The “Irene”: Lorraine Piegaia Writes….
Thursday, July 24th, 2008
(The Irene, aka ‘the Emerald of Half Moon Bay’ is being returned to her former glory by Leland and Cecily Parsons at Pillar Point Harbor (619) 507-5071; they live in a boat moored at the harbor while restoring the boat. They are spearheading The Pillar Point Educational Fund, Inc. and efforts to re-launch the Irene.)
June, I have your book ” Half Moon Bay Memories; The Coastsides’ Colorful Past ” ; I bought it in a book store in HMB in 1985. I lived in Moss Beach, Montara, Half Moon Bay and El Granada from age 13 to about 33; but, my current husband, George Piegaia and 4 of our 6 ( now grown ) children were all born there on the Coastside. I just love the book and the beautiful old fotos. I was at my niece-in-laws home recently, she is also a niece-in-law to Elaine Teixeira; Elaine and I E-mail . I saw your newest book about Princeton at Betty Teixeira Tomberlin’s; but, didn’t have a chance to read it, nor get to the store to buy it yet.
Did you know about the on-going saga of the salvage of a very old family fishing boat, ” The Irene Bettencourt ” was to be dismanteled about 1 1/2 years ago; when a group formed, salvaged it; and, are now in the process of restoring and reburbishing her. The boat is up in dry dock on the pier in Princeton; and was the family fishing boat for three generations of Bettencourts; first owned ( possibly built ) by my two sons, Eddy and Steve Bettencourts’ Great-grandfather, Joseph Silva Bettencourt. I believe the last son to fish in it is George Bettencourt Sr., deceased husband of Caroline; and father to George Jr. living in HMB. Do you know of this family and their story ? Sincerely, Lorraine Nielson-Tomberlin-Bettencourt Piegaia.