Boardwalk Update – 14 August 2014
After months of work by over 30 volunteers the Boardwalk opened on July 24th. UM President Sue Hunter spoke at the opening and we had about 60 people attend including several volunteers, University of Maine Foundation staff, 2 state representatives, the Orono town manager, the national sales representative of Lumberrock – the decking manufacturer, Steve Merriam and his family of Great Northern Docks who is our contractor, UM faculty, all management committee members, plus others. The opening was covered by all 3 local TV stations, the BDN and the Penobscot Times. It was a great event. I know I’m going to leave someone out but here are the volunteers who helped these past months (in alphabetical order). If I leave someone out please let me know ASAP:
Peter Altman, Jim Bird, Erik Blomberg, Daryle Carter, Donna and Gerry Dwyer, Jean Gamperle, Lauren Hain, Emily Hanson, Karl Hill, Brandon Keim, Fred Kircheis, Ron Lamb, Al Larson, Andrienne Leppold, Dale Levesque, Ed Lindsey, Phil Locke, Jerry Longcore, Ben McAlexander, Steve McKay, Brody and Nina McKenney (+ their 2 sons), John Maddaus, Rissa Moore, Matthew Pelletier (+ members of his UM faternity), John Pickering, Jesse Shank, Erin Simoneau (+ Brian), Genevieve Smith, and Cason, Jennifer, and Lily Snow.
In the coming months we hope to purchase at least 96 more sections (+ wheelchair turnouts and 2 interpretive stations) from Great Northern Docks and get them installed before next year’s May 1st opening. If all goes well we will purchase an additional 48 sections and install them at selected times next season.
Thanks to the generosity of many donors, the University of Maine Foundation has received $1660 (as of yesterday) in memory of University of Maine Professor Bill Glanz. Boardwalk section 151 and the bench at section 168 will be designated in memory of Bill. There will be a dedication ceremony next year.
Please be sure to join us for the Bangor Paint Out and Art Auction, held by the Bangor Art Society on Saturday August 16th, with a portion of the proceeds to go towards the Boardwalk Capital Campaign.