It has been a roller coaster ride for my family and I at Barnacle Billy's since the end of July. On August 22, 2013, a local fisherman and close family friend, Billy McIntire, was lost at sea after he took his boat out of Perkins Cove that night. Billy's body was never recovered even though the incident happened within a mile from shore. Needless to say, closure for family and friends was not attained in the manner with which all would have liked. Knowing Billy as I did, I'm sure he would have preferred leaving the earth in this way, although not at fifty-one years young.
Barnacle Billy's, Inc. ended the season in good shape, our second best season since our best one last year. The significant feature of both years was the lack of rain, warm temperatures and good sunny weather. We thrive on good weather in Ogunquit, a town known for it's seasonal business structure.
The fall/winter season has gone well so far. We have various winter projects going on that require our constant attention. We have had our "Manager's Meeting" where we go over our list of past employees and decide who might be coming back to work for us next summer. Letters to employees have already gone out thanks to my sister, Cathy, and Sarah DeCoste in the office. We are hoping that employees who were missed will contact us if we forgot them on this round. In the meantime, we have new windows to put in at Barnacle Billy's, Etc., painting and varnishing to complete, the garden patio at Etc has to be shorn up (leveled), chairs need to be fixed, shingles need to be replaced, lighting fixtures need to be replaced with new, the outer ceiling in the dining room at Barnacle Billy's (original) is being replaced (the lighting fixtures replaced there at the same time) and many other smaller projects before the season starts. It's always a push to get everything done before the season starts.
The season will begin on April 4, 2014 at Barnacle Billy's (original restuarant). This will be the earliest that we have ever greeted the new season. A few years ago we planned an April 7th opening only to find that the snow and ice were still so thick on the deck that we had to delay the opening a week. Hopefully that will not happen next year!
I am really looking forward to the new season, albeit, without my father. We are all still getting used to that, particularly at this time of year with Christmas and all. But excited we are for the new season to come. My family and I wish you all the happiest and healthiest Christmas and New Year. And I might put aside a pair of gloves for the opening day if I were you. You never know when you might need a barrier between your hands and your rum punch in early April! "Winter Well" as my father would have said. Indeed!