MCHT Regional Stewards
Join 'The Big Read'
‘The Big Read,’ an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services, is designed to revitalize the role of literature in American culture and bring the transformative power of reading into the lives of its citizens. Bringing together partners from across the country, ‘The Big Read’ seeks to encourage citizens to read for pleasure and enlightenment. Recently, Maine Coast Heritage Trust became a partner in a Big Read effort lead by the Island Readers & Writers (IRW). With grant support from a number of sources, IRW has developed a five-week Big Read program focused on Jack London’s Call of the Wild.
On January 12, ‘The Big Read’ kicked off with a distribution of theCall of the Wild at local libraries. Ten days later, the event began the first of many outdoor and indoor activities designed to capture the setting of the book and the experiences of its characters.
MCHT’s Regional Steward Terry Towne helped to kick-off MCHT’s participation in ‘The Big Read’ on Sunday, January 24, when he lead a group of six on a 2.5-hour nature awareness snowshoe trek up the Giant Slide Trail on Mount Desert Island. The tour included a general discussion on the flora and fauna encountered and what was similar to the experiences of the gold rushers in the Klondike during the 1890’s. The conditions were perfect and everyone had a great time. Participants were given handouts to help identify trees and were challenged to find an elusive witch hazel shrub.
Hikers scan MCHT’s Babson Creek Preserve for elusive tracks
On Saturday, January 30, Terry led a second group of participants on a tracking walk through MCHT’s Babson Creek Preserve in Somesville. The preserve, which is open to the public, is also the site of the organization’s new office building. While much of the early winter snow had washed away the week before, the couple of inches of snow that fell midweek were just enough to expose the critters that had been coming and going. Although signs were scarce, all enjoyed the views and beauty of the preserve.
Those seeking an indoor adventure on January 30 and 31 were greeted at the Abbe Museum in Bar Barbor by a number of presenters including MCHT’s Regional Steward Billy Helprin. Billy led two sessions focused on survival clothing and materials. More than two dozen people, both kids and adults, attended the sessions. Participants discussed heat conservation while looking at various outdoor clothing and equipment, including a tent that was set up with pads and sleeping bags. Billy also shared photos of animals and books in order to examine the different approaches used to deal with the harshness of winter and the challenges of obtaining adequate food.
Additional events and outdoor activities continue until Sunday, February 21, including a “Tracking and Nature Awareness Hike” on February 13, led by Billy Helprin. The hike, which will take place from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m., will tour the Northeast Creek area of Mount Desert Island. Maine Coast Heritage Trust has helped to preserve a number of properties near Northeast Creek; many of these parcels are now part of Acadia National Park.
All events associated with ‘The Big Read’ are open, not only to the reading students, but the general public at-large. For more information on upcoming events, including the Northeast Creek nature walk, visit ‘The Big Read.’
