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| Contributed photo The latest edition of Echoes magazine includes a reprint of every cover over the entire 25 years of publication. |
With a cover featuring an assortment of past covers, the new edition of Echoes magazine makes its 25 years of continuous quarterly publication visible. Every cover from the previous 100 editions of the successful regional magazine reappears in Issue No. 101, released this month.
Features in this anniversary edition include profiles of former Echoes interns and of two women who were prominent in the first edition of the magazine. The image of Stacey Mullen Price on her knees picking potatoes appeared on the back cover in January 1988 and on the front of Issue No. 40 in 1998, portraying the essence of the traditions the magazine immortalizes.
Issue No. 40 also contained a feature by Ruth Mraz who had discovered a romantic sequel to the story in the inaugural Echoes about fellow Fort Fairfield resident Laurie Wathen. Her picture as Miss Maine 1987 caused Air Force officer Barry Cothran to resolve that he would marry that girl . . . and he did.
Both historic images (taken by Brook Merrow in 1988) and the related stories were given to Bridgewater writer Melissa Jenks who contacted Price and Cothran and wrote updates on their lives for the new Echoes.
Also under the heading “Where are they now?” is an update on the five interns who spent summers working with Echoes to enhance their journalism and magazine production skills and, in most cases, earn college credit. Beginning with John Boit of Penobscot, now of Maryland, who interned in 1992, Echoes also reconnected with Misty Edgecomb of Limestone, Rachel Rand and Christopher Peary, both of Washburn, and Shannon Butler of Caribou.
The centerpiece of Echoes 101 is a poem trilogy — “In August Sun” _ by David W. Brainerd of Howland embedded in stunning photographs by Mike McNally of Ashland and Michael Gudreau of Presque Isle.
Houlton native Bob Fields of New York contributes to this Echoes by presenting a study of natural cures based on his childhood conversations with a Maliseet friend in his home community. In a personal life story, Fort Kent native Lisa Colburn confesses that even though she lives in Orono, The Valley remains deep in her identity.
In other life stories, Presque Isle High School guidance counselor Mary Warren shares her encounter with a moose in her backyard, and Stockholm native Sandra Johnson Hara of California rediscovers the comfort of a blanket her mother cherished for years, but seldom used.
David Parker of New York remembers Saturday night suppers growing up on the Kittridge Road in Bangor and Philip Henderson of Littleton recalls a long-ago race against the weather on a tractor in a potato field.
Three essays by Glenna Johnson Smith of Presque Isle express both sadness and humor. She mourns the demise of a giant maple tree in her regular column “Old County Woman” and concocts imaginary inventions to enhance her agility and mobility in a pair of essays titled “My Very Own Vee” and “Geriatric Hovercraft.”
Columnist John Dombek captures the frustration of anyone who has “chatted” online with a technical support person, and Editor Kathryn Olmstead takes readers “Behind the Scenes” at Echoes in a tribute to the unseen workers who help make the magazine happen every quarter.
Lucy Leaf of Surry devotes her column “From the Cabin” to reflections on the future and past of “camp culture,” and Dottie Hutchins interviews fellow genealogists who have found each other through her column, “Tapping Family Trees.”
With Issue 101, Echoes begins its 26th year of quarterly publication dedicated to rediscovering community. Headquartered in Caribou, Echoes is printed at PrintWorks in Presque Isle. More information is available at echoesofmaine.com.
