On Saturday, Feb. 18 the sun appeared and temperatures soared, after a week of cold and snow in Boothbay Harbor. The improved weather and a redistribution event at the Rocktide Inn were the reasons for a lot of smiling faces, as people milled around the parking lot at Rocktide.

Over 200 people showed up for the queen and full mattresses, bed frames, headboards, night stands, dressers, writing desks, chairs, couches, sheets, towels, blankets, comforters, pillows and assorted dishes and silverware being given away.

Rocktide was recently purchased by Boothbay Harbor Country Club owner Paul Coulombe, who was donating the items to any community member who needed, or wanted, them. Plans are in the works to renovate the restaurant and revitalize and redecorate all the rooms at the inn.

Almost everything, from 91 rooms at the inn, found a new home.

On hand to help with loading items and transporting them to people's homes were several volunteers, including event organizers Holly Stover and Sue Burge and Vice President of Operations at Boothbay Harbor Country Club Melissa Neel.

Stover said people were lined up beginning at 7 a.m., and were being cooperative and patient. “I think this gift from Paul and Giselaine Coulombe represents their extension of gratitude to the community, and the event represents what our community does best. We take care of each other.”

Al Cohen of Big Al's in Wiscasset was on hand, too. He had been there the day before, as well, to deliver items to people in need who couldn’t pick them up. He made deliveries to St. Andrews Village and Wiscasset, and took towels and blankets to Lincoln County Animal Shelter in Edgecomb. “My truck has been running for two days,” he said. “This is great for the community. As I was driving here this morning I passed pickup trucks and station wagons headed for Route One with furniture and lamps hanging out everywhere. I had a big smile on my face, knowing what good we were doing.”

Also helping out was Russ Armstrong, owner of Knickerbocker Property Management Group, which will be in charge of the renovations at Rocktide, or Boothbay Harbor Oceanside Golf Resort. “There are a lot of smiles on faces today. Paul and Giselaine have graciously donated tons of furniture, and our team at Boothbay Harbor Country Club has pulled up their socks to do this and make sure we had snow removal all week so the parking lots would be open.

“Melissa Neel is the person who got this idea going, and the volunteer effort has been unbelievable.”

Others who volunteered their time and muscles were Gerry Gamage, Jane Good, Caleb Hodgdon, Bill Smith, Steve Butler, Bob Hasch and other members from the police station, and three inmates from Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset. “And there are some folks here who are in recovery at the addiction outreach program who asked if they could come help out today,” Stover said.

Participating nonprofits included the Boothbay Region Community Resources Council, Boothbay Region Community Center, Boothbay Region Food Pantry, Rebuilding Together, Rotary Club of Boothbay Harbor and the Boothbay Region YMCA.

“What touched me the most was the generosity of the Coulombes, who allowed for such an event to happen here,” Burge said. “I think we've taken care of a lot of people between today and yesterday.”

On Tuesday, a country club representative shared a quote from the Coulombes: “As a way to give back to the community, Giselaine and I were honored to be part of this community-wide effort ... This could not have been accomplished without the invaluable assistance from the very dedicated and caring team of local volunteers.  We want to thank them for their continued commitment to our community and joining us in this wonderful endeavor.”