|
|
|
By Diana Bowley of the News Staff - GREENVILLE — Visitors to Moosehead Traders on Saturday did a double take at a small group of people clustered near the entryway who were chitchatting as their hands feverishly worked yarn over and under pairs of knitting needles. Appearing quite comfortable sitting in rocking and wicker chairs, a young boy, two girls and two women talked about their techniques and other matters as they hurried to knit the longest square in the Knittin' Mittin' Contest, one of several events held to conclude Moose-Mainea. The monthlong celebration sponsored by the Moosehead Lake Region Chamber of Commerce hails the return of moose from their winter habitat back to the local ponds and swamps. The popular animals, both hunted and photographed, are a natural draw to the region. Moose-Mainea provides an opportunity to learn more about these long-legged creatures and to enjoy some camaraderie. "With what we had, we had a good time," co-organizer John Brown said Saturday, of the activities held under an overcast sky. The participation was not what he and co-organizer Carol Stirling had hoped, but their enthusiasm was not dampened. There were plenty of visits by the wild guests of honor along roadsides during the day as well as fly- and spin-casting demonstrations, a bean supper, a concert, a dance, a cribbage tournament, kayak demonstrations, moose-calling demonstrations, and pie-eating and best pie contests. Only two pies were submitted for judging in the best pie contest — one in each of two categories. The entries were submitted by Stirling and Brown, who each took home a blue ribbon. "The judges had a hard time, and we didn't influence them either," Brown joked as he watched the Knittin' Mittin' contest, an event resurrected from years past. "I taught myself to knit with two sharpened pencils, a piece of string and a 'learn-how-to' book," said participant Dyna Curtis, a teacher in the Greenville schools. She shared her expertise in the craft with Amelia Coburn, 11, and Billy LaPointe, 12, who also entered the contest. "The hardest part of this was teaching them to put on the knot." Lapointe, who was sprawled in a wicker loveseat, didn't mind that he was the only male to enter the contest. "This is comfortable," he said, as he worked bright orange yarn. A request by LaPointe to use bamboo needles prompted Martha Oelschlegel, chairman of the contest, to retreat to the rear of the store and return with a pair of size 35 wooden knitting needles. LaPointe grabbed them and attempted to knit but had to give up. "I can't use these things. They are way too big," he said. Returning to his smaller needles, LaPointe resumed knitting. "This is fun," he said, which made Brown beam. |