About 250 lucky guests of the Tall Ships Ball got to enjoy cocktails on El Galeon Andalucia, a replica of a 16th-century Spanish galleon—and for a good cause. All proceeds from the $100-a-person evening will further the community sailing programs at SailMaine.

“SailMaine gives kids from all over the Casco Bay affordable area access to the water and a chance to learn to sail,” said Stephen Tall, a SailMaine board member. “And grownups are welcome too. SailMaine gives everybody a chance to experience the joys of sailing and to form friendships out there.”

Scott Elliott of Portland and tall ship festival volunteer Chris Morin of Falmouth.

Caitlyn Young of Portland Yacht Club and Sam McDonald of Portland.

Sailors Steve and Mary Ballou of Cape Elizabeth dressed the part.

George Cushing and Liz Hunt, sailing enthusiasts and newlyweds.

Carolyn Faust, sailing coach for Cheverus High School, with Elizabeth Winslow of Portland.

Lydia Atwood and Peter Hollander of South Portland.

Sailor Kate Simmons and former sailor Sarah Hines, both of Portland.

Katie Hatch, executive director of SailMaine, with founder Chris Robinson and his wife Maggie, team parent of the Falmouth High School sailing team.

Barbara Luke of Scarborough, Kim Cullen of Portland and Karen Gajate of the El Galeon crew.

Stephen Tall, representing sponsor Acadia Trust, and Willy Ritch of Tall Ships Portland.

Stephen and Suzanne Greenleaf.

Heather English of Kennebunk and Anne Tall of Cape Elizabeth.

Becky Morin of Falmouth; Shelly Paules and Kim Fox, both of Portland, and SailMaine board member Meg Fenderson.

Julie Whited and Courtney Macisaac, both of South Portland.

Eric Young and Trish Kinkade of Kennebunk, with sailing instructor Charlotte Kinkade and Jamie Quick of Portland. At right, South Portlanders Julie Whited and Courtney MacIsaac. Photos by Amy Paradysz

Stephanie Williams and Dan Coyne of Scarborough.

Jason Bourgo of Falmouth and Michelle Ramirez of Portland.

SailMaine supporters Chris Beth, Lori Eschholz, and Mike and Judy Bruenjes. Chris and Mike share a boat.

Emily Hanley and Chrissy Atwood, both of Portland.

“It gives kids another way to get on the water, and gives them experience to go out of their comfort zones and to grow,” said Maggie Robinson, team parent of the Falmouth High School sailing team. “Sailing is fun because it’s unpredictable. You have to continually adjust to the conditions.”

“It’s an absolutely phenomenal program,” said Anne Tall, whose son was on the Cape Elizabeth High School sailing team. “There’s a code of ethics on the water, and they develop their communications and leadership skills.”

“For my son, Seth, I think it changed his life. It’s his passion,” said Lydia Atwood of South Portland, adding that her 14-year-old daughter Grace is an apprentice instructor this summer. “It’s really good for them. They’re learning leadership.”

The ball was the evening before tens of thousands of people came to Casco Bay to see the tall ships last weekend. “Portland has a great maritime heritage,” said Willy Ritch a Tall Ships Portland organizer. “There’s a lot of other things going on now, and sometimes we forget about our maritime traditions.”

For the ball guests, the opportunity to not only tour the El Galeon but to do so leisurely, cocktail in hand, to the tunes of the Rhythm Kings, was savored.

“This was an amazing ship to see,” said Jim Houle of Scarborough. “It gives me a sense of the type of boat my ancestors came over on from France so many centuries ago.”

Amy Paradysz is a freelance writer based in Scarborough. She can be reached at:

amyparadysz@gmail.om.

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