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Ellen London

WHERE IN MAINE?

It took us less than five seconds to recognize your July mystery photo as one of our favorite spots in Maine. The Cliff Walk at York Harbor Beach is beautiful no matter what season, but our favorite is in September, when the crowds have left, the air is crisp, and some leaves are turning. As we walk along the path, we like to imagine what it must be like to live here. —Rick and Deb Fuore, Lenox, Massachusetts

What a surprise it was to see in your July issue the exact spot where I proposed to my fiancé. You are correct, it is rare to find this beach as quiet as it is in this picture, but this past fall, on Thanksgiving morning, my girlfriend and I were the only two there. Finishing our run along the harbor path, I got down on one knee and pretended to find an interesting beach stone. When my girlfriend ran back to see what I had found, I had a ring, and asked her to marry me. We are getting married this August across from the Stage Neck at her family’s house in the harbor.
—Tyler Kipp
Lebanon, New Hampshire

LENNY BREAU'S GENIUS

I am a longtime Down East subscriber, former (and hopefully future) Maine resident, and proud former member of the University of Maine at Augusta jazz faculty. I am surprised you published an article in your July issue that totally misses the point in understanding Lenny Breau and his music. The most important fact is that Lenny is known among musicians the world over as an almost superhuman guitarist. He’s as well-known in the New York City jazz community where I live as he is in Maine. Lenny often sounded like two players because of his singular technical prowess and his ability to accompany himself with chords while playing the most beautiful,
acrobatic melody lines. His music had the qualities of the greatest art: he was a technical master who played music that few others can achieve, yet his music reached a wider audience because it was so accessible and bluesy. Your article concentrates on his lifestyle, substance issues, and the horrible circumstances of his death — but totally ignores the central issue of his worldwide reputation.
—David Demsey
Wayne, New Jersey

KISS THE SKY
I read Elizabeth Peavey’s article in your July issue about flying a biplane with great interest, and enjoyed the evocative pictures by David A. Rodgers. As a midshipman, I received some flight instruction in the “Yellow Peril” during the summer of 1955. I remember my first instructor, a navy pilot, coaching me to “get the picture” during my landing approach. As we started to flare out for landing, the control stick began to move. This was normal — the airplane was about to touch down. But I thought he wanted control, so I called out, “You’ve got it!” and let go. That I’m still here proves his hands and feet were resting lightly on the controls. May the “Yellow Peril” fly forever!
—Eric F. Thacher
Potsdam, New York

BEAN'S LOBSTER DREAMS
Being a lover and consumer of Maine lobsters (and L.L. Bean) for many years, I read with great interest and admiration your July article on Linda Bean’s growing lobster business — until I got to her ultra-conservative beliefs and historical generous financial support to the likes of Jesse Helms. I am grateful to Down East to help ensure I will continue to support other lobster businesses.
—John Danila
North Quincy, Massachusetts

At first I thought your article on Linda Bean was going to showcase a Maine hero who is fighting for the poor and working class of Maine. In the end, she sounded like a bigot, not a hero. The article even talks about her membership with the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, “Which teaches that the Bible is infallible.” This is extremely ironic as Leviticus tells us that eating shellfish is an abomination. Lobsters are shellfish, correct?
—Shane R. Osborne
Washington, D.C., and Sedgwick, Maine

CORRECTION
Paintings by the late Leo Brooks, profiled in our August issue, are available at Greenhut Galleries in Portland and also by appointment directly through Sally MacVane (207-372-820, www.gallerybythesea.com). An exhibition of Brooks’ work is on display at the Mars Hall Gallery (www.marshallgallery.net) in Port Clyde through August 23.