Instead of trying to recall the many adventures of this legendary citizen, I figure it might be better to allow others' stories to expand on their own. I could never get all the facts lined up properly for the many versions of “The Douglas Carter Chronicles.”
So I will share my own story: “My Time with Douglas,” and we'll let the chips fall where they may. Nobody but Douglas and I can verify what I am about to say anyway, so, no harm, no foul.
I used to do a lot of aerial photography. Back in the film days, it was a regular part of my weekly routine. Subjects are plentiful here in Maine and beyond. Those are some stories I might share at a later date.
I got a call for some “full island” images of Monhegan. I don't recall who asked me for them or what they were to be used for, but I took the job and then had to find a pilot and a plane.
Douglas and John Andrews were flying out of a grass strip next to Adams Pond. There may have been another plane there from time to time, a Citabria owned by Minzy with whom I also flew.
I got Douglas.
We'd not flown together before. He was fish spotting with his plane and said he could help me out. Off we took. Not much for fish, so we climbed up to around 3,000 feet for better views of the island from all sides. We circled a few times, I got my photos, and we headed back.
John Andrews was flying his J-3 down pretty low near the island. Douglas spotted him, and I thought I saw his hand start to quiver a bit on the yoke. He pointed down at John.
I called John that night and asked him if he had been out flying lately. He never mentioned our “close encounter.” Said he'd just been over around Monhegan.