Fall 2005 Issue

A Message From John M. Rohman, Chair

John M. Rohman, Chair Rebecca Swanson Conrad, Vice Chair Executive Committee John M. Rohman, Bangor Rebecca Swanson Conrad, Auburn Katy Kline, Brunswick Jeffrey McKeen, Freedom Lee Sharkey, Vienna Lynn Thompson, Boothbay Mark Torres, Surry At-Large Members Rich Abramson, Readfield Joseph Donald Cyr, Lille-sur-St-Jean Hugh French, Eastport Lee Griswold, Auburn Victoria M. Hershey, Portland Noah Keteyian, Rockland Stuart Nudelman, Ogunquit Mark C. Scally, East Millinocket Donald Sharland, Saco Jessica Tomlinson, Portland Rebecca Welsh, Rumford Stephen Wicks, Orono

This past July, I had the real pleasure of visiting the St. John Valley. I must confess that although my WBRC Architects-Engineers business takes me to Aroostook County a couple of times a year, I always do the quick trip—I95 to Houlton, stay on Route One to Fort Fairfield or Van Buren, jump back in the car and head home—never once getting off the major highways.

This time that very same trip took me to what seemed like a different world. I had a great tour of the new vibrant arts community in Houlton, took a slow drive through New Sweden over spectacular rolling hills, had the standard moose siting, spent the night in St. Agatha on Long Lake and had a great day in Madawaska after an early morning cup of coffee with Don Cyr in Lille.

The purpose of the visit was a creative economy presentation in Madawaska, but Mike Eisensmith, with Northern Maine Development Commission, (Yes, development!) wanted us to tour the arts activity in Houlton. After a walk over the new welcoming pedestrian bridge, we focused on private studios, Southern Aroostook Cultural Arts Project, the renovated theatre, and many active shops and quality restaurants. The next day the stage was set with visits to the Musée Culturel du Mont-Carmel in Lille, the Madawaska Historical Society and lunch at Café De La Place before the creative economy forum.

Frankly, the forum was fantastic but the 24-hour build up was just as exciting. I guess that is what I am discovering as I travel. For the creative economy, Maine is extremely rich with location specific arts and culture. It takes a trip like this one to really get a sense of each area and to appreciate it.

After our recent visit, the Bangor Daily News printed a letter from Elizabeth Jalbert Pecoraro of Fort Kent. She said it well when she wrote, “The idea behind a creative economy is not asking valley towns to give up their unique identities but to respect their individual diversity, authenticity and creativity. More importantly, current research now reveals the explosive idea that communities which recognize, support and promote their culture, i.e., art, language, music, cuisine and natural beauty, have now been identified as essential components in the equation for a healthy economy.”

Clearly “the valley” gets it! Special thanks to Don Cyr, Susan York, Audry Zimmerman and Fred Ventresco for helping me see it first hand, and none of this would be possible without the fantastic planning of Sheila Jans.

John M. Rohman
Chair