Mark your calendars. Pull the kids out of school and program your Tivo. The Turner mystery beast is back and this time he’s coming to the History Channel.

It’s a must see, no matter how you feel about the beast hysteria of August 2006. Here, a group of professional filmmakers examined the controversy in depth, employing a stunningly handsome news reporter and a grouchy animal control officer to guide them into the treacherous woods of Maine in search of similar creatures.

Tune in to see bait boy Mark LaFlamme lugging buckets of dead animal parts as ACO Wendell Strout uses years of experience to track the beast deep into the woods of Turner. See LaFlamme and Strout trudging through miles of snow while film crews holler, “Cut!” at the most inconvenient moments. See what images these brave men captured on wildlife cameras and caught in traps.

If you enjoyed the male bonding scene from “Jaws,” you will love the tender moments between these two creature hunters and their bucket of gore.

It’s coming to the History Channel’s “MonsterQuest” Dec. 5 at 10 p.m.

Here’s a synopsis from the History Channel Web site:

“Mutant Canines: Man’s best friend is many times our last line of defense. But something strange is killing Fido. In 2006, a rash of pets were killed in Maine and Minnesota by a beast locals describe as a mutant. But there are more than just stories, a creature was hit by a car and the body was found. This strange-looking creature will be DNA tested to see what it really is. And two MonsterQuest winter expeditions will be launched to trap other dog killers still at large.”

– Mark LaFlamme
Bon ‘Voyages,’ Sarkozy

A copy of the book “Voyages: A Franco-American Reader” was presented to French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Nov. 6 during a ceremony at the French Embassy in Washington, D.C. Presenting the book to President Sarkozy was Augusta lobbyist Severin Beliveau, honorary French consul for Maine. Members of Maine’s congressional delegation attended.

The book was written by more than 70 who contributed to it, and co-edited by Barry Rodrigue, professor of Arts and Humanities at USM’s Lewiston-Auburn College.

The 600-page book includes more than 70 historical essays, short stories, photos, poems and recipes. Some of the book’s contributors include local Lewiston artist Mercedes Gastonguay, “Papa Martel” author Gerard Robichaud, and photographer Jere DeWaters. The book is a joint venture between the University of Southern Maine’s Franco-American Collection and Tilbury House Publishers.

Rodrigue, of Bath, has been featured on Maine Public Radio for his work on the lost Canada Road, and has also completed research in Alaska, British Columbia and the Yukon Territory. In addition to teaching courses in Franco-American Studies, Rodrigue serves as the scholar for USM’s Franco-American Collection.

“Voyages” is available for sale at the L-A College bookstore, and can be viewed at the college’s Franco-American Collection.

– Bonnie Washuk


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