Waldoboro Voices

Testimonies from a small coastal town in Maine

Art

“One should not pass over in silence the little home industries where young and old toiled long and patiently, at those useful arts and crafts which would add a few dollars to personal and family income.”
– Jasper Stahl, The History of Broad Bay, Vol. 2, 1956

"If there are any spirits here, they're pretty darned good."

Troy Hudson

Music was always in my life because my parents were always listening to it.  They were dancers – competitive dancers doing the Jitterbug, and they won … Continue reading about Troy Hudson

"I'm the poet laureate of my own house."

Laura Buxbaum

I like to say that work got in the way of my other pursuits, and the big ones have been music, running and writing, with the writing being … Continue reading about Laura Buxbaum

“Everything we do – or don’t do – has consequences.”

Sara Hotchkiss

When I was four or five, my mother taught me how to knit, so I could make clothes for my dolls.   I got totally hooked on fabric and yarn.  My mother … Continue reading about Sara Hotchkiss

"They conjure up visions of another time."

Ed Openshaw

All through my childhood my mother and I would go out junking – it was mostly at second-hand stores but also antique stores.  I loved doing that and … Continue reading about Ed Openshaw

"I didn't look at it as a gift because I thought anybody could do that."

Jay Sawyer

I moved to Waldoboro from Bath with my parents halfway through second grade and I did Miller School.  In fact, Mrs. Butler inspired one of my pieces … Continue reading about Jay Sawyer

“Only you know what you can give.”

Jen Barrows

My family was really poor.  For air-conditioning, when my grandma would hang the sheets on the clothesline, I would go … Continue reading about Jen Barrows

“Tides change. Things come and go.”

Willy Wong

I did not have a locked-in idea for the schoolhouse, but I did have visions.  Originally, I thought it could be a creative space for either galleries, … Continue reading about Willy Wong

“Accidents can lead us down a different path.”

Erica Moody

When I first began working in metal, I thought it was totally bad ass.  It was, “Look what I can do!”  I was an … Continue reading about Erica Moody

“That was God screaming 'NOOOOO!'”

Becky Libby

It’s the tightening in your chest. It’s the burning in my veins. It’s the anger out of nowhere. It’s the never-ending … Continue reading about Becky Libby

“I’m taking deep breaths, lots of them.”

Shari Wills

Ever since I was little, my mom would say to me, “You’re such a drama queen.  You should act.”  Then she’d tell me all … Continue reading about Shari Wills

“I stood up, picked up the cello and gasped.”

April Reed-Cox

I didn’t know anyone in Waldoboro when I first arrived.  But my grandfather, who used to frequent the Narrows Tavern, finally said, “Why don’t you go … Continue reading about April Reed-Cox

“I’m starting to think maybe people really want me here.”

Henry Cauffman

I know I talk about these romantic sojourns like the date farm in Death Valley or tending the pigs in upstate New York.  … Continue reading about Henry Cauffman