Hello!
Louis Marin
218 Penobscot St. #2
Rumford, ME 04276
(207) 520-0173
mbsphotog@gmail.com
Skills:
Poet, News Article Writer, Photographer, Dishwasher, Short order/Prep Cook, multi-line telephone system and computer programs, operate, maintain, amusement rides as well as build and maintain animal enclosures, retired Non Commissioned Officer, aircraft mechanic, trainer, and Production Supervisor
Experience:
Photographer, Stringer-Rumford Falls Times, Sun Media, Gardener, Cook-Black Mountain, Sunday River, Oakdale Country Club, Rostay Inn, Innkeeper, Farmhand-No View Farm, Customer Service Technician, National Truck, E.R.S., Maintenance/Ride Attendant-York’s Wild Kingdom, Community Donation Coordinator-Savers Inc, Customer Service/Front Desk-Planet Fitness, Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of 150+Personnel Aircraft Maintenance Training Section, United States Air Force, Tool Room Technician, and Technical Order Distribution Officer
Education:
Received Associates Degree in Instructor of Technology and Associates Degree in Aircraft Maintenance Technology from Community College of the Air Force. Received High School Diploma from Washington Academy. Enrolled in Psychology Program at Minot State University. Enrolled FAA Airframe and Powerplant.
Here are a couple of my recent short stories, and a couple of articles I have had printed by Sun Media in local newspapers:
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Black Wind
From the Black Sea came the cold hellish wind that took my brother. It screamed and cried for two days and nights without ceasing. Wakening on the second morning, we found him bloodied and dying in the corner.
Father had fastened the oak shutters over the French windows when the tell-tale moaning of breeze in the eaves started. Now he nailed large timbers taken from the floor in the master bedroom across the windows and entrance door. There was a somber darkness in the Great Hall where I cowered in a corner, casting fearful glances everywhere. The sixteen-candle chandelier could not dissipate shadows.
I huddled in the comfort of Mother's bosom and tried to block out the hungry wind and Father's ominous foresight. "Remember my prediction. Before the dawning, this one will be gone too."
I fell into a restless nightmare scarred sleep but was woken from a harsh jerk and even harsher words. Father stood over me grasping a wicked looking knife. Flames’ reflections gleamed and danced upon the blade and his feverish eyes. "Let me send the boy to the Black Wind so that the rest may see the morning."
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Dead Man’s Bouquet
In the early part of the last century, in the town of South Paris, in the western part of Maine lived a poor young man who was deeply in love with a girl who lived on the edge of Lake Christopher.
One Sunday evening the guy started on the five mile walk across town to visit the young lady who he was sure he would love for all eternity. He had no gift nor fresh flowers to present to her as was the custom in those far gone days, so he walked along somber and dejected.
Walking past a cemetery beside the dirt road, the young man spied a bouquet of daisies left near an unattended and newly filled grave. After careful deliberation he sneaked into the graveyard and took the arrangement. Thinking that the dearly departed soul would not begrudge the petty larceny, he proceeded on in the moonlight.
Suddenly he heard a ghostly voice proclaim, "Bring those back, they belong to the dead."
Though he tried to ignore the voice, the bone chilling shrieks continued and echoed behind him. "Bring those back, they belong to the dead. Bring those back, they belong to the dead!"
He hurried the last hundred yards at a rapid pace, only to find the young lady's front door bordered in black, and her swooning in tears of grief at the sight of the flowers. Her father had died and was buried just that morning.
The young man dropped the bouquet and ran into eternal darkness, followed by a mournful voice calling, "They belong to the dead!"
It is a sin to court a young lady with flowers that belong to the dead.
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Ellis River Riders: Going Strong In 2020
Going into its 35th year, the Ellis River Riders in Andover is still going strong!
Ellis River Riders’ members are committed to enriching lives through horses in a fun, family atmosphere. Founding member and past president Kathi Kyes says, ”I keep going back to ERR every year for the family fun atmosphere. I was a member back in 1985 when ERR first started and after several years of AQHA and 4-H for the kids, I decided I wanted to bring my daughter to a nice family fun club for shows and fun.”
Deb Cayer, who has been a member of the club since it's beginning, holding the office of president, vice president, secretary and currently grounds chairperson, says, “the club has been my family since 1985.”
The Club offers a variety of activities and a graduated series of divisions for riders of different levels of ability. Sarah Arsenault, a relatively new rider said, “I have been going to ERR to ride for two seasons now, but I went several times when I was a child growing up in Andover.”
Emma-leigha Sweetser, a teen rider started showing in the lead-line division, with someone walking, beside her horse ro assure safety. She said, “My favorite thing is competing and beating my personal best times. My horse, Peppy loves being there. When we step into the arena his heart starts racing! It is such an amazing experience!
Ms Kyes stated, “I can see even more fun and educational horse events in the future. I also bring my grandchildren to ERR, so we have three generations riding together.”
Sarah Arsenault echoed the family sentiment of the Ellis River Riders; “I will keep going back, mostly because I have a little girl who is just like me at that age and she loves riding and horses! I enjoy watching her have fun and exercise her passion for riding.”
Deb Cayer added, “the club has been fortunate to be able to constantly change and evolve to offer whatever is necessary to maintain it's membership. We have strived to keep current on our events and maintain interest in being part of our group.”
According to the Ellis River Riders website, the purposes of the club include the following:
To increase recognition of the versatility of the horse
To promote all horse breeds and other equestrian activities
To promote good fellowship and sportsmanship among horse owners and friends
To encourage and educate exhibitors, participants, members, sponsors, spectators and management, while acting in the interest of common good for all
To affiliate with other organizations in striving for good horsemanship, whose purposes are altogether or in part similar to those of this club
Ms Kyes added, “My favorite thing about showing and riding at ERR is meeting up with my horse loving friends. Everyone cheers on everyone else and help folks just getting started with horses. Whether you are a 3 year old child, a 90 year old beginner, or an experienced horse handler, there is something for everyone. If you don't ride but love horses you can always find a favorite horse to cheer on!”
Gloria Wilkins, who has been a member for nearly 30 years says, “The people and the horses keep me going back.”
Ms Arsenault added, “My favorite thing is, how everyone makes you feel welcome. Everyone helps you if you’re trying to learn something, Everyone at ERR includes you. It’s like a second family.”
Ellis River Riders show grounds is home for Gymkhana and Open Shows as well as instructional clinics and trail rides. The grounds consist of the riding ring, practice ring, food booth and pavilion, a 20-stall barn, which is available free of charge on a first come, first serve basis, and four outhouses. On sight faucets provide water for horses. There are also overnight camping spots for shows and seasonal spots for members. There are miles of well marked trails connecting directly to the grounds with several organized trail rides scheduled this summer. Members are allowed to use the grounds at any time unless there is a show.
Ms Cayer also stated, “The Ellis River Riders was a family affair for many years. The food booth, Gloria "Momma Cayer’s” food booth was dedicated to her after she passed in 2015, and my dad, “Ducky” Cayer, mom’s “go-for” liked to refer to the pavilion as ‘Ducky's Pavilion.’”
All regular events such as Open and Gymkhana Shows are free and the public is always welcome.
Show season starts on May 30th, and is free and open to the public, but if you do not want to wait for the season, or would like to support ERR in another way, the popular local band, “Ragged Jack,” is playing a fundraiser for the club on the evening of April 25, at Black Mountain of Maine.
The Ellis River Riders Horse Club looks forward to seeing you at the grounds on Airport Road in Andover this year!
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Teaching From Home
Prior to March 16, 2020, Elementary, Middle School, High School and College students were back in their daily routines, after the end of the February vacation, and were heading toward milestones, such as passing to the next grade, year, or graduation.
At the same time, local educators were, as always, trying to balance keeping students’ attention focused and creating interesting lesson plans through the spring and into the early summer, when school would be dismissed for the year.
Many parents with students enrolled in area schools were already wearing more than one hat; struggling with the balance of working long hours and spending much needed time with their children. Governor Janet Mills’ recommended that Maine schools cease classroom-based instruction for the duration of the State of Civil Emergency, which initially closed schools from March 16, until at least April 27, 2020, but was updated on April 7th, to suspend in-school instruction for the remainder of the school year. Most of these parents have had to rapidly adopt the principles of “remote learning.”
Once such parent is Sarah Arsenault, who normally works as a Certified Dental Assistant and waitress, though both places of business are closed as a precaution, to prevent the danger of spreading the COVID-19 virus.
Ms Arsenault now teaches her two children who are students at Meroby daily, and assists with teaching her two step children who are visiting for two weeks. Two of the children are in first grade, with the other two in third and fourth grades.
Ms Arsenault says, “I never taught a day in my life before this. I could barely help with homework because of my hours at work; usually by the time I got home they were already done.”
“The extra time with my kids and teaching them normal life skills. versus just doing homework,” is Ms Arsenault’s favorite part of the new role she has adopted.
However, Ms Arsenault admits there are clearly drawbacks to facilitating remote learning for her children. “Trying to help one child who is in 1st grade and the other who is in 4th grade at the same time can be tough. Dividing my help and attention to both is a struggle.”
Ms Arsenault says, “Our family is definitely stronger in some aspects. We now sit at the table and eat dinner together and talk about our day. We do activities together, play more, sense I am not working.”
However, there are other aspects that are causing stress, like Ms Arsenault’s role as ‘breadwinner’ for the family being gone. “This is not normal for me, I’ve worked almost every single day of my life since I was 16 years old. For me to be home all the time has taken an emotional toll, and the kids don’t understand why Mommy gets upset, and frustrated.”
Ms Arsenault says after the current COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, she probably would not homeschool her children again, “My kids miss the social life, they miss their friends, they miss their teachers. It takes a special person to be able to teach a child everything they need to know for a good education!”
Ms Arsenault adds, “I definitely wouldn’t homeschool after this, my kids need their friends, their schools, and their teachers. I need my normal work schedule. However, she “definitely can see myself being more involved with them at school, their activities, and their homework. I definitely could not do the homeschooling thing every day.”
Kari Jamison, a stay-at-home mom is teaching her four children ages 4, 5, 7, and 9 years old while her husband, a woodcutter works. Mrs. Jamison, who has no teaching background, loves the extra time that she gets to spend interacting with her children every day, but admits that sometimes trying to figure out how to help them with their lessons has been very stressful.
Mrs. Jamison is glad that she has been able to teach her children some things that she knows schools don’t teach, but says, “I do not think I would consider homeschooling again, after The Coronavirus, it is just too tough!”
Andrea Palmer, a first grade teacher at Dirigo Elementary School has been teaching for 22 years and says, “Most kids are doing well with the technology piece because we do a lot with technology in the classroom.”
Mrs. Palmer’s favorite part is seeing the students either in virtual meetings or on videos sent back and forth. She is also very thankful for the support of the students’ parents, who have all been “amazing!”
Mrs. Palmer’s least favorite part is missing the kids and the time spent together. She says, “Spring is an amazing time not only because of the content we are teaching but also where we see the most growth.” She also adds, “My students are such a big part of my heart and not seeing them everyday is so very hard. The children also miss being together and each other.”
Heidi Broomhall, in her 25th year “in the classroom,” teaches Spanish in grades 7 through 12, and 9th grade English at Dirigo She notes that her students' reaction to the change to remote school varies by student. Some have adjusted well, she says, while others are struggling. Her favorite parts are the new technology skills she is acquiring and the fact, “I can come to work in pajamas and sweatpants every day.” Ms Broomhall does however miss the lack of day to day interaction and banter that comes with a live class.
Sean Gould, a Senior at Mountain Valley High School, misses the camaraderie of being a traditional student, both in the classroom and on the sports fields and worries about missing out on prom and a traditional graduation. He says, “When my cousin Kelly Trenoweth graduated, I went to see her graduate to support her. When I was there I saw the awesome things that happen at graduation.” At that time he was homeschooled in the River Valley Homeschoolers program. He adds, “I thought to myself, “wow, I really really want to walk with my fellow classmates and have this experience,’ so I entered highschool as a freshman, and now I’m not going to get what I’ve worked and waited for all these years!”
Caden Welch, a Sophomore at Mountain Valley says his favorite part is not having to get up every morning and go to school and that he can work at his own pace. And though he misses a few teachers and friends, he doesn’t think he has a least favorite part about remote learning.
Though we focus mostly on the effects this new style of teaching has on parents and school age children, college students have also had to respond to changes in their daily routine. Courtney Carrier, a first year student at the University of Maine at Farmington had no online classes before the COVID-19. All of her classes were hands on and discussion based. She says, “it was really important for us to go to class and participate.”
Ms Carrier says her least favorite part of this experience is doing all the coursework online. She finds it harder to understand concepts when you can’t discuss them in class with other people. None of her classes are using zoom so all communication with professors is via email.
Ms Carrier also adds, “I’ve gotten used to my own space and it’s harder for me to be back living with other people in my family all the time.”
Sarah Arsenault echoes a common sentiment; “Kudos to teachers! They definitely need a raise after all of this!”
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