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Marty’s Memories: From Off Shore by Marty Trower

You would think that we would have enough of water, crossing over it on the ferry as much as we do. For most of us, though, it isn’t, and we somehow work out a way to get out on it as often as possible. Where else could you go to slow down enough to notice the foaming gurgle of a wake behind you, or an expanse of nothing, a vision so calming that it lifts you up? I remember that being on our wooden cat boat in the fifties was often a languid affair. Her beam was wide and heavy and the yellowed canvas sails never fully billowed out. We didn’t move fast or far but sights were seen, and stories were told as we sat in the baking sun, the boat yawing and creaking. Once, right off east end point, someone looked up and over towards the mainland and alerted us all to the appearance of Mt. Washington, off in the distance. The majestic image was a momentary thing; we had to tack, I think, and when I looked back to see it again, it wasn’t there. I was always hoping to see that mountain again but that turned out to be my moment.

weren’t around. The most thrilling was what we later called the Ginna Toohey on a Buoy story . Apparently, over the years, Ginna, a co-owner of our boat, kept saying, whenever they went past a certain red bell buoy at the end of Whaleboat island, “I’ve always wanted to get off onto one of those,”. It drove the others nuts. Sure enough, someone finally called her bluff and they put her off on the bobbing, splashing thing and sailed away. The sailboat, being a slow and unwieldy one, took it’s time to come about and had to go down behind the island to do so. Meanwhile, another boat came up to the buoy all in a panic seeing no other boat around, shouting to her,” Just hang on, we’re coming to rescue you! “. They just wouldn’t believe her, that she was fine, really, her friends were coming back for her, really. I have a black and white photo of this event, of Ginna on the buoy, and I drew a picture on a card I made for her on her 75 th birthday. Neither capture the energy and excitement of being out here, salt water spray drying on your face, enthralled by the water and all the memories it holds.

During the slow times we listened to stories from the grown-ups of things that had happened when we

Dental Clinic How long has it been since you had your teeth cleaned? The Council would like to continue to sponsor free dental clinics, but needs to be sure there is sufficient community interest to continue. Please contact the Council at chebeagueislandcouncil@gmail.com or call 846-4988 if you are interested in keeping this clinic active. The clinic is by appointment only and has room for up to 8 patients.

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MAY 2019 CHEBEAGUE ISLAND COUNCIL CALENDAR