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The Day They Danced at Baker Island
 Years ago, the
locals used to dance on the flat rocks on Baker Island. So much so
that maps today mention the point as the “Dance Floor.”
That caught the eye
of Abbie McMillen, a Brooksville woman who loves swing dance. So a
year ago last July, she organized an outing for others who enjoy
swing dance as much as she does.
Twenty-six dancers
took a boat out of Northeast Harbor to Baker Island, which is
partially owned by the National Park Service as a portion of Acadia
National Park. The dancers were joined by 12 observers from
Islesford and three more from Great Cranberry.
They arrived around
noon, using dinghies to bring everyone to shore and headed for
the “Dancing Rocks,” an unusual formation about a 20-minute walk
from the landing. First came a few words from Isleford historian
Hugh Dwelly who spoke about the Gilleys, early settlers at
Baker Island.
Several broad,
flat rocks provided the space and McMillen’s boom-box provided the
music. For two hours, everyone danced, just as island folks had
danced there decades ago.
Soon it was back to
the boat, the dancers having repeated a bit of history.
“Some of the men in
their 60s and 70s recalled bringing their girlfriends out to the
rocks and dancing to their portable radios,” McMillen said. “And
before that, the summer people wore their fancy dress and brought
along their wind-up Victrolas.”
Will the dance day
itself be repeated? Not this year, McMillen said. But another year
is possible, if enough people keep asking about it. |
