THEME: vertical phrases containing the letter run EDIT
GOOD ONES: Boat lifters {& theme} RISING TIDES [reading up, the word TIDE rises; and I thought
mechanical lifters found in boat yards]
Shakes, as a tail LOSES [as in tec fiction]
One-time connection AT A [not that the connection was one time only or long ago]
Source of addl. evening light DST [I thought electricity, etc.]
BTW: "Advise" for MENTOR and AWE for "Leave dumstruck" are verbs here, not nouns as they usually are.
RATING:

Three grins = Loved it; Two grins = Enjoyed it; One grin = A bit bland for my taste; One teardrop = Not much fun