Island News

Please send along any and all Island news for inclusion here to Fred Spencer - otherwise I will have to make things up.

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 Debby 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 early late 1800's and it makes a nice label. I will start a Bee Blog with pictures when I get time.

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 - 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.

Jack has provided some photos.

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 weeks
Bob 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 Portland
Sarah 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 Egypt
Katharine Spencer is home from Australia
Emma Bond is happy at McGill.
 

Columbus Day 2006 - Columbus Day weekend was glorious, warm (during the day) and clear. There was a dregs party at Farrars, boats and floats were hauled and houses put away for the winter.

If anyone has an interest in beekeeping on the Island please contact Debbie Murray or Fred Spencer.

Labor Day 2006  - Despite the rain it was a welcome time with most Islanders in residence. The Island Dance was held in the mule barn, thanks to the efforts of Alice Spencer and others. The Hickson Cup tennis tournament took place on an accelerated schedule. The only casualty was the lobster bake which had to be cancelled due to the weather and uncertainties in the headcount. The Labor Day Annual Meeting approved projects for repair to Government Dock, resurfacing some of the tennis courts and attending to deferred maintenance items.

Spring 2006 -New Caretakers - Jack and Jackie Turner have started, and are settled nicely in on the Island.  They can be reached via email at IslandManager@verizon.net

March 2006 - Jack Tyson passed away peacefully on March 9, 2006 at his New York apartment.

February 2006 - Sarah Meacham's Valentine's Day pot luck had a small but enthusiastic crowd who braved  the snow. From Sarah:

Present:
Eliza & Jonathan Nolan, Oliver, Robert, Sophia
Margie and Jon Oxman
Pete Thaxter
Debby & Peter Murray
Evie Mallaris & John Beaty
Jocelyn and Kate Chase
Sandra Thaxter
Me = Sarah
 

The news followed this drift:
Green Grocer is closed
The Weavers want a renter:  end of June; first two weeks of July
Cecile Richards will be the new head of national Planned Parenthood
Rebecca and Catherine Duclos have a wonderful Hathaway painting of Whitehead that they would like to offer for sale to Islanders before they take it farther afield.
Roger Amory, a friend of the Scribners, is interested in making a documentary film of Cushing's or of individual Cushing's families.  I saw the one he did for his own family at their summer place in Marion MA. Rebecca Duclos did historical research on the island last summer and has written a report, which I will copy and send to all of you soon. She needs money to continue.
Peter Murray has had back surgery.
Jonathan had a scary staph infection.
Robert and Oliver watched Sam Meacham's film.
The Oxmans have a new cat.
Sandra Thaxter says that she has been staying in the Tyson NYC apartment and that Agnes took Jack to Barbados after Christmas.
The Beatys went to Peru and are passionate about the telling of their travels.
Jocelyn is very fond of her new house.  Both she and Kate say that Ric is doing quite well.
Pete Thaxter said that Sue and Jason's little girls are doing their numbers and colors.
Sarah saw the Sam Meachams in Mexico before Christmas, saw Louy & Co. in England in January, will see Edie in March, and will go to Turkey in April!!!
Charlotte Spencer had her 93rd birthday last week.  She's back in her apartment at Foreside Harbor and is a delight to see.

There was a general discussion about island work [contracting] for the summer.  Sarah is having a  ason work on their chimney.  She also is lining up someone to empty the septic tank.  That and other general work like painting, attic ventilation, etc.
 

January 2006  From Ed Preneta - On Friday, January 6, 2006, out Caretaker, Marty Kotz, told Dick Carson that he was resigning as our island Caretaker in order to answer a calling to be the Caretaker of a Christian day camp in New Hampshire. Marty sent a very gracious letter of resignation. I answered in-kind by thanking Marty and Judy for their service and wishing them Godspeed. Marty said he will serve as our island Caretaker until the end of March, or sooner, depending upon our search.

The Executive Committee has already begun the search for an interim or new island Caretaker. Parallel to our search, our Long Range Planning Committee is exploring of alternatives to our current notion of Caretaker. In the event that we find a full-time Caretaker, we will be prepared for a re-designed notion of Caretaker for the next vacancy. In the event that we find an interim Caretaker, we will use the work of the Long Range Planning Committee to hire someone into the re-designed Caretaker position.

Thank you very much for your patience during this search process.

10 December 2005 - Patrick and Antonia Perry announce the birth of Arabella Beatrice Dulcie Perry - 8 lb 5 oz - happy and healthy!

14 September 2005 -Courtney and Alex Carson Mongiat have a new son! Raino Richard Mongiat was born at St Elizabeth's Hospital in Brighton, MA on Wednesday September 14th at 10:37pm. He weighed 7.1 lbs and is 20 inches long.

Labor Day 2005 - It was a perfect Labor Day! The weather was warm and sunny and all the annual events were held. Thaxter-Meserve Labor Day Whiffle Ball was won this year by the Thaxters!

The Island dance on Saturday night in the Mule Barn was well attended once the DJ cleared the second floor of bats. Thanks to Cindy Thaxter for organizing this event. The dance was preceded by dinner parties at the "Fort" Spencers (Dick and Alice), "Valley" Spencers (Nick and Pat) and Ingari / Sullivans (Frank and Margaret). On Sunday was the finals of the Hickson Cup, won this year by Marty Meserve and Josh Preneta.

The Island meeting on Sunday morning at Scribners, was well run by Ed Preneta. We got through a number of difficult issues with ease and our sense of community.

On Sunday evening the lobster bake was attended by all Islanders on Big Beach - low tide this year so plenty of room on the beach for soccer and the annual running of the babies. This event is the result of hard work -  thanks to Meserves, Balsers, Collis and other families who know the drill to make this so successful.

I have added some Labor Day pictures.

9 July 2005 - There was gathering for all Islanders and friends on the Tyson's porch to remember Patricia Tyson. It was a wonderful chance to get together under beautiful skies, with words from the Tyson children.

Fourth of July 2005 -  A great long weekend - weather was fabulous and most if not all Islanders were in attendance. Plus the Polly Lin has returned to Summer Landing for the season, thanks to Phil Tyson's hard work repairing the dock. Fourth of July punch party at the Spencer house spilled out to our front lawn, on the way to the Big Beach picnic. Well run and (thankfully) short Island Meeting on Sunday morning.

3 July 2005 - Welcome to Clarice Bailey Dos Santos-More, born in Los Angeles! She weighed 7 pounds, 14 ounces.  She and parents Anna More and Benedito Dos Santos are all doing well.  Grandmother's (Livy More) note: Clarice is absolutely beautiful with dark curly hair in the kind of chic cut you would have to pay a lot for in New York!  They hope to be on the island late in the summer.

Memorial Day 2005 - It was a warm if a bit damp opening weekend of the season. Sarah Meacham had a gathering at the Farm on Saturday evening, and many households were represented. A number of new babies were introduced or announced, including the latest Dana grandchild born on Friday (please send details). Also another robust year for pregnancies.

Summer Landing has been closed due to damage during an April storm. The float and ramp were removed last week during the recent nor'easter which caused considerable damage across the bay - thankfully no additional damage to our docks. There is no estimate when it will be back in service, as local marine contractors are now fully booked repairing docks from this most recent storm.

The spring burn of the brush dump has been delayed due to the weather, and is tentatively scheduled for June. Until that time it is closed for further deliveries. As a reminder, only the Caretaker is allowed to dump brush in this brush dump - please contact Marty after it is reopened.

7 May 2005 - First weekend of the season was a bit brisk but wonderful to get going! Households represented included Thaxters, Tysons, Spencers, Chases (both Cindy & Sis, and also Katie), Meserves, Weavers, Prenetas with assorted helpers. I expect there were others but I did not venture far, as we moved some of our mother's furniture out from her condo and I did a test nap on the couch.

A late April storm damaged the pilings at Summer Landing - work is under way to get estimates on the damage and repair cost. Harold is still landing there but carefully. The dinghy float will not be set until repair work is done.

April 2005 - Sadly, I have to pass along from Sarah Meacham, word that Margot Meacham died recently, daughter of Sam and Ariane Meacham.

11 March 2005 - Patricia Tyson's funeral service was held on Friday, March 11th, at Saint Thomas More Church in New York. In addition to friends from her many New York activities and The Building, we had a large Island contingent, with representation from almost all Island families. Dr. Tyson is holding up well, and all the Tyson children and grandchildren, including the newest, Spencer Burke Tyson, have been and continue to be a great source of support.

After the service and interment, there was a gathering at the Cosmopolitan Club. Tish expressed the feelings of the Tyson clan with a wonderful remembrance of Patricia's life, leadership in her many activities, loyalty to all, gardening, and, of course, Gracious Living.

Patricia was a dear member of the Old Guard and a part of the fabric of Cushing's.

Winter 2005 -  Not too much news this winter. The Island is cold - about 15° F right now at a weather station on Peaks Island and supposed to get down to zero overnight. Not quite as bad as last January but certainly brisk. There has been quite a number of contractors out this fall - Peter Lincoln had a new kitchen installed. Phil Thayer has successfully tested a scheme to get high speed Internet access, involving a wok skimmer - definitely worth a try next summer and if it does not work at least we can have stir fry. There is a winter Executive Committee meeting on Saturday January 29th. I will update this site with any news.

Two new babies! Andrew Griffin Colli was born on October 24, 2004 to Peter and Lisa Colli -  7.2 pounds, 19 inches long. Everyone is well.  Phil Tyson and Lisa Riddle had a son, Spencer - still awaiting details from Phil.

Sarah cannot host her Valentine's Day pot luck this year. Any volunteers this year to host it?

November 2004 - I received this note from Sarah Hitchcock, who asked me to pass along this update on Wheeler:

Summer 2004 - Great, if damp, summer. We have had more than our share of fog and rain, but the island is green, the bittersweet is thriving and there has been robust activity at the island lending library (Sarah Meacham's front room). The deer are eating well from the Tyson's and our gardens. The new caretakers are settling in well and have the Island equipment in good repair, and are a welcome addition to the Island.

Memorial Day 2004 - A fabulous weekend with sunny summer weather and a great turnout. There was an Island party at Sarah Meacham's to introduce our new caretakers, Marty and Judy Kotz. Boats were launched, my boat worked (season is early, though), floats and mooring set out and walks taken.

1-2 May 2004 - First boat of the 2004 season! On Saturday there was a warm summer breeze and it was just like summer! The Island is in great shape, and the new caretakers are settled in and meeting the boats. Good turnout, including Peter Lincoln, Jocelyne and Katie Chase, Meserves, Brews, Shelby Schuck, Sarah Meacham and Wee Harry (moved out for the summer), Phil Tyson and Lisa Riddle, Weavers, Murrays, Jack Davy, Gieselmans and Balsers. I was only up Saturday and I expect there were more on Sunday. Boats landed at Summer Landing, thanks to the City getting our float repaired and installed early this year. Also, thanks to Phil Tyson for repairing and getting the dinghy float going.

3 April 2004 - The spring meeting of the Executive Committee took place at Frank Ingari's mainland house. The Island financial records are now up to date, thanks to tireless work by Cindy Thaxter. Expenses for the year ending March 2004 were down from prior years, thanks to prudent spending and cost control. Also our cash and capital accounts are replenished. A new caretaker couple has been hired -Marty and Judy Kotz - starting May 1st. The Summer Landing float should be in by the first of May. There will be fire training at the brush dump on April 24th (rain date April 25th), run by the Portland Fire Department - fireboat departs Portland at  8 AM. Boat ticket prices will be increased this year by $5 per book, and by $1 per one-way trip.