2023 in review - a personal note

Hi everyone!

Wow, I started out 2023 with a resolution to revitalize my blog, but man -- I did not foresee what the year was going to bring.  Health problems decimated the bulk of the year, overlapped by business struggles, and worst of all, my mother's illness and death.  I will not miss 2023 -- so long!  I'm glad to try starting out fresh again in January 2024.

Because I had so much bad news last year, I didn't share a huge amount on here, but that doesn't mean I wasn't working away on Strange Maine things in the background.

Bigfoot in Maine -- I continued recording eyewitness accounts for Volume 2, and even managed a few field trips here and there (but never enough!) with some very good friends.  These accounts are all over the state, some tying in with eyewitness accounts from Bigfoot in Maine (v1), and some filling in blank spaces on the map where I hadn't been yet.  Most of the field trips were in York County - I hope to get into Western Maine and up north a bit sometime in 2024.

To start off 2024 on a high note, in Episode #244 (1/8/2024) of Bigfoot and Beyond with Cliff and Bobo, Cliff interviewed Aleks Petakov of Small Town Monsters, and he gave my book a terrific shoutout!  Aleks is an ace in the New England Bigfoot field investigation pantheon.  If you have a New Hampshire eyewitness report you'd like to file, he's your guy.

You can listen to that episode and others here:

https://www.bigfootandbeyondpodcast.com/listen

Or find Aleksander's email and other info on his website here: https://petakovmedia.com/

More research and site visits are planned for 2024, not to mention a talk at the upcoming International Cryptozoology Conference where you'll get the first preview of some of these cases.

Tickets/details here: https://www.simpletix.com/e/international-cryptozoology-conference-202-tickets-156134

A nice pairing - Nov 2023

Strange Maine - I collaborated with Kristen Seavey, who runs the excellent Murder She Told true crime podcast (which I highly recommend if you haven't checked it out yet!).  In addition to suggesting her Tot Harriman episode, in late 2022 I handed over my archive of articles and research about the unsolved Dennis Down homicide (Falmouth, 1958) to Kristen, and in October 2023 she aired the episode after adding her own substantial research efforts and fleshing out the story for her listeners.  

I still hope someday this one can be solved, I find it quite haunting, especially because it disappeared - I discovered it wasn't even listed on the register of Maine's unsolved cases when I was digging around after it.

You can listen to it here or on the podcast app of your choice:

https://www.murdershetold.com/episodes/dennis-down?rq=dennis%20down

I also continued to set aside some Maine stories of hauntings, which will eventually become a book in its own right.

In December I had an opportunity to meet some Maine legends, author Carolyn Chute and her husband Michael Chute (and their dog Jake!).  Amazing!  I look forward to many future conversations with them. 

Other projects:  I am continuing to work on a biography of a Mainer who is unknown to most nowadays.  When I finish writing and finally get to launch that book, I hope it will remind people of all the unwritten, forgotten, fascinating folks and events that make up Maine's history -- for instance his story is how I found out about the Dennis Down murder case.  There are so many, this is just one - but one that crisscrossed so many iconic elements of Maine history that you will be swept up in his story. 

Here's to a good start to 2024 -- Happy New Year, everyone!

Keep your eyes and ears open, and look around you.  There are worlds within worlds to discover everywhere you go in Maine!

Will Work While Not in School

Many moons ago, I received a nice pile of old Eastern Argus copies.

This Portland, Maine newspaper was published for over 100 years, starting in the very early 1800s. The Portland Public Library has microfilm versions of it from 1803 to 1921, but there is no way to compare with holding a copy of it in your hands! 

The paper is soft and cottony, and it was printed using movable metal type, producing texture and a much more enjoyable reading experience than the inky flat newsprint of today. In the Friday issue of December 9, 1836, among the advertisers is:

A YOUNG MAN, From the country, being anxious to attend School, either day or evening, -- will work in a family, at a very reasonable rate, whilst not at school. Inquiries at this office.

I do love creative problem solving.

True crime: A Maine treasure long missing

 I don't talk a whole lot about my own history and life on this blog, but this story draws on it in a number of ways.  I left home when I was 16 years old.  I went to high school, worked a job, and had an apartment of my own (having lied about my age on the lease).  Relationships with my parents were frayed, to say the least.  At one point my dad decided to try to find a way to spend time with me, and also share a useful and enjoyable experience with me, and enrolled us together in a cooking course through Portland Adult Education.  He had taken a course with the teacher before, and thought she was great.  Her name was Tot Harriman.

Photo by David A. Rogers in the Portland Press Herald 4/30/95 issue

Tot, born in Vietnam and now long-married to a U.S. veteran, wanted to share her cooking skills and her enjoyment of food with her other American neighbors here in the Portland area.  And my dad was right -- she was terrific.  Her personality was indomitable, sparkling, and very like a fireball at peak moments.  She was a great teacher, pragmatic, nonjudgmental, and straightforward.  We all learned a lot of useful and memorable techniques, mostly for stir-fry cooking, but towards the end of class she threw in some other more challenging menu items that gave us an idea of what else could be possible.

I still use her simple technique for cooking perfect rice today, and her teaching informed my stir-fry techniques that I use on a regular basis as well.  The course was back in the late 1980s, and Tot's instructions echo in my head whenever I do any of these things.  I see her strong hands at work cutting, her finger measuring the depth of water over rice in the pot, and showing us the best way to use different ingredients at each point in the cooking process, and how to serve a plate so it looks appealing. 

It was with great sorrow and shock that I saw an article in the newspaper back in 2001 reporting that Tot was missing.  She had vanished during a househunting roadtrip in Texas, where she moved after raising her children in Maine.  To think of that tiny powerhouse of a woman, perpetually giving to everyone around her, being subject to whatever tragedy had happened so many miles away, broke my heart.  Every so often I would check up on the case, but despite her family continuing to post online seeking leads, all that remained was a big question mark.

In the last couple of years (her first episode dropped in Dec 2020), Kristen Seavey has been working hard on her true crime podcast, Murder She Told, which focuses on mostly Maine and New England cases.  Her journalism is clear, compassionate, and seeks the truth, especially in cases where families are left still asking questions.  I thought maybe if I suggested Tot's case to her, she might someday do an episode about this woman who left such a mark on my life.

To my endless gratitude, that really did happen this autumn.  You can listen to the two part coverage of Tot's case here, and see lots of photos from her amazing life, too:

Part 1 - https://www.murdershetold.com/episodes/tot-harriman

Part 2 - https://www.murdershetold.com/episodes/tot-harriman-2

I had always known Tot had lived an astonishing life.  Anyone who made it alive out of the Vietnam War to come to America had; I knew this in part because I went to elementary school with some kids who had made it out too.  My father had also hinted that her life story was remarkable, but beyond a few brief mentions, Tot's history was never the focus of her class talks.  Here is where Kristen steps in.  

Through Kristen's research and through interviews with Chien Si, Tot's son, she illuminates Tot's life, first in Vietnam, and then through her risky escape to the United States, her adopted home.  Tot lives again in these moments as we listen, and we hear how much she did, how many people's lives she touched, and how her family loved her.  How her disappearance has left a hole in their lives.

As you listen to these episodes, Tot will live again, and be remembered.  And maybe, someday, if the right person comes forward, her family will finally find out what happened to her.

If you have any information about the disappearance of Tot Harriman, please contact the League City PD (TX) at (281)332-2566.

Thank you Tot, for teaching me.  And thank you Kristen!!!

EVENT: Spooky Zoom talk! October 13 w/Portsmouth Public Library

 Hi everyone! I'm giving a fun spooky Zoom talk with Portsmouth Public Library in October!! If you (or someone you know) would like to attend, here's the link!

This event requires registration. To register visit: portsmouthpl.librarycalendar.com/event/strange

 

WHAT: "There's Something in the Woods" Zoom talk

WHERE: Online via Zoom, hosted by Portsmouth Public Library!

WHEN: Thursday, October 13, 2022 @ 7 PM – 8:30 PM

COST: Free!  Open to the public via pre-registration here:
portsmouthpl.librarycalendar.com/event/strange

 

FMI:  cityofportsmouth.com/library/news/onlineprograms 

 

Join Portsmouth Public Library as they host Maine author Michelle Souliere for an evening of creepy local stories from Maine and New Hampshire! Michelle is the author of the books Strange Maine and Bigfoot in Maine, and is the owner of The Green Hand Bookshop in Portland, ME.

Cozy up on your couch or in your favorite reading chair and tune in via zoom for accounts of the "York County Poltergeist," "Bigfoot in Maine and New Hampshire," and more! At the end of the night, you will be absolutely convinced ... there's something in the woods.

This event requires registration. To register visit: portsmouthpl.librarycalendar.com/event/strange

Winslow Homer and his view of the stark Maine landscape

 Just a heads-up -- if you haven't been to the Maine Maritime Museum, now would be an excellent time to go!

Artist Zach Horn contacted me and mentioned his intriguing take on Winslow Homer, on exhibit now through November 27, 2022 at the museum (alongside other great exhibits!).

The show, called "Looking for Winslow Homer," is a combination of installation, painting, and stop motion animation. Zach's work is about the metaphysical connection to place.  Winslow Homer was observant and expressive enough in his work to be able to capture the unique "self" of the Maine landscape in all its guises, from pastoral to dramatic, from simple to overwhelming.  You can find info about the show here:

https://www.mainemaritimemuseum.org/exhibition/looking-for-winslow-homer/

If you'd like to check out the museum but miss the show, here's the link to their website for hours, etc.:
https://www.mainemaritimemuseum.org/

OR if you happen to be in Vermont and not in Maine, Zach is also putting together another very intriguing artshow I'm sure you'll all love, an exhibition about inexplicable occurrences which will be on display at the Bennington Museum this fall, called "In the Shadow of the Hills."

 Zach can be found online here:  https://www.zachhornart.com/

Here's one of many stunning Winslow Homer's out there in the world, many of which are held at the Portland Museum of Art:

"Watching the Breaker [A High Sea]" by Winslow Homer

Rumors! Exciting rumors about the long-defunct Funtown Haunted Mansion!!

 Okay, things have been pretty quiet here on the blog while I've been working away at interviews and research, but this little tidbit is too exciting not to talk about.

Back when I was a little kid, my family used to drive down to Biddeford regularly to visit with all our cousins, aunts and uncles.  If we took US Route 1, we would drive past the corridor where Funtown and Aquaboggan lived, in Saco, and I would always stare out the window and wonder about the creepy-looking house that backed onto Route 1 in front of Funtown.  

Years later, I found out that it wasn't just an abandoned house in the middle of all that summer fun -- it was actually a local haunt attraction!  Back when I was little I wouldn't have dared go in, after getting the junk scared out of me at a local haunted house put on by one of the TV stations here in Portland (maybe WGME? I think it was out by the Northgate shopping center at Allen and Washington Aves).  But as a teenager, my little goth self was very intrigued, but was rarely out that way on my own.  The Haunted Mansion was shut down in 1996 as Funtown began tightening up on potential risk factors at the amusement park.

Now, according to a post on WCYY (source: https://wcyy.com/funtown-hints-at-the-return-of-the-haunted-mansion-in-2023/), there are hints that Funtown is going to resuscitate the long-dead attraction, and resurrect the Haunted Mansion -- or something scary, at least.  HOW COOL WOULD THAT BE??? 

Here's the breadcrumb everyone is following: a post on Funtown's own Facebook page!

 If you never knew the Haunted Mansion, or are curious about it, there used to be a great website run by Dave Gagne, one of the many folks who worked there over the years who loved the attraction, but unfortunately thehauntedmansion.org appears to be defunct.  So you'll have to make do with WCYY's post about it here: https://wcyy.com/long-lost-attraction-the-infamous-haunted-mansion-at-funtown-in-saco-maine/

Here's hoping we'll get a new local haunt attraction out of these rumblings from the grave!!!

Behind the scenes!

 What, you think just because I have two books under my belt that I'm done?  Nahhh.  I've got a few things simmering away here, including a second volume of Bigfoot in Maine, and a book of Maine ghost stories that I'm collecting together (still collecting accounts for both of those).  But that's not all.

I've been pinging away at a bunch of little bits of information that are proving to be extremely elusive.  So I thought I'd just throw this out there, and see what pops up.

I'm looking for information on:

-- an early 1950s proposal to build an aerial tramway in Portland, Maine to increase tourist interest and ease of travel

-- a woodcarver famous for his duck decoys who worked near the Royal River Falls

-- footage of "To Tell the Truth" episode #1015 from the 1971-1972 season 3 of the show (then in its 2nd incarnation)

-- someone with connections to the Alex Tanous Foundation, because I can't seem to get any response from them (have been trying for years now)

 -- early 1950s giant Bean boot prototype-on-wheels and similar giant potato, both produced to promote Maine tourism 

-- anyone who was active in the Maine dowsing community in the late 1960s/early 1970s that was involved in the American Society of Dowsers

-- mid-to-late-1950s UFO sightings near Falmouth, Maine

...and about another million things.  But that'll do for now.  

 If anyone has helpful info for me on any of the above, please email me at michelle.souliere@gmail.com -- I will greatly appreciate it!

More Bigfoot in Maine interviews & a lake monster or two

Hi everyone!  

It's been a while since I've done a roundup of some of the things I've been participating in, so here's a little catch-up for you.

Most recently, Rick Palmer of the Some Other Sphere podcast interviewed me about Bigfoot in Maine, and we had a really interesting conversation, which he just posted here:

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/episode-78-michelle-souliere-bigfoot-in-maine/id1459984683?i=1000558123406

Prior to that, I did a couple of panel discussions on Cosmoetica, which you can view here:

Bigfoot discussion (ep #329) with host Dan Schneider and fellow guests Dr. Jeff Meldrum and Kelly Milner Halls, back in Nov 2021:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mzSAopNLts

Kind of amazed I was part of this, it was a terrific experience.

Lake Monsters! (ep #343) with host Dan Schneider and fellow guests Kelly Milner Halls and Shetan Noir, in March 2022.  This time I branched out a little into aquatic cryptics, using the monster of Lake Pohenegamook, on the Quebec/Maine border, as my Maine case study.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mxe5YL1FnrY

 

...and back at the end of last year, I had a fantastic chat with LeeAnn and Angela of the Spirited History podcast, but it was on the ParaX Radio Network, and I can't seem to find a link for an archive of the episode anywhere -- more's the pity because we discussed a bunch of Strange Maine topics, too.  :(  Ah well!

 

I hope you all enjoy these.  :)  Happy spring!!

Zoom EVENT: Thurs April 21: Bigfoot in Maine & New Hampshire!

 Hello folks! If anyone is interested in a free Zoom talk about Bigfoot in New England (focusing on the New Hampshire/Maine region), I'll be regaling viewers for the North Hampton Public Library next week, on Thurs April 21 at 7:00pm. Please pre-register here so you are able to attend: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUrcu2vrT8vHtCMX7GEXEjlui_EfFEfEw2y

 

Flying Saucers! Well, not that kind...

Hi everyone!  While things have been quiet here on the blog, I've been busy fitting in research around my foolish work schedule (too much overtime, bleah).  But in my delvings, I found a couple of things the other day that caught my eye.  I thought you all might like to see them too.  😄 

I'll transcribe the article in case the images don't load.  This one is from a winter 1958 article in the Bangor Daily News.

Warning Issued to Coasters By Old Town Chief

Old Town Police Chief Robert Lee reported today that one motorist who spotted a "flying saucer" while driving along Brunswick Street today was terrified but the chief reports it was no joke.

The "flying saucer" was a small child riding atop a saucer sled coasting from a steep bank across the busy street.  Luckily, he was not struck.

Lee issued a warning against such dangerous practices asking parents to tell their children not to use any grades for sliding that might end up in a street or intersection.

And in another winter issue of Bangor Daily News I found this photo, from two years later in 1960, which aptly illustrates the irresistible joy of sailing through the air on FLYING SAUCERS!!!

Caption reads:   

FOR REAL "FLYING" SAUCERS -- The man on the business end of a shovel might not display the enthusiasm for the season's snowfall that these two youngsters do.  But Mark Pooler and Susan Purinton of Bangor, both 11, beam with joy about the whole situation as they sail out into the air on their flying saucers over a bank of the wonderful white stuff.  (NEWS photo by Maher)

I hope everyone is having a great winter, and enjoying all the white stuff out there.  Before you know it, spring will be here! 

Happy Halloween from Strange Maine!

Photo by Michelle Y. Souliere

Hi everyone! I hope you are enjoying Halloween week in spite of the blustery weather. It really feels like October now! This past week I spoke with Courtney Lanning of WCSH, and the results appear in a fun article about all things spooky, alongside Loren Coleman and Jamie Kingman-Rice from the Maine Historical Society, so I'm in great company. 

 You can read the article here: https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/community/spooky-maine-stories-to-know-in-time-for-halloween-bigfoot-mythology-folklore-scary/97-42bd9339-3b17-405d-869e-19230b09b49e

I'm also excited to announce that there's a new Lewiston-based podcast, The Dirty Lew Podcast, which is available on YouTube.  Duke, the host, interviewed me a few months ago, and now the episode is live to kick off their Halloween season, so... have fun listening to it, and do check out their other episodes.  They're trying to make something awesome happen right where they are, and they're doing a great job!

You can check out the episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCg4JvSy9w8 

Happy Halloween everyone!!!  🎃

Bigfoot in Maine: Q&A

 

Hi everyone! We had a great talk last night hosted by the Maine Historical Society on Zoom. I'll be posting a link to the recording as soon as it's available for those who missed it.

I will probably be receiving questions from attendees over the next few days, and I thought other folks might be interested in hearing the answers too, so I'll be posting them here as well as emailing responses directly.

 

Here's the first one:

 

Q: Have any remains have ever been found, or a skeleton, of one one of these 'creatures.' Any fossil evidence by chance?

 

A:  In answer to your question, to my knowledge no one in Maine has unearthed a known Bigfoot skeleton here. 

 

You may be interested to know that in the 1886 book An Historical Sketch of the Town of Deer Isle, Maine on page 10 mention is made of the discovery of a giant skeleton some years before. We talked about that early on in the discussion. You can see that account on Google Books using this link -- just scroll ahead to page 10 and start reading from the top of that page.

 

https://books.google.com/books?id=UUUsGkMSq24C&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

Discovery of remains is a compelling question for those of us inquiring into the existence of an unknown species in Maine. Does it mean that they bury or otherwise dispose of their dead in places where they won't be found? Or is it simply one more large animal that the efficient natural process of devouring and decomposition takes care of in the normal course of things?

 

Big questions! 

Bigfoot in Maine update, upcoming events!

Hi everyone! Well, the air is getting crisper, and with October my work schedule at the shop will settle down, and with any luck I'll be able to take some fieldtrips out into the Maine woods again. I haven't been out to hike and explore since last February (see my posts Maine Wildlife in the Snow Part 1 and Part 2). It's going to be great to get out there again after too many months of too many hours of retail work (ahhhh, the joys of Maine's seasonal economy). 

But somehow along with all the rest of that nonsense, I've managed to squeeze in some awesome, fun interviews to talk about my book, and set aside time in October for some Zoom library talks. I've also continued to interview eyewitnesses for volume 2. 

Here are some links to some of the stuff I've been doing and other events I will be doing soon. Enjoy! 

Fresh out of the gate is the latest episode (#35) of Cryptid Creatures with Brian Brock and Todd Stevens, where they quiz me about what the heck is up with Bigfoot in Maine: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1MquFOgCHXepI2aglnDzhL 

 

 

A little earlier in the summer I had a great chat with Ryan Knights on Episode #14 (darn it, missed Lucky 13) of The Chaos Effect. Hopefully this is one of many! https://youtu.be/qDhTb7AoLDo

 

 

I also had the pleasure of talking with Paul Bestall on episode 140 of his very intriguing UK podcast, Mysteries and Monsters.  You can listen to it here -- definitely add the show to your list if you're looking for a lot of great conversations to binge!

https://audioboom.com/posts/7936192-mysteries-and-monsters-episode-140-bigfoot-in-maine-with-michelle-souliere 

 

 

And waaaaaayyyy back in May I got to visit with Aleks Petakov (and Nate Brislin!) before Aleks and his team went deep into the Maine woods to explore for Beyond the Trail: Sasquatch in the Pine Tree State.  You can find the episode here!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvZnrDdgiAQ&t=1004s

 

UPCOMING EVENTS:

On Oct 13, 2021 at 7:00pm, I will be very excited for my Zoom conversation with Kathleen Neumann, the Curator of Education & Public Programs at the Maine Historical Society, about what makes this corner of New England such a perfect place for this cryptid to live.  Guests will learn about the ecology and geography that support the legend, and the people forever changed by close encounters with these creatures.  You can register at the link below. https://mainehistory.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ilAlA11PTMyhem5BlGnvhA

 

Later in October, at 6:30pm on Wednesday, October 20, 2021, we're going to give things a little tweak and peek over the border into neighboring New Hampshire.  I'll be doing a Zoom talk for the Fortier Library at the White Mountains Community College.  This program is a free Zoom event, and all are welcome.  Preregistration is required at https://www.wmcc.edu/fortier-library/ (click the “Register for WMCC Library events here” button).

I'm sure there will be more, but I hope you all enjoy at least a few of these when you have the chance!

Bigfoot in Maine update, and ... next up - ghosts!

 Hi everyone!

Rare quick trip to OOB in early August!

I've been working 6 days a week running my shop, working overtime across the board like so many of the rest of us in this seasonal economy, fielding the waves of tourists that come to Maine for safe harbor.  I have somehow been squeezing in interviews where I can, either with reporters and podcasters about Bigfoot in Maine, or with eyewitnesses themselves for volume 2.  

I must say that I am very much looking forward to autumn's approach when things slow down and I can get back out in the field again, not to mention find time to think, research and write about all things Maine.

In the background, at the same time, I am pondering the next project that I've been piecing together for some time now, which I've been looking forward to (before volume 2 of Bigfoot in Maine began demanding to be heard).  And that is... ghost stories!  

When I wrote Strange Maine, I minimized the amount of spooks in the book (although there are a few) because at the time I thought Maine had some good ghost story books already out there for folks to choose from.  But the more I've dug around, and the more people I've talked to, the more I've realized that Maine really has a lot more little spooky bits that haven't been recorded for posterity yet.

So... if you have odd or eerie experiences or things that you've encountered while here in Maine, be it in an old farmhouse or a downtown apartment, fifty years ago or just last year, do drop me a line, and we can talk about what happened.  You can always find me at michelle.souliere@gmail.com -- don't hesitate to contact me, I'd love to hear about your own Maine ghost story.

In the meantime, please enjoy this little interview feature that WCSH's 207 show did with me earlier this summer!  Big thanks to Amanda Hill and Kirk Cratty for making it a fun and memorable experience.

https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/207/207-interview/is-there-a-bigfoot-population-in-maine/97-ee58c047-154d-4349-ad5e-3ca2b2564941

And, if you like to look at Bigfoot's possible existence from a more quirky viewpoint, here's a lighthearted take on the matter from an interview I did with John Mitchell from NECN:

https://www.necn.com/on-air/as-seen-on/is-bigfoot-in-maine/2537474/ 

Stay tuned for my interview with the charming Paul Bestall from the UK podcast Mysteries and Monsters, and the new Dirty Lew podcast outta Lewiston.  Mixing it up a little, trying to reach a local audience and the greater world at large.  I did get to talk to Howard Hughes of The Unexplained live on UK radio last month too, sad it didn't make it into his podcast, but it was still really cool, since I've listened to his podcast for years!  Very surreal to have his familiar voice asking me questions instead of just listening to him ask someone else.  Heh!

 Thanks for all your support, everyone!  I hope to bring you many more intriguing Maine stories in the future, once my dang workweek is not so completely bonkers!!!

For fans of Maine deer!

 This comes from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife today!  Check it out, sounds like two fun ways to get involved! 

1.  Join us for an informative virtual presentation by Maine's White-tailed Deer Biologist Nathan Bieber as he discusses the history of deer management, the status of Maine's deer herd, and the current strategies used to manage deer in Maine.

Streaming live on YouTube Tuesday, July 27 at 6pm. The presentation will be recorded and available at the same link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jr_-ksS5xxw

 

2.  Enjoy watching deer?

Become a citizen scientist for the Maine Deer Spy project! Volunteers are needed across the state and everyone can participate.

 

Participating is easy! When you see deer between August 1 and September 30,  all you need to do is make simple observations:

• Location
• Date and time
• The number of does (adult female deer with no antlers), bucks (deer with antlers), and/or fawns (young deer).

You can submit data online or by postal mail. Data recording instructions and examples of how to correctly record data are available online at mefishwildlife.com/deerspy

For those who have missed the Bigfoot in Maine library talks...

 Here are the links to the virtual talks I've given recently about my book, Bigfoot in Maine, in case you missed the chance to attend them.

Enjoy!!

I talked to librarian Jon Knepp at the Thompson Free Library in Dover-Foxcroft last night, here is the video:   https://youtu.be/21Jo0VUj-mo

And back on Thursday, June 10, I spoke to librarian Andrea Kazilionis at the Falmouth Memorial Library.  That video conversation is located here: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qt1mFslXABA

 

They've all been great conversations so far, with excellent questions from the moderators and the audience.

Signed copies of the book are still available at the Green Hand Bookshop, and online here: https://greenhandbookshop.com/products/preorder-bigfoot-in-maine-by-michelle-souliere-signed

EVENT: Virtual talk June 24 at the Thompson Free Library

 

WHAT: A virtual author talk about the book "Bigfoot in Maine"

WHERE:  Via Zoom https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/84699881006

Event info is also posted on their Facebook page:  https://fb.me/e/LYOeioe2

Hosted by the Thompson Free Library in Dover-Foxcroft, ME.

WHEN: Thursday, June 24 at 7:00pm

FMI:  Contact the library at 207-564-3350 or via email at thompsonfreelibrary@gmail.com

Come join us!  Jon Knepp is going to interview me and I will discuss the book (and more!) with him.  We'll wrap up with some audience Q&A at the end.

EVENT: Bigfoot in Maine virtual talk June 10!

 Hi all!  Both myself and Nate Brislin will be part of a virtual talk at Falmouth Memorial Library the evening of June 10th. Hooray! You can register to attend here:

https://falmouthmemoriallibrary.evanced.info/signup/eventdetails?eventid=14518&lib=999

 

It should be fun!  Come for a great conversation, stay to ask questions.  😃

A little podcast interview about Bigfoot in Maine

Hi everyone!

Just wanted to put this link out there -- I did an interview with an author podcast which my publisher puts out, and it was really fun.  Hope you enjoy listening!

https://authorconversations.podbean.com/e/bigfoot-in-maine/

Don't worry, if you haven't read the book yet, there aren't any spoilers, we were really careful about that.  Just some interesting conversation, and a good Q & A session!

If you'd like to buy a signed copy of the book from me, you can do it through my website here:

https://greenhandbookshop.com/products/preorder-bigfoot-in-maine-by-michelle-souliere-signed

Hope you're all having a great week!

It's here! BIGFOOT in Maine - the book! Signed copies available

 

Wow.  I never would have thought, back in October 2005 when I did my first blog post about the idea of Bigfoot in Maine, that someday I would write a whole book about it.  

All these years later, it seems wild that this book exists.  Big thanks to all the folks who helped me along the path!  I couldn't have done it alone.  

If you are wondering, "What the heck do you mean, there are Bigfoot in Maine?!" or if you have friends or family who have had their own inexplicable encounters, then this book will give you some good reading.

 You can buy a signed copy directly from me (no charge for that extra bit of commemorative ink) here:

https://greenhandbookshop.com/products/preorder-bigfoot-in-maine-by-michelle-souliere-signed

And with any luck, someday in the future, there will be a volume two to follow it up, because the story of Bigfoot in Maine is a living, evolving history.

Be well, everyone, and stay safe!