|
 Local news and information from Blue Hill, Brooklin, Brooksville, Sedgwick, and Surry, Maine. |
Visiting the area?
Find where to go and what to do in our Seasonal Guide Visitor's Portal. Check out our newly rebuilt online store  |
||||||||||
News Feature
Blue Hill’s 250th anniversary of settlement  Denny Robertson recites a poem about the naming of Blue Hill (two words).  The children of Blue Hill gathered at Horton Emerson Park to dedicate the town’s newst piece of public art.  Lynne Clark of the 250th committee leads the event on Saturday, August 4.  Clint Curtis of the Fishnet prepares a lobster shore dinner.  Descendants of the first settlers of Blue Hill gathered at the town wharf for a picture on Saturday, August 4. by Faith DeAmbrose With myriad events planned over the course of a weekend, the town of Blue Hill celebrated its sestercentennial, or 250th anniversary August 4 and 5. The events marked the anniversary of its European settlement; when two men from Andover, Massachusetts, Joseph Wood and John Roundy, touched down on Mill Island just off the Blue Hill Falls. The men stayed until winter and each returned the following year with their wives and six children to begin the colonization of what would eventually be called Blue Hill. Beginning with a dedication of the town’s newly constructed wharf and a rededication of the Mill Island landing on Saturday, August 4, and ending with fireworks over Blue Hill harbor on Sunday, August 5, hundreds flocked to town to participate over the two days. On Saturday a number of speakers discussed what it means to live in a small town and how the town of Blue Hill has a long history of coming together to solve problems and to better the community. Selectman Jim Schatz spoke of the newly constructed town wharf: “a project that was of the people, by the people, and for the people” using local funds, local contractors and materials sourced locally. Selectman Duane Gray then threw a wreath made by Cullen Schneider of Fairwinds Florist into the harbor to mark the dedication of the wharf. The Reverend Rob McCall of the First Congregational Church of Blue Hill began his remarks with a series of “You know you are from rural, coastal Maine jokes” before talking about the many contributions made by the town’s elders spanning 250 years. He evoked names such as the late Gordon Emerson and Adelaide Pearson as community members who went above and beyond. Fire Chief and poet Denny Robertson wrote and recited a poem that spoke to Blue Hill’s struggles to settle on a name. Blue Hill’s newest piece of public art at Horton Emerson Park was formally dedicated “to the children of Blue Hill” with Mindy Marshuetz of the town’s sculpture committee leading the charge. Blue Hill Consolidated School Principal Della Martin stood with a group of children as she described the collaboration the school had with the sculptor before cutting the large ribbon that had been placed around it. Special artwork, which appeared on posters and t-shirts, was created for the event by Corey Paradise. The day’s biggest photo-op took place shortly after the dedications as descendants of the original settlers took a minute to pose for some pictures. Sunday brought flocks of people to the town park for live music and food. A boat parade, originally scheduled for high tide on Sunday, did not take place due to a lack of participation, but all other events went as planned. Speaking of the weekend, Lynne Clark, who helped organize the event, said she was extremely pleased with the turnout over the course of the two days. Clark, who was part of a committee numbering about eight formed to oversee the event, said the committee spent six months preparing. “The fireworks were a great way to end a very busy weekend,” said Clark. “It started on Friday at Mainescape at their Full Moon Dance Party, continued through Saturday with the dedications at the Town Wharf, pictures of the descendants of the first settlers, Pig Roast at 66, then Sunday afternoon was the Fish Net’s Lobster Shore Dinner, food vendors, great music and then the spectacular fireworks show from the harbor. I can’t think of a better way to honor the first settlers and thank them for choosing such a wonderful place to live.” |
|
|||||||||||
|
Contact Us • Penobscot Bay Press Community Information Services |
|||||||||||
