This is one of my most favorite times of year, but not for the reason one might think. 

For 24 years, we have published our “Around Boothbay Harbor” calendar. In that time, we have sold, shipped and donated over 40,000 copies to lovers of this paradise.

We have shipped calendars all over the world — to the UK, Ireland, China, Spain, Alna, California, Africa, Switzerland and Houlton, to mention only a handful. We have donated calendars to nursing homes, veteran facilities and to local military members in the Mediterranean. The affection and connections to the Boothbay region and to Maine run far and deep and we have been the lucky ones to help folks stay in touch. 

Over the years, I have met hundreds of people through the mail and, more recently, online, who have stories to tell about why this area means so much to them. Generations of families share a common love for Ocean Point, the Harbor, Southport and all the intimate sub communities that pop open during the season. It has been a remarkable and sometimes very emotional relationship. 

Some folks who order the calendar can no longer visit Maine. I get letters from members of families who were born here, grew up here, visited here as children and, sadly, from survivors of people who have passed. These letters are the tough ones. Our calendar database is peppered with names and addresses of friends who no longer count the days until they will return to Bayville, Capitol and Ocean Point. People I have come to look forward to hearing from, to hear the stories they share and their comments about what this place has always meant to them. 

We never set out to produce a document that has come to be such a welcomed, enjoyable source of entertainment. It never occurred to us that people would actually look forward to receiving our calendar and the memories it would conjure. There have been almost 300 photographs to share over the years. People ask, “How do you find all these pictures?” My reply, “How can you not!” The scenes are endless. Tides, storms, boats, harbors, piers, weather, seasons, and on and on. You can arrive at the same place year after year and it is different. But for those who can no longer visit, or for those who can only visit occasionally, the calendar has become a way to stay in touch. It is an honor to provide such a service and not one lightly taken.

So on we go to year 2025 — hard to believe. Seems like only yesterday that we went to the bank and asked if we could borrow enough to help us with the printing costs. It’s the same bank we go back to each year to borrow again with hopes that we will sell enough calendars to cover expenses and maybe even a little extra. It’s always been about the joy of sharing something so special. We are very fortunate to live here, to have landed in a truly remarkable place. In the long run, we have all seen other places and know the difference. We are grateful to all of you who have given us the opportunity to share the beauty that surrounds us. Thank you.