Faithbook: Our Story, Our Song

 I was born and raised on Ben Hill, though the old house isn’t standing anymore. Back then, we lived on a big farm—with cows, chickens (nearly a thousand of them!), and more chores than I could count. I was the only girl with four brothers—David, Gerald, Jimmy, and Richard. Gerald and Jimmy have passed on, but Richard still lives in Hodgdon, and David’s turning 80 this June. David didn’t like the barn work, so I often ended up doing dishes, but I still found myself out with the animals more than not. Life was busy but simple. We didn’t have neighbors close by, and most of our time was spent working on the farm. Sundays were special. After church, we’d go visit relatives—sometimes even stay for supper. It was a rhythm that taught me hard work, family, and faith. This interview was done on my 84th birthday—what a meaningful way to celebrate and look back over a full and blessed life. Church has always been a big part of my journey. I was baptized, taught Sunday School, and spen...

 My name is Nina, and looking back, I can truly say I’ve had a good life—full of love, laughter, challenges, and the grace of God woven all the way through. I grew up in a farming family. My father was a potato farmer, and we always had cattle, pigs, and plenty of food on the table. Not everyone had that, especially during hard times, but we were blessed. Some of my fondest childhood memories are of visiting my mother’s family out in Masardis. They had sheep and a dog named Strongheart, who was always so excited when we arrived. Those were carefree days—running across crusted snow in the winter with our sleds, hauling water from the well, and picking potatoes with my siblings. There were five of us—three brothers, my sister, and me—and we worked hard, but we had a good time. We walked to school when we could, and I remember the little schoolhouse with a stove in the middle. We’d bring soup in jars and warm it on the stove for lunch. The school had all eight grades in one room, ...

I was born in Fort Fairfield, Maine, and some of my earliest memories go back to when my family moved to Easton. I was just a first grader then, and I found myself in a one-room schoolhouse. All eight grades were taught in that one space, and by the time I was in seventh and eighth grade, I was the only student in my class. It was a unique experience, but I didn’t know any different—it was just life in rural Maine. Later on, I transferred to Easton High School and quickly realized I was behind the other students academically. But with time and effort, I caught up. The transition from a one-room school to a larger system wasn’t easy, but it taught me persistence early on. More than anything, though, I remember how small and close our world was back then. You knew everyone, and you didn’t need much to be content. High school was where I met the love of my life—Nina. She and I saw each other every day, and our bond only grew stronger. After I went on to attend college in Presque Isle ...

I grew up on a farm, and when I think back to my childhood, I remember the simple, beautiful rhythm of life. The early mornings, the smell of the earth, and the sense of accomplishment that came from a hard day’s work—it all shaped who I am. Life on the farm taught me responsibility, perseverance, and gratitude for the little things. I learned that growth, whether in crops or in life, takes time, patience, and trust in things beyond our control. Some of my earliest memories are of my family working together, each of us playing our part. We depended on one another, just as we depended on the changing seasons. That foundation of hard work and family connection stayed with me, guiding me through the years. Even as the world around me changed in ways I never could have imagined, those core values remained constant. As I grew older, I witnessed events that had a lasting impact on me—moments in history that shaped not only the world but also my perspective. But nothing has influenced me more...

I was born into a hardworking family where values of integrity, diligence, and perseverance were instilled in me from an early age. Growing up, I believed that success in life came from working hard and accumulating things. That was my pre-Christ mindset: work hard, make a living, and everything will be fine. But I later learned that this wasn’t true. Life is more than just working hard and gaining possessions. It is about relationships, faith, and purpose. In 1966, my life took another turn when I met Cynthia. Her father had been transferred to the Presque Isle Electric Office, and she started attending school in Presque Isle. At that time, we had a great basketball team, and I was one of the few people who had a car—a hard-earned $150 vehicle. When we decided to go to a game, I was the driver. My friend Andy Moores introduced me to Cynthia’s sister, Marjorie, which led me to Cynthia. One thing led to another, and by 1968, we were married. I still remember the date: September 5, 1968...