It has been a year of celebration at The Opera House at Boothbay Harbor. Twenty years ago on Sept. 29, 2003, the nonprofit of the same name purchased the 1894 building for $1.2 million from John and Sarah Abbe. Almost half of that price was raised.
Robert Mitchell photo
My wife and I and Gardiner Savings bought the old fire station on Route 27 in Boothbay in 1995. It’s still there across the street from the old town garage/office which has been lovingly cared for by George McEvoy and crew.
The old fire station was being sold to help finance the new fire station, which is farther up the road on 27. It was a big step for us but a good neighborhood. The neighbors to the south were quiet. It was our hope to establish a photo gallery for me and a place from which we could conduct higher visibility interaction with the buying public. It didn t really work out. I got way too antsy sitting around hoping people might walk through the door to buy some of my work or schedule time. I had set up a formal studio there as well. Sometimes you’re the windshield and sometimes you’re the bug. Bug time!