Fire Authority Scarecrow Remembers 9/11

Name: Gregg Schkade

Business or group: 

Location of scarecrow: On ladder in front of main fire station, 3205 Hartland Rd

Theme of entry: 9/11 Tribute

The ladder-climbing fire firefighter raising the American flag was a hard sight to miss driving along Hartland Road this past week.

A late entry into the Heritage Day contest, firefighter Gregg Schkade and his wife Tina heard about the scarecrows earlier this week and decided that it would be a great opportunity to show their community support as well as create a salute to their brothers, in honor of those who died in the Sept 11 terrorist attacks.

“The theme tied into Sept. 11,” Schkade said. “We wanted to have the firefighters and the flag as kind of a memorial.”

Schkade also credits his wife for her hard work in getting their scarecrow up so quickly and says that their quick involvement was about community support and fun.

“We’re not really concerned about the contest at all,” Schkade said. “We just wanted to be part of it, and be part of the community.”

Schkade also appreciates the positive response of the community, which at first was concern, he said, as cars would stop on the road to make sure the man on the ladder was okay.

"They (drivers) continued to see him not moving," Schkade said. "And actually stopped in and checked it out a little further." 

And this may not be the last we see of the Hartland Firefighter scarecrow. According to Schkade, ideas are already being thrown around the station on how they can make him a seasonal figure.

“I guess I’ll just have to say to keep your eyes peeled,” Schkade said. “And see where he may show up next or what costume he may have on."

How to vote

If you'd like to vote for the fire authority's entry in the heritage day scarecrow contest, you can vote at , the or email info@hartlandchamber.org or cmarlow@comaine.org. Votes must be received by Friday, Sept. 16. Winners will be announced around noon at the chamber Saturday, Sept. 17, on heritage day. Vote categories are: most interesting, most historic or most colorful.

Heritage Day contest entries

Note: A link will appear once we profile each scarecrow.

Where's Patches?

You can enter a drawing to win a $25 gift card to by being the first to tell us on our website where Hartland Patch's scarecrow is today. On Thursday, he was at the and Alex Cushing correctly pointed it out, so he's the sixth in the drawing. There is one more chance to get in.

Click for complete contest rules.