Dear Editor:

A bundle of sticks is harder to break than breaking individual sticks one after another. Aesop’s allegory of unity is just as acute today as it was centuries ago. Sticking together through thick and thin, supporting each other in times of trouble, and celebrating the victories at a big communal table is the essence of any strong community. It is the essence of Boothbay.

2012 Thanksgiving dinner became yet another notch in the belt of our harbor’s pride. Just under 350 patrons attended a Thanksgiving benefit at McSeagull’s on Turkey day last Thursday. Over eight thousand dollars were raised to be distributed between Meals on Wheels, Food Pantry, Save St. Andrew’s Hospital Campaign, BRES Elves, and Memorial Library Fund.

Twenty giant birds were roasted, 15 huge hams were stuffed, two hefty barons of beef were smoked, two hundred pounds of potatoes were peeled, and countless elbows of macaroni were bound for life to their faithful mate: cheese. None of the above would have been possible without the generosity and the ultimate devotion to the cause of our community members. To all those who came and gave, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. To all those who came and volunteered their help throughout the day, thank you from the bottom of our bottomless dish pit. Boothbay people, you are incredible.

McSeagulls crew when united with the crews of the Gimbel & Sons, Boothbay Greenhouse, Lobster Dock, B&B communications, New England Chili’s, a 12-year-old server Madeline McLellan, and a lady named Nancy from Sheepscot River Valley, you are indestructible. United we stand.

Elena Smith
Boothbay Harbor