On the occasion of his 80th birthday, December 12th, the Maine Chapter hosted a party for Dick Anderson, visionary conservationist, leader, mentor & friend. Nearly 80 friends and family from Dick’s long life and career in conservation attended, including former Maine Governor Joe Brennan who met Dick 60 years ago at the University of Maine. Joe announced the creation of the IAT on Earth Day 1994, and he’s hoping that the current board will consider running a side trail past his home on Munjoy Hill in Portland!

Dick was recognized for a lifetime of achievement in conservation, wild animal and road kill cookery, driftwood and pine cone marketing, recycling, and–most importantly–for being the ‘Father of the IAT’, as Dave Startzell put it in his words to Dick. No one has contributed more to the success of the IAT than Dick. He conceived the footpath and assembled a team that built trails and campsites over many weekends for years.

Sherry Huber, retired Maine senator and long-time conservationist who worked with Dick and others to establish the Gisland Farm headquarters of the Maine Audubon Society in the late 1960′s, along with several of Dick’s friends and former colleagues provided various speeches and toasts. Everyone in the room shared the warmth and appreciation for Dick as they have all been touched by his contagious enthusiasm and “can do” spirit.

Connie Gemmer, a colleague of Dick’s at Barton & Gingold entertained all with the following poem:

Well Richard, Yingle Yingle…You’ve done the best you could possibly do!

Yingle Yingle… This is quite a display

All kinds of love here – there’s plenty to say!

How does one capture all that you’ve done?

Jam packed with adventure, field trips and fun.

How many miles do you suppose that you’ve hiked?

How many stories have you told, that we liked?

How many mountains have been in your view?

How many animals have gone in your stew?

Richard’s a guy who’s attitude soars

When he gets really psyched, no question – he ROARS!

His smile is like indelible ink

Consider his eyes – they twinkle – I think.

Recall what a crowd our pied piper’s led.

Trail people. Waste people. Friends all well fed.

Bird watchers. Boaters. Fishermen too.

There’ve been governors, congressmen; there’s been me and there’s you!

Where ever he goes, he attracts quite a crowd

In a room full of voices, his stands out – cause he’s loud

Whoever he meets is impressed right away

Especially when treated to muskrat pate.

For so many years, Dick, you’ve been a bright light

Come up with ideas that seemed outta sight

Remember the Caribou? And transporting those fish?

Recycled toll tickets were more than a wish.

There’s no doubt that Dick leaves a lasting impression

The Tsar of Enthusiasm thru years of recession

A trail blazer first – that’s Dick thru and thru

We’re all honored to be here. Happy birthday to you!

To top the evening off, Dick was surprised to learn that the Maine section of the IAT has been named the “Richard B. Anderson Trail” in his honor. Don Hudson presented Dick with a replica of a plaque that will be placed on a boulder at the junction of the IAT and the Loop Road on Katahdin Woods & Waters land later in 2015 – thanks in large part to the generosity and support of Roxanne and Hannah Quimby and Lucas St. Clair.

The plaque reads as follows:

In October 1993 Richard B. “Dick” Anderson envisioned a footpath to connect the highest points in Maine, New Brunswick and Quebec, and Governor Joseph E. Brennan announced its creation on Earth Day, April 22, 1994. The International Appalachian Trail now traces the arc of the North Atlantic Basin and extends beyond borders to all geographic regions once connected by the ancient Appalachian Mountains–from Maine to Morocco. This great mountain range was formed more than 400 million years ago on the super continent Pangea, and the IAT weaves together the rich natural and human history that shares this common geologic heritage.

“Nature knows no boundaries!” RBA, June 8, 1994, Mt. Carleton, NB

In addition, Don announced the establishment of the Anderson Fund — an endowment in Dick’s name to support the IAT.

Bill Green, of WCSH Channel 6 Bill Green’s Maine, interviewed Dick in advance of the party, but little did Dick know that the Maine section now bears his name! You can view the show at the following link: http://www.wcsh6.com/…/maine-conservationist-hono…/20316861/

Dick was still celebrating the next day with the gang (left to right: Earl Raymond, Thomas Urquhart, Eddie Woodin, Elizabeth Swain, Dick Anderson, Dave Eaton, Don Hudson, Walter Anderson)

IAT Founder Dick Anderson was honored at the ALDHA annual business meeting by an Honorary Lifetime Membership in the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association. Well deserved!!!

The Annual Gathering of the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association, www.aldha.org, was held at Williams College, October 9-12. Maine Chapter members Dick Anderson, Walter Anderson, Will Richard, Julie King and Don Hudson represented the IAT at the Gathering, offering four presentations during the weekend.

ALDHA Attendees viewing IAT booth

IAT thru-hiker Julie King provided a glimpse of some of the outstanding hiking that she and her hiking companion Ed Talone experienced on and off the IAT in Atlantic Canada. Will Richard introduced his new book, Maine to Greenland: Exploring the Maritime Far Northeast, written with William W. Fitzhugh, director of the Arctic Studies Center at the Smithsonian Institution. Will has assisted Bill during research expeditions to the Quebec North Shore and Labrador for the past many years, and he has traveled numerous times to the Canadian Arctic and Greenland. Will’s photographs provide the bulk of the outstanding illustrations, and the chapter on the Maritime Provinces includes a section on the IAT.

(Left to Right) Will Richard, Hikers Julie King, Jo-Jo Koby-Burley (who is the only woman to have hiked the ECT and the IAT and is former Coordinator of ALDHA), Frank Burley and Dick Anderson

Walter provided an excellent overview of the role that the IAT and the Ancient Appalachian Mountains play as ambassadors of the geosciences to the modern world. Since the proposal for the IAT was presented on Earth Day, April 22, 1994, we have explained that the IAT traces the ancient mountains, first in North America and then around the rim of the North Atlantic Basin to the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. The story is a compelling one, and the IAT is increasingly recognized for the role it plays in interpreting the geologic history of the Earth.

(Left to Right) Walter Anderson, Dick Anderson, Don Hudson

Don Hudson reported on the International Annual General Meetings in Iceland, Scotland, and earlier in the month in Plymouth, England, and reviewed the recent work on the trail throughout Europe and Morocco.

Don Hudson presenting

No one was more surprised than Dick Anderson when it became clear that he was the highlight of the annual business meeting at the Gathering. Bill O’Brien was half way into his description of an outstanding long-time ALDHA member when Dick realized that Bill was talking about him! Much to Dick’s surprise and the delight of the others in attendance, Dick was awarded with ALDHA’s highest distinction–an Honorary Lifetime Membership in ALDHA!

The Maine Chapter has been represented at ALDHA meetings since 1998, and Dick has been there at nearly every meeting since to tell the story of the trail.

Dick Anderson

On 9/27/2014 – members of the IAT Maine Chapter Walter Anderson (Yarmouth), Nancy Hathaway (Surry) and newly recruited members Bill Rixon (Freeport) and Katy Sullivan (Portland), set out on a beautiful Indian Summer day to attend the “Stars Over Katahdin” (SOK) event hosted by Elliotsville Plantation Inc.(EPI) Katahdin Woods & Waters on the East Branch of the Penobscot River. EPI is the landowner of many thousands of acres east and adjacent to Baxter State Park. Both Bill, and Katy are skilled astronomers and educators who graciously agreed to perform as the principle astronomical instructors for the SOK event.

New IAT Members Bill Rixon (Freeport) and Katy Sullivan (Portland)

Approximately 35 souls, including the Maine Chapter IAT, Maine Conservation Corps, Colby Outing and Space Clubs, Forest Ranger and family and assorted locals, assembled at 11:00A on a beautiful Indian Summer day at the EPI Woods & Waters Sand Bank Picnic area. Susan and Mark Adams, Recreational Managers for EPI at Lunksoos Camp led a daytime tour of the EPI Katahdin Woods and Waters Loop Rd. followed by group hike and mountain biking up Bernard Mt. near the IAT. At sunset EPI hosts, Susan and Mark, generously provided a sumptuous campfire supper for all, complete with dogs, corn, veggies and assorted goodies.

Skywatchers

After sunset, the group assembled at the Star Watch site close to and just east of an imposing Mt. Katahdin. Devoid of any light pollution, an incredibly dark sky provided the backdrop for a vast and brilliant assortment of stars, constellations and astronomical phenomena. The highlight of the SOK on the EPI Loop Rd. event occurred when Bill Rixon and his colleague, Katy Sullivan, with skill and patience, expertly delivered several hours of awesome North Maine Woods astronomy to a rapt audience of star gazers.

We all express our heartfelt gratitude to Susan and Mask Adams (EPI) and Nancy Hathaway (IAT) for organizing and coordinating this unique and spectacular event!

Updates from Paul Wylezol and Don Hudson at the IAT AGM in Plymouth….

10/9/14 – Final day of the IAT AGM in Plymouth, England. It started out with a half-day walk of the Mt Edgcumbe section of the IAT South West Coast Path National Trail (http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/south-west-coast-path), led by City Councilor Andrew Thompson and trail manager and AGM organizer Mark Owen. The walk ended in Plymouth where the IAT/NT executive members had lunch with the Lord Mayor and his wife at Royal William Yard (the historic dockyard where the Royal Navy supplied its ships). The group then continued on to Plymouth Hoe – site of the Eddystone Lighthouse, Sir Francis Drake statue (Drake lived in and sailed from Plymouth) and various war memorials – and the Mayflowers Steps, where the Mayflower Pilgrims departed for America in 1620 and Sir Humphrey Gilbert departed for Newfoundland in 1583. From there it was off to the Plymouth Gin distillery for a tour and a few sips of the gin supplied to the Royal British Navy. No wonder they were once the largest navy in the world!!

10/8/14 – Day Three of the IAT AGM in Plymouth, England included a day-tour of English Riviera Geopark and South Devon AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). Stops included the seaside town of Torbay, Kent’s Cavern (site of many prehistoric hominid and animal bone discoveries), Thomas Newcomen’s steam engine in Dartmouth (the world’s first steam engine) and Prawle Point, a National Trust landscape in south Devon.

10/7/14 -IAT AGM at the National Marine Aquarium at Plymouth, England. Guest presenters included BBC presenter and Plymouth University Professor Iain Stewart and English Riviera Geopark Coordinator and Chair of the UK Global Geoparks Forum Melanie Border.

10/7/14 – We dined at the Plymouth Gin Distillery’s Barbican Kitchen last night following a full day of meeting. The IAT is in good hands.

10/6/14 – Day one included a day tour of Dartmoor National Park (pictured below) and Morwellham Quay (an historic copper mine and UNESCO World Heritage Site), as well as a train ride back to Plymouth on the scenic Tamar Valley Train Line.

10/5/14 – Wonderful walk on Dartmoor, stopping to see Bronze Age mining sites

Dick Anderson, Eddie Woodin, Don Hudson

Eddie Woodin continued his long-time support of the IAT Maine on October 26th when he presented a check for $1,000 to Don Hudson and Dick Anderson. Eddie has been a supporter from the beginning in 1994 when he helped get our small bank account started. With his help, and the help of many other members, our small budget has always been balanced. We really appreciate the financial support of all our members and friends, without which we would not have been able to make the amazing progress we have made in the last 20 years.

Recently, IAT member, Roger Gilmore, and his family hiked in to the IAT Katahdin Brook campsite. A generous donation from the Gilmore family helped fund the lean-to located at the campsite. Roger was very moved when he saw the dedication plaque mounted in the lean-to. The plaque reads “The Katahdin Brook Lean-to was made possible by the generosity of Katahdin Log Homes and the family of Roger Gilmore, a life-long lover of the Appalachian Trail and the International Appalachian Trail.”

Roger participated in many work trips on the IAT during the early days. He helped locate the trail up the backside of Deasey and helped build some of the IAT’s campsites. He is a great outdoors person and spends much of his time hiking and enjoying the environment.

The IAT organization is very grateful to the Gilmores for their contribution that helped fund this campsite as a memorial to Roger’s great love of all trails.

Susan Kaplin, Director of the Peary-MacMillan Museum and Arctic Studies Center, at Brunswick Maine’s Bowdoin College, hosted an illustrated talk and book signing reception for Maine IAT Board member Will Richard and his Co-Author William W. Fitzhugh , on September 25th, to celebrate the publication of their book, “Maine to Greenland, Exploring the Maritime Far Northeast.”

(From right to left: Susan Kaplin, Director Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum, Wilfred Richard, William Fitzhugh and unidentified audience member)

The audience of about 200 included Dick Anderson and Don Hudson, IAT founders, and Walter Anderson, IAT Geologist. Dr. Fitzhugh gave a presentation on the potential effects of global warming on the residents of the Maritime Far Northeast and Dr. Richard presented photographs and discussed his research on the residents of west coast Greenland. In addition to Will’s spectacular photographs of the territory, the book contains an entire chapter on the history of the IAT.

(Co-authors William W. Fitzhugh and Wilfred Richard seated in foreground)

(Dick Anderson with Wilfred Richard)

For more information about the book go to the Portland Press Heraldreview by Thomas Urquhart, a Maine Chapter IAT Board member.

Books can be purchased directly from Will. Book is $40.00, $5 for postage and $2.50 sales tax if you live in Maine. Make check payable to “Wilfred E. Richard”. Mail your check for either $45.00 or $47.50 to:

Wilfred E. Richard, 34 Pond Road Georgetown, Maine 04548

The International Appalachian Trail and The Appalachian Trail Conservancy received grants today from the Quimby Family Foundation! Dick Anderson (left) Amy McCormick of the ATC (center) and Don Hudson (right) attended the Quimby Family luncheon to receive this award. The IAT’s grant will be used for building the capacity of all chapters to communicate better about the community and natural resource values of the IAT. A great day in Maine for footpaths!

With help from Susan and Mark Adams, Walter Anderson, Herb Hartman, brothers Bob & Alan Johnston, Don Hudson, Cheryl & Kirk St. Peter, Dave Rand, Earl Raymond and Cliff Young the following work was accomplished on the June 2014 Bowlin Camps-based Work Trip:

The trail was checked from the Grand Lake Road to the summit of Lunksoos Mt.Several blowdowns were cleared on the way up to the Lunksoos campsite from Bowlin.Tags and posts were checked and a few tags were placed where needed.The Lunksoos lean-to and privy were inspected and the fire ring was mineralized.The view of Katahdin from the lean-to was cleared and log deck brush was cut back.The Grand Pitch campsite and privy were swept.Grass was cleared down to mineral soil around the fire pit.A new route to skirt the wet section of the Old Telos TOTE Road after The Pines was established by making a trail up to the K Comp road and then returning to the Old Telos Tote Road at the log landing clearing .

As always, IAT Chef and Chief Geologist, Walter Anderson, provided some delicious meals, Poland Spring water and kept the group entertained with his stories, rants and heckles. Thank you to Bob Johnston for his delicious beef stew and salad. Newly appointed Maine Chapter Vice President, Cheryl St. Peter kept everyone pleasantly delighted with her strawberry-rhubarb cake and fudge!