Photo: Adeeb with his wife, Jamealia, and their daughter, Adealia.
Neighborhood: Pine Point
In Scarborough since: 2016
Grew up in: Jamaica
What brought you here?
I came on a J1 visa when I was 20 years old. It was 2016 and it was my first time in the U.S. At first, I stopped in New York to stay with my grandmother for a couple days. It reminded me of the busy city life back home which I tend to stay away from. However, when I got here, it was different. I love that.
What about Scarborough stood out to you when you first arrived?
I really liked the scenery and the atmosphere. It was different from where I grew up in Jamaica – in the country with a lot of farms. It wasn’t near the ocean.
Why have you stayed?
I feel at home here. I feel comfortable. People are welcoming. I didn’t like New York.
What are some of your favorite things about Scarborough?
I really like walking in the morning, taking our daughter to the parks, going to church.
What to you represents the best of Scarborough?
We live in the house across from Bayley’s. I love in the morning when we wake up and my daughter says, “Look at the seagulls! See the birds?” She loves it here. It’s a beautiful place.
What do you do for work?
I work at the buying station [at Stern Seafood]. I take the lobsters from the lobstermen, weigh them, and put them in the tank to cool them down. I also fill in at the lobster pound and the Garage BBQ whenever they need me to.
When you think about your time in Pine Point, of what are you most proud?
That I’ve met so many people and everyone is happy to work with me. I’m a friendly guy.
What’s your favorite part of your job?
All of it. I like talking to the fishermen. We banter a lot.
What do you think would most surprise people about the buying station?
How many lobsters we get here. It’s up to 5,400 pounds a day at the busy peak in October/November.
What would you tell someone considering moving to Scarborough?
The safety of this place is amazing. Once I forgot to take my keys and phone out of my car and the next morning they were still there. You couldn’t do that in New York! Here, you can sleep with your doors open.
How often do you return to Jamaica?
From 2016 to 2019 I went back every year for six months. Since 2019, I’ve been here full-time. My wife joined me three years ago. She was my high school sweetheart. Now we go back to Jamaica occasionally for a week or so.
What’s something no one in town knows about you?
I play the piano at the Rock Church in Scarborough. I started when I was eight years old. My parents were both pastors in Jamaica so I’ve always been part of a church.
You work with Sue Bayley Clough and her husband, Vinnie. What have from them as longtime Scarborough residents?
Sue and Vinnie are amazing people. They always meet you with open arms. They are friendly and welcoming, and they have so much knowledge. Vinnie has taught me everything I know, from the lobsters to how to drive a forklift.
When I came to Maine, everything was new. They got me on my feet. They provide lots of opportunities to grow. They try to match your skills and interests with a job that fits you.
They help you move forward in life. When we were thinking of getting married, Sue said, “How about we do it here?” So, we did.
