Anyone live in Maine in the late '70s/early '80s? (Dexter: living in, military)

[Mark S.]

If so, would you mind letting me pick your brain via email? I'm considering setting my book in Maine in that era. I grew up in that era, but not in Maine, so I'd like to have a source of firsthand info.

[bwap_bonk]

Originally Posted by Mark S.

If so, would you mind letting me pick your brain via email? I'm considering setting my book in Maine in that era. I grew up in that era, but not in Maine, so I'd like to have a source of firsthand info.

Just go visit, maine is the same as it ever was (which is a good thing).

[spose]

Not quite! Many, many factories and mills have been lost in the interim.

[Mark S.]

Originally Posted by NS4Life

Just go visit, maine is the same as it ever was (which is a good thing).

I've been living in Maine for 4 years now. Love it. But the world is very different now than it was when I was a kid. I'm just curious if my experiences growing up were the same as those growing up in Maine.

[BoxCar Willie]

Mark I grew up in Southern Maine Born 1960 and moved in 2001 if that helps you. What do ya need to know go ahead and PM me.

[mommax3plus2]

been here since 72. was 7yo when i moved here, so i grew up during the time frame you are looking for

[retiredtinbender]

Grew up in the 60's and earely 70's here. Left in late '75 for the military but came back at least over teh 4th most every year. A lot of changes from then to now. Industry almost all gone now.

[namder1]

I grew up in Dover from mid 50's on and lived in Dexter from 75 to 88. Moved back this year. if ya pm me I can tell ya some stuff. In some ways it is the same(people mostly) and in many ways Maine has changed greatly.

[bwap_bonk]

Originally Posted by spose

Not quite! Many, many factories and mills have been lost in the interim.

i am sure you are right. i am just back from a week in maine and to me it felt just like when i grew up in NY in the 80s. lots of kids working at the supermarket, concession stands, mowing lawns etc. the economy is not dependent on illegal immigrant labor like many parts of the country. for me it was like going back in time to a better era.

i do not have the breadth of experience to give any meaningful assistance to the OP. i am sure maine has suffered greatly from the exportation of all industrial activity to emerging economies.

[cebdark]

Originally Posted by spose

Not quite! Many, many factories and mills have been lost in the interim.

I could not agree more. Back then, there were shoe shops, textile mills, and retail jobs that one could actually make a career out of with benefits and retirement (aside from management).

There was more opportunity to be hired by one business and retire from the same place with a pension of some sort.

Granted, that was the way of the nation back then too IMHO, but Maine had a LOT less people requiring assistance to live then now (IMO).

Still, I think that the late 70s and early 80s were (culturally speaking) pretty much on par with everywhere else.

We still rollerskated, had fuzzy dice hanging in the car, wore funky clothes, and eventually, had big hair.