Columbus Day 2007

There was a good crowd on the Island closing up houses for the season. There was a dregs party at Farrars on Saturday night. Boats and floats have been hauled for the season and a group helped Peter Murray unstep the masts on Serendipity. I tucked in my bees for the winter (except the ones that swarmed into the Murray shed).

Labor Day 2007

It was a glorious weekend with the annual activities! The Labor Day Dance was organized by the Dana family and held at Battery Foote, with at 1940’s theme - it was a wonderful event. The annual lobster bake was held on Big Beach with a good turnout and cooperative weather. And there was a pancake breakfast on the way to the 9:30 Saturday boat courtesy of the Bonds - we are all expecting this to be a new annual tradition.

Bees 2007!

I have started an experiment and introduced two hives of bees (Carniolans-very gentle) this year, and in conjunction with the Landscape Committee (my brother John) will assess the impact on pollination rates across the island. They are in the meadow across from the Meacham's front porch and I am happy to give tours to whomever is interested. I hope to do a community honey extraction and bottling fest around Labor Day if the girls settle in. So far they are doing very well after a mixed start and are happily buzzing around. Thanks to master apiarist Debbie Murray for advice from someone who has a clue what to do. I am looking for ideas for a name but like "Whitehead Farm" as the Meacham farmhouse was moved from near Whitehead I think in the late 1800's and it makes a nice label. I will start a Bee Blog with pictures when I get time.

Summer 2007

Congratulations to Andrew Quinn who was named a Nieman Fellow and will be at Harvard, back from South Africa for this coming year, and also to Dick Meserve who was just elected to the Board of Overseers (my vote counted!). Both hail-fellows well-met.

Memorial Day 2007

The season got off to a great start! Warm weather and a large turnout to open up cottages and get boats in the water. Sarah Meacham had an island get together at the Farm with most if not all the Island in attendance.Bob Nielsen is looking for Islanders to be trained in using the fire equipment, and also the updated CPR requirements. He suggested that we might get T-shirts for attending three training sessions.A few houses with storm damage are getting new roofs. The maintenance to Government Dock has been deferred until this fall because the marine contractor we hired is now repairing from storm damage across the bay.

Patriot's Day Storm 2007

a strong northeast storm in mid April caused considerable tree damage on the Island. The Turners were without power for a number of days and had to boil their drinking water for a time due to a leak on another island. A work crew of Gretchen Preneta, Josh Preneta, John Meserve, Fred Spencer and Larry spent Friday April 20th helping to clear roads. One house had significant damage - the Ingari's lost part of their roof. A considerable number of trees on the back of the Island are down.

Valentine's Day 2007

There was an enthusiastic turnout at Sarah Meacham's for her annual pot luck. The Turners came in from the Island with reports that there is minimal damage so far this winter - downed trees. There is a new beaver lodge in the Nolan Swamp, and there has been a squirrel sighting. Also the minks have become well established over by Big Beach. Dick Carson is looking for island workers for the summer, so please contact him if you have any leads.Notes from Sarah:Present were: Peter Lincoln, SSM, Pam and Bill Meserve, Cindy and Sky Thaxter, Mary McCann and Pete Thaxter, Fred Spencer and Emma, Dag and Bob Hamilton, Susie and Howdy Dana, Susan and Bob Nielsen, Jackie and Jack Turner, Chris Bond, Gretchen Preneta, Alice and Dick Spencer, Gloria and Pete Colli, Dan Colli [hiding in a local hotel with sick Andrew were Lisa and Peter Colli], Margie and Jon Oxman.
I think we were 27 strong with the usual delicious food. My big complaint is that there weren't more young [20 - 40 bracket] and there weren't any small fry.
News items:Fred Spencer saw Aggie Tyson in Australia this fall.Dag and Bob are in Portland for several weeksBob Nielsen has a new and exciting job.Jackie and Jack [sporting lush winter beard] report that there is a squirrel at their island bird feeder [HELP] and beavers building a lodge in the swamp!!!!!!!!!Gretchen has bought a house in PortlandSarah just back from visiting Louy & Co. in England where they had tea with Fred Spencer. Louy and family also spent Christmas in South Africa with Andrew Quinn who grew up in the Rapp house. Sam Meacham finally has his nonprofit in Mexico up and running so that we can all give him tons of money to continue to explore. I'll see Edie & Co. in March in Arizona.Thalia is living in EgyptKatharine Spencer is home from AustraliaEmma Bond is happy at McGill.