Bridge Tenders
By Vicki Haugen
Our well attended meeting welcomed guests Annette Stormont, Doug Fowle, and Graham Hurst. We enjoyed a rousting 50/50 with Annette Stormont winning both the tickets drawn! We treat our guests well.
Many “Happy Dollars” were donated with a fun highlight shared for a Rotary Barn Opening April 6th, as well as a huge pick up done recently which partially fills the barn already.
We are taking donations of gently used items, furniture, household goods, boats, tools, just about anything. Text or call Deb Graves at 207-380-3550 for pick up or drop off plans. We appreciate your generous donations, which help support the many projects of the Boothbay Harbor Rotary Club.
Our next meeting on March 14th will be a social St. Patrick’s Day party with food and fun! Come and bring friends! And wear green if it pleases you.
Linda Clapp reminded everyone that we will have a Daylight Savings Fellowship Gathering on Wednesday, March 13 at the Whale’s Tale. Be there by 5 PM. Come early and bring friends.
A super enthusiastic presentation by Dwight and Duane Lewis whose family operated the bridges on Southport, Bristol, and Barter’s Island for 147 years! Dwight and Duane, twin brothers, worked the bridges for 45 years!
Their very interesting tales of those years include many funny times as well as history. Early in his work Dwight had a difficult relationship with a lobsterman who believed Dwight didn’t belong on that bridge. After a difficult and unfriendly exchange about opening the bridge, Dwight went on watching his TV show and let the lobsterman wait! They became the best of friends over the next few years.
The old wooden bridge originally was used for the crossing of horse and buggy. The cost of crossing was 5 cents for travel, and 2 cents for walking. But on Sundays it was free! Over the years boats got loose and were rescued after being caught up under the bridge.
The boys varied in their young escapades. Duane loved to do belly flops off the bridge into the frigid water, while Dwight climbed to the very top of the bridge and made his way across the entire framework without falling! In 1989 a car went over the bridge, but the person was able to get out and swim as well as had help to drag up the car. And a wedding was finally held on the bridge after being requested several times. One has to wonder, inquired our own lawyer, Chip Griffin, if the ceremony was carried out on the correct side of the bridge!
Thank you, Dwight and Duane, for all your years of service and all your enjoyable pictures and stories shared. We wish you the best in return for all you have done.
If you are interested in the fun and work of the Boothbay Harbor Rotary Club join us any Thursday at 6:00 pm at our clubhouse at 66 Montgomery Rd, Boothbay Harbor, Me. 04537. You’ll be glad you did.
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