One of Maine’s ‘Great Women’

By Wayne E. Rivet
Staff Writer

Eula Shorey has been a caretaker of Bridgton’s history.

For decades, she was an influential force in the areas of development, environment and preservation.

ONE OF THE 15 “Great Women of Maine” selected by MaineToday Media, Inc. is former BN editor, Eula Shorey.

Tonight, Mrs. Shorey will be among 15 women to be honored at The Landing at Pine Point in Scarborough as one of the “Great Women of Maine” by MaineToday Media, Inc.

The 15 honorees were chosen from a list of 58 nominees.

MaineToday Media Chief Executive Officer Richard L. Connor believes it is important to recognize individuals who are making a difference in Maine. Connor, who owns another publication in Fort Worth, Texas called the BusinessPress, created the “Great Women” event there years ago.

“The Great Women of Maine” is meant to recognize the efforts and accomplishments of women from across the state. These women are exceptional at what they do whether it is being a business professional, educator, philanthropist, community leader, or some combination of all of the above. The women were nominated by friends/family/admirers across the state, and then a panel of judges finalized the selection.

The list of honorees also includes: Meredith Strang Burgess, Senator Susan Collins, Susan Conley, Brenda Garrand, Bonnie Holding, Shelley Cohen Konrad, Carla Lafayette, Sister Viola Lausier, Marcia McKeague, Melinda Molin, MD, Dianne Nason,  Senator Olympia Snowe, Dawn Stiles and Elsie Viles.

Mrs. Shorey’s involvement in her community included:

Historical Society: 1953, founding member of Bridgton Historical Society (she served as president in 1965 and presently is a trustee emerita); instigated founding of Bridgton Historical Museum in 1976; chairwoman for the Bridgton Historical Society annual antique show for 20 years.

Town History: Edited the Bridgton History, 1768-1968, published for Bicentennial; cited by American Association for State and Local History as best history published that year.

Bicentennial: Chairwoman of the Bridgton Bicentennial Committee 1968; 1975, Outstanding Citizen of Bridgton award by Bridgton Chamber of Commerce for work on Bicentennial, obtaining funds for the building of the town bandstand and the Boy Scout cabin.

Journalist: Started journalism career at the Sullivan Times (Indiana); worked for Southwest News in Pulaski, Va.; editor of corporate publications in Virginia and New York; worked at Pittsburgh Press; Managing Editor of The Bridgton News for 35 years; 1975-1976 first female president of the Maine Press Association (established in 1864); Maine Journalist of the Year 1981; 1999, Henry and Eula Shorey elected to Maine Press Hall of Fame; 1971-1974, 1976-77 chairwoman of the Maine Press Association Better Newspaper Contest; 1974, judge at National Newspaper Association Better Newspaper contest in Washington, D.C.; Board of Directors of New England Press Association 1978-1980; 1981, member of MPA Ethics Committee.

Civic Leadership: Trustee of Northern Cumberland Memorial Hospital; president of Hospital Guild; trustee of Bridgton Public Library; president of Bridgton Literary Club; member of First Congregational Church; charter member (1970) and now honorary trustee of the Lakes Environmental Association; initial founding member of Arts and Crafts Society in Bridgton.

County and State: Cumberland County CETA board member; Cumberland County Budget Committee; The Remember ME committee; Cumberland County TB and Health Association Board; Board of Maine Association of Hospital Auxiliaries.

Mrs. Shorey, who will be 97 this year, remains proud of her work at The Bridgton News, production of the Bridgton History and the organization of the Bridgton Arts and Crafts Society.

“She saw a need for women in town to be able to sell the items that they were making at home. She knew of an empty town-owned building and received the selectmen’s okay to create the center,” wrote Mrs. Shorey’s daughter, Mary. “Over the years, she also encouraged young women to enter the business world and start their own businesses.”

Mary Shorey added, “She (Mrs. Shorey) has always had this vision of a healthy community  — environmentally and economically — as well as helping to preserve the history of the town through gathering history into the 1968 publication and in recording history through The Bridgton News.  She was an early proponent for zoning to preserve the character of the town and the quality of the area lakes.”

When asked, “What would you like to see different about Maine in 10 years?” Mrs. Shorey responded, “A better climate for preservation of resources and history as well as for development in the economic well-being of the state.”

MaineToday Media, Inc. includes The Portland Press Herald, Maine Sunday Telegram, Morning Sentinel and Kennebec Journal.