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| Contributed photo David Stewart, left, and Darren Hall, both of Caribou, braved 34-degree waters on Jan. 1 to raise funds for the Special Olympics. The pair ventured down to Old Orchard Beach to participate in the annual Lobster Dip fundraiser. |
By Natalie Bazinet
Staff Writer
Most people greet the New Year by upholding resolutions and celebrating a fresh start; David Stewart and Darren Hall met the New Year by jumping into 34-degree water.
Both of Caribou, the uncle-and-nephew team of Stewart and Hall participated in the 2013 Lobster Dip in Old Orchard Beach to raise funds for the Special Olympics, bringing in $526 and $112 respectively.
Stewart has been a member of the Caribou Knights of Columbus for eight years, and is currently the executive secretary for the Knights of Columbus of Maine; every year, the K of C put together a team for the annual Lobster Dip and this was Stewart’s third year participating.
It was the first year for Hall, a seventh-grader at the Caribou Middle School; after watching his uncle Stewart take the icy plunge last year, he decided to take on the cold water himself to help raise funds for the Special Olympics.
While most can’t fathom being voluntarily submerged in water that’s just above freezing, seasoned Lobster Dipper Stewart explained that it happens so quick that its hard to explain.
“It wasn’t that bad until we got out [of the water] because we had the wind blowing on us,” he said.
The air temperature matched the chilling degree of the salt water – both just two degrees above freezing — and yet Stewart says that about 400 participated in the Lobster Dip, 27 of those participants (including Stewart and Hall) were part of the Knights of Columbus team that raised about $10,000 this year.
Though the chilling experience is still fresh in their minds, Stewart is already planning on taking the plunge again next year — maybe even doing some fundraisers around town to help support the Special Olympics.
“There’s a saying that’s on every paper they gave us, ‘We’re freezin’ for a reason,’” he said.
Stewart and Hall had family from Caribou accompany them to the annual Lobster Dip as well; Hall is the grandson of David and Patsy Stewart, both of Caribou.
