Waldoboro Voices

Testimonies from a small coastal town in Maine

Town

“For a community of this size, the organization and labor was stupendous, and the committees were large, including practically everybody of note within the village limits.”
– Jasper Stahl, The History of Broad Bay, Vol. 1, 1956

“These are our angels.”

Rhonda Conway

One day I got a call from my dear, dear friend Betsy Wooster: “I want you to come to a meeting with the people in Boothbay who have a free clothing … Continue reading about Rhonda Conway

“I have had prayers answered.”

Bob Benner

We lived far away from town, and that was kind of the bad part.  We were the only ones down here.  I had no school friends or anything, and that was … Continue reading about Bob Benner

“I’m going down with this ship if that’s what it takes.”

Richard Parker

When I looked at this building, one of the coolest things I noticed were the small rooms on either side of the corridors on the 2nd and 3rd floors.  … Continue reading about Richard Parker

“There’s a lot of things I haven’t done, but there’s a lot I have, done,too.”

Becky Maxwell

I was born on Gross Neck Road, in my grandfather and grandmother’s house there. Grandpa cleaned out his bureau drawer and that was my first bed, his … Continue reading about Becky Maxwell

“They made me feel I am not alone.”

Laila Ata

My ex-husband didn’t know that people from Afghanistan, especially women, they are very strong.  They can deal with anything.  I went through so much … Continue reading about Laila Ata

“I want to know that you have a good heart and a kind soul.”

Alfred McKay

We’re a secretive society, but we are not a secret society.  If we was, we wouldn’t have our name on the building.  If you come up to the door while … Continue reading about Alfred McKay

“You don’t change history, you don’t hide it, you don’t re-write it.”

Bill Maxwell

I can’t give you the exact Great-Great-Great-Great version of it, but I’m related to Conrad Heyer, the first-born, white child from the German … Continue reading about Bill Maxwell

“But I still feel judged for living in Sproul Block.”

Maurita Lord

I don’t think anybody expects perfection over here.  We’re all human.  We’re all imperfect.  We all have flaws.  Every human on the planet, even the … Continue reading about Maurita Lord

“We need people to be talking to each other.”

Seth Hall

I’ll always be from “away.”  I’ll be that forever.  But because I was raised as a Quaker, I believe in consensus, I believe in doing good stuff, and I … Continue reading about Seth Hall

“All the neighbors, we took care of each other.”

Eleanor Smith

Dr. Sanborn came down the night before I was born, but I wasn’t ready to make my appearance.  It was winter down on Gross Neck, and we had some heavy, … Continue reading about Eleanor Smith

“There was a time when I was the youngest member.”

Gordon Webster

When I was a kid, I think Waldoboro had only one policeman.  But we had a zillion volunteers.  My wife’s stepfather was a temporary fireman and … Continue reading about Gordon Webster

“Print is not dead.”

Cathrina Skov

Some years ago there were people in town who asked, “Why are we giving the library money?  We have a high school library.”  And I’d say, “But it … Continue reading about Cathrina Skov

“Did I miss something?”

Jim Eaton

You can run all day from the moment you get in the ambulance truck at 7AM until the end of the day.  Or, you might not turn a single wheel and spend … Continue reading about Jim Eaton

“You learn, when you get dirty, you can wash.”

Sarah Callan

One of my biggest fears is not living up to my potential, not having a chance to make a difference in the world.  I was in a car accident this past … Continue reading about Sarah Callan