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Log inAt Empire Grill, fans have fond memories
At Empire Grill, fans have fond memories
by Outspoken on Sun Sep 28, 2008 5:26 am
At Empire Grill, fans have fond memories
BY JOEL ELLIOTT
Staff Writer Morning Sentinel
SKOWHEGAN -- Paul Newman fans on Saturday expressed their sadness at his death, some visiting the diner that figured so prominently in his film, "Empire Falls," to leave cards and flowers.
"Empire Falls" was a mini-series based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel with the same name by Maine author Richard Russo, and was filmed in 2003 in Skowhegan, Waterville and other places in the state. It depicts a dying mill town as seen through the eyes of the fictional manager of the Empire Grill, a real restaurant on Water Street in Skowhegan.
Yesterday, the owner of the Empire Grill, Tom Miller, said Newman fans were braving the rain to visit the restaurant the day after Newman's death.
"Apparently, some of his fans are starting a little shrine outside our building," Miller said. "It's like a miniature Strawberry Fields -- I'm exaggerating."
Jeff McCabe, of Skowhegan, bought a cross and wreath from Skowhegan Fleuriste to place as a memorial outside the grill.
"You could say the grill served as a shrine to the movie so it seemed fitting to do something for Paul Newman," he said.
One woman who stopped by the restaurant for lunch, Gloria Nicholson, of Norridgewock, said she had always been impressed with Newman's willingness to donate to non-profit organizations.
"He was very generous along those lines," she said, adding that Newman seemed to enjoy his time in central Maine, fishing in the Belgrade Lakes and exploring a bit.
Lynn "Kip" Kippax, a former journalist who worked as the location manager and media coordinator for "Empire Falls," said he was saddened by the news.
http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/news/local/5455290.html
Staff Photo by Thomas Michael Corcoran
BY JOEL ELLIOTT
Staff Writer Morning Sentinel
SKOWHEGAN -- Paul Newman fans on Saturday expressed their sadness at his death, some visiting the diner that figured so prominently in his film, "Empire Falls," to leave cards and flowers.
"Empire Falls" was a mini-series based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel with the same name by Maine author Richard Russo, and was filmed in 2003 in Skowhegan, Waterville and other places in the state. It depicts a dying mill town as seen through the eyes of the fictional manager of the Empire Grill, a real restaurant on Water Street in Skowhegan.
Yesterday, the owner of the Empire Grill, Tom Miller, said Newman fans were braving the rain to visit the restaurant the day after Newman's death.
"Apparently, some of his fans are starting a little shrine outside our building," Miller said. "It's like a miniature Strawberry Fields -- I'm exaggerating."
Jeff McCabe, of Skowhegan, bought a cross and wreath from Skowhegan Fleuriste to place as a memorial outside the grill.
"You could say the grill served as a shrine to the movie so it seemed fitting to do something for Paul Newman," he said.
One woman who stopped by the restaurant for lunch, Gloria Nicholson, of Norridgewock, said she had always been impressed with Newman's willingness to donate to non-profit organizations.
"He was very generous along those lines," she said, adding that Newman seemed to enjoy his time in central Maine, fishing in the Belgrade Lakes and exploring a bit.
Lynn "Kip" Kippax, a former journalist who worked as the location manager and media coordinator for "Empire Falls," said he was saddened by the news.
http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/news/local/5455290.html
Staff Photo by Thomas Michael Corcoran
"Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything."
Plato (427-347 BC)
Plato (427-347 BC)
