Another season of season of hiking, biking, fishing, boating, and all of the many outdoor activities we look forward to,is on our doorstep! As we prepare to enjoy our summer outdoors, it seems appropriate and timely that we introduce you to Donn Fendler.
Donn Fendler
In addition to being the uncle of our founding partner Nancy Fendler he is a legend in Maine and one of the reasons we at Fendler Communications, take safety in the outdoors very seriously. As a young boy Donn was hiking Mt. Katahdin with his father and brother and became separated from them and was lost for 9 days. This link will take you to a website that will allow you to enjoy some of Donn’s true and inspiring story of his incredible 9 day journey entitled “Lost on a Mountain in Maine”.
We hope you will be inspired by Donn and always remember that safety is the most important key to enjoying our beautiful outdoors. We would also like to express our heartfelt thanks to John Thurlow for creating and maintaining this website as a tribute to Donn and his contribution to children and their education over the years.
14 Responses to “Meet a Maine Legend – Donn Fendler”
My class would like to write letters to Donn Fendler. Where should we send them?
Hi Diana and thanks for your note. From late fall through early spring, your class can send letters to:
Donn Fendler
1770 Theresa Drive
Clarksville, TN 37043
He loves to hear from students!
I enjoyed Donn’s story of his untimely adventure on Katahdin, my wife and i just returned from a trip to Mooshead lake, I saw his book at a local store and bought it, didnt put it down until I read the whole thing! I hope he is doing well……
Thank you Bryan. I will pass along your kind words to Donn. Yes, he is doing well!
Good Morning,
I stumbled on your site as I was helping my Grade 3 son work on a school project surrounding “Donn Fendler — Lost on a Mountain in Maine”. The children are constructing dioramas of scenes from the book that resonate with them. It is my son, Ian’s, second reading of the book, the first followed by a trip to Lunksoos (it’s quite nearby) and our attendance at his talk at Cole’s Museum in Bangor. Though he was rendered speechless as Mr. Fendler signed his well-worn copy, he recounts the day as “awesome”. Mr. Fendler began his talk to the effect, “..if anyone gets bored, it’s fine to leave…” little brother Leif, said, “Mumma I’M bored…!” and promptly fell asleep. Little sister Fiona sat quietly on my lap and smiled and waved to a nice lady behind us, who responded in kind. Though they were both silent, and seemingly having a good time, surely this nice lady was missing a fascinating talk! Mrs. Fendler, as it turned out, and I,and our little ones had a wonderful visit while our oldest queued up for the book signing. Such a warm and lovely lady… we were saddened to hear of her passing. We extend our deepest sympathy to Mr. Fendler. We are grateful for the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Fendler, as they have given so much of themselves, for which we are the better. Thank you for posting a mailing address for Mr. Fendler. Though Ian’s teacher may have it already, I will see that she does. She plans to post pictures of the children’s dioramas online as well.
Sincerely,
Lisa Ammerman
P.O. Box 46
1093 Benedicta Road
Benedicta, ME 04733
(207) 365-7691
lisaammerman@peacemail.com
Hi Lisa,
What a lovely note. I will pass along to Donn. I can just hear him say, “If you are bored it’s fine to leave.” He has a great sense of humor. We all miss Ree (Mrs. Fendler). Thank you again!
Nancy
Mr. Fendler:
I am a retired school teacher visiting my mother in Massachusetts from my state of Alaska. I saw your book, Lost on a Mountain in Maine, and read it last night. This morning I asked my mother about it (she, too, was 12 years old in 1939). She told me the story of how her, her parents, and two sisters listened to the radio every day for updates of your story and how her father cried when the news came across the air waves you were found safe. Thanks for a great story and a timeless read that will inspire generations of young (and not so young) readers for generations.
Cheers,
Cal Pappas
Willow Alaska
I am a 3rd grade teacher in New Mexico and am reading Lost on a Mountain in Maine with my class. Is thre any way to Skype with Mr. Fendler?
Hi Shari. Sorry for the slow response. I will check with Donn to see if he has access to skype and get back to you. He is in TN for the winter. Thanks so much for your interest!
My best,
Nancy
Any word about Skype-ing with Donn?
Hi Shari,
I am very sorry for the delay in responding. Donn has been away. He does not have access to Skype I am afraid. He can be reached my mail at
Donn Fendler
1770 Theresa Drive
Clarksville, TN 37043
or by email at dfendler@charter.net
If you send him a note, he just might be able to make something happen for your class.
Thanks so much again for your interest in Donn and his story!
Awww, I absolutely LOVE Lost On A Mountain In Main!!
I could not put it down! I think I must’ve read it about a million times! Each time it was sooo great!!
I hope Mr. Fendler is doing well
Regards from Boulder, CO!
PS. never actually been to Maine, but being from Colorado, I am an avid hiker myself!
Hi,
I sent this letter last week to Mr. Fendler’s email address, which I found on this site. I haven’t heard from him yet so I thought I’d send the request along here.
Hello Mr. Fendler,
I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to see if you might be available to visit our Young Author’s Camp, which is part of the Maine Writing Project, next week. We will be holding the camp at Sebasticook Valley Middle School in Newport and would love for you to present on Friday, July 16 from 10-11. I am assuming, of course, that you are here in Newport at your camp on Lake Sebasticook so there definitely wouldn’t be any traveling involved!
If you are interested and available we would love to include you in our camp!
Please let me know. Thank you.
Angela Brown
Teacher Consultant and Literacy Specialist
Maine Writing Project Fellow and Teacher
Hi Angela,
This is a great invitation. I will try to get this message to Donn.