PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – A little elbow grease proved to be all that was needed to spruce up several locations in Presque Isle on Community Spirit Day, held May 26.
Volunteers spent the morning painting and cleaning at both Mantle Lake and Riverside parks and the outdoor pool in an effort to bring new life to familiar destinations.
Maine Mutual Group employees Candy Case and Jeanne Carlson signed up through work.
“This gives us the opportunity to help the community,” said Case.
“It’s nice to give something back that will bring pleasure to others,” added Carlson.
Case agreed with Carlson.
“It’s nice to think of kids using the facility (the outdoor pool) once we’ve finished painting,” said Case.
Volunteers Stephen Nichols and Nathan Smith spent part of their morning stripping paint off the swingset at the outdoor pool.
“It’s a nice way to give back to the community. I have some good memories from here. I grew up using the facility. I used to be a lifeguard here. It’s fun to see it still brings enjoyment to others,” said Nichols.
Once stripped, the swingset was repainted for use this summer.
For longtime city employee Sharon Willette, vacuuming the inside of the pool house was her assignment for the day.
“It’s a new form of retirement,” said Willette, who’s been employed by the city for over 30 years.
Other projects at the pool included painting doors, frames and out buildings. Volunteers were also busy at Riverside Park and Mantle Lake Park painting benches and picking up trash.
City Councilor Jennifer Trombley found herself busy swinging a paintbrush on the bathhouse door at the pool. She summed up Community Spirit Day best.
“Many hands make light work. When you consider each volunteer donates about three hours’ work and you times that by the number of volunteers – for example, 15 volunteers giving three hours is equal to 45 hours of work for free. It’s not much time, but when you combine efforts, you can get a lot accomplished,” said Trombley.
Following the clean-up effort, volunteers were treated to a barbecue, with City Council Calvin Hall serving as volunteer cook for the day.
“It was a huge success. We’re already planning for next year. If anyone has ideas for projects, we’d love to hear them. It went much better this year having specific projects to do. This year it involved the Rec and Parks Department, but it wasn’t their project. If someone has an idea for next year, let us know,” said Trombley.
Suggestions can be made at City Hall by calling 764-4485.
