Dear Editor:

This past weekend the Opera House once again hosted the Hometown Hootenanny thanks to the hard work of organizers Garry and Karen Blackman. Garry, along with his Murky Water Band mates Dick Spofford, Bill Hallinan and Tim Sprague, were joined on stage by more than a dozen local, and more distant, musicians. Everyone donated their time and talent and they were cheered on by hundreds of audience members and the evening’s generous community sponsors.

The annual Hootenanny with Garry’s persuasive charm has raised more than $30,000 for the Opera House over the years. The funds have been used to help maintain the building and provide community programming. Never let it be said that one man cannot make a difference. Thank you Garry Blackman for your endless reserves of community spirit!

Thank you also to Tim Sprague and Kevin Kiley for opening the night with a musical tribute to the memory of Danny Beal, and thank you to the Friends of the Opera House for another great pie raffle, and very special thanks to the unsung members of the audience who, along with arriving EMTs, helped out with a medical situation.

The Boothbay community came together in so many ways at this year's Hometown Hootenanny. I was reminded, again, of what a supportive community we live in. Thank you one and all.

Cathy Sherrill