Wayne St. Clair ( wane9779@hotmail.com
) -- Roanoke, VA
6/24/04 -- 05:49:16 AM
Harry is practicing that old time
honored yankee trait of exaggeration. Urban sprawl?
Portland? Well yes as of last summer the outer precents had
spread out but urban sprawl? Hardly. No more or less than
any other city it's size, besides with the penniusla being
the size it is, there isn't much there to spawl on. LOL. And
big? at 67,000 +or-? That was the population quoted to me
last summer as well and is pretty much its population for
the whole 18 years I was there....true South Portland and
Scarbrough have spread out, but Portland itself has pretty
much maintianed. As for Morrill's Corner, unlike Woodfords,
for the sake of me I cannot remember much of anything out
there worth getting too upset over, I could be wrong, often
am but my mind draws a blank. I too mourn the passing of the
Miss Portland Diner. As for Back Bay, it's still mostly park
except for the area around the Preble Street extension and
Tukey's bridge but other than that its as green and open as
it ever was.
Ya know when I moved back here to Roanoke 12
years ago now I don't know what surprised me most, what
hadn't changed, or what had and when I think back to the
Roanoke of my youth, I don't mourn the passing of its
provincality, or bigotry or backward ways...I would suggest
if you would remove the rose colored glasses of memory, the
same would be true of Portland as it is true of almost every
place I have ever been, things change for both good
and bad. Places that don't change are either in a museum or
are dead which is often the same thing. Give me the wiggle,
squirm and flux of life anyday, I can adapt.
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Eleanor Travis Milligan ( lnr1941@yahoo.com
) -- Fort Pierce, FL
6/23/04 -- 11:51:41 PM
Hey Folks, I now am a Maniac in exile in
Florida and not only do I miss red hot dogs but I can hardly
understand much of the speech coming at me from the natives
around here. My husband and I were both born in Sanford, ME;
his name is David Milligan, mine was Eleanor Travis.
We went to Jr High School together in 1954 and fell in like
then. After the Navy, he spent many years in Georgia and
came back to Maine in 2002 to rescue me from my woes. We
were married in Las Vegas last January and now live in Fort
Pierce, FL. Hope to hear from anyone willing to share their
life experiences with us and visa versa. Man, we got a
lot of things to talk about.
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Harry Burnham ( hburnha1@maine.rr.com
) -- Portland, ME
6/22/04 -- 03:30:35 PM
Wow, I haven't been out here for some time
as I have been too busy in retirement, 2 years ago, and
enjoying being a Maniac again.
But, Maine has changed too much,
Portland is a big City of Sprawl, mostly by out-of-staters.
Trees disappearing fast, and believe it or not, home owners,
like myself, are paying a higher percentage of taxes. Most
big companies are out of state, gulping the city like
bull-dozers. Now they want to get rid of Morrill's
Corner, and push more stores. I was born there, my Dad
lived in an apartment house before I was born in that block,
and it always had a lot of charm. But the almighty
dollar controls the city. Even Miss Portland Diner,
couldn't be given away, as historical as it was. Back Bay
has been cleaned up, but you can't see much of the water, as
it is surrounded by stores. When I left it all, there
was only a trucking company. And, my junior high, Jack Jr.
hasn't been used in years, added about 5 more grades to when
I graduated, which had only 2,and they found mold, which was
affecting children, they said. I know we ran around the
first year 1945 to catch water leaking from the ceiling.
Then they tried to save it, but, and I'm only assuming,
since it has a prime location, It'll be condos there. Sad.
But one thing, the people are just as nice, and it's
great being back home. 55th reunion next year, and I can
remember when we graduated, 1950, thinking 2000 is a long
way off. I'm looking over my shoulder, to see if I can
find all those years. Actually, they have been good to
me, even though I had to leave in 1964 for Boston, and after
being in radio two years and some other jobs, I became Chief
Analyst-programmer for Mass. Rehabilitation Commission.
Going away gave me stability, and an excellent wage, to
return to enjoy whatever years I have. So, enjoy what you
have, then, you must RETURN.
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Cindy ( cindylouwho17@hotmail.com
) -- Lumberton, NC
6/21/04 -- 12:13:49 PM
Well, Once again I've come here to get my
memories renewed and once again I end up crying. I decided
to write what I was feeling. I know from what I've read
people feel the same way.
Inspired
You can taste the salt and feel the ocean’s breeze embrace
you.
The excitement of searching for creatures, amongst the
rocks, the jumping waves reveal hidden surprises and a cold
touch.
The green grass, the pale sky, the dark ocean’s colors all
bleed into one, there is no end and no beginning. A perfect
mold.
The boats idle on the water, as the gulls hover overhead,
hoping to steal a meal.
The people, kind as ever, never a stranger just a friend you
haven’t met yet.
The sun warm, but never hurtful with it’s gentle kiss.
Your soul replenished, your life revived, your breath anew.
My inspiration, my voice, my home, myself
Missed very much
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Dana Wilson ( inspector2slow@msn.com
) -- Milton, NH
6/20/04 -- 09:33:37 PM
I worked at the portsmouth Naval Shipyard for 13 years.
Always wondered why it's not called Kittery Naval
shipyard. Especially since Maine taxed me for 13 years. I
guess Maine politicians are smarter ours. They have the tax
money and we have the name. By the way, my wife tells me
Shultz sold it's hotdog business. Has anyone heard anything
about this?
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"Bump" Orr ( mainexiles@frontiernet.net
) -- Ft Mohave, AZ
6/20/04 -- 12:07:35 AM
Clams-In addition to being a lobsterman, my
father during the late 1930's worked for the WPA and was a
clamdigger. He used to dig two tides when possible, and
create dams so he continue digging on an incoming tide.
There are two types of clams--mud & sand--and it depends
on the type of beach where they are dug.
He told me that he would dig; shuck; and squeeze the black
out of the bellies for 50 cents a gallon. Imagine the price
now for that type of effort. I can vaguely remember train
whistles in Freeport when I was two years old & both of
my parents worked for Moody's in the clam rooms. I believe
Moody's was at that time in Freeport proper, rather than
down in the marshlands where it is now located. He said that
of all the living he ever made from the ocean, claming was
the hardest work of all.
**************************************
"Bump" Orr ( mainexiles@frontiernet.net
)-- Ft Mohave, AZ
6/18/04 -- 07:22:22 PM
Clams and their grit! If you have access to
salt water, put them in a circulating tank for 12 hours or
so, and add cornmeal. The clams ingest the cornmeal and
exhaust the grit. You'll never have a clam that crunches
again.
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Maravene ( J131934@aol.com
) -- Sarasota, FL
6/18/04 -- 01:02:35 PM
Bump..I really enjoyed your article. We
should all have had such a person in our lives.
Chowder...I am surprised at how many people do not know
about 'corn' chowder. I love it and am requested to make it
for family gatherings. Isn't it great how food can
conjur up memories?
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Richard Knapp ( richela@webtv.net
) -- Hampstead, NC
6/17/04 -- 11:17:06 PM
Misses.......Old Home Day in August.....Hall
Reunion.....Clam Bakes.....collecting empty bottles on
the side of the roads .......Selling Cucumbers from Grandpas
garden for 5cents apeice.....catching frogs at a nearby
pond......building huts......catching nightcrawlers.....watching
the fireworks over in Pownal.....Beans Franks and Brown
Bread on Sat night..Cole Farms .....Drive in movie in
Danville.....Uncles Farm in New Gloucester......Town
baseball games .....Kem McKenzie's yodel......Lakeland
skating rink.....Dances at the Buxton Grange......churning
butter, molding it and selling to the
stores.....etc....etc......I guess most of all my
youth.....amen
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Wayne St. Clair ( wane9779@hotmail.com
) -- Roanoke, VA
6/13/04 -- 01:27:46 PM
I recently picked up an old
copy of Yankee magazine, dated Jan/Feb 2001. The issue had a
"special report" on New England Clam Chowder.
YUM!!! In it, it barely acknowledged, as it should the
existance of Manhattan Clam "Chowder" as a
perversion preferred by those who don't either know
any better, or have corrupt tastes. To be fair, there is a
place for tomatoes in shellfish stews. Bouillabassie comes
to mind as does Cioppino, but to call a tomato based
vegetable soup with clams added a chowder, well, that is
nothing short of heresy.
New England Clam Chowder is one of those dishes that evokes
great passion and controversy, much like those that rage
around Bouillabaisse, Cassoulet, Mole' and Gumbo, among
others. And, like those other great dishes claimed by
purists and snobs, it is essentially peasant food. What I
mean by that, is that the original dish was made by and for
the poor, peasants and the working class as opposed to the
opulent dishes prepraed for the aristocracy and well-to-do.
The culinary hallmarks of such food are large stick to the
ribs dishes with a variety of ingredients based on what is
immediately at hand. They are usually soups, stews or
chowders that have at their core a fat (Salted Pork in
Chowder, Confit in Cassoulet and bacon in Gumbo etc.) for
flavor then a bulk item such as potatoes or beans. And, a
relatively small amount of the key meat itself, be it clams,
sausage or ham, chicken or pork in contrast to the volume of
the dish itself. In short cheap and filling. In fact the
earliest recipes for Clam Chowder had no milk or cream in
them at all. They were potatoes, fat, onions, broth and
clams thickened with pulverized crackers. This is the
chowder, "Clam or Cod?", served at Try Pot's Inn
to Ishmael and Queequeg in Melville's "Moby Dick".
Indeed it is still the chowder preferred by Rhode Islanders
to this day.
The humor of this "Special Report on
Chowder" was beyond the core ingredients of onions,
potatoes, port fat, broth and clams, no two of the dozen or
so recipes offered agreed on anything. Celery is often added
as is corn. A spalsh of Tabasco is tossed in as well as a
few tablespoons sherry, others laugh at such notions. I add
beer to my chowders. Why? Because I steam my clams in it
then strain the broth to remove the sand and use it as the
liquid base for my chowder. I learned that trick on a
fishing boat I worked one season. I also stretch it with
chicken stock sometimes because chicken stock carries
flavors well without overwhelming them. Another thing, sweet
butter and cream are as much a must as is salted pork. Using
margerine and milk makes a travesty of it. Chowder
should be thick with it's ingredients, not flour and should
be as rich as your budget and cholesterol will allow. I gave
a copy of my personal clam chowder recipe to my dietition up
at the local VA hospital. Poor woman read it and damn near
had a heart attack herself. Be that as it may I am off to
the local store to buy some clams, butter, pork fat, cream
and a defibulator.
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"Bump" Orr ( mainexiles@frontiernet.net
) -- Ft Mohave, AZ
6/12/04 -- 02:08:03 PM
Roanoke, VA again produces beauty and
sensitivity in a posting. Masterful!
--------------------------------------------I wonder if
others from Maine have looked back and tried to identify the
one person, other than a parent, who was most influential in
shaping their lives. I did this AM, and would like to honor
him in this post. His name was Mario Tonon! He was principal
of Brunswick HS for many years.
I had been booted out of Fryeburg Academy and was wallowing
at BHS. I had flunked English my sophomore year for refusing
to read 'The Tale of Two Cities', as I thought it dull, and
just wouldn't read it. I was then half sophomore and half
junior at the start of my third year. An early AM course
allowed me to catch up and I proceeded to take industrial
arts courses as I wanted to avoid 'book' studies. I survived
those w/o the loss of a finger but was a rebel. The low
point came after I slugged a fellow softball player on the
phys ed field. I was sent to Mr Tonon's office where he
immediately gave me a weeks detention which I refused to
accept telling him I would quit HS before doing detention.
He told me to come back the next afternoon which I did. He
had an alternative plan! I was to go to a freshman geography
class and teach the class for a week. Thinking I had won the
battle, I did same. By the next year I was on the honor roll
and a somewhat changed young man. In May of my senior year
he again called me to his office and inquired about my plans
after HS. I told him I might go lobstering; go in the army;
or take some courses at Portland Junior College. He told me
he had a better plan. He got in touch with a Dr Freeman at
UofM and convinced the school to take me on probation as my
overall class standing was low, but IQ was high. Four years
later I had BS in Education and a 2nd Lt commission all
because this skilled administrator took the time to evaluate
one rebel kid and skillfully guide him to the path in life
that has provided so much.
So, here's to you Mr Tonon! You more than anyone else in my
life, parents excepted, gave me the wonderful life I have
had, and
still have!
*************************
Wayne St. Clair ( wane9779@hotmail.com
) -- Roanoke, VA
6/11/04 -- 07:16:36 AM
It's said there are but two seasons in
Maine;
nine months of snow & three of lousy sledding,
or winter & the fourth of July.
Spring lingers late teasing us
with cold rain & frost
but eventually that whirlwind romance
called summer arrives
and ravishes us with wonder.
Summer is so damn hot down south;
the predominate image is
the drip, drip, drip
of condensation from the air conditioner
and sweat off the tip of your nose.
Each year I ask myself which is worse,
the long, cold, brutal Maine winters or
the long, hot, humid. brutal Virginia summers?
The summers are worse.
You can always put on more clothes but
you can only take off so many
before you're arrested for indecent exposure
or worse, nobody notices.
I'd rather be arrested,
When it's bad down here, even naked,
you're miserible.
Indeed there are days
when flesh on the bone is too much to wear.
An afternoon sea breeze
like clockwork cools hot summer days,
there's fog off the islands.
Children diving off the docks
golden in northern light.
Clam bakes & lobstering,
wild roses blooming by the shore.
Sudden thunderstorms, amber light,
pastel rainbows against charcoal skies.
Country fairs & midway's;
kids grinning through blueberry stained teeth.
Summer solstice in the White mountains;
atop Mt. Monroe,
watching the full moon rise out of the Atlantic
reflecting on water
a hundred miles away.
Then turn around to see,
sunset over the Adirondack's.
Heading up to Acadia,
Cadillac mountain rising from the sea,
pine green with lapis seas speckled white
with summer sailors.
Fly fishing for salmon; climbing Mt. Katahdin,
dancing on the knife's edge.
Rafting down the Allagash
and sunrise on Moosehead.
Ahh...summer in Maine
when living is fat & easy.
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Cheryl Brown ( mainebrown@earthlink.net
) -- Auburn, ME
6/10/04 -- 07:57:11PM
Went for a drive a few weeks ago, and ended
up at Land's End, looking for glass on the beach. It was a
wonderful day, the sun was out, the wind was whipping my
hair around, and the water was cold!! But best of all,
before we went down to the water, I took my "Born in
Maine..." bumper sticker off my car. It's good to be
home.....
*********************************
"Bump" Orr ( mainexiles@frontiernet.net
) -- Ft Mohave, AZ
6/8/04 -- 11:50:13 PM
You gotta love it! The few choice moments in
life that you look back on, and laugh when remembered. I
was, at one point in my insurance career,insuring a Maine
Attorney General (who shall go nameless). He had been to the
Democratic National Convention in NY. He called me upon his
return and advised that his car had been broken into and
items had been stolen. I took the report and advised what I
needed to process the claim under his Homeowners policy
(this was before the replacement cost on contents
endorsement came out). He asked me about depreciation! I
struck like a rattler, and told him I was the only person in
the State of Maine that could depreciate the AG's underwear!
The rest of the conversation with him will go unprinted at
this time. LOL
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Mark ( kramsenrab@aol.com
) -- Owls Head, ME
6/8/04 -- 08:53:11 AM
lost friendly brown
lab near
brooks maine last wed.
name "cone-ah"
phone number on caller
dog was loved
sadly missed
Thank you!!!!
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