Penobscots conduct bridge blessing event

BUCKSPORT – Five members of the Penobscot Nation helped bless the new Penobscot Narrows Bridge during Bridgefest celebration Saturday, June 23.

Ann Pardilla, Debbie Kondilis and the Penobscot Ceremonial Team performed a ceremony invoking good luck and blessing the bridge and observatory.

The Sockalexis brothers accompanied them on the drums. Pardilla led and performed the ceremony to bless the Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory and invoke good luck for its continued safe and efficient operation.

The ceremony took place at the Northeast corner of the granite deck surrounding the observatory base. The Penobscot team was accompanied by the Color Guard from the Maine Sons of the American Revolution, led by Commander Charles McGillicuddy.

The Penobscot ceremony was preceded by the reading of “Gluskabe’s River” by Marnie Reed Crowell. Crowell is a gardener, poet and resident of Deer Isle.

Some people have observed that Gluskabe – the creator spirit in Penobscot legend – left an imprint of his right foot that was uncovered when contractors made the ledge cut on the Prospect end of the new bridge.

It’s visible as a white imprint at the top of the cut just west of the observatory.

INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY ED BRANCH, SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION