Space shuttle commander, Challenger widow make re-entry into Bangor

BANGOR, Maine — Former space shuttle pilot and commander Rick Hauck and June Scobee Rodgers, widow of space shuttle Challenger 51-L commander Dick Scobee and founding chairwoman of the Challenger Center for Space Science Education , made re-entry into Bangor on Friday.

Both Hauck and Scobee Rodgers were in the city to help the Challenger Learning Center of Maine promote its goal of exposing middle school students to more science and mathematics.

“This is a celebration of how far we’ve come, how much we’ve accomplished, and how we make a difference,” said Scobee Rodgers, who recently has completed a book titled “Silver Linings” about her life before, during and after the Challenger explosion . “This celebrates the mission of the Challenger crew and the legacy left for them.”

The fact that the Challenger Learning Center of Maine is entering its eighth year of existence as the national Challenger Center for Space Science Education observes its 25th anniversary gave local center representatives and supporters a chance to throw a party, which in this case was the fourth annual Astronauts Ball at the Hilton Garden Inn.

About 100 people attended the formal ball, which featured exotic drinks and snacks with interstellar names, a NASA photo exhibit, talks by both Hauck and Scobee Rodgers, dinner, raffles and a dance with a live band.

“When I started with the Challenger Center as a marketing-fundraising consultant, a lot of people didn’t know who we were or what we did,” said Susan Jonason, executive director of the center. “I figured if we had a fundraiser, it’s something that could become very good for raising funds as well as our profile.”

Hauck didn’t have to be asked twice. The NASA veteran who commanded two shuttle missions and piloted another now lives in Winter Harbor with his wife. This was his second time attending the ball.

“I was commander of the first space shuttle flight after the loss of Challenger so I feel a special kinship to the objective,” said Hauck, who joined the astronaut corps with Dick Scobee in 1978. “It’s a wonderful program that encourages middle school students to study science, technology and mathematics, so I’m here to support that cause.

“The youngsters seem so engaged and motivated. They’re excited to be part of a science- and math-based program. We can’t afford to lose a generation of young minds.”

Scobee Rodgers was happy to be back in Bangor.

217 Films Screening Schedule: 217 Films' "John Marin: Let the ...

This film tells the story of one of the most important artistic figures of the first half of the 20th century, and the undisputed father of American Modernism. Utilizing more than 70 of Marin’s paintings, drawings, and etchings, including, those in private collections seldom seen anywhere, filmmaker Michael Maglaras tells the story of Marin's life, from his beginnings in New Jersey, and his early experiments in watercolor, to his days at Cape Split in Down East Maine, where, with his late oils, he established himself as one of the preeminent masters of American art. Written, narrated, and directed by Michael Maglaras of 217 Films. 2009. Not rated. 95 minutes. 217 Films is an independent film company devoted to the American artistic experience. In 2005, Michael Maglaras and Terri Templeton released their first film “Cleophas and His Own” about the American painter Marsden Hartley's epic narrative of love and loss. Maglaras both directed and played the role of Hartley in this film. In 2008, they released a second film about Hartley called “Visible Silence: Marsden Hartley, Painter and Poet” – the first-ever documentary on the life of Hartley. In 2010, with their film “John Marin: Let the Paint be Paint!” they established, through the first full-length documentary on this important painter, that Marin was one of the fathers of American modernism. All three films, among other distinctions, have been shown to acclaim at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. They have just begun work on a documentary about American woodblock artist and illustrator, Lynd Ward. www.two17films.

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