 "The rose speaks of love silently in a language known only to the heart." |
Starring
My Town…
presents…..
Stonington, Maine
. “Stonington, Deer Isle’s chief city, does not look like an American town at all, in place or in architecture. Its houses are layered down to the calm waters of the bay.”….John Steinbeck (“Travels with Charley”)
. Native American tribes populated Deer Isle for over 6,100 years until one day in 1525, a Portuguese sailor under the flag of Spain sailed up the Eggemoggin Reach between Deer Isle and the mainland. Estevan Gomez didn’t stay but later, the French came, too, and built a fort. They were followed by colonists from New England who came to the northern part of the island to farm.
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... the memorial near Bangor, Maine
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 Gomez' ship La Annunciata |
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. . In 1847, the south end of Deer Isle (Green’s Landing) was renamed Stonington because of the granite quarries nearby. Today Stonington is a working fishing village in one of the country’s most beautiful harbors. Fishermen sail out at dawn’s early light with their lobster traps and nets, returning when the sun is high with the day’s catch. That last lobster you had may well have come from right here.
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 At sunset |
 Under the full moon |
 ...and flowers everywhere! |
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.. Every season welcomes you but, from spring to fall, Stonington is a beehive of activity. Every morning after the fishermen have gone, the town comes alive and, by midmorning, shop doors open to a myriad of treasures.
 Suzy Q's Sweets and Curiosities...have a bite and
take some memories home.
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 The back deck of Penny's Bed & Breakfast. There is an art gallery in the front!
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 The Island Cow homemade ice cream shop and...
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 .right next door is The Grasshopper Shop where you can still get penny candy |
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 Isalos Gallery...Rebecca Daugherty painted this
picture of it herself. She calls it "Roadwork".
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 Debi's Art gallery is open all year long! |
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There are more than 12 art galleries in Stonington with artisans in oils, wood, ceramic , metal and other mediums. |
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. Theater in Stonington is served a la carte at the old Opera House. The original opera house, built in 1886, seated over 1000 opera and theater fans. But in 1910, the same day they installed the first fire hydrant, there was a huge fire and while the hydrant saved the town, the opera house burnt to the ground. A smaller one built in 1912 fell into disrepair over the years and the only patrons a family of raccoons. It has now been restored, the raccoons relocated to a woodland condo and theater is back in session with first run films and live stage productions.
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. Hollywood shows off the area in some scenes from….
 "Signs of Life" (l989) with Beau Bridges and Mary-Louise Parker . |
 "Sarah Plain and Tall" 1991 with Glenn Close and Christopher Walken. Sarah was in Stonington before she was in Kansas! |
 "The Man Without a Face" (1993) with Mel Gibson and Nick Stahl. |
 "The Cider House Rules" (1999) with Charlize Theron and Toby Maguire |
 "Message in a Bottle" (1999) with Kevin Costner and Robin Wright Penn |
 "Finding Home" (2003) with Genevieve Bujold and Louise Fletcher |
. Here are more pictures of Stonington…
 Mark Island lighthouse nearby |
 In the harbor |
 Kayaking among the rocks |
 Winter comes to Stonington |
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Fog in the harbor..
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But before you leave, take time to watch the ever changing beauty of the sea.
I would like to thank my sources for this article….Jane, Cathy, Angelina, Barrett Gray, Susan and Jack Scott and artists whose work I used here….their assistance and contributions were invaluable.
"The Princess de Monaco Rose" (Grace Kelly)