Tom ... Sorry for the delay... Well, I *was* familiar with Kennebec County. We lived on Arnold Road right off of Rt 27 in Pittston. I left in 1983 for 4 years in the Navy and then the rest of my adult working career in the Marine Corps. My parents both retired from Bath Iron Works. Most of my immediate family is still there (Gardiner, Nobleboro, Wells, etc). The last time I was "home" was 2014. Gardiner hasn't changed much in 40 years ... My first job was as a summer hire at Pine State Beverage in Augusta.
I married an Alabama girl and after 36 years of dragging her literally around the world, she got to pick the last move and here we are. The folks here in NE Alabama say I talk "funny." At Church, the pastor made me sing "When the roll is called up Yonder" twice 'cause they were all in fits hearing how I pronounced "yonder" like it was a word I'd never heard before. So I sang it like a Mainer -- "When the roll is called ... up they ah, I'll be They ah"
In Maine, my family says I'm from away now. So I can't win.
I don't think I talk funny. I think I talk normal. Most everyone else talks ... funny.
