Charlie and Nancy McMillan always loved Compo Beach.
Since moving to Westport in 1979 (though they were away for a few years in between). they visited often.
The pandemic made the beach even more attractive.
That fall and winter — after working on their exhibit design business from their home office, off Imperial Avenue — the couple headed to Compo, to watch the sunset.
One Compo Beach sunset …
“It really felt like we were getting out,” Nancy says. “We felt alive again.”
They were not alone. They saw the same cars there, night after night.
They also saw the same man, in a small sloop. He sailed each night until dark — accompanied, every time, by opera blaring from a speaker.
That continuity helped the couple through COVID. And as others coped, Charlie and Nancy drew strength from them.
Night after night — particularly in winter, as the sunsets grew more dramatic — Nancy and Charlie took photos.
… and another.
Each sunset, they realized, is different. The colors, the clouds, how the sun tracks across the sky — every day, it changes.
With artists’ eyes, the McMillans looked for different angles, lights and scenes.
Nancy had self-published a few books, for family members. As she and Charlie realized how many great — and different — Compo sunset photos they’d amassed, they thought of compiling them all.
To add power to the pictures, Nancy searched the internet for quotes.
“May you always have a shell in your pocket, and sand in your shoes,” read one.
“You are the sky. Everything else … it’s just weather,” was another.
The result is “Beach Light.” The book — 3 dozen photos, each with a quote, plus a few thoughts from Nancy and Charlie — was a labor of love.
Charlie and Nancy McMillan, and friend.
“Our clients always had tight budgets, and impossible deadlines. This was a chance to do what we wanted,” Charlie says.
They printed only 30 copies, for family members and close friends. They’re expensive: about $100 each.
Recipients are grateful. “I look at it whenever I need a lift,” one said.
The couple still goes to Compo, though not always for sunsets. These days, they walk their dog there in the morning.
They’ll keep doing so — much to their own surprise.
For a long time, they planned to retire to Deer Isle. Maine. It’s a place they’ve loved since college.
Now though, they will remain in Westport.
The sailing season is longer here. There’s more to do, year-round. They have a nice network of friends.
And of course, there’s the never-ending, always-changing beauty and magic of Compo Beach.
(Charlie and Nancy McMillan did not plan to publish more copies of their book. However, if anyone is interested in learning more, they welcome emails: nancy@mcmillangroup.com.)
(“06880” is your place to learn about Westporters doing intriguing things. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
One more reason the McMillans love Compo Beach. (All photos courtesy of Charlie and Nancy McMillan)
The beach was also our refuge. We felt very very blessed. We also discovered so many parks that we weren’t aware of living here for the past 27 years. We are very lucky to live in such a beautiful place. My husband and I are going out feet first as well. No more moving. looking forward to hearing and seeing more About their beautiful book. Thank you for sharing Dan.
Congratulations, Charlie and Nancy! It looks like a lovely book and I hope to see it one day.