Karen Hawkins
963 South High Street
Bridgton, ME 04009
Phone 207-647-3734
Fax 207-647-5801
E-mail: barefoot@offthewallemporium.com

Employment:
(1969 - 1973) worked part-time while attending High school at a local supermarket in all departments, concurrently working at Troy Savings bank in mortgage dept (summer 1971) - prepared paperwork to be entered into computers, and working for a veterinarian; Dr Zweig (summer 1972) getting his standardbred race horse yearlings ready for auction 

Raised and trained (showing occasionally) Paso Fino horses since 1970.

Upon graduation from college I worked at Griffin Laboratories - NY State Dept of Health, Division of Labs and Research in Voorhesville, NY (Oct 1973 - June 1976), here I was qualified as an Assistant Lab Animal Technician by the American Association for Lab Animal Science. My duties included maintaining detailed records of multi-generational breeding colonies, hands on work with these colonies and varied laboratory tasks. 

Moved to E. Baldwin, Maine in fall of 1976: 
Laborer in finish room at Hiram Woodcraft (fall 1976) 

Shopkeeper at The Storehouse in Gorham, ME (Oct 1976 - Sept 1977) 

Apple orchard worker - Five Field Farms (Sept 1977 - Oct 1983) (cared for apple trees, grading apples, large equipment operation including tractors, bulldozer, back hoe, fork lift) - received my class 2 driver's license while working here1980 - moved to Bridgton (present address)

Seamstress- Log House Designs (1982-1983) Sewing piecework Twin Gable Farm Enterprises, Inc. - (1983) Russell Welch Interior decorating

I created and manufactured an item (KeyPer) that L.L. Bean's sold (1992-1994)

Day care provider - up to 16 - 24 kids daily (1983 - 1995)

I was a foster parent (1983 - 1998); 4 years of which were therapeutic foster care.

I am a freelance writer. Published articles (weekly and seasonal newspapers and primate publications), include; “The Grapevine”, "The Country Press", "The Bridgton News", "Rocky Mtn. Feed & Livestock Journal", "The Sun Journal", "The Simian", "The Primate Care Journal", "The Primate Care Handbook", NeighborhoodAmerica.com, Suite101.com and "Zooba.com". I was Lead Editor of the Primate Care Journal; a quarterly publication, an SSA publication for two years. Writing samples here.

I edit manuscripts for Dr. Shyui Zhang, Professor at the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Science. 

I taught myself HTML coding and created my own website (www.offthewallemporium.com).

I own a local online news site named "Bridgton Blues, News and Beyond" www.bridgtonnews.com. 

I design and maintain web sites: View list here. I do graphic design, including personalized business cards and stationery. Samples may be found here.

Education:
I was born in Albany, NY - May 6, 1953. I grew up in East Greenbush, NY (across the river from Albany) where I graduated from Columbia High School with a Regents diploma. I attended Russell Sage College (Sept 1971 - Jan 1972 English - major, Science - minor) then transferred to Junior College of Albany (Jan 1972 - May 1973) graduating with an Associates degree in Liberal Arts. I took extra science courses at Hudson Valley Community College (Sept 1973 - Jan 1974; advanced biology, genetics, microbiology).

Professional Memberships:
Member of the Paso Fino Horse Association since 1973

I wasa contributing editor at Suite101 writing about primates. (www.suite101.com/welcome.cfm/primates)

Member of the Simian Society of America

Volunteer Experience:
I am a member of Momwriters and webmistress of "Momwriters.com", which I designed and maintain. It received national recognition by the "Writers Digest" magazine in May 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 as one of the top 101 websites for writers (www.momwriters.com)

Wildlife Rehabilitator (1978 to present) state and federal permitted

4 - H Horse Club leader for 15 years

Café Dove Teen Center - volunteer staff (mentor for "at-risk" teens) 

Board Member of H.O.O.P and F.U.T.U.R.E. (2001)

Bridgton United Methodist Church (Sunday School Teacher: 1980 - 1997, 2000-2003)

Treasurer and Trustee - Bridgton Methodist Church (elected March 1999)

Board member of the Bridgton Food Pantry (elected March 2000)

Pasos Bailandos Therapeutic Riding Center - riding program (1990 - 1996) I was Executive Director and riding instructor of this therapeutic riding program for 6 years, (providing innovative therapy to individuals with physical/emotional disabilities) using my Paso Fino horses. 

Animal -assisted activities and educational programs with primates and various wildlife - visited group homes, nursing homes, boy scout club, schools (grades kindergarten to college, including USM at Gorham's anthropology class) I manage a primate list-serve called "APES" online.

Awards Received:
The following awards were presented to me:

"1990 Volunteer Award for Outstanding Contributions to Community Service" (national recognition)

Appreciation Award from Cumberland County 4-H Program for Club Leadership (December 5, 1991)

I was a nominee for the Jefferson Award in 1992.

News 8 New England Person of the Week" for March 4th, 1994 (being selected by the Bridgton's townspeople) 

"Certificate of Recognition" presented by The People's Regional Opportunity Program in October1994 

Certificate of Appreciation from the Denmark School (June 8, 1995) for Leading an Exploration Club