13 Reasons the Entire Country Should be Thankful for Maine
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Michelle
Author
While it’s important to be thankful every day of the year, the week of Thanksgiving allows us to step back and really think about the things for which we are most grateful. For those of us living in Maine, our gratitude list is long. We have mountains, coastal beaches, rivers, lakes, more mountains, some of the best food in the world and the nicest people. But, we understand that those living elsewhere might need a little reminder. To help, we’ve compiled a list of a just a few reasons why everyone should be thankful for Maine. Here they are, in no particular order!
In 2014, Maine lobstermen caught over 120 million pounds of the delicacy, a value of about $456 million.
Until 2003, when the factory was closed, Strong, Maine was the toothpick capital of the world. In 1887, Charles Forster was the first to come up with the idea of disposable toothpicks made of wood. He chose Strong as his hub due to the high amount of Birch in the area.
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Chester Greenwood of Farmington, Maine invented the cold-weather accessory in 1873 at the age of 15. The idea came to him while ice skating and it came to life when he had his grandmother sew fur between loops of wire.
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The hole might mean a bit less of the delicious pastry, but it exists for good reason. The inventor of the donut hole was Captain Hanson Crockett Gregory of Rockport, Maine. While the reason is not entirely clear, there seem to be two explanations. 1. The Captain was creating holes in the center of his mothers cakes for some secret tasting and 2. While dealing with a ship he stuck a cake onto the wheel to save the treat for later. Either way, we appreciate that a Mainer came up with something so mainstream.
Loved her in Pitch Perfect? She honed that velvety voice at Deering High School in Portland.
Whether you love him in Grey's Anatomy or prefer he stick to racing cars, it's hard not to appreciate a Maine boy. Dempsey was born in Lewiston and grew up in both Turner and Buckfield.
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More of an old-school movie fan? Judd Nelson of The Breakfast Club and St. Elmo's Fire (among other films) was born in Portland and spent some time at Waynflete School.
American poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was born in Portland which was actually a part of Massachusetts at the time. He attended Bowdoin College and went on to write Paul Revere's Ride, The Song of Hiawatha, and Evangeline. His Portland home is now a museum and is open to the public. The house is open daily to public from May through October. He was known to have walked to Portland Head Light for writing inspiration.
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In a state that boasts a store shaped like an actual blueberry, it's no surprise that the wild blueberry is our state fruit. Maine's wild blueberries are arguably the best in the world and are so plentiful they can be picked at the side of many hiking trails throughout the state.
We've given the world plaid, tents and flannel-lined pants. But, L.L. Bean's bootmobile is what I am truly thankful for. In a sea of Subarus, the bootmobile stands out in a crowd. Just like a true Mainer should. To date, the bootmobile has traveled more than 40,000 miles across the USA. Check for a list of scheduled appearances on the internet.
From Allagash to Oxbow and everything in between, Maine has some of the best craft beer in the country.
Stephen King has instilled fear in the heart of millions across the globe. All while writing from his home in Bangor, Maine.
If you don't have the pleasure of living in Maine, you've likely been in a Stonewall Kitchen on one of your visits. Or, maybe you've been the recipient of a jar of Stonewall Kitchen's jams via a friend's visit. Either way, thank York Maine for your pancakes, crackers, cookies and tea.
Why are you thankful for living in (or even just loving) Maine? Share this with your friends who may need a bit of a reminder of all that Maine has given them!
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