Westport Island Column: Successful barbecue and more

Tue, 07/12/2016 - 10:45am

When you mix our Fire Department and Community Association, along with Westporters who like to eat and gab, this makes for a wonderful brew of community! No doubt about it — the WVFD and WCA put on a smashingly successful BBQ, with probably more than a couple hundred folks who tossed on sweatshirts and wind blazers, and brought their generosity and appetites.

Long line? No problem — dessert as appetizer is the new island food trend! Lots of catching up, many hugs and handshakes, introductions around the tables to new residents, pics of babies shared among families, and kids growing up before our eyes into fine young adults.

Dunk the Chief was a lot of laughs to the youngsters tossing and those of us watching, with Chief Bob Mooney, Deputy Chief Jason Abbott and the intrepid Mara Abbott getting into the fun, and fundraising!  And Back to Basics shined again with their beautiful harmonies and toe-tapping music. Thanks to Kelly Burke who joined in on Saturday, filling in beautifully on bass for Bernie Coombs.

Did you catch the first concert on The Commons last week in Wiscasset, aka Alive on the River? If you’ve been bringing your chairs and dancing sneakers since the first series, the free concerts moved from the Pier (on the River) to the Common, right by the Courthouse, Library and Congregational Church. Definitely much “alive,” and there’s plenty of parking in the County lot and along High Street. Every Thursday, at 6 p.m. for the next six weeks, you’ll enjoy music under the shady maples. This Thursday, LeGarage and Sheepscot Bay Physical Therapy are sponsoring the bluegrass band, The Galley Rats, who’ve played all over New England for years; next week, July 21, Pan Fried Steel will bring their definitely danceable mix of Caribbean music, sponsored by Patricia Stauble Antiques & Debra Elizabeth’s.

A lot of us are fans and supporters of Lincoln County Animal Shelter. They’re hosting a “Summer Lovin” adoption event this Saturday, July 16 from 11 am to 4 pm. Drop by for raffles, giveaways, free lunch and, of course, plenty of adoptable animals. Saturday’ special is a “50-50” promotion: dogs will be $50 off regular adoption fees, and cats will be 50 % off. All animals are spayed/neutered and have up-to-date vaccinations, of course. Take a minute and check out adoptable animals at lcasmaine.org or on their Facebook page, facebook.com/LCASMaine.

Am I the last person to know that Derek Jeter was getting married? Hope you’ll keep your Westport friends in the know about family gatherings, your business news, any boating and gardening adventures, and other good stuff, welcomed at mewbarnes2@yahoo.com.