Since he arrived in Maine in the mid-1970s, Jay Fischer has had great admiration for many a “local character.” After all these years, Fischer has become quite a genuine character himself—as you can see from reading our May feature, “Authentic Collaborator.” Fischer was kind enough to spend a few moments answering this month’s Maine (Home + Design) Questionnaire.

Name: Jay Fischer

Occupation: Builder

Favorite Maine destination: Seven Islands in the St. John River on May 21st.

Mainer I most admire: Percival Baxter

Favorite Maine artist: George Bellows in Monhegan

Favorite Maine gallery or museum: Caldbeck Gallery in Rockland

Favorite Maine craftsperson: Lola Sockabasin at Pleasant Point

Favorite Maine restaurant: Fore Street Grill

Favorite Maine holiday: Columbus Day negotiating the Knife Edge on Mount Katahdin

Happiest Maine memory: Looking east from Chairback Mountain when I realized that all things could begin and end here.

Worst Maine memory: It has slipped my mind….

Native or from away? From away—still

Ocean or lake? Lake, as in Grand and Junior among others

Sugarloaf or Sunday River? Sugarloaf

George Mitchell or George Bush? George Mitchell

Sail boat or power boat? Wood canvas canoes these days – 1948 Old Town and 1938 Grand Laker built by Herb Sprague

Bib or no bib? No comprehende

Moxie? On the rare occasion and always coinciding with a road trip to the varied landscapes in Washington County

One example of the residential work of Fischer's Cold Mountain Builders.

All Photos by Darren Setlow.