I met Rhonda Selvin in 1977 when we both worked at the Tugboat Inn. Rhonda was part of a talented restaurant waitstaff and I was the night janitor. Back then the thefood service area occupied the entire length of the building with seating for a ton of people. Also, back then, Tugboat Inn was owned by George McEvoy, Dan Derepentigny and Clem Brewer, an interestingly diverse trio.
Read moreEthel revisited
Our daughters attended Sheepscot Valley Children’s House on Federal St. in Wiscasset in the early 1990s. That’s where we met (Miss) Ethel Stansfield. Recently we returned to the school, along with probably, at least 100 other folks to pay our respects, honoring Ethel and the gift she gave to us all. Ethel passed in July after some serious health challenges.
Read moreMonhegan
From my earliest years here in Maine, Monhegan has held an almost mystical fascination for me and ultimately my family. Every summer or fall someone in our circle of friends, members of our family or visiting guests makes a restorative visit to the island. It’s an almost imperative day trip, overnight, or longer stay.
Read moreAlana
It was not easy to schedule a visit with Alana LaCourse, recently crowned Miss Maine’s Teen.
But between her very demanding commitments and my leisurely random sunbathing at the beach, we finally connected during a dance class at the YMCA annex. Unforeseen complications caused me to be a bit late for our meeting. Twenty minutes waiting at a long opening of the Southport bridge was followed by difficult access to the Y Annex while CMP worked on lines. Then I inappropriately walked through the construction site for which I was not awarded a gold star! Finally, I breached the perimeter and entered a large room full of dancing children learning new moves accompanied by famous Bruno Mars “Uptown Funk” music! Alana led the class with some pretty jazzy moves.
Read moreBees
Some of us are old enough to recall the phrase "the bee's knees." It's a comment, as far as I can tell, somewhat related to the little buzzers, but not entirely. There are a variety of explanations available, but the one with which I am most familiar suggests that the bee's knees refers to someone or something that is quite exceptional or very good. In my case, that's the one I'll run with.
Read moreDown
Every summer in late July, when I was a kid, there was a county fair in the next town over from where we grew up in central Pennsylvania. It may very well have been the biggest event of the year in our part of the world. A major part of the festivities was the arrival of the James E. Strates Shows, the fourth largest carnival midway in the nation. It arrived by train in the middle of the night, on a railroad track that ran through the center of town. The coal trains that used the line were diverted until all the animals and equipment were unloaded. The empty train cars were set off onto a siding at a nearby rail yard until the end of the fair for reloading. This was huge for me. I got to go and stay with my grandmother for a week and attend the fair several times.
Read moreSouthport's museum
If you were ever even a little bit interested in “the way things used to be,” you really should visit Southport Historical Society’s wonderful collection of unique treasures at their home base museum. The historic 1810 museum building (Cameron House) was moved to its present location at 419 Hendricks Hill Road, from its original location on Ebenecook Road on Southport. The museum is open to visitors from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday in July and August with expanded Saturday hours during September.
Read moreTim
Attendees at the Boothbay Harbor Opera House Tim Sample Show got a good "Sample-ing" of Maine and local humor. According to Mr. Sample, it was the last performance in the town where he grew up. The Opera House was packed, and Tim did not disappoint. Old friends, family and a significant number of “people from away” put aside their cares in the world for an evening of joy-filled stories, observations and occasional music. I was somewhat saddened by the fact that there were no “skidders” parked in the woods adjacent to the Opera House. But that did not impact the clear picture Tim painted from early band performances up Kingfield way!
Read moreWindjammer Days
For me, Windjammer Days brings back memories from some 50 odd years of witnessing this special event. There have been lots of changes, but fundamentally, it's a tribute to, by and for a coastal community connected to the seas for centuries and an historic tradition.
Read moreHistory
Last week’s story about my memory and lost items has yielded some fascinating responses. I guess I’m not the only person with this unique assortment of tendencies. One reaction in particular was so wonderful that I wanted to share before launching into a new tale.
Read moreOne
Back in the day, Darrell Martinie, “The Cosmic Muffin” (for those of us with a more outer space orientation) would provide astrological information on, yes, wait for it, WBLM radio. His presentation was always an event with a legendary signoff: "It’s a wise person who rules the stars,it’s a fool who’s ruled by them. Over and out.” For what it's worth, Mr. Martinie provided some obtuse suggestions regarding how things might go, given particular extraterrestrial alignment. It was a glimpse. A small segment of what could be in store for us at any given moment. And when Mercury was in retrograde, you’d better watch out!
Read moreMerrills
From childhood, Nancy Merrill visited with her family at their Southport, Cozy Harbor residence. The three and half-hour trip from Jackman was always worth the arrival at her final destination overlooking the harbor just across the Pratt’s Island road from the iconic Rand boathouse at the water’s edge. Nancy’s mother grew up in the family house with parents Mr. and Mrs. Roscoe Rand Sr. A more idyllic location is hard to imagine and Nancy took full advantage of her time and visits.
Read moreSummer
I’ve misplaced my sunblock! Ha!
Continuing on with the theme of summer, a followup on last week’s fishing experience column, I remain invested in an archive dive from days gone by. To this end, allow me to share brief recollections of my Antonisa experience.
Read moreEeew!
With recent forecasts looking a bit glum, and additionally, with my fog infatuation, I figured it might be better to look elsewhere for this week’s adventure. So, a deep archive dive was in order. And look what I found!
Read moreEROS
Sailing Yacht EROS is on the big railway at Bristol Marine!
After significant cruising, S/Y EROS returned to Boothbay Harbor and Bristol Marine for some updates and repairs. The very substantial railway at Bristol Marine is ideal for ships the size of this remarkable vessel, with a tonnage of 185 tons! Some EROS dimensions include 103 feet length overall, (79’ on the waterline), a beam of 21’ 9 inches and draft of 12’ 3 inches with a working sail area of 3,800 square feet. EROS has a 40-plus ton lead ballast keel and composite construction with steel frames and beam stringers. Burma teak was used for sternpost, keel and all planking. This is a vessel of exceptional strength, capable of sustaining challenging conditions. EROS was launched in 1939.
Read moreFog
Dog owners beware! Porcupines are back!
On another note: The past week or so, and perhaps even into much of this week, we will be experiencing some foggy weather. It’s all a part of easing into spring, I guess.
Read moreArthur
First and foremost I need to apologize for this delayed recognition, only four months past due! I’m sorry Arthur Richardson that I did not pull your honor for service together in a more timely fashion! Sixty years of service deserves better treatment. Thank you for your patience.
Read moreMartha
Martha Landry lives on Commercial Street in Boothbay Harbor, next door to the house she grew up in. She used to walk through Sample's Shipyard regularly. As far as I know she did not sneak cigarettes or hang out with workers at the yard. However, I did not confirm this nor did Martha suggest otherwise. Martha is a wonderful mix of adventure, history and extraordinary compassion. She can also suggest that you find an available hole into which you might climb if she is so inclined.
Read moreOde to Joy!
In less than two weeks Dave Joy will retire from the Boothbay Harbor Hannaford grocery store after 49 years in the business.
Growing up in Westbrook, Dave chose to enroll in a Cooperative Ed program offered by his high school. As a freshman at age 15, he left the hallowed halls each day at 11 o'clock, to attend "Ready for Life" courses at what today might be referred to as a vocational school. His alternative classes prepared students for life in the real world. He gained knowledge and experience studying taxes, family finances, cooking, cleaning, sewing and at the end of the school day went to work at Martin's Food in the meat department, working a 40-hour week! At age 16, he moved on to preparing meat when he was allowed to use a knife. After years of experience as an apprentice meat cutter, he became fully qualified and continued in this line of work for 25 years until a neck disc condition forced him to take a different path within the industry.
For years he moved from store to store learning the operation of different departments, i.e., meat, produce, deli, etc. He worked in Westbrook, Boothbay Harbor, South Portland, Brunswick, Topsham, Damariscotta, Falmouth and Rockland. All this experience finally led him to his first role as assistant store manager at the Mill Creek store in South Portland. He has been with the Boothbay Harbor Hannaford for 21 years and now lives here without a need to commute. Mileage was always an issue! But the Hannaford organization tried to help work it so management staff could live close to the mother ship. For Dave, living near the ocean was a high priority and an extra bonus.
From a very early age Dave spent time on the water in Owl's Head where his family had a cottage. At age 6 he set out in the family skiff and paddled around the nearby islands. His father had a small sailboat which only served to further Dave's interests on the water. He now owns a 30-footPierson he bought in 2014. He's thinking a 34' Hunter might be a next step. He and one of his daughters, who lives in Portland, sail often in season from their mooring in Linekin Bay just off from Butch and Mary Brewer's old house.
Recently Dave was honored with recognition at a "Manager of the Year" Hannaford gathering.
There are not many at Hannaford with his length of service. His role as assistant store manager was a big step for Dave. That job has changed over the years to be more of a somewhat "HR"position which involves training new hires, sorting out issues with disgruntled staff and general public relations. Dave told me that a big part of his job is that of a "behavior coach, encouraging positive attitudes, creating a fun shopping atmosphere for customers, and promoting a good experience for Hannaford employees. It's about being helpful and considerate to the people who shop at the store and being responsive to customer needs.
Dave always seems to be a helpful sort. During my visit at the store, several people came up to him and said hello, exchanged a comment or two and seemed genuinely pleased for the interaction. He, in turn, called them by name and wished them well, without escorting them to some item in aisle six!
Fair winds Mr. Joy. May your next chapter be satisfying and productive. You've earned it.
Jackie
The photograph for this week’s adventure shows Jackie Branch with her pup Sushi in a rare moment of idle time. I say this is a rare moment because Jackie is seldom without a project. She is a busy young lady. I wish I had half her energy and motivation. Perhaps the fact that she is 12 years old and I am 75 helps to explain the difference. However, what I can recall from my time as a 12-year-old does not compare to Jackie’s long list of accomplishments. I was busy, but generally not very productive. My energy and activity were quite probably the result of what is now known as attention deficit accompanied by fairly regular consumption of Orange Crush with a Zagnut candy bar chaser. It was a wild ride and a challenging distraction for my parents and sisters.
Read more