Poor People’s Campaign draws over 200 at Augusta rally

by Jonathan Strieff

Well over 200 demonstrators gathered in Capitol Park, in Augusta, on Saturday, March 2, as part of a nationwide direct action organized by the Poor People’s Campaign. With simultaneous events taking place in 32 state capitols and Washington DC, the event kicked off a 40-week effort to mobilize poor and low-wage workers ahead of the November elections. Participants led call and response songs and displayed homemade signs before marching from the park to rally in front of the Blaine House and the capitol building.

The event brought together social activists, faith leaders, and poor and low-wage workers to demand legislative action to address the crisis of poverty in the United States.

Rev. Dr. Jodi Hayashida, a tri-chair organizer for the Maine Poor People’s Campaign, opened the assembly by sharing several unsettling statistics.

“Our state capitols are not just symbolic. The decisions made here regarding minimum wage, access to health care, access to housing, sovereignty, women’s rights, voting rights, immigrant’s rights, public education, and policy violence directly impact our daily lives. In this country, the richest nation in the history of the world, poverty is the fourth leading cause of death, claiming 800 lives every day. Poverty is the result of policy choice and is preventable through policy change. The moral, economic, and social crisis at hand must and will be abolished.”

Coordinating committee member, Linda Homer, spoke to the campaign’s mission of organizing infrequent voters around the policies most impactful to Mainers living in poverty.

“This primary season, and in November, we will vote our demands at the ballot box. We will send a message to the legislators responsible for the unrelenting policy violence toward poor and low-income people that we wont be silent any more.”

Homer went on to recognize many organizations offering material support for the Maine Poor People’s Campaign, including Solidarity Bucksport, the Maine Council of Churches, the Maine Peoples Alliance, the Unitarian Universalist Churches of Augusta, Brunswick, Auburn, and Damariscotta, the Peace and Justice Center of Eastern Maine, the Church of Universal Fellowship, the Maine Unitarian Universalist State Advocacy Network, First Congre­gational Church of Hampden, Acadia Friends Monthly Meeting, and the Vassal­boro Quart­erly Meeting of the Reli­gious So­ciety of Friends (Quaker).

In demanding an end to poverty, the Poor People’s Campaign identified specific policy issues to organize voters behind: $15 minimum wage, an end to voter suppression and the expansion of voting rights, fully funded public education for all, health care for all, affordable and adequate housing, worker rights, women’s rights, end to gun violence, environmental justice, and just immigration laws.

On June 15, the Poor People’s Campaign will stage a national march on Congress, in Washington DC. In Maine, organizers will continue hosting events, staging voter registration drives, phone banking, and door to door canvassing about the issues between now and the November elections. Future events will be announced at facebook.com/maineppc, twitter.com/MainePPCampaing, and instagram.com/MainePPCampaign.

Jonathan Strieff is a freelance contributor to The Town Line.

Scouts mark 114th year with Sunday services

Scouts with Father March, at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, in Augusta. Front row, Tristan Morton, Augusta Troop #603, Brent Trundy, of Augusta Cub Scout Pack #684. Back, Anthony Fortin, Troop #603, Trenton Franklin Troop #603, Fr. Nathan March (Eagle Scout). (photo courtesy of Chuck Mahaleris)

by Chuck Mahaleris

February marks the 114th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America and it is also when most Cub Scout Packs and Scout Troops hold Scout Sunday services in their communities. The Twelfth Point in the Scout Law is that “A Scout is reverent. He is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties and respects the convictions of others in matters of custom and religion.” To encourage members to grow stronger in their faith, religious groups have developed the religious emblems programs and also welcomed Scouts in to their houses of worship for the annual Scout Sunday service.

Scout Sunday can be held anytime during the year when it is convenient to the church, but many gather for Scout Sunday in February. During these services, Scouts take an active part in the program. At St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, in Augusta, part of the St. Michael’s Parish, Scouts on February 4 participated in the liturgy, served as ushers, greeted parishioners, and managed the offertory. Anthony Fortin, of Augusta, is a Scout in Troop #603, “Scout Sunday is important to me because I get to bring my religious life and my Scouting life together and enjoy a day as being both a Catholic and a Boy Scout which are two major aspects of my life.” Trenton Franklin is also a Scout in Troop #603 and took part in the Scout Sunday program even though he is not a Catholic. He found it to be a great way for him to show reverence while exploring and learning about other faiths.

“For 90 years, the Gardiner area Scouts have called Christ Church their home,” the church posted on their Facebook page on February 4. “Today we thanked them for being a part of our community and shared a blessing with them in recognition of their acts of service. Just look at these sweet faces that are growing into the giving hearts of tomorrow. Brittany St. Amand, one of the leaders of Cub Pack #672, said of the church community, “They’re always so kind and welcoming to our Scouts.”

The Moose River Congregational Church held their Scout Sunday on February 11, and Scouts and leaders from Troop #497 served as greeters, presented the offering and gave the readings. Troop #497 Scoutmaster Karla Talpey said, “A Scout is Reverent. It is a part of who we are, being Boy Scout, or a leader. Taking the time to be thankful to God for all that we have and are given is an integral part of the ways of life of a Boy Scout.”

Winston Duchette of Troop #604, in Winthrop, took part in Scout Sunday Mass held at St. Francis Roman Catholic Church where he attends Faith Formation classes. He is also the troop’s chaplain aide and in that role led the opening prayer during the Eagle Scout ceremony held to honor two of his fellow Scouts recently.

UNE announces dean’s list (2023)

The University of New England, in Biddeford, has announced the following local students who achieved the dean’s list for the fall semester 2023:

Parker Higgins, Albion; Jessica Guerrette, Molly Mercier, Daraun White and Julie White, all of Fairfield; Alonna Battis and Caitlyn Mayo, both of Fairfield; Mallory Audette, of Jefferson; Mckenzie Kunesh, of Liberty; Katrina Barney, of Madison; Mackenzie Bertone, of Norridgewock; Brady Doucette, of Sidney; Wylie Bedard, Elizabeth Connelly, Catherine Kelso, Zoe Lambke, Ashley Mason and Dawson Turcotte, all of Skowhegan; Alexis Rancourt and Richard Winn, both of South China; Adam Ochs, Vassalboro; Asher Grazulis, Nabila Harrington, Emma Michaud, Elias Nawfel, Grace Petley, Lauren Pinnette, and Emilee Richards, all of Waterville; and Willa Dolley, Juliann Lapierre, and Justice Picard, all of Winslow.

Hope Brokers supports struggling individuals

Marshall Mercer, founder and director of Hope Brokers.

by Jonathan Strieff

Marshall Mercer never intended to become the director of a nonprofit organization. He never considered himself an advocate or an activist before being identified as such by local media. From his perspective, his experience outside of the formal social services system is part of what makes him so effective at the work he does.

For the last three years, Mercer has run Hope Brokers, in Augusta, first as an LLC now a registered 501(c)(3). The stated mission of Hope Brokers is to, “build a more diverse and prosperous community for all.” The organization works to support marginalized and struggling individuals, primarily the unhoused and people with substance use disorder, but the broad scope of the work they do defies easy summary.

Hope Brokers offers direct outreach to at-risk groups: providing clients with transportation to various appointments, distributing free doses of Narcan (the opioid overdose reversal drug) and safe injection supplies, washing sleeping bags for unhoused people, and going so far as to hosting the overflow from Augusta’s homeless shelters in Mercer’s apartment. Mercer has also hosted multiple round table listening sessions, bringing together local politicians and business leaders with members of the unhoused community to find common ground addressing the problems facing the city. Mercer considers the most important work of Hope Brokers to be what he calls, “relational organizing,” simple talking and listening to marginalized people one on one.

“We don’t go out asking if they want to get help, we just ask if they want to talk…Just to be seen,” said Mercer “Other people will walk right by them, not even look at them. Imagine if the whole world’s not even looking at you. You start to feel like you don’t exist.”

Mercer himself is a living example of the transformative power of relational organizing. Having survived an abusive childhood, failures of the health care and judicial systems, years of drug addiction, crime, and finally incarceration, Mercer found belonging and purpose in his life by working for a year with the Rock Ministries missionary group, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Returning to Maine, Mercer found peer support working with the Maine Recovery Advocacy Project and the Augusta Reentry Center. Through these groups, he developed new skills for aiding the marginalized communities in the capital area, but also encountered the limitations of working within a bureaucratic model. Hope Brokers is meant to compliment existing aid services by doing things that government funded organizations aren’t able or aren’t allowed to do.

“I don’t do silos. What I’ve seen in a lot of community organizations is that everybody’s doing the same frigging thing and trying to help the same people but they’re all doing it separately. None of them are even talking.”

The group is almost exclusively donation funded currently. Hope Brokers is pursuing grant funding to be able to hire as staff members some of the volunteers running their programs, but have been previously passed over many times. Despite the shoestring budget, Mercer’s dedication and that of his volunteers has brought lasting change to the lives of many of Augusta’s most vulnerable individuals.

“If I can fix their problem for free, while others are getting paid millions of dollars to do it, they’re going to have some explaining to do.”

Mercer is also in negotiations to lease a six-bedroom house to provide additional transitional housing in Augusta.

The open ended nature of relational organizing means that the programs Hope Brokers offers will continually be changing and evolving as community members identify new needs to be met. Readers interested in learning more, volunteering, or making a donation can contact Mercer directly through his website, hopebrokers.me.

SNHU announces fall dean’s list (2023)

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), in Manchester, New Hampsire, congratulates the following students on being named to the Fall 2023 dean’slist. The fall terms run from September to December.

Nicholas Stutler, of Sidney; Justin Drescher, and Kristina Wilbur, both of Augusta; Carrielee Harvey, of Waterville; Emily Hernandez, of Embden; and Javyn Greenlaw, of Oakland.

SNHU Announces fall president’s list (2023)

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), in Manchester, New Hampshire, congratulates the following students on being named to the Fall 2023 president’s list. The fall terms run from September to December.

Ivette Hernandez Cortez, of Augusta; Sarah Neumann, and Matthew Bandyk, both of Jefferson; Sierra Winson, Quincy Giustra, and Talon Mosher, all of Winslow; Candice Eaton, and Grace Marshall, both of Waterville; Ashley Parks, of Anson; Stormy Wentworth, of Fairfield; Misty Ray, of Montville; Matthew Clements, of Rome; and Kassandra Grant, of Vassalboro.

EVENTS: UMaine Extension offers backyard maple sugaring workshop February 3

University of Maine Cooperative Extension will offer an in-person maple syrup production workshop for beginners and enthusiasts interested in making it in their own backyard from 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Feb. 3.

Participants in the hands-on “Backyard Maple Sugaring” program will first meet from 9 – 11:30 a.m., at Standish Town Hall, 175 Northeast Road; and then finish from 12:30 – 3 p.m., at Dunn Family Maple, 419 Chicopee Road, Buxton. Snow date is February 17.

During the workshop, participants will learn how to identify and tap trees; collect and boil sap; and filter, grade and can syrup. Participants will also learn the logistics of installing and maintaining a sap collection system that uses tubing. The workshop will be led by UMaine Extension maple industry educator Jason Lilley; Richard Morrill, owner of Nash Valley Farm in Windham; and Scott Dunn, owner of Dunn Family Maple.

Registration is required, as space is limited. The workshop fee is $18 per person and includes the textbook “Backyard Sugarin’: A Complete How-To Guide” by Rink Mann. Visit the program webpage to register. This program is sponsored and co-taught by the Southern Maine Maple Sugarmakers Association.

For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Jason Lilley, 207.781.6099; jason.lilley@maine.edu.

Scouts cited for commitment with religious emblems

From left to right, Eagle Scout Rev. Nathan March received the St. George Award, Christopher Santiago received the Bronze Pelican, his son Christopher Santiago received the Parvuli Dei medal, Jamie Santiago, of Vassalboro, who is active in the Scouting program, and Eagle Scout Jeffrey Lewis, who serves as the Deacon for St. Michael Parish. (photo by Chuck Mahaleris)

by Chuck Mahaleris

Three religious emblems were presented by the Portland Diocese’s Catholic Committee on Scouting during the Sunday Mass, November 26, at St. Augustine Church, in Augusta, including the St. George Award which was presented to Father Nathan March who is an Eagle Scout as well as being Pastor of St. Michael Parish.

Nationally, there are 97,651 Scouts who follow the Roman Catholic faith and 39,535 Catholics who serve as Scouting leaders. Scott Valcourt, of Gray, is the chairman of the Catholic Committee on Scouting, attended the 10:30 a.m. Mass where the awards were presented, and from the lectern said, “This is the first time that I am aware of where a father and son were both receiving awards on the same day.”

Christopher Santiago, of Vassalboro, is a member of Cub Scout Pack #410 and is also an altar server for St. Michael Parish. He wore his Scout uniform while serving at Mass on Sunday and received his Parvuli Dei Religious Emblem. (photo by Chuck Mahaleris)

Christopher Santiago is a member of the Knights of Columbus and is a leader in Vassalboro Pack and Troop #410, serves on the Kennebec Valley District Scouting Committee and is a member of the Duty to God Committee. He received the Bronze Pelican Award. His son, also Christopher, completed all requirements for the Parvuli Dei medal. The purpose of the Parvuli Dei (Children of God) emblem program is to help Cub Scouts explore a wide range of activities in order to discover the presence of God in their daily lives as members of their families and parishes, and also to develop a good, positive self-image through the contributions they can make to their family, pack and community.

Christopher Santiago, of Vassalboro, is a leader of Cub Scout Pack #410, Troop #410, and the Kennebec Valley District of Scouting. He is also a lector for St. Michael’s parish and wore his Scout uniform in honor of his son receiving his religious emblem. He was surprised when he was presented with the Bronze Pelican for his efforts to remind Scouts of their “Duty to God” and the last point of the Scout Law- “A Scout is Reverent.” (photo by Chuck Mahaleris)

The Bronze Pelican Emblem is a Diocesan recognition presented to any adult who has made a significant contribution to Scouting in the field of Catholic relationships by encouraging the spiritual development of youth members. “Today our little family was blessed to be surrounded by family, friends, Brother Knights of Columbus, and fellow Scouters as Christopher was awarded his Parvuli Dei Award,” his father said, “and it was a surprise for me when they presented me with the Bronze Pelican.”

The St. George Emblem is presented to members of the laity and clergy, Scouters and non-Scouters alike, who have made significant and outstanding contributions to the spiritual development of Catholic youth in Scouting. “St. George is the patron Saint of Scouting,” Valcourt said and highlighted the Scouting history of Father Nathan March who was a youth Scout, worked at Camp Hinds, and earned his Eagle Scout rank. “He has presided over many religious services at Scout functions and has worked with many Scouts to assist them to earn their religious emblems.”

Father March said he was taken by surprise and thought the award was going to be presented to Deacon Jeffrey Lewis who is also an Eagle Scout. “As Scott was reading all of the accomplishments of the recipient, I was thinking, ‘Wow, I have a lot in common with Deacon Jeff.'”

Father March praised the Scouting program and reminded the congregation of the words of Robert Baden Powell, the founder of Scouting, “Try and leave this world a little better than you found it, and when your turn comes to die, you can die happy in feeling that at any rate, you have not wasted your time but have done your best.”

 

 

 

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Area food pantries: people helping people

Text and photo by Roberta Barnes

It is that time of year when people need help shoveling their walkways and heating their homes, but something that everyone needs at all times is nutritious food. Illnesses and accidents do not care about age, occupation, or gender. Misfortune can hit individuals or families at any time. Businesses and companies can go out of business. At unexpected times, individuals or families can be in a situation where resources have been stretched beyond the point of trying to eat balanced meals.

Neighbors, relatives, and others in the community have been helping for decades, but sometimes people are struggling themselves or do not know that a person or family needs help. The nice thing is that there are nonprofit organizations formed and supported by the community, who can help in our community, and our State, those that do not have the nutritious foods needed to keep their body and mind functioning during this stressful season.

Last week, several local food pantries in China, Jefferson, Windsor, Vassalboro and Winslow took time to talk with me. These volunteer-driven initiatives are located in spaces where businesses have closed down, in renovated town garages, and in churches. Some even operate mobile trailers that can be moved to different locations.

Each of the volunteers who spoke with me expressed compassion and a willingness to give without judgement. They are able to operate thanks to generous donations by local businesses, farms, and individuals, plus countless hours by volunteers. Their work is filling a need by helping supply needed nutritional foods.

How and when you can receive needed food varies with location. Some pantries are open one or two days a week, others are open only once or twice a month. In some locations the space is too small for people to walk into the area where the food is safely stored. In those cases, once a person checks off the list of food needed, volunteers bring those foods to the person’s vehicle. Other organizations have a space large enough that clients can walk through in single file and do their own shopping.

I heard from Jefferson food pantry, located in St. Giles church (207-315-1134), and Windsor food bank in a section of the Windsor Town Hall garage (207-445-9030), that in the case of an emergency situation they have delivered the needed food to a home. All organizations distributing food in Maine are focused on helping people in their communities have the food they need to stay healthy.

In October 1929 when Wall Street crashed and 15 million people were unemployed by 1933, there were no safety nets in place.

Today we are lucky to have help in place. But getting nutritious foods to the pantry locations, correctly storing perishable foods, and safely handling all foods, requires numerous steps from many different people.

Donations and volunteer work are the most important aspect in providing these additional safety nets, and in continuing to keep them available for those people who at certain times cannot buy food, or are having trouble with other basic needs.

The Federal Emergency Food Assistance Program, or TEFAP, began with donation efforts of surplus foods, such as cheese, by the USDA in late 1981. Foods from this program are given to each State based on the number of unemployed persons and the number of people with incomes below the poverty level. It is then given to the organizations that directly serve the public and submit all the correct forms. The receiving and passing out of these foods requires detailed paperwork completed by volunteers. This is just part of the effort that goes on behind the scenes that many people do not see.

In 1981, the Maine nonprofit organization Good Shepherd Food Bank was formed in Auburn through donations of individuals, retailers, and large food companies in Maine. The small grassroots effort has grown, expanding to Hamden and delivering foods to organizations throughout Maine that are contracted with them.

Good Shepherd’s purchasing power and relationships with wholesalers allow these organizations to use the donations they receive to purchase food at a fraction of the cost they would pay through standard retailers. Five dollars can result in thirty pounds of food. Because safely handling and storing perishable foods is important, annually each organization is inspected to be sure all foods are handled safely. Everything is carefully monitored and that requires accurate paperwork.

Donations made to Good Shepherd Food Bank and other organizations come from many sources. One of the donating companies, Hannaford Bros. Co., established a reclamation center to facilitate the process of distributing products to Good Shepherd and other food banks. In certain stores you may find programs inviting customers at the register to donate money or buy boxes of food staples for local pantries.

Speaking with volunteers in Windsor, I heard about a food bake sale that resulted in major funding for Windsor Food Bank Inc. Farms in some communities also donate various veggie and protein foods that are properly packaged, from late July sometimes into November.

When China Food Pantry was established in 1992 (1320 Lakeview Drive), it started by connecting with local stores for over-stocked and other foods that could not be put on the grocery shelves even though they were still safe to eat. With stores being willing to donate some foods, similar pantries in Albion, Palermo, Windsor, Jefferson and Vassalboro quickly followed. The volunteers in these locations drove to pick up food in various locations, including farms and Good Shepherd in Auburn. Today Good Shepherd delivers to those contracted with them.

The joy that pets of all sizes can bring into a home is obvious. Pets also are great listeners, help with depression and loneliness, can relieve stress, increase your physical anxiety, help you see the beauty around you and much more. But pets need pet food to continue to help the people they live with. Some of the volunteers shared with me that they will personally go to retailers and purchase pet food that can be picked up with the other needed foods at the organization’s location.

While I was not able to connect with all local organizations providing food at no charge, The Town Line’s website has a list of pantries and phone numbers here. You can also find the location by calling or dropping into the town office in your community.

In Vassalboro, there is the Vassalboro Food Station on Rte. 32 open on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to noon. The Winslow Community Cupboard also distributes food at The Mill, in Vassalboro, Wednesdays 4 – 7 p.m. and Sundays 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Winslow Community Cupboard also serves people in communities other than Winslow, which you can see by visiting their website. They are at the Winslow Congregational Church, 12 Lithgow Street, the second and fourth Thursday each month from noon – 3 p.m., and from 5 – 7 p.m.

As you are reading, these organizations require many volunteers to make all of this happen. Being a volunteer or donating can be extremely rewarding as you see the thankful faces of those receiving. If you would like to donate or volunteer, either contact your local food bank, food pantry, community cupboard, or town office.

Roberta Barnes is a freelance contributor to The Town Line.

Local scouts conduct drive to benefit area food pantries

Scouts food drive Troop 631 (photo by Chuck Mahaleris)

Text and photos by Chuck Mahaleris

Callum Dorias, of Madison, is a member of Pack #428, in Pittsfield, and took part in the Scouting for Food Drive on November 11. (photo by Chuck Mahaleris)

Lord Robert Baden Powell, the founder of Scouting worldwide, said, “The most worthwhile thing is to try to put happiness into the lives of others.” Scouting isn’t just about earning badges and recognitions. Scouting strives to prepare youth to become responsible, participating citizens and leaders who are guided by the values of Scout Oath and Law. Scout Leaders throughout Kennebec Valley District, try to foster in our Cubs and Scouts an attitude of service especially for those in their community who are struggling. That’s where the annual Scouting for Food Drive comes in.

According to Kennebec Valley District Scouting for Food chairman Shelley Connolly, of Pittsfield, the national food drive began in 1985. Connolly said, “On average, 1 in 4 children in Maine is at risk for hunger daily, and 37 percent of them do not qualify for public assistance. They are even more vulnerable when school is not in session (summers, vacation weeks and weekends). All Scouting Units (Packs, Troops and Crews) are charged with conducting at least one Scouting for Food collection annually.” She stressed this can be done either in the Fall or the Spring depending on when the greatest need exists in their particular community.

“It’s our National Good Turn for America. Fall and Spring collections are recommended.” Scout leaders, working with their local food bank or pantry, pick a date to conduct their food drive. Some choose to go door to door collecting food while in other towns the Scouts fill a tent or a canoe outside a grocery store. Any funds donated to the Scouts at these collection efforts is used to buy additional food for the needy. “Our Scout Oath calls on our young people to “help other people at all times,” and Scouting for Food demonstrates to the nation how our movement can make a difference in their communities,” Connolly said.

Scouts in Vassalboro held their “Scouting for Food” drive on November 19 and collected 142 pounds of food that was delivered to the Vassalboro Food Station Pantry.

“On behalf of all of the families in Troop #497, we would like to thank the Jackman community for your overwhelming support of our annual Scouting for Food Drive,” Scoutmaster Karla Talpey said after the Scouts from the Moose River Valley held their food drive on Saturday, November 18. “We continue to be amazed at the generosity of everyone. We delivered boxes- each filled with a Turkey (or ham), potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, sugar, flour, butter, pasta and pasta sauce, peanut butter and jelly, juice, cereal, turnip, carrots, and yes, even a roll of paper towels- to 12 families. A special Thank you to Mountain Country Market for always allowing us to set up in their parking lot for the day. We would like to wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving.” The troop also received $709 in donations which bought additional food for the needy. “We have been doing this for more than 30 years. The community is so generous.”

Connolly is also the leader for Cubs and Scouts in the Pittsfield area. “Troop and Pack #428 held its annual Scouting for Food event at Danforth’s Downhome Supermarket, in Pittsfield, on November 11,” she said. “Scouts accepted food items from the very generous customers in the community. Additionally, the Scouts set up a Veterans Day display and gave veterans a small gift as they came through. Some customers gave the Scouts a monetary donation for the event. The older Scouts would then take a Cub Scout shopping. It’s always interesting to see what elementary school aged children think would be good in a pantry. They also were able to practice thrifty shopping skills to yield the most amount of items for the amount they had to spend. In the end the Scouts collected just over 900 pounds of food. This food was distributed to three area pantries: Hartland’s Food Cupboard, Somerset Elementary Food Pantry and Warsaw School’s Food Pantry.”

Augusta Troop #631 Scouts and leaders helped pack Thanksgiving food bags on November 19 with the American Legion Post #2. These bags are going to veterans and to the community.

Pack #410 Vassalboro Wolf Scout Declan McLaughlin and Lion Scout Boone McLaughlin, at the Vassalboro Food Station Pantry, show off the 142 items of food collected by local Scouts. (photo by Chuck Mahaleris)