Munjoy Hill News

Museum director, Allison Tevsh Zittel with board president, Brian Durham

A recent change in leadershiip at the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum together with the intent to move from its current location at 58 Fore Street has boosted hope for the future of the “two-footers” and its supporters.

The new Museum Director is Allison Tevsh Zittel. Until earlier this summer Zittel served as an assistant to the former director, who left on August 4th. Meanwhile, Brian Durham, president of the board, is sharing leadership roles with Zittel. On June 26th, Durham was one of two volunteers elected to the Board. Durham said this afternoon at the Museum: “The board needed to be more closely aligned with the membership and the volunteers. Now, the vast majority of board members are active volunteers. Volunteers have a vested interest in the organization. The board will be taking actions supported by the members and volunteers. Those of us who were involved in the transition think that is the best for the organization.”

Durham, a retired attorney for the US Coast Guard, said there are three priorities as of today. The first priority is to look for a new location since factors supporting their remaining at 58 Fore Street are not favorable. Jeff Monroe, a former city official and head of the relocation committee sent out letters of interest to communities in the area. Portland and six other communities have shown interest so far. Soon, RFP’s will go out as well to narrow down the interested parties.

The second priority is the 3rd annual holiday Polar Express which is the Museum’s major fundraiser. Zittel has assumed that responsibility since the departure of the former director in August. The third priority is improved communications between the community and the Museum employees and volunteers. That is expected to be improved by the regular publication of the museum newsletter – “Two Foot Flyer,” and internet communication with the museum staff.

September 19th marks the 17th anniversary of the arrival of the “two-footers” in Portland. Formerly, it had been known as the Edaville Railroad, South Carver, MA. It was also known as the Cranberry Line because it became a major tourist attraction on a cranberry plantation belonging to Ellis D. Atwood, a principal in the Ocean Spray Cranberry business and the individual remembered for saving many of the two-footers from total destruction following World War II.

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Hill resident, Jim Lobley, of the Finance Department

Sixteen proposals were received this afternoon at city hall for the $42,500 commission offered by the city for the successful application for public seating on the Bayside Trail. The RFP was issued in early July by the Portland Public Art Committee (“PPAC”).

Jim Lobley, of the city’s finance department, said the next several days will be spent going over the sixteen proposals to be certain each conforms to the requirements laid out in the RFP. When that is finished, the conforming proposals will be posted on the city’s website. It appeared that less than l/3 of the proposals were from the Portland area. Lobley said he received 72 requests for the proposal package, many of the requests coming from California.

Two of the RFP goals are to “enhance the Bayside Trail with high-quality, appealing, durable, public seating that enchances the trail experience and create objects of art that function as public seating. The 13 page RFP says the public seating must be built to last at least 25 years and that the $42,500 commission (or “budget”) covers all costs including design fee, cost of materials and fabrication, engineering, insurance, shipping and installation of the work itself.

Some of the timelines established by the RFP calls for notification of artist/designer selection in October; installlation in May of 2011 and a public ceremony on June 4, 2011 which is also National Trails Day.

Please see Post # 550 posted herein, dated August 18th for more information.

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East End Beach

The annual 10K “Trail to Ale” Race/Walk will be held this year on Sunday, September 19. The race begins at 9 am near the beginning of the Eastern Promenade Trail and wraps up at East End Beach. Participants can catch a ride back to the post-race festivities courtesy of the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad. The event is hosted by Portland Trails.

This 6.2 mile race is run exclusively off-road and allows beautiful views of Casco Bay as they run on Eastern Promenade and Back Cove Trails.

Following the 10K race participants are treated to a post-race party sponsored by Shipyard Brewing Company, Whole Food Market and Portland Pie Company. Runners and walkers can enjoy pizza, beer, music and an awards ceremony at The Portland Company. The party begins at 11 am.

REGISTRATION is available online at www.trails.org

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Sean Mencher & His Rhythm Kings on the Hill Today

Sean Mencher & His Rhythm Kings put on a delightful rockabilly concert for the enjoyment of an audience in the garden at 92 Congress Street this afternoon. A spontaneous concert, Mencher said that if conditions are right, it might become a traditional Sunday @ noontime garden event.

Three members of the five member group played for over an hour early this afternoon. They played such favorites as: Bye Bye Blues, Ramblin Man, Folsom Prison, Don’t Get Around Much Anymore, Flatland Saturday Night and many others.

Matt Young played the harmonica, Sean the guitar and Derek Moniz, the bass. Sean did most of the solo vocals. Last night the group performed at the new Bayside Bowl. This Friday night, the group will perform at Geno’s at 9 pm.

In the meantime, if conditions are right, perhaps there will be a Sean Mencher Et Al concert next week in the garden at 92 Congress Street – the office of the Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Organization.

Check it out!

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