In early May, Myrna Snider of East Boothbay went to Alewife Fabrics in Damariscotta Mills to buy presents for a friend who loves to quilt. There she saw the extraordinary alewife sculpture crafted by Darren Bailey of Jefferson.

“His sculpture made my heart sing,” said Snider of her first look at the piece. She bought raffle tickets then and there, never really expecting to win. “I never thought I’d be lucky enough to own it.”

Snider’s name was drawn on the final day of the Fish Ladder Restoration Festival, held on Memorial Day weekend. Deb Wilson called her immediately after her winning ticket was drawn. Snider was thrilled, but she couldn’t pick the sculpture up right away because she was headed to California for several weeks. Immediately upon her return, Snider came to Damariscotta Mills to pick up the sculpture. When she arrived, she held the sculpture, despite its weight, and it didn’t look like she intended to let go for a while.

“I’ve always loved alewives, from the time I was a child growing up by Cobbossee Lake. I am a supporter of alewives because they are vitally important,” said Myrna.

Snider’s house in East Boothbay is located along the Damariscotta River and she always watches for alewives in the spring as they pass by en route to the fish ladder in Damariscotta Mills.

“The first sign is the gulls, who always fly with the schools as they pass up the river,” said Snider.

The alewife sculpture has found a wonderful home with Snider, who truly appreciates the fine craftsmanship that went into the sculpture as well as its subject: an alewife

The Fish Ladder Committee is very grateful to sculptor Darren Bailey for donating the sculpture to help the fish ladder restoration. Bailey grew up in Damariscotta Mills and has spent time around the fish stream since he was a child. For further information about Bailey's sculptures, he can be contacted by email at: fishermantofarmer@gmail.com.

For more information about the Damariscotta Mills fish ladder restoration, please see our website at www.damariscottamills.org or contact Deb Wilson at deb.wilson@roadrunner.com.