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 are still in need of funds for creating the interpretation programs that will tell this fascinating 100+-year-old story of the Narcissus. For information on donation options, scroll down this post and find the one that best fits your position. Fund 816 to help with the restoration and Fund 817 (PLI Education-Interpretation programs ) should be noted when making a donation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Click Here for the post that has the short virtual 3-D video of the digital model of the Narcissus, with components added to the file from earlier this year (the gold leaf file had not been added yet).
Restoration work continues on the Narcissus. The Narcissus is more than 110 years old now and has so many incredible stories to share. The restoration of this majestic icon of Maine's electric railway history is but one of those incredible stories.
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.
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
Seashore Trolley Museum Promo Video
The paperback edition of Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride can be purchased online through the Seashore Trolley Museum's store website. Books purchased through the Museum's website directly benefit the Museum and the Narcissus project.
Click Here to go to the Museum Store web page to order online
Click Here to go to the Amazon page to order the ebook or audiobook online
Paperback books are available at these local bookstores in
Androscoggin Historical Society, Lewiston
Eliot Historical Society, Eliot
Gray Historical Society, Gray
Kennebec Historical Society, Augusta
Letterpress Books, Portland
Maine Historical Society Store, Portland
Morph Gallery & Emporium, Kennebunk
New Gloucester Historical Society, New Gloucester
Roosevelt Campobello International Park, Welshpool, NB, Canada
Seashore Trolley Museum, Kennebunkport
Sherman's Maine Coast Book Shops, All Locations
Thompson's Orchard, New Gloucester
Winthrop Maine Historical Society, Winthrop
Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride
by Jean M. Flahive
Illustrations by Amy J. Gagnon
Listen to a 2-minute, 30-second, Retail Audio Sample of the Audiobook
Millie Thayer is a headstrong farmer's daughter who chases her dreams in a way you would expect a little girl nicknamed "Spitfire" would run full tilt and with her eyes on the stars. Dreaming of leaving the farm life, working in the city, and fighting for women's right to vote, Millie imagines flying away on a magic carpet. One day, that flying carpet shows up in the form of an electric trolley that cuts across her farm. A fortune-teller predicts that Millie's path will cross that of someone famous. Suddenly, she finds herself caught up in events that shake the nation, Maine, and her family. Despairing that her dreams may be shattered, Millie learns, in an unexpected way, that dreams can be shared.
A resource for teachers
Companion curriculum State-standard-based units,
vocabulary, and reading activities for use in grades 3-8
are available online as downloadable resources through
Seashore Trolley Museum's website
www.trolleymuseum.org/elegantride/
Maine Historical Society has created eight companion lesson units in Social Studies and ELA that were inspired by Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride - These State-standard-based lesson plans for use in grades 6, 7, and 8 are easily adapted for use in grades 3-5. Vocabulary and Reading activities for grades 3-8 along with the eight lesson plan units are available free and may be downloaded through Seashore Trolley Museum's website www.trolleymuseum.org/elegantride/
Go to the Teacher Resource Page in the pull-down for more details.
A 60-second intro to Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride by author, Jean Flahive
Click Here to watch the video on YouTube
Award-winning author, Jean M. Flahive
Please Consider a Donation to the Narcissus Project to help us tell the incredible story of the Narcissus through the interpretation portion of the Narcissus Project.
Here is an example of how donations to the Narcissus Project now will help with the interpretation portion of the project. The interpretation programming will include exhibits, displays, and education programming. In 2019, through generous donations to the Narcissus Project, we were able to conserve, replicate, and have high resolutions digital image files made of the original, 1910, 28.5-foot long, surveyor map of the elevation and grade of the 30-mile private right-of-way of the Portland, Gray, and Lewiston Railroad (Portland-Lewiston Interurban) Click Here
Thank You!
the crowd gathered in Gray, Maine on August 18, 1914.
Image courtesy of Gray Historical Society
The Narcissus as the Sabattus Lake Diner in Sabattus, Maine,
circa 1940. Photo by John Coughlin in the Kevin Farrell
Collection at Seashore Trolley Museum
L. Henri Vallee (right) and family members in the
Narcissus, when it was Vallee's summer camp in
Sabattus, Maine circa 1958. Photo courtesy Daniel Vallee
Inside the Donald G. Curry Town House Restoration Shop, the Narcissus is in the midst of major work as we strive to complete its restoration. We are now planning the interpretation portion of the Narcissus Project. Donations to the Narcissus Project may be used in the future to help tell the incredible 100-plus-year-old story of the Narcissus. Your donation to the Narcissus is helping to make the dream of the project's success, a reality.
See below for Donation options -
It starts with YOU
Your Donation Matters
Make a Donation TODAY
Please Help the Narcissus.
Donation Options to Help the Narcissus Project:
The New England Electric Railway Historical Society
is the 501c3 organization that owns and operates the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, ME, and the National Streetcar
Museum in Lowell (MA).
The New England Electric Railway Historical Society registered with the IRS (EIN# 01-0244457) and was incorporated in Maine in 1941.
Check or Money Order ***** should be made payable to:
New England Electric Railway Historical Society
In the memo: for a donation to the Interpretation programming
please write: PLI Education Fund 817
For a donation to help with the restoration write: Narcissus Fund 816
Mail to: Seashore Trolley Museum
P. O. Box A
Kennebunkport, ME 04046
Credit Card ***** donations can be one-time donations or you
may choose to have a specific amount charged to your card
automatically each month. Please contact the Museum bookkeeper, via email at finance@trolleymuseum.org or by phone, at 207-967-2800 ext. 3.
Online Donations - may be made by using a Credit Card:
Click Here to make an online donation through the Museum's website - When at the Donation page: Fill in donor info, etc., when at "To which fund are you donating? Scroll down to "Other" and type: 816 Narcissus, then continue filling in the required information.
Click Here for PayPal - to make an online donation: you can use email: finance@trolleymuseum.org and in the message box write:
For "Narcissus Fund 816" - if supporting the restoration
For "PLI Education Fund 817" - if supporting Interpretation programs
Donation of Securities ***** We also accept donations of
securities. You can contact the Museum bookkeeper, via email at finance@trolleymuseum.org or by phone, at 207-967-2800 ext. 3,
for brokerage account information for accepting donated securities.
BONUS ***** If you work for a company/corporation that will
"match" an employee's donation to an approved 501c3 non-profit
educational organization, please be sure to complete the necessary paperwork with your employer so that your donation is matched :)
Questions? ***** Please contact Narcissus project sponsor:
Phil Morse, narcissus@gmail.org or call 207-985-9723 - cell.
Thank You :)
Thank You for our Current Funding Partners
* 20th Century Electric Railway Foundation - 2020/2018 - Major Gift, 2017/2014 Matching Grants
* Renaissance Charitable Foundation (LPCT) by Fiduciary Trust Charitable Giving Fund
* Renaissance Charitable Foundation (LPCT) by Fiduciary Trust Charitable Giving Fund
* Mass Bay RRE - 2018 Railroad Preservation Grant
* Thornton Academy (Saco, ME) - Staff & Alumni - Matching Grant Challenge 2014
* New England Electric Railway Historical Society (Kennebunkport, ME) - Member Donations
* Amherst Railway Society - 2015 Heritage Grant
* National Railway Historical Society - 2016 & 2015 Heritage Preservation Grants
* Enterprise Holding Foundation - 2015 Community Grant
* Theodore Roosevelt Association - Member Donations
* John Libby Family Association and Member Donations
* The Conley Family - In Memory of Scott Libbey 2018/2017/2016/2015
* The W. S. Libbey Family - Awalt, Conley, Graf, Holman, Libbey, McAvoy, McLaughlin, Meldrum, O'Halloran, Salto, - 2018/2017
* The Hughes Family 2017/2016/2010
* New Gloucester Historical Society and Member Donations
* Gray Historical Society and Member Donations
* Gray Public Library Association - Pat Barter Speaker Series
* Scarborough Historical Society - PRR/PLI
* LogMein - Matching Employee Donation
* IBM - Matching Employee/Retiree Donations
* Fidelity Charitable Grant - Matching Employee Donations
* Richard E. Erwin Grant - 2017/2016
The Narcissus, with interior back-lit, stained glass windows is majestic.
Make a donation today to help restore the interior of this Maine gem.
Help Theodore Roosevelt's Maine Ride get back on track! Once restored,
you will be able to ride in luxury on this National Register Treasure at
Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine.
PWM photo
Please Consider Making a Donation to the project of the National Register of Historic Places member, Narcissus. We are currently raising funds to advance the restoration and to tell the incredible story of this Maine gem.
Various News stories during the summer of 2015 about the
Narcissus and its connection to Theodore Roosevelt. TR
was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914.
Photo by Patricia Pierce Erikson
The Narcissus - July 31, 2015. Make a donation today.
Help Theodore Roosevelt's Maine Ride get back on track!
Once restored, you will be able to ride in luxury on this
National Historic Treasure at
