Peter Addicott ’68, G’75 d a v i d a l l e n r e e d s o C i e t y


By Claire Burns


Storytelling Festival Founder Cites Springfield College as ‘Bright Spot’ in the World


In the foothIlls of western Maine, there’s a sparkling new attraction in the culturally rich, small city of Farmington. The Western Maine Storytelling Festival, envisioned by Pete Addicott, has grown in three years to feature not only nationally and internationally known storytellers, but also such mainstays in the historic fiber of the community as loggers, quilters, Native Americans, musicians and other groups. Addicott, a retired summer resident


of Farmington, notes that tourism has experienced an uptick for festival weekend, but he sees deeper human benefits. “Storytelling is a way for families to connect, or reconnect, and take pride in their ancestors and their accomplishments,” he says. “These were the founding pioneers who cleared the land; created farms, orchards, and lumber and wool mills; made the region a hub for small manufacturing, and built communities. Storytelling can preserve the value of that and pass it along to children,” he adds. Storytelling and music, two art forms


that improve the quality of people’s lives, are focuses in Addicott’s life today. He is currently on the board of visitors of the university of Maine at Farmington, which was a founding partner of the storytelling festival. At home in Collierville, Tenn., he and his wife, Fran, are members of the Rhodes MasterSingers Chorale. The semi- professional, 60-member ensemble has performed throughout the region and in Europe. Next year in France, it will present gabriel Fauré’s “Requiem” at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, and will perform commemorating the 70th anniversary of


TRIANGLE 1 Vol . 84, No. 3


recalls performances of “Tom Jones” and several two-character plays. He enjoyed the College’s involvement in the community, became involved with nonprofits, and played soccer locally with several international clubs. “Springfield College was a very


personal experience in an immediately welcoming environment,” Addicott says. “There was an underlying under- standing of the integration of spirit, mind, and body in the learning and growing process, and that was a breath of fresh air and an inspiration to me. That ideal is one of the great things that Springfield College still has to offer. It’s a bright spot in the world,” he adds. Addicott went on to a career in the


Peter Addicott


D-Day in Normandy. Addicott’s interest in the arts grew


during his years at Springfield College. He applied to the College after his military service when he was searching to define himself and his future direction. Former Springfield College President Paul limbert, a family friend, advised him that the College, with its emphasis on holistic growth— spirit, mind, and body—would be a good fit for him. “Springfield College offered me a tremendous window of opportunity to explore anything and everything,” he says. As a student, Addicott gravitated toward the College’s chorale and Attic Players. He


YMCA, where he developed expertise in several areas including manage- ment training. After 11 years, he was offered an opportunity at an emerging new company with about 5,000 employees—FedEx. As the company grew to more than 300,000 employees worldwide, Addicott established and


administered management training programs, including personal programs designed to develop individual skills. Retiring after 25 years, he formed a consulting group that provides services in organizational development and leadership for nonprofits. Through the years, Addicott has been a


donor to Springfield College. “I’ve always believed that it’s important to support an institution that does so much to promote human understanding. Springfield College develops leaders, not always in terms of title, but in reality in their communities. There’s a difference,” he says.1


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