It's Bill, 12/7/25: Anniversary

Starting with a Blog and a Voice

We published the first It’s Bill !! blog on December 8, 2024. It’s where you start, not where you finish. We’re not finished, just getting started. We’re really having fun, I’m enjoying writing It’s Bill !! I always start writing on the Sunday before publication. Sometimes, I have a notion, a concept or an obvious subject bouncing around in my head. Most times, after Sunday lunch, I ask Patricia [or she would ask] “What’s the blog going to be this week?”

The Blog's Origin Story

The genesis of the blog started with having dinner in Gardiner, ME about three years ago. I was having some wine with my dinner, the young waiter was friendly and intelligent. I saw potential in Dakota, who told me he had already started his videography business. A couple years later, Dakota [Scene Gallery] arrived at West Quoddy Station, took a lot of videos, drone shots and stills. Dakota made a video, with music. I narrated, finding my voice. Myself, and everyone, loved the video. I called Dakota.

Dakota previously had told me that he had friends, about his age, who produced and maintained websites. Professional webmasters. I contacted Haskell Digital Services. We met and immediately connected. And off we went! Desmond and Siena, Haskell Digital Services, created a new, totally different website with up-to-date technology and professionalism, with their personal touch. In talking with Siena, she mentioned I could do blogs.

Weekly Rhythm and Editorial Magic

As we say, the rest is history. I send off my Sunday afternoon blog, with photos, to Siena. Siena, while leaving the text intact, performs her magic by creating captions for the blog for both paragraphs and images. Siena has a fantastic sixth sense, she knows where I am going and does a splendid job polishing the blog into its final form.

It’s All About Community

My purpose in writing my blog, besides having fun, is to share our community life in Lubec. For years [forever!], guests have been asking “What do you do up here? How are the winters?” Just read my blogs. Nature, weather, whales, seals, bears, wolverines, porcupines. Lighthouses, sunrises, eclipses. Holidays, Christmas, New Year’s, Valentine’s Day, July 4th, Halloween. Dining and cooking with friends, girlfriends going to restaurants, Lubec Brewery, American Legion, barbecues. Weddings, funerals. Friends, Patricia + 25 girlfriends, Tina and Ricky. Deb’s porch. Clamming, wreath making, quilting, knitting, Julia, Lubec Woman’s Club. 52 blogs about community. It’s all about community.

A Memory from Pearl Harbor Day

We all know December 7th is Pearl Harbor Day. About 12 years ago, I met an elderly Native Hawaiian couple at Water St Tavern. They said stop by. And I did. They asked what I wanted to do in Honolulu. I replied I wanted to tour the sunken USS Arizona Memorial. We visited, very somber, moving, tears appeared. Later, at their home overlooking Honolulu, she gave me an orchid and told me her husband had never been to the Arizona. It was too painful for him to go. He was born on December 7th, 1941. I am still touched by this memory, I will never forget. We visited the Arizona together for all of us.

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Here’s a look back at some of the moments that shaped this past year.