November 9, 2009
An incredible turnout of over 300 people celebrated the Grand Opening of The Green Hand Bookshop and the International Cryptozoology Museum, two new businesses at 661 Congress Street, on Friday, November 6, 2009. Festivities included a ribbon cutting hosted by State of Maine Representative Herb Adams, donated refreshments from Jeff Meuse of Ricetta’s, Caleb’s shortbreads, speeches, appreciation awards, and State of Maine legislative proclamations congratulating the new proprietors. Free admission and tours of the museum were conducted, as is tradition during the first Friday of every month in Portland, Maine’s Arts District.
The famous Crookston (Minnesota) Bigfoot then posed patiently for photographs with the First Friday Artwalk patrons all evening. Special guest, retired California Bigfoot investigator Jim McClarin answered questions from visitors.
Above, cryptozoologist/author Loren Coleman and The Green Hand Bookshop owner Michelle Souliere prepare to cut the Grand Opening ribbon, while Master of Ceremonies State Rep. Herb Adams counts down the moment. Photo by Jessica Meuse.
The ribbon cutting was captured also by photographer Rob Carignan.
Below, Bigfoot graces the area near the front window at 661 Congress Street, during the Grand Opening. And crowds trek through the bookshop and museum non-stop from 5 pm to 9 pm. Photos by Jessica Meuse.
Guests of Honor Jim McClarin and Rep. Herb Adams discuss the finer points of the State of Maine Proclamation for the museum, which is seen below. Michelle Souliere of The Green Hand Bookshop also received one (not pictured). Photos by Jessica Meuse.
Rep. Herb Adams, soon after receiving his ICM Lifetime Membership and Appreciation Award (partially donated by Ray Messier of Creative Awards), began joking that he and other honorees were already working on secret handshakes and passwords.
Some of the Grand Opening signage, posters, supplies, brochures, rugs, and more were donated by Tom Burke, X-Press Copy, Staples, Libbet Cone, Missi Labbe, Sarah McCann and the Meuses.
About Loren Coleman
Loren Coleman is one of the world’s leading cryptozoologists, some say “the” leading living cryptozoologist. Certainly, he is acknowledged as the current living American researcher and writer who has most popularized cryptozoology in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
Starting his fieldwork and investigations in 1960, after traveling and trekking extensively in pursuit of cryptozoological mysteries, Coleman began writing to share his experiences in 1969. An honorary member of Ivan T. Sanderson’s Society for the Investigation of the Unexplained in the 1970s, Coleman has been bestowed with similar honorary memberships of the North Idaho College Cryptozoology Club in 1983, and in subsequent years, that of the British Columbia Scientific Cryptozoology Club, CryptoSafari International, and other international organizations. He was also a Life Member and Benefactor of the International Society of Cryptozoology (now-defunct).
Loren Coleman’s daily blog, as a member of the Cryptomundo Team, served as an ongoing avenue of communication for the ever-growing body of cryptozoo news from 2005 through 2013. He returned as an infrequent contributor beginning Halloween week of 2015.
Coleman is the founder in 2003, and current director of the International Cryptozoology Museum in Portland, Maine.
Filed under Breaking News, Cryptomundo Exclusive, Cryptotourism, CryptoZoo News, Cryptozoologists, Media Appearances, Men in Cryptozoology, Museums, Pop Culture, Public Forum, Replica Cryptia, Sasquatch, Women in Cryptozoology