(Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images)
KENNEBUNKPORT, Maine (WBZ-AM) — The Maine town of Kennebunkport was the long-time summer home — known as the Bush compound — of late President George H.W. Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush.
WBZ NewsRadio1030's Ben Parker spoke with some of the locals who knew the former president. Among them was Tom Bradbury.
Bradbury ran a store in Cape Porpoise, Maine and knew the former president and his staff. He said that Kennebunkport and Walker's Point — the location of the Bush compound — were more than just places to visit for Bush.
"This was his Anchor to Windward. This was his place to relax," Bradbury said.
Bradbury is a part of the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust. He said the former president was involved in a project conducted by the group.
"An island came up for sale...I put out a call that within a week I needed 12 people to get back to me and offer to donate $5,000 so that we could at least put a down payment on this particular property," Bradbury said. "I went to work in the morning and the very first call I received was from the president of the United States saying he would pledge to that particular project."
Bradbury said Bush valued the community of Kennebunkport as much as those who lived there year round.
WBZ NewsRadio1030's Ben Parker (@radiobenparker) reports