My review for the back page of Hilary Bartlett’s “The Thistle Inn: A Wee Bit of Scotland in Maine” went like this: “Boothbay locals that frequented The Thistle Inn during the Leonie/T’Donald years who read this highly entertaining book of tales – those that could be printed, anyway! – will smile, laugh and remember when. The rest of us will read it, smile, laugh … and wish to God we remembered it too!”

It didn’t take long, after I arrived in Boothay Harbor back in 1988, to start hearing colorful, fun tales about The Thistle “back in the day.” By that we’re talking about during the years Leonie Greenwood-Adams and T’Donald Booth Morren spanning the 60s until the Scotsman’s passing; and then through the 70s to early 80s with Leonie alone.

Local artist, scientist and author Hilary’s book is a true love letter, not just to The Thistle, but to this place in Midcoast Maine she chose to call home. She arrived for a temporary gig at Bigelow Laboratories with the focus on those nasty red tides. The Bigelow crew were regular patrons at The Thistle and Hilary’s first visit there was with them. The scientists and local fishermen were some of T’Donald and Leonie’s best customers.

Many locals share their recollections of those Thistle years, including Terry Stockwell, Rusty Court, Dean Morrison, David Taylor, Patricia Royall, Phil Koskela, June Campbell Rose, Billy Hallinan, Doug Carter, Karen Perkins, Chef Brock, Mitch Billis, David and Sanny Norton (who met at The Thistle and where David proposed to Sanny), Bill Royall, Maude Wright, Bruce Burnham, June Elderkin … the list goes on ending with current owners Anya and Dick Reid.

Then there are the music makers at the establishment: Jeff Savastano (playing a small drum machine and an electrified acoustic guitar), Chapin Hartford, Bob Page, Kay Brown and the late Danny Beal (who at Leonie’s fifth wedding on an Easter Sunday played “Desperado” on the Harbor Methodist Church organ. “I always wanted to do that,” he’d said); and Leonie herself at the piano.

There were a few pets over the years – Robbie Burns the cat and Blossom the pig (who Leonie walked downtown on a leash), Bonnie and Angus the beagles, and a parakeet named Prince ... and then t’nother, Prince II.

Hilary managed to gather some great pics of those Thistle years – one of Leonie wearing a tiara and holding a magic wand with head bartender Bobby Rice; another of a very young Danny Beal (1981); a collage of the Bigelow scientists; and, one of my favorites: a lovely photo of Leonie at the Nortons’ wedding; and Hilary’s orange Beetle with a giant Christmas tree on the back of it.

Maps and photos of The Thistle over the years are from the time of the building’s original owner in 1861, Captain Samuel Miller Reed; in the 1950s and the mid 60s when T’Donald made some additions and changes.

T’Donald and Leonie first opened The Thistle in July of 1963. There were Highland dishes on the menu like cold tattie creamed soup, Kingdom of Fife pie and Robbie Burns’ steaks.

Ads Leonie placed in the Boothbay Register are not your average ads. For example, during the early years they might have run an ad written in Scottish brogue – but then The Thistle, by all accounts, wasn’t your average bar/restaurant! In the book, longtime bartender Rhonda Selvin says, “You didn’t go to The Thistle to have a rare wine, you went there to have a rare experience.”

Leonie was fond of kicking up her heels on the dory bar, like at the Fairy Ball sprinkling her beloved patrons with a bit of fairy dust and as a sexy witch for Halloween; on New Year’s Eve …

Current owner Anya Reid says “Leonie’s lively presence still holds influence over the place.” And that’s not hard to believe; Leonie Greenwood-Adams was, by all accounts, a mighty potent force!

Hilary shares stories and remembrances and describes the region and livelihoods beautifully. You won’t want to put it down – so make sure you’ve got your favorite tipple nearby!

She quotes Leonie as saying, “So life goes in Boozebay Harbor.”

“The Thistle Inn: A Wee Bit of Scotland in Maine” is available at Sherman’s book stores, through the publisher, North Country Press, on Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.