My sons played hockey and trips back and forth to ice arenas in New Brunswick Canada were a big part of our winter acitivity as they grew up. Canadians from the Woodstock New Brunswick area visit Houlton to gas up, pick up some milk and zip back across. Where I live is only two miles from the US Canadian border. And to break up the winter, it is easy and fun to go thru the border to eat at German restaurant south of Woodstock on the Trans Canada highway, or to take in a movie. You literally can leave the country..for the afternon or evening. Canadians have the same privledge due to our proximity and connection with the dollar/looney tied together affecting the local economies of both Houlton and Woodstock. Here’s what the border crossing looks like.
Hard day at school, and after hopping of the bus, I enter the Maine farm house met by the smell of mom cooking fresh chocolate donuts.
Maine Youth Work On The Local Farms Growing Up.
This is one of many fond childhood memories. No doubt your mom made some dishes like no other since. Potato salad, baked beans we grew, and home made bread was another family crowd pleaser. To dine on after working hard on the Maine farm land. Or repairing buildings or working in the potato house loading trailer trucks.The spud loads headed to produce centers in the winter destined for markets in Boston, Hartford or New York City.
Growing up on a Maine farm meant I saw my parents a lot thru the day, and worked hand in hand with my three older brothers.
In addition to raising potatoes, grain, dry bean and sugar beets, we planted a very large truck garden and sold produce at a farm stand. This income helped get us thru the summer when most of the household dollars are planted in the ground, waiting on fall harvest to get the crop into potato storage. Now local Aroostook County farmers also grow peas and broccoli. Lots of grains.
We were never hungry, had mittens /hats knit by mom, used our imaginations and had fun as a Maine farm family.
We learned about mechanics, carpentry, work ethic in addition to farming. Back in the 1800’s, 96 percent of us were living on family farms. Now less than 3% of the population raises food or critters. Northern Maine is well know for spud production, Washington County and Down East for blueberries. We sold lots of corn, squash and strawberries at the farm stand too. With Canada roughly two miles away, we crossed the border to pick apples and strawberries to resell too. Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers – Selling Small Rural Maine Properties Especially Farms and Land Listings.
“The Thrill Of The Hill” will for the 14th year happen June 20th. Trial
Gravity Racing In Identical..(Almost) Kit Cars.
safety runs happen the day before for soap box derby racers ages 8 to 17 in Northern Maine. The Houlton Maine derby race on Derby Hill, a specially engineered course used for spring and fall rallies too, is so easy to set up and take down. Safety is the main concern and in the past, the Aroostook County, Northern Washington / Penobscot County race was the nation’ s largest. For five years straight, upwards to 200 boys and girl stock, super stock and master racers have competed in “heats” to advance thru the race brackets to determine a Northern Maine champion for each race division. I had two racers, a son and daughter win the event in 1998, 2001 to go on to the 72nd All American national soap box derby race in Akron, Ohio.
At one time there were five local districts racing in Maine. It is a great experience for kids to learn about building a car with parent or big brother/sister. Skills with tools and patience needed, and friendly competition with your family cheering you on. There is a big party for racers and their families after each local race in June to celebrate and send off the winners to represent Northern Maine in Akron, Ohio’s world series of racing.
Northern Maine which attracts racers from up to two hours away in Aroostook, Washington and Penobscot Counties has had many top competitors finish runner up to the winner in Akron, or a little further down the line in the finals proving the Houlton race is very polished and competitve. Watch the 2008 Houlton Maine derby race video. Watch the 2007 Houlton Maine derby race.
Waiting to soap box derby race in the next heat to determine the winner.Loaded in the gates topside, waiting for a green light and release of the gate to race.Topside, ready for a green light to head to the bottom.
