Dear Editor:

Here’s my list of special thanks from our recently fun-filled Windjammer Days.

To all of you who braved the elements during the street parade and cheered us on with great enthusiasm and super smiles.

To all of my fellow Keepers of the Burnt Island Light — the young and the somewhat older participants: Banner holders — Penny Pollard (one of my 5 or 6 “summer wives”) and Dee, my full-time wife of a mere 53 years, Jean McKay, former Rockette and another of my “summer wives,” Elisabeth (who helped with our younger group — sorry, I don’t have their names but many thanks to them). It’s a real treat for me over the past 10 years to see “our” children grow and move on. Examples: Emma Rideout, Angie Perkins and Riley Sullivan, to name just a few. It’s also interesting to note that with the passage of time, how we manage to keep creating a new, young family.

To Elaine Jones and her talented lighthouse building crew. Our community is so fortunate to have Elaine, with her Maine Aquarium fame as well as her efforts to make Burnt Island an outstanding community island/education center. Elaine was also responsible for our Beer Barrel pony cart.

Win Mitchell for creating a new brew (10 Lewis Ale) for Burnt Island’s capital campaign to raise funds to restore the light tower/house for its 200th anniversary in 2021. He’s generously donating a percentage from the sale of each can. The name, 10 Lewis, refers to the original light source — 10 Lewis lanterns. The art work on the cans is by the talented team of son, Cody, and Jeff Brown, which makes these cans highly collectible items — Keepahs! The four cap carrying rig is environmentally friendly as well as safe for animals. This unique new ale is at local stores (not Hannaford). For a real treat, try a tall cool one at the Watershed Tavern while enjoying a delicious meal. Additional thanks to Win for supplying the Beer Barrels for our pony cart display.

Congrats to the Windjammer Committee for once again putting together a super parade.

Howie Wright Sr., President
Keepers of Burnt Island Light