August 2009

Tug Boats Muster Below Ft. Allen Park

By Carol McCracken

Ft. Allen Park provided great viewing of the Tugboat Muster that concluded the 28th annual MS Harborfest Weekend late this afternoon.  A recent addition to the weekend fundraiser for Multiple Sclerosis , this year there were nine tugs entered in the competition.  ‘Head butting’ and sprints were the competitions that spectators saw from the Eastern Promenade.  That event followed the Tugboat Parade which started from the Maine State Pier around 1:30 p.m.

“These guys spend the year working really hard.  The tug boat business is very competitive.  So this gives them a good chance to hang out and play.  A chance to come together for a good cause,” said Ted Hugger, one of the spectators at Fort Allen Park.  Hugger said that the Committee hopes to raise $100,000 for MS this weekend.  Over the past 28 years, the event has earned $2 million.  Hugger is a memberof the MS Harborfest Weekend executive committee as well as a member of the Boad of Directors for the Maine Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

With a regatta of this size, there are many safety issues on the water to be coordinated by the participating organizations during the actual races.  Hugger praised the U. S. Coast Guard, the Harbor Patrol and many volunteers who get it right and make this a safe event on the water every year.

Following the Tugboat Muster, the crews were treated to a Barbeque and Beer at DiMillo’s restaurant on the waterfront.

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Jamie Keefe

By Carol McCracken

It’s beach weather alright, but that doesn’t stop some from thinking about professional football.  No doubt that’s because football is back in the news – Tom Brady’s back and so is Michael Vick, apparently.  But for Jamie Keefe, of the Portland Fire Department, stationed at Ladder 1 on the Hill, his professional football memories go back twenty-two years ago.

Jamie always wanted to play professional football.  When he was four years old, an uncle gave him black and gold Steeler pajamas.  That did it.  From then on he wanted to play ball.  “All litle boys and girls have a dream.  They want to be a jet pilot or a fireman.  A very lucky few actually live those dreams,” said Jamie, sitting out in front of the firehouse on this hot afternoon.  “I wanted to be a pro.”

Jamie had just completed his senior year at the University of Maine, Orono, from where he’d received a full football scholarship.  “I had a really good senior year, tackling everyone in sight.  The Jets had been showing interestin me all year,” Jamie said.  That was 1987.  Joe Walton, head coach of the Jets called the University, who told him to call the coach who told him to call Jamie.  Jamie showed up for the Jets training camp which was on Long Island in New York – about l l/2 hours from his Danbury, Connecticut home.

Of training camp, he says:  “It was hard, fun and exciting and I loved every minute of it.  I knew I could play with these guys, but I’d have to play my very best every day.  That was hard todo – especially against the competition I had.  But it was doable.”  He was a middle linebacker.  Three weeks into training camp, one of the assistant coaches said Walton wanted to see him and “bring your playbook.”  Coach Walton told him it was “a nice run, but I’ve got to get the roster down to 50.  It was the greatest three weeks of my life” Jamie said.  “It still hurts,” he admitted.

There were three other teams who wanted him; the Raiders, the Chiefs and the Packers.  He chose the Jets because they were closest to his Connecticut home.   At 6 ft. 3 in. he weights 240 lbs. which is  10lbs. less than he did back in 1987 when he was in training camp.  “Your body is a tool and you have to make it right for whatever you do, he said.

Jamie says that he believes that Michael Vick should be reinstated in professional football, despite his conviction for dog fighting.  He’s paid his dues.  Playing football is his job.  He predicts that quaterback Tom Brady of the Patriots will be “phenomenal, if he stays healthy.”  If Brady stays healthy, the Patriots will go to the Super Bowl and play against Dallas.  “That would be quite a game,” he said.

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Runners On North Street Just Before Turning Left onto Congress Street

By Carol McCracken

The annual St. Peter’s Italian Street Festival  event kicked off again with a four mile race hosted by the Maine Track Club.  The race began at 7:00 p.m. after a warm day, and started to cool off as the last runner passed the half way mark on North Street.  The race began on India Steet and followed a scenic course, some of it along the Eastern Promenade, before returning to India Street.

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Markos Miller, Justin Alfond, Liz McMahon and Ed King, Hill Residents, Attend Donoghue's Kickoff Cookout

By Carol McCracken

Supporters of the re-election of Councilor Kevin Donoghue attended a cookout on Sunday afternoon, August 4th at the corner of the Eastern Promenade and Congress Street. Donoghue is running for re-election  on the city council for District I which includes Munjoy Hill, downtown Portland and the Islands.  The event ran from 4:00 p.m. until 5:30 p.m.

Two other Hill residents have announced their run for the same seat.  One is Charles Bragdon and the other is Paul Farrell, of  Monument Street.  Farrell was unsuccessful in his recent run for the Charter Commission.

The election is  November 3rd.

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