To the Editor:
In September 1993, I left my corporate life in San Francisco, on a cross-country adventure in a Volkswagen camper. On Oct. 1, I drove into Maine and eventually Houlton for the first time.
My children, Angela, Kristin and Peter had arrived there in August with their father and step mother to begin the school year. I had followed despite being told it was cold and that there were no jobs.
The kids and I stayed for the next 12 years. I have never regretted my choice. Despite working for most of the time in Presque Isle, I knew I could count on the community to support my parenting.
Houlton was a wonderful place for a single mom to raise my children. Between sports, academics and music opportunities each of them had a chance to shine. Thanks, in no small part, to the support they received from the community, the churches, their teachers and friends they are now all successful adults.
In August 2019, I leave for a 27-month adventure as a Peace Corps volunteer in the South Pacific Kingdom of Tonga. Before I go I wanted to take a moment to say thank you to Houlton and all the friends I made there.
Peggy O’Kane
Yarmouth, Maine
