Greetings from West Paris!
Have you heard about the West Paris Bobcat Committee? I’ve been a member for over a year, and was curious about the group’s beginnings and the origins of its name. So I did a little digging!
The group grew out of the struggles related to the devastating decision to close the Agnes Gray School. Formed in 2024 by concerned citizens, the informal group had no official name. The group had hoped to rally the town to convince the school board to keep the school open, and also support the displaced teachers and students.
But as that decision to close became inevitable, the focus of the group shifted. When West Paris lost its school, the group felt the town lost the heart of our community. However they still saw the potential, possibility, historic, and community value within the walls and the grounds.
So why the bobcat? The earliest mention I found of the “West Paris Bobcats” was in a 1948 newspaper article, and it first appeared on the West Paris High School “Nautilus” yearbook cover in 1948. The original bobcat was drawn by Lawrence Emery (yup, my distant cousin). Local artist Mick Liimatta and others have also designed bobcats for West Paris. It seems to have gone dormant when the West Paris High School joined the SAD 17 School District in 1966 and we all became “Vikings.” As an elementary school student at Agnes Gray in the 1970s and 1980s, I do not remember being a “Bobcat” but the mascot was revived in the late 1980s as articles featuring the “West Paris Bobcats” reappeared beginning in 1988.
Carina Adams, a member and current Bobcat Committee treasurer, writes: “The saying, ‘Once a Bobcat, Always a Bobcat,’ had been repeated many times during those first months. It was a way to show we were all still connected, even after the school closed and our students, staff, and volunteers were separated. It connected our little band of warriors, too. We were a group that had very little in common, other than our love for the community school. Some of us had lived in West Paris our entire lives; some had only just moved here. Some had graduated from that building, and didn’t know anyone under 30. Others had only gone to elementary school. And still others were parents of current students who felt like they were part of a family because of the culture at Agnes Gray. At one of our very first ‘gatherings’ someone said we needed a name. I believe it was Sandra Poland who suggested, ‘What about the Bobcat Committee?’ It seemed perfect, in more ways than one.”
The Bobcat Committee’s mission is to “help preserve the historical integrity of Agnes Gray for its future use to benefit the greater good for the West Paris community.” The Bobcat Committee is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, which means donations are now tax deductible and they can apply for grants to offset costs for future projects.
Should the town of West Paris choose to sell the property and buildings, any money raised by the Bobcat Committee will then be given to other non-profits in West Paris, according to their bylaws. The Bobcat Committee, however, does more than raise money. Members have volunteered to mow, garden, and monitor the property. Volunteers have also planned cleanup days both inside and outside.
“WE are the Bobcats.” says Carina Adams “The people who make up this town, whether they’ve been here for six decades or six months. Bobcats are resilient. They adapt. They thrive in ever changing environments, always finding a way to overcome the challenges thrown their way. They’re small, yet mighty. They’re patient and persistent hunters. And while they’re also incredibly independent, they’re also fiercely protective of the places they call home. A bobcat is everything we hoped to be as a group.”
As West Paris decides what to do next with the Agnes Gray buildings and property, I personally hope many of those bobcat characteristics ring true. We are a small community, but we are also mighty, fierce, and resilient. A fight to keep this building and give it new life is a fight for our community.
The Bobcat Committee welcomes your ideas, skills, donations and support. The committee meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month at the West Paris Library at 6PM. All West Paris Bobcats are welcome.
Coming soon: Show your support for the West Paris Community by purchasing a “Bobcats” sticker!
Calendar of Upcoming Events:
Tuesday, November 10th: West Paris Planning Board Meeting at 6PM at the West Paris Town Office. The public is always welcome to attend.
Tuesday, November 10th: West Paris Library Advisory Board Meeting 6:30-7:30PM. This is a monthly meeting and is open to the public.
Wednesday, November 11th: West Paris Library 5-6PM “Community Writes” facilitated by Stephanie Frykholm. The purpose is a monthly gathering to sustain your spirit in these unsettling times. Come join us each month to write with others in a safe, respectful space, using prompts designed to help you explore such questions as: How am I experiencing my life? What are grief and fear teaching me? What am I being called to? How do I live a meaningful life in today’s world? Drop-ins are welcome. Join as you are able. Registration is not required although RSVPs are appreciated. Bring a writing pen and journal. Cost: FREE This will continue on the 2nd Wednesday of each month.
Tuesday, November 17th: 6PM West Paris Bobcat Committee will be meeting on at the West Paris Public Library. Public is always welcome to attend.
Thursday, November 19th: Thanksgiving Dessert Pie Fundraiser. Place your order for an apple, pumpkin or blueberry pie ($18 per pie) by November 19th by contacting Marta Clements at 207-674-2143, or email mclements96894@roadrunner.com. Pie pickup will be on Wednesday, November 25th from 9:00-11:00 AM at The First Universalist Church of West Paris.
Sunday, December 13th: 100th Anniversary of the West Paris Library from 2:00-4:00 PM. Speaker: Rodney Abbott with displays and more. Join us to celebrate our 100-year-old Library! Everyone is welcome!
Ongoing West Paris Meetings/Events:
West Paris Selectman Meetings at 5PM Always the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month at the West Paris Town Office. All are welcomed to attend.
Recovery Ripples Meeting Every Tuesday at Ripple Retreat from 5pm to 6pm. This is a meeting for those in longterm recovery to discuss the good in our lives now, thanks to sobriety, rather than focusing on the bad. It’s an hour of Gratitude, sharing what we are grateful for as a direct result of our sobriety. We don’t share war stories or look in the past, we focus on today and the future. The meeting is held in person at Ripple Retreat, 186R Main Street, West Paris, ME 04289 and online at https://ripple-retreat.com/recovery-resources/.
The Ring McKeen American Legion Post 150 Every 4th Tuesday of the month the Legion and Auxiliary have a meeting and supper. The supper is at 6:00 PM and the meeting starts at 7:00PM. Any Veterans are welcome to join their Comrades.
The First Universalist Church of West Paris Worship Services Sundays, 9 AM. Refreshments served following the service. All are welcome!
November 8, Darrell Dyke will lead the service.
November 15, we will be closed to join with the So. Paris UU church at 9:30 a.m. for their worship service.
November 22, “The Power of One - Who believed in you?” led by Ed and Leslie Rosenberg.
November 29, “Loneliness,” led by The Rev. Scott Campbell.
If your West Paris organization has an event or meeting you would like to have listed in this newsletter, please email Stephanie at semery73@yahoo.com
