Letters to the Editor - Issue 149

Love the cover

We knew the cover was special as soon as the MBH&H anniversary issue (September/October 2017) arrived in our box, but we didn’t know how special until we read how Peter Ralston captured that dramatic photo of the windjammer fleet and the Milky Way. Wow! Way to go—beautiful and classic Maine!  We look forward to reading the rest of the issue. And for the next 30 years!  

We love seeing our Ralston prints every day. The last artist proof of “Clearing” continues to hold the “place d’honneur” in our home.

Bob and Marge Healing

Brunswick, ME

Keeping the spirit of Maine alive

I just had the joy of reading the 30th anniversary issue of MBH&H while sitting on the deck of my brother’s cottage, looking south down Hurricane Sound. A perfect place to read the issue from cover to cover. Great articles on topics that express the spirit, joy, and ingenuity of the people and places on the coast of Maine. Thank you for all you have done, and do, to keep that all alive and moving forward. 

Sandy Spaulding

Portland, ME

Kudos on 30 years

I’m sitting in Waterman’s on North Haven waiting for the ferry, with my dog, Beau, held down with leash underfoot. Just finished reading the 30th anniversary edition of MBH&H and wanted to congratulate you on one of the finest issues ever. What a pleasure to read and just take in visually!

I’m so proud of you and your team for the passion and perseverance that are the heart of your achievement.

Billy R. Sims

Camden, ME

Thank you and congratulations

When I got our print copy of this month’s magazine I thought what a wonderful product you’ve created.

When I read John K. Hanson Jr.’s “From The Publisher” column about wanting to marry two shows that he admired when creating the MBH&H Show, I thought his words also described the magazine. It combines creativity, skill, technical details, and simple beauty all together. And it does it so well that even a person with very little real “boat” intelligence can enjoy every page. 

Thank you and congratulations on 15 years for the boat show and 30 years for the magazine.

Paul Cavelli

Camden, ME

Keep up the good work

I just want to say that your recent Boat Show issue (July/August 2017) is GREAT and I enjoyed multiple articles. Keep up the good work.

Bill Jones

Harpswell, ME

Grateful boatbuilders

Thank you so much for that very nice article on Classic Boat Shop.

You really captured the past 20 years of our work, customers, and accomplishments in two pages and several photos!

The coverage and your continued efforts to promote a philosophy and way of life is greatly appreciated.

 Margaret, Jean & Sean Beaulieu

 Tremont, ME

Repurposed mill memories

Peter Spectre’s reference to “repurposed” mills (September/October issue) certainly struck a nerve with me. In the late 1960s I worked at the Mill in Winooski, Vermont, while attending St. Michael’s College. 

Peter’s reference to repurposing would suggest at least some renovation. This was not the case at The Mill. The place had three rooms: a bar room, a pool room with one coin-operated table and a larger room with a huge fireplace. I’m pretty sure the entire complex was heated by that fireplace, since it always had a large fire roaring and a substantial stock of wood to one side. We probably had a chimney fire about three times a month. The fire department would arrive, climb to the roof, and open a hose down the chimney. This caused the fire to float into the main room still burning and, of course, clearing the room.

Today, my business, M. Steinert & Sons, has moved to a repurposed mill (the Wood Company) in South Boston. The building was built in 1852 and the purpose was to manufacture equipment for manufacturers who worked in wood. They made industrial-grade planers, joiners, lathes, die-cutters, etc. and probably supplied ship builders in Maine. I know they supplied the piano industry, including Steinway in New York—my company supplies New England with Steinways.

My connection to Maine is my beloved Sabre 32 sailboat named Selkie, which has seen much of the Maine coast. Thanks for the memories.

Paul Murphy

Scituate, MA

For the record

Carl Little’s story “The Art of Leaving a Legacy,” in the last issue contained incorrect information. Rolling Acres where the Fiore Art Center is housed was owned by Maine Farmland Trust. The idea for an artist-in-residence program was hatched by David Dewey and Rob Gregory, trustees for the Falcon Foundation, and John Piotti and Anna Abaldo of Maine Farmland Trust.         

We love hearing from you, Gentle Readers. There is nothing quite like something special in the mailbox. Wouldn’t you agree?

 —The Editors