Sales of regional book help restore Allagash sites

People who enjoy reading what author Shirlee Connors-Carlson of St. John refers to as “regional” books might want to obtain a copy of her latest work, “The Legend of Joe McKeil: Life Above the Falls on the Allagash.”

From each book sale, Connors-Carlson will donate $1 “to the effort to restore the Moir House on the Allagash and the Taylor camps,” she wrote of a project that has been ongoing “for quite some time, and is relying on all volunteer labor.”

The book tells the story of a man who came to Maine from New Brunswick, she believes, since the 1880 census of that province lists him as “death unknown” and his wife as a widow.

“He came here, to the upriver valley, and never went back home,” Connors-Carlson explained.

McKeil “was buried along the shore of the Allagash, in two pork barrels.”

In an old Bangor Daily News story of the legendary river man, which is included in the book, his name is spelled differently.

“Mean Joe McKeel Died Twice Say Markers,” reads the headline referring to the fact that one rock memorial lists his date of death as 1870 and a tin memorial as 1889. That story also reports there were at least seven different dates suggested for his death, ranging from 1870 to 1902, but that most agree with the 1889 marker.

The story explains that those making the markers were uncertain of the exact date of death of the woodsman, who worked most of his life at Cunliffe Depot and was known for not liking children and being an ornery character.

An anonymous “Eulogy for Joe McKeil,” also in the book, asks, “Does his ghost walk at night, and back to rest in the morning light?” and wonders if his spirit is “drifting still on the River air.”

The book is available at Country Cottage and Doris Cafe in Fort Kent; Sue’s Market, Rhonda’s Cafe, Alva’s or John’s Country Store in St. Francis; Two Rivers Lunch and Dickey Trading Post in Allagash and at Sherman’s Books in Camden.

For more Information, call the author at 834-6682 or e-mail booky16@hotmail.com.

The Children’s Miracle Network and Brewer Community Playground host the first annual City of Brewer Family Fun Day at 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 14, at Brewer Auditorium.

Activities range from a bounce house to an airplane maze and the opportunity to dunk “Fireman Chris” of the Brewer Fire Department.

Live music, softball tournaments featuring teams representing the media, the City of Brewer and local businesses, sales from 50/50 drawings, hot dogs, hamburgers, cotton candy and more all benefit the Children’s Miracle Network of Eastern Maine Healthcare and the Brewer Community Playground.

For more information, or to volunteer, call Carol Lackedy at 848-7317.

Lucille Cardin and members of the Veazie Congregational Church believe they have one of the best church suppers in Maine, and you can decide for yourself at their next supper from 4:45 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 14, at the church, 1404 State Street in Veazie.

This small congregation works very hard to maintain its facility, which is handicap accessible.

Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children. You can make your own ice cream sundae, and a door prize is offered.

Retired mammologist and ecologist Dr. Robert Howe of East Machias will present a slide show entitled “Critters of Moosehorn: A Survey of the Mammals” when the Schoodic Audubon Chapter of the Maine Audubon Society meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 17, at the Whiting Community Center at the junction of routes 1 and 189.

Dr. Howe will discuss the classification and natural history of the large and small mammals that inhabit the 20,000-acre Wildlife Refuge in Barring and Edmunds. The public is invited to attend.

Harold D. Crosby, Jr. of Bangor writes that he still has some Class of 1941 Bangor High School 60th Anniversary mugs if any member of that class would like one.

He’s especially interested in seeing that those who were unable to attend that reunion have a mug.

They “could pick them up at a cost of $5,” Crosby wrote, or he will mail them for $8.50 each.

Crosby said all funds will be added to the class account, “which now is close to $500.”

If you would like a mug, visit or write Crosby at 131 Clark Ave., Bangor 04401.

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