On this part of the journey on Asa’s World Tour of Maine, it felt good to be out of the rain, so we headed to Norway, Maine. Located along the shores of Lake Pennesseewassee, Norway was settled in 1786 by veterans of the American Revolutionary War. It was originally known as Rustfield, not because the fields were rusty, but to honor the contributions of a prominent landowner by the name of Rust. When the town was incorporated in 1797 residents first petitioned to have it named, Norage, meaning “falls” in the native peoples’ language, referring to the waterfalls which powered their mills. Some historians argue that Norage got vetoed by the Massachusetts General Court, which governed Maine back then, and the compromise was Norway. Others say it ended up being named Norway due to a clerical error in the spelling. Either Way, the name has stuck!
Asa: Speaking of names, do you hear what those dogs over there are barking at us?
Chuck Billy: Just ignore them, every rock star gets a few hecklers in the audience. Besides, we’re on a schedule. Let’s get moving on to the show!
Chuck Billy: Here we are backstage at Roberts Farm Preserve in Norway, Maine.
Asa: Which direction is the stage?
Chuck Billy: That a way, of course!
Asa: Hello Norway! Hello Norway! Rock and Roll! Let’s go!
Chuck Billy: We must have made a wrong turn.
Chuck Billy: Follow me. I’m sure it must be this way…you can trust me….what kind of a tour manager would I be if we were lost?
Asa: Alright! This stage ROCKS!
Asa: Hey! Is that a fan way back there in the lawn section?!
Asa: Wait? Are you charging Taylor Swift ticket prices for my first concert tour?!!!
Chuck Billy: Hey, if she can charge thousands of dollars per ticket why can’t we?
Asa: Because I haven’t sold over 200 million records globally! I haven’t even recorded one yet!
Asa: I have to go meet this fan! Hey horse! Why the long face? Thanks for coming to my show!
Asa: This is udderly awesome! There’s a second fan over there! *whispers to self: play it cool, play it cool, don’t have a cow. Must resist the goofy Golden puns.*
Chuck Billy: Asa! stop horsing around with our first two audience members! Let’s go backstage and celebrate!
Asa: I really wish I asked that horse what his name was. Did I forget to perform too in my excitement?
Chuck Billy: Hey, I can’t think of everything! Just be happy we eventually found the stage.
We may not know the name of the horse, but we do know that name of the sculptor, Bernard Langlais. Tomorrow we’ll be sharing more photos and fun facts about Roberts Farm Preserve in Norway, as we continue on Asa’s World Tour of Maine!
