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!
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Maine: The way Life Should Be
This blog post is preceded but 2 previous blogs: Sunday, August 21st, 2011 "Do we need a North Woods National Park" and Sunday, January 22, 2012, "The prize is always worth the fight". Both give the background and information of the ongoing subject and battle. These are articles of my opinions and heartfelt beliefs.
"Maine; The way life should be", our State slogan. You can see it in writing once you cross the Kittery bridge entering the base of Maine along Interstate 95. I started thinking about what that really means, what makes it so true and why it has never been more important. However this is not simply about me, which has partly to do with why this blog has taken me so long to complete. I needed to get beyond my anger and put the whole situation in proper perspective to be the most effective. So, just what makes Maine so special?
One person wants people to believe that the only thing that makes Maine special and unique is only natural beauty; the forests, mountains and waterways of central and northern regions surrounding Baxter State Park and the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. Really? Is that all that makes living in Maine the way life should be?
I believe that statement to be much broader. I can't speak for southern Maine; I have never lived there. Nor can I speak for the coastal regions of this beautiful State. However, when I think of those regions I think not only of their natural beauty, but of the people who live there that make them unique.
One cannot think of coastal Maine without picturing lobster boats, light houses and beaches but also the salty fishermen and folks with rosy cheeks saying "Ayuh, and Gawd Mawnin" is a downeast drawl.
Another part of what makes a region in itself special is the history. The fishermen of the coast are the lumberjacks and riverdrivers of the inner regions along with the guides and outfitters of the western mountains to Katahdin and beyond, to the farmers in the most northern and north east of this wonderful State of Maine. Let me tell you a little bit of my piece of the blueberry pie; the Katahdin region.
I was born in Millinocket; known as the "Magic City" for the way it seemed to magically appear out of the valley of the Penobscots West Branch River with the building of the Great Northern Paper Mill. The regions logging history dates back into the early 1830s on both the East and West Branches of the Penobscot River. The West Branch known more today for its exhilarating white water rafting and Salmon fishing was then known as one of the greatest log diving rivers of the whole north east from Chesuncook lake and watersheds like Nesownedhunk, flowed into the west branch supplying logs not only for the papermills, but further south to the saw mills in Old Town and Orono. The Millinocket Great Northern Mill was the first of two with a sister mill built along the river to the east ( therefore East Millinocket). The mills were the premier newsprint and other specialty paper supplier with Millinockets mill housing the infamous #11 paper machine, once the largest paper machine in the world. All this could never have existed if not for the people; the lumberjacks, river drivers, papermakers and their families that have lived here for generations creating all the towns and small communities.
On the East Branch of the Penobscot, from Grande Lake Mattagamon to the Atlantic Ocean, the lumberjacks and river drivers carved history literally in stone. The huge boom rings are still embedded into large rocks along the riverbanks. The Hunt Farm, built along the east side of the river in 1835 as well as Camps Lunkasoo approximately two miles upriver accommodated loggers and adventurous travelers who worked and recreated along the waterways and woods, all in the shadow of Mount Katahdin. Wassataquoik Stream flows into the East Branch across from Lunkasoo Camps, where the young Donn Fendler finally emerged to be rescued after getting lost on the mountain nine days prior.
The East and West Branches of the Penobscot River merge together at Nicatou (the place where two rivers meet) later named the town of Medway, is where I grew up listening and learning about the history; my history. My Dad told me stories of the big bombers landing at the Millinocket Airport to refuel during WWII and how he would go hang out with the pilots with dreams of someday flying. My Grandfather was a member of the CCC corps that carved out the roads of the region. Henry David Thoreau canoed from Bangor to Nicatou to meet his Native American Guide Joe Attein, who led the way on several of his adventures into the Maine Woods. When He wrote about his trips, he wrote of the loggers, Natives and woodsmen and the people who let him stay for the night here and there along the way.
Yes, things are not the same in the region with only the East Millinocket Mill operating along with the loss of other jobs, trades and businesses. However, things are not dead either and no one knows what tomorrow or the future will bring. The proud, strong, enduring peoples of the region are still here and with that not all is lost, there is always hope. (Please refer to one of my previous blogs for my view on the future in: "Do we need a North Woods National Park")
The Katahdin region, with all it has to offer, and all that it has had is because of the people who chose to make it home. One Woman, with her agenda does not value the history, natural resources or the people.. She claims to be a visionary but would destroy the history, heritage and traditions built by the people. To me, this makes her a tyrant. A true visionary,one that has affected me personally although we are of different era's, was Cornelia "Fly Rod" Crosby. She opened up a world the experiences of Maine's woods and waters to men and women alike, crediting her own vital health to the outdoors at it's best. She was instrumental to the creation of the Registered Maine Guide, and was honored with the very first Guides License as thanks and gratitude of a treasured way of life. I have held a guides license since 1989.
Tis true that if one has the ability and desire to purchase land they most certainly can, including for the most part with regulation to do what one wishes with it. However, to have a hidden agenda and motive for it's use should not be supported.
I did not want this blog to be about me although current events have made that very difficult. I'm very aware of others that have been forever effected by ones ravenous greed for glory. The aforementioned Lunkasoo Camps have been swallowed in the mist to only be enjoyed by a select few with no living to be made. Other guides and outfitters have lost traditional uses on many parcels of land that have been purchased and locked. I myself am being affected by such methods leaving not only my livelihood in question, but my families future as well. For the first time in my life, I will not be able to adorn my hunting clothes, sling my rifle or shotgun over my shoulder, walk out my front door, go into the woods and go hunting. My Grandson so young and new, may never know the same privilege to hunt, fish and access the outdoors like we have for so many generations. He may never know what it is to make a living loving what life, in the great outdoors as I had so hoped to hand down someday.
Roxanne Quimby should not be allowed to destroy what history has created for her and those who support her selfish endeavors, as a vision of what they claim will save, protect and restore, with the devastation and destruction of the very essence of what makes "Maine; The way life should be".
"Maine; The way life should be", our State slogan. You can see it in writing once you cross the Kittery bridge entering the base of Maine along Interstate 95. I started thinking about what that really means, what makes it so true and why it has never been more important. However this is not simply about me, which has partly to do with why this blog has taken me so long to complete. I needed to get beyond my anger and put the whole situation in proper perspective to be the most effective. So, just what makes Maine so special?
One person wants people to believe that the only thing that makes Maine special and unique is only natural beauty; the forests, mountains and waterways of central and northern regions surrounding Baxter State Park and the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. Really? Is that all that makes living in Maine the way life should be?
I believe that statement to be much broader. I can't speak for southern Maine; I have never lived there. Nor can I speak for the coastal regions of this beautiful State. However, when I think of those regions I think not only of their natural beauty, but of the people who live there that make them unique.
One cannot think of coastal Maine without picturing lobster boats, light houses and beaches but also the salty fishermen and folks with rosy cheeks saying "Ayuh, and Gawd Mawnin" is a downeast drawl.
Another part of what makes a region in itself special is the history. The fishermen of the coast are the lumberjacks and riverdrivers of the inner regions along with the guides and outfitters of the western mountains to Katahdin and beyond, to the farmers in the most northern and north east of this wonderful State of Maine. Let me tell you a little bit of my piece of the blueberry pie; the Katahdin region.
I was born in Millinocket; known as the "Magic City" for the way it seemed to magically appear out of the valley of the Penobscots West Branch River with the building of the Great Northern Paper Mill. The regions logging history dates back into the early 1830s on both the East and West Branches of the Penobscot River. The West Branch known more today for its exhilarating white water rafting and Salmon fishing was then known as one of the greatest log diving rivers of the whole north east from Chesuncook lake and watersheds like Nesownedhunk, flowed into the west branch supplying logs not only for the papermills, but further south to the saw mills in Old Town and Orono. The Millinocket Great Northern Mill was the first of two with a sister mill built along the river to the east ( therefore East Millinocket). The mills were the premier newsprint and other specialty paper supplier with Millinockets mill housing the infamous #11 paper machine, once the largest paper machine in the world. All this could never have existed if not for the people; the lumberjacks, river drivers, papermakers and their families that have lived here for generations creating all the towns and small communities.
On the East Branch of the Penobscot, from Grande Lake Mattagamon to the Atlantic Ocean, the lumberjacks and river drivers carved history literally in stone. The huge boom rings are still embedded into large rocks along the riverbanks. The Hunt Farm, built along the east side of the river in 1835 as well as Camps Lunkasoo approximately two miles upriver accommodated loggers and adventurous travelers who worked and recreated along the waterways and woods, all in the shadow of Mount Katahdin. Wassataquoik Stream flows into the East Branch across from Lunkasoo Camps, where the young Donn Fendler finally emerged to be rescued after getting lost on the mountain nine days prior.
The East and West Branches of the Penobscot River merge together at Nicatou (the place where two rivers meet) later named the town of Medway, is where I grew up listening and learning about the history; my history. My Dad told me stories of the big bombers landing at the Millinocket Airport to refuel during WWII and how he would go hang out with the pilots with dreams of someday flying. My Grandfather was a member of the CCC corps that carved out the roads of the region. Henry David Thoreau canoed from Bangor to Nicatou to meet his Native American Guide Joe Attein, who led the way on several of his adventures into the Maine Woods. When He wrote about his trips, he wrote of the loggers, Natives and woodsmen and the people who let him stay for the night here and there along the way.
Yes, things are not the same in the region with only the East Millinocket Mill operating along with the loss of other jobs, trades and businesses. However, things are not dead either and no one knows what tomorrow or the future will bring. The proud, strong, enduring peoples of the region are still here and with that not all is lost, there is always hope. (Please refer to one of my previous blogs for my view on the future in: "Do we need a North Woods National Park")
The Katahdin region, with all it has to offer, and all that it has had is because of the people who chose to make it home. One Woman, with her agenda does not value the history, natural resources or the people.. She claims to be a visionary but would destroy the history, heritage and traditions built by the people. To me, this makes her a tyrant. A true visionary,one that has affected me personally although we are of different era's, was Cornelia "Fly Rod" Crosby. She opened up a world the experiences of Maine's woods and waters to men and women alike, crediting her own vital health to the outdoors at it's best. She was instrumental to the creation of the Registered Maine Guide, and was honored with the very first Guides License as thanks and gratitude of a treasured way of life. I have held a guides license since 1989.
Tis true that if one has the ability and desire to purchase land they most certainly can, including for the most part with regulation to do what one wishes with it. However, to have a hidden agenda and motive for it's use should not be supported.
I did not want this blog to be about me although current events have made that very difficult. I'm very aware of others that have been forever effected by ones ravenous greed for glory. The aforementioned Lunkasoo Camps have been swallowed in the mist to only be enjoyed by a select few with no living to be made. Other guides and outfitters have lost traditional uses on many parcels of land that have been purchased and locked. I myself am being affected by such methods leaving not only my livelihood in question, but my families future as well. For the first time in my life, I will not be able to adorn my hunting clothes, sling my rifle or shotgun over my shoulder, walk out my front door, go into the woods and go hunting. My Grandson so young and new, may never know the same privilege to hunt, fish and access the outdoors like we have for so many generations. He may never know what it is to make a living loving what life, in the great outdoors as I had so hoped to hand down someday.
Roxanne Quimby should not be allowed to destroy what history has created for her and those who support her selfish endeavors, as a vision of what they claim will save, protect and restore, with the devastation and destruction of the very essence of what makes "Maine; The way life should be".
Sunday, January 22, 2012
The prize is always worth the fight....
The title of this post probably pertains to both sides of this issue as the battle rages on in the Katahdin region. It is rapidly becoming clear that this issue will effect everyone who calls this region home in one form or another whether is it an economic or personal impact. It has always been a heart felt issue to me and at this time I will direct those who have not followed my past blogs, to take just a second and read my blog from Sunday, August 21st, 2011 titled "Do we need a North Maine Woods National Park??". In that post I gave some background information and my personal opinion of the future of the area.
Since that post a few things have changed concerning my personal and economic future. Going on eleven years I have leased two large parcels of land in my hometown of Woodville for my guide service and within the last year went into a purchase agreement for the purpose of building a full service all season lodge. These plans have been put on hold due to the rumored fact that the remaining of the two large parcels are in consideration to be sold to Roxanne Quimby ( background info concerning Quimby is also in the "August 21,2011 post).
I have stated that I do not favor nor support the idea of a National Park in my neck of the woods. I will admit that I have stated in the past that I did not feel that Quimbys proposed park would actually affect me or my business as it is a tourism based effect which would possibly bring more visitors, interest and visibility. However this is not to be misconstrued as support of a National park, but of a vision of rejuvenation to a depressed area that desperately needs a boost not a hero.
I have recently been theoretically slapped up side the head with a big old dose of reality and that is, with great thought, that everyone who lives and loves in the Katahdin region will indeed be affected in some way by the invasion of a communistic woman who wishes to dictate her ideas of the way life should be. It has been rumored as I have not been formerly informed that the Woodville lots that is so vital to the survival of my business and lifestyle has been negotiated for purchase by none other than, Roxanned Quimby. Quimby has openly stated this ploy and tactic as future bargaining chips, or as I would like to call it, bait, bribe and BS! If this truly comes to light, it will be extremely detrimental to my survival and my families future!
With the wonderful world of facebook, one can read, research and comment on several pages from both sides of this debate. I have given the "Like", and participated on a few of these pages with a couple in particular: "Ban Roxanne" and "Preserving Maine Traditions". Both of these pages will allow you to not only read the many comments and hopefully understand the fears and deep emotions of the citizens, but also access the oppositions pages, web sites, etc..
Now a couple of the hot topics to bring you up to speed. This past spring Quimby began holding public meetings in the Katahdin region, in an attempt to rally support for her ""70,000 acre National Park"", which is in my opinion the sheep in the wolf's clothing. After her failed attempt to get support over the peoples opposition from our Representatives and Senators in Washington, she was forced to put on a smile and address the people directly as it is a fact that if the people most effected do not embrace her plans, it is a hurdle she can not jump over. I personally attended two of those meetings; the first in Millinocket and the second in Medway. Her tactics to try to gain support failed her terribly for the most part, with even her tasteless bribes turned down. So Now what.......approach the people from a different direction. Instead of giving support for the creation of a National Park, get support for a feasibility study as to the economic and environmental pro's and con's with that twisted concentration on the so called pro's as gateway communities of a National Park. So meetings began with even the National Park Service sending representation as to what a feasibility study implies. ( basic information on the feasibility study: Bangor Daily News, November 1,2011, by Nick Sambides Jr.,"National Park Service Chief Outlines Goals of Feasibility Study"). Just reading through the small list and from what I already am aware of, it would not in my opinion be feasible on three of the factors without looking any further! Out of all the locals towns and municipalities, she gained support of one towns board of Selectmen, which then led to the controversial meeting that took place early last fall in Medway where the citizens were asked to vote in favor of the feasibility study. Currently there is a petition circulating to rescind that decision and bring forth another vote to the people as legal protocol of the first meeting is questionable.
I find it quite disenchanting for the people of the Katahdin region, myself and family included, as to the feeling of despair at the fight of holding onto our heritage, our history. Of life as we have known it. Thankfully one of the mills I mentioned in my August blog post, has restarted to some capacity. However, the area still remains in a depressed state with many empty storefronts, buildings and businesses. Employment is little to none for those who seek jobs forcing many to either travel or up and leave all together. One real estate person stated there were 350 houses for sale in the town of Millinocket alone. However, we are proud people; strong people and we will not give up without a fight to the finish.....and the prize is indeed worth the fight.
Since that post a few things have changed concerning my personal and economic future. Going on eleven years I have leased two large parcels of land in my hometown of Woodville for my guide service and within the last year went into a purchase agreement for the purpose of building a full service all season lodge. These plans have been put on hold due to the rumored fact that the remaining of the two large parcels are in consideration to be sold to Roxanne Quimby ( background info concerning Quimby is also in the "August 21,2011 post).
I have stated that I do not favor nor support the idea of a National Park in my neck of the woods. I will admit that I have stated in the past that I did not feel that Quimbys proposed park would actually affect me or my business as it is a tourism based effect which would possibly bring more visitors, interest and visibility. However this is not to be misconstrued as support of a National park, but of a vision of rejuvenation to a depressed area that desperately needs a boost not a hero.
I have recently been theoretically slapped up side the head with a big old dose of reality and that is, with great thought, that everyone who lives and loves in the Katahdin region will indeed be affected in some way by the invasion of a communistic woman who wishes to dictate her ideas of the way life should be. It has been rumored as I have not been formerly informed that the Woodville lots that is so vital to the survival of my business and lifestyle has been negotiated for purchase by none other than, Roxanned Quimby. Quimby has openly stated this ploy and tactic as future bargaining chips, or as I would like to call it, bait, bribe and BS! If this truly comes to light, it will be extremely detrimental to my survival and my families future!
With the wonderful world of facebook, one can read, research and comment on several pages from both sides of this debate. I have given the "Like", and participated on a few of these pages with a couple in particular: "Ban Roxanne" and "Preserving Maine Traditions". Both of these pages will allow you to not only read the many comments and hopefully understand the fears and deep emotions of the citizens, but also access the oppositions pages, web sites, etc..
Now a couple of the hot topics to bring you up to speed. This past spring Quimby began holding public meetings in the Katahdin region, in an attempt to rally support for her ""70,000 acre National Park"", which is in my opinion the sheep in the wolf's clothing. After her failed attempt to get support over the peoples opposition from our Representatives and Senators in Washington, she was forced to put on a smile and address the people directly as it is a fact that if the people most effected do not embrace her plans, it is a hurdle she can not jump over. I personally attended two of those meetings; the first in Millinocket and the second in Medway. Her tactics to try to gain support failed her terribly for the most part, with even her tasteless bribes turned down. So Now what.......approach the people from a different direction. Instead of giving support for the creation of a National Park, get support for a feasibility study as to the economic and environmental pro's and con's with that twisted concentration on the so called pro's as gateway communities of a National Park. So meetings began with even the National Park Service sending representation as to what a feasibility study implies. ( basic information on the feasibility study: Bangor Daily News, November 1,2011, by Nick Sambides Jr.,"National Park Service Chief Outlines Goals of Feasibility Study"). Just reading through the small list and from what I already am aware of, it would not in my opinion be feasible on three of the factors without looking any further! Out of all the locals towns and municipalities, she gained support of one towns board of Selectmen, which then led to the controversial meeting that took place early last fall in Medway where the citizens were asked to vote in favor of the feasibility study. Currently there is a petition circulating to rescind that decision and bring forth another vote to the people as legal protocol of the first meeting is questionable.
I find it quite disenchanting for the people of the Katahdin region, myself and family included, as to the feeling of despair at the fight of holding onto our heritage, our history. Of life as we have known it. Thankfully one of the mills I mentioned in my August blog post, has restarted to some capacity. However, the area still remains in a depressed state with many empty storefronts, buildings and businesses. Employment is little to none for those who seek jobs forcing many to either travel or up and leave all together. One real estate person stated there were 350 houses for sale in the town of Millinocket alone. However, we are proud people; strong people and we will not give up without a fight to the finish.....and the prize is indeed worth the fight.
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