An Eastport Fourth
In a very last minute move, I visited Eastport from June 29th through July 5th. I'd been getting closer and closer to the finish line of A Good Place to Turn Around, and I needed to confirm some details for that novel, as well as begin the research for the next novel in The Eastport Series, Before I Go. So, after checking with my family to be sure they were fine with me abandoning them for a week, I went in search of a place to stay. . . by myself.
Of course, this being the Fourth of July week, and Eastport having the largest Fourth of July celebration in the state of Maine, there wasn't a room to be had there or in nearby Perry or anywhere else I could find within a half hour radius. So, I booked what a could find - a cabin in the woods, next to Gardner Lake, almost an hour away. I didn't mind driving that far, but I will admit, I was a little hesitent about staying there since I would be alone. Something about woods, by a lake, at night, by myself . . . sounded like a set-up for a murder mystery. However, me being me, I wasn't going to let a little thing like the potential for being a character in the next best-selling thriller stop me from going.
Enter the unofficial mayor of Eastport.
Tessa Chaffey Ftorek is . . . how can I explain her? I think she's a combination of the Energizer bunny, Google, Dear Abby, a personnel directory, and Mother Theresa all wrapped into one. I have never met a person like her . . . and I've met a lot of people! You will not find anyone more committed to Eastport and her well-being than Tessa. If you read an article about this eastern most city in the U.S., online or in the newspaper, or if you see a report on TV about the town, I can almost guarantee Tessa will be quoted somewhere in there. She knows everyone, remembers everything, and seems to be everywhere. And she is one of the kindest people on the planet.
When Tessa found out where I was going to be staying over the Fourth, she asked why I chose a place so remote. I told her that was all I could find, but I was good with it, I was happy just to be in the same state. She said, "Give me a minute." About twenty minutes later, she called and said, "How would you feel about staying with Sally for the week? She's right in town, you wouldn't have to drive anywhere, and you'd have easy access to everything that's taking place."
When I talk about breadcrumbs, this wasn't a crumb, it was a whole loaf of bread! I had met Sally on my previous trip in May and sat across from her during lunch at the WaCo Diner after church. So, I knew exactly who she was, and thought she was lovely. I got in touch with Sally, and after a conversation, we both thought we'd give me paying her a visit a try. To say my stay went well would be the understatement of the year.
This is what I love about Eastport. It's only a snapshot of the kindness that's been shown to me since I first stepped onto Water Street. I may have traveled by myself that trip, but I never once felt alone.
Thank you again, Eastport and Tessa, and Sally. As they would say in my old Philly neighborhood, "Good on ya."
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