Donn Fendler to speak on experience in wild

BANGOR – It was 66 years ago that young Donn Fendler was found alive after spending nine days lost in the Mount Katahdin area.

The story continues to fascinate Mainers who have read the book he co-wrote, “Lost on a Mountain in Maine,” from which he receives no royalties. Schoolteachers have kept the slim volume in print by introducing it to their reading classes, and Fendler visits several schools each year while summering in Maine.

Equally popular are his public talks, with one scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at the Cole Land Transportation Museum at 405 Perry Road.

Fendler will talk about his experiences in the wilds of Maine, and the importance of his Boy Scout training and his faith in getting him through.

The presentation is free, and cookies and ice cream will be served afterward.

The museum was the site of last Friday’s commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II.

Gifts to participating World War II veterans included “Ruptured Duck” pins marking the end of the war. The museum has 200 of these left, and they will be given out first-come, first-served to WWII veterans who tour the museum this fall.

In addition, there remain a few of the commemorative coffee mugs that were given out last Friday. These will go on sale Friday, Sept. 9.

Highlights of last Friday’s event included the downtown parade; the ringing of bells; the keynote address by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, who was introduced by her father, World War II veteran Don Collins; and the reading of “The Memory Lives on in a New Generation,” by 16-year-old Rianne Barker, member of the Washington County Children’s Chorus.

The day included some unexpected guests, a group of 39 students and parents from Hope Springs Christian Learning Center in Atlanta. While waiting for their bus to be repaired, the visitors viewed the museum’s patriotic filmstrip and spoke with many of the 200 veterans on hand. They ate lunch on the museum grounds and were taken by bus to the parade site downtown.