Music filled the Campus Center at the University of Maine at Presque Isle July 20 as more than 100 people gathered to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Echoes magazine.
Contributed photo/Michael A. Gudreau
Echoes team writers Rhea Cote Robbins, Annaliese Jakimides, Ethel Pochocki, Glenna Johnson Smith, Doug Aiguier, and John Dombek celebrate 20 years of Echoes with editor Kathryn Olmstead during the July 20 open house at the University of Maine at Presque Isle.
Visitors from all parts of Maine, several other states and New Brunswick browsed displays of books, photographs and artwork by Echoes contributors, while Stephen Boody and Kellie Moody played tunes of Celtic, Swedish and other northern Maine cultures on violin and piano.
“It’s a thrill to see all parts of the Echoes community together in one place,” Editor Kathryn Olmstead said, citing writers, readers, photographers, advertisers, artists, production team members, staff, volunteers and other friends of Echoes in the audience.
“People across the nation seem to be seeking a place that retains the sense of community they knew as children,” she said. “Garrison Keillor found it in an imaginary place called Lake Wobegon where he takes National Public Radio listeners every week on A Prairie Home Companion. We found it in a real place called Aroostook County where we take readers every three months in Echoes magazine.”
Six Echoes writers drew laughter and tears with readings of their stories, poems, essays and excerpts of articles. The afternoon program included children’s author and poet Ethel Pochocki of Brooks, fiction writer Joseph “Doug” Aiguier of Winslow, Houlton native John Dombek of Santa Clara, Utah, and Glenna Johnson Smith of Presque Isle, whose hilarious rendition of ‘My Brother Victor’ has become a favorite.
Rhea Cote Robbins of Brewer and Annaliese Jakimides of Bangor prefaced readings of their work with comments on how in the 1990s Echoes helped build their confidence to seek regional and national outlets for their writing.
Olmstead, Smith and Assistant Editor Mary-Ann McHugh recognized local volunteers who help mail the magazine to its 2,500 subscribers, presenting each with gifts including a watercolor painted by Smith especially for the occasion. Also singled out for their contributions to Echoes were co-founder Gordon Hammond of Westfield, who continues as illustrator; Nancy Roe of Presque Isle, who compiles the annual index; and three long-time members of the production team at PrintWorks in Presque Isle: Lisa Nadeau, Dale Johnston and Carrie Lee. Each received a framed photograph, as did the readers and those who helped plan and execute the 20th birthday party.
Cindy and Fred Edgecomb of Limestone coordinated sale of tickets for prizes donated by the authors, artists and photographers whose work encircled the second-floor room overlooking a potato field in full bloom. A mobile by Fred Edgecomb floated above their table demonstrating how Echoes’ 20th anniversary calendar could be recycled as a work of Aroostook art.
Other displays traced the life of the magazine since its founding in 1988, including copies of all 80 editions and scrapbooks from anniversary parties in 1993, 1998 and 2003.
“The celebration was everything we had envisioned, and more,” Olmstead said. “I only wish I had recognized those who came great distances to attend. Guests represented all parts of Maine — from Lille to Kennebunk and Gorham — as well as New Brunswick, Pennsylvania, Virginia, California, Massachusetts and Connecticut. I was amazed.”
Dedicated to “Rediscovering Community,” Echoes seeks to portray qualities of life and rural culture at risk in modern society. Published quarterly from offices in Caribou, the magazine affirms there is permanence in the midst of change and value in remembering our roots.
