Letter to the Editor

A community legend

Wed, 04/06/2016 - 12:30pm

Dear Editor:

Mary Pinkham is everything I love about this community. She is a tiny fireball of a lady whose personality fills a room the minute she walks in, even if she is only all of five feet tall. Mary is loud. She loves bright colors and outrageous shoes. She loves trips to the dump and deals at the thrift store. She'll cry over an Internet picture of a cute puppy. You can't get away with spending much time in this town without knowing her.

Hundreds of kids over the years have gotten to hang out with Mary at the library, to do a craft with her and to hear her read a story. I was one of the lucky ones who also got the chance to work with Mary for a year at the library front desk. In that time, I got to know Mary as a colleague and a friend. She isn't afraid to stick her neck out for the things she believes in, and she's always willing to tell it how she thinks it is. She is the kind of person who makes time to go to the elementary school band concert at the Opera House, and plans on volunteering in the children's section at the Friends of the Library Used Book Store in her "retirement."

Mary retired from the library April 1 after 28 years of service. Over the years, she has put her heart and soul into the children's program there, giving generously of her own time and money whenever it was needed. If you're not sure how people in this community feel about Mary, try walking next to her in the Windjammer Day's Parade. Trust me, everyone knows her and loves her and wants to honk, wave and hug when she goes by. She is a legend in this community, and people like her remind me how lucky I am to call this place home.

Thank you for your years of service to this community, Mary. You have made a tremendous difference in countless lives, especially my own.

Lisa Arsenault

Boothbay