MLCA Celebrates Maine Tides and Traditions in Stonington

Stonington Town Manager Kathleen Billings and Bold Coast Seafood founder Curt Brown.

The Maine Lobster Community Alliance (MLCA) brought the Stonington and Deer Isle communities together on August 20 for its second annual Tides & Traditions fundraiser at Burnt Cove Boil. Nearly 50 guests gathered on the waterfront to celebrate Maine’s lobstering heritage and support MLCA’s work to strengthen the fishing families and coastal communities that depend on a healthy lobster industry.

Members of the Island Fishermen's Wives Association attended the event on a beautiful evening. MLCA photos.

Guests enjoyed a classic lobster dinner prepared by Burnt Cove Boil while taking in a beautiful sunset over the water. Local community members Brian Billings and Jenni Steele once again led the volunteer effort that made the evening possible, while MLCA board members Kristan Porter, Curt Brown, and Jim Dow joined the guests.

“Tides & Traditions is really about bringing people together around something that matters deeply to these communities,” said MLCA Associate Director Chris Payne. “Stonington and Deer Isle have strong fishing traditions, strong working waterfronts, and generations of families who depend on the lobster industry. The support we saw that night shows how committed this community is to keeping that heritage strong for the future.”

Jenni Steele, Dominic Zanke and Carla Guenter

Tides & Traditions continues to grow thanks to the generosity of sponsors Quirk Auto Group, First National Bank, Greenhead Lobster, Billings Diesel and Marine, Eaton Paving and Excavation, Island Fishing Gear and Napa Auto Parts, New England Marine and Industrial, Hamilton Marine, Bar Harbor Bank and Trust and the Island Agency.

Many additional businesses and individuals contributed items to the evening’s silent auction, and MLCA partner Geary Brewing Company supplied the guests with their 40th Anniversary Pale Ale

“We’re incredibly grateful to the businesses, volunteers, and community members who stepped up to make this event such a success,” Payne said. “Their support does more than make one great evening possible—it helps MLCA expand programs that support Maine’s fishing families, preserve our lobstering heritage, and keep coastal communities like Stonington and Deer Isle strong. We’re excited to keep building on that momentum in the years ahead.”