 Nelson Jewell
Nelson
Jewell hails from the far reaches of Northern Maine…Presque Isle to be
exact. A proud member of the Aroostook Band of Micmacs, he’s inspired by his
mom’s tenacity with having survived the hardships of reservation life in New
Brunswick.
It
was her loving guidance and encouragement, and his father’s hard-work ethic
example that gave him a great start in life.
If
it’s hard work in Northern Maine, Nelson has done it. He has delivered
newspapers, shoveled lots of snow, picked potatoes, cut wood for a living, and
has even worked in the lumber and hardware business (Grossman’s).
However,
Nelson was an adventurer. Wearing his best leisure suit and platform shoes,
and with disco ball in hand, he decided to head south to attend University of
Maine Orono in the late 70’s. Not yet ready for college life, he landed a
job with Bar Harbor Airlines working in the ground support department as a
mechanic--a department he would manage for the better part of 11 years. It was
at that same airline where he met his wife, Shirley.
Leaving
his leisure suit, platform shoes, and disco ball in the closet, Nelson made
his way back to school in 1989, after the airline announced their imminent
closure. He graduated from the New England School of Broadcasting with a 3.93
GPA, majoring in radio and advertising. Since then he has worked both full and
part-time in broadcasting. He also served as Director of Admissions at the New
England School of Communications (NESCom) for a number of years. At NESCom, he
helped many young people fulfill their broadcasting dreams. Before radio
called him back, Nelson worked a short time as Director of Student Activities
for Husson College.
He
is a bit of a risk taker. Having skydived twice, he says he would do it
everyday if time and money allowed. White water rafting in dangerous rapids
has also been a part of his life’s adventure. Don’t ask him about his hang
gliding adventure…ouch.
His
greatest joy in life has always been his wife and kids. Today, he celebrates
the lives of his grandkids,
Jeremiah (Muin-ah-cis “Little Bear”)
and Emma
(Peh-sah-zum “Star”). 
The
greatest challenge for Nelson was overcoming the passing of his oldest son,
Ben, in 1996. His two other sons, Adam and Wes, are both students at UMaine.
Not yet ready to stop learning, Nelson spent the last two semesters
(2005-2006) as a full-time student at UMaine majoring in journalism with a
minor in Native studies…he’s on the dean’s list. In August of 2006,
Nelson and Shirley will celebrate 23 years of bliss; they have been best
friends for 25 years. They reside in the booming metropolis of Levant.
Above
Left (Nelson and wife, Shirley in 1984)
Above Right (Nelson and Shirley, Spring 2006)
Favorite
quotes:
“God’s
gift to you is your talent…your gift to God is using that talent.”
Red Skelton
“Live
life. Take a chance.”
Anonymous
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