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In which we periodically examine how art imitates life and life imitates orienteering.
by Peter Amram
The Map Thief, by Michael Blanding (2014), relates the perplexing story of E. Forbes Smiley, III, who made a smooth transition from respected antique map dealer to prolific thief of those same objects.
Smiley, who had access to venerable map collections in America, was caught when an attentive Yale librarian found an Exacto knife on the floor next to where Smiley had been researching, and slicing. He was arrested, convicted, and jailed for several years. Smiley’s apparent motive was the vortex of debts he had acquired in both business and a quixotic attempt to revert a Maine village into an earlier, nostalgic form.
All but the most dedicated cartographiles might weary of Blanding’s close descriptions of European and early American map-making and distribution; however, the author effectively captures the alluring utility and beauty of the maps which were Smiley’s passion, vocation, downfall.
More to the present point, Blanding meditates on the very nature of maps:
Congratulations to Bridget Hall and Keegan Harkavy for their selection to the 2020 Junior National Team, and to Anna Campbell and Mori Finlayson for their selection to the 2020 Junior Development Team.
Check out the OUSA website for more information on the Junior Team Program. If NEOC youth have questions about the Junior Team program contact
Bridget Hall and Keegan Harkavy received travel grants from NEOC to support their participation at the 2019 Junior World Orienteering Championships. See their thoughts on their experience—Bridget's and Keegan's.
Join other local juniors at informal training sessions. These sessions are sometimes held in person and/or set-up as Bring-your-own-map options. Contact
NEOC provides travel grants for youth participating in domestic and international orienteering events. More information will be posted for the 2020 Junior Travel Grant Program once ‘normal’ orienteering resumes.