Where I’m from….
By SKYLA HAMILTON
I have traveled to almost all the states minus one, Mississippi. I have also hopped a couple of
continents; however, no matter where I am I always call Maine my home! It is a place where
the people are as hard and gritty as the rock bound coast, and where the locals stand as tall as
the King Pines that grace the highway to welcome you as a visitor or their very own.
There are niches of towns in which I grew up in, each one leaving its mark and trace on
my own personal storyline. I grew up in central Maine, a place which I only wanted to
escape at the age of 18. I spent my formative college years traipseing around on an island
in the marshlands of Orono. Next, I returned to the western mountains to finish my
college career.
During the summers, I spent time in the deep woods running the rivers of the Dead
and the Kennebec. Later moving even deeper into the Great Maine Woods to the
Penobscot; where the natives ran these rivers for thousands of years before me. I
spent my summers traveling the back dirt roads and splashing in the splendors
of summer.
Later I moved to the coast where I spent so much of my childhood summers,
playing the life of tourist while making money off the summer catch. Most
of the time I hopped between the fresh and the saltwater, enjoying bonfires
on the beach and singing in the harbor while floating under a full moon.
I spent time soaking up all of the sun until the first leaf peepers started to
visit and remind us to prepare for winter.
I returned home after a stint abroad to expand my education in a place
I had only been once before, Fort Kent. This place resembled so many
other towns in Maine; however. the accent wasn’t as strong. The
people are of the rock hard exterior and they melt once they get to
know you. Similar to the towns down south, they welcome you
back with open arms.
This year is a big celebration with lots to do for the people from
away. These people are celebrating their own unique heritage
of forefathers that travelled great distances and endured severe
challenges to settle in a new land. These people were persecuted
in their past but able to forgive in future generations. The
celebration of the World Acadian Congress is grouping in
celebration that crosses boundaries of countries, states,
and provinces. This is a celebration where people from all
around the world will come together as one to celebrate
in a place I call home! Come and join the fun and
festivities in one of the best places on earth!
SUMMER 2014
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