While it’s important to be thankful every day of the year, the week of Thanksgiving allows us to step back and really think about the things for which we are most grateful. For those of us living in Maine, our gratitude list is long. We have mountains, coastal beaches, rivers, lakes, more mountains, some of the best food in the world and the nicest people. But, we understand that those living elsewhere might need a little reminder. To help, we’ve compiled a list of a just a few reasons why everyone should be thankful for Maine. Here they are, in no particular order!
- Maine’s top-notch lobstah.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Fickr In 2014, Maine lobstermen caught over 120 million pounds of the delicacy, a value of about $456 million.
- The multi-use toothpick.
Chris barker / Flickr Until 2003, when the factory was closed, Strong, Maine was the toothpick capital of the world. In 1887, Charles Forster was the first to come up with the idea of disposable toothpicks made of wood. He chose Strong as his hub due to the high amount of Birch in the area.
- Earmuffs for chilly days.
Phil Wood / Flickr Chester Greenwood of Farmington, Maine invented the cold-weather accessory in 1873 at the age of 15. The idea came to him while ice skating and it came to life when he had his grandmother sew fur between loops of wire.
- The holes in donuts.
Ramon Boersbroek / Flickr The hole might mean a bit less of the delicious pastry, but it exists for good reason. The inventor of the donut hole was Captain Hanson Crockett Gregory of Rockport, Maine. While the reason is not entirely clear, there seem to be two explanations. 1. The Captain was creating holes in the center of his mothers cakes for some secret tasting and 2. While dealing with a ship he stuck a cake onto the wheel to save the treat for later. Either way, we appreciate that a Mainer came up with something so mainstream.
- Portland’s Anna Kendrick.
Red Carpet Report on Mingle Media TV / Flickr Loved her in Pitch Perfect? She honed that velvety voice at Deering High School in Portland.
- Lewiston’s Patrick Dempsey.
Whether you love him in Grey’s Anatomy or prefer he stick to racing cars, it’s hard not to appreciate a Maine boy. Dempsey was born in Lewiston and grew up in both Turner and Buckfield.
- Portland’s Judd Nelson.
George Oates / Flickr More of an old-school movie fan? Judd Nelson of The Breakfast Club and St. Elmo’s Fire (among other films) was born in Portland and spent some time at Waynflete School.
- Poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
Josh and Melanie Rosenthal / Flickr American poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was born in Portland which was actually a part of Massachusetts at the time. He attended Bowdoin College and went on to write Paul Revere’s Ride, The Song of Hiawatha, and Evangeline. His Portland home is now a museum and is open to the public. The house is open daily to public from May through October. He was known to have walked to Portland Head Light for writing inspiration.
- Maine’s wild blueberries.
Doug Kerr / Flickr In a state that boasts a store shaped like an actual blueberry, it’s no surprise that the wild blueberry is our state fruit. Maine’s wild blueberries are arguably the best in the world and are so plentiful they can be picked at the side of many hiking trails throughout the state.
- L.L. Bean’s bootmobile.
Chris Goldberg / Flickr We’ve given the world plaid, tents and flannel-lined pants. But, L.L. Bean’s bootmobile is what I am truly thankful for. In a sea of Subarus, the bootmobile stands out in a crowd. Just like a true Mainer should. To date, the bootmobile has traveled more than 40,000 miles across the USA. Check for a list of scheduled appearances on the internet.
- Maine’s craft beers.
Cavalier92 / Flickr From Allagash to Oxbow and everything in between, Maine has some of the best craft beer in the country.
- The terror of Stephen King.
Hersson Piratoba / Flickr Stephen King has instilled fear in the heart of millions across the globe. All while writing from his home in Bangor, Maine.
- Gifts from Stonewall Kitchen.
F Delventhal / Flickr If you don’t have the pleasure of living in Maine, you’ve likely been in a Stonewall Kitchen on one of your visits. Or, maybe you’ve been the recipient of a jar of Stonewall Kitchen’s jams via a friend’s visit. Either way, thank York Maine for your pancakes, crackers, cookies and tea.
Why are you thankful for living in (or even just loving) Maine? Share this with your friends who may need a bit of a reminder of all that Maine has given them!
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Fickr
In 2014, Maine lobstermen caught over 120 million pounds of the delicacy, a value of about $456 million.
Chris barker / Flickr
Until 2003, when the factory was closed, Strong, Maine was the toothpick capital of the world. In 1887, Charles Forster was the first to come up with the idea of disposable toothpicks made of wood. He chose Strong as his hub due to the high amount of Birch in the area.
Phil Wood / Flickr
Chester Greenwood of Farmington, Maine invented the cold-weather accessory in 1873 at the age of 15. The idea came to him while ice skating and it came to life when he had his grandmother sew fur between loops of wire.
Ramon Boersbroek / Flickr
The hole might mean a bit less of the delicious pastry, but it exists for good reason. The inventor of the donut hole was Captain Hanson Crockett Gregory of Rockport, Maine. While the reason is not entirely clear, there seem to be two explanations. 1. The Captain was creating holes in the center of his mothers cakes for some secret tasting and 2. While dealing with a ship he stuck a cake onto the wheel to save the treat for later. Either way, we appreciate that a Mainer came up with something so mainstream.
Red Carpet Report on Mingle Media TV / Flickr
Loved her in Pitch Perfect? She honed that velvety voice at Deering High School in Portland.
Whether you love him in Grey’s Anatomy or prefer he stick to racing cars, it’s hard not to appreciate a Maine boy. Dempsey was born in Lewiston and grew up in both Turner and Buckfield.
George Oates / Flickr
More of an old-school movie fan? Judd Nelson of The Breakfast Club and St. Elmo’s Fire (among other films) was born in Portland and spent some time at Waynflete School.
Josh and Melanie Rosenthal / Flickr
American poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was born in Portland which was actually a part of Massachusetts at the time. He attended Bowdoin College and went on to write Paul Revere’s Ride, The Song of Hiawatha, and Evangeline. His Portland home is now a museum and is open to the public. The house is open daily to public from May through October. He was known to have walked to Portland Head Light for writing inspiration.
Doug Kerr / Flickr
In a state that boasts a store shaped like an actual blueberry, it’s no surprise that the wild blueberry is our state fruit. Maine’s wild blueberries are arguably the best in the world and are so plentiful they can be picked at the side of many hiking trails throughout the state.
Chris Goldberg / Flickr
We’ve given the world plaid, tents and flannel-lined pants. But, L.L. Bean’s bootmobile is what I am truly thankful for. In a sea of Subarus, the bootmobile stands out in a crowd. Just like a true Mainer should. To date, the bootmobile has traveled more than 40,000 miles across the USA. Check for a list of scheduled appearances on the internet.
Cavalier92 / Flickr
From Allagash to Oxbow and everything in between, Maine has some of the best craft beer in the country.
Hersson Piratoba / Flickr
Stephen King has instilled fear in the heart of millions across the globe. All while writing from his home in Bangor, Maine.
F Delventhal / Flickr
If you don’t have the pleasure of living in Maine, you’ve likely been in a Stonewall Kitchen on one of your visits. Or, maybe you’ve been the recipient of a jar of Stonewall Kitchen’s jams via a friend’s visit. Either way, thank York Maine for your pancakes, crackers, cookies and tea.
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