Snow Pond Center for the Arts - Summer Concert Series
Snow Pond Center for the Arts, Bangor Symphony Orchestra , Evan Wilson Viola soloist, NEMC Pops Concert, Broadway Under the Stars, U.S. Air Force Strings, In the Woods,
Snow Pond Center for the Arts, Bangor Symphony Orchestra , Evan Wilson Viola soloist, NEMC Pops Concert, Broadway Under the Stars, U.S. Air Force Strings, In the Woods,
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Barnraising - 2015<br />
Definition: <strong>the</strong> collective action of a community<br />
I was very <strong>for</strong>tunate to have all of<br />
my grandparents alive <strong>for</strong> most of<br />
my youth. It was my grandfa<strong>the</strong>r<br />
Paul who started <strong>the</strong> New England<br />
Music Camp in 1937. It was my o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
grandfa<strong>the</strong>r, John Willard Hovey,<br />
<strong>for</strong> whom I was named. John was<br />
generally considered<br />
a potato farmer, but I also remember<br />
him as a carpenter, a mechanic, an<br />
avid reader, and an inventor – which<br />
is probably <strong>the</strong> case <strong>for</strong> most that have<br />
a career called ‘farmer.’<br />
John Willard lived most of his<br />
94 years in <strong>the</strong> County, specifically<br />
in Houlton. From what I recall<br />
of my early youth, I spent quite a<br />
bit more time on <strong>the</strong> farm than at<br />
<strong>the</strong> music camp. In looking back,<br />
I most remember <strong>the</strong> closeness<br />
of that farming community. The<br />
endless hours of planting and o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
chores, and <strong>the</strong> closing of schools<br />
during <strong>the</strong> harvest season. This was<br />
a time when <strong>the</strong> entire community<br />
had a single-minded focus on <strong>the</strong><br />
task at hand. Farmers are also <strong>the</strong><br />
most proud and self-reliant group<br />
of individuals on this planet. I see<br />
this great trait in abundance here in<br />
Central Maine. There are probably<br />
many among us that could easily<br />
qualify <strong>for</strong> government aid or<br />
support, but simply don’t ask. It is<br />
not in <strong>the</strong> farmers’ nature to ask <strong>for</strong><br />
help. However, <strong>the</strong>re are sizeable<br />
projects that a farmer cannot do<br />
alone. The building of a large barn<br />
was a community project, as was <strong>the</strong><br />
building of churches and schools.<br />
These large scale projects were<br />
turned into an event and <strong>the</strong> whole<br />
community would bond toge<strong>the</strong>r to<br />
make it happen. Barn-raisings are<br />
a piece of our history and a fabric<br />
that reflects <strong>the</strong> power of how a<br />
community can come toge<strong>the</strong>r to<br />
create great things.<br />
I suspect that I have a lot more<br />
of John Willard’s genes than Paul’s...I<br />
know <strong>for</strong> sure that this is true because<br />
<strong>the</strong> “music gene” is <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> most part,<br />
absent in my DNA. If you visit our<br />
campus, you will most often find me<br />
with a shovel or rake and never an<br />
instrument. Self-reliance is also in<br />
our camp’s nature; we don’t usually<br />
ask <strong>for</strong> help. This camp has survived<br />
<strong>for</strong> 80 years without any organized<br />
fund raising except <strong>for</strong> assistance in<br />
creating scholarship and financial<br />
aid funds. Part of our mission with<br />
any program is that it must be<br />
available <strong>for</strong> all deserving students,<br />
regardless of <strong>the</strong>ir families economics.<br />
That mission remains unchanged<br />
today as we move into year round<br />
programming. However, to offer year<br />
round programming, on a scale that<br />
will make a significant difference, we<br />
now have to implement a barn-raising<br />
type task; we cannot accomplish this<br />
endeavor alone. We need your help<br />
to build this year round school and<br />
to establish a financial aid fund <strong>for</strong><br />
our Maine students that attend this<br />
school.<br />
What can you expect from our<br />
schools? A nurturing, supportive, and<br />
safe environment that encourages<br />
each student to collaborate, create,<br />
inspire and engage – to be confident<br />
and reach <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir full potential.<br />
You can expect a place that bonds<br />
our community toge<strong>the</strong>r with<br />
magnificent music and art available to<br />
all. Please help in whatever way you<br />
can – I know we can make a positive<br />
difference <strong>for</strong> our children and our<br />
families.<br />
Thanks to all! . .<br />
. .<br />
. . John Wiggin<br />
For giving & volunteer instructions<br />
please see page 32 <strong>for</strong> ways to engage<br />
with <strong>Snow</strong> <strong>Pond</strong> <strong>Center</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Arts</strong><br />
and New England Music Camp.<br />
Charleston, VT, courtesy of <strong>the</strong> Old Stone House Museum<br />
31