Four honored
Staff photo/Michael Gudreau
EVELYN AND JAN KOK were presented the Lifetime Achievement Award on Jan. 24 during the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner, held at the Presque Isle Inn & Convention Center.
Staff photo/Michael Gudreau
OSCAR “VOSCAR” NELDER was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award during the CACC’s annual dinner Jan. 24. Pictured from left are: Nelder’s wife, Darlene Nelder; Nelder; and his sister, Mona Nelder-Johnson.
By Kathy McCarty
PRESQUE ISLSE — A photographer, two musicians and a businessman shared the limelight Jan. 24, as they were honored during the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner, held at the Presque Isle Inn & Convention Center.
Oscar Nelder, better known as Voscar the Maine Photographer, joined Jan and Evelyn Kok in sharing the honor for Lifetime Achievement at this year’s event. Also recognized at the dinner was Floyd Rockholt, recipient of the Citizen of the Year award.
Kim Smith had the honor of presenting Nelder with his award, recognizing his many contributions to documenting history through film during an illustrious career that’s spanned several decades.
“For anyone who has lived in Presque Isle for any period of time, Mr. Nelder really needs no introduction. He is a community institution, an icon, a treasure. Oscar Nelder, better known to most of us as Voscar, is often called ‘the photographer of Presque Isle’s history.’ For over half a century, he has photographed floods, fires, train wrecks, beauty queens and famous people — including John F. Kennedy, Jimmy Stewart and Queen Elizabeth. His photo of the Double Eagle II (first hot-air balloon to cross the Atlantic) made the cover of Time Magazine,” said Smith.
Smith described how Nelder’s career evolved.
“Voscar started in radio where he worked his way up from janitor to librarian to engineer to disc jockey. His career expanded to include television shows as well,” she said.
According to Smith, Nelder was always interested in art and went on to complete photography school.
“Eventually, he became the news editor for WAGM-TV and radio, all the while documenting local events with his photography. He has done photography for the Portland Press Herald, the Bangor Daily News and The Star-Herald. His photos have gone out over the wire for the Associated Press,” said Smith.
“He is, to this day, a member of the American Society of Media Photographers,” said Smith. “Voscar has had a tremendous impact on Presque Isle, its history and the lives of so many.”
Nelder brought those in attendance to near tears, accepting his award as some of the many images he’s taken over the years were displayed via a slide show.
Professor Richard Kimball recognized the Koks, sharing highlights from their many years of devoted service to the University of Maine at Presque Isle and the greater community.
“I will attempt to provide a summary of the relationship between Jan and Evelyn Kok, this region of Aroostook County, our local campus of the University of Maine System, and in particular a small but persistent group called the Presque Isle Recorder Consort — as that is the part with which I am most familiar,” said Kimball.
The couple arrived in Presque Isle sometime in the early 1950s about the same time the Aroostook State Normal School upgraded its curriculum to a four-year program and was renamed Aroostook State Teachers College, then in 1970 changed to the University of Maine at Presque Isle, with expanded curriculum and growth in the size of the student body.
“Jan possessed an outstanding preparation for his new job, including a master’s of arts in music from Harvard University. Evelyn was well prepared as an artist with extensive experience as a medical illustrator,” he said, going on to list the many musical instruments the two have mastered.
“Evelyn, an accomplished woodworker, has constructed several instruments herself,” noted Kimball.
Kimball said in the early days of public television, Jan traveled to Durham, N.H., to produce tapes for a series of programs constituting a course in music fundamentals. He shared details of Jan’s work on campus, his years as music teacher and his involvement with the Presque Isle Recorder Consort.
“One of the bonuses of being in one of Jan’s classes or groups was that he often used original compositions by himself or with Evelyn — many of which were created while the couple summered in Stonington,” said Kimball.
He said the couple have been involved in community service for years, sharing their love of music with school children and others.
“Other significant musical groups which Jan established over the years have been The Hilltop Carolers and the Ren-Bar (for Renaissance-Baroque) Ensemble which consisted of top local talent and which performed Madrigals and other period music. Perhaps best known by many in the community, is that Jan directed the Kiwanis Talent Revue annually for more than 50 years,” said Kimball.
Kimball detailed the many songs Evelyn created and her artistic endeavors, including her years of teaching art classes at UMPI.
“Her guitar lessons and watercolor lessons have brought the joy of making music to many in the area,” he said.
An accomplished calligrapher, among her many other projects Kimball said Evelyn’s applied her talents to number the spines of books in the Ardelle M. Tozier Library (at UMPI) and to paint numerals on the trim of the doorways in Preble Hall. In 2010 an art exhibit, “A Creative Life,” featured her work at UMPI’s Reed Gallery.
“Jan and Evelyn have enriched the lives of so many of all ages in the Aroostook community for 60 years and are deserving of recognition as lifetime achievers by the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce,” said Kimball, as he presented the couple with their award.
Rounding out the honorees was Rockholt, who was named Citizen of the Year.
Sharon Campbell offered a lighthearted presentation, reading a poem she’d composed about the award recipient.
Campbell explained she’d met Rockholt through the Rotary Club. She described him as a “savvy businessman, community leader and volunteer.”
“He refuses to speak of the many contributions he has made, the friendships he has formed and the foundations he has laid,” said Campbell, noting the many awards Rockholt has received in recognition for his efforts over the years.
“For those of us closest to Floyd, we all knew, someone as caring, as giving, as kind – there simply are few,” she said.
“From the storeroom at the auction to the balloons flying high, Floyd is simply the best — no one can deny,” Campbell continued.
Campbell concluded, “So congratulations my friend for your altruistic soul, and for always standing ready to help this community reach its goal. You are one of the brightest stars in the Star City and now let’s give a cheer, to our dear Floyd Rockholt — Citizen of the Year.”
