Memorial ride returns to Oakfield

OAKFIELD, Maine — The fifth annual “Mike and Heidi Victory Ride,” in memory of Mike Kitchen and Heidi Pratt, returns Saturday, Sept. 7, to honor the memory of two County people who were murdered in 2013.

Registration opens at 8 a.m. at the Oakfield Community Center. A safety briefing and presentations will be held at 9:15 a.m. Motorcycle riders are scheduled to leave at 10:15 a.m. with police escorts. There is no registration fee. Participants can purchase a wrist band for $10 which gives them a meal following the ride.

People not riding, but wishing to walk to the Kitchen-Pratt house lot, will do so immediately after the riders depart. Historically, balloons have been released in conjunction with a moment of silence. This will no longer take place, given the heightened awareness of the danger balloons can cause to wildlife.

Ken Bustard, president of the Mike and Heidi Community Fund explained the reason for the change.

“We want to honor Mike and Heidi in an even more meaningful way besides releasing balloons that may indeed cause harm to local wildlife. We are asking people to bring a donation for the Ark Animal Sanctuary in Houlton. This is where Mike and Heidi adopted their cat, Monkey. We believe Monkey perished in the fire that day, as he was never found. We have made past donations to the Ark in memory of Mike and Heidi. This annual event is a perfect opportunity to increase community awareness of the great work done at the Ark.”

Recently, the Mike and Heidi Community Fund donated three pieces of playground equipment to

“Oakfield Pines,” a public park being developed in Oakfield. The equipment, resembling small motorcycles, was paid for by the Mike and Heidi Community fund and installed by volunteers at the Oakfield Pines. 

“We are particularly grateful to be able to collaborate with Oakfield Pines and see this playground equipment installed” explained Bustard. “Anthony White and his group of volunteers have done an absolutely incredible job, and it is just an honor to not only be part of that but further honor Mike and Heidi.”

Upon returning to the Oakfield Community Center following this year’s ride, participants can enjoy a hot meal of Italian sausage, salads and deserts. An auction will be held at 1 p.m. as well as drawing of raffle tickets toward prize baskets. 

This year’s event marks the 6th anniversary of the couple’s death. An event was not held in 2016, at the request of the District Attorney’s Office, as a jury selection was in process and it was feared that the additional publicity might compromise the jury selection process.

The Mike and Heidi Community Fund, a public charity nonprofit, is overseen by a board of directors. Board members include Heidi Pratt’s son, Paul Suiter of Portland as well as her sister Brenda Hersey of Oakfield. Additional board members are Joe and Becky McLaughlin of Limestone, Torri Bates of Smyrna, Jerri Russell and Shannon Lloyd of Oakfield, Ken and Pearl Bustard of Bucksport and Jill Bustard of Merrill.

The board recently formed a scholarship committee, chaired by Heidi’s son Paul Suiter. They have distributed both traditional and non-traditional scholarships. They also organized a very successful “Mike and Heidi Community Christmas” at Oakfield Community Center in 2018, where 100 free turkeys were given to families, along with surprises for kids coming to see Santa.

Numerous individuals and businesses have supported this year’s event with monetary donations and sponsorship of raffle baskets. Anyone wishing more information or wanting to volunteer can contact Bustard at 659-2018 or accountingcoach@gmail.com. Shannon Lloyd of Oakfield is also a contact person at 267-0480. The “Mike and Heidi Ride 2018” Facebook page is another way to make contact or get more information about the event.