Laughter echoed through the historic Opera House at Boothbay Harbor when veteran standup comedian Paula Poundstone took the stage on July 18.

Poundstone's brand of commentary, observation and quick wit, will be remembered for quite some time, particularly, I'm thinking, by Jean and John Webster of Orne's Candy Store and Hildy and Pete Johnson, "victims" of her favorite part of her show - interaction with the audience members.

Poundstone quizzed Jean about the origin of the shop's name and what kind of candy Orne's carried. Jean cited one kind and hesitatied prompting Poundstone to ask "Is the candy labled, ma'am?” She went on to interview Pete Johnson about dock building and then moved on to a visiting family to determine how they knew about Boothbay Harbor.

Poundstone also attempted to get to the roots of the store, Mung Bean's name — which piqued her curiosity to no end. Really. No end.

Tales from home about her kids, particularly her son, Thomas; her 16 cats (when Poundstone shared this feline fact, some audience members gasped. Poundstone said she was used to that. And, she could tell us all how it happened: She had 15 cats ... and then she got one more).

The two-hour show provided those of us lucky enough to be in the audience the opportunity to laugh heartily together at life and ourselves.

As Poundstone promised during an interview a few weeks before, she wanted to give us "the deluxe, not the children's plate."  And she delivered.

This sold out show was made possible, in part, thanks to Jeff  and Ben Teel of the Inns at Greenleaf Lane and Ed McDermott and Brian Lamb of the Topside Inn of Boothbay Harbor.