Dear Editor:

I was director of the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce before Catherine, Jaimie and George.

There was no budget for Windjammer Days, no $30,000 spent, usually six or seven members worked on the two-day event.

Motel guests could count on it as always being the second Tuesday and Wednesday of July, reserving for next year as they left. A Chamber president changed the date to earlier, and motels were no longer filled.

The town of Boothbay Harbor collected and paid for the July 4th fireworks; there were none during Windjammer Days.

The Miss Windjammer Pageant, prelim to Miss Maine and Miss America, was held on Tuesday night. Guests of the pageant were all the "Miss" New England contestants for Miss America. They were complimentary guests at the Spruce Point Inn, and were given a trip to Fisherman's Island on George McEvoy's Nellie G.

Motels hosted three judges at no charge. Pageant ticket sales (about $2,000) more than paid expenses during the two-day event.

The Windjammer Parade started at 1 p.m. The First National donated cold cuts/cheese for senior citizens who bagged lunches, adding a homemade dessert. Every parade member was fed.

The governor led the parade on foot. There were marching groups from as far away as Lewiston and Augusta (no charge). The Sailing Masters were the only paid band, others were military or state bands. Shriners asked for a nominal fee.

As the parade passed, viewers walked at the end and followed it to the waterfront greeting the Windjammers around 2 p.m. 

Wednesday night a party on the Sherman Zwicker, Tugboat Inn dock, for the Windjammer “sailors.” Local restaurants supplied trays of finger food and a bar was provided. Where's the clambake? There wasn't any.

The day after Windjammer Days, you had to start planning ahead for the next year — bands, groups and dignitaries.

Who remembers the way Windjammer Days used to be? Do you?

The Chamber lost money last year, spending $30,000! Outrageous! It is going to outsource something that involves communication before, several meetings and two-days work during!

It's our Windjammer Days. And, yes, it can be improved. 

I would hope the members will want this decision reversed.

Pat Frazer
Boothbay