Maine
A Maine man took his friend into the woods for one final deer hunt
This story was originally published in December 2022.
Jerry Galusha and his best friend, Doug Cooke, share a friendship that dates back to 1984, when they were living in Rangeley and were introduced by mutual friends.
Over the years, they have often gone fishing or deer hunting, activities they both have enjoyed immensely.
“The relationship that we have is just unbelievable,” Galusha said. “We’ve had some really amazing adventures.”
This fall, Galusha was confronted with a heart-wrenching task. He would take Cooke into the woods, one last time, in search of a big buck.
The difference was that this time they would not be walking the tote roads and trails together. Instead, Galusha would be carrying Cooke’s cremains in his backpack.
Cooke died on Sept. 5 at age 61 after a long struggle with renal failure. Galusha said after 40 years of dialysis or living with a transplanted kidney, Cooke opted to cease treatment and enter hospice care when his third transplant failed.
Doctors had originally told Cooke he would be lucky to celebrate his 30th birthday. Thus, he tried all his life to avoid getting too emotionally attached to people. He seldom asked anyone for favors.
Cooke and Galusha hadn’t seen each other much in recent years as Galusha focused on raising a family. But in late August, Cooke left a voicemail for Galusha explaining that he planned to enter hospice care.
Cooke told Galusha he didn’t need to do anything, but wanted him to know. He did not want to become a burden to anyone else.
“His body was telling him that he’s had enough,” Galusha said. “He couldn’t golf. He couldn’t play his guitar. He hadn’t been hunting in years.”
Galusha couldn’t let it end like that. In spite of Cooke’s reluctance to have his old friend see him in such poor health, he went to visit him.
But as Cooke faced his own mortality, he asked one favor of Galusha.
“He said, ‘Promise me one thing, could you please, just one time, take me in to Upper Dam to go fishing before you dump my ashes?’” Galusha said.
The dam separates Mooselookmeguntic (Cupsuptic) Lake and Richardson Lake north of Rangeley. It was a favorite spot of theirs, one Cooke introduced to Galusha, who grew up in New York.
“He really loved the wilderness and Rangeley,” Galusha said of Cooke, who was a Vermont native.
Galusha immediately said yes but, knowing how much Cooke also enjoyed hunting, he didn’t feel as though the fishing trip was enough to adequately honor his friend.
“I said, I’m going to take you for the whole deer season, every time I go,” Galusha said. “He looked at me and started crying and said, ‘That would be so awesome.’
“It was hard. We cried and hugged each other,” he said.
When Galusha went deer hunting near his home in Rangeley during the third week of November — a week the two buddies often spent together over the years — he tried his best to make it like old times.
Galusha spared no effort. He carried the cardboard urn containing Cooke’s cremains inside a camouflage can, which was wrapped with a photo showing Cooke posing with a nice buck he had harvested many years earlier.
He also packed Cooke’s blaze orange hat and vest, along with his grunt tube, compass, doe bleat can, deer scents and a set of rattling antlers.
Galusha chronicled the events of each hunting day by posting to Cooke’s Facebook page, complete with observations, recollections and photos.
Lots of deer were seen and there was one encounter with a buck, but after missing initially, Galusha refused to take a bad shot as the deer was partially obscured by undergrowth.
“I just did what Doug would have done. He’s not going to shoot and I wasn’t going to shoot,” Galusha said.
He spoke reverently about Cooke’s resilience through the years in the face of his constant battle with health problems, which included not only kidney failure, dialysis and transplants, but four hip replacements and, eventually, a heart attack.
The arrival of muzzleloader season provided one more week to hunt. On Friday, Dec. 2, Galusha walked more than 3 miles along a gated road to an area where he had seen deer a week earlier.
That got him off the beaten track, away from other potential hunters, something Cooke would have appreciated.
“He wasn’t afraid to go do stuff,” Galusha said. “It might take us a little bit longer, but he didn’t care.”
Galusha, who still often refers to Cooke in the present tense, said he vocalized some of his reflections while in the woods. He saw eagles, which he thought might be Cooke keeping an eye on him.
“I talked to him a lot,” Galusha said, who also enjoyed telling the handful of hunters he encountered that he was not out alone, rather with his friend.
He then explained the story of his promise to Cooke and reverently removed the urn from his pack to show them.
When Galusha finally saw the buck, it wasn’t quite close enough. He uses one of Cooke’s favorite tactics to coax the deer closer.
Galusha tried the grunt tube, and then the doe bleat can, but the deer didn’t seem to hear it. Then, he blew harder on the grunt tube and finally got the buck’s attention.
“I irked one right in, that’s what Doug would say,” said Galusha, recalling Cooke’s affection for using the alternating calls.
The spikehorn turned and walked directly at Galusha, who shot it.
“I cried,” he said of the moment, recalling that Cooke had been there when he shot his first antlered deer, also a spikehorn.
During the long drag back to his truck, Galusha had plenty of time to think about how much Cooke would have enjoyed the hunt — and watching him make the drag.
At one point, a crew of loggers had approached.
“I was pointing to the sky saying, ‘We got it done,’ shaking my hand,” Galusha said. “A guy came up behind me and said, ‘You all set?’ and I’m like, yup.”
Cooke and Galusha had lived together for 10 years at one point, but they also had gone long periods without talking with each other. Even so, whenever they were reunited it was as if they had never been apart.
The last few visits were difficult. Cooke’s health was failing, but Galusha just wanted to be there for his buddy.
“It was emotional,” said Galusha, who was present when Cooke died. “I held his hand to his last breath.”
Next spring, hopefully when the fish are biting and the bugs aren’t, Galusha will grant Cooke — who he described as a fabulous fisherman — his final wish by taking him fishing at Upper Dam, just like they used to do.
“I’m thinking maybe around his birthday [July 19]. It might be sooner, depending on how buggy it is,” said Galusha, who expects to make more than one excursion with Cooke.
Galusha said he will know when it’s time to say goodbye.
“I really don’t want to let him go, but I promised him I would, so I will,” he said.
Maine
Women’s Hockey Returns To Hockey East Action Against The University Of Maine – Providence College Athletics
OCTOBER 31/NOVEMBER 1 | SCHNEIDER ARENA | PROVIDENCE, R.I. | 2:00 PM /3:00 PM
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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Providence College women’s hockey team returns to Hockey East play this weekend when they host the University of Maine Black Bears. The weekend series will take place on Friday, Oct. 31 at 2:00 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 1 at 3:00 p.m.
Scouting the Friars
Providence enters the weekend after splitting last weekend’s series against No. 13/13 University of St. Thomas at Lee & Penny Anderson Arena. On Friday, Oct. 24, the Friars earned a 7-6 overtime victory behind senior Reichen Kirchmair’s (Oakville, Ontario) four goals, including the game-winner. Junior Audrey Knapp (Stevens Point, Wis.) recorded four points on three assists and one goal. The 13 combined goals marked the most in a Providence game since the 2013-14 season, when the Friars fell to Boston College, 8-6. In the rematch on Saturday, Oct. 25, Providence was defeated by the Tommies, 5-1. Freshman defenseman Bella Paolucci (Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich.) scored her first collegiate goal in the loss.
The Friars are receiving votes in both the USCHO and USA Today Polls.
Ranked Start
Following last weekend’s matchup against No. 13/13 St. Thomas, the Friars have played seven of their first eight games against ranked opponents. Providence is 2-5-0 this season against ranked foes. Last season, the Friars went 7-5-0, their most ranked wins in a season under Head Coach Matt Kelly and the most since 2009-10. Including the 2025-26 season, Kelly holds a 23-45-6 record against ranked opponents at Providence.
Reichen Kirchmair Named Hockey East Player Of The Week
Senior Reichen Kirchmair (Oakville, Ontario) was named Hockey East Player of the Week on Monday, Oct. 27, marking her first weekly honor of the season. Kirchmair led the Friars with four goals in Friday’s 7-6 overtime victory over No. 13/13 St. Thomas. She recorded a second-period hat trick in just four minutes and 41 seconds before netting the game-winning goal in overtime. The four-goal performance marked Kirchmair’s second collegiate hat trick, seventh career three-point game and second four-point game. It was also her 22nd career multi-point effort and 12th career game-winning goal. Kirchmair is the first Friar to record four goals in a game since Sara Hjalmarsson did so against Maine on Nov. 19, 2022. She is also the first Friar to record multiple hat tricks since Hjalmarsson, who tallied three in her career.
Returning for the Friars
Providence returns senior forward Reichen Kirchmair (Oakville, Ontario), the 2024-25 Cammi Granato Award winner as Hockey East Player of the Year and the league’s scoring champion. She became the first Friar to earn Player of the Year honors since 2004-05 and the first to claim the scoring title since 2002-03. Kirchmair was the only unanimous selection to the Hockey East First Team after leading the league with 15 goals and 15 assists in conference play. The senior paced all league players with 19 goals and 18 assists for 37 points in 34 games.
Junior forward Audrey Knapp (Stevens Point, Wis.) also returns for the Friars after being named a Hockey East First Team All-Star last season. Knapp tied for the conference lead in goals with 15, alongside Kirchmair, making them the only Friars to achieve the feat in the Hockey East era with Sara Hjalmarsson in 2022-23. The junior finished the season with 19 goals and 16 assists for 35 points.
In net, graduate student Hope Walinski (Lincoln, R.I.) returns for Providence. Walinski started 33 games for the Friars, posting a 1.87 goals against average, a .922 save percentage, four shutouts and a 19-11-3 record. Walinski was awarded as a Hockey East Third Team All-Star and named to the “Watch List” for the National Goalie of the Year Award last season.
Audrey Knapp Invited to USA Hockey Women’s National Festival
Junior Audrey Knapp (Stevens Point, Wis.) was invited to the 2025 USA Hockey Women’s National Festival on Aug. 3-9 at the Olympic Center in Lake Placid, N.Y. The group is made up of 76 college and professional players, along with 46 players under the age of 18. The Festival assisted in the evaluation process for the 2026 U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team.
Climbing Up The Second Half
The Friars opened the second half of the 2024-25 season with an 8-1-0 record in January, their most wins in the month since 1998-99. From January through the end of the regular season, Providence earned points in 17 of its final 20 conference games, posting a 13-3-0 record in the second half, the best mark in Hockey East after the new year.
Hats Flying
Providence recorded four hat tricks in 2024-25, its most in a single season since 2004-05. Three of those came from current returners: Reichen Kirchmair, Audrey Knapp and Kiara Kraft.
Hockey East Preseason Poll
The Friars were picked to finish fifth in the Hockey East Preseason Poll, which was released on Monday, Sept. 16. Providence received 61 points and were picked to finish behind UConn (86), Boston University (82), Northeastern University (76) and Boston College (64). The Huskies and Terriers each received five first place votes.
Fresh Friar Faces
Providence welcomes 10 new players (one transfer and nine freshmen) to the roster for the 2025-26 season. Taylor Porthan (Edina, Minn.) is a sophomore from UConn. The nine freshmen are Molly Farace (Otonabee, Ontario), Sophie Harold (Cobourg, Ontario), Mallory Hartl (Askov, Minn.), Izzy King (Bedford, Mass.), Taylor Leemrijse (Toronto, Ontario), Lauren Mack (Excelsior, Minn.), Brenna O’Reilly (Burlington, Mass.), Bella Paolucci (Groose Pointe Woods, Mich.) and Sami Snyder (Waterloo, Ontario).
Friars Under Head Coach Matt Kelly
Including the 2025-26 campaign, Matt Kelly has posted an overall record of 127-93-25 (.569) and 96-66-19 (.583) in Hockey East play. Last season’s 20 wins marked the third time during Kelly’s tenure the Friars have reached the 20-win mark. In his inaugural season, the 2018-19 Friars tied the school-record with 24 wins.
In 2020-21, Kelly led the Friars to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2005, marking the program’s second appearance in school history. The Friars have reached the Hockey East Championship twice under Kelly, in 2020-21 and 2022-23.
Through 40
In the Kelly era, the Friars are 87-8-5 when taking the lead into the third period. They are 26-20-13 when tied after two periods and 14-65-7 when trailing.
Three is the Number
Under Kelly, Providence is 95-7-3 all-time when scoring three or more goals. The Friars were 18-1-0 last season when scoring three or more goals. Providence was a perfect 10-0-0 when scoring four or more goals and 5-0-0 when netting five.
Scouting the Black Bears
The University of Maine enters the weekend 2-5-0, with this matchup marking its opening Hockey East contest. The Black Bears are 2-1-0 at home and 0-4-0 on the road to start the season. In their last series, Maine hosted No. 8 Colgate University. After dropping the opener, 5-2, the Black Bears earned a 2-1 win behind goaltender Kiia Lahtinen’s 40-save performance. The victory marked the team’s 11th ranked win under Head Coach Molly Engstrom.
Who to Watch for Maine
Freshman forward Isabelle Michaud leads the Black Bears with four points on two goals and two assists through eight games. Behind Michaud, three Black Bears have recorded three points this season. Freshman Lulu Rucinski was named Hockey East Defender of the Week on Monday, Oct. 20, after scoring her first career goal and adding an assist for a two-point weekend against Colgate.
In goal, sophomore Kiia Lahtinen has started all seven games for the Black Bears. She has posted a 3.14 goals-against average, .922 save percentage and a 2-5-0 record with one shutout. Lahtinen has made 260 saves this season and was named Hockey East Goaltender of the Week on Monday, Oct. 20.
All-Time Series with the Black Bears
The Friars hold a 54-17-14 all-time record against Maine. Last season, Providence won two of three meetings, with both victories coming in overtime. The teams opened Hockey East play last year with a series in Orono, Maine, where they split the weekend before Providence took the final regular-season matchup on Jan. 31. Maine’s last win at Schneider Arena came in October 2023.
-GO FRIARS!-
Maine
New “Learning from Maine” documentary special spotlights innovation and achievement in Maine schools
FARMINGTON — An in-person screening of “Learning from Maine” is also scheduled for Thursday, October 30th at 5:30pm at The Forum at Mt. Blue Campus in Farmington.
Hosted by former Maine principal Derek Pierce, each 10-15 minute “Learning from Maine” story focuses on what’s happening and what’s possible in Maine schools. Each segment focuses on promising educational strategies, including an apprenticeship model at Farmington’s Foster Tech Center that is re-engaging many Maine youth and connecting them to meaningful careers. The hourlong “Learning from Maine” special will also feature stories from Bethel, Portland and Limestone.
While individual episodes of “Learning from Maine” have been released online since September, the first season will culminate on November 6th at 8 p.m., when a “Learning from Maine” video special will air on Maine Public Television. A rebroadcast will air November 7th at 2 p.m.
The project is produced by Maine Loves Public Schools (MLPS), a statewide campaign led by a coalition of educational organizations, with a goal of sharing stories of educational innovation and achievement from inside Maine classrooms with families and communities.
“It’s been a great honor and joy to see what our teachers and students are up to around the state, and I can’t wait to share these inspiring stories with all who care about Maine’s public schools,” said host Derek Pierce, who was also the founding principal of Portland’s Casco Bay High School.
“We hope that Learning from Maine will provide a deeper view into what our educators see every day: the transformational power of education to bring communities together and change the lives of our kids and families,” said Eileen King, the executive director of the Maine School Superintendents Association, one of the core organizations helping to lead the effort.
Maine Public has committed to co-producing eight more Learning from Maine stories, with more episodes planned for broadcast in 2026. A full list of screenings and more details can be found here.
About Maine Loves Public Schools (MLPS): The mission of Maine Loves Public Schools is to “document, curate and share stories from within our school communities.” The campaign is spearheaded by: Maine School Boards Association (MSBA); Maine School Superintendents Association (MSSA); Maine Principals’ Association (MPA); Maine Curriculum Leaders’ Association (MCLA); Maine Association for Career and Technical Education (MACTE); and Maine Association of School Business Officials (MEASBO). For two years, MLPS has solicited and shared stories from hundreds of ambassadors – educators and community members who share stories from within their classrooms. “Learning from Maine” is the latest step to document and share these stories across Maine.
Maine and about two dozen other states are suing the Trump administration in an attempt to have federal food assistance benefits released next month in the midst of an ongoing government shutdown.
The complaint, filed in federal district court in Massachusetts, alleges that the suspension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits is illegal. The attorneys general say the U.S. Department of Agriculture has access to billions of dollars in contingency funds and can use them pay for the November benefits.
USDA has said it cannot use those contingency funds.
“The contingency fund is not available to support FY2026 regular benefits, because the appropriation for regular benefits no longer exists,” the department said late last week in a memo.
Contingency funding must be available for other purposes, USDA added, including disaster relief.
The attorneys general, however, argue that because states are responsible for administering the federal food assistance program, suspending SNAP benefits is a violation of the Administrative Procedure Act.
And in a statement, Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey said USDA is “simply refusing” to release the food assistance benefits.
“It is unconscionably cruel and unlawful,” he said. “My colleagues and I are going to court to insist that the Trump administration follow the law and use the funds Congress appropriated to ensure SNAP can continue through the shutdown.”
The attorneys general say they will also seek a temporary restraining order asking that the court immediately distribute upcoming SNAP benefits.
Roughly 170,000 Mainers, or about 12% of the state’s population, rely on SNAP benefits. About 75% of Maine of households that receive the food assistance benefits include at least one working adult; more than half include a person with a disability. More than one-third of households include children.
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