September 2008

By Carol McCracken

The Ninth Annual Portland Trails 10K Race went off without a hitch this morning from 58 Fore Street on the Munjoy Hill waterfront. For the second year, this popular race was run from this location, whereas previously it had been run from Shipyard Brewery. Due to the Brewery’s expansion, the race was moved to the Portland Company complex two years ago.

Nan Cummings, director of Portland Trails, said that close to 1,000 people participated in the scenic race along water routes this year. Following the race which began at 9:00 a.m., Cummings presented awards to the winners in 14 different age categories – between 18 and 74. This year there were no entries in the 80 and above age category. “This race has grown very well,” said Cummings. “The first year there were 250 entries and here we are at almost 1,000 people,” she said. Cummings is a resident of the Hill. Formerly she worked at the Maine Historical Society.

Martin’s Point Health Care was a sponosr of the race. One of the representatives of Martin’s Point, was Alison Nason, also a Hill resident. She said: “It was an excellent race. There was a good turnout and the weather cooperated. We enjoyed working with Nan.” Dr. Moose, a member of the Martin’s Point medical team, dressed up as a moose, said there were no medical issues among the runners. Also at the race was Bill Hall, also of Martin’s Point. Martin’s Point which is also a sponsor of the Senior Games, some of whom participated in todays 10K race. Hall, is a former director of the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum & Co. which is also located on the 58 Fore Street property.

“I’m not a runner. Only when someone is chasing me,” said Jamie Parker, laughing, at the conclusion of the race where he was helping serve pizza (with beer)  to the famished race runners. The food was provided  by the sponsors.  Parker is the trails manager for Portland Trails and  lives on the Hill as well.

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By Carol McCracken

The first week of fall marks the beginning of a busy season of visits from cruise ships to Portland Harbor and its new terminal – Ocean Gateway. The season winds down at the end of October. Normally, these grand ships and the thousands of tourists they carry bring a spike to some in the local economy. However, these are not normal economic times and so it remains to be seen whether or not there is a spike in the revenues of some of these businesses.

Starting Sunday, September 21, three major cruise ships will be arriving at Ocean Gateway. The first to arrive on Sunday is the Jewel of the Seas. She’s a Royal Caribbean Inter’l Ship carrying 2,112 passengers. This is the first of four trips she’ll make this fall. Length is 962 feet.

The second ship of the week is Carnival Victory. She arrives on Monday, September 22. She carries 2,758 passengers aboard her and leaves the same day for Saint John, New Brunswick. She’s 893 feet in length.

The last of three ships to arrive is the Constellation. She arrives on Thursday, September 25 from New Jersey with 1,900 aboard. She’ll return to Portland in October. Constellation is 965 feet in length and is the longest of the three ships.

One of the highlights of the cruise ship season for watchers is the return of the glamorous Queen Elizabeth 2 in early October – another great season for cruise ship watchers is here!

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 By Carol McCracken

Under a warm, blue sky this morning Mayor Ed Suslovic welcomed and thanked a consortium of companies and individuals for donating their time and expertise to restoring the memorial to the USS Portland which recently began. The Mayor whose father served in World War II said it is most important that memorials such as this mast from the USS Portland  be preserved as a reminder to all of us of the sacrifices of human lives made for our freedom.

The Mayor spoke to a gathering on the Eastern Promenade composed mostly of representatives of the companies participating in the restoration and city employees. The blue backdrop of the Harbor served as a poignant  reminder of the major role it played in protecting our shores in  World War 11.

The list included Cianbro Corp., Seacoast Scaffolding, Maine Masonry, Hertz Equipment Rental, AH Harris Company, Clean Harbors, Richardson Monument, Cumberland County and the City of Portland.

The highlight of the ceremony was the presence of Mary Doughty, 87 years old, and her delightful husband of 67 years, Waite. He was with her today. It was Mary who christined the ship in Boston Harbor in 1933. Her father, Ralph D. Brooks, was chairman of the Portland City Council and with that went the responsibility of selecting  the person to christin the ship. “So, he chose me,” she said, grinning broadly.

Mary, who still has the pieces of the bottle preserved in a gold case, said there was no champagne used back then for the christining – it was during prohibition when alcohol was outlawed. Instead, the bottle contained mineral water. And chances are pretty darn good that this handsome couple will be back on November 11, Veterans’ Day, for another swing at the historic mast with a bottle – this time of champagne!  Congratulations to Mary and Waite.

visit ussportland.org

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 By Carol McCracken

Early yesterday morning, the city began  making some intersections on the Hill more pedestrian friendly  – but with that improvement came early morning noise – who knew?  Certainly not MHN* - to which the early morning (7:00 a.m.) nasty drilling on Congress Street came as a suprise and an unwelcome early morning wake-up call.  (Bagpipes would have been more welcome.)

The city is replacing the old curbs and making them flush with the streets for the health and safety of those who are physically  disabled or those who are just a little less agile in getting around. The concrete will be replaced with brick.  The cutting and fitting of the brick will create more noisy drilling than already experienced as workers drill apart the large blocks of brick (on site)  for placement in the street intersections.    (Can’t wait for that drilling  to start!)

It’s believed, according to city workers, that there will be seven more upgrades between North Street and the Eastern Promenade in the near future, all on Congress Street. It’s  anticipated that there will be a total of 65 such upgrades on the Hill.

Meanwhile, take it from a non-early riser, that ear-plugs are your best defense – unless of course you can get away until the upgrades are completed!

*  To clarify some inquiries,  please do not confuse MHN with Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Organization (MHNO).   There is no connection between the two entities.

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