Bonnie Stover started work at the Tugboat Inn in 1978. I was working there then as night janitor, cleaning the kitchen and dining room after closing. On average, I would go in to work around 11 or midnight and finish whenever I got done. For me, a lot depended upon how busy things got in the dining room on any given night. Weekends in the summer could be gangbusters. Back then, the entire length of the property over the water, was dining, with rooms only upstairs. It was a big place to pick up and clean.

The crew then was pretty large. If you didn’t work at the Tugboat then, the next little memory exercise for me will have little meaning. I am going to list all the names of staff (you know who your were) I can remember. Some have gone to restaurant heaven but many still wander the streets at night waiting tables.

Waitresses (almost all were) Cathy, Ginny, Joanne, Kitty, Rhonda, Bonnie, Elissa, Betsy and more. Sean from Ireland, eventually. Hostess Ann and head honcho Judy. Russ and Hugh on the bar. Carl or John in kitchen. Marita and Lizzie salad bar preps. John and Mike on dishes. Anna and Linda housekeeping. Russ Brackett, Nissen, 2-3 a.m., bakery delivery.

Bonnie is the only one who has stayed since 1978 and now she’s in charge. But I never, in all my years, met Bonnie’s mom Kay. Of course, she didn’t play piano for breakfast, which is when I was generally finishing up. She may have peeked in after hours during one of my catnaps on the floor of the outer dining room. But I'd have never known.

Kay has been playing music all her life. She studied classical piano with Ms. Langille and whenever she could, picked up side gigs for fun and sometimes for pay. She is an institution at the Tugboat playing Friday and Saturday nights from 7 to 10. Her last night is Oct. 26.

Kay played Ragtime at the Opera House back in the minstrel show days with the likes of Phil Gregory and Lonnie Sisson. She particularly liked the music of Al Jolson, “The World's Greatest Entertainer.” Kay learned her trade well. Folks have been coming to hear her play for years. In the winter she has gone to Florida to play in clubs and restaurants. Her talents are universal and much loved.

Bonnie and Kay are very good at what they do. Imagine how many people have come to know them over the years. Thank you ladies for all your do. It would be an empty Tug without you.