Any one with original designs or hand made items for sale is welcome
to come and take a table or floor space at the Annual Craft Sale at the
Chebeague Island Hall Community Center on Saturday July 25th, 1998 from
10 am to 1 pm. Generally a table or space costs $4.00, but it depends on
how many exhibitors there are and the going rate for renting the Hall. Please
let me know if you plan to participate. Thank you.
-- Martha Hamilton
Cumberland and Mainland
Island Trust
Conservation Easements
1997 was an extremely active time for the Trust. A several-year period of discussions and negotiations culminated with the granting of an extensive conservation easement over the 100-acre Payson Estate on Cumberland Foreside, located between Town Landing Road and Wildwood. According to the terms of the easement, no more than seven additional residences may be constructed on the entire parcel, and a pedestrian pathway over one half mile in length, running parallel to Route 88, will be created for daytime use. Those additional residences which may be constructed shall be built in such a fashion as to be as inconspicuous as possible when viewed both from Route 88 and from Casco Bay. Given the existing minimum lot size under Cumberland's zoning ordinance in that part of town, we believe that capping additional residences at seven will dramatically limit the development potential of the property and will help to control further "sprawl" within Cumberland.
In addition, Daniel and Cindy Bullens Crewe granted a conservation easement on a 21-acre parcel of land located in back of their residence on the Tuttle Road adjacent to the CMP power line. Ownership of this parcel, now designated the Jessie Bullens-Crewe Nature Preserve, has been transferred to the Breakwater School, but the Trust will hold and enforce the easement. While public access is not permitted under the terms of the easement, the property will remain in its current undeveloped state and will be used to help students study science and to learn about habitats, water ecology and other topics.
We expect shortly to acquire ownership in fee of a parcel of land approximately two acres in size located at the entrance of the recently approved
Idlewood subdivision on the Range Road. The parcel includes a large portion of a pond and surrounding wetlands. We will measure and monitor the quality of the water in the pond as construction progresses, in order to make sure that this habitat rich in aquatic life is not seriously impaired or damaged.
The Trust now has a total of 223 acres of "protected" land
under its ownership or under conservation easement.
Bates Conservation Award
In 1996 the Trust announced the establishment of the BATES CONSERVATION
AWARD to be given annually to the individual, organization, or business
that has contributed to the cause of conservation within the town of Cumberland.
The 1997 award was presented jointly to Cumberland Troop 58, Boy Scouts
of America, and to the Cumberland Town Forest Board for their co-operative
effort in establishing the Ernest A. Rand Nature Trail.
Membership
The Trust is a publicly supported, private, non-profit organization.
Its programs and funding are solely dependent upon the volunteer efforts
and the membership contributions of the public. We were pleased that in
1997 our membership more than doubled to over 180 families.
Newsletter
The trust continues to publish a semi-annual newsletter (spring and fall) about trust programs and has made it available to other town organizations that wish to include information pertaining to conservation efforts.
1998
There are several other conservation "irons in the fire" at this time, and 1998 promises to be a busy and challenging year for the Trust. If you wish to help with our programs or to stay abreast of current developments, please feel to contact any member of the Board of Directors at any time.
-- Steve Moriarty, President
From your Cumberland
Town Councilor
During 1997, my attention, and much of the attention of the Cumberland Town Council, was devoted to the problem of securing a long-term solution to the mainland access problem facing Chebeague upon the expiration of both the current agreement between the towns of Cumberland and Yarmouth regarding the use of the wharf, and the Blanchard Parking Lot Lease. Early in 1997 the Maine Department of Transportation ("DOT") sponsored Chebeague Cousins Transportation Resolution Team ("CCTRT") recommended that a permanent ferry landing facility be constructed by DOT on the Spruce Point side of the Wyman Station Power Plant on Cousins Island. DOT spent most of 1997 considering this recommendation and advised Representatives of both the Cumberland and Yarmouth Town Councils in a December 1997 meeting that DOT did not believe the recommendation was viable both from cost and environmental perspectives. This conclusion was not made public until April of 1998 at the request of the Town of Yarmouth which asked DOT to conduct further analysis during the early months of 1998 in order to make certain that the environmental difficulties faced at the proposed CMP site could not be overcome. Unfortunately, notwithstanding the significant advantages that increased land area at CMP would have for meeting Chebeague's parking needs for the indefinite future, DOT continues to be of the view that the site is not practical due to difficulties with environmental permitting and associated costs. The town continues to work with DOT and Yarmouth to work out a mutually acceptable, permanent solution.
In June of 1997, John Lambert was elected Chairman of the Cumberland Town Council and identified Chebeague's mainland access problem as the top priority for the Town of Cumberland. Since June of 1997, Representatives of the Town of Cumberland have had regular meetings with DOT staff in an effort to focus the DOT's attention on this vital issue for Chebeague as one of Maine's few surviving year-round island communities. Also, Gary Varney, Ben Prescott, Steve, and Ann Holt Thaxter and I continue to meet with our counterparts from Yarmouth and Casco Bay Lines on the CCTRT.
Also, during 1997, the Town Council adopted new ordinances affecting the use of the Stone Wharf and the town parking area and float adjacent to the state pier at Chandler's Cove. New signage and striping at the Stone Wharf implementing the new ordinance was established in the spring of 1998.
In addition to transportation, other essential municipal services provided by the Town on Chebeague have also received attention. During 1997, additional funding was provided for fire equipment on the island. Also, the cost of rescue services has been analyzed by the Town Manager and the Rescue Department Chief. The Town has developed a proposal by which user fees could be charged for rescue services and the Town Council anticipates dealing with this issue in 1998.
1997 marked the implementation of the municipal property tax revaluation by the Town of Cumberland. The process for a town-wide revaluation was begun in 1996 and property owners received notices of changes in the municipal evaluation of their property in July of 1997. These notices were the subject of considerable controversy because the process of municipal revaluation had not been done since the mid-1980s and coastal property values rose considerably during the intervening ten years. The increase in coastal property values affected Chebeague and the Cumberland Foreside dramatically, increasing the proportion of the municipal tax base borne by coastal property owners as compared with inland valuations which remained relatively constant during the 10-year period.
During 1997, the Town of Cumberland assisted in a couple of significant Chebeague Island projects sponsored by Island organizations. The town agreed to subordinate its ground lease for the land on which the Chebeague Recreation Center has been built in order to enable CRC to obtain financing until additional capital funds are raised to pay for the construction of the Recreation Center. Also, the Town sponsored a community development block grant for Chebeague Care Resource in order to assist it to develop the Island Commons Adult Family Care Home. While the 1997 grant was not funded, the Town has again sponsored CCR for a 1998 CDBG Grant application.
Finally, perhaps the single most irritating issue on Chebeague during
1997 involved the Browntail Moth. While the Town of Cumberland did not undertake
a spraying program during 1997, wide-spread community effort supporting
such a spray program finally resulted in municipal spraying in the spring
of 1998.
-- Jim Phipps, Councilor
Friends of the Library exists to support the Chebeague Library. The Library is a voluntary, non-profit organization. While it receives money from the Town of Cumberland for salaries and building maintenance, it has to raise money itself for purchase of books and other materials. Friends does some of this fund-raising. It costs as little as $5 for a family to belong to Friends. All dues, as well as proceeds from other productions of the Friends such as the Chebeague Telephone Directory, go to support the Library. The 1997 Spring membership drive enrolled 143 families and raised $4195.
Friends held two entertaining events last summer. One was a very informative and entertaining book appraisal session by Frank Wood of DeWolfe and Wood Antiquarian Books of Alfred, Maine. He appraised the books we brought in and gave us interesting and somewhat counter-intuitive insights about what makes for market value in old books. I think most of us were surprised to learn that our carefully treasured antique sets of leather bound volumes of Shakespeare. Dickens or Thackeray that had belonged to our grandparents were probably of more value "by the yard" to decorators than they were to book collectors. But if you happen to have old Dick and Jane textbooks or Little Golden Books gathering dust in your attic, you may find you have a small gold mine.
The other Friends "do" was a mystery-theme Literary Ball at the Inn, with dancing and desserts. It began with a children's parade and judging of costumes. Herb Maine had assembled a group of friends including Jon KomLosy, and they played wonderful dance music until the last boat. An "interlude" was provided by the arrival of Madame Mirella Splatova the celebrity ballerina (Barbara Marks), her companion, The Baron (Mac Passano), and her retinue of admirers (Rachel Damon). During the hubbub, The Baron was murdered (by a poisoned mushroom). Despite her grief Mme Splatova insisted on going through with her world-famous solo "The Dance of the Brown tail Moth", accompanied on the piano by Kate Nyhan. In the middle of her solo she, too, was exterminated by the murderess (Beth Howe), who had been maddened by the incessant brown tail itching. As chaos threatened to engulf the gathering, the murderess was arrested and dragged away by the alert Inspector and his trusty assistant (B.J. Abrahamson and Tom Rothchild) and the guests were free to enjoy the desserts and the judging of the adult costumes.
From the point of view of the Friends' serious purpose, both of these events were more social than fundraising functions. However, this spring, in addition to this year's membership mailing, the Friends have been preparing the biannual Telephone Directory which is a significant source of revenue for the Library.
Finally, this year the first generation of officers of Friends have begun to give their tasks to other volunteers. Jeanne Layng ceded her duties as Summer Secretary to Winter Secretary Ann Belesca. Cynnie Sheketoff passed her job as Membership Chair on to Beth Howe and Laura Summa.
So, Friends encourages you to use the Library, become a member of Friends
if you are not, maybe even work as a volunteer for Friends, and buy the
Telephone Book for every phone in your house(s)!
-- Beth Howe, Chair
The Golf Club had an excellent year. Thanks to Bob Jones and his crew the course was in very good, playable condition for the entire summer. We did have some dry spells so that portions of the course baked out, but the putting surfaces of the greens were lush emerald.
In the juniors' program we had another terrific year. During the summer we had nearly one hundred children involved. I am pleased to relate that 16 of them were islanders. Wouldn't it be wonderful if through this program in a few years, one of them became club champ? Linda White and her small army of volunteers deserve much credit for the success. The junior champion for last year was J. Leighton and the winner of the new Wheldon-Buxbaum trophy was Tyler Fasanella.
The Golf Club is pleased to announce the winners of last fall's Blanchard golf tournament held September 28th. There were a total of 22 entries. The weather was superb. On the distaff side Eleanor Morse had the low gross and closest to the pin. Kathy McCollom the low net. Marlene Bowen the longest drive and Dale Morlock, who had only played once before in her life came in with high gross and second low net. For the men, Bob Jones had the best round with an 83, Jarrod Smith came in with low net and also had the longest drive, Ryan Ross was closest to the pin and Geoff Summa took the prize for the highest gross score. Following the exhilarating afternoon of golf, there was a social hour. It was the opinion that the Blanchard Tournament for 1998 should be held again on a Sunday afternoon. Islanders - mark your calendars for Sunday, August 30th. We hope to have an even larger turnout this year. The reason for the change from September to August? Lobstermen cannot pull traps on Sundays in August and we understand there are several good golfers among the group.
The Club hailed two golf champions. For the ladies, Joan Layng Dayton (who won her first 40 years ago) and for the men, Andrew Layng at the tender age of 16. Both our champions have golf swings to envy.
The club house was again the bright spot of the island for the Christmas holiday, with the house and flag pole outlined with blazing lights. What a nice way to end the season.
We look forward to seeing many of you on the course next summer.
-- Russ Hunter, President
Last year, the 25th of the club's existence, marked a turning point. We employed for the first time a Court Keeper and Instructor (Ms Kimberly Bogle) and intend to do so in the future. The courts and stands were spruced up with paint, new nets and benches. Brooms are now left out during the day so that members may sweep the courts before play if they wish.
The GCTC wants to publicize to non-members that their children (12 and under) may buy summer memberships for only $10, enabling them to sign up ahead of time (after 8 am the previous day) for the 12 to 2 pm hours, and to sign up at will as courts are available.
For non-members not playing with members the court fees have been raised to a flat $10 an hour, singles or doubles (two persons or four persons pay $10 per hour total).
We shall hold our adult round robins on July 8th and August 5th. We may hold a junior round robin if we develop the clinics as suggested last year.
Two new rules last year that seemed to go smoothly so far: members may sign guests for two hours of doubles during the week, i.e., Sunday noon through Thursday; and members may sign for two hours of singles during the week.
We much enjoyed our 25th Anniversary party last August held at the Island Hall, an occasion that honored our retiring treasurer Henry Hubbell, director Bill Swann, the late Bill Hodge and David Perkins, whom we lost not long afterward. The example of these gentlemen points to a simple lesson: all members and guests need to take responsibility for the well-being of the courts and club, with or without a Court Keeper.
Annual meeting, August 12th.
The Chebeague Ladies Aid have had another busy year! Both our annual summer and Christmas fairs went well and were well attended.
Aid members and fair helpers enjoyed their annual outing in September at New Meadows Inn.
Our big aim is to support the church but we also donate to many other organizations. We give to United Way, Red Cross, Salvation Army, CCR, Rec Center, Camp Waban and First Radio Parish to mention a few.
It's great to feel we help out in our community and have a good time
doing it! New members are always welcome and our dues remain just one dollar
a year!
-- Victoria Smith, Secretary
Marge Thompson
Retires from CTC Driving
After many, many years of faithful service Marge Thompson as retired as bus driver for CTC. It certainly was a shock to the company when she announced her decision. We thought (well, we had hoped anyway) that like time, Marge was going to be with us forever. It was just so much easier that way!
I do not believe that anyone in the company has ever received a complaint from a customer about Marge. On the contrary, letters of satisfaction and many phone calls plus word-of-mouth messages have been heard over the years about our faithful employee. She always placed the customer first. How many times have you all seen her stacked up with suitcases, boxes and bags on top, toting the goods down the ramp at Cousins along with all the riders. Side by side was her policy, always.
When Marge received a bonus from the Company at Christmas her thank you usually said: "it is such a joy to work with all the summer folk year after year and I can't imagine doing anything else ... well maybe the Bahamas!"
Marge is "one of a kind" and believe me we all know it. Her shoes are going to be mighty hard to fill. The Company has been fortunate to hire Bruce Doyle in the overall planning capacity handling bus driver schedules, overflow crowds for weddings and filling in for an absent driver at the very last minute. Oh yes, that has happened a few times and no matter what she was doing Marge always responded with, "I'll be right there as soon as I can get to Drowne Road". Bruce will be ably assisted by drivers Jim, Dave and Don.
Marge continues to drive school buses for SAD 51 and I am sure keeps very busy with her mom who has medical problems, and enjoys spending more time with her husband Wayne.
We as a company and we as a community say "thank you, Marge",
for the empathy and loyalty you have shown us all.
-- Dianne Calder
Thanks to the efforts of our faithful volunteers, the Meals-on-Wheels program is working very well on Chebeague. At the present time, we have four to five recipients. Meals are sent up once a week on Thursday from Saco by the Southern Maine Area on Aging (SMAA), via the Casco Bay Line, and arrive on Chebeague at the Chandlers Cove wharf between 11 and 11:30 a.m..
Volunteers - Bertha Gray, Marjorie Rice, Joan Robinson and Alice Bowman - pick up the meals in coolers, sort them into individual bags and deliver them. The meals are frozen in microwavable containers with bread and milk for each meal. Margery Howard also volunteers during the spring and summer months which is very helpful on a 5th Thursday or to fill in for our regular volunteers. Thanks also to Fran Calder who steps in at the last minute when we have a change in schedule.
I coordinate the program with people from the SMAA at the meal sites in Saco, Falmouth or Yarmouth.
Recipients should be 60 years of age or older and somewhat housebound
or have a need for this service for health reasons. It is suggested that
where there is the ability to do so, a contribution could be made to the
SMAA. If you need the meals-on-wheels or know of someone who might, please
call me at (207) 846-4252.
-- Ann L. Belesca
The Recompense Foundation is a private foundation established in December, 1991 to engage exclusively in activities for charitable and educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code for the purposes of devoting and applying the funds of the foundation (a) for the maintenance, preservation, conservation and beautification of Chebeague Island, (b) for the relief of the poor, needy, distressed and underprivileged residents of Chebeague Island, including providing funds to tax-exempt, charitable organizations which provide food, shelter and clothing, or basic services to such residents, and providing funds to individuals and families living on Chebeague Island who are unable to meet the costs of basic medical health, nutritional and educational needs, and © for charitable religious, scientific, literary or educational purposes.
The business affairs of The Recompense Foundation are conducted and managed by its Board of Directors -- Glenn S. Kersteen, Executive Director; Eldon C. Mayer, Jr., Treasurer and Secretary; Joyce Souchek, Director; Gail Miller, Director; Lewis Ross, Director; Roy Jackson, Director; Jonathan KomLosy, Director. During 1997, The Recompense Foundation supported the following charitable activities: A contribution of $16,000 was made to the Chebeague Recreation Center. A contribution of $2,000 was made to Chebeague Care Resources. Finally, $1,229 was contributed to Chebeague Island in support of its island beautification program. The Foundation also contributed $1,000 for the youth mountain adventures program for Chebeague youngsters through the Cumberland Recreation Department.
A summary of the financial condition of the Foundation is presented below.
The market value of cash and securities is $156,999.
Balance Sheet as of 12/31/97
Cash $ 21,726
Marketable securities 156,999
Total assets $178,725
Foundation equity $178,725
Statement of Revenues and Expenses
Year Ended 12/31/97
Contributions $ 5,000
Investment income 44,772
Total income 49,772
Professional fees 50
Taxes and fees 50
Charitable contributions 20,229
Total expenses 20,329
Excess of revenues over expenses $ 29,443
The annual tax return (Form 990-PF) of the Foundation is available for
inspection during normal business hours by any citizen who requests inspection
within 180 days by contacting Glenn S. Kersteen, Executive Director, 20
Long Creek Drive, South Portland, Maine (773-2986).
-- Glenn Kersteen, Executive Director
As always, Sanford's Pond was the highlight of winter for children and
adults alike. Unfortunately, we only had 18 days of skating. The first skate
was December 23rd and the last was February 28th - the shortest season yet.
Sanford as always worked hard all year on his bottle drive and maintaining
the pond. We who love the sport of skating and the pleasure of the sound
of happy children thank Sanford and Mabel for being who they are. It may
have been a short season, but it was a successful one for sure!
-- Frankie Doughty
The Chebeague School reunion held in June, 1997 appeared to be enjoyed by all who attended. The consensus seemed to be that it should happen more often. Although I said I thought that would be my last effort to organize one of these affairs, I would like to suggest that all of the attendees of school on Chebeague consider holding/attending a reunion luncheon in the fall, annually.
However I want to hear some feed back before I do any planning, or look for ways and means, or whatever. Don't be afraid that you will have to work at it if you say you think it's a good idea. But, LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE INTERESTED.
Time is fleeting, friends and familiar faces are disappearing. We should
make the most of the opportunities to share great memories together. Write
or call me at Box 511, (207) 846-4078, or email: martha511@aol.com.
-- Martha Hamilton
On May 13, 1998, 86-year-old Raymond Hamilton's boat disappeared from its mooring off the back shore of the East End of Chebeague. After two weeks of worrying and searching, Ray found his boat on May 27 on the ledges of Little Whaleboat Island. The Nissan 25 hp outboard motor was still missing.
Stephen Johnson's Osprey carried a rescue party out to the ledges to retrieve Ray's boat, which had sustained little damage. It had come to rest, coincidentally enough, next to an osprey's nest, the resident of which was temporarily disturbed by the unaccustomed activity near his home.
Shown below carrying the boat on its trip home to Chebeague are (left
to right) Ernie Burgess, Ray Hamilton, David Miller, Mike Robinson, Wilbert
Munroe, Steve Johnson, Michael Porter, Mark Olsen, and Wink Houghton, Jr.
Beverly Johnson took the picture.
-- David R. Hill
Once upon a time, there lived a small green snake named Sidney Mansfield who lived in the old rusty car in Jason Hamilton's backyard. Sidney had a special dream. He wanted to play a game of golf. He had heard about the lovely green golf course from his friend Bertha Bunny, whose own special dream had been to be in the 4th of July parade and one year got to ride in the fire truck with Tommy Calder. Anyway, Bertha had told Sidney about the golf course way up near the East End of the Island and he wanted so much to go see it and to hit a golf ball. But, he was afraid he could never make it all the way up the road without being hit by a car and he was afraid if he went through the woods, he might get lost.
Sidney was sunning himself on a big warm rock one summer day thinking about absolutely nothing when he suddenly heard an engine start. Sidney, always alert to motor sounds, looked around quickly and couldn't believe his eyes! There was Lewis Ross putting his golf clubs in the back of his golf cart. Suddenly, Sidney had an idea. If he could just get into that golf cart somehow, he could get a ride to the golf course! Just then, Gerry yelled something to Lukie (that's what Lewis' grandchildren call him) and Lukie walked back across the road to see what Gerry wanted. The golf cart was still sitting there running. Sidney took off as fast as he could, across the yard, looking both ways as he crossed the street, then through a small hole in the rock wall by Beth's house and stopping by the edge of the shop. Sidney's heart started beating very fast, Lukie was on his way back! It was now or never, this was his big chance and he wanted very much to be brave. Without another thought, he quickly hurried toward the golf cart and in one big leap jumped into Lukie's golf bag. He had no more than settled down between some old beat up golf balls when the cart began to move.
Sidney was so excited, after a while he stuck his head out of the little bag and watched as Lukie drove up the road. He got real excited when they passed the Nellie G Cafe because he knew his friends, Murray and Margaret Walker Mice lived in the cellar and would be so excited to hear about his adventure the next time they visited. Suddenly he could see the golf course. It was so big. Even bigger than he had imagined. Lukie drove up to the big white club house and shut the engine off. Sidney wasn't sure what he should do. Lukie went into the building. Sidney decided to climb out and do a little exploring. First he ran across the grass as fast as he could go. The grass was cut real short and Sidney ran faster than he ever had before. The grass was also soft; he rolled and rolled on it, enjoying getting his back and belly rubbed. Then he rolled right into a white golf ball! In fact, he hurt his head a little when he bumped into it. Sidney looked all around and couldn't see a single person, so maybe someone had lost this ball. Sidney waited a little while longer to see if anyone was going to come hit the ball, but no one was around. Sidney could see a flag on a pole not too far away. He knew that was where the little hole was for the golf ball to go into. Sidney stood up very tall and straightened his body out. He had been practicing at home with a horse chestnut and he knew he could hit the ball if he concentrated. He took careful aim and using his tail, hit the ball into the air. It rolled right up onto the green! Sidney chased the ball and then once again, stood as tall as he could and aimed the ball for the little hole. He was standing on the shortest grass he had seen and it made him a little nervous because he knew people might see him; he could never hide in this grass! Quickly, he hit the golf ball again. He couldn't believe his eyes when the ball rolled into the cup! He had done it, he had played golf. Sidney couldn't wait to tell Bertha.
Suddenly he heard an engine noise and it was coming closer. Lickety-split he moved into the bushes along the side of the grass and poked his head out to see who was coming. It was Lukie with his friend Don Souchek. They drove the golf cart near to Sidney and stopped. Sidney saw Lukie take a club out of the golf cart and hit a ball onto the green. While Don was doing the same thing, Sidney quietly crawled out of the bushes, across the grass and back into the golf bag with the old golf balls. He peeked his head out and watched as Lukie hit his ball into the cup. Lukie was some surprised when he looked down and saw two balls in the hole! Lukie laughed and said he got a double birdie on that hole and picked up Sidney's ball with his own.
Sidney spent the rest of the day riding with Don and Lukie around the golf course. He learned all kind of golfing tips and heard funny stories that Don and Lukie told. When Sidney got a little sleepy he nestled down into the golf balls and took a little nap. When he woke up he looked out and was surprised to see that he was back at the shop by Beth's house. Silently, he crawled out of his little bag, and headed back home.
That night, as Sidney curled up in his little straw nest inside the rusted
car, he thought about his day. What an adventure he had had. His dream had
come true. He thought about hitting the ball into the hole and how much
fun it had all been. Mostly he thought about the next day and how exciting
it was going to be. Because Sidney had heard Lukie tell Don that he would
meet him tomorrow at ten o'clock to play another golf game and Sidney planned
to be there too!
-- Goodnight Miss Alissa, Aunt Kendra loves you.
To the people who have so generously donated to the Stephen Ross Scholarship this past year, I want to say, "thank you so very much." We now have over $42,000 in invested principal. As has been reported before, our Directors* have voted to use only the interest for scholarship awards. We are obviously not a big player. However, when we recall our first awards were for $50 per graduate, then our award of $1500 this year to Chris Towle is very significant.
During 1997 we received $105 in small gifts - less than $100. Thank you. In gifts of over $100 I would like to thank the following for having the interest and for being so caring: Chebeague Parents Association; Bud Robinson Memorial; Jim Phipps; Jim Leonard; Dick and Marianne Brenton; Allen and Jill Malony; Will and Nancy Sharp; Virginia Schroeder; Island Alumni Banquet.
In these times of major fund raising, I will not appeal for money. I
would rather just say that the scholarship is still here, and for those
who think the cause is just, remember the address:
-- Ken Hamilton
* Directors: Hartley Brewer, Sue Burgess, Dianne Calder, Mabel Doughty, Ken Hamilton, Bill Ross, Doug Ross
We celebrate another year of church fellowship with thanksgiving for all the blessings of our congregation. This was the year of the ice storm, which produced a first for several years ... one week, we didn't have any services. We also didn't have any lights, phone or drivable roads! The ice storms were difficult for many, but also an opportunity to work together as a community. Everyone pulled together and watched out for one another, making even a disaster a cause of blessings. Even so, we would just as soon not have any more ice storms.
Our biggest project this year was to repaint the church. We were fortunate to have a very conscientious contractor who did an excellent job for us. We were able to raise the necessary funds with the help of the whole community. As one commentator expressed it, "Looks as good as if we vinyled it." Better, brother, better.
Ladies Aid has met for another year. Our Ladies Aid organization is older than most independent countries in the world, and has been the backbone of our church for parts of two centuries. We are eager for the new century to come so we can say, "Serving church and community for two millennia." You are welcome to their gatherings every Thursday around the noon hour.
The special services for Christmas and Easter were especially well attended, with the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service being the largest. Please join us every Sunday at 10 am for worship, praise and fellowship.
We are a small fellowship far off the main roads, but our service to
the community, the state and the world flow out from this small island to
everyone who needs to know Christ's compassion and hear His words of healing.
-- Robert Leon, Pastor
Eight years. Close to a decade of singing. No one wants to disband. No matter how disgruntled someone gets about a piece of music, no matter whose nose gets out of joint over a rehearsal or concert schedule, or the fact that there are momentary, well, slightly more than momentary, bouts of exasperation with the director, we can't seem to shake the Whalers. Like it or not, we seem to have become something of an institution. Husbands and loved ones who attend every concert like to joke that we should actually be all committed to one. We pat them and suggest it would be fun there, too.
In the spring we performed a repertoire of obscure and apparently no need to repeat songs (such as "When the Ice Worms Nest Again") and again, in our summertime concert, we knocked them dead with "The Mermaid" complete with a real mermaid. We did the shows in Cumberland as well as at home, and Octavia performed with us, giving us the chance to combine forces and enjoy each others' company. In July, as has often been the case, we thought we were taking our two month hiatus, but couldn't resist an invitation engineered by Sam to represent Chebeague at a shoreside concert at Christmas Cove. We were well received, and had lots of laughs getting there (my driving) and back (my driving).
The Christmas season approached more quickly than ever this year, probably because we were bound and determined to make good on our promise of yet another Christmas Bash With the Whalers, not done since three years back (White Christmas Revisited, see Newsletter '94). The Grinch Who Stole Christmas was in fact NOT type cast, with none other than Martha playing the Grinch, and due to the tremendous dedication of all the girls, the show went off without a hitch. The entire cast seemed to be having at least as much, if not more fun than the audience. Together with the help of the Hall Committee, we served up a wonderful array of unusual treats with nary a brownie in sight, at tables set up dinner theatre style. And with much thanks to the Mitchell family, we discovered a terrific accompanist, David Van Tassel, who more than once professed his love for both the Whalers AND the Island. In addition to the play, we also had a holiday sing-a-long, with Whalers vamping, and the audience having the opportunity to join us in some old favorites. It was also, as always, a pleasure to ring in the season at both church and around the Island, with record numbers of family members (mine) showing up for the house to house caroling.
Enter the post-season "EveryonegoestoFlorida" syndrome and those of us who stayed for the Ice Storms decided to spend our singing time going around and around as people have individually and collectively accused us of doing for years anyhow. We began a unit of Rounds and Canons, having immediate success, and getting in some good practice for further confusions in life. Finally, now that everyone has come to her senses and is Back Home, we can prepare for the Concert of the Century, well, maybe, and that will be on July 3, 1998. It promises to be eclectic, patriotic (somewhat) and, of course, FUN, because as is always the case, that's a goal we'll never discard. Thanks for all your support, and for listening to us. We couldn't do it without you.
Current Whalers are: Sam Birkett, Sue Burgess (also in Octavia), Dianne
Calder, Louise Doughty, Khaki Habig, Martha Hamilton, Carrie Hawks (also
in Octavia), Ruth Houghton, Banu KomLosy, Joan Maxon, Eleanor Morse, Pat
Prescott, Barbara Porter, Joan Robinson, Susie Stavropoulos, Vail Traina,
and myself,
-- Deborah Gordon
(More information available on the internet if underlined)
Lisa Webber to John Schumacher
Carol Munroe to Christopher Pendergast
Dr. Shannon Meredith to John Pickett
Noelle Leon to Brice Shipley
Congratulations also to Merrill (Chip) and Judy Hall, Talbot and Carter Bond, Mr. and Mrs. Bob MacGuire and Mr. and Mrs. Eldon (Don) Mayer on their recent weddings.
John Jordan to Catarina Stanford
Darren Sparling to Jill Trower
Christopher LeSiege to Debora A. Pelletier
Craig Campbell to Kimberley Moore
Seth Gibson to Sarah and Robert Prescott
Jamison McIntosh to Lynne (McIntosh) and James Cyr
Michelena Lynn to Vicki and Neil Taliento
Carmelita Fernades to Caroline and Joe Partlow
Catherine Annalynn to Debbie (Jones) and Jayson Courier
David Philip to Chris (Freeman) and Michael Feinberg
Elizabeth Alden to Laura and George Hayden
Noah Armand to Paige (Lestan) and Ricka Boisvert
Zachary Robert to Christina (Tomasini) and Scott Varney
Jade Arlene to Mimi Lestan and Eric Morlock
Julia Ann to Michelle and Andy Hamilton
Oliver Bradford and Timothy Edward to Eliza Jane Adams
Robert William to Kristen and William Brown
Heather Cassidy to Laurel (Lestan) and Rick Earle
William Grant to Alnah (Doughty) and Gene Robinson
Aschlee Corine to Christina (Nickerson) and Ronald Strawmier
Timothy Leigh to Virginia Tatakis and Tom Calder
Shoshanna Rose to Laurie Wood and Scott McCollom
Lucas (Luc) Richard to Sara Thomson and Brian Phipps
Addie Frances to Gail and Andrew Todd
James Fremant to Patricia and Donald MacNeil
Jordan Elizabeth to Rosalyn (Weagle) and Franklin Glassock
Judith Downey Becker Blanche Bennett Etta Biggio Robert W. Brown (Lee Brown's husband) Marian Burgess Matthew E. Cobb Samuel Duryea William Eaves Barbara "Bobbie" Faubert Willard T. Fenderson Iris Gwillim (Mrs. Robert A.) Richard Hamilton Lillian Hutchinson Keenan Joanne LaGanke |
Henry Libby Carolyn MacCormack Edward W. MacCormack Joseph Meserve Frances Otey Bernard "Bud" Robinson Weston Ross Grace Trappan Dorothy Gee Walker Lewis Webber, Jr. Constance Wilde |
Condolences to the following people who have also lost a loved one: Ross Martindale, Elda Gwillam, Barbara Porter, Charles Hilly, Bob Jones, Robert McLellan, David Trower, Linda White, Peggy Dyer, Peggie Jones, Martha McLean, Tom Joyce, Carla and Peter Joyce, Gertrude Burrill, Shirley Horr Doughty and Dale Morlock.
Census data provided by Dianne Calder and Marjorie Munroe
This photograph of the Golden Cross Hall was recently discovered by Betsey
Ross as she was going through some old family snapshots. The various young
people standing in front of the entrances are probably high school pupils
and we think that the photograph was taken in the early 1900s. Can you identify
any of them for us?
