KBritt ( nevadabritts@hotmail.com
) -- Sparks, NV
12/5/03 -- 01:22:32 PM
My mom recently sent me this from
California. I don't know where she found it, but
thought some of you might like it.
Thank you, God, for the State of Maine, reaching ever for
the first light of day. As Thy people wake to the
Eastern rays, what chowder of nourishment dost Thou prepare
for body and soul: concocted so delectably of pine needles
and potatoes, of herring and clams and lobsters in their
rocky lairs, of blueberries and new-mown hay and a thousand
lakes and little boats brave upon the deep.
Of such blessing did our father distill their rugger
liberty: Grant us grace to win the same, along the country
roads and on the fringed and tasseled coast of our wooded
land.
Amen.
****************************************
H. Kern ( sarge07@hotmail.com
) -- Alexandria, OH
12/5/03 -- 07:10:48 AM
I was stationed at Loring from 1985 till my
retirement in 1989. Being a Hoosier and having
traveled all over the world in 24 yrs of military service, I
would say Maine was one of my best assignments, once I got
over my first winter. Most of my friends were not
military, but locals. Out of all the assignments and
places I have been, the people from Northern Maine are
without the doubt the friendlist I have encountered. I
only left the area to move to Ohio to work in my in-laws
business. I do miss the area, and those that I came to
know and considered friends.
***********************************
Mike -- Bangor, ME
12/4/03 -- 08:43:39 PM
PLEASE PLEASE, whether we agree with george
or not, PLEASE LEAVE POLITICS OFF THIS SITE!
Please! I dont care if you are a hawk or a dove, Go
somewhere else to spout your refuse!
I love this site, but that will soon change if this garbage
continues.
*****************************************
Cheryl Brown ( mainebrown@earthlink.net
) -- Auburn, ME
12/4/03 -- 06:06:04 PM
The whole wacky cake thing kind of intrigued
me, having never heard of it before. So, I went to Google,
and typed in Wacky Cake, and there were a whole slew of
recipes! The things you learn.... I am going to try one this
weekend, for the heck of it.
Wayne-When you come to Maine next, let me know ahead. I'll
sit down and have a brew with you. And I thank you for the
compliment......Anyone else want to join us?
************************************
Arch ( AArcherateohfive@aol.com
) -- Joshua, TX
12/4/03 -- 05:13:47 PM
Wayne
Set em up. We can agree on some and disagree on
others, and get along fine. Seasons Greetings to One and
All.
Peace and
Happiness
***************************************
D. Miller ( sachia1782@cs.com
) -- Rowland, NC
12/4/03 -- 01:09:03 PM
Wayne.......Include me on that list of folks
you would like to have a beer with also, because I am in
total agreement with you. Cheryl Brown.........so glad you
are finally home from exile and able to enjoy a wonderful
Maine Christmas with your husband and son.........Make some
of those pumpkin whoopie pies too!!!! Email me if you have a
chance!!!! I am still struggling in exile, and trying
against all odds to find my Christmas spirit. During this
brown season here in the south it is very difficult to get
pumped up about anything.....much less Christmas. It is cold
and rainy today, and snowing in some more northern sections
on NC. It helps a little, but can't hold a candle to those
fine old fashioned Christmas's I spend in Maine. Peace to
all of you both in and out of exile......and have a great
holiday season where ever you are!!!!
**************************************
Pat ( mainahstwo@aol.com
) -- Ormond Beach, FL
12/4/03 -- 07:16:01 AM
Cheryl...that 'wacky cake" sounds like
what my mother-in-law called "nothing cake". Do
you have the recip? Could you post it or email it to
me. Thanks,
**********************************
Pat ( mainahstwo@aol.com
) -- Ormond Beach, FL
12/4/03 -- 07:11:49 AM
Exiled from Lewiston & Auburn by the way
of South Portland. Ended up here in Florida in 1989
after retirement. There's lots we miss about Maine but
not the cold.
We miss some of the same things other exiles
miss..especially Sam's italians.
Got all our warm weather gear ready. We're going to be there
for Christmas with kids and grandkids.
**********************************
Carol Zimmerman ( hilly352002@yahoo.com
) -- Bowie, MD
12/3/03 -- 08:23:56 PM
I just returned from 5 days in Maine on Monday.........Of course since I haven't been home for 7 months I had to come down with a wonderful cold while there but I didn't let it slow me down any. I landed in Portland, spent 2 days there then headed downeast. Spent a day in Ellworth and 2 in Milbridge. It was all wonderfull. Just the smell of the air made me realize how great it was to be home.
Now I'm back here in Maryland and trying to find some Christmas Spirit. I have a hard time getting in the mood when it's been so warm. However the weather has rapidly changed and the cold has arrived. They are predicting snow for the weekend. Maybe a little of that will help the Christmas spirit some. I was lucky while at home and was able to visit most of my relatives there..........and was able to consume my share of crabmeat and haddock. Didn't do the lobsters as I don't care for them in the winter months.
I just wanted to say It was great to go home
and there is no place that can ever compare. Hope you
all are doing well and I wish everyone a safe and happy
holiday season.
******************************
Wayne St. Clair ( wane9779@hotmail.com
) -- Roanoke, VA
12/3/03 -- 06:53:22 PM
Now Terri be nice...Pat is a good guy. I'd
rather sit down & have a beer with him & steve white
& cheryl brown than 90% of the people I know. You seem
interesting too. That by the way is not a slam to anybody
else here either...in fact I'd love to have a beer with Arch
as well as long as we could agree to disagree. Happy
holidays.
************************************
Cheryl L. Rankin ( clrankin11@yahoo.com
) -- Atlanta, GA
12/3/03 -- 11:28:12 AM
Has anyone else here ever heard David
Ingraham, "The Maine Balladeer" sing? He put
out a record several years ago of songs he wrote about
Maine, but it didn't really take off. He's since moved
away from the state, I think. He used to sing and play
guitar at the Time Out restaurant (a small pizza place that
used to be in Brewer) back in the late 70s. He had
some really poignant songs on his record, as well as some
funny ones about local characters and tourists.
************************************
Cheryl Rankin ( clrankin11@yahoo.com
) -- Atlanta, GA
12/3/03 -- 11:25:14 AM
To J. P. J.. -- Pikeville, NC's question
about if anyone else ever heard of Wacky Cake...YES!
My grandmother and mother made it often, and I have passed
the recipe along to the next generation. Another great
thing about the recipe, besides being eggless, is that
everything can be mixed directly in the cake pan. Just
make sure to stir well with a fork, especially in the
corners if making it in a square 8x8 pan.
My great aunt used to call it the
Day-before-Grocery-Shopping cake since it requires nothing
that most families wouldn't have in stock in their pantry
all the time. It's really moist so it doesn't need any
frosting, either.
**********************************
Terri ( yankeeexile@aol.com
) -- Willimsburg, VA
12/2/03 -- 06:42:39 PM
to Jennifer in Texas I couln't agree more
with your comments and may God keep all the servicemen safe
including your husband. As for patrick Yes this is a Maine
speaking board and if you were a true Mainer you would
realize that Mainers have a proud history of speaking their
minds on anything they want when they want. We don't live
with our heads in the snow. It's wonderful to talk about the
great state of maine but sometimes other things can be
mentioned. You have been in Hampton to long.
************************************
Cheryl Brown ( mainebrown@earthlink.net
) -- Auburn, ME
12/2/03 -- 06:17:47 PM
To Jennifer in Killeen, Texas---I hope you
found a good recipe for the whoopie pies, I hear the pumpkin
ones are delicious. And a word to the rest of your statement
on the war. You might want to keep in mind that we are all
from diverse backgrounds, and experiences. There are a lot
of veterans and their families who participate here. Some of
us have been involved with the military a lot longer than
you. It isn't all a rosey picture, and the ideals of the
government and the military are not always pure. My husband
just retired after 20 years in the Navy, and was in the
Persian Gulf on September 11, 2001. In that time, I have
sometimes been so frustrated by the situation, I wanted to
put my face into a pillow and scream, but I learned how to
survive, whether I agreed or not. And I listened to negative
comments from others, because this is America, and that is
their right....I worked for the Navy looking after the
families of 175 enlisted sailors. I am not speaking out of
ignorance, and I think I might know a little on the subject,
being a bit older than you. Be proud that your husband
serves, but remember, not every military member agrees with
the orders they are given, but they follow because that is
what they do. It takes a special breed to do this job, and I
wish your husband well. If you need some tips on how to
survive the coming year, please feel free to e-mail me. Of
the 15 years we have been married, my husband was gone for
more than half of it. He's missed every major holiday, every
family milestone, every funeral......Our payoff is here now.
We are retired and living in Maine......Peace
***************************************
Wayne St. Clair ( wane9779@hotmail.com
) -- Roanoke, VA
12/2/03 -- 03:13:02 PM
Pat has spoken...AMEN!!!
*******************************
C. R. -- Atlanta, GA
12/2/03 -- 12:34:04 PM
"what Maine used to be like 25 years
ago" politically was that INDEPENDENT Jim Longley was
governor, replacing DEMOCRAT Ken Curtis. Longley was
immediately followed by DEMOCRAT Joe Brennon. I was
born and raised in Maine and don't see any great influx of
outsider left-wing liberals in politics. In fact, I
admire Maine's Republican reps Olympia Snowe and Susan
Collins for their moderate views on important issues.
If memory serves, both of them are "native"
Mainers, as is current governor John Baldacci.
25 years ago, woolen mills and shoe shops had already closed
in Maine and the state was struggling to fill the employment
gap. Maine is still struggling in that respect (IMHO)
but innovative ideas are being sought and implemented.
Where exactly are the flood of high-and-mighty rich folks
who are looking down their noses at the dwindling
native-born working class? Besides along the coast on
oceanfront property (same as in the Carolinas), I mean?
I, like George Wiegand, now live in the South but I'll never
think of myself as a Southerner or think that this area is
eons ahead of Maine in any respect. And my fourth-generation
Maine family back home doesn't share Wiegand's dismal view
of Maine's development. I feel sorry for him if his
mysterious view of Maine's political climate has soured him
on everything so wonderful about his home state to such an
extent that he no longer considers himself a Maine-iac.
People "from away" are attracted to Maine's cities
and towns as much for the sense of community as for any
other reason. Social and artistic amenities, health
services, transportation, etc. are major elements that
contribute to the sense of community, but not the most
important. People look above all else for a sense of
belonging. That sense comes from the people who become your
friends and neighbors.
**********************************
Justin Jollotta -- Indianapolis, IN
12/2/03 -- 08:37:42 AM
born in sanford in 81. lived there all my
life up till about '01. moved to germany now living in
indiana.. loved the layed back atmosphere that came with
living in ME. miss the great mouse head lake seanery.
ill be back in march sometime for a little family reunion..
*************************
Patrick "Pat" Soule ( miepat@cox.net
) -- Hampton, VA
12/2/03 -- 06:48:45 AM
ENOUGH WITH THE POLITICS!!! If I
want to hear about WAR etc., I'll tune to talk radio or
watch the cable news networks. This message board is
about MAINE, let's keep the proper focus (read the bold face
statement above). There are many newspapers that will
print your Letters to the Editor concerning your polictical
views!
ENOUGH SAID! -------I HOPE!
*********************************
Wayne St. Clair ( wane9779@hotmail.com
) -- Roanoke, VA
12/1/03 -- 06:48:43 PM
to terri in williamsburg...that's the pisser of it...saddam was certianly a bad man who did a great deal of evil...there is no doubt about it but to go start a war is also a great evil...has anybody ever read T. H. White's wonderful retelling of the Arthur myth..."The Once & Future King"? The first of the books is so sweet that Disney made a movie of it..."The Sword in the Stone"...it is so beautiful & full of light that it beguiles the reader then comes the second book..."The Queen of Air & Darkness" & the mood totally changes right from the beginning with a witch boiling a black cat alive for its magic...somewhere in the middle of that book Arthur & Merlin have a debate about the nature of aggression in which Merlin tries to teach the young king about true justice. There is a knight who is revolting against Arthur & he wants to attack the knight first before he attacks him. Merlin tried to teach Arthur that whomever strikes the first blow is the aggressor...you can have two people posturing at each other shouting obsenities & threatening each other furiously but no matter how it started, the one who strikes the first unprovoked blow is the aggressor & as such is in the wrong. There are those who would debate this I am sure but I encountered that ideal when I was young & have believed it since. Al Queda attacked us on Sept. 11 & we responded...that was just even though I deeply wished there were another way besides war.
Saddam is an entirely different story...from the get go Bush was the aggressor & in the wrong politically, legally & morally which must have pleased Saddam to no end. And as it turns out them man's fangs had been pulled a long time ago so that all he had left was dreams & posturing, the man wasn't even a threat to his neighbors anymore muchless to us...he was only a torment to his people but even then I am sure his days were numbered, but Bush acted bullheadedly & now we are in for a long messy haul...which is worse & more impeachable...lying about getting some on the side or sending our young men & women into harms way & death based on a lie? I will let you decide. I wish all our troops the best & pray they will all come home in one piece & alive but I do not support this war or Bush.
Enough about politics...it is
Christmas time in Maine...the cooper beech beside the art
musuem in Portland is graced with lovely white lights &
snow...isn't it wonderful to be alive?
*************************************
Jennifer -- Killeen, TX
12/1/03 -- 04:44:48 PM
um, hi. I have never lived in Maine and I
have never even been to Maine, I was only interested in
Whoopie Pies but then I started reading what you all had to
say, and I felt that my 2 cents were needed here.
My husband is part of the 1st Cav. out of Fort Hood, Texas.
He, along with most of the 1st Cav, will be deploying in
2004 and they will be there an entire year. He will actually
leave in mid-March. We have 3 children ages 6,3,and 1 and he
will miss out on SO MUCH. However, he knows (as do every
other soldier that I have talked too) that they need to do
this. Not because it is their job. But because these people
in Iraq need their freedom. Can you imagine being born into
a country like that? You would want someone to rescue you. I
know I would. I think that everyone that is so anti-Bush and
anti-war needs to take a look at what we are doing for those
people. We are helping them have a better life, so their
kids can have a better future. It doesn't matter what the
'secret' reason is for being there is (oil or WMD) what
matters is that we are helping a country have a fighting
chance. I am sorry that it is taking your tax dollars to do
it, but honestly do you notice? We make less than 20g a year
and I don't notice. Just remember who is over there
fighting. It is not YOU! Most of those men and women believe
what they are fighting for, and families like us are
sacrificing for it, but we know that it is the right thing.
So before you get on your high horse and start protesting,
think about what your family means to you and what you would
want for them, if you were an Iraqi citizen!
***************************************