In the days when Richard “Dickie” Spofford was Boothbay’s fire chief, the firefighters under his command would refer to him in the reverential tones sailors might use for a particularly effective captain.

A town’s story exists beyond the pages of history; it’s evident in the roads, the businesses, and the overall infrastructure of the community.

Those who live in a small community end up wearing a few different hats, and no one knows that better than Monhegan Island’s town clerk, tax collector, registrar of voters, manager of The Bait Bag, and former owner of the Bristol Diner, Lisa Brackett.

So far, Ann Leamon’s life has taken her around the world to traverse the landscapes of economics and venture capital, competitive bike racing, baking, creative writing, and more. But no matter where she lands, Leamon said, most of the decisions the Waldoboro poet and writer has made are shaped by a love of learning and stories.

Beyond travel is adventure, at least according to Chauncey Erskine, who has been an English teacher around the globe, traveled Southeast Asia on a motorbike, started a couple of successful businesses in Lincoln County, and been a ski instructor in Japan.

Peter Bruun, an artist, art teacher, and director of the nonprofit Studio B, has spent much of his career using art to process and illuminate relevant community issues.