BREWER HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER
“Today’s news is tomorrow’s history”
| Spring 2018 | |||||
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FOLLOW THE BREWER HISTORICAL SOCIETY AT : brewerhistoricalsociety.org BREWER HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER “Today’s news is tomorrow’s history”
Life is lived in the present but understood through the past.” …….Eric Pena based upon Soren Kierkegaard
The Brewer Historical Society would like to thank the following corporate sponsors and supporters
Camden National Bank City of Brewer Brewer Federal Credit Union Brewer High School Air Force Junior ROTC Brewer Parks and Recreation Creative Print Services (Ray Curran) Dead River Company Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems Joseph Ferris, Esq. Getchell Brothers Inc. Gold Star Cleaners Green Thumb Lawn Service Kiwanis Marsh Property Management Rand / Rand Dentistry Scotts Lawn Service TradeWinds Convenience Store Vacationland Inn
SPORTS IN BREWER
Sports is woven into the community fabric of Brewer.
Mostly, the passion is ignited by the ambitious Brewer High School programs or the Parks and Recreation Department. Since we have only one city high school and a very active Parks and Recreation program, almost every person grows up exposed to Brewer sports and is given an opportunity to participate. Brewer High School has a wonderful web-site and under their “Sports Hall of Fame”, you will find a list of all those athletes that have been inducted along with a biography and video of their acceptance. Parks and Recreation also have a web- site with events and sports activities for every age. The Brewer Historical Society is instituting a series of projects to highlight this important part of our lives. We will do a series of sports articles in the “Brewer Historical Society Newsletter” and since the newsletter is also on our website (brewerhistoricalsociety.org), they will be available to everyone in the community. In addition, there will be a sports theme in the historical display cases at Brewer Community School. This means that every student between pre-kindergarten and 8th grade will be exposed to the history of sports in Brewer. Besides the activities at Brewer High School, the history of sports in Brewer can be traced from the Eastern AA professional baseball team of Eastern Manufacturing paper mill in the early twentieth century. Sports include boxing, rifle and skeet shooting, Salmon fishing, automobile track racing and world champion Charlie Milan’s bowling are among the topics that we will cover. There are many athletes who have become standout college athletes and some who have turned their skill into professional sports. We need to recognize these individuals as well as all the athletes who have competed and brought so much excitement to the community. We welcome your thoughts and suggestions. You can contact us a brewerhistoricalsociety@gmail.com or use the Facebook “you know you live in Brewer when…..” We thank City Councilor Joseph Ferris, himself a “Sports Hall of Fame” inductee, for suggesting the project.
Sports at Brewer High School The first free high school in Brewer was established in 1873 and the first class graduated in 1877. It was in 1913 that money was first available for school sports uniforms and by 1915 there were coaches for baseball and football. Brewer High School sports were underway.
During this time, the high school was located on South Main Street and many students had their class photograph taken in front of that building.
Eventually, there was a need for a new high school to replace the aging original edifice and Brewer High School students petitioned to have a new school that would incorporate a gymnasium and auditorium. The newly created (1923) Brewer High School District Trustees were responsible for building the new school and in 1925 the school was built.
In 1926 the first class enrolled at a new high school on Center Street. For over thirty years the beautiful brick building was the center of Brewer higher education. The contribution of its sports program and athletes was iconic. Today, that building is on the National Register of Historic Places and the Brewer Register of Historic Places.
In the late 1950s the present building on Parkway South was built and over the years has had many modifications. It has recently been refurbished and is an outstanding modern architectural addition to the City.
In 1928 the athletic field was opened between State and Wilson Streets and later named “Doyle Field” in memory of “Dicky” Doyle, long time fire chief and friend to the youngsters of Brewer. In 1947 lights were installed at Doyle Field, financed by the Brewer High School Athletic Association. The Girls Athletic Association under Laura Hoit, made a substantial contribution to the project. Around 1995 a group of citizens added lights to the baseball and softball fields and they have been part of the state chmpionship series ever since.
From the turn of the twentieth century, students of Brewer High School have had a sports program. Team photographs are available in the “Trident” yearbooks (“Trident’s” are available at the Brewer Library and Brewer High School). The Brewer Historical Society also has a number of team photographs digitized that are available to researchers and programs.
Today, trophy’s and awards are on display at the high school as well as the Brewer Community School and the high school web-site (gobrewerwitches.com) provides information about those inductees into the “Sports Hall of Fame”.
In 2014 Brewer High School began their “Sports Hall of Fame”. Brewer High School District Trustees President, Dan O’Connell, told the Historical Society how the program began. David Utterbeck, Athletic Director of the school, had an idea to create a sports hall of fame, a recognition of exceptional Brewer High School athletes. He talked with Dan O’Connell, who was working with architects at WBRC at that time developing new entrance in the school; part an overall program of refurbishing and updating the facility. The concept was discussed and initiated.
Eventually, it was decided to have series of large graphic panels, each representing a time period in which athlete candidates would be reviewed by a selecting board for induction into a sports hall of fame.
Presently, the graphic panel captions are “Pre-1960”, 1961 – 1979” 1980- 1999” and “2000 to present”. There are 38 representatives on the panels and include both outstanding individuals and teams. The earliest representative is the 1903 football team and is labeled “victorious against Bangor”. Football games between Brewer and Bangor (or John Bapst in Bangor) was an intense rivalry that continues to this day.
These graphic panels are located in the high school foyer along with trophies and a large interactive monitor that can be prompted to provide information on all the inductees. Every student entering the school is exposed to the importance of sports to the community. Dan O’Connell explains that at Brewer Community School (pre-kindergarten through 8th grade) the student is exposed to the natural and business history of Brewer. He said that he wanted students entering high school from the Community School to be immediately aware of the history of sports and the athletes who contributed so much. The entrance to Brewer High School is a tribute to the vision of those who worked to accomplish this program and all of Brewer can be proud of that vision. Each year there are elections and a panel reviews the candidates based upon a representative nomination him or her and information on that person’s accomplishments. The Brewer High School web-site has information regarding nominations.
Here are the present inductees. For complete information, photos and a video please go to: “gobrewerwitches.com” Inaugural CLASS: Class of 2014 Dan Coombs (Class of 1960)- Basketball, Baseball David Farley (Class of 1960)- Track and Field, Basketball David Jeffrey (Class of 1972)- Coach & Contributor Joseph Ferris (Class of 1962)- Baseball, Contributor Jeff Lynn (Class of 1988)- Swimming Larry Mahaney– Coach Ken Perrone- Coach Clara Swan (Class of 1930)- Contributor to Women’s Athletics Chad White (Class of 1989)- Baseball, Basketball Amy Winchester (Class of 1992)- Track and Field Class of 2015: Barrington Ivers (Class of 1929)- Track and Field Thomas Kelly III (Class of 1955)- Baseball and Football Lura Hoit– Coach & Contributor to Women’s Athletics Bobby Bower (Class of 1955)- Football Kris Littlefield Jordan (Class of 1985)- Field Hockey, Basketball, Softball Ralph Payne (Class of 1971)- Football Peter Phelan (Class of 1996)- Track and Field Class of 2016: Amy Banks (Class of 1980)- Basketball, Field Hockey, Softball Heather Clark (Class of 2003)- Cross Country, Track Dana L. Corey (Class of 1969)- Baseball, Football Shirley “Slip” Corey (Class of 1939)- Football, Basketball, Baseball, Contributor: Male Athletics 1954-1990 Don Harnum (Class of 1958)- Basketball, Football Charlie Heddericg (1944-1971)- Coach, Contributor: Baseball Jessica N. Hodsdon (Class of 2009)- Swimming
Class of 2017: Belinda Perry Beaulier (Class of 1990)- Soccer, Swimming, Softball Jen Puiia Castonguay (Class of 1999)- Indoor Track, Outdoor Track & Field Dennis Kiah (1977-2012)- Athletic Administrator, Coach Lawrence “Bud” Lyford (Class of 1941)- Football, Baseball Andy Nickerson (Class of 1984)- Football, Basketball, Baseball Michael Norris (Class of 1977)- Golf (Brewer High School issued a special Thank You to committee members Kathy Cahill, Jim White, Jim Garrity, Dennis Kiah and Dan O’Connell for their tireless work in spending countless hours scouring through old yearbooks and reaching out to families for photographs for the graphic panels during the summer of 2014).
Brewer Parks and Recreation and the Canusa Games As important to youth sports as the schools, is the Brewer “Parks and Recreation Department”. They provide many playing fields and programs around the city for children of all ages. Sports have always been a major part of the school programs, both at the high school and elementary school level, as well as those of the city and many organizations. 2018 marks the 50th birthday of Brewer Parks and recreation. Before June of 1968, programs and events in the community occurred on a part time basis. Parks and Recreation became a full-time department in that year and the city hired Winston Lynn as the first full time director. Over the years the Department has continued to grow by offering a wide variety of activities, programs and events to everyone from, preschoolers to senior citizens. In addition, the Department maintains the cemeteries, municipal pool and playgrounds. Present Director, Ken Hanscom, says that the Brewer Auditorium is the jewel of Brewer and everyone in the area knows it is the heart of the community.
The Canusa Games were a major part of Brewer athletic history for 26 years. They were patterned after the Olympic Games and forged an international bond of friendship between Brewer and the city of Riverview, New Brunswick, Canada. This very successful event was developed in 1969 under Parks and Recreation Director, Winston Lynn, and continued for 26 uninterrupted years until 1995. Athletes and families would travel between the two cities and compete in a series of events to include golf, soccer, basketball, tennis, softball, baseball, skateboarding, track and field, and bat mitten. Events involving boys and girls, men and women, as well as coeducational events would continue from Thursday evening until Sunday Morning in a variety of venues in the area.
In the Canusa games, high school students (alternating between Riverview, New Brunswick and Brewer) would carry an Olympic style torch for the 350 mile distance between the cities over a four day period. One year the boys would be torch bearers and the next the girls would be torch bearers. Evenings were spent camping out along the way and students would be accompanied by athletes and family in busses. Vans would accompany them carrying equipment.
When the athletes arrived on Thursday, the host city would billet the visitors in their homes. Many Brewer residents remember having Canadian guests and enjoyed the friendship between the countries. These games were very successful and there could easily be 150 people involved, so the community and host families needed to be a major part of the program
On Thursday, the athletes and guests would have a police escort to the Brewer Auditorium to be greeted by a packed house, often over 350 people. When Brewer visited Riverview there would be a similar display of “welcome” and Brewer athletes and families would be billeted with families there.
The Thursday evening opening ceremony began with the visiting team torch bearers entering the Brewer Auditorium (when the games were held in Brewer) and proceed to light the “Olympic” flame to commence the events. Opening ceremonies would include a welcome speech and sometimes a notable athlete, as in the 1988 games showcasing Canada’s figure skating Olympic medalist Elizabeth Manley. There would be the parade of athletes and alumni along with special guests. The ceremonies were attended by the mayors of each city and City Councilors among other community leaders. After the arrival of the athletes, the lighting of the torch, and opening remarks, the ceremonies would conclude and everyone would attend an outdoor bar-b-que, often with a hayride and pony rides. At the end of the dinner there would be a talent competition and a drama competition.
During the four days of the Games, there was a packed agenda of competitive events. The games were played at a number of venues; including the Auditorium, the high school, the middle school, Doyle Field, Pendleton track (to be dedicated as Canusa field), the Husson University fields, Pine Hill Golf Course, along with other Brewer recreation areas. At the end of the day there would be a hosted dinner, possibly a hot air balloon ride, and a teen dance along with other area attractions.
The closing ceremonies on Sunday morning included awards and the passing of the Canusa Games trophy to the team that had scored the most points during the event.
The Canusa Games earned state wide attention including a special commendation letter from Governor John McKernan in 1988, for the twentieth year celebration. It also received national attention.
By 1995 the program came to an end. A combination of cost, dwindling athletes willing to compete and changes in lifestyle brought the Canusa Games to an end; but during the 26 years of its existence, Brewer and Riverview, New Brunswick, accomplished one of the great stories of international friendship.
(If you have stories of the Canusa Games, you can forward them to the Brewer Historical Society for archiving. Contact David Hanna at 989-2245 or thanna51@yahoo.com. You can also use the Facebook page “you know you live in BrewerMaine when…”)
(Thank you to Parks and Recreation Director Ken Hanscom for his contribution to this article)
SPORTS HEROS? BREWER HAS HAD MORE THAN ITS SHARE (The following is paraphrased from a 1989 Bangor Daily News Article by Bud Leavitt) The sports sun never stopped shining on Brewer. It has its own lifestyle and sports has been an integral part for over 100 years. A case can be made that Brewer made schoolboy baseball. Early Brewer baseball greats such as Eddie Soucie, Billy Parkes, Slip Corey, Charlie Wilcox, Wally Chute, and Dune Robertson, from the timer of Eastern Paper Mill baseball, were heroes to the hundreds of kids that learned to play baseball. “Eastern” was a professional team that played other mill teams from Millinocket to Dexter and had a vast following of Brewer citizens. Good Athletes, Brewer has had them for 100 years. In football, Pat Miles knew where it did opponents the most harm. Hank Pooler was a holy terror as a ball carrier. “Bud” Lyford was a “rock ‘em-sock ‘em” player that took his talents to the University of Maine. In basketball, Danny Coombs ,Jack Litttlefield and Miltie Miles kept the lanes open with Miles running for the hoop and shooting hot. Coombs was not only a great basketball player, but went on to play professional baseball for the Houston Astros
Outstanding Athletes and Community Leaders of Brewer Joe Ferris The Brewer Historical Society is beginning a series of profiles of outstanding Brewer athletes who have made a positive difference in our community. Our first profile is Joe Ferris. Joe not only was a competitive baseball player at Brewer High School, but he went to the University of Maine where he helped take the baseball team to the College Baseball World Series. Because of his contribution in the series he was honored as its most outstanding player. Joe graduated from the University of Maine and the Maine Law School with a law degree. He presently practices in Bangor at Gross, Minsky & Mogul, P.A. Joe is a long time member of the Brewer City Council and former mayor. His involvement in Brewer sports is well known. He was one of a group responsible for lighting in the softball and baseball fields. Joe has spent a lifetime promoting and participating in Brewer Sports “Joe Ferris competed in baseball and basketball while attending Brewer High School. Ferris was a standout baseball player for the Witches and Coach Charlie Heddericg. Joe’s record during his three years at Brewer High School was 10 wins, three losses and four saves. Joe went on to pitch at the University of Maine where he pitched for several successful Black Bear teams. During his sophomore campaign, Joe finished the regular season with a 6-0 record and a 2.18 earned run average while helping to lead the Black Bears of Maine to the Yankee Conference Championship. Just before the District One Playoffs, Joe was hit by a line drive fracturing his non-pitching hand. It required a cast, but Joe still won the first game of the playoffs against Northeastern at Fenway Park. Maine went on to win the second game also and then on to the 1964 College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska. Maine won the opening game against Seton Hall 5-1 behind Joe as he struck out nine. Maine lost the second game. Maine won the third game 4-2 against Arizona State (1965 national champs) with Joe pitching two plus innings in relief to get the save. Joe then pitched the fourth game against the University of Southern California (the 1963 defending, national champions) beating them in a thrilling game by a 2-1 score. Although Maine lost the next game finishing third in the College World Series, Joe Ferris was named the MVP as a result of his outstanding pitching performances with a miniscule earned run average of .89. As MVP, Joe’s name is listed in the United States Baseball Hall of Fame in the town of Cooperstown, New York. Joe led the nation in 1964 with a perfect 9-0 record on the mound and had a career record of 16-3 for the Black Bears. Both are still records at the University of Maine. His catcher at Maine was Carl “Stump” Merrill who later managed the New York Yankees. Carl Merrill said that the reason for Joe’s success was that on any given day, he had good location with as many as four different pitches. Joe played in the prestigious Cape Cod College League during the summers of 1964 and 1965. After graduation in 1966, he played that summer in the Basin League in South Dakota. After his playing days Joe went to the University of Maine Law School. He then joined a law firm in the City of Brewer and eventually opened his own law firm in Brewer. He continues to practice law now in the law firm of Gross, Minsky & Mogul PA in Bangor. Joe Ferris has served the community in many roles as both a member of the Brewer School Committee and most recently, the Brewer City Council. Joe was also the key member of a fund raising committee to place lights for the purpose of playing night games on both the Brewer High School baseball and softball fields. Numerous teams and countless student-athletes have benefited from playing night games over the many years since this effort was accomplished. Ferris has always been an advocate for Brewer students and Brewer athletics. He has been very active for many years in the Friends of Maine Baseball.”
CONTACT THE BREWER HISTORICAL SOCIETY AT: brewerhistoricalsociety@gmail.com
T.C. Hanna , editor (989-2245)
FOLLOW BREWER HISTORY ON FACEBOOK: “YOU KNOW YOU LIVE IN BREWER WHEN” |
|||||
Life is lived in the present but understood through the past.” …….Eric Pena based upon Soren Kierkegaard
The Brewer Historical Society would like to thank the following corporate sponsors and supporters
Camden National Bank
City of Brewer
Brewer Federal Credit Union
Brewer High School Air Force Junior ROTC
Brewer Parks and Recreation
Creative Print Services (Ray Curran)
Dead River Company
Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems
Joseph Ferris, Esq.
Getchell Brothers Inc.
Gold Star Cleaners
Green Thumb Lawn Service
Kiwanis
Marsh Property Management
Rand / Rand Dentistry
Scotts Lawn Service
TradeWinds Convenience Store
Vacationland Inn
| FRIENDS OF CHAMBERLAIN FREEDOM PARK
Gifford Electric Cross Insurance Allen / Freeman / McDonnell Insurance Machias Savings Bank Marsh Property Management (Thank you for your support of Chamberlain Freedom Park and the Brewer Historical Society) |
| The Brewer Historical Society newsletter is copied using the facilities at Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems. Thank you to EMHS and their staff.) |
SPORTS IN BREWER
Sports is woven into the community fabric of Brewer.
Mostly, the passion is ignited by the ambitious Brewer High School programs or the Parks and Recreation Department. Since we have only one city high school and a very active Parks and Recreation program, almost every person grows up exposed to Brewer sports and is given an opportunity to participate. Brewer High School has a wonderful web-site and under their “Sports Hall of Fame”, you will find a list of all those athletes that have been inducted along with a biography and video of their acceptance. Parks and Recreation also have a web- site with events and sports activities for every age.
The Brewer Historical Society is instituting a series of projects to highlight this important part of our lives. We will do a series of sports articles in the “Brewer Historical Society Newsletter” and since the newsletter is also on our website (brewerhistoricalsociety.org), they will be available to everyone in the community. In addition, there will be a sports theme in the historical display cases at Brewer Community School. This means that every student between pre-kindergarten and 8th grade will be exposed to the history of sports in Brewer.
Besides the activities at Brewer High School, the history of sports in Brewer can be traced from the Eastern AA professional baseball team of Eastern Manufacturing paper mill in the early twentieth century. Sports include boxing, rifle and skeet shooting, Salmon fishing, automobile track racing and world champion Charlie Milan’s bowling are among the topics that we will cover.
There are many athletes who have become standout college athletes and some who have turned their skill into professional sports. We need to recognize these individuals as well as all the athletes who have competed and brought so much excitement to the community.
We welcome your thoughts and suggestions. You can contact us a brewerhistoricalsociety@gmail.com or use the Facebook “you know you live in Brewer when…..”
We thank City Councilor Joseph Ferris, himself a “Sports Hall of Fame” inductee, for suggesting the project.
Sports at Brewer High School
The first free high school in Brewer was established in 1873 and the first class graduated in 1877. It was in 1913 that money was first available for school sports uniforms and by 1915 there were coaches for baseball and football. Brewer High School sports were underway.
During this time, the high school was located on South Main Street and many students had their class photograph taken in front of that building.
Eventually, there was a need for a new high school to replace the aging original edifice and Brewer High School students petitioned to have a new school that would incorporate a gymnasium and auditorium. The newly created (1923) Brewer High School District Trustees were responsible for building the new school and in 1925 the school was built.
In 1926 the first class enrolled at a new high school on Center Street. For over thirty years the beautiful brick building was the center of Brewer higher education. The contribution of its sports program and athletes was iconic. Today, that building is on the National Register of Historic Places and the Brewer Register of Historic Places.
In the late 1950s the present building on Parkway South was built and over the years has had many modifications. It has recently been refurbished and is an outstanding modern architectural addition to the City.
In 1928 the athletic field was opened between State and Wilson Streets and later named “Doyle Field” in memory of “Dicky” Doyle, long time fire chief and friend to the youngsters of Brewer. In 1947 lights were installed at Doyle Field, financed by the Brewer High School Athletic Association. The Girls Athletic Association under Laura Hoit, made a substantial contribution to the project. Around 1995 a group of citizens added lights to the baseball and softball fields and they have been part of the state chmpionship series ever since.
From the turn of the twentieth century, students of Brewer High School have had a sports program. Team photographs are available in the “Trident” yearbooks (“Trident’s” are available at the Brewer Library and Brewer High School). The Brewer Historical Society also has a number of team photographs digitized that are available to researchers and programs.
Today, trophy’s and awards are on display at the high school as well as the Brewer Community School and the high school web-site (gobrewerwitches.com) provides information about those inductees into the “Sports Hall of Fame”.
In 2014 Brewer High School began their “Sports Hall of Fame”. Brewer High School District Trustees President, Dan O’Connell, told the Historical Society how the program began. David Utterbeck, Athletic Director of the school, had an idea to create a sports hall of fame, a recognition of exceptional Brewer High School athletes. He talked with Dan O’Connell, who was working with architects at WBRC at that time developing new entrance in the school; part an overall program of refurbishing and updating the facility. The concept was discussed and initiated.
Eventually, it was decided to have series of large graphic panels, each representing a time period in which athlete candidates would be reviewed by a selecting board for induction into a sports hall of fame.
Presently, the graphic panel captions are “Pre-1960”, 1961 – 1979” 1980- 1999” and “2000 to present”. There are 38 representatives on the panels and include both outstanding individuals and teams. The earliest representative is the 1903 football team and is labeled “victorious against Bangor”. Football games between Brewer and Bangor (or John Bapst in Bangor) was an intense rivalry that continues to this day.
These graphic panels are located in the high school foyer along with trophies and a large interactive monitor that can be prompted to provide information on all the inductees. Every student entering the school is exposed to the importance of sports to the community. Dan O’Connell explains that at Brewer Community School (pre-kindergarten through 8th grade) the student is exposed to the natural and business history of Brewer. He said that he wanted students entering high school from the Community School to be immediately aware of the history of sports and the athletes who contributed so much. The entrance to Brewer High School is a tribute to the vision of those who worked to accomplish this program and all of Brewer can be proud of that vision.
Each year there are elections and a panel reviews the candidates based upon a representative nomination him or her and information on that person’s accomplishments. The Brewer High School web-site has information regarding nominations.
Here are the present inductees.
For complete information, photos and a video please go to: “gobrewerwitches.com”
Inaugural CLASS: Class of 2014
Dan Coombs (Class of 1960)- Basketball, Baseball
David Farley (Class of 1960)- Track and Field, Basketball
David Jeffrey (Class of 1972)- Coach & Contributor
Joseph Ferris (Class of 1962)- Baseball, Contributor
Jeff Lynn (Class of 1988)- Swimming
Larry Mahaney– Coach
Ken Perrone- Coach
Clara Swan (Class of 1930)- Contributor to Women’s Athletics
Chad White (Class of 1989)- Baseball, Basketball
Amy Winchester (Class of 1992)- Track and Field
Class of 2015:
Barrington Ivers (Class of 1929)- Track and Field
Thomas Kelly III (Class of 1955)- Baseball and Football
Lura Hoit– Coach & Contributor to Women’s Athletics
Bobby Bower (Class of 1955)- Football
Kris Littlefield Jordan (Class of 1985)- Field Hockey, Basketball, Softball
Ralph Payne (Class of 1971)- Football
Peter Phelan (Class of 1996)- Track and Field
Class of 2016:
Amy Banks (Class of 1980)- Basketball, Field Hockey, Softball
Heather Clark (Class of 2003)- Cross Country, Track
Dana L. Corey (Class of 1969)- Baseball, Football
Shirley “Slip” Corey (Class of 1939)- Football, Basketball, Baseball, Contributor: Male Athletics 1954-1990
Don Harnum (Class of 1958)- Basketball, Football
Charlie Heddericg (1944-1971)- Coach, Contributor: Baseball
Jessica N. Hodsdon (Class of 2009)- Swimming
Class of 2017:
Belinda Perry Beaulier (Class of 1990)- Soccer, Swimming, Softball
Jen Puiia Castonguay (Class of 1999)- Indoor Track, Outdoor Track & Field
Dennis Kiah (1977-2012)- Athletic Administrator, Coach
Lawrence “Bud” Lyford (Class of 1941)- Football, Baseball
Andy Nickerson (Class of 1984)- Football, Basketball, Baseball
Michael Norris (Class of 1977)- Golf
(Brewer High School issued a special Thank You to committee members Kathy Cahill, Jim White, Jim Garrity, Dennis Kiah and Dan O’Connell for their tireless work in spending countless hours scouring through old yearbooks and reaching out to families for photographs for the graphic panels during the summer of 2014).
Brewer Parks and Recreation and the Canusa Games
As important to youth sports as the schools, is the Brewer “Parks and Recreation Department”. They provide many playing fields and programs around the city for children of all ages. Sports have always been a major part of the school programs, both at the high school and elementary school level, as well as those of the city and many organizations. 2018 marks the 50th birthday of Brewer Parks and recreation. Before June of 1968, programs and events in the community occurred on a part time basis. Parks and Recreation became a full-time department in that year and the city hired Winston Lynn as the first full time director. Over the years the Department has continued to grow by offering a wide variety of activities, programs and events to everyone from, preschoolers to senior citizens. In addition, the Department maintains the cemeteries, municipal pool and playgrounds. Present Director, Ken Hanscom, says that the Brewer Auditorium is the jewel of Brewer and everyone in the area knows it is the heart of the community.
The Canusa Games were a major part of Brewer athletic history for 26 years. They were patterned after the Olympic Games and forged an international bond of friendship between Brewer and the city of Riverview, New Brunswick, Canada. This very successful event was developed in 1969 under Parks and Recreation Director, Winston Lynn, and continued for 26 uninterrupted years until 1995. Athletes and families would travel between the two cities and compete in a series of events to include golf, soccer, basketball, tennis, softball, baseball, skateboarding, track and field, and bat mitten. Events involving boys and girls, men and women, as well as coeducational events would continue from Thursday evening until Sunday Morning in a variety of venues in the area.
In the Canusa games, high school students (alternating between Riverview, New Brunswick and Brewer) would carry an Olympic style torch for the 350 mile distance between the cities over a four day period. One year the boys would be torch bearers and the next the girls would be torch bearers. Evenings were spent camping out along the way and students would be accompanied by athletes and family in busses. Vans would accompany them carrying equipment.
When the athletes arrived on Thursday, the host city would billet the visitors in their homes. Many Brewer residents remember having Canadian guests and enjoyed the friendship between the countries. These games were very successful and there could easily be 150 people involved, so the community and host families needed to be a major part of the program
On Thursday, the athletes and guests would have a police escort to the Brewer Auditorium to be greeted by a packed house, often over 350 people. When Brewer visited Riverview there would be a similar display of “welcome” and Brewer athletes and families would be billeted with families there.
The Thursday evening opening ceremony began with the visiting team torch bearers entering the Brewer Auditorium (when the games were held in Brewer) and proceed to light the “Olympic” flame to commence the events. Opening ceremonies would include a welcome speech and sometimes a notable athlete, as in the 1988 games showcasing Canada’s figure skating Olympic medalist Elizabeth Manley. There would be the parade of athletes and alumni along with special guests. The ceremonies were attended by the mayors of each city and City Councilors among other community leaders. After the arrival of the athletes, the lighting of the torch, and opening remarks, the ceremonies would conclude and everyone would attend an outdoor bar-b-que, often with a hayride and pony rides. At the end of the dinner there would be a talent competition and a drama competition.
During the four days of the Games, there was a packed agenda of competitive events. The games were played at a number of venues; including the Auditorium, the high school, the middle school, Doyle Field, Pendleton track (to be dedicated as Canusa field), the Husson University fields, Pine Hill Golf Course, along with other Brewer recreation areas. At the end of the day there would be a hosted dinner, possibly a hot air balloon ride, and a teen dance along with other area attractions.
The closing ceremonies on Sunday morning included awards and the passing of the Canusa Games trophy to the team that had scored the most points during the event.
The Canusa Games earned state wide attention including a special commendation letter from Governor John McKernan in 1988, for the twentieth year celebration. It also received national attention.
By 1995 the program came to an end. A combination of cost, dwindling athletes willing to compete and changes in lifestyle brought the Canusa Games to an end; but during the 26 years of its existence, Brewer and Riverview, New Brunswick, accomplished one of the great stories of international friendship.
(If you have stories of the Canusa Games, you can forward them to the Brewer Historical Society for archiving. Contact David Hanna at 989-2245 or thanna51@yahoo.com. You can also use the Facebook page “you know you live in BrewerMaine when…”)
(Thank you to Parks and Recreation Director Ken Hanscom for his contribution to this article)
SPORTS HEROS? BREWER HAS HAD MORE THAN ITS SHARE
(The following is paraphrased from a 1989 Bangor Daily News Article by Bud Leavitt)
The sports sun never stopped shining on Brewer. It has its own lifestyle and sports has been an integral part for over 100 years. A case can be made that Brewer made schoolboy baseball. Early Brewer baseball greats such as Eddie Soucie, Billy Parkes, Slip Corey, Charlie Wilcox, Wally Chute, and Dune Robertson, from the timer of Eastern Paper Mill baseball, were heroes to the hundreds of kids that learned to play baseball. “Eastern” was a professional team that played other mill teams from Millinocket to Dexter and had a vast following of Brewer citizens.
Good Athletes, Brewer has had them for 100 years. In football, Pat Miles knew where it did opponents the most harm. Hank Pooler was a holy terror as a ball carrier. “Bud” Lyford was a “rock ‘em-sock ‘em” player that took his talents to the University of Maine.
In basketball, Danny Coombs ,Jack Litttlefield and Miltie Miles kept the lanes open with Miles running for the hoop and shooting hot. Coombs was not only a great basketball player, but went on to play professional baseball for the Houston Astros
Outstanding Athletes and Community Leaders of Brewer
Joe Ferris
The Brewer Historical Society is beginning a series of profiles of outstanding Brewer athletes who have made a positive difference in our community. Our first profile is Joe Ferris. Joe not only was a competitive baseball player at Brewer High School, but he went to the University of Maine where he helped take the baseball team to the College Baseball World Series. Because of his contribution in the series he was honored as its most outstanding player. Joe graduated from the University of Maine and the Maine Law School with a law degree. He presently practices in Bangor at Gross, Minsky & Mogul, P.A. Joe is a long time member of the Brewer City Council and former mayor. His involvement in Brewer sports is well known. He was one of a group responsible for lighting in the softball and baseball fields. Joe has spent a lifetime promoting and participating in Brewer Sports
“Joe Ferris competed in baseball and basketball while attending Brewer High School. Ferris was a standout baseball player for the Witches and Coach Charlie Heddericg. Joe’s record during his three years at Brewer High School was 10 wins, three losses and four saves.
Joe went on to pitch at the University of Maine where he pitched for several successful Black Bear teams. During his sophomore campaign, Joe finished the regular season with a 6-0 record and a 2.18 earned run average while helping to lead the Black Bears of Maine to the Yankee Conference Championship. Just before the District One Playoffs, Joe was hit by a line drive fracturing his non-pitching hand. It required a cast, but Joe still won the first game of the playoffs against Northeastern at Fenway Park. Maine went on to win the second game also and then on to the 1964 College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska.
Maine won the opening game against Seton Hall 5-1 behind Joe as he struck out nine. Maine lost the second game. Maine won the third game 4-2 against Arizona State (1965 national champs) with Joe pitching two plus innings in relief to get the save. Joe then pitched the fourth game against the University of Southern California (the 1963 defending, national champions) beating them in a thrilling game by a 2-1 score. Although Maine lost the next game finishing third in the College World Series, Joe Ferris was named the MVP as a result of his outstanding pitching performances with a miniscule earned run average of .89. As MVP, Joe’s name is listed in the United States Baseball Hall of Fame in the town of Cooperstown, New York. Joe led the nation in 1964 with a perfect 9-0 record on the mound and had a career record of 16-3 for the Black Bears. Both are still records at the University of Maine.
His catcher at Maine was Carl “Stump” Merrill who later managed the New York Yankees. Carl Merrill said that the reason for Joe’s success was that on any given day, he had good location with as many as four different pitches. Joe played in the prestigious Cape Cod College League during the summers of 1964 and 1965. After graduation in 1966, he played that summer in the Basin League in South Dakota.
After his playing days Joe went to the University of Maine Law School. He then joined a law firm in the City of Brewer and eventually opened his own law firm in Brewer. He continues to practice law now in the law firm of Gross, Minsky & Mogul PA in Bangor.
Joe Ferris has served the community in many roles as both a member of the Brewer School Committee and most recently, the Brewer City Council. Joe was also the key member of a fund raising committee to place lights for the purpose of playing night games on both the Brewer High School baseball and softball fields. Numerous teams and countless student-athletes have benefited from playing night games over the many years since this effort was accomplished. Ferris has always been an advocate for Brewer students and Brewer athletics. He has been very active for many years in the Friends of Maine Baseball.”
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