Charlie Alexander admires Maddie Dodge by Jack McConnell

Maddie Dodge was nanny for three generations of the Alexander family and held the title of beloved matriarch. She grew up on Islesboro, ME in an era of clipper ships and horse-drawn wagons. Every nice day she walks across the road in her rubber boots to the mudflats to dig clams for her cat. Once a week she meets with the Baptist Women Sewing Circle to quilt gifts for the less advantaged. Her young friend Charley is mesmerized by her tales of island history.