High Peaks Arts & Heritage loop map kiosks celebrated

PHILLIPS – On a chilly mid-20s Saturday morning, a small group gathered here first on what would be a loop of five celebrations through the day around northern Franklin County.

The reason for the celebrations is the installation of the Maine High Peaks Art & Heritage Loop kiosks, part of a larger effort to bring spur economic better times to each area.

The kiosks, firmly planted in the five towns of Phillips, Rangeley, Eustis, Carrabassett Valley and Carrabassett Valley, are all located on the 82-mile driving loop through 10 of Maine’s highest mountains.

The kiosks each provide visitors with map to guide them around the loop that is loaded with an extensive listing of cultural events, art galleries, trails, museums, libraries, scenic overlooks, landmarks, and historic attractions.

The kiosk project, sponsored by the High Peaks Creative Council, a network of regional arts organizations, museums, business associations, and municipal leaders, that was formed after the Maine Arts Commission awarded a $50,000 Creative Communities Economic Development Grant in January of 2013.

In addition to the kiosk project, the grant’s collaborative council has also produced a Maine High Peaks Arts & Heritage plan, an asset map of the region, a website featuring these assets, funds to help develop the Phillips Public Library Studio, marketing for the 2013 Crossroads International Celtic Festival, the Maine High Peaks Arts and Heritage Loop Map & guide.

The HPCC also worked with Maine Department of Transportation to have the state put up 14 signs in the region pointing out important landmarks including Daggett Rock, Fly Rod Crosby trailhead, Northern Forest Canoe Trail, Mount Abram’s trailhead, and New Portland’s wire suspension bridge.

The work began three years ago. It was Kingfield artist Saskia Reinholt who began the grant application process.

“We’ve accomplished a lot,” she said smiling at the new kiosk. She noted everyone worked well together on the projects, with the kiosk design and construction both 100 percent locally produced. Stephen Engle of  The Center for Community GIS of Farmington, doing the map work and Franklin Printing of Farmington producing the maps.

Council member Cynthia Orcutt thanked Reinholt, along with the Maine Arts Commission, the Maine Community Foundation, The Betterment Fund, the Opportunity Center of Avon, the Phillips Highway Department, and the many volunteers for making the projects possible.

Those local volunteers of the council include: Betsy Squibb, Hedy Langdon Stinchfield, Pam and Dick Matthews, David Dixon and Bill Berry with helping with the projects.

Reinholt said afterward the collaborative council intends to continue meeting to work on existing projects and  to come up with new ones. The development of the website will continue towards providing increased functionality that includes an interactive map and free registration so that businesses and organizations can list their events on the site. New possibilities may include public art displays at the kiosks and other innovations.

Once all of the thanks were given, Orcutt looked up at the new kiosk and said, “Fly Rod Crosby looks great up there.”