Walkabout: PI
Happenings in the Star City
Space to come home to
A local residence that makes the best of The County’s “wide open spaces” has made the cover of Maine Home + Design magazine.
The October 2015 issue features the expansive log home of Jeff and Susan Vreeland in Presque Isle on its grassy parcel, lit by the glow of a low County sun. “Wide open spaces,” declares the cover: “An energy-efficient log home on a rolling field in Presque Isle.”
A 16-page spread inside showcases the home, complete with full-color photographs of its exterior and natural wood interior. According to the article, there are more than two dozen species of wood used throughout. Solar energy provides much of its hot water.
Vreeland, the son of Gail and Ed Vreeland of Presque Isle, worked for the CIA Directorate of Operations for 26 years and spent much time overseas, living in cramped quarters.
“For retirement,” wrote Debra Spark in her article, “he wanted something different: space, land, vistas. And he knew where he could get what he wanted: back home.”
Vreeland told Spark he once picked potatoes on that very land, which later housed a harness racing track before he and Susan decided to build there. But it wasn’t just the land, the article says: “The big pull was settling back among family.”
This month’s Maine Home + Design is on newsstands now. For more information, visit mainehomedesign.com.
In the zone
Meanwhile, building is progressing steadily on the new AutoZone property, located in front of Marden’s on Main Street in Presque Isle.
For several weeks now workers have been excavating and setting the foundation, and last week concrete walls began to take shape.
AutoZone marketing spokesperson Tracy Houston said recently the new store is tentatively set to open in late February, and is expected to employ approximately 10 both full- and part-time staff.
The company, whose corporate headquarters are in Memphis, Tenn., sells auto and light truck parts, both new and remanufactured replacement parts, auto accessories, chemicals, and even diagnostic repair software.
Of its 5,500 stores in 49 states and the District of Columbia, as well as Puerto Rico, Mexico and Brazil, 11 of those are already in Maine, Houston said.
The future store is one of a number of ongoing building projects in the city; crews are also at work on the Presque Isle Community Center, which now boasts a basic roof covering, and on the new Machias Savings Bank site on Parsons Street.
Editor’s Note: Inspired by reader requests, this column is our collection of some of the latest occurrences and observations around town.
