GAP YEAR Pine Island Misses a Beat for the First Time in 118 Years

belgrade lakes, maine february 2021 GAP YEAR Pine Island Misses a Beat for the First Time in 118 Years

Pine Islanders have long been known for their ability to make do with less. The expression “less is more” has been a hallmark of life at Pine Island since the very beginning, when traveling by train and dirt roads brought campers and staff to a remote island. Since 1902 Great Pond and Pine Island have become less remote, but the camp has consciously maintained a facility that feels remote and where making do with less is providing an even more valuable experience as boys and staff are given the opportunity to unplug and lose the myriad distractions of the modern world. Making do with less is one thing, but this past spring the 90 or so boys and nearly 40 staff who were planning to make do with less learned that they would have to make do with… nothing. After weeks of careful research and communication with Maine Summer Camps, the professional association to which Pine Island belongs; the Maine CDC; and infectious disease experts Pine Island awaits the arrival of PIC 2021. and prospective parents, the Pine Island board of directors decided, out of an article on page 16) of would-have-been Sumner, along with Communications wonderful things that being part of the abundance of caution, not to operate for counselors who lived and worked on Director Sarah Hunter and a generous effort provides. And alumni and friends the 2020 season. Director Sumner Ford, Pine Island for six weeks, completing and energetic board of directors and the world over missed the comforting instead of preparing for his first season many projects and providing on-line Shortfall Task Force, was instrumental knowledge that whatever else was goat the helm, spent countless hours doing “content” for those boys who wanted to in rallying the PIC troops to provide ing on, the Pine Island adventure was research, having long conversations, and maintain contact with PIC during the crucial financial support to make up for underway. At this writing, plans are be- creating a range of scenarios for operat- summer months. Sumner spent many the shortfall caused by zero tuitions. ing made for a robust, safe camp season ing camp in the COVID era, in the event hours on the phone checking in with Pine Islanders made do, but campers, in 2021, and dozens of boys are already we decided to open camp. Ultimately 2020 campers and their parents and staff, and parents acutely missed taking looking forward to hopping aboard the Sumner’s efforts went into creating a was at the helm of a very different ship part in the creation of another success- KWS on the 25th of June to head to the successful and safe “Skeleton Crew” (see throughout the summer. In addition, ful community on Pine Island and all the island.

Sudden Tuition Vacuum Upsets PIC Budget — Hundreds of Alumni, Parents and Friends Respond

Pine Island Camp has faced many partly to provide a cushion to mitigate Swan asked several Pine Islanders to Annual Fund arrived hot on the heels of challenges during its long history. the financial impact of “unforeseen cir- join the Shortfall Task Force, dubbed the Shortfall appeal, but true to form There have been lean years and not-so- cumstances,” unforeseen circumstances “The Force,” and all of them immediate- Pine Islanders are responding generous- lean years and even some moments in came calling and didn’t knock. ly said yes. Within a couple of weeks 22 ly, again. To all of Pine Island’s support- the past when the future of the camp Although the shock of going from 96 individuals, either on the Force or on the ers around the world a huge THANK seemed to hang in the balance. Over tuitions to zero was eased considerably Board of Directors, had provided a stun- YOU and AKKA LAKKA! the past 30 years or so, a great deal by the many 2020 parents who rolled ning $300,000 matching gift fund, pro- On the next page are the names of of work has gone into stabilizing the over their tuition payments to 2021, it viding an important incentive to offer the Pine Islanders who responded gen- camp’s budget and planning carefully was nonetheless severe, even more se- potential donors. Through the US Mail erously and quickly to plug the hole cre- for the future. One of the silver linings vere than the necessity of rebuilding and various on-line appeals, in just a few ated when the board of directors made of the dark cloud of smoke from the fire seven buildings following the fire. Many months over 400 Pine Islanders made the difficult decision not to open camp of 1995 is that Pine Island Camp, Inc., years of work by the Finance Commit- gifts large and small and we reached the for the 2020 season. We are very proud which had recently become a 501(C)(3) tee, board chairman John Goodhue, goal early this fall. to list these many names, but we do so non-profit institution, connected with and the indispensable and tireless Em- Thanks to this immediate and gener- with some trepidation since it’s almost many generous alumni, parents, and ily Swan made it easy (never a given in a ous response, Pine Island Camp heads impossible not to leave someone out. friends and increased its ability to raise small institution) to figure out what Pine into the coming year in excellent finan- And donations to our shortfall cam- money the camp needed both to rebuild Island needed to make up the shortfall cial shape with the funds needed not paign continue to come in as this issue after the fire and to begin the process of and stay healthy. In short, Pine Island just to make it to June but to handle goes to press. If you made a gift and your securing the camp’s future. Ironically, needed gifts totaling $600,000 over the the added expenses that are inevitable name does not appear below, please for- this spring, with a campaign underway next few months. Board member Nick in this unusual and unpredictable envi- give us! to increase Pine Island’s invested funds, Bellamy and Executive Director Ben ronment. The appeal for the once-a-year

1 Many Thanks To Our Generous Donors!

35 anonymous gifts Lawrence Dickey David Hincks Chris McKeon and Melissa Kerns- David Seymour Simon Abranowicz John and Martha Donoghue John and Anne Hincks McKeon Sandra Sgroi David and Debbie Adams Jacob Donoghue Marcia and John Hincks David and Jamie McLain Russell and Pam Sharples Katherine Adams Noah Donoghue Will Hitchcock Sam and Celina Meites Steve Shepley Chuck Albers Will Donovan — in Memory of Sloan Ben Hitchcock Allison and Kevin Mertens Jordan Shields Corinne Alsop Critchfield Jim Holden Nick Miller Sloan Shoemaker Appy and Elaine Apperson John Dowling Richard Holden and Grace Won Joseph and Susan Mondello Alex Sidorsky Lise Aubry Kelly Drury Ted Holden The Montague Family Foundation Peter Siebert and Candace Nelson Scott Baer William Drury Dan Hollnagel Taylor Morrison and Page Darron Ted Siebert and Lana Fuller Monte Ball David Duncombe and Dena Skran Coleman and Amy Hoyt Howie and Connie Muir Bill Silver Charles and Sia Bauer Alec Durkin Woody and Kate Hoyt Parents of Maxx and Jordan Murray Chris Skelton Anne and Eric Baurmeister William Durkin David Hubbard Maxx and Jordan Murray Kate and Christopher Skogen James Becker Keith Eaton Harriet Hubbard Stuart Murray Mr. and Mrs. Howard Smith Marty and Kathy Becker Sarah Eaton and Adam Joyce Max Huber Nadosy Family Foundation Hugh and Sally Smith Beckerman/Schachner Family Jonathan and Allison Edwards Skip and Marcia Hudon Katherine Nagler Kit Smith Bianca and Mark Bell Agnes Effron Andrew Irvine Rick and MaryAnn Nash Spencer Smith Nick Bellamy Penn Eichorn Jamie Iselin and Jessica Casey Kenneth Neil David and Sarah Stack Teddy Berg The Eigeman Family Chris and Betsy Isles Scott Nelson David Starr Bertha Betts Elizabeth Ellis Nicky Isles Kathy and Tom Nelson Bob and Marianne Steinhacker Harrison and Arria Bilodeau The Elston Family Ashley Jacobs Nick Newbold Nan Strauss Charles Birney Bill Enck Marc and Turi Janes James Newman Barbara Sullivan Ned Bishop Spike and Sandy Enck Elissa and Bill Johnson Anna Newton Seth Sutel Calix and Xander Boldt Ellen Evans Kelley and Scott Johnston Eliza Nichols Ben and Emily Swan Charlie Boutwell and Lara Nadosy Ben and Kim Farquhar Mark Jones Conner Ozer August and Harry Teague Mary Louise Boutwell Doug and Mandy Farquhar Steve K. Frank Page Jim and Nancy Thomson Rob Boutwell Alison Farrar The Kasper Family David Pap Nick Toole Bruce Bower Aidan Fennessy Mark Kasper Jim and Maureen Parton Henry Towbin Vivian Boyle Scott Finlay and Martha Finlay David Kemp Debbie Patnaude and Joe Scutero John Treadwell Jr. Charles and Susan Boynton Jason Fischer Phil and Pat Kemp Morgan Patterson William Truscott Woodward Boynton Julie Fisher Norva and Wayne Kennard Adam Peck Navarro Vaisbort and Family Annie and Cameron Brandt Whit Fisher and Dennis Gagne Patrick Kenny Mike and Rachel Peckar Brad Vogt The Bregahearnes Lisa Flanagan Charles Kernan Jesus Gonzalez Pereda Susan Voudren Dan Bristol Bob and Liz Flynn Zev and Bonnie Kindler Rob Perkin Becca Waldo Gene Brown Bobby Flynn Cricket and Angus King Thomas and Heather Pierce Jim Waldo and Susan Mitchell Sam and Baya Brown Ray Foote Duncan and Emily King Stewart and Julie Burger Pierson John Wallace and Lessa Brill Nick Buck Ian Ford Peter Klivans Heather and Mark Powers Roy Wallace Samuel Buell Jim Ford Charlie Krause Jake Pressman Andy Wallerstein and Mary Sloane Stephen Burt Tom Meites and Lynn Frackman Andrew Krauss Cecily Pulver Jessica and Peter Ward Dan Byman and Vikki Wachino Peter Frailey Penelope and David Kulko Mr. and Mrs. David Quattlebaum Pope and Lisa Ward Terry C. Greg Francis Andrew Kvam John Quattlebaum Sam Weeks — in memory of Albert H. Alison Cabot Neal Frei Leigh Ky and Michael Wah Joyce and Danny Rafati Weeks Bryan Carey Roy and Roni Friedman Bert Lachmann Gordon and Amy Ramseur Sarah Wendt Pat Carrington-House Sara Fuhrer – in Memory of Eileen Nate and Mary Lane William Redpath Westermann Family Chris Casscells Fuhrer Neal Scott and Mindy Lanoff Chris and Kita Reece Angus White Dr. and Mrs. Christopher Cassells Henry Gabriel’s mom Jack Larkin Schuyler Reece Eve Whitehouse Nick Casscells Gay and Alvin Gamage Quinn Larkin Susan L. Reece Robert and Sophie Whitehouse George and Marian Castell Dana and Barbara Gaspard Bill Leahy Andrew Regier Don Whittemore Beau Clark Gina and Garry Gellert Marissa Leonce Barbara and Walter Reitz Alec Wiggin Matt Clarke and Gina Yarmel Theodore Gibson Bill and Beth Leuchten Becky and Brad Renick John and Barbara Willey Raymond Clevenger The Gilbert Family Jeff Lew and Cindy Wiessblatt John Richards Robert and Kristen Williams William and Malin Clyde Kristin Gillespie Ronald Lieber David Ridlon David and Rebecca Williamson Tyler Coffey Andrew and Tina Goodale Jennifer Lieber Anna Ritchie Sam Winans Mark and Marla Cohen Thomas Goodale Barry and Gloria Lindquist George Robinson Constance Wolfe Chris Comer Ted Gordon Rachel Lipton Joanne Robinson and Adam Pomerantz Sean Wood Zachary Congdon Robert Gowen Chip Liversidge Harvey Rohde Ethel Woolverton Joseph S. Cornell Andrew and Emily Grant Rich and Joan Liversidge Bob Roth Robert Young Jim Cornwell Josh Greenberg Bryan and Leslie Lorber Hans S. Peter Zeman Thomas Cox Richard and Cathy Greene Whitney and Jeffrey Lou Will Sahlman and Adrienne Urbanski — Mary Crary Malcolm Greenough Leila M. In honor of Tom Schultz Others: Bret Crawford and Sharon Stephenson David Griffin and Jill Phelps James MacDougald Matt Saltus David and Triss Critchfield Emily and Tom Grossi Tom and Pamela Macfie France Desjonquères-Sanson and Family of Past Medic Chuck and Maryann Croner Gordon Hafner Lucien Malle Guillaume Sanson Camper from the ‘50s The Dare L. White and William F. White Eben Hall Michael Martin Tom and Linda Scarritt Gub Gub Foundation Doug Handy Dr. Robert Martin Adam Schachner Joe, Susan, Stephen, & AK Charles and Alix de Beistegui Nancy Harris Caleb and Anne Mason William Scheer Schak-daddy Philippe de Beistegui Perry Henderson Bill Matzelevich Chris and Deirdre Schell Leslie Mat Degan Mary Herman and Angus King Michael McConihe Jack Schultz The Family Jonathan and Christina DeRose J and Latané Hill Tim McCreary David and Joan Senior Britt and Sanjeev Dhawan Ben and Martha Hincks Max McKendry Chris Seymour

King Kababa Elusive During 2020 Summer… As Usual By Matt Miller, KhD, Yale School of Kababalogy

Even without camp in session this from the campfire circle. Recogniz- summer, King Kababa made his pres- ing the sounds in an instant, the staff ence known. The small coalition of staff turned their shirts inside out and back- members who lived on Pine Island this wards, covered their hair, and respect- summer expected minimal, if any, com- fully bowed their heads, making their munication with the King. Much to way to the cove. When they arrived, their surprise, throughout July and Au- they found nothing. Nothing except a gust multiple sacred signs arrived on the small pair of eyes peering through the island. Luckily kababalogists were on dark. A kababalogist moved aside a pile hand to collect and interpret the King’s of pine branches to uncover… a baby messaging. The King was just as crest- fallen as we were that the campers could not gather on the island this summer; however, he was astonished and proud of the way everyone put in the extra work to stay connected. This has been a difficult year, but the King has seen Pine Island rally together through tumultu- ous periods before, and he made a point to applaud the community’s continued resilience. He even rewarded Pine Is- Zingha with daughter Lady Zinghaga land with an unexpected arrival at the end of the summer! The night before the Zingha! The daughter of Zingha the land this summer as a beacon of hope, a small staff was to depart, a cacophony of The State of Maine clearly recognizes the Ghalli Ghalli Porcupine, named Lady promise of a joyful future, and a sign of shrieks, drumming, and chants erupted importance of the King’s wellbeing. Zinghaga, was bestowed upon the is- light at the end of the tunnel.

2 Renovated “Topside” an Ideal Coastal Retreat

The late Ripley Swan, Jun Swan’s pier at the mouth of the boathouse was brother, was a Pine Islander and had a reduced in height so that the very high long career as a master builder in South tides that occur regularly in the fall al- Londonderry, VT. Rip and his wife Lil- low one to float a small boat right up to ian joined Jun and Tats Swan in the pur- the doorway, from where it can be pulled chase of most of Whitehead Island in the rest of the way on rollers. The out- 1957 and visited the island every year side of the lower half of the boathouse in the late summer. A man who was is coated in stucco that Rip scored to always looking ahead, Rip thought it make it look like granite blocks, adding would be prudent to own a bit of land glitter to simulate the quartz in the local on the mainland, and in the early 1960s granite. The tower housing the staircase Rip and Lil bought an old quarry with has a lantern deck glazed with plexi- a granite wharf and three acres of land glass and harboring a single lightbulb. situated in a protected spot behind Half-way up the stairs there is a narrow Rackliff Island about a mile across Seal window accessible from one of the steps Harbor from Whitehead. Soon thereaf- that gives out onto a tiny deck, complete ter Rip built a very basic storage build- with balusters and a railing, hung on the ing with a dirt floor that was also a place outside of the tower to give Rip and Lil’s one could camp out if the weather or fox terrier a convenient place to stand The luxurious “new” Topside other factors made it impossible to get guard and nap. Topside was always un- to the island. The editor remembers how der construction until Rip was unable to it came in handy when he was a boy and work on it any more and simply enjoyed some combination of outboard break- staying there with Lil. down and sunset stranded the family. When Rip and then Lil died, the Lil named the building the “Swan Dive.” building and property passed to their It was later improved enough so that nephew Ripley Swan II, who rented it Rip and Lil could live there comfortably for a few years and then sold it to Pine while Rip and friends were working on Island Camp, which, since taking own- his next mainland project, which Lil ership of Whitehead Light Station, had dubbed “Topside.” a greater need for a mainland base. For Topside is the manifestation of Ripley many years Topside was kept minimally Swan’s extraordinary building skills and intact and structurally sound, but there his whimsical sense of fun. Over many were no real improvements beyond a years (and it was never fully finished) new roof and a rebuilt deck. Over the Rip built a boathouse on the very edge past two years, volunteers and some of the granite pier with an apartment paid contractors have finally actually above and a huge deck from which Lil, finished the interior of the apartment, into her late 70s, used to dive at high tide most notably finishing the ceiling and into the frigid water. The spiral staircase completely renovating the bathroom, runs up a faux lighthouse tower. As was and upgraded the lighting and furni- everything that Rip Swan built, Topside ture. Topside still has a somewhat rustic New beds, mattresses and linens in the guest room was built to last, very comfortable, and feel, but it offers a coziness and privacy designed to take advantage of the local that is hard to find in most rentals. Work surroundings. The kitchen corner win- on restoring the lantern deck is planned, dows receive the sunrise and the deck along with other improvements to the gives a great view of the sunset. And exterior. Stay tuned! there are many unique features. The

View from the Doctor’s Cabin Porch By Sumner Ford, Director

When I was a camper I used to love as familiar sights passed by, and I won- for an hour too long. Ducks scampered joyous affair: watching Arlo and Owen driving up to camp. Car rides were rare dered if Pine Island would feel empty around and chose the Aristocracy dock say hello to each other, a stream of Akka in our family, so four hours of driving too. I missed our community before I as their perch. Lakkas, seeing a new guest join our from Vermont to Maine felt more like arrived. I worried. How much would I As I wandered the island each day, I weekly gathering, and seeing them re- an all-day affair. Despite the relatively feel the emptiness of the island, an ex- often found myself in a haze of nostal- turn the following week. long journey, the miles flew by. During traordinary place missing the people gia. Despite my efforts to live in the now, Pine Island was quiet this year, but my first trip, I was so nervous, so ex- that make it unique? I lived in the past. Daydreams of camp- it was not dormant. It drew its breath cited! I will always remember my first Early on, the island felt empty. Tow- ers populating the Boathouse, excited around the world with thousands of you journey down the Camp Road, that tun- ering pines and infrequently glimpsed about their activity, eagerness bubbling keeping us in your thoughts. A flipbook nel of pines delivering me to our mys- lanterns made the island feel bigger. It is over about polishing learned skills and of memories cycled through my mind tical land. When I arrived, it felt like the presence of campers that makes the acquiring new ones, often left me dis- throughout this summer, and for me, I’d been teleported to a new world. In island come truly alive. Thousands of tracted. Buildings and landmarks were that flipbook kept our community to- subsequent years when I returned to footsteps pounding on its dusty surface silent, but they were not empty. I found gether. I hope that as we all absorbed the Pine Island, familiar sights and famil- are like a heartbeat, the laughter and that they were alive with memories of shock of not having a camp season, you iar memories would peel through my shouts of joy its breath. This summer, past joy and future delight. all found moments to reflect on your memory. I’m sure my parents snuck our world was often silent. Cobwebs The island sprung to life at times, time on our magical island. By think- peeks back at me, and in later years my around the doorframe of the perches most of all when we connected with ing of this place, by using all the lessons brother, and saw smiles of contentment greeted us. The pump squeaked and the Pine Island community out in the it taught you, you are keeping the Pine on our faces. coughed as its dry leathers tried to pull world. For the first time at Pine Island, Island spirit alive and well and ready to This year’s drive was strange. Visions water. A pail of water sat next to the ba- I most enjoyed connecting with people leap back to life next June. of empty cities cycled through my mind sin, ready to soak the leathers left dry off of the island. Each Campfire was a

3 Pine Islanders Report In From Around the World

Pine Islanders live all over the world the bush rises 180 m up to a craggy dale. mask wearing and temperature checks. get my neighbors interested in a screen- (none in Antarctica that I know of…yet) In bad weather, walking along the crest I am grateful for the opportunities that ing of Waterwalker, but, surprisingly, and it is always great to hear from them. reminds me of scaling Mt. Success in a 2020 has brought to travel much less, there were no takers for a full-length Below are some great reports sent in from driving rainstorm; Hoppy Barringer and spend time with my family, and dis- film about an old guy who slowly pad- the far corners of the globe. Ken Howe are cursing their luck and the cover more of my local surroundings. dles around lakes and paints trees. (Phi- wind. In my memory, I am cruising up There has been a lot of hardship and listines!) the Ridge; Wig Adams waves hi; Barky forced changes for friends, loved ones Cheated out of a sunny summer, we From Monte Ball — Chaing Mai, Jones kicks me in the shin; Wayne Sin- and more broadly, and where we can, were meant, by cosmic right, to have Thailand clair hovers like a highwayman by Tent we have been supportive. Aline, who is a long hot September, but then, just as สวัสดีจากประเทศไทย, which trans- Zero; The Beatles are singing “Paper- Lebanese and whose parents still live in things were warming up, the wildfire lates to: HELLO FROM THAILAND! back Writer” on someone’s transistor Beirut, also struggled with the explo- smoke blew up from California and I live in Chiang Mai, Thailand’s sec- radio; and Hispah ta Dispah greets me sion that destroyed so much of the city sat on top of us, like the folds of an ond largest city where—as in the Unit- as I enter Honk Hall to check for letters. center. It rocked our world a bit more enormous wedding dress. At times it ed States—winter has set in. A couple Wellington is a small city but en- and added a major chink to what was was thick enough to make your lungs nights ago the thermometer plunged joys many of the cultural amenities of once the beacon of multiculturalism ache and your eyes water. We made an to a frigid 62 degrees. Thai people a larger capital. My thoughts anticipat- and modernity in the Middle East. Over impulsive decision to get in our little are COLD, all bundled up in jackets, ing the upcoming symphony are rudely the early summer I was inspired to see Subaru and drive north until there was scarves, and gloves. We farang (foreign- interrupted by appalling images of the- the professionalism and courage with no smoke. We ended up driving for ers) wander around in shirtsleeves en- atrical masterpieces such as Pineladesh, which the PIC leadership team man- three days, until we reached a little town joying the “air conditioning.” Nearby is From Runoia With Love, Molefinger, In aged the difficult decision not to hold called Hixon, halfway to Alaska, where, Thailand’s tallest mountain, Doi Intha- Kababa’s Secret Service, Spamlet, and, camp. You all set an example of how to when we looked up, we were amazed to non, where occasionally during the win- of course Maintenance Man verses the do it right with the information at hand. find that half of the sky was blue and ter some snow falls. Ralph Gang. With every passing year, I look forward half of the sky was white—we were on Meanwhile, the Coast Guard is res- to my boys’ summers being enriched by the very edge of a cloud of smoke that, cuing Gordon Hafner and me, together PIC and their discovery of new horizons we later learned, covered much of North From Ted Montague — Wellington, with the war canoe party, from the tyr- on Great Pond. Wishing you, and every America. We rented a cabin for $35 a New Zealand anny of the incoming Kennebec tide. Pine Islander a happy holiday season as night, with solar power and no running Akka Lakka everyone and especially Horace Henriques sails on across the well as all the best for 2021. Akka Lakka! water (we washed up in a nearby water- to old friends and fellow residents of horizon of Great Pond. Mark Libby con- fall), and stayed there until the smoke cleared. Magoon, Tent 3, Tent 7 and Tent 9. tinues his gymnastics at the cove while From Robert Moor — Smuggler Cove, It’s winter now, and still rainy. We I am writing from a different season ridiculing city slickers. Tom Brown British Columbia (Spring), time, and country (New Zea- pumps iron and his guitar as Al Blunt collect oysters from the sea, mushrooms land). Still, the landscapes and weather dances the can-can. It was a long, strange summer here from the forest. I do my best to carry kindle memories of many friendly Pine For the past 25 years I have tended in Smuggler Cove, British Columbia. In on the tradition of being a ‘one hun- Island faces. the wells of New Zealand’s geothermal fact, the summer never really material- dred percenter’—gleam in eye, spring I can see Tyler Vickers pitching his fields. These supply almost 20% of the ized. It remained cool and rainy through- in step, etc.—though the sea gets colder tent and Jake Smith pontificating on country’s electricity. The steam surges out June, which isn’t unusual, and then every day, until, right around now (early the virtues of catapulting to the rank of from the deep fires that forge conti- through July and August, which is. I had November), the feeling of chilliness be- Junior Maine Woodsman. Nate Lane is nents. Ironically, Mt Phillip, home of a number of big trips scheduled for the comes more of a frosty, pins-and-nee- insulting Pierre while relinquishing the King Kababa, is a remnant of similar book I’m writing—including an expedi- dles sensation. (Those who have swum cooking duties at Middle Carry Lean- rising magmas long before there was an tion to Tanzania, where I had arranged off Whitehead Island know the feeling.) to. Chuck Edgerton has lost his knife Atlantic Ocean. to sleep in a chimpanzee nest—but they The nice thing is that when you get out again and Bill Nagler and I are going I have not seen anyone from Pine were all canceled due to the pandemic. of water that cold, your skin burns pleas- hypothermic while trying to erect the Island for almost half a century. Yet the Instead, I spent a lot of time in the for- antly with the contrast. There’s a lesson kitchen dock in what seems like polar people and memories remain fresh, al- ests and seashores around our house, to that, I think, which could also apply conditions. most tangible. This can only happen in a running, hiking, and fishing. We ex- to this long dark summer-that-wasn’t: Somewhere beyond our pohutukawa great place and special time. panded our garden, which took most of the cold makes us feel the warmth more trees, Dave Carmen is still leading an We Kiwis have escaped the rigours of the summer, at which point it was too keenly, and the dark brightens the light. intrepid troop up Tuckerman’s Ravine COVID-19; my sincere wishes for good late to grow anything substantial (and Which is a rather poetic way of saying: (the single canteen for a party of 10 is health to you all. If your travels take you in any case, I accidentally left the gate can’t wait for next summer! empty). Al Bullard is searching for his this way, please drop by to say Kiaora. open one day and a deer ate all of the lost contingent of Grays adrift in the seedlings we’d managed to plant). Long From Philippe de Beistegui — days were spent in what I termed “the swamps around Fogg’s Forks. John Bun- From Felicien Dillard — Dubai, UAE Paris, France ker has permanently impaired my hear- dirt mines,” pulling huge rocks from ing while banging a “Leroy” at the NW “A Warm Winter and Local Discov- the earth and hauling loads of soil in a As I am writing to you, France has just breach. Potwarp adorns the ceiling of eries” wheelbarrow. While I toiled, I listened plunged back into its second lockdown the Dining Hall. Meanwhile, Lee Tor- As cabin fever grew in our locked- to eternal Russian tomes on audiobook after the three-month first episode in rance curses the mosquito cloud near down, home-schooled family, we (Dr. Zhivago, War and Peace, Anna Kar- March. This time, I had the brilliant idea Mt. Bigelow while Phil Fernside is yell- looked for fun new ways of discover- enina), and fancied myself a Tolstoyan of staying in Paris, where the restrictive ing at me to paddle harder through the ing Dubai and the United Arab Emir- farmer-intellectual, like Levin, minus measures are at their best and the gov- headwinds on Lake Whatchamacallit…. ates. The blazing hot summers prevent the romantic fretting, religious terror, ernment can display all of its protective Just beyond Barret’s Reef at the en- almost all outdoor activity, but winters and owning-of-other-human-beings. but slightly maddening talents. trance to Wellington Harbour, I see (from October to April) are when this We completed a couple long canoe trips I didn’t see a single policeman go- the schooners Victory Chimes and the country reveals itself to outdoor enthu- and, on one occasion, came home with a ing down to the South of France last Stephen Tabor cruising past Whitehead siasts. In classic PIC tradition we have trap full of Dungeness crabs. I still have weekend, but I got fined yesterday for lifeboat station. Jun Swan sings sea been going on monthly hiking day trips yet to see a whale here, though every- walking alone in the Parc Monceau, shanties; Andy Chapman consumes a to introduce the youngest ones to 5, one else who lives here has. I will, as my a public park, because I wasn’t within bulk no. 10 can of fruit, precipitating the 10, and 15km walks and climbs. Our mom says, keep my eyes peeled. the allowed half-a-mile distance from first Hoover Fest. Peter Lawrence has youngest Henri naps in the backpack, Since there was nothing much to do my apartment. One day you can go to just short-sheeted my bed yet again… waking up just for snack breaks. The lu- in town, we used our Canadian stimu- school, the next you can’t. Store book (PIC counselors get no respect). Jim nar-type surroundings are beautiful and lus checks to buy a movie projector departments are closed, but you can Breeden is allocating precious cooking make the occasional green oasis all the (don’t tell Justin Trudeau) and began collect books from adjoining Amazon equipment by conducting a historical more enjoyable. Given the general state hosting backyard movie nights for our lockers. quiz competition (Chuck Edgerton won of things, we have enjoyed our generally neighbors and their kids. So far we’ve By now you’re probably wondering, the good frying pan by recalling the stable and manageable situation — only screened Jaws, ET, Point Break, What thanks for the update but what does this main event in Northwest Passage). one school term from home and a quick We Do in The Shadows, The Simpsons have to do with Pine Island? Well, one Behind our house here in Eastbourne re-opening of the economy with lots of Movie, and The Princess Bride. I tried to thing PIC has taught me and truly helps

4 in these odd circumstances is to let go From Victor Dillard — and enjoy what is around you. Each day London, Great Britain is different from the previous, even if like me, you take the same ROW-CAN Trip report: Isle of Skye (November on a weekly basis — yes, I didn’t make 2020) it to the “French guy loves riflery” ste- reotype. Being on an island, so far away from Not knowing what is coming next Great Pond, I often think, “What would can sometimes be frustrating – sort of I do if I were at PIC right now?” Archery when you learn for the first time that or riflery in central London would sure- you won’t be keeping your watch on a ly see the Bobbies come running down trip — but it also makes you focus on Piccadilly Circus to hand me over to the what matters, to you and the people you Beefeaters to lock up me in the Tower of know. A great conversation with an- London. Try sailing down the Thames other camper or yourself while hiking, yelling “Pine Island Rules the Waves” a gripping book at naptime, a delicious and I’d get the Royal Navy chasing me Sunday meal; all these simple yet essen- chanting “Rule Britannia.” Get into a tial things have turned out to be espe- Beatles dory at Henley and the Oxford & cially relevant in the past few months. Cambridge varsity race would leave me Felicien, Henri, Alexandre, Vincent, and Aline Dillard in Dubai Writing this letter has reminded me in the dust (I’m no Baldwin legend af- of how much fun I had during my four ter all). I’ll skip bird –watching, as those summers at Pine Island, so I hope I’ll one-legged one-eyed pigeons aren’t very make it across the Atlantic to Belgrade interesting. So, what would you do if Lakes the next one! you couldn’t do activities? Why, sign up for a trip of course! From Krista Wiberg — Current circumstances meant I Shenzhen, China couldn’t really leave the island, so my girlfriend and I decided to take a trip Greetings from Shenzhen, China! to a sort of ‘second island’ and ventured This year has been an interesting one to up to the Isle of Skye, in Scotland. We say the least. I returned to China in late found a cottage, high up on a moor, in March, barely squeaking in before the Glenmore, a village of four other houses country shut its borders to foreigners. (one of them empty), far, far away from I spent two weeks in an intensive hotel any other human life. The cottage was quarantine, then headed to Shenzhen of course facing Mount Philip, and be- to resume my life as an international tween us and the King’s residence lay school teacher. Life here has gone back an endless expanse of Scottish country- to normal as much as it can with mini- side. Rolling hills of orange, brown and mal cases of COVID and fewer restric- green, spotted with the white coats of tions. Despite this, mask wearing is still tweed sheep and brown coats of high- The Dillards in search of the next oasis prominent, and temperature checks are land cows. Not a Scotsman in sight, al- required everywhere. though I wouldn’t have been surprised if the real world, almost alone on our little was the timely arrival of our puppy the It was difficult to not be home over henchmen were lurking around (rumor island. The return home to London was same day, a four-month old lurcher dis- the summer, and thoughts of Pine Island has it they look like Scotsmen minus the uneventful, landing in a deserted Heath- covering the joys of apartment living in and cool lake temperatures often came beard). Like Great Pond on the 7 am row airport, with no pizza stop, no van London (and all its treasures to chew). to mind as I sweltered in the Shenzhen skipper’s run, peace and quiet as far as or skipper waiting for us, and no Akka We named him Whisky. heat. Seeing so many great acts and fa- the eye could see and the ear could hear. Lakka on arrival. The one consolation miliar faces as I tuned in to Facebook The drive to our cottage was memo- campfires was a welcome comfort. The rable. A long single-track road weaving summer months will always remind me through the vast expanse of Scottish of the many years I spent in the beloved highlands. Not a house or person in Open for Business! Been to Pine Island kitchen. sight. It was like a scene out of James Pine Island taught me so many Bond’s Skyfall, minus the disgruntled the Camp Store Lately? things, but the most important one was MI6 agent hunting us down. And sad- cooking. Starting as a Kitchen Crew ly, minus the Aston Martin. It was the member in 2008 and working my way weekend that storm Alan hit the UK. to Head Cook through several years is Horizontal rain coming at us at 65 kmh such an important piece of who I am. (sorry, 40 mph). But I was a camper This year, I began running a cooking at PIC and so I packed appropriately: club after school, where I teach my Chi- Barbour jacket, tweed cap, knee-high nese students many PIC classics like wellies (sorry, Wellington boots). The pizza bagels, mac and cheese, fettuccini next few days were spent exploring alfredo and more. We may even tackle the wonders of the Isle of Skye. Rubha a sweet and sour brisket if the kids are nam Brathairean, Rubha na h-Eist, Glu- up for it! magan nan Sithichean, Talasgair, the I am eternally grateful for my time Cuillin (Skye’s Appalachian mountain spent on the island and hope that the range). I’ll let you translate the Scottish We have new PIC merchandise! the front and a beautiful silhouette 2021 season is a triumphant return that Gaelic. There was of course the manda- We’ve partnered with Brio, a compa- of Pine Island on the back. Special can provide the boys and staff the same tory stop at the Talisker distillery for a ny in Rockland, ME, that offers high- thanks to alumnus Simon Abranow- quality of precious memories I will for- 10 am whisky tasting. At Kinloch we quality custom products, including icz for creating this stunning design ever hold dear. I will absolutely be stop- enjoyed langoustines (basically mini in-house screen printing, engraving, of our island. ping by Belgrade to visit as soon as it’s lobsters) on the rocks overlooking the and embroidery work. The new PIC In order to keep costs to the bare safe and I’m back in the country. Until Atlantic Ocean (the Scottish version of Camp Store offers traditional fa- minimum, the store will be open only then, Akka Lakka! lobster at Whitehead). Sadly, the ascen- vorites like our PIC blue cotton tee a few times each year. To stay in the sion of Sgùrr Alasdair (Skye’s Mount and logoed Darn Tough socks, and know about the next opening, visit Washington) was cancelled due to some brand-new items, including a our website and click Join Our Email weather (predictable). In the evenings women’s tee, baseball tee, hat, tote List. Thank you for supporting the we would light a one-match fire and en- bag, farmer’s market bag, and a crib- PIC Camp Store. All proceeds benefit joy a glass of fine Scottish bug juice. bage board. Our tees and sweatshirts the Lovett Scholarship Fund. It was sad leaving this magical place. include the legendary PIC logo on Far away from civilization, cut off from

5 War Game 2020 — Repulse! Game Ends in Tie for First Time in History

I doubt there have ever been as many leaders on both armies were stunned some practice day! Reached at his home players of the 2020 War Game would spectacular plays in any War Game and caught flat-footed over and over in Seattle, WA, head umpire Nicky Isles gladly have traded a few bug bites, a cold during its long and storied history as again by stealthy and clever attackers remarked, “What a game! I’ve never shower or two, and even the disappoint- there were this year. Grays and Blues and scouts never missed a party. Squad- seen anything like it! No, really, I’ve lit- ment of a score that didn’t go their way made flawless attacks over and over and rons were always just in time and just a erally never actually seen anything like to have actually played, but this year’s both armies’ defense strategies admit- fraction of a second late. Both armies it.” dream game will stay intact forever or ted no attackers to the center of town. tried innovative plays that worked per- Sadly, as always, the head umpire was at least until their pulses quicken at the Both Blue and Grays executed at least fectly and the defenders always figured again 100% right — all of the above hap- sound of an umpire’s whistle and the five normally elusive massive blue flag out what was happening just in time. pened I’m sure, but only in the minds of shout of “Play is on!” echoing through challenge plays, and both armies moved The weather was sunny and cool and dozens of Pine Islanders whose dreams the woods and fields of Norridgewock through the York’s Crossing piny woods there were hot showers, spacious tents of glory for the 2020 Game never main August of ’21. silently and fast with no stragglers. Gate to sleep in and no bugs. And no tire- terialized. We know that the would-be

Goats Out! — Organic, Self-Propelled Weed Killers Join Skeleton Crew

POISON IVY… words that strike he underestimated the efficiency of his fear in the hearts and memories of ex- goats, which he had never rented out treme discomfort in the minds of many before. Within three days the goats had people. Anyone who played the War eaten every leaf in the area, including Game at Fogg’s Forks knows how bru- poison ivy! tal it can be. This tough and horrible A solution at last! Ben pictured mow- vine’s profusion on Pine Island’s main- ing and planting starting immediately. land, both around the cabins by the lake But of course this would not be the end and at the head of the Camp Road, has of the story. Jack Reed, who had recently plagued Ben Swan (and his father Jun graduated from Bowdoin College and Swan before him) for decades. Ben is would be working as part of the Skel- old enough to remember the three big eton Crew during the summer, was liv- elm trees that absorbed water and pro- ing in the 1st Cabin and agreed to keep vided shade for the area to which we re- an eye on the goats and make sure they fer as the Mainland. They stood between had enough water. Well, the goats pretty the Office and therd 3 Cabin. Dutch Elm much laughed at the fencing, prompt- disease took those trees many years ago, ing the Skeleton Crew to create a new and the Mainland reverted to a wilder, Pine Island after-dinner activity called less attractive state. The head of the “Goats Out.” Several times a day Jack Camp Road became overgrown as well, was lifting the little goats up and putting and the main reason for this neglect has them back in the pen. Then the goats been the presence of poison ivy, espe- started congregating on the 1st Cabin cially around where the 2nd Cabin once porch and keeping Jack awake at night stood and where the Santa Maria now as they tried to join him inside. Sadly, stands. Mowing and even using clippers because Jack was often shirtless or in a could come with a heavy price, so these t-shirt when he lifted the goats to put areas were mostly neglected, frustrating them back in their pen, the oil they had Ben who likes things to look shipshape. picked up from the devilish poison ivy What to do? Eschewing the toxic poi- plants rubbed off on Jack’s chest and sons that could run into the lake, Ben arms and he ended up with a bad case! tried the “organic” weed killer he made In addition, while the goats ate every- from salt, vinegar, and a bit of dishwash- thing green in their paths, they did not ing liquid. He even bought a state-of- eat the poison ivy vines, some of which the-art sprayer to distribute it. Result: were partially buried. Insisting that zero effect. they’d never had poison ivy, Sumner Before… Enter… the goats! By the time Ben Ford and Corinne Alsop bravely(?) en- spied a bunch of small goats munching tered the fray post goats and pulled up away at bales of hay at a farm on Route a lot of vines… and they then developed 8 on the way to Norridgewock last pretty severe rashes. spring, the poison ivy problem had been Sumner feels that another round of bothering Ben like a really bad itch for goat munching next spring, with bet- years. Quoting Wag Dodge, in a popu- ter fencing, would be beneficial because lar campfire song, Ben said when asked even this past spring they were begin- what gave him the idea, “I don’t know ning to eat the bark off the poison ivy why/I just thought it.” Somewhere, (per- vines. We’re not giving up. The ivy must haps it was the line from the children’s go, whatever it takes, excepting more song, “a kid’ll eat ivy too”) he had heard cases of the dreaded rash. that goats will eat poison ivy, so he and Once the ivy is gone, and we hope Sumner stopped at the farm and asked that will be soon, plans are afoot to plant if they’d rent out the goats. A few days trees that will provide shade and dry out later a deal was struck and a dozen goats the soil somewhat, and to mow often to arrived with some fencing to enclose encourage the growth of grass and dis- the offending area. The farmer figured a courage the growth of the evil weed. couple of weeks would do the trick but …and after just two days’ work

6 From the Archives…

7 Building Buttercup By Sumner Ford

Nonetheless, we returned to shore with our tails between our legs. We had sailed safely but did not feel like capable skippers. We did not doubt our sailing abilities, but we were uncertain of how various parts of Butttercup would hold up on a journey of some length. Would the mast snap? Would the rudder work? We had too many unanswered ques- tions about our boat to do the testing in such high winds. By the time the wind had died a touch, our patience had run out. With our hearts pounding, we set out to sail around Oak Island. Whitecaps continued to turn Great Pond into a roiling mess of brilliant whitecaps crashing upon dark water. With only one panel of the junk rig catching the wind, we zipped along the line of buoys mark- ing shallow water. As every part of But- tercup handled the whipping wind, our tense nerves relaxed. Jono and I began to smile and laugh, and we couldn’t stop. Despite many setbacks and our dreams of sailing on the coast dashed, we’d suc- ceeded. We’d built a boat in a week and were enjoying each-other’s company on a beautiful late summer day. Jono and I continued sailing Butter- Jono Bryant and his dog Buster admiring Buttercup ready for the mast and sail cup as much as possible for the next couple of days. From sunup to sundown, we After the 2019 camp season, I had materials finally resembled a boat. It that this was no ordinary boat. Jono were in our boat. Each of us took her out the good fortune of sailing over 90 miles was 14 feet long, with a 15-foot spruce designed a junk rig to power our boat. solo and reefed her solo. We lapped the through Penobscot Bay with our fabu- mast, and each curve was beautiful. The Junk rigs date back to 700 years BCE, island. But her camping ability, a prior- lous Wilderness First Responder (WFR) symmetry and the asymmetry were the and they are distinguished by their bat- ity of ours, was untested. I drove Butter- instructor, Jono Bryant. We both left the fruits of our own calloused hands. There tens—stiff, round tubes that provide cup to Vermont as Jono headed south to adventure yearning for more. were plenty of mistakes, mostly mine, structure for the sail. The junk rig’s chief return to North Carolina. In Vermont, I Years ago, Jono built a boat called a but we both swelled with pride and sat- advantage is that it is incredibly easy to took Buttercup across Lake Champlain Featherwind and sailed it along part of isfaction as we surveyed the little craft. reef or reduce the sail’s size. After years and camped on a secluded beach almost the Maine Island Trail off Stonington. As the sunset on our sixth day work- of sailing Pine Island’s Bermuda-rigged in the shadow of the Adirondack Moun- We wondered if it would be possible to ing on our boat, we applied a coat of JY’s, I was skeptical. tains. build a boat in a week and sail it on the paint called “Bling Bling Yellow,” which We finally set sail in heavy winds and Jono and I learned a lot, and there is coast shortly after the paint dried. Jono’s immediately made me think of Nicky prayed that our hard work would not still much more to learn about the pos- summer plans were uncertain of course, Isles. Now, what to name her? We end up at the bottom of Great Pond. I sibility of building a boat at Pine Island but he called me in July and said that, struggled for a time but Jono suddenly instantly became a massive fan of junk someday, but I am looking forward to with fewer WFR classes to teach, he had arrived at perfection. Our boat’s name rigs, when I was able to reduce the sail the journey. It’s been a great one so far! found more time in his schedule to work would be Buttercup. area to about 15 square feet with ease. on building a boat. Jono reviewed plans, Incredibly satisfied after days of collected supplies, and sewed a sail. He backbreaking work and toiling in the was ready to go. hot sun of the Ballfield, we checked the It was shortly after the Skeleton Crew weather and prepared to sail. Much to departed that Jono arrived at Pine Island our disappointment, gale force winds and the two of us spent a few days gath- and a small craft advisory illuminated ering materials and tools. We reviewed our screen and depressed our mood. The Mystery of the Black Jono’s plans and started to work. The We rigged Buttercup in a ripping wind following six days were a whirlwind. We on the Ballfield, and she wanted to sail Tomatoes epoxied marine plywood together, cut while drydocked. the sides of the boat, built chines and We carefully towed her down to the gunwales, and pretty thoroughly un- mainland dock, and again our hopes One of the more challenging projects soil for ornamental plantings so, with derestimated the challenge of building a were dashed. Massive waves lapped undertaken at Whitehead Light Station soil so hard to come by, it made sense to boat. Jono’s dreams of evening sails on upon the shore, and there was no way was figuring out how to “bury” the new pile it up around the tank. WLS director Great Pond disappeared after day two. our first sail could be in such weather. waste disposal system tank on a site Gigi Lirot figured she would plant some We worked from sunup to sundown We gulped down our pride and waited that rarely offers more than about eight flowers in the new soil. But after only each day with dreams of sailing our for the wind to drop to 10 knots, at inches of topsoil before one’s shovel hits a week or two plants started coming new boat on Penobscot Bay. Arni and which point we very cautiously set out granite ledge. By digging into the steep up on their own. Eventually it became Janetha, our neighbors from the top of in the lee of Pine Island’s eastern shore hillside (that turned out to be an old clear that they were tomato plants! And the camp road, were frequent visitors where the wind was almost non-exis- dump), the crew was able to bury most then…tomatoes appeared… and they and helped us keep our spirits up with tent. of the tank but not all of it, and even were jet black! No one had ever seen jet many gifts of fruit and other delicacies. Jono’s plans were those of a mad sci- with a wooden frame placed over the black tomatoes before! Needless to say, The visible progress was slow at first. entist. He drew his plans, shortening protruding tank more soil was needed. Gigi was not putting them in the salad. Our visitors appeared disappointed the boat and requiring a reworking of The solution was a Gator-load of what While it is not hard to figure out where with a boat that, for many days, was full the stem and bulkheads. Instead of a is politely called night soil. The waste the tomato seeds came from, why the of holes. Sunfish-like sail, he sewed his own, and from the outhouses at the Swan com- fruit was jet black remains a mystery. On the fifth day, the collection of the complex system of lines indicated pound sits all winter and becomes great

8 Saturday Night Show Review — The Top 10 Most Influential Actors of the Past 25 Years By Matt Miller

Herman Herder-Condé may have Honk Hall, It’s a Saturday Night Show!, Dust Ball legend. Pine Islanders may The Lord of The Rings at campfire and only taken to the stage once during his and he is credited with later developing have seen Marc in a recent Coca Cola even while bored campers waited at the tenure as a Pine Islander, but his singu- similar skills in Pine Islanders as a writ- commercial, where he similarly stole the end of a trip for a late van pickup. Chris- lar performance left a lasting impression er, director, and producer. Today Will show. tian has taken his talents off the island deserving of a spot on this list. Herder- works in technology. Matt Miller makes this list due to the and is now an LA-based actor. Condé was hand-picked for the title role Ned Donovan’s introduction as an sheer volume of SNS appearances. He is Harry Swan is an exceptional actor in 2017’s Harry Swanka and The Trip SNS actor at Pine Island was standard. a performer near and dear to my heart. but his place on this list is due to his Locker, a no-brainer casting choice. For He began with some minor roles, even- When he took the stage it was as though abilities as a writer and director. He in- a role that fit so snugly into Herman’s tually working his way up to playing he was in my own mind… reading my troduced the innovative traveling show repertoire the actor could have merely key figures such as Ben Swan. His por- thoughts… feeling my emotions… wait concept with District Pine and took spe- phoned his performance in, but instead trayal of Ben is unforgettable to those a minute… cial effects to a new level in Beaks 3-D. he went full-method. Herman disap- fortunate enough to witness Ned in the Buckley Livingston’s reputation as a Harry also paved the way for many of peared into the role, delivering a perfor- role. Some thought that Ned may have skilled actor preceded his first appear- the skit writers and performers who mance so detailed and specific viewers sold his soul, as he achieved a quintes- ance in a Saturday Night Show. He is came after him. With his quietly intel- could hardly shake the feeling the real sential Ben Swan gleam in his eye and one of the most influential writers, di- ligent and witty brand of comedy, he Harry was on the stage before them. well-timed chuckle. Although Ned has rectors, and performers in recent Pine broke through the clutter of classic but Peter Kulko was considered by many retired from the Honk Hall stage, you Island memory. Livingston worked tired skits to create a collection of brand to be the Adam Sandler of his day. He can still find him on stage in various alongside close friends and collabora- new classics. Some of his best works in- delivered go-for-broke, risky, high- musicals, and in his podcast, Encounter tors Will Napolitano and Alex Lanoff to clude Stellar Earth, Mind Wrestling, and octane performances every time he Party. forever change the campfire landscape the inimitable Punt the Dessert. took to the Honk stage. Never did he When Marc Lombardo took to the with their critically acclaimed series of Throughout his time at Pine Island, shy away from doing whatever he had Pine Island stage, whether it was at skits, The Expandables.The trio made Josh Treat proved time and time again to do to get the laugh. Few could forget campfire or in a Saturday Night Show, history as the first campers to direct and that he is a natural showman. His per- his side-splitting turn as the romantic the audience was engrossed. Mark made star in multiple original SNSs. Buck’s sonality shone through no matter what lead in Pinetanic. His comedy chops each stage his. The mumbles of the finest work, however, was his magnum the role and heightened any skit or show were undisputable, but critics were left crowd went silent, and yet his perfor- opus and swan song, 2018’s Buckhood. he appeared in. One role in particular speechless after his dramatic turn in A mances were the talk of camp the next This masterful and moving autobiog- cemented Josh’s legacy and that is with- Game of Cones proved he was no one- day. As LTIPs were a recent introduction raphy remains a gold standard for the out a doubt… Cowboy Bob. He took an trick pony. to Pine Island when Marc was an LTIP genre. unremarkable camp classic and turned Will Webb is perhaps best known as in 2002, his LTIP skits were a thing of Christian Schneider is easily one of it into an unforgettable star vehicle. a counselor who made the entire camp legend. Marc’s direction led to the LTIP the most versatile actors to grace the Many others have donned the Stetson weep with laughter in many memorable skits involving drive-by KWS drop-offs PIC stage in recent history. His uncanny of Cowboy Bob but none have worn it campfire skits, but his earliest perfor- and flaming battles on the Swim Float, ability to turn on a dime into a com- quite as well. mances at Pine Island trace back to the and they helped establish the LTIPs as pletely different character was what first In the next issue: a top ten of SNS late 90’s and early 2000’s. Will’s ability to a band of hardcore, hardworking cool caught the camp’s attention. He grew fa- posters! improvise and imitate was noted early individuals. And who could forget his mous for his one-man performances of on in his career as a stage actor in the appearance on the Johnny Kababa Show entire scenes from iconic movies such as sketch comedy-based SNS, Live From as the washed-up has-been Dragon of Monty Python and The Holy Grail and

The Long, Long Trail — Travels with Silas and Akul

Silas and Akul on the Long Trail Resupply!

We hiked Vermont’s Long Trail this gest day was 21.8 miles, but we averaged We made it to the summit of Abraham in Expedition Camp that prepared us to summer! We started on August 2, at the about 14. Our favorite lodge was Skyline in time to see the sunrise that morning. take on this adventure, and to our par- Massachusetts/Vermont border, and lodge. We were the only people there We sometimes took naps on the trail in ents, for letting us do it. finished on August 22, at the Canadian that night, and the sunset was incred- the middle of the day, we swam when- border. It was a 272-mile walk through ible. Our fastest “break camp” time was ever we could, and we loved that every — Silas “Inchworm” Hunter and the Green Mountains and it was chal- at Battell Shelter; we were on the trail day all we had to do was hike and eat. Akul “Gravy” Sethi lenging, scenic, and lots of fun. Our lon- just 12 minutes after our alarm went off. We’re grateful for everything we learned

9 Pine Islanders in the Press, Publishing Articles, Albums, Books and More

Pine Islander and Whitehead Light school this past fall. The Boston Globe Station instructor Charlie Papazian’s and the Portland Press Herald included world-wide reputation as the “Godfa- Juniper Hill School in recent stories ther of Home Brewing” might as well on outdoor learning as well. Eyes are have been set in stone when he was upon Juniper Hill School to continue the subject of an article in the June to be a model for outdoor, nature-based 2020 edition of Smithsonian Magazine. schooling. And this was no brief mention. It was Harry Swan wrote a piece that ap- a multi-page spread that included great peared in the “Currents” section of the photographs and describes Charlie’s ca- November/December 2020 edition of reer in detail, revealing some amazing Wooden Boat magazine describing the things such as the fact that a museum genesis of the Pine Island Skiff, the re- in Denver has carefully recreated the cent work by Rob Whitehouse to cre- kitchen in Charlie’s first Boulder home ate plans for the rowboat designed by where he began his career as a brewer David Stimson, and the building of and offered brewing classes to the lo- Pete, the sixth Pine Island Skiff to join cals. And the fact that, although when the fleet (see “Pete Complete!” on page Charlie started brewing beer in Boulder 13). Harry appears in a photo showing in 1975 the only brewery in Colorado solid OAR form rowing Pete on Great was Coors, now there are over 400. The Pond last spring. You can read more of article underscores just how important Harry’s writing at his website rewatch- Charlie was to the blossoming of the list.net, Good movies for the new millen- home brewing and then the craft beer nium. The cover of William Abranowicz’s new book movements across the globe, having Pine Island Director of Communi- written the bible of home brewing, The cations Sarah Hunter has begun a sec- Complete Joy of Home Brewing (1.3 mil- ondary career as a freelance writer. An lion sold), started Zymurgy Magazine, inveterate outdoor enthusiast who has and founded the American Associa- chronicled her travels and adventures tion of Home Brewers (now the Brew- for various publications gratis, she is ers Association of which Charlie was the now being paid to write. Her first paid President for many years), and eventu- gig is a great article in the EMS on-line ally starting the annual Great American publication GoEast (https://goeast.ems. Beer Festival to which well over 100,000 com/son-hiked-vermonts-long-trail- brewing fans flock every year. As im- by-themselves/) about helping former pressive as the article is, the thing that campers Silas (her son) and Akul Sethi truly enshrined the former Pine Island prepare for and then launch their Long truck driver as an icon was the addition Trail hike last summer. Sarah has been of the wooden spoon Charlie used to commissioned to write another article stir his first batches of beer, an annotat- for AMC Outdoors magazine. ed beer recipe, and a first edition copy Zander Abranowicz, who moved of his book to the Smithsonian Museum last summer from Brooklyn, NY to of American History collection! We still Richmond, VA, has picked up speed have the sign he made to celebrate the in the publishing world. His most re- The cover of Johnny Bregar’s new album Bilbo’s passing the 50,000-mile mark in cent published essay was “Growing Up the early 1970s. Perhaps that will join Greek,” published in Greece Is, the week- “Composers working with microto- have been out of place on the roster of the collection someday too. end magazine of Kathimerini, which is nality — or with the pitches found be- K Records in the late 1990s, the two dif- Robert Moor, author of the popu- sort of the Greek NY Times, and an- tween the notes on traditionally tuned ferent two-part compositions that close lar book On Trails, recently published a other travel essay, “Scenes from a Grand Western instruments — are having a the record firmly establish the album’s lengthy and gripping article in Outside Tour,” published in 2019 Kennedy Mag- banner year. And that’s particularly bleeding-edge bona fides.” Online entitled “We’re Here to See the azine, a publication based in Athens, been the case when they’re simultane- Wow, not sure Club Honk or Camp- Great Doomed Thing” about visiting the Greece. Zander also wrote about his ously embracing pop, rock or jazz flour- fire are ready for Happy Place, but Great Barrier Reef and a lot more. Rob’s evolving sense of sound amidst the pan- ishes. Microtonal projects led by the clearly those in the know are thrilled reputation as a skilled and adventur- demic for his agency, Athletics, where pianist Cory Smythe and the guitarist with the group and Will’s complex and ous writer is more solid than ever. Rob he serves as Senior Strategist. Zander David First have impressed in the past skillful compositions. One can only is also writer and voice of the Wondery worked in collaboration with his father few months. And now drummer Will imagine the kind of work involved in podcast called Joe Exotic, Tiger King. and Nikole Hannah-Jones of the 1619 Mason’s most recent works for his band putting something like this album to- Anne Stires, who has directed the project, on his father’s forthcoming Happy Place join those experimental- gether. Congratulations to Will, who is Pine Island programs at Whitehead book, This Far and No Further, a book of yet-still-catchy ranks. Collected on an a full-time professor of music at Whea- Island for the last 20 years, is also the Bill’s photographs of 100 places impor- album titled “tendrils,” which is sched- ton College. founder of Juniper Hill School in Alna, tant in the struggle for civil rights. Zan- uled for release on Friday, Mason’s latest Johnny Bregar, parent of Pine Island- ME and now a nationally recognized ex- der wrote the historical captions and opus builds on his band’s 2016 debut. ers Toby and Jameson Bregar and pro- pert on place-based, often primarily out- edited the introduction. He is currently This time around, in addition to the ducer of the hit album CAMPFIRE, has door, education. The COVID pandemic working on a travel essay about a visit to two-drummer, two-guitar attack — released his own album and writes: “Ever has prompted a pivot to outdoor learn- Ocracoke Island on the Outer Banks of with select strings tuned to microtonal since I was about the age of the kid on ing, and there has been no shortage of North Carolina. intervals — the bandleader has added a the album cover, I’ve always wanted to press and recognition of the school. The Will Mason and his way out there pair of vocalists. That expanded ensem- make a record. I’ve had a great run with highlight (so far!) was an article in the avant-garde jazz group Happy Place has ble sound has only deepened the range my kids/family music, but a couple of New York Times on November 20. This released his second album Tendrils to of Mason’s writing. On the new album’s years ago I decided I was going to release is on the heels of much other press for critical acclaim and was chosen for one opening piece, “illuminations,” the sing- something more mature. The Wayfinder the little school this fall and its efforts to of the New York Times’s “7 Things To ers at first execute parts that echo the is the result of a lot of hard work and be a model for others. WCSH6’s 207 and Do This Weekend” section, where the quarter-tone dissonances between the time. Everything you hear is real - there news programs covered a two-part story release was described as a noteworthy guitars; in the final minutes, some of the are no loops, samples, or anything other on outdoor learning that was based at cultural event. In the Weekend Round- more traditionally melodic vocal lines than acoustic instruments, played one by Juniper Hill School, highlighting the re- up section of the October 8 Times, critic give the track a mournful, indie-rock one, by myself or a couple helpers. markable day-to-day operations of the Seth Colter Wallace wrote: glamour. And while “tarnish” wouldn’t I hope you’ll enjoy listening.”

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

It was a busy, if unusual, season at where needed; installing lighting in Yo- which was a gift of David and Lee Bryan the Whitehead Light Station. Under der House II; and reglazing several win- in 2012, was replaced by a spiffy new Gigi Lirot’s direction volunteers worked dows. Learn more about their efforts on electric Ranger, a gift of the Swan family. throughout the summer and fall clear- page 15. The Gator headed off to the other end ing lots of downed trees; deep cleaning WLS was rented for three weeks dur- of the island where there is no electric- buildings; painting parts of the exteri- ing the summer and fall, and we were ity. The Ranger has proven to be more ors of the Tractor Shed, Hilltop House, able to run safely two well-attended than up to the task and has the added Keeper’s House, and boathouse; clean- programs: the Knitting Retreat and advantage of being almost silent. WLS’s ing and touch up painting in the lantern a Farm-to-Fork program. The newly classic wooden dinghy, nearly 50 years room of the lighthouse tower; building renovated Topside attracted renters old, is at this writing in Rob White- The spiffy new Ranger a new communications tower; stripping for eleven weeks and provided much- house’s Brunswick, ME shop receiving and re-shingling half the boathouse needed income to support the facility, a complete rebuild. Two fiberglass din- son, so check the website for news and roof; clearing brush by the dock; trans- and 26 generous friends made gifts that ghies are receiving attention from Ben stay tuned! Most importantly, find a way porting and stacking firewood; putting increased the WLS annual fund to a re- Swan in his “shop,” one half of the Swan’s to come to Whitehead Light Station and casters on all the shop tools, restor- cord high. The Light Station’s aging but garage. Gigi is currently juggling all the enjoy one of the most beautiful, restful ing their surfaces, and replacing blades indispensable vehicle the diesel Gator, uncertainties surrounding the 2021 sea- places anywhere.

From the Helm By Gigi Lirot, Director Whitehead Light Station

As was so true for virtually everyone time flew by and I felt grateful to ex- the world over, this past spring I was perience the beauty and peace one al- unsure what would unfold during the ways feels being at Whitehead, with the summer of 2020, and I had to plan for added benefit of being away from the a wide range of possibilities. Heading troubles on the mainland and around to Maine in June, I had barely enough the world. Despite not holding any of room for myself in my vehicle, which our previously scheduled programs, was so packed floor to ceiling that the July was a productive month with hard- rear-view mirror was useless. I had veg- working volunteers and interns sharing etable and herb seedlings protected ei- my appreciation for the island’s splendid ther by being stowed underneath the car isolation. I took on the cooking respon- seats or squeezed into milk crates atop sibilities with help from some of the vol- coolers, bins of frozen and non-perish- unteers. The fare was simple, but always able food, and supplies, including two appreciated. If work on our projects had 50-pound bags of flour. I made a plan to taken longer than expected, the quick- drive non-stop from Arlington, MA to to-put-together meal of pizza was on Emery’s Wharf and to be able not only the menu. In fact, we often baked pizza, to quarantine solo for two weeks, but fresh rolls or bread, making good use of The lucky participants in the 2020 Knit- also to potentially be on the island with all that flour. WLS Director Gigi Lirot and intern ting Retreat a few volunteers at a time for as long as It remained very foggy for the early Thomas Clauson celebrate finishing the possible without needing to make trips part of the summer, but when the fog boathouse roof. to the mainland. lifted and we looked up from our work I found myself thinking that this type we were treated to wonderful natural As I’m sure you can imagine, pre- of planning may not have been too differ- marvels such as double rainbows, the cautions were taken for and by all who ent from how many light keepers of long bald eagles doing their typical island came to Whitehead. I’m glad that the ago had to prepare on a regular basis. rounds, and chatty otters playing at worst-case scenario protocol if someone Being isolated on their off-shore islands the dock. At night when we weren’t too had become ill on the island never had left them often unable to get supplies for tired to stay up, we enjoyed the beauty to be put into practice. weeks if not months at a time, and they of the Milky Way, meteor showers, and I’m appreciative of all the hard work had to be self-sufficient. Despite White- even the comet Neowise, which could put in by our interns and volunteers this head’s proximity to the mainland, sup- be seen by simply walking out onto the past season. It was their vigilance as well plies surely weren’t easy to come by in front porch of the Keeper’s House. as that of our program participants that winter months. It must have been worse The maintenance projects were made our modified 2020 come together for the more isolated light stations such paused during much of August while safely. as the small barren granite island of Ma- the groups who rented the Keeper’s As we continue to go through times tinicus Rock, which is about 16 nautical House enjoyed having the Light Sta- of being unable to gather as we may miles offshore from Whitehead. tion to themselves. I was so glad that we want to, I again think of those who The summer of 2020 left no doubt as could safely welcome the rental guests served as light keepers in the past, es- The bunkbeds built by volunteer David to why Whitehead is called the foggi- and those who came for the Knitting pecially those at far off island locations, Pope est place in Maine. I made two full boat Retreat and Farm-to-Fork programs in and how they must have rarely been able trips to the island with my supplies in September and that they ran without to gather with relatives and loved ones a long frigid winter — “Better days are dead calm conditions with such dense a hitch. The final group of volunteers during holidays or special occasions. I coming.” fog that the boathouse only appeared included some very helpful local folks, look forward to next season and echo Oh, yes, by October we actually had once I reached the mooring ball just a some from right across the harbor who what I’m told the light keepers of Ma- baked so much that we did go through few yards off the dock. The foggy trip even continued to work hard helping tinicus Rock would say to help them get ALL 100 pounds of that flour! was quickly forgotten as my quarantine out after they had left the island. through tough times in the isolation of

11 Whitehead 1.0 Zoom Meeting — Two Pine by Sam Brown, Jr. Islander Fighter Pilots Wear PIC “Commander” Five Pine Island campers were privi- tires, one seat, and a steering column leged to be the camp’s first visitors to with the steering wheel. We pushed Patches on Their Jumpsuits Whitehead Island in 1957, a few months it around a bit, but it served more as a after the Swan family purchased most of curiosity than a vehicle. We did wonder it. I was one of those first visitors. We why it was on the island. came onto the island after three days Most of our time was spent explor- cruising Penobscot Bay in a 35-foot ing, drawing water from the one ex- sloop under senior counselor and vet- tant well, and visiting the active Coast eran skipper Bob Eaton. We were wel- Guard Station at the other end of the comed by Tats Swan, who, with her chil- island where the friendly Guardsmen dren, was occupying the cabin called explained the operation of the fabulous Starboard, the only one of the three hab- lighthouse and the ear-splitting fog- itable cabins in the island’s center clear- horn. In the good weather that blessed ing with an operating kitchen. us, we fortunately never heard it. Naturally, the first thing we noticed Of considerable interest was the was the large, house-size building in old, tall, wooden Life Saving Station, the clearing adjacent to Starboard and which stood on an ocean-side bluff its two companion cabins. It was a for- looking seaward toward Metinic Island mer U.S. Coast Guard barracks, built in several miles away. The architecture of the early 1920s and most active during this abandoned structure, which once World War II. Because it was marked NO housed the life-saving boats and the TRESPASSING, we Pine Islanders, be- crew, was both Victorian and Nordic, ing boys, entered it at once and searched earning it the name Viking Hall. It was a its two floors and several rooms. It was surviving relic, we were told, of the age totally vacant, save only for several plas- of wooden ships and iron men. PIC has tic signs saying NO SMOKING, which put a good deal of time into painting the we quickly requisitioned. outside and shingling the roof (twice!) We were assigned to sleep in the sec- so that it remains structurally sound. ond of the three cabins, the one called One year later, Mr. George Uhe and Port, but Jamie Campbell and I felt ad- his wife Evelyn and their two small chil- venturous on this exotic isle. We took dren spent the summer on Whitehead. our sleeping bags and flashlights about Mr. Uhe, a professional botanist and a hundred yards down the road toward biology teacher, taught that summer’s the Coast Guard settlement at the light- Pine Islanders about maritime history, house to a deserted cabin with two small native plants, and edible wild plants. I vacant rooms. Here we spent our three was fortunate also to make a visit that nights on Whitehead, feeling very much summer, but I was forever proud to Marine Corps officers Jason Schachner and Robbie Leahy last year in front of a T-45 as if we were in an Alfred Hitchcock have been among the very first camp- Goshawk Navy/Marine Corps trainer somewhere in Texas movie. ers to come ashore on this wonderful Besides the barracks, the most in- wild seaside outpost. I therefore like to Both Jason Schachner and Rob- them to their jumpsuits, Jason and Rob- triguing item we discovered was an call that initial venture by a modern title bie Leahy were long-time campers and bie chose the “Commander” patch, rep- ancient Model T Ford, stripped of ev- recognizable in today’s cybernetic age: counselors. Robbie was a camper for resenting the top rank in the OAR pro- erything but four metal wheels with no WHITEHEAD 1.0. several summers during which Jason gram at PIC. If you look closely at the was a rowing instructor. Jason earned photo above you can see the patch on his Commander while a camper and their right shoulders. My guess is that awarded that same rank to Robbie sev- those patches may have traveled faster eral years later. When the two of them than any activity patch thus far. happened to join the Marines at the Both Jason and Robbie received their same time and both qualified to fly wings during the past year. Robbie is jets, and ended up in the same training flying the FA-18 Hornet out of Lemoore squadron (woah, King Kababa…), and (CA) Air Force Base, and Jason is flying their instructor asked all the trainees the F-35 Maco out of the Marine Air to attach something that meant a lot to Force Base in Beaufort, SC.

Matt Kennard Joins the PIC Board

Pine Island Board of Directors. Matt was a camper from 1994-1997 and is a graduate of Yale University and the The Model T kept “running” for at least a few years. University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Currently CFO & Head of Op- erations for LearnZillion, Inc., a K-12 digital core curriculum provider based in Washington, D.C., Matt is a seasoned finance professional with significant experience in the technology sector. He lives in San Antonio, Texas with his wife We are very happy to announce the Thais. Akka Lakka, Matt! addition of Matthew Kennard to the

12 A Serious Hike — Georgia to Maine By Ryan Schlosser

Three days after my nineteenth the White Mountains, super rad rac- terror. On that first of what became 160 birthday, I drove nine hours from my ing stripe haircuts, tennis lessons that days of walking from Georgia to Maine, hometown of Allegany, NY and finally Bobby wishes he could understand, ag- I reflected on the role PIC has played in I reached a dirt road that ran through gressively dancing in a cow suit, build- my life. As I look back on my comple- the woods near Waterville, ME. A few ing my technical skills and confidence tion of a hike that was far more difficult months before, some random dude leading trips, and making friends that I and complex than I anticipated, it is ob- named Sumner had offered me a job still think about every day, I had abso- vious to me that my thru-hike was made after we met in St. Lawrence Univer- lutely no idea how I was going to leave possible by the skills I learned working sity’s student center. He seemed like and return to society. at Pine Island, the confidence and love a pretty neat guy, so I decided to leave In the last few days of the summer of adventure built into daily life at PIC, everything I knew behind and head off of 2018, as I thought about the jour- the guidance and encouragement I re- to spend my summer of 2018 at PIC, a ney home and back to school, I decided ceived from my fellow Pine Islanders place I had never seen, full of people I that I needed my own form of Pine Is- (especially you, Natalie!), and the will of had never met. As I drove down the dirt land’s Expedition Camp. The summer King Kababa. Many thanks to everyone road towards Great Pond, I was terri- had been a transformation for me, and who helped along the way and… Akka fied. I didn’t want the adventure to stop. I Lakka! You probably already know, based on had come to realize the benefit of leav- Check out my podcast: “Walking and the fact that I’m writing this piece for ing what I knew behind and half-blindly Talking: An Appalachian Trail Thru- the Pine Needle years later, that things throwing myself into a new and possi- Hike” at www.ryanschlosser.com if you turned out pretty alright for me that bly difficult situation. I decided I would want to hear adventures from the trail summer. In fact, after months of Jono thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. or interviews with other hikers! scenarios, campfires, staff ball, some A little over 18 months later, I stood absurdly confusing three-day event in on top of Springer Mountain, the south- Norridgewock involving a fake town ern terminus of the AT, with a 33-pound Dawss and Schloss atop Mt. Katahdin and decades-long blood feuds, getting pack on my back, a Snickers bar in my at the end of Ryan’s epic journey by foot rained on for 72 consecutive hours in hand, and a familiar feeling of excited from Georgia to Maine

Pete Complete! Rob Whitehouse and the Pine Island Skiff Project a Success

Though the boat was completed in from a few small improvements to the the spring of 2020, we will have to wait design, is the most beautiful Skiff yet, another few months for the sleek new and will certainly be a favorite among Pine Island Skiff called Pete to be given campers and staff for years to come. the seal of approval by the Organiza- Thanks to countless hours and a lot tion for the Advancement of Rowing of expertise contributed by Rob, you (OAR). However, the early reviews are can now buy a set of Pine Island Skiff in and they’re very enthusiastic. Pete is plans, complete with a thumb drive that the sixth Pine Island Skiff to be built can be used to have parts for the boat and was named for Pete Best, one of cut by a CNC machine. The first tube of two people often referred to as “the fifth plans went out the other day to a man Beatle.” David Stimson, who designed in Texas who read about the boat in the the Pine Island Skiff, built the first four Wooden Boat article (see “Pine Islanders boats in 1997 and they were named in the Press” on page 10)! This project John, Paul, George, and Ringo. The fifth is not to be undertaken as a lark! The Skiff, Stu, named for Stuart Sutcliffe, ar- best thing to do is to have us send you rived a few years later. Rob Whitehouse a PDF of study plans that will give you a slaved away during the winter of 2019 clear idea of what you’d be getting your- at his shop in Brunswick, ME, where he self into. That said, in the realm of boat took the lines off Ringo and converted building, making your own Pine Island Rob Whitehouse at the helm of Tip Your Cap, the cruising them to a complete set of plans and then Skiff would not be considered very com- boat he built in his shop in Brunswick, ME built Pete from the plans. Pete, sporting plex, especially using Rob’s clear plans a Pettit Bikini Blue stripe, has benefited and notes. But what to name it… Mick?

Pete, the newest Pine Island Skiff, built by volunteer Rob Whitehouse, in his back yard Harry Swan rows Pete for the first time in Great Pond — May, 2020. in Brunswick, ME 13 Needlenotes from Needlenews the Needlenosed Newshound

Lindsay Clarke and her daughter Sa- growing hops that I found growing Physician at Boston Children’s Hospital gan welcomed Silas Warner Clarke on wild around the foundation of the light- and an Instructor at Harvard Medical October 5, 2020. Lindsay is a teacher at keeper’s house at Whitehead Light Sta- School. Peter Nagler and his wife Ida the Waynflete School in Portland, ME, tion. I took cuttings in July 2019 from welcomed Paulina Leone on July 16, and will begin working as PIC’s summer there and planted them in Colorado on 2019 and brother Bill Nagler and his office manager in 2021.Cecily Pulver our property. They are thriving. I call wife Kirsten Lewis welcomed Kather- and her husband Nick Tapper welcomed them Whitehead hops. I have a batch of ine Diane on September 18, 2019. Reed Daniella (Dani) Irene Tapper on July 10, German-style lager now aging and am Harvey is living in Milwaukie, OR and 2020, meaning that if she ever works at optimistic that they will be very good married his longtime girlfriend Devon PIC, she will get a cake made for her and hops for brewing. Though there is no Fredericksen on September 21, 2019. all of camp in the summer! Aunt Aman- apparent mention of the history of these He gave up the life of a “vagabond rock da spends one full day a week babysit- hops, I suspect that they were brought climber” and entered a career in audio ting and always hates to leave. Cecily is over to the island perhaps 100 years or post production. COVID did him out of a full-time teacher. Amanda continues so ago by someone who had the idea of a job so he started his own post produc- her work at Wegman’s. Mahesh Fran- making homebrew on the island. What tion company, Steambox, and he’s lov- cis popped the question to Melina Polit kind of hops were there available during ing it. Reed is in close touch with Evan Dilion this fall and the answer was yes! that period? I’m hoping to offer some of Larsell who, with his partner Chantel The couple, now living in Concord, CA, the beer brewed with these hops during Alcaraz, welcomed a baby boy, Bearett Lindsay Clarke’s daughter Sagan with hope for an in-person wedding in 2021. my beer classes scheduled for July 2021.” Leigh, on July 23, 2020. Chase Ijams her new brother Silas Mahesh is the Associate Director of Rob Whitehouse recently wrote: “Tip is working on a Master of Social Work Admissions at the California Institute Your Cap went out on her first cruise this degree at UNC. Erin Lobb is working of Integral Studies. Jacob Ronson and summer. A Doug Hylan design called as an occupational therapist in Rhode Amber Walker were married outside Bowler, she is a 26-1/2' raised sheer Island treating patients recovering from of Lexington, VA on August 22, 2020. cruiser with modest accommodations COVID and has sewed and distributed Paul Ronson was best man and Cole for two, and I built her over a number several hundred masks. Her husband Gibson was a groomsman. The couple of years in my shop. This year’s dreams Will Mason adds, “She’s working up a honeymooned in New England, hav- of a long coastal cruise were dashed by rippin’ banjo set that hopefully will grace ing put off their planned trip to Hawaii. the pandemic. Not being willing to stay the sandy stage before too long.” Doug Jacob and Amber live in the house they at inns and eat in restaurants meant I Phillips and his wife recently relocated just bought in Ashland, VA. Tom Na- would be traveling solo. The first stop to Chicago from Brooklyn. Doug works gler lives in Portland, ME and works after departing Brunswick was Tenants in research on criminal justice reform. in procurement for the Hannaford gro- Harbor. I wangled a mooring at White- They are expecting their first child (a cery chain. He and Rip Swan renovated head, had a lovely walk about the island boy) in January. Will Clark got mar- a rented barn in Portland where Tom recalling life on the island as a 15-year- ried to his high school sweetheart on has been working to restore an ancient old on the 1972 Whitehead Work Crew. 9/10/20. He will be applying to medical Land Rover and Rip has been working We are headed back next year with the school in May. Peter Zeman writes: “My on multiple woodworking projects that hopes of renting a home base from family and I are all well. I’m following many enjoy following on Instagram. Rip which to cruise the area.” Kit Smith the Zeman tradition of not retiring by works full time for a mid-coast contrac- writes from Los Angeles, “Getting cata- still working four days a week as a psy- Just Married! Amber Walker and Jacob tor on a beautiful new house down near pulted into the organized mayhem of chiatrist at the Institute of Living, Hart- Ronson the mouth of the Kennebec. Katie Swan LA’s garment industry has been wild.” ford, CT. It’s hard for me to believe that I also lives in Portland. She is working StringKing, the company he helped was a counselor at Pine Island (and Blue from home and hoping like so many found to make lacrosse equipment and General) 55 years ago!” others to go to work sometime soon at custom-fitted apparel, has recently won her new job as a digital marketing spe- four Defense Logistics Agency contracts cialist at Helm Digital. Harry Swan is to produce 19 million disposable isola- living in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam tion gowns over the next 12 months. In and teaching English. Joe Kovaz has April, StringKing was leading a team of moved with his wife Susan and daugh- 1200 people producing 140,000 cloth ter Anna Kendall from Columbia, SC face masks per day in Los Angeles. They to Belfast, ME. Joe is teaching vari- are continuing efforts to secure con- ous courses in science at a brand-new tracts to provide custom fitted shorts school in Unity, ME. Joe ran into Bel- and t-shirts to the Marine Corps. Gray fast resident Chris Gardner while buy- Hill left Auburn University last March ing bike supplies at Chris’s combination and spent the spring and summer fight- coffee shop and bike shop. Victor Dil- ing wild fires in Colorado for both the lard started a new job in January 2020 state and federal governments. Brother at a company called Owkin. He lives in Reid Hill has mostly been in school at Caleb Hunter takes aim. Islington (London) with his girlfriend Montana State University with time at Daniella Tapper and their puppy called Whisky. Caleb home as the pandemic dictated. He too Hunter’s high school Nordic team took has been learning the art of fighting fires first place in States last year (he won while also learning biodynamic farm- 2nd place in the Classic event), and ing at a farm near his home in Boulder. his shooting skills (which he learned at Jason Fischer and his young family Pine Island) have won him competitive stopped at PIC on their way home to results in biathlon races around New Norwell, MA from Rangeley just before England. Since graduation in June 2020, Thanksgiving. The gate was open be- he has been participating in the Fort cause Ben was up doing some work and Kent Outdoor Center’s post-grad bi- he got to meet the whole gang, includ- athlon training program, with the goal ing Jason’s wife Linden, his oldest Lyle, of performing well in the junior world his daughter Merin, and his twin infants championship trials. He’s also working Reid and Keaton. It was freezing cold towards his EMT certification. Charlie and blowing about 20 mph, but it was Papazian, the acclaimed Godfather of a nice visit and they managed to get a Jason Fisher and family on a very chilly the Craft Beer movement writes: “I’m group photo. Jason is now an Attending visit to the PIC mainland in November. Mahesh Francis with his fiancée Melina

14 Volunteers on the Job in Spite of COVID Hurdles

Lining up volunteers to come and by Whit Fisher and Dennis Gagne. John help with projects on Pine Island or Alsop used his sawmill to mill some big at the Whitehead Light Station is not pieces of lumber that are now drying in simple in the best of times. Everyone’s preparation for the installation of a fine busy, and finding a date that works for workbench that will be the final touch. enough volunteers is a jigsaw puzzle, It may be hard to get much work done and then one must order food, have a in the shop because the view from the cook on hand, order materials, be sure four windows over the bench out over there are the right tools on site, and ar- Penobscot Bay is so spectacular. In July range boat transportation. The spring John Alsop, David Pope, Silas Hunter, arrival of COVID-19 added another lay- and Penny Alley transformed “Hilltop” er of complexity to arranging volunteer house, a structure built to house staff at projects, but we managed and we got a Whitehead Light Station. What began lot of good work done this past summer as a single room with plywood walls and fall. and floor morphed into an insulated John Alsop, daughter Corinne, Matt two-room bunkhouse that is now ready Miller, and Harry Swan joined Direc- for occupancy. The little building with tor of Operations Ben Swan for a day a big view now has a spruce floor and this spring clearing the area around the walls and bunks made from white pine head of the Camp Road. The entrance milled from two huge pine trees cut on to Pine Island’s road has grown in over the Camp Road. Hilltop can now house the years with a tangle of vines and truly a maximum of four staff and has a small horrible brambles. It took most of a day “mudroom” for raingear and boots and for the crew to cut, drag, and dispose of a “kitchenette.” several pickup loads of the stuff, leav- Many other volunteers joined Gigi ing the area around the entrance clear and Ben this summer at Whitehead and ready for the planting of grass and Light Station and put in lots of valuable a few white pine trees. A little of that work. They scraped, painted, sawed, work goes a long way (some blood was clipped, hauled, planted, mowed, re- Volunteers Charlie Boutwell, Harry Swan, Rip Swan, and Tom Nagler on the recently shed in spite of heavy gloves), but John paired, cooked, cleaned, and organized. completed Infirmary roof last fall was undeterred and has joined Ben for The list (our apologies to those we for- further road improvements. John has got…) of volunteers includes: Rip Swan, also become the leader of the York’s John Alsop, Janice Stuver, Matt Wall, Crossing Improvement Society, work- Joan Gonser, David Pope, Linda Pope, ing with Ben to create a master plan that David Bryan, Lee Bryan, Ed Williams, is transforming the War Game site into Rich Bradley, Ellen McCarthy, Meg a “pleasing park-like landscape.” Don’t Bradley, Moss Bemis, Wes Lirot, Pennie worry, it’s still really hard to get from Alley, Beverly St. Clair, Marcus Rhine- Southeast to East. lander, Anne Stires, Eben Weislogel, and We were unable to run the Sloan Rob Whitehouse. Interns Thomas Clau- Critchfield Memorial Boat Maintenance son, Silas Hunter, and Abbie Ames did Weekend, an eagerly anticipated annual yeoman service as well. fall event, because it involves as many As part of a master plan for keeping as 30 volunteers traveling to Maine and up with the maintenance and improve- working, living, and eating together. ment of Pine Island’s 37 buildings, re- While there is always work to be done roofing the Infirmary on the island was to the fleet, it was not as urgent this year scheduled for a weekend last September. because the boats did not undergo the A hardy crew of “A Team” volunteers - usual rigors of a camp season. We missed Sumner Ford, Ben Schachner, and Sam the Sloan Weekend for sure though and Hecklau – were to travel on Thursday hope very much we can invite volun- from Vermont, part of the Maine CO- teers to attend next September. VID travel bubble, get the job set up, Since the fall of 2019 volunteers have and work with Rip and Harry Swan completed many projects. David Pope, and Tom Nagler to strip and replace the John Rogers, Rip Swan, and Tom Nagler roof. However, COVID indirectly raised did major work in “Topside,” the super- its ugly head just prior to the weekend cozy apartment above the boathouse when a student at the school where on the Whitehead Light Station main- Sam teaches was found to have been land property, completing work started in contact with another student who decades ago by Ben’s uncle Rip Swan, tested positive for the virus, and the who designed and built the building team had to stay put. Harry Swan and in the 1960s. They finished the ceiling, friends from Brunswick, including Pine David Pope at work on the interior of Hilltop House at Whitehead Light Station removed lots of stuff, rewired much of Islander Percival Stoddard, stepped in the building, and installed new light- and had a strenuous Friday transport- turned into a work-until-dark two-day Eagerly anticipating the suppression ing. The result of their efforts, some new ing the 75-pound bundles of asphalt sprint. Fortunately, the Infirmary roof is of the COVID problem, Board mem- furniture, and a minimum of paid work shingles and some scaffolding to the neither high nor steep and the weather ber Charlie Boutwell is working with transformed Topside into a perfect get- island. Former camper and counselor was sunny if unseasonably cold. As the Ben Swan, Miles Frank, and Gigi Lirot away spot right on the water that was and current PIC board member Char- light was fading Sunday night the whole to create more volunteer opportunities booked by renters for many weeks, pro- lie Boutwell arrived that evening, along job was finished except for a few shin- for Pine Islanders. Ben says, “It’s the best viding much-needed income for PIC. with Rip Swan, who came straight from gles on the ridges, completed the follow- way, once you are sadly too old to be a The Yoder House II workshop at his contracting job. Former KC member ing week by Ben and Harry Swan. Dang camper or counselor, to return to Pine Whitehead Light Station is now very Katie Swan, along with former Head that COVID! Many thanks to everyone, Island and Whitehead Light Station. nearly complete. Volunteer Matt Wall Cook Corinne O’Connor, did the shop- including the Vermonters who prudent- Good work that is really helpful to PIC finished the wiring and lighting and Rob ping and cooked at the Rink, and Tom ly acted out of an abundance of caution and WLS, wonderful food, and great Whitehouse repaired and de-rusted the Nagler was on hand for the start of work and missed all the fun. On to the next people.” Stay tuned and sign up! surfaces of the many wonderful shop on Saturday morning. What was billed roof with hopes for a big crew and more tools donated to PIC several years ago as a somewhat relaxing work weekend great fall weather!

15 Skeleton Crew By Sumner Ford, Director

What a strange time. Pine Island did comes off the kitchen dock after return- not operate for the first time since the ing from a camping trip. That reward early 20th century. Such a strange fact was not present. to absorb. Miles Frank and his crew, Justin Gas- After deciding to cancel camp, we pard and Bobby Flynn, worked from 8 considered options for the summer. We am -6 pm every day. They took pride in agreed that there were enough work skipping every rest-hour. Come baking projects to keep a small crew busy, and hot sun or deluge of rain, they could this summer would provide a unique not be stopped. From the perches to the opportunity to work on the island. We Dining Hall, they worked on countless also recognized that campers, who were projects this summer, and the island having the rug pulled out from under looks much better than it did when we them right and left, could use Pine Is- found it. land’s help this summer more than ever. Our content team, Corinne Alsop, I reached out to a small group of senior Mark Pierce, Matthew Hawkins, Jack staff and invited them to work on the is- Reed, and Matt Miller, came up with land for scant pay. The staff’s world had ideas non-stop. The crew stressed end- also been turned upside down. Some of lessly over the production of each video. them were home with their dorm rooms From their first video to their last, I was still full of their belongings. They recog- thrilled with the content they created nized that PIC would provide some nor- this summer. They demonstrated what Sumner and the Skeleton Crew “dressed like Ben Swan” on July 12, his birthday malcy and that it would be an opportu- phenomenal teachers we manage to hire nity to give back to Pine Island. every summer. If you haven’t seen their Over the six weeks we spent on the instructional videos, I encourage you to island, the staff worked incredibly hard. check them out at www.pineisland.org. While our counselors and other staff al- Our head cook Madison Olds was ways work hard, during a normal camp a veteran of several summers on the season they reap the reward of seeing a Kitchen Crew, so she was familiar with camper grow, seeing his passion for an the PIC kitchen. We thought that cook- activity that develops during a summer, ing for 12 might be an easy introduc- or the unmistakable look of pride as he tion to the Head Cook job. It was not. Our appetites proved to be quite large, so Madison was preparing a lot of food three times a day. She was both managing our menu and safely procuring food. After a fantastic summer of fill- ing our bellies with delicious food, I am thrilled that Madison is rejoining us as Head Cook in 2021. This summer was far from ideal, but yet again the season revealed one of Pine Island’s most valuable assets – the hard-working, caring, funny, smart, talented young people who are drawn to the challenging and rewarding work Miles, Bobby, and Justin with new cribbing to prevent further erosion on the West of being on our staff. I can’t thank this Range year’s Pine Island staff enough, and I can’t wait for many of these remarkable Pine Islanders to return next summer New and improved basketball hoop pole with, at last, campers’ smiles and joy to reward them.

Projects head Miles Frank on the partially sanded Dining Hall floor Refinished Dining Hall floor all done!

16 What I Did on My Summer Vacation — Campers Write

Sadly, it was a “vacation” from a Pine enough to be there again doing many of pick-up from a place called The Burger ourselves at the bottom of what will Island season, but Pine Islanders are re- the activities I would have been doing Stand. forever be known to my brother Max sourceful and flexible and aren’t prone at camp. I swam, canoed, and sailed on I was not surprised to find that The and me as “The Vertical Meadow.” The to sitting around. Here are some reports the lake. I learned to tie dozens of knots. Burger Stand serves burgers, how- Vertical Meadow was two miles of, you from would-have-been 2020 campers. Riflery…I had an airsoft target range set ever I made a discovery that shook me guessed it, a vertical meadow. It was up in our back yard. I camped out on to my very core: THE QUALITY OF only rivaled in steepness by the saddle From Simon de Beistegui — Paris Oak Island and roasted hot dogs and THE FOOD WAS HEAVENLY. The on Katahdin, but The Vertical Meadow During my summer vacation in s’mores over a fire I built (thank you, fries were to die for (perhaps that is was four times the length. It consisted France I did a road trip with my fam- Woodcraft). I watched 4 th of July fire- why they dug potatoes there) and not mostly of small flowers growing par- ily. We left from Paris to go to Climy works from the shore of the lake. I even only because butter makes everything allel to the ground and an occasional in Bourgogne. It took us four hours. got to do some things I would not have taste great. The burgers were made with horizontal tree. We clung to roots and Over there we visited the abbaye and we been able to do at PIC…like learn how meat that was fresher than any meat I tufts of grass as we made our way step stayed there for two days. Then we went to knee board and water ski. I also en- have tasted before and the buttery bun by step up the meadow floor. It took us to visit friends of ours in the Drome joyed several visits from Sumner, who made my mouth water. Even my fa- about two hours to climb it but it was Provençale. Over there they make wine would boat over to our dock and chat ther’s Veggie burger was transcendent. two unforgettable ones. When we finally and olive oil. We stayed there for two with us (from a distance, of course) Every night in Telluride my brother reached Silver Lake we let out a sigh of days. After that we went to visit other about the work happening on the is- and I dreamed of these divine burgers, relief and enjoyed some gummy bears as friends of ours, but this time at Cap land, how sad we all were to miss out on so much so that on our drive back to we reflected on what we had achieved. Benat next to Bormes les Momosas. camp, and how the Yankees were WAY Atlanta we revisited this most revered Next summer, I hope to be hiking along We went swimming and we went on a better than the Red Sox this year. I then Stand of Burgers to confirm its defini- the AT, not only for the company of my boat. We spent three days there. Then kayaked over to the island where I was tive status as The Greatest Restaurant friends from Pine Island, but also for the we visited Carcassonne. It is a medieval able to float in the water and visit with on the American Supercontinent. So, sake of my calves. city. And finally we went to our house all the counselors and staff who were should any of you happily find yourself in the Pays-Basque. We went hiking in working away to make camp even bet- in the “place where we dug potatoes,” the mountains and swimming in the ter for next year. The best part was get- let there be NO doubt as to where you ocean. ting to water ski past the island while should find your meal. Next year, I hope the staff stood on the dock cheering as not to go to The Burger Stand because I From Wells Adams — Republic of I zoomed by trying not to wipe out in really want to be on Pine Island. But, it Georgia front of everyone. is just possible that while sleeping in my This summer I did a lot of things. A In all, it was an amazing summer. tent while the waves lap PIC’s shores, I lot of things that weren’t Pine Island, Even though I never set foot on Pine Is- might be dreaming about America’s best but fun, great, adventurous things. One land, I almost felt like I was there…un- burger in “the place where we dug po- of those things was becoming commit- til I remembered all the campfires and tatoes.” ted to a sailing club. I train on Saturdays trips and songs and stories and friends and Sundays when it’s not cold or too I was missing…all the things that make From Anselm Bell — Atlanta, GA Andrew Regier and son Will atop Mt. windy. Although the coaches and other summers on Pine Island so special. So, I Meadow a la Vertical Washington kids were Georgian, we got along well hope we are all together there again next I am Anselm Bell, a 12-year-old sec- and I understood most things. Their summer. Until then…AKKA LAKKA!!! ond year, and last summer I went to fleet consists of about 25 Opti’s, La- Telluride, Colorado because the pan- sers, and Cat-2’s. Even though it’s hard From Jax Lou — Richmond, VA demic prevented me from spending my sometimes, it’s still hugely fun. Another Virginia X-camp was mostly a suc- third summer at Pine Island. Telluride thing was playing tennis. I train three cess! Except Madron’s boots were too is a small town in the mountainous, days a week when the weather is good, small so he got huge blisters after our southwest corner of Colorado. While so it helps me to get better. My coach is 15-mile first day hike. We got picked my family did a lot of hiking during our a Georgian tennis coach whose name is up two days later instead of four, but we time there, this is a story about one hike Vasiko. had a great time together! that really stood out (or maybe I should say “up”). From Will Regier — New York, NY From Benjamin Lew — New York, NY The hike was supposed to be about This summer, my dad and I day hiked I took an eight-week sailing program seven miles and fairly flat with a few Mt. Washington. It was really fun and at the Shelter Island Yacht Club so I steep bits to end at an alpine lake. We the view was amazing but it was hard on spent a lot of time on the water. set off early the morning of the hike to the way up. Definitely worth walking up avoid the afternoon mountain thunder- Wells Adams setting sail in the Republic instead of driving though. Anyways, see From Gabriel Eigeman — storms. The first two miles of the hike of Georgia you this summer! Brooklyn, NY were gentle with some steep, rocky parts We ended up getting a small dingy/ and we soon found ourselves at the top From Luke Beatie, Chatsworth, CA sailboat and I taught my dad to sail, of Bridal Veil Falls. We stopped there My Summer (Looking) at Pine Island which I was able do from my time at for a water break and to see where the — When I heard that Pine Island had PIC the summer before. trail would take us next. In order to been canceled for 2020, I almost cried. reach our destination, Silver Lake, the I was so sad that my summer home was From Max Bell — Atlanta, GA trail then split off from the large flattish closed, and I was going to miss out on Burgers Am I Right? Potato Haven Of- trail we had been on, crossed a stream, all the amazing things PIC provides for fers America’s Best Burger. and then veered up into a steep rocky everyone fortunate enough to go there. Last summer, because of the pan- section. We set off eager to see Silver Luckily, I had another option…a place demic, I went with my family to Tellu- Lake. When the turnoff for another ver- Luke, Boden, and Ben Beatie spell out a not unlike camp. So, my family took me ride, Colorado instead of spending it on tical section came, it became apparent message from their beach to the island there instead, and I was able to spend Pine Island. Telluride is a 26-hour drive that the steepness of this trail may have the entire summer in one of my favorite from my hometown of Atlanta, or as we been seriously downplayed in the guide places on Earth…Belgrade, Maine…all Pine Islanders call it: a 517-hour hike! book. This section of trail was made up while staring longingly across the lake at Because of the pandemic we drove and of little rocks jutting out of what seemed Pine Island. thus broke the road trip into two days. like an 80-degree uphill incline. After a My family has been spending sum- We stopped in Topeka, Kansas on our short stint scrambling up this section of mers on Great Pond since before Pine first night of the drive. Fun fact: Topeka rock, we stopped on a fairly level trail Island Camp existed. Every summer means, “Place where we dug potatoes” and checked the GPS. We were excited I would go there and play in the lake in the native Kansa-Osage, the people to find that we were only two miles away as PIC rested in the background, her who originally inhabited the area. After from Silver Lake! boats and the KWS cruising back and extensive research in the car throughout After this level section of trail, which Virginia Expedition Camp: Jax Lou, Ian forth. This past summer, I was fortunate the day, we decided for dinner we would turned out to be quite short, we found Wofford, and Madron Joyce

17 In Memoriam Bulk Legacy — Tim Nagler 1947–2020 Lynn “Kippy” Kippax, Jr. died at his York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The home in York, ME on March 4, 2020. He Christian Science Monitor and Indian was 71. Kippy, originally from Swarth- Economy & Markets. When not lawyer- Tim Nagler died surrounded by fam- and ultimately moved to Indianapolis, more, PA, was a camper and counselor ing, writing, or volunteering, Bill en- ily in Indianapolis, IN on February 16, IN, where he helped raise five sons and at Pine Island during the early and joyed traveling the world, especially to 2020 from complications of two rare worked for Jungclaus-Campbell, the mid-1960s. A dynamic personality and Venice, and teaching in Puerto Rico and cancers. Tim began his association with venerable construction firm of which he superb photographer, Kippy lived in in India, attending the Opera, appear- Pine Island Camp during the winter of eventually became owner. Maine most of his life and served as ing once as a supernumerary in “Don 1967 when he wrote to then-director Tim made an indelible and wonder- chairman of the State of Maine Media Carlo” at the Metropolitan Opera, and Jun Swan about a job. Tim went on to ful mark on Pine Island Camp during and Film Commission and throughout playing basketball regularly at the Lenox be an irrepressible force on the Pine Is- his more than 50 years of association, his life worked to promote filmmaking Hill Neighborhood House where he was land staff and then an innovative and and his contributions to PIC will be and all forms of the arts in Maine. He known for his devastatingly effective energetic assistant director to Monte honored by the construction of a new was press secretary for Maine governor hook shot. Ball, bringing many Carleton students building in his memory. The new resi- John Baldacci, wrote for TV and radio George Castell of Darien, CT and to Pine Island to serve as counselors. All dence, to be built on Honk Hill to house productions, was a production and lo- New York City died from complica- five of Tim’s sons were campers and staff the five rising high school seniors se- cation manager for films and TV shows, tions of a stroke on October 24, 2020 members, and Tim met their mother lected to participate in the Leadership and was the Maine AP wire correspon- surrounded by his family. He was 84. Katherine while they were both work- Training Internship Program (LTIP) dent during the Bush presidencies. George was a counselor-in-training for ing at PIC. Tim served on the board of each summer, will be named “The Bulk- During the Iraq War, Kippy also taught just one summer, 1955, but maintained directors for over 40 years. head.” The Bulkhead, designed by build- broadcast techniques to soldiers in a friendship with Jun Swan, who was “We’re builders! We build!” was the er and engineer Rip Swan, will be locat- Baghdad who were making weekly TV George’s fifth-grade teacher at the Col- required response by those engaged in ed in a grove of trees to the northwest and radio broadcasts. His still photog- legiate School in New York, a friend- Island Buildup, when Tim, who cre- of Honk Hall, looking out past Magoon raphy appeared in United Press Inter- ship that was continued after Jun’s death ated the “activity,” would shout, “Who with a view of Oak and Hoyt’s Islands national, The New York Times, National with director Ben Swan. George’s two are we?!” Island buildup consisted of and of course Mt. Philip. Its design re- Geographic, Time, Down East, and The sons Bill and Greg were campers at Pine standing knee-deep in Great Pond on flects the Honk design, complete with Pine Needle. Kippy’s brothers John and Island in the early 1980s, and George the north side of the island throwing, cedar shingles, a scaled-down diamond Jeff and his nephew Teddy were also joined the finance committee of Pine or struggling ashore with, stones from window, and of course a skylight, one of Pine Islanders. Island’s board of directors in 2002. the bottom of the lake. I think campers Tim’s favorite Pine Island innovations Porter Breeden died on July 17, 2020 While George once told then-director actually signed up for Island Buildup, a that have brightened the interiors of PIC in Virginia of a drug overdose. He was Ben Swan that his idea of roughing it fact that illustrates the power of Tim Na- buildings new and old. It is supremely 48. Porter, a Pine Island camper for five was slow room service, he took a strong gler’s persuasion born of sheer energetic fitting that a building named in Tim’s summers during the 1980s, struggled interest in the well-being and future of enthusiasm. It was like a spell cast. You memory should house five young men valiantly and knew much darkness in Pine Island and, during long phone calls were powerless in the face of it. During whose job for the summer is to take care addiction, but in the last five years he and many face-to-face meetings, offered his many years as a counselor, assistant of Pine Island and to make sure that all made a new life of sobriety for himself invaluable advice and encouragement director, and then member of the board is shipshape at all times, and to do so in Winchester, VA, creating a commit- to Ben, often challenging him with the of directors, Tim has always been build- with good humor and enthusiasm. ted relationship with his life partner question, “What do you want to be, Ben? ing up Pine Island. And it is not just the Tim is survived by Pine Islanders Amanda Cox, repairing relationships You can be anything you want. What do stones still protecting the north side of Katherine Nagler, brother Bill, and sons with parents and friends, and making you want to be?” It was George’s way of the island from erosion after 40 years Bill, Jim, John, Peter, and Tom, and by many new friends. Porter was looking insisting on focus, facts, dogged work, that have endured. countless Pine Islanders whose lives forward to the birth of his daughter and realistic planning, the value of Tim majored in English at Carleton, Tim affected over many years with his but was overwhelmed by the stresses which George learned in the course of a taught English at the Hotchkiss School limitless energy and deep love of Pine brought on by COVID-19. Porter will dazzling business career. After graduat- in Connecticut, received an “ABD” in Island Camp. If you would like to con- be sorely missed by his partner Amanda ing from Columbia University in 1958, English at the University of Virginia, tribute to the cost of the materials for Cox, his parents Jim Breeden and San- George immediately entered the Chase was a stringer for the New York Times “The Bulkhead,” please contact Tom Yo- dra Whitfield, his step-father Roger Bank Training Program, but instead of and an editorial writer for the Mont- der at [email protected]. Whitfield, his half-sister Ann Breeden, pursuing a career in banking, he decid- gomery Advertiser in Montgomery, AL, and scores of family and friends. ed to work in the “new technical world” Bill Dean died at his home in New of cable at CBS, where he became As- York City on August 17, 2020. Bill was sistant Treasurer prior to becoming Vice a counselor at Pine Island and served President of Corporate Development at as skipper of the Jubilee for four sum- Viacom International , Inc. After play- mers between 1954 and 1961 and main- ing a major role in the rise of Viacom, tained a close friendship with Jun and including the founding of MTV, George Tats Swan and Lise Aubry throughout served as Managing Director, Apollo their lives, visiting the three of them Partners Ltd.; Chairman, Apollo Radio several times at Whitehead Island. As Ltd.; and Managing Director, Wertheim a lawyer, he was deeply involved in the Schroder & Company. He retired as life of the city, serving as executive di- Managing Director, Abernathy Mac- rector of Volunteers of Legal Service. Gregor. Ben visited George and his wife As a volunteer, he served as chairman Marian frequently over many years in of the Correctional Association of New New York City and at the Castell home York, chairman of the New York Soci- in Darien, CT where there were lots of Tim Nagler with Jun Swan in the 1969 ety Library, the Wednesday night driver laughs and a wealth of encouragement staff photo for the Coalition for the Homeless food and sound advice. George was robbed van, an almoner for the Havens Relief of speech by the stroke he suffered years Fund Society, and a legal adviser to the before his death, and many were de- Greenmarkets in New York City, and prived of George’s near clairvoyant wis- he was a proud member of the Century dom, but Ben’s visits continued and in Association. Hundreds of his personal spite of a very tough row to hoe, George essays on a wide range of subjects have never lost the twinkle in his eye and the No megaphone needed… Tim Nagler at appeared in the op-ed pages of The New warmth that was always there for Ben. Fogg’s Forks 1969

18 Time and Tide — Three Months on Whitehead Island By Ben Swan

At the risk of making every single Pine Islanders using the Barracks, my the kitchen. Gigi Lirot was in residence stranger wandered up the path, I never person who reads this insanely jealous, focus shifted quickly to a long-overdue at the other end of the island and often had to wear a mask. I ate when I was I wanted to share with Needle readers renovation of the Barracks kitchen and had volunteers and interns on hand to hungry; entertained a few friends who what I did on my summer vacation. pantry. With the sun rising a little be- work. I commuted the quarter of a mile pitched in with the work; welcomed Em- My plan pre-COVID was to not visit fore 5:00 and setting around 8:30, I had to the Light Station and weighed in on ily for several visits (during which I ate Pine Island this summer in order leave plenty of daylight and could put in some the renovations to Hilltop House and a lot better!); watched the tides, boats, the running of the camp entirely to our long days. Of course, the project grew as the extremely challenging re-roofing of fog, moon, sun, deer, red squirrels, and wonderful new director Sumner Ford. I I got into it, but, with some timely help the old Coast Guard boathouse. I has- birds come and go; took glorious solar- would spend the summer at Whitehead from occasional visitors, by early fall I ten to add for those insanely jealous, heated showers; and made only a few Island doing projects and visiting with was able to move everything, including that it was not all relaxing and enjoyable trips to town for supplies. The pace of campers and staff when they came out the beautiful Wolf cooking range do- work. We managed to pick the hottest my summer could not have been more on the seven Whitehead trips. Well, we nated by Rob Whitehouse, back in. The week of the summer to do the roof. The different from that of the previous 33 at all know what happened to the 2020 pantry has a new floor, walls sheathed boathouse just happens to be in a spot Pine Island and I was extremely grate- PIC season and the curtailed activities with sweet-smelling white pine, and that gets direct sunlight all day and none ful for the rest and for the opportunity on Great Pond are chronicled elsewhere new shelves built by Rip Swan. The of the daily southwest breeze. In addi- to make some headway on projects that in this issue, but in some ways my plans kitchen improvements are many: old tion, it is a very steep roof surrounded had been put off for too long. didn’t change. What changed was that heating pipes removed; ceiling patched by rocks, and the whole thing is on a I stayed on the island late enough to for nearly three months, from late June and painted; walls scrubbed, patched slant. We only had to do half the roof, undertake a renovation of the Barracks through early October, I was living pret- and painted; new wooden counters; the half not in the shade. Gigi, interns dining room as well, and I’ll be able to ty much alone in the Swan compound. floor patched, scraped, sanded and fin- Thomas Clauson and Silas Hunter, and finish that before the boys and staff -ar It was a bit like being the only resident ished; great New Yorker covers, mined I spent three days just putting up stag- rive in late June. It was a great luxury to of a small town. At first it was a bit ee- from the 300+ vintage magazines stored ing that would keep us safe and then stay at Whitehead long enough to see rie, especially with the Barracks empty in boxes in the library, installed on the stripped, repaired and papered the roof the days shorten and the weather turn and looming in the moonlight, but I got east wall. In a move recalling either Tom and applied the traditional Coast Guard cold and windy and for the first time used to it very quickly. Sawyer or Tim Nagler, in preparation red asphalt shingles. Son Rip Swan, now in decades feel the urge to head back My original plan was to split my for a visit from a flock of his friends, well known for his engineering and to Brunswick instead of longing to stay time between working on Haulaway, Rip Swan marked the kitchen floor building acumen, showed up at a critical on the island. As always, a few days af- the cabin where my parents spent 25 off in squares with tape and assigned moment to get us started on what was ter coming ashore I was already looking summers after my father retired from each person to a square. They had to essentially trying to apply straight rows forward to getting the boats shipshape teaching and from being the director complete scraping their square before on a parallelogram. I nearly expired but and back in the water in the spring. I’m of Pine Island Camp. The cabin, moved departing. He left a couple of squares the rest of the crew never flagged and very excited that the Compound will in two pieces from down the road to blank to be assigned later to the losers the job is done! once again be home to Pine Islanders its current location in the Compound of various games. This saved me count- Life back at the Compound was truly next summer and I’ll look forward to back in the ’60s, was in need of some less hours of painful scraping and really a magical experience, and I fully appreci- seeing many familiar faces and to meet- structural work and sprucing up, but sped up the project. ated how lucky I was to be there without ing the new campers and counselors! when I learned that there would be no Not every day was spent working on much thought to the pandemic. Unless a

Most visitors just dropped in. The fully renovated kitchen in the Whitehead Barracks Still plenty of light after dinner

19 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 granite 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

Eat here or out on the deck New bed, mattress and linens in the Printed on recycled paper overlooking the water. master bedroom