belgrade lakes, maine february 2020

CAMPFIRE: Pine Island’s Musical Tradition Highlighted on Hit Album

As long as campers and counselors and women have been singing songs to- have been sitting around the campfire gether virtually every night of every one down in the cove they have been singing of Pine Island’s 118 summers is remark- songs. It would be fascinating to be able able. to hear a recording of the songs they During the past 30 years or so, in ad- were singing around 1910 and to trace dition to the traditional campfire songs the evolution of campfire songs at Pine such as “The Titanic,” “Mountain Dew,” Island over the years. No doubt some of and “Charlie and the MTA,” a new tra- the songs sung years ago would sound dition has taken root in which campers dated, some in pretty uncomfortable and staff rewrite the lyrics to popular ways, but the mere fact that boys, men, songs to make them specific to Pine Is-

The Henchmen recording backing vocals at PIC parent Johnny Bregar’s studio on Bain- bridge Island, WA

or practice. Since the late 1980s, in addi- tion to singing traditional and currently popular songs, Pine Islanders have writ- ten Pine Island-related lyrics to well over 30 songs. Ten of them, plus two traditional songs, make up an album now for sale with all proceeds going to the Sidney Lovett Memorial Scholarship Fund. Making CAMPFIRE: The Album happened as the result of a number of Finally! Mark Pierce’s smiling face on the stars aligning plus a lot of hard work. cover Toby Bregar, from Bainbridge Island near Seattle, was a new camper during land. This hybrid form of songwriting the summer of 2017. His tent counselor, fits well into the PIC schedule, in which Noah Brodsky, discovered that Toby creative energy tends to suddenly erupt The cover of the Campfire album, a watercolor done by Pine Islander John Alsop without a great deal of time to produce (Continued on page 2)

Grays Win! Score Decisive Victory at Norridgewock After 9-Year Drought by Sumner Ford

Everyone’s bags were packed, and forest edge paint a scene worthy of Gen- cit in War Game experience, they were Amelia, and the kitchen crew, includ- campers hurried to bed. Exhaustion eral Washington and his continental pleasantly surprised by the stellar gate ing guest KC Natalie Burr. Rest hour from a busy evening that included the army. leading of two LTIPS (counselors-in- fell short of the promised hour, but annual mock declaration of war, the ex- At precisely 9 am, the group of 28 training), Oliver Sahlman and Chris the intermittent rain that had fallen planation of the game by Ned Bishop, alumni who compromised the 2019 Ward, each of whom had played the through the morning cleared to blue and a short campfire led to a peaceful crew of umpires blew their Fox-40 game many times as campers but had skies and beautiful weather. It was the sleep. In the morning, everyone would whistles, and the 2019 War Game com- never led a gate. Chris earned the first Gray Army’s turn to attack, and they depart for the 107th playing of the War menced. Whistles also signify that play points for the defending Gray army on a hoped to exceed the Blue Army’s im- Game. Campers fell asleep to dreams is off, and often mean that an army has gutsy bounce of his pole at South Gate, pressive score of 95 points. Both armies of York’s Crossing, the fictitious town scored. The shrill sound can be heard and his gate was stalwart throughout the prepared by sharing quiet conversations set in the pine woods of Norridgewock. around the playing site and results in period. His scouts’ sharp eyes spied par- and deep stretching routines. After the The old white pines tower into the blue moments of quiet and intense specu- ties far off in the woods, and his squad- Gray Army disappeared into the woods sky above. Years of growth leave a deep lation about what has just happened. ron was lightning quick. He picked to prepare their offensive, Blue General bed of needles. The undergrowth is The whistles sounded early, and they up the only points of the period for Noah Brodsky led his army in a rousing dense. Close to the forest floor is dark- signaled the Blue Army’s success from the Grays, leaving the score Blues-95, speech that left them ready to repel the ness and cover from the searching eyes meticulous and creative attacks. They Grays-8. Gray attacks. of scouts. The campsite is perfect. Fresh seemed to score at will and frequently After 2½ hours of exhausting play, The attack began immediately and water is drawn up from a cold, clear were one step ahead of the Gray Army. campers and staff clamored for sand- aquifer. The canvas tents up against the While the Gray Army faced a defi- wiches carefully prepared by Quannah, (Continued on page 3) 1 (Continued from page 1) played guitar and eventually convinced him to perform at campfire. Toby was great! For the rest of the summer Toby frequently borrowed director Ben Swan’s old Gibson acoustic and played a number of times, including at the Final Campfire on the last day of camp. Turns out this was the first time Toby’s parents had ever seen him perform. They were delighted and moved, and this led to a conversation in which Ben learned that Johnny Bregar is a record producer and professional musician who runs Brick- yard Studio on Bainbridge Island. Not long after Toby and his family returned home from Pine Island, they recorded “My Sweet Pine Island,” a Matt Clarke/ Ben Swan rewrite of the Ryan Adams song “Sweet Carolina” that has been fea- tured as the last song of the summer for about 15 years. Sam Chester, banjo player extraordinaire, in the Hearing this professionally recorded studio and mixed version of a song Ben had only heard in various forms on the Pope Ward preparing to sing “Titanic” in the studio sandy stage in Pine Island’s campfire circle prompted him to ask Johnny if it the Bregar/Ahearne family. Ben arrived ate a lot of good food, and had a ton of tion of hundreds of hours of work, Tom might be possible to record more camp- Thursday afternoon to help arrange the fun. Pine Islanders Nicky Isles, Ted and Yoder’s assistance with air fare, and John fire songs and make an album. Johnny’s weekend, Pope Ward arrived Friday af- Will Siebert, and Charlie Krause visited Alsop’s gift of the cover art, all proceeds response was quick and simple: “Come ternoon along with Mark Pierce, Robert the studio, and Nicky laid down a verse from the sale of the album will go direct- on out. We’ll do it. It will be fun.” Ben Brent arrived Friday night, and poor of “Mountain Dew” and was a member ly to the Lovett Fund. Our hope is that began what turned out to be a two-year Sam Chester ran into a few delays on his of the Henchmen, who performed the CAMPFIRE: The Album will both raise effort to pull some PIC musicians to- journey all the way from Middlebury backing vocals on several songs. Two significant funds for scholarships and gether for a weekend all the way out in College and finally caught the last ferry songs were recorded elsewhere. Edwin inspire the next generation of writers Washington state. At a couple of points in the wee hours of Saturday morning. McCain, former counselor, current and rewriters to keep the musical tradi- it seemed too ambitious to attempt, but Both Ben and Pope recorded songs camp parent, and successful singer- tion at Pine Island strong and growing. with Johnny’s encouragement and some Friday, but it was after the “varsity” mu- songwriter, generously agreed to record You can order an album download or a financial help for air fare for some of the sicians Mark and Sam arrived that pro- “I’m a Camper at PIC” at his studio in CD at the PIC website: www.pineisland. younger musicians, it all came together duction both sped up and became more Greenville, SC, and Corinne Alsop, org, where you’ll also find all the lyrics on a weekend in October when five complex. Over the course of the week- Natalie Burr and Mark Pierce recorded and detailed background about the pro- Pine Islanders flew to Seattle and took end, thanks to Johnny’s incredible expe- “We’re Women at PIC” at Columbia duction and songs. the short ferry ride to Bainbridge Island rience, technical ability, and musical tal- University in New York. where they were welcomed and fed by ent, the group recorded a dozen songs, Thanks to Johnny’s generous dona-

Tim Nagler’s “Bulk” Legacy Honored in New LTIP Residence

“We’re builders! We build!” was the head” and will be built with funds raised required response by those engaged in among the many Pine Islanders who are Island Buildup, when the activity’s cre- eager to tell Tim how much they appre- ator assistant director Tim Nagler would ciate all he has done for PIC. shout, “Who are we?!” Island buildup The building, to be built in the fall consisted of standing knee-deep in of 2020 by volunteers under the direc- Great Pond on the north side of the tion of builder and engineer Rip Swan, island throwing, or struggling ashore will be located in a grove of trees to the with, stones from the bottom of the northwest of Honk Hall, looking out lake. I think campers actually signed up past Magoon with a view of Oak and for Island Buildup, a fact that illustrates Hoyt’s Islands and of course Mt. Philip. the power of Tim Nagler’s persuasion Its design will reflect the Honk design, born of sheer energetic enthusiasm. It complete with cedar shingles, a scaled- was like a spell cast. You were powerless down diamond window, and of course in the face of it. During his many years a skylight, one of Tim’s favorite Pine Is- as a counselor, assistant director, and land innovations that have brightened then member of the board of directors, the interiors of PIC buildings new and Tim has always been building up Pine old. It is supremely fitting that a build- Island. And it is not just the stones still ing named in Tim’s honor should house protecting the north side of the island five young men whose job for the sum- from erosion after 40 years that have mer is to take care of Pine Island and endured. To honor Tim’s spearheading to make sure that all is ship shape at all and Naglerization legacy, the new resi- times, and to do so with good humor dence that will be built on Honk Hill to and enthusiasm. If you would like to house the five rising high school seniors contribute to the cost of the materials selected to participate in the Leadership for “The Bulkhead,” please contact Tom Training Internship Program (LTIP) Yoder at [email protected]. The cast bronze plaque to be bolted to “The Bulkhead” each summer will be named “The Bulk-

2 Gray General Tommy Mottur

(Continued from page 1) First Year Head Umpire Nicky Isles showed a new side of the Gray offense. points in the period - 66 scoring points Rather than stepping into the road right and an astounding 36 challenge points. Happiness is a plugged gate next to the gate, the Grays stepped into The Blues, however, scored 24 challenge the road far away from the gate and ran points so in spite of their impressive ef- down the road hand in hand. It suc- forts, the Grays began the final period ceeded twice in a row, scoring over 20 leading by only 45 points. points for the Grays early in the period. For those unfamiliar with the War The Blue defense’s confidence soared as Game, up by 45 points with both of they capitalized on Gray mistakes, earn- your army’s attack periods behind it is ing 27 challenge points, but the Grays a tiny lead. The Blues scored 96 points answered by garnering 16 challenge in their first attack period. It’s like fac- points. The first half of play proved to be ing the top of the order with two on one of the most exciting in recent times, base and no outs with a one-run lead. with 51 challenge points scored. At the The Grays would have no margin for end of the first day, the Blue Army led error. Privately many expected that the the Gray Army by a score of 120-87. Blue winning streak would enter double Gracious living, somewhat modi- digits. However, the Grays had other in- fied, is still our goal at the War Game. A tentions. Arlo and Charles part of that is continuing with campfires Early success did not lead to contin- each evening, but the weather caused us ued success for the Blue Army. It led to to wrap up campfire early the first night. a brick wall that was the Gray defense. Boys collected their rain gear, and with- I positioned myself at South and West out complaint headed to the comfort of gates, led by the LTIP duo of Sahlman their tents as the rain began to fall in and Ward. The Blues tried to pick on the sheets. The static sound of rain on can- green gate-leaders, but the Gray scouts vas and the long day everyone had had again were like hawks, picking out par- sent them to sleep without delay, and ties from far away. The line to the squad- the campsite was quickly quiet. ron signal trembled in Oliver Sahlman’s The dew of the night’s rain and a hand as calculations ran through his Wells Corinne Alsop chorus of birds greeted those willing to head. He opted not to call his squadron wake early for a moment of quiet. 6:30 and defended the gate without them. line, poking and prodding in search of umpires’ poker faces were impossible to marked the end of the calm. Boys hur- His teeth ground, and his focus was un- the one weak gate. read. Nicky read the score “221-194… ried down to the unique campsite show- breakable. He tempted the Blue party The umpires’ whistles sounded for Grays win!” There was a split second of ers, but the bracing cold water was un- leader to step, but the Blues’ confidence the final time in 2019, signifying the end complete silence while the Grays’ minds necessary, as everyone was quickly wide did not match Oliver’s. The Grays re- of play. Both armies gathered in the cen- processed what they had just heard and awake because of the excitement of what pelled attack after attack. They caught ter of town and began the anxious wait. then absolute joyful pandemonium. It lay ahead. many Blue ragged steps. The Blue of- Would the score signal the continuation also took a few moments for the Blues Play began with the Gray Army at- fense floundered, but they fought for- of a nine-year Blue winning streak, or to comprehend the fact of an actual loss, tacking again. They faced an uphill ward with steely grit. From the youngest stunned celebration by the Gray Army, but after graciously allowing the Grays battle, overcoming a 33-point deficit campers to the general, all put forth a only two members of which had ever to celebrate fully, the Blue Army proved and putting enough points on the board maximum effort. Squadrons flew across experienced a War Game win? With to be valiant in loss and congratulated to cushion their final defensive period. the inside of the town line. One Gray careful consideration, the 28 umpires their compatriots on their victory. The Charge after charge seemed to unnerve squadron led by Ryan Schlosser, de- tabulated the scores. Nicky Isles, a vet- Akka Lakka cheer rang out and once the Blue defense, and the Grays found spite total exhaustion, made the nearly eran umpire but in his first year as the again Pine Island was victorious, emerg- far more success than during their pre- impossible run from East to West gate. Head Umpire, came out of the crowd ing from this unique game stronger vious day’s attack and scored over 100 Blue parties whipped around the town of umpires to announce the score. The than ever.

The Gray Army awaits the reading of the final score . . . Grays Win!

3 Jasper Lowe’s Short Takes by Harry Swan

A defining aspect of the Pine Island fairly quickly, which can be grating in ferent feature of Pine Island life, one and by far the most authentic depiction experience has always been rusticity, the feature films but works well for a video that had largely remained a mystery to I’ve yet seen of a Pine Island camping opportunity to spend an extended pe- that seeks to give a general sense of a those who hadn’t experienced it. With trip. riod of time away from the technologi- place in a relatively short time—and the concise visual storytelling that has The videos that Jasper Lowe has made cally enhanced hustle and bustle of the Lowe always gives us enough time to become his trademark, he captures all over the past five years are compelling modern world. Electricity was already register and appreciate the composition the crucial stages of a PIC hiking trip: viewing any way you slice it, and they well established when PIC was founded of each image. These include small, tell- the initial sign-up, the pre-trip prepara- give those who have never spent a sum- in 1902, but even in those heady early ing details that might not make it into a tions, the van journey, the collection of mer at PIC a remarkably detailed look days, Dr. Swan recognized the value of, if letter or a verbal account of some camp water and cooking of meals on the trail. into the way camp works. And they’re not a full return to earlier times, then at adventure, but that do a lot to give the He includes small details that ground us a reminder that even though the latest least a simulation of the simpler life that viewer an intimate, grounded idea of the in the wilderness setting; brief, carefully technology usually doesn’t figure into defined them. The complex relationship place: a cleat being tied when the KWS observed moments that show how valu- daily life on Pine Island, it can still allow between PIC and modern technology docks, a songbird on a tree branch, a able the experience is for all involved; people to connect with this special place has been evolving ever since; from the flower box on the side of a building, a even a few stunning drone shots that in new and interesting ways. use of flashlights for nighttime tasks leaf cleverly made into a spout for fill- capture the majesty of the Maine woods, To view these wonderful videos go to portable music players for campfire ing water bottles, and many more. Most and wouldn’t be out of place in any Hol- to www.pineisland.org and click on acts to the Doppler radar smartphone impressive of all is Lowe’s exceptional lywood blockbuster. It’s a remarkable “videos.” apps that allow us to track nearby thun- ability to combine narrative and simple three and a half minutes of filmmaking, derstorms, the goal has always been to observational elements. There’s a clear strike a balance between improving the chronological progression in each video functionality of the camp and preserv- (from morning to evening in Day in the ing the rustic quality that makes it so Life I, II and III; from trip sign-up to the special. summit of Old Speck in Three Days on No Slowing Down for Motion pictures, too, had techni- the Appalachian Trail) but they move cally been invented when the camp easily between different people and set- Sarah Hunter and Family opened, though the technology was still tings, aiming to give a general sense of very much in its infancy, and it would camp life rather than tell a clearly delin- be nearly a century before it developed eated story. And yet, Lowe also manages sufficiently to be feasible to use in the to insert a number of miniature narra- still-mostly-unplugged setting of Pine tives into this seemingly free-flowing Island. So it is perhaps fitting that (along structure, cutting back to the same with some particularly well-written and moment several times within a fairly descriptive camper letters undoubtedly short time period, gesturing towards languishing in the archives of old PIC the countless individual stories and mo- families) the most authentic depictions ments that make up the Pine Island ex- of camp today can be found in the most perience. Elements such as these, con- emphatically modern of places: a series sistent across all four videos, mean that of short videos, deftly assembled using they work not just on their own, but as the latest technology and readily acces- a unified series, a remarkably detailed sible via the Internet. collective depiction of PIC life. The person behind these cinematic At the same time, however, the vid- gems is Jasper Lowe: lifelong friend of eos are far from interchangeable. Lowe’s the Swan family, brother of two Pine second great accomplishment is to make Islanders, and first-rate videographic each distinctive in its own way, so that talent. To watch the four videos he has even watching all four of them in a row created thus far—capturing everyday never becomes repetitive. From the first life at PIC in 2015, 2017 and 2018, and a video to the most recent, we can also see typical hiking trip this past summer—is him progressing as a filmmaker, utiliz- not only to gain an unprecedentedly de- ing new tools and trying out new tech- The Hunter family’s outdoor adven- year-round training involves rollerski- tailed look at Pine Island in the 21st cen- niques. Day in the Life I (2015) is broad- tures continue. For several years now, ing and shooting in the off-season. He tury, it’s a chance to watch a preternatu- ly centered on activities, dustball, and our communications director Sarah was briefly featured on the Maine Pub- rally gifted filmmaker at the top of his campfire, capturing the way these more Hunter has been on a mission to hike lic Television show Bill Green’s Maine game. These could easily have been the structured aspects of PIC life foster fun all 67 of the high peaks in New England recently while competing in a Rollerski kind of bland promotional videos that and personal growth. Day in the Life II (summits over 4,000 feet). There are 48 Cross Country Cross race (a brand-new corporations churn out on a daily basis; (2017), while it certainly touches on ac- high peaks in New Hampshire, 14 in sport, which involves navigating jumps, in Lowe’s hands, they’re documentary tivities and campfire, is more focused Maine, and five in Vermont. Pine Island uneven ramps, and other obstacles, on short subject masterworks. on the moments in between: socializing sends trips to many of these peaks each rollerskis). How does he do it? Closer examina- at mealtimes, reading in hammocks, summer, which is what initially drew As a family, all of the Hunters em- tion of Lowe’s work reveals the numer- playing ping pong, learning musical in- Sarah to the mountains. In September barked on (and successfully completed) ous, smart creative choices that make struments—what happens in the liberal Sarah wrapped up this goal with her son a three-day, self-supported bicycle trip these videos so compelling. There are, amounts of relatively unstructured free Silas on Mount Ellen in Vermont. Silas on the White Rim Trail in Canyon- first of all, certain elements that define time that define the PIC experience. is close behind. He finished off his 48 lands National Park last April. Steep the body of work as a whole, structural Day in the Life III (2018) is slightly more New Hampshire high peaks list in No- switchbacks took them down into a choices and filmmaking techniques that abstract, and represents a major techni- vember after a 13-mile out-and-back multi-colored landscape of mesas and he uses to equal effect in four different cal leap forward: more creative camera trek (including 10 water crossings!) to cliffs and along the edge of the canyon. videos spanning five years. The sooth- angles offer interesting new perspec- Mount Isolation. He has just a few more They carried all their gear, food, and wa- ing yet lively indie-folk soundtracks set tives on the setting, activities and mo- mountains in Maine left on his NE67 ter on their bikes (no water sources on the tone, each in its own way capturing ments that we’ve seen before are now list. the trail), and camped all alone in the the unique vibe of Pine Island. Lowe lets rendered in dazzling slow-motion, and Meanwhile, Caleb competed in the desert. It was their most adventurous these pleasant musical accompaniments the final time-lapse shot captures the Biathlon National Championships in bike trip yet. It’s no surprise that they’re guide his editing without letting it be- remarkable variety and creativity of a Jericho, VT in 2019, and he plans to mentioned in a recent edition of Adven- come a gimmick; he often cuts along single night’s campfire. And Three Days travel to Montana for the 2020 races. His ture Cycling. with the beat, but not every time, and on the Appalachian Trail (2019) sees in ways varied enough that it never be- Lowe combine the best elements of his comes predictable. The shots change earlier work to portray a radically dif-

4 Yesterday Comes Suddenly: Project Underway to Create Plans for Building Pine Island Skiffs

Skiff (Pete?) from the plans this winter build Pete. We are hoping that row- in his shop. ing enthusiasts from many generations The esoteric weeds of boat design are will make gifts to cover the $4000 that deep and thick, but Rob seems comfort- materials, oars, and some outside labor able in them. For all us non-engineers, for cutting frames and parts will cost. It suffice it to say that Rob has Ringo in his is wonderful that the design for one of shop, has taken the lines off the boat, the best rowboats ever built will be both and is in the process of creating a tra- preserved and accessible long into the ditional boat builder’s lines plan from future and that PIC will be able to com- which anyone so inclined could build mission the construction of replace- a Pine Island Skiff. Rob has already put ments for the aging Beatles. Thank you, in nearly 100 volunteer hours on this Rob and David! project and will donate all his labor to

Rob Whitehouse at work on the next and newest Pine Island Skiff in his shop in “Bring ’em up. We’ll fix ’em!” Brunswick, ME Richie Nelson Carries on the Work of the It is hard to believe that it was nearly help as he researched potential replace- 25 years ago that acclaimed boat de- ments for the Gulls. John generously Late Arthur Gauthier signer and builder David Stimson set agreed to recreate from photographs to work with input from director Ben the lines of the original Amesbury Skiffs Swan to design just the right rowboat and recommended strongly that David Where to go when a couple of your the local store and eventually Arthur for Pine Island Camp. David’s creation Stimson, a boat designer and builder in propane-powered refrigerators need re- started asking Richie to come and as- of the “Pine Island Skiff” design was an Boothbay, ME, build them. David even- pair? This question faced Ben Swan sev- sist him in all kinds of repairs. “Art was important step in the long, somewhat tually built four of the boats and they eral years ago, and after asking around a tinkerer but a really smart one,” Richie circular history of rowing and rowboats were added to the PIC fleet. The Gulls, locally to no avail, as a last resort he said. “He could fix anything. Made his at Pine Island. The next step, encour- however leaky and soft, continued both typed “propane refrigerator repair” into own windmill and solar system. People aged and undertaken by alumnus Rob to be both the boats boys most wanted his computer and found a rudimentary brought refrigerators from all over. One Whitehouse, is to preserve that wonder- to row and to fall apart, so Ben asked website with a phone number. When he time a guy shipped us an old side-by- ful design and begin the replacement of David if he would build some Gulls called the number, Arthur Gauthier an- side from Tennessee. Arthur converted the current aging fleet. for the camp. David responded that swered and after Ben yammered on for it from kerosene to gas and made a few The oldest photos of the camp show he thought he could design a boat that a couple of minutes about his fridges, other repairs and it worked perfectly.” that for many years most of the rowboats would be better for teaching and even Arthur simply said, “Bring ’em up. We’ll Arthur Gauthier died August 24, 2018. at Pine Island were lapstrake dories of more enjoyable to row, so he and Ben fix ‘em.” Ben got the address and a few “He was sitting in that chair in the shop the Amesbury Skiff design, thousands of sat down and listed the attributes that weeks later headed up to Burlington, telling me what to do just two days be- which were built and used by fishermen were important for the perfect Pine Is- ME with two ailing propane refrigera- fore he passed away,” said Richie. And and recreational rowers for nearly a cen- land rowboat. The result was the Pine tors in the truck. Miraculously, Ben’s before he died he told Richie, “When tury. These boats eventually wore out Island Skiff, which answered the chal- GPS brought him right to Mr. Gauthier’s I’m gone, someone has to do it and it and they were replaced in the 1950s by lenge in every way. Gifts from generous establishment — several small build- should be you.” Richie Nelson does in- flat-bottomed skiffs built by lobsterman alumni, including George Castell and ings, including his shop, right on the deed put all that Arthur taught him to and boat builder Harold “Dynamite” Earl Smith, provided the funds for con- shore of a remote and beautiful lake. good use in a community that needs his Payson in South Thomaston, ME. These struction, and in 1997 four Pine Island Arthur was into his eighties, and it skills and the can-do spirit that Arthur skiffs were clunky and, frankly, not well Skiffs were delivered. Since there were was his assistant Richie Nelson who embodied. “If we don’t know how to fix suited to introducing campers to the four of them, it was decided that they helped Ben unload the two fridges into it, we will figure out a way,” Richie said joys of rowing. In the late ‘60s radical would be named John, Paul, George, and Arthur’s shop, which was full of pro- to conclude our interview. boat designer Philip Bolger created nu- Ringo. A fifth was added later and after pane refrigerators and other appliances After Arthur died, as a tribute to his merous designs for easy-to-build small some discussion about what to name it, in various states of repair. A few weeks friend and mentor, Richie had a beauti- boats made of plywood. One of these the name Stu was selected. Stuart Sut- later Ben returned to pick up two fully ful and remarkable headstone made to designs, the Gloucester Gull, caught the cliffe, who was the group’s original bass repaired refrigerators (payment in cash mark Arthur Gauthier’s grave. It is the eye of both director Jun Swan and Dy- player and who died in 1962, is one of of course) and to receive a number of front of a classic Servel propane refrig- namite Payson. In 1968 six Gulls, built two people often referred to as “the fifth tips on how to maintain them and to erator. by Dynamite and painted bright prima- Beatle.” troubleshoot in the future. A couple ry colors, were delivered to Pine Island. Fast forward almost 25 years and, in of years later Ben returned with three Thanks to the boats and the unquench- spite of the meticulous care the boats more refrigerators, including an an- able enthusiasm of counselor Jim Chap- have received, they are beginning to cient Servel that had sat idle for at least man, interest in rowing as an activity at show their age. Rob Whitehouse, who twenty years at Whitehead Island. By Pine Island bloomed. Jim created OAR has participated in the Sloan Critchfield that time Arthur was near ninety, and (the Organization for the Advancement Memorial Boat Maintenance Weekend Richie gave Ben the news that Arthur of Rowing) and DORY (Don’t Overlook at Pine Island since its inception, has had been diagnosed with inoperable Rowing Y’all), and instituted the Dyna- probably done more work on the Skiffs cancer. Arthur was right there though, mite Payson Rowing Regatta as an an- than anyone else, and during the past now sitting down but, as Richie said in a nual event. The Gulls were fast and easy couple of years he has quietly made the recent interview, “right on top of me all to row from the middle seat, but double point that the boats won’t actually last the time!” Once again, a few weeks later banking required the presence of a cox- forever. Rob, a retired engineer who has the refrigerators, including the 50+ year swain and rowing in the bow was diffi- recently completed the construction of old Servel, were back in business. cult. Hundreds of boys learned to row in the gorgeous Tip Your Cap in his Bruns- That would be Ben’s last visit with the Gulls and many Pine Islanders were wick shop (see Needlenews Briefs) and Arthur, who worked as a machinist in sad to learn that after nearly 30 years of likes to get things done, has with Ben’s Massachusetts after serving in the navy service they were falling apart. blessing started a project that will result in WWII. He hunted and fished up Director Ben Swan appealed to Pine in the creation and archiving of plans around Burlington, ME for many years Islander and the dean of traditional from which one could build a Pine Is- and finally moved up full time in 1984. Arthur Gauthier’s headstone created by small craft, the late John Gardner, for land Skiff. And, he will build a sixth Arthur and Richie met several times at his friend Richie Nelson

5 Busiest Ever Fall Work Schedule Made Possible by Volunteers at PIC and WLS

Last year’s Pine Needle exhorted Pine complete the work in May. The wood cially where the shingles caught direct Islanders to “Return, Repair, Relax, and for the project will be white pine milled sunlight. After valiant attempts to miti- Reconnect”. Many responded to the call, from two gigantic trees that needed to gate the latex debacle through scraping got a huge amount of valuable work be cut along the PIC camp road dur- and filling in, the decision was made done at both Pine Island and the White- ing the winter of 2019. This will be the simply to replace the offending shingles head Light Station, and enjoyed good first project completed using the fully- and leave them unstained, while at the company, great food, and the chance to equipped Yoder House II shop. The same time replacing trim. This would be spend a bit of time on two beautiful is- improved interior space will allow for done over a period of years, a couple of lands. added flexibility in hiring and housing walls at a time. WLS staff. The first round of reshingling and trim replacement, on the south and At Whitehead Light Station west sides of the kitchen building, was Work Nearly Complete on Yoder Topside Gets the “A Team” Treatment completed in the fall of 2017 by local House II Topside is a remarkable building that contractor Dan Trembly. We skipped a As shocking as it was to lose Yoder sits on the very edge of a granite pier at year and got back to it this past fall. Dan House I to fire in the fall of 2017, the the site of a defunct granite quarry on was overbooked and unavailable, but he silver lining to this cloud might be con- the mainland near Whitehead Island. very generously came to the island twice sidered a gold one. Once the dust had It was named by the late Lillian Swan, to advise Ben and the First Cabin Crew settled and we had counted our bless- wife of the late Ripley Swan, Jun Swan’s (Satchel Toole, Dawson Loewen, Sam ings that the wind was blowing south- brother, long-time Pine Islander, White- Bristol, and Cole Gibson) on methods west during the fire, we looked into head Island summer resident, and re- and materials. The results were great! the art and science of the small sewage vered builder who lived and worked in The entire Dining Hall and the rest of disposal plant. James Eklund, an early South Londonderry, VT from the mid the Kitchen building have new shingles supporter of the WLS project and resi- ‘40s until his death in 1996. Lil was great and trim. It was at times tedious work, dent of Shelter Island off Long Island, at coming up with names: the Swan but the Crew stuck with it and the re- called Ben to recommend a system he Dive, Topside, and even Sur le Pont de sults were given an A rating by both had seen installed on his island with Noilly Prat for a bridge on their prop- Dan Trembly and Rip Swan. The Crew success and with a contact right in mid- erty in Vermont. Topside was so named Sam Bristol, Cole Gibson, and Satchel also completed important smaller proj- coast Maine. Consultation with techni- because it contains a cozy apartment Toole preparing the Dining Hall for ects, including some major cleanup on cal polymath and supervolunteer Matt and fantastic deck (off which Lil used to reshingling the Mainland, replenishing firewood for Wall yielded the decision to go with the dive at high tide well into her 70s) above 2020 campfires, and some work on the Fujiclean system, which was much more a boathouse. The circular staircase to unteers stained the smaller buildings, Camp Road. compact and less complicated than the the apartment is housed in a small light- Ben engaged professional painters to system that burned. The bonus was that house structure! Topside was a project stain the two biggest buildings, Honk Volunteer John Alsop Spearheads it would not need a building to house Rip and Lil and some of their friends Hall and the Dining Hall/Kitchen build- Pump House Renovation and More it. In the end, because of the availability (their own “A Team”) worked on over a ing. Ben still regrets being talked into of skilled, hardworking volunteers (see period of about 30 years but never re- the pro’s use of latex stain instead of the Another project that has been on the Needle February 2019), we were able to ally finished. Pine Island Camp bought time-tested oil-based stain used for de- list for a number of years was the repair purchase and install the new system and the property from Rip’s nephew Ripley cades — and lasting for decades — on of the Pump House and the replacement build Yoder House II on the site of Yo- Swan II in 2006 and it has been available PIC buildings. It was clear in short order of the log cribbing in front of it. Years of der House I and create the desperately to rent since then. that the latex wasn’t going to wear well, splashing water around the hand pump needed workshop and storage building Finishing the Topside interior and and within a year it began to peel, espe- had rotted the sill and steps, and band- now in use. During the spring and sum- making repairs to the exterior have been mer of 2019 volunteers under the di- on the list of projects for many years. rection of WLS director Gigi Lirot and We replaced the aging deck three years Matt Wall completed all the exterior ago, and further work began in the fall work, and this spring electrical work of 2018 with minor interior upgrades will be completed by a licensed electri- completed by Ben Swan. A complete cian, and we will install all the beautiful renovation is well underway, thanks shop tools given to Pine Island by Whit to volunteers who showed up this fall, Fisher and Dennis Gagne. Thanks to the including David Pope, Matt Wall, and “A Team” volunteers and everyone else another Rip Swan, Ben and Emily’s son, who worked on Yoder House II. who is following in his great uncle’s foot- steps as a builder. A local contractor has been engaged to upgrade the bathroom Staff Housing Upgrade and kitchen, and we are on the hunt for Volunteers under the direction of new furniture. Topside is for rent by the James Eklund, who also provided many week from June through October and of the materials, built a much-needed is the perfect snug getaway. To find out 12’x15’ building several years ago to more see the ad in this publication or go house WLS staff in order to keep all the to www.whiteheadlightstation.org. bedrooms in the Keeper’s House avail- able for paying participants in the en- At Pine Island richment programs. Hilltop is so named First Cabin Crew Takes on Step II of because it sits on the site where a second the Great Shingling Project keeper’s house once stood, high above the WLS compound. Built well but in- There are lots of shingles on Pine Is- credibly inexpensively (thanks, James!), land. The roofs are shingled and so are it is now ready for work on the interior. the exterior walls of most buildings. Plans call for a pine floor over the cur- Roof shingles take quite a beating and rent plywood, sheathing for the walls, need to be replaced every 20 years or so. the installation of two interior walls, The cedar shingles on the exterior walls built-in bunk beds, shelving, and a sim- of the buildings last a lot longer. Seven ple kitchenette. We hope to assemble buildings burned in the 1995 fire at Pine the “A Team” (tryouts this spring…) to Island and all were shingled. While vol- Looking good! The Dining Hall with new shingles and trim

6 John Alsop building steps to the newly renovated Pump House John Alsop at work on the new kitchen dock bench John went to work and in a couple of days fashioned a beautiful and very aid repairs were no longer going to be comfortable 12’ bench that now sits by sufficient. Ben engaged John Alsop, the kitchen dock. It will seat many more resident of Cornville, ME and recently people than the hanging bench and does retired Assistant Attorney General of not obstruct the view from the Pump the State of Maine, to come and help House bench. Mission Accomplished. him with the work. John quickly sized Many thanks, John. Ben Swan and Henry Clauson ready for action up the situation and he and Ben set to work. The job presented many chal- Rob Whitehouse Returns with spread of bugs that can really affect a enjoy Great Pond in the fall and pitch lenges, including moving the massive Rebuild of Prototype Handwashing camp season seems like a good reason in. We will have a chef and work leader pressure tank inside the building in or- Station to make an exception. The prototype available all the way through the morn- der to replace the floor and structure be- installed in 2018 had a beautiful copper ing of September 27 for those who want neath it. Ultimately about a third of the In an effort to stem the spread of sink and an elegant mixing valve Rob to stay longer or who can’t make the first floor, some of the underpinnings, and bugs like the great barf bug of 2012, Em- installed inside the Maintenance Shed, weekend. all of the structure in which the hand ily Swan promoted the idea of installing but the rest of it was pretty darned ugly, pump is housed were replaced with a handwashing station to augment or consisting mostly of a lot of PVC pipe. No Slipups Allowed — Henry some improvements made. replace the dispensers of cleansing liq- Rob arrived in the rain this past fall with Clauson Spearheads the Great As part of the project John and Ben uid in the perches. Ben picked up the its elegant mahogany replacement that Pumpout also made improvements to the log idea and ran with it, enlisting retired he had made in his shop in Brunswick, structure in front of the Pump House. engineer and Pine Islander Rob White- ME. All who have seen it remark on With the exception of a few coun- Past and future Kitchen Crew will be house, one of the original volunteers for how beautiful it is. Thank you, Rob, and selors who remember the Grease Pit in very happy to learn that the steps to the the Sloan Critchfield Memorial Boat campers…. Wash Your Hands!! days of yore, most Pine Islanders don’t kitchen have been reconfigured to allow Maintenance Weekend, to help with give a second thought to what happens easy access to the hand pump, to and the project. Rob was able to translate Sloan Critchfield Memorial Boat to the water that goes down the kitchen from which the Crew must go dozens Ben’s distinctly non-engineer ideas into Maintenance Weekend and Volunteer drains after washing several hundred of times a day to pump drinking water something that would work, and for the Week dishes, utensils, and pots and pans. and water for bug juice, coffee, etc. In past two summers campers and staff us- Henry Clauson does, and as a long-time addition, Ben’s longtime desire to incor- ing the South Perch were able to step Pine Island’s 13th weekend of boat re- Pine Island camper, counselor, assistant porate a bench into the front of the log on a foot pedal and wash their hands pair and maintenance by volunteers was director, camp parent, and member of structure was realized. John’s exception- with… warm water! For some, the pres- the 13th in a row that was a huge success. the board with a background in envi- al chainsaw skills, honed in the forests ence of anything resembling hot water By the end of the September weekend ronmental engineering, he is uniquely of Palermo, came to the fore as he cut anywhere but in the kitchen at Pine all of Pine Island’s many beautiful, but well suited to give more than a second a long cedar log in half along its length Island is anathema, but preventing the hard-used, wooden boats sat gleaming thought to the difficulties engendered and fitted the two halves together with in their winter berths, in either Honk by the incontrovertible fact that one a lap joint. The result was a comfortable Hall or the Boat House. It is no exagger- simply cannot back a septic pumping bench in front of the Pump House where ation to say that the work done on our truck up to the permitted septic system one can relax and survey the busy scene boats on just 13 weekends has extended that lurks beneath the Dust Court on at the kitchen dock. Sitting on the new the life of the boats by many years, not Pine Island. For the past 15 years Henry bench, John immediately posited that to mention the wonderful message hav- has dutifully shown up at the begin- the old hanging bench by the dock was ing every boat 100% ship shape at the ning of Staff Week to unearth the lids of “in the way of the view.” Traditionalist beginning of the season sends to coun- our three septic tanks and hand dip the Ben Swan strongly protested that John selors, staff, parents and alumni. And, foul-smelling grease that has collected Bunker’s amazing log bench “wasn’t go- the weekend is always a lot of fun and at the top of the gray water over the ing anywhere.” Alsop’s 35 years arguing we always have lots of great food. This winter. Triple bagged, it is then taken to cases in various courtrooms quickly year saw the return of long-time ace PIC our friend Pat Jackson Septic Service’s overpowered Ben’s defenses (and the head chef Amanda Pulver to the kitchen grease disposal plant. Working with bench was about to fall down anyway) to cook for the weekend and most of the Henry and delivering the remarkably and the hanging bench hung no more. week following. Amanda was joined for smelly stuff is one of those Pine Island But we needed a bench. Fortuitously, part of the time by sister Cecily, another jobs, like honeydipping in the old days John had recently taken a back route to PIC kitchen veteran. Camp parent and and raking today, that has entered the PIC from his Cornville estate and had baker extraordinaire Sandy Holland realm of legend. come across an interesting business provided brutally good desserts, and For several years Henry has under- in Oakland – Mr. Woodchuck, a small we all benefited from the quiet and ex- scored the fact that we needed, one way lumber mill specializing in milling very pert leadership of Abe Stimson, former or another, to pump out the tanks. But large trees. Mr. Woodchuck has a very counselor and extremely knowledgeable how to do it? Convince Pat Jackson to bulk band saw with a 40-horsepower wooden boat expert. Twenty volunteers drive one of their trucks over the ice? diesel engine. Ben and John made a trip took part over the course of nine days. Not likely. Dip by hand hundreds of gal- to Mr. Woodchuck and returned to PIC Amanda and Cecily Pulver in the PIC We recommend carving out the week- with two enormous white pine planks. kitchen during Volunteer Week end of September 18-20, 2020 to come (Continued on page 8)

7 Travels with Jono By Sumner Ford

The WFR course is 80 hours long and Underway, but not under sail, I Master’s degree in Resource Manage- teaches trip leaders how to treat injuries quickly learned some essential distinc- ment from the University of Edinburgh. out on the trail. The course teaches both tions between sailing at Pine Island He was then hired by an outfitter in medical skills and how to improvise and and sailing to reach a destination. We the Peruvian Amazon to show tourists adapt in a wilderness setting. Jono Bry- immediately started the motor as the around the jungle and teach them about ant was our instructor back then and still wind was light and right on our nose. rainforest ecology. Jono spent more and is today. I cannot imagine anyone better We putted along, and a significant ad- more time in the rainforest, and he was suited to teach wilderness medicine. vantage of sailing became apparent to soon an expert at leading expeditions Along with teaching the WFR course, me; it’s much easier to chat while sail- and jungle travel in Nicaragua, India, Jono helps with setting up the island for ing than while hiking or paddling. Jono Costa Rica, Brazil, Borneo, and Belize. the season, and evenings are spent in and I passed the time exchanging sto- Amidst the boom of survival TV, Jono the dining hall telling stories from the ries, his far more exciting than mine. even led Jack Osbourne (son of Ozzy), past year. During past WFR weeks, Jono We would spend our first night in Birch and a TV crew through the rainforest. had talked about his newfound passion Harbor only a few nautical miles away Jono took first-aid courses but never - sailing. This year, Jono invited me to and sheltered from the prevailing wind. felt like the training available was suf- tag along on a late-summer sailing trip Jono read from the guide that we’d have ficient. He learned about the Wilder- in Penobscot Bay. How could I resist? to navigate the “Roaring Bull,” a shoal ness Medicine School, SOLO, and their Jono wrapped up his final WFR scenar- at the cove’s entrance that could present Wilderness EMT class. After the four- Jono Bryant at the helm of Blue Belle io, and before I knew it, the summer was some challenges. Jono expertly worked week-long course, the instructors were upon us. around the danger, and we found our- so impressed by Jono’s ability that they As the Farewell Feed wrapped up selves snug as a bug, safe in the harbor. asked if he would be interested in be- As a 19-year-old, second-year coun- and the last group of staff left, I grate- A 17-foot boat does not provide a coming an instructor. After teaching selor, I finally signed up for the pre-sea- fully shifted gears and focused on the ton of space, especially when your cap- at their school in North Conway, New son course I had dreamed of taking for sailing trip. I met up with Jono in Bel- tain is 6’4”, but Jono carefully designed Hampshire, for a couple of years, they years. I enrolled to earn my Wilderness fast, we bought supplies for five nights the cabin to fit two beds and a galley. asked if he would start another cam- First Responder (WFR) at Pine Island. on the water, and I went aboard the The galley slides out from under the pus in North Carolina. During his time Not only was I excited about unlocking splendid Blue Belle, a 17-foot Pearson’s step down into the cabin and features teaching in North Carolina, Jono taught a wealth of knowledge, but since every Overnighter with a junk rig, the famous a single-burner stove. Jono is an expert long-time counselor, Assistant Direc- trip at Pine Island must have at least one Chinese sailboat design, with a gaff and at cooking on the trail, so we enjoyed tor, and Whitehead Assistant Direc- WFR, I was bound to lead more trips. battens. Jono built the entire junk set curries, delicious plates of pasta, and I tor Joe Kovaz. In Jono Joe immediately The instructor was in his third year up, from crafting the mast to sewing the treated him to chili Annie’s. In true Pine recognized a true Pine Islander, and he teaching Pine Island counselors impor- sails. We launched without error and Island fashion, our phones were stashed suggested that Jono make the trip up to tant wilderness first aid skills, and he began our journey from Gouldsboro to away. Belgrade to teach the WFR course to the had already achieved legendary status. Belfast. Our second day of sailing involved a staff. That spring, Jono flew up to Maine long stretch of open water, and our first and taught his first class of Pine Island- opportunity to raise sail. Summer man- ers. sions perched atop granite cliffs greeted The next couple of days provided (Continued from page 7) us as we approached Mt. Desert Island spectacular sailing. The weather was (MDI). We turned past Northeast Har- clear, and the wind was a perfect 5-10 lons of foul water and the solids? Please Game. Many think that it’s all fun and bor and made our way down Somes knots. We sailed past Isle au Haut and no. The solution took shape over a cou- a chance to sort of participate in the Sound. The sound is an ancient fjord, the hundreds of little islands between ple of years and Henry and his sidekick Game and to hang out with friends at sometimes referred to as the East’s only it and Stonington and through the Fox Ben Swan accomplished the evil mis- the Rink. Think again. Being an um- fjord. Years of erosion have softened the Island Thoroughfare, and we anchored sion this past fall. Think powerful trash pire is fun, and the hanging out at the mountains surrounding the waterway, in Perry Cove — a safe spot for lobster pump, 100’ of 4-inch hose, two huge Rink happens, but being an umpire also but they still towered over us as we made boats during hurricanes. tanks aboard the KWS, and you get the means being on top of the rules, poten- our way across the turquoise water. We Jono and I said goodbye to our final picture — and you may be asking, “what tially spending several hours at a time made harbor after sailing 3 ½ nautical port early the next morning and began could possibly go wrong?” The original during which your only excitement is miles down the sound, and in true Pine our sail up the east side of Penobscot idea was to convert one of our floating swatting horse flies and mosquitoes and Island form celebrated with a dip. Bay. It was a sailor’s dream; the wind docks to an outboard-powered barge eagerly awaiting news from the next or- Every place we dropped anchor was was strong, and from the west. It al- (done) to transport the tanks. Testing derly about what is going on in the game. spectacular. Sometimes we would row lowed us to make the entire ten nauti- early in the week by volunteers Ben And there’s no place to hide if it starts into port for dinner and other nights we cal mile sail up the bay on a single tack. “Shopguy” Herman, Kevin Hubbard, to rain! And yet, after some recruiting would eat aboard. During our evenings, We talked about plans for the coming and Chase Hall revealed that the barge of younger candidates by head umpire I learned that Jono’s first lengthy experi- days. Jono had more sailing ahead while sank under the weight of the tanks filled Nicky Isles, 27 umpires were available ence on the water was sailing with his I prepared for life on land. After sailing, with water. The lads immediately trans- to fill the slots over the two days of uncle from Britain down to Gibraltar Jono would head back down to Bryson formed the barge into a party boat, so play! These included veterans like San- and back. He has continued his pas- City, NC, to resume teaching EMT and our efforts were not in vain. Later that dy Crane (head umpire emeritus), Tad sion for sailing on his own and with his WFR courses, and the challenging job of week with relatively few hiccoughs the Gibson, Paul Ronson, Ned Bishop, and uncle, acquiring an impressive amount a paramedic. He also was planning two KWS, laden with hundreds of gallons Andrew Goodale, and many recently- of knowledge. Their most recent adven- expeditions with Wofford College stu- of greasy sludge in two tanks, made minted umpires and rookies. ture was in Blue Belle, sailing from the dents, one to Chile and one to Ecuador. two trips to the mainland where the Pat Sandy Crane established the practice Florida Keys across the Straits of Florida Our last bit of sailing into Belfast was Jackson truck awaited with another 100’ of assigning rookies to work with expe- to Cuba. exhilarating. Whitecaps lapped at our hose. Success, but a very long day and rienced umpires until they are ready for Our next day began with a fantastic bow, and we heeled the boat over until the end for a full set of clothes in spite of the awesome responsibility of whistling sail out of the MDI region. We tacked the water gushed over our gunwales. the Tyvek suits. Henry says we’re good “Play is off!” and getting the calls right. our way past Cranberry Island and Jono recently bought a bigger sail- for another 10-15 years! Woah, King Nicky Isles is looking forward to reached Bass Harbor Bay, where we boat, also a junk rig. He’s spent much Kababa! the next contest and said, “With the were forced to drop sail to pass through of his fall rebuilding the boat and try- first Gray victory in nine years in the the narrow channel, and we slipped into ing to come up with a name for her. a cove on McGlathery Island. Volunteers Flock to Assist New Head books, it is likely that competition will He hopes to sail it up to Maine for the We again spent our evening trading Umpire Nicky Isles only intensify, if that is possible, so hav- summer and spend more time exploring ing well-trained, on-the-ball umpires is stories, and I learned that, after sailing the Maine coast after teaching another One of the most demanding but least more important than ever. Many thanks around the eastern edge of the Atlantic, lucky bunch of counselors the all-im- known and appreciated volunteer tasks to everyone who has returned for this Jono returned to school and earned a portant WFR skills. at Pine Island is umpiring for the War important volunteer opportunity.”

8 Campers Write

No Tech on the Island were answered with: Yes, there would be represented by Will Hartley who played Sumner’s crawfish won the race, and by Frank Brockett a campfire and everyone would be in it; Sumner Ford. The villain, Uncle Scar, Sumner took back the camp. on trips there is a pass for 100%; and no, was represented by Teddy Trippe paying In conclusion, this was a funny, well One of the great things about Pine Is- the rainfly goes on this way. Noah and Miles Frank. Scar’s brother and Simba’s done SNS that deserves five stars. Given land Camp is that you don’t have access Sam Lanoff answered all our questions. father, Mufasa, was represented by Aid- the resources on hand, they did a great to any computers at all. If you’re used As we took a swim, we wondered en Skillman playing Ben Swan. Follow- job. to air conditioning, you’ll be surprised some more about what to do for camp- ing the plotline of the original Lion King “The show was long, and the breaks when you go into Honk Hall to cool off fire. Some chose games, some chose movie, Ben Swan passes the position of were short, but performing was worth- on a hot day. When you go in it is cooler, special talents, but I chose a murder director on to Sumner Ford, not Miles while,” says Caden Clark, who played an but only slightly. The heat builds up and mystery skit. It was an easy skit and a Frank. Miles concocts a plan to steal LTIP and Noah Brodsky in the show. Honk Hall can get really stuffy. So, sit in little stupid, but no one cared. It was camp for himself. He murders Ben Swan the shade if you want to cool off! If you fun just to put ourselves out there and and frames Sumner, who runs away, Club Honk Preparations Underway have a habit of reaching to turn off your that was all that mattered. Even if some leaving the camp in Miles’s hands. by Brendan Conrad light, you’ll have to make a new habit of games and songs were a bit better, it When an LTIP finds Sumner and turning off your headlamp. didn’t matter, which was a valuable les- tells him that he isn’t responsible for Ben Club Honk is the one night of the Walk around camp. Do you see any son I took away from the beginning of Swan’s death, Sumner returns to Pine Is- summer when the whole camp comes wires, outlets, or other signs of electrici- what will hopefully be a great Pine Is- land, challenges Miles to a crawfish race, together to enjoy the music of their fel- ty? You may see some radios or Kindles, land experience. and wins, taking back the camp. low Pine Islanders. I went to watch the but nothing with an internet connec- After we roasted and burned all of The plot of this SNS was pitch per- performers rehearse and see what the tion. our marshmallows and s’mores, we fect, painting a clear picture for the au- show was all about. The energy in Honk For entertainment, you have to de- tiredly hit the sack, ready for another dience. Every joke and witticism added Hall was lively as counselors Mark pend on books, rest, dustball, staffball, beautiful day. When we woke up from to the overall atmosphere but still con- Pierce and Jack Reed coached the young and other games and people on the is- a good night’s sleep we thought it was nected to the storyline. I think the fun- musicians practicing their pieces. Mark land. I personally really like campfire. It early, given there were no boats out on niest moment of the performance was called Club Honk “the best night of the beats computers in almost every way. the water. when Miles shouted at Sumner, after summer!” The bottom line is that not hav- It was a beautiful day as we ate our murdering Ben Swan, “He’s dead, you “Tell your friends to come on out,” ing technology on Pine Island is pretty slightly cold eggs, and took down tents, idiot!” The way Teddy Trippe said the added Jack. great. and made sure we left no trace. Within line was just hilarious. The way Miles’s Instruments in the show include an hour we hit the road (lake) in the evil character was portrayed was beauti- guitars, ukuleles, clarinets, drums, and Oak Island Trip Report War Yacht. We passed Runioa and some ful right down to his being fed Goldfish bass guitars, to name a few. As everyone th by Charlie Gibbons interesting 4 of July decorations. We by his servants, the LTIPs, while the rest practices, you can sense the excitement went to Day’s Store and played mafia, of the camp starved. and nerves in the atmosphere. I believe Early in the summer there was a trip ate lunch, and got ice cream and headed The show ended with a dramatic this Club Honk will be the best yet. announcement for the Oak Island trip. back. As we headed back to Great Pond crawfish race, which still added to the Everyone is excited for the music and I found the idea of going on a trip very in the War Yacht we became part of a character development, with Miles candy. exciting, and I needed to go on a trip water parade. It was great! threatening to cut off his crawfish’s claws “The most important part is the mu- to get my Islander rank in woodcraft. I As we came out of the parade we in a last-ditch attempt to keep control of sic,” says camper Sam Tulupman. So signed up for Oak Island in the activity passed some boats celebrating July 4th the camp, and Sumner encouraging his stick around all evening to enjoy the line, and had my fingers crossed I would almost as happily as us. We got a couple crawfish. Following the original plot, show! make it in. of offers of a tow. We refused and had a At lunch Noah Donoghue an- GORP break. We got back to Pine Island nounced I had made the trip along with exhausted. Then we remembered that seven other boys. We practiced on the there were going to be fireworks! It was War Yacht during Boats Out and this two days, but felt like two minutes. Our made our excitement grow even more. trip was nothing short of great! As our packing, dinner, breakfast, and password dragged on, it was finally time Saturday Night Show Review: to go. The Loon King Glub, ‘Zuma, and Gu’s New Once we were in the boat time flew by Charlie Packer by and we were at Oak Island in no Shoes: A Sacred 2019 time. As we set up our tents, our minds This SNS, The Loon King, was a tra- wandered. Would we have a campfire? ditional Pine Island parody of the long- Would it count if we missed 100%? How standing family favorite The Lion King. This summer was full of sacred be done together, one right after the do we put on this rain fly? Our questions The protagonist, Simba the lion, was goings-on. The King sent many signs other. The first is for Glub: “GLUB Glub praising the campers’ hard work in ac- GLUB glub, Appetizer, Hyperphasia, tivities, campfire acts, and trips. He Gormandizer” repeated thrice, then im- was so pleased, he even bestowed Gu mediately followed by Bezuma’s chant, the Ru with a shiny new pair of metal which speeds up as it progresses: “Fas- shoes. The Sacred Journey was led by tah! Fastah! Gotta catch’ah! ‘Zuma is a long-time camper and newly anoint- mastah castah!” repeated thrice. Joining ed Kababologist-in-Training, Xander Glub and Bezuma was none other than Schwartz. Xander led the trip with Nimaj Naws, the Fantasically Credit- great pride and brought life back to Rejected Sigmus Vulpus. Nimaj is a fox old, somewhat forgotten chants. He is that sits proudly atop a guitar adorned currently attending the Yale School of with driftwood. Friend to Nimaj, Limey Kababology to return as a fully-fledged Naws, the Southern Greenwing Chicka- kababologist next summer. The high- dee, sits atop the guitar, surrounded light of the summer, however, is that the by mushrooms, crosswords, and bin- King chose to grace the camp with more oculars. Her chant goes, “The Southern than one sacred animal: Glub the Gor- Greenwing Says ‘Don’t Run,’ Sashay! Sa- mandizing Grouper, a brass-covered, shay! Sashay!” Nimaj’s chant goes as fol- golden-tailed wooden Grouper, whose lows: “Fantastic Fellow; brings the noise; mouth is held wide open by fly-fishing card’s rejected; ‘Hello, Boys!” Filled with expert, Bezuma the Frog. Bezuma, a re- signs, chants, animals, and loyalty to the turning animal, is the mother of the Be- King, the summer of 2019 was one to zumarangs, who proudly hang in Honk remember. Hall. The chants for these animals must

9 From the Archives…

This past fall Ben Swan received a copy of the 50th anniversary issue of the Pine Nee- dle, published during the winter of 1950-51 by Jun Swan, who was then living on River- side Drive and teaching at the Collegiate School in New York City where Pine Islander Wilson Parkhill was headmaster. The historic document was sent by Ethel Woolverton, who was married to Chalmers “Chip” Handy when he was Jun’s assistant director dur- ing the 1950s. Many thanks to Ethel for sending it along. Below are some excerpts of a publication that looked back from what now seems such a long time ago.

10 Thespians Abound at Pine Island Camp, Impressing Camp Community By Corinne Alsop, Matt Miller, and Mark Pierce

The 2019 PIC season was another Expedition Camp, led by Noah Brod- filled with theatrical brilliance. Each sky and Walker MacDonald, wrote and Saturday Night Show (conceived of directed Midsummer, a thrilling and and produced in a single day) some- frightening remake of the blockbuster how brought a new level of spectacle movie, Midsommar. Irving Baldwin and mastery to the stage. The summer (playing himself with impressive accu- started with the retelling of the clas- racy) is introduced to an alternative and sic story, Moby Dick. Cleverly renamed scary Pine Island Camp, where mem- Moby Daws, this show was directed by bers of a cult of King Kababa offer him Kaja Surborg and Matthew Hawkins. gruesome sacrifices. Irving also meets The show begins with director Sumner the cruel LTIPs (played by veteran ac- (played with spunk by Adlai Lipton) in tors Alec Ritchie and Max Klivans), and need of a fly-fishing instructor. He hires his tent counselor, evil Johnson Pope Will Stack (portrayed with necessary (played chillingly by Ryan Gilbert). panache by Sam Tulupman) who quick- Things get stranger as, one by one, Ir- ly meets notoriously passionate fishing ving’s tent mates (Silas Hunter, Akul camper Eben Wieslogel (playing him- Sethi, David Effron, and Connor Car- self with brilliance). Dawson (Daws) rington-House) disappear and are killed Loewen (played passionately by Tanner by the horrible High Priestess of the Is- Carson), a famed fishing expert, appears land, Corinne Alsop (masterfully played and warns everyone of his vendetta by Charles Schell) along with her LTIPs. against the Great White Pike for eat- Inspired by the bone-chilling movie of ing his favorite fly years ago. Thirsty for the same title, the campers went to im- revenge, Daws, along with Stack, Eben, pressive extremes with special effects, and a fellow camper (played by veteran using loads of fake blood and even creat- actor Daniel Leonce) set off in Mr. Bat- ing a false heart for Effron that Corinne tie, the camp’s classic Old Town fishing and the LTIPs rip out and eat. When this boat. They pass Ben Swan (authorita- stunning scene concludes, Irving sees tively played by Anselm Bell) who tells no choice but to succumb to the mad- them he’s sighted the White Pike behind ness of this grim Pine Island and all its Oak Island. Along the way to Oak, they weirdness in a final epic scene where he run into Skipper Bobby (portrayed with is adorned with blood in a ceremonial chilling accuracy by Jack Grossi). Stack campfire. spots the Pike (hilariously played by Ol- Next, the curtain rose on a show di- iver Grossi wearing goggles and a white rected by Mark Pierce and Jack Reed: sheet). In a fateful battle, Daws and the Napoleon Pineamite, a fabulous retell- pike fight until finally the pike rams into ing of the classic movie, Napoleon Dy- Mr. Battie and splits it in two. Stack is namite. An unusual boy from the start, the only survivor, and must return to Napoleon (a standout performance by camp with Skipper Bobby to write the Caden Clark) is heckled by his fellow tale of Moby Daws. campers for his strange hobbies and en- The second show of the season, di- thusiasm. Full of familiar faces, this tale rected by Matt Miller and Corinne Al- is set in 2004 and features young Nicky sop, was based upon the classic Disney Isles (skillfully played by Ben Lew), Ben musical, The Lion King.This Pine Island Swan at 48 (played with the necessary adaptation, The Loon King, featured the gusto by Caleb Choe), and Sumner Ford adventuresome Will Hartley as Sumba at 14 (played by Hans Baurmeister in a Clamageran), and finally finds a friend! Navi Vaisbort), Corinne Alsop (expertly Ford, young heir to the PIC director breakout performance). During morn- However, in a crucial ping pong match, portrayed by AJ Powers), and Tommy throne. Counseled by Ben Swan (played ing activities, Napoleon is in woodcraft, the pair loses miserably to Nicky and Mottur (played by Mottur expert, Teddy by a convincingly wizened Aiden Skill- building a new contraption. He explains Sumner. During Kip’s escapade to Run- Mottur) on their quest to investigate a man), Sumba learns that someday, ev- to his counselor (the talented Simon ioa, Robby Flynn, the skipper, (played newly opened casino in Norridgewock. erything Great Pond touches will be his. de Beistegui) that he is far advanced in once again with style by Jack Grossi) To begin, the audience is brought 20 Elsewhere on the island, Miles Frank the studies of woodcraft; he’s creating a senses “a disturbance in his chakras and years into the future, where our heroes (played by the scene-stealing Teddy Vietnamese panda bear trap. At lunch, therefore on the water,” so he takes the meet at the “Thirsty Mule” to catch Trippe) is plotting to steal the throne the LTIP Wrangler Giles Frank (played Whaler over to Kip and drags his dory up and talk about old times. They are with the help of his evil LTIP Hyenas with authority by Jaden Scutero) re- home to Pine Island. Back in Kopa, Na- served by a waiter (a lovely cameo by (played by the talented Max Bell, Wyatt minds everyone of the importance of poleon prays to King Kababa, explain- Sam Molko). They recall being sent on Thornton, and Caden Clark). After an LTIPs and the buddy check. Napoleon ing he doesn’t fit in and he feels lost. He a mission from Sumner (played by the incident during regatta day, Sumba is is once again reminded that he has no asks for a sign. After a trip to Mt. Phil- versatile Eben Wieslogel) to bust up a exiled from the island by Miles. Adrift, buddy here at camp. At rest hour, Na- lip, Napoleon’s faith is restored and he waiter-game casino. The trio is driven to he meets Noah and Walker (hilarious- poleon’s tentmate Kip Klivans (played returns to camp, rejuvenated and ready the Rock-Paper-Scissors Casino by vet- ly played by Madron Joyce and Caden by the versatile Adlai Lipton) tells Na- to be himself and share his creative ef- eran driver Nicky Isles (masterfully por- Clark, respectively.) The cast performed poleon he has plans to meet his special forts with everyone. Napoleon, deter- trayed by Jimmy Leuchten). Winning a rewrites of all the classic numbers, in- lady, Lucinda, at the Runoia docks later mined to be himself, dances freely, be- series of games at the casino (against cluding “Can You Hear the Loons To- in the week. Napoleon, jealous, attempts friends Susie, and finds confidence in all odds), the trio advances to the fi- night,” “I Just Can’t Wait to Run Things,” to talk to Susie (Kitchen Crew member his uniqueness after all. nal game that will reveal the man who and “The Island of Pine” (performed Lucie Bhisitkul). Bronson Pope (played The final show took place on a Mon- began the casino. It is none other than fabulously by Arlo Skogen to open and by the talented Wyatt Thornton) goes day, making it an “MNS.” Directed by former counselor and Assistant Direc- close the show). With a rousing cho- and gets Susie for Napoleon. Alas, Na- iconic duo Ryan Schlosser and Daw- tor Dan Bristol (played with suavity by rus of “Whoa, King Kababa” (based on poleon only ends up embarrassing son Loewen, this original production Edgar Caude). “Hakuna Matata”), Sumba is convinced himself further. At campfire, Napoleon was titled Rock, Paper, Scissors Casino. The hijinks, adventures, and plot to go back to the island and defeat Miles approaches a shy French camper, Pa- The story follows three unlikely heroes, twists of the 2019 SNS season made it to take his rightful place as director. trice (portrayed gracefully by Dimitri Mark Pierce (enthusiastically played by one of the best ever.

11 pine island camp 2019—another great summer

Wyatt and counselor Noah Solt working on lyrics for a Club Honk Jimmy and one of his many big catches performance Kai performs on the Steinway at Club Honk

Ben pulling hard during a regatta rowing race

Daniel at Club Honk

Fly fishermen at the Baita House getting ready for the activity period

Oliver, Kai, and Max hanging out

Arlo at the keyboard

Danny, Caden, Tanner, Ben, and swimming “We’re Women at PIC” instructor Sophie Nikolenko

Pierre-Victor and Adlai look on as Isaac lands a fish caught on his homemade rod Sam backed by Mark Pierce and Jack Reed at Club Honk Jacob, Gabriel, and Noah at Whitehead Island

12 AJ, Teddy, and Owen in in the Shop Cleo guarding Magoon Jack and his fabulous 4th of July Raft

Crooner Jacob Donoghue backed by brother Noah (right) and Sam Chester at Club Honk Junior Katahdin at the summit!

Johnny Creditcard on his farewell tour playing Club Honk Charles at Big Eddy Tennis class waiting for the activity run: Jack Reed, Tanner, Edgar, PV, Anselm, and Jacob Donoghue

2019 Expedition Campers At the top of Mt. Bigelow

13 Join the Center of Town The Master Storytellers Society Today! By Sam Brown, Jr.

As every Pine Islander can tell you, small community in Tennessee (the same Almost everyone reading this essay named Pauline Bunyan, the sister of once you score for the last time during college town, Sewanee, where Emily and I has sat spellbound during one of Monte famed woodsman Paul Bunyan. Pauline the War Game, you are “dead” and you were students a long time ago and where Ball’s electrifying Lion Hunts. Monte was always engaged in tests of strength go to the center of town, a pretty peace- Ben and Emily were married). So, I have is the most recent master storyteller to pitting her successfully against appar- ful spot if you have a little bug spray. A had more than a few conversations about appear regularly at Pine Island’s nightly ently stronger males. Jun developed friend or two for good conversation, a final things. Yes, it can be serious and campfires, but he was preceded for de- this theme in his later more serious mo- bit of cool water, and a shady spot under somber, talking about death and the end cades by a remarkable group. ments, noting that Pine Island’s Loyalty a pine tree help as well. The Game still of life. But it can also be light and joyful. First among them was Sid Lovett, Award had been named successively af- swirls around you, but for now you can Last night I talked on the phone to a con- PIC’s first camper (1902) and at one ter women who had been fundamental rest and talk with your friends about the temporary whose mother died over the point the camp’s Acting Director. Sid to the camp: Sid Lovett’s wife, Rebekah summer and the few days of camp that weekend. We have important work to do appeared at countless campfires, in- Mills Lovett and Jun’s own mother, Mol- remain. You’ve played hard and done all planning her burial. But there was also cluding those held at reunions, where lie Ripley Swan. They were Jun’s moral you can to help your army win the game, levity and joy in our conversation. he was usually called on to recall the equivalents to his Pauline Bunyan. and now you can at last relax while you ‘’What was the board game in the camp’s early days. During his last such Other master storytellers came along await the whistle announcing that “Play kitchen of your parents’ home?’’ appearance, during the camp’s 70th An- later. Frank Baldwin, great-great-uncle is off!” for the final time that season. ‘’Chinese checkers; they played every niversary Reunion in 1972, “Uncle Sid” of current Baldwin Pine Islanders, kept When, over a fine lunch in the din- n i g h t .’’ regaled both armies at York’s Crossing a series of 1950’s campfires spellbound ing hall last July, Ben and Emily first ‘’Maybe I’ll work that into the homily with recollections of the game, pointing with tales of a great whale, whose sad ex- described to alumnus Tom Macfie their for your mother.’’ out that as one of the inventors of this ploits brought tears to many eyes. Stew idea to create the Center of Town Soci- ‘’That sounds great to me.’’ unique contest he was too biased ever Pierson inaugurated the lengthy saga ety to honor those alumni, parents, and Come to think of it, a game of Chinese to serve as an umpire. Sid’s tenure as a of the Seven Keys for several summers. friends who have included a gift to Pine checkers might be a good addition to the Yale University chaplain also attested to Monte Ball continued the tradition, and Island Camp in their will, he knew they center of town. See you there. We can tell his skill as an orator; his undergraduate his weekly almost campfire-long tales were onto something well worth pursu- a few stories. course in “The Bible as Literature” was of the slow attrition of the “100 lead- ing, and wrote recently, Akka Lakka! one of the most popular ever offered. ers in the fields of art and science” are Tom Sid was followed as storyteller by Dr. firmly lodged in a couple of generations The Center of Town Society is yet an- Swan, who loved the campfire limelight of Pine Islanders’ minds. A close second other example of the way in which Pine Charter members of the Center of and delivered serial anecdotes about his were Monte’s hilarious and sometimes Island— “gracious living is our goal”— Town Society are Jim Breeden, Tom time as a physician in Europe during harrowing tales that grew out of his six can tackle even the thorniest of issues. Macfie, Alex Burland, Ned Bishop, Tom the First World War. After the Second years in the US Navy. This new idea, hatched by Ben and Emily, Yoder, Jim Vaughn, Nick Ohly, and World War, he was followed by alumnus But the most illustrious master story- to create the Center of Town Society as a Kimme Sloane. Wilson Parkhill, a Great Pond neighbor teller before Monte was Bill Crawford, way to encourage planned giving to Pine Pine Island has already received very and headmaster of the Collegiate School Jun’s Associate Director for nine sum- Island Camp, holds a certain peaceful, generous gifts from Pine Islanders who in New York City. Mr. Parkhill devised mers who adapted one of the Arabian pleasant appeal, much like time under a have included Pine Island in their wills, a string of stories about what he called Night’s Tales, “Sparrow the Lucky,” into shade tree. We get a chance to shape Pine and this simple method of helping to the “rubber island,” an imaginary place a hilarious parody of Pine Island itself. Island for generations to come merely by secure Pine Island’s future is one of the with pun-filled references based largely Nowhere else could you hear of a sultan asking our financial planner, our lawyer, most important elements of our ongo- on PIC. Examples of his wit, in that winning the inspection flag, or a grand and our family, to include Pine Island in ing fundraising efforts. era of simple humor, were the musical vizier (wizard) passing up a royal ban- our estate planning. The results are as All you have to do to sign up and be group “The Elastic Band” and the “rub- quet in order to go to Rummel’s (now easy as a few simple conversations and a recognized in next year’s Pine Needle as ber chicken” Sunday dinners. Gifford’s) for licorice ice cream. And line or two in our wills and final docu- a member of the Center of Town Society Jun Swan, a teacher at Mr. Parkhill’s where else but at Pine Island could we ments. is to write to Ben Swan at P.O Box 242, school, became PIC’s next master story- find such a memorable tradition of There are parts of planning for the end Brunswick, ME 04011 or email him at teller when he became Director in 1947. campfire delights as those offered over of life that are hard and painful. For over [email protected]. Jun’s primary invention was a character decades by our own master storytellers. 20 years, I have served as a priest in one

Fetch Me a Laddle: Preserving a Bit of PIC/KC History By Alice Packard

When I heard that the big island with spelled LADDLES (aka ladles). During drawers in the PIC kitchen was being boat maintenance weekend last year, I refinished, I surmised that the mask- took photos and, when I returned to my ing tape labels that someone had put on city life, imported them into Photoshop. the unique pull-through drawers would The quality was not up to par for a di- have to go. While I applauded the long- rect duplication, but I think I got pretty overdue refinishing, it broke my heart close. I outlined the script to make them just a little. In many ways, I grew up in as accurate as possible. Then I placed that kitchen. The sound of the Hobart, them onto a stock footage masking tape the smell of lemon cleaning solution, the image allowing them to look as they did satisfaction of pulling an island drawer when they were first applied. They will all the way through to grab an item from be printed on durable material, ideally the opposite drawer; these are sensory Dibond, an aluminum composite that memories of mine that I associate with will insure they stand the test of time, my treasured time at camp. So when I and when the kitchen island needs re- heard of the update, I volunteered my refinishing again, these quirky labels services to recreate the beloved labels, will be able to stay. including the now endearingly mis-

14 13 Years Is a Long Time to Wait for a Store Stop!

on the day hike and the overnights. A rocks) with David, who had now de- Trip Report and David had to bail out with bad ten- 350- to 400-pound black bear can be cided to devote his summer to getting as Appalachian Trail Completion: donitis in one of his knees). See what pretty daunting when it gets within a many miles in as he could. The first leg July 26, 2019 happens when you wait too long to do few feet of you, especially when it smells was between Conodoguinet Creek and Pat (Appy) Apperson things? I was also suffering with “bone food. In the spring of 2011, we returned Fort Franklin Road, about 110 miles. Counselor ’77, ’78, ’79 from on bone” in my left knee but Kip and I to Virginia, hiking from Pearisburg to Later that summer and fall, I headed Greenville, SC were able to cover much ground. Craig’s Creek Valley west of Highway back to Virginia to tackle the AT along Finally, this past summer on July 26, On April 1, 2006, David Weinstein 81. This is a gorgeous part of Virginia. Skyline Drive with my wife Elaine; we Kip and I completed the last 52 miles of (another former PIC counselor from The adventure cranked up again in covered about 85 miles between Rock- the AT, finishing at Grafton Notch. After Greenville recruited by Monte Ball in July of 2011 when Hayne flew us all up fish Gap and Jeremy’s Run. It was not a partial knee replacement in December the 1970’s) and I began our adventure to New Hampshire to begin tackling the until November 2016 that I was able to 2018, the pain was gone (not the swell- to section-hike the Appalachian Trail White Mountains. We covered over 90 return to the AT where David, my new ing) and the job was finally done after from Springer Mountain, GA to Mount miles between Dorchester Road and yellow lab Kip, and I completed the sec- 13 years. Unfortunately, David had to Katahdin, ME. The idea came to us after Pinkham Notch in about 10 days via a tion from Jeremy’s Run to Manassas Gap bail again as he slipped coming down our successful completion of the 80-odd combination of overnights in huts and VA, about 32 miles over a long weekend. Saddleback, so he will have to be of the mile “Foothills Trail” that basically fol- slackpacking day hikes. The sad part of Then, in 2017, the real work started. AT class of 2020. It was disappointing lows the SC-NC border across the Blue that trip was that David dislocated his With David having covered more miles not to finish with the buddy with whom Ridge Mountains in the Carolinas. On shoulder coming down a steep trail late the previous summer, it was my turn I started, but David gave Kip and me the our very first leg we hiked 83 miles from in the day (under wet conditions) and since I now had the summer off from clearance to push on. Springer Mountain, finishing at Deep had to return to South Carolina. teaching at Clemson University. Kip and Many people ask what I enjoyed Gap, NC. In the spring of 2012, it was back I began hiking on May 30th from Manas- most. Every part of the AT is wonderful In October of 2006, we hit the trail to Virginia to hike from Highway 11 sas Gap, VA and filled in the sections in its own right (except for the rocks in with a couple of day hikes on the AT in (Troutville) to Craig’s Creek Valley, we had missed all the way to July 21st at PA). But what I will remember most is Virginia between Petites Gap and Sad- about 43 miles. David had to return to Dorchester Road, NH, a whopping 472 seeing parts of the US that I would not dle Gap that were close to where I was South Carolina, so I went back down to miles, completing sections in VA, MD, have experienced if I had not section- living at the time in Lynchburg, VA. In complete the section between Pearis- WV, PA, NY, NJ, MA, CT, and NH. It hiked the AT. Through-hikers push on the spring of 2007, we returned to Deep burg and Sugar Run Gap that I had was the most hiking I had ever done at and get into their mileage mode; but Gap, NC to hike for another week up to missed. But the eagerness was grow- one time! despite the aches and pains and the con- Fontana Dam, about 81 miles. On this ing as I set out in June and covered 102 The next summer, 2018, it was an- stant logistical planning (motel rooms, trip I had my two labs Mac and Shad- miles between Sugar Run Gap back to other 174 miles in New Hampshire and provisions, shuttle services, weather), ow with me, but David must have not Massie’s Gap in the Virginia Highlands. Maine with David and Kip. David and I I was able to spend time in meeting liked the dog food as he had to bail out For that track I was joined by George were now about even again on mileage. people, seeing places, and encounter- at Nantahala with food poisoning, al- McCall and his son Arthur and their We completed all parts of the AT ex- ing cultures different from my own. As though he later came back to finish that dog Louie (my dog Mac also enjoyed the cept the last 52 miles between Pinkham Monte Ball used to say, “Your summer section. company), both originally from Green- Notch, NH and Grafton Notch, ME. I is what you make of it.” Likewise hiking In the spring of 2008, we took what ville. Being a graduate student at Clem- assaulted Katahadin on my own (dogs the AT is what you make of it! had become our usual week off and son University at this stage, I had the en- are not allowed in Baxter State Park hiked from Davenport Gap, NC to tire summer to cover some ground, so Sam’s Gap, NC on the AT, bypassing the David, Hayne, and I flew up to Vermont Smokies for a later trip. But by 2009, we and did 155 miles between Pattison were starting to become a little more Road, MA and the NH-VT state line anxious to complete more of the trail; near Hanover, NH. It was a great 12-day we were tired of just getting our legs a adventure. The two weeks consisted of bit fit when we had to return to the real overnights and day hikes covering the world. Thus, we took two weeks off in AT in VT. the spring of 2009 and hiked from Sam’s In the spring of 2013, we returned to Gap NC to Damascus, VA, a whopping Virginia, where David, Mac and I cov- 146 miles in just under two weeks (our ered 45 miles between Troutville and confidence was building!). Petits Gap. This was followed by another In the Fall of 2009, we hit the Smok- 41 miles between Saddle Gap and Tye ies, hiking about 33 miles from Cling- River (a cold outing if I recall). man’s Dome down to Fontana Dam. On In the summer of 2013, it was back these last two trips, we were joined by north but this time to New York with another Greenville, SC native and elder Hayne and David. As I had to return to statesman, Hayne Hipp. Hayne had set South Carolina for some reason, my part out to hike the AT two years before in of the trip was cut short, but I managed sections but had a bad fall and had to to tackle 49 miles of the AT, despite the rest his leg for a while. Hayne joined us wet May weather. In August 2014, Da- Appy Apperson and his trusty hiking companion on the Appalachian Trail for several excursions, but his plan was vid and I were back on the trail tackling to finish the AT over a much shorter pe- the 100-mile Wilderness in Maine. This riod of time than we could manage. He turned out to be one of the most en- actually completed section hiking the joyable two-week stretches - 109 miles AT in seven years, all before he reached - on the AT. We had great weather and the missing years the young age of 76. Though we per- thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful Maine formed the role of sherpa from time to wilderness. The bad news is that I knew Help Us Retrieve Bits of PIC History time for Hayne, it was a pleasure. something was wrong with my dog In March of 2010, the three of us set Mac; after returning home from the trip, out to tackle the section that runs from he was diagnosed with cancer and died All of the awards and War Game Workshop Award: 1951, 1960-71, Damascus, VA to Atkins, VA. Well, within a year of receiving treatments. plaques in Honk Hall were lost in the 1986, 1989, 1990, 1995 Hayne and David completed the jour- He was a great dog, retriever and hiker, fire of 1995. Through the use of photo- Watermanship Award: 1987, 1989, ney, but I developed some tendonitis in and he completed 808 miles on the AT. graphs, we were able to recover most of 1990 my knee and had to bail out; but before Fortunately, he had one more trip in the what was lost. However, there are still Best Camper Award: 1961 I bailed I’d covered another 50 miles of spring of 2015 when David and I hiked gaps and we’d like to fill them with ac- Loyalty Award: 1989, 1993 the 2000-mile journey. In late summer the 30 miles between Tye River VA and curate information. If you know of an War Game scores: 1951, 1960-67 and early fall of 2010, David and I re- Rockfish Gap, VA. award winner or a War Game score that turned to the Smokies to complete that In early summer 2015, it was time is missing, please email Ben Swan at section, experiencing bear activity both to tackle Pennsylvania (rocks and more [email protected]. Missing are:

15 THE KEEPER’S LOG Another Busy Season at Whitehead Light Station

Whitehead Light Station Schedule 2020 It would be hard to overstate how re- maintenance than most facilities, and storative and wonderful it is to spend a we are very grateful to those who show Volunteer Opportunities Aug. 14-19: Knitting Retreat few nights at Whitehead Light Station. up to help us. The 2019 WLS season April 24-26 Sept. 3-8: Mindfulness under the Stars If there is anywhere that provides the included several volunteer opportuni- June 6-14 Sept. 10-15: Knitting Retreat perfect antidote to today’s worrisome ties, Maine Open Lighthouse Day, three Programs Sept. 17-22: Blues Guitar world, it is here. The air is clean, tinged rental weeks, five enrichment programs, Oct. 2-5: October Getaway Weekend with moisture and salt. The accommo- and two long weekend retreats. June 29-July 3: Craft Beer dations are simple but super comfort- Appreciation Subject to change; check able. The food is always great. The view A few highlights: July 5-8: Chili Pepper Cuisine & whiteheadlightstation.org for more is remarkable, even when the fog has An exceptional volunteer crew Beer Pairing Experience information and updates. rolled in. As Pine Island Camp’s young helped to build Yoder House II, a much- July 10-13: Farm to Fork Culinary founder wrote of Pine Island in 1904, it needed workshop and storage building. Weekend Rentals is a place for re-creation and not merely Our popular July Knitting Retreat July 16-21: Knitting Retreat August 21-September 2 recreation. filled so quickly that we made room for July 23-29: Men’s Writing Retreat The 2019 WLS season was Gigi a second retreat in September. Lirot’s first as director, and it was a great Charlie Papazian returned after a Aug. 6-9: Summer Getaway one. Over 100 people came to WLS be- one-year hiatus to bring us another Weekend tween May and October. Some enrolled hugely successful Craft Beer Apprecia- in enrichment courses, some came as tion workshop. renters, some came for a meeting re- Once again our October Getaway treat, some for Open Lighthouse Day, filled almost before it was announced. and others came to give their time to The secret is out that fall is a particularly From the Helm paint, shingle, mow, rake, and haul to beautiful time to visit Whitehead. help us finish some projects and per- Many returning guests in 2019 made form routine maintenance. As you can Whitehead feel like an extended family. What is a typical stay for a guest at were strangers but are already becoming imagine, the light station’s spectacular And we have room for more. We hope Whitehead Light Station? friends. Mid-morning in the classroom location demands more of that routine you will join us next year. Wake to see the sun rise on the water of the Whistle House, your instructor and wander out on the rocks for some will present an engaging lecture spark- quiet solitude, perhaps surprising a deer ing conversation. The porch bell sig- doing the same, or choose to lounge in nals that it is lunch time already! After bed enjoying the sounds of the ocean a delicious homemade meal made with and the aroma of fresh coffee brewing fresh local ingredients, spend some free downstairs. Occasional sunrise boat time soaking up sun while relaxing in excursions treat the early risers to the an Adirondack chair listening to the morning light dancing on the water and high tide waves crash against the rocks the opportunity to see morning fog lift- and the now familiar bell buoy faintly ing to reveal sights such as seals or loons reminding you of where you are. Take at play, lobster boats with their hard a walk along the Sunrise Path and look workers hauling traps, and bald eagles out through mossy spruce trees up the soaring above. Mussel Ridge Channel. Following an A full healthy breakfast is served at afternoon workshop in the Whistle the dining room table shared with the House, you might go for a quick brisk All it takes is… other participants who just yesterday swim in the water off the dock and upon your return be led to the dining room by the smell of fresh baked cookies. After dinner and a light dessert, spend some time in the early evening learning tidbits of Whitehead Island history from the log books preserved from the 1800’s. Wander outside to look up and see the Milky Way as it can only be seen far away from city lights. One evening you will enjoy a lobster feast cooked on a wood fire out on the rocks. Photo credit: Jim Morse Jim credit: Photo It’s a special treat to catch the full moon People! rising on the horizon drawing a bright yellow trail on the water. Sitting around the fire watching for meteors is a relax- ing way to end the day before retiring to bed to read a few pages of one of the many books in the WLS library. At the end of your stay it will be more diffi- cult and sad than you imagined to leave not only the special place that White- head is, but the people you enjoyed Out in front of the Keeper’s House this experience with who now feel like family. — Gigi Lirot, WLS Director December 2019 Participants in the guitar workshop in the Whistle House classroom/studio

16 Birthday party at Keeper’s House Volunteers work on shingling Yoder House II, the new workshop

Always a bit more painting to do Yoder House II finished and ready for use as the workshop

Volunteers painting. We try to paint one side of the Keeper’s House every year. Splitting granite. Volunteers Miles Frank and Natalie Burr contemplate their next move. 17 Grafting the Past to the Future: John Bunker’s Palermo Perspective By Corinne Alsop

Legendary Pine Islander John Bun- bility to change lives? Well, maybe it’s my life: to move to Maine.” With that That’s the ‘micro.’ The ‘macro’ is what I ker, founder of the Fedco Tree catalogue the same thing.” decision done, he could spend his youth need to learn.” Instead of traveling far and author of two books, Not Far from Bunker entirely revitalized the Shop “scheming about how [he] was going to and wide to explore apples, he pursues the Tree: A Brief History of the Apples curriculum during his years at Pine get to Maine each summer, because that what he loves at home, and does some- and the Orchards of Palermo, Maine, Island. He brought to Pine Island de- was [his] place.” thing that no one else is doing: preserv- and Apples and the Art of Detection, has signs of an old shop project from Camp After so many years, Bunker can ing the historic apples of Maine. been living in Palermo, ME for nearly Merriweather across the lake, teaching look back and see that yes, staying in This past October, Maine Gover- 50 years. Engulfed by the “Back to the campers to create beautiful Merriweath- one place, one sacrifices a lot by giv- nor Janet Mills and Agriculture Com- Land” movement, Bunker moved to er boats as their first and often only shop ing up seeing and experiencing things missioner Amanda Beal presented the his plot of land shortly after graduating project of the summer. This taught them that roaming brings. But the benefits of 2019 Commissioner’s Distinguished from Colby College in 1972 and began perseverance, artistry, and the uses of staying put are boundless. Bunker ex- Service Award to John Bunker at an planting gardens and building cabins various tools and woodworking tech- plains, “I have gardens that were once apple-tasting event at the governor’s with friends, including Pine Islanders niques. “I got to be a teacher to people the woods. And now, in those gardens, mansion in Augusta. Bunker was se- John Alsop, John Shaw, and Dave Car- who, all they wanted to do was be in the soil is just beautiful. And I have trees lected because of his outstanding con- men. the shop. And for somebody who likes that I planted that now I get to climb in.” tributions to preserving Maine’s historic He explains how eventually he began to teach, it was like being in heaven. It To invest in a home, wherever that home apple heritage. The award has been pre- noticing the many apple trees around was the best job I ever had.” Bunker was is, can only bring good. Bunker believes sented annually for the past 18 years town that were “dumping” apples on able to preserve a project from the past in the importance of seeing the ‘macro’ and acknowledges significant contribu- people’s lawns. He would knock on by carrying it to the present, through in the ‘micro,’ and, “that really fits with tions to Maine agriculture. doors, asking if he could take the sur- the campers in the shop. He grafted the staying in one place. To me, if you really You can find John Bunker’s books, plus of free fruit that no one seemed to history of one camp to another, and al- want to understand life, you contem- and read many other articles about his want. This became a yearly practice. He lowed the past to grow into the future. plate a cell. So I felt like, whatever it is contributions to Maine’s agricultural also noticed the different varieties that Turning his thoughts back to his that I need to learn in life, I can learn community by visiting http://www.out- each tree would drop. There are far more decision to write a book, he explains, it by learning about what’s right here; onalimbapples.com/. apple varieties than most people are “[Palermo] has done a lot for me.” He aware of. Bunker expertly explains the wanted to find a way to do something unusual way that apples grow: “From in return. “I could write a history of the a seed, an apple is always unique. You Palermo apples and no one else could plant a Macintosh seed, it grows into a do that…it would be a gift to all these tree, but it won’t be a Macintosh. Every people that have helped me, and to fu- seed is like a human being. Every seed ture generations.” Through his efforts, has a botanical mother and father and it and with the help of the Maine Heritage will be unique... each seed in each apple Orchard he created at the headquarters is unique.” When you want to replicate of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gar- an apple, you graft a little section of twig deners Association (MOFGA) in Unity, from the tree you want to replicate, and ME, he has preserved countless varieties attach it to a larger tree; then the vari- of apples and the stories that they hold ety continues. “That’s how varieties get within them. started. Some farmer would recognize a To distribute apples and his books, as seedling as having some trait of merit: well as to educate people on his work, it was huge, it grew early, it grew late, Bunker has a website for his Apple CSA it made a good pie, sauce, cider, did (Community-Supported Agriculture). something. He would graft that tree and Throughout the fall, members get bags grow more of those apples.” After gath- of apples. “In that bag are about four or ering fruit from so many different trees five different varieties, each bagged in its around his town, often hearing a bit of own bag and labeled...they’re all weird a story about how the tree came to be, apples that no one’s ever heard of; that’s Bunker decided that what he needed to the point. It gives people an opportunity do was “track down, identify, and pre- to taste things they’ve never tasted be- serve these historic apples.” fore. And it helps folks that are growers “We’re enjoying the stone walls and to sell varieties that they can’t sell be- the roads and the trees that other people cause no one knows about them. Our created for us. We are the beneficiaries customers love it — the weirder, the bet- of thousands of years of other people ter, as far as they’re concerned.” doing stuff for us.” These trees that drop He wisely remarks, “To me, there fruit on lawns, Bunker says, “got me are two basic ways to live your life... thinking, okay, so here I am, I arrive One is, you pick a place to live, and you on Earth, I’m given all these wonderful find work there... The other is, you find old apples ...And I also started to think work, and you go live there.” To many about, what’s gonna happen when these people, especially young people, the no- are gone? Is this a gift to me, but to hell tion of growing roots in one place seems with everybody who comes after me?” difficult, daunting. To Bunker, it can be For Bunker, writing these books, pre- done anywhere. “It’s not an urban ver- John Bunker receiving the Commissioner’s Distinguished Service Award from Maine serving and identifying ancient apples, sus a rural thing at all. Neither option Governor Janet Mills and even his time working as a Shop is ‘righter’ or ‘wronger,’ but they’re both counselor at Pine Island, were an op- viable.” Remembering his summer on portunity to give a gift to future genera- Great Pond as an eleven-year old, he tions. explains choosing option number one: “To me, opportunity and responsibil- “I said to myself, ‘Okay. When I grow ity are really flip sides of the same coin, up (whenever that is) I’m gonna move you can call it either. Do you have an to Maine.’ It was a decision that was, in opportunity to change lives when you some ways, insane, because I was eleven work at Pine Island, or is it a responsi- when I made the defining decision of

18 Needlenotes from Needlenews the Needlenosed Newshound

Chris Newlin, his wife Meg, daugh- gaged and will be married this summer. often with Betsy, Bill, Suzanne and ter Maple, and son Eider welcomed Will Webb has left the classroom and Aidan. Wilfred Washburn Thistle Newlin, on is currently doing software support for Forrest Brown is now living in New August 7, 2019. The Newlins moved this Tyler Technologies, a national software York City along with many other Pine past summer from Wisconsin to Wol- company that focuses on government Islanders, including Simon and Zan- cott, Vermont. Mild-mannered titan of offices and schools. Emily Swan had der Abranowicz, Miles Frank, Natalie industry Victor Dillard, after a thor- a chat with Zach Heiden at the new Burr, Chris Cascells, Bill Dean, Chris ough job search following the sale of Portland offices of the ACLU of Maine, and Charles Schell, Erik, Marc, and his company, recently accepted an offer where Zach is the Legal Director. A bit David Lombardo, Max Huber, and from a company called Owkin to help further north you will find Harry Swan Charlie Boutwell. Simon Abranowicz them establish some commercial opera- and Ben Herman working at Sugarloaf. has recently been appointed Art Direc- tions. It’s still in the field of pharma/bio- Harry continues to publish his “Good tor at GQ Magazine and brother Zan- tech as well as software and artificial in- Movies for the New Millennium” list der is a writer for Athletics, a Brooklyn telligence, which is a nice continuation and monthly essays about specific films based design and branding agency. Max Max McKendry, Ian Ford, Satchel Toole, of his previous enterprise. His brother at www.rewatchlist.net. His short movie Huber is a surgery resident at Mount Si- and Alice Packard in Jackson, WY Félicien Dillard has been busy, mostly will be available for viewing in 2020. nai hospital. because he has three little boys. Felicien Ben and partners are owners and man- Amanda Pulver is the head of pre- and his family are living in Dubai but agers of a newly renovated apartment pared salads and has many other re- he will be in Eu, France with the family building in Brunswick with new apart- sponsibilities at Wegmans in Fram- for Christmas. Victor has seen various ments becoming available every couple ingham, MA. Cecily Pulver teaches cousins recently, including Charles-Elie of months. John Alsop retired this fall biology and chemistry at Worcester Laly, Xafi Guyard, and Pierre-Victor after a brilliant legal career that con- Academy in Worcester, MA to 9th and Sansons-Desjonqueres. Simon de Bei- cluded with several years as Assistant 10th graders. She loves it. Millie Pulver stegui is looking forward to returning to Attorney General of the State of Maine. is living in Amsterdam and continues PIC for the 2020 season and has asked John is now busy with his violin, his to work on her PhD in molecular pa- for a fishing rod for Christmas. Brother watercolors, his grandchildren, his skid- thology. Maddie Pulver will finish her Philippe is finishing a six-month in- der, and volunteering at PIC among medical rotations this coming May and ternship at an investment fund (LFPI) other things. His daughter Corinne is will receive her doctorate in Pharmacy in Paris and will start his second year at on a year off from her studies at NYU at the University of Minnesota. Eve l’ESSEC in January. He is also lining up and is busy writing, studying ceramics, Whitehouse was married on June 28, a volunteer job to teach French to refu- and sometimes doing off-season work at 2019 and is the Dean of Students at the gees. The French connection reaches far PIC. John often sees Barbara Sullivan Millbrook School. and wide: Lucien Malle is working in who is an artist and teacher. Rip Swan Rob Chandler lives in Gloucester, marketing at L’Oréal in New York City, (the elder) is happily farming in Lisbon, MA and is an architect in Boston. He Chris Newlin and his son Wilfred at Paul Malle is the assistant to the head of ME and has spent time with Nick Buck is trying to retire and recently sailed for their new home in Vermont physical production at Spyglass Media and Chip Gregory recently and visited two weeks off the coast of Croatia with in Los Angeles. Frédéric Malle contin- with Lise Aubry, who lives in Hallow- his wife Rhonda. Rob Gowen lives in are being taught basic computer and ues to run Éditions de Parfums Frédéric ell, over Christmas. Tahnthawan Cof- Charlottesville, VA and after a sabbati- photography skills. Monte continues to Malle. Alex Audi, a counselor last sum- fin-Gartside lives in Brunswick with cal from his work at the CFA Institute, live graciously in Chaing Mai, Thailand. mer at Pine Island, continues his studies her husband and three boys. She has he has returned in a different role. He Monte and Rex joined Tom Yoder and at McGill University in Montreal along recently become the director of Harp- and his wife Seamane are always busy Jim Breeden on a visit to Tim Nagler with Matthew Hawkins and Joseph swell Community Nursery School. She with adventures here and there and car- in Indianapolis. Andrew Chapman re- Boulet. is a member a group providing transla- ing for their small menagerie of pets. ports that he is working on retiring to Portland, Maine has become a place tion, transportation, housing, and other Rex Bates continues his work for the catch up with his brothers Fred, Denny where a number of Pine Islanders have assistance to asylum-seeking families Annie Wright School in Tacoma, WA, and Jim. James Eklund continues to come to roost. Rip Swan (the younger) that recently moved to Brunswick, and for which he has overseen the opening of operate the Ram’s Head Inn on Shelter lives in an apartment with PIC vid- Emily Swan is part of her team. Gates its campus in partnership with the Bais- Island while also running a successful eographer Jasper Lowe, and until re- Sanford lives in Portland, ME with his han School in Quingdao, China. Rex construction company, restoring boats, cently Jack Faherty. Jack has returned wife Caroline and one-year-old old son has also been working with Monte Ball racing his sloop, caring for grandchil- to Washington, D.C. to serve on Sena- Victor. Cooper Sanford lives is Port- supporting the Lao Children’s Work- dren and various folks on the island. tor Angus King’s legislative team with land, OR, where he works for Jacobsen shop connected with an orphanage in Jonathan Eklund lives in Brooklyn and a focus on foreign policy and military Salt and runs Party Shirt International Luang Prabang, Laos where the students Andy lives on Shelter Island. affairs. Rip caught up with most of the with one of his childhood friends. Hen- Effron clan in Hong Kong on a recent ry Beck is the Treasurer of the State of trip to China and Viet Nam and also Maine and is enjoying working with with Krista Wiberg, who is teaching Maine’s new governor. in Guangzhou. Katie Swan and Tom Baxter Worthing is in year two of Nagler live just a few blocks from Rip five working on his PhD in molecular and Jasper. Katie has begun work for a and computational biology in plant sci- digital marketing firm after two years ences at UVM. Ben Schachner is living in Los Angeles. She has visited Corinne nearby, having moved with housemate O’Connor in Austin, TX where Corinne Sumner Ford to Richmond, VT where is finishing up a master’s degree in so- Keith Kasper has been living for many cial work, and Cece Carey-Snow, who years. Karl and Debbie Kasper live in is living in Boston and working at uCo- Bozeman, MT. Niel Kasper is married nnect, an education technology com- and lives in Tahoe, CA, Ben Kasper pany. Lindsay Clarke lives in Portland was married in June and lives in Reno, with her daughter Sagan, and so does NV. Kelly Kasper lives in Tahoe, CA. her cousin Carrie Turner. They both Sebastian Brandt is a student at North- work at the Waynflete School in Port- field Mount Hermon and is now row- land and so does Ben Mini. Satchel ing crew. Dr. Jason Fisher and his son Toole is in Portland and recently started Lyle made a road trip to Maine in Au- work at Efficiency Maine. Brother Nick gust and spent a night on Oak Island. is back in town, continuing his job at Spike and Sandy Enck celebrated their Leah and Teddy Hincks with Jacob Merrill at Jacob’s family’s restaurant, Worthy Allagash Brewing. Brother Alex is en- 55th wedding anniversary and visit Kitchen

19 The Benefits of Sleepaway Camp By Adlai Lipton

Sarah Hunter, Lindsay Clarke, Sumner Ford, Emily Swan, and Ben Swan, July 2019 My name is Adlai Lipton and this will ture. Nature Deficit Disorder can lead to be my third summer at PIC. I attend In- attention difficulties and obesity. Inter- gleside Middle School in Phoenix Ari- estingly, I found when I asked my sur- zona. My school does a semester-long vey respondents about the impact their PIC Leadership Transition project twice a year called the indepen- camp experience had on their lives the dent quest, in which we pursue a topic average impact was 8.7 out of 10. Also, Update of interest to us. This fall I argued sleep- if you could zoom in on my poster, you away camp is the best way to spend your would see I quoted PIC director, Sum- summer. I used evidence from research ner Ford, on how the role of camp in In my career I have seen many lead- We are grateful to all of them for being and data from a survey that I conduct- kids’ lives has changed over the years. ership transitions, from several different open about what went well and what ed with current and former sleepaway He commented, “They [kids] complete perspectives — as an employee adapting did not. We were also fortunate to find campers. their years at camp with more indepen- to new leadership, as a board member a new team with just the right skills The main benefits of sleepaway camp dence and are better prepared for col- overseeing a transition, and as a leader and experience to take over. For this we are the opportunities to be physically lege and adult life without others mak- handing off my own responsibilities. owe a lot to Ben and Emily, who have active and gain independence. Also, I ing decisions for them.” The best part Every one of these experiences has re- applied the same insight and care that found that camps like PIC help fight a of my project was the chance to talk to inforced three lessons: first, leadership they used to recruit camp staff over the phenomenon known as Nature Deficit an audience about one of my favorite transitions are devilishly hard to get years. At the same time, Sumner, Sarah, Disorder, an unofficial diagnosis that things to talk about, Pine Island! right; second, the best transitions often and Lindsay have found their own way describes human alienation from na- occur when the new leadership grows to cover all that is needed to keep the up within the organization; and finally, camp running smoothly. timing and good luck matter a lot. We Finally, as those of you who have sent are not done yet, but Pine Island has boys to camp have experienced first navigated the process quite well so far, hand, letting go is not easy. Ben and Warren “Edge” Eginton setting the camp up to emerge from the Emily have managed to strike a very transition stronger than before. good balance between stepping back 1924–2019 We were fortunate that Pope Ward, far enough and soon enough to let the my predecessor as board chair, along new team take charge, while also pro- with Ben and Emily, recognized how viding the right amount of guidance, served as the tennis counselor in 1941 difficult and important it was to get documentation, and encouragement to and his son John attended Pine Island this transition right. We started early — ensure that they succeed. as a camper and served as a renowned more than five years ago — by learning — John Goodhue, Board Chairman, rowing counselor in the 1970s. Edge’s everything we could from other camps December 2019 contributions to Pine Island were le- that had undergone similar transition. gion. He often provided sage advice to his friend, the late Eugene L. Swan, Jr., and he served for many years as Head Umpire of the War Game. Pine Island ries required hospital convalescence for Game.” Needless to say, the explanation long prided itself for having a federal several months. Edge arrived back at was somewhat convoluted. At his death judge as the War Game’s Head Umpire. Princeton in the fall 0f 1946 and gradu- Edge was the longest serving federal Pine Island lost a loyal and longtime Edge had a long and distinguished ated in 1948. He graduated from Yale judge in the history of the Connecticut friend on October 7, 2019 when the career. He was a graduate of the Loom- Law School in 1951. He practiced law federal courts. Honorable Warren W. Eginton died at is-Chaffee school in Windsor, CT and briefly in New York City at Donavon, Edge served on many boards, but he his home in Redding, CT. Edge, as he went on to Princeton University, but his Leisure and at Davis, Polk and then be- often told his friends that his service was affectionately known to Pine Is- undergraduate years were interrupted came a partner at Cummings and Lock- as a Pine Island director was the most landers, served on the original Pine Is- in 1944 when he was commissioned as wood in Stamford, CT. In 1979 Senator meaningful of all to him. The Pine Is- land board of directors and continued an officer in the US Army. He served Lowell Weicker nominated Edge for the land board of directors has lamented to serve until his death. He was elected overseas in the Philippines, and at the federal bench, and President Carter ap- Edge’s death and expresses its deep ap- as an emeritus member of the board in war’s end he served as a war crimes in- pointed him as the United States Dis- preciation of his valuable service and 2014. Even when he suffered from the vestigator for the trials of several Japa- trict Judge for Connecticut. The only many, many contributions to Pine Is- infirmities of advancing age, Edge faith- nese generals. While awaiting return hitch in Edge’s appointment came when land Camp and will appropriately honor fully attended board meetings at Pine to the US, he was severely wounded in those checking his background came Edge at its April meeting. Island, where his attendance required cross-fire between Filipino constabu- across voluminous correspondence — Jim Breeden tremendous physical exertion. Edge lary and Japanese prisoners. His inju- concerning something called the “War December 2019

20 Needle News Briefs

in Truro. Until everyone gets used to it, durability as the biggest shortcoming 26 Summers and Counting: Peter port that, after four years of work, Rob we may find that members of the Blue of today’s hockey stick technology, so Klivans Remembers His Inauspicious launched Tip Your Cap in the spring of Army have a slightly elevated heart rate StringKing developed the “Compos- Intro to Pine Island 2019 and that she’s a beauty. The Hylan design is lovely, but Rob’s meticulous when the bell rings, given its tone’s simi- ite Pro,” with the aim of giving hockey It was 40 years ago this month that attention to detail and his conquering larity to a certain other locomotive bell. players the toughest high-performing my mom, dad, and I toured PIC on the of a truly steep learning curve are what hockey stick on the market. On the first day of War Game practice. In those translated the design into a strong, ele- Henry and Florence Clauson’s Ledge baseball bat front, StringKing focused days there were two (ugh!) days of prac- gant boat. Rob and his wife Sophie have Hill Farm Named One of Maine’s on quality materials and precision man- tice and one army was practicing on already taken numerous short journeys Favorite Places to Cut Your Own ufacturing with the end goal of maxing the island. It was pouring rain, and the and hope to take some longer ones next Christmas Tree out the “trampoline effect” at all points main thing I remember is campers and summer. along the barrel. They succeeded and counselors practicing poling on the dust Yankee Magazine recently named the improved performance in many other areas while keeping the price lower than court in giant puddles. Everyone looked “If I had a bell…” Morrison Family Clausons’ Readfield, ME Christmas tree most. Kit reports that the most excit- miserable. Monte Ball was the director Gives Steam Locomotive Bell to PIC operation one of six they recommend. then, and he told me later that as we Henry is quick to point out that it is his ing new StringKing products are a lot pulled away he turned to bookkeeper When alumnus and camp parent wife Flo who has done all the work and softer than bats or sticks. They have de- Louise Varney and said, “Well, that’s the Taylor Morrison wrote to Ben Swan made the operation a success. Pine Is- veloped technology that enables them last we’ll be seeing of the Klivans fam- to ask if PIC would be interested in a lander Thomas Clauson and his sister to custom make clothes to fit everyone. ily.” And then this morning I added it 350-pound locomotive bell, Ben’s im- Anna might point out that their mom The answers to a few quick questions al- up and realized that since that day, the mediate response was, “Definitely!” Ben was not the only one out there slaving low them to predict your body dimen- Klivanses (including the now-Williams/ had no idea what PIC would actually away. Congratulations to the success- sions using an algorithm trained on Olds families) have spent a total of 26 do with the bell, but such opportunities fully entrepreneurial Clausons! over 25,000 human body scans. When person-summers on the island. I’m not don’t come around every day. Ben drove the algorithm finishes the pattern de- sure what it was that made me decide the camp truck down to Truro, MA last Sticks, Bats, and Custom-Made sign, their laser system cuts out the that PIC was the place for me, but I’m fall and loaded the beautiful bronze bell T-Shirts – Kit Smith Continues at panels and StringKing employees sew grateful for whatever it was. Akka Lak- into the truck with the help of Taylor and StringKing everything together right at StringKing’s ka! Peter his brothers James (also a Pine Islander) home in Los Angeles so they can ship it and Mike. They secured the clapper so Hockey sticks, metal baseball bats, to you within 24 hours. And they write and custom apparel have been added your name on the tag so you don’t have Josh Treat Beats His Own Birthday that fellow motorists were not constant- to the slate of products made at String to label it when you pack up for camp Fundraising Record ly thinking a locomotive was driving up the highway. The bell, strapped to a pal- King, where Kit Smith is head of product this summer! Last year the Needle reported that, at let, sat for quite a while on the mainland development. Hockey players reported Josh Treat’s suggestion, his birthday gifts dock and finally made it across the lake were mostly gifts to Pine Island’s An- and up into Honk Hall for the winter. nual Fund. Josh was so pleased with the The plan is to mount the bell out in the results that he did it again this year and Honk “yard,” provide hearing protec- No Horsing Around: topped the amount he raised in 2018 tion, and have the OD ring the bell five with a total of $820! What a great way minutes before each meal and campfire. Andrew Irvine’s Kayak to celebrate. Happy Birthday, Josh, and One of the most irritating, and thus fre- many thanks. quently inadequately performed, OD Polo Team Wins National jobs has been to go from one tip of the Rob Whitehouse Launches Tip Your island to the other blowing the whistle Championship Cap after 4 Years of Work to announce meals and campfire. An added ill effect of this practice was Many people dream of building their that everyone would be jammed up at Andrew Irvine, former camper and San Francisco Pelicans. The 2019 nation- own boat. Some even buy the plans, but the door of the Dining Hall waiting for kayaking counselor (not to mention the al tournament was hosted by the Austin, few actually undertake the painstaking, the OD to show up. With the Morrison inimitable “Little Jimmy” in one of the TX kayak polo club at the Twin Lakes sometimes extremely frustrating task of bell, the OD should be able to sprint up funniest and weirdest serial campfire YMCA compound. building something that will float and the hill, ring the bell, and head straight skits in recent memory, and the original Not only do we fly to these tourna- safely transport them in a variety of con- back down to the Dining Hall to quell “Camper Hunter”) is a teacher, husband, ments, we fly all of our gear, kayaks in- ditions from one place to another. We the hungry mob. The bell was originally and father living in Boulder Creek, CA cluded! It makes getting to and from the have reported on the plans and progress on a steam locomotive and was a gift to up in the Santa Cruz Mountains. We airport a different experience! made by alumnus Rob Whitehouse in Taylor’s grandfather, Lawrence Morri- learned in last year’s Pine Needle that We were 4-2 going into the finals and recent Pine Needles on the construc- son. It stood at Lawrence’s home in West Andrew’s kayak polo career started in in 2nd place. We beat Boston in the semi- tion of his 26' Doug Hylan-designed Hartford, CT for many years until Tay- 2010. Below is a report from Andrew, finals. In the final game against Austin outboard cruiser, and we can now re- lor’s father Walter moved it to his house whose place in the sport was cemented we were losing 0-1 at the end of the first this summer. half. We tied the game 1-1 in the last 2 minutes of contest. The game continued In my 9th year of playing kayak polo into golden-goal over-time. I initiated the with the San Francisco kayak polo club, I final play after making a save and start- was invited to play with our A team, the ing a transition that led to the final goal! Previously we had lost to Austin twice in the round-robin, and Austin had been the national champion for the past seven years, so this was an unexpected and ex- tremely satisfying victory! I got to fly home with the Cambria Cup. The SF Pelicans are officially the USA national kayak polo champions of 2019! I’m hoping to play for the USA team in the Worlds 2020 in Rome next fall.

Good luck, Andrew, and remember — Pine Island Always Wins! Smooth sailing for Rob and Sophie Whitehouse aboard Tip Your Cap near Brunswick, Andrew Irvine clings to the trophy ME

21 Nick Bellamy and Charlie In Memoriam Boutwell Join the Board George Morfogen died peacefully 1960s and 1970s when he and Jun Swan of Directors in March at the age of 86. George was published a catalogue together. Gard- a camper from 1947-1949 and won the ner also ran Sugarloafers Ski Camp for Loyalty Award in 1948. He was a coun- many years, packing busses in south- Nick Bellamy was a camper and a Village with his wife Lara Nadosy and selor from 1950-1954 and stayed in ern New England, New York, and New counselor at PIC in the late 1970s. He is their golden retriever Daly. Charlie touch with the Swan family throughout Jersey with eager young people on their a graduate of the University of Vermont has worked in the real estate industry his life. Jun Swan said he knew George school vacations. Pine Islanders John and Columbia Business School and at Beacon Capital Partners in Boston would be the great stage actor that he Alsop, Mike Monahan, and Tim Nagler works in the power and infrastructure and Atlas Capital Group in New York. became when George directed and and his five sons maintained longtime investment business. He currently lives He is currently employed by Common acted in “The Telltale Heart,” the Poe friendships with Gardner. Tim shared in Brooklyn, NY with his wife Robyn Living Inc., a tech-enabled, communi- short story he adapted for a Saturday a tent with Gardner during a 2017 re- and reports that he is excited about col- ty-focused residential brand designing Night Show in which someone sat be- union trip down the Allagash that was laborating with fellow Pine Island alum- and operating dense multifamily hous- neath the stage floor and thumped out chronicled in the LL Bean-commis- ni, staff, parents, and his cousin Sumner ing in order to make city living more the telltale heartbeat with increasing sioned filmDefoe’s Way. Tim wrote, “At Ford on all things Pine Island. affordable and convenient for young volume. The performance was so terri- 80 he could still put effortless distance Charlie Boutwell spent his first sum- urban renters. Charlie recently wrote, fying that a young camper in the front between his canoe and mine.” mer on Pine Island in 1997 when he “My time spent at Pine Island Camp in- row threw up and the show ended pre- was nine years old, and the lure of Great cluded some of the most important and maturely. “There were a lot of parents on Blue Kovaz, Joe Kovaz’s faithful dog, Pond brought him back for another four formative experiences of my life, foster- hand for some reason,” Jun used to say died on April 29, 2019 at the age of 17. years as a camper (1998-1999, 2001- ing a spirit of self-reliance and a lifelong ruefully when he told the story. George, Joe wrote to share some highlights of 2002). He went on to become a coun- love of the outdoors. I am excited to join a resident of New York City his entire Blue’s long life, which included many selor and sailing instructor for three the board to help ensure the continued life, graduated from Brown University happy summers on Pine Island, where summers (2007-2008, 2010) during vitality of the camp for the next genera- and the Yale School of Drama and went he undoubtedly filled an important role his college years at Harvard University tion and look forward to engaging with on to a long and successful career as a for many campers who were missing (AB Government, 2010). He currently the entire PIC community in Maine and stage, television, and film actor. While their pets back home: Blue was a one resides in New York City’s Greenwich beyond. Akka Lakka!” many of George’s most memorable per- hundred percenter and could take a dip formances were on the stage, he was whenever he wanted. Many mornings, he probably best known for his portrayal of would wake up early and swim behind Bob Rebadow in the HBO series “Oz.” me all the way around the island, some- A brilliant stage actor, George appeared times twice. I had to swim fast to keep him View from The Doctor’s on and off Broadway, including the Pub- from scratching my feet with his paws. lic Theater and Shakespeare in the Park. For a dog with such short legs, he was an Cabin Porch He was a resident actor for 17 seasons incredible swimmer. Blue was present at at The Williamstown Theater Festival. the very end of the kitchen dock to send By Director Sumner Ford George’s final stage appearance was in off all trips on the KWS and present to “Traveling Lady” by Horton Foote, di- greet trips upon their return with his own rected by Austin Pendleton at the Cher- version of the Akka Lakka... AAAWW- The scene I observe from the window taught to swim and dive correctly, to ry Lane Theater in 2017. George is sur- Wwwwwoooooooo!!! Blue could roam of my winter office is oddly reminiscent paddle, row fish, sail, tramp, make camp, vived by his husband and life partner of freely on the island — but never past the of what I observe from the windows cook out-of-doors? And has he come to 51 years, Gene Laughorne. Campfire Circle or Honk Hall unless he of the Staff Office during the summer know and love Nature because of inti- Akka Lakka, George. wanted to get pummeled by the Swans’ at Pine Island. Snow is falling in thick, mate association?” Dr. Swan wrote this cats Tip and Lynx. Blue found an unlim- fluffy clumps. The nearby holly bush is in 1911. He knew that there was much Scott Danser, a camper from 1989- ited supply (albeit temporary) of snacks, aflutter with chickadees whose commo- competition for a boy’s interest. What 1992, died June 7, 2019. which he stole regularly during campfire tion nearly rivals the PIC dining hall would he think of today? I imagine he until I busted him one evening with his during lunch. The snow evokes a feel- would be pleased that Pine Island has Gardner Defoe died January 25, head in a boy’s trunk pulling out a bag of ing of comfort in me, a hushed silence stood the test of time, and continues to 2019. He was 82. Gardner, an incredibly unopened beef jerky. I eventually found only interrupted by brief puffs of wind. offer tremendously valuable and impor- energetic and charismatic person, lived evidence of previous thefts underneath The iconic scene of a New England tant alternatives to Disneyworld, hours in Kingfield, ME for most of his life the Kopa Kababa — several empty beef town draped in snow, smoke billowing in front of a screen, flights around the and was a renowned Maine Guide and jerky bags with his signature X slash to out of a chimney, is the epitome of cozi- globe, and sports camps. I’m sure Dr. expert on the wild rivers of Maine. He open the bag. And probably the most im- ness. One can imagine a family gathered Swan would see as I do that what a sea- ran dozens of trips with young people portant highlight of all — 90+ boys giving around a fire in their warmest pajamas, son at Pine Island has to offer is more down the Allagash and St. John Rivers him love and attention all summer long. hot cocoa warming their hands - not a important than ever. for many years and was briefly associ- Every dog’s dream! Akka Lakka, Blue. scene you would expect to trigger vi- For most people the appeal of winter ated with Pine Island Camp in the late sions of Pine Island. Yet, the coziness of is not spending time outside but enjoy- the moment matches the feeling of an ing shelter from the elements. The com- afternoon at camp perfectly. Watching a fort that grows at Pine Island is like that couple of campers wander past the staff of a winter day and being sheltered from office window, unaware that they are the challenging elements outside. The being observed because they are too en- trials of a day are like the cold - passing grossed in their conversation. They pass a rank, getting through a rough patch a camper nestled in his hammock, deep with a tent mate, summiting a peak, or in an imagined world and unbothered running rapids. The shelter is the friend by the loon cackle just to his left. Other who helps you pass a rank, the counsel- campers help a friend pack for the trip or who serves you a delicious treat on on which he will depart the next day. your camping trip, and the numerous Pine Island’s tremendous value to its people at PIC who always look to help campers was clearly understood in its others before themselves. earliest days. Dr. E.L. Swan wrote about Leaving Pine Island is not easy. Dur- what’s best for a camper-aged boy in ing the last ride across the lake, I never Harpers Camping and Scouting, “Even can take my eyes off of the island. I agree in the best hotels is the life, the hours, with Dr. Swan. Pine Island offers lessons the food, and examples the best thing you cannot learn anywhere else. What for him? There is much to amuse him, makes Pine Island such a special place is of course, but at the end of the summer that you experience those lessons with a how much is he benefited? How many caring community around you. Blue at Pine Island lessons in self-control…Has he been 22 Big Man, Tiny House

Long-time counselor Nick Miller has no tiny task. Nick has relied on help spent recent months working steadily on from his close friend, Nat Strack. “Nat a little place he’s proud to call home. is the one that came up with all the data. A student electrical engineer, Nat has a At PIC, when campers and staff lot of knowledge in that field,” Nick says. needed to meet to discuss pre-tripping, Nat has also been instrumental as Nick’s a campfire act, or a trip report, they helper in all Tiny house tasks that re- frequently meet at the small shed-like quire two people, and as one can imag- structure on the Dustball Court. Some- ine, many of them do. times called the “Dragon’s Lair” or the And just how Tiny is this House? The “Disco Dungeon,” this summer, the structure sits on a triple-axle trailer base structure took on a new name: “Nick that is 24 feet long and ten feet wide. Miller’s Tiny House.” When the roof is pitched and the trailer This name is based in fact: long-time is sitting on its cement pilings, it will be Pine Islander Nick Miller has been de- a whopping 20 feet tall, about the size signing and building a Tiny House of of a standard single-story house. “It is, his own at his home in Reading, Mas- without a doubt, the tallest tiny house sachusetts. Working as an Expedition on wheels in the world. In terms of Camp counselor in the summer of 2018, length, I’ve seen others that are up to 40 he began describing his plans for the feet long, so I would call it a ‘medium build to members of the PIC commu- tiny.’ The extra volume from the height Nick Miller in the doorway of his Tiny(?) house nity. In some ways, his talking about the really helps,” Nick says. “For example, house with Pine Islanders helped him there are seven feet of head height under thing during intense movie scenes being he can. He has spent countless house gain momentum to begin the project the loft and six feet above. To put this in projected onto a pull-down screen on problem-solving, trying, failing, suc- and see it through. perspective, most THOWs (Tiny Hous- the opposite wall.” ceeding, and learning a great deal about Indeed, Nick has been working on es on Wheels) have just six-and-a-half Then comes the bathroom. The floor building, designing, and perseverance. his Tiny House nearly nonstop for the feet under the loft and three feet above.” will drain the whole room to a single “I have had plenty of help. Friends past several months. When asked what Although the interior is not com- point. This allows you to use the room and family, mostly. In the beginning I inspired the massive undertaking of pleted just yet, the blueprints are im- as a shower and use the whole space thought I could do it all by myself, but designing and creating his own Tiny pressive. Nick has designed his dream when the shower is not in use. The toilet I can’t. If you want anything that resem- House, Nick remarks that building a home, maximizing space and com- will be a high efficiency flush toilet that bles a modern house, you are going to sustainable home in Maine of any size is fort. “It has two lofts. The master loft is is hooked up to a bio digester outside need help. Which I think is a very ‘Pine a dream of his, however, even a smaller- where I will sleep, with enough space the house in a shed. Interestingly, Nick Island-y’ thing in and of itself: you can’t than-average house “has kicked my butt for a queen-size bed and a lot of stor- comments, “[The toilet] was originally do it alone,” Nick says gratefully. The all year long. There’s no way I could have age. This loft is accessible via a normal going to be just like Whitehead, with a most essential aspect of the construc- built a full-size house and had a full- (ish... it’s still a bit steeper than standard five-gallon bucket filled with peat moss tion process so far has been the col- time job at the same time by myself.” stairs) staircase with storage underneath to aid composting. I’ve now decided to laboration required to create his Tiny In addition to the somewhat reduced (and a ventless combo washer dryer!). go with a low-water-usage toilet that can House. He plans to pause construction workload, the portability and sustain- The guest loft has enough room for a go into a septic system.” Finally, the sink for the winter but will resume when the ability of a Tiny House gave it a special twin XL and some storage and is only will be just big enough for hand wash- temperatures rise and the hours of day- allure to Nick. He got to work and now accessible via a ladder that doubles as ing, tooth brushing and shaving, and light lengthen. When it’s all completed the house proudly stands, fully roofed, a pantry (the ladder rungs line up with Nick plans on having an outdoor shav- and settled, Nick Miller’s Tiny House insulated, and windowed, in the Millers’ the shelves so you can reach through ing station inspired by the one at Pine will proudly stand somewhere in the driveway, ready to withstand the Read- as well as climb). There will also be an Island. woods of Maine, a stately counterpart ing winter. optional rock wall ascent for the adven- Despite the Tiny space, Nick has to the Dustball Court structure sharing Nick has taken every opportunity to turous.” The kitchen has the appliances used every inch available to him for all the name. make the home energy-efficient and en- you would find in a standard home, vironmentally conscious. The roof, built but more efficient: a fridge, a full-sized in a monopitch saltbox style, evokes a kitchen sink, an induction cooktop with lean-to shelter from the AT. The roof a combo microwave convection oven, can be lowered flat for transport on the and a half-rack dishwasher. Nick, ready open road. Nick ruefully remarks that, if to defend his choices, remarks, “a mod- the house were to stand at its full height ern dishwasher is actually much more while moving, “overpasses would take energy and water efficient than washing the thing right off.” Additionally, the in the sink — sorry Whitehead.” south-facing wall is 60% glass by sur- Even his table maximizes efficiency. face area. This is intended to maximize “The dining table is full sized and is on incoming solar heat energy and will be wheels so that it can be rolled into the sufficient to heat the house during the main space so diners can sit all around. day in northern Maine January temper- Another advantage here is that I can atures. The roof overhang is angled such plate food directly onto the table from that the low sun in winter comes right in the cooking stations to minimize shuf- and the high sun in summer is shaded fling past people with hot food. It is out during the hottest parts of the day. then rolled out for people to sit. Once Supplemental heat will be provided by a the meal is concluded...the table [can 12,000 V2 Mini Split Heat Pump. How- be pushed] back into its spot at the ever, according to Nick, “in the winter counter to ‘assembly line’ the dishes in northern Maine, the sunlight com- right into the sink — no waiter games ing in in just those windows in January needed.” In terms of a living room, Nick will be more than enough to heat it dur- has plans for a six-foot-long couch that ing the day. I should only have to run can be converted into a queen-size bed the heat pump on the coldest nights in for guests. “The couch will be made of the winter...which means I might never wood from my grandmother’s couch. have to run the heat pump. But if I do, She wished very much to support this it’ll be nice to have.” project in any way she could.” Under Looking north from the Magoon porch Crunching the numbers to deter- the couch there will be storage and sub- mine architectural decisions has been woofers strong enough to shake every-

23 PINE ISLAND CAMP P. O. Box 242 Non Profit Org Brunswick, ME 04011 U. S. Postage PAID Permit #492 Address Service requested Portland, ME

“Topside” Boathouse Whitehead Light Station Apartment For Rent near For Rent Whitehead You can rent the entire Whitehead Light ing place for a family reunion or a re- Pine Island Camp is offering for rent a charming two-bedroom apartment with Station! Seven bedrooms, each with union of friends. For more photos and a deck that hangs right out over the water. The late Rip Swan, a master builder its own bathroom, all linens provided, information go to www.whiteheadlight- from Vermont, Pine Islander, and brother of Jun Swan, built Topside as his transportation provided by a skipper station.org. personal vacation project over a period of years in the 1960s. The apartment is who will live at the facility and be avail- Cost: $7500 per week small but complete, with a kitchen/dining/sitting area with a propane “wood- able for trips ashore or excursions in the Contact us at 207-200-7957 or stove,” a full bathroom, two bedrooms (one with twin beds, one with a queen), Light Station’s launch. This is an amaz- [email protected]. and a large deck. The building is perched on the edge of Emery’s Wharf, a gran- ite pier built to handle freight traffic for the old quarry that sits on the property. Pine Island’s new ramp and float are available for launching kayaks or for tying up other boats. Great birding on the flats at low tide. Activity by lobstermen next door is fun to watch. Available early June–end of September. Cost: $1000 per week Contact: 207-200-7957 or [email protected]

The deck at Topside early morning

Plenty of room and plenty of view at the Whitehead Light Station

Living/Dining/Kitchen area looking Master bedroom at Topside Printed on recycled paper out on the deck at Topside