I think Maine draws people that are somewhat independent and maybe slightly eccentric.

Partly because it's on the edge of the country.

I think it's part of living in Maine.

Being on an island, taking the ferry over here from Portland, it's that experience of being taken out of time and place in a way, and brought over to a new land, a new place, a new island.

(slow atmospheric music) So let me give you the tour, of the world's only Umbrella Cover Museum.

Have you been in here before?

- Umbrella Covers?

That's just weird.

- Covers.

(laughing) - [Woman] Just the covers?

- Just the covers.

Who else would collect umbrella covers?

Not anyone that I've ever heard of.

(laughing) So my middle name is the number three, and I changed it myself, about 25 years ago.

I quit my job in Boston and decided I would take a chance.

I have the world's only Umbrella Cover Museum.

I started a museum in my kitchen, and it was very casual, people came, they were amused.

And I kept doing it.

Okay sexy covers, are we ready?

Right here (group exclaims) So look on the inside right wall.

- [Man] Oh my goodness.

- [Nancy] There's even a box of X-rated covers.

Open at your own risk.

- [Man] I would highly recommend.

(group chattering and exclaiming) - The Guinness World record, for the most umbrella covers.

- [Man] Congratulations.

- [Nancy] Thank you.

So since then I've gotten over twice as many.

I have now close to two thousand umbrella covers.

They're all fully cataloged.

People donate umbrella covers, all the time.

(playful music) It's really about appreciating the simple little things in life more than it is a design museum or a museum about umbrella covers.

It's representative of the thing that makes life joyful.

If you want to check out the gift shop, it's right there.

I have a guest book that you can sign.

(playful music) I play the piano, the accordion, and I sing.

I started playing klezmer music, about 30 years ago.

I didn't want to do it at first, I was raised in a Jewish family and I didn't really want to do anything particularly Jewish.

But I went to a Jewish wedding and played a song and saw how it affected people.

(singing) People in Maine seem to let you do your own thing, which is something I like a lot.

I love playing klezmer music because it's really emotional.

It really gets people to dance, to tap their feet and to feel a wide range of emotions.

(audience clapping) Thank you.

One of my favorite things is to amuse people.

And especially if someone comes in and you can tell they're skeptical.

For me to win them over, to have them sing a long with our theme song and have a big smile on their face to know that I've brought joy to their life, that's what really keeps me going.

♪ Just let a smile be your umbrella ♪ ♪ On a rainy rainy day ♪ And if your sweetie cries ♪ Just tell her that a smile will always pay ♪ ♪ Whenever skies are gray don't worry or fret ♪ ♪ A smile will bring the sunshine ♪ ♪ And you'll never get wet ♪ So let a smile be your umbrella on a rainy rainy day ♪ - That was great.

- That was fun.

(gentle music) I find joy in so many things and I like to share that with people and I think Maine does encourage that.

What are we here for, if not to just experience a joyful life?

(gentle music)