It has been a while since I set foot on Burnt Island. The last time I visited was the 200th anniversary of Burnt Island Light, one of the oldest lighthouses on the Maine coast, in November of 2021. There were fireworks and a significant gathering across the bay viewed from the Spruce Point Inn. Everyone was excited to see the Light lit, which it was, as soon as daylight diminished, which it did. Elaine Jones and a devoted group of “Keepers of the Light” made great effortsto bring justified attention to one of the area’s most historic structures.

People from many places joined in the celebration, including three past “keepers” who had served as caretakers and managers. I even knew of two families, personally, who had occupied the keepers house over the years: the Muise family and Tom and Betsy Norton.

There had also been a lovely honoring of the Nortons for their service, several years before the 200th celebration. Many locals would recall Betsy Norton’s long presence at Boothbay Harbor post office during the Arnie Brewer postmaster era. 

So why wouldn’t you pick Burnt Island and its historic lighthouse for one of the most special days of your life, your wedding day! On a perfect Maine day, of which there have been many this year, a small group gathered for a wonderful celebration of their own. And not a particularly “local” event, I might add. The groom’s family flew east from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, and the bride traveled from Redondo Beach, California with the couple's young son. Southport is a familiar stretch of the coast for the bride as she spent time here during summers and worked in local restaurants. It was a bit of a coming home experience for her and one she was pleased to share with her family and her new relatives from Canada. 

As it turned out the wedding happened on the very day access to Burnt Island Light would cease for the current year. I’m not certain wedding folk realized that, but the volunteers and staff of the facility were busy putting things away and preparing the property for its annual shutown. As luck would have it, because it was the last open day at the light, workers on the island were able to allow the newlyweds a historic journey to the top of the light tower and a commemorative photograph while snuggled (and I do mean snuggled) into a very compact space. Many thanks on behalf of all wedding attendees for the generous and considerate help provided. It was a joyous occasion.