Winter Carnival – News

Thanks Guv! Another �ֲ��ý Winter Carnival torch-lighting in the books

Deirdre Stires — Fri, 09 Feb 2024 19:58:00 +0000

Stepping outside the Maine State House on a 34-degree day wearing only a blue pantsuit and Tevas over a pair of socks, Gov. Janet Mills looked every bit the native Mainer she is when she met a small �ֲ��ý contingent who came to Augusta for the ceremonial Winter Carnival torch lighting.

The lighting was hampered a bit by a south breeze, so Connor Gerraughty ’26 of Hartsdale, N.Y., offered an assist, cupping his hand around wick and lighter — soon, a cheer went up from the small group that included relay driver David Nimura ’25 of New York City, Catie Luedee, �ֲ��ý coordinator of Outdoor Education and Programs, and Ben Goodman, Mills’ press secretary.

Connor Gerraughty ’26 of Hartsdale, N.Y., poses with the torch outside the Maine State House in Augusta before Maine Gov. Janet Mills arrived to light the Winter Carnival torch today, Feb. 9, 2024. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/�ֲ��ý College)

It was the second time Mills participated in the torch tradition, which was created by the �ֲ��ý Outing Club in 1958, when then-Maine Gov. Ed Muskie ’36 lit the torch to kick off that year’s Olympic-themed Winter Carnival.

With the torch lit, Mills joined in the send off, cheering good luck, and adding with encouragement: “Run, run, run. You’re getting ready for the Olympics!” Then the state leader in Mills kicked in, as she added with some humor: “Stay off the interstate,” (a route that would be illegal on foot).

As the governor turned to leave, she reflected on the merit in such a long-standing outdoor tradition.

“It’s a great way to get people outdoors, to call attention to what you can do in Maine in the outdoors in the middle of winter,” said Mills, an avid angler. “And they are brave souls in my view. I respect and admire their gumption and I think that’s what outing clubs are all about — getting outdoors, enjoying the fresh air and the Maine scenery, and God bless them. Safe journey back to �ֲ��ý College.”

Catie Luedee (right), �ֲ��ý coordinator of outdoor education and programs, hands the Winter Carnival tiki torch to Connor Gerraughty ’26 of Hartsdale, N.Y., as relay driver David Nimura ’25 (left) of New York City looks on at the Maine State Capital, where the three were waiting for Gov. Janet Mills to arrive. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/�ֲ��ý College)

Meanwhile, Gerraughty ran the torch a short distance before handing it off to Luedee and running on to the next leg in Farmingdale. (Student members of the �ֲ��ý Running Club and Outing Club run the entire 30-mile distance from State House to �ֲ��ý, but the torch itself takes a quicker route, with Luedee in a vehicle, freeing up the students to cover the distance in better time.)

When the torch arrives at �ֲ��ý, it’s turned over to a �ֲ��ý runner, who brings it to Lake Andrews to light a bonfire to kick off a Winter Carnival tradition, the Puddle Jump.

This year, the final leg was run by a special guest. In Lewiston just beyond campus, relay runners Levi Mindlin ’24 of Portland, Ore., and Lucy Pike ’24 of Woodside, Cal., ran together to the Dairy Joy at the corner of Sabattus and College streets to pass the proverbial torch on to the last leg: Jon Lee, husband of �ֲ��ý President Garry W. Jenkins and an avid runner. Lee was invited by the Outing Club to join the relay two weeks ago.

Maine Gov. Janet Mills (left) cheers with Connor Gerraughty ’26 of Hartsdale, N.Y., after the governor lit the ceremonial �ֲ��ý Winter Carnival torch outside the Maine State House on Friday morning. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/�ֲ��ý College)

At Dairy Joy, Lee gave the two runners a high five, then ran down Campus Avenue to College Street, where he continued his 1-mile leg on to Lake Andrews. Shortly before, Luedee gave Lee the torch to run with onto campus, and on to light the bonfire. Lee said he asked for a shorter leg in the relay because he was sick earlier in the week. He still wanted to participate in the traditional run.

Jon J. Lee, husband of �ֲ��ý President Garry W. Jenkins — and a running enthusiast, carries the torch around Lake Andrews en route to the bonfire wood pile that Lee lit to mark the traditional start of the Winter Carnival. The students in the �ֲ��ý Outing Club and Running Club asked Lee if he would run a leg in the torch relay, knowing how much he loves to run. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/�ֲ��ý College)

The other members of the �ֲ��ý Outing Club and �ֲ��ý Running Club who ran legs in the relay were Will Morris ’27 of Wayland, Mass., Ted Lutton ’24 of Glencoe, Ill., Faith Nwando ’24 of Jamaica, N.Y., Sacha Feldberg ’24 of Potomac, Md., Ellie Schueler ’25 of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Alex Sandulli ’27 of Salt Lake City, Utah.

Video: Ski area takeover is ‘part of going to college in Maine’

Tue, 15 Feb 2022 21:07:30 +0000

Kicking off a week of Winter Carnival events, students swarmed the slopes of a local ski area for skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and treats on Feb. 5.

First-year student Abdul Rafay ’25 of Lahore, Pakistan, joined the “Takeover” at Auburn’s Lost Valley. In a few short months, he’s gone from never having seen snow to becoming a novice skier.

“It’s my fourth time skiing, so I’m pretty new to the activity still. I’m definitely going to keep skiing and trying out new winter sports that we don’t have much of in Pakistan. I think it’s part of going to college in Maine.”

Video by Theophil Syslo/�ֲ��ý College

Despite temperatures dipping into the single digits, around 500 students turned out for the outing, some bringing their own gear, others taking advantage of rentals, which were free for the Takeover night — as was the pizza. (Thanks to a college membership, �ֲ��ý employees and students can ski for free anytime at Lost Valley.) Students chose between a variety of slopes at different difficulty levels for skiing, boarding, and tubing.

“There were a lot of experienced skiers, my gosh,” said Interim Coordinator of Campus Life Programming Aml Mohamed. “It just shows how much this is a culture at �ֲ��ý.”

Having the whole place mostly to themselves was a definite plus, she added.

“It made it feel like it’s their home. Like if they don’t know how to ski, they’re not around strangers; they’re around each other and they’re around their friends.”

A spectacular toboggan wipeout on Mount David during the 1936 Winter Carnival.

At �ֲ��ý, Winter Carnival and the Outing Club were established hand in hand 102 years ago to “make the out of doors more entertaining and attractive during the winter months,” according to the �ֲ��ý Student.

The first carnival kicked off on Feb. 26, 1920, with an ice hockey game vs. Bowdoin. Other events included interclass snowshoe racing, a costume party, and ice tennis.

“The days when winter locked the college doors are gone,” celebrated the Student. “�ֲ��ý has learned that winter opens…another door to a world of keen activity and zest.”

Speed skating over a frozen tennis court during the 1936 Winter Carnival.

Picture story: After a year’s hiatus, a gleeful return for the Puddle Jump

Phyllis Graber Jensen — Tue, 15 Feb 2022 20:49:09 +0000

The pandemic showed us how quickly beloved traditions, silly or significant, can be disrupted. Hence the unbounded glee during this year's Puddle Jump — the Return!

Video: Winter Carnival torch lighting returned today with Maine Gov. Janet Mills

Jay Burns — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 17:26:47 +0000

Earlier today, a 20th-century �ֲ��ý Outing Club tradition was reignited when newly elected Maine Gov. Janet Mills lit a ceremonial Winter Carnival torch outside the Maine State House in Augusta.

The �ֲ��ý torch-lighting tradition was begun in 1958 when then-Maine Gov. Ed Muskie ’36 lit a torch to kick off that year’s Olympic-themed Winter Carnival.

Today at 9 a.m., taking a few lighthearted minutes from her big duties (such as delivering her first state budget), Mills met eight �ֲ��ý students, including torchbearer Gordon Platt ’19, BOC vice president from Groton, Mass.

The �ֲ��ý relay runners, members of the �ֲ��ý Outing Club and �ֲ��ý Running Club, run past the State House on their way from Augusta to �ֲ��ý on Feb. 8. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/�ֲ��ý College)

With Gordon Platt '19 carrying the lit torch, the first group of �ֲ��ý relay runners cavort their way from the State House. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/�ֲ��ý College)

After lighting the Winter Carnival torch, Maine Gov. Janet Mills cheers as �ֲ��ý Outing Club vice president Gordon Platt '19 of Groton, Mass., holds the torch. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/�ֲ��ý College)

After lighting Winter Carnival torch at the State House on Feb. 8, 2019, Maine Gov. Janet Mills poses with �ֲ��ý students. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/�ֲ��ý College)

After Mills lit the torch, the �ֲ��ý students set out on foot for campus, 30.1 miles away. A total of some 20 students, running in four-person relay groups of about three miles, were scheduled to deliver the lit torch to campus by 3 p.m. to kick off the annual Puddle Jump.

This year’s runners are members of the �ֲ��ý Outing Club and the �ֲ��ý Running Club.

The college’s Winter Carnival has been a �ֲ��ý Outing Club tradition since the club’s formation in 1920. Next year marks the club’s centennial.

Maine Gov. Janet Mills lights the Winter Carnival torch, held by �ֲ��ý Outing Club vice president Gordon Platt ’19.

History of the Torch Lighting

From the 1950s to the 1990s, the longstanding (and bipartisan) torch-lighting tradition brought Maine governors to the steps of the State House including these state leaders:

Maine Gov. Edmund Muskie '36 lights the inaugural Winter Carnival torch in 1958.

First lady Polly Curtis, wife of Maine Gov. Ken Curtis, lights the Winter Carnival torch in 1968.

Maine Gov. John McKernan lights the Winter Carnival torch in 1989.

Maine Gov. John McKernan lights the Winter Carnival torch in 1987.

Maine Gov. James Longley lights the Winter Carnival torch in 1978.

Video: Watch ski jumping off Mount David in 1936

Jay Burns — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 19:51:27 +0000

Ski jumpers at the Olympics travel hundreds of feet; students who launched themselves from the modest jump at the base of Mount David in the 1930s flew far fewer feet. Still, the spectacle was no less grand, or less popular, judging from the crowds who gathered between Cheney House and the President’s House to watch these jumpers. These clips, from the Muskie Archives and Special Collections Library, are from the 1936 Winter Carnival.

Picture story: Puddle Jump 2017

Jay Burns — Thu, 26 Jan 2017 22:44:08 +0000

Check out photos and video of the Jan. 20 Puddle Jump at Lake Andrews, a joyous student tradition that happily leaves the question “Why?” unanswered.

�ֲ��ý at Night: Skill ’N’ Grill

Joshua Kuckens — Fri, 20 Jan 2017 16:12:17 +0000

Leo Watson '20 of Indianapolis, Ind., displays his skills.

Skiers and snowboarders get ready at the top of the rail jam behind Smith Hall during Skill 'N' Grill on Jan. 17.

Thorn Merrill '19 of Morrisville, Vt., take to the rail jam behind Smith Hall.

Members of the �ֲ��ý Shred Club and friends pose for a photo as they grill behind Smith Hall at Skill 'N' Grill.

On Tuesday night, the normally quiet grove of pine trees between Lake Andrews and Smith Hall was transformed into a lively, adrenaline-fueled rail jam for the annual Skill ‘N’ Grill competition.

With tuneage from DJ Society, a rail from the Mount Abram ski area, a grill from Dining Services, and snow delivered by Facilities Services, the setup was ripe for skiers and snowboarders from the Shred Club and the Freestyle Ski Team, joined by friends from the University of Maine at Farmington.

“Skill ‘N’ Grill is always one of the best events of Winter Carnival, and this year it definitely got a lot better,” said Sam Rickerich ’18 of York, Maine, referencing the venue change from Mount David to centrally located Smith Hall.

Rickerich, who tries to ski once a week in the winter, appreciates the variety of the �ֲ��ý ski scene. “The community of skiers here is great, from the teams to freeskiers to people just getting into it.”

Eli Nixon ’19 of Eliot, Maine, secured a few event sponsorships from local Maine companies, who gave out ski swag and other prizes. “A representative from Mount Abram was there, and he was so stoked with how the event was going,” said Nixon.

Getting outside with friends, Rickerich concluded, “definitely makes winter in Maine a whole lot better.”

Images of Mount David ski jumps, 1939 and 2016

Jay Burns — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 17:25:38 +0000

Using different parts of Mount David to produce similar results are Pat Sheils ’19 (left, last week) of Portland, Maine, and the late Robert Ireland ’40 in 1939. (Josh Kuckens/�ֲ��ý College; Muskie Archives and Special Collections Library.)

The 1939 edition of Those Crazy College Kids is at right, as the late Robert Ireland ’40, a top collegiate skier of his era, takes flight from a campus ski jump, probably during Winter Carnival. At left is Pat Sheils ’19 of Portland, Maine, a member of the Shred Club and co-president of the Freestyle Skiing Club, showing his skills on Jan. 20 during Winter Carnival. For shredders of yore and of today, Mount David’s elevation still provides the necessary inrun, though the takeoff spot is different. Back then, the jump was between Cheney House and the President’s House (you can see Campus Avenue and the Quad in the background of the Ireland photo).

Mount David still provides the inrun for ski jumps, though the location of the takeoff has changed since 1939. (Google Earth image)

Last week, meanwhile, the jump was set up few houses over, behind the 280 College Street residence, where Rand Field used to be. The 2016 action was all part of a ski-and-eat event, Skill ‘n’ Grill, sponsored by the Shred Club during Winter Carnival.

Winter carnival to be held

�ֲ��ý News — Mon, 13 Jan 1997 19:20:44 +0000

“Mardi Gras” has been selected as the theme for the 78th annual �ֲ��ý College Winter Carnival, which includes a ceremonial torch lighting by Gov. Angus King at noon Friday, Jan. 17, on the front steps of the Statehouse in Augusta followed by a relay of the Winter Carnival torch to the �ֲ��ý campus by student runners.

The �ֲ��ý carnival, second only to Dartmouth’s as the nation’s oldest such festival, begins Wednesday, Jan. 15 and will continue through Sunday, Jan. 19.

Among the activities planned for this year’s carnival are winter sports contests, a skating party, concerts and a snow sculpture competition.

The festivities begin at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15 when students will take part in the annual “traying” races, sliding down Mount David on standard cafeteria trays.

A skating party and bonfire at Lake Andrews will be held at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16.

Jan. 18 events include the “Winter Olympics” of such oddball events as three-legged snowshoe races, the cross-country ski throw and judging of student-built snow sculptures. All are scheduled to begin at noon. Judging of the snow sculpture takes place at 4 p.m.

The �ֲ��ý Winter Carnival is sponsored by the college’s Outing Club, celebrating it’s 76th anniversary, and the Chase Hall Committee.