mwilson (mwil450@aol.com)
-- Monticello, IN
3/19/01 -- 10:06:16
J M from Coal City, I thought I was the only Mainer
that wound up in the small town of Coal City, please
e-mail me...we have two states in common..Infact will be
in CC on 3/24.
***************************************
Douglas Findlen (def@fidalgo.net)
-- Anacortes, WA
3/18/01 -- 03:50:26
Dear fellow MIE'S: I hope that all of you had a
merry St. Patties' Day! I miss Maine, too, but I
can always go back and visit.
I don't know if I want to go back up to the
County(Aroostook) though. My aunt and uncle have
frozen pipes from the wellhouse to the farmhouse, as it
has been WICKED cold the last two weeks. Plus, all
the snow is beautiful, but Shoveling and plowing just
don't seem fun anymore. I guess that I have
resigned myself to a Mainer-in-self-exile.
That does not mean that I do not love Maine, it just
means that I don't want to move back as bad as some of
you. That is ok. I love Maine products, and
I am proud to be a Maniner. I will look to the
Downeast state with fondness forever.
For now, I live on an Island in Puget Sound.
I may move Back to southern Maine someday, but not too
soon. The Island life out here is hard to beat.
Take care, and God Bless you all.
*************************************
Bobby G. (Grambo50@aol.com)
-- Marietta, GA
3/17/01 -- 01:59:01
I was born in Maine in 1947. I have lived in the south all my life. Raised in Tennessee and now living in Ga.I am proud of my birthplace and heritage~!!! Visited my birthplace only a small ammount of times..:-(((((
*****************************************
Terri (Liltattoo75@aol.com)
-- Layton, UT
3/16/01 -- 05:43:27
Hi everyone. This is my first post here.
It's been a while since I've been in here but thought
I'd check in again. I am from Maine
originally. Born in Presque Isle and raised in
Caribou, Waterville and Livermore Falls. Also
spent a few years in Quebec. I sure do miss the
area. On a visit to Portland, I bought a t-shirt
of a moose in a boat, fishing with a can of moose juice
in his hand. On the top it sais "Maine, the
way life should be". You would not believe
all the comments I get when I wear it. Everyone
wants to know if it's as beautiful as they hear.
And, of course, I say yes.
Jeff Royster...I've been here in Utah for 2 years and I
agree completely with everything you wrote. It's
true!!! :)
I know you guys are sick of hearing it but...I miss the
red hotdogs too! My husband can't understand my
fascination with them or why I put ketchup on my
eggs. I have to explain that it's a
"Northern" thing. Boy, ain't that the
truth. Well, you all take care...and I'm gonna
visit Maine again soon...when I can afford those
over-priced plane tickets! :)
********************************************
Carol (kiki08053@yahoo.com)
-- Marlton, NJ
3/16/01 -- 02:58:57Hello all,
Just wanted to put my two cents in. Mr St. Clair's "ramblings" are very interesting , and I enjoy reading them when they are posted. Keep it up. And for the ones that don't enjoy them you can always scroll down. Peace.
***********************************************
A. G. -- Richmond, VA
3/16/01 -- 11:04:34
Two add my two cents worth on the difference between people in the north and the south. It is real. Even though I have lived here in Virginia, I don't "know" too many real Southerners. Most of the people were I work are all from away. H.M. from Alabama really hit on something though. The difference in race issues. It truly is amazing. Growing up in Maine, you hear about such things, but in living there, I never experienced it. Here it is simply a part of life. As an unaware northerner, I never even considered the issue and as a result, people didn't know what to make of me. It is real and no matter how much you may wish it wasn't it is. There is nothing you can do about it either because the people here can't understand that you don't understand it. As for the true southerners. The only ones I really know are my neighbors. They are so polite to your face, the nicest people in the world, but they gossip and talk bad about every single other family in the neighborhood, so you know when they are talking to the other neighbors, they are doing the same about you.
Also, pertaining to the rambling comments. There is a threaded discussion page for discussions such as this one, I have tried using it, but only a couple of other people seem to. As for musings about Maine. People should muse all they want, over there. That is what it is there for. I always thought of this messages section here as being for sort of an introductury Hi, this is who I am kind of thing, like a guestbook, rather than a discussion board. That seems to be what it is set up for anyway. If you haven't been to the threaded discussion page, meander on over and check it out.
*******************************
Lobster Institute (cathy.billings@umit.maine.edu)
-- Orono, ME
3/12/01 -- 16:53:41
Lobster will definitely be on the menu at Lobster College -- but for those who just want to learn about and not eat lobster, we can certainly make other arrangements.
On another subject, yes Amato's is still in operation -- and has expanded. I know of locations in Brunswick and Saco -- in addition to two in Portland. There may even be others. The best "Italians" bar none.
**********************************
Maravene -- Sarasota, FL
3/12/01 -- 15:01:52
Now we have a horse race!!
Semper 48 lines of rambling -vs- St. Clair 20 lines of rambling.
(I must confess St. Clair has my vote in this race)
****************************
Kate Marquis (kate@thetroupe.com)
-- Lowell, MA
3/12/01 -- 14:47:38
Okay, I need everyone's help. I'm looking for a Gary Marquis and a Roberta Marquis(this would be her maiden name if she's married). Their father would be Robert Marquis. He's from the Frenchville area. If anyone thinks they could possibly know these two folks please email me. Thanks!! Appreciate it! PS:Wayne...if Mark LaMarre is Marcel LaMarre then I know him and went to college with him...he is very handsome...you're lucky to have him.
*********************************
H. M. -- Mobile, AL
3/12/01 -- 09:54:33
To chime in on the issue regarding the North and South personalities. I have lived here in Alabama for the last 4 years. A friend mentioned to me, his recollection, that Mainers were not very friendly, I thought for a moment before telling him. We do not take to people quickly,we are somewhat aloof. Scoping people out before bringing them into our hearts and home. To me it is natural and smart. The people here are your "friends" after a handshake, and you "visit" with them for 20 minutes. I continued to let him know that I believe our way is much more genuine, that before letting someone into your life, it is best to understand, as best you can, what their nature is. It prevents the damage that can occur from being to hasty and rash. I also commented on the fact that prejudice is not part of our curriculum growing up, it wasn't for me. The people here in the South are inculcated with hate and suspicion, whether it is about race, religion, or where you are from, it is so prevalent throughout their society, that they don't recognize it for what it is.
I still maintain my aloofness, I have made some real friends, but they are for the most part exiles from other parts of the country.
They also comment on the facade of "southern hospitality" and are not take in by it.
I do keep an open mind and refuse to acclimatize myself to the customs here. I will continue insinuating my views into this area, it can only help. Just "you all" don't fall into their trap of hate and prejudicial treatment, elevate others and you elevate yourself.
I just can't wait until I can be back living in Maine.
************************
J. M. -- Coal City, IL
3/11/01 -- 21:43:27
just ran across this site and thought that i would write. born and raised in maine and left on and off when i was in my early 20's. lived in alot of states including NH, MA, NY, CT, OH, IL, MI, AL, NC, PA and none compare to ME. go back every summer for a couple of weeks and really miss it. still have family back ther and they often ask why i don't return. plan to some day but the business culture for the business that i am currently in, does not support a current standard of living.
grew up in the southern coastal area which is extremely expensive unless your from away. about tens years from retirement and have every intention to return but will likely be up north away from the influences of MA. not that i don't like the people there my interest is in the simpler life ME has to offer. pretty interesting web site - came across it looking for a hotdog steamer. something that you can't find in the chicago area. for those who know, was looking for shultz hotdogs which are sold at flo's in york. awesome hot dogs that i only get to have a few times a year. also miss the dogs at reds eats in wiscasett as i spent alot of time up there in the boothbay area. enough rambling - appreciate all the mainiacs living in exile.
***************************
Scott Semper (ssemper@woh.rr.com)
-- Piqua,OH
3/11/01 -- 16:17:10
It is a hard thing to be away. My wife and I were
raised in the
midwest (Chicago area) nestled comfortably in
air-conditioned suburban tract housing. I intend all the
sterility that picture implies with its shopping malls
full
of consumerist wanna-be's whose sole focus by age 9
becomes
to out-purchase one's neighbors. "Slap a label on
an item
that indictaes my obvious good taste (through marketing)
and
I'll buy whatever it is." This would be the batlle
call for
aspiring Midwesterners. (Not to mention the fascination
with
big-screen tv's as mantra for a rich life.)
After this rather hollow start to our lives, with a
short
stint of eye-opening time spent in a liberal college
town,
we moved to Maine. We spent a lucky two years in
Portland,
traveling and backbacking the outer burroughs and
counties
on vacations and weekends. We met people who, though we
had
only known them a short while, would remain our friends
for
life. In Portland, we felt as though we had come home
despite having settled some 1200 miles from it. I ran
the
Humpty Dumpty Potato Chip factory for its final 6 months
before we closed the plant due to our backers pulling
out
and merciless competition from Frito-Lay. (Yes, for
those
who did not know, the Humpty Dumpty Potato Chip Plant
has
been closed and sold. All chips are made in Canada now
by
HD of Canada.)
As we all know, no paying Manufacturing jobs exist in
Maine.
It is no different for managers. Thus we moved to (gulp)
Ohio for a well paying job with a large corporation in
an
area without a soul. Cest la vie. My neighbors converse
incessantly about their big-screen tv's, SUVs and custom
built homes. Upon completing their homes, they will hire
a
contractor to cut all the trees from the property. They
will then hire a lawn and garden shop to
"landscape" their
yards (Kentucky Bluegrass, of course)with 4 or 5 small
flowering trees (that invariably make "too
much" of a mess
on these people's lawns when the flowers fall in late
spring). Finally, they will hire one last agency to dig
them a fake pond that they will proceed to color
briliiant
blue-green with a toxic algaecide. All this in an effort
to
make themselves feel like they are living a rustic,
pastoral, bucolic fantasy. They will even hang signs in
their home that proclaim to barely-tolerated neighbors
that
this is a "COUNTRY" home. All the while the
mini steel mill
buried 2 miles to the west in some cornfield belches
soot
(quietly) into the atmosphere. The land is a commodity.
People are divorced from it. Each has lost its eternal
partner and in the process both have lost their souls. A
And, yes, I agree: Please take the keyboard away from
Mr.
St. whatever his name is.
*************************
Phil Norton (nortonpj@pacbell.net)
-- Granite Bay,CA
3/11/01 -- 22:15:09
I am planing a visit to Maine in May, 2001. I
remember Amato's
Italian Sandwiches as a kid. Are they still in business?
If so where are they
*************************
Wayne St. Clair (wane9779@hotmail.com)
-- Roanoke,VA
3/10/01 -- 12:45:10
Does anyone know a Mark LaMarre from brunswick Maine?
He is one
of our weathermen on TV down here.
It is interesting to note it seems the women on this
site &
live here in the south know what I am talking about
& it is
sad the men don't pay enough attention to them to even
notice their differences. I was not trying to
"start
something" or even claim all southern women fall
into the
southern belle mold...they don't thank God, but that
motif
does apply to a lot of them. There is no other region
that
I've been to in this country that believes its own myths
as
firmly as the south does & one of its big ones
besides race
is southern womanhood. Just look up the entry in the
enclypodiea of southern culture (what other area has
it's
own enclycopeda) & a lot of women buy into it.
Fortunately
the young seem to be dropping it. I am not going to
discuss
this issue anymore as it seems to get people worked up.
Let
us just say I was offering a well meant & deserved
compliment to maine & new england women. They are
wonderful.
As for my ramblings I simply try to stir the wells of
memory
& if I succeed & touch a chord then it is all
worth while.
If I don't sorry. Perhaps imagination is lacking.
*************************
Maravene (J131934@aol.com)
-- Sarasota,FL
3/9/01 -- 11:36:01
I am suspicious of no name (initials only) and no
E-mail
address. And to Mr. Archer in Texas...intolarent? I
think
we are being very tolarent. This site reminds me of a
group
of friends around a table discussing every and any
thing. A
little "chiding"; a glass of wine; a bit of
whimsey. Also,
I have not written one thing that I would not say to
that
persons face if we were all seated around the table. If
we
ONLY wrote about what we missed about Maine or people we
are
looking for in Maine, it would be so BORING! People from
Maine are not saints. They sin and they gossip just like
the rest of the world. Lighten up. PEACE.
*************************
Maravene (J131934@aol.com)
-- Sarasota,FL
3/9/01 -- 11:17:43
Lobster Institute. Your not going to let us eat them are you?
*************************
Jeremy -- Monument,CO
3/9/01 -- 10:17:02
If you don't like what he has to say, then don't read
it. That
is your right. Some people enjoy commentary that may not
neccesarily coincide with their opinion. I think it is
sort
of hypocritial to expect your right to express your
opinion
be protected, but not the right of people you may not
agree
with.
Maine is not the intolerance capitol of the world. We
don't
really like flatlanders, they drive like hell and throw
their trash around our beautiful state. Is that
tolerance?
No. Who cares. My point is that we all have different
opions
and tolerance is respecting them weather you agree or
not.
*************************
Emily (emeixell@colacoll.edu)
-- Columbia,SC
3/8/01 -- 23:58:54
Hello fellow Mainers!
I'm a college student, originally from Bath. I have a
huge
family in Maine, spread all over the place - except
Aroostook! I miss ME so much, and I wanted to thank Mr.
St
Clair for the compliment toward straightforward Northern
women. We're not usually appreciated down here! I can't
wait
to visit Vacationland, though I don't know when it will
be.
I'd love to hear from some Bathers - I miss Heritage
days as
much as anything else. Even a little carnival is great
when
it's the only thing that comes to town!
*************************
Alan Archer (aarcher805@aol.com) -- Joshua,TX
3/8/01 -- 21:27:14
Oh gosh now he (Wayne)has a Masters and Johnson complex. I
thought this url was for discussing Maine. Not cussing
things that we dont like or are intolerant of. I think that
a few postings back someone said something to the effect of
not turning this into a Jerry Springer type area and I
agree. I really am dissapointed that a lot of people who
profess to be from Maine are so intolerant. Maybe those of
you who are from the other Maine (southern) have developed
it from being around all those tourists or what ever they
are called in your part of the Great State. Up in The County
(Aroostook) we learned to change and grow and be tolerant of
others. I sure hope that those of you who are showing your
intolerance are not representative of the folks from the
Maine I grew up in. Frieden u. Toleranz Arch
*************************
D. B. -- Port Orange,FL
3/8/01 -- 18:18:19
Someone please take Wayne St. Clair's keyboard away from him.
That is all.
*************************
Lobster Institute (cathy.billings@umit.maine.edu) -- University of Maine, Orono,ME
3/8/01 -- 11:34:01
Come back to Maine to experience Lobster College. The Lobster Institute is hosting a learning vacation on the coast of
Maine Sept.13--17, 2001. Come to Lobster College for an
extending weekend to learn all there is to know about this
treasure from the sea. For more info. see our website at
lobsterinstitute.org. The Lobster Institute is a research
and educational outreach organization that works to preserve
lobsters and lobstering as an industry -- and as a way of
life.
*************************
Wayne St. Clair (wane977@hotmail.com) -- Roanoke,VA
3/7/01 -- 13:33:59
Well now.This is interesting. I haven't been to this site for a
week or so since my last posting & I seem to stirred up some
things. Hmmmm!!! It is not a bad thing to get stirred up. It
reminds ya you're still alive for one & still thinking.
About Dale Earnhardt. I was not disparaging the man,
simply the hype over his death. Perhaps it's me but I don't
get worked up over sports or sports figures at all & the
news coverage in my part of the world (roanoke virginia) was
simply too much by far & that was what I was commenting on.
He may have been a good man but he was no saint, mother
thresa or anything. Just a man.
As for my comments on southern women. I was born here in
roanoke virginia & tranplanted myself for almost 20 years to
Maine before I returned to escape the recession of the early
90's. I have known both new england women & southern ones as
well. My comments may be a bit much but I do know of which I
speak. There are of course cultural differences in the way
men & women react with each other in different places. Those
differences can be expressed in many ways such as how they
flirt or how they address each other to how they make love.
For the record based on my experinces. Southern women are
good at flirting & the good old come here/go way game & tend
to put their lovers through their paces at length, almost as
a sport.There are some not very flattering things such women
are often called but down here they are called southern
belles. The women in new england & maine are pretty damn
straightforward in everything about themselves including
their sexuality. They are more likely to make a pass at you
as opposed to waiting around waiting for the man to do
everything. As a southern born man I found & find that
attitude quite refreshing & one of the most stifling things
about returning. I am not a misogynist, I love women & their
sight & scent make me dizzy but I can make comments on the
head games that are played down here. I grew up in it & know
the differences from the inside out.
As for other comments about my being longwinded & boring
all I can say is oh well too bad. If the management & other
posters find me so they can easily tell me to shut up. There
is alot I find tedious & boring too. I do not try to
impress. when I do I usually fall flat on my face. So what
else is there to say than to leave with a line that is
trying to find a home but no poem for it yet.
"God is the thought between the atoms & the atoms as well."
*************************
Maravene (J131934@aol.com) -- Sarasota,FL
3/7/01 -- 11:37:26
Cathy...You took my job! Oh well, I'll the be Vice President of
the Fla. St.Clair fan club.
*************************
Theresa -- Concord,NC
3/7/01 -- 09:19:31
Hi fellow MIA's.
I just needed to write about the best place to live
according to me. Maine. I miss so much about the state.
Family is their for the most part. I miss all those
gatherings for holidays and family events. No matter the
weather we all got together.
The other things I miss about Maine are the rolling hills,
mountains and waterways. You do
not realize how much the
other parts of the country are different until you go their.
I went to Texas for the last month or so to take care of a
family member on my husbands side. It is the flattest
countryside I have ever seen in my life. I have not been to
any other place so far that even comes close. This was down
in the Port Lavaca area, just North of Corprus Christi.
I miss the trees of Maine that are big and everywhere. I
miss the white birch that we all seem to think grow
everywhere else. But if you know anything about the south
you will know it is to darn hot and humid here for one of
these great trees. Not that NC doesn't have some beautiful
trees, one need only be here in the spring to see some of
the most beautiful flowering trees.
Anyway, just wanted to write and let everyone know that you
can miss a place and its surroundings as much as the people
you left behind and the food. The beauty of Maine is the
most striking part of its appeal to both native and people
from away. We all need to be able to enjoy anywhere we live
to make it easier to live until we can all get back to the
place we love the Most. Maine!
*************************
Steve White (maineiac@telocity.com) -- Dallas,NC
3/7/01 -- 02:24:02
For those of you who use AOL or Compuserve you've probably been
rejected in attempts to log onto the Exiles chat room. Due
to security issues the DALnet servers will block access to
those who use these two Internet service providers. Ther's a
way around this though. Down load one of the free ISP's,
such as Free-i or Net Zero. Initiate your connection to the
Internet through one of those and you should have no
problems getting in.
I really wish I was "home" right now. I spoke w/ a friend on
the phone tonight- he said that they had 18 inches of snow
in Freeport and it was still coming down. I'd love to be
there to see that. Not to shovel- just to see.......Ha ha
*************************
Ron Briggs (Malden34@aol.com) -- Fayetteville,NC
3/6/01 -- 15:21:52
I lived in Surry for a couple of years and went to Ellsworth
H.S. at the time. I also did a tour with the U.S.Navy at
Winter Harbor. (somebody had to do it :-) )_ Although I am
a native of Massachusetts I can't wait to get back to Maine.
Been back a few times over the years but tomorrow is not
soon enough. Can't help but remember the "whole" fried clams
which is usually my first stop on Route #1. And who can
forget Maine blueberries. I used to rake them for $1 to $2 a
bushel and that was work, even for a young squirt. Great
memories......
*************************
Cathy (cathyknox@hotmail.com) -- Beverly Hills,FL
3/5/01 -- 14:11:00
There's a blizzard in Maine and I just called my girls and
neither one is at work or at home. I guess they are just
like I used to be - enjoying the challenge and exhilaration
of a Nor'easter. I can see my youngest daughter riding
around on a snowmobile and my oldest daughter romping in the
snow with her yellow lab. It's a windy, chilly (60's) day
in Florida, but the only white stuff falling around here are
petals from the dogwood blossoms. Just to add my two cents
worth - they should make me president of the Florida branch
of the Wayne St.Clair fan club. I enjoy his ramblings also.
Keep it up Wayne.
*************************
Diane -- Rowland,NC
3/6/01 -- 13:57:49
Right on Meg!!!! So glad to hear that I am not alone in my
vision of the typical southern woman. As a 31 plus year
veteran of life in exile in the south, I have found very few
women with whom I have been able to identify with. I tend
also to be a very up front and straighforward person, and
that simply is not a popular thing for a woman to do in the
south. It really irks me when people tell me that I must be
a yankee, and usually respond with "and proud of it. I have
managed to make only one really close friend with whom I can
trust, and ironically she is southern born, but has been
living in Maine for the last several years. Do not even TRY
to convince me that women are the same everywhere. Not so!!!
*************************
Maravene (J131934@aol.com) -- Sarasota,FL
3/5/01 -- 12:43:39
Meg in Tenn. They also know exactly where you stand. No
guessing, and that is good.Some people never become friendly
but those that do are friends for life. They learn to
respect your forthrightness.
*************************
Jeff Royster (JeffJazzy@Yahoo.com) -- Murray,UT
3/5/01 -- 21:59:03
At last the time is nigh! My wife and I shall be home in Maine
on May 24th, 2001!!
It has taken us years of planning and saving but at last we
can prepare our cars due East!
We will live in Brunswick or the Harpswells and work in
Portland. Utah drove me mad with its disrespect of people
from outside the Celestial Mormon kingdom, no offense but
there is a couple of towns here called happy valley, due to
the high concentration of LDS people, to me, my happy valley
is Maine, and to people in Utah's Zion, I say respect that
please and wish us non-LDS'ers peace and respect for our
dream! Maine here we come ready for life as it shopuld have
been for us all along! Appreciate any and all e-mails.
Jeff and Terissa.
*************************
Rick Pearson (reds1@olg.com) -- St. Inigoes,MD
3/5/01 -- 21:57:12
Steve, I just got everything downloaded and set up for chat, I
hope to see you there.
*************************