Pirate Festival pictures (Eastport: moving to, windows, town)

[mollysmiles]

me too!

will I know what you mean about the businesses... and thank heavens that people have moved to Eastport who are willing and able to start businesses! I haven't had a chance to talk to Gary and Amanda, but I've heard that things are going well for them--that's the second restaurant in the area that is run by former classmates of mine. When my parents had their store they enjoyed the Chamber, and it wasn't at all like it is now. With the advantages that computers and internet offer us, the Chamber is able to work smarter than they did 20 years ago! My parents would have loved that!


great post btw! and I *loved* the Tape Boutique!!

[willb]

We had dinner at the Pickled Herring last night, and it's a truly wonderful addition to Eastport. Our 2 oldest kids are working there, and our daughter was waiting on a couple from Verona, Italy. They're both physicians and they were starting off on a driving tour of New England. They came away thinking the restaurant and Eastport are some of the finest places to visit in the US.

[mrs1885]

Originally Posted by 7th generation

Here are the pictures of the Pirate Festival.

Thank you 7th!!

I know what you mean about people moving in and trying to change things. I met someone on this forum in FL that wants to move to TN. She bought some land and immediately told the farmer who'd been using the spring on the land to water his cattle for decades that she'd have none of that and he'd have to remove the lines. That's just not how things are around here. Neighbors help each other out. Those lines aren't hurting a thing. I told hubby about it and he said we need to get moved quick before neighbors start associating her with us!!

[cmperry]

Originally Posted by willb

Like I say, I never read the letter, and unfortunately, I never spent any money in her store, because that's not the kind of stuff I would spend money on. One of my favorite bits on the old Saturday Night Live was the Scotch Tape Boutique, which was this store in a mall that sold nothing but scotch tape. It was the kind of thing that just wouldn't work, but the people had a lot of enthusiasm. Retail is tough, especially in a small market like ours. The really neat thing about Eastport is that if you don't like the way things are going you can always get involved and a person that wants to take something on can do a lot. It's sad when people sit on the sidelines and complain about the way other people are doing things, because everyone has the opportunity to contribute to making things better. There are always new folks coming to Eastport, for the last 200 years anyway, people come and go and really very little withstands the forces of changes, but at least here you can have a sayso. Eastport has the most incredible youth music program in the state, and maybe in New England: 44 kids on Saturday mornings, started by one woman. We have a wonderful full Symphony Orchestra that was only going into rehearsals less than a year and a half ago. There is a new community chorus, the Eastport Elementary boosters handle a comprehensive youth sports program. There's the incredible 4th of July volunteers, who put on the best 4th ever seen. Patti Craig organized the 9/11 walk mostly by herself. The Salmon Festival is about 15 years old and the Pirate days came out of a barroom conversation a little over 2 years ago. There was a fly-in at the airport the last 2 years, but I don't see anything about it this year. I don't know if I ever want to see another "Bikini/Speedo run for heat", where you run down Water st in December to benefit the HEAP program, but there's suppose to be another. The Sardine drop on New Year's has gotten national exposure, and that was born of idle chit-chat 3 years ago. There is a women's choir, started by a sweet woman from Oklahoma, that gets together on Mondays and sings Balkan folksongs. Some people bring their problems with them, and when things don't work out they blame the place, or the people, and they might say a lot of stupid things in the heat of a moment, but I believe in that old "Judge not lest ye be Judged.." thing because I have said many things in my life that I regret.
If someone complains about the chamber, I do remember going to Chamber meetings where there were 6 or less people, and if you wanted to take on organizing the Salmon Festival or any other thing, you were more than welcome to. It's kind of funny; of the businesses that have opened up downtown in the last five years, only Paula's Flowers and the Tattoo parlor were opened by people born in Eastport. Everthing else has been opened by people who have come to Eastport willing to put time and energy into making a go at a dream. Take away Wadsworth's, Spinnaker Realty and Rosie's, and all of the actual businesses downtown are 5 years old or less, and we were talking this morning to a couple that is going to open a gallery next spring, so one person goes and I'll bet 2 or 3 come to replace her.

The letter was insulting to the residents of Eastport and I don't buy any of your excuses for her ( we all have issues but we all don't go insult the people of a community we freely move into). As far as the "forces of change" goes..if you grew up here you would find absolutely nothing positive about the current downtown economic climate unless you feed your family with paintings. The loss of the blue collar base killed Eastport for families and a little research into the population decline in the 2 schools should enlighten you to this.

[Ezlivn]

I had the pleasure of e-mailing that lady and personally letting her know what I thought of her letter. No one twisted her arm into moving to Eastport.
Talk about biting the hand that feeds you.

[RHB]

The pictures look like it was a great time, may be something to be looking at doing next year.

[entyss]

cmperry I've always thought that re "galleries" in Eastport. How much art can one person own. With the economic situation such as it is in Eastport, it seems only tourists frequent these places. I would think a clothing store or a food store would be much more in tune with the needs of the town. But that's just me...
btw, I, too, thought the Pickled Herring was excellent. We ate there every night we were in town.

[dramamama6685]

Can't wait to try the pickled herring. Does anyone know if they plan on staying open in the "off" season?

[entyss]

Our waitress, who was terrific, told us they intended to stay open year round, and would see how it goes

[dramamama6685]

Yippee... good friends, good eats and the watah.. this is all I need to make my life complete!