By Natalie De La Garza
Staff Writer
CARIBOU, Maine — Folks go to the rec center for fun and exercise, but they may find themselves studying their history along the way as the wall along its busiest corridor is lined with memorabilia depicting Caribou’s long standing love affair with skiing.
Archivist and former Caribou Librarian Wendy Bossie recently completed a visual history of skiing in the city, and the display’s been turning heads at the Caribou Wellness and Recreation Center for weeks. Vikings of past and present have always taken pride Caribou’s home-grown crops, but there’s a growing movement to remember and honor the proud history of winter recreation — particularly, skiing.
Born from hearty folks, who feared neither the snow nor bipedal physical activity, skiers found fun and friendship on the slopes and trails of Caribou regardless of ribbons or medals they won.
The display spans generations and genders, highlighting the athletes and enthusiasts who made the sport just another part of life during Caribou’s frozen months. Skiing was so passionately pursued in Caribou that the little city had three ski tows and two ski jumps.
Thurley Briggs recalls participating in different racing events as a youth, and will share flat-out that not being the best never stopped her from enjoying the sport. Though she hasn’t hit the trails in a spell, she still misses it.
“It was so good to get out,” Briggs said with a reminiscent smile, sharing that she used to keep the cross country skis right next to the door so whenever she had time, she could “just put them on and go.”
Her late husband, the Honorable Jim Briggs, is featured on the wall with many other Caribou skiers who span the decades — and helped teach the next generations that snow could be lots of fun.
At the various ski events held in Caribou throughout the winter, there were participants and spectators — Norma Milton was one of the latter, but she grew up listening to stories of her father’s champion ski races around the kitchen table and learned to love the sport. Whether she was sliding, tobogganing, skating, or enjoying any other fun winter activities, she learned to love the outdoors and Milton firmly believes that kids learn by watching their parents.
Seeing a photo of her father on display at the Wellness Center, as a part of Caribou’s skiing history, brought a smile to her face.
“It’s a good memory,” she said.
Bossie, who compiled the collection for display, is responsible for assembling the wall of winter memories, and she strongly agreed with Milton and Briggs about two things in particular — there’s nothing like a hot cup of cocoa after coming inside from winter recreation, and skiing is ingrained in the history of the Caribou community.
While the rec offers skiing lessons for youths annually, officials are looking to host an adult skiing program this year should community members express interest.
Those hoping to view the historic wall are welcome to stop in for a visit during open hours, and those interested in possibly participating in an adult ski program are asked to express their interest by calling the rec staff at 493-4224.
