Waldoboro Voices

Testimonies from a small coastal town in Maine

Land

“Before the last important piece of exploration in the Waldoborough area had been completed, the staking out of claims covering this district had begun.”
– Jasper Stahl, The History of Broad Bay, Vol. 1, 1956

“I was finally going to settle in a place that would be my home.”

George Jones

I’d never considered moving out of New York City until after September 11th.  I was working in the development office at a private school in downtown … Continue reading about George Jones

“We see people’s lives unfold, and sometimes over generations.”

Nick Stiles

I went to UMA for a year and then I took a break because I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do.  I got a job as a janitor at the Civic Center where I was … Continue reading about Nick Stiles

"You have to pray every day for the health of the animals."

Kerwin Creamer

I was born at home at Stickney Corner, in the town of Washington.  But when my mother came down with tuberculosis, they sent me to my aunt and uncle … Continue reading about Kerwin Creamer

"I believe a farm is a community asset."

Erin Espinosa

The morning after prom was the first time I volunteered at the community farm.  With my hair still in an up-do, my earrings on and my make-up smeared, … Continue reading about Erin Espinosa

“Forgiveness was the key.”

Susan Price

I’ve been on both sides of the money fence.  I grew up with money.  My father was a very successful businessman who had come from nothing.  And he … Continue reading about Susan Price

“Plants need to be touched, watered, moved, and aired, and it’s all by hand.”

Tyler Lupien

This greenhouse might not look full right now, but by April 1 it will be packed with seedlings, tens of thousands of them, and that’s just in this … Continue reading about Tyler Lupien

“History is what connects us to this place.”

Jim Letteney

We move in even though the house is filled to the brim because my family saved everything.  We hadn’t been there long and we’re getting ready for … Continue reading about Jim Letteney

“The world will open up if the answer is ‘yes.’”

Matthew Lawrence

For me, Waldoboro will always be home.  And even though it’s not Renee’s history, I think she loves it, too.  We are living in my parent’s home, … Continue reading about Matthew Lawrence

“There’s an odd correlation between museums and farms.”

Alison Lakin

The first two hours of my day start with milking the cows.  Which means going down to the barn and hooking them up to our bucket milker.  Once a … Continue reading about Alison Lakin

“I was so-called “retired,” and I felt like I was going downhill.”

Doug DeMellier

After the operation and all that, I found myself feeling that I wasn’t going anywhere with carpentry.  Carpentry had been hard on my body.  And the … Continue reading about Doug DeMellier

“I owe it to the animal to kill it as fast as I can.”

Wes Greenhouse

My first deer was shot right down the road here on Dutch Neck.  I shot her with this rifle, the one my dad gave to me as a kid.  I probably started … Continue reading about Wes Greenhouse

“This house moves with the wind”

Rob Clark

The original deed is signed by Henry and Lucy Knox.  This land was owned by them for a very long time. It was deeded by General Waldo, Lucy’s … Continue reading about Rob Clark

“And that was the Waldoboro blueberry juice.”

Deirdre Haren

I think no one wanted to buy this land because it was a mess.  But we’re finding this beautiful soil that’s rich with organic matter from all the … Continue reading about Deirdre Haren

“Things change.  We just need to adapt.”

John P. Hayden

When we got here, it was like gardening on Mars.  This part had all been scraped of topsoil.  It was rock.  So, I brought in woodchips, leaves, and … Continue reading about John P. Hayden

“I always think about the Pacific yew.”

Neil Lash

When I was a child, I would watch the clam diggers in February along Hatchet Cove flip over ice cakes to get to the mud, with a little fire going … Continue reading about Neil Lash

“Twelve mini-mansions went up on those acres.”

Sharon Mann

We’re what they call millennials.  We don’t have trust funds.  So, buying a house that needs a lot of work is really the only option for my … Continue reading about Sharon Mann