My Week of Bridges

This week is my week of "bridges." Milbridge, Maine and Sturbridge, Massachusetts.

Yesterday, I was reading about Milbridge, because I leave on that trip tomorrow and I like to learn a little about the places I visit, I came upon this photo of the school. Milbridge is on the mainland, but an hour or so downeast past Mt. Desert Island, where Acadia National Park is located.



Out front of the school is a fog bell from Petit Manan lighthouse. Petit Manan Island is now a National Wildlife Refuge, and one of the seabirds that live on the island are puffins. I was reading the website about the history of the lighthouse  and I came upon this little story.
"A small school operated for some years on the island to educate the children of the keepers. When a new teacher, Lilla Severance Cole, arrived at her new post in 1915, the keeper informed her that his wife was about to give birth. Despite her lack of medical training, Lilla was forced to deliver the couple’s eighth child. When the doctor finally reached the island, he congratulated Lilla, thinking she was a nurse."

Wow. Poor Lilla! She showed up to teach, but first she had to deliver a baby!