A band of "thieving pirates" landed on our shores as Windjammer Days continued June 24, and they were intent on "pillaging" Boothbay Harbor. If not for a brave band of kids fighting them off in a brief but savage battle, surely all would have been lost.

Pirates, wannabe pirates and curious visitors gathered in Waterfront Park off Commercial Street for a lesson on cannons Wednesday morning, June 24 during the 64th annual Windjammer Days. 

Guests from all over Lincoln County converged at Gliddon Point Oysters Farms to celebrate the youth development work being accomplished by Hearty Roots. Attendees were treated to oysters on the half shell courtesy of Gliddon Point Oysters Farms in Edgecomb, and a beautiful buffet of wood-fired foods prepared and gifted by Applecroft Catering of Waldoboro.

The Windjammer Days 2026 Decorated Boat Parade was held Sunday evening, June 21. Here, Register contributor and professional photographer Mike Leonard provided a gallery of the parade.

This year’s races drew 39 boats to the season kickoff here. Last year there were 53 boats, and according to Jon Johansen, president of the Maine Lobster Boat Racing Association, Thursday’s strong winds and forecast for the June 20 races was pretty iffy.

But it was more than just the weather, Johansen surmised, “Last year's fishing industry was down a little bit, that probably didn't help,” Johansen said. “And some of them are just holding back because you're just not catching much out there, so some of the boats are still on the harbor.”

Violet Baldwin was crowned Royal Windjammer among the eight contestants in the Boothbay’s Got Talent competition held Sunday night, June 21 at Boothbay Region YMCA.

The competition was organized once again by YMCA Arts Director Emily Mirabile.

Lincoln County Unity & Community Pride (LCUCP), a grassroots partnership, invites the public to attend the LGBTQ+ Unity Walk on Saturday, June 27 at 9:30 a.m. at Veterans Park in Newcastle. Folks are encouraged to arrive around 9:15-9:30 for a gathering at Veterans Park. At 10, the Unity Walk will proceed up Main Street and across the bridge and ending up at Rising Tide Co-op in Damariscotta.

First National Bank recently announced the retirement of Vice President, Senior Executive Assistant, Carrie Warren on June 18.

On June 18, Jeffrey McKinney of Newcastle, a member of Boy Scout Troop 213, was recognized for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest honor in Scouting. The ceremony took place at the Damariscotta American Legion, where McKinney, surrounded by family, friends, and fellow Scouts, received his Eagle Scout regalia in recognition of years of leadership, service, and commitment.

Earning the rank of Eagle Scout is a significant accomplishment attained by only about 6% of Scouts nationwide, placing Jeffrey among a select group, who reach this distinguished level. 

Thirteen Edgecomb Eddy sixth graders graduated June 18 in an hour-long ceremony in the school gymnasium. The Class of 2026 is as follows: Oliver Averill, Logan Barter, Therin Barter-Petersen, Adele Demmons, Henry Emerson, Noah Farmer, Arzetta Garey, Avery Hanna, Lyla Joyce, Madison Merrill, Eric Laub, Zachary Peters and Keira Whitt. 

Last year, according to the K-12 School Shooting Database, almost 150 students were killed or wounded by a shooter on school grounds in the United States. The year before that, over 270. Already this year there have been 82 incidents in schools, and 53 victims (wounded or killed). School shootings are a major issue in the United States: and around the country efforts are being put in place to counter, prevent, or mitigate the harm from such instances. And this is not just happening in big cities.

On Tuesday, June 23, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., Veggies to Table welcomes children ages 5–9 and their caregivers to the farm for “Tiny Farmers,” a fun, educational, and and interactive morning of seed starting and storytime.

Young gardeners will decorate planting pots, learn the basics of starting seeds, enjoy a reading of "Grow, Seed, Grow!" by Caroline Derlatka, and take home seedlings of their own to nurture and grow.

Katerina Nein of Boothbay received a bachelor of arts management - health care management degree, Cum Laude, from Emmanuel College in Boston at the college’s 104th Commencement on May 9.

The Boothbay Region Democratic Committee invites community members to join its float in the 2026 Windjammer Days Parade on Wednesday, June 24.

Participants will gather at the high school parking lot at 3:30 p.m. for a prompt 4 p.m. parade start. Local candidates for office will march alongside committee members and supporters in a celebration of community spirit and civic engagement.

The committee encourages participants to wear their “Democratic blues” as the group “sails into a bluer, brighter future.”

Visitors to the Farmers’ Market on June 11 would have had heard the happy sounds of music made by the Newagen Crew, Tim Hanley, Skip Simonds, Gerry Gamage and Tom Churchill singing and playing guitar, harmonica and keyboard to raise money for Boothbay Region Food Pantry. They were joined by Presley Crommett on the violin. Altogether they raised $70 for the pantry and show us one more way that we can support our neighbors. They will be performing again on July 9 and Aug. 20.

Forty-two Boothbay Region Middle School eighth graders are moving on to ninth grade following the school’s annual Eighth Grade Promotion ceremony held Tuesday, June 16.

I was born and raised on the Midcoast of Maine and have made Boothbay Harbor my home for the last 40 years. I have been blessed with 34 years in the hair industry. I have worked for Bonnie’s A Cut Above and currently work at Shear Artistry Family Hair Salon.

Decorated caps, fun and funny gifts, class stats, history and individual prophesies are the name of the game at the annual Class Day held the morning of graduation at Boothbay Region High School.

On Friday, June 12 at 8 a.m., after the class procession onto the stage, valedictorian Sarah Harris welcomed everyone to the event.

Rose Campbell and Cameron Payson provided statistics on the class through their high school years, followed by Griffin Yereance and Tatum French providing the class history.