A Birthday Party ends: Year in review

    Unbelievably we’re here again, going over the past year. 2009 was a blur really, beginning with Birthday Angst: would it all work out? Would the Proclamation be a bust? What if no one wanted to be sponsors? What if no one wanted to participate? Oh my!     Our chamber’s sesquicentennial theme was “it’s a birthday party all year long.” The Proclamation was such a nice program, and everyone in the office is very glad they attended. We did get lucky with some of our more popular events. The weather cooperated, and we went all across Aroostook with our birthday float! The tie dye extravaganza in August was quite a soiree, and while it was the 40th anniversary for Woodstock, a week after our tie-dying event, it was truly a happy coincidence. The photo banners were a random idea, which received such favorable feedback; we plan to continue them in the future! What’s a celebration without pictures? Along those same lines, make sure you keep us in your Internet and communication minds: we have a blog now, as well as extensive photos on Facebook. We will have tweets in 2010. Stay tuned!
    This past year wasn’t just about a party for the little ones; it was about a spirit of community which lives on. The age span in our small office is a full 50-plus years. The young ladies text and tweet, and chirp and chatter about things altogether different than the ones in the middle, and then again, different than the things some of us talk about. We had a conversation about Minnie Pearl and Ruth Buzzy yesterday: which one had the hairnet and which one had the pricetag on her hat? One of the young ladies googled Minnie Pearl, to end the debate, but got Minnie Mouse instead. Too funny: No. Minnie Mouse isn’t who we’re talking about. My point was, despite our differences, we all met people we hadn’t worked with otherwise, and we discovered along the way, we have so many things in common. Although we look impossibly old to our young high school ladies, we share your feelings of Caribou pride.
    The first few months we planned, plotted and schemed about what we’d put in the Kiwanis 150th Anniversary Time Capsule. I spent some time reflecting on what I’d want to say to different “audiences” if you will, 50 years from now. Some I must repeat: I’d want to tell Mrs. Hebert’s great grandchildren how special she was to our community, what a driving force she was, how much she was missed, and Lee Doody too. So many fine qualities we should be so lucky for our children and grandchildren to emulate and aspire to. I’d want to say something to future Mockler generations so they would know how really very funny, sharp-witted, respectful and kind Robert Mockler was. I’d want to have some particularly good anecdote for future Swanbergs about Grammy and Grampy, capturing the essence of their impassioned civic mindedness. Obsessions can be virtues! Then there’s the problem about how one would ever convey in words or a few photos personalities like Timmy Guerrette, Margaret Kimball, Captola Harrington, Al Hitchcock, Carol McElwee, or Larry Doody: the list could go on and on.
    When we had to dismantle the parade cakes, and bring them to the basement, the young ladies lamented “it’s all over, and by the time Caribou has the 200th — I’ll be old.” Laugh? We’re still hooting about that one. We’re pretty certain they’ll be the ball planners, and some of the other events we wheedled them into attending this time, just so someday they can tell those stories they’ve occasionally groaned about, from some of our committee members. Your day will come!
    Over the course of the year, many folks cited Mr. Mockler as the reason they’d become involved in the 150th celebration. It is true. Between Mr. Mockler and Mr. Swanberg, the cajoling, wheedling, bartering and salesmanship were intense. Mr. Mockler first wheedled John into joining us, and then the race was on. He brought on Norm Collins: not a noisy gentleman, but a seriously persistent, fund-raising, coordinating, get-it-done person! I must reaffirm, we do not just have a crowd of do-ers: they are seriously funny people. My favorite comments from the wrap-up dinner in October were from Mrs. Wakem, as everyone was asked to speak about what they’d appreciated the most, she began with, “I want you to know, I have to live next to Bob Mockler.” And continued with, meeting John Swanberg: “some man at her doorstep – early in the morning — insisting she had to sell Irish stew tickets.” How was it possible previous to this year, that some of our most seriously diligent get-it-done folks didn’t know each other? No matter, 2009 fixed that!
    Every year I tell people we couldn’t do our jobs with out you, our members, our community. This year it is especially true! We talk a great deal about how to move forward, grow the economy, save our young people from moving away, what do we want to be? While on occasion it seems difficult, it has mostly been exciting the last year. Exciting to have participated in, and exciting to think of where we might go – what we might do together to improve our community.
    So to our babies right now in 2009: and the children in school who signed our banners for the parade, and who come visit us at the events. We put a big box into the time capsule for you. Things from our time to yours, and lots of pictures of you all the last year! The young ladies in the office, well we put lots of pictures of you, being young, smooth, and pretty in. We hope you’ll grow up to be civic-minded, contributors to your community. Keep yourselves informed, and vote! Be in a club or organization which adds value to your lives, and the people around you. Try to appreciate being young and smooth. All the best years of your life are ahead of you! We want you to make your own decisions, but listen to your parents: they really do know best. Don’t doubt it, we really have all been there and done that. Be great people! It’s not an accident we have a U.S. Senator who is from our city, and a woman at that! Caribou is not the ends of the earth, and you too can go far! Once you get there, remember home, and come back to help make a difference. Have a good time, and give back to those around you. We hope your celebration brings as much fellowship and community spirit to you as our 150th did for us!
    For everyone else, have a safe and prosperous New Year. We appreciate your support and continued commitment to Caribou.
    Wendy Landes, MPA, is the executive director of the Caribou Chamber of Commerce & Industry. She can be reached in person at 24 Sweden Street, Suite 101; by telephone at 498-6156 or via e-mail at wlandes@cariboumaine.net.