belgrade lakes, maine february 2018

PINE ISLAND ON CUTTING EDGE OF TECHNOLOGY REVOLUTION!

I don’t know if it is because I started In short, other than mosquitoes and out my working life as a high school black flies, the specific things one leaves English teacher, but I seem to be in the behind when one steps onto the boat to habit of noticing words and phrases head out to Pine Island have changed, that suddenly become heavily used and but the fundamental benefit of the Pine sometimes misused. I can’t be the only Island experience has not. Substitute “in one who flinches each time I hear “lit- front of a screen” for “in a hotel or Pull- erally” used to underscore something, man car” or “play another minute of a even if that thing could not literally be video game” for “see the Congressional true. Recently a young person said to me, Library or Niagara Falls” and the mes- meaning she was really exhausted, “I’m sage is exactly the same today as it was literally dead.” The word “unique” almost in 1911, and ironically Pine Island’s ad- never appears as it should, unqualified, herence to the almost magical formula but it is often accompanied by words established so long ago has placed us like “really” or “sort of.” And speaking of on the cutting edge of the technology “sort of,” I am now gently tortured on a revolution. If you listen carefully and regular basis because I can’t help notic- keep your eyes open, you will see that ing the sheer number of times the phrase the truly new, new thing is to step away appears (nonsensically most of the time) from screens, blogs, phones, Instagram, in reports on the radio. I hesitate even to Facebook, Snapchat, and texting in or- Afternoon fishing mention it in fear that you will also be der to improve our ability to concen- unable not to notice. I will leave it to the trate, think critically, reconnect with social scientists to figure out what using other human beings. “sort of” every other sentence means This “new” idea has been expressed about the human condition. in a number of new books, including A word I have begun to hear a lot re- The Power of Off by New York psycho- cently is “transformative.” Engaging in a therapist Nancy Colier. She discussed transformative experience is, it appears, the book in a January 9 interview with the new, new thing. People want to go New York Times writer Jane E. Brody. beyond entertainment, beyond travel, Colier focuses particularly on the very beyond simply learning something, and recent proliferation of the smartphone engage in an experience that is transfor- and the deleterious effects it is already mative. having on both adults and children. She Pine Island Camp, which has been writes, “We are spending far too much providing transformative experiences of our time doing things that don’t re- for boys and their counselors without ally matter to us.” Both in and outside fanfare for well over 100 years, suddenly her practice, she has encountered many finds itself in the vanguard of an impor- people who have become “disconnected tant and popular movement. While in from what really matters, from what 1902 there were barely any stop signs makes us feel nourished and grounded in existence, much less the informa- as human beings…Most people now tion superhighway, founder Clarence check their smartphones 150 times per Expedition Campers at the end of a tough Whitehead Island service project Colby expressed clearly the transforma- day, or every six minutes, and young tion that took place when campers and adults are now sending an average and engaging directly with other chil- Pine Island he will find a respite from staff stepped out of the hustle and bustle of 110 texts per day…46 percent of dren, all of which are critical to healthy them that modern parents find nearly of the modern world and into a boat smartphone users now say that their physical and social development.” Many impossible to offer. or onto a woods path: “To give boys a devices are something they ‘couldn’t other books and articles echo the same The absence of phones at Pine Island healthful and beneficial summer outing, live without’…Without open spaces and sentiments, and many, including The is critical, and we take seriously the re- to clarify their minds and reinvigorate downtime, the nervous system never Power of Off, actually warn of young sponsibility of being sure that camp- their bodies, to give them new life and shuts down — it’s in constant fight-or- people developing dangerous addic- ers spend a full six weeks without ever new strength — in a word, to afford flight mode…We’re wired and tired all tions to their digital devices. hearing a phone ring or seeing anyone them an opportunity for re-creation, the time. Even computers reboot, but Where better to engage in physi- talking on the phone (except in the of- not merely recreation — is the purpose we’re not doing it…It’s connections to cal activity, read, or create and engage fice on the mainland) or texting. Coun- of Pine Island Camp.” These words, writ- other human beings — real-life connec- directly with other children than on a selors stash their phones in a secure area ten in 1904, while stylistically dated, are tions, not digital ones — that nourish beautiful island where a boy will never and only use them as needed, and with Pine Island’s mission statement today. us and make us feel like we count. Our be interrupted by a ringtone and the permission. A few members of the ad- In 1911 director Dr. Eugene L. Swan presence, our full attention is the most words, “Sorry, I have to take this,” will ministration have access to their phones wrote, “Do not, oh, do not, spend your important thing we can give each other. never find himself trying to communi- for emergencies, and drivers carry them vacation time in a hotel, or Pullman car. Digital communications don’t result in cate with an adult who is texting, will on the road. This year trip leaders will It will do you more good to sleep un- deeper connections, in feeling loved and never disappear into the endless, but carry satellite devices in place of phones der boughs aslant, by a mountain lake supported …As for physical well-being, solitary, labyrinthine paths of the on- to contact us if they need to. Through- with the trout broiling, than to see the every hour spent on a device is likely to line world? As I speak with young par- out my travels to introduce new fami- Congressional Library or Niagara Falls. be an indoor, sedentary one. Screens are ents around the world, I hear the same lies to Pine Island I have become ac- The great cry of ‘Back to Nature’ that is stealing time that children and adoles- concern and the same hope — concern customed to prospective parents’ sighs spreading abroad over our land is full of cents should be spending on physical that their son spends too much time deep significance.” activity and sports, reading, or creating with digital devices and hope that at (Continued on page 2) 1 (Continued from page 1)

of relief when I tell them that their sons will spend six weeks without screens or phones. Maintaining the conditions for meaningful human interaction and liv- ing close to nature that Clarence Colby and Dr. Swan enjoyed is not accom- plished by simply standing still. It takes a lot of thought and imagination, and we work hard at it because we are just as convinced as Pine Island’s founders of the tremendous value such an envi- ronment has for the campers and staff lucky enough to spend their summers at Pine Island. Record breaking enroll- ment numbers indicate that this new, new thing may just be catching on! by Ben Swan Baby loon rescue Catching up on the news a few days late

ANOTHER GREAT EXPEDITION CAMP SUMMER!

It was a small but intrepid group of mile-long paddle across Round Pond wind, we decided to set sail with a make- noon next to the rapids, had a dinner of Expedition Campers led by veterans Cole as we watched the sun rise. At the end shift “tarp-sail” and easily covered the biscuits and gravy, and settled in for a Gibson and Jacob Ronson. The six lucky of Round Pond we reached our portage width of the huge lake. A 3-mile paddle good night’s sleep after a long, hot day young men who participated, including point. The length of the portage trail ensued towards Pillsbury Island, where of paddling. one from Madrid who had never set foot was about 3 miles. By the time we were we cooked steak and mashed potatoes. on Pine Island before, all had fantastic done we had all walked about 9 miles, Hike Day 8: experiences on the Allagash, at White- since we had to bring the canoes and Canoe Day 9: 7/5/2017 head Island, on the Long Trail in Ver- personal gear first, and then go back for The day began with a slow, relaxed mont, and at Camp X, their cabins on the the barrels and coolers. Completing this We woke at 5:00 a.m. and slowly wakeup at about 8:00 a.m. and turned mainland. They worked hard at White- was extremely difficult and exhausting made our way through breakfast before out to be one of the best days of the trip. head, re-establishing the path known as but very rewarding. getting on the water around 8:00. We Summiting Mount Mansfield was an in- the Cathedral Trail that was overgrown quickly made our way across a pond to disputable challenge but was extremely after a big blowdown several years ago, Canoe Day 6: 7/2/2017 Churchill Dam. There, we had a small beautiful and enjoyable nonetheless. and produced a high-quality Saturday portage, after which we ran the Chase We had lunch near the peak, where we Night Show for the rest of camp. The 2018 As the sun rose and cast a pleasant Rapids. Because of the high water level relaxed, took pictures, and pulled out Expedition Camp is twice full with 16 glimmer over Allagash Lake, the re- and perfect, cloudless weather, the rap- some warmer clothes. We proceeded on campers. No doubt, as always, every one flective beams shone through the tent ids were fun and not too hard at all. Af- our descent towards Taft Lodge, where of them will have the time of his life. Here rain fly. It was 6:00 a.m., time to wake ter the rapids, we continued down the we’d spend the last night of the trip. are some entries from journals kept by up. After breakfast, we gradually de- river at a quick pace until we reached a The lodge was enormous and especially 2017 Expedition Campers: scended Allagash Stream. From humble set of beautiful glassy-still lakes, a relief comfortable in comparison to tents. To- rips to large falls, we quickly realize the from the intense winds of the past days. day was filled with fantastic views, easy Canoe Day 3: 6/29/2017 true speed of our boats. We continued It was a fun and quick 4-mile paddle to hiking, and many enjoyable memories. through to the end at the mouth of the Long Lake Dam, where we stayed A great way to end the trip! Today was a fun but challenging day. Chamberlain Lake. With a raging tail- for the night. We relaxed for the after- When we got up around 5:00 a.m., it was raining heavily. We made a deli- cious breakfast of eggs, bacon and hash browns and by the time we finished, the rain had lightened up. We paddled across the lake, through a marshy area and into a set of two long lakes. These were easy to navigate and the sun came up while we were paddling, allowing us to dry out. After coming to the end of the second lake, we paddled around un- til we found the entrance to the river. We canoed for about 30 minutes on mostly flat water until we came to the first set of rapids. We hopped out and started to walk up the rapids. This was very hard work. Eventually we were hailed by an- other group who suggested that we por- tage. We slowly pulled our canoes and gear up a mudslide that was infested with mosquitoes. After that, we found our campsite. It was a pleasant one, right on a dam with a beautiful sunset.

Canoe Day 4: 6/30/2017

Today was undoubtedly one of the toughest days I have ever experienced Expedition Camp campers and staff heading out on their 11-day hiking trip: Jacob Ronson, Elie, Gabriel, Isaac, Julian, Ben, Louis, on a trip. We started our day with a and Cole Gibson

2 BEAKS AND CLAWS AND FEATHERS GALORE! Aerial Combat Livens Up Packing Day

By Sumner Ford

Packing day is not anyone’s favorite make up, yet its massive wings carried it day at PIC. With a summer’s worth of quickly and soon it was nearly upon the CABOT FAMILY GIFT OF DARN excitement behind us, the overwhelm- osprey again. Upwind from Pine Island, ing emotions of the day lead to some the birds turned downwind and back to- TOUGH PIC LOGO SOCKS contentious moments. As a procrasti- wards their audience. Rollercoaster- like nating packer myself, I understand the movements made for a live Stellar Earth ADDS OVER $6000 TO LOVETT layers of difficulty associated with pack- performance. Miraculously the osprey ing away once-clean clothing, along held on to the bass throughout its jour- SCHOLARSHIP FUND! with countless memories. ney. One can only imagine what the bass The end of packing day: the tent in- was thinking. The eagle made one final spection winners were soap swimming stab at stealing the ospreys’ catch, but No question — Darn Tough socks, the project immediately, Ric offered the before their well-earned reward — an the nimble osprey dove just as the eagle’s every one of which is made in Vermont, socks at cost, and a generous alumnus evening in the real world with a stom- talons seemed destined to grab the bird are the most comfortable, durable socks bought 250 pairs to be sold in support ach-topping meal at Elevation Burger. once more. As we marveled at the past you can buy. Ric Cabot, father of Pine of the floating dock project. Success! The crack administrative team was just 20 minutes of dog-fighting, I could only Islander Ben Cabot, took over a very The socks were gone in three days and settling into their chairs in the staff of- muse that maybe fly-fishing isn’t such a nearly bankrupt hosiery business about over $6000 went to help pay for the new fice to complete final preparations for complicated way to catch a fish! 15 years ago and took a risk — produce docks. the farewell celebration. Just as all action high quality socks made of merino This past fall the Cabot family very from the summer seemed behind us, Epilogue: wool, give them a lifetime warrantee, generously offered togive 250 pairs of a silver-gray flash streaked by the staff and people will buy them. After several PIC logoed socks to the camp so that office window, not 10 feet off the water. Further osprey drama unfolded the years of trials and a few errors, people the full price of every pair could go to Shrieks and screams of soap swimmers following day, when RAPTORR’s (Res- did buy them… lots of people, and the the A. Sidney Lovett Memorial Scholar- followed the meteor-like objects. Sens- cue All Pine Island Terminal Osprey company continues to grow. The com- ship Fund. Ric Cabot’s only request was, ing peril, the administrators rushed to and Return to Refuge) senior agents pany will stay in Vermont and has plans “You have to sell them for $30 instead of the Aristocracy dock, where half soaped Cole Gibson and Satchel Toole rescued in place for new construction, more em- $25. They’re worth it!” Indeed they are campers told a muddled story of eagle a young osprey from the West Range of ployees, and more innovation. and we still have a few pairs left, having entangled with osprey, performing a Pine Island. The LTIPS were the first to Though making logoed socks is not already raised nearly $7000 to add to the top gun-like fly-by. “It almost hit me on notice the stranded bird. It had spent the one of the options Darn Tough offers, Lovett Fund. You can buy a pair at www. the head!” a breathless Tyson Boynton morning of our final day at PIC perched in the fall of 2016 Ric generously sug- pineisland.org. stammered. A crew of intrigued camp- high in a tree outside their tent. With gested that Darn Tough design a sock Our many thanks to the Cabots and ers and counselors made for the land high winds throughout the morning, that would display the awesome PIC to their amazing team at Darn Tough bridge — the sliver of exposed rocks the fledgling bird eventually fluttered to logo. The Darn Tough team got behind Socks! that separates Pine Island from the Sec- the ground and attempted to take flight ond Island — as that was where the birds from the steep banks of the Range. The made landfall. Another group watched bird couldn’t get airborne and fell into from the Aristocracy dock, where one the lake, struggling to keep its head could just catch a glimpse of the avian above water. Satchel and Cole, who had drama. A bush partially blocked our executed a successful juvenile osprey JASPER LOWE’S VIDEO view, but the sight was intense: we could rescue a couple of years ago, immedi- clearly see a massive bald eagle and, un- ately took action. They jumped into the GLIMPSES INTO LIFE AT derneath it, a mess of feathers, wings water and, risking life and limb— espe- and claws frantically flapping in every cially fingers — collected the young bird. PINE ISLAND direction. The eagle’s white head was in- Their many hours of training and past termittently dipping below the bush as it osprey rescue experience was immedi- ripped at the osprey. Too many thoughts ately evident. Cole’s calming presence His brothers Duncan and Oliver footage he had collected. The result was flew through my head. Do I try to save and Satchel’s firm yet gentle grip calmed went to Pine Island and Jasper Lowe the charming and wonderful A Day in the osprey, in many ways our mascot? the panic-stricken animal. Avian Ha- never did, but he is a Pine Islander for the Life of Pine Island Camp, a short look Do I let nature take its course? The com- ven, the local bird rescue organization, sure. Jasper, a high school classmate of at life at Pine Island that summer. It was bination of curious campers and a des- picked up the osprey the same day. They Rip Swan, showed early promise as a no surprise that it was a big hit, but it perate osprey relieved me of the tough reported that the bird’s flight feathers filmmaker when he and Rip collaborat- was a surprise that such an accurate decision. The eagle fled to a branch on were not fully formed. They were unable ed on a short film, Recall, that won the portrait of life at Pine Island was shot the Second Island, and the osprey im- to determine whether retaliation by the Grand Prize at the 2009 Maine Student and edited with virtually no guidance by mediately took flight, putting as much eagle or the high winds during the night Film Festival. Jasper went on to study someone who had never spent a sum- distance as it possibly could between the had forced the osprey from its nest. film making at Boston University and mer on the island. This writer still gets much bigger bird and itself. Alex Des- Avian Haven said they would be able to while there won one of the prestigious goosebumps watching it. jonqueres wandered back from the land return the bird to Great Pond when the Sumner Redstone awards. Jasper has Jasper returned that fall to film the bridge, towel still held around his waist. flight feathers reached full length. No continued to follow his desire to work goings on at the Sloan Critchfield Me- The excitement had prevented him from doubt the young bird will have a score with film and video while at the same morial Boat Maintenance Weekend and completing his soap swim. “Mon Dieu, to settle with the eagle next season. time holding down an extremely rigor- soon another charming and accurate the eagle was trying to steal the osprey’s ous day job as the sternman on a lobster short piece appeared on Pine Island’s fish!” he remarked, referring to the fly- boat out of Harpswell, ME. website. Last summer Jasper returned to ing bass grasped below the osprey like Two years ago director Ben Swan film the nextDay in the Life video and the the basket of a hot air balloon. brought Jasper to Pine Island to experi- four-minute glimpse into the summer The eagle looked exhausted, and the ment with interviewing campers about of 2017 is also available on the website. osprey was now just a speck above the their Pine Island experiences. While he Jasper nailed it again. Plans are afoot for mainland. Many returned to their previ- was there Jasper took a lot of footage more great work by Pine Islander Jasper ous activities. Just as everyone relaxed, around the island. The interviews, not Lowe. If you haven’t watched his videos, the camper-sized wings of the eagle surprisingly, did not come out quite as don’t wait. Go to www.pineisland.org stretched out, and there was no doubt everyone hoped, but that fall Jasper put and enjoy them, and check the website of its intent. The distance between the together a short piece using the other in the fall for more of his work. two birds seemed too far for the eagle to

3 ATTACK ON PINE ISLAND WOODY HOYT JOINS BOARD REPELLED BY VIGILANT OF DIRECTORS DIRECTOR We are very pleased to announce that lives in Tacoma, WA where he enjoys By Montague G. Ball, Jr. Coleman “Woody” Hoyt joined Pine exploring the Puget Sound and Mount Island’s board of directors in August of Rainier. Woody said recently, “I am ex- 2017. Woody was a camper for five years cited to join the board and to have the As Pine Islanders are well aware, liv- ment. There was hardly a sound, and I from 1994 to 1998, an LTIP in 2001, opportunity to give back to an institu- ing on an island has its disadvantages. dozed off — only to be suddenly awak- and a counselor from 2003 to 2004. He tion that has given me so much.” He We have to come and go by boat; get- ened by engine noise and loud scream- graduated from Colorado College in looks forward to helping with capital ting resupplied can be a real chore; even ing off the west side of the Aristocracy. 2006 with a degree in Geology and has gifts and the PIC website. Thanks in ad- mail has to be delivered via a water Those Bad Boys were back! Furious to been working as an environmental con- vance, Woody, for your hard work and route. On the other hand, an island can be so rudely aroused at such a late hour sultant since then. He is married and service to PIC! afford splendid isolation from troubles — but eager to bring justice to the tres- on the mainland. Throughout history, passers — I leaped out of bed, threw on islanders have been protected by water some clothes, and stumbled out of the boundaries that complicated if not de- Doctor’s Cabin with weapon and high terred invasion. Similarly, Pine Island beam in hand. Through the dark I raced has remained secure at its moorings to my boat at the kitchen dock, know- on Great Pond, well beyond threat of ing all the time that I would be too late. any assault by outsiders. Except for one The moment the Bad Boys heard an out- summer... board start up, they would surely flee — Then the camp season was eight and my outboard never caught on the weeks — and, for a change, we were first pull (or the second or the third). full. It was the first week in August. Hoping against hope, however, I clam- Our biggest trips were set to go out; Far bered aboard — and, would you believe, Leaguer-Welder Superior competition that Johnson roared into life on the first was peaking; war clouds were on the crank! Time against me, I raced past the horizon; a Sacred Animal was rumored; Aristocracy, rounded the Second Island, the Farewell Feed was around the cor- all the time assuring myself that the Bad ner; the Pine Island board of directors Boys would be long gone. But not so! was scheduled to meet. As the camp di- Just off Tent 9 I could see a boat with rector, I had a lot on my mind — and, three people in it — and I had them in Coleman “Woody” Hoyt and his wife Kate at the same time, PIC was being threat- my sights! ened by coastal raiders. Teenagers from Looking back on this event, I have Merryweather, a family camp nearby, often wondered what I thought I was had made a couple landings under the going to do. At the time, I was still half PHOTO QUIZ! cover of night, harassing tents in the Ar- asleep but so angry that I wasn’t think- istocracy, then escaping by fast motor- ing straight. All I wanted was to bash boat. Although lookouts were posted, something — or somebody — with Who built this octagonal brick no arrests had been made and I was get- that baseball bat. Murder was on my perch at his country house to which ting frustrated. Moreover, the weather mind — and I had the criminals dead he would escape when the pressures didn’t help. Normally, August in Maine to rights. Now bearing down on my of writing important government is splendid: very cool, dry, strong winds targets, I raised the bat to strike while documents and building a famous out of the north. This particular August, hitting them full force with the power- university got to be too much? Hint: however, began with unseasonably high ful flashlight. And who do you think I he commissioned the building of the temperatures and no breeze at all. Even saw? Ben Swan and two other of my best Whitehead Lighthouse. nights were still and hot. Lying in the staff! The screaming I heard back in the

Doctor’s Cabin, I could at times hear Doctor’s Cabin were Kababa chants, and Jefferson Thomas Answer: snatches of conversation from the Al- the counselors were prepping camp- fonds’ place on the west side of the lake. ers for the coming Sacred Animal cer- Which member of the 2017 Pine On one such night, I had gone to emony. Meanwhile, I had nearly killed Island staff is taking a break on an sleep with ears open in case the night the owner’s son and Pine Island’s future L.A. movie set dressed in a hazmat riders returned. Under my bed was a director! I don’t know who was more suit? baseball bat, as well as a powerful flash- surprised, them or me — but all of us light that I had borrowed from Assistant quietly turned around and went back to Swan Harry Answer: Director Tim Nagler, who never lacked bed. The end of another exciting day at for seriously bulk accessories and equip- Pine Island Camp…

Monte Ball and his almost-victim Ben Swan on Great Pond, September 2017

4 HIKING ALONE RHOADS MILLER LEADS WORK CREW UP AROUND MT. PHILIP VERMONT Thanks to the generosity of the Since Mt. Philip became a public re- campers packed a lunch, grabbed some By Carson Peck (age 16) Schultz family, the summit of Mt. Philip source, the Belgrade Regional Conser- tools, and headed off on a July morning and the 25 acres that surround it are vation Alliance (BRCA), a local land to meet Toni and BRCA board member owned by Pine Island Camp. They were conservation organization that cares for and stewardship volunteer Pete Kallin. I was lying awake on the cold wood- given to Pine Island in memory of Tom the trails and lakes in the Belgrade area, There was plenty of work to do, and en floor of the cabin when I heard my and Andrew Schultz and are protected has erected a sign at the base, produced the Pine Islanders, some with wary watch alarm go off. It was 3:00 in the by the same conservation easement that maps, and improved the trail, and this looks around from time to time to see morning, and I was camping at the base protects almost the entire mountain. year was eager to undertake some trim- if any henchmen were watching, bent to of Jay Peak, Vermont, only 12 miles With an alacrity not entirely under- ming near the summit to reopen some the task of cutting and removing limbs south of the Canadian border. I sat up stood by the land trust that holds the views that had disappeared in recent and even cutting down some trees. The in my sleeping bag and the piercing cold easement, Pine Island alumni contrib- years. When Emily Swan consulted with result of a hard day’s work was much of the night air immediately struck my uted quickly and significantly to the BRCA stewardship director Toni Pied improved views from several points on body. Groggily, I began to search my effort to purchase Mt. Philip, King Ka- early in the summer to see if BRCA had the summit. No doubt the many hik- surroundings for the gear I had left out baba’s homeland. Besides being home to a project Pine Island campers and staff ers will appreciate the vistas, but more the night before. This process was a fa- the reclusive and kind king, Mt. Philip could help with, Toni immediately sug- importantly King Kababa will be very miliar one; at that point in my trip, I was is also one of the best short hikes in the gested this one. Rhoads Miller, the new pleased with his unobstructed view of comfortable repacking my hiking pack state of Maine, yielding a fantastic view director of operations and year-round the island, enabling him to continue to in the pitch dark. As I laced my boots at the end of a short steep walk, and the Mt. Philip neighbor, gave a resound- keep a close eye on PIC! and stepped out into the vacant night, trail to the top is used close to 365 days a ing yes, and he, counselor James Berg- a soft “good luck” from my shelter-mate year by local residents and visitors. er, LTIP Will Pomerantz, and several inside the cabin brought a grin to my face. I set off with my headlamp at 3:14 am to conquer the final 3,858 vertical feet of my trip, 1.2 miles up the trail. That wakeup happened on the last day of my 19-day solo hiking trip this past summer. To me, the Vermont Long Trail is a monster; stretching 276 miles from Williamstown, Massachusetts to the U.S.-Canada Border traversing all of the tallest peaks in the state of Vermont. I was a “thru-hiker”: someone who com- pletes an entire trail in a single stretch or season. Never before had I planned such a long or challenging trip, let alone attempt one. Organizing and executing my own solo adventure was thrilling to me, and as I walked up the steep, rocky southern slope of Jay Peak in the dark, I thought about when I had done this same sunrise hike with the Expedition Camp almost exactly a year ago. Taking on the steep incline at 3:00 in the morning, I realized how much I truly owed to six years at Pine Island. Had I not conquered Mt. Bigelow as an 11-year-old, summited Mount Wash- ington for the first time, or taken on the White Mountains of New Hampshire with some of my closest friends on a The Mt. Philip work crew at the base of the mountain: (standing) James Berger, Ben, Will Pomerantz, Buckley, Pete Kallin, Jacob, number of different PIC trips, I would Andrew, Jacob, Toni Pied; (Kneeling) Rhoads Miller, Alex, and James. not have found the strength or the con- fidence to haul my pack up the rocks that morning. I had learned to appreci- ate watery oatmeal, cold mornings, and EVENING OF ANTICIPATION: 2017 PINE ISLAND wet feet, and I embraced the refreshing solitude that Vermont offered. PARENTS GATHER IN BELGRADE LAKES Above all, this past summer it was passion that drove me to walk for lon- While most Pine Island parents have first time in six weeks, parents ventured of Pine Islanders, parents of Pine Island- ger than I ever had before — a fierce the opportunity to meet one another out in a torrential rainstorm to gather ers come from all over the world and a passion combined with a love for the on opening day and at the closing cer- at the Maine Lakes Resource Center in variety of backgrounds, but they’ve all outdoors. All of this I attribute to Pine emony each year, these days are busy the center of Belgrade Lakes Village. As made the decision to allow their boys to Island: six weeks for six summers on and families are (rightly) focused on the boys settled in for their last night head off to a little island in Maine be- that island gave me the profound zeal I their sons. There is very little time to at camp with their tent-mates, par- cause they understand that, in letting maintain for hiking. And as I stared into get to know one another. The Parent ents spent an evening getting to know their sons go, they are giving them a gift the soft golden horizon beyond Jay Peak Facebook group offers online intro- one another. New parents shared their they can get nowhere else. Not everyone that morning, shivering in my wool ductions and photo sharing, but in the struggles and seasoned parents offered understands this, but Pine Island par- socks, I caught myself remembering PIC spirit of valuing face-to-face com- advice. Stories of brief letters home cir- ents do, and that shared understanding about heading back to Great Pond, nap- munication above all other, the board culated, as did tips about how best to la- is worth celebrating. Together. We look ping deeply in the back of a rented van of directors wanted to carve out time bel clothes and the importance of airing forward to making this a PIC tradition. packed with slumbering Pine Islanders. for parents to connect. And so this past out the camp trunk. Not surprisingly, The second annual Pine Island Parents’ summer, on the eve of the closing cer- somewhere during the course of the Social is planned for the evening of Sat- emony, the board hosted our inaugural evening a strong feeling of community urday, August 4, rain or shine! parent social. Filled with the anticipa- developed. Like the boys and counselors tion of laying eyes on their sons for the who are lucky enough to join the ranks

5 SLOAN CRITCHFIELD MEMORIAL BOAT MAINTENANCE WORKSHOP ROLLS ON Boats Ship Shape, Plans Afoot to Expand Fall Volunteer Opportunities

Those of you who for years returned baker Sandy Holland. Some volunteers to Pine Island in early June to get the were veterans of the weekend and oth- place ready for the season ahead can ers were there for the first time. They probably remember heaving a sigh as ranged in age from 10 to 65 years old. you put the boats in the water and no- Many thanks to Sawyer Carson; Paula ticed that most of them could really Cournoyer; Julia Cox; Sanjeev, Alex, use some work. So you more than most and Kiran Dhawan; Morgan Gammell; can fully appreciate the sense of joy we Doug Handy; Skip and Steph Hudon; now feel in the spring knowing that our Ben Swan; Harry Swan; Cody Smith; entire fleet of beautiful wooden boats Jenny Lachance; Ian Swain; Mark and are fully repaired, sanded, painted, and A.J. Powers; Josh Treat; Ben Schachner; ready to go. Next June the rowboats, Sumner Ford; Rob Whitehouse; and sailboats, and canoes will roll out of the newlyweds Sam Weeks and Lizzie Col- Boathouse, Dining Hall, and Honk Hall lins. looking as good as the day they were We are excited to announce that next delivered, and we have a crew of dedi- fall, following the September 14-16 Boat cated volunteers to thank. The twelfth Maintenance Weekend, we will offer ad- annual Sloan Critchfield Memorial Boat ditional volunteer work through the fol- Maintenance Workshop took place in lowing week and weekend. We will have September and, as always, included a chef and skipper on duty and plenty hard work, lots of fun, great food, and of projects to do — probably landscap- Ben Swan confers with volunteers Alex, Sanjeev, and Kiran Dhawan about work on a chance to enjoy Pine Island in the ing, painting, and light carpentry — the War Yacht. fall. The weather was warm enough for with Rhoads Miller and Sumner Ford swimming, and Pine Island’s new direc- on hand to manage the work. You may tor of operations Rhoads Miller did a come for the Boat Maintenance Week- wonderful job keeping volunteers busy end and stick around for a few days or and making sure that the fleet is ready drop in for a few days any time during to go next June. the week or the following weekend. So, Longtime PIC head chef Krista Wi- put September 14-23 on your calendar, berg squeezed cooking for the crew in call up a few PIC friends, and come just before departing for a teaching job pitch in and enjoy Great Pond in all its in Japan, and Kevin Hubbard was again fall glory. Call or text Rhoads at 207- on duty as our skipper. Krista’s great 660-3111 if you would like to register cooking was augmented by three spec- for some or all of the fall volunteer ex- tacular cakes by PIC parent and master travaganza.

Taking a break are Sumner Ford, Ben Schachner, Harry Swan, and Paula Cournoyer.

Boss man Rhoads Miller with volunteer Sawyer Carson

Volunteer Skip Hudon

6 Across 2 2017 Sacred Animal Elbee the ______3 SNS “rock-umentary” This Is ______Tap 5 Name of Blue Army bell 8 Nickname shared by PIC canoe trailer and border lakes between Maine and NB, Canada 9 PIC launch named after Ben Swan’s mother 11 Activity that debuted in 1994 Pine Island Medic and UVA Nursing graduate Natalie Miner in front of the Infir- 14 Ivy League university attended by PIC kababologists mary with the bouquet her father sent her the day she passed her boards on one of 15 Pine Island’s first camper her days off 16 The sacred porcupine 19 PIC cabin named after a famous NYC night club 20 Tallest mountain in Maine

TAKING CARE Down 1 PIC launch that commemorated camp’s 50th anniversary PIC-UVA Nursing Connection Continues 4 War Game site ______Crossing 6 Activity over which Dan Bristol reigns supreme Pine Island is heading into its ninth Medic from the class behind her at 7 Name of Gray Army air siren straight season in which a UVA nurs- UVA. Caroline Moughan joined us in 10 “Sweet” 4,000-footer Pine Islanders like to hike ing student will serve as Medic, and we 2011 and had such a great time (in spite 12 River paddled by XCamp and Senior Canoe could not be happier about it. Lauren of a spectacularly virulent barf bug) that 13 Outdoor sacred animal Gar the Misdirected ______Brill will be the fifth in an unbroken she figured out she could return after 17 Island on which many Pine Islanders spend their first overnight string of stellar UVA nursing students graduation and take her boards on one 18 Ghost reputed to live on Whitehead Island to serve as Medic at Pine Island in the of her days off! Mary Harrington, origi- Answers to Crossword Puzzle on page 9 last decade. This win-win relationship nally a native of Brunswick, ME, was started with an email director Ben Swan next up and, starting after her second received during the winter of 2010 from year at UVA managed to be our Medic Page Dunbar, a third-year nursing stu- for three summers. It was Mary who dent in Charlottesville. “I almost never worked hard to introduce Ben Swan to even respond to random inquiries over UVA Nursing dean Theresa Carroll, and the Internet, but there was something they finally met in person in the fall of about Page Dunbar’s that made me want 2016. Theresa is a real Pine Islander and to find out more,” said Ben in a recent is all in on helping connect UVA nurs- interview. Ben met with Page in Char- ing students with Pine Island. Mary lottesville that winter and Page, who Harrington, who also passed her boards had already received her EMT certifi- on a day off from PIC, is now a pedi- cation, arrived in June to head up the atric ICU nurse in Boise, ID and was PIC infirmary. Page had never been to very helpful in finding her replacement, Maine, and during a dinner with Ben Natalie Miner. Natalie was with us for and Sumner this fall in Charlottesville, two summers and again proved that we where Page is now a nurse practitioner, couldn’t wish for a more competent, en- she revealed that she was extremely ner- ergetic, caring Medic than one from the vous about what she had gotten herself ranks of UVA Nursing. She is pictured into and that she really didn’t know here with the bouquet she received from much about living conditions on the is- her father the day she passed her boards land when she applied. “Ben let me go to last summer. the Swans’ house in Brunswick to take Ben Swan and assistant director a hot shower during staff week. I think Sumner Ford were in Charlottesville he could see that I was in a state of mild this fall and met with two candidates re- shock.” The shower did the trick; Page cruited by Theresa Carroll and Natalie quickly grew to love PIC and PIC loved Miner. They are looking forward to wel- her. coming Lauren Brill to PIC in June and Page regrets not returning for an- to many more summers of superior care other summer after graduation, but for the Pine Island community from our she enthusiastically recruited our next UVA medics.

7 BLUE ARMY VICTORIOUS IN ANOTHER CLOSE CONTEST By Sumner Ford

The ear-splitting arrival of the Gray Their wealth of experience allowed the Army in the dining hall marked the Blue Army to polish their stepping and beginning of the 2017 War Game. strategy early in the day, allowing them The Grays declared war. Gray General to relax a bit in the hot August weather. Satchel Toole, a veteran War Game of- As the armies returned to the camp- ficer, demonstrated that what the army site, outsiders to the game could sense lacked in War Game experience, they the nervous excitement of both armies would make up for with intense enthu- as they considered the upcoming siasm and sheer volume. In his fiery events. Pine Islanders soon sublimated speech, Satchel painstakingly described their fierce allegiances and turned their how the Blue dominance had continued focus to delicious stuffed shells courtesy for too long and how the Blue officers of Krista, Patty, and the Kitchen Crew. had grown pretentious and overconfi- Morning came too early for many dent based on past officers’ successes. staff who, adequately fueled but lacking Jacob Ronson, the Blue General, ex- in sleep, had spent the night planning pressed regret that his army must once and strategizing for the five hours of again deal with the Gray scum. Jacob war that lay ahead. The cold water of the explained that the Blues were brimming Martin Stream, pulled out of its usual Gray gate leader and expert poler Tommy Mottur on the pole with Jax and Ben with experience, and had tasted nothing course by a loud rumbling pump into a but victory for seven years. perforated gutter forming a shower-like Before the game could begin both structure, jolted them awake more effec- hour from commencing, soon drowned overwhelmed everyone the next morn- armies spent a full day at the traditional tively than even the strongest cup of joe. out both the siren and the bell. ing as the metallic ring of the wake-up grueling practice. New players learned Breakfast was barely over when the The Grays attacked first and they whistle awakened the sleeping armies the intricacies of the game, while re- scream of an air raid siren broke the scored immediately. Starting off on the after what felt to everyone like about turners to York’s Crossing refined their relatively peaceful cacophony of birds right foot certainly boosted morale. ten minutes of sleep. The events from skills and tactics. The Gray Army began and nervously chatting campers and However, the Grays were unable to keep the prior day repeated themselves: their practice rusty and inexperienced. staff; it did not signal the coming of their momentum rolling as the Blues’ shower, delicious breakfast, the chorus However, inexperience would not be an warplanes but instead was a rallying cry defense bent but would not break. The of Mighty Max, Medusa, and screams excuse, and over the course of the day for the Gray Army to convene and be- Blues stonewalled multiple Gray attacks of “Gray Victory” competing with those players improved their stepping with a gin their march into the center of town. and the sound of the umpires’ whistles, of “Blue Victory” as armies marched rapid succession of “Ready Ready, One, The screech of Mighty Max, the Gray air usually a good sign for attackers, were out to the center of town. The sense of Two STEP!” Their diligent practice raid siren, was followed by the piercing silent. Spectators became anxious. repetition ended as the Blue attackers showed that this War Game would be ring of Medusa, an antique freight train Where was the Gray attack? What were headed out of town and disappeared no blowout. bell used each summer by the Blues. The the Blues doing to defend so efficiently? into the woods, stealthily preparing the Meanwhile, Blue executives demon- screaming, partially hoarse voices of Just as the collective teeth grinding of lightning attacks that had won them so strated their cool demeanor with a far 120 Pine Islanders, now fully awake and the Gray Army reached its peak, the many points the previous day. How- calmer, yet equally effective practice. thrilled that the Game was less than an sound of umpires’ whistles pierced the ever, the hours of planning during the air. The Gray Army had broken the Blue prior night worked in favor of the Gray defenses! Gray cheers filled the forest, Army. The worn-out legs of Gray squad- and as their attack period wound down, rons were faster than those of their Blue the center of town began to fill up with counterparts. The momentum looked Gray attackers who had successfully as though it was going to swing in favor scored twice. of the Grays. The stress of the moment The afternoon began with the Blues was lost on no one. The morning’s play attacking. The calm approach of prac- ended with a glimmer of hope for the tice morphed into a crisp, calculated fo- Gray Army as they prepared for their cus on imposing their will on the green last offensive. Gray defenders. Spectators around As the Grays waited to head out of York’s Crossing reported Blues manag- town on the final afternoon of the 2017 ing to beat Gray squadrons and score. War Game, they wore stern, severe ex- The Blues showed they were not going pressions amongst their war paint and to rest on their laurels as they employed tattered Gray shirts; the Gray Army new tactics and put the Gray defenders meant business. Meanwhile, spirits on their heels for most of the period. amongst the Blue Army were slightly Then, just when all seemed lost for the more jovial, but nervous laughter in- Gray Army, rumors of Gray challenge tended to show a calm, cool, collected points spread around Yorks Crossing. attitude did not hide the frayed nerves The score after one day of play was Blues below the surface as they prepared to 108, Grays 79. defend a lead that suddenly felt insub- Tired bodies made their way back to stantial. Both armies’ strategies were in the campsite in army ranks, their sore place; execution was all that lay between and shaking legs made stable by the them and victory. The Grays excitedly sense of pride in their armies’ valiant ef- left the center of York’s Crossing, their forts of the previous five hours and the combined heartbeat almost audible. cold waters of the Martin Stream show- New strategies developed during the ers that would erase the grime and salve previous late-night session and beau- the many cuts unnoticed in the heat of tiful execution on the part of the Gray battle. Rest for the weary was still hours Army resulted in challenge points rain- away. Bowls full of chili and other de- ing down and Grays celebrated as they lights miraculously revived everyone entered the center of town throughout enough to play a spirited round of Steal the afternoon having scored thrice for the Bacon and participate in campfire their army. The Gray Army had per- before gratefully heading for their sleep- formed marvelously, and spectators Counselor Walker McDonald prepares campers Derek, Will, and Teddy for the after- ing pads and bags. consulted with umpires, the only score- noon. A Groundhog Day-esque feeling board at York’s Crossing. The Umpires

8 TRIP REPORT: PINE ISLANDER NICKY ISLES’S UNEXPECTED JOURNEY

Nicky Isles is a second-generation weather in the White Mountains, and Pine Islander (father Chris Isles was a two flat tires on the Golden Road in camper in the ‘60s) who has done just the same trip, but his journey as a bone about everything at Pine Island except marrow donor was perhaps his most be the head cook! He was a camper for challenging. Below is his trip report: five summers, an Expedition Camper, an LTIP, and then a tennis counselor, In spring of 2013, I registered as Gray General Satchel Toole exhorting his troops workshop counselor, LTIP Wrangler, a bone marrow donor when Be The victorious Blue General, and last sum- Match was holding a drive at my col- mer both a driver and a War Game um- lege. At the time it was just a simple pire! Nicky has excelled at every PIC cheek swab and I hadn’t thought task he has undertaken, and we were all anything of it until May 2014, when very happy to hear that he had moved I was told I was a potential match! from the commercial real estate mar- After several hundred other poten- ket in New York to a top-flight teacher tial matches and I underwent some training program at a great school in Se- additional testing, it was determined attle. We need more teachers like Nicky that my marrow would be the best Isles. for the recipient in need, a woman During his many summers at Pine with lymphoma in her 50’s who lived Island, Nicky had some thrilling and outside the United States (as much sometimes scary adventures, which in- info on the recipient as they could cluded rapids on the Allagash, tough provide me). I spent that summer coordinating the next steps, all while wrangling the LTIPs at Pine Island, and sched- Blue General Jacob Ronson uled my donation for early Septem- ber of 2014. The procedure went off without a hitch, but it took a major physical toll on me. I spent about two weeks with very limited mobility but gradually regained strength and fully recovered about five weeks after the procedure. Over the course of the next sever- al months, I received updates on the recipient, and was overjoyed to hear the final update in which I was told the match was effective and she has since recovered. All in all, the whole process was the scariest but most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. Nicky Isles Nicky, once again you are the man! Akka Lakka! Gray staff and campers await the final score. wouldn’t spill the beans but admitted other fantastic War Game. He then read Answers to Crossword Puzzle the final score would be close. Crude the score; the Blue Army was victori- attempts to predict the score had either ous 182 to 170, meaning that each army army ahead as both armies, with sweaty outscored the other on one of the two palms and weak knees, gathered around days of play, but the Grays couldn’t quite their generals to await the actual final make up the first day deficit. The cheers score. Would the Grays finally break and celebration of the Blues contrasted the Blues’ seemingly endless winning the tears and disappointment of the streak? Grays. While the Blues appreciated the The Generals took charge of their victory, it was over in a few moments as Armies one final time. Satchel Toole’s both armies converged and embraced, hoarse voice cracked with emotion as Pine Islanders all once more. Campers he thanked the Gray Army for their im- and staff walked shoulder to shoulder mense effort. As tears welled up in his to the busses that would drive them to eyes, he said no matter the result, each PIC, soap swims, pizza and the comfort member of the Gray Army should be of their beds for a well-deserved night’s proud. Meanwhile, Jacob Ronson gath- sleep. York’s Crossing has returned to ered the Blue Army into a large circle. its eerily quiet state. It lies under a deep Jacob said the ring they formed symbol- blanket of snow and is once again the ized the washer that must hold its form; domain of deer, grouse, coyotes, and if one section breaks the entire army beaver. It is a peaceful, slumbering place fails. The army encircled Jacob, scream- that will awaken suddenly to the sounds ing “Blue Victory!” one last time. of siren and bell and the urgent shouts Head Umpire Sandy Crane broke the of the armies that will mark the begin- tense atmosphere that enveloped the ning of the 2018 War Game. area. He thanked both armies for an-

9 PINE ISLAND CAMP 2017—ANOTHER GREAT SUMMER

Jozef and Watt

Josh and his completed shop project Three New Yorkers in a boat: Charles, Bennett, and Daniel

Arthur and Reid Woodcraft counselors Miles Frank and Teddy Hincks Jacob Merrill at his campsite on Maine Woodsman

LTIP Josh Byman behind LTIP head- Veteran Head Chef Krista Wiberg Briley with a whale on his forehead Assistant Chef Patty Morel quarters turned avian haven

LTIP Sam Lanoff helping unload the K.W.S.

2017 LTIPs sitting on the campfire bench they built on its way to the island for its inaugural campfire: Bobby Flynn, Sam Lanoff, Will Pomerantz, Will Stack, and Josh Byman

Walker McDonald and Jacob at work in the Shop

Assitant Director Sumner Ford

Daniel

10 Ben “Shop Guy” Herman at Herman’s Hermitage The Kitchen Crew, aka The Green Army, in uniform for the Declaration: Reed headed back to the island from main- Corinne, Amelia, Krista, Patty, Amber, and Madison land activities

Thomas knows how to take full advantage of rest hour. Tennis counselor Gorrell Cheek

David ready for Island Cleanup

Award Winners at the Farewell Picnic Teddy with his sketch pad Andres hanging out and reading beneath Tent 19

Sailing instructor Dan Bristol enjoying the good life in Director of Operations and LTIP Wrangler Rhoads front of the Kopa Kababa Skipper Will Morrison Miller confers with driver Nicky Isles

Toby working on his next campfire hit with counselor Kitchen Crew Amelia Leahy and Corinne Alsop Cowee enjoys the view while Buck is off at activities Noah Brodsky 11 PINE ISLANDERS STAY BUSY WITH PIC ACTIVITIES IN THE OFF-SEASON

Campers Henry Heyburn and Lu- sons, campers Caleb and Silas Hunter, cian Flanagan-Burt are both avid fly spent some quality time on a hiking trail fishermen and are almost never without in the White Mountains visited often by a rod in their hands during the camp PIC summer trips. Caleb also put his ri- season. Unable to wait for the next camp flery skills to good use, taking first place season to start, they ventured out on a in a biathlon held at the Hidden Valley local pond to try their luck through the Nature Center in Jefferson, Maine in ice. Alex Audi, whose home is in Paris, 2017. “You ski the course twice, and in is a university student in Montreal and between each loop you shoot five tar- sometimes tries his luck with a little ur- gets. If you make every shot, you con- ban ice fishing. He has also started an tinue on the course. For every shot you archery club at his school and enjoys miss, you have to ski one penalty lap. teaching his fellow students. Herman This year I made every shot. My riflery Herder-Condé continued his love for practice at PIC paid off!” Anne Stires, hiking last fall in Peru where he visited our Pine Island Whitehead program di- the 15th-century Inca citadel Machu rector, continues her teaching, mostly Picchu. Nice hoodie! Always ready for outdoors, at Juniper Hill, the school she the next hike, Pine Island’s director of started and runs in Alna, Maine. Caleb Hunter ascending Liberty in the White Mountains communications Sarah Hunter and her

Alex Audi doing a bit of ice fishing in downtown Montreal Herman Herder-Condé at Machu Picchu

Campers Henry Heyburn and Lucian Flanagan-Burt drilling through the ice to try their luck Anne Stires in one of her classrooms at Juniper Hill

AREA CAMP STAYS TOO LONG ON BALD PATE MOUNTAIN

“Well, camping trips don’t always Bald Pate, a peak Pine Islanders have turn out like you expect them to,” said successfully summited for over 100 Harrison A. Rucku, the director of an years, that appears to have lingered a bit area camp in a recent interview. “We too long at the top. just didn’t think it would get this cold Asked if they were in any danger, that fast.” Cold comfort to the more Rucku snapped, “Nah, they’re fine! We than a dozen campers and staff who are send up a team every couple of weeks now encased in snow and ice atop Bald to check their vitals. Their heart rates Pate Mountain, waiting for the spring have slowed quite a bit, but that’s to be thaw. When we reached Pine Island expected. They may be a bit disoriented Camp director Ben Swan at his home when the thaw arrives, but we’ll handle in Brunswick, he said, “As I always tell that. Their parents have been quite un- the staff, ‘Everythings’s fine until it isn’t.’ derstanding, though some of them are All our boys and counselors went home quite concerned about their missing Area Camp campers and staff await the spring thaw on summit of Bald Pate long ago. Some of these area camps are so much school. We are offering tutor- long on luxuries but come up a bit short ing on our campus in the spring, free of website and the videos have gone viral.” in Jackson, Wyoming in the back of his when it comes to camping skills.” Ap- charge. I don’t know what else we can “We’ll stick with our extensive staff sparsely furnished van. “Frankly, I find parently, that is a gross understatement; do. From a marketing standpoint it’s not training and preaching the Six P’s,” said it kind of unfortunate. We work hard to it was a late-season three-day trip up all bad. We’re getting a lot of hits on our assistant director Sumner Ford, reached avoid this kind of thing.”

12 LS THE KEEPER’S LOG Best Season Yet at Whitehead Light Station Ends WHITEHEAD light station with Mysterious Fire

It was a banner year at the Whitehead this time to Whitehead veterans David Light Station, one of the most beautiful and Lee Bryan of Stowe, Vermont, who and peaceful spots on the entire coast celebrated their 50th wedding anniver- of Maine. The seven-bedroom Keeper’s sary with lots of old friends and family. House was at capacity many times with September was the busiest month of program participants and happy rent- the season. It started with a second at- ers, and the newly refurbished Whistle capacity knitting retreat with Mim and House saw yoga, lectures, and even Heather, followed by the fifth rental of served as a spare bedroom for staff. The the season by six couples from Mas- new glass in the light tower and the high sachusetts who were longtime friends. tech bulb installed by the Coast Guard Then came the second of the two Down made sure that the aid to navigation that East Adventure getaways, again at ca- has been operating continuously since pacity with participants from New York, President Thomas Jefferson commis- Pennyslvania, New Jersey, Virginia and sioned the construction of the original Connecticut, who learned about wild tower shone out to sea. The dynamic edibles in addition to kayaking and duo of Matt Wall, skipper and jack-of- Maine coastal history. The history theme Note the tiny building in the far right of this old post card. all-trades, and Gigi Lirot, skipper, chef, was continued in the next program with planner, head of communications, and Jeremy D’Entremont’s History of New anything else that was needed, were England Lighthouses that included lec- back and kept the place running and tures, films, and ghost stories. The final made every single person who visited week of September Gigi and Matt host- the station feel safe, welcome, and grate- ed the Gift of Life rental with 14 people ful to be in such an amazing place. of varying ages from New York. The Gift The 2017 season began with a volun- of Life is a non-profit organization that teer weekend to open the place up, mow funds crucial surgery that is not covered the grass, and stock the shelves. Also in by insurance. Whitehead Light Station June the Light Station hosted a Down veterans James and Linda Eklund or- East Adventures getaway that was full ganize and run an auction for the Gift with 10 participants from Pennsylvania, of Life organization in their hometown Colorado, South Carolina, Washing- of Shelter Island each year and one of ton, D.C., and Kentucky. They enjoyed the items bid on is a stint at the Light lectures on lighthouse history and is- Station. James reports that every one land life, went kayaking in Seal Harbor, of the 14 Gift of Life renters had the walked, and ended their stay with a lob- time of their lives. “We’ve been trying ster bake on the rocks watching the sun to place the winning bid for three years The sewage treatment building in2012 set. Next was a week-long rental by a and we finally got it!” said one of the family returning for the third time, this visitors. over the rocks instead of up toward the time with 7 adults and 6 children. They It was still pretty balmy in October other buildings. enjoyed baking new creations, checking this year, perfect weather for the final When Ben arrived the wind was out the tide pools, building fairy houses two groups of (scheduled) visitors, a blowing 35 knots and it was pitch dark. in the spruce woods, and relaxing by the simple R&R weekend with 10 partici- He immediately dismissed any thought fire. pants and the fall meeting of the Pine of heading out himself and gratefully In July Gigi and Matt and some help- Island Camp board of directors. The accepted a ride out with Darren, who ers hosted a rental that was the reunion board meeting was held in the Whistle was at the pier waiting for him. Dar- of a family from Florida and Texas; an- House and the weekend provided Pine ren’s seamanship and his powerful and other installment of the wildly popu- Island’s board ample opportunity to be large boat made the trip out to White- lar knitting retreat with Mim Bird and reminded what an amazing resource the head feel safe but exciting, and Ben was Heather Monroe in which they knitted, Whitehead Light Station is. very glad to have been able to get to the dyed, and knitted some more; a third Matt and Gigi stayed on and closed island. The building was gone when he rental with families from Virginia and up for the winter. Three days after they got there and the fire was all but out, Washington, D.C.; and the five-day left, Pine Island director Ben Swan re- thanks to the work of volunteer fire Craft Beer gathering, led by world-fa- ceived a call at about 9:00 p.m. from fighters from the towns of St. George, mous home brew and craft beer guru Spruce Head neighbor and friend lob- Thomaston and South Thomaston and The amazing volunteer firefighters and Pine Islander Charlie Papazian, that sterman Darren Post informing him the two lobstermen who brought them aboard a lobsterman’s boat on the way was at capacity with participants from that, “There’s a fire at Whitehead.” Ben out to the island in rough conditions. back to shore about 1:00 a.m. California, New Hampshire, Colorado, immediately started out on the hour- Later a forest ranger and a small crew Connecticut, Florida and Tennessee, and-a-half drive up to Spruce Head. from the Maine Forest Service appeared who enjoyed lectures, tasting and cri- The next report Ben got was that “the to ensure that any fire that had spread designed and built the building, Ben tiquing beers from over 30 craft brewer- big house is fully engulfed in flames.” to the woods was fully extinguished. Swan received an old post card from a ies, and a field trip to a brewers festival Twenty minutes later Darren texted a Ben and the whole crew departed with Whitehead Light Station program par- in Portland. picture of the building on fire and Ben a mountain of equipment on two boats ticipant. It appears to have been printed August brought two large groups to realized that it was the small building around 3:00 a.m. in the 1930s or ‘40s. Much to his amaze- the Light Station. First, a writers’ work- that housed the sewage disposal system The sewer house was fully insured, ment, and Nick’s, the post card photo in- shop with Linda Buckmaster. It filled and not the Keeper’s House. “That was a and plans are underway to replace the cludes a building almost identical to the quickly with 12 participants, mostly tough twenty minutes,” said Ben, whose sewage disposal system. It appears that one Nick designed and built, and it sits from Maine. They enjoyed lectures, memories of the fire at Pine Island in the building, built about 1998 and de- in exactly the same spot! Three times is writing, classes in the Whistle House, 1995, and all that came after, were still signed by Nick Buck, may be the second the charm. On to 2018! Be sure to visit and sharing writing in the three Keep- quite vivid. Fortunately, there was a very building to have occupied that spot. In www.whiteheadlightstation.org to find er’s House sitting rooms in the evenings. strong wind blowing in just the right di- a bit of really pretty astonishing coin- out about opportunities to participate Later in the month was the fourth rental, rection to direct the heat and flames out cidence, more than ten years after Nick in one of next season’s programs.

13 2017 SATURDAY NIGHT SHOWS HONOR OLD TRADITIONS AND BREAK NEW GROUND By Harry Swan

The summer of 2017 was another jonqueres, Stack is a classic two-faced new AD, then frames him for illegally The story closely followed its source strong season for PIC’s thespian en- villain: befriending his fellow LTIPs and selling loon eggs, leaving himself as the material, with Dan eventually killing deavors, featuring productions that charming his superiors while secretly camp’s sole ruler. Defying expectations, his tormentor (this time with a kayak varied widely in tone and content. The plotting their downfall. As in the series, the show ended on that dark note, leav- paddle), and the other recruits head- one notable trait that they all shared he frequently breaks the fourth wall, ing the audience to ponder the fragility ing off to war — or in this case, the staff was a high level of professionalism and telling the audience about his plans and of the camp’s peaceful political order. training trip, where they battle against production value; at hardly any point repeating his sinister mantra: “One step The next week saw a remarkably in- the fiendish Camp Kieve. But the show were the lines inaudible or the story not at a time.” He contrives to get the current novative show: the buddy cop comedy was perhaps most memorable for its clearly conveyed. assistant directors fired, first by making Horse and Goggle. Along with only a groundbreaking opening sequence, in The first show of the season fit sol- Harry Swan (David Donoghue) appear few other shows in recent memory, which Isaac Frank and Elie de Breteuil, idly into a time-honored PIC tradition: ready to abandon PIC to resume his it told an original story set outside of showing a level of commitment border- the camp-based parody of a popular travels in Vietnam, and then by making PIC. Jaded veteran detective James ing on method acting, had their heads story. Modeled on the TV series House Sumner Ford (Taylor Clyde) appear to Horse (Buck Livingston), who identi- shaved in real time as melancholy, of Cards, House of Honk, directed by have framed Harry. He co-opts the other fies himself numerous times as a “loose shipping-off-to-war music played in the Nicky Isles and Teddy Hincks, told the LTIPs to do his dirty work for him, and cannon,” is given a new partner named background. story of disaffected LTIP Will Stack’s kills Sam Lanoff (James Burrell) when Peter Goggle (Alex Lanoff), an ideal- The next week saw yet another shift ruthless quest to take over the camp. he uncovers the plot. He convinces Ben istic young recruit. Horse, nursing old in genre and tone, with a show that Brought memorably to life by Alex Des- Swan (Ben Cabot) to appoint him as the wounds, makes no secret of his disdain was equal parts horror and comedy. for his new sidekick, messing with him The Dust was written and directed by via rigged rounds of the waiter game, three campers — Buck Livingston, Alex Horse n’ Goggle. Chief Kodak Bemis Lanoff, and Will Napolitano, who had (Andres Palacios) sticks them on traffic previously risen to prominence with duty because of Horse’s insubordination their popular series of campfire skits — — he knocks over a chair every time he with staff guidance from Noah Brodsky enters a room, sometimes bringing a and (in what is now a flagrant conflict of chair with him specifically for that pur- interest) this reviewer. A group of un- pose — but the story soon finds the new named campers play dustball (against partners coming to respect one another Ben Swan’s express instructions) for a as they attempt to uncover and thwart a week straight, causing the island to be sinister conspiracy. enveloped in a permanent cloud of dust, Directors Dan Bristol and Matt Mill- similar to the mist of Stephen King’s er found numerous clever ways to insert eponymous source material. When Ben camp-themed jokes into the story. In Swan is pulled into the dust by giant, their investigation, Horse and Goggle bug-like arms, Ian Swain (Dylan Ashby) pay visits to shady establishments like and the few remaining survivors retreat the Bungee Bar and the Rock Paper to Honk. Meanwhile, Campers X, Y, and Scissors Casino, where they obtain key Z (Livingston, Lanoff and Napolitano) information from Arach the Nid (Tom are trapped in Tent 7 and manage to Straus). They tangle with a gang called signal to those in Honk, who pick them The Waiters and their notorious leader, up on their way down to the kitchen to the Head Waiter (Aidan McKee), dis- scrounge for food. cover a plot to kill the president using The creature that lurks in the dust is the legendary Weapon of Destiny, and revealed to be an enormous silverfish, get out of a tight jam via a judicious use and in typical horror-story fashion, the of a Smooth and Creamy. The phrase number of survivors begins to dwindle House of Honk poster “Shoot a one or a two,” familiar to ev- as they meet their demise, this time in eryone who has ever been eligible to be increasingly stupid fashion. Justin Gas- waiter at Pine Island, was sprinkled lib- pard (Tyson Boynton) is taken dur- erally throughout the script. The show ing an unnecessary detour to retrieve also featured some of the best acting of Ian Swain’s beloved guitar. Sam Lanoff the season, with Livingston and Lanoff (Bennett McKeon) and Bobby Flynn in particular bringing savants’ precision (Benjamin Lew) head off on an ill-fated, to their parodies of cop-story arche- LTIPs-only attempt to escape and leave types, as well as a scene-stealing turn by the door open, causing Campers X, Y, Peter Murphy and Connor Carrington- and Z to be taken as well. In a jab at his House, who combined to portray the new-found veganism and insatiable ap- ultimate villain: The World’s Smallest petite for sunflower seeds, Ben Herman Arms Dealer. (Anders Westermann) dies of malnutri- The mid-season X-Camp show,Full tion. In his unfailing optimism, Sumner Gore-Tex Jacket, was a return to SNS Ford (Alex Desjonqueres) decides the tradition. Directors Cole Gibson and Ja- silverfish is simply sad and heads out- cob Ronson re-imagined Staff Week as a side to cheer it up. Annie Smith (A.J. military-style boot camp, presided over Powers) absentmindedly wanders out- by real-life overlord of pre-season prep- side while laughing at a lame popsicle arations Ned Bishop (Ben Byman, in an stick joke, leaving only Swain, who kills energetic performance that masterfully the creature with his guitar and does a channeled his inner drill sergeant). Like victory solo. The show was also notable the famous Stanley Kubrick movie, the for its special effects, making inventive story featured an inept recruit dragging use of tarps, powerful flashlights, and the others down. That counselor was sound effects through multiple speakers Dan Bristol (Julian Spiro), who proved to portray the malevolent dust. steadfastly immune to attempts to help The season’s final show, Harry Swan- him by Matt Miller (Isaac Frank) and ka and the Trip Locker, saw directors Horse and Goggle was a hit! his other more competent comrades. Matt Miller and Corinne Alsop cleverly

14 Swanka, who has since become a mys- jamin Lew) is so busy asking questions terious recluse. that he stumbles out of a window. And The show featured some of the best Mike iPod (Tanner Renick) becomes so acting of the summer, with Herman excited upon discovering the presence Herder-Condé taking inspiration from of electricity in the Trip Locker that it Gene Wilder in a suitably enigmatic kills him. Finally, only Charlie Mop- performance as Harry Swanka, and bucket and Sumner remain, and Harry Boldt’s Sumner anchoring the story as Swanka, satisfied that they deserve to the avuncular guide to the protagonist go out on trips again, agrees to re-open Charlie Mopbucket (Hunter Hunt), a the Trip Locker. But perhaps the biggest wide-eyed, ingenuous young camper. laughs were reserved for the Elumpa In a testament to the casting instincts Lumpas, played by the real-life LTIPs of the directors, the solid performances with shirts on their heads, who danced extended to the supporting players, all and sang variations on their signa- of whom performed well as their char- ture ditty as they cleaned up after each acters, like their counterparts in Dahl’s camper’s demise. Calix and Hunter in the hit Saturday Night Show, Harry Swanka and the Trip Locker story, were undone by their various vic- With such skillful storytelling on es during their tour of the Trip Locker. display each week, the summer of 2017 riffing on both Roald Dahl’s classic sto- ing Whitehead and Oak Island as the Charleston Chew (Tanner Carson), is was certainly a high point in PIC’s long ry and campers’ perception of the Trip only trips campers are able to take. Only unable to resist the allure of all the food and distinguished thespian tradition. Locker as a mysterious place full of dan- Sumner Ford (Calix Boldt) remembers in the trip locker. Danny Disobedient This reviewer can’t wait to see what the ger and wonder. In a mildly dystopian the wonderful time when all manner of (Eben Weislogel) refuses to take instruc- campers and counselors come up with PIC, the Trip Locker has been closed for exciting trips were sent out, or the kind- tions when setting up camping gear and for the 2018 Pine Island Summer Stock years because of theft of M&Ms, leav- ness of the Trip Locker’s keeper Harry pays the price. Quincy Questions (Ben- season.

MORE SACRED ANIMALS DISAPPEAR AND RETURN REFURBISHED King Sends Elbee the Outbird in Lavish Ceremony

It seems to be a trend. At the end of haircut. Happily, at the beginning of the terpreted them, employing the many with the triumphant return of Elbee the the 2016 season two sacred animals were 2017 season both the Belligerants and techniques and skills they learned at Outbird on the last night of camp. Elbee missing from the Pine Island dining Polly Juana Caracas also returned and the Yale School of Kababology. Camp- was presented to the awed, and in some hall — Belle and Cose, the Belligerants, again both were looking brighter and ers and staff learned what was going cases cowed, assembled campers and and Polly Juana Caracas. Kababalogists rejuvenated. The 2017 Kababalogists, well at Pine Island and what might use staff in the dining hall by an unusually would have been more concerned ex- Tommy Mottur and Jacob Ronson, were a bit of improvement, and as the season large number of henchmen. The next cept for the fact that the same thing hap- relieved at their return and announced wore on the signs began to give every- morning the gorgeous bird, which first pened at the end of the 2015 season — that this was an auspicious beginning to one hope that once again King Kababa appeared in 1968 (when LBJ was presi- Dop Dop the Doleful Durr and his son the season. would make a gift of one of his sacred dent), was on display in the dining hall, Dop Dop, Jr. went suddenly missing, During the season, campers found animals. Pine Islanders were not dis- sporting beautiful colors and a body but they turned up the next summer many sacred signs written, as always, appointed when the trend of returning that was, as was the original, made of an looking decidedly healthier except that in Kababanese in blue ballpoint pen, sacred animals, many of which escaped antique Johnson outboard motor. Wo- Jr. was sporting a neon pink Mohawk and the Kababalogists studied and in- during the great fire of ’95, continued ahhh, King Kababa!

The restored Poly Juana Caracas

Elbee the Outbird, the 2017 sacred animal The restored Bell and Cose, the Belligerants

15 NEEDLE NEWS BRIEFS

Happy Hiker Congratulates stalled as well as other energy effi- were important to their success. Af- game between the New England Patriots PIC Group ciencies. Last year, the library pur- ter a 12-hour overnight drive, Rip and and the Pittsburgh Steelers. When asked chased a generator with donated Sumner dialed in their final location to what it is like to perform the National When we returned to our computers funds so the library can open even see the world darken. They determined Anthem in front of that huge crowd, at the end of the summer we found the when the power is out. that some sort of sports field between Edwin, who has also sung at Carolina following gratifying email in our inbox: “In 2014, when only a small area Greenville and Columbia, South Caro- Panthers games and the Daytona 500, of town that included the library had lina would be ideal and chose the here- replied, “Start low… otherwise you’ll Hello Ben, power, Boulet personally opened the tofore unknown Newberry College. never make it.” Edwin was a counselor This Saturday my friends and I library at 7 a.m. for several mornings They stepped out of the van and found at Pine Island in the mid-1980s and shared a tent site with the group of so locals could have water, warmth the weather insufferably hot and humid. both of his sons, Watt and Ben, were boys from your camp that were hik- and Wi-Fi,” Matthews said. As they watched the eclipse proceed campers in 2017. ing the Pemi Loop in the White over about a three-hour period, the two Mountains. We were expecting the Boulet was hired as the director for played catch and chilled in the campus worst when a large group of teenage Blue Hill in 2002 after serving for sev- pool. The excitement was overwhelm- Alumnus Tom Brown Delivers campers flooded into the space where eral years as the director of the South- ing as the sun began to disappear. Dark- Artifact and Will Deliver Antique we had set up, as all of us had previ- west Harbor Library. Rich’s wife Cheryl, ness ensued, followed by a cacophony of Sailboat ous experiences with poorly man- a CPA, served for many years as Pine human cheers and animal calls. When aged groups of campers and scouts at Island’s archivist. Joseph Boulet was a daylight returned, they traveled to Pine Tom Brown, a camper for three sum- campsites before. We were immense- camper at Pine Island for two summers Islander Joe Kovaz’s home in Colum- mers and a counselor for three summers ly surprised at how considerate and and an Expedition Camper for one sum- bia, exchanged stories about the day’s in the ‘50s and ‘60s, visited the island respectful these young men and their mer. Rich was honored at the Maine Li- events and Pine Island, got some sleep, this summer and delivered the beauti- counselors were. They made an effort brary Association’s Annual Conference and made the arduous trip home in the fully restored transom of the Wood Tick, to always leave a path for us through on October 2 and 3 at the Sunday River morning. Rip and Sumner highly rec- a former sailboat in the PIC fleet. The the area where they were cowboy Grand Summit Resort in Newry. ommend everyone find their way into transom now hangs in the Pine Island camping and were attentive to quiet the path of totality on April 8, 2024. library in Honk Hall. While touring the hours (heck, probably more so than Editor’s Note: Rich’s willingness to island Tom noticed the ancient Sailfish we were...). At any rate, the group of make the Blue Hill Library available to in a state of disrepair down by the boat- us just wanted to reach out to com- those in need after a big power outage Jazz Drummer Will Mason Has house. It turns out that one of Tom’s mend these guys and say that your may have had something to do with his Multiple Irons in the Fire As Usual many interests is in finding and restor- camp should be proud. Give them being given use of a commercial kitchen ing these boats. Most people are famil- double desserts tonight! in Oakland for the entire 1995 season Will Mason, former camper, LTIP, iar with the Sunfish, a low-freeboard, la- after the great fire. counselor and assistant director, has teen-rigged boat about 13 feet long that The Newshound wishes to thank the taken the next steps in his musical ca- has enjoyed huge popularity around the counselors and campers on that trip. Of reer. Will is now a visiting professor of world. The Sailfish is the Sunfish’s ante- course, we would expect nothing less! Victor Dillard Garners Awards for music theory at his alma mater Oberlin cedent. It is similar but with one key dif- Innovation and Entrepreneurship College, where he and his wife Erin are ferent — no cockpit, just two small rails living. Will is a noted jazz drummer and against which you can rest your bare Former Pine Island Head Chef Victor Dillard, former camper, LTIP, has a new band, Happy Place, which he feet in order to stay in the boat. It makes Named Maine’s Outstanding and counselor, was Pine Island’s skipper calls a “weirdo noise rock band.” In Sep- for an exciting ride on a breezy day. The Librarian of 2017 during the 2008 and 2009 seasons. His tember the New York Times wrote that Sailfish, introduced in 1945, was origi- skill, endless energy, charm as a meeter Happy Place “succeeds at fusing experi- nally made of wood and was sold as a From the Ellsworth American: and greeter, and flawless attention to de- mental rock and chamber music.” Will’s do-it-yourself kit, but when fiberglass tail make it unsurprising to those who typically self-deprecating comment: became popular as a boat building ma- BLUE HILL — Libraries are more rode with him on the K.W.S. to learn “Lots of people vying for that distinc- terial, Alcort switched to glass. The Sail- than the sum of their books. No- that he has already won two awards for tion…” While Will tends to sell himself fish was discontinued in 1975 but re- where is that more apparent than the his work with Desktop Genetics, the a bit short, there is no question about mains popular among sailors. Tom has Blue Hill Public Library, which many company he co-founded and for which his increasing notoriety as a highly a completely restored Sailfish that he is consider the Blue Hill Peninsula’s he is the Chief Operating Officer. Vic- skilled, innovative avant-garde musi- donating to Pine Island. He will come “living room.” That’s thanks in part to tor was named one of MIT’s “Innovators cian. Will is working on his dissertation up next June to deliver the new old boat the leadership of Director Rich Bou- Under 35” and one of Forbes Magazine’s and will receive his PhD. from Colum- and he will take our Sailfish home to let, who on Friday was named Out- “30 under 30” in 2017. Forbes wrote, bia University in the spring and is at the restore. Campers can look forward to standing Librarian for 2017 by the “With a background in chemical engi- same time co-editing a book that will sailing a classic next summer thanks to Maine Library Association. neering and bio-scientific enterprise, be published by the Oxford University Tom. “Boulet actively champions free- Victor Dillard founded Desktop Genet- Press in 2019. And, proving once again dom of expression in this unique and ics: a company focused on enabling the that he loves nothing more than to have Rob Whitehouse’s Boat Project hard-working community,” said Blue design and production of personalized, way too many balls in the air at the same Update Hill Library Board member Maria safe and effective genome editing thera- time, Will has also organized a fundrais- Matthews. “The director addresses pies. The company’s novel technology, er concert for a Somali immigrant orga- Rob Whitehouse, a camper for four his work with imaginative intelli- called DESKGEN AI, can be used to de- nization, the Somali Youth Leadership summers and winner of the Workshop gence combined with a sharp sense sign CRISPR vectors and was developed Alliance of Portland ME. The concert Award twice and member of one of the of humor and unparalleled dedica- for scientists & doctors who, thanks to will be Saturday, February 3rd at Space original Whitehead Work Crews, is a tion. Dillard’s tools, will be able to use actual Gallery on Congress Street in Portland. semi-retired engineer living in Bruns- “Programs such as Music and patients’ DNA to develop personalized “It felt like a good thing to do in light of wick, Maine. He has been putting both Literature, co-sponsored with a lo- therapies through genome editing.” To- the targeting of Somalia by the Trump his shop skills and his engineering skills cal arts organization, and App Club, day, Desktop Genetics is a recognized administration’s travel ban, and I think to good use in his spare time, some of run by a library patron, highlight the leader in genome editing technology. it’s going to be a really cool night of mu- which he devotes each fall to the Sloan collaborative process for library pro- sic.” And for his next act… Critchfield Memorial Boat Maintenance gramming,” Matthews said. “Boulet Workshop. Below is his progress report: and his staff prioritize community Ford and Swan Hit the Road engagement and input.” Under Bou- for Totality Edwin McCain Sings National Dear Pine Needle, let’s leadership, the library is used Anthem at Gillette Stadium for This year saw the outer hull of my more than ever. Since 2012, circula- Rip Swan and Sumner Ford’s trip Patriots Playoff Game 26’ cruiser completed. It was built tion has increased by almost 150 per- from Maine to witness the total eclipse upside down on its molds. We bolted cent and foot traffic has gone up by could not have been further from a PIC Atlantic recording artist (5 albums) the molds and their ladder frame to over 200 percent. trip. There was very little planning, the and singer-songwriter Edwin McCain the concrete floor of the shop to pre- Thanks to Boulet’s leadership, trip was almost entirely internal com- belted out a great rendition of the Star vent shifting. Never underestimate wood pellet heating has been in- bustion engine-driven, and cell phones Spangled Banner at the 2016 playoff the force of bending 1,364 lineal feet

16 Jonathan Taplin’s Book Asks “Is It Camper Sawyer Carson Swims for a Time to Break Up Google?” Great Cause

Jonathan Taplin was a camper at PIC Sawyer couldn’t give up swimming 1959-61 and his son Nick Taplin was a just because the summer was over. A camper 1991-93. Jonathan is now the championship competitive swimmer in director emeritus of the University of his hometown of Belfast, Maine, he took Southern California’s Annenberg In- part in the Islesboro Crossing, a 3.2- novation Lab at the Annenberg School mile swim from Lincolnville, Maine to of Communications. Jonathan began Isleboro in Penobscot Bay to raise funds his long and diverse career in promot- for LifeFlight of Maine, a nonprofit or- ing, writing, producing, and teaching ganization and the state’s only emergen- — mostly film — while he was still at cy medical helicopter service. Brrr! Princeton. He produced or co-produced such movies as Mean Streets, K-2, and The Last Waltz in addition to several documentaries for PBS and TBS. Jona- than has long been interested in and involved in the digital marketplace for films and founded the first video-on- demand service in 1996. His new book is Move Fast and Break Things: How Google, Facebook and Amazon Cornered Culture and Undermined Democracy, published by Little, Brown in April of 2017. His article “Is It Time to Break Up Google?” appeared as an opinion piece The transom of the Wood Tick displayed in the Pine Island library in the Sunday New York Times, April 23, 2017.

Sawyer Carson (right)

THE RHOADS REPORT

Greetings, fellow Pine Islanders! I’ve Another interesting project was Sweet lines on Rob Whitehouse’s sweet outboard cruiser been keeping an eye on the island and climbing Mt. Philip to survey and blaze all is well. We had a close call in late Oc- our property boundaries. It was enjoy- tober when New England was hit with able to get better acquainted with Pine of 1-1/2” Spanish cedar strip around wood. As the years went by I found a devastating wind storm. Lots of trees Island’s land as well as to spend a day in compound curves. It was faired and myself always returning to the build- were uprooted and blown over. More the presence of the King. We hope to use completely finished before flipping it ing of things out of wood — houses, people were left without power than the area at the summit as an orienteer- over. Something that weighs a thou- furniture, toys, model airplanes. The during the famous Ice Storm of 1998. ing course for our woodcraft program sand or so pounds requires a certain wood challenge always teaches new Luckily, all of our buildings and prop- in the future. amount of respect when it dangles things. We bend it to our needs, but erty were spared and we didn’t even lose By far the highlight of my fall was in the air ready to turn. We only had we must avoid conflict between what any trees on the island. leading my first Sloan Critchfield Me- one moment of drama when grav- it wants to do and what we need it to The remainder of the fall season was morial Boat Maintenance Workshop. ity got ahead of us. Alas, no serious do. When these two coincide, beauty pretty amazing here on Great Pond. One of the greatest things about Pine harm done to the boat although the results. You can see this in Pine Is- It was such a warm fall that it felt like Island is the community. It was a real builder got a few bumps and bruises land’s fleet of wooden boats. Every winter would never come. I am sure charge for me to see old faces as well as when it knocked him off a ladder. autumn a crew gets together at the we set a record by not having the floats getting to know some new ones while Everything underneath the cockpit Sloan Critchfield Memorial Boat and ramps hauled out until November we all worked on maintaining the awe- deck is in place. That’s all the bor- Workshop to work on the camp’s 3, and we didn’t wave goodbye to the some PIC fleet. I’m at work now on ing things like deck beams, fuel tank, boats and to catch up and enjoy an K.W.S. until November 7! Winter did some exciting winter projects, one of bilge pump, cable conduit, et cetera. idyllically quiet weekend on Great come, though, and it came hard, and which may involve moving a building The engine sits temporarily in its well Pond. We repair, sand, scrape and after a long stretch of well below zero down the Camp Road on skids in the for a fit check. This year we work on lavish attention on each boat — al- temps, Great Pond suddenly has more snow. Could be an exciting ride! the motor well and the aft decking. though some are needier than oth- than a foot of ice! I’d like to thank all the people who I must credit Pine Island for my ers. Their hulls are fair, a pleasure to I was able to accomplish a lot this came to volunteer for their hard work infatuation with wood. My parents the eye, as well as a testament to their off-season. The biggest project by far and dedication to the camp. I hope to be put up with a ‘junk pile’ of broken designer and his shipwrights. If you was installing an exhaust hood for the able to provide more volunteer oppor- mechanical things that I was always doubt me, just take out a Pine Island kitchen. It was a multi-phased project tunities both at Pine Island and at the tinkering with. Wires, motors, gears skiff. Settle down, dip the oars just that required two professional installers Whitehead Light Station in the future. and gadgets filled my early child- so, power through a few determined and a licensed electrician while I han- Stay tuned! hood. (It broke my heart when in my strokes and just feel how it glides dled the carpentry and roofing. It’s quite freshman year in college my collec- through the water. Or watch the cat the unit and will certainly prove to be a Akka Lakka! tion went to the dump.) And then boats in the cove at sunrise. great addition to the kitchen. An added Rhoads Miller, Director of Opera- Pine Island comes along in 1968 with Akka Lakka, Rob bonus is that it will probably make the tions a wonderful workshop full of hand Trip Locker less like an oven than it has tools and a pile of uncooperative been in the past.

17 MID-SUMMER NEEDLE

Every summer we produce the Mid-Summer Pine Needle, a publication of camper Mind Wrestler articles and artwork that offers a glimpse into the creative, imaginative, and active lives campers lead at Pine Island. It’s always a hit when the Needle is printed and by Benjamin Lew pinned up in the dining hall. Campers gather around to see their work and the work of their peers and to read about what's been going on in their community. We hope Two campfires ago we experienced each edition of the Pine Needle inspires a similar scene; families gathering around our first mind wrestling in two years. to read up on this community, of which you're all a part. We’re happy to share some It was a match between the reigning select pieces from the 2017 Mid-Summer Pine Needle here. champion “Cerebral Hemorrhage” and the challenger “John Synapse”.* The first move was made by Synapse. He per- Senior Katahdin the horizon. We only needed to hike one formed the Freudian Slap which was a fifth of a mile to reach the summit. strong start by John. Cerebral Hemor- by Charles Schell When we finally got to the summit, rhage came back though with the Neural we were a bit weary but very excited Knee which by my standards is a pretty Katahdin, the tallest mountain in that we had hiked to the top of the tall- strong move most people wouldn’t get Maine, lies in Baxter State Park in the est mountain in Maine and we were back up from, but John Synapse isn’t like northernmost reaches of the state. amazed by the wonderful views. most people. He got up. He came back We got our pictures in fast because with the Amygdala Masher and almost At 3 a.m., when nighttime still cov- the cloud cover came in only a couple cracked Cerebral Hemorrhage’s skull, ered the state of Maine in darkness, the of minutes after we reached the top. but Cerebral Hemorrhage has a strong Senior Katahdin sunrise hike had be- Walker and Justin made “Jiffy Popcorn” skull to protect all those brain cells. gun. Our trip leaders, Walker and Justin, and it was a delicious snack after an Cerebral Hemorrhage did some- had awakened my fellow Pine Islanders early-morning hike. We then went half- thing special using the Hippocampus and me from our cozy lean-tos and led way across “Knife Edge,” which is a very Hit which John Synapse had never seen us into the cold of the night. We started narrow trail with shear drops on either Woodcraft because it’s banned in South America our sunrise hike walking through the side. Then we retraced our steps and so it was very effective, but don’t count woods on our way to the Cathedral Trail started our desent on the Saddle Trail. by John Treadwell John Synapse out. He came back with in the dark, using only our flashlights to This started off with ridge hiking for one a Stem Snatcher! This move is illegal shine the way. third of a mile. Then you hike down a One of my favorite Pine Island ac- in North America, so he got a penalty When we arrived on the Cathedral steep gully which leads into the woods. tivities is woodcraft. I’m drawn to this of 20 seconds of watching reality T.V. Trail, we found that it is mainly just large After about an hour we reached activity because it requires you to use Cerebral Hemorrhage, now in a rage, boulders packed together to form a rug- Chimney Pond campsites, where we your mind and your body together. This did the Cerebellum Smack which John ged path to climb up. About an hour had started our early day. It was only is great for when you are in the woods Synapse barely got up from, but Hem- and a half into our hike, we stopped at around 11:30 in the morning and we and need to be able to know what to do orrhage wasn’t done. He ended it with a rest point along the trail and watched were already ready for bed! in any given situation Woodcraft also the most powerful move. The move of as the first glimpse of light rose above teaches you how to use a knife, how to moves. Most people die trying to do make a fire, and how to respect your this, but Cerebral Hemorrhage was the campsite. By taking woodcraft you learn champion. He couldn’t lose his title. So the basic skills you need on a camp- he finished with the Brain Slam and ing trip. For example, you learn how to won his forth championship in a row. make a tarp shelter and a hemlock shel- A world record. He is now crowned the ter. A hemlock shelter is made by using best mind wrestler ever to live! big sticks to make your base, then us- *Cerebral Hemorrhage bore a strik- ing hemlock it fill in the gaps. If you do ing resembelance to Harry Swan, while it correctly you would be able to sleep Johnny Synapse was a dead ringer for in the shelter without getting wet if it Tommy Mottur. — ed. rained. Another thing you learn is how to use an axe properly. They teach you how to carry an axe and cut wood. Of course they teach you how to make fires with some birch and a lot of hemlock. All of this is why I love this activity. If you love the woods, you’ll love wood- craft!

18 NEEDLENOTES FROM NEEDLENEWS THE NEEDLENOSED NEWSHOUND

The Newshound is always glad to ing the world, spending Thanksgiving California is a hotbed of Pine Island- hear from you and to hear what you in Chiang Mai, Thailand, with Monte ers, including Brad and Will Drury; have been up to. You can reach the Ball, who entertained him in grand Peter Klivans, Madison Olds: Ben and Hound at [email protected]. He style. Gracious living prevailed! Rip Luke Beatie; Doug and Ben Farquhar; keeps a file, so give him some news for Swan, the elder, and his wife Susan are Duncan Lowe; Clem Wright; Chris the next exciting edition of Needlenotes. enjoying life on their beautiful farm in Skelton; Kate Swan; Mahesh Francis; Sam Weeks was married to Lizzie Lisbon, Maine. Art Cornell wrote to the and campers Reid Carolan, Josh King, Collins on September 3, 2017 at Shel- Newshound this fall: “I still come up to Max Klivans, Kip Klivans, Tyler, An- burne Farms in Vermont. Sam and the lake with my brother Joe and friends drew and Will Hartley, Jack Haynie, Lizzie made a stop on their honeymoon every year to do some fishing late May/ and Navi Vaisbort. Up the coast in the at the Sloan Critchfield Memorial Boat early June at Bear Spring Camps. Also, Seattle area are Rex Bates, Ted and Will Maintenance Workshop, where they I am teaching abstract art at local Art Siebert, Toby Bregar, Chris Comer, were guests of honor in the Doctor’s Academy on Hilton Head when we are John Pollard, and Nicky Isles, who is Cabin and toasted at the annual Satur- not dodging hurricanes and recently I now a Resident Teacher at the Universi- day night Sloan Weekend feast. Sandy got certified in Art Therapy for the lo- ty Child Development School in Seattle. Holland provided fabulous cakes from cal organization Memory Matters—a He reports that he has been enjoying his her busy bakery/restaurant, the Union group that works with people who suf- time in the early elementary division, Asa Clarke receiving his 8-Months Street Bakery, in Brunswick, ME. This fer with dementia/Alzheimer’s disease. where students are 3-6 years old. Nick Paddle. is where the newshound goes for bri- At my age of 76 I feel blessed to do these wrote recently, “So far it’s been an in- oche coffee cake and gathers news of things.” Pat “Appy” Apperson is a pro- credible rewarding experience, and I’m mont brothers, Nandu Morrissey, or other Brunswick Pine Islanders. After fessor in the Clemson University Col- really enjoying teaching. Charlie Papazian. Robbie Leahy is now two years with Teach for America in lege of Agriculture, Forestry, and Life David Kemp is at work for the Cato in the Navy and in flight school in Pen- Baltimore, MD, Alex Toole is an ad- Sciences. He hopes to complete the last Institute in Washington, DC, home of sacola, FL along with Jason Schachner, ministrator in the Boston public school 220 miles he has left to do to complete the Pope and Lisa (Regier) Ward clan who is in the Marines. Adam Schachner system. Brother Nick is working for the his sectional hike of the Appalachian (Tucker is a sophomore at Hamilton); is pursuing his art career in Chicago Allagash Brewing Co. in Portland, ME, Trail. Howard, Alec, Worth, Henry, and An- and Ben Schachner is Sumner Ford’s while brother Satchel is an environ- Sam Hoyt was married on October nie Smith (at Trinity); the Byman boys; housemate in Burlington, VT. Ben Swan mental studies/economics major at St. 14, 2016 to Emma Gutelius at Big Dad- Rich Bradley; the Wofford boys; four recently had lunch with Sumner and Lawrence University, living in the Out- dy’s Antiques in Culver City, CA. Broth- Donoghues; Christian and Anders Becca Waldo, who is teaching skiing in ing Club house and spending a lot of er Woody Hoyt married the happy cou- Westermann; Maxx Murray (at Ex- the area and enjoying being back east time in the Adirondacks. Jack Faherty ple and sister Ellie Hoyt was the “best eter); Paul Smolinsky (son Ben With- (where all the snow is!). Gray Hill is in is Press Secretary for Maine senator An- man.” Max Huber, Steve Hoyt, and of broe is just out of Carleton and working school at Auburn. Max McKendry and gus King. Cody Smith has gone all in course Coleman and Amy Hoyt were for Google in New York); Dana Strick- Ian Ford are housemates in Jackson, for wooden boat building and rebuild- in attendance. Rob Boutwell was mar- land; David Williamson; Brad Vogt Wyoming. Linh Nguyen has moved ing and is living in Rockland, having ried on September 16, 2017 in West- and Josh and John Treadwell. back to Albuquerque, NM after several recently signed on for the rebuild of port Point, MA to Paula Dequesnay. As usual, New York City is full of Pine years with the Kellogg Foundation in the schooner Boyd N. Sheppard. Ben Brother Charlie Boutwell, now living in Islanders. The Hound has gained intel Kalamazoo, MI. Randy Wilson is do- “Shop Guy” Herman may have been New York City, was the best man. Ben on a few: Nick Bellamy is a managing ing a lot of hiking around his long-time inspired by his two summers living in Rausch and his wife Kate are also liv- director at Crédit Agricole. Lucien Mal- home in Flagstaff, Arizona. the diminutive but awesome Herman’s ing in New York with their son Hudson. le, a sophomore at Colorado College, The Rodriguez Cortina twins have Hermitage because he is now a partner Eve Whitehouse is engaged to be mar- reports that his father Frédéric Malle is been busy. They actually split up last in a company that has bought its first ried to Billy Thom in June of 2019. Both spending more time in France now that summer. Lucas spent two weeks in aging building (in Brunswick, ME) and Eve and Billy are teachers at the Mill- he has completed the sale of Éditions de Sweden and then four weeks in Mas- is now in the process of converting it to brook School. 2017 skipper Will Morri- Parfums Frédéric Malle to Estée Lauder. sachusetts and New York at soccer micro-apartments. When asked how it’s son is engaged to be married to Brittany He is still very hard to track down. Even camps. Mateo also worked on soccer going, the man of few words responded, Toon. Former medic Page Dunbar, harder to track down are the Lombar- and worked afternoons at the aquarium “Learning a lot.” Kit Smith is Vice-Pres- now a nurse practitioner working on do boys, with their Mondello cousins near his home. He made a good enough ident of Product Development at String the cutting edge of pain management at a close second. Charlie Boutwell had impression on the pitch to garner calls King, Inc., a rapidly growing company UVA hospital, is engaged to be married a chance encounter with David Lom- from a number of clubs. He now plays that designs and manufactures lacrosse in Richmond, VA to Arjun Muthusub- bardo, who was bartending at Charlie’s for Club America Under 16 and has to mesh, sticks, heads and other athletic ramanian. Jason Fischer is an MD in chosen watering hole. PIC board mem- be at practice from 7:30 am to 10:00 am products. Kit lives in Manhattan Beach, Philadelphia and is looking forward to ber Chris Schell and wife Deirdre, with on school days. He spends the rest of his CA but has been spending as much as his son Lyle attending PIC in about ten help from Pine Island veteran Charles, time trying to keep up with his school two months at a stretch in China. Kit is years. Mike Bartner sent the announce- hosted one of the largest recruit- work, which, of course, he does. An- just one of a rapidly increasing number ment of the birth of Iris Doheny Bart- ing gatherings in recent history at the dres Palacios is having a good winter in of Pine Islanders opting for life in sunny ner on November 15, 2017. Matt Clarke Schells’ apartment. Corinne Alsop was Mexico and will be back on the island southern California. Tommy Nagler is and his wife Gina are both teaching in in attendance, taking a break from her for the 2018 summer. Across the Atlan- teaching and cooking in San Diego. His the Boston area and are loving life with studies at NYU, where she might run tic we hear good things from Philippe brother John Nagler is teaching history their new son Asa, born May 5, 2017. into Conner Ozer. Also at the Schells’ de Beistegui, both Elie and Melchior de in southern California. Having left the Sister Lindsay Clarke is back teaching were Andrew Regier with his son Will, Breteuil, Arthur de Rochefort in Paris café life in Paris, Cecily Pulver is slav- at the Waynflete School in Portland, Stuart Murray with his sons Arthur and and are very happy that Dimitri Clam- ing away on her PhD. at UCLA. She ME, where Carrie Turner is Middle John Henry, and Charles Hale. Charles ageran will return to PIC from Portugal is engaged to be married. Also living School Assistant. Both might run into and Will will both be first-year campers with his little brother Victor in tow. Vic- in Southern California are: Christian history teacher Ben Mini or student Lu- this coming summer. Simon and Zan- tor Dillard continues to win awards for Schneider; Katie Swan; Harry Swan; cian Flanagan-Burt in the Wayneflete der Abranowicz both live in Brooklyn. his business ventures in London, and his Sam Hoyt; Forrest Brown; Sam Meites; halls. Also teaching in Portland, ME is Simon is Deputy Art Director at Es- older brother Felicien is living in Dubai Adam Peck; Jack Lord; Paul Malle; Will Webb, who is engaged to be mar- quire, and Zander is a writer at Athletics with his growing family. Ash Fraiman is and campers Ben Brill, Jamie and Will ried to Lorraine Jabine, also a teacher, NYC, a creative agency. also in London and Jozef Urbanski has Browning, Xander and Calix Boldt. on Peaks Island off Portland, ME on Oc- James Berger is enjoying his gap year moved to a new home in Warsaw. Pat Rip Swan, the younger, stopped in LA tober 6, 2018. Teaching just up the road and working in ski country in Colorado, Voigt is now living in Spain full time. briefly at the tail end of his trip around in Falmouth is Sarah Mason. Will Ma- where he might come across Colorado Krista Wiberg has been teaching in Ja- the world. After two years on the job as son and Erin Lobb are back at Oberlin College students Lucien Malle, Noah pan and will return in March for anoth- a field engineer for Skanska in Boston, College where Will is Visiting Instruc- Brodsky, or Hannah Stoll or Boulder er stint. She is applying for a full-time he left his job in May. After a summer tor of Music Theory and Erin is working residents Reid Hill, Noah Solt, Jimmy teaching position at a school in China. in Maine, he spent five months travel- as an occupational therapist. Northern Leuchten, Asher Simoneau, the Fair-

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: $6900 per week small but complete, with a kitchen/dining/sitting area with a propane “wood- able for trips ashore or excursions in the Contact us at 207-200-7957 or stove,” a full bathroom, two bedrooms (one with twin beds, one with a queen), Light Station’s launch. This is an amaz- [email protected]. and a large deck. The building is perched on the edge of Emery’s Wharf, a gran- ite pier built to handle freight traffic for the old quarry that sits on the property. Pine Island’s new ramp and float are available for launching kayaks or for tying up other boats. Great birding on the flats at low tide. Activity by lobstermen next door is fun to watch. Available early June–end of September. Cost: $750 per week Contact: 207-729-7714 or [email protected]

The deck at Topside early morning

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

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