As Ricker Alumni rolled into Houlton the weekend of Sept. 29, the memories erupted for those that have come to many reunions through the years and those who had not been back for 50 years. To see the sparkle in their eyes when they discovered a friend from their college days was magical. The weekend weather added to the nostalgia, as the time of moving into the college dorms and heading to Community Park for the long awaited soccer games brought it all back for many.
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Early arrivals Thursday enjoyed an open house at the home of Marty and Kathy Quist at 67 Military Street. This house was part of the Ricker campus and was home to several faculty members and presidents of the college. Students who had visited there shared the experiences with the hosts. One former student, David Wakem of Caribou, who was unable to attend, sent photos of the third floor where he had rented a room in the early 60s before the home was owned by the college. A few of the guests were interviewed by Rothery Sullivan, a reporter of WAGM News and broadcast during the weekend.
Saturday was filled with lots of things to do. Many enjoyed the downtown Farmer’s Market, shopping for Ricker swag or souvenirs with anything noting Houlton. Many stopped by to see the new Ricker benches in front of the Houlton Chamber of Commerce followed by a visit to the Ricker Room at the Aroostook Historical & Art Museum. A third bench has been placed between the Cary Library and the Amphitheatre. This bench was donated by the Kappa Beta Fraternity brothers in honor of Ricker Veterans. Rod Lynch, former fraternity president and a Viet Nam veteran from Rockland was the guest speaker. He shared the history of the fraternity with those gathered. Kappa Beta fraternity was very active in the community, helping to place the Christmas lanterns on the light poles, and sponsoring an annual Christmas party for children of the town at the Putnam gym, among other projects.
Wesleyan Pastor Wayne Robertson welcomed the alumni to the church which was the cafeteria and coffee shop. The students spent a lot of time there during those college days, playing pinball and lots of card games. It was also the venue for the college dances and other events. Part of the tour included walking through the church residence building that was a dormitory. Part of that building has not been used and remains much like it was 50 years ago. Some students made a point to sit on the Ricker Hill for old times’ sake, just to savor the moment. The hill was popular in the fall and spring and was even a hill to slide on in the winter, with maybe a cafeteria tray as a sled.
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While walking through the former campus, Ed Malloy from Fairfield, Iowa and John Brandon of Eugene, Oregon talked about time they had spent at the Gentle Memorial Building. They had found out that the original basketball rims from the Putnam Gymnasium had been saved from the demolition of the gym and installed at the “Rec” center. The building was not part of the tour, but with a few phone calls, the building was opened and these two guys experienced the thrill of taking some shots in the gym.
The afternoon featured a bus tour of the greater Houlton area and a backroad trip by the former Littleton covered bridge, a visit to the Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum to see the Ricker collection and on the return trip to town, a scenic ride down the Front Ridge of Littleton. The bus was provided by RSU 29 promoting the importance of community.
About 120 guests enjoyed dinner at the Shiretown Inn & Suites with former baseball coach, Woodie Dunphy as the guest of honor. Dunphy was employed by the college from 1965-72.
Guests received a glass etched by Chriscoes County Crafts of Houlton with the Ricker Classical and Ricker College insignia on it to commemorate the occasion. Each guest also received a Ricker College recycle bag; Houlton Pioneer Times notepads and a variety of Maine and County literature.
The Sunday morning brunch was bitter sweet as old friends and now new friends who all have Ricker in common had to say good-bye. Some will never be back to this special place they called home for a few years of their young lives. This weekend will forever be remembered as a step back in time and as they headed down I-95 with a spectacular view of Mt. Katahdin, the trip north was worth every minute and every mile.
Many of the returning alumni brought pieces of Ricker history to add to the collections at the Ricker Room and to the Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum. Ricker shirts and caps are available through Cooks on Main in town.
