Inthepast I'veworkedwithothercreators,butthese daysIwanttodoitallmyself-meaning writinganddrawingeverything.Itwould begreattoseeanythingIcreategotoother 'entertainment'places(moviesorTV),but mainlyI'mjustthrilledtobeworkingon thekindsofstories1'dliketoread.
We know you're owner ofHeavy Metal magazine, a 25-year-old multi-media or¬ ganizationwhichfeaturesthebestof European comics and now offers videos and graphic novels, and that you and
I'mjustthrilledtowork onthekindsofstories I'dliketoread.
yourwife,JulieStrain,areplanningtolaunch Underwhere, Ghettopolos, andFistfulof Blood.Butcanyoufillusinonthedetails?
Correctandthensome!Actually,themag¬ azinewi11be28yearsoldin2005-I'vebeen readingitsinceDayOne-andnowI'mfeel¬ ingold.Iwasluckyenoughtobeabletobuy HeavyMetalmagazinein1991,whichhad beenahugeinspirationtomesinceIfound thefirstissueonthenewsstandin1977. ThroughHeavyMetalmagazine1discov¬ eredartistslikeRichardCorben,Mobius, andVaughnBode,whowerenotonlyhav¬ ingtheirworkpublishedinthemagazine, theywerealsoself-publishingtheirother stories.Personally,Ilovedthefreedomof theirself-publishedprojectsthemost, whichledmetowantingtoonlyself-pub¬ lishanythingIdid-liketheTMNTswhen theycamearound,insteadofgoingtoa majorcompanylikeMarvelorDCComics.
1marriedJuliein1995-shetrulyisthe loveofmylife.Wemetinacomic-book storecalledTheGoldenAppleonMelrose AvenueinLosAngeles.Wegotmarried threemonthslateronMartha'sVineyard, andthatwas10yearsago.Peoplemight thinkthat'sabitcrazy,butIcanonlysay whenitisrightitisright-andshewasright.
Thebestpartofourmeetingwaswe knewnothingabouteachother.Sheisfamous formanythings-Iamforothers.Noneofthat wasafactorwhenwefirstmetin1994-we justlikedeachotherasrealpeople.Whosays truelovecan'thappeninaheartbeat?
AttheendofthedayIgottomarrya reallywonderfuldown-to-earthpersonwho makesmylifecomplete.
Sorry,Igotabitofftrackthere.Project¬ wise,we'reworkingonatonofdifferent thingsandfeelsuperluckytohavefound anaudiencethatlikesthesamekindsof
thingswedo,andwe'rehavingablast doingit.
Do you have any children?
JulieandIdonothaveanychildren, althoughpersonallyIwouldliketohave
■ WHERE ARE THEY NOW? kidsinthefuture.She'sstillonthefence aboutthatsubject.
Likemanyfolks,we'reabitscaredto takethatstep,sowestartedslowwith plantsfirst-andtheylived!Thenweworked ourwayuptoacatwhichsurvived,and nowwehavefourdogs,whichalsosur¬ vived.Akid?Perhapsthatcouldbenext.
You have an unusual story arc personally, because you exceeded most people's wildest dreams when you were in your twenties. F. ScottFitzgeralddidsomethinglikethatbut found fame a hard weight to carry. Can you talkaboutthatforawhile?
SinceIwassixorseven,aroundthetime 1sawmyfirstcomicbook,Iknewwhat1 wantedtodoforaliving:writeanddraw myownstories.Lookingbacknow,Iknow 1wasveryluckyas1knewwhat1wantedto dofromaveryyoungage.Somanyyoung folksdon'thavethatsameblessingandcan spendyearslookingfortheircalling,whichis fine-butIfeel1wasextraluckybecause1 alwaysknewwhat1wantedtodoand focusedonit.
TheTurtleswasthefirstrealcomicI workedon.1say"real"becauseIdidalotof writinganddrawingshortstoriesforother companiesbeforetheTMNTs,butthatwas thefirstrealself-publishedwork1didwhichbasicallymeantitpaidthebills-and thentilingsexploded.
Intheearlyyears,thingsweremoving sofastitwaseasynottogetcaughtupin
turefirstandforemost-likeahome-and savetherest.Onegoodsolidruleistonever signanythingyoudon'tone-hundredper¬ centunderstand.Whenthebusinessstarted takingoff,Ifoundalawyeranddrovehim nuts-Iwantedtoknowwhateverysingle thinginacontractmeant:everyperiod, every"herein"and"therefore,"beforesign¬ ingonthedottedline.Youreallyneedto knowyourbusinessbetterthanthenext guy,oryouwillgettaken.
[PeterBaird, fleft,andKevin Eastman at fworkintheir f. studiointhe Iearlydays. thesuccessbecauseIwassobusyrunning thecompany.
Iwasluckytohavebeenbroughtupin adown-to-earthfamilysituation,andso whenmoneycameinIwantedtotakecare ofthebasicsfirst:payoffthestudentloans, buyahome,acar,andbanktherest.When thingsgotmoresuccessful,thenIwantedto takecareofmyfamily-MomandDad,sis¬ ters,etcetera,sharingsomeofthegoodfor¬ tune,Iguess.
Beyondthat,Iwasabletodosomany otherthingsIfeltstronglyabout.1published otherartists'workthatmighthavenever seenthelightofdaythroughacompanyI formedcalledTundra.Ialsobuiltamuseum toforwardtheartformofcomicscalled "WordsandPictures,"andatonofother thingsalongtheselines-comicsandartistic tilings.1feelI'vebeenblessed10timesover andhavebeenluckyenoughtogivebackto theartform1lovedmywholelife.
Sorry,thatwasabitofaspeech,butto answeryourquestion,andtheF.Scottrefer¬ ence:Iftherewereanydifficultpartstothe "earlysuccess"IfeelI'dsoundlikeanidiot tocomplainaboutthem.
Do you have any advice for those who earn earlysuccess?
Yes,learnandknoweverythingyoucan aboutthebusinessyou'reinvolvedwith. Knowledgeisthekey.
Saveeverypennyyoucan,andifyou makemoney,investinthingsforyourfu-
CurrentlyIliveonbothcoasts-Northampton,Massachusetts,andCalifornia.I
Inthecultofinstantnostalgia,wesee TMNT on the rise again. Did you think that was possible? lovetheeastcoast-itismyrealhome, and1haveatonoffamilystilllivingin Maine. Where do you live now?
No,morethannot.Ithinkwhenthe TMNTsmadeacomebackafewyearsago, Ididn'tthinktheywouldflyatall.Ithought kidstodaywouldthinktheyweretoooldfashioned,tooretro.Honestly,Iwasreally surprisedwhentheTurtleswereasuccess thefirsttimearound.
Itwascreatedasacomic,andthefactthat itwenttoTV,toys,andmovies-and worked-wasashockerinthefirstplace. Again,Ireallydidn'tthinkthey'dflyasec¬ ondtime...andamgladtobeprovenwrong.
Was there a low point for you at Mirage?
Nope.PeterLairdandIhavealways lovedourcharacters,andlovedself-publishing-wedidwhatwewantedtodoour wholelives.Evenifweonlysoldonesingle copyofthecomicwe'dstillhaveaccom¬ plishedthedream.
Fifteen years later, what do you think was behind the appeal of TMNT?
HolySmokes!Ijustrealizedit'smore than20yearsnow!Thefirstissuesswas publishedin1984—soMayof2004was20 y'ears.Cripes!TocoinaperfectTMNT phrase:"Dude,IwishIknew!"
I'vebeenaskedthatalot:Whatisitthat HolySmokes!Ijust realizedit'smorethan 20 years now!
connectswiththekids-isitthe"familyfac¬ tor,"the"individualcharacters,"the"nutty humor"?Ireallydon'tknow;amixof everything,1guess.IfeellikeIwrotethe kindofadventuresIwantedtoread,with thekindsofcharactersIwantedtoseein them-turtles,noless-anditjustseemedto connectwiththekidsoutthere.
Is the mutation a metaphor for the growing pains young adolescents have as they become teenagers? They aren't changing into Ninja turtles,butthereisametamorphosisinto young adulthood.
Inmayways,yes.It'sacommontheme inmostsuperherocharactersoutthere.Like theonesIreadgrowingup,Spiderman,XMen,andthelike,theyseemedtorelateto thefactthatlifeasayoungadultisverydif¬ ficult,somanychangesgoingoninsideand outsidethatneedtobedealtwith.
Seeinganother"person"goingthrough thesame"life"things-andasuperhero "person"tocomplicateitfurther-madeit seemlikethingsweren'treallythatdifficult inyourendoftheworldafterall.Justaway ofhelpingtodealwithallthosemysteries.
WiththeTurtles,Ialwayswantedthem towanttobeteenagersfirst-justtryingto livelife-buttheworldalwaysseemedto throwthingsintheirway,kindalikereal life,thingsthatneedtobedealtwith.When thechipsaredown,Ithinkweallwantto betheherothatweknowisinsideofus,the herowhorunsintoaburningbuildingto savethekittens.Thathasalwaysbeenthe styleofthestories1wantedtotell.
Whoisyourfavoriteturtle?
Allofthem.Theyareallsocloseand personaltome.
They'reallmodeledafterrealpeople,by theway,ablendofmeandadozenother friendsandfamily,whichmakesthemfun towrite.Youcanbasethedecisionsyour charactermakes,inpart,withthedecisions thosepeoplewould.Theyseemtohave moreofapurposethatway.1willsaythe characterRaphaelhasmoreofmeinitthan alltherest-whichmakeshimtheeasiest andmostfuntodraw.
How was Leonardo the leader?
Yep-everygroupseemstohavealeader; you’llseethatineveryschoolyardin America.Thestrongestpersonalityseems tostandout,andothersfollowforthemost
Sunlightcanmakea timelessdesignlook oldfast.3MScotchtint WindowFilmhelps protectaroomandits furnishingsfromthe
raysandintenseheat.
■ WHERE ARE THEY NOW? part."Leonardo"seemedlikeaperfect leader-typename,yethispositioninthe group-likeinaschoolyard-issortaself¬ elected,anddoescausefriction.Fun threadstowriteaboutthere.Intheend, theyarealltheirownpersonalities,butat theendofthedaytheydoturntoLeofor focus,becausetheytrusthim.
How did Donatello end up the techie?
Ithonestlyjustseemedtofit.Iwanted eachtobringadifferentperspectivetothe gang-IhadtheLeader,theJoker,theHot¬ head,andIwantedtheguytobethequiet onewhoknewitall.Donatello'sname seemedtofitthatperfectly,andhe'sthe mostlikePeterLaird,whoisatotaltechie.
Is Raphael James Dean, or what? Of course he's"coolbutrude."
Okay-nolaughingnow-asIhinted before,Raphaelwasmodeledafterme, somewhat.I'mnoJamesDeanforsure, butIcanbeabitofahotheadfromtime totime.Cool?Well,I'llletthepeople whoknowmebethejudgeofthat.Raph isalotoffuntowrite.IfeellikeIcan relatetohiminmanyways,andI'll leaveitatthat.
Who is the real-life Michaelangelo?
Inmanywayshe'sbasedonafriendof minefromMaine,aschoolchumfromthe Westbrook High School days, Steve Lavigne.Stevewas-andis-atotalquick¬ humorRobin-Williamstype,alaugh-aminutekindaguy,alwaystakingthejoke muchfartherthananybodyelseinthe group.Arealhoot.Backtotheschoolyard reference:Thereisalwaysajokerinthe crowdtobreakupthosedifficultorserious moments.
Allthecharactersarebasedonacombi¬ nationofmanygreatpeopleI'veknownin mylife.That'sthefunstuff,andreallyhelps bringadrawingtolifewhenyouhavea realpersontobaseiton.
Tell us about the time you drove back into Westbrook after you made it big. After his movieThe Vagabond Lover came out, Rudy Vallee drove through Westbrook in a motorcade but ticked everybody off because he blew right through town and stayed at the Eastland.Whatwasitlike,thefirstbig homecoming after success?
Honestlv,nothingdifferent.Igrewup
there,thepeopleIknowinWestbrook knewmeasKevin,thegoofballwhowould hangoutintheartroomatWestbrookHigh allthetimeandnothingmore.So1had somesuccess-peopletherehaveallkindsof successeveryday,raisingkids,working hard,andtryingtoenjoylife.WhenIwould gohometovisitmyfamily,manyofwhom stilllivethere,I'deatinthesamerestau¬ rants,haveadrinkinthesamebars,and hangoutwithmyfriendstherelikeIused to.We'dtalkaboutthesamethings,work andlife,butoccasionallytheywouldwant tohearafewHollywoodstories.
The two Mainers working with you at Mirage in 1989-what are they up to now?
SteveLavigne,myhigh-schoolbuddy, movedbacktoMainetoraisehisfamily,to beclosertohisfamily,anumberofyears ago.EricTalbot,anotherpalImetatart schoolinMaine,stillworksforMirage StudioshereinNorthampton.Bothare doinggreat.
My son was a big fan, and now he can speak Japaneseandisahistorymajorspecializingin Eastern Studies. Accident?
Coolbeans-I'lltakeallthecreditforthat! Heh!
Are you bothered by fans?
Never.Thefansarethebest.Theymade mewhatIamtoday-theyareserious,and dedicated,andI'lltalktothemalldaylong aboutTurtlesiftheywantto.Itreallyis amazingtomethatI'vecreatedsomething thathasmadeanimpressionontheirlives, andIdotakethatasquiteanhonor.Inever chargeforsketchesorautographs.
TellusaboutTurtlesfans.
WhenIdoeventsIgettoseethefolks whowerekidswhentheshowfirstcame on-prettycoolifyouthinkaboutit, althoughwhensomeone30yearsoldtells metheywereahugefanwhentheywerea kiditmakesmefeelabitold...
OneoftheTurtles'biggestfansthese daysisayoungladynamedMichelleIvey, whowasrecentlyonaVH1showaboutseri¬ ouscollectors.ShelivesinMichiganandused todrivealloverthecountryfordifferent eventseitherPeterorIwouldbeat.That's dedication,andweloveherdearly.Wemet herwholefamily-reallynicefolkslooking aftertlieirdaughter'sinterestlikethat.
What precipitated the buyout?
Mainly,Iwantedtospendmoretime workingonHeavyMetal-styleprojects.Istill haveanownershippositionwiththe Turtles,meaningIgetregularchecksfor theirsuccess,butIreallywantedtodoother things.BackinthebeginningoftheTurtles, Ineverthoughtitwouldgobeyondthefirst issueandhadatonofotherstoriestotell. FifteenyearsofworkinghardontheTurtles leftmewiththecallingtogobacktothe thingsIwantedtodosomanyyears ago-anddothem.Petetookoverthecre¬ ativeissueswiththeTurtlessoIcoulddo this,andIcouldn'tbehappier.
Favorite Portland and Westbrook restaurants?
Profenno'sandtheCornerStonein Westbrook[sinceclosed,butnowre¬ openedasChicky'sFineDiner],andpretty muchanywhereintheOldPortinPortland. IlovehangingoutinMaine-OldOrchard Beachalsorules!
Tell us about your family and Maine. Mydadandsisterstilllivethere,and whenIgothereit'stoseethemandrecon¬ nect.Idon'twanttotalkaboutworkthere;I justwanttobethenuttyson,sillybrother, orthewackyuncle.Mydad,KimEastman, livesinStandish,andmy'sister,Marlene Seavey,livesinNorthWindham-bothwon¬ derfulplacestokickbackandfeelyour roots.Nospecialtreatment,justgoodsolid familyfun.
What is the most bizarre situation your fame has brought you to? I mean were you in Studio 54 talking to Debbie Harry in the1980s, or what?
ProbablythenuttiestthingIgettodo thesedaysisgotothePlayboyMansion. JulieworkedforPlayboyforanumberof years,andabout10yearsagowewere inviteduptothemansionbyHefforoneof hisparties,andhavebeenontheguestlist eversince.
Justtocleartheair:Thepartiesaretotal¬ lyrespectful,thoughtful,andadownright blast.Mr.Hefneralwaysremembersyour name,greetsyouwithahearty"Hello"and handshake-arealtruegentleman.
What movie stars are fans?
ThefirstonethatcomestomindisRobin Williams.He'sareal-dealcomicfan,andI oftenseehiminthesamecomic-bookstores
IhitinL.A.onceaweek.WhenIfirstmet himhetoldmehewasahugefanofthe originalblack-and-whitecomicseries-that prettvmuchsaysitall.NickCageisalsoa seriouscomicfanIseeinthelocalshops withhiskids.Arealniceguy,alwayswill¬ ingtobullshitaboutwhat'sgoingoninthe latestissueofX-Men.Otherthanthat,most oftheothercelebs1metasfansofthe Turtlesaretheoneswhobroughttheirkids tooneofthemoviepremieres.
Areyouallowedtodrawaturtle,aninja,a mutant, or a teenager under any circumstances?
I’rettvmuch.1drewthefirstTurtleever backin1983,andthroughthedealwhereI reducedmyroleinthecreativeinvolve¬ mentwiththeTurtlesIretainedallthe rightstodowhateverIwantwiththework 1didonthem,includingsketches,draw¬ ings,andpaintingsofthemwheneverI want.Twoyearsago,Iself-published KevinEastman'sTMNTArtobiography, whichisa200-pagebehind-the-scenes lookatalltheworkIpersonallydidonthe Turtles,mostofwhichhasneverbeenseen before.It'sagreathistoryoftheTMiNTs frommvperspective,andalotofreflec¬ tionsontheentirejourney.Youcanfind thebookonmyheavymetal.comwebsite foranyonewhoisinterested.
IfIunderstandthingsproperly,yourworkwith HeavyMetal has eclipsed your accomplishments atMirage.Iknowyou'regratefulforthe Turtles'goodfortune,butdoesitbotheryou that people don't seem to understand that? Notatall.UreTurtlesaretheTurtles,and HeavyMetalisHemyMetal.Mostofmyfans canseparatethetwoeasily-theyarevery acceptingandforgiving.1dogetalotof themwhowantPeterandmetogetback togethertodoanotherseriesofstorieson theTurtles,andalthoughtherearenofuture planstodothatrightnow,wemaygetback togetherinthedistantfuturetodoso.I'd loveto,actually-1feellikeIstillhavealotof greatTurtlestoriesinme.
'I know I'm in Maine when..." Easy.EverytimeIdriveuptoMaineI loveseeingthebillboardjustasyoucross overthestatelinefromNewHampshire: Maine-TheWayLifeShouldBe!Icouldn't agreemore.Ilookforwardtoretiringthere someday-itwillalwaysbemyhomestate.■
TRUEGRIT The world is a big basketball court, and scrappy CindyBlodgettisstillrunningtheplays.
BY COLIN SARGENT
MaineBlackBearwomen'sbasket¬ ballfanswentcrazyforguard CindyBlodgett,theLawrence Highphenomwhoat5’9"and130pounds ledherhighschooltofourconsecutive ClassAstatetitlesbeforesmashingallofIlMaine'srecordsfrom1995-1998,inspiring
herteamtothreestraightNCAAtourna¬ mentberthsandearningaspotonthe Women'sNationalBasketballAssociation (WNBA),draftedninthoverallin1997.
Blodgettbeganherprofessionalcareer playingfortheClevelandRockersin1998, thenplayedfortheSacramentoMonarchs
in1999,2000,and2001,herbestyear,with afield-goalpercentageof.448andan impressivethree-pointpercentageof.533. Shescoredacareer-high19pointsagainst MinnesotaonJuly3,2001,andisimmortal¬ izedonsportscollectorcards.
Butherstatsonwnba.comdroptozero fortheyear2002.Soisshefinished?
Ifyouthinkshe'sfinished,youdon't knowCindyBlodgett.Thisincrediblecom¬ petitorwasstillscrapping,stillplayingas No.14fortheSpringfieldSpiritteaminthe NWBLWomen’sProBasketballLeagueas lateas2004,playingagainstteamslikethe BirminghamPowder,theColoradoChill,the DallasFury,theHoustonStealth.Andshe
wasstillinspirational,leadingplays,hus¬ tling,swishingfromthree-pointrange.
Thingswerelookingup.UntilNovem¬ ber30,whenthethree-year-oldSpring¬ field(WestSpringfield,Massachusetts) Spiritgaveuptheghostandwentunder. WecaughtupwithBlodgettbytelephone justbeforepresstime.
"IgotinvolvedwiththeSpringfield Spiritwhile1wasplayingoverseasona teaminBordeaux,France.IwasinFrance forfiveandahalfmonthsandcamehome duringthatperiodforaNewEngland BasketballHallofFamedinnerheldatthe UniversityofRhodeIsland.Itwasthere thatImetSteveFox,owneroftheSpring¬ fieldSpirit,andthatmeetinggrewintomy playingfortheteam."
Besides,BlodgettwaslonelyinFrance. Infactsheseemstohavehatedhertime there."Theoverseasexperienceisdifficultto explain.Mostofourplayers,includingmy¬ self,didn'tspeakFrench,sothere'sanisolated feeling.Thebasketballwasgood,but,yeah,
'Therewasn'tanyreal highpointinFrance. FranceisFrance." yourlifeisaltered.Therewasn'tanyrealhigh pointinFrance.FranceisFranceanditreally mademeappreciatewhatwehaveinthe UnitedStates.Myagentgotmeoutofmy contractinFrance,andthenIplayedforSteve fortwoyears.Thecompetitionwasgood, mostly'formerWNBAplay'ers."
SonowthattheSpirithaslefther,what's upforBlodgett?
"NowthattheSpiritisnolonger...go¬ ing?Coaching,hopefullyinDivisionI,I hopeintheBostonarea.1reallyloveNew England,butthereareonlysomanyDiv¬ isionIschools."Meanwhile,she'sdevelop¬ ingrelatedskills"bygoingtomassage therapy'schoolinBostonatMassageTher¬ apy'Institute.I'llgetmydegreeinJune. Otherthanthat,it'ssendingoutmy'coach¬ ingresumeandwaiting.1'11letyouknow whenIfindout!"
Herfavoritebasketballshotever?"Ican stillseeit.TheshotIremembermostis JaimeCassidy'sshotfortheNCAAtourna¬ mentbidatAlfond[Arena]."Typically'for thislegendary'teamplay'er,theshotisnot herown.■
Fromelegantdecortosuperbcuisine,you’ll findaworldofdelightsthroughourdoors. Call888-798-9090forreservationsorvisit wtvw.portlandharborhotel.comtodav.
(<££»«/ Wcw now distinguished as Portlands only cif qy hotel with a A/\A 4-Diainond rating.
FINDING FORD Richard Ford could be anywhere in the world. Where does this writer find him? In the heart of Maine's literary community.
BY LINDSAY STERLING
You’llwanttohavemorethan oneofthisfunctionalandversatile Ponchoinyourwardrobethisyear. Smartanddependable,thePoncho isavailableinawiderangeof colorchoices. The Casco Bay Poncho
SomewhereinMaine,ayoungwriter isdepressed.She'sbeenworkingon herfirstnovelforfouryearsand feelsisolatedandalone.Whatshe wouldlike,sheconfidestoafriend, isforanicefour-colormagazinetocallherup andaskhertodoarealstorythatgetspub¬ lished.Thenextday,theeditorfromanice four-colormagazinecalls."Canyoudoa story?WeneedyoutointerviewRichard Ford."TheRichardFord?TirePulitzerPrize¬ winningwriterofTheSportswriter,Indepen¬ denceDay,RockSprings,andAMultitudeof Sins,allofwhichshehasheardwonderful thingsabout,but-damn!-hasneverread? "Youhavethreeweeks."Gulp."Goodluck findinghim."
Fordcouldbeanywhereintheworld. Hehaslivedinmoreplacesthanmost Mainersvisitintheirlifetimes:Mississippi, Arkansas,Louisiana,Montana,France, Mexico. Who would know how to find him?Shee-mailsLongfellowBooks.Within hours,ChristopherBowe,theco-ownerof thebookstore,hastalkedtoFordathis Montanaranch."Icangiveyouhisphone number,"Bowesays,"butonlyifyoubum itafteryoucall.He'saveryprivateman." Sheaccedeslikeacharacterinafablewho thinksshe'sgettingwhatshewants.
Thatnight,inadarkhouseinFreeport, abedsidelampilluminatesherfirstexperi¬ encewithFord'swords."InHaddam,sum¬ merfloatsovertree-softenedstreetslikea sweetlotionbalmfromacareless,lan¬ guorousgod,andtheworldfallsintune withitsownmysteriousanthems."She readsthelineagain,wonderswhatit means,andkeepsreading,hopingshe'll findout.
Thenextday,nervously,shecallsFord. Hisvoiceissouthern,nicebutfirm. "Why do you want to interview me?" Apparently,helikestokickoffaninterview withaquestionofhisown.
Someoneatthemagazinethinksyouspend timeinMaine."IliveinMaine!"Hecon¬ firms."Ijustcomeouthere[toMontana]for thefall."
Isyourwifeouttherewithyou?(Allhis booksarededicatedtoKristina.)"No,shes notouthere."
Soyou'reouttherealone?"No,I'mnotout herealone.I'mgoingpheasanthunting withmyfriendwho'slivingnexttomy houseinanAirstreamtrailer."
Doyougetlonelyworkingonanovel?You havetobesoisolated."Iliketobeisolated.I don'tliketobealone."
Sheisastounded,seeingthedifference forthefirsttime.
ThenFordsays,"Canwedothislater? I'mworkingonabook,andIdon'tdointer¬ viewswhenI'mworkingonabook."
Why?"BecauseifIdo,themagazine publishessomething1say,andthenIfor¬ get."
Howaboutwedon'ttalkaboutthenew book? "Well then what would we talk about?"
Hozoaboutyourfavoriteplacetoeatin Maine?"That'snotinteresting!"
Howdoyouknow?"BecauseI'vedone fourthousandinterviews."
1couldinterviewyoulikeyou'reoneofmy characters."Nonono,Idon'twanttodo that,"helaughs.
Okaythen,whenwillyourbookbedone?"In 2005.It'llbeoutin2006orso."
Whatwouldyoulikemetotellthemaga¬ zine?"TellthemI'mgratefulforthemaga¬ zine'sinterest,butnotnow.I'mwritinga book."
Shefeelslikeapunchingbagstillindent¬ edfromthejab.Butthen,somewheredeep inside,avoicesays,bringiton.Thevoice isn'ttalkingtoFord,exactly,buttotheether wherethestoryabouthimresides.Ford himselfoncewrote,"Awriteralwaysstarts withnothing."Andso,herethisyoung writeriswiththeultimatechallenge.Sure, fictionwriterscreatesomethingoutofnoth¬ ingallthetime,butwhataboutnonfiction writers?Canshepublishaninterview aboutnotdoinganinterview?Thatvoice again.Bringiton.
Shefeelssick.Isshereallyabouttobend topaparazzilows,usingthemostmundane encounterwithafamousperson,without hisconsent,simplvbecausefamouspeople areendlesslyinterestingandsheneedsto getpublished?Isshereallygoingtocry FirstAmendmentrights?Especiallyafter Mr.Fordkindlysuggestedinpartingthat sheaskBowdoinCollegeifshecansitinon oneofhisspringclasses.Andyet,shecan't resistsomethingthatFordoncequotedas drivinghisownwriting:"Theincurable :maniaofwantingtomaketheunknown ■known."WhoisthisRichardFordcharacter anywav?
ThenMelissaColeman,afellowwriter,
February3-26,2005
Opening reception: Thursday,February3,5-7p.m.
This New York/Monhegan artist, who trained with Hans Hofmann and Robert Motherwell, turned her early colorful, yet non-objective, palette outward over the decades to focus on the tangible world of Nature. She danced between the representa¬ tionalandtheabstract.
Dependable, Neighborly Service Falmouth • Falmouth Shopping Center 781-3136 Biddeford • 124 Elm St. 282-5156
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bumpsintoheratStarbucksandtellsher. "RichardFord!"Colemansays."Hecameto a class at the Stonecoast Writer's Conference.Hewasreallypersonable.A soft-spoken,kind,generouspersonwho walkedinwhileAnthonyWaltonwaslec¬ turing.Thereissomethingmysticalabout him.Silverhair,blueeyes.He'sotherworld¬ lysomehow."
Isthewriterpreparedtomiffaliterary god?
Thesynchronicityofherlifeoflate seemstosay,Fatethinksit'sokay.Whyelse wouldtheeditorgranttheonesingular wishthatmanagedtosproutoutofher depression?Whyelsewouldthebookstore ownerknowFord?WhyelsewouldCole¬ manwalkinatthatmomentwithpertinent information?Aresuchconnectionsunder¬ lyingalloflife,usuallyundetected?Doall ofussecretlyhavetheabilitytofindtheelu¬ siveFordatthedropofahatorissome¬ thingspecificandbizarrehappening?It feels-sheknowsitsoundscrazy,butshe doesundeniablyfeel-thatsheisliving
insideanalready-formednonfictionstory, onlyabletoseeasfarasitispresently formedinthemindofitswriter,whichisto say,barely.
Ford,inhisessay,"WhereDoesWriting ComeFrom?"says,"Thetrueconnections [thatendupcreatingastory]mightnever reallybetraceablebecausetheyexistonlyin thatmurky,silentbutfecundinterstellar nightwhereimpulse,freeassociation, instinctanderrorreign."Error.Thereinlies theterrorofthisyoungwriter'sdecision-to writeornottowritetheFordpiece?Therein liestheterrorofeverydecisionawriter makes,thethingthatcausedhalfofthe fourth-gradewritersshetutoredyearsback tolookupattheceiling,chokethepencil withstillness,doanythingbutputsome¬ thingwrongdownonpaper.Lnthiswriter's case,shecouldwritesomethingmorally wrong,perhapsartisticallywrong.Inher students'cases,itwasmostlyafearof spellingwrong.Buttheaitemative-towrite nothingatall-shetoldherstudentsthen, andistellingherselfnow,isn'tanoption.
Colemangoeson,fillingthewriterinon hisplaceinliterature."Hecomesfroman oldergenerationofwriterslikeHeming¬ way,Faulkner,andGrahamGreene.His voiceisdetachedfromtheworldinaway. Alotofothercontemporarywritingis aboutme,me,me.Ford'snarratorsare alwaysverydetached,especiallyinhis shortstories.They'rewrittenwiththe'I' voice,butit'saverysubtle'I.'It'sthat detachmentthatallowsreaderstoform theirownopinionsaboutwhathe'ssaying. Otherwritersaremorebluntaboutwhat thereader'sconclusionshouldbe.Richard Fordtakesaphotographoflifeandletsthe readerstruggletofigureoutwhatit'sapic¬ tureof.He'schoosingwhattoshow,but yougettodecidewhatitmeans."
Sooutofalltheplacesintheworld,why isFordlivinginMaine?In Maine:The Seasons, hewrites,"Youcanseemore now...Thewhiteghostsofsummervillas showup,flushagainsttheshallowbluffsof trees.(Insummerallwouldseemshielded, snuggedup,private.)Outonanearly
morningyonseetheruckedbottomsof workingboatshauledupdryandnestedin cradlesbesidethesummerfloatsstackedin thecomersoftheboatyards."InaBowdoin newsannouncement.Fordisquoted:"I haveafriend,[writer]AnthonyWalton, whocametoteachatBowdoin.Heasked metocomegiveareading,soIcameup andsawBowdoinandthoughtitwasater¬ rificplace.OfalltheplacesI'velived—and I'velivedinalotofplacesinAmericaMaineistheplaceIfeelmostcomfortable."
Bowe,ofLongfellowBooks,lendshis perspectiveonwhyRichardFordandhun¬ dredsofotherwritersmakeMainetheir home."Writers,inmyopinion,chooseplaces likeMaineorMontanabecausetheyneedthe space,theopenplacesthatallowtheirfertile mindstoproduce.Theyliketohaveacom¬ munitytoreachouttobuttheylikethiscom¬ munitytobeatarm'slength.Maineisthe typeofplacewherepeopledoforthemselves whatneedsdoing.Weareanindependent, resourceful,andgroundedpeople.Theseare traitsthatservewriterswell."
Thewriterfindsherselfdrivingoutalong ParadisePointRoadinEastBoothbay, standingonthestreetwhereFordlives(Mr. ElusiveislistedlikeanyoldJoeinthephone book,minusthestreetnumber).She's parkedinthedrivewayofanemptyrental
cottagelookingoutontoacalmcove.I’he rentalownercomesouttochat."Thecoveis theonlypartthatfreezesbecausethere's freshwaterthere.Therearebigicefloes everywhereelseandlotsofducks.Themer¬ gansersarealreadyhere.There'saloon," shepoints.Thewritertellsheraboutthe searchforFord;thewomansmiles,"You're veryclose."
Doyouknowhim?
"Oh,yes.Hehasaverywrysenseof humor.Hehasavery'outgoingside.One Saturday'hecametoapartyofours.Fieleft beforethefoodcameoutbecausehehadto gowrite."
Wanderingfurtherdownthestreet,trac¬ ingtheverytipofthepeninsula,aslateblue houseloomsupwithawoodensignthat say's,"Ford."Herethegranitecoastgives waytoswishinglime-greenseaweed,then openwater,distantfadedislands,andfin¬ ally’glimpsesofthatflatlinewherebig, far-away'oceanmeetsbig,far-away'sky', thatlinewecanseefromadistance,but nevertouch.■
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Ifthewildhorsasand burros were not removed fromtherangelands, they'ddieofdehydration andstarvation
orunexpectedlove,thesesmallsturdyhors¬ esnativetothewesternplainsareequally outofplaceandparticularlybeautifulmisfits inMaine,thoughthey'velongbeenconsid¬ eredoutlawsamongthehorseyset.
DrivingalongWestStreetandseeing themoutthereinthesnow,youcan'thelp butwonder,“Haven'tweseenthismovie before?Anddidn'titstarClarkGableand MarilynMonroe?"
"I'vefalleninlovewiththesemustangs becausetheirchancesoffindinghomesare slimunlesssomeonehelpsthem,"says horserescuerMonaJerome,explainingher keeninterestinabreedoftenconsideredthe equivalentofamutt.ClarkGable'scowboy inTheMisfitsdisparaginglyreferstomus¬ tangsas"chicken-feedhorses,"goodfor nothingotherthanmakingdogfoodorcat food.Inthemovie,oldcowboyscatchwild mustangsinthedesertnearReno,tieold automobiletiresaroundtheirnecks,and moorthemoutthereunderthestarsuntila truckpicksthemthenextdaytotakethem totheslaughterhouse.
Fortyyearslater,thebreedisstillbat¬ tered,insulted,andlookingforlove.
"Noteverybodyneedstohaveahorse withpapersandchampionbloodlines," Jeromesniffs."Youknow,youdon'tneed thattogoonatrailride.Thesearewonder¬ fultrailhorses."
Betterstill,youcanbuya2005mus¬ tangforasuggesteddonationofjust S600ifyouhavethelovetobackup thebucks.
Jerome,whohasbeensavingmustangs since1981,isthefounderandpresidentof theEverAfterMustangRescue,Training, andEducationalCenteratBushBrook,a nonprofitorganizationdedicatedtorescu¬ ingandrehabilitatingpreviouslyadopted mustangs,findingthemnewhomes,and offeringlifetimecaretounadoptablehorses ofallbreeds.Andevenwildhorsescouldn't dragthis66-year-oldgreat-grandmother whostillmucksoutstallsawayfromher save-a-mustangmission.
"The30[mustangs]Ihaveatmybarn areonlyasmalldropinthebucketofthe numberthathavebeenadoptedouttothe generalpublicwho donotkeep them," Jeromesays."Theywillliveouttheirlives
Shopping for a 2005 Mustang? For a dona¬ tionofjust$600,you can buy one of these ifyouhavethelove tobackupthebucks.
hereif1can'tplacethem,butI'mtryingto placethemingoodhomes-andIamvery pickyaboutwheretheygo."
Jeromeacquireshermustangsfromindi¬ viduals,agencies,andhorsedealersorpur¬ chasesthemoutrightthroughthefederal BureauofLandManagement'sNational WildHorseandBurroProgram.
UndertheWildFree-RoamingHorses andBurrosAct,afederallawpassedin 1971,theBLMischargedwithprotecting, managing,andcontrollingallthewildhors¬ esandburrosfoundin10westernstates: Arizona,California,Colorado,Idaho,Mon¬ tana,Nevada,NewMexico,Oregon,Utah, andWyoming.Eachyear,8,000to10,000of theanimalsarecorralledandsoldatauc-
tioninanefforttopreventoverpopulation.
"Ifthewildhorsesandburroswerenot removedfromtherangelands,they'ddieof dehydrationandstarvation,"saysprogram spokeswomanJanetNeal.
Sadly,notalladoptionsaresuccessful. "Peopleloseinterestbecausewildhorses areskittish,"Jeromesays."Someofthem haveneverhadastableroofovertheir headsbeforetheygethere.Butifyoudon't workwiththem,theygetworseandworse, andtheygrowfurtherawayfromusand it'shardertomakethatcontact."
ConsiderCharlotte,abaymarerounded upinNevadaandadoptedbyafruitfarmer inupstateNewYorkwhoforvearslether runfreeinhisorchards.Whenthefarmer diedsuddenly,Charlotte-15yearsoldand completelyuntamed-wasmovedtoBush Brook,whereshe'sadjustingtoanenviron¬ mentthatsurelychafesagainstinstinct.
"She'ssweet,sweetnatured,"Jerome saysofCharlotte,whoplayfullynudgesat thebulgingappleinavisitor'scoatpocket untilshe'sfed."She'sreadytohaveahome, butitneedstobeariderwho'llbepatient withher.She'swhatwecallgreenbroke-
undersaddle,butshe'shadnoexperiences anddoesn'tknowawholelot."
Gingerhasadarkbrowncoatwithwhite socks."Tirepeoplewhogavehertouslether runfreefor13yearsofherlife.Doyousee? She'sstillwearingthepinkribbontheyput onhertailsoshewouldn'tbeshotbyhunt¬ ers.Shehasn'tbeenmistreated;herprogno¬ sisisexcellent."
GoodasGoldisan11-year-oldcream¬ coloredgeldingwithaflaxenmaneandtail, alsocapturedontheNevadadesertbut adoptedbysomeoneinPennsylvania,even¬ tuallyendingupatanauctioninSkow¬ hegan."Thishorsehasdefinitelybeenabused,"Jeromesaysangrily,mentioningthat tirepalominoreceivesmassagetherapyfrom apractitionerwithhumanclientswhodo¬ natesherservices."He'salwayssotense. He'salwaysonthedefensive,buthe'sgotan extremelykindeye."
HispenmateisThunder."Thunderar¬ rivedonJuly4lastsummer.Hewasadopted
THEMISFITS "Ineverthoughtofit much,butIguessthe feweryoukill,the worseitlooks." DirectedbyJohnHustonin1961, screenplaybyArthurMiller, The Misfits wasGarkGable'sandMarilyn Monroe'slastfilm.Fewmoviesbetter charttheroughterritorybetween thewildandthetame.
asathree-year-oldbyaprivateparty.The samepeoplekepthimforfiveyearsbutthey neverdidanythingwithhim,neversocial¬ izedhimwithotherhorses.Thenacarcino¬ mabegantocoverhiseyeandtheowners ignoredit.Sobythetimewegothim,he'd lostthateye.He'saccustomedtostayingout¬ doors,awayfromtheothersexceptforGood asGold.Theytolerateeachother."Sothere's aone-eyedhorseouthereatnight,underthe moon."He'sachallenge,"shesays."Buthe's worthit.
"BraveHeartisrealpushy.Hetoremy rotatorcuffnudgingmethewayhewould anotherhorse.Hedoesn'trealizeI'mnot strongenough!
"RenoistheonlyoneI'veadoptedfrom tlieBureauofLandManagement.He'sbeen here18years.Littlechildrencanridehim. He'sourambassador.Hespendsallofhis timewithaburronamedChalupa,who's beenherethreeyears.They'reinseparable. "Ladywasblackwhenwefirstgother. We'vegrowngraytogether.She'stakensuch goodcareofme!Seehowfriendlysheis? She's21."
Thenthere'sNevada-hewaschronicled inthesepagesayearago("TheMisfits," Winterguide2004]whenhewasatBush Brookforaweekof"sensitizing."Itseemsto havetaken.StillownedbyaBuxtonwoman, "Nevada'snowunderthesaddle,"says Jerome."HewenttotheCumberlandFair withacoupleofourhorses.
"Elephantsneverforgetandneverforgive,"Jeromesays."Well,horsesneverfor¬ getbuttheydoforgive,andwehavethatin ourfavor.
MemberProfile MEMBER NAME: HELENE MICHALSKI occupation: BusinessOwner
PORTLAND ATHLETIC CLUB MEMBER SINCE: 2000
FAVORITE workout: Working out with my personohrainer ortakngthestepclasses.
PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY ON FITNESS: himportantformymenialhealthandenergyleveltomaintaina workoutroutineinmydailyschedule.Itkeepsmebalanced.My philosophy^strifewhetherItakeobriskwalkoravisittothe club,ItryK^^MMw'liveaspossible.PortlandAthleticClub mpkesit e$y Jprt of my routine, because of the comfortable atmosphere andVari^/ I can gel with each workout.
■ THE WILD EAST Insuccessfulcasesthemomentoffor¬ givenessisquitepoignant.EllieRoseof Norfolk,Massachusetts,adoptedShamray fromJeromein1991when"shewastwo andaswillfulasanytwo-year-oldchild.
"Atfirst,she'dstrikeoutwithherfront legs-rearup,"Rosesaysonthetelephone. "Atothertimes,youcouldgroomheror putthesaddleonher.Butshealwayshada verygoodnature.Ithinkshewastestingto seehowfarshecouldgo."
RaisingShamray'hasturnedouttobe wellworththeride."Youneedtobepa¬ tient,"the50-year-oldmotherofthreeadvises anyoneinterestedinowningawildhorse. "Youneedtobeunderstanding.Andyoujust needtolovethem...Withmustangs,youneed togettheirtrust.Onceyouhavetheirtmst, they'lldoanythingforyou."
ThespunkyJerome,whohasridden sinceshewasagirl,identifieswiththe plightofwildmustangs.LikeGable tellsMarilynMonroe,"They'renothingbut misfithorses,honey."ButevenGable's weather-beatencowboyisseducedbytheir free-spiritedbeautyandeventuallygivesup mustanging,saying:"It'slikeropinga dreamnow."
Jeromeoftenwondersifherdreamof savingthemustangsisn'tequallyelusive.
"SometimesIaskmyselfifthisisn't,at myage,partofsenility,"shejokesabouther passionatecommitmenttothesehorses whoaredirectlydescendedfromhorses broughtinbytheSpaniards."Ilovehorses. Ialwayshave.Idon'tknowwhereitcomes from.Iguessit'sjustborniny'ou.
"1sawmyfirstwildhorseinanold WesternwhenIwasakid-andwe'retalk¬ ingnow[the]earlytomid1940s,"shesays. "Andwhen1sawthewildhorses,1knewI neededtohaveoneofthose."
Thiswinter,Jeromeissurroundedby30 misfits,"morethanIcanreallyhandleor afford,"andkeepingthemallhasrequireda quietheroism.Itcosts$1,500amonthto board,feed,andprovideveterinarycarefor themustangs"though,realistically,thatfig¬ ureshouldbeabout$4,000,"saysJerome,an LPNwhocameoutofretirementtocarefor nunsinaconventinfirmarythreenightsa weektosupportherbelovedequines."Ineed aslushfund,"shesaysasthestabledoor openstoshowalightsnowbeginningtofall.
Themustangrescue,whichreceivedits nonprofit501(c)statusin2003,scrapesby
onJerome'sincome,spottydonations,and fundraiserslikeitsongoingbottledrive,a raffle,andadanceatthelocalVFWhall. Shereliesonherhusbandof44years, Bradford,aSecretServiceretiree;threeof herfourchildrenwholiveinthearea;and uptoadozenvolunteerstokeeptheopera¬ tionrunning,albeitataslowgait.
VolunteerChrissyParise,asenioratthe UniversityofNewEngland,spendsabout 12hoursaweekatBushBrookworking withthemustangs,abreedthathascap¬ turedherheart."Themostrewardingpart iswhenyouhaveananimalthat'sscaredof you,andyouworkwithhim,andthenhe's, like,yourbestfriend,"say’sParise,21.
Sowhathappensify’oudon'trescueamus¬ tang?"MostofthemwouldgorightintoCan¬ adaandslaughter,"Jeromesays."It'sillegalto captureorshootanywildmustangongovern¬ mentland."ThoughnecessityforcedNapol¬ eon'stroopstoeattheirhorsesduringthe seigeonRussia,nowhorsemeatisindemand as"meatforgourmetEuropeantables.
"1wantthatstressed,"Jeromeinstructs, "becauseifthey’weregoingtoThirdWorld countriestofeedthestarving...!wouldn't likeit,but1mightbeabletolivewithit."
InnaminghernonprofitEverAfter MustangRescue,Jeromehasleftoutthe wordtooobvioustomention."Itjustgoes backtochildhoodandallthestoriesIloved thatendedhappily'everafter,"sheexplains. "Istilllookforthatinmystoriesandmy' movies.1likethat-happily'everafter.We hopeitturnsoutthatway’fortheseguys."■
For information about adopting or fostering a mustang, or volunteering or becoming a drill¬ team member at Ever After Mustang Rescue, visit www.mustangrescue.org, or contact Mona Jerome at 463 West Street, Biddeford 04005, mustangs1@earthlink.net or 284-7721. IntheheartofBethel,
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Humor doesn't always leave you laughing. Sometimesitelicitsa groan,asmile,orjusta puzzled expression. The humble Farmer shares his unique dry wit. BY ROBERT SKOGLUND ILLUSTRATIONS BY JAMES PARKER
Whatisdry?Whenaskedaboutdry stories,I'mremindedofaneven¬ ingvisitwithLawyerCrandall andJulianRubenstein.Julianshowedusa bookhewasreadingaboutthegoodold daysinSpain-whentheyusedtobumpeo¬ pleatthestake.AccordingtoJulian,ifyour friendsheardyouweregoingtobeburned atthestaketheywouldattempttobribethe fellowinchargeofthefiretousegreen wood.Crandallsaid,“Whathappenedif theyusedgreenwood?"andJuliansaid, "Thesmokewouldsnuffyouinawink." Crandallsaid,"Whathappenedifthey useddrywood?"AndJuliansaid:"Ifthey useddrywood,Iimagineyouwoulddesic¬ cateratherrapidly."AndCrandallsaid: "Gee,ifit'dbeenme,Iprobablywould havebeforetheylitthefirstmatch."
Whatisdry?Peoplefromawaymight tellyouthatdryisanative'sabilitytoartic¬ ulatehissentimentsinsuchasuccinctand obliquemannerthathebecomesincompre-
Press Herald
608CongressStreet,Portland,Maine
Enjoy the Freedom of the Great Outdoors hensible.Butdryisreallynomorethana clevercircumlocutionorapunchlinethat doesn'tneedtobesaid.
Thefewerwordsusedinadrycom¬ ment,thebetter."Whensomefanaticsfrom SaudiArabiarammedaplaneintoabuild¬ inginNewYork,BushattackedIraq.Todav therearepeopleinPeruwhothankGod thatthemensteeringtheplaneweren't fromEcuador."
Althoughitcanbedifficulttolocatethe originofdrystories,thenexttwofirst appearedinmynewspapercolumn.Iwill denyincourtthattheyweretopicalcom¬ mentariesontwoofmyneighbors.
GrampWileysaid,"In1905UncleEm ranfordogcatcher.Wentaroundknocking ondoorsjustlikeyou'ddotoday,askingfor votes.Everythingwentwelluntilthethird daywhenabigblackdogcameright throughascreendoorandmuckledhimby theleg.UncleErnfoughtoffthedogand threedayslaterhewassittinginhisrocking chairwithhisfeetintheovenwhenhis buddylawyerSlinedroppedin.WhenSline heardwhathadhappenedhetoldEmthat hecouldsuethedog'sowner$5fortinetom pants.AndwhenhefoundoutthatEm couldn'tevenwalkhetoldEmthathe'dalso suethedog'sowner$1,000forlossofcon¬ sortium."Isaid,"DidUncleErncollect $1,000forthislossofconsortiumthing?" Grampsaid,"Nohedidn't.WhenUncle Em'swifefoundoutwhatlossofconsortium was,shejumpedupincourtanddemanded paymentsfortineprevioustenyears."
MyfriendWinkyreadinthepaperthat theywerelookingforanambulanceatten¬ dantdowninSt.George.Heapplied-and hegotthejob.MyoldneighborGramp Wileywasnottoopleasedwhenheheard aboutit-he's79yearsold-he'saconcerned party.Hesaid,"Winkycan'tworkonthat ambulance.Winkyisstupid.Hegetsevery¬ thingbackendto.Itwouldbejustmyluck tohaveWinkyshowuponthatambulance 2o'clocksomemorningwhenI'mlying
hereonthekitchenfloorneedingatube shoveddownmythroat."
Anyprofessionalstorytellerknowsthat anopenbarorwineonthebanquettable killsanypossibleresponsefromtheambu¬ lancestory.Thisiswhyhumoristsbegtobe introducedtotheiraudiencesbefore8:30 p.m.Ifyou'renotunderwayinfrontofyour audiencebythen,yourbestdrystoriesare justaboutasusefulasextraanchorsina sinkingskiff.
Tobefair,here'sadrystoryIdidn'tget, andIwasstonecoldsoberwhenIheardit. SeemsasMrs.Jenkinsapproachedthedean atBowdoinCollegeandofferedtodonatea S10millionbuildingifthey'dgiveherhorse acollegedegree.Whenthedeandiscussedit withtheboard,themoneytalkedanditwas agreedthatthehorsewouldgraduatefrom Bowdoin.Theincidentwarrantedattention becauseitwasthefirsttimeBowdoinhad evergivenadegreetotheentirehorse.
ATVcommercialIwrotefortheMaine SeatbeltCoalitionissomewhatdry.It showedmyfriend,StanleyFrench,leaning ontirehoodofacarinhisSouthThomaston junkyard.Thecarhadhitatreebutthedriv¬ erhadkeptrightongoing.Youcanseetears streamingdownStanley'sfaceasyouhear myvoicesarong:"NothingbothersStanley anymorethanseeingacarbroughtinhere, oneofIrisbestfriendswasdrivingwithout wearingaseatbelt.Youknow,Stanleycould havesoldthatwindshieldfor$65."
ThelategreatJohnGouldpublishedtwo drystoriesthatIuseonstage.Within30 yearsonlyafewanthropologistswill understandtheoneaboutMr.Cobb,the richBostonmerchant,whomadeafishing triptoRangeleyeveryfall.OneyearMr. CobbarrivedattheRangeleyHoteltofind thathisguidewassick,soheaskedthe hotelkeeperwhattodo.Noproblem.Tire bestguideinMaine,Mr.Hoar,livedin Rangely,andhewouldbegladtotakeMr. Cobboutonthelake.Noonewhosawthe firstmeetingbetweenthesetwogreatmen willeverforgetit.Mr.Cobbswaggeredup
■HUMOR toMr.Hoar,heldouthishand,and smirked,"Mr.Hoar,hah?Isupposeyou knowwhatwedowithHoarsinBoston." AndMr.Hoarsaid,"NoIdon't,butIdo knowwhatwedowithCobbsinRangeley."
WhentheministercameovertoWinky's farm,hedidwhatcallingclergyalwaysdo: hetriedtosaysomethinggoodabout everything."Nicelookingcowyouhave there.""Thankyou,sir.Thankyou.""Nice lookingchickens.""Thankyou,sir."That's anicelookingassyouhaveoverthere." AndWinkyturnedallredandhidhisface inhishands.Theministerlookedsurprised andsaid,"What'sthematterwithyou? Haveyounotreadthescripture?Didnot ourSaviorrideintotownonthebackofan ass?Thereisnothingwrongwiththat word,andIdon'tyoutoblushwhenyou hearsomeoneusingit.AndIdon'twant youtorefrainfromusingit."
Winkytookallofthistoheart.Thenext timetheministercametocall,theanimal haddied,andWinkywasoutinthefield withashovelinhishandsburyingit.
TheministerwalkeduptoWinkyand said,"Hi,whatareyoudiggingthere,a posthole?"
TheworstthingIsawwhilewalking aroundthefairgroundsuptoGrayDays was16,17-year-oldgirlswearingshortswithtattoosontheirlegs.Youknow,if they'dwait40yearstheycouldbespared theexpense.
Sometimesdryhappens.Allyouneedto doiswriteitdown:TwentyyearsagoIwas watchingatugofwarattheWinterHarbor LobsterFestival.Youmightknowthatthe tugofwarispopulardownonthecoast becauseit'scheap.Alltheyhavetobuyis theropeandthemedicalinsurancepolicy forpossibleinjury,andallthesurrounding townssendintheirchamps.Theywere therefromWinterHarbor,BassHarbor,Bar Harbor,PulpitHarbor,SouthwestHarbor, TenantsHarbor,andBeals.BecauseIwasat least100milesfromhome1wassurprised tolookupandseemySt.Georgeneighbor,
BernardDavis,standingnexttome.At40, Daviswasstillanexceptionallyhandsome fellowwhotradedinhisgirlfriendandhis Corvetteevery'yearforamodelwithfewer miles.Forhalfanhourwewatchedtwenty menyankandpullontheendsofawicked longpieceoflinethatTeddyKennedy couldhaveusedtoanchorhisyacht-orpull acaroutofthewater.Andoneachend, withthehawsertiedaroundtheirwaists, weretworathersubstantialwomenwho servedasanchorpersons.Movingeither oneofthemwouldbejustlikepullingup anoakstump.Whentheyfinallydeter¬ minedwhothechampswereandeveryone walkedofftogettheirbasketofseafood,I kickedatthathawserthey'ddroppedon thegroundandsaid,"HeyBoy.Idon'tcall thatmuchofacontest.Tellyouwhat.I'llgo getallofmygirlfriendsandyougogetall ofyourgirlfriends,andthatwillgiveus twoteamsforarealtugofwar."Davissaid, "Goodidea.I'llgogetmorerope."
Inthe1950s,Bernard'sfather,Giant Davis,boughtlobstersonadockinPort Clyde.Onedayafellowcamealongsideat lowwaterandholleredup,"HeyGiant.You wannabuysomelobsters?"
"No."
"Whynot?"
"Iwouldn'tknowwhotopay."* "li.e.,Iknewnotfromwhomyoustolethem.]
Giant'sisthebestdrystory71everunder¬ stood,butitiscertainlynotthedrieststoryI everheard.YouandIcannotappreciatethe drieststory7weeverheardbecausewedidn't understandit.Maineisfullofpeoplewhose abilitywiththeobliquedryphrasewillnever beapplaudedbecausetlierestofuswillnever figureoutwhattheirwordsreallymeant.And heremyfriend,thevenerablejudgeSam CollinsinRockland,comestomind.Sam oncesaidsomethingthatIhadtothinkabout forsixmonthsbeforeIlaughed.Huttisdry7.■
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LADDER A hero of the 1866 Portland fire, William Wilburforce Ruby wasalsoamoverandshakerincitypolitics,arestauranteur, andanactivistfortherightsofAfricanAmericans.
BY WINSTON MCGILL
oftenhearthethatMainersrequirenospecial sensitivitytoracialmattersbecause'thereare onlywhitepeopleuphere.'Nottruetoday, nottrueever.BeyondtheNativeAmericans whofirstblazeditsfootpaths,Portland,asa seaporttradingwiththeWestIndies,wasfullof peopleofcolor.Throughtheyearsoneofthem continuestofascinateme.Forthoseofuswho mistakemetobethefirstAfrican-American firefighterinthiscity,I'dliketointroduceyouto WilliamWilburforceRuby.Hebravedthecity's flamesalmost150vearsearlier.
It'sJuly4,1866,andmisdirectedfireworks havesetPortlandinflames.TheJ.B.Brown molassesfactoryisengulfedinblackpillarsof smoke,makingthecitysmelleerilylikeburnt sugar.TheOldPortandmostofCongress Streetareabouttodisappear.Wildpanic makesthethunderous,toweringheatwaves cracklingwithfireevenmoredeadly.And throughthepagesofhistoryitisablackman whoisrememberedtobefirstshoutingthe alarmandattemptingcrowdcontrolinthe streetsasthelargestfireyettooccurinthe
TheGreatPortlandFireof1866, oiloncanvasby GeorgeF.Morse.1927.Thispaintingwascreated morethan50yearsafterthefirebutcaptures thedevastationofthistragiceventOver300 acresofthecityburned.
UnitedStatesresultsin$12millioninlosses andleaves12thousandresidentshomeless.
WilliamRubyrunsfromstreettostreet, directingpeopletosafety,aPaulRevere aheadofafarmoredeadlyenemywith flamesthreestorieshigh.Thenheleads crewsfightingtheconflagrationthatstill frightenustodaywithimagesfromhistoric paintingsoftheperiod.
Itrvtocarryhissenseofcalmwithme andIhope1conductmyselfwithequal courageanddignitywheneverIamcalled torespondtoafirealarmtoday.
DescendedfromRuby'saunt,retired AssociatedPressreporterBobGreeneofSouth Portlandrelatesthefamilylore:Rubywas
CaliforniaGoldRush.Asateenager,William wasatorchboyforthecityfiredepartment, lightingthewayforfirefightersasthey gropedthroughthesmoketowardafire.
OncebackinPortland,hisfamilywas activeintheabolitionmovementand amongthefoundersoftheAbyssinian MeetingHouseonFederalStreet.Rubywas notonlyafirefighterherebutalsotheowner ofseveralrestaurantsaswellasamember ofPortland'sCityCommittee,predecessor oftoday'scitycouncil.
RisinguptheladderofPortland'sFire Department,RubywaselectedtotheBoard ofEngineers(theequivalentoftoday's deputychief)for1888-1889,andhewasa memberofMachigonneFireCompanyNo.
Ruby'scontemporariesdescribedhimas "amanofgreatstrengthandpersonal courage,whowasneveratalossinacritical momentandcouldberelieduponwhen placedinagivenspottoremainthereuntil orderedelsewhere."
Forgenerations,hisfamilymadean impactasactivistsadvocatingtherights andfreedomofAfricanAmericanshere. Rubyhadthreechildren,William,Jr.,Earl Chester,andSarah.
"IknewWilliam,Jr.,"Greenesays."Wil' liam,Jr.,whopassedawayin1961,had threechildren-Earle,Marguerite,and Gladys.Marguerite’ssonEugeneJacksonis stillliving.
"BorninPortlandin1923,Eugenewas
raisedbyhisgrandparents-hegraduated fromPortlandHighSchoolin1941and BostonUniversityin1948.HewasaTus¬ kegeeAirmanandhasahouseonMartha's Vineyard.Eugene'swifeConniehasaPh.D. ineducationfromBostonUniversity.She usedtoteachreadingprogramsintheBos¬ tonschools,"Greenesays.
Peoplewhoblindthemselvestotheex¬ ploitsofheroessuchasWilliamW.Ruby because'therearesofewpeopleofcolor'in Maineareignoringthefacts.Formeandoth¬ ers,Rubywillalwaysbelightingtheway.
WilliamWRubydiedMarch2,1906.He isinterredattheForestCityCemeteryin SouthPortland.■
WinstonMcGillisaPortlandfirefighter,areal¬ estate agent, and former president of the Portland NAACP.
m<x>nlightglide,amidnightslide.
AFew experiences can beat cross¬ countryskiingbythelightofafull moon-except perhaps a summer sail under thestars.Skiingonabrightnight,whenthe snow-frostedLandscapeglittersandtreescast lunar shadows, can turn wen downtown streetsorthekraigolfcourseintoanenchant¬ edlandbathedineerie,surrealnightlight
Thefiveorsixdaysaroundafullmoon bringplentyoflighttoskiby,especially whenstreetlampscastapinkishglowdur¬ ing a snowstorm and new snow softens potentialfalls.
Often,themoonhangsintheskylikea huge medallion. One trip last winter we startedoutjustasthefogrolledin.Awan¬ ing moon shrouded in mysterious clouds createdSurroundingseverybitasexoticas anythingconjuredupbyaHollywixxiset director.Infact,startinganighttimeloopin thetwilightoftheWesternCemeterycan bespookyenoughtohaveonebelievingin werewolves and vampires.
Oneofmyfavoritespotstoskiatnightis
along Portland's Western Prom, with its backsideworthyoftelemarktums-aslongas tliesnowLsdeep.Thestreetlightsmeanskiing allwinterking,too,ifsnowconditionspermit.
The Eastern Prom is an ideal place as welL-anditnotonlyhaslightsandhillyterrain butaspectacularoceanview.
BackCovehasstreetlights,amplepark¬ ing,andgixxiconditionsonlyduringand. rightafterastorm-beforethecityplows anddogwalkersarriveonthescene.
Thebesttimestoskibylunarlightthis winterwillbethenightssurroundingthe fullmoonsofJanuary25,February23,and March25.Themoonrisesjustasthesunsets onthosedays-andrisesaboutanhourlater eachdayafter.
Riverside Golf Course is superb on a brightnight-earlyorlate.Itswideopen areasareinviting,butitsrollingterraincan beachallengeifconditionsareicy.
Talkingaboutice:Afterweeksoffreez¬ inginsub-zeroweather,lickingaroundthe edgesoftheForeRiverinStroudwatercan beadivinespotforamoonlightslide-but
onlyifyouskiabovewheretheheathery grassesareduringthesummerandabsolute¬ lystayawayfromthesaltwaterriveritself. ParkingisconvenientneartheStroudwater trailhead.Hotdogcookedoverasmallstove orathermosfullofhotchocolatetastesre¬ markably wonderful outdoors on a crisp winternight.Butagain,cautionisthewatch¬ wordhere.Don'teventhinkofdoingthis alone,anddon'tconsiderthisoptionunless you'readyed-in-the-woolnativewhoknows exactlywheretheriveris.Eventhenrecon¬ siderdoingit!
Betterstill,tryapost-skidinnerof spaghettiandsaLadatChezMoi.Orfuelup beforehandonabigbowlofsteaminghot soupatSaigonThinhThanhorindulgeina well-earnedapresskibeerandbuigeratBull Feeney'sorSebagoBrewPubintheOldPort. Sowhytryit?Ambience.Whetheryou're onthepromenadesorenjoyingatwilight tourofFortWilliamsoralateeveningskiat Crescent Beach, chances are you'll come homewithasmilefrozenonyourface-and itwon'tbefromthecold.■
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gostraightto theheart BY JULIA KNOX
Araby Rug Asyoushopforyourlovedone thisValentine'sDay,remem¬ berthatthecourseoflovedoes notalwaysflowsmoothly. Bumpsintheroadoftenmake thesmoothstretchessweeter,nottomention surprisesandreversalsoffortune.Weasked areajewelersforstoriestobreakyourheart thisValentine'sDay.Theydidnotdisap¬ point.Herethen,talesofloveandjewelry.
Losttreasure Karen (lot id, Michael Good Designs Ithinkoneofthemostromantic,sweetest storiesinvolvesalostdiamondandanel¬ derlycouple.Ourclientlostherdiamondat aconcert.Leavingthetheater,shenoticed herringlooked'wrong.'Ittookacoupleof secondsforhertoseeshewasmissingthe diamond.Theylookedeverywhereinthe theater,thepathtotheirseats,allaround theseats.Nodiamond.
Severalmonthspassedastheytriedto getusedtotheideathatwhiletheymight replacethestone,itwouldneverbethe originalstonehe'dgivenherattheiren¬ gagement.Shewas60andheabout75 whentheymarried.Theringhadenormous sentimentalvaluetothem.Thewholeidea ofthislossbroketheirhearts.
Theyfinallyarrangedwiththeinsurance companytohavethestonereplacedand pickedoutadesignforthenewring,some¬ thingmoresecurethentheoriginaland designedbyMichaelGood.
ThatThursdaytherewasaconcertand thegentlemantookouthis'dressy'jacket, theoneheusuallyworetoconcerts,puthis handinhispocket,andpulledoutthedia¬ mondwhichhadbeenlodgedinthejacket sincethelasttimetheywenttoaconcert. Shespeculatedthatsinceherhandswere cold,shemusthaveputherhandinhis pockettowarmitandthediamondfellout ofthesetting.
Wedidsettheoldstoneinthenewring.
Long-distancelove ]udv Remolds, 'Ades, Maine Mall Lastyear,ayoungladyandherfriend cameintoourstoretobrowse.Afterafew minutesoftryingonsomebeautiful engagementrings,hercellphonerang.The callseemedtoreallyexciteher,andshewas prettyemotional.Afterafewminutesof talkingshehandedmethecellphone.
Puzzled,1saidhelloandadistantvoiceon theotherendsaidthathewasinIraqand hewantedmetolethis"baby"pickout anvengagementringshewanted;hewant¬ edhertohaveitincasehedidn'tmakeit home.Itbroughttearstomyeyes,andshe lookedatme,asking,"What?What!"I gavethephonebacktoherandshesaid hergoodbyes.Wepickedoutaone-and-ahalfcaratengagementring.I'mhappyto reportoursoldiercamehome,Igottomeet him,andthiscoupleishappilyengaged.
Keytohisheart KarenPride.(tross/nielers
AcoupleupfromBostonforthedaycame intoourshop.Thewomanthoughtthey werechoosingagiftfortheman'sdaughter. SelectingourKeytoMyHeart,adelicate andbeautifulskeletonkeyonagoldchain, themanasked,"Whatdoyouthinkof this?"Shereplied,"It'sbeautiful."Heen¬ couragedhertotryiton,butsheprotested, savingshethoughtitwasforhisdaughter. "No,"hesaid."It'sforyou."Flustered,she allowedhimtoputitaroundherneckashe said,"Iwantyoutohaveit."Ithinkatthat momentaglowquietlycameoverheras shefirstrealizedexactlywhereshestood withhim.Thethoughtofthatcouplemade mesmilefortherestofday.
Windowshopping StanPollack,PolitickandSons
ThisgoesbacktowhenwewereonCon¬ gressStreet,about15to20yearsago.Weused tofilloneentirewindowwithdiamonds,each diamondona3x5cardwithadescription.We mighthave500to1,000cardsinthewindow, andpeoplewouldspendalotoftimelooking. Urisonegal,Karen,usedtocometotirewin¬ dow’tokxikatdiamonds.Shepickedoneout andsaid,"Onedaymyboyfriendwillbuyit forme."Karenwouldcomebyfaithfully everydavbetween12:15and12:30tolookat thatdiamondring.Thuswentonformonths. AboutaweekbeforeValentine'sDay,thisfel¬ lowcameinandsaid,"Mygirl'sbeenkxiking atadiamond,andI'dliketopurchaseit.It'sall shetalksabout."Heaskedif,onValentine's Day,we'dreplacethecardwithonethatsaid, "Karenwouldyoumany’me?-Steve."
OnValentine'sDayhehidbehindthe window.Sureenough,rightontimeshe comesuptothewindowandseesthis emptycardwiththewriting.1gaveSteve thesignal,andhepoppedupwiththedia-
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mond,asking,"Willyoumarryme?"She cried,andtheyhuggedandkissedonthe street.Steve'scalledmeseveraltimessince then;they'velongsincemarriedandhad children,andhestillcallsforgifts.
Ataleoftwowives AndrevMalavev.I. OI.Jewelers
Havingjustfinishedanalexandrite-anddiamondnecklaceformywife'sbirthday,I welcomedJan,aloyalcustomer,toour shop.AsJan'sbirthdayandChristmaswere comingup,shewantedsomethingthat wouldbeverysignificanttoher.WhenJan sawthepiece1wasabouttogivemywife, shefellinlovewithitbutwouldneverhave askedmetosellmywife'spresent.Shecon¬ tinuedtobrowsethroughthestore.Finally shesaidshe'dbebackinadayorso.
Thenextday,Jan'shusband,Ron,came inandaskedmeif1hadsomethinghis wifewouldloveforherbirthday.Knowing Janadoredthealexandritenecklace,1called mywifetorevealmysecretaboutherneck¬ laceandaskedifshe'dforgivemeforselling herpresent.Withmywife'sblessing,Ipre¬ sentedthenecklacetoRon,whoexclaimed, "NowIknowwhatIwanttogiveherfor apresent!"
Overtheweekend,Icreatedanewneck¬ laceformywifethatshelovedsomuchthat sheneveraskedabouttheothernecklace.A fewdayslater,Iwashonoredwithavisitby averypleasedcustomerwhoworethe much-lovedalexandritenecklace.
Awalkinthewoods (ierardBianco.Porte4JewelrvandGift Ayoungmantookhisgirlfriendhiking. Afterwalkingquiteadistanceshefounda notepinnedtoatree.Imaginehersurprise whenshediscoveredthenotewasad¬ dressedtoher.Itdirectedhertoanothertree, whereshefoundanothernoteleadingto anothertreeunderwhichwasapileof leaves,underwhichwasaboxthathelda cardwiththewords,"Willyoumarryme?" We'reproudtosayoneofourengagement ringswasinthesamebox.
Kismet JudithBrown,BrownGoldsmith Oneyearamanwantedtogiveatourma¬ lineringtohiswife,soweworkedwithhim andcameupwiththedesign.
Itturnedoutshewasdoingatourmaline ringforhim!They'dbothtraveledover60
milesforthis.Wenoticedthat,astheywere designingtherings,thedesignelements weresosimilaritwasjustamazing.Asthe magicdaygrewnear,wegotnervousthat they'dbothcomeinatthesametime.Less thananhourafterhecameforhers,she cameintopickuphisring.Wejustwould havegivenanythingtobeaflyonthewall astheybothunwrappedBrownGoldsmith tourmalinerings.Alotoftheromanceisin keepingthesecretandthesurprise.
Groundhog Day Donna Thum, S/mn^er's jewelers
Ayounggentlemanlookingatourdia¬ mondengagementringssaid,"I'mgoingto proposeprettysoon,butI'mnotreadyyet." Aweeklaterhecalledexcitedly:"Ineedto doittoday!"Wecouldn'thelpbutask,what changedyourmind?
Itseemstheywererekindlingtheirro¬ mance,andlikeonthemovieGroundhogDay theyweretryingtoduplicateexactlythe magicofthefirstdaytheymet.Heeven arrangedforthewaiteratMargarita'stospill adrinkonher-thesamedrinkthewaiter hadspilledontheirfirstdate.Then,tobreak thespellandcelebrate,hewouldpropose.
Ofcourseshesaidyes!We'reworking ontheirweddingbandstoday.
Awingandaprayer Dan Dostie. j. Dostie
Thismaynotbethemostromantictale,but itsurestandsoutasunusual.Wesoldavery importantfour-caratdiamondprincess-cut ringvaluedover$50,(XX).Thediamonditself wastodiefor,andasitturnsoutitwasalsoto divefor.Thefollowingsummerwhileata smalllake,thewiferemovedherringand placeditonapicnictablewhileshewashed herhands.Suddenlyaduckswoopeddown andswallowedthispreciousshinyobject. Thehusbandwitnessedthishorrorandim¬ mediatelysetoutinaboatinpursuitwhile afriendkeptaneyeontheduckinflight. Tirepreciousobjectdidnotquiteagreewith theduck,wholandedonasmallbeachacrossthelakeandcoughedupthedia¬ mond.Tirehusbandretrieveditand broughtitbacktohisfranticwife.How couldthishappen?Andwhatfranticstroke ofluckbroughtitback?Thiscouplelearned alifelesson:Youcan'tduckthetruththat ourfeatheredfriendsalsoknowthatadia¬ mondisforeverandthatyoucan'tkeep themdown.■
GouIdAcademy •Smallclasseswithcreativeandengagingfaculty
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PHOTO BY ROBIN
It'salldownhillfromhere,asKirstenClark revealsthelocalslopesshelovesthat shape her World Cup style today.
BY COLIN SARGENT
WorldCupskierKirstenClark,anativeofRaymond, Maine,isoneofthehottestmembersoftheU.S.ski team.Betterstill,sheknowsMaine'strailsliketheback ofherhand.AsshediscussesherfavoriteskirunsinthePine TreeState,itsoonemergesthatthesearen'tjustdramaticdown-
hillmemoriesforClark.Takenasawhole, they'reauniquewayofdescribingherlife.We caughtupwithherjustasshewasheadedfor amajorcompetitioninAspen,Colorado.
Was there one childhood run in Maine that's unforgettable for you, where you really start¬ ed to realize you weren't the average skier? FormethebestmemoryIhaveison SugarloafMountain,withmyolderbrother Seanandthreeofourfriends.1wasthe youngestbyquiteafewyears.Thatwas backwhentheoldgondolawentfromthe bottomofthemountaintothetop.Iwas justtryingtokeepupwiththemandnotbe leftinthedust.Irememberdoingnonstop tuckrunsdownToatRoad.We'dallgather atthetopandthey'dtellmetostart.OffI'd go,youngandafraid.Meanwhile,they'd leavemebygoingdownanotherrun.I'd grabmvlowesttuckpossibleandjuststart tuckingandgoingasfastasIcoulddown thetrail.AlmosthalfwaydownIwould hearandfeelthemcomingupfrombehind, laughingandhavingagreattimeintheir tucksaswell.Butthenthey'dblowbyme. UsuallyoverChickenPitch,they'dcatchair andleavemeinthedust.1remembertry¬ ingmyhardestnottobeleftbehind.Ithink thesewerethedaysthatmademeintoa downhillracer.
Growing up, where was the best apres skiing?
Usually,I'deatinthelockerroomwith myparentsandbrother.Mymotherwould packalunchandwe'deatthere.
Butthebiggestplaceforapresskiing wastheBagatSugarloafMountain.The Bagburgerswerethebest,thebestany¬ whereintheStates.They'restillthebestI haveeverhad.
"Up on Sugarloaf, my brotherandhisfriends letmestartaheadof them. Then they'd blow byme.I'dfeelthem coming from behind. UsuallyoverChicken Pitch,they'dcatchair..."
You'reatthetopofSugarloaf.Whatcanyousee?
AtthetopofSpillwaychairsIloveto lookoutattheBigelowRange.1liketolook atthemanhungonthemountain.
What's halfway down?
HalfwaydownwouldbetheHeadwall. Irememberasachildslidingdownthistrail onmybuttbecauseitwastoosteepforme toski.
What's your best memory at Sugarloaf, per¬ sonally and professionally?
ProfessionallywouldbetheU.S.Nation¬ alswehadtherein1996.1skiedgreatand developedanameformyselfontheU.S. Team.Itwasagreatweekforme.
What's the best run in Maine to go when you just want to be alone with your feelings?
ThebestruninMaine,Iwouldhaveto say,isonSugarloafMountain.Ilikethe runsoverbyHaulback.Thelifttakesalittle whiletogetupandyouhavetimetothink. Normallypeoplearen'toverthere.Atleast when1wastheresevenyearsagoitwas thatway.AlwaysskiingatSugarloafbrings backsuchgreatmemoriesofmychildhood.
Romantic stories?
Therewasnopuppyloveformeona trailorresortinMaine.[Butlookingback, there'saglowof]allmymemoriesgrowing upskiinginMainerippingaroundamoun-
tainwithmyfriends.
Late in the afternoon, when it's getting darker orracesareflirtingwithdarkness,isthatlike skiing in a sensory deprivation tank?
Ithinkit'slikeskiinginflatlight-you havetouseyourbalanceandstayreally focusedwhenyoudon'tknowexactly whentheterrainisgoingtochangeinfront ofyou.
How about Saddleback?
Iracedtherewhen1wasyounger.Itwas always10-15degreescolderthanSugarloaf, but1havegreatmemoriesfromthere.At thefinishofthemainrun,three-quartersof thewaydownthemountain,Iremember takingaquicklookatthetimesandthen headingstraightforthelodgeandgetting warm.Theliftswereslow.We'dgetcold afterwaitingforourstartintherace!
Your favorite run at Shawnee Peak?
WhenIusedtoskiatShawneePeak,it wascalledPleasantMountain.AtthetopI likelookingatthelakedownbelow.1also likehowwhenyoulookatShawneePeak fromtheroadthetrailspellslove...
[Ilikeseeingtheanimalsoccasionally whileskiinginMaine,too.]Ihavemostly seenchipmunkswhoarecrossingthetrail togettotheothersideoftheforest.Justlike ontheroad,theyheadoutandthenstop andhesitateandcontinueon.
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Thisnewlyrenovatedkitchen ofCasco,Mainehasawarm homeyfeelwithBurnished Maplecabinetry.Granitecoun¬ tersgivestheprojectarealfeel ofqualityanddurability.Special chinacabinetswereconstruct¬ edaroundthesub-zerofridge. ContactAvondaleandsee whattheycandoforyour kitchenproject.
AMERICA'S TOP DOWNHILL RACER BorninPortland,Maine,inApril1977,twotimeOlympianandWorldCupchampion Kirsten Clark hasbecomethetoastofthe U.S.SkiTeamfor10yearsafterwinningthe nationaljuniorchampionshipin1994and risingtoworldprominence.Winnerofthe WorldCupdownhillinLenzerheidein2001, Clark,5’6",145pounds,holdstheall-time recordforconsecutiveU.S.downhill titles-fourstraight-from1998to2001.
Inthe2003WorldChampionships,she wonabronzemedalinthesuperGand took19thinthedownhill.Inthe2002 Olympicssheplaced12thinthedownhill and20thinthegiantslalom.Inthe1998 Olympics,sheplaced18thinthecombined and28thinthedownhill.
Lastyear,"'Clarky'openedthespeed seasonwithapodiuminLakeLouiseand addedathirdeventwhereshe'sreachedthe [WorldCup]podiumwhenshewasthirdlast seasoninagiantslalominLienz,Austria,"
accordingtoherU.S.SkiTeambio.
"However,inamidseasoncrash,she sufferedthefirstmajorinjuriesofhercareer: tornligamentsinbothknees(fullACLinher leftknee)andbrokenrightwrist.Shewas sidelinedherforthefinalsixweeksofthe WorldCupschedule.Thiswinter,after aggressivebutcautiousrehab,"sheisonce againcompetingatthetopoftheworld.
"HusbandAndreasRickenbachisa formerWorldCupracerandU.S.coach. Clark'sbrotherisacoachwiththeJackson HoleSkiClub.They'vegottwodogs,Bodie andCutter,plusIndy,atigercattakenoutof a'freekittens'boxduringtheIndianapolis 500byafriendandgiventothem.Add horsebackridingtohiking,water-skiing,and tennis.ClarkandRickenbachenjoyridingat thehomeofex-U.S.CoachErnstHager. Kirstenconsidersherselfhardworkingand downtoearth,nottomentionafanof countrymusic"
"Itriedmyhardestnot tobeleftbehind. Ithinkthesewerethe days that made me intoadownhillracer." Lost Valley and the Camden Snow Bowl? I'veonlyskiedonceatLostValley.I don'trememberbeingabletoseethe AtlanticOceanfromtheCamdenSnow Bowl,butmaybewhenIwasyoungerI wasn'tlookingforit.
What is the singular moment of beauty you've experienced while skiing in Maine? 1rememberskiingatSugarloafearlyin
themorning,goinguptheDoubleRunner liftonanextremelycoldday,assoonasthe sunbeginstopeekoverthemountainandI
feelthesunonmyface,[it's]thebest momentever.
Do other world-class skiers realize you're from Maineinthesensethatit'spartofyour identity as a competitor?
I'msuretotelleveryoneIamfrom Maine.Itakegreatprideinmyupbringing andmymemoriesinMaine.
Your happiest 30 seconds you've ever exper¬ ienced skiing?
Aperfectpowderdayinwhichyouget faceshotsofpowder,perfectuntracked powder.
Worst 30 seconds?
WhenIinjuriedmyselflastseason,real¬ izingIwashurtaftermycrash.
Where will you be through April 2005?
I'minAspenrightnowandamcur-rentlyontheroaduntilMarchwhenwe havetheU.S.NationalsinMammoth. It'salongwintertobeawayfrommyfam¬ ily,butIlovetoskiandskirace,soImake thesacrifice.
Whatisthebestsocialeventtoattendfora skier?
WhereverthereisaWorldCup.
In a dream of skiing in Maine, where would you be?
I'mskiingdownToatRoad[with]my brother.We'retuckingdown[catchingair]. Therearealwaysplaces[toskideepinour hearts]becauseeitherfamilyorfriends areinvolved.■
Somewhere... belowthestreet Broadway makes a boffo stop at Anthony's Italian Kitchen below 151 Middle Street.
STORY BY ANDREW R. SPARDA
I'monmywaydownthestairsat151Mid¬ dleStreetinPortlandtoreturnaDVDto VideoportwhenIhearapplause.AsIde¬ scend,theapplausegrowslouder.IfIdidn't knowanybetter,I'dthinkthere'satheaterin thisbasement.
Infact,liveentertainmentistakingplace at Anthony'sItalianKitchen,a favoritestopin theOldPortforgrindersandpizzasinthese lowerdepths.Apeekthroughthewindows atcafetablesfilledtocapacitysuggestsit's anoverwhelmingsuccess.
Intrigued,IentertohearownerTonyBarrasso'sstrongbaritonewarmthecrowd with"WhatAWonderfulWorld."Ihadn't plannedonbeingentertainedjustnow,but thisiskindoffun.
Slidingontoastool,Ifindmyselfunable toresistthemusicmixedwiththearo¬ matherapyofgreatItalianfood.For$35,I enjoycourseaftercoursewhileasuccession oflocalsingerstakestothestagetomakethis trulyathree-dimensionalexperience.
"OurnextperformerisWaynfletestu¬ dentAlexBonnin,"Barassosays,waving upapromisingEquityactorwhoafter gracefullyservingmemystuffedshells nonchalantlystepstothestageandbrings thehousedownwithhissoloperformance of"AlmostLikeBeingInLove."
Hisparentsareseatedatanearbytable, natch.'Arewethatobvious?'Isitthe proudlookintheireyesastheirsonper¬ forms?Yes,andalsothefactthatReggie andGloriaBonninhavenowleaptonstage
themselveswithastirringrenditionof "JustInLove."Who'snext,MickeyRoon¬ eyandJudyGarland?Mightaswellbe. Theenergyhereisloose,freewheeling,and contagiousaspatronsenjoyfinewinewith theirantipasto,sneakingconversationin betweennumbers.
"Seeinghappypeopleisrewardingto me,especiallyinaplaceasintimateasthis," saysBarasso,whohasdiscoverednew dimensionsofhisoldselfasanactorat PortlandLyricTheater."Look,asalarkI startedactingthreeyearsago,andthen somethingjusthappenedtome.Whenyou figureitout,letmeknow.WhatIenjbyis gettingdramaouthere,theaterouthere." Withthat,Barassoslidesintoaduetwith hissonMark,"It'sImpossible."
Themarvelofitis,allofthisisn’timpos¬ sible.Thepairfinishestosincereapplause. Morepeoplearecrowdingin."They'regoing tohavetocallthefiredepartment,"someone
laughs.Seepingintothestonesofthisunlike¬ lyvenueissomethingalittlepublicandalit¬ tleprivate,somethingquiteunusual.
"Mark'sbeenacting10years,"Barrasso says."HestartedatCheverus,continued ontoSt.Joe's,andthencamedownto Lyric[Theater]."
"It'sonethingwithpeoplesinging,but whenonepersoncanmakeawholeroom stop,that'simpressive,"MarkBarrassosays asmorelocalstaketothestage.
Can1reallythinkofthisasastage?I camedownhereexpectingadesultoryce¬ mentfloor.Dropoffthevideo,climbback upthestairs,I'moutthedoor.Onethingis clear:Anthony'sisn'tjustasandwichshop anymore.Theseperformances,whichtake placeonFridaysandSaturdays,arealready sopopularwerecommendmakingreserva¬ tions.Showsandtuneschangeeverynight. Andyes,Iforgottoturninmyvideo.I'llhave tobringitbacknexttimeI'mhere.■
BY SCOTT SIMONS
‘ffinnnro
heysayyoucan'tachievebeau¬ tybycommittee.Butinthis Freeportexpansion,aunique collaborationinvolvingthe owners,architects,andbuilders hasresultedinalovelysuccess.
Theownersofthisalreadybeautiful estatehadaproblem.Overtheyearstheir lifestyleshadevolvedsothatcertainparts ofthehousedidn'tworkforthemany¬ more.Emptynesterswithconsultingbusi¬ nessesrequiringlotsoftravel,thiscouple desireddramaticchanges.
AwallofglassoverlooksHarraseeketHarbor. Naturalmaterialssuchaswhiteoakfloors,maple cabinets,andpineceilingssetthetone.
Tobeginwith,thehousehadasimple rectangularlivingroomwithawallofglass overlookingHarraseeketHarbor.Theroom wasperfectforreadingandenjoyingthe view,butwhenoneofthemwantedto
watchtelevision,theentirelivingspacewas monopolized.Ontheotherendofthe house,theywantedaroomtheycould escapetoformeditationthatcouldalso serveasaguestroom.Betweenthegarage
andhousealong,dangerous,slopingramp neededreplacement.
Afteracarefulstudy,threesmallbut relatedadditionswereproposed.Theorigi¬ nal house was a well designed "Deck House,"withbroadoverhangingroofs, woodceilings,exposedwoodbeams,and expansesofglass.Newadditionswould havetoworkwithinthisstylewhileassert¬ ingthemselvesasnewanddifferent.
Thefirstsolutionisasmalladditionon thesouthend,justofftheliving/dining roomandbuiltoveraportionoftheexist¬ ingexteriordeck.Cantileveredoverthe edgeofthepoolbelowwithspectacular viewsoftheharbor,thisroomislocated closeenoughtothemainlivingspacetofeel connected,yetprivateenoughsotheTV wouldnotdisrupt.Tocontrastwiththe adjacentwhitelivingspaces,itispainted bluewithstainedblueshelvesandwood¬ work,thecolorsdarkertoenhancetheTV watchingexperience.
Forthemeditative/guestspace,alarger roomnowopensupthenorthendofthe house.Thisadditionformsasmall,protect¬ ed,south-facingcourtyardandgarden.To enhancethefeelingofserenity,theroom nowhasanentirewallofstoragesoallclut¬ tercanbeputaway.Eventhebedfolds away.Builtwithsimplemapleveneerply¬ woodpanels,thisspacesparkleswith viewsthroughawallofglasstoasun-filled courtyardgarden.Naturalmaterialssuchas whiteoakfloors,maplecabinets,pineceil¬ ings,andabluestoneterraceassurebothan enduringsenseofcalmandaconnectionto naturallandscape.
Ratherthantryingtoconnectthedots fromhousetogarageastheramphadac¬ complished,awalk-through-the-gardenex¬ periencenowincludesacoveredstairway andstonewalkway.Tirenewadditionsare setapartwithclearredcedarsidingwhiletire olderelementshavebeentransformedfrom graytoabrightbamred.
Beautybycollaborationmayberare,but heretireowners'necessityforchangehas trulysparkedtiredesignteam'sinvention.■
ScottSimonsispresidentofScottSimons Architects,Portland.ArchitecturebyScottSimons andAllisonZuckman,ScottSimonsArchitects, Portland.GeneralConstructionbyLeddyHouser Associates,SouthPortland.PhotographybyDarel GabrielBridges,BlueHill.
ryne-of-a-kindTrench&QdewTnglandfurnishings, antiques,textiles,&decoritems,complimented hyourdesignservices.
(Maleyourhomeareflectionofyou...visitCottageQ-lome.
CHEVERUS TheJesuitCollegePreparatorySchoolofMaine Whereyoungmenandwomenoftodayarepreparedforthechallengesoftomorrow. ...WHEN You're...
TolearnmoreabouttheCheverusexperience,contacttheAdmissionsofficeat 774-6238orvisitourwebsite:www.chcverus.org
A “WINTER OF EXTREMES”... Shine Up Your Dark Ages Shows like TheForeigner atPortlandStagewilltake you through the darkest daysofwinter.
BY CATHY NELSON PRICE
Howcanwestandwinteruphere whileour'friends'havedesertedus fortheirFloridavacations?It'sele¬ mental! Sharpen up your dark humor whiletheymisstheheartofthetheatersea¬ son.Bythetimetheyreturn,you'llbe readytoeatthemalive.
Inparticular,thelateplaywright/actor LarryShue'sObie-winning1983farce(cur¬ rentlyinNYCrevivalwithMatthewBrod¬ erick)TheForeignersetsthetoneatPortland StageCompanyJanuary25throughFeb¬ ruary20.Theplayisapoignantswansong forShue,whodiedinalightplanecrash duringtheshow's1985run.PortlandStage isat25AForestAvenueinPortland.Callthe boxofficeat774-0465.
Lewistonhasmoresolidprofessional theaterasThePublicTheatrepresents RoundingThirdbyRichardDresserJanuary 21-23and27-30.ItsChicago-areapremiere in2002starredMatthewArkinandCheers
veteranGeorgeWendt,anditwentontoa NewYorkdebutinSeptember2003.With sportsasthemetaphor,thisacerbic,touch¬ ingcomedyhasmuchtosayaboutfather¬ hoodanddreamsdeferred,aswellasthe greatAmericanpastime.ThePublicTheatre isatLisbonandMaplestreetsinLewiston. Calltheboxofficeat782-3200.
Iftheclassicsaremoreyourstyle,how aboutonethat'softencitedasthe"perfect opera"foranearlyValentine'sDateNight? DonGiovanni,Mozart'smusicaladventure basedontheactsofDonJuan,makesaro¬ manticstopattheMerrillAuditoriumon January30at3p.m.,aspartofthePCA GreatPerformancesseries.Performedby TheMozartFestivalOpera,sistercompany ofTeatroLiricoD'Europa,thepiecewas describedbyMozarthimselfasa"playful drama"despitethedarkfateofitsheroand thesupernaturalelementsthatshimmer belowtheplot.Theoperawillbeperformed intheoriginalItalian,withEnglishsuperti¬ tles.ForticketstothiseventatMerrillAudi¬ torium,callPortTixat842-0800.
ForaValentine'sdatewithatwist,check outtheUniversityofSouthernMaineThe¬ aterDepartment'sproductionofAris¬ tophanes'feministmasterpiece Lysistrata February11-20attheGorhamcampus's RussellHall.Thisbittersweetcomedy(c. 411B.C.)springsfromtheplaywright's griefoverthethousandsofAthenianswho hadrecentlylosttheirlivesintheterrible defeatatSyracuse.ThewomenofAthens, ledbyLysistrata,takemattersintotheir ownhandsandforcethementostopthe warbyrefusingallsexualfavorsuntilthe mencometotermsofpeace.Anageless commentaryonantiwartactics,theplay resonateswithcurrenteventsandisasure¬ firegeneratorfordiscussionbothacademic andpolitical.It'salsogreatfun.Fortickets, calltheUSMTheaterboxofficeat780-5151.
Lookingforanotherdarkstar?ThePort¬ landMuseumofArtshowcaseslegendary photographerMargaretBourke-WhiteinThe PhotographyofDesign,1927-1936.Thisfirst majorexhibitiondevotedtothecriticalearly yearsinthelifeandworkofBronx-born photographerBourke-White(1904-1971) runsherethroughMarch20.Parkinson'sdis¬ easeshadowedherlateryears,butshe remainsoneofthedefiningphotographic visionariesofthetwentiethcentury.Contact tirePortlandMuseumofArtat775-6148.■
SHELDON SLATE is a family owned businesswithfourgenerationsofex¬ perience. We mine and manufacture ourownslateproductsfromourown quarries.Therangeofourcolorswill complimentanykitchen,orbath.Our slateisheatresistant,non-porousand non-fading.Ithasapolished/honed finishandisverylowmaintenance.Let ushelpyoudesignandbuildacustom sink,countertoporvanity.Custom inquiries are handled through the Monson,Mainedivision.
Sinksandcountertopscanbecraftedina varietyofways.Useyourimagination,or wecanassistyouinyourdesign.
dinin< Anthony's Italian Kitchen 151ViocleStreet. PortlandVoted‘BestinPortland"threeyearsina row.Pizza,pasta,andsandwiches.AH homemadereapesincludinglasagna,chicken pa-mesan,eggolantparmesan,meatballs,and Italiansausages.NoitemoverS10.Beerand wine.FridayandSaturdaynightliveBroadway revewindudessix-cou'sedinnerandbottleof wine xorS35op.Cateringavailao !e.’774-8668
The Armory Restaurant inthePortland RegencyHotel.Spectacularcuisine.OldPon charm,&impeccaoleserviceinanelegantyet casualatmospherew'freshdinnerspecialsfrom land&sea.UnforgettablehousesoecialnesSeafoodFettuccinew/lobster,shnmp,crao,& mussels;SteakDiane,&BlackAngusSirloin.Also ooenforbreakfast&lunch.’774-4200
The Audubon Room attheInnoytheSeaon Route77mCapeElizabeth.Breathtakingocean views&culinarymasterpieceswithfreshlocal produce,nativeseafoodspecialties,& exceptionalhandmadebreads&desserts.Patio dining&off-premisecateringavailable.Breakfast, lunch&dinnerdaily.767-0888.
Beale Street Barbeque JustovertheCasco BayBridgeintheKnightvilleareaofSouth PortlandServinghickory-smokedandgrilled meats,poultry,fish,andseafoodaswellas creativedailylunchanddinnerspecials.Fullbar featuringMainemicrobrewsontap.Reservations notaccepted,childrenwelcome,openallday, everyday.90WatermanDrive,SouthPortland. 767-0130.wwrw.mainebbq.com
Bintliff's, 98PortlandStreet,Portland.Alongfavoritebrunchspotwithaninnovativemenu7 daysaweek,fromdecadenttoamoresimple, traditionalfareandhealthyvegetarian.Dinner reflectsthewarmeclecticstyleofbrunch,with aworldmenuthatstepsoffthebeatenpath.A magnificentmaplesheltersthebackdeck. Brunch7-2,dinner5-9.774-0005.
Black Point Inn, Scarborough.Oceanviews fromourromantic,elegantdiningroom,library lounge,andbrickfireplacesevokeold-world ambience.Enjoyourwinelist,expertlyprepared cuisine,andholidaybuffets.Everyoccasionis specialatTheBlackPointInn.Dinnernightlyfrom 6:30,SundayBrunchfeaturingtheTonyBoffa JazzTrio10:30to1.LibraryLoungeopendaily 11:30a.m.*883-2500www.blackpointinn.com
Burger King: Hot&freshfood. Fast&friendlyservicealways
•349AlfredRoad,Biddeford
•102MainStreetGorham
•Route1,Kittery
•520MainStreetSaco
•1252MainStreet,Sanford HAVEITYOURWAY*
Cafe Stroudwater Takeadvantageof5-star chefAlexGingrich'screativetouchesatCafe StroudwaterattheEmbassySuitesHotel.We featureMainenativeseafood&primecutsof beefandofferbistro-stylecuisine&avarietyof selectfinewines.YouwillbepamperedbyChef Anderson&hisstaffwhileenjoyinga6-course mealpreparedespeciallyforyou.Breakfast,
,unch,&d"ne-dak'775-0032. Charlie Beigg's OnRoute302inWndhamjust 20minuteshornPomanc,tnisistneplacetogo forcasualfinediningfameRibavailableevery day, £reshseafood,steaks,oasta,souos, nomemaoedesserts,vegetanandisnes,ano child'en'sme^uHavingaparty-useoneofour oancuetroomsandleavemeworntous 1754 Roose.eit -railRoute302).11am-9omeven day.892-8595.
DiMillo's Floating Restaurant at25Long WharorCommercialStreet. voucan'toeattne locationforfabulouswaterview'sofPortland Hamor.Escaoehornthehustle&bustieofthe ctyWatchtheboatsgobyEnjoy*'eshMame Icbste-yea'-rocno.steak,sea-'ooccisnes,& mo-eOoene.enda.1'am-1'om.Cnikme"'s menua.aabemxonnxs&alightermenu,m, ou' 3ortsioeLounge.772-22*6.
Eve's At The Garden 568ForeSt, 3ortanc, promisesauniqueexpenenceanaafresnlocal approachtofood.ChefJeffLandryandhisteam utilizeproductsfromMaine'scoastalwatersand farms,suchasjumbodiverharvestedscallops, Maineraisedorganicpork,linecaughtAtlantic halibut,free-rangechicken,andfreshMaine lobsterpreparedseveraldifferentways.Free valetparking.Lunch11:30a-2p,Dinner5:30p9:30p.523-2040.
Finch's Restaurant. DublinnativeJohnny Robinson,"PortlandRestaurantLegend"(Portland PressHerald),recentlyopenedhisnewplacein Falmouth.Customerswhoknowhimfromhis dayswithHugo'scanstillfindhissignaturecrab cakesandthe"bestIrishcoffeeintheland"at Finch's,204U.S.Route1,Falmouth.781-3342. Flatbread Company, votedPortland’s"Best NewRestaurant"isservingawardwinningall naturalflatbreadpizza,bakedinawood-fired earthenoven.Relaxandenjoytheshowasthe Flatbreadcrewprepares,bakes,andservesyour flatbreadfromanopenkitchen,placedinthe middleofthediningroom.LocatedintheOld PortoverlookingtheCascoBayFerrydock. Openeverydayat11:30. Hl-SlTl
Great Lost Bear, 540ForestAvenueinthe WoodfordsareaofPortland.Afullbarwith over50draughtbeers,predominantlyfrom localmicro-breweries,anenormousmenu withsoups,salads,&sandwiches,steaks,a largevegetarianselection,&thebestnachos &buffalowingsintown.Discoverwherethe nativesgowhenthey'rerestless!Everyday 11:30am-11:30pm.772-0300. w'ww.greatlostbear.com.
Haggarty's 849ForestAvenue,Portland.BritIndicuisineatitsfinest!Don'tmissChickenTikka (mild)for$9.50.Entreesincluderice&choiceof: SeasonalVegetablesfor$7.95,ChickenorBeef for$8.95,Shrimpfor$9.50,Lambfor$9.50. SelectionsincludeKarahiBhoona(medium), CeyloneseKorma(mild),SouthIndianGarlicChili (hot),Masala(medium),Malaidar(medium), Jalfrezi(mild).Takeoutonly.Theperfectbusiness lunch!www.haggartys.comor761-8222.
Jameson Tavern, .vtnacasualbar,lounge& cnmcroom,thebuildmgistnes.teofme sign.ngoftneconsLtubonfortnestateof MamewhenitbrokeawayfromMassachusetts. Classicpreoaratonsservedinagraceful& elegantsexngmaketnisafineretreat ‘-oh •'enziedout.etshooong115ManSt.. -'eeoort’865-4196
Lotus Chinese and Japanese Restaurant 251USRt*Famoutn,Mame-almoutn Shoooing°!aza>’.efeat^-e•'Jl-se’viceba-aid loungea-ea,susnioar.Chinesetraa.t.ona 1xood notavailableoutsiceofBoston,‘-:enc!y atmosphereandcourteousservice.781-3453.
Margaritas Mexican Restaurants & Watering Hole! Twoiocat-ons"Portana, erne'SnLewiston,AugustaOrono& Portsmo-tn,ser.-mgove-sized”^ea!s&cotossal cr-xs.Akvays ;'eeneteras&salsa,legenoa'/ ma'cantas,&tnenousesoeoaftythes;zz'nc •'a;:tanappynou' M-f 4-7om.'-eenot appetizers.InPortlandat242StJohnSt.,Union StationPlaza,874-6444&11BrownSt.nearthe CivicCenter,774-9398.
Maria's Ristorante. Owner/chefAnthony NapolitanooffersPortland'sfinestItaliancuisine withanItalianwineselection.Vealsaltimbocca, fettucinitoscano,zuppadepesce,classicItalian desserts,Anthony'sownpistachiogelato.Lunch: $5-S8,Tu-F,11:30am-2pm.Dinner:$9-$18, Tues.-Sat.from5pm.337CumberlandAve.,free parkingavailable.772-9232.
Olive Garden isafamilyoflocalrestaurants focusedondelightingeveryguestwitha genuineItaliandiningexperience.Weare proudtoservefresh,high-qualityItalianfood. Weofferacomfortable,home-likesetting whereguestsarewelcomedlikefamilyand receivewarm,friendlyservice.NeartheMaine Mall,inTheShopsatClark'sPond. 874-9005.www.olivegarden.com.
O'Naturals servesnaturalandorganicflatbread sandwiches,tossedsalads,Asiannoodles,soups, andkids'meals.Quickservice,butourleather couches,wirelessinternet,andcomfortable atmospherewillenticeyoutostay.Flatbread pizzaafter4pmandpestochicken,roastbeef, wildbisonmeatloaf,wildAlaskansalmon,and manyvegetarianitems,somethingforeveryone. Portland321-2050andFalmouth781-8889.
Oriental Table, 106ExchangeStreetintheOld PortinPortland.Themenusparkleswith SzechuanChicken,OrangeFlavoredShrimp, delicatePorkwithGingerScallions,"lighterside" menu,appetizerslikeCrabRangoonorScallion PanCake,tantalizingEggandSpringRolls,and soups.Dailyluncheonspecialsfrom11:30-2and dinner.Theenticingmixtureofaddictingspices andfreshingredientsisenhancedbyoursnazzy take-outcontainers.775-3388.orientaltable.com
Parker's Restaurant, locatedatAllen'sComer. Parker'scelebratesits15thyearasoneofNorth Deering'stoprestaurants.Ourfreshseafood andhand-cutsteaksareatraditionhanded downfromF.ParkerReidy's,ourparentres-
taurant. Steak and seafood combinations are among Parker's more popular choices. Soups, salads,andsandwichesarealwaysavailable. Ample parking. Serving from 1130 am until 10 pm. Reservations welcome. 878-3339.
The Pepperclub is a prize-winning restaurant ("BestVegetarian"&"BestValue"inFrommer's Guide to New England) with creative world cuisine.Blackboardmenulistsfivevegetarian, threefish,&threemeatentries,includingan organicbeefburger.Relaxed,affordable diningontheedgeoftheOldPortw/free parking.Opennightlyat5pm.78Middle Street.772-0531.
Saigon Thinh Thanh, 608 Congress Street, Portland. "Saigon Thinh Thanh is Maine's—and probably New England's—finest Vietnamese restaurant."—PortlandDiningGuide."Fivestars forfood,service,&valueformoney.Withlight& healthy,flavorfulfood&quickserviceina pleasant, clean atmosphere, Saigon Thin Thanh isworthinvestigating"-PressHerald.773-2932. SaengThai,267St.JohnStreet,Portland. Beautifulmahoganydecorandtantalizingdishes awaityou.EntreesincludeTamarindDuck,Pad Thai,SeafoodDelight,andmuchmore.Tel.7738988 fax. 773-4490 Sun-Thurs 11 am-9:30 pm, Fri.-Sat.11am-10pm.
Silly'sCelebrating15years,votedbestservice andcheaprestaurantbyPhoenixReaders,Silly's featuresawickedcoolpatio,scratchkitchen food,andasillystaff.Weareanenviro-friendly, 100% recycling and composting restaurant at 40 WashingtonAvenueintheEastEnd.Joinusfora feastoffriedpicklesandahippyhippy milkshake. 772-0360 www.sillys.com
Tandoor Restaurant, 88 Exchange Street, Portland.FinequalityIndiancuisinefora reasonableprice.Hugeselectionofbreads, chicken, lamb, seafood, and vegetable dishes, prepared for your own taste-spicy or mild. Voted top of Maine, 2001, 2002, 2003. 775-4259.
Thai Taste, 435 Cottage Road, South Portland. Just minutes from Portland and the only Thai food on the way to Portland Headlight. With a four-star rating in the Maine Sunday Telegram and voted "Best Ethnic Restaurant" by the CBW, ThaiTasteoffersthefinestThaicuisinearound withfreshpoultry,seafood,andvegetables. 767-3599. www.thaitastemaine.com.
TheKitchen,593CongressStreet,Portland.It's liketheGreekFestivalyear-roundatTheKitchen! FeaturingauthenticGreekcuisine,aswellas wraps, subs, salads, homemade soups, and organicjuices,withlunchspecialsdaily.Good food,fast-withartshowsthatchangemonthly. 775-0833 thekitch.com.
Village Cafe, 112 Newbury Street, Portland. Family owned and operated for over 68 years. Portland'sfavoritefamilyrestaurantwithItalian dishes,steaks,seafood,salads,antipasto,and children's menu. Open every day. 772-5320 Vilcaf@aol.com Villagecafemaine.com
’reservationsrecommended
Mims AfeastoftheunusualsparklesonthePortlandwaterfront. BY DIANE HUDSON
Mims,at205CommercialStreet,is oneofPortland'shottestrestau¬ rants,madeevenmorepopular bywhatownerNatashaDurhamcalls"a sharingmenu,"withportionsdesignedfor theromanticenjoymentfortwo.Makeno mistake:thisisatop-notchoasisofhighcui¬ sinefordinersbentonseriouscelebrating andculinarycollaborating.Someplaces have'cooks.'Mimsisunderthedirectionof anincrediblycreativechef,JoeBoudreau, andyes,thedifferenceisstunning.
Webeganwithtwomeatdishesselected from"FirstCourses."Theducklegconfit ($9)provedsuperb,servedonabedofdel¬ icatelyseasonedmirepoix.Agenerouspor¬ tionofpan-searedfoisgras(ducktorchon, $14)wasaccompaniedbydicedpearanda grainymustard-basedsauce.
Next,wedoveintothecauliflowerin breadcrumbs,servedinasmallskilletand sauteedinanchovybutter($6),andbrusselssproutsinbaconlardon($6),which werewonderful.
Butaswonderfulastheintroductions were,thestarofthisgastronomicexplo¬ rationwasthebraisedrabbit($19).Pre¬ paredwithfreshsageandbingcherries, withtheloingrilled,itwasastoundingly good,nicelyaccompaniedbyourstarch
choice,organicbuttegnocchi($5),and superspinachbraisedingarlicandoliveoil ($4).AllmeatatMimsisnaturallyraised andcomesfromlocalpurveyorsincluding SunsetAcresFarms,JurgielewiczDuck Farm,andBradleeRanch.
Unusualdessertchoicesincludechevre cheesecake,bananabruleetart,andassort¬ edsorbets($7to$8),butwewereseduced insteadbyanincrediblecheesemenu($4 for1,$10for3,$17for5),selectingthe superbBayleyHazenbluecheesefrom JasperHillFarminGreensboro,Vermont, servedwithpomegranateandaterrificbit ofhomemadebread.
Alloftheabovewerewellcomplement¬ edwithHeronSt.ChinianMerlot($26), selectedfromaluminouslistheavilyac¬ centedwithFrenchvintners.
Diningupstairsbyagreatarchedwin¬ dowoverlookingtheharborandthepleas¬ antcobblestonedstreetbelowwaslus¬ cious,butthewholeplaceresonateswith warmthandgoodwill;averywelcome retreatduringtheselongwinterydays. Greatbeforeashowandjustasgreatasthe show.BonappetiB
Mims, 205 Commercial Street, Portland. Seven days a week, lunch and dinner. 347-7478.
Brahms lullaby Darien Brahms composes with notes from the 'riot grrl' underground BY
Fromromanticballadstocampyfauxjazz tocountry'weeperstoangryalternative rock,DarienBrahmshasdoneitall.We caughtupwithherinherMunjoy'Hill apartmentoverlookingthePortlandskyline.
Fans know you from the Munjoy Hill Society, your lounge band. How'd that come about?
1met(keyboardist)PaulChamberlainin themid-ninetiesandwestartedlisteningto oldjazzrecords,thestandards,oldlounge recordsfromthesixties.Weincorporateda lotoftheaterintoourband’sactand1actu¬ allyfeelmorecomfortableincharacterthan Idoasastraightrockmusician.It'salmost asthough1canhidebehinditandmakea foolofmyselfandnotbeaccountable.
Whendidyouplayyourfirstgig?
IdidmyfirstgigatSurfSixinOldOr¬ chardBeachwhen1was11withmvbroth¬
er.Theypaidustoleave!WhenIwas17I startedgiggingaroundPortland,inclubs likeTheTree,Raoul's,Zootz,andGeno's. Therewasalotofsupportfromclubsand fellowmusicians.
What was your first CD?
1putoutHelloHelloToThePeoplein1991 andIwasalmostsignedtoRCArecords.I'd befriendedCindyBullens,andshehelped megetmy'footinthedoor.AguyfromRCA wasinterestedandwasflyingtoPortlandto signmetoadevelopmentdealbuttheday' beforehewassupposedtobeherehelosthis job.Itwouldbenicetogetsomekindoflabel support,butIfoundthattobeasexist,super¬ ficialworldIdidn'tnecessarily'wanttobea partof.Itseemedliketheyweremoreinter¬ estedinimagethaninnaturaltalent.My goodfriendMannyVerzosadiedin1992, and1triedtoquitmusicforawhile.Idida
lotofwritingbutverylittleperforming.
How big a part of the scene was Manny? Hewashuge,hewasit.Wewereina bandtogethercalledTheHoly'Bones.He wasabartenderat3DollarDewey'ssoalot ofpeopleknewhimthatway'aswell.It blewaholeinthesideofPortland'smusic scenewhenhedied.
When did you start performing again? ThingschangedwhenImetPaulCham¬ berlainandChicky'Stoltzinabout1996and whenGingerCote,whoplaysdrumswith me,movedbackfromNashville.My'sec¬ ondCDcameoutin2000afterIwonsome moneyonagameshowcalledParanoid-1 auditionedatTheEastlandHoteland1 madeitonandtheybroadcastlivefrommy' livingroom.Thereweredozensofpeople packedintomylivingroomandabigsatel-
CHARLIE GAYLORD
litetruckoutside.Iansweredonequestion correctlyandwon$1,500.Thathelpedme payforLittleBundleOfSugar, mynextCD andalow-budgetaffair,recordedprimarily inmybathroom.AndatthesametimeI wasrecordingwiththeMunjoyHillSociety (Boh Voyagewasreleasedin2000).
Green Valentine was more lavishly produced. ItseemedlikeeveryonefromPortland playedonit.Ireallylikedworkingwith engineer/producers Steve Drown and NateSchrock.
How about work outside Maine?
Ihaven'tgottenrichplayingmusic,but I'vebeenabletoplayNewYorkandBoston quiteabit.LastyearIdidasoloEuropean tour,whichwasreallygreat.
How did that come about?
AsongfromLittleBundleOfSugarended uponanationalcompilationandsomeone inItalyhearditandlikeditandtheyhelped mesetupthetour.Therewasawholenet¬ workofthe"RiotGrrl"undergroundthere, anditwasanamazingexperience.Wemay havepoliticaldifferenceswiththeEuro¬ peansbuttheyloveourrock-and-rollcul¬ ture.EventhoughIwasanobodyover there,Iwasplayingtopackedclubs,every¬ thingfromgayandlesbianbarstosoccer clubsinGermanyandItaly.
How many unrecorded songs have you written?
OhIdon'tknow,about175.I'vegota lotandIlovegoingbackandre-working oldsongs.■
making faces One for the aisle With flamenco for inspiration, Amy Curtis's wedding dresses will make your brain dance.
BY KATHARINA HAGMANN PHOTOS BY DANNY LOUTEN
AmyCurtis'stableoverflowswith flashypurplepolyestergeorgette thatwillbecomeaflamencodress with"milesandmilesofruffles.Ayearago, 1mademyfirstflamencodressforateacher atCascoBayMovers,"shesays,"justasruf¬ flesweregainingpopularity."Thenthe lightbulbsnappedon."ThetechniquesI usedintheflamencodresshaveinfluenced manyweddingdressesI'vemadethispast year!Thedifferenceis,theflamencodress reallyhastomovewiththebodv,"whilethe
weddingdressmovesthosewhoseeitasit floatsdowntheaisle.
Curtis,35,isastudyinsurprisingcon¬ trasts,withtortoise-rimmedglassesandsix BelleandSebastianCDsonheriMac.She earnedadegreeinphilosophyfromEmory CollegeinAtlantabut"camehometo Maineafterrealizingthatmypassionwas thehobbyI'dlovedsinceage13,whenI startedinventingclothingformyself.
"Itookoneclassinpatterndraftingat MECA and opened my business right
here,"inacozytwo-roomstudiooverlook¬ ingMilkStreet.Shedesignsandsewsdress¬ esmadetoorderforindividualclients. Januaryisanextremelybusymonthforher. She'ssnowedunder,insilkorganza:"Last yearatexactlythistimeIstarted18wed¬ dingdresses!"
Ofherclients,Curtissays,"Abouthalfof thebrideswhocometomehavealready beentoDavid'sBridalandthoughtthey wouldhaveaheartattackfromexcessof pouf.Theycometomeforsomethingele-
gant,original,andpersonalized."
Mostbrideshaveanideaofwhatthey want,"but1actuallydesignthepattern. Onebridewantedabrownweddingdress becauseshefeltwhitedidnotsuither.I Januaryisanextremely busy month for Amy Curtis.She'ssnowed under,insilkorganza: "Lastyearatexactly thistimeIstarted18 wedding dresses." thoughtitwasweird,butitturnedouttobe abeautifuldarkbrownvelvetdress.Ilove strangerequestsbecauseIcanbemorecre¬ ative.What'smostimportanttomeishav¬ ingagoodfeelingtowardthebrideand beingrelaxed,comfortable,andconfident inadesignthatcomesonitsownterms."
MostofCurtis'sclientsarefromMaine, "aconsiderationwhendesigning.Forexam¬ ple,"shesmiles,"longtrainsarenotpopular whenabridehastowalkthroughthewoods inanoutdoorwedding."
AnAmyCurtisoriginaltakessixmonths tomakeandcostsbetween$2,000to$5,000. Andonhertablenow?"After50rawhours ofsewing,thisflamencodresswillbeready inMay,"justintimetoswirlintoCascoBay Moversandenticethestudentstodance.■
SkiGuide BigrockSkiArea, MarsHill,980-footvertical drop,1doublechair/2pomas,nightskiing,65 percent snow-making, Rick Rock Cafe. "Big Rockisamongthefirstskiareastoopenand thelasttocloseinthenortheasteveryyear, featuringXCskiing,snowshoeing,gladeskiing, rental snowboards, and skis." 425-6711, www.bigrockmaine.com
Big Squaw Mountain, Greenville,1750-foot verticaldrop,1triplechair/1doublechair/1T bar/1 handle tow, 70 percent snow-making. "Overlooking Moosehead Lake, Squaw Mountain offers snow, scenery, and amenities, includingatrailsidehotelwithlobbyfireplace, and exceptional ski-and-stay packages." 6951000, www.bigsquawmountain.com
Black Mountain, Rumford,1150-footvertical drop, 1 T bar/2 handle tows/1 double chair/1 triplechair,nightskiing,90percentsnow¬ making. "Great novice and intermediate terrain offersfamiliesaneasywaytotheglades, lightedtrails,greatNordictrails,extensivenight skiing,andanewlodgethisyear."364-8977, www.skiblackmtnofme.org
Camden Snow Bowl, Camden, 950-foot verticaldrop,1doublechair/2Tbars,night skiing, 45 percent snow-making. "With a view of the ocean from the slopes, the Snow Bowl featuresiceskating,atubingarea,andMaine's only toboggan chute." 236-3438, snow info: 236-4418, www.camdensnowbowl.com
Eaton Mountain, Skowhegan, 622-foot verticaldrop,1doublechair,nightskiing,100 percent snow-making. "Eaton Mountain offers trailsforeveryskiability,includingglades,a snowboard park, and a snow-tubing park.The base lodge includes a restaurant, lounge, game room, and ski equipment rentals." 474-2666, www.eatonmountain.com
Lonesome Pine Trails, FortKent,500-foot verticaldrop,1Tbar/1Jbar,nightskiing,50 percentsnow-making."Thisisafarnily-oriented alpine and Nordic ski area on the Canadian borderoverlookingtheSt.JohnRiverValley. Abundant natural snowfall keeps the trails and snowboard park in peak condition. The expanded lodge and cafe provide warm surroundings for home-cooked local and Acadienne cuisine." 834-5202, jodiswebcreations.com
LostValley,Auburn, 240-footverticaldrop, 2doublechairs/1Tbar,nightskiing,100 percent snow-making. "Lost Valley is known for itsdayornightprogramsforjuniorsandadults. TerrainParkdesign,anditsPSIA-certified instructionalprograms.OlympicskierJulie Parisienhastrainedandcreatedstaffingand programming for the junior race program." 784-1561, www.lostvalleyski.com
Mt. Abram, Greenwood, 1150-footvertical
MAINE'S SKIING AREAS Big Rock Ski Area
Big Squaw Mountain
Black Mountain
Camden Snow Bowl
Eaton Mountain
Lonesome Pine Trails
Lost Valley
Mt. Abram
Mt. Jefferson
New Hermon Mountain
Quoggy Jo Ski Center
Saddleback
Seacoast Snow Park
Shawnee Peak
Spruce Mountain
Sugarloaf/USA
Sunday River
Titcomb Mountain
MarsHill
Greenville
Rumford
Camden
Skowhegan
Fort Kent
Auburn
Greenwood Lee
Hermon
Presque Isle
Rangeley
Windham
Bridgton
Jay
Carrabassett Valley
Bethel
Farmington
425-6711
695-1000
364-8977
236-3438
474-2666
834-5202
784-1561
875-5000
738-2377
848-5192
764-3248
864-5671
892-5952
647-8444
897-4090
237-2000
824-3000
778-9031
drop, 2 double chairs/2 T bars/1 handle tow, night skiing, 85 percent snow-making. "Mt. Abramfeaturesatubingpark,dedicatedfirsttimerandnovicearea,sno-skateandterrain park,NASTARracing,and2-for-1lifttickets
Thursday and Friday (non holiday)." 875-5000, www.skimtabram.com
Mt.Jefferson, Lee,432-footverticaldrop,2T bars/1 rope tow, night skiing. "Family-owned Mt.Jeffersonoffers12trails,snowboardpark, and half-pipe. Enjoy picturesque views of MountKatahdinorthetranquilityoftheforest onthehalf-mileGrannyTrail,whichtakesa gradual path around the mountain." 738-2377, mtjefferson.onperfect.com
New Hermon Mountain, Hermon, 350-foot verticaldrop,1doublechair/1Tbar/1handle tow, night skiing, 100 percent snow-making. "Tuberidersarepulledupthehillbya500-foot handle tow and then have a choice of five tube chutes for the slide down; snowmaking covers the trails and halfpipe. Multi-week programs and packages are affordably priced." 848-5192
Quoggy Jo Ski Center, PresqueIsle,215-foot verticaldrop,1Tbar."Cateringprimarilyto youthandfamilies,QuoggyJoisagreatplace forbeginnerswithafirst-timeskierareaandski playground. A homestyle menu and freshbaked goods are featured in the lodge. A biathlon center at the summit offers exceptionalNordicskiingonworld-classtrails." 764-3248, www.mainewsc.org
Saddleback, Rangeley, 2000-foot vertical drop,2doublechairs/1quadchair/2Tbars,80 percent snow-making. "Saddleback offers spectacular alpine views overlooking the Rangeley Lakes Region and a typical natural snowfall exceeding 200 inches." New owners have made major improvements this year, including a new lodge. 864-5671, snow info: 864-3380, www.saddlebackmaine.com
Seacoast Snow Park, Windham, 100-foot verticaldrop,2handletows,nightskiing,80 percent snow-making. "A learning and practice facility,Seacoastfeaturesa600-footsnow-tub-
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Mon-Wed Save aWkketDcry $13
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Bangafriend-he/sheskis/ndesfreewithpurchaseof8hourbhhcke*. Thursday Hospitality 513
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Mon-Friday Military $13
Weekends & Holidays $15
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ME Turnpike Exit 12 EXIT 75, FORMERLY
PleasejoinusatTheHolidayInnByTheBayindowntownPortlandforlivemusic; internationalcuisine,winesandcoffees;andspiritedbiddingonlineitemsand localandexoticgetawaypackages—alltobenefitMaine'schildrenandfamilies.
YouthAlternatives reserveyourticketsonlineatwww.youthaltematives.org/passportorcall207.874.1175x170
CUNNINGHAM inghillandaterraingardenforsnowboards andskiboards,aswellasasnackbar and arcade." 892-5952, www.seacoastfunparks.com
Shawnee Peak, Bridgton,1300-footvertical drop,1quad/2triplechairs/1doublechair/1 handle tow, night skiing, 99 percent snow-mak¬ ing."Maine'slargestfamily-runskiresortwith morethan40trailsandglades,skiingfromsun¬ risetoaftersunset,andthenewAlpineCafe. Jointhee-mailclubfordeals,specials,and weekly events." 647-8444, www.shawneepeak.com
Spruce Mountain, Jay,300-footverticaldrop, 3 rope tows, night skiing, 50 percent snow¬ making. "On the banks of the Androscoggin RiverincentralMaine,SpruceMountainhas11 trailsandisacommunityfocalpointforout¬ door winter recreation." 897-4090
Sugarloaf/USA, CarrabassettValley,2820-foot verticaldrop,4quads(2high-speed)/!triple chair/8doublechairs/1Tbar/1handletow,92 percent snow-making. 'The mountain offers 131trailsandgladesover1,410acres,afull¬ servicealpinevillagewithslopesidelodging, anti-gravitycomplexwithadimbingwall,aerial¬ trainingtrampolines,afullweightandfitness center, and indoor skate park and skate bowl." 237-2000, snow info: 237-6809, www.sugarloaf.com
Sunday River, Bethel, 2340-footvertical drop,9quads(4high-speed)/4triplechairs/2 double chairs/3 handle tows, 92 percent snow¬ making "Sunday River has 128 trails accessed by18liftsspreadacrosseightpeaks,with663 skiableacres,full-servicehotels,condominiums, and inn. The White Cap Fun Center has two lightedtubingruns,lightedice-skatingrink, snow deck park, and arcade. There are onmountaineateriesandfreepublictransitto Bethel."TheMaineTelemarkFestivalisheld January 24-25, with demonstrations, lessons, clinics,contests,andmanyfunevents.8243000, snow info: 824-5200, www.sundayriver.com
Titcomb Mountain, Farmington, 340-foot verticaldrop,2Tbars/1handletow,night skiing, 75 percent snow-making. "Operating since1939,theskicluboffersfamilyfunatan affordableprice,includingalpine,snowboard, andNordicactivities.Skierswillfindafullrange ofterrains,includingmorethan17kilometers of groomed Nordic trails." 778-9031, www.titcombmountain.com
Links for updates: www.skimaine.com (Ski Maine Association); www.mnsc.com (Maine Nordic Ski Council); www.netelemark.com (New England Telemark). Ski information courtesy Ski Maine Association/New England Telemark. ThankstoSkiMaineAssociationforassisting withthisguide.
couxueu. BANKenu
Theater The Children's Theatre of Maine, 317 Marginal Way, Portland. Our Town January 14 to 30 and Charlotte's Web February 18 to March 13. 828-0617.
PortlandLyricTheater, 176 Sawyer Street,
South Portland. Brigadoon runs February 18 to March 6. 799-1421 or www.lyricmusictheater.com
Mad Horse Theater Company, Portland Performing Arts Center, Portland. What Happened Was...runsFebruary10to27730-2389.
The Portland Players, 420 Cottage Road, South Portland. H.M.S. Pinafore January 21 to
February 6. 799-7337.
Penobscot Theater Company, 189 Main Street,Bangor.TheSmelloftheKillFebruary2 to 13. 947-6618 or www.penobscottheatre.org
Portland Stage Company, Portland Performing Arts Center, 25A Forest Avenue, Portland. The Foreigner runs January 25 to February 20. 774-0465 or www.portlandstage.com
The Public Theatre, Lewiston. Rounding Third January 21 to 30. 782-2211.
St. Lawrence Arts Center, 76 Congress Street, Portland. Bard-A-Thon Shakespeare Festival February 3 to 13 and A Man of No Importance from February 17 to March 13. 775-5568 or www.stlawrencearts.org
Galleries Art Gallery at the University of New England, 716 Stevens Avenue, Portland. "Woven for the Wall: Maine Fiber Art" and "The Wit and Whim of John Kimball" through January 30. 797-7261 or www.une.edu/artgallery/
Bates College Museum of Art, Lewiston. "Local and Global Contemporary Photography" through May 30; 'The Body Holographic" January 15 to March 19; and "Between Science and Art" January 14 to March 19. 786-6158. www.bates.edu
Bowdoin College Museum of Art, Brunswick.ArtandLifeintheAncient Mediterranean, American Murals, and Asian Art from the Permanent Collections continue. 725-3275 or www.bowdoin.edu
Art Gallery at The Clown, 123 Middle Street,Portland."SmallWorksbytheArtistsat the Clown" through January 30. February features "Ceramics Show" February 3 to 28. 756-7399 or www.the-clown.com
Center for Maine Contemporary Art, 162 RussellAvenue,Rockport."SurvivingWinterin Maine,""LihuaLei:'Sidhe'”(FairyMounds),and "Dana Strout: Hidden Places" January 9 to February 19. 236-2875 orwww.artsmaine.org
Children's Museum of Maine, 142 Free Street, Portland. Japanese New Year Celebration January 9, "Winnie the Pooh Da/' January 18, and "Vietnam War's End" January 27.828-1234 or www.childrensmuseumofme.org
Colby College Museum of Art, Waterville. "Photography at Colby" through February 13. 872-3228 or www.colby.edu/museum
Farnsworth Museum of Art, MainStreet, Rockland. "Maine in America: Two Hundred Years of American Art" and "Maine in America: Photographs from the Collection" to February
nas on 13,MaineFiberArtstoFebruary20,and"Five and Ice: Marine Combat Art from Afghanistan and Iraq" February 6 to March 27. 596-6457 or www.farnsworthmuseum.org
GaleyrieFineArt, 240 U.S Route One, Falmouth. Holiday Show continues through January. 781-3555 or www.galeyne.com
Greenhut Gallery, 146MiddleStreet, Portland."GalleryArtists"toJanuary29and "LynneDrexler:ALifeinColor"February3-26. 772-2693, or www.greenhutgalleries.com
Institute of Contemporary Art at Maine CollegeofArt, 522 Congress Street, Portland "Scholastic Art Awards Exhibition" through January22andFacultyExhibitionJanuary30to February 27. 879-5742 or www.meca.edu
Maine Historical Society Museum, 489 Congress Street, Portland. "Umbazooksus and Beyond: The Maine Woods Remembered" January 28 to June 5 774-1822 or
The national company of Rent comestoPortland'sMerrill Auditorium January 14 and 15.
www.mainehistory.org
MessierGallery, CenterforFurniture Craftsmanship, Rockport. "Contemporary Maine Carving" to March 3. 594-5611 or www.woodschool.org
Portland Museum of Art, 7 Congress Square, Portland. "New Acquisitions 2004" to April10;"ArchitectureRealandImaginary:The ItalyofGiovanniBattistaPiranesi(1728-1778)"
January 15 to March 13; "Margaret BourkeWhite: The Photography of Design, 1927-1936" January 19 to March 20. 773-ARTS, (800) 6394067or www.portlandmuseum.com
The Maine Women Writers Collection, Westbrook College Campus, University of New England, Stevens Avenue, Portland. Correspondence, photographs, manuscripts, and artifacts of Maine women authors. 7977688,ext.4324.
Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum, Hubbard
hall, Bowdom College, Brunswick. Some of the equipment Peary took to the North Pole, as well as artifacts MacMillan encountered on his arctic explorations. 725-3062
SaltGallery, ExchangeStreet,Portland. Student Show through March. 761-0660 or www.salt.edurgallery.html
Music Friends of the Kotzschmar Memorial Organ, MerrillAuditorium,Portland.Valentines SilentFilm,withorganistDennisJames,and Buster Keaton's Seven Chances and One Week February 11. www.foko.org
Merrill Auditorium, 20MyrtleStreet, Portland.RentJanuary14and15,Christian Tetzlaff January 20, Don Giovanni January 30, Tuesday Classical Theme and Variations February 1, Frederic Chiu February 9, and PSO
Pops Sounds of the Sixties February 12 and 13. 842-0800 or www.porttix.com
Portland Symphony Orchestra, Merrill Auditorium,Portland.ClassicalTuesdays Theme and Variations with guest conductor Christopher Wilkins February 1, and America's Pops Sounds of the Sixties February 12 and 13. 773-6128 or www.portlandsymphony.com
Bay Chamber Concerts, Rockport Opera House, Rockport. Parsons Dance Company January 16. 236-2823 or www.baychamberconcerts.org
L/AArts, 221LisbonStreet,Lewiston. Cheryl Wheeler January 20. 800-639-2919 or www.laarts.org
PCA Great Performances, Merrill Auditorium,Portland.ThenationaltourofRent January 14 and 15.842-0800 or www.pcagreatperformances.com
Portland Conservatory of Music, First Parish Church, Portland. Noonday concert series every Tuesday with January's performers includingBillStreetandMaineSuperSax Project January 13, Nathan Kolosko January 20, Eric Thomas with Cheryl Tschanz January 27, Carol Elowe February 3, Deborah Friou February 10. 775-3356 or www.portlandconservatory.net
Don'tmiss Cafe Review, attheCenterforCultural Exchange, Portland. Open poetry readings the last Monday of each month, beginning at 8 p.m. www.thecafereview.com
Maine Audubon, 20 Gisland Farm Road, Falmouth.EventsincludeWildlifeTracking January 15, Photographing Nature in Winter January20,ReallyCoolReptilesJanuary22, Basket-Making Basics January 29, Wildlife Tracking February 5 and 12, Good Night Nature February 10. 781-2330 or www.mameaudubon.org
Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance, 1326 Washington Street, Bath.MWPA offers workshopsinfiction,poetry,creativenonfiction, children'sliterature,andpublishing.386-1400 or www.mainewriters.org
PortlandPublicLibrary, 5 Monument Square,Portland.FromPagetoStage,aseries of sneak previews augmenting Portland Stage Company's productions, features The Foreigner February 1. 774-1043.
Portland Pirates Hockey Home Schedule, Cumberland County Civic Center, Portland. The PiratesplayProvidenceJanuary8,Springfield January 9, Lowell January 15, Manchester January 22, Providence January 29, Lowell February 4, Manchester February 5. 828-8344 or 775-3458.
103 Pleasant Street Brunswick, ME 04011 (207) 729-3811
Maverick Street Rockland, ME 04841 (207) 594-2533
Applyingforamortgagecannowbeeasyandfast.Wealsomakesureitcomeswithgreatrates.Ofcourse,allcreditis subjecttoapproval,andnormalcreditstandardsstillapply.Calltodaytoseeifyouqualifyforreducedpaperworkbenefits.
In the valley of Rudy BY COLIN SARGENT
Who says you can't buy a stained-glass-encrusted EastlakeVictorianforless than $300,000? This eight¬ room Westbrook jewel has itall,for$299,500.
Setbackat37PleasantStreetinWest¬ brook,withviewsoftheoldbrickhigh schoolsinger/moviestarRudyVallee attended,isagracefulEastlakemansion withtower,baywindows,andstainedglasswindowsdramaticenoughtoimpress thevagabondloverhimself,whodoubtless walkedpassedthislandmarkonthewayto schoolinthisunderappreciatedmilltown.
Fromthe"stick"styleofthewraparound porchtotheenormousoak-trimmed11,000square-footlot,thiseight-roomhomeis evocativeoftheGildedAge.Thefirstfloor
featuresbull's-eyemoldinginitsoriginal maplefinish,gracingfourlargerooms:salon, library,diningroom,andlargekitchen.
Onthesecondfloor,fourbedrooms flooredingorgeouspumpkinpineandthe secondoftwofullbathsradiatefromthe centralhall.Thoughthishomewaspur¬ chasedearlierthisyearbytheseller,thereis stillvaluehere,justashortwalkfromthe
newerWestbrookHighSchoolbehindit. Recommendations:takeoffthemoss-col¬ oredasbestosshingles,updatethekitchen, parkyourcarinthelargeone-cargarage, andyou'rereadytomovein.Offeredby MelissaBakerRichterofColdwellBanker ResidentialBrokerage.Taxesare$3,297. PricedbelowmanyPortlandcondomini¬ ums,thishouseisworthcrooningabout.■
305’offrontageon&.sunsetviews overMaquoitBay,thisexceptionally fineColonialreproductionhome featuresafront-to-backlivingroom, formaldiningroom,kitchenwith breakfastarea,threebedrooms,2 baths,&.officeinthepartiallyfin¬ ishedbasement,inaddition,there’s atwobedroomcottage,(withelec¬ tricheatforunseasonalguests),right atthewatersedgebesidetheramp andfloat.$975,000
NEW ENGLAND HOMES & LIVING TurnkeyhomenearRobinhoodMarina. Spectacularviews,lovelygardens,sunsets, milesoftrailsandcommonareaaccesstoBack River.Energyefficient,easytomaintainconcept,fonnaldining room,wonderfulscreened-inporch,threebedrooms,workshop andlargegarage!$479,000.
WOODS BlackBear Landscaping U<wr/»«rr/ Thomsen • Gables Bv The Sea
The Danforth Bed & Breakfast "ExperiencedlandscapeProfessionals.Jack's approachblendscarefulplanning,attentionto detailwithcustomersatisfaction. 0? lookforward toournextprojectwithBlackBearLandscaping.”
-TomThomsen.WoodwardThomsenCo. “Imaginative&meticulous.They'velentspe¬ cialcharactertoourhome,borderingthe RachelCarsonWildlifePreserve...”
-BarbaraTagueAWilliamBell.Saeo Playing on our home turf & loving it.
TranquilWaterfrontRetreat
Brunswick-Exceptionalcomfortandpriva¬ cyareyourswiththis4bedroomhome, custom-builttoexceedinglyhighstan¬ dards.Featuresincludegourmetkitchen, 3-cargarage,3fireplaces,screenedporch. Situatedon2.33acreswith225ft.onthe NewMeadowsRiver.Deepwateraccess anddock.OfferedatSi,200,000
WestBath-Situatedon3.4acresoverlook¬ ingthetidalcove,andsurroundedby maturetreesandlandscape,youwillbe struckbytheprivacyofferedhere.Ilie homehasthreeprivatesleepingareas,an office,andbutler'spantry,makingitideal forgraciousentertaining.Theseparate barnhasstoragefor5vehicles,asecond story,andaheatedworkshopadjacentto thelargeboatshed.Offeredat$729,900
Meg Harvie Coon
ColdwellBankerResidentialBrokerage 37DepotRoad-Falmouth.ME04105 (207)781-8444x228
email:Meg.Coon@NEMoves.com website:www.MaineRealEstateAgent.com
PHILLIPS-WWer Hill Road,AntiqueCenter Chinincvcapeon42+/-acres offieldandforest.2fireplaces, 4bed,2.5baths,sunporch. Southernexposurewithawon¬ derfulview.$195,000.
Chebeague Island Business Opportunity Island'sonlyStore/Marketofferedforthefirsttime intwogenerations.Hugeupsidepotentialforthenewbuyer. Storeplus1800'scapehome,andoutbuildings.
Asking 2.2M
11IEVIEW!-Alsoavailableis 37+-acreswitha80x40,11 stallhorsebarn,farmpond, powerandwell.SI50,000.
SCARBOROUGH 4+ br/ 3 ba Hip-Roof Colonial in beautiful wooded setting. Large mas¬ ter suite w/Jacuzzi. French/Pockel doors,built-ins.tiledfloors.3rdfloor bonus rm. 2-level deck w/hot tub. 1g. fenced yard w/perennial gardens & more! $469,900.
FALMOUTH FORESIDE - Light & brightColonialw/4br/3ba,FP,builtins. breakfast nook & more, all on an oversized lot w/perennial gardens and views of Casco Bay! $599,000
John Hatcher Brian Fulton Tern Brown Paul McKee
Farnham Point Cape
'IllisbrandnewhomeinEastBoothbayislocatedoverlookingthe DamariscottaRiserwith100'+/-feetofwaterfront.Classicdesignwith 3bedrooms,2baths,2cargarage,andfullyfurnishedfamilyroomin basement.Ixivelvwoodedsettingwithineasydrivingdistancetobeau¬ tifulOceanPointandhistoricEastBoothbayVillage.
$595,000
FALMOUTH - Fabulous Views of Casco Bay in Falmouth Foreside w/Boat Mooring Frontage & Sandy Beach! 3BR New Englander with 1st Floor Master Suite w/Marble, Open Granite and Marble KIT, Fireplaced FR, Custom Cherry Ceiling Sauna, Custom Office, Daylt Bsmnt w/2BR,
POWNA L - Contemporary style Cape with a 30’ X 80’ Bam is situated on 25 Ac. This lovely home has an Eat-in KIT, spacious DR, FR w/Cathedral Ceilings, Formal LR, Sunrm w/Tile, Master Suite w/Full BTH, Open Loft-Style 3rd Floor, 3-Car
y [2BTH, Exercise Rm. $1,499,900 Garage. $695,000
FALMOUTH - New 5,400SF Shingle Style Colonial in the Wood¬ lands Country Club. 4-5 Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths, 2 Gas Fireplaces, Formal Living and Dining Rooms with French Doors, Columns and Wain¬ scoting. Custom Cherry & Granite Kitchen, Master with Marble Bath. Exquisite! $1,049,900
CustomdesignedLogHomesituatedon14acresand568feetofwater¬ frontbuiltforunsurpassedprivacy.locatedontheoutskirtsofthe Kennebunk’s,thisexquisitehomehasitall.
WellappointedanddecoratedbyaBozemanMTdesigner,thishomeis offeredfullyfurnished.Enjoy3fireplaces,1stfloorMasterbedroomsuite, greatroomwithdramaticcathedralceilingsandviews,GourmetRoom, Hottubroomwithwetbarandheatedingroundpool.Toomanydetailsto list.Trulyoneofakind!8995,000
Red Bird BY KASEY M. GRIECO
RandallNortonsensedtheyoung man'spresenceinthedoorwayand heldhiseyesclosed.Forthefifth nightinarowtheyoungorderlypickedup Randall'suntoucheddinnertrayandspirit¬ editaway.Randallopenedhiseyesand lookedatthealarmclockonhisnightstand. Thehandsglowedseven.
Martha would be home by now. I'm dying,forChrist'ssake,andIdon'twant staleconvalescentfoodtotrickmysenses intobelievingotherwise.Howlongago wasitthatthedoctortoldmeI'dlosemy mindfirst,thatIwouldn'tfeelthepain? Roundaboutwhen1stoppedeating,isn't thatright,Dr.Suntan?Hell,I'dalreadylost enoughofmymindbythen.
Trickistogiveuponcertainthingsin ordertoholdontoothers.Charliewon't cometoseeme,orifhedidhewouldn't bringlittleSarah,sweetdreamofagrand¬ daughter.'Maybenexttime,Dad.'Because Iamnevergoingtofeelmyownbedagain, nevergoingtoeaseintothehollowmy bodyhasformedinthemattress.Never tastethemixofcoldbeerandwarmsweat onmytongueataRedSoxgame.Martha willneversellthehouse;she'lldieinit. Funny-if1livetoseesummer,Iwon'tknow it!OnlythingIknow,dammit,isI'mgoing todiewhereIwantto,beforeIloseevery¬ thing.TonightIamgoingtostepintothe coldairandbefree.
Escape?Howcanyouescapebackinto yourownworld?Family,friends?No, they'retheonestakingitallaway.
Lastnighthe'dsoiledthebed,endured thehumiliationoftheyoungnurse-so muchlikeSarah-washinghimandchang¬ ingthesheets.
Exceptforthemechanizedbedhe'd beenconfinedto,thisprivateroomlooked morelikeahotelthananursinghome-a modestplace,iceattheendofahallandat nightallthecarsflashingby.
IfIweremoving,inacar,maybe,I mightactuallydecidetopulloverhere.
That'sit-theslowcurveddrivewayofthe motorcourtwestayedin-Marthaandme, CharlieandhiswifeLauraandlittleSarah. Soyoungshewasinpigtails,twotwining fallsofhairtiedupinbrightredribbons ticklingherbarearms.Wewereontheway toNewYork,totheAdirondacks,driving forhoursonend.We'dwalkedsomeevery day,too,stretchingourlegsontheshort trailsofthehighwayreststops.Sarahwore aredsundressmostofthetrip,hoppedlike along-leggedbirdoxertreeroots.BeforeI feltthistirednesscomingoverme,before tumorsbegantobloominmybrainlike malignantflowers.
Sunlight.Randallhadbeendozing.He woketoseeMarthaknittingintherocking chairinthecomer,mid-rock.Butwheream I?Idon'tknowthisroom.Whendidwe buythatchair?
Outsidethewindow,atreebranch gleamed,sugar-frostedovernightbyalate wintericestorm.Brilliantinhisicysur¬ roundings,acardinalstruggledforfooting ononeslendertwig.Randalllookedon silentlyastheredbirdhoppedfromfootto foot.Martharaisedherheadfromherknit¬ tingandfollowedRandall'seyestothebird. Astheywatched,thetwigbent,then snapped.Thecardinalfellbelowthewin¬ dowandwasgone.■
Allphotosfromleft.1.ThePortlandShowatGreenhut Gallery: Nancy Wissemann-Widrig, John Wissemann. 2. Greenhut: Deborah Winship, Sam Cady. 3. Spurwink Institute18thAnnualHumanitarianoftheYearAwardat thePortlandMarriott:DarylGurney,TravisRoy.4. Greenhut:RussSarget,SusanBergier,RichardWilson.5. Greenhut:BethSunenblick,SteveSunenblick,Peggy Golden.6.The Black Veil reading by author Rick Moody atMaineHistoricalSociety:JeremyMorton,Hiram Moody,RickMoody,RichardD'Abate.7.Greenhut:Fred Lynch,JudyLaBrasca,JaniceLynch,JeffKellar,Anna Kellar.8.MaineHistorical:BillTolman,BarbaraTolman.9. Community Counseling Services fundraiser at Woodfords CongregationalChurch:BobLinskey,TaraWalters,Kristin Coleman.10.CCS:OlgaMeletashkova,NancyBills, Marvin London, Barbara Mason Smith. 11 CCS: Robin Hettzler,StevenSinisi.12.CCS:GretchenHill,Rob Bosdewijn,OlandoAndreu,JessieAndreu,PeterNesbitt.
FrankWebbopenedhisplumbingsupplycompanymorethan100yearsago,andsincethen,generationsof 'plumbershavereliedonthisgrowingenterpriseforthefinestsinks,faucets,toilets,tubsandmuchmore. NowtheNortheastslargestplumbingsupplier,F.W.Webbhasopenedinnovativeshowroomsofferingthese
productsdirectlytothe.publicanddesigntrade.Allowtheexperienced staffatFrankWebbsBathCenterstoguideyouthroughyourvastarray ofplumbingdesignchoices.
Walk-insarewelcome, butanappointmentguantnteeoauniquely personalexperience.
