PRSRT STD Postal Customer U.S. Postage PAID Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107 Permit No. 62 Portland, ME ECRWSS The Cape CourAn Independent Not-for-Profi er t Newspaper Volume 30 Number 14 Sept 13 - Sept 26, 2017 Serving Cape Elizabeth Since 1988 My Cape Elizabeth: A journey A small boat with a big history, on the Appalachian Trail Bette Davis once owned it By Marta Girouard By Marta Girouard Elizabeth Peterson in town who owned it for almost 40 years. Their son Steve Peterson If a boat could talk, there is one in town recalled many fun trips. “There were a lot with some stories to tell. Only nine feet long and fi ve feet wide, the Sea Star is a Turn- about sail boat built by Harold Turner of Gloucester, Mass. The original owners of the Sea Star were Hollywood movie stars Bette Davis and Gary Merrill, who bought the boat for their children and raised their family in Cape Elizabeth for close to a de- cade. The Turnabout boat became popular in the 50s as a junior training boat and many of them were built from kits by “do it yourself- ers” in garages or cellars. This class of sail- boats can be mainly found in the Northeast. Courtesy Cape Elizabeth Historical Preservation Society In 1972, the Turnabout’s name was changed Hollywood stars Bette Davis and Gary to the “National 10” or N10 class. A new Merrill, who lived in Cape Elizabeth for mold was also designed at this time, with nearly a decade changes being made to resemble the original wooden design. of great memories made in that boat, sailing When the Davis/Merrill family moved back and forth from Portland Head Light to away, the Sea Star was sold to Roger and -see SAILBOAT page 3 Contributed photo Elise Bridge, pictured with her husband Jim and son Finnley at the summitt of Mount Katah- din. It marked the end of Bridge’s hike of the entire Appalachian Trail. On August 21, Cape Elizabeth resident Since then, Bridge has been section hik- Elise Bridge summited Mount Katahdin, ing the remaining 300 miles with family the end to her hike of the Appalachian Trail. members. It just so happened though that It was a journey 16 years in the making. Bridge was on her own the last 120 miles in Bridge was inspired to hike the Appa- the area known as the Hundred-Mile Wil- lachian Trail for a number of reasons. As derness. It is the section of the Appalachian teenagers, she and each of her siblings had Trail running between Abol Bridge just to complete an outdoor leadership experi- south of Baxter State Park and Monson in ence prior to getting their licenses as their Maine. It is generally considered the wild- parents felt it would make them more re- est section of the AT, and one of the most sponsible. Bridge chose to participate in challenging to navigate and hike through. Outward Bound in Maryland where she At the edge of the summit of Mount spent some time hiking part of the Appa- Katahdin, Bridge arranged to meet with lachian Trail. her husband and 12-year-old son Finnley. In November 2000, her then boyfriend “When I looked up and saw them waiting and future husband Jim proposed to her. “I for me, I almost lost it,” said Bridge. “It said yes, but told him that fi rst I needed was so awesome to be able to share that ex- to hike the entire Appalachian Trail,” said perience together.” The three met where the Bridge. “My mother had passed away when Abol and Hunt Trails converge and hiked I was six and I felt this was the right thing up to the summit together, with Finnley to do to celebrate her.” Bridge quit her job, conquering his fear of heights to be with did some training for the journey, and Jim his mom as she completed her journey. dropped her off on Springer Mountain Bridge was born in Cape Elizabeth and in Georgia in March 2001. Her goal was spent some of her youth here before grow- to do a thru-hike, which is hiking a long- ing up in Damariscotta. As an adult, she distance trail end-to-end within one hiking came back to Cape because she wanted to season. The AT, as it is simply known, is be close to her grandparents. Her grand- about 2,200 miles long. According to the mother’s family had put roots down here Appalachian Trail Conservancy, close to several generations ago and her grandfather 18,000 people from all over the world have was a lobsterman instrumental in getting hiked the entire AT to date since the trail Hannaford’s farming and lobster industry was completed in 1937. off the ground. “I love that Cape Elizabeth A month in on the AT, Bridge started ex- is so community orientated,” said Bridge. periencing a lot of pain and was advised by My husband and I are raising our son here a doctor to take some time off the trail. After because we think it takes a community to a month’s break, she went back and made raise a child and I feel like Cape has that.” it to Mount Washington in New Hampshire With her trek complete, Bridge is think- Photo by Marta Girouard on September 11, 2001. “That day I hiked ing of setting her sights on another hiking John and Marybeth Richardson with their dog Billie, stand with the “Sea Star,” a 28 miles and my knees were done,” said adventure but has not set anything in stone Turnabout sailboat originally owned by Hollywood movie stars Bette Davis and Gary Bridge. And given what happened on that yet. Merrill, who raised their family in Cape Elizabeth for close to a decade. The current owners, the fateful day, Bridge felt ready to go home. Richardsons, are hoping to donate the boat to a museum. Page 2 • The Cape Courier LETTERS/NEWS Sept 13 - Sept 26, 2017 social clubs; these are diff erent issues and People can speak publicly, write pub- The Cape Courier Pedestrian fatality in should be handled separately. Prohibiting es- licly or even run for public offi ce but not P.O. Box 6242 the waiting tablished farmers from producing this crop irresponsibly deface public property with Cape Elizabeth Maine 04107 for the broader statewide market is short- imposing their personal political views. Free 207-838-2180 sighted and boxes them out of opportunities speech should not be forced on those who www.capecourier.com As a Cape resident who walks my dogs that could make an enormous diff erence to a don’t care to hear it or exclude the responsi- along Two Lights Road nearly every day I farm’s bottom line. bility to honor the rights of others. grow increasingly concerned that the stretch I look forward to the day when diversifi ed Al the rock graffi ti artists and the town OUR MISSION STATEMENT of road from Fessenden Road to the entrance small farms in our town can choose to grow of Cape Elizabeth are missing the point if Th e mission of Th e Cape Courier is to foster to Two Lights State Park is a pedestrian ac- a sense of community by presenting news this crop, in addition to their other crops, thinking that freedom of expression, as such, cident/fatality in the waiting. specifi c and unique to Cape Elizabeth and experience the economic benefi ts they is not in violation of others and the town Lines of sight for drivers are very limited. and its residents, and, whenever possible, deserve. should not allow it. to promote volunteerism within our Yet I see, every day, countless examples of community. out-of-state and Maine drivers exceeding Lisa Fernandes Bill Daviero BOARD OF DIRECTORS the 35 m.p.h. speed limit endangering any Lynn Blank, Roger Bishop, pedestrian along the narrow path. Trish Brigham, Debbie Butterworth, The simple solution is to construct a pe- Bob Dodd, Jerry Harkavy, Martha Kelley, destrian walkway on the state land that abuts Brogan selected by Bill Springer, Beth Webster the roadway - similar to the walkway along The rock should not peers, named ‘Best Publisher: Kim Case Shore Road. No one can expect the police to [email protected] be for politics monitor speeding violations every day, but I Lawyer’ Editor: Kevin St. Jarre see speeders every day. [email protected] For decades what used to be the high Let’s get the town to build a safe path be- Cape Elizabeth resident Jonathan W. Brogan Community Reporter: school promoting its events on “the rock” Marta Girouard fore some reckless driver causes irreversible has been selected by his peers for inclusion [email protected] has suddenly become a political billboard. harm. in the 24th Edition of “The Best Lawyers in Advertising Manager: It’s just ugly. Tara Simopoulos America” for his work in Medical Malprac- (Display and classifi ed ads) Doesn’t it off end that someone can im- Jim Coakley tice Law - Defendants, and Personal Injury [email protected]/207-939-9766 pose hideous political issues on the public Litigation - Defendants. Bookkeeper: like this rather than making the issue about He was also named the Best Lawyers’ [email protected] the predictable opposition of sides? 2018 Portland, Maine Personal Injury Proofreaders: With bumper stickers, some people like to Cape farmers boxed Litigation - Defendants “Lawyer of the Year.” Tara Simopoulos, Marta Girouard expose their ideology on a piece of property Only a single lawyer in each practice area and Chuck Rzeszutko they own…that’s their prerogative.