“Life Is the Main Action; Music’s the Hobby” 　　(excerpted from an April 2008 article in the Ellsworth American by Hugh Bowden) 　　 　　With the recent release of a new recording Facets and numerous concerts on his schedule over the next several months, Noel Paul Stookey hardly strikes one as a 　　septuagenarian. 　　 　　At a time when many Americans have already begun their retirement years, the 70-year-old Stookey is still singing, still playing, still creating and still lending his 　　support to causes in which he believes. 　　 　　Best known as the “Paul” of the legendary folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary, Stookey also has enjoyed a highly successful separate career as a solo artist. 　　 　　“In These Times,” written by to call attention to 　　environmental issues, makes several points of concern to Stookey. 　　 　　“One is that many of the choices we’ve made already have placed us in this position where we now have fewer choices about the environment,” he says. 　　 　　“While the ship of state may be varying in its direction, ultimately it will take the efforts of all of us to correct the environmental issues." Noel continues, "we are stewards of this incredible gift and we shouldn’t take 　　nature nor the gift for granted.” 　　 　　Clearly, Stookey isn’t ready to stop writing, recording and performing and sit back in the rocking chair just yet. 　　 　　“I thought this was my last CD,” he says of “Facets.” “But now I’m also thinking that I’m not done yet. “Music is still a wonderfully informative — both to me and, prayerfully, to my audience — hobby. Life is the main 　　action; music’s the hobby.”