Sam’s authentic love for Maine, and Biddeford in particular, is palpable from the outset of a conversation with him.
He grew up in the South, toured the country as part of the “Smithwick Machine”, and spent years in the music business. He said that describing the moment he decided to move to Maine 20 years ago to be with his future wife, would make a great song lyric. Since then, he has been a Southern Maine educator and Biddeford Adult Education’s English Language Coordinator since 2017 while maintaining his other passion of storytelling and songwriting.
Although Kennebunk is where he lives with his family, Sam has focused on gaining a deep understanding of Biddeford’s history and culture. As a Board member for the Heart of Biddeford, he is genuinely moved by the diversity of people and organizations coming together to build a positive trajectory that is evolving our community into what he calls a “magical city”.
SAM SMITHWICK
INTERVIEW DETAILS
Date of Interview: April 18, 2024
Location: Richard Martin Community Center, Biddeford, Maine
Interviewer: Nicole Morin-Scribner
Transcriber: Nicole Morin-Scribner
SELECTED INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
- Deep interest in family ancestry which features roots in England, Ireland and the South’s Native American tribes
- Impact of the Korean War on his father
- Growing up in a very small, poor and diverse farming community in the South’s Hill Country
- Family traditions including music, travel and exploring history
- Challenges and opportunities of touring across America as part of a rock’n’roll band
- Memorable experiences in the music business including his role in a Willie Nelson appearance
- Making the transition from life on the road to settling down in Kennebunk
- Diversifying his employment to balance family responsibilities while tapping his passion for music, history and teaching
- Role of a robust Adult Education Program, realizing that learning is a lifelong pursuit in order keep progressing
- How Biddeford’s growing English as a Second Language Program contributes to not only the individuals it serves but the community as a whole
DEMOGRAPHICS
Birthplace: Huntsville, Alabama
Education: Mary Reid Elementary School, Potts Camp Mississippi; Madison Academy, Huntsville Alabama; BA English/History- Auburn University, Alabama; MS Education-U of Southern Maine
Ethnic Identification: English/Irish/Native American