Donn Fendler speaks to SAD 4 students

    GUILFORD — Author Donn Fendler recently visited Piscataquis Community Elementary School and held more than 100 5th and 6th graders spellbound with his story about being lost in the Maine wilderness at age 12.

Contributed photo

    AUTOGRAPH TIME — Pictured, from left, are PCES 4th grade teacher Brenda Post, Samuel Bridges and Donn Fendler.

    Fendler, who is now 87, explained to the eager listeners that he wasn’t lost on Mt. Katahdin for all that time. After the first night, he had made it down off the mountain and spent the rest of the time wandering around in the Maine woods. He survived for nine days without food, water or proper clothing before following a stream and telephone line out of the woods near Stacyville.
    The Maine author is making a number of public appearances to promote his new graphic novel “Lost Trail,” co-authored with well-known children’s author Lynn Plourde.  The book is also being made into a movie.
    Fendler explained that to his utter delight, the graphic novel has started a whole new generation of students reading his story.
    After a short break, he spent time in each of the fourth and sixth grade classrooms talking to students individually and autographing a map of his exploits.
    Fendler’s appearance was arrange through the courtesy of the parents group HUGS.