Hurricane Irene

We had a good breeze but not too much rain when Hurricane Irene blew through last weekend. There was very good preparation hauling floats and boats, raising the ramps, securing the docks and coordinating the last scheduled boat before Harold had to cancel boat service on Sunday. The art auction was still held on Saturday, with an enthusiastic crowd and good representation by Island artists.

I don't think anyone lost power, although there were some lights flickering at one point.

By Monday the seas had calmed, with bright sunny skies, as people Islanders started to put things back to normal.

There are some pictures of the preparations and during the storm here.

Hayes Family Celebration

The Hayes descendants (Farrar, Preneta, Painter families) celebrated the 100th anniversary of the construction of the family cottage. The entire Island was invited to join in the festivities, under beautiful, sunny skies.

A number of costume boxes were raided for period inspired attire, with some creative interpretation of the era.

Photos of the event are available here thanks to Sam Meacham and Sky Thaxter.

Valentine's Day Pot Luck

Please mark your calendars to join other Islanders at Sarah Meaham's Valentine's Day pot luck on Saturday February 13th starting at 5 PM. Please bring something to share from one of the major food groups (salad, casserole, dessert, bread) and BYOL.

Fourth of July 2009

This was a very busy and successful Fourth of July! First, the rains finally stopped and we were all able to get outdoors.

The Events Committee organized the Fourth of July Dog Parade, Cushings Olympics, cookout and ball game at the ball field. Picnicers stopped by the Spencers for the annual punch party on the way to Big Beach for the cookout, followed by watching fireworks, music and entertainment at the Nolan's porch.

The Fourth of July Island meeting on Sunday went smoothly, mostly due to there being no issues to discuss, except MouseGate, in which many Island houses had mouse visitors over the winter.

Memorial Day 2009

What a fabulous Memorial Day! Warm sunny weather made it fee like summer, not the usual cold. Great start of season get-together at Sarah Meacham's with most people out on the porch and front lawn.

The island looks in great shape due to the spring efforts of Jack Turner. Floats are in, many boats in the water for the season, and very little winter damage.

First Boat of 2009 Season

The first scheduled ferry service of the 2009 season is this Saturday, departing Long Wharf at 9:30 AM. Water is turned on, summer float is in, and the weather forecast is for temperatures above freezing! The summer landing dinghy floats are scheduled to be put in Saturday at high tide - around 6 PM - so come to Coal Dock to help push.

A good turnout is expected so I am sure someone will have an Island party Saturday night!

January 2009

My brother John and I did a quick trip to the Island on January 19th to check some foundation work on our house. Cold but sunny, with about a foot of snow on the ground - had to follow the track left by the snowmobile. I took some pictures which can be seen here: 

Labor Day 2008

Another terrific Labor Day weekend, if a bit early this year. The weather was great, the Island full and all the usual activities - plus croquet has returned!

The Labor Day dance was held once again at Battery Foote, thanks to the hard work of the Ingari-Sulivans, Danas, Perrys, Brews and others. The space was wonderful. the band was terrific and the beer excellent. The theme this year was The Oscars and some of the best dressed awards went to George Rapp, Lynne Meena, Antonia Perry, Nina Scribner and Jackie Brew.

Tennis - The Hickson Cup was won this year by the unstoppable duo of Phil Thayer and Jon Oxman.

Croquet - Thanks to the organization and planning of Becky Chase, croquet returned this year with a record 38 participants with matches on five courses. In a close final down to the final wicket, this year's match was won by Thomas Brew and Dan Coleman. Many thanks to the Perrys for supplying the Pimms.

Thanks to Dick Spencer for officiating the Labor Day annual meeting which went smoothly and quickly!

The Lobster Bake was held again at Big Beach under a clear sky, warm night, well fed mosquitos and low tide. Dick Balser officiated the raffle, Susie Dana sold tee- shirts and Debby Murray had the recently printed panorama views from ca. 1910 including the Ottawa House and early Coastal Artillery buildings. Many Islanders helped but the major effort, as always, was by the Colli family, Meserves, Murrays, Balsers and others who will let me know so I can update this.

Now on to fall! The summer construction restrictions are done, so start hammering! My honey bees on Farm Hill are busy finishing up gathering stores for winter - thanks to Sarah Meacham for watching over them. She is taking a beekeeping course in Augusta this winter if anyone wants to join in and help with driving.

Arts and Crafts Fair

The summer Arts & Crafts fair was held at the Meserves (big house) after a quick last minute change of venue due to some nasty weather. This added to the fun on the porch and inside, with a range of Island and mainland crafts - including first honey from my bees! There was a great range of items available and a great get-together. Thanks to the Meserves, Nielsens, Danas and others for organizing and contributing to this.

Truck Crews

There was a reunion of truck crew helpers through the ages, on Sunday evening at the Meacham's. Current and former crew attended, with the Turners.

Fond reminiscences of meeting boats in the rain, lawn mowing, garbage pick-ups and maggots were shared.

Public Works - Ottawa Avenue

On Sunday a volunteer work crew installed two new drains across Ottawa Avenue on the hill towards the Summer Landing.

First Boat of the Season - 2008

What a mess. It was cold and very wet - heavy rain most of the weekend. Regardless, it was great to see the start to the season -

First Boat of the Season - 2008

What a mess. It was cold and very wet - heavy rain most of the weekend. Regardless, it was great to see the start to the season. There were a few brave souls out, getting boasts launched and opening up their houses. Sarah Meacham has moved out for the summer - first task was to get her wood stove going. The summer floats at Government Dick were put in, and the float is in at Summer Landing and the ramp lowered. Too cold to have an Island get-together.

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.