Breaking news from the Boothbay Region Garden Club: Our eighth successful Home and Garden Tour has been enjoyed by almost 500 guests on a sunny July 19!

This was our first venture in Boothbay Harbor and included Mark Osborn and Buzz Makarewicz (Topside Inn fame), Tom and Pat Cotter (East Side Market), and Ida and Dale Lancaster (infamous or famous boathouse), many thanks. Due to parking constraints, all visitors were bussed to walkable distances and even across our historical Footbridge (background provided by Chip Griffin). We hope our guests meandered through our beautiful town, shopped a bit and dined as well. Helping to make this day a pleasant one, parking assistants were stationed at both stops while Chief Hasch and Ray Hulse were overseeing safety zones for busses to drop and pick up visitors. We thank you all for your efforts!

Southport has been no stranger to our past Tours. Being a large island, the residents have always opened their doors and their hearts to our guests. Again, busses were in action for the safety of all. Leading the parking crew we saw Gerry Gamage, noted Fire Chief and the “go to” guy on Southport! The lovely Smith home walking distance and snuggled into a low spot on Love’s Cove, then the Schafer home (hit by lightning 2 weeks prior, yea Lynn and Gerry), shop and guest house, then bussing to the Harris homestead and guest house (with Harris family lemonade stand and BRGC cookies). My goodness, what a jackpot day for historical homes, thank you Southport and Boothbay Harbor!

We are so very grateful to our homeowners, yet there are still many others pieces to this puzzle: the Hostess Chair, Vanda Yonge, Parking Chairpersons, John, Jane Lunt and Anthony O’Neill, Flower Arrangements, Alice Schambra, Publicity, Carole Zalucky, pleasant and competent bus drivers, The Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce, The Boothbay Register, AOS 98 Rocky School District (thanks Dave Benner), Boothbay YMCA volunteers, all told, over 100 volunteers for 1 day, Amazing!

If you are interested in participating in next year’s tour, please contact one of the Chairmen listed. We want you to know that the proceeds help fund our active and ongoing Scholarship programs, youth and elderly projects, and as always, beautifying our community through window boxes on public buildings in summer and Christmas wreaths in winter and maintaining our Armillary and Butterfly Garden at Boothbay Center. You might also be interested to know that guests are always welcome at our meetings and monthly programs, posted in the Boothbay Register.

Many thanks to all who made this Tour a success once again. Co-chairmen Patricia McMurry, 633-7405, and Irene Gerny, 633-5052.