HANOVER – Bright and early this morning, Barb and Irv Robinson will dip the front tires of their bikes into the Atlantic Ocean off Bar Harbor, then begin a 4,500-mile trek to the Pacific Ocean.
The Maryland couple are seasonal residents of Howard Pond in Hanover. Besides being the adventure of a lifetime, the cross-country trip will benefit the Gardner Roberts Memorial Library.
For every mile they pedal, they’re hoping sponsors will pay from a half-cent to five cents.
“We like the town and enjoy ourselves whenever we are here,” said Irv Robinson, a retired Department of Defense employee. “This is such a friendly place. We want to help the area.”
The fund-raiser promises to be a huge boost for the Gardner Roberts Memorial Library Association, said Town Clerk Clem Worcester, who will drop off the Robinsons in Bar Harbor. He’s also been active in trying to get the tiny library moved from Howard Pond Road to a more accessible site next to the Town Office on Ferry Road.
“We hope this will get the plans to move the library back on track,” Worcester said.
He estimates a minimum of $25,000 will be needed to move the late 19th century, Victorian-style library a half-mile from its current location.
In the past few years, a group had raised about $3,500 for the move. Then fund-raising efforts stalled.
The Robinsons hope to arrive in Anacortes, Wash., around Labor Day, approximately 15 weeks later. They plan to periodically send back information on the progress of their trip, something Worcester will track on a large map posted in the Town Office.
They also expect to pass through other towns named Hanover. Whenever that happens, Robinson said they’ll take pictures and e-mail them to a son who lives in Vermont or to the Hanover Town Office.
Fifteen years ago, the Robinsons first went to Howard Pond to camp and pet-sit. About four years ago, after the couple retired, they bought a lot and had their own camp built. Barb Robinson is a retired registered nurse.
“We like being away from the hustle and bustle of more populated areas,” said Robinson.
Anyone who wants to pledge, either by the mile or a single amount, may contact Donna Worcester, vice-president of the library association, at Box 77, Hanover, ME 04237, or online at [email protected].
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