It might not have been a life-or-death issue, but it was, and is, important to the parties involved -- the Harbor Arts and Crafts Guild and the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce.

Both want to use the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library lawn on Wednesday, June 23, during Windjammer Days; and both thought they would have the use of the entire lawn. Now, thanks to their willingness to compromise, both groups will be there -- each on a different part of the lawn.

The Quandary

Susan Clough, Co-Chairman of the Windjammer Days Committee and Chamber of Commerce President, explained how and why the Windjammer Days Committee wants to use the library lawn. Crafts Guild President Sheila Stover, presented the crafters' case.

Last year, Stover explained, the selectmen told the Harbor Arts and Crafts Guild that it was grandfathered and could use the library lawn for its sales any time it wanted. The crafters, which at one point planned a sale for June 24, now want to use the lawn on Wednesday, June 23.

The Windjammer Days Committee wants to use the area throughout the June 22 and 23 festivities. The plan is to erect a tent on the Oak Street side of the library lawn. That spot was chosen because it is believed to be safer for children than next to the stone wall and busy corner, and because the ground is flatter there -- a necessity for displays. The chamber also wants to use the library's porch and steps to present entertainment. Windjammer Activities

Clough outlined the reasons why Windjammer Days festivities are important to the town and said the celebration has grown over time to include a variety of events, some of which do not have to be held at the waterfront. The library lawn is the perfect place for children's activities, the committee feels.

On June 22 and 23 the 15'x15' tent will house a touch tank from the Department of Marine Resources aquarium, an oceanographic display commemorating the Bigelow Lab's 25th anniversary year, creative activities coordinated by children's librarian Mary Pinkham, a program by musicians from the Carousel Music Theater, and other educational displays and entertainment.

The Craft Guild's Case

``I feel I've been given the royal run-around,'' complained Stover. She explained that when the group first requested its date, back in September, they were told it was too early to apply. Then, when the crafters did apply, they were told the chamber already had the June 23 date.

They chose the 24th instead but then decided they would really like to sell crafts on the lawn during Windjammer Days, as they have done traditionally.

``This is our 25th year,'' explained Stover. She was not pleased with the plan the chamber developed for sharing the space with the crafts guild. She was concerned about the children who might be running around the crafts tables and about the ropes holding up the tent. Clough told her all ropes would be obscured by plants from area garden centers and would not pose a hazard.

Help

The Windjammer Days Committee offered a compromise to the crafters: The crafts group could erect its ten tables on the library lawn, except in the tent area.

However, Clough told the selectmen, ``We have not been able to reach a plan to share the space. We need to defer to you folks.''

Selectmen Mary Lee Brown asked, ``You can't work together?'' She suggested the crafts guild might like to use the lawn for two days, but Stover said that would not be possible because of work schedules.

Stover said in the plan the Windjammer Days Committee offered, all the crafters' tables are on uneven ground. When she asked why the committee needs a tent ``that big,'' Clough and Chamber Director Jaime Kleinstiver explained the exhibitors' and entertainers' space requirements.

``We would really like to work together with the crafters,'' said Kleinstiver. ``We feel it would benefit both of us to have lots of activities on the lawn.''

Laura Honey, who worked on Windjammer Days for about 30 years, said it is primarily a local Maine event. ``Most people come from the state of Maine and they're going to come back again,'' she said.

She is delighted that there's going to be a children's area but agrees that the tent should be where the chamber has placed it for safety reasons. She suggested putting all the crafts tables on the McKown Street side of the lawn, saying that there they would be more visible and accessible to people coming up from the waterfront. She feels the crowds for the activities on the lawn would provide a lot of customers for the crafters.

``It's too bad the two groups can't work together,'' she said.

Selectman Earl Brown asked in turn, ``Would it be possible to block off half of Howard Street to make more room?

Louis Burnham, Chairman of the Selectmen, asked, ``Do you think you could get along this year with this set-up?''

When Stover asked ``What about next year?'' Clough said, ``Does that have to be resolved before we can decide for this year?... I would be interested to see how we can do this as a joint venture.''

Burnham suggested the two groups try to live with the plan this year and then review it to see how it worked out.

Mary Lee Brown told the crafters, ``You folks are grandfathered, but it's nice to have something for the children, and something that's educational.''

Resident Peter Gardner, suggesting that this year would be a learning experience, said, ``It would be helpful if it worked out well and everybody was happy.''

When one crafter said, ``Sure we'd like to get along,'' but noted that she was upset at the ``communication gap'' and ``conflicting information,'' resident Robert Memory said it appeared there had been miscommunication from the very beginning.

He said, ``I'd hope for this year the two groups could work it out.... Let's give it a try for this one year.''

``That's my thinking,'' agreed Burnham.

Mary Lee Brown made a motion to allow both groups to share the library lawn on June 23. She was joined by Burnham and Barbara Lorrain in her vote. Earl Brown abstained, saying, ``To me it feels like we're Indian givers. I'll stand pat; I won't vote on the issue.''