Previous Entries
February 1, 2003 - May 31, 2003
Date: May 31, 2003 Name: Jane Quimby Biscoe Location: Waldoboro, ME Comment: With the re-opening of the Corinna Historical Society Museum coming up next Saturday, June 7, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all who have worked so tirelessly to restore the building - most especially to Audrey and Lloyd Bolstridge. Corinna owes these good people a debt of gratitude for their willingness to tackle what seemed like an impossible job after last July's fire.
A good turnout of visitors next Saturday would be a fitting way to thank the Society!Jane- I'm sure many of us are looking forward to the re-opening of the CUA Museum. I'm anxious to see how the building looks since the repairs from last year's fire. -Ken
Date: May 28, 2003 Name: Mary Altmeyer Location: Escanaba, Michigan
Michigan's Upper PeninsulaComment: Dear Ken,
I recently visited the Cattail Press for the first time and found it to be a wonderful source of information on Corinna, Maine. While I have never visited Maine, my great-great grandparents were born in Corinna, Maine and moved to northern Wisconsin in the 1880's. My great-great grandparents were Charles N. Knowles and Etta Mae Cook. Charles N. Knowles was the son of Robert Knowles of Corinna.
Charles and Etta moved to Abrams, Oconto County, Wisconsin along with Charles' uncle, William Knowles (the brother to Robert Knowles). I was excited to find a picture of Robert Knowles on your website. I have never seen a photograph of him before. I have a picture of Charles N. Knowles and his wife, Etta Mae Cook, that I will gladly share with other Knowles relatives in Corinna, Maine. You may include my email address in case any Knowles relatives would like to share information. Thanks for the great site!
Sincerely,
Mary Altmeyer
maryaltmup.net
Date: May 14, 2003 Name: Location: Jacksonville, Florida Comment: Dear Ken,
Still check the Cattail Press several times a week. You do great work.
Sixty years is a long time since graduation from CUA and I hope to see some of the class at the CUA Reunion in June.
Some will remember that I enlisted in the Navy Thanksgiving of my senior year and expected they would let me finish before sending me to Newport Boot Camp. Christmas Vacation I packed a suitcase and went to visit my Aunt Elizabeth in Cumberland Center. What a surprise when they gave us meal and hotel tickets and shipped us to Newport the following day after the medical examination. I was not yet 18 and Mother signed the papers on my promise to finish CUA. She thought I was in Cumberland Center when she received my civilian clothing in a box from Newport RI. I finished CUA by taking USAFI Courses. I am one of a few people who has Criminology on my transcripts.
I was granted a P/R leave from Bedford Springs PA Radio School to attend graduation. I made too many stops on the way and got home in time for the Alumni Banquet. My sister received my diploma.
Those days don't seem so long ago when you reach your 60th Anniversary from high school
God bless you all,
Lots of love,
Bud and Hope
Date: May 12, 2003 Name: Michael Sinclair Location: Former Corinna resident
Fort Bragg, NCComment: Ken, and all the other readers of this guestbook, I just thought I'd share this really intriguing project that I found out about just a few minutes ago in case you hadn't heard of it already. It's called "America 24/7" and it's going to be a composition of digital photographs from around the country. It's happening from May 12-18. Check out the site here:
http://www.america24-7.com/index.shtml
What are ya'll waiting for? Pull out the digicam and start snapping pics! :) I'll be submitting some of my own from down here on Fort Bragg, hopefully I can get one entered into the publication. It'd be nice to see some of your work in there too, Ken!
Take care,
Michael SinclairMichael- Thanks for sending in the link. I will check it out. -Ken
Date: May 9, 2003 Name: Norman Clarke Location: Pittsfield, ME Comment: The CUA Alumni Association held it's final meeting before the banquet. Things are well under way for the June 7th get together. We want to stress that the Academy Building is going to be open that Saturday too, from noon to five. Leslie Bolstridge told us that extensive repairs were made after the fire and that the good old CUA building is in better shape than ever before! Some of the year books were damaged during the fire but they have been restored, by Audrey Bolstridge, and are back on display. The year books are the biggest attraction at the museum, by the way. It is surprising how much the place looks and smells the same after all these years. I have many fond memories of the candy counter, which Phil Shephard and I "manned" for a couple of years. Anyone still remember the green and white note books with the Cavalier on the cover?
Anyway, we hope to see all of our old friends and classmates at the banquet. Honored classes are 1943,53,63 and 68.
A note to Jo Poland. Remember the time we were stuck on your road on the way to your house, in the mud, and a friendly man had to come and haul us out with his tractor? I understand that you can still be stuck on that road even after a six year drought!
Date: May 8, 2003 Name: Jane Quimby Biscoe Location: Waldoboro, ME Comment: Ken - I have had in my possession at one time a picture of Grampa Sprague's sawmill, taken at spring runoff. I may have given it to the Corinna Historical Society after my mother's death in 1996; or it may be buried in my vast collection of unmounted pictures! I'm going to research this and if I can come up with the picture, I'll have a copy sent to you. Thanks for rattling my cage on this--
Date: May 8, 2003 Name: Peter Smith Location: Comment: In regards to Southard's Mills, I also would be interested if anyone has photos of the mill. It was my ancestor William Southard who built the saw mill and I believe a grist mill too at one time, at Southards Mills. I know early maps of Corinna in the 1880s list the area as Southard's Mills too. We have family photos of the old Southard home nearby, but nothing of the mill as I don't believe William or any of his children operated the mill after his death in 1862. Jane do you know if your grandfather built a new mill on the site or bought the existing mill. I remember as boy taking my swimming lessons at Southard's mills, which at that time didn't help me learn to swim because I was then scared of the water and the "blood suckers" as we called them that many of the swimmers as well as myself sometimes got on our feet and legs.
Date: May 7, 2003 Name: Jane Quimby Biscoe Location: Waldoboro, ME Comment: Great picture of the dam at Southard's Mills, Ken. My grandfather O.L. Sprague had a sawmill on this site in the late 30's and 40's. It is interesting to note that the Maine Atlas, published by DeLorme in Yarmouth, gives the Southard's Mills area the name of Sprague's Mill. We certainly did not know it by that name! O.L. would be pleased to know this, I suspect. He served as Corinna's town moderator for years and owned the Corinna Lumber Company. Jane- I have never seen any pictures of the sawmill on that site. Do you know if any exist? -Ken
Date: April 18, 2003 Name: Jo (Poland) Powers Location: Arizona Comment: Just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your web site. I have lived in Arizona 30 years but still consider Corinna Maine home. I grew up on Lincoln Mills Road. In one week I will retire from the Arizona Department of Transportation. My partner and I plan on spending our summers in Corinna Maine and winters in Arizona. Keep up the good work on the web site.
Date: April 18, 2003 Name: Phil Young Location: Augusta, Maine Comment: Hi Ken
Have a nice vacation. You deserve it. I Hope some of the class of 1936 show up at the CUA Alumni Reunion on June 7th. I plan to attend this year.
Date: April 18, 2003 Name: Ken Dow Location: Corinna Comment: The Cattail Press won't be updated for the next few days while I take a short break from the daily posting.
Date: April 18, 2003 Name: Keith Seavey Location: Corinna Comment: Ken, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our local snowmobile club, the Corundel Raiders as well as all the other clubs in the state for providing us with some of the best snowmobiling we have ever had, this past winter. Trails like these would not be possible without the generosity of our land owners who let us use their land, year after year. Next we have to depend on mother nature to supply us with the snow to work with. Then comes a lot of hard work from a few dedicated members of our clubs. So many riders seem to think that these trails just happen. If they only knew how much work goes into cutting, marking and grooming these trails year after year.
I think all of us who ride should tip our helmets to these dedicated club members. If you enjoy riding and don't belong, please join a local club.Keith- I agree. You said it well. Support your local snowmobile clubs. -Ken
Date: April 17, 2003 Name: June Jaworski Location: Corinna Comment: Re "dumping" more money into the library-didn't you see me up front at the town meeting where that was said with my mouth open and in shock? The building was called a "dead horse"!!!! Just to let you know the "horse" is not dead, we have a full schedule of excellent programs for children each Wednesday starting June 18th, and on June 19th we begin our concerts on the lawn. Also, we have had librarians from larger libraries than ours who hold prestigious positions in the state library system come and visit us who would "die" for a building like ours. I am very grateful for town officials who value and support the maintenance of the library building-a real treasure, I feel. June Jaworski, Librarian June- The Levi Stewart Community Theater is also planning a full schedule of theater events for the summer. It will be a busy season at the Stewart Library Building. -Ken
Date: April 9, 2003 Name: Jackie Emerson Location: Corinna Comment: Yes, Liz it is time to begin thinking about CUA Alumni Banquet. Speaking of the banquet, does anyone know the mailing address of Dorothy Bemis Neal - her announcement of the banquet was returned. As for the CUA building [Historical Society], there are a few volunteers working from 9 - 12 to get the building back in shape. If you are interested [don't have to be a member] in helping, contact either Lloyd Bolstridge/Vivian Davis to find out when people will be working. Hope to see many from the class of 1960 at the banquet this year.
Date: April 9, 2003 Name: Dawn Hale Location: Corinna Comment: Ken,
Haven't written in quite some time but wanted you to know how much we still enjoy checking in on the Cattail Press. What would so many of us do with out it? (Even those who live right here need to keep up on things!) Thanks again for all your hard work.
On another note, just thought I would pass along some info to you and other readers. On May 1st, the Nokomis JROTC Color Guard will be going to Daytona Florida to compete in the National Drill Team Competition. Not only are they representing Nokomis but the State of Maine as they compete against 45 other teams from around the United States. These 5 young ladies have been practicing since November and working hard to raise the money to attend. They hope to do well and bring home a trophy to Maine. (PS of the 5 going, 3 are Corinna Junior High Graduates!!) Will try to send you a team photo as soon as we can!
Thanks again Ken.Dawn- We wish the JROTC Color Guard the best in the competition. -Ken
Date: April 8, 2003 Name: Betty (Rockwell) Floyd Location: Comment: Hi Ken,
My brother, Everett Rockwell, will be celebrating his 50th birthday on April 22. Since he has been a "fixture" in Corinna at the various stores that have come and gone - Carl Edgerly's T & K, the A & A, Henderson's Grocery - I thought some of your readers might like to send birthday wishes. I know he would love to hear from those who grew up with him and might remember sliding down the hill on boxes at our home on Ireland Avenue, a game of football on the front lawn, or helping him collect boxes or bottles. Some might remember him as "Ebbie" - the guy who passed out the Thanksgiving turkeys for Eastland Woolen workers at Fernald's Market and Henderson's. Cards can be mailed to him at PO Box 275, Corinna, 04928.
Thanks for all the hard work you have done to keep everyone informed of what is happening in our town.
Date: April 8, 2003 Name: elizabeth richards Location: Comment: is it time to think about making plans to attend the cua alumni banquet? would like to see some from away try to make it this year. the cua building will be open from 1 -5 pm, 4pm at the corinna school for visiting, then buffet at 6pm. also entertainment program. come on class of 56 , lets see how many can make it this year!
Date: April 4, 2003 Name: Norman Clarke Location: Pittsfield Comment: Ken,
I had heard that someone suggested, rather than "dumping" more money into the Stewart Library Building, that it be torn down. I really couldn't believe that. The building is a landmark, a treasure and one of Corinna's best assets, along with the CUA building, Bruce and many others. (I had to mention his name due to contractual considerations.)
Anyway, where else can you go to the library, conduct business, enjoy a program and go back in time all at once?
The building has character and style unmatched by most any "town office" in Maine. It still smells and looks the same as it did when I attended school. It still has the creaks and scars of all the people who have walked it's hallowed halls or climbed it's worn stairs. It is able to accommodate the 21st century and able to bring smiles to the faces of all of us who spent so much time there at countless basketball games, proms, dances, graduations and plays.
The ghosts that frequent the building now are not there to haunt, they are there because they don't want to leave.Norm- I was stunned to hear that someone had made such a suggestion. Of course it will take some money to maintain the building and bring it "up to code" but every generation has the responsibility to care for our heritage, both for the sake of those who have lived before us and for those who will come after. -Ken
Date: April 3, 2003 Name: Rose Lockwood Location: Windsor, Vermont Comment: By the looks of your pictures lately, spring is just around the corner, seems the GEESE think so too, they are flying back into Vermont, heard some today. BUT as one Vermonter was heard saying, as he came out of a local store yesterday. amidst the snow flurries, "Well, that was a short summer"...... Rose- We still have some snow on the ground but it won't last long. -Ken
Date: March 24, 2003 Name: Alden Schmitz Location: Comment: Hello Ken,
I was wondering if the name of Renewal Street has come about from all the changes in downtown Corinna or if that portion of the Newport Rd was always called that?
AldenAlden- Renewal Street is a new street name. -Ken
Date: March 24, 2003 Name: Jacquelyn Sawtelle Location: Corinna Comment: Ken,
I too have used Gavin's beautiful sunset for my desktop. Sunsets are my favorites. Well done Gavin.
Please take more.Jackie- Thank you. I'll pass on the message to Gavin. -Ken
Date: March 19, 2003 Name: Jeff Jacob Location: Corinna Comment: Dear Cattail Press- I would like to register my guess on the number of bolts in the water tower. It seems to me that there should be between 22,000 and 23,000 half-inch bolts total. Is that close? What did I win? Jeff- Good guess! The answer is 22,500. For a prize you win the admiration of bolt counters everywhere. -Ken
Date: March 17, 2003 Name: Colin Jackson Location: Aroostook County, Maine Comment: hey spring must be here,20 below 0 yesterday morning ,20 above 0 this morning.
Date: March 17, 2003 Name: Bill Freudenberger Location: Comment: Ken,
My guess on the number of bolts required is 8,840 (excluding the ladder) that's about a quarter of a
mile of bolts.
Bill
Date: March 14, 2003 Name: Ron McKusick Location: Comment: Hi Ken
The day after the last snow storm I was admiring the huge pile of snow in front of my fly shop. http://www.feathersideflies.com
Realizing that if anyone came by wanting certain fly tying materials there'd be no way that I'd be able to get in there to get it. Luckily most of what anyone would need is here in the house.
Seeing that snow bank brought back memories when I was a lad at Eastland Elementary School in Corinna. There had been many a snowstorm and the snow banks were thick and high. One boy started his engineering degree and hence many more of us joined in. See if you know any of these men, and ask them if they remember that winter when we were in fifth and sixth grade; Ronnie Simpson, Ron Paradis, Richard Veazie, Craig Pooler, Galen Irish, Kirk Gustin, Allan Watson, Butch Saunders, Dwayne Ryder, Phil White, Robert Webber, Dennis and Chris Bolstridge, Roy Temberlake, Roger Seavey, Craig Pooler, Galen Irish, Tony Bennett, Terry Chute, Todd Bell, Kevin Bailey, Sam Merservey, and Stewart Kenney. I also remember two other boys but can't remember their last names: Joey and Russell. Russell lived where Mr. Watson lives now on the Corinna Center Road and I think Joey lived in town but not really sure. If I left anyone out, please forgive me.
Someone, I think it may have been Chris Bolstridge started digging a tunnel and a couple others joined in. Then they asked the teachers if it was all right. Just before the bus picked us up, we would go into the school and get cups of water to pour on the top of the tunnel so it would freeze over night. Very soon it became the best project that we all had a hand in. It was loads of fun and gave us something to do during recess. A couple weeks later some of the upper classmen tried to break it down, because of the ice that had built up on top, the tunnel stood strong. During February vacation, most of it was demolished. Someone started another tunnel but the teachers told us that we couldn't build another. They said it was dangerous. If a vehicle accidentally drove into the bank and a kid was in the tunnel, it wouldn't be good.
Thanks
Ron McKusick
Date: March 14, 2003 Name: Eric Smith Location: Augusta, GA Comment: Ken,
Could you post a picture of yourself in your duck camouflage? The ability of a shooter (guns or cameras) to get close to his target is known to be directly correlated to the quality of his camouflage. I know we must have many experienced hunters amongst the Cattail readership. If you could post a photo of your duck hunting gear, we could provide suggestions on how you can get closer for a good photo. I'm sure you will get many good ideas from your readers!Eric- The picture above is me in my duck camo. I thought I'd blend in with the snow. Do you think I overdid it? Is that why they always fly away? -Ken
Date: March 12, 2003 Name: Carl Smith Location: Corinna Comment: Back to Jason's question on earlier town offices, this is from Penobscot History.
"In 1823 it was voted that warrants to notify town meetings shall be posted up in the school-house in the west part of town, at the school-house near Seth Knowles's, and at Esq. Bean's; also voted that the same be posted up by the person that will do it cheapest. The posting of warrants was accordingly struck off to Joseph Pease, who gave two cents for the privilege, and paid the money in open town meeting. As the town meetings were held at private houses frequently in the warmer months, it was necessary to adjourn out of doors."
In 1823 money was hard to get, so it was voted to collect taxes in grain -- wheat valued at six shillings with corn and rye at four shillings a bushel. The tax collector got 3 1/3% and he had to travel over ? roads with his own horses and wagon to collect the grain for taxes!!
Date: March 11, 2003 Name: Bill Parker Location: Stennis Space Center, MS Comment: Ken,
I was glad to see the pictures of the Basketball game and the Band. When I was a kid and even to this day I still can't do music. It has been while my youngest was in the High School Band (www.lbhsband.com) here that I got involved with that thing. It is great that we as adults support as much as possible the kids in all their endeavors.
Although we don't do much here with the Basketball games, we do alot with the Football games. Here in the south if you ain't at a Friday night high school football game you just ain't right.
PS: hope you don't mind the plug for our web site, maybe some of your band kids will go there and get some ideas.
Date: March 8, 2003 Name: Wes Harris Location: Middle East (Undisclosed Location) Comment: When you're far away from home, your family, and friends, this website puts you back in touch with a little bit of Corinna, and it's unique heritage. Although I may not know everyone in town, I truly enjoy logging in and reading about the stories that people have to share. Momentous occasions of days gone by. This website has become so much more than just a chronicle of the mill demolition....Thank You.
As for the Nokomis basketball games, I am sorry that I am not there to watch them. Even though I cannot be there, I did get to listen to the girls game last night on the WZON website. Technology is wonderful...sometimes..:)) I wish both teams the best of luck.Wes- I am pleased that you can receive radio from home. We wish you all the best. Take care and be safe. -Ken
Date: March 7, 2003 Name: Kelli Richardson Location: Comment: Dear Ken
Just wanted to remind your readers of the upcoming Tournament Basketball Games . These kids have certainly accomplished a lot in their careers in this sport and have put Nokomis on the map and have people sit up and take notice of them. Way to go Warriors.
If any of you have been disappointed in the lack of Channel 5 News coverage of this you may want to contact the Maine Principals Association to persuade them to go back to Channel 5 next year. I think it's a disservice to these kids to have only one game televised and at that notice the lack of professionalism in the coverage, not many interviews with the players and no instant replays. I'm not sure what prompted them to go with PBS , this station is good for educational programs but not sports.
Good Luck Warriors . Bring home the GoldKelli- I agree. The girls game was on the radio last night, an exciting victory. We wish them well for Saturday. It should have been on TV. Just as the boys game tonight should have been also. The Maine Principals Association is responsible for who broadcasts the games. People should let them know if they are disappointed that many games in the tournament did not make it to TV this year. Their web site is at http://www.mpa.cc/ -Ken
Date: March 6, 2003 Name: Ashley MacKenzie Location: Plymouth State College, Plymouth, NH Comment: Hey Guys,
This is the first time I've visited your site and I love it. I miss home so much so it's nice to see some pictures of familiar places and read about what's going on in the area. The pictures by the way are beautiful, and I want to comment to Gavin on the sunset picture he took that was posted today. I set it as my wallpaper :) Nice job, buddy. Keep up the good work! Take Care Everyone!
AshleyAshley- Gavin has a better eye than I do for a good picture. I should get a camera into his hands more often. Hope things are going well for you at Plymouth. Stick with it. You'll be glad you did for the rest of your life. -Ken
Date: March 6, 2003 Name: Jeff Jacob Location: Corinna Comment: Ken
Why don't we see more of Gavin's photos? Could it be jealousy? All you ever show us is pictures of old buildings, bridges and holes in the ground; but Gavin's photo lifts our gaze and spirits heavenward. Thanks Gavin; you've learned a lot from your Dad. (Namely, don't take pictures of construction sites!)Jeff- It is jealousy. :) Gavin has a better eye for framing a good photograph than I do. I take five pictures to get a good one. He takes one and it's great! Of course, as you noted, his subject matter is usually more uplifting than mine. I should push him out the door with a camera more often. -Ken
Date: March 5, 2003 Name: Daniel Parker Location: lisaanddan@cox.net Comment: Back in the 50's just for throwing a snow ball at some one got Raymond Dipompo and me in trouble. We got our britches warmed by the principle. Now a days we would have been sent to time out. I believe that us parents of today have to take responsibility for the way our children turn out. I think kids are babied allot more then they used to be. They are not responsible for their actions.
Date: March 4, 2003 Name: Marilyn Conway Location: Comment: Brian I certainly do agree with your comment "It is amazing how differently the teachers dealt with the students then, compared to how things such as this would be handled today." I think I survived quite well with the way our school handled a tragedy back in the 50's. I'd be interested in what others think.
bmconway@brightok.net
Date: March 3, 2003 Name: Brian Knowles Location: Penfield, NY Comment: bpknowles@aol.com
For another Harold Parker haying story see the Forum, History and Personal Memories, The "Corn King".
The photo on February 27th of the tree in front of the elementary school reminded me of a tragedy that happened between 1959 and 1961. We were in class on that side of the building, it may have been Mr. Doyon's room which would have made it 1960. CMP was working on the power lines and if my memory is correct a man was actually trimming the limbs of the very same tree. Somehow the man came in contact with power lines and was electrocuted. Several of us who were paying more attention to activities outside then our lessons witness the event and several minutes of the aftermath. Once the teachers regained their composure they got the blinds closed and tried to get the students back to lessons. I think this memory stuck with me because it was probably my first experience with a traumatic death. It is amazing how differently the teachers dealt with the students then, compared to how things such as this would be handled today.
One more paper route thought. Tebob's note about the Brady killing reminded me of the day after Kennedy's death. The BDN sent all distributors extra papers. I think there was no limit to number of papers you could sell that day. Part of my route was in the mill and I sold the extra 50 or so papers in no time.
Ken thanks for the site.Brian- While I haven't thought if it in years, I have a vague memory of the power line accident. I did not witness it but recall others talking about it. I was in Mr. Doyon's class, the sixth grade, the day Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. As with so many of our generation my memories of that day are stark, clear and still filled with strong emotion. -Ken
Date: March 1, 2003 Name: William "Tebob" Buckland Location: Comment: Hi KEN: Read with interest about all the ones who had paper routes In Corinna Like to take you back a few years on that one. I probably had every one of them sometime or another. But the one I most remember is the Evening Commercial. In 1937, Oct 12th, Al Brady was shot in Bangor and I sold 100 papers that evening for 3 cents each and think that was the first time I ever made a whole dollar in a day as I got 1 cent for each paper. Brought back memories-- keep up the good work as enjoy it every day here in Florida.
Date: February 28, 2003 Name: John D. Lupo Location: Sedona AZ Comment: Dear Mr. Dow,
Thank you, I think, for making miss Maine a little more. I love the pictures and to read about the interesting people that make our town so unique. I too, remember working the land, throwing hay, picking potatoes, fishing at the bog and on and on. I am in Sedona, AZ and it brings me great pleasure to know that the Maine way of life is still there-a nice comfort. Great job on the site, or as your father might say “BULLY”. I hope all is well.John- It is great to hear from you. Hope you are doing well in AZ. You are miss a lot of really nice cold weather up here. Take care. -Ken
Date: February 28, 2003 Name: Carl Smith Location: Corinna Comment: Jason, I am not sure of the location but will check also. The Town Clerk office, with all of the official records, was maintained in the private residence of the Clerk until the end of Reba Tuttle’s service. I know that earliest town meetings were held in private residences or schools. In an interview with Levi Stewart, John Winchester related the following. Levi Stewart had a request from Samuel Burrill to help fund a town meeting house. At the time Elder Stewart was considering and planning the construction of his magnificent Library Building. Being of his private self, he could not share his vision with Sam Burrill, and so uncharacteristically he did not respond to the request. Levi Stewart later mused to his Winchester nephew that perhaps Sam had forgiven him for not answering the request in view of the eventual Library gift to the town. Carl- I forgot about Reba Tuttle having the town clerk office in her home. How could I forget entering her kitchen as a kid and trying to be brave in front of her vicious little dog, tied to the kitchen stove. -Ken
Date: February 27, 2003 Name: Dan Parker Location: Comment: I don't think there are to many boys in Corinna that haven't had their day in the hay field. I used to work for Millard Worthen on the Dexter Road. I remember the burning eyes, scratches on the back, blisters on the hand. This made for extra money for the Skowhegan fair and extra clothes. I even got to drive the truck at the age of eleven. Most of my working for Millard was to help instead of the money but don't get me wrong the money was nice. I think it made me a better person and gave me self-esteem.
lisaanddan@cox.net
Date: February 27, 2003 Name: Bill Parker Location: Stennis Space Center, MS Comment: In answer to Larry Knowles: I am Harold Parker's cousin (2nd). It sounds like I inherited the bale sled job some short time after him. Uncle Lawrence didn't drive the tractor much then, it was always Harold and the salary was a little more then $1.00. Man talk about memories----he always drove faster going into the wind than away. He wanted to help shorten the time in the wind with all the dust blowing back at me. I was always afraid of the pole sucking me under the sled. I had put that memory far away and forgotten all about it.
Ken the next time you go flying how about an aerial shot of the Eastland school. As always love this site. Great job.Bill- I'll probably go up to take aerial pictures again in the Spring. -Ken
Date: February 27, 2003 Name: Location: Comment: Hi Mr. Dow it's Jason. I was wondering if there was a location for the town offices before the Stewart Building was built here in town? Jason- That is a good question. There must have been another location. I'll see if I can find out. Maybe someone reading the Guest Book knows. -Ken
Date: February 26, 2003 Name: Norman Clarke Location: Pittsfield, Me Comment: Ken,
Nice to hear from those names from the past. Stu, Larry and Jim. I like the paper boy comments. Seems like a lot of us have ink in our veins. Or, at least, still on our fingers. It WAS better delivering an afternoon paper. I get both the BDN and The Sentinel here. I have two excellent paper carriers. The paper is never late and always between the doors.
Thanks too for the photo of the Corinna School. We are getting ready to send out notices for this year's CUA Alumni Banquet. It will be held at the school. The notice says the meeting will be held at the Corinna School. (Something is definitely lacking in that name.) Some folks, who have not been back here for a while, might not know where the Corinna School is but remember the Eastland School, or at least, the Grammar School. So, the photo may help.
As far as haying goes, I too used to help Uncle Earl and wife Peggy's Uncle Everett hay. All 135 pounds of me with hay fever to boot. Hay mow duty, conveyer duty and field duty led to many exciting and wonderful memories. Yeah, right. Those bales used to weigh at least 500 pounds each. I suggested letting the cows go get their own hay.
Date: February 25, 2003 Name: Stu Nye Location: Comment: I wanted to contribute a couple of tall tales about the storied past about Corinna paper routes. I was a paperboy for seven years. The first three was a Sunday route, delivering the Portland Press. The route was all over town ,stretching from the swim front to Hartley farm. Very heavy papers, though I made almost as much money as Bangor Daily route, which I had for four years. I inherited both routes from Brent Wilber. Daily route was much more compact, half of the customers in mill, the other half on Center Street, or Dexter Road. The key to customer satisfaction was getting deliveries to people working third shift in mill by 6:30. We used to get together with other paperboys on Saturday mornings for breakfast at restaurant. We had lots of fun with other paperboys, Dave Dow, Eddie and Bobby Ouelette, and Reggie Lane. Many trips through snowbanks. Great tips at Christmas. I remember Christmas of 1970, dad and I delivered papers on snowmobile. Good luck to mighty Nokomis Warrior teams in tourney. Ken, your doing an outstanding job on this site.
Date: February 25, 2003 Name: Larry Knowles Location: Plano, TX Comment: Hey Brian, I think Ken Bouchard had the Mill and Dexter Rd paper route at some point. I had my route handed down from my brothers and as I remember there was some rerouting in there somewhere because I can remember helping with the Dexter route for my brother Ralph sometimes. The Mill and Snowflake Canning customers wanted their papers early before the morning shift change so we had to be early. I have to say, delivering papers was easy compared to working for Lawrence and Harold Parker in the hayfields! Anyone else experience those days? Lawrence loved to put me on the bailer drag sled and see how fast he could go. He couldn't hear worth a darn so if anything went wrong I had run up and hail him off the tractor. I was all of 150 lbs wringing wet back then so it was a real chore trying to control bails a third of my weight! Harold loved to put me in the top of the haymow where the temperature was 120 degrees or more and feed the conveyor as fast as he could. After 8 to 10 hours of that you went home all scratched up and beat to death. All for $1.00 an hour! I'm sure someone remembers that!
lknowles2003@aol.com
Date: February 25, 2003 Name: Jim Worster Location: Hampden ME Comment: I received a BDN rout from Larry Michele in 1972. I delivered on the Dexter Rd, Exeter Rd, and Spring St & in the Mill. I also delivered the Morning Sentinel.
I turned the rout over to Howard Manson in 1978. David Michaud delivered the BDN on the other end of town.
In real bad storms my father (Maland Worster) would give me a ride up to Hartley's then I would walk back through Town.
We always put the paper in the doors or in the house.
Date: February 24, 2003 Name: Michael Sinclair - Former Corinna resident Location: Fort Bragg, NC Comment: I just thought I'd share this link with everyone who visits the Cattail Press. It's a small site containing photos from Kandahar which have been sent by my father. I'm hoping to be able to keep it updated often, but I can only add new photos as I get them. :)
http://agud.webnessa.com/Afghanistan/
Always nice to be able to keep an eye on Corinna, glad the Press is still up and running! :)
wizardrock@hotmail.comMichael- It is good to hear from you. Thanks for the link. It's interesting to see pictures of what is happening there. We appreciate the sacrifice you and your family are making, especially your father being so far away from home doing the work it takes to let us live with liberty. -Ken
Date: February 24, 2003 Name: Brian Knowles Location: Penfield, NY Comment: Leave it to Norm to have an afternoon paper route! Was that The Hartford "Morning" Times? I think there was someone in Corinna that used to deliver their papers after school several times a week and about 10 am on Saturdays. They didn't last too long, in an area where everyone wanted their paper before going to work. The Saturday paper was a challenge with all the weekend extras and the extra advertisements. I always thought Sears and Freezes should have paid us extra for delivering all that weight.
Date: February 24, 2003 Name: Brian Knowles Location: Penfield, NY Comment: Hello Larry, I had forgotten that you were one of the people who gathered in front of the drugstore at 5AM or earlier 6 days a week. Now you got me trying to remember who some of the paper boys were. I got my route from Joe Perkins and turned it over to Ken, whom I think gave it to his brother David. Peter Pitcher was delivering at that time, I think he got the route from his brother Gary. When Peter gave the route up I added his route or at least part the route to mine. Usually this was a coveted job and was past through families. For some reason when Peter let the route go nobody was interested in it. I think the early hour was losing appeal, for after school opportunities. The money from the BDN was minimal, but if you could satisfy the customers the tips made it a very good job. Joe had established a good route and told me how to maximize tips, early delivery, paper in a place that was secure and easy for the customer to retrieve, set the milk inside. Home delivery was 48 cents a week when I started, that almost assured a 2 cent tip. When it went 50 cents that was a loser for us. We were only paid a few cents a week by the BDN and had to pay full price for all the papers we received. Many (most) customers gave a tip of 10 to 50 cents. This all sounds like pretty hard work for very little money, but at that time it wasn't a bad job. I made between $2 and $2.50 per hour, when minimum wage was less then $1.50 (maybe $1.35) and most kids were paid less than minimum wage. Also Christmas tips could net $50. Thanks to all the generous people on my route.
Ken, thanks for the site and all your hard work.
Brian bpknowles@aol.com
Date: February 22, 2003 Name: Norm Clarke Location: Pittsfield, ME Comment: Ah, an opening. I too delivered newspapers for four years in Connecticut, before moving to Maine. I lived in Newington and delivered The Hartford Times.
It was an afternoon paper and it was an after school job except, of course, in the summer. I remember lots of snow drifts that I had to go through but not like the snows in Maine. Not too cold most of the time either. Started out doing it with brother Cal and finished the last three years with friends Paul and Phil Gilberto. We had over a hundred customers. We lived in a housing development area so they were relatively close together. I made all of my spending money and then some. Got good tips as well. The paper was thirty cents a week and we kept five. We hated when they had specials and flyers in the paper. We couldn't fold it like usual and had to deliver it with a wagon. I still remember how we folded them. Never threw it up on the steps. We had to put it into the mail boxes or in between the screen and entry doors. We had paper delivery bags made out of canvas and they were stuffed most of the time.
It was fun and a learning experience. I had a friend who delivered the Hartford Courant, a morning paper. After several trips with him I was glad that I delivered the afternoon paper. It was too cold, too early and his customers, in another part of town, were spread out too far apart.An afternoon paper, what a concept! After those years of getting up before dawn, freezing in the winter... -Ken
Date: February 21, 2003 Name: Larry Knowles Location: Plano, TX Comment: I'm just now catching up on the past pages of the Cattail Press. I visited Corinna over the Holidays and thought it looked much better than the year before.
Someone had some nice photos of the storm of '62. I remember it well. Brian, as you may remember, I too was a local paper boy back then delivering The Bangor Daily to the Exeter Rd, Stetson Rd, Newport Rd and W. Main St. areas. I did not have the advantage of snow shoes and can remember wading waist deep in the snow to get to the front doors. I remember climbing those snow plowed walls for days after until everyone dug out. The best part, I think I made a few extra bucks in tips and snow shoveling that storm.
The family in Maine keeps me posted on the "deep freeze" and I'm thankful for the weather in Texas. We might get 1 or 2 inches that may last 12-24 hours and a deep freeze is maybe 26 degrees for a day or two. Y'all can keep the cold and snow, thank you very much!
Ken, I appreciate your dedication to the press. It's nice to be able to "go home" via the Cattail Press whenever we want.Larry- It's good to hear from you. Glad to swap paperboy stories. -Ken
Date: February 19, 2003 Name: Location: Comment: thank you for this web site
i view this one since most of my family lives there on greenbush rd
my wife and i enjoy this scenery as well as visiting the area
tomsuelybl@aol.comI am pleased that you enjoy the site. -Ken
Date: February 17, 2003 Name: Don Seavey Location: Augusta Comment: Ken, in response to your comment to Rose, there is no need to look at the thermometer when it's that cold. What's a few degrees one way or the other?
ddsme@msn.comDon- You are right about that. After you reach a certain point it doesn't matter. -Ken
Date: February 15, 2003 Name: Rose Lockwood Location: Windsor, Vt Comment: "I hope to do better later on." Your words from February 1, 2003.... "It was 15 degrees below zero with a light breeze at 5:00 a.m. this morning"..Today's entry.
What a brave soul to venture out there for today's picture, I don't think "later" comes till SPRING for most of us that hibernate in the winters :-)Thanks, Rose. It was even colder this morning but I didn't even look to see the thermometer...didn't want to know. -Ken
Date: February 10, 2003 Name: rose lockwood Location: winsor,vt Comment: I thought I would pass this link along of Maine's outgoing governor in case some people were unaware of it. I'm not from Corinna anymore, but sure do enjoy checking in on his site. www.wheresmolly.com/
Date: February 5, 2003 Name: Lisa (poli) Oellette Location: Lewiston Comment: Hi Mr.Dow , thank you! My children and I can now look back at my home town, I have enjoyed a walk down memory lane? about that 1969 snow storm. Yes, it was a big one my brother was born that winter. I remember sliding off the snow which was up to the roof top we use to have PIC. but they have been misplaced. For about 2 weeks Mr. Campbell snow shoed out to work.
We do not get back often to visit. Scott my oldest remembers some of what town use to look like. my the 3 younger ones do not.
thanks again
ojoy4@wmconnect.comLisa- It is good to hear from you. -Ken
Date: February 3, 2003 Name: Virginia Turner Location: Palmyra, ME Comment: Have just been reading the last few entries, interesting the different perspectives! It may have been necessary to wipe out the town I grew up in but that doesn't mean I have to like it. I feel like a huge chunk of my past has been wiped out and it leaves a hole in it. The only things left are the memories and with aging I can expect these to go also!
The house we lived in is still there but the path I traveled to school is gone. It picks up again at the corner by the Library. That was the place I loved more than anything, they used to bend the rules and let me take home more books than allowed because I always read them and returned them on time.Virginia- I'm sure there are many of us who agree with you. -Ken
Date: February 3, 2003 Name: Alden Schmitz Location: Comment: Hi Ken..I was just looking at the old photo of Main St after the 1903 fire and noticed the steeple of the Methodist Church in the background. Do you know how old the Church is? I agree with Jane. The new wallpaper picture is beautiful. Thank you. Alden- The church was built on 1853. The Methodist Church, Pearson's Store and the Stewart Library Building are the lasting landmarks that show up in photographs across the town's history. -Ken
Date: February 1, 2003 Name: Trixie Location: Southern Maine Comment: I am not a Corinna native, just a person who often travels through town. What a great improvement with the mill now gone. I occasionally check your web page and have been fascinated with the SLB portraits and the information supplied about them. Carl Smith has done a tremendous service to everyone with his historical research. How many portraits are there? Who selected them? Will more be added in the future? Trixie- Thanks for your comments. There are about 50 portrait photographs hanging in the SLB hallways. All of people from the late 1800's - early 1900's. I don't know who choose them or did the work of framing them. It is a fascinating question. Carl's research is wonderful. I'm sure he will continue to share it with us. I will post more pictures as time goes on. -Ken
Date: February 1, 2003 Name: Jane Quimby Biscoe Location: Waldoboro, ME Comment: Hi Ken: What a wonderful picture for January 30th! Can you tell me where you took that photograph? Even after 50 years away from living in Corinna, I find that there is something VERY familiar about that enormous tree! (Of course it could just be advancing age----but we won't think about that! :o) )
Thanks!Jane- Thank you. You caught me, though! I took that picture two years ago. The tree is beside a back road up on the northeast side of Corinna. Sorry my memory isn't any better than that. I found the tree picture while looking through my collection for photos to use in the site. As some might have noticed, I haven't been out much to take pictures for about a month. As the sun moves higher in the sky, there will be more time for picture taking. I hope to do better later on. -Ken
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