Mainer seeks history of schooner Katherine May

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Although Louis Dort has the beginning, some of the middle, and the ending of the story he is researching, that information is limited and the Kenduskeag man is hoping someone, somewhere can help him fill in the missing pieces.

Dort is researching the story of the four-masted schooner Katherine May.

The ship was built at the East Hampden shipyard, he told me, and launched on Aug. 26, 1919.

Its captain was the late Frank Hardy, Dort’s grandmother’s half-brother.

Dort’s grandfather, the late Osward Hooper, was its first mate.

“The ship was named for Aunt Kate [Hardy’s wife] and May was for one of the other owners’ wives,” Dort explained.

Dort has old photos of the ship and last year traveled to Bermuda and met with Clarice Lindley, the 91-year-old daughter-in-law of the last owner of the Katherine May.

A friend of Dort’s happened to read the story of Lindley and her husband, who honeymooned aboard the Katherine May, and forwarded the information to Dort. That really sparked his interest in learning more about the ship’s history, especially about its voyages and cargoes.

Dort does know that the bow sprint of the Katherine May was so long that it hung out over the road in East Hampden during its construction, and people had to drive under it as they passed by the shipyard.

The ship remained in service through the 1930s, “but what remains of it now lies in Curtis Creek in Baltimore, Maryland,” he said.

Dort would dearly love to hear “from anybody who would have either first- or second-hand knowledge of the ship, of the building of it, or even of someone who sailed on it,” he said.

“Pictures would be wonderful, as would any stories or other information that anyone has and would be willing to share with me.”

Dort said that his Aunt Kate and Uncle Frank lived in Thomaston, and he wonders if any of their descendants remain in the Thomaston-Rockland area.

“I would love to hear from them,” he said.

Anyone with information on the Katherine May is asked to write Dort at P.O. Box 61, Kenduskeag 04450, or call him at 884-7305.

Susan Savell with the Allen Family Band (and Friends) are the featured performers in a concert of music and talk at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 23, at the Bangor Opera House.

The event benefits Greater Bangor Communities For Children scholarships at both the Bangor YMCA and the YWCA Bangor-Brewer.

At the CD-releasing concert, the group will offer music and talk about love, kids, mentors, youth assets, peace, hope, relationships and a bright future.

The new CD, “Take My Hand,” includes a blend of gospel, blues, ballads, Broadway, rap, folk and 1950s-style rock ‘n’ roll.

Communities For Children is a statewide prevention and youth development initiative of the governor’s Children’s Cabinet.

Savell has been the executive coordinator of this initiative since January 1997 and was instrumental in the development of youth projects in Portland and Augusta as well as the Greater Bangor Communities for Children effort sponsored by the United Way of Eastern Maine.

Admission is $9 for adults and $6 for those 18 and younger.

Tickets are available at the door or may be purchased at Bull Moose Music, 665 Hogan Road, Bangor, or by visiting www.communitiesforchildren.org.

For many years, Pearle Vision and Pearle Vision Foundation, in partnership with New Eyes for the Needy, have helped provide eyeglasses for underprivileged people with vision problems throughout the world.

In connection with its 40th anniversary, Pearle Vision has made a commitment to collect 40,000 pairs of old eyeglasses, reading glasses, sunglasses and prescription sunglasses for its Shared Sight program.

Tamara Arrico is manager of Pearle Vision in the Bangor Mall.

She said that through this national campaign, Pearle Vision employees hope to collect those 40,000 pairs of glasses “by the end of June.”

Individuals and groups are encouraged to stop by any Pearl Vision location and donate old, unused eyeglasses, which will be sent to New Eyes for the Needy in Short Hills, N.J.

New Eyes for the Needy will then recycle and distribute the glasses to medical missions and hospitals in more than 30 countries throughout the world.

Eyeglasses may be donated during regular store hours through June 30 at Pearle Vision in the Bangor Mall and also at Pearle Vision, 270 Kennedy Memorial Drive in Waterville.

Donations are still welcome for the annual auction to benefit Greater Lincoln Christian Academy.

The auction will begin at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, May 25, in the cafeteria at Mattanawcook Academy in Lincoln.

Items for the auction can, and do, include new or used items, homemade items, craft and woodwork items, gift certificate and baked goods.

Doors for the auction open at 4 p.m. and food will be available for purchase so, if you wish, you can plan to have a hot dog supper while you are there.

If you have items to donate, call Allyson Coro at 765-2536, or leave a message at 794-6867.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.