Flags, fun, a fisherman

It isn't easy to replace John Pike Grady, especially during Old Home Week in Eastport. But what better venue and date for the refurbished fisherman statue to have returned to town than at the end of the Grand Independence Day Parade?

John Grady waved from the cab of a truck this year, so the statue could make a surprise appearance. Located in the fish pier parking lot downtown for the past four years, the fiberglass fisherman left town for some much-needed bodywork last fall and will soon be back in his usual spot.

Barbara DeWitt, co-chairman of the Eastport Fourth of July Committee, says of the event, "At the reception up at the youth center, the captain of the ship said the other naval ships were vying for a chance to come to Eastport for the Fourth. I think that sums up how much people enjoy our celebration."

The USS Ramage arrived in port on the foggy afternoon of July 1, and the rain cancelled some outside activities. Penny Barakate's concert was moved from Overlook Park to Shead High School. The only inside event, the contradance, went on as scheduled at the Eastport Arts Center.

On Saturday, July 2, because of the lack of available space, the Walk Down Memory Lane exhibit wasn't set up this year. However, Don Dunbar's photos of Eastport Past and Present drew people to the Eastport for Pride office.

The largest crowd ever enjoyed the annual chicken barbecue at St. Joseph's Parish Hall lawn.

Weather was just fine for most of the scheduled events, including the seven-mile road race, the pageants, cupcake decorating and watermelon eating contests, pet show and talent show, but for the second year in a row, hypnotist Steve Taubman was unable to fly into Eastport to present a show because of morning fog.

The most-difficult-to-see contestant in the pet show this year was a cockroach. It was displayed in a terrarium.

Nearly 80 people attended the public reception at the Eastport Youth Center for the personnel from the USS Ramage.

On Sunday, July 3, breakfast was served at the American Legion Hall by the legionnaires and auxiliary members and over $300 was raised.

Down to library park, little ones had fun participating in a variety of events at the Tot Fair. Assisting with face painting were Tasha Desmond and Shannon Mitchell. They, along with Sierra Johnson, Hannah Sivret, Cindy Mitchell and Muriel, helped with the treasure hunt, as well.

After Mass at St. Joseph's, a large number of people stuck around to sample the goodies at a "Welcome Home" reception on the rectory lawn.
The Quoddy Maritime Museum Auction, which included a lot of consignments, raised about $2,000.

Thirty-one youngsters participated in the Dale C. Lincoln One-Mile Kids' Run this year with the winner, Justin Smith, coming in with a time of 6:43.

The great unveiling of the restored north wall of The Tides Institute was held, revealing John Grady standing on some of the scaffolding. The building had been "under wraps" for months.

Teams from Calais and the USS Ramage participated in the Firemen's Muster, and the winner was one of the ship's teams. At the conclusion of the event, a group of Calais firefighters chased Eastport Assistant Chief Mark Cook part-way through town and drenched him.

Up at the American Legion Hall, "cousins," many meeting for the first time, gathered for a reunion of Stanhope, Robinson, Morrison and McPhail descendants.

Fifty-two vessels participated in the sail-a-bration on Passamaquoddy Bay.

Over 100 music lovers attended Edward French's traditional organ concert at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Later, they could attend the concert given by Everyday Strangers at Overlook Park or head up to the Knights of Pythias Hall and be entertained at Old Timers'/Young Timers' Night by Wenona Small and her band.

The two performances of Moose Island Follies attracted about 200 people and raised over $2,000 for the Eastport Arts Center.

On the morning of July 4, 18 people attended the 45th annual flag-raising at the breakwater, including a color guard from the USS Ramage.

After sunrise, the day was lovely, with blue skies, just a few wispy clouds, and a nice sea breeze.

Over 900 people enjoyed blueberry pancakes and sausage at the Eastport Airport Association's annual Fourth of July breakfast. On hand to help serve coffee and make sure all of the diners had their maple syrup were teenage members of the Civil Air Patrol. Several powerchutes were on hand, some on the ground and some in the air.

As always, there was a good turnout for the blueberry pie eating contest, but Roland Mitchell says all of the pies were baked by only three cooks C Muriel Randall, Frances Mitchell and Shirley Spinney. "We're wearing the regulars out. We're looking for more pie makers."

Due to the great turnout of vehicles for the Buddy Allen Car, Truck and Bike Show at Bank Square, 57 participants, there was not enough room for the 54 entrants in the Doll Carriage Parade to form the circle needed to display everyone. The committee is open to any suggestions as to how to prevent any problems next year.

The city streets were lined with people watching the Grand Independence Day Parade under blue skies. There were bands, floats, military veterans, sailors, Luxor Temple members and politicians, although Maine Governor John Baldacci was a notable no-show.

Walt Cummings, a recruiter for the Maine Army National Guard, says that a barbecue for guardsmen, their families, and active duty and military veterans was very successful. "There were 75 to 80 people. They all had a great time. I want to thank the City of Eastport and Mr. Finch for letting us have the picnic grounds, R&M IGA, Robert Arsenault in particular, True Value in Calais and Jamie Bohanon for their help. We think we'll make it an annual event."

As always, when the weather cooperates, the fireworks were spectacular and, as usually happens when the fog isn't obscuring Campobello, some islanders set off their own fireworks after Eastport's display had been completed.

But, by noontime on July 5, things were almost back to normal. The naval ship headed out of port, and the vendors packed up their wares and went home.

Officer Chris Gardner of the Eastport Police Department says, "As always, the police department would like to thank all who assisted us over the Fourth, including the Pleasant Point Police Department, the Washington County Sheriff's Office, the Maine State Police, the Eastport Fire Department and local EMS. As the result of a team effort, we had a very successful Fourth of July."

Adds Barbara DeWitt, "And thank you to all the volunteers who made this year's event a success."