Opinion |

Stop the County bashing

Dispelling the misconceptions: We don't all pick potatoes

By Amy Bowler

Posted on Thursday, December 6th, 2001, 12:00 am

Enough is enough. The County bashing must stop. For you out-of-staters, the County in question is Aroostook County (think north), known to all Mainers as “the County.” Being from Presque Isle, the “Star City” of the County, I’ve been the target of ridicule and punch line of countless County jokes. Well, my friends, I’ve had enough.

I’d like to put an end to a few wide-spread rumors about the County. First, my parents are not related. Yes, we do have electricity and indoor plumbing. No, I’ve never picked a potato. Yes, I can read and write, as I am demonstrating now.

Granted, there are a few rumors and stereotypes that are true; perhaps they just need better explaining. Yes, we do get a month off from school to harvest potatoes. While some students do participate (how the hell else do you propose we get them out of the ground?), a vast majority of us do not. In other words, we get a month-long vacation while the rest of you are taking tests and learning stuff.

And yes, I’m quite familiar with firearms. I suggest you take this into consideration the next time you start to make fun of me. But in all honesty, I think everyone should be experienced with guns for safety’s sake. And while I’m an expert marksman, I’ve never shot anything alive.

And it’s true: it gets pretty damn cold up there. But all that means is that we get more time off for snow days than the rest of you.

Consider this: You’ve heard of the County, right? You have a vague idea of where places like Caribou and Fort Kent are, right? Well, if you’re from East Bumf*** or some random other place in southern or western Maine that I couldn’t even begin to point to on a map, you have no right to County bash.

These are just a few things to consider next time you want to tell a “How many County boys does it take to screw in a light bulb” joke. Yes, we may boast the largest mullet population in the state, but we’re damn proud of it.

Amy Bowler is a senior journalism major.