Education center receives challenge donation for fire watchman’s camp/warming hut project

GREENVILLE — Ed and Arlene Jewett, founders of Jewett Construction Inc. and part-time Greenville residents, have made a very gracious challenge donation toward the reconstruction of a replica of the old Big Moose (formerly Squaw) Mountain fire watchman’s cabin. The new cabin will be built next to the recently finished Big Moose fire tower at the Natural Resource Education Center (NREC) Visitors’ Center.

Both the camp and fire tower will serve as educational attractions to the public. Artifacts and educational literature related to the life and purpose of fire watchmen will be included in each structure. Additionally, the camp will serve as a warming hut for the after-school cross-country skiing program that is held on NREC property in the winter.

This has been identified as a priority need from the participants and organizers. The location is exposed to the wind
and can be very cold when students are preparing for the day or waiting for their parents to arrive late in the afternoon. NREC personnel will build a storage area in the rear of the camp to store the children’s ski gear (mostly rentals) for the winter, making it easier for them to leave directly from school on the bus to the Visitors’ Center.

The Jewetts have donated $1,000 toward the project and will match other $1,000 donations up to $5,000. This would generate up to $10,000 toward the total estimated cost of $35,000. Ed Jewett has volunteered to spearhead the project and has considerable experience and contacts in the construction business.

The two have been very gracious not only to NREC, but to other charities including the Moosehead Historical Society and the Boy Scouts of America. NREC would like to thank them for their generosity and leadership. To accept the donation challenge and be part of the project in the Moosehead Lake region, contact NREC President Tim Obrey at President@nrecmoosehead.org.