July 4th Newsletter

As many of you know I was born and grew up in Eastport.  The 4th of July, or Independence Day, has special meaning for that town and this year marks a major milestone in history of the State of Maine.  Many of you may know that Eastport was captured by the British in July 11th 1814 as part of the actions of the war of 1812.  Some 800 British soldiers were left in Eastport and fortifications were built around town including Fort Sullivan (some evidence still exists of the fort and the powder house).  What is less well known is that one of the ships that sailed into Passamaquoddy Bay was the HMS Terror. The Terror took part in the battle at Fort McHenry in Maryland in September which inspired Francis Scott Key to write the “Star Spangled Banner”.  You might recall that Maine was part of Massachusetts at the time, but Massachusetts was reluctant to come to the assistance of the “Mainers”. The occupation of Eastport ended on June 30th of 1818. The lack of support from Massachusetts was largely the impetus of Maine becoming a State in 1820. One enduring piece of evidence of the British occupation was the elms lining Washington Street. I clearly remember these elms which formed a canopy over the street before they succumbed to Dutch Elm disease in the mid-1960’s. At 150 years old these trees were enormous with bases 36” 48” in diameter. The Independence Day celebration in Eastport has always been robust and patriotic for as long as I can remember.  It is well worth a trip to down east to celebrate out nation’s independence.
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If you’re not going to Eastport this 4th, you might want to consider a meal at 122 Corson.  The tropical weather will have subsided and the weatherman has predicted some cooler and clearer weather.  We have had some spectacular sunsets these past few Saturday’s and might expect another one this week. The menu includes a crusted Ahi tuna appetizer, fresh salad greens, a choice of N.Y. sirloin beef roast or local haddock with lobster sauce, and of course, dessert will be a fresh strawberry-rhubarb tart.  We hope to see you Saturday or some Saturday in the near future. We hope you celebrate your independence today; we will for sure.
— Bob Burr