At Round Top Farm in Damariscotta on Saturday, friends celebrated the life and all-around good spirit of longtime arts supporter Jody McCorkle of Brunswick.

McCorkle, one of Maine's most honest and ardent arts patrons -- and a fairly accomplished artist herself -- passed away over the winter. Saturday's reception, arranged by McCorkle's dear friend Nancy Freeman, was meant simply to bring a few friends together to celebrate McCorkle's life and her art. Her paintings hung on the walls alongside those of some of her artist friends, giving folks a chance to reflect on her life and goodwill.

The family plans a formal memorial this summer.

"I miss her every day," Freeman said on Saturday.

I didn't know McCorkle well, but knew her well enough to know that she was a bright light in the Maine arts scene -- and an impeccable judge of talent. Soon after I started writing about the arts in summer 2002, McCorkle became a sounding board. Whenever I was unsure of a story idea, I would seek McCorkle's counsel. If she liked the artist, I usually did the story. If not, the story didn't get written.

Freeman is absolutely right. McCorkle is sadly missed day in and day out, but the good will and cheer ring true.

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