This week’s News and Notes is dedicated to Captain Ted Schmidt. With great sadness, Cap’n Ted, one of our founding directors of The Community Center, passed away peacefully in his sleep early on the morning of April 5, 2024. Our current president, Jerry Homer, wrote an appreciative and insightful tribute to Cap’n Ted:

On Friday, April 5th, Skip Humphrey came into The Community Center and notified us that Cap’n Ted Schmidt had passed away during the night in the middle of the snowstorm. Cap’n Ted was heavily involved with the community’s efforts to save St. Andrews Hospital and became one of the Founding Directors for The Community Center. Ted and I talked a few times during his extended illness – usually sharing tales and stories about our time on the water. Around Christmas time Ted shared with me an article he had written for Down East magazine entitled “My Christmas Star.” Ted was the captain of the schooner Mattie, now named Grace Bailey. His story described an early winter approach to Camden Harbor in the dark and in the fog. The approach to Camden Harbor is a bit tricky on a good day and would be particularly tricky in the dark and fog. But, for many years a large Christmas star has been mounted on the top of Mount Battie overlooking Camden Harbor. That Christmas star, Ted’s Christmas Star, shone above the harbor through the dark and fog and, following the star, Ted maneuvered the schooner safely back to port. Like most sea stories this tale is ‘mostly true.’ I will miss Cap’n Ted’s warm, jovial personality and his sea stories. The community is better off for all his efforts.”

On April 22, from 2 to 4 p.m., we are holding a reception to recognize our former president, Shawn Lewin, for his contributions to The Community Center since its inception. Please see Jane Carpenter’s article about Shawn in this issue of the Boothbay Register. 

Here is our schedule for April 20-April 26:  

Saturday, April 20: Finding Your Family 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Monday, April 22: Drop-In Knitting 10 a.m.-noon; Inner Peace 1-2 p.m.; Celebration of service to The Community Center – Shawn Lewin 2-4 p.m.  

Tuesday, April 23: Mah Jongg 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; QiGong 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 24: Love to Dance 10:30-11:30 a.m.; Cribbage 12:30-2 p.m.  

Thursday, April 25:  Mexican Train Dominoes 10 a.m.-noon; Mah Jongg 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Friday, April 26: Scrabble and Rummikub Noon-2 p.m.

Puzzles, coffee, tea, goodies, and good camaraderie are always available all week long. Please save us from eating too many goodies ourselves by coming in and sharing our snacks. And we always welcome new faces and fresh ideas!