(and then forgot they did it)
a film by Rick Groleau
Oil painting of the original Spruce Mountain. c. 1959. Artist: Fonnie Austin
WATCH THE TRAILER
WATCH THE THE ENTIRE FILM
DESCRIPTION
In the late 1950s a group of ski enthusiasts in Maine built a ski area on Spruce Mountain in North Jay -- they cleared trails, bought and installed a rope tow, built a warm-up hut, and sold tickets. It was a great little slope, and lots of people came to ski, but it turned out that access to the area was difficult, so after two short seasons they decided to move the entire operation to a hilly cow pasture, closer to town. They even moved the name of the area -- Spruce Mountain in North Jay was still Spruce Mountain, but the new ski area was also called Spruce Mountain. Interestingly, today most people in the towns of Livermore Falls and Jay don't know that the original Spruce Mountain exists, even though it's the only actual mountain in the two towns.
More than just a quirky tale of memories lost, The Town that Moved a Mountain is a story of how three rope tows and the dedication of a group of volunteers brought together a community and made a positive impact that carries on to this day.
"The Town that Moved a Mountain" is directed by Rick Groleau, a Boston-based multimedia producer from Livermore Falls, Maine.
Running time: full version: 53:30 / shorter version: 45:57
George Baston and Frank Austin at the top of Spruce Mountain. c. 1958. Photo by Bill Mitchell.
FILM FESTIVALS and SCREENINGS
Officers of the Spruce Mountain Ski Club. c. 1958.
Maine Public Television
Jan. 17, 2019 -- 10:00 pm
Jan. 19, 2019 -- 11:00 am
Sawyer Foundation
Araxine Wilkins Sawyer Memorial Building
371 Sawyer Road, Greene, Maine
Sept 28, 2018 -- 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm
Maine Public Television
Broadcast Premiere
Jan. 25, 2018 -- 10:00 pm
Jan. 27, 2018 -- 11:00 am
Spruce Mountain Fundraiser
DogLegs
Maple Lane Golf Course, Livermore, Maine
Nov. 4, 2017 -- 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm
Adirondack Film Festival
Crandall Library
Glens Falls, NY
Oct 21, 2017 -- 11:45 am
Oct 22, 2017 -- 1:45 pm
Sanford International Film Festival
Sanford-Springvale Historical Society
Sanford, Maine
Oct 19, 2017 -- 5:00 pm
Maine Outdoor Film Festival
Winner, Best of Festival; Best Feature Film
Rangeley Lakeside Theatre
Rangeley, Maine
Friday, September 1, 2017
The Gem Theatre
Bethel, Maine
Thursday, September 14, 2017
Special screenings for the Friends of Spruce Mountain
Fitness Stylz
17 Depot St, Livermore Falls, Maine
May 26, 2017 -- 5:30 pm and 7:00 pm
Emerge Film Festival
World Premiere
Franco Center
Lewiston, Maine
Friday, April 28, 2017
POSTER
Download the poster
18 x 24 inch [20 Mb]
27 x 40 inch [18 Mb]
SOUNDTRACK
Here's a sampling of the music used in the film...
Pleasant Grove
The Black and White Years
Harmony Rockets
Papa B Blu
Mrs Magician
Josh Woodward
Forget the Whale
Muddy Marsh Ramblers
PARTICIPANTS
Bill Mitchell
Betty Mitchell
Denise Rodzen
Arnold Sturtevant
Clayton Wagner
Max Couture
Dan Austin
Leda Sturtevant
David Dion
Janet Ventrella
George Morrill
Jeff Meserve
Mike Simoneau
Marthe Groleau
Dick Brophy
The TTMM mailing list has been retired. If you'd like to contact me, send an email to rgroleau at rcn dot com.
Thank you for your interest in the film!
- Rick Groleau
© 2017 Picked Wiss Productions