October 14, 2026
To: John Lineweaver, Atlanta
From: Stephen Brown, Atlanta
Dear John,
I’m sure you noticed each day when you were here, the Uncle Sam tour boats coming by the island. For the last few years, I’ve always heard the same line: “to the right is Comfort Island, the only island in the 1000 Islands that is home to bears.”
On the shore, down by the coal house are two large bear sculptures, created by Will Salisbury, a local artist. These bears were his last work before he passed away. They are a thousand pounds each and are supposed to be the cubs of the giant bear, reaching for the sun, which acts as a weathervane atop the tower on the cottage.
Will and I worked together on the design of the original bear. I was originally looking for a modest creation, perhaps 3 feet high. I should have known better. In his lifetime, Will created VERY large pieces of art- three 20-foot-high crows along Route 81 are exhibit one.
Ultimately, a striking, seven-foot metal sculpture, with individually soldered pieces of steel emerged. It was massive…and at first gleamed silver in its construction.
The giant bear was powder coated and dipped and then carefully lifted into position on a cloudy, rainy day.
At first people were taken aback by the large folly atop the newly reconstructed tower. Now when I say I’m from Comfort Island, I add…it’s the one with the bear, and they nod and smile knowingly.
The Uncle Sam boats have had a number of guesses as to why the bear on the house exists. For the first few years they posited that it was in honor of California, where I lived for 37 years.
The real reason is that I have always loved bears. As my brother Chris says, they are my spirit animal.
My production company in LA was Brown Bear Productions. Teddy bears sit on each bed at Comfort.
There are a number of bronze bear sculptures that act as doorstops throughout the house. Heck, my first stuffed animal was a green Yogi Bear, whose ears I chewed off.
Bears are cuddly, until they aren’t. Same.
Hope you have a wonderful time in France. I’ll catch up with you in person in November.
Stephen