The stories told in Eastport are some of the best in the world. Most are told by fishermen or "once upon a time" fishermen. If the teller isn't or wasn't a fisherman, he probably wishes he was. You will be enthralled for hours when you listen. If you listen carefully, you'll learn a few tricks. Fish will find your hook.

Deer Island, New Brunswick, is fortunate that before his death Stirling Lambert compiled his stories in a book, Tales From a Small Island. It can be purchased at The Quoddy Tides.

John Pike Grady, often found at The Quoddy Tides, may be the best known storyteller but there are others. John's nephew, Don Sutherland, will keep you enthralled with his stories while he transforms raw clay into masterpieces at Earth Forms. Stop by the Blue Iris or the WaCo in the morning to meet and hear others. Some of our favorites are the men who don't even realize that they are artists as storytellers. They possess a talent at handlining and filleting that is becoming a lost art. They know where the fish live; they were there when the area waters were filled with fish. You could publish a book with all the details in their stories. Spend some time with the older fishermen such as George Harris, Reid Wilson, or Warren Cates. Hear the enthusiasm of younger fishermen like Angus McPhail in the Julie Ann who are learning the art of catching halibut. The "Dodge Boys", Will Suddy and Jim Blankman, seen on the Eastport video, can talk and talk and talk about their Dodges. Visit Will at the Blue Iris, Jim at his woodworking shop in the Quonset hut at the head of the Breakwater. Then there are multi-talented storytellers such as Bob Riley. He has the stories from working in the New Hampshire woods as well as fishing in Cobscook Bay. Visit with people you meet and your neighbors to enjoy their stories.

A group of these men meet each morning, year round, at 9 AM at the Blue Iris. Even though the restaurant isn't open in the winter, they enter through Lewis Flower & Gift Shop to enjoy coffee and stories. Some of them as well as other storytellers can be found each day from 10:30 AM through lunch until they finish the activities at the Meals For Me Senior Center at 9 Boynton Street.

Eastport, Maine: Easternmost City in the U.S.A.