Joe Gelarden shared a story, as he often does, with me about his first writing job attempt in his hometown of Indianapolis, Indiana, at The Indianapolis Star.

My first encounter with Mr. Cronkite was in the mid-80s when he and an entourage were visiting Boothbay Harbor during a Windjammer Days event. He was selling and signing a book he co-authored titled “North by Northeast” regarding sailing to Maine from New Jersey.

Try this one on for size!

Before going out on any job there are a few things to check over with my equipment. In the age of technology, and I am not a technologist, things can go wrong without really knowing. The new generations of digital cameras have so many buttons and controls that it's entirely possible to inadvertently move a setting that can send a camera system into orbit. I like to avoid orbit, especially when in the midst of an assignment.

A week or so ago, I checked in with an old friend down Linekin Neck not far from the beginnings of Ocean Point. The East Boothbay road, Route 96, is a common adventure for me and my family. For many years we have enjoyed visiting the ocean there, often expanding our outings with casual walks along Shore Road. It’s become a bit of a tradition looked forward to and shared with friends and relatives. Surely a top recommendation to any just met visitors to the region. All who live here recognize the beauty and serenity of this location. It's a rare bird for the region which invites close personal contact with ocean views, fresh salt air and the ability to commune with elemental nature. 

The front entrance door of Boothbay Harbor United Methodist Church, on Townsend Avenue, was open on a beautiful sunny day. I was a bit early for my visit, but as soon as I walked into the church, Tammy Judkins greeted me from her office beside the central sanctuary behind the access wall to the church organ.

*Note: A casual observation!

Midweek last week, during an infrequent drive out of town, I observed, as I often do, the price of fuels along the way. It was a Portland trip, even more rare this time of year. Our local station was $3.06 per gallon which was fairly consistent with prices I noticed along the drive. Curious observer that I am, on Friday of last week, during a local run to the dump, the price per gallon became $3.26! All the pumps were busy and there was a line of cars stretching out along the state road. Hmmm, thought I, our summer visitors must be topping off their tanks in preparation for return trips home. No way to know if the price increase was universal and I wasn’t about to venture out on Route One again to find out! A curious coincidence perhaps.

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.

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.

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.

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.