Boothbay Harbor Police Officer Larry Brown celebrated his St. Patrick’s Day birthday, his 69th, with the traditional swimming competition against Hannah Hills, a 15-year-old freshman at Boothbay Region High School and one of the top swimmers on the Boothbay Region YMCA swim team.

Although an earlier competition was held on March 1, in celebration of the Y Dolphins going to the state swim meet, Brown and Hills met up again to keep up with the tradition.

“It was quite a St. Patrick's Day swim competition with Hannah and I. In preparation, we spoke with what would be a close race and agreed Hannah would swim 150 yards and I would swim 100,” said Brown. Hannah finished with a time of 1:44:71 and I finished in 1:41: 77, meaning I won by just three seconds. I am so glad we did not do a longer distance as I was a bit gassed, while Hannah was still streaming along like a dolphin.”

The Hills family surprised Brown with a platter of green cupcakes with a candle in the middle, which was the type which re-lights again.

“I could not have been happier and will remember my 69th as a great one and another reason why I am honored to be our community's School Resource Officer,” said Brown.