Thursday, January 10, 2013
Ktaadn Guide Service: This Is My Town
Ktaadn Guide Service: This Is My Town: This blog is directed to the great folks of the Katahdin Region. I would like to say that I agree with the comment of Dan Byron of East Mill...
This Is My Town
This blog is directed to the great folks of the Katahdin Region. I would like to say that I agree with the comment of Dan Byron of East Millinocket who stated, we need our schools! Yes, indeed. We have watched our small communities change in ways I'm certain folks never thought they would see. Many never saw the paper mills closing, after all, they took care of our communities for quite a few decades, but they did. I bet many never thought they would see downtown Millinocket crumble to the ground, but it has. Many never thought their children would have to leave the region, not being able to make a living here anymore, but they have. School enrollments have dropped severely as the caravans of U-Hauls and Budget trucks of young families loaded up the kids and headed out of town. Drive along the streets of East Millinocket and Millinocket and you will see the many houses empty, realtor and for sale by owner signs are everywhere. There was over 900 employees in the East Mill when I worked there in the 80s, now there is around 300 give or take. Millinocket took the hardest hit as their mill never restarted. We used to have Ames department store, a movie theater, Newburys, Epsteins which became Millers. We had a Radio Shack, and a local newspaper. Coffee shops, Mom and Pop stores, sport shops; There was Pratt Ford, Moores Auto Sales; you could buy a Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, GMC, Pontiac, Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and the still resilient Katahdin Motors Chevy dealer. The Dolby was a family restaurant and motel, and the infamous Hamms Restaurant, lounge and motel was the place where "You are only a stranger once"! Are ya depressed yet???
Now, yes we miss it, and we can reminisce the good old days until we draw our last breaths, but it is all in the past. It is our history and no one can ever take it away or even match it in memories. Please, let it all go and look forward. There is a light, and it touches mount Katahdin before it ever touches Maines coast. Take a moment, stop, and just look. Do you know that we all live in a place that others dream about? I have had clients at my guide service who are truly awestruck when they look up at the stars as many of them see nothing but the lights of skyscrapers. I had one tear up when he looked across a field at dusk full of fireflies and the purple silhouette of Katahdin on the horizon. He called it Heaven.
Thats not all folks. Our communities and our people are just as special. Now, take a bit of history and build the future. People need a reason to come. Not just to visit, but to stay. We need to give them a reason. We need to be the kind and friendly folks that people imagine we are and I know we can be. We need to bring businesses back to the region. We have a wonderful sporting shop in Medway: Two Rivers Canoe and Tackle, and I would never want to take away from them: I know the owners and think an awful lot of them and their employees. However I feel we have room for more. I received an inquiry from a couple staying at one of the local hotels as to where one could rent cross country ski's. We used to have a shop in Millinocket that rented out equipment, but not anymore. We have all these wonderful groomed trails! Yes when the snow is deep and the ITS trails packed and groomed, the area thrives for a period of time. Still there is more we can do, and more we can offer. Winterfest is good, take a swing off that, put the region on the map for more than just a week. I understand it takes volunteers and money, but can you really think of a better investment?? Lets do more!! Why not a sled dog race in the area? Lets do a winter carnival! I miss the snow sculptures!! Remember them?
Now here is another idea which saved a few small communities out in the boonies, theme towns. Don't laugh!! I visited a small town in Frankenmuth Michigan back in the late 90s (www.frankenmuth.org/visit/) that turned the whole town into an old Barvarian wonderland with a Christmas theme along with it. Check it out; it was awesome!! That same year I went to Duluth Minnesota, the hometown of my Mother and found there was still some of the olden days alive that I truly enjoyed! The old train station, the Lake Superior museum with remnants of the past like the Edmund Fitzegerald and the tale of that terrible night. While there we went into some of the old buildings down on the water front once slated to be demolished, but redecorated into little specialty shops and cafe's. There were things to do and things to see that took more than a day to enjoy and a lifetime to love and embrace. Build it and they will come.
We should have new businesses geared to the region. If a hiker needs a good pair of boots and can't find what they want at Tractor Supply, they are Bangor bound! By the way, thank you Tractor Supply for coming to our towns. It is like this, we have a mountain, and people like to climb mountains. We should be able to provide, somewhere, things that people who like to climb mountains and camp out in the wilderness need!
I'll give the Pellitiers credit for this, they made life in the Maine woods interesting to the outside world and found out that there are folks out there that are intrigued by our rugged way of life. Their restaurant, sorry, a little over rated, but beautiful inside and a place visitors want to go to, which is good.....It's a start.
Now if you give folks a reason to want to come, and a place to shop, eat and have some fun, you need to increase access. Yes folks I said INCREASE access! We can do that. Again, I don't know if this has been looked at, however, we have an airport!!! Did you know that Millinocket airport was an emergency airport during WW11? Did you know it was also a major refueling station for the big bombers?? Now, if they could land and take off, why are we not looking into an airline shuttle service? Have we?
When you increase access, you create a need for more lodging, diners and eatery's, car rentals and other services. Another huge benefit to increasing access is it will increase interest and that opens the door for businesses to think, hey, this might be a real nice place to start something wonderful!
We covered winter. I hope that I would not have to list all that is spectacular about the Katahdin Region in the summer and fall!!! But I will...at least list a few: Fishing, boating, camping, hiking, biking, canoing, kayaking, rafting, mountain climbing, photography opportunities of flora, fauna and landscapes,hunting, leaf peeping....the list goes on, add in comments. Now add to all that, things like the art of the region, the museums (and for goodness sakes promote and advertise the dang museums, they are no good if they are either closed or difficult), how about a concert schedule in the parks featuring our awesome local talent from singers to tellers of tall tales and comedians. By the way, the new ATV trails have numerous opportunities and I think it was excellent when they allowed the ATVs to come into town and patronize the businesses. I believe that will continue to grow.
Imagine now with me....picture it, stores and shops with smiling faces and woo hoo, employees!! New businesses, families coming back home along with new families.
If we build it, if.....if we embrace a new beginning with just a hint of the past..... we can once again thrive and really put the Katahdin Region on the map and life, prosperity, and the sounds of laughter once again.
I'm not claiming to know all the answers. I don't know what has been looked at, or how much effort has been put into marketing the area. I'm simply giving you a perspective of my point of view out there for you all to think about and please do comment your thoughts as it will and can never be just one to make such huge changes, or take big risks. I admit I have a stake in the whole game, being a guide and running a camp rental and guide service. Yup, hunting folks, it is big business, or at least it was and can be again. Hate me if you like. Kuddos to Matt Polstein, I think he really has something special where Twin Pines Once stood ground. I know he is not a favorite person to some, but, he does have something, and he is thriving from it. Now, why can't the rest of us??
I have other ideas that could bring new life and interest. I'm sure others do too and I want to hear from you. Let the new world of computers and facebook, and blogs like mine and Wileys Dam Camp stories of the camp wife, and so, so much more create new life and beginnings!! I have touched this subject in past blogs, however, I felt it needed to be revisited. Also I'm concerned that if something is not done, our towns will continue to wither. Folks are struggling with the high costs of gas, heating oil, groceries......they can't take more burdens of higher taxes, they can't take losing any more schools.
Lets chat!
Are you with me????
Now, yes we miss it, and we can reminisce the good old days until we draw our last breaths, but it is all in the past. It is our history and no one can ever take it away or even match it in memories. Please, let it all go and look forward. There is a light, and it touches mount Katahdin before it ever touches Maines coast. Take a moment, stop, and just look. Do you know that we all live in a place that others dream about? I have had clients at my guide service who are truly awestruck when they look up at the stars as many of them see nothing but the lights of skyscrapers. I had one tear up when he looked across a field at dusk full of fireflies and the purple silhouette of Katahdin on the horizon. He called it Heaven.
Thats not all folks. Our communities and our people are just as special. Now, take a bit of history and build the future. People need a reason to come. Not just to visit, but to stay. We need to give them a reason. We need to be the kind and friendly folks that people imagine we are and I know we can be. We need to bring businesses back to the region. We have a wonderful sporting shop in Medway: Two Rivers Canoe and Tackle, and I would never want to take away from them: I know the owners and think an awful lot of them and their employees. However I feel we have room for more. I received an inquiry from a couple staying at one of the local hotels as to where one could rent cross country ski's. We used to have a shop in Millinocket that rented out equipment, but not anymore. We have all these wonderful groomed trails! Yes when the snow is deep and the ITS trails packed and groomed, the area thrives for a period of time. Still there is more we can do, and more we can offer. Winterfest is good, take a swing off that, put the region on the map for more than just a week. I understand it takes volunteers and money, but can you really think of a better investment?? Lets do more!! Why not a sled dog race in the area? Lets do a winter carnival! I miss the snow sculptures!! Remember them?
Now here is another idea which saved a few small communities out in the boonies, theme towns. Don't laugh!! I visited a small town in Frankenmuth Michigan back in the late 90s (www.frankenmuth.org/visit/) that turned the whole town into an old Barvarian wonderland with a Christmas theme along with it. Check it out; it was awesome!! That same year I went to Duluth Minnesota, the hometown of my Mother and found there was still some of the olden days alive that I truly enjoyed! The old train station, the Lake Superior museum with remnants of the past like the Edmund Fitzegerald and the tale of that terrible night. While there we went into some of the old buildings down on the water front once slated to be demolished, but redecorated into little specialty shops and cafe's. There were things to do and things to see that took more than a day to enjoy and a lifetime to love and embrace. Build it and they will come.
We should have new businesses geared to the region. If a hiker needs a good pair of boots and can't find what they want at Tractor Supply, they are Bangor bound! By the way, thank you Tractor Supply for coming to our towns. It is like this, we have a mountain, and people like to climb mountains. We should be able to provide, somewhere, things that people who like to climb mountains and camp out in the wilderness need!
I'll give the Pellitiers credit for this, they made life in the Maine woods interesting to the outside world and found out that there are folks out there that are intrigued by our rugged way of life. Their restaurant, sorry, a little over rated, but beautiful inside and a place visitors want to go to, which is good.....It's a start.
Now if you give folks a reason to want to come, and a place to shop, eat and have some fun, you need to increase access. Yes folks I said INCREASE access! We can do that. Again, I don't know if this has been looked at, however, we have an airport!!! Did you know that Millinocket airport was an emergency airport during WW11? Did you know it was also a major refueling station for the big bombers?? Now, if they could land and take off, why are we not looking into an airline shuttle service? Have we?
When you increase access, you create a need for more lodging, diners and eatery's, car rentals and other services. Another huge benefit to increasing access is it will increase interest and that opens the door for businesses to think, hey, this might be a real nice place to start something wonderful!
We covered winter. I hope that I would not have to list all that is spectacular about the Katahdin Region in the summer and fall!!! But I will...at least list a few: Fishing, boating, camping, hiking, biking, canoing, kayaking, rafting, mountain climbing, photography opportunities of flora, fauna and landscapes,hunting, leaf peeping....the list goes on, add in comments. Now add to all that, things like the art of the region, the museums (and for goodness sakes promote and advertise the dang museums, they are no good if they are either closed or difficult), how about a concert schedule in the parks featuring our awesome local talent from singers to tellers of tall tales and comedians. By the way, the new ATV trails have numerous opportunities and I think it was excellent when they allowed the ATVs to come into town and patronize the businesses. I believe that will continue to grow.
Imagine now with me....picture it, stores and shops with smiling faces and woo hoo, employees!! New businesses, families coming back home along with new families.
If we build it, if.....if we embrace a new beginning with just a hint of the past..... we can once again thrive and really put the Katahdin Region on the map and life, prosperity, and the sounds of laughter once again.
I'm not claiming to know all the answers. I don't know what has been looked at, or how much effort has been put into marketing the area. I'm simply giving you a perspective of my point of view out there for you all to think about and please do comment your thoughts as it will and can never be just one to make such huge changes, or take big risks. I admit I have a stake in the whole game, being a guide and running a camp rental and guide service. Yup, hunting folks, it is big business, or at least it was and can be again. Hate me if you like. Kuddos to Matt Polstein, I think he really has something special where Twin Pines Once stood ground. I know he is not a favorite person to some, but, he does have something, and he is thriving from it. Now, why can't the rest of us??
I have other ideas that could bring new life and interest. I'm sure others do too and I want to hear from you. Let the new world of computers and facebook, and blogs like mine and Wileys Dam Camp stories of the camp wife, and so, so much more create new life and beginnings!! I have touched this subject in past blogs, however, I felt it needed to be revisited. Also I'm concerned that if something is not done, our towns will continue to wither. Folks are struggling with the high costs of gas, heating oil, groceries......they can't take more burdens of higher taxes, they can't take losing any more schools.
Are you with me????
Monday, May 21, 2012
Ktaadn Guide Service: Shhhh...be very, very quiet, we're hunting wabbits...
Ktaadn Guide Service: Shhhh...be very, very quiet, we're hunting wabbits...: After years of hounding...I'm talking about Big E wanting to get some hunting dogs again. For over 16 years, Big E and I raised, trained ...
Shhhh...be very, very quiet, we're hunting wabbits!
After years of hounding...I'm talking about Big E wanting to get some hunting dogs again. For over 16 years, Big E and I raised, trained and breed hunting hounds for hunting raccoons, bears and bobcats. However, as life sometimes does, such activities were interrupted with skidder payments, truck payments and life in general. Getting up at four or five in the morning and not getting back home until after suppertime took a tole on hunting all hours of the night and repeating the days. Then one of lifes bigger bumps hit when Big E became disabled and unable to chase a pack of hounds day or night.
For a few years in between, I raised Shiba Inu's for pet, show and breed. I also had one Akita, that I was so proud to own. I had purchased him for the same purpose, however when he was x-rayed at six months, I had to do that awful thing that makes men queezy. Therefore he was just a beloved pet. But, this blog is not about that....
Anyway, I finally gave in and allowed Big E to get a hunting dog again; a beagle that we named Buddy. About seven months later we had another beagle puppy given to us, which I named Rowdey. These names have special meaning as Buddy and Rowdey were the names of our two most treasured hunting hounds, and ironically, these two beagles reincarnated for us, their name sakes down to a "T". It is almost eerie just how much they act, sound, hunt and mimic the hounds of our past.
So we began hunting rabbits, or Wabbits or little bunny foo foo's, whatever one wants to call them. I quickly began to remember some of the joys of hunting with a dog along with the pride that goes with it when you listen to them do their thing. However, I also remembered some of the not so nice aspects of owning hunting dogs....when they don't come home. The trips back and forth to the last place they were seen or heard, listening, calling until you cannot make more that a squeak, and the worrying with no sleep. A happy ending, they came home with the longest time out being three full complete days and nights.
Hunting hounds they are, and the good with the bad, they have shaped up to be two excellent little rabbit dogs!!! Now if you are not familiar with a beagle, I must tell you, they are the sweetest, happy go lucky little dogs I have ever owned, and I have owned a lot of dogs!!! I love them dearly and spoil them constantly, but most of all, I'm so proud of them!
So to continue this story, we have a very good friend whom I have mentioned before in my posts named "Outback Bob", Bob Sauer Jones from the Adirondacks of New York. Bob is the founder or Outback Outfitters Guide Service in North River, New York. Bob's son Jacob has taken over, with Bob being an Outdoors expert, adviser and consultant as Bob has said he has retired. We became friends with Bob when we met in Harrisburg Pennsylvania while at the Sportsmen Show, and all over a little dude on the side of my truck, Now Bob has some shared responsibility in the bunny hunting dog scheme; Bob has bunny hunting dogs. Bob bunny hunts. Bob has guided bunny hunts. ( Love ya Bob ;) )
Anyway, Bob came to visit this spring to go bunny hunting and a hunting we did go! The dogs circled and chased bunnies superbly! Bunnies are fast!! After a while, Big E finally pulled up, BOOM, Bob pulled up, Boom....I will not give the details as I'm probably going to get hate mail over this as it is! ( Those whom I refer to need not reply, thank you very much most wicked!)The beagles get the bunny, bunny is taken and the dogs are off again!
Bob and Big E, ( bob and big e, sounds like a tale in itself doesn't it?) decide to take a walk up the road while Andy and I stayed back at the truck. Bob was in need of a call of nature....and the hounds are sounding awesome! They talk and joke, having a good ol time; good friends make for good hunting. A beautiful crisp spring day making every one say "life is good"!
Here is what is looked like from the truck. They are about 200 yards away where the road made a slight bend. Bob is showing Big E something...they are talking...Big E pulls up, "BANG", Big E got a bunny!
Here is what it was. Bob hands his shot gun, (by the way I forgot to mention that Bob forgot his shotgun shells back at the cabin of which I joyfully drove back to camp and returned with his shells), shows Big E where the safety was, little chit chat about the gun and Bob proceeds to answer the call. Hounds are sounding awesome!! Bob being a little busy, Big E says, "There's the rabbit!", Boom, Big E shoots the rabbit, Bob states, "Now don't that beat all" and several other statements. Both double over laughing!!!!
Dam I love hunting!!! This is one of those moments we will all relive over and over and laugh every time. Oh yes, "Life is good"!
For a few years in between, I raised Shiba Inu's for pet, show and breed. I also had one Akita, that I was so proud to own. I had purchased him for the same purpose, however when he was x-rayed at six months, I had to do that awful thing that makes men queezy. Therefore he was just a beloved pet. But, this blog is not about that....
Anyway, I finally gave in and allowed Big E to get a hunting dog again; a beagle that we named Buddy. About seven months later we had another beagle puppy given to us, which I named Rowdey. These names have special meaning as Buddy and Rowdey were the names of our two most treasured hunting hounds, and ironically, these two beagles reincarnated for us, their name sakes down to a "T". It is almost eerie just how much they act, sound, hunt and mimic the hounds of our past.
So we began hunting rabbits, or Wabbits or little bunny foo foo's, whatever one wants to call them. I quickly began to remember some of the joys of hunting with a dog along with the pride that goes with it when you listen to them do their thing. However, I also remembered some of the not so nice aspects of owning hunting dogs....when they don't come home. The trips back and forth to the last place they were seen or heard, listening, calling until you cannot make more that a squeak, and the worrying with no sleep. A happy ending, they came home with the longest time out being three full complete days and nights.
Hunting hounds they are, and the good with the bad, they have shaped up to be two excellent little rabbit dogs!!! Now if you are not familiar with a beagle, I must tell you, they are the sweetest, happy go lucky little dogs I have ever owned, and I have owned a lot of dogs!!! I love them dearly and spoil them constantly, but most of all, I'm so proud of them!
So to continue this story, we have a very good friend whom I have mentioned before in my posts named "Outback Bob", Bob Sauer Jones from the Adirondacks of New York. Bob is the founder or Outback Outfitters Guide Service in North River, New York. Bob's son Jacob has taken over, with Bob being an Outdoors expert, adviser and consultant as Bob has said he has retired. We became friends with Bob when we met in Harrisburg Pennsylvania while at the Sportsmen Show, and all over a little dude on the side of my truck, Now Bob has some shared responsibility in the bunny hunting dog scheme; Bob has bunny hunting dogs. Bob bunny hunts. Bob has guided bunny hunts. ( Love ya Bob ;) )
Anyway, Bob came to visit this spring to go bunny hunting and a hunting we did go! The dogs circled and chased bunnies superbly! Bunnies are fast!! After a while, Big E finally pulled up, BOOM, Bob pulled up, Boom....I will not give the details as I'm probably going to get hate mail over this as it is! ( Those whom I refer to need not reply, thank you very much most wicked!)The beagles get the bunny, bunny is taken and the dogs are off again!
Bob and Big E, ( bob and big e, sounds like a tale in itself doesn't it?) decide to take a walk up the road while Andy and I stayed back at the truck. Bob was in need of a call of nature....and the hounds are sounding awesome! They talk and joke, having a good ol time; good friends make for good hunting. A beautiful crisp spring day making every one say "life is good"!
Here is what is looked like from the truck. They are about 200 yards away where the road made a slight bend. Bob is showing Big E something...they are talking...Big E pulls up, "BANG", Big E got a bunny!
Here is what it was. Bob hands his shot gun, (by the way I forgot to mention that Bob forgot his shotgun shells back at the cabin of which I joyfully drove back to camp and returned with his shells), shows Big E where the safety was, little chit chat about the gun and Bob proceeds to answer the call. Hounds are sounding awesome!! Bob being a little busy, Big E says, "There's the rabbit!", Boom, Big E shoots the rabbit, Bob states, "Now don't that beat all" and several other statements. Both double over laughing!!!!
Ktaadn Guide Service: Extra Extra, Read All About It
Ktaadn Guide Service: Extra Extra, Read All About It: I have some catching up to do! Since my last post, I have been a hunting wabbits, oops, rabbits!! I'm sure you know I did that on purpose...
Extra Extra, Read All About It
I have some catching up to do! Since my last post, I have been a hunting wabbits, oops, rabbits!! I'm sure you know I did that on purpose. I have been fishing at my little piece of Heaven, and for this blog, I'm writing once again!
I was hired in March by The Maine Sportsman to write the informational, how to and where to, for Katahdin Country, with my first column to appear in the June issue. The Maine Sportsman is the longest running outdoors paper well known in Maine and beyond. I join a superb team of outdoor writers, guides, fishing fanatics, avid hunters and everything in between. I follow a few well known and well loved writers to continue the Katahdin Region coverage. I feel not only honored, but indeed privileged.
I also was hired to write a special features column in the all new local paper as a correspondent, The Penobscot Valley Explorer. First column appeared in the May 17th publication and will continue on a weekly basis. I will be doing special feature stories on folks that live in the "shadow of Katahdin", and other interesting subjects on the goings on in the region. In the past when I was writing for two of the local news papers, special features was my favorite kind of writing to do. It is not hard to find those certain folks that truly shine and thrive, or even the ones that many never know about. Plus I make many new friends as well!
Lastly, and most exciting, I was hired to also write for "North Country", a magazine that covers the regions of northern Maine, to write a column on the last page. Now you may think that having the last page is not all that big of a deal. However, for myself, I'm absolutely thrilled!! The last page, the last story, the beginning of the end, is the most prestigious place to be. Writers whom I love such as Patrick McManus wrote on the last page of Outdoor Life for as long as I can remember. He has since retired from Outdoors, with several books to his credit including a mystery series. I'm not one hundred percent sure, but I believe the column will be titled "Katahdin Dreams", which I suggested, feeling it a fit way to end a truly beautiful magazine. North Country has wonderful stories to entertain, reminisce, and tantalize the senses in full glossy color. Many of the stories tell of the past with several bringing you into the present, then tucking the reader in with visions of mountains, gorgeous sunsets, and those warm fuzzy feelings.
I will be reviving the story that I researched and publicized, "The Lost City of Davidson". A small booming community that once thrived and grew along with the railroads, then seemingly over night became a ghost town. Sites of civilization can still be seen in the remnants of broken stone foundations, a towering chimney and even the old safe from train station. Hard to imagine that a town with a boarding house, lumber mill, general store, school, post office and train station, as well as streets with houses that were once full of families existed amongst the trees, leaves and debris that echoes with voices in the breeze.
It feels so good to be writing once again! Maybe I'll get one of the books that I have been working on for a few years now, completed by establishing writing time, due to writing articles and columns, getting into a habit that may just some day pay off!!
However, what it all comes down to is this; if my writing brings out a special memory, or a vision of a place that warms the heart, eye opening surprises of treasures, or just a smile; then I have succeeded. Thats what it's all about.
I was hired in March by The Maine Sportsman to write the informational, how to and where to, for Katahdin Country, with my first column to appear in the June issue. The Maine Sportsman is the longest running outdoors paper well known in Maine and beyond. I join a superb team of outdoor writers, guides, fishing fanatics, avid hunters and everything in between. I follow a few well known and well loved writers to continue the Katahdin Region coverage. I feel not only honored, but indeed privileged.
I also was hired to write a special features column in the all new local paper as a correspondent, The Penobscot Valley Explorer. First column appeared in the May 17th publication and will continue on a weekly basis. I will be doing special feature stories on folks that live in the "shadow of Katahdin", and other interesting subjects on the goings on in the region. In the past when I was writing for two of the local news papers, special features was my favorite kind of writing to do. It is not hard to find those certain folks that truly shine and thrive, or even the ones that many never know about. Plus I make many new friends as well!
Lastly, and most exciting, I was hired to also write for "North Country", a magazine that covers the regions of northern Maine, to write a column on the last page. Now you may think that having the last page is not all that big of a deal. However, for myself, I'm absolutely thrilled!! The last page, the last story, the beginning of the end, is the most prestigious place to be. Writers whom I love such as Patrick McManus wrote on the last page of Outdoor Life for as long as I can remember. He has since retired from Outdoors, with several books to his credit including a mystery series. I'm not one hundred percent sure, but I believe the column will be titled "Katahdin Dreams", which I suggested, feeling it a fit way to end a truly beautiful magazine. North Country has wonderful stories to entertain, reminisce, and tantalize the senses in full glossy color. Many of the stories tell of the past with several bringing you into the present, then tucking the reader in with visions of mountains, gorgeous sunsets, and those warm fuzzy feelings.
I will be reviving the story that I researched and publicized, "The Lost City of Davidson". A small booming community that once thrived and grew along with the railroads, then seemingly over night became a ghost town. Sites of civilization can still be seen in the remnants of broken stone foundations, a towering chimney and even the old safe from train station. Hard to imagine that a town with a boarding house, lumber mill, general store, school, post office and train station, as well as streets with houses that were once full of families existed amongst the trees, leaves and debris that echoes with voices in the breeze.
It feels so good to be writing once again! Maybe I'll get one of the books that I have been working on for a few years now, completed by establishing writing time, due to writing articles and columns, getting into a habit that may just some day pay off!!
However, what it all comes down to is this; if my writing brings out a special memory, or a vision of a place that warms the heart, eye opening surprises of treasures, or just a smile; then I have succeeded. Thats what it's all about.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Good weather and real good news!
Hello all, I have much to be happy about these days! First of all, Roxanne Quimby will not be purchasing any lands in Woodville after all! In fact, the threat of a North Woods National Park have been squelched by the National Park Service, which made the statement they were never in consideration of a feasibility study nor the creation of any new national parks. The Katahdin region once again can catch it's breathe and heave a sigh for a little peace and do something constructive to bring life back to the towns. I truly think it is time that they take a different approach, be creative and rebuild the communities.
Second, I"m excited and honored to be covering the column "Katahdin Country" as a new writer for the Maine Sportsman!!! The sports paper is one of the largest publications in the North East with many of their writers advancing to other well known and established sports magazines. I have missed writing a column which I did for Outdoors Magazine for almost six years until their closing last Spring. I have been working on other writing projects, however I'm much more productive when writing regularly as I did for the magazine. It is a lot like exercising.....you have got to stick to it! My first column will be coming out in the June issue of the Maine Sportsman. I hope that those who supported me and followed my articles will pick up the paper and join me on my new adventures!!!!
Now for the weather. We have been having weather that is much more like May in the north east with temps reaching the low 80s. Folks this is almost unheard of...til now as several records have been broken!! I remember the Spring of 1999, when we had the garden in two weeks before Memorial Day weekend, which produced temps in the 80s. This year if this trend continues and Mother Nature doesn't pull a real good April Fools joke on us gardens will be in even earlier!!! The poplar trees are budding and brings to mind the saying my Dad used to tell me, "when the leaves are as big as a mouses ear, it's time to go fishing!!" The frost has come out of the ground and snow is nonexistent with the exception of the evergreen thickets. We are awaiting the arrival of a good friend, Outback Outfitters of the Adirondacks, Bob Sauer Jones for a few days of bunny hunting. Conditions should be superb with temps expected to be a little cooler in the 50s and the rabbits still white should drive the beagles crazy!
Second, I"m excited and honored to be covering the column "Katahdin Country" as a new writer for the Maine Sportsman!!! The sports paper is one of the largest publications in the North East with many of their writers advancing to other well known and established sports magazines. I have missed writing a column which I did for Outdoors Magazine for almost six years until their closing last Spring. I have been working on other writing projects, however I'm much more productive when writing regularly as I did for the magazine. It is a lot like exercising.....you have got to stick to it! My first column will be coming out in the June issue of the Maine Sportsman. I hope that those who supported me and followed my articles will pick up the paper and join me on my new adventures!!!!
Now for the weather. We have been having weather that is much more like May in the north east with temps reaching the low 80s. Folks this is almost unheard of...til now as several records have been broken!! I remember the Spring of 1999, when we had the garden in two weeks before Memorial Day weekend, which produced temps in the 80s. This year if this trend continues and Mother Nature doesn't pull a real good April Fools joke on us gardens will be in even earlier!!! The poplar trees are budding and brings to mind the saying my Dad used to tell me, "when the leaves are as big as a mouses ear, it's time to go fishing!!" The frost has come out of the ground and snow is nonexistent with the exception of the evergreen thickets. We are awaiting the arrival of a good friend, Outback Outfitters of the Adirondacks, Bob Sauer Jones for a few days of bunny hunting. Conditions should be superb with temps expected to be a little cooler in the 50s and the rabbits still white should drive the beagles crazy!
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