I’ve been writing for the Boothbay Register/Wiscasset Newspaper since March 1999. My first story was about Willow’s End, the yarn shop that was on Townsend Avenue. My second, and one of my favorites, was about Enchantments moving to its current location. That article’s headline, “Enchantments: New location, same metaphysical soul,” is still among my favorites (as is the shop).

I found out about a position opening up at the paper through Kevin Bowler, who, back then, had her own computer repair/consulting business. Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce was one of her clients – and I was one of its employees. I’d been writing press releases and radio ad copy for the Chamber (thank you Jaimie!) and was keen on writing for the paper so Kevin was familiar with my writing ability. Fortunately, in the summer of 1999, Kevin Burnham and Mary Brewer decided to hire me as Kris Roveillo’s replacement. Since then I have covered Boothbay municipal organizations, DMR restorations (1 and 2) and programming on Burnt Island, CSD school committee and trustees, burglaries and court cases.

Some of the events I covered that were super fun include the “Real World/Road Rules” challenge held at Lobstermen’s Co-op, now Boothbay Lobster Wharf. The place was packed. People everywhere – fans of the various cast members shouting out their names, waving banners … The competition games were based on those held during Fishermen’s Festival. All of the Burnt Island articles and features remain special and dear to my heart; the grand opening of the Bibby and Harold Alfond Children’s Garden; the opening of the region’s first medical marijuana shop, the Pharmer’s Market, now Highly Cannico (and recreational as well as medicinal) back in June 2017; and coverage of the first Stone Symposium at Boothbay Railway Village also in 2017.

For many years I wrote a series of informative articles on domestic violence each October working closely with New Hope For Women and its former advocate Tina Tucker. When Kevin Burnham was ready to leave the former Domestic Abuse Prevention Council, he asked me if I was interested in taking his place – indeed I was. I created the Register and Wiscasset Newspaper’s domestic violence resource page that went live Jan. 1, 2014.

For the past eight or so years, my focus has primarily been on the arts – and I’ve loved every minute of it. Movie reviews, play reviews – Boothbay Playhouse, MSMT, Heartwood, LCCT ... I even wrote a few press releases for plays I was in over the years! The art reviews, profile pieces on artists, and the galleries; singers and musicians – all have been an absolute joy to write about.

Truly, it’s been a privilege to work with some extraordinary people at the Boothbay Register, writing about our community, recording its history, over all these years, in this true hometown newspaper.

P.S., this is one of the shortest articles I’ve ever written in 24 years ... I really do try to be more Hemingway than Michener!