Dear Editor:

Last Saturday, Edna Greenleaf and I attended the Hootenanny at the Opera House, where I enjoyed hearing, once more, my favorite performers, Dick Spofford and Sally Carroll. During the show, it had snowed considerably, covering the ground and cars in the parking lot.

As we were leaving, a very nice young man offered to help Edna into the car and, taking my scraper, removed the snow from the car.

I neglected to get the name of the kind, thoughtful gentleman, so I am writing this letter to say thank you, whoever you are. You have restored my faith in the youth of today.

Audrey Kelly

Boothbay Harbor

Dear Editor:

About a year and a half ago, John Tibbetts of Burlington, Connecticut sent us a wonderful collection of local photos dating to the 1910s—I’d never seen many of them before. But the above photo was one that I and others familiar with our locales couldn’t place. Does anyone recognize the spot? Maybe it’s a steamer landing and nearby ice-house on Southport or Barters Island? It’s possible it’s not a local view, but the nearly 100 other photos are all of the region.

Barbara Rumsey

Boothbay Region Historical Society

Dear Editor:

I would like to thank everyone who made our Hometown Hootenanny on Saturday, February 27 such a success.

Thanks to the musicians: Jehovah Stover and the Holy Mackerels, Leon and Bob Blackman, April Pinkham, Linda Clark, Amber Jones, Jimmy Hanna, Ron and Bill Arsenault, Dick Spofford, Sally Carroll, Emily Spofford, Karen Blackman, Joey Norton, Amanda Cressey, Chip and Nate Schwehm, Brittney Reed, Kimberly Reed, Bobby Reed and the Wildhorse Band (special thanks to them for providing back-up during the evening);

Thanks to the sponsors: The First, Hawke Motors, Atlantic Edge, The Knickerbocker Group, Howie Barter, Slick’s, Pat Farrin & Sons, Brenda’s, the Knights of Pythias, Centah of Attention, Dave’s AG, Boothbay Energy, and the J. Edward Knight Insurance Co.

We had a sell-out crowd despite the nasty weather. Thanks are extended to those who attended and a special thanks to Central Maine Power for getting electricity to the Opera House for the show. Thanks, also, is extended to the Opera House staff. They made us feel right at home.

This was a great fund-raiser for the Opera House. All the musicians and singers gave their valuable time for a great cause.

I look forward to a Hometown Hootenanny next year, with some other ideas for concerts at "our" great Opera House being discussed for later this year. We’ll keep you posted.

Thanks again and I hope I haven’t forgotten anyone. I am getting older!

Garry Blackman Sr.

Hometown Hootenanny

coordinator

Dear Editor:

Healthy Kids is the child abuse and neglect prevention agency serving Lincoln County. We have served families, day cares and schools working to raise healthy kids in our community since 1985. Each February for the past nine years, we have hosted Chocolate Fest to raise money to support our programs. Healthy Kids would like to take a moment to thank our Chocolate Fest business sponsors: Bath Savings Institution, Stars Fine Jewelry, Sheepscot Valley Computer Consulting, Mexicali Blues, Camden National Bank, Hannaford Supermarkets, Schooner Cove, Supplies Unlimited, Damariscotta River Grill, Yellowfront Grocery, Reny’s Department Store and Wicked Joe LLC.

Additionally we want to thank all of the many volunteers who helped put this event together, the silent auction donors, the chocolate donors, and of course all who attended. Healthy Kids is ever grateful for the continued support from our community!

Healthy Kids

Board of Directors

Dear Editor:

If this project does move forward, many of the current 6^th graders have already mentally moved on to their 2010/2011 middle school location and education experience. Requiring them to spend another two years at Edgecomb Eddy might in some cases be a negative educational experience for them. If possible, allow those who would welcome another two years at Edgecomb Eddy to become the test group for the implementation of the 7^th & 8^th grade project. Having some students stay as a test group would help reduce the tuition levels and make up some of the State funding shortfall.

Implementation of the 7^th & 8^th grade by September 2010 could be too quick a time frame based upon the following thoughts. Adaptation of space to an unintended design use, usually results in costly renovations and possible unsuitability of the adapted space to meet the intended needs. Frustration with the new space will likely lead to NEW construction that was not anticipated. These thoughts are based upon 14 years of facility management experience. I would recommend a one-year research and planning phase.

Use of the building by a larger student body will result in repairs and or replacement of building components prematurely. These components would be: flooring (carpet, vinyl, and tile), bathroom fixtures, doors/cabinets, and HVAC equipment. These repairs would quickly reduce the tuition savings.

A question: Was the building originally designed for 150 students (I believe that is the capacity mentioned) K-6 or 150 students K-8? Educating 150 K-8th grade students in a building designed for 150 K-6thgrade students may result in limitations to the use of the educational capability of the building. Was it designed for the added classes which other middle school systems are teaching? As an example of this principle: the large Edgecomb-Eddy school bus has a capacity of a certain number of K-6 students but will only seat a certain number of K-8 students. Has this factor been researched and will this cause added unanticipated expenses?

As this decision is made, please proceed slowly; testing the building capabilities, staff capabilities, and most of all students’ ability to adapt to such a rapid change. The students impacted may see this as strictly a monetary decision and not one intended to benefit their educational experience.

I am an Edgecomb resident/tax payer with grandchildren in the Edgecomb-Eddy school.

Thank you for considering my comments and concerns.

Joel Morley

Edgecomb

Dear Editor:

Simultaneously Dickie Spofford was seen slipping down into the basement, with a band of musicians and their instruments in tow, while Linda Clark’s wonderful voice  was warming up in the lobby and Bobby Reed and Garry Blackman were on the main stage with their Wild Horses. Music was everywhere. That’s how it began.

Last Thursday night dozens of musicians arrived at the Opera House to rehearse for Saturday’s Hootenanny. For 5 hours the music rang out while the storm outside gathered in intensity.  If only the musicians energy could have powered the House! When Friday morning dawned, the Opera House was out of power and Saturday night’s much anticipated, sold-out Hometown Hootenanny was at risk of being cancelled.  While getting residential customers back online was most important, the Opera House staff sends an enormous thank you out to the CMP crews who managed to get the Smith Street transformer back up and running in time for the Hootenanny.

The night was a great success and raised nearly $5000 in support of the ongoing restoration and operation of the Opera House.  The Hootenanny would not have been possible without the enthusiastic organizing talents of Garry Blackman and Bobby Reed, and without the generously donated talents of the musicians including The Holy Mackerals, the Wild Horse Band, the Blackman Brothers and the entire Blackman family, Amber Jones, Linda Clark, Sally Carroll, Dickie & Emily Spofford, Chip & Nate Schwehm, Billy & Ronnie Arsenault, Joe Norton, Amanda Cressy, Jimmy Hanna and others. In a great nod to the history of the House, Linda Clark even played one of the old tambourines, last used in the Opera House minstrel shows of years gone by. Thank you one and all for a great night of music.

Thank you also to the many community sponsors who helped bring the show to the stage including The First, J. Edward Knight, the Knickerbocker Group, Hawke Motors, Dave’s AG, Pat Farrin & Sons, Slick's Boutique, Atlantic Edge Lobster, Brenda's & the Centah of Attention, the Knights of Pythias, and Realtor Howie Barter.

With a capacity crowd, our volunteer ushers and crew had their work cut out for them. Thank you to Michelle Miclette, Martha Cowdry, Michael Tomko, Susan Brackett, Sandy Paxson, Sarah Koriath, John Anderson, Melissa Neel, Andrea Hallinan, Wendy Bellows, and Brooke Hubner for helping to keep the House running smoothly throughout the night.

It took many people coming together to make last Saturday's Hootenanny one to remember. Thank you to everyone who made it happen and thank you to all who bought tickets in support of the night. With the spirit of the community behind it, the Opera House will continue to be here for generations. We're already looking forward to the next Hoot!

Cathy Sherrill

Opera House

Dear Editor:

Recently, I was awakened by a phone call informing me that a fishing trawler was quickly drifting across the harbor and headed for the rocks in 40 mph winds and a driving rain. I arrived at the Boothbay Harbor Coast Guard station moments later, and at the same time, so did members of the town’s public works department. The problematic trawler was no stranger to the people about to rescue it. The town and the local Coast Guard station have worked very well together on other occasions regarding this vessel. A small boat owned by the town and a large Coast Guard boat rushed out to save the vessel. The strong winds and seas were pushing to trawler very quickly and she went aground.

Our public works crew and the Coast Guard worked quickly and efficiently together and were able to free the vessel from the ledges. I would like to thank Jody Lewis and Chris Leeman of public works for their efforts. Rescuing fishing trawlers is a bit out of their usual job duties and they responded without hesitation.

I would also like to thank Senior Chief Petty Officer Chuck Chavtur and the men and women of the Boothbay Harbor Coast Guard station for their efforts. They have been a pleasure to work with. We are fortunate to have a station here in Boothbay Harbor and more fortunate to have them as our neighbors. Thomas Woodin Town Manager

Boothbay Harbor