Who is Bananas T. Bear? Why the University of Maine macot! In 1914 a local Old Town, Maine wildlife collector recieved a black bear cub named Jeff. He loaned it to the University for a sporting event and the crowd went "bananas" and the name was born. The mascot was a live bear until 1966 when the state passed a law banning life animals from being mascots. From 1969 to the present Bananas has had several updates and represents the university at sporting events and other campus and community functions.
Why are we placing a cache about Bananas T. Bear in Bear Brook? Because one of the littlest Lowrys, ok not so little anymore, is a senior at the University of Maine and will graduate as a member of the Class of 2019! We wanted to share our happiness with our caching friends and what better place for a bear themed cache than Bear Brook. While you are out here if you meet a bear wearing a UMaine shirt say hello. If you meet a bear that isn't wearing a shirt, well then you're on your own!