MCMA LIBRARY OPEN HOUSE,WITH GUEST SPEAKER-COLIN SARGENT

museum of Human Beings

Colin Sargent

Maine Charitable Mechanic Association

Library Open House 11-2:00-THURSDAY-DEC.17,2009

Reading at 12:00

Author

Colin Sargent gives a reading from his book at noon in the MCMA library during our holiday open house. The public is

welcome to meet the author and find out whatever happen to (Lewis&Clark’s guide ) Sacagawea’s infant son."There's so much to recommend this book. Fans of American historicals such as James Thom or Allan Eckert will definitely enjoy this, but so would fans of T. C. Boyle

or William Vollmann or WayneJohnston as well.

Literate historical Americana--what a treat!"-- Amazon.com

Colin

Sargent is a playwright and author of three

books of poetry. A graduate of the United

States Naval Academy, he has been awarded

the Maine individual artist fellowship in

literature and earned a Stonecoast MFA in

creative writing. His screenplay Montebello

Ice is under option at Gideon Films. The

Portland, Maine resident is founding editor

and publisher of award-winning Portland

Magazine as well as a board member of the

literacy organization Maine Reads. Museum of Human Beings is his first

novel. According to Publishers Weekly,

“Playwright Sargent’s debut novel is a

stylish look at the fate of Sacagawea’s baby

son, Jean Baptiste Charbonneau… An

impressively rounded portrait of the laidback,

introspective, nomadic Baptiste, this

novel will satisfy fans of American history.”

MAMEALIE BEAUTIFUL IN THE MCMA LIBRARY

Jen and Amelie davis displayed some wonderful & fun works of art for display and to sell.It was well attended and received.Their works will be on display during the month of Dec. during Library hours,stop in and visit Pat and maybe you'll find a couple of" have to have" things for Christmas.I saw a few things that found a new home at the end of the evening.A few more pictures are posted on the MCMA site-MAINE CHARITABLE MECHANIC ASSOCIATION -It was a fun show with something for everybody ,thanks Jen and Amalie and MCMA libraian Pat Larabee for all of their work.

"MAMELIE'S BEAUTIFUL"-Jen & Amelie Davis

Strolling Portland's downtown during this Holiday season Art Walk, make sure you take the time to stop into Mechanic's Hall (519 Congress St.)to the second floor library and visit Jen and Amelia and their presentation of "Mamelie's Studio"-books,paintings,birds,photos,clay,quilts and books.

5-8:00 pm.

MCMA Past President Jack Gray dies peacefully Fri. Nov.20,09

John "Jack" Gray

May 21,1931-Nov.20,2009

Jack was a member of the Maine Charitable Mechanic Association since 1981, serving as Trustee-1990-92,Vice President-1994-96 and 12 years as President-1997-2009, guiding us with dedication through hard times and troubled waters, we thank you for your unyielding leadership.

Obit as it appeared in the Portland Press Herald

John E. 'Jack' Gray, 78 PORTLAND -- John E. 'Jack' Gray, 78, died peacefully Friday, Nov. 20, 2009 at the Gosnell House. He was born in Portland, May 21, 1931 a son of Sherman W. and Berta Chase Gray. He moved to Freeport when he was six and back to Portland when he was 15. He attended local schools, winning the National Essay Contest and a six week Mediterranean cruise. He graduated from Deering High School in 1949 and then attended the University of Maine at Orono. Following high school, Mr. Gray went to work for F.W. Woolworth Co., where he managed four stores through out New England and New York. In 1960, he joined the Wellwood Co., retiring after 27 years as store manager. For several years he worked as a bookkeeper for Roak's Seven Acres Greenhouses. Mr. Gray was member of Deering Lodge #183 where he served as master from 1976-1977, was a charter member of the Lodge of Research, was bestowed the 33rd degree in Milwaukee in 1990, member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Portland where he served as Most Wise master from 1983-1985 and where he also served on the make-up crew. He was Assistant Grand Lecturer of the Grand Lodge of Maine from 1979-1984, served as Deputy District Grand Master from 1984-1986, served on the Masonic Education and Lodge Services Committee for eight years, member of DeMolay and a member of Kora Temple Shrine and the Kora Royal Guards. Mr. Gray was also a charter member and past president of the Deering Lions Club where he had 22 years of perfect attendence. He was a member of the Woodfords Club and served as president from 1980-1981, member of the Maine Charitable Mechanics Association serving as vice presdent and president from 1977-2009 and had been a member of Central Square Baptist Church and Stevens Avenue Congregational Church. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jean M. (Dodge) Gray; one daughter, Deborah Jean Alexander and her husband Michael of So. Natick, Mass., two sons, John Edward Gray Jr. and his wife Patricia of Wellesley, Mass. and William Alan 'Bill' Gray of Buxton; four grandchildren, Christina Gray, John Edward 'Jet' Gray III, Caroline Gray, David Gray; and one sister, Virginia Chretien of Gorham. Relatives and friend are invited to call at the Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St, Portland, Tuesday from 5-8 p.m. where a masonic service will be conducted at 7 p.m. A memorial service will be held Wednesday Nov. 25, 2009 at 11 a.m. from the funeral home. The Rev. Daryl Lavway will officiate. Contributions in his memory may be made to: Gosnell House 11 Hunnewell Rd. Scarborough, ME 04074 or: The Masonic Learning Center for Children 1903 Congress St. Portland, ME 03102 John E. Gray Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home & Cremation Service 775-3763

MCMA-TRAVEL LECTURE-GHOST TOWN OF THE WILD WEST

Thombstone!deadwood!Virgina City! Gold fever ignited one of the greatest mass migrations in the world.For the 49ers, it was California or Bust!!Westward Ho! was the call of the wagon trains and fortune hunters looking for gold in California,Nevada,Colorado,Montana and all points west.

MCMA-TRAVEL LECTURE=INSIDE THE TUSCAN HILLS

NOVEMBER 9,2009-JOHN WILSON

“INSIDE THE TUSCAN HILLS”

John was snowed out last year,but will give us another try this season.John is one of Canada’s top wildlife documentary filmmakers and will show us a vivid portrait of a place where ancient traditions have never disappeared and will give us an insider’s look at the rich rural culture of Tuscany. We will visit the workshops, kitchens, and homes of the Tuscan people and take a journey into some of the world’s most beautiful places. We will come to know a place where every meal honors the local beauty and pays tribute to culinary traditions; where artisans

Lecture # 3-at CATHERINE McAULEY HIGH SCHOOL Auditorium

631 Stevens Ave. Portland Me.Parking lot off Walton St., 7:30-doors open at 6:45

practice in the style of the masters who came before them; where residents are surrounded by the beauty and history of a mythic landscape;this is life in Tuscany.

MODAY OCT.,12-SEA TO SEA IN A MODEL "T"

Don and Fran Polen will be taking us on a ride across America, from Pugent Sound Washington State to Lubec Maine, along the way they willdescribe the landscapes with delightful music interludes as well the fascinating story of henry's old car.describe the landscapes with delightful .Hoping to take a ride across America with you,Monday night at 7:30 in the McAULEY high school auditorium ,doors open at 6:45, for more info check the Maine Charitable Mechanic Association web site MAINE CHARITABLE MECHANIC ASSOCIATION

FIRST LECTURE-MON. OCT.5,2009-"YELLOWSTONE'S TAILS AND TRAILS"

SandyMortimer presents travel lecture on Yellowstone Park @Catherine Mc Auley high school 631 Stevens Ave @ 7:30, doors open at 6:45

Sandy returns again to bring us some intimate scenes of the wild life in Yellowstone National Park. We will see how and why the many families of wild creatures are motivated entirely by the acts of other animals. You may be surprised how many creatures are actually dependent on otters in order to survive during the coldest months. Come and share many true and humorous experiences in the lives of our friends the Otters.Hope to see you at the Lecture.

ARTIST JOSHUA L. DALLAIRE WORK ON DISPLAY IN MCMA LIBRARY

Young artist J.L.Dallaire was well received on Sept.'s First Friday in the MCMA library and has lots of his work on display and many prints for sale.If you missed him on Friday stop into the library to view his talented during the month , well worth the trip up the stairs to see this talented young man's wide selection of his work.

Maine Charitable Mechanic Association: 74 YEARS OF MAKING AXES AND EDGE TOOLS IN PORTLAND

Maine Charitable Mechanic Association: 74 YEARS OF MAKING AXES AND EDGE TOOLS IN PORTLAND

74 YEARS OF MAKING AXES AND EDGE TOOLS IN PORTLAND

The summer social in the MCMA library, Thursday was a fun event with a small interested group of members who stayed after the Quarterly meeting and came to socialize and discuss the story of the Bolton tool makers of Portland and their service to- Country,city,MCMA , family and making tools for building ships,barrels,and houses and possibly the Cumberland-Oxford Canal.Historian and author-Charles P.M.Outwin was in attendance and kindly shared some of his history views of early Portland and maybe a rumor of a book on early Portland history???Portland historian Herb C Adams. stopped in later and shared his knowledge of MCMA past members.Pat Shearman was there as a relative of the Boltons and the keeper of ,pictures documents and other artifacts of the Bolton family. a special thanks to Pat Larrabee our MCMA Librarian who did all of the work, it was great fun...............ART

FIRST FRIDAY , JULY 3rd

MAINE CHARITABLE MECHANIC ASSN LIBRARY
519 Congress St. - MCMA Library
Private Collection
Butterflies of the World
Natural History
207 773 8396
JULY 3, 09
Hours: Tues-Thurs 10-3; First Fridays 5-8

FIRST FRIDAY EXHIBIT IN THE MCMA LIBRARY

The weather looks good to walk around the new historic district of downtown Portland, after visiting the MCMA library check out the Portland Harbor museum located in the old W.T.GRANTS building across the street from the Mechanic Hall on Congress St. will be having a open house during the Fist Friday Walk also

MCMA Travel Lecture-China and Africa

Jack Gray,president Emeritus is presented a Plaque for his years of service to the MCMA from President Wayne H. Ross and Board members-a member since 1982 ,trustee 1989-1998, and served as President through some ruff waters from 1997-2009, thanks "JACK". The presentation that his daughter-Deborah Alexander- gave on Africa and China was outstanding, with gorgeous pictures and video and her 30 plus years of teaching experience made for a great presentation.It would be great if she returned for another Lecture. Thanks to the Alexanders for taking the time from their work schedule for this special night.

MCMA Travel Lecture-China and Africa

Our last lecture of the season will be held on the 27th of April 2009, at 7:30,the doors open at 6:45 in the Catherine McAuley High School Auditorium-631 Stevens Ave. Portland Me.

The topics are China and Africa.The presenter will be Deborah Alexander, daughter of Jack Gray President Emeritus of the MCMA.

Deborah Alexander has been a teacher for 30 years and has traveled to Africa every other year since her first trip there many years ago.Her father Jack has said , that you will not be disappointed and you will see what draws her to Africa so often. We hope you can attend this special and unique event

RECENT MCMA FIND IN ANTIQUE SHOP

PORTER A. ROBERTS

Past President(1943,44) & Officer

Mr. Roberts was very involved in the MCMA and Masonic Lodge after retiring from the Portland Co. as their Treasurer for 19 years in 1936.The embosser stamp was for his Notary duties and now resides on display in the MCMA Library

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! "MECHANICS HALL" IS A 150 YEAR OLD LANDMARK THIS YEAR STARTING IN FEB.

Have you ever been in Mechanics Hall at 519 Congress St. Portland me...Complete in 1859, 150 years ago in Feb.2009.The library on the second floor is open Tues. ;Wed; and Thurs.-10:00 to 3:00, stop in and visit Pat our librarian.MCMA also participates in first friday of the month  art walks, featuring a new artist every month.  Cheers!....ART