When he was about 10 years old, Robin Brooks cruised on a 56-foot sailboat from the mouth of the Connecticut River to Cutler, in far Downeast Maine. The trip made quite an impression. “After that, I always knew I wanted to live on the coast of Maine,” recalled Brooks, now 82. That desire ultimately brought… Read more
“Nature, Community, Forever.” The motto of Harpswell Heritage Land Trust (HHLT) neatly ties up the organization’s core mission: connecting people with nature in lasting ways. “Forever” is the key concept, because, while legal agreements are binding, if successive generations lose touch with the natural world around them, all bets are off and something precious could… Read more
During the summer of 2016, Dave Brown became president of HHLT, taking over from Charlie Johnson, who stepped down after eight years leading the organization. Dave writes: “I first became aware of Harpswell’s special combination of forest and ocean as a teenager when my family came to visit the log cabin my grandparents built on… Read more
Jan McClintock followed her passions in life. She loved the town of Harpswell, where she moved in 1986. She volunteered at the Harpswell Islands School because she cared deeply about her children’s education. As an assistant attorney general, she worked tirelessly for 27 years to protect the water, land and wildlife of her beloved state of… Read more
By Christine Farrell What an experience to grow up on the coast of Maine. What a charmed life for a child to spend summers on Harpswell Neck or on the Islands. Great, Bailey or Orr’s, that is. Anne Satterthwaite, a Philadelphia health care professional, had such a childhood. Spending summer weeks on Bailey Island, Anne… Read more
For the last few years, 9-year-old Scottie and 7-year-old Elliot Larsen have explored tide pools, mud flats, salt marshes and other habitats, while learning about the animals and plants that live there, thanks to programs offered by Harpswell Heritage Land Trust (HHLT). “Especially living in Harpswell, to understand and appreciate our environment is really important,”… Read more
There is a discernible lift in Deirdre Strachan’s already cheerful voice when the topic of conversation turns to Harpswell, her adopted home and the town she loves. “It’s such a beautiful community, with so much to offer,” she says. Strachan, who moved to Harpswell from Massachusetts in 1998 after a distinguished international career in public… Read more
According to Bob Weggel, his voting address may be in Massachusetts but he lives in Harpswell. Since 1981, Bob has enjoyed the peace and tranquility he experiences upon arriving here from suburban Boston, where he lives and works with his wife, Diane. In his professional life, Bob designs magnets, being named in the Guinness Book… Read more
By Christine N. Farrell “Drive down three hills, park by my car, then walk down the lane.” Those were her directions. And perfect they were. Abigail Sibley’s cottage was built in 1937 on the shores of Middle Bay on 27 acres purchased by Abigail’s father, a Bowdoin professor, for $1,200. Each summer, Abigail and her… Read more