Museum volunteers and Loring officials have been at odds over whether to preserve the deteriorating arch hangar for tourism or for economic development.
Rebecca Smith “Becky” passed away on January 20 at the age of 92, after a long illness. She was a registered nurse and a Captain in the Air Force, stationed at Loring Air Force Base, Strategic Air Command in Limestone, Maine. For the last 40 years, she ranched in Alpine. She is survived by a longtime friend and partner, Cathy Fortenberry, nephews Nathan Smith and Jeff Porter, first cousin Joy Robinson, numerous extended family, and a multitude of close friends. She is preceded in death by her mother and father, Marie Smith, and Clarence Smith. Her three brothers and a sister, Tommy, Robert, Mickey, and Pat, close friend, and mentor Perry Cartwright. A private memorial will be held at a later date. She will be missed by all.
“Nobody in the Ellsworth area even knew what punk rock was, but Joel was going to CBGB and the Rathskeller in Boston and finding these bands and bringing them up."
Jonathan Judkins recently became interim president and CEO of the Loring Development Authority, the state-funded economic development entity that has been working to redevelop the former base.