Sylvia A. Sim (sylsim@home.com) -- Seal Beach, CA
5/1/01 -- 12:37:16 AM

It is glorious to see so many Mainelanders getting together and chatting about the quintessance of the State of Maine.  I was reared in North Berwick Maine (See Miss Guptill, you taught me that corn is raised, cows are raised and children are reared).  I, too, miss the lilacs, the woodsy smells, the solitude
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A. Archer (aarcher805@aol.com) -- Joshua, Tejas
4/30/01 -- 05:16:58 PM

To Cathy from Collinsville,Ct.
  Whoa, Stop, Halt & S`arretent
       Do I read an inferrence that we from "The Other Maine" are somehow more prejudiced than Y`all from Southern Maine? Gosh I hope not, because I would like a few words in explanation. I am 57 yrs old and saw my first Black and my first Hispanic at the age of 18 in the Army in 1961. Shortly after that all hell broke loose when equal rights came along. I had no preconceived notions or had not been brought up hating anyone different. I have been in Texas since 78 and have not had a problem.
 I am not saying that I am not at times preudiced, if you treat me as an equal then you can expect the same treatment & vice versa.
  So Cathy tell me I missread and you have my apologies.
                    Pax        Arch
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Maravene (J131934@aol.com) -- Sarasota, FL
4/30/01 -- 12:16:02 PM

Are we to hold a pity party for Wayne?  Come now, you have been around long enough to know we make our own destiny.  From your writings, I can not imagine your not being able to make friends or re-connect to your old friends.  Extend your hand, put a smile on your face and step forward.  Enough said from mother Maravene.
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Kathy -- Collinsville, CT
4/27/01 -- 05:07:49 PM

Couldn't quite believe the message from Wayne about the south.....WHY DO YOU STAY???? I am from Maine, southern Maine...have been gone for years and yes...I miss it, BUT some of Wayne's comments "screamed" northern Maine...big time, so let's be careful where we toss those stones, one might hit us right in the head!!!
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Wayne St. Clair (wane9779@hotmail.com) -- Roanoke, VA
4/27/01 -- 11:41:40 AM

It suddenly hit me the other day that this september 21st will be 10 years since I left maine. That realization was quite sobering. Since I am in my home town & I am an only child I have committed myself to being here until my parents pass away & then I'm history. Now I certianly wish the both of them a long, healthy lives but I have seen the writing on the wall.I was gone from Roanoke for 20 years & when I returned I found all the various ties of friendship & family had been severed. I have family all over this valley but the only times I see any of them (much less hear from them) is when someone dies. And my friends from my childhood are all gone as well.I have not bonded deeply with anyone & the way people are round here they are friendly to your face but once out of sight its out of mind...at best. There is no one here who would bother staying in touch with me (even if I tried hard for them to do so) should I move much less visit as several friends from maine have. And I have heard this complaint from several "yankee's" that live here. 

As the years pass I find myself still in more contact with friends in Maine than anyone here but still one by one they call or write less & less often & several have dropped off the map.The time will come I fear when I do return to Maine I will find all those connections lost or severed as they have been down here. I am at a loss anymore on how to proceed. Only my parents hold me here but my heart strings pull me hard back to Maine. Where will I be with no connections anywhere anymore?
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Maravene  (J131934@aol.com) -- Sarasota, FL
4/26/01 -- 10:59:40 AM

Carolyn from Lake Wales...E mail me.  I grew up in Scarboro from 1943 untill 1950. We might know some of the same families.
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Pat. Soule miepat@home.com -- Hampton, VA
4/26/01 -- 06:51:36

MARGARET CONLEY!!  Please send me an email.  I purchased a new computer and loss my entire email address book.
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Nathaniel Gordon (gordee@hotmail.com) -- Tallahasee, FL
4/25/01 -- 02:22:11PM

Hey All,
Going nuts here studying for finals down at Florida State University. I am writing about a short story by Stephen King " The Man in the Black Suit". Reading his words made me think of my beloved home state.
I miss it so and find little comfort here in Tallahassee, Florida. This Friday I am done with finals and am taking a road trip to Austin, Texas, Oklahoma City and finally landing in Minneapolis for the summer. I must stay that Minnesota isn't too bad. Definitely a welcome relief from the sweltering heat
that goes along with a Floridian summer and the jobs pay well. The folks up there share some of the traits that Mainers have. Definitely a bit of Canadian running through the dialect and a general appreciation for the outdoors.
They know what a long hard winter is like and embrace the summer as we do in Maine. I'm going to get out to Maine for
two weeks at the end of the summer before going back to school. So have a good summer guys and I'll see you in a while.
Save some italian sandwiches and some red hot dogs for me. I miss them a wicked lot. Go Red Sox!
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Meg (frogladymim@chartertn.net) -- Maryville, TN
4/23/01 -- 08:41:51

Way to go, Wayne!!! Isn't the south the pits? I'm so tired of hearing "the Bible Belt", when they are mostly bigots!!!They are still making moonshine(illegal)ready to have their way with  anything that walks (even when they are married)and are the most descriminating people(supposedly believing in the Bible or everyone being equal) Go, get em, Wayne!!!
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Maravene (J131934@aol.com) -- Sarasota, FL
4/23/01 -- 10:37:59 AM

emanuel: The nickname for the State is "The Pine Tree State", but the people of Maine are usually called "Mainers", but most of us do not mind being called "Maineiacs".
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Carolyn -- Lake Wales, FL
4/22/01 -- 04:00:04 PM

Sometimes when I am really lonely and sad for Maine, I get on the net and just look at Maine sites. Thus came across this one. Born and raised in Scarboro, lived many years in So. Berwick. I will be back, at least for  summer visits for now.
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emanuel -- Methuen, MA
4/21/01 -- 09:37:30 PM

what is maine nickname
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C. T. -- Monterey, CA
4/21/01 -- 01:24:35 PM

I was born in Northfield, Maine (near Machias)Grew up in Great Works and Stillwater.  Graduated Old Town High School.  Marketing Director of Bangor Mall and other places.  Went to UMO 1982 - 1986.  Moved then to CA but came back for summers mostly to Portland and Boothbay Harbor for several years.  I miss the wild flowers, appleblossoms and lilacs.  I miss the sound of lobster boats early in the morning.  I miss wild strawberries, picking fresh blueberries and raspberries.  I miss all the lakes, rivers and streams.  I miss well water, quiet snowy days.  I miss the smell of spring (when it FINALLY arrives)  I miss REAL people.  I miss Pat's Pizza from Orono.  I miss lobstah on a picnic table with the strong smell of the clam flats.  I miss fried clams from Croby's in Bucksport.  I miss canoeing.  But I don't miss the BLACKFLIES AND MOSQUITOES AND MINGES AND NO-SEE'UMS AND HORSE AND DEAR FLIES!
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Wayne St. Clair (wane9779@hotmail.com) -- Roanoke, VA
4/20/01 -- 02:09:26 PM

   Well now I am pleased to see someone saved my italian bread recipe guess & that it is close to the mark. It has been centuries since I was a baker but once you learn the techniques it's hard to forget.
   About the south. As I have said before I hate it as do many of you I know. The latest round here anywho is someone sent an editorial to the paper disparaging the neo-confederates & the southern party(a real thing who's goal is to scede). Well what a firestorm it caused. There were several letters to the editor some quite caustic defending the confedercy & claiming session was never about slavery but states rights. Well me & my big mouth. I wrote a letter pointing out the declaration of intent by south carolina government sceding from the union was blatently about opposition to slavery & attempts to restrict it. There were actually letters sent to the editor threatening me. I was amazed though I shouldn't be. I montgomery Ala. They are protesting the idea to have a monument to the selma to montgomery march in 65 on the state house grounds because it would be a descration of confederate memory & heritage. SIGH!!! And God forbid should I mention I am a liberal it's a wonder !
I haven't been strung up & should I mention my late ex was afro-euro-asian...well anyway. I know you find narrow minded bigotry everywhere, even in maine, but I swear this is it's natural breeding ground. And it you are gay or anyway different it's sad. Where is the Jesus in their christianity? God save me from the self righteous.
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Peggy Mower (peggy.mower@state.me.us ) -- Dresden, ME
4/19/01 -- 03:14:09 PM

I've been scanning through a lot of messages going way back to '96 and I've never heard what that red hot dogs were a big item in Maine.  I don't even like the looks of them.  I grew up on Kirschner's Natural Casing hot dogs but I don't know if Maine Exiles will print this message because they are advertising Jordan's Frankforts and that would be a contradiction although Kirschner's is in Maine.
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Cheryl Brown (mainebrown@earthlink.net ) -- Orange Park, FL
4/19/01 -- 12:50:48 PM

Gods been good to us in Florida the last few days. Before the hot weather sets in, we got a few mornings of cold. Not cold by Maine standards, but I'll take what I can get!! Planning a trip home this summer. My husband leaves in a few days for a 6 month cruise on the carrier Enterprise, so he'll miss the Maine trip. I promised my son we'd still go. I want to play in the surf at Popham, eat red dogs and Sam's Italians, and dream about a year and a half from now when we retire home to Maine!!!
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Sheri Percy Holland (dizzyme30@hotmail.com) -- Goldsboro, NC
4/19/01 -- 11:30:07 AM

I was born in Portland, ME. was raised in the wonderful town of WINDHAM.. I miss the 4 seasons and swimming in Sebago Lake and Italian sandwiches can't get them here. Would love to have one..I miss all my friends too.. 
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Maravene (J131934@aol.com) -- Sarasota, FL
4/19/01 -- 11:24:21 AM

Thank you Peggy Mower for confirming what most of us knew long ago.  Natural casings are the best.  Red dye is not natural.  Publix in Florida now carry Jordans natural casing hotdogs.
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Mark L. (michmark@bellsouth.net) -- Jacksonville, FL
4/19/01 -- 02:24:38 AM

I was wondering if any other states have a site like this... first found out about it when I saw a bumpah stickah on a white plymouth van here in Jax a few yars ago. Lived in Kittery till I was 9, moved to Augusta in '72, graduated from Umaine at Orono in '85, live here since '88.
It was cool seeing I'm not the only one who had this thing about Maine...Not so much the 'stuff' (except for Moxie and Italians, and Humpty Dumpty potato chips)-
 The things I miss most are the lakes, the hills, driving roads that actually have hills and bends in them, and driving through towns where the houses don't all
look exactly the same. As for city life here in Fl, well lets just say that you know your no longer in Maine when:
                  Someone tells you it's 'pourin down rain'
                  People no longer wave with all 5 fingers
                  There is a uniformed police officer on duty
                  at the grocery store
               stuff like that... I figured everybody from Maine missed it as much as I did,
                 but that's not always the case- i guess they just don't get it. Maine is a very cool place,
               it has so much to offer, especially too a kid growing up who loves the outdoors.
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Peggy Mower (peggy.mower@state.me.us) -- Dresden, ME
4/18/01 -- 02:49:00PM

I'm not in exile but what's the deal with the red hot dogs everyone's been talking about.  I'm 48 years old and I might have had red hot dogs twice in my whole life.  I think they're gross.  I grew up on Kirschner's Natural Casing hot dogs.
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A Archer (aarcher805@aol.com) -- Joshua, TX
4/17/01 -- 10:03:10PM

Just a note to Ms Cram, if they aint Whoopie pies then my Mrs has been using the same filling recipe with powdered sugar for Whatevers for 35 yrs or better.                Pax Arch
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Pat. Soule (miepat@home.com) -- Hampton, VA
4/17/01 -- 06:40:46 AM

How about Maine Exiles adding a box on their toolbar titled "Wayne's Maine" for all of Wayne St. Clair's work?
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Tammy (tamminn@ivillage.com) -- Bruno, MN
4/16/01 -- 11:45:54 PM

Hi... I have been living away from Maine for 7 years. I'd move back in a heartbeat except I am self-employed and health insurance is way too expensive in Maine.

For the past year, my food cravings for Maine-only foods has increased greatly. I started cooking things, and even ended up teaching a New England cooking class for the local community education here in Minnesota. So this is a response to the people posting looking for recipes. Here are some!

Basic Whoopie Pies
2 cups flour
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup baking cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
Filling, below
    Combine all ingredients. Mix well. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 425 degrees for 7 to 8 minutes.  Do not overbake. Cool thoroughly on rack before filling.

Filling
3/4 cup shortening
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup marshmallow creme
    Beat together until smooth. Spread on cooled cookie, top with another cookie.

I am also the one who originally posted for the Italian sandwich bread recipe. Wayne posted his best guess for me and I tried it, and it is awfully close to the real thing. I am still experimenting with amount of water, rising time, etc. I am going to Maine next month and plan to eat as much of the real thing as possible so I can come back and get the recipe just right. Anyway, here is Wayne's original post:

This is an educated guess. Dissolve in 1/2 cup warm water: 2 tablespoons sugar & 2 tablespoons oil along with 1 package of good yeast. Allow to proof then stir in a cup at a time 4.5 to 5 cups SIFTED white flour and 1 teaspoon salt & knead until smooth & elastic. Oil a bowl & put dough into it & cover to rise until doubled (about 2 hrs). Punch down & divide into portions. Dust a tabletop with flour & roll the dough out with your hands into foot long portions. Put on a oiled baking pan & cover allowing to rise until almost doubled in bulk, an hour to 1-1/2 hrs. Put into a 350 degree oven & bake for 45 minutes. 10 minutes before done brush with olive oil or butter to brown. Remove from oven & allow to cool before using. I say this is an educated guess because I have never made Italian sandwich bread but I have been a baker & this is how I would go about it. The end result should be lightly browned & very soft. The key I thing is to thoroughly sift the flour before using & to a!
llow it to thoroughly proof before baking. Enjoy.

Thanks Wayne!
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Nancy Kelley-Cram (nkelleyc@hotmail.com) -- Wake Forest, NC
4/16/01 -- 05:48:35PM

I keep reading the postings for recipes from Maine.  I have quite a collection of Maine cookbooks.  I love my Brownie Schrump, not sure if I spelled that right, books, I have two.  They have the best fish chowder recipe.  But my favorite is the Maine Rebekahs Cookbook.  I have the 1974 first edition.  It has anything and everything Maine in it from Whoopee Pies to my personal favorite Molasses doughnuts, grapenut pudding and fudge.  My mom gave it to me years ago.  The Rebekahs are a religious order similar to or maybe even part of the Eastern Star.  The book I have was printed by Pine Tree Press 220 Gamage Avenue, Auburn ME 04210.  Maybe someone who has the time can check out it's availability.  It is a great book.  Another great source of authentic Maine recipes is Church Cookbooks.  That might be something the Exile folks might want to make available for sale.  I would guess there might be a few churches who might like to sell their leftover copies.  Nancy Kelley-Cram

PS A whoopee pie isn't a whoopie pie if the filling is made with confectioner's sugar.  I make mine by cooking 1/2 cup milk and 3 tbls of flour slowly until thickened.  COOL, then add: 3/4 c sugar, 1/3 c shortening.  Beat with a mixer until foamy and quite thick.  Add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and 1/2 tsp salt.  Filling will look a little like marshmellow fluff.  I usually make a double batch of filling so the pies can be filled very generously!  The cookies are similar to the other recipes I have seen.
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Diane Miller (sachia1782@cs.com) -- Rowland, NC
4/16/01 -- 05:39:11PM

Hi,
If the lady that won the HGTV Dream House in Northport is able to come up with $330,000 federal income tax on April 15th, 2002 she will be able to claim her wonderful prize. This is what a story in the Bangor Daily News reported on April 5th.However if she is not wealthy, she may have to mortgage it or sell it, to pay the taxes. Have to pay taxes on the SUV that came with it also. Good luck, and I will be watching the real estate adds in the Belfast Republican Journal.
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Sheila (frogpond@jorsm.com) --  Crown Point, IN
4/16/01 -- 04:11:45PM

This is my recipe for whoopie pies for Nancy in Gainesville, Fla.  I made these for some people here in Indiana and they loved them!  It has been in my family for generations. 
1/3 cup baking cocoa, 1/3 cup veg. oil, 1 cup sugar, 1 egg, 2 cups flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 3/4 cup milk.  Mix all ingredients and drop by tblsp on ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake at 350* for 10 - 12 minutes.  FILLING: 1 1/2 cups confectionary sugar, 1 stick butter, 2 tbl crisco, 1/2 tsp vanilla, 1 jar marshmellow fluff.  mix with elect. mixer. 
Hope you and your friends enjoy! 
I am flying to Maine FINALLY in july.  It's been over 7 years and I am so excited!  We will be in Bingham (at Rowe Pond) and also the Auburn area, and will make a trip to Old Orchard Beach.  Anyone out there ever been to Rowe Pond?  I'd love to hear about it. I am originally from the Bangor VZ area, class of '81 
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Joan (Oravits@msn.com) -- Huntsville, AL
4/16/01 -- 09:40:36AM

Can't believe I found this site! My husband and I were born and raised in N.J. but spent summers in Maine. We love Maine - especially Blue Hill and Penobscot Bay.  We had to take a job transfer to Alabama nine years ago and I feel like I'm a stranger living in a strange land. You don't know what "hell" is until you have to move to Alabama and long for Maine! Did get to go to Maine last year for ten days and I cried when we had to come back south. I dream of the ocean and fog and REAL people.  My dream is to move back there someday and then life will begin again for me! I hope to go to the Penobscot Bay area this summer again for ten days - anyone know of some reasonable places to stay??  Thanks,
Joan (dreaming of Maine every day)
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LML Camp (lmlcamp@aol.com) -- New Smyrna Beach, FL
4/11/01 -- 11:38:23PM

Well,the Dream Home in Northport did not go to a Mainer. I'm bummed. Alas,it was won by someone from Missouri. And I must say that anyone who has the misfortune to live in a land-locked state deserves this prize!
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Carl Goodof (CARL_L_GOODOF@PRODIGY.NET) -- Lehigh Acres, FL
4/14/01 -- 09:05:32AM

Bill McManus-- How about John Cumberland from Westbrook.  Also, when you start to mention great coaches, John Winkin coached at Colby before going to U of Maine and taking those teams to the college world series.

Then, How about Jack Kelley??  First coach and general manager of the HArtford Whalers.
Ron Ryan--Played for Colby College and then for the Whalers.

Maine has placed some extremely good athletes and coaches into the world of professionals.
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Maravene (J131934@aol.com) -- Sarasota, FL
4/14/01 -- 08:26:27 AM

I just ran across two sites about Maine that I think are very good.  They may be old hat to some but may be new to others;
Enjoy...resourcehelp.com/maine-sites.htm and ..maineviews.com.
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Maravene (J131934@aol.com) -- Sarasota, FL
4/12/01 -- 10:29:51 AM

WAYNE!!Write, we will read.  Love everything you write.  Don't start now to  worry about what "people" say.  You've come too far for that.  Don't second guess yourself.
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Diane M. (sachia1782@cs.com) -- Rowland, NC
4/11/01 -- 10:42:20AM

Yes, Wayne, include the poem about Maine, in addition to any other wonderful memories you have about the pine tree state. I love reading you postings, and support all the positive things you say about my beloved home state. Thanks for the memories!!!!, and keep them coming.
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justin -- Camden, ME
4/11/01 -- 10:53:29PM

i love maine and i'm transfering back there from my college in vermont next year and i can't wait, i've lived all my life in maine, and i love it there, the ocean rules!
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Cheryl B. (mainebrown@earthlink.net) -- Orange Park, FL
4/10/01 -- 04:15:06 PM