Answers to Questions Nobody was Askin, by Tim Sample

Tim Sample's new book could probably be categorized as a biography, because there are manystories about Tim's interesting life. But the book is much more than that. And yes, of course, thereare some hilarious stories. Tim did not become our state's most popular and well-known comedian bychance. He's a very funny guy.

And while I enjoyed all the funny stories, and the special Maine humor, I was particularly captivatedby some of the more serious stories.

I also found that I share many of Tim's memories. His story Where Were You? told us he was "atwelve-year-old boy sitting at a desk in the seventh grade classroom of the old Boothbay HarborGrammar School" when his teacher informed the students that President John F. Kennedy had beenshot. They got out of school early and he spent the afternoon glued to the TV, listening to the newsabout this great tragedy. I was in high school on November 22, 1963, at band practice, when we gotthat news, and I can still see myself walking home and sitting in the living room listening to the sadsad news.

Tim's trip to Montana brought back great memories of my trips there, especially as he drove thatvery scary winding road in Glacier National Park. They don't call it the "Road to the Sun" fornothing!

You will enjoy his stories about friends he worked with from Charles Kuralt to Steven King to RobertMcCloskey, but it's the stories about folks I didn't know that were special for me, like Leon, a locallobsterman who was beloved for always helping others, and who was shot and killed will trying tostop an incidence of domestic violence. That story is called "One Final Hug," and it is one you won'tforget. I also really enjoyed his story about serving as a stern man, at the age of 16, with alobsterman who rarely spoke to him - until Tim's last day. I won't spoil the surprise here. But it's agreat story.

There are wonderful stories when Tim was doing his popular "Postcards from Maine" for CBS, aprogram that was popular all over the country. And of course, the story titled, "Oh, Deer!" was oneof my favorites. "Of course not all hunters are successful in their quest to bag the elusive whitetail,"writes Tim. "Although they come here looking for deer, a fairly high percentage of out-of-statehunters end up mostly finding beer." He could have added residents to that statement.

Noel Paul Stookey (and if you don't know who he is shame on you!), a long-time friend of Tim's,wrote the introduction and described the book much better than I can: "Funny, insightful, expressive- full of exaggeration and Maine lore. Riotously excessive and reverential of all things Maine,particularly the people... Through these talks related by Tim, you'll come to recognize people we allknow (or would delight to know) in moments that we've lived (or wish we could live). This is a must-have book. Witty enough you'll want it close at hand for reference and renewal. Profound enoughyou'll want it in the bathroom."

http://georgesmithmaine.com/articles/book-reviews/july/2015/answers-questions-nobody-was-askin-tim-sample