SPECIAL REPORT: Island filmmaker wants your old home movies!
MOUNT DESERT, April 17, 2024 - Whenever someone asks for the best way to understand how an eden like this island got to the point of its current, overwrought state of economic overdrive, I tell them to go the library at Northeast Harbor and watch the documentary, “Summer Colony.”
Here is IMDb’s description of the 2013 film:
“From clergymen to cabinet secretaries, academics to ambassadors, the village of Northeast Harbor, Maine, is a long established 'summer colony' where some of America's most prominent families have maintained seasonal homes for generations.
“But increasingly Northeast Harbor finds itself a victim of its own success; with a still-rising property base of more than $800 million, the village's once thriving community of year-round residents is finding itself more and more marginalized by the 'summer people', as rising real estate prices and declining opportunities for year-round employment push more and more year-rounders out of the community.
“Directed by a native son of Northeast Harbor, 'Summer Colony' is an examination of the village's history and social dynamics aimed at explaining how this situation came to pass.”
That native son, Jeremy Lunt, has launched another project. And he needs help.
“MOUNT DESERT ISLAND: A HOME MOVIE is a history of MDI over the past century, told entirely through the home movies of the people who've lived, worked and visited here” Lunt stated in an email.
“It will span from the 1920's, when the earliest 16mm cameras started making their way to consumers, up through today with people shooting videos on their phones.
“This film will probably be a little bit more lighthearted than SUMMER COLONY was, but not without its serious side. For example, I get the feeling that climate change - especially the havoc wreaked by all these recent storms - is going to loom large over the narrative.”
Lunt has located a large amount of footage so far, but there are still gaps.
“We have a decent amount of material for the period of 1925 to 1975 (but could use more), but right now very little for 1975 to about 2010.”
“Modern footage is just as important as the vintage footage to show the change in the way of life on MDI. For that reason, things that people have shot on their cell phones in recent years are also valuable to the project.
“The one time period where I have a serious gap right now is from the mid-80's up to about 2010, which is basically the period from when people switched over to videotape camcorders but before cell phones tended to have cameras. I'm sure there are plenty of people out there who have material from this period, probably locked away on old videotapes in a closet.
Lunt is particularly interested in these topics:
Local industries, then and now. Fishing, lobstering, granite quarrying, hotel and tourism, caretaking, etc.
Recreational activities. Sailing, biking, hiking, Acadia explorations, etc.
Footage from the perspective of summer residents, showing what their lives are like (much of what I have now was shot by locals or tourists)
1947 Bar Harbor fire
Footage showing downtown areas of the different towns and villages and how they've changed
2010 visit by the Obamas
Weather events. I'd really like to get more footage of all the storms recently, and the damage that they've caused.
Life during COVID-19 lockdowns
Recent controversies like the Bar Harbor cruise ships and the Leonard Leo protests
“Of course, there could be other interesting topics that people have footage of that aren't even on my radar right now, so basically I'm willing to take a look at anything.”
I began to spend summers here starting in 1984, when a colleague at the Globe recommended the Asticou Inn. I have a box full of VHS videos to rummage through. I haven’t watched those in years so that will be an added benefit to this exercise.
TRIBUTE: Theresa Faye Hopkins
1933 - 2024
BASS HARBOR - Theresa Faye Hopkins, age 91, of Bass Harbor, Maine, passed into eternity on March 28, 2024. Theresa was born on February 19, 1933, in McKinley, Maine to James Sewell Hopkins and Cora Leighton Hopkins.
She was a graduate of Pemetic High School and worked for the Hinckley Company and The Jackson Laboratory. In her life, Theresa enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends.
During her life, she was known as a hard worker, having a wonderful sense of humor and was a generous soul, always ready to give to anyone who was in need. She will be sorely missed by her family and her many friends.
Theresa is survived by nieces and nephews, Doug & Janice Hopkins, Paul & Debbie Hopkins, Lewis Hopkins, Jr., Terry and David McLaughlin, Frank Hopkins, Becky Hopkins, Kim Hopkins and Janice Feehan, many great nieces, and nephews, along with a multitude of friends. She was preceded in death by her father, James
Hopkins, mother, Cora Hopkins, brother, Lewis Hopkins, sister-in-law, Onalee Hopkins, sister, Esther Compton, brother-in-law, Deanne Compton, and one nephew, Vaughn Hopkins.
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com
Thomas G. Richardson
1954 - 2024
BAR HARBOR - Thomas Gerald Richardson, born March 5, 1954, son of Roger and Joan Richardson, passed away unexpectedly in his sleep on Friday, April 12, 2024. A Mount Desert Island native, he spent most of his life living in the village of Otter Creek and was a very active member of his community.
He had recently settled into “partial” retirement and was excited about moving into a new home in the late spring, with his wife of nearly 50 years, Brenda. He was always moving forward and liked having “projects”. Tom had a very generous spirit, too. He will be remembered for his willingness to be of assistance to any of his friends and family, lending a hand whenever asked.
Tom was an avid golfer and a member of Kebo Valley Golf Club for nearly 50 years, even serving a term as club president, and on the board of directors. He was an enthusiastic snowmobiler and enjoyed captaining summer boat rides on the “Causette”.
He served in the Air Force and the Air National Guard, and spent the majority of his professional career working at Crobb Box Company, a lumber mill started in 1940 by his grandfather Gerald Richardson (and partners).
For many years he was involved in town government, as a resident of the Town of Mount Desert. He served on the Warrant Committee and on the Board of Selectmen. He was President of the Otter Creek Aid Society, as well as President of the Otter Creek Cemetery Association, for a time. He was Chief of the Otter Creek Fire Brigade up until its merging with the other town firehouses.
Thomas is survived by his wife Brenda (Bennie) Morrow Richardson, and his son Matthew; his siblings Rebecca, Scott and Brian, his granddaughter Parker Richards, nephews Kyle Richardson, Evan Richardson, nieces Jamie Richardson and Lindsay Richardson, his uncle Paul Richardson, his cousins Paula Gannon, Gail Gee and Peter Richardson, many grand nieces and nephews, 2nd and 3rd cousins. From his wife’s family, he is survived by Mary Richardson, Alfred Morrow, Susan Young, Richard Morrow, Frederick Morrow, and many nieces and nephews. And, of course, he will be missed by many close friends from over the years.
A private graveside service will be held in Otter Creek for family.
CORRECTION/AMPLIFICATION - Strawberry Hill Inc., owner of two dwelling units at 200 Main Street in Bar Harbor, was cited for a third unlicensed unit of short-term vacation rental at 48 Wayman Lane by the code enforcement officer. All the notices in March were sent to the address listed for Strawberry Hill Inc., 38 Rodick Street, and were for advertising a rental without a license.