BREWSTER

Brewster resident and photographer, Ed DiTomas, took Brewster Library patrons on a virtual Trans-Atlantic cruise to Newport, RI; Boston, MA; Kinsale, Cobh, and Cork, Ireland; LeHavre and Normandy, France; and London, England. It was an absorbing presentation on a rainy Saturday in November at the Brewster Public Library.

Attendees totally forgot the bleak day outside, and became immersed in their Trans-Atlantic trip with Ed, boarding with him, meeting fellow fun-loving American and Australian travelers and enjoying the camaraderie as they made stops along the Atlantic Coast at Boston and Newport, and then sailed across the Atlantic to Ireland, England, and France.

Many stories were shared with the audience as the travelers stopped at the historic ports. As they were passing over the location of the Titanic tragedy, Ed admitted he checked out the latitude and longitude, questioning the announced site, and found the captain’s location of the sinking was indeed accurate. Ed’s little “asides” while showing the beautiful slides, made the program especially interesting and thought-provoking. He showed a picture of Ireland’s Blarney Castle, with its spiral staircase to the top, and of his having to bend over backwards in order to kiss the Blarney Stone. He commented about the heavy rain drenching his clothing, and how his wife lost her hat into the deep void below, in the backward-leaning event. He told of the simple, but awesome food and hospitality in Ireland, including the cheesecake laced with Bailey’s Irish Cream. The dinners were usually accompanied by quaint Irish entertainers with their soulful and humorous songs.

From Ireland, they sailed the English Channel to LeHavre, visiting Omaha Beach and World War II Normandy Battlefields. Ed’s poignant comments were heartfelt and added meaning to the images of the American cemeteries, monuments, “Garden of the Missing,” and the “Gold Beach” where the British landed. His slides showed flags flying from all participating nations of the horrific battle, and examples of tanks and other weaponry were displayed.

Back to England with the group, Ed showed slides and told stories of historic destinations visited, such as Buckingham Palace, Westminster Cathedral and Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower of London, and St. James Park. He told of the ominous feeling in the dungeons, and the audience had a laugh when they heard of the “Super Citizen Discount” given to senior citizens visiting the sites.