Ti d i n g s January 2011

Newsletter of the Seafarers Island Holiday VOLUNTEERS and FRIENDS of the on Spectacle Island BOSTON HARBOR Sunday, January 2, 2011 ISLANDS, Inc. 11 am to 3 pm 349 Lincoln Street Building 45, Hingham MA 02043 Depart UMass Boston Fox Point Pavilion. Parking is available for $6.00, or frequent shuttle bus from JFK/UMass on the Red Line 781-740-4290 www.fbhi.org Seafarers, welcome in the New Year Ticket prices: with a winter Island trip to Spectacle Adults (non-members) $25.00 Island! Pack a picnic and explore on your own or take a tour with a FBHI Adult (FBHI members) $22.00 volunteer. The indoor Visitor Center $22.00 will be open, and there will be a Seniors (65+)

book and merchandise sales table as well. Students with ID $20.00

Children (3-12) $20.00 ADVANCE PAID (non-members) HELP THE FRIENDS RESERVATIONS ARE STRONGLY Children (3-12) GO GREEN! $17.00 RECOMMENDED (FBHI member children) See page 4 FREE but still To Get Your Tickets — Babies (under 3) need a ticket Inside By postal mail: 2011 Explorations 2 Send check payable to FBHI and stamped, self-addressed envelope to: FBHI, 349 Lincoln Street—BLDG. 45, Hingham, MA 02043

New Boston Harbor 2 Via our website: www.fbhi.org Islands Pavilion Purchase tickets from our website using PayPal. If using this option there is a $2 surcharge. Boston Harbor 3 Islands Mass. On the day of the trip: Memories Any tickets still available on the day of the trip will be sold at Fox Point Road Show Pavilion starting at 10 am — first come, first served! CASH ONLY!

News from our 4 Coordinator of For more information call (781) 740-4290, or check our website: www.fbhi.org, Volunteers or email: [email protected]. ***** In case of inclement weather — check the FBHI 2010 In Photos 5 web site and phone line for updates. Refunds will be given only if the trip is cancelled due to bad weather. Page 2 Tidings, December 2010

2011 Island Explorations with the Friends The New By Suzanne Gall Marsh, Boat trip coordinator Boston Harbor Islands Calf, Great Brew- Pavilion A special Stellwagen Bank Whale ster and Rains- Watch with Bay ford Islands will ―The first building on the Lines is in the works for the sum- be the destina- Rose Kennedy Greenway mer. And of course, the FBHI tions of Friends ―Island Expedi- will open in 2011 – the new ―Seafarers Island Holiday‖ tradi- tions‖ in 2011. These islands are Boston Harbor Islands tion will launch the new year on accessible only by private boats Pavilion. Architects Utile, January 2nd going to Spectacle or a beach landing vessel. The Inc. and landscape archi- Island. This has been a Friends Friends have been working with tects Reed Hilderbrand have tradition since 1984, originally go- Rowes Wharf Water Transport to designed a cutting edge Pa- ing to Thompson Island. offer these trips for several years. vilion that will include green

The M/V Beachcat transported Friends members who volunteer technology, outdoor exhibits, visitors during the 2010 season to help with the boat trips add and a granite map of the 34 for both the ―Expeditions‖ and great informational value to these islands. The facility will be ―Sunset Adventures‖. fun events! If you are a Friends constructed by Turner member and would like to volun- Special Projects. We are also planning to continue teer, please let us hear from you! the popular ―Sunset Adventures.‖ Volunteers help with plan- In 2010, the eve- ning, ticket and merchan- ning trips went to dise sales, as well as be- Little Brewster, ing roving ambassadors Long, Lovells and Plans by Architects on land, sea, and the is- Peddocks Islands. Reed Hilderbrand lands. FBHI members The island visitors Two curved roof canopies Stephanie Schorow and enjoyed their eve- Capt. Kate and visitors will house two kiosks made leaving Calf Island. Elizabeth Carella, along ning picnics, beach of slate indigenous to the with Marguerite gave tours walks and explorations during the islands. The two kiosks will on Great Brewster and Rainsford twilight hours leading to sunset. have large sliding glass Islands. Skip Empey has been a The Northern and Southern Light- panel made to close at night narrator on the Lighthouse Tours house tours co-sponsored with and during the off season. with Boston Harbor Cruises for Boston Harbor Cruises will con- The panels will be backlit many years. tinue to enthrall lighthouse enthu- with LED lights, and pro- siasts and photographers. Please contact us! grammed with different lighting effects, to help Thanks to the dedicated boat trip Carol Fithian: activate the structure when it volunteers in 2010: David Din- [email protected] or, is closed at night and in the gledy, Rab Sherman, Marguerite Suzanne Gall Marsh: off season.‖ Krupp, Charlotte Knox, Ken Stein, [email protected].

Suzanne Gall Marsh, and Jeanne From the program held on May 3, You may also leave a telephone Leary who brought her two 2010 to celebrate the message for them at the Friends Groundbreaking Ceremony for the friends, Josie and Susan to help office by calling: (781) 740-7240. on the final Northern Lighthouse tour. Tidings, December 2010 Page 3

Mass. Memories Road Show Comes to the Boston Harbor Islands By Marguerite Krupp

The Boston Harbor Islands are a special place for countless individuals and families who have lived, worked, volunteered, and enjoyed them over the years. And now we have a chance to to the person who brings it. Members of the New share our memories and experiences as part of England Archivists will also be on hand to provide the Mass. Memories Road Show project, a preservation advice. The goal of the Mass. Memories statewide digital humanities project that docu- Road Show is to help build community, encourage ments Massachusetts history through photo- the protection of original photographs, and facilitate graphs and stories. the sharing of the cultural heritage of Massachusetts. After the Road Show, all photos and videos will be The Mass. Memories Road Show is an initiative available online at www.MassMemories.net. Check of the Massachusetts Studies Project at the out past Road Shows there, too! University Of Massachusetts Boston and is co- sponsored by UMass Boston’s Joseph P. Our Partners Healey Library and Mass. Humanities. The Road Show is an event that provides an oppor- The Friends of the Boston Harbor Islands are part- tunity for people of all ages and backgrounds nering with several organizations to help make this who make up the Boston Harbor Islands com- Road Show a reality. As of this writing, we are de- munity to create a digital portrait of their memo- lighted to have the following partners in this effort: ries in words and pictures that will be invaluable Urban Harbors Institute at UMass Boston both now and in the future. The Boston Harbor Osher Lifelong Learning Islands Mass. Memories Road Show is sched- Institute (OLLI) at UMass Boston uled for Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011. We’ve got Marine Operations at UMass Boston the date but there are many more details, so We are looking for additional partners. These organi- stay tuned! zations provide volunteers to staff the Road Show and help with logistics. For information about becom- How Can I Participate? ing a partner, contact Suzanne Gall Marsh at Anyone who has photos about the Boston Har- [email protected]. bor Islands and their experiences there is wel- come and encouraged to participate. It’s not What’s the Next Step? just historical photos or famous people that This winter, start going through your we’re interested in. Everything from casual pictures and start thinking about what beach photos from island visitors to photos of stories you would like to tell. the daily island life of people who lived, worked, or were stationed there are welcome. All photos What memories would you like to become part of a statewide educational website share? called a ―Mass. Memories Road Show: Your Do you have any old diaries or journals that might Place in Massachusetts History.‖ To see the jog your memory? photos of other Road Show events, check-out their website at: www.massmemories.net. Do you have family ties to the island communities? A Community Photo Album in Cyberspace Bring two or three photos to be digitized. Did you or someone in your family work or (The photos should be unframed originals, if volunteer on the islands? possible.) Experienced volunteers will scan Did you enjoy exploring there? photos and participants can talk about their photos on video. All original material is returned (Continued on page 6)

Page 4 Tidings, December 2010

A Great Volunteer Season for FBHI By Carol J. Fithian, Coordinator of Volunteers

The 2010 volunteer season has been full of Doreen Hearsey and activity. Volunteers were busy right from the her coral group, the start of the year working on projects, attend- Essential Blend for per- ing meetings and making plans for spring and forming at the Festival. summer events. We had ―all hands on deck‖ Carol Fithian on the job providing staffing for our booth at the New Congratulations to the volunteers listed below who England boat show for a week in February received special awards from the National Park and set up library exhibits and presented Service at the Volunteer Appreciation event at the talks on the islands in March. Many people end of the season. helped to prepare for our annual meeting on Long Island in April. In May we participated in Charles Boyer Stephanie Schorow a presentation contest at a school and ran a trip to Deer Island. In addition we began our Charlotte Knox Steve Marcus * island work boat trips, and volunteer training. Chris Ahern Sue Meglio Both the Little Brewster lighthouse tour pro- grams and the Campground Host programs Jackie Ladd Suzanne Gall Marsh * started up in June. Jim Palmer Suzy Karlson The summer was filled up with our visitor ser- vice work and children’s craft program. We Joan Hall Tom Loring added more story telling sessions for our ―Snow in Summer‖ program and created a new brochure on Edward Rowe Snow. It will Ken Stein Tom Schindler be put out on Georges Island with our other brochures next season. Kevin Rogers * Wynelle Scenna (* Over 900 Hours!) One of our goals for the season was to run an Marguerite Krupp Joe Toohey event focusing on farming on the Boston Har- bor Islands. Several vol- Marianne Taccini Pearl Lang unteers spent many hours working on various as- Rob (Rab) Sherman pects of this project. We created posters highlight- ing a history of farming on Suzanne Gall Marsh and Steve Marcus the islands and worked with the Department both received their Volunteer Master Ranger of Conservation and Recreation on a Fall Corps patch Harvest Festival at Webb State Park. Special thanks to Elaine Mitchell, Jackie Ladd, Char- lotte Knox, Ken Stein, Kevin Rogers, Tom Schindler, Irene Dygas and Steve Marcus for Help the Friends Go Green! bringing the project to life. This is a great ven- To save money and trees, we have ture to build on next season. converted to an online e-Tidings. Many have helped this year and we send PLEASE make sure we have your email. thanks to the FBHI Board for all of your sup- port, to members for supporting the volunteer If you’re not sure, email us your con- program and to our wonderful volunteers who tact information at [email protected] you make it all happen. We send a special thanks do not have email, we’ll continue to to Nesrella Farm in Halifax for donating mail eTidings updates in paper form. pumpkins for the Fall Harvest Festival; and to

Tidings, December 2010 Page 5

2010 In Photos!

TRIPS: (Left, right) A visit to Calf Island on July 24 and the former home of Julia Arthur and Benjamin Cheney led by the Friends. (Middle) Liz Carella led one of her excellent trips to . This photo is from a September trip.

SNOW IN SUMMER: Edward Rowe Snow Day 2010. Participants did not let the rainy weather detract from a great event. (Right) Dorothy Snow Bicknell, the daughter of Mr. Snow, was on hand to help host the event. (Lower right) Historian and writer Jay Schmidt, the author of Fort Warren: New England's Most Historic Civil War Site, gave a talk on spooky events on Georges Island that did NOT involve a certain lady in black. (Left) And, of course, there was the traditional birthday cake that was enjoyed by young and old.

More Trips: (Left) Visitors exploring the shore at . (Middle) Throwing stones into the water at Little Brewster. (Right) Low tide and visitors on the Great Brewster Spit.

Page 6 Tidings, December 2010

(Mass. Memories Road Show cont. from page 3) SAVE THE DATE ! Did your family host servicemen in training there during WWII? Boston Harbor Islands Have you helped with the planning, conserva- Mass. Memories Road Show tion, or preservation of the islands? Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011 Gerry McVey Have you just plain gone there and had fun? If so, you’re important to this project! For more information and to volunteer to help with this fun event, contact us! Mark your calendar for Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011 and watch your email and your copies of Telephone: (781) 740-4290 e-Tidings for more information about the Boston Email: [email protected] Harbor Islands Mass. Memories Road Show! And call or email us if you want to volunteer to help with And watch our website and this event! In the meantime, have fun reminiscing issues of e-Tidings for more information! and choosing your best photos and stories!

(2010 in Photos— continued from page 5) ON DISPLAY: The Friends continues its Library Legacy pro- ject with the excellent direction of Kevin Rogers who, for exam- ple, set up the exhibit on the harbor islands at the Duxbury library (left). Additionally, the Friends continue to set up an exhibit on Georges Island. This year, we added a special exhibit on Volunteer Appreciation Evening (above) AGENCY STAFF WHO WORK WITH Edward Rowe Snow VOLUNTEERS: Carol Trocki, University of that gives visitors Rhode Island leads volunteers in the Bird more information on Monitoring Program; Carol Fithian (FBHI), the master storyteller. Marc Albert (NPS), Val Wilcox (NPS), We will be doing Sarah Swanson Thompson Island Out- more library outreach ward; Bound Education Center, Liz Eddy, work in the commu- Al Hebb, and Mary Raczko all with NPS. nity in 2011.

COME ONE, COME FALL: (left) In connection with the DCR, the Friends held a Harvest Festival on Oct. 2 at Webb Memorial State Park. The goal of the daylong event was to celebrate the agricultural history of the islands and there were pumpkins, music, face painting and more. Many thanks go to Steve Marcus, Carol Fithian and so many others who helped make this event a success.

Tidings, December 2010 Page 7

Holiday Letter Dear Friend of the Boston Harbor Islands, This issue of Tidings highlights the various activi- When you are thinking of your holiday charitable ties on land, sea, and the islands that were cre- giving, please consider the Friends. We have ated and hosted by the Friends, working collabo- spent three decades working to preserve and en- ratively with the various agency owners and man- hance the Boston Harbor Islands so that these agers of the islands. precious resources can continue to be a source of joy and education for people of all ages. You did not receive an annual appeal from the Friends this year. Instead we are taking this op- The Friends are leading the efforts for the 2011 portunity to ask for a 2010 holiday charitable con- Mass. Memories Harbor Islands Road Show that tribution. Please use the form below to do so. will take place on September 17th. Although we have received in-kind support for this project from You may also renew your membership – or give a Mass. Humanities and other participating partners gift membership by using the form at the bottom of we will need to raise funds for post production and this page. Thank you for your support of Friends other program costs associated with this project. of the Boston Harbor Islands. We hope to see you during the 2011 season. This year FBHI members have helped visitors to the Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area to Our annual meeting will be: Sunday, April 10, 2011 — SAVE THE DATE! learn about the islands from FBHI volunteers who work in the island visitor centers, the Long Wharf kiosk, on FBHI boat trips, and doing public pres- entations. Steven S. Marcus Chairman Suzanne Gall Marsh

Friends Membership Application and Donation Form

Friends members receive: Membership Levels Ticket discounts with a variety of Boston Harbor ____ New ____ Renew ____ Sustaining $75 Boat Companies ____ Student $20 ____ Patron $150 Tidings Newsletter and eTidings updates ____ Individual $25 ____ Donor $250 Volunteer opportunities on land, sea, and the islands ____ Family/Dual $40 ____ Benefactor $500 Invitations to Friends events, lectures, and social gatherings Memberships at Sustaining or higher levels are entitled to a gift. Call 781-740-4290 for details. Discounts on all Friends of the Boston Harbor Please make checks payable to FBHI Islands merchandise and FBHI boat trips

Name

Address

Phone Email

I’d like to contribute $____ to the FBHI Holiday Appeal Total payment $

Join the Friends either online through our website membership section or by mailing this form with a check or money order payable to: Friends of the Boston Harbor Islands, 349 Lincoln Street, Building 45, Hingham, MA 02043-1601 Volunteers and Friends of the Boston Harbor Islands, Inc. 349 Lincoln Street, Building 45 Hingham, MA 02043-1601 Phone: 781-740-4290 Fax: 781-749-9924 Email: [email protected] Web: www.fbhi.org Return Address Requested

Save the date: Seafarers Island Holiday on Spectacle Island Trip, January 2, 2011

efforts.

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Marsh Gall Suzanne

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