Dear Editor:

The Boothbay Region has been offered a great opportunity: to be featured on a PBS TV series over the next five to seven years called "Getting Away Together.”  The show features the activities of real people as they give first-hand testimonials about their experiences in the region. This is the kind of publicity that you just can't buy!

Cottage Connection learned about this opportunity through its membership with VRMA, who along with TripAdvisor and FlipKey, is underwriting the greater cost of the show. The entire cost of the project that our region is responsible for would be $55,000, a small fraction of what many local businesses spend on one-time advertisements. We would retain all rights to rebroadcast and reedit the footage. This is a significant bonus for the region and all businesses featured. 

The Boothbay town fathers have agreed to donate up to $2,000. Boothbay Region Information Center has also pledged $2,000, contingent on the entire amount being raised. We will be placing donation cans all over town, for people to donate their change. If everyone donated at least $1, we would raise this money in no time! If you see a can, please put some money in.

For the show to air over the winter and beyond, the time to begin filming is this September, which is not that far away.  We are appealing to your readers and advertisers to join this community-wide effort and help to quickly raise the money needed.

This is a long term investment in our community that everyone will benefit from and take pride in. Tourism is vital to our survival on the peninsula. This TV show will show the world our beautiful part of the globe and bring in many visiting patrons.

For more information, go to www.gettingawayboothbay.org or call Audrey Miller: 207-633-6545.  

Audrey Miller, Melba Gunnison & Jane Dow, Cottage Connection

Lindy Bragg, Calypso Clothing

Jim Chaousis, Town of Boothbay

Ginny & Jim Farrin, Howard House

Kris Folsom, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

Catherine Fossett, Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce

Mary Kaler, Kaler’s Restaurant

Gardiner Rapelye Jr.

Jason Sheckley, Harbor Theatre