Dear Editor:

Nonprofit organizations do a lot of good in our community, helping with food, housing, and fuel; providing opportunities for learning, exercise, and fun; enhancing our traditions and cultural life. The only way these nonprofits can be successful enough to offer such services is because they have the continuing support of their volunteers and the business community.

The Lincoln Arts Festival and Lincoln Festival Chorus have been the beneficiaries of that support for 35 years. As we closed our 2015 season with the Arts & Yachts Art Show and Sale Aug. 20-23, we acknowledge the terrific support of local businesses and our own volunteers.

Hodgdon Yacht Services provided us with a cool, pleasant, and interesting venue inside one of their boat sheds. We appreciate their willingness to clear space for us and allow us the use of their property for the show.

For many years, Martin Page Septic has donated the use of outdoor portable toilets for the event. What would the artists and volunteers who work at the show all weekend do without his generosity? Thank you, Martin!

We thank area restaurants who provided beautifully executed refreshments for the art show reception: Linekin Bay Resort, River’s End, Wok Inn, Brown’s Wharf, Mama D’s, Rock Tide, Baker’s Way, Capers, Eventide, Ports of Italy, Whale’s Tale, Thistle Inn, and Boothbay Harbor House of Pizza.

Conley’s and Boothbay Region Greenhouses have always been generous in allowing us to decorate our boat shed venue with lighted trees, shrubs, and flowering plants. We appreciate their help.

Our own volunteers also deserve praise and gratitude for the hard work they put into making the event a success. This year, artist Leslie Muir-Volpe worked tirelessly to lay out the show and assist artists with their set-up needs. Estelle Appel is the queen of reception organization (and makes an annual favorite curry dip!). Dr. Barclay Shepard may also be famous for his pate, but he also serves wine and hauls a lot of equipment and supplies. Jody Lunt provided our wine and water this year. Carol Cragin did a lot of bookkeeping/accounting. Everyone on the LAF board helped with cleaning, hauling, serving and helping.

We appreciate everyone’s efforts! Thank you.

Lynn M. Thompson

Boothbay