This issue of Remember When is to fulfill a promise I made last time to share why I write the things I write.
One afternoon about two and a half years ago my wife and I were sitting in the living room just sort of chillaxin’ when I remembered a story; in fact, the first column of Remember When. It was titled “The Hill” and was in four episodes. When I related the story to my wife, she said that I should write these stories in a book so our sons and grand kids could have a record of them. Since my handwriting , at the best of times, is unreadable, I said “Ya know, maybe I can do a column for the paper to share with everybody.”
That very afternoon I called The Star-Herald office and spoke with the editor and explained what I had in mind. I was told to submit an article and he would look it over and see what happens. So, Remember When was born. These things are all true and all either happened to me or my friends or family.
I have had the honor of being in town at a store or at church and had people come up to me and say, “You look familiar,” then when it hits them, “You’re the guy that writes that article for the paper.” I have as yet to have a negative opinion to what I have written. A very dear friend of mine, who will be the star of a future issue, lives in Connecticut now and he told me that he and his wife can’t wait to get their copy of The Star-Herald to see what I have written.
I need to give the credit where credit is due. My first year in college after my Navy service was at the then NMVTI [Northern Maine Vocational Technical Institute] Campus. I took English 1, taught by a man named Leonard Hutchins of Oxbow. That class was a class on how to put together a readable piece so that it made sense.
The next person to give credit to is my wife, Theresa, as she was the one who lit the flame under me to get me to do it. Of course, there would be very little entertainment value to the article without my friends and family who had the misfortune of having me witness their humorous antics.
Also extremely important to the stories is the staff of The Star-Herald; without their help there would be no Remember When.
Then I would have to say “Thank you” to you, the readers who support my writings. You and your comments are what keeps me remembering and writing. And last, but so very certainly not least, I thank God for the ability and the memories to share what He has done for me over the years.
That, in a very large nutshell, is why this column exists. Parents and grandparents, share your memories with your loved ones. Please don’t let your heritage go by the wayside. You will be blessed and your family may get to know you and who you are a tad better than they ever did.
As you contemplate your next family get-together, get a cup of tea or coffee and sit in your big armchair next to the window, look outside and Remember When . . .
Guy Woodworth of Presque Isle is a 1973 graduate of Presque Isle High School and a four-year Navy veteran. He and his wife Theresa have two grown sons and five grandchildren. He may be contacted at lightning117_1999@yahoo.com.
