PeopleofSpectrumGenerations

The People of Spectrum Generations:

Volunteers bringing the Coastal Community Center and

Spectrum Generations into the Digital Age:

Professional Photographer Robert Gorrill, APSA, MNEC and retired Bell Labs Fellow and Research & Development Director Marty Welt

As the 21st Century evolved so did the digital era. 35mm cameras were being replaced by point and shot digital cameras. A transition that many professional photographers resisted but not Damariscotta resident Robert Gorrill. Bob embraced the new technology and wanted to share his knowledge with not only his peers (Associate in the Photographic Society of America, Master Member New England Camera Club Council, creator of PhotoTalk BBS) but with his community.

Through his wife Vail, who since 2005 has orchestrated the behind the scenes aspects for the Center’s social lunch, the Coastal team learned of Bob’s incredible talents as a photographer and teacher. Having just received a Weed and Seed Grant to purchase a digital camera, software and photographic color printer for use in the Center’s Cyber café, the Coastal team turned to Bob and asked him if he would develop the RFP that was needed in order to move forward with the purchases. Simple beginnings which lead to the installation of the Center’s new photographic equipment and the Center’s first digital camera workshops from selecting the right camera, to taking photographs, to downloading the images and creating photo albums.

When Spectrum Generations shifted gears on 2008 and decided to offer a day of new age workshops at its annual conference, Bob was on board with a Digital Camera Workshop. In the fall of 2009, no longer able to teach due a progressive disease that has affected his eyesight, Bob established the Spectrum Camera Club which meets at 1pm on the third Tuesday of each month at Spectrum’s Coastal Community Center in Damariscotta. As club president Bob continues to share his knowledge and expertise with amateur photographers from mid-coast Maine at the group’s monthly meetings and as the group takes field trips and learns to capture the breath taking beauty of the Maine coast.

The flip side of the digital age is being covered by Nobleboro resident and Coastal Senior College instructor Marty Welt who brings 35 years of experience at Bell Laboratories in the design and development of large scale voice and video business communications systems to his Center workshops about buying and selling on eBay. The old adage, ask a busy person to do something and it will get done, is exemplified by Marty who is the immediate past president of the Damariscotta Lake Watershed Association, Chairman of the Friends of the Pemaquid Lighthouse, and with his wife Betty coordinates the activities of the Salt Bay Bike Club.

Drawing on these resources Marty has hosted bike clinics and as part of Spectrum Adventures organized bike rides, hikes with DLWA and a behind the scenes tour of the Pemaquid Lighthouse for friends of the Coastal Community Center. Later this spring Marty will be picking up where Bob had to leave off by bringing his very popular 2009 Lifestyle Conference Workshop “From the Camera to the Computer and Beyond” to the Coastal Community Center as well seminars on navigating Google and a more intensive study of internet commerce.

Retirement is not a word that either Bob or Marty understand. Although they retired from rewarding professional careers and moved to the coast of Maine they have not retired from life. Instead they have taken the time to turn their talents into treasures by volunteering not only for Spectrum Generations but throughout their communities, the state and region.

You may also view our variety of volunteer opportunities, or complete and e-mail to us the volunteer application.

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