Being a dyed in the wool Mainer has meant many things over the years. When I lived in Manhattan (that’s the Big Apple to you theater goers!), it meant putting up with people asking me to ‘say something’, because my accent was so weird. In Boston when I said I was from Maine, Bostonians got a kind of glazed look and told about their trips here to summer camp and how they planned on retiring in Maine, as though summer camp was an expected way of life.
Being from Maine has meant explaining what ‘downeast’ means and why it’s north on the map. Being a native (more than one generation) Mainer or a downeaster is a belief, a way of thinking and an appreciation of independence and pride, and that was always the most difficult to explain. And now someone has done it.
Colin Woodard, a Mainer for sure, has written a book called “The Lobster Coast.” I can see folks picking it up because it’s about lobsters, or so they think. For those who want to know what Mainers are all about, this book will provide some of the answers, for it tells of the settling of the coast and how the unique downeast ethos came to be. A great read, so far. I sure hope the author is a young man and we can look forward to much more from him.
Ken Cole, our long-time friend and columnist is under the weather, we hear. We truly hope he is comfortable and can see his beloved birds and other visitors to his birdfeeder, from his window. Over the years he has charmed us with his reminiscences and good information about not just birds, but all manner of wildlife. Cheerful cards to he and Lena would be an appropriate gesture. His address is 1 Lowell Road, Windham, Maine 04062. We wish him many sunny days.
Never fear that our historic buildings in town are forgotten. Frequent calls and emails and queries are received. Most recently, an architectural firm hired by Maine Department of Transportation has contacted us via the library, to find out the history of several houses on River Road. Through the archives and files at the Historical Society, this information is available and readily provided. One of the most valuable resources the town has, the Windham Historical Society is now open to the public for the summer, on Thursdays and Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. During those hours, the phone number is 892-1433; otherwise, questions can be directed to Kay Soldier via email: kaysoldier@aol.com, or phone, 892-5381. Looking for a picture of an old relative? We might have it at the Society – stop by at 234 Windham Center Road and visit us! We have new displays, old high school yearbooks, 8×10 photos for sale and lots more!
If there’s such a thing as sun deprivation malady, we have it this week. Two or three hours of sunlight is not enough to survive on, and to add insult to injury, we don’t need a special program on Channel 10 on the rain forest. It’s no treat to watch scientists walking around under huge tree branches, all the while being drenched with rain. We only have to go to the mailbox for this experience. The lilacs are in danger of rusting before they fully bloom and early garden rows will be ditches. Hope this clears up and goes out to sea before the strawberries begin to ripen.
Despite the weather, though, the road crews are out and the signs are up, signaling the beginning of summer and the sound of summer cursing in the lines of traffic.
We’re thinking of you, Ken and Lena.
See you next week.
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