When Fred Wilson planted spruce trees on his farm in western Massachusetts, he likely did not picture what would become of them. Decades later, a particularly robust specimen was crafted into the main mast for a 38-foot sailboat handmade by his great grandson whose journey has made him an internet celebrity.

The Boothbay Seahawks presented six individuals awards Nov. 6 during their season-ending 8-man football ceremony. The following players were recognized for their outstanding performance: Griffin Yereance, Lineman of the Year; Shawn Gamage, Coach's Award; Tyson French, Offensive Player of the Year; Maddox Cusumano, Most Valuable Player; and Aidric Canada, Defensive Player of the Year. 

In celebration of national “Take a Hike” day, Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust naturalist Sarah Gladu will lead a hike at Salt Bay Farm in Damariscotta from 2 to 4 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 18. 

Taking a leisurely pace through the rolling hayfields alongside Great Salt Bay, the group will visit ancient shell middens, look for late migratory birds, and visit the salt marsh in hopes of spotting signs of mink and other wildlife.

The Seahawks flew through the Mountain Valley Conference (MVC) championship cross-country course Oct. 19 at University of Maine Augusta. Boothbay won both team events and Karen Higgins, voted conference Runner of the Year, took first place in the girls race. The win seals the girls’ MVC dominance, as they left the conference season undefeated.   

Boothbay Region High School (BRHS) celebrated Homecoming 2024 Oct. 15-19 with class competitions and community activities. Throughout the short school week, students participated in themed dress-up days, a pep rally, grade-level competitions, sports events and a bonfire. Thursday night’s Homecoming parade began at 5:45, making a lap from the high school and through the harbor. The week culminated in a Homecoming dance Saturday night at Boothbay Railway Village.

Homecoming field hockey and football games featured the annual recognition of Boothbay Region High School senior athletes and their parents/guardians on Friday, Oct. 18. Each senior was introduced and the athletes gave a carnation, presented by their coaches, to those representing them at the games.

Below are the honored athletes.

Field Hockey

Boothbay football extended its winning streak to three Oct. 11 with a 38-20 victory over Traip Academy (1-5) in Kittery.

The Seahawks are in fourth place in eight-man football Small Conference standings and host No. 2 Spruce Mountain (5-1) at Sherman Field at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18. 

The Boothbay Region High School cross country team maintained its winning pace through the final meet of the regular season Oct. 11 at Lisbon. Karen Higgins won the girls event and Laura Chapman took second, as they led the girls team to first place. The boys team placed second.

The girls team won with a 23:16-minute average and 21 points. The boys had 54 points and a 20:20 average, while the Lisbon High School boys won with 41 points and a 19:41 average.

Oct.

After six months of racing excitement, Wiscasset Speedway bid adieu to their 2024 race season on Saturday with their annual Fall Fury event. This year’s program included the Wicked Good Vintage Racers, the Ladies Acceleration Tour and a 150-lap Enduro.

Over 1,550 runners hailing from Nova Scotia to Rhode Island gathered Oct. 5 to compete in the state’s largest cross-country race, the Festival of Champions in Belfast. Seahawk star Karen Higgins again made strides with a top 10 finish under 20 minutes. The performance helped the girls team take its best finish for the race in school history, according to coach Nick Scott.  

After a devastating loss to Sacopee Valley Sept. 20, Boothbay football coach Ed Crocker had a revelation: "No more Mr. Nice Guy." Crocker decided football practices needed more activity, and he decided to push his squad through strenuous daily workouts with less emphasis on X's and O's.

Anna McDougal said being inducted into the Maine Sports Hall of Fame last month was one of the best moments of her life.

The Wiscasset woman said skiing in the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Austria was awesome, and a big deal, “but I think this was more of a big deal.”

She loved the Hall’s induction ceremony, including the heavy trophy and the standing ovation she and the other inductees got, McDougal, 45, shared in a phone interview Monday. 

Wiscasset Speedway closed out their 2024 points season on Saturday and celebrated by hosting their biggest Strictly Street race of the year; the Strictly Shootout presented by Thayer’s Automotive. With a guaranteed $600 winner’s payout and thousands of dollars of contingency prizes on the line, 40 drivers showed up to shoot their shot at making it into the big dance.

An alumni soccer game Sept. 27 was part of homecoming weekend in Wiscasset. Our thanks to photographer Bob Bond of 40 Federal Studio in Wiscasset for these images from Friday night under the lights.

Wiscasset Middie High School homecoming time has arrived! Please see the attached image for event times and other details. Friday night at 7 is the alumni soccer game! 

After a year off, Schoonerfest in Wiscasset returned as a one-day event Sept. 21. It had reenactors, music, Alna-built schooner Sycamore, Maine’s First Ship’s Virginia, the popular schooner sculptures and more.

Our thanks to Bob Bond of 40 Federal Studio for these photos from the day. 

The Boothbay Region Elementary School (BRES) middle school cross country teams went to Camden for their second meet of the season Sept. 19. Runners from Camden-Rockport, Oceanside, Lincolnville, Edna Drinkwater, Troy Howard and Searsport middle schools also competed. 

The Wildcat girls finished third overall and the boys finished sixth on the challenging 2.3-mile course. 

In their first and only home meet of the season, the Seahawks cross-country team soared. AJ Crocker and Karen Higgins won the boys and girls events, and eight Boothbay Region High School athletes placed in the top five.  

The meet had around 40 total runners from Boothbay, Richmond, Hall-Dale and Spruce Mountain. Boothbay was the only team that placed in the boys event, earning 15 points with a 20:13-minute average. The girls team won against Richmond with 16 points and a 22:41-minute average.