PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The regular meeting of the Probus Club was held on Thursday, April 20, at Northern Maine Community College’s Reed Commons.
President Tom Lunn called the meeting to order at 10 a.m. Dana Crory, program chairman, introduced the guest speaker, Randy Legasse, district forester for the Maine Forest Service. Legasse covers three million acres of Aroostook County forest land. His job is concerned with forest health, laws and protection.
As a forest ranger, Legasse makes sure water quality is maintained during logging operations and enforces rules, regulations and laws in both landowner woodlots as well as urban lots. He also oversees clearcut areas. The 88,000 woodlot owners must have access to proper cutting plans which follow Maine forestry procedures, a free service provided for them which sets the standards for their operations. The Forest Service provides necessary bridges needed in the deep woods for carrying out the cut logs.
Legasse also spoke about the insect pests which can affect the trees as well as beavers, who can often cause much damage.
Today’s technology such as smartphones, Google Earth, drones and LIDAR imagery are great advantages, said Legasse, in gathering much of the forest data needed to maintain proper forest harvesting and growth. He said Maine forests are the state’s best resource because of their renewability and multiple uses.
Janet Snow gave a reading by Dan Voorhees on the origin of marathon races and why they became 26 miles and some yards long. In 776 Greek soldiers ran these races in the first Olympiad. In 1908 the race was run from Windsor Castle to London Stadium, the exact 26 miles and some yards. It has remained that same distance since 1924.
Any retired professional interested in learning about the wide range of businesses and activities in the Aroostook area is welcome to join the Probus Club, which meets the third Thursday of every month at Reed Commons.
