A lack of free time (and internet access) over the last month has created a certain sparcity of the blogged items. I have been able, in the brief moments afforded to me, to offer a general idea of my day to day life here in Maine, describing my activities and work schedule, the ecology and landscape, etc. What I have not been written enough of, to my dismay, is a description of the general culture here.
This said, I would like to rectify this situation as much as possible, and describe a bit the way in which life is lived here. Or, at least tell how it differs from my own life experience.
Part I: Small Town Living: The Anything but Blissfull, Serpentine Experience
Elsewhere in this blog, I have discussed the ways in which my travels have taught me to never accept at face value the appearence of peaceful existence put forth by small towns. A brief foray into most small towns will generally reveal a quiet, tranquil life in which residents support and understand eachother. One often imagines neighbors delivering pies to their sick or pregnant friends and families enjoying extended, inter-generational friendships. Everyoone knows eachother, and except for one or two crazies, likes eachother.
Bullshit.
Well, not completely, at least not in my experience. Here in Greenville, the town is like one big family--but like most small towns, it is a wholly disfunctional family. Friends do give eachother pies. Eric does bring homemade donuts to the guy at the dump (who then gives him interesting things that he has found amongst the garbage). Carol does know the intimate history of 95% of the townsfolk.
But.
There is more.
Many people in town hate eachother. Out of maybe 10 restaurants in town, I can now (based on rumors I have heard) find reason to avoid at least 5 of them. This guy is a fascist, the other is a rascist, the other beats his wife....the list goes on. Everyone is somehow connected, which of course makes for a rather incestual (not literally) existence.
Imagine: You hate Bobby. Bobby marries Sue. Sue is the best friend of your sister. You will now see Bobby at tons of family functions and parties and bars and all sorts of events. This sort of problem seems to arise constantly.
And, to add to the general problems faced by any small town, there are also the following divisive issues:
1. Plum Creek (the biggest landowner in the country, which owns much of the land here in the area. Some people agree with their plans for the area, some do not--thus creating a great deal of friction.
2. The Applalachian Mountain Club: This organization, not to be confused with the ATC (App. Trail Club) is looking to buy much of the land in the area as well--Again, some are with their plans, others are against them.
3. Snowmobiling rights: Snowmobilers (who are often also the users of ATVs, etc) are pitched against many landowners that refuse to allow them to ride on their property. Unfortunately, snowmobiles make a great deal of noise, pollute the environment, etc. The divisions created between these two groups are amazing, and often lead to vandalism and long-standing fueds.
In essence, these three problems are all quite interrelated, and really come down to one core issue--land use. Historically, this part of Maine (much of Maine, in fact), was all timberland. The timber companies that owned the land would build roads throughout their holdings in order to allow traffic of their trucks, machinery, etc, and really didn't care what people did on their land, as long as they didn't get in their way.
This was, of course, quite a blessing. Hermits would live on the land, recreational activities were unregulated, hunting was allowed on any of the lands, etc. Now, however, as new landowners come in to the picture with different plans for land (ie: Nature Preserves), some people get angry.
And so, the town is incredibly divided, and a hotbed for rumor and feuds. Everyone seems to have enemies (and friends too of course), and the lines seem to be quite firm for the time being. As I said before, however, these sharp lines must of course criss-cross through the various natural alliances of kinship and friendship.
And so, it is a mess. More soon on Maine Country Living
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