Closing statement

So that was it, my Maine experience. As you can see, I seemed to touch upon the preservation of Maine and the ways it can be done. I also visited sites that had a special meaning to me. Hence, LL Bean and Veteran's Memorial Park. I also realized I went to a lot of places in Lewiston. I realized this halfway though the project and I guess i subconsciously wanted to show the world what Lewiston has to offer, although many people think it is a rat hole. I had a lot of fun visiting all the sites and my favorite visit was Mt. Katadhin. If you haven't hiked it you must because its amazing. I learned a lot about the places I visited and that knowledge I will always hold in my mind and hopefully always remember so I can tell the grandchildren.
Lastly I wanted to talk about the Casino that Mainers just voted down this past election period. Since my project focused a lot on the preservation side, I chose the WMDC as a different type of preservation. That preservation is the Maine economy, people and wealth. As you can see, there was a lot of worries about the WMDC but in the long run it helped a lot of families. With the casino I felt as if we had the same opportunity to create jobs. I voted yes for the casino because I knew it would bring jobs to Maine. I asked a friend of mine what he voted on question 2. He said no because he wanted to maintain the beauty of Maine, and especially Oxford. I yelled at him. What he and most Mainers don't realize is, is that we are in midst of a crisis, scratch that, we are in a crisis. A lot of old mills are shutting down and small businesses are closing. Many people have to foreclose on their house because they can't afford them because a they have been laid off or their business had gone bankrupt. All of this effects me personally because someone in my family is being effected by it. The casino was a way to secure at least 900 jobs for Mainers. 900 JOBS!! How can somebody vote no for that many jobs? Not to mention what the casino would have done for all the local businesses because of all the people going to the casino. We can't say there isn't a demand for a casino because look at Hollywood slots and all the people getting on buses to go to Foxwoods. I understand that Mainers are trying to protect Maine and its image, but if we don't have jobs, or a healthy economy, we wont have a image to protect. This casino would have been a great thing for Maine, but because of those Mainers that are those, snide,cautious ones, they screwed many Mainers over. Now this casino company has no plans for building in Maine in the future and are looking else where. This is the only and first time I have ever been disappointed in my State because they didn't look at the facts and voted on a issue that was bigger than themselves but in the end they voted on their personal beliefs which I believe are bullshit.
Now that I got that out, thanks everybody for reading my blog and I hope that you all like it and have learned a lot through my explanations.

LL Bean: December 4, 2008

For my last and final visit, Ashley and I went to L.L. Bean. We were already heading there to get some Christmas shopping done, so I thought it was a good idea to use LL Bean as my last site visit. We went on a very cold day and it was starting to snow outside. So when we parked, we ran inside because neither of us decided to put on jackets. We rushed to the entrance of the store, where we took each others pictures near the big boot. We have been coming here for years and we have just finally gotten a picture of us near the big boot. We went inside and chaos rained supreme.

There were people everywhere. Trying on shoes, clothes, checking out at the registers, and flipping through the clothes. Everyone had something in their hands and everyone had at least one bag from another place in their hands as well. Once we squeezed our ways through all the crowds, we went upstairs.

Once we were upstairs, we went and looked for some shoes for Ashley's mom. We couldn't find any, so we then went and poked around the store. We looked at all the local grown food and supplies and looked at some of the neat clothes. Once we got our fill of looking around, we went downstairs and looked around the men's section for her dad. We didn't find anything there either, so we both decided to leave before we started spending money on ourselves. By the way, I forgot to mention, that LL Bean has a pound in it with trout in it. How cool is that?!

Historical Significance

L.L. Bean is home away from home for most Mainers. If you need good camping supplies, you go to L.L. Bean. You want to have the best outdoor supplies, you go to L.L Bean. If you are the U.S. Navy Seals and you need certain gear, you go to L.L. Bean. If you are simply visiting Freeport, Maine, you go to L.L. Bean. If you are a Mainer, you are L.L. Bean.

Growing up, I used to be dragged to LL Bean at ten o'clock at night. Since the store is open 24 hours a day, my father thought it was the best time go to LL Bean at nighttime. It was less lines at the checkout and less people in the store. Still you wouldn't believe how many people were still there. The place is like Denny's for teenagers but its for adults instead. I remember being bored out of my mind, while my dad salivated all over the camping supplies and talked to all the employees. I really believe that most of them knew my dad on a first name basis. My dad was so well acquainted with the staff, that they would give him there employee discount when he went to the checkout line. Hey, I'm not complaining to much because I got my first hiking backpack for 40 dollars when it was originally 129 dollars. The employees helped my dad out that much. In addition to buying his own gear, my father set up a contract with LL Bean with the US Navy Seals to get equipment at a really cheap rate if they bought in bulk. My parents are spilt and my dad was a Navy Seal Officer and when he came to visit, he used the excuse that he had to conduct business with LL Bean. This was another reason why we were there so late. So as you can see, LL Bean has a lot of history to me. Today, I love shopping at LL Bean and usually spend about two to three hours in there myself. So all I can say is thanks dad!

LL Bean was first established in 1912 by Leon Bean. Bean was an avid outdoors man and started his business by his invention of the waterproof boot. (I have like twenty pairs of LL Bean boots, hiking boots, ski boots, snow boots, and any type of boot you can think of) He began selling his boot from the basement of his brother's house in Freeport and had a catalogue in which people could order from. He focused a lot of his business towards nonresidents. Eventually Bean's business would skyrocket and today it is a multi-billion dollar business.

LL Bean is historical because its the pride of Mainers. We can say that a Mainer started this business and in Maine it resides. Sure it has other locations, but the first store and headquarters are in Maine. Most if not all Mainers have a piece of LL Bean apparel. If not, your not a Mainer or resident. LL Bean is one of the oldest big time businesses in Maine, and a lot of people know where Maine is because they have ordered from LL Bean. In addition to being apart of Maine's life, LL Bean gives back to the community it resides in as well as Maine itself.

Since I work at the Home Depot, I know a lot of things that happen around with big area businesses. One of these businesses that Home Depot deals with is LL Bean. Recently, LL Bean asked my store to send a few people to teach their staff in the ways of energy savings. About four people from my store went to the headquarters in Freeport to teach the executives as well as the employees about energy saving products. This included bathroom, kitchen, plumbing, appliances, wood stoves, heating, water heaters, insulation and various other products. LL Bean asked the Home Depot to teach them about all this stuff because they wanted to lead Maine to an energy saving Maine. They wanted to make their company as energy efficient as possible then preach that upon Maine. LL Bean wants the ability to help promote energy efficient products because of the hard times and the cost of living.

In addition to helping out its community through energy saving products, LL Beans frequently holds concerts outside of the store to entertain the people. At Christmas time, they have a Christmas tree lighting ceremony and they also teach survival, camping and outdoors classes.

LL Bean adds to the economy of Freeport because its the largest business in town plus its the beacon for many shoppers. Because of its big popularity, it helps out a lot of businesses in town as well.

As you can see, LL Bean is another great thing for Maine. Its apart of Maine's identity. Like, Lost on a Mountain in Maine, its part of our culture. L.L Bean is a Mainer.

Resources: Wikipedia, The Home Depot

Wal Mart Distribution Center: November 21, 2008

On my ninth site visit, I stood outside the Wal Mart Distribution Center. I couldn't go inside because I don't work there, but i stood as close as I could get. Really I stood in the parking lot of Time Warner Cable because I was paying my cable bill. Looking at the giant of a building, all I could see was trucks and a building. It really does block the landscape and it can be seen from miles. There wasn't much movement outside of the building but I'm sure they were busy inside. It was cold that day and brisk for it was on the same day I went and visited Bates Mill and the Veteran's Memorial. Again, I wasn't there long because there was only so much of a big white building one can take in. So after I got my fill, I turned tail and sped off.

Historical Significance

The Wal Mart DC has only been in Lewiston for a couple of years, but I believe that within those couple of years, It has made history in Lewiston, both bad and good. The plans for the distribution center were first talked about in 2000, then in January of 2002, Wal Mart got a go ahead to start building the complex and it finally opened in June 2005. The building is 48,000 square feet and employees 250 people. Hourly rates start at $13 to $15 depending on work history. I have a few friends that work there and they have way more money then I do. One week, my best friend brought home a 2000 dollar paycheck, for working overtime plus his hourly rate. However, from there I hear that the work is tedious, and is hard plus the business doesn't treat them so well. By this I mean, they work under very harsh guidelines, one mess-up and you are fired, plus they are timed very strictly on their breaks. You are supposed to work a 8 hour shift but I have known my friends to be there for 15 hours. You can't leave until you are told to or until all your work is done.

The greatest thing that the distribution center has done for Lewiston and its surroundings businesses is give an economic push and give many jobs to the people. Today, jobs in Maine are dwindling by the hour and getting a job is very hard. But the Wal Mart in Auburn, is one of the busiest Wal Marts in New England because of the large area is services. .This Wal Mart alone services roughly 15 towns. Some of those towns include, Oxford, Paris (these towns have a Wal Mart but it isn't large enough) Auburn, Lewiston, Sabattus, Durham, Minot, Mechanic Falls, Turner, Monmouth, Litchfield, and other towns. Because of this Wal Mart, this DC was built and has been very busy since.

Ever since the WMDC has come to town, it seems as if Lewiston has been looking better. More small businesses are thriving and city development has been improving. A lot of people have been flocking to the WMDC for jobs and higher paid wages but the DC has a high turn around rate because not to many people are used to working hard. (I like to call the city of Lewiston, the city of Welfare). The area around the DC was improved as well. A lot of big business have moved in around it, namely Time Warner, Gagne and Sons, and various other residential business. The roads have improved greatly as well in and around the DC. Before, going down these roads one had to swerve to miss a pothole every five feet.

However with all these good things that the WMDC has done for Lewiston, it has come under criticism. People are angry because of the 16.7 million dollar subsides deal it got from the State of Maine. I say big whoop, this business has done a lot for the town and state by creating jobs. Also, some have complained because at first, the DC was offering jobs that started at 8.50 cents. Again, big whoop, it is still more then minimum wage. However most people are mad and say these things about the DC because they say that WM has broke its promise on providing high paying wages. I got all this information from an article by a very one sided reporter.

To this reporter and these people, I say get a life and shut up. These are probably the people that are well off and have secured high paying jobs. They don't want to realize how many people now have jobs thanks to the DC and how many people have gotten out of a financial burden/crisis. These are most likely the same people that didn't vote for the casino. (I will talk about the casino in my closing paragraph/statement).

In all, I'm glad that the WMDC came to town because it helped many people. I don't see the WMDC going anywhere but rather enlarging or possible building another building.

Resources: My mind, Lewiston Sun Journal, http://walmartwatch.com/reports/shameless/shameless_lewiston

Bates Mill Complex: November 21, 2008

After I had left Veterans Memorial Park, I went less than a half mile down the road to the Bates Mill Complex. This was one of the quickest visits I had done. I parked along side of the canal and walked close to the mill. Most of the mill has now become shops, so I just wanted to get some photos of the outside. Looking at the mill was cool. It is now rundown and isn't in the shape it used to be. There wasn't anybody around except for the cars driving behind me. After walking around for a few minutes and getting some pictures I left.

Historical Significance

Bates Mill Complex was first established by Benjamin E. Bates in 1850. The mill served as the largest employer in the area until the 1960's. The greater part of the capitol from the mill went towards the founding of Bates College, which is named after Bates. The mill was built in the perfect spot because of the location next to the Androscoggin River and the falls. The mill ran on water power which was one of the most efficient ways to run electricity even today. The river powered the spinning and loom machines. The manufacturing of textiles was the prime product in the mill, and during the civil war, Bates Mill created much of the uniforms for the Union army. Cotton from the southern states was used to created the Union uniforms. It was stored in warehouses before the war started. The mill spans a great area on the waterfront which you can see in this aerial photo from google earth.

Thousands of immigrants migrated to Lewiston from Canada and Europe in order to gain employment at the Mill. The mill has a great significance to the Franco-American movement in Lewiston. My Pepe whose name is on the tablets at the nearby Veterans Memorial Park, worked at the mill for almost 40 years. My Meme also worked at the mill for just as long.

After shutting down in the 1960s the mill became run down and started to diminish. The city of Lewiston bought the mill in 1992 in order to maintain it. Soon a private company and eventually TD Banknorth would buy the mill and has gone to great length to refurbish the mill. Many shops are now apart of the mill as well as the L/A Museum and Country Kitchen.

This mill is significant because of the history it has provided for Maine and Lewiston. I wouldn't have enough space to talk about all the things the mill did both good and bad. Plus I don't want to say to much because I'm writing a paper on it. However, the mill has stood the test of time. The many mills are still standing thanks to the preservation attempts by the city of Lewiston and TD Banknorth.

Resources: Wikipedia, Google Eatth

Veterans Memorial Park: November 21, 2008

For my seventh site visit, I went to the Veterans Memorial Park in Lewiston. The day I went, it was cold, damp, and windy. When I parked I had to walk a little bit to look at the tablets. The park is positioned on the side of the Androscoggin River overlooking the falls. The park is neatly kept and the stone tablets tower over the land. As I walked up to the stones, the traffic behind me became silent. The park has a special significance to me because on one of the stones, my pepe who just passed away has his name on the World War II stone. After I looked at all of the stones, I left. I had never been before that day and I was pretty impressed how the park looked.

One of the most interesting tablets that is there is a tablet dedicated to the U.S.S Maine. The Maine was a ship built in 1897 and was dispatched to Cuba to coax Spain to the let colony go. The ship ended up being blown up and the people blamed Spain. "Remember the Maine" became the chant that everyone was saying in order to push Spain to let the island have its Independence. On the tablet is a projectile recovered from the U.S.S Maine.

Historical Significance

The most important thing about this park is that its preserving the memories of all the brave men and women that have fallen for our nation and Maine. The memorial just doesn't have the names of the men and women that have died, but has the names of the serving, served, and deceased. The tablets that are there aren't only from WWII but has the names of any man/women that is in a federal service. Ex. Police, Firefighter, Coast Guard, Military. I think that it is very important to have a memorial, especially in a place like L/A because there is a large population in these towns and a lot of serving men/women come from this area.

The park was created in 2002 and finally dedicated on

November 11, 2002. The park was originally called Heritage Park.

Resources: http://www.maineamericanlegion.com/veteransmemorialpark.htm

Fort McClary: October 13th, 2008

For my sixth site visit, Ashley and I visited Fort McClary in Kittery Maine. We were coming back from staying the weekend at Newport, RI and we decided to stop by the fort. It took us a while to get there, because we sort of got lost. We had to stop by the visitors information station on the highway so that the worker could give us a map and directions. Once she showed us how to get there, I realized I missed the Fort by not turning right onto a road. Once we left the visitors station, we easily got to the fort in about ten minutes.

Once you enter the fort, there was a large sign that says Fort McClary and there was a neat parking area as well. We started out by walking along the side of the fort up to the waterfront. There was an awesome view of the ocean and in the bay there was tons of docked sailboats. You are able to walk into the ground in a somewhat cellar. It was dark down there but slightly visible because there were windows built into the side of the cliff walls. You can see this in the picture of me in which it looks like I'm about to get hit by a train.

After this, Ashley and I climbed our way up to the actual fort. There were a few people inside the fort but in all there wasn't to many people there. In front of the fort, there were a few kids flying kites. This old lady, seeing that we were taking pictures, came up to us and said she would take a picture of us. We went into the fort and looked around. There wasn't to much to see besides the good view and the neat billboards along the walls.
We walked outside and viewed all the tiny buildings to the side of the fort. We walked down into what I think is the cells or barracks and looked around. Other than looking around and taking in all the sights, there wasn't much to do on that breezy mild day. We ended up only being there for about thirty minutes. Once we got enough of the fort, we went pee and left.

I thought the fort was really neat, especially learning about Vice President Hannibal Hamlin. I wouldn't mind bringing my kids there in the future because I think this place is a must see attraction. I had fun visiting the fort.

Historical Significance

The fort was built in 1808 after the New Hampshire native Major Andrew McClary who died at the Battle of Bunker Hill. It was most notably used as a defensive fortification during the War of 1812 and during the American Civil War. Vice President Hannibal Hamlin stayed most of the time at the fort during the Civil War. If you go into the fort, you see his picture plastered everywhere.

In the 1910s, the fort went beyond repair and was decommissioned. Many of the forts buildings fell down because of the lack of repair. In World War II, many locals used some of the supports and stone from the fort to use on local fortifications. Once Maine was able to buy the fort from the federal government, an undertaking to preserve the fort went under way. In 1969, the fort was put on the National Register of Historic Places.
I believe the biggest lesson one can take from this is that the fort stands there. Yes that is what I mean , the fort stands there. Not to many forts left in Maine are still standing. Maine is taking upon itself a great task to preserve these great fortifications. If it isn't Maine, it is the local townspeople whom try to preserve their heritage and historical sites. Fort McClary stands on the shore of Kittery as a reminder that the Maine people were ready for any enemy attack and to protect its citizens. Yet again, this is a Mainer attempt in preservation of heritage.

Sources: Wikipedia