This 10 x 10 encaustic painting is almost complete.  It depicts one of my favorite spots in Winter Harbor.  My painting friend and I call this place “flat rocks” and it offers 180 degrees of beautiful ocean, island, mountain views.  This is a sunny day but it is equally intriguing in the fog, the rain, early morning sunrise and evening sunset.  I think that many folks go to this location to enjoy the peace and quiet as well as the view.  In the summer the smell of rose hips welcome visitors as they decide whether to sit in the car, walk to the bench to relax, run or hop on the rocks or to perhaps share a picnic.  I appreciate this place and enjoyed creating this encaustic piece, I hope to do a series that includes many other conditions and times of day.  I hope that some of you know this place and enjoy it as much as I do.

10 x 10 encaustic

Today I took down the recent show that was at Winter Harbor Public Library.  This was one of the new pictures.  I hung it with Chase’s Then, these 2 pictures tell a story of a new endeavor, one taking place in 1963 with Florence & Francis Chase and one celebrating 50 years of business, highlighting the current establishment, operated by Susie Bickford.   This place has always held a strong memory for me, as my family home is directly across the street.  We are neighbors and friends, and always have been.  I washed dishes for Florence and Francis when they first opened.

Chase’s has been a gathering place for locals, tourists and temporary visitors as well.  My favorite meal is the crab meat roll but I know others enjoy the chowders, the fried clams, coffee and a sense of community.  I am thankful that we can enjoy this place today as we did 50 years ago.

The iconic hamburger joint and more.  This was opened before McDonald’s and as memory serves the folks of our community enjoyed eating here until sometime in the early seventies.  I could be wrong about the date.  The food was just wonderful home cooking. I remember Italian sandwiches, BLT’s, Hamburgers of course, pies and so much more.  We had our 8th grade graduation party here,the food and the juke box kept us entertained.  I’ve talked with folks who say this is a photo of Freda Smart and her mother.  I remember Freda as the owner when I was growing up.  I can imagine there are many happy memories of this place shared between the people who lived around here then.  I send my thanks to this family for providing us with such a fun and delicious place to go.