PLI Zoom Presentation Leads to PLI Inter-Urban Hard Cider

Thank yous to Beth and Mark at Vic and Whits on Main Street,

Saco, for locating a few cases of Inter-Urban hard cider.

The refreshing tasty hard cider was first produced in 2020 by

Norumbega Cidery in New Gloucester, Maine. The cans of hard

cider have a background map of a portion of New Gloucester and

a brief history of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban Railroad.

      On Wednesday, February 17, at 4 pm, this blogger, Phil Morse, joined award-winning Maine author, Jean Flahive, as the guest presenter for the University of Southern Maine's Senior College Zoom program, Food for Thought, through their Lewiston-Auburn site. 

     Seventy pre-registered to attend the Zoom program that would have Lewiston-Auburn Senior College host, Judy Hierstein, first introduce Jean to speak on how it came about that she became the author of the multi-award-winning young adult historical fiction novel, Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride. Jean would then spend a few minutes discussing the main historical events that the novel presents, with the Portland-Lewiston Interurban and its fleet of high-speed, luxury electric interurban trolley coaches, as a common thread throughout Jean's heartfelt story.

Award-winning Maine author, Jean Flahive, and Seashore

Trolley Museum member, Phil Morse was the guest

presenters during the Lewiston Auburn Senior College

Zoom at 4 pm EST on Wednesday, February 17.

     Phil was introduced to the fifty Zoom guests that did sign in to join the presentation. Phil is a thirty-year member at Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine, and is the volunteer project sponsor overseeing the restoration of the National Register of Historic Places member, 1912, Portland-Lewiston Interurban coach No. 14, Narcissus. Phil provided the narration for a slide presentation on the history of the renowned Portland-Lewiston Interurban (1910-1933) and on the current restoration of the only surviving coach from the high-speed electric interurban system, the Narcissus.

The Narcissus IS the "Elegant Ride" featured in Jean Flahive's award-winning young adult historical fiction novel, Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride.

Click Here to go to the link to watch the recorded Zoom Presentation of the PLI

     The Zoom presentation was recorded. Within a few hours after the presentation concluded, the link to the Zoom presentation was released.  I received an email during the evening a few nights later from Tom Blake. Tom is the curator for the New Gloucester Historical Society. Tom and his wife, Shelley, and many in the extended Blake family and others at the Historical Society have been very supportive of the Narcissus project for many years. Tom's email spoke to him and Shelley having received the link to the Zoom presentation. Tom mentioned that the two of them enjoyed watching the presentation while enjoying one of their favorite local adult refreshments. Tom attached a photo of a can of the adult refreshment. The image was of a can of Inter-Urban Hard Cider by Norumbega Cidery in New Gloucester, Maine.

The Inter-Urban hard cider made in New Gloucester,

Maine at the Norumbega Cidery.

     My first reaction to seeing the name, Inter-Urban, was one of puzzlement. I had not heard of this Inter-Urban hard cider. Then I read the text on one side of the can.

The cans have a brief history of the

Portland-Lewiston Interurban Railroad.

      As I read the brief history of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban, the historic electric interurban that the Narcissus operated on from 1914 until its closure in 1933, I became energized to learn more about the cidery in New Gloucester and how this blend and its naming came to be. In his email, Tom had suggested that perhaps the Inter-Urban hard cider could become the "official" hard cider for the Narcissus:) I replied to Tom and asked him to introduce me through email to the owner of the Norumbega Cidery.

The cans of Inter-Urban hard cider have a background map

of a portion of New Gloucester.

     Tom was able to connect me to the owner of the Norumbega Cidery, Noah Fralich. Noah grew up in New Gloucester and became familiar with the Portland-Lewiston Interurban and over the years has explored sections of the right-of-way that exists. 

The refreshing, tasty hard cider was first

produced in 2020 by Norumbega Cidery in

New Gloucester, Maine. This iced mug filled

with Inter-Urban hard cider was my very first

taste of a hard cider of any blend. And indeed, it

is a tasty, refreshing beverage. I thoroughly

enjoyed it!

     Noah explained that he had wanted to try a blend of cider and spruce and that he chose the name based on the Portland-Lewiston Interurban, its right-of-way being a local landmark, and his fond memories of spending time over the years investigating and utilizing the right-of-way.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We continue the restoration work on the 1912, Narcissus, the only surviving high-speed, luxury interurban coach of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban. 

Click Here: Narcissus Restoration-Related Posts

Being more than a century old, the stately, "Elegant Ride," Narcissus, is a gem.  This shimmering precious stone of Maine transportation history is brilliantly resplendent as it emanates so many elements of history, including; time, places, people, and events, that it was coupled to, that when just a smattering of its seemingly innumerable stories are shared, the contents captivates, fascinates, then generates, interest to learn more 🙋. The majestic Narcissus is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Please consider joining the epic journey to complete the Narcissus Project by making a donation today!

Click Here: Donation Options

The restoration of this majestic icon of Maine's electric railway history is but one in a series of captivating stories containing an abundance of incredible coalition of narratives.

Click Here: History-Related Posts - Narcissus and Portland-Lewiston Interurban

     The Narcissus is featured in the national Gold Award-winning novel, Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride. The "Elegant Ride" is the Narcissus. Theodore Roosevelt was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914, between Lewiston and Portland, Maine, while campaigning for the Progressive Party candidates.

Click Here: Bookstores and Businesses promoting the Narcissus Project

Independent book publisher, Phil Morse, holding

the Gold Book Award Winner plaque for

 the Middle Reader category for The Eric

Hoffer Book Award. Congratulations to

award-winning Maine author,

Jean M. Flahive