Every November since 1962, Pat Guild has observed "Windfall" Sunday at the South

• Main Author: Boyle, Gerry
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: Portland Public Library Digital Commons 2007
• Subjects: Schooners; Seamen; Rogers; William; Arctic; Bowdoin
• Online Access: https://digitalcommons.portlandlibrary.com/news_downeast/3500

Every November since 1962, Pat Guild has observed "Windfall" Sunday at the South Freeport Church. The wooden schooner "Windfall," captained by her husband, William "Cheever" Rogers, was lost in a November storm that year en route to the Caribbean for the winter charter season. His mate, John Schwarz, and the three crewmembers also drowned. Rogers first captained the charter boat "Optimist," which he brought through a terrible storm, and then found a backer to help him buy his own boat, built from plans by William Hand, designer of the Arctic-exploring schooner "Bowdoin." After the sinking, Guild stayed in the close-knit community of South Freeport and raised her three children. Her friend, Jean Schwarz, whose husband also drowned, helped her observe "Windfall" Sunday until her death.