Reigniting Purpose Through History: Jim Smith and the Stories of Kenduskeag with Jim Smith

Ep 113: What happens when a beloved teacher retires but still has more stories to tell? In this heartfelt episode, Ben and Curtis sit down with Jim Smith—retired social studies teacher, proud grandfather, and creator of the Kenduskeag History Tales Facebook group—to explore how retirement can spark a whole new chapter of community impact. After leaving the classroom, Jim found purpose by reconnecting with his small town’s past and sharing it through photos, archives, and personal storytelling. From cleaning gravestones to launching a town flag design contest and even helping dedicate a bridge to a fallen WWII soldier, Jim shows how retirement can be a time of deep connection and legacy-building. Chapters: How did Jim approach the transition into retirement? [03:54] What sparked the idea for Kenduskeag History Tales? [09:40] What challenges did Jim face learning the technology? [18:37] Who’s engaging with the history project, and how far has it reached? [21:55] How does Jim uncover and share local stories? [25:09] What’s the most memorable story Jim has shared? [29:03] How did the Kenduskeag town flag and bridge dedication projects come to life? [31:39] How has this work shaped Jim’s identity in retirement? [42:31] What does Retirement Success look like for Jim? [46:56]