Maine Memory Network

Growing up in Lewiston
by Kathy Becvar

Growing up in Lewiston in the 1960s and 1970s.

Working at International Paper and being part of the community
by Gary Desjardens

Working for International Paper and volunteering for the Special Olympics of America

My career working at Pepperell Mills in the Vellux Division
by David Bishop

My 35 years working in the Vellux blanket division of Pepperell Mills, Biddeford.

The tradition of lobstering
by Sadie Samuels

I learned to fish from my Dad and will lobster the rest of my life

My Involvement in Maine sports over the years
by Dick Whitmore

The key people and influences in my life growing up and my involvement in Maine sports

Reverend Thomas Smith of First Parish Portland
by Kristina Minister, Ph.D.

Pastor, Physician, Real Estate Speculator, and Agent for Wabanaki Genocide

Hooch Mum and my Vietnam service
by Jim Barrows

A poem about being a medic, saving Vietnamese people and babies. Sometimes we trusted too much.

I never thought I would work at a paper mill.
by Greg Bizier

I love science and managed the lab for International Paper's Otis Mill for 31 years.

30 years of business in Maine
by Raj & Bina Sharma

30 years of business, raising a family, & showcasing our culture in Maine

The Cup Code (working at OOB in the 1960s)
by Randy Randall

Teenagers cooking fried food in OOB and the code used identify the product and quantity.

Aroostook Potato Harvest: Perspective of a Six Year Old
by Phyllis A. Blackstone

A child's memory of potato harvest in the 1950s

Why environmental advocacy is critical for making baskets
by Jennifer Sapiel Neptune

My advocacy work for the Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance

I have thought about Vietnam almost every day for 48 years
by Ted Heselton

Working as a heavy equipment operator in Vietnam

Two generations tell the family's Paper story
by Normand and Richard Paradis

Father and son discuss their lives working for International Paper and changes over time

The Journey Home
by Gina Brooks

I am a Maliseet artist from the St. Mary’s First Nation, my work is about our connection to the land

Norman Sevigny: history of a neighborhood grocery store
by Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center

Growing up in a Franco-American community and working in the family business, Sevigny’s Market

First night on the pulp pile at zero degrees, to mill foreman
by Arthur Benedetto

I worked my way up in International Paper, moving from the pick ax pile to a foreman on computers

Being a woman Union member was a challenge in the paper mill
by Cindy Bennett

I worked in the paper mills and for the Union during the 1987 strike.

The man who dedicated 52 years to Biddeford's iconic Alex Pizza
by Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center

A work ethic learned from his parents and passion for the employees and customers of Alex Pizza.

My Paper Industry career and setting up a museum
by Sherry Judd

I worked in and around the Paper Industry all my life. Now I run Maine's Paper and Heritage Museum.

Bert Gagne-from star athlete to community barber
by Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center Voices of Biddeford project

Bert’s personal account of his lifelong non-stop approach including his 60+ years as a barber.

Rachel Tourigny: Richness of growing up in a big, "poor" family
by Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center

A most vivid and heartwarming account of life during a simpler time

The story behind David Moses Bridges' basket
by Patricia Ayala Rocabado

The story behind David Moses Bridges' (1962-2017) birch bark basket

Waponahki Rematriation
by Sherri Mitchell Weh’na Ha’mu Kkwasset

Women's leadership in Wabanaki communities