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Artist Ron Kullaway Exhibits at Mast Cove Gallery
Broken Arm Delays Painting For Eight Weeks
by
Steve Hrehovcik
When artist Ronald Kullaway moves his left arm he winches in pain
– for two reasons. One reason is the physical pain caused by the
fall that broke a bone in his upper arm. Kullaway’s accident
occurred last week in Seattle where he and his wife Penelope were
attending the wedding of their son Maxwell.
The second reason for Kullaway’s pain is more emotional. Since he
paints with his left hand he cannot do any work for at least eight
weeks. His doctor tells him it will take at least that long before
his arm will be recovered enough for him to pick up a paint brush.
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Harding Books & Maps
Celebrate 45 Years In Business
So Many Books…So Little Time
By Steve Hrehovcik
As
soon as Hollywood
decides to make a movie that features a bookstore in the plot, the
perfect model for the lead role would be Douglas Harding, owner of
Harding Books & Maps store in Wells.
Harding has the
looks and demeanor you’d expect for a book store owner. Earnest,
with a no-nonsense approach to his vast collection of more than
200,000 volumes, Harding makes the point that he runs a difficult
business. Yet, he is ready to flash a grin when amused and eager
to offer an astute observation on all manner of topics – many he
gleaned from the books that surround him and the customers he has
helped over the years.
Casting Harding
in a film about books should come as no surprise. In a labor of
love, he has devoted a colorful life to the collection, displaying
and sale of books, maps and prints for 45 years.
(click here
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The first chapter
to this distinguished career began when he bought a book
collection at an auction in 1962. With this inventory he opened
his first book store near his home in Nashua, New Hampshire. A
short time later he acquired 50,000 more volumes from the Roger
Babson Institute, the noted Massachusetts business school.
Harding describes
his first experiences as learning from many mistakes. He said, “It
takes 10 years just to find out what to do. The romantic notion
that many people have about books doesn’t really work when it
comes to running the business. Like any business, it requires
some tough decisions and hard work. I had to learn as I went
along”.
In 45 years it is
obvious Harding has learned a lot about books and the people who
buy them. He said, “People’s tastes change over the years and we
have to be diligent and change our approach when necessary”.
One of the major
changes he made was to move the business to its present location
on Route 1, Wells in 1980. The building Harding purchased served
as an antique shop. But, from the distinctive architectural
design, it is clear that the building had a former life as a
railroad station.
Like the many
books it houses, the station had an illustrious history of its
own. George C. Lord, the owner of the Boston & Maine Railroad, and
son of the ship builder George Lord of Kennebunk, constructed the
station in 1888. It served as Lord’s private rail stop when he
vacationed on the property he purchased in what is today the
Laudholm Trust. The location was called “Elms Farm” after the many
trees that dotted the property. Its apparent influence persists to
this day, since “Elms” continues to appear on Maine maps, even
though no such town exists.
Through the
years, Harding expanded on to the station building as his
collection of books and maps grew to meet customer’s demands.
Today there are 14 rooms packed from floor to ceiling and rows
upon rows of books of every description. The largest of these
rooms encompasses 8,000 square feet. Book lovers can find subjects
that range from art to zoology, and every category in between.
Harding boasts that a particular strength of the books he offers
cover Americana, maritime, New England town histories, genealogy,
arts and antiques.
Harding also
carries an impressive selection of United States and world maps
and prints, some dating from the 16th through 19th
centuries. Another important feature of the store is the
noteworthy collection of rare and out of print classics.
To help him keep
track of the vast collection Harding relies on the help of his
daughter, Cheryl, and son, Kevin and a total of six employees.
Cheryl has been with the book store for 21 years and can pin point
any subject and most specific books with ease. Kevin has a 17 year
history with the book store and is most often found entering and
searching for books at the computer.
Although the
ambiance of the building and books suggest an easy-going by-gone
era, Harding uses the latest technology to help his customers find
books they want. As a member of the Antiquarian Booksellers'
Association of America and the Maine Antiquarian Booksellers'
Association, Harding has the resources to locate almost any book
in and out of print.
Books can also be ordered
on line by going to the website,
www.hardingsbooks.com. The store is open year round, seven
days a week, 9 AM to 5 PM.
So far, no
Hollywood producer has invited Harding to “do lunch”. But film
buffs can rummage through the shop’s impressive movie section to
get a sense of the quantity and quality of books offered on the
subject. It’s just one of the topics that keep customers coming
back. To find more about how Harding plans to celebrate his 45th
Anniversary in business, or if there might be a movie deal
pending, call 646-8785.
- May 8, 2007
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Star
Gazing – A Universal Attraction
Summer Nights Offer Spectacular Cosmic Views
by
Steve Hrehovcik
Back in the glory years of
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, studio chief Louis B. Mayer boasted that
M-G-M had more stars under contract than there were stars in the
heavens. While Mayer’s claim made excellent publicity it was a
trifle off the mark.
The latest estimate fills our heavens with
billions of galaxies, each filled with millions, perhaps
trillions, of celestial bodies. So to enjoy star gazing it isn’t
necessary to go to a movie theater. Just go outside after dark and
look up.
The celestial view provides several options
for enjoying the evening. It could make a magnificent backdrop for
a romantic rendezvous. Or, it might inspire lofty questions of
time, space and existence.
For some, it offers an opportunity to learn
more about our heavenly neighbors by recognizing them and
appreciating their scientific, historical and mythological
significance.
The warm summer nights ahead provide a
comfortable way to experience some exciting stellar viewing. And
one of the best places to view “the window on the Universe” is at
the Starlight Observatory in Kennebunk.
New and seasoned amateur astronomers gather at
the observatory for the enjoyment and challenge of watching the
cosmos. The Starlight Observatory, located on Route 35, West
Kennebunk, has been in operation since 2001. It is the creation of
the Astronomical Society of Northern New England (ASNNE), an all
volunteer, non-profit educational organization.
Visitors to the society can use telescopes to
learn how to identify constellations, stars, planets and other
interstellar matter. The society also presents monthly discussions
on astronomical topics and organizes outings to observe special
cosmic events.
Bernie Reim, of Newfield, has been associated
with ASNNE since it opened in 1982. The visit of Halley’s Comet in
1986 inspired Reim to become a star gazer. Since then he has
immersed himself in the study of astronomy, writing articles and
teaching classes on the stars and the related subjects.
He said, “This is great time to see the comet called
Schwassmann/Wachmann 3, named after the two men who first
discovered it in 1930.”
The comet makes a visit to our planet every
5.4 years. The sight of a comet on its pilgrimage through our
night sky can be an inspiring sight.
Reim had several other suggestions for summer
night viewing. The planet Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar
system, is most spectacular at this time of year. It appears in
the eastern sky just after sunset.
On June 17 Mars, called the “Red Planet” and Saturn,
with its famous rings, appear less than one degree apart. Look for
them in the constellation Cancer in the western sky.
In July and August our planet witnesses the annual visit of the
Perseid Meteor Shower. Sky watchers can see colorful fireballs
plus long graceful streaking meteors that pierce the Earth’s
atmosphere at 132,000 mph. The meteors are bits of dust from
another comet called Swift-Tuttle. Although far from Earth the
comet’s wide tail intersects with the Earth’s orbit creating the
spectacular view. The shower streaks through the constellation
Perseus, which gives the shower its name. Best viewing will be
just before sunrise on August 12.
To learn more about summer star gazing visit the next public
session at the Starlight Observatory, May 26 at dusk. For more
information about ASNNE and the Starlight Observatory check their
website,
www.asnne.org.
-
May 5, 2006
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Margaret Chase Smith: A Maine
Legend
by
Steve Hrehovcik
One of Maine’s most prominent and beloved citizens was Margaret
Chase Smith.
She was born in Skowhegan on December 14, 1897 and passed away May
29, 1995.
In her 97 years she achieved many “firsts”, both as a woman and
politician. She was the first woman to serve in both the House of
Representatives (1940 – 1949) and the Senate (1949 - 1973). She
also was the first woman from Maine to be elected to both chambers
of Congress.
Adding to her list of firsts, she was first woman to have her name
placed in nomination for President of a major political party.
This occurred at the Republican convention in 1964. Her colleague
Senator Barry Goldwater received the nomination that year.
A serious worker, Senator Smith always maintained her Downeast
sense of humor. When asked by a political interviewer what she
would do if she woke up one morning in the White House, she said,
“I’d go straight to Mrs. Truman and apologize. Then I’d go home.”
Known for her strong character and passionate independent streak,
she spoke her mind and would take a courageous stand when she
believed she was right. She became a cherished personality in the
state as well as a respected legend across the nation. She wore a
red rose whenever in public. It became her trade mark, along with
her strength of will and firm determination.
As a young woman in Skowhegan Margaret Chase was the “school marm”
of a one-room schoolhouse, worked as a telephone operator,
newspaper circulation manager and executive with a local textile
mill. She became active in local women’s groups and helped start
the Skowhegan Business and Professional Women’s Club. She never
attended college. She married Clyde Smith, a prominent political
leader in central Maine in 1930.
While many regarded Senator Smith as a champion of women’s rights
she never thought of herself as a feminist. In a 1975 interview
she said, "I was treated fairly in the Senate, not because of
equal rights but because of seniority.
When she left office in 1973 she held the record as the longest
serving woman Senator in U.S. history.
Her political career began when her husband Clyde Smith was
elected to the House of Representatives in 1936. She served as his
secretary. When Clyde suffered a fatal heart attack in 1940 Maine
voters sent Margaret to Washington to fill out his term. During
World War II she served on the House Naval Affairs committee. As
co-chair of the committee she helped resolve disputes between the
military, state and local jurisdictions where military bases were
being constructed across the nation.
Although a staunch Republican, she often voted against her party’s
wishes. 1n 1950, at the height of the hysteria brought on by
Senator Joseph McCarthy’s anticommunist crusade, Senator Smith
denounced McCarthy’s harsh tactics. In her speech on the Senate
floor called the “Declaration of Conscience” she stated, “Moral
cowardice that keeps us from speaking our minds is as dangerous to
this country as irresponsible talk. The right way is not always
the popular and easy way. Standing for right when it is unpopular
is a true test of moral character.”
These comments brought her national attention. Some speculated
that she would become a candidate for Vice-President in the 1952
election. Over the years her strong stands won her many supporting
friends as well as severe foes. One of her adversaries was Nikita
S. Khrushchev, the leader of the Soviet Union. He called her “the
devil in the disguise of a woman.”
In 1972 Senator Smith lost the election to William Hathaway. She
returned to her home in Skowhegan and started plans for the
Margaret Chase Smith Library at Northwood University. The library
opened in 1982 located on fifteen acres overlooking the Kennebec
River. Senator Smith was active in its operation for a dozen
years. The library houses political documents, photographs, honors
and memorabilia that covered her thirty-two years in Congress. It
also serves as a museum, educational facility and public policy
center to promote research into political history.
Senator Smith considered politics as her only life. "I have no
family, no time-consuming hobbies," she said after many years in
the Senate. "I have only myself and my job as United States
Senator."
- March 21, 2008
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