Support sought for last blueberry rake maker

After a June 29 fire destroyed the last blueberry harvesting hand-rake business in Maine, and possibly the country, the community is rallying to help Harold "Ike" Hubbard, 84, rebuild his 38‑year business. With Hubbard having no insurance, supporters like Debbie Salisbury, his caregiver who has worked at Hubbard Rake Co. in Jonesport for over 25 years, are getting the word out about a GoFundMe website and the Saturday, August 15, lobster dinner and raffle fundraiser hosted by American Legion Post #9 in Machias.

Calling the fire "devastating," Salisbury says, "Any help we can get to get the shop back up and running is really appreciated."

Although the cause of the fire is still unknown, according to Salisbury, "It may have been from a lightning strike or a mouse chewing a wire, but the shop burned flat."

The fire could not have come at a worse time, with the season just beginning; "$8,000 in orders went up in flames," says Salisbury. There was also $100,000 in machines, tools, a computer and countless personal items lost along with two trucks, one used for weekly deliveries, and three to four people out of a job. "This season's gonna be hard, because people out in the field, if they happen to break a tooth on their rake, they would just bring it in, and he'd stop what he was doing and fix their rake  he's all about keeping people working," she says.

The GoFundMe site outlines a three‑phase fundraising effort with the phase one goal of $25,000 to cover immediate‑fire related losses such as emergency wage support, cleanup and salvage. So far, three‑quarters of the first phase goal has been met. Phase two will cover shop rebuilding, for which costs are being assessed, and phase three will cover the tools and machines estimated between $35,000 to $40,000.

For 38 years, Hubbard designed and made rakes not only for blueberries but also cranberries and huckleberries. For decades his rakes have been among the best available for reducing damage to fresh blueberries. He also makes multiple tools for Johnny Selected Seeds out of Winslow and horse manure rakes.

Hubbard is a veteran and a member of American Legion Post #9 for 30 years and has been district commander of the American Legion for Washington County until he retired. "He has helped a lot of people over the years," says Salisbury, adding that he traveled all over Washington County as district commander and "if anyone needed help trying to get something done, he would help them, or he'd point them in the right direction."

According to Salisbury, Hubbard's not entirely comfortable with the fundraising and GoFundMe effort because "he's used to giving, not receiving, but I keep telling him it's his time. It's his time to let the people give back, if that's what they want."

To support Hubbard, Salisbury requests helping spread the word, donating to the website or attending the lobster dinner and 50/50 raffle on at American Legion #9, 42 Court Street, Machias. The party starts at 3 p.m. with the meal served around 5 p.m. RSVP <aggiemoomoo@gmail.com> or call (207) 255‑8665.