Coastal Conversations 6/26/20: The 1970’s Life of Maine Lobstermen

Producer/Host: Natalie Springuel

-Oral histories collection from the 1970’s called Life of the Maine Lobsterman, housed at University of Maine Fogler Library Special collections.
-Three multi-hour interviews, condensed to 12-20 minute clips with the highlights.
-Tribute to Andrew Gove, a lifelong lobsterman from Stonington who passed away the weekend of June 20, 2020.

Featuring:
Edwin Lawson, age 74, of West Tremont, Maine, interviewed by Rita Swidrowski in 1972.
Andy Gove, age 44, of Stonington, Maine, interviewed by David Littleton-Taylor in 1974.
Tim Staples, age unknown (perhaps in his early 20’s), of Swan’s Island, Maine, interviewed by David Littleton-Taylor in 1974.

The three interviews featured in this show are archived at the Raymond P. Fogler Library Special Collections, University of Maine, Orono, Maine. They are part of the Northeast Archive of Folklore and Oral History which was started by and, until recently, housed at the Maine Folklife Center.

Special accession numbers are as follows:

Life of the Maine Lobsterman collection MF037

Edwin Lawson NA0726

Andy Gove NA0970

Tim Staples NA 0897

About the host:
Natalie Springuel has hosted Coastal Conversation’s since 2015, with support from the University of Maine Sea Grant where she has served as a marine extension associate for 20 years. In 2019, Springuel received an award for Public Affairs programming from the Maine Association of Broadcasters for the Coastal Conversations show called “Portland’s Working Waterfront.” Springuel is passionate about translating science, sharing stories, and offering a platform for multiple voices to weigh in on complex coastal and ocean issues. She has recently enrolled in audio production training at Maine Media Workshop to dive deeper into making great community radio.