Spring 2016 Volume 21 No. 1

A Magazine about Acadia National Park and Surrounding Communities

Friends of Acadia Journal Spring 2016 1 Purchase Your Park Pass! Whether driving, walking, bicycling, or riding the Island Explorer through the park, we all must pay the entrance fee. Eighty percent of all fees paid in Acadia stay in Acadia, to be used for projects that directly benefit park visitors and resources.

The Acadia National Park $25 weekly pass and $50 annual pass are available at the following locations:

Open Seasonally: Bar Harbor Village Green Blackwoods and Seawall Campgrounds Open Year-Round: Hulls Cove Visitor Center Acadia National Park Headquarters Jordan Pond and Cadillac Mountain Gift Shops (Eagle Lake Road) Sand Beach Entrance Station Thompson Island Information Center

Annual park passes are also available at certain Acadia-area town offices and local businesses; contact the park at 207-288-3338 to find additional pass sales locations.

New! Park passes are now available online. Visit www.yourpassnow.com President’s Message

Supporting Acadia’s Volunteers

hen Friends of Acadia received ations will enjoy for its next hundred years an invitation this winter to tes- and hopefully well beyond. Wtify as part of a hearing of the Of course, it takes financial resources to U.S. House of Representatives Committee support and supply volunteers, and allow on Natural Resources to discuss funding them to maximize their impact—and even ideas for the National Park Service at the then, volunteer programs should never launch of its second century, we were hon- replace the fundamental responsibility of ored to accept. As I sweated through one Congress to provide adequate funding for cancelled flight out of Bangor and then a our national parks. This was part of my re- lengthy de-icing on the runway as I worked ply to Chairman Bishop and his fellow com- on my testimony, the fiscal challenges fac- mittee members during the hearing: that ing Acadia were foremost on my mind. FOA is proud to continue the long tradition The annual appropriation from Con- of philanthropy and volunteerism at Acadia, gress to support Acadia’s operations has but that it requires a continued investment remained flat over the last ten years—trans- by Congress in order to succeed.

lating to a 10% decrease of buying power in FOA Since then, the federal funding picture today’s dollars—despite ever-growing visi- for Acadia has actually brightened (though tation and demands on the park. The ability people to contribute their time, talent, en- we are not so naïve to credit FOA’s testi- for park staff to actually budget and plan thusiasm, and ideas each year has enriched mony for the progress!). Congress and the for the coming year has been severely chal- Acadia in ways impossible to capture on the White House agreed on an FY2016 budget lenged by Washington’s tendency to patch balance sheet. that included modest increases for national one temporary budget resolution onto an- As you read through this issue of the park operating budgets and project-specific other year after year. What could I say in Journal, you will find volunteers interwo- funding for the NPS centennial, as well as my five minutes (and not a second more) ven through practically every story we tell: land acquisition funds directed to Acadia of testimony to convey the importance of planning the Acadia Centennial and recruit- for the first time in many years. Maine’s federal funding for Acadia amidst the $1.1 ing community partners; surveying visitors Congressional delegation deserves credit for trillion federal budget bill? for their feedback about their experience its unwavering support for our park, and it While I came ready with facts and fig- during September’s car-free morning at is my hope that 2016 will bring even more ures—and examples of how our private do- Acadia; grooming Acadia’s carriage roads reasons to grow the partnership to protect nors were particularly motivated by seeing for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing; our beloved Acadia. their gifts matched and leveraged with pub- helping to re-claim scenic vistas through- In the meantime, I know that with spring lic dollars—I was surprised that committee out Acadia’s motor road and carriage road many FOA volunteers are glad to get back members had another topic on their minds: network; maintaining the Wild Gardens of outside on Acadia’s trails and carriage roads, the role of volunteers in parks. What was Acadia. in the Wild Gardens, and other areas where FOA’s experience with volunteers? What Behind each of these projects are people their effort makes such a critical difference motivated them? How could we do more to who are inspired by Acadia. Many are aware for the park. If you see them, thank them attract and retain them? of the extraordinary foresight and generos- for their work—and for inspiring so many Looking back now, I realize I should not ity that went into setting these lands aside of us to become involved in protecting have been surprised. While one tends to for public enjoyment one hundred years Acadia! � fall back on dollars and cents to describe ago, and many are proud to be part of a tra- the impact of FOA, the contributions of our dition of dedication and hard work that has citizen volunteers are in fact the heart and maintained and enhanced the park in the soul of our organization and the very reason decades since then. I suspect that most feel why FOA was formed thirty years ago. The a pride of ownership of this public land— —David R. MacDonald volunteer program at Acadia is recognized their land—as well as a desire to give back nationally as a model partnership between to a place that has enriched their lives, as a national agency and the local commu- part of a commitment to ensure Acadia con- nity. The willingness of many hundreds of tinues to thrive as a place that future gener-

Friends of Acadia Journal Spring 2016 1 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Edward L. Samek, Chair Hank Schmelzer, Treasurer John Fassak, Vice Chair Emily Beck, Secretary Fred Benson Jack Kelley Brownie Carson Rob Leary Gail Clark Story Litchfield Spring 2016 Hannah Sistare Clark Meredith Moriarty Andrew Davis Lili Pew Volume 21 No. 1 Bill Eacho Donna Reis Nathaniel Fenton Jack Russell A Magazine about Acadia National Park and Surrounding Communities Jill Goldthwait Nonie Sullivan C. Boyden Gray Christiaan van Heerden Anne Green Julie Veilleux Cookie Horner Bill Zoellick Linda Jensen

HONORARY TRUSTEES Eleanor Ames Liz Martinez Robert and Anne Bass Phoebe Milliken Curtis and Patricia Blake George J. and Heather Sylvia Blake Mitchell Frederic A. Bourke Jr. Joseph Murphy Tristram and Ruth Colket Janneke Neilson Gail Cook Nancy Nimick Shelby and Gale Davis Jack Perkins Dianna Emory Nancy Pyne Frances Fitzgerald Nathaniel P. Reed Sheldon Goldthwait Ann R. Roberts Neva Goodwin David Rockefeller Paul and Eileen Growald Jeannine Ross Polly Guth Howard Solomon Paul Haertel Erwin Soule Feature Articles Lee Judd Diana Davis Spencer 8 A Sense of Immensity Ronald H. Epp Debby Lash Julia Merck Utsch Linda Lewis Dick Wolf A historical perspective on Acadia Transportation 10 Immersion in the Landscape Tom Blagden and Ken Olson EMERITUS TRUSTEES A conversation about a new book on Acadia W. Kent Olson Charles R. Tyson Jr. 14 New Exhibits for a Changing Climate Lynne Dominy FRIENDS OF ACADIA STAFF David R. MacDonald Redesigning the Sieur de Monts Nature Center Mary Boëchat President & CEO Development Officer Diana R. McDowell 16 Celebrating Our Past and Inspiring Our Future! Aimee Beal Church Sharon Broom Director of Finance & Top stories from the first months of the Acadia Centennial Development Officer Administration Aimee Beal Church Carol Potter 30 The Acadia Digital Quest and 100-Mile Challenge Kerry Gallivan Communications Director Finance & Development Using technology to connect kids and adults with nature Assistant Stephanie Clement Conservation Director Mike Staggs 32 Why I’m a Friend of Acadia Tom Ayers Office Manager Finding Depth in the Details Lisa Horsch Clark Director of Development Paige Steele Conservation Projects Sarah Curts Manager Accounting & Activities and Departments Administrative Associate Julia Walker Thomas Communications Assistant 1 President’s Message Supporting Acadia’s Volunteers Shawn Keeley Senior Development Officer 3 Superintendent’s View Envisioning the Next 100 Years 5 Special Person Betty Massie: Ambassador for Acadia 7 Where in Acadia? 18 Development Notes Celebrating the Annual Benefit’s LoyalPRST AuctionSTD Donors 20 Updates U.S. POSTAGE 27 Recommended Reading PAID 31 Chairman’s Letter 100 Years: Looking BackLEWISTON, and Moving MAINE Forwards PERMIT #82

2 Spring 2016 Friends of Acadia Journal n Blagde m To

Friends of Acadia preserves, protects, and promotes stewardship of the outstanding natural beauty, ecological vitality, and distinctive cultural resources of Acadia National Park and surrounding communities for the inspiration and enjoyment of current and future generations.

Friends of Acadia 43 Cottage Street PO Box 45 Bar Harbo r, Maine 04609 207-288-3340 800-625-0321 Superintendent’s View

Envisioning the Next 100 Years

s I write my first of many columns This summer we’re going to welcome for the Friends of Acadia Journal, I nearly three million visitors to this incredible Aam wrapping up my second week park for our 100th birthday. And if our on the job as superintendent of Acadia Na- visitation goes up another 10% as it did last tional Park and Saint Croix Island Interna- year we may cross that 3 million mark. How tional Historic Site. With 2016 marking the are we going to serve the needs of these celebration of the Acadia Centennial and visitors? How will we deal with that many the centennial of the National Park Ser- cars on a relatively small island? How are we vice, this is an incredibly exciting time to going to insure that we don’t compromise be coming to Acadia to serve as the park’s the values, resources, and experiences that fourteenth superintendent. At the same they are coming to enjoy? In short, how do time, I am also humbled by the awesome we insure that Acadia is protected for the responsibility that lies in front of me in pro- next 100 years? tecting Acadia for current and future gen- These are the kinds of questions that I am

erations to enjoy. NPS/Kristi Rugg asking myself, our team of dedicated Na- I am grateful to those who have come be- tional Park Service employees, Friends of fore me and have built this very special place Acadia’s outstanding staff, our partners, and into what it is today, from George Dorr to Our centennial year also gives our community members. They don’t have Sheridan Steele. Acadia is equally fortunate us the opportunity to reflect easy answers! for the generations of generous individuals We are currently in the beginnings of a who have also shaped this park. Thanks to on the last 100 years of stew- transportation plan that will address many private philanthropy, Acadia was established ardship at Acadia, and envi- of these questions. The transportation plan and cared for over the years. Today we are sion what the next 100 years will guide how visitors access Acadia in the the envy of other parks because of our en- future. This summer, we will release pre- dowed trail and carriage road system. There will look like. What was Aca- liminary alternatives for public review and is still much more to be done, and I look dia’s founders’ vision for the comment. We will need your feedback on forward to working closely with Friends of park? Have we preserved that those preliminary alternatives, as they will Acadia to ensure that our tradition of philan- form the basis for ultimately developing our thropy and our partnership only continue to vision? How has it changed? future management strategies. grow. How will we continue to pro- I look forward to getting out into the park Acadia’s centennial celebration got off to as much as possible over the course of the a wonderful start with a traditional Maine tect the fundamental resourc- next year. I strongly believe being a visitor is baked bean supper in January, sponsored by es and values that make Aca- crucial to my understanding of Acadia. With the Mount Desert Island Historical Society. dia so special today? two small children, I know my wife, Cate, More than 400 people packed the MDI High and I will be spending as much time as pos- School for beans and the unveiling of a film sible with our family hiking, biking, pad- by Peter Logue about our Centennial. This stewardship at Acadia, and envision what dling, and exploring in the park. Between was my first day on the job at Acadia, and the next 100 years will look like. What Acadia’s Centennial and my first summer what an incredible day it was! It was gratify- was Acadia’s founders’ vision for the park? here, it will be a busy year, but I hope to ing to see the community come out in such Have we preserved that vision? How has it share a trail with you, too! � strong support for the park. Acadia is clearly changed? How will we continue to protect inextricably linked to these communities, the fundamental resources and values that and the communities are likewise inextrica- make Acadia so special today? I can assure bly linked to the park. you that I take very seriously our role of in- Our centennial year also gives us the op- suring that we do not compromise the very portunity to reflect on the last 100 years of values for which Acadia was established. —Kevin Schneider

Friends of Acadia Journal Spring 2016 3 the vegetation and the frog. Look careful- Notes from Friends ly and you can make out features such as curled tops or seed pods of other plants as the reflection follows the flow of the me- A Picture (of Acadia) is Worth… niscus.

This is a photo of my I sent this off to Cornell. The frog is a male Spring 2016 daughter Alexa Chal- American bull frog which change color Volume 21 No. 1 nick climbing on Can- during mating, but they have never seen A Magazine about Acadia National Park ada Cliffs behind Echo anything like this. and Surrounding Communities Lake Beach. The climb —Erick Swanson Friends of Acadia preserves, protects, and is called “Stone Cutter’s Mount Desert, Maine promotes stewardship of the outstanding Bible.” I thought this [See the back cover for Erick’s frog photo.] natural beauty, ecological vitality, would make a nice pic- and distinctive cultural resources of ture to help exemplify Acadia National Park and surrounding the diversity of activities communities for the inspiration a family can partake in at and enjoyment of current and future generations. Acadia. She is 12 years old in this photo. Alexa and my son Zachary The Journal is published three times a year. are also featured on the cover of Rock Friends Submissions and letters are welcome. See of Acadia by Ellen Dohman. http://friendsofacadia.org/news-publications/ friends-of-acadia-journal/submissions/ We are all proud members of Friends of

Acadia! Branch Times The West Opinions expressed are the authors’. —Randall Chalnick EDITOR This photo was shot on March 11 in West Freehold, New Jersey Aimee Beal Church Branch, Iowa, the home of Iowa’s only Na- tional Park, the Herbert Hoover National DESIGN Mahan Graphics Historic Site. Herbert Hoover was born there in 1874 and was buried there in 1964. It’s PHOTOGRAPHER AT LARGE the site of the Herbert Hoover Presidential Tom Blagden Library Museum. PRINTING Penmor Lithographers Anyway, the young “ranger” pictured here is my granddaughter, Ellie Walsh-Blindt. To PUBLISHER David R. MacDonald commemorate 2016 as the 100th anniversary of the NPS, she and her fourth-grade classmates at Hoover Elementary School each choose a national park to showcase in a gymnasium they filled with their home- PAINTING IN PARADISE! made exhibits. Having been to Acadia many As a professional artist, one of my favorite times during summer visits, Acadia was places to paint is on Cadillac Mountain. The Ellie’s choice. Her display included maps and views are incredible and you meet some photographs and hands-on “artifacts” such as amazing people from all around the world starfish and lobster and crab shells. Dozens of kids learned about Acadia, perhaps because Forest in the morning mist, Acadia Mountain as you work....GREAT FUN!!! Cover photo by Tom Blagden word spread quickly that she was giving Reprinted from Acadia National Park: A Centennial —Eric Fitzpatrick those who stopped by her booth free lobster- Celebration Roanoke, Virginia shaped red gummy candies. Ellie, now 11, and her brother and sister will be back again I have attached one of best pictures. It start- in August. They especially love climbing the ed off as an unusual blue frog in a western rocks along the rugged Schoodic shoreline. side marsh where he was hiding in some This Journal is printed on paper made with 100% tall narrow leaf cat tails. The dark thin lines —Tom Walsh recycled fiber and 60% post-consumer waste, processed were not visible to my eyes as I crouched Gouldsboro, Maine chlorine free, and manufactured in the USA with over him, the reflection is the thin leaf cat 100% Green-e certified renewable energy. Printed with tails in the meniscus of the water next to soy-based ink.

4 Spring 2016 Friends of Acadia Journal Special Person

Betty Massie: Ambassador for Acadia

t’s wonderful to know a person happens through serendipitous, who thanks Mr. Rockefeller unanticipated interactions while Iquietly every morning as she hiking, at the grocery store or at takes her dog on a walk on the community events. Betty and Aca- carriage roads. Betty Massie and dia Centennial Task Force co-chair Maxwell, her Australian shepherd, Cookie Horner happened to be can be found most mornings at on the same Mount Desert Island Little Long Pond or along a park Historical Society Field Trip to Pla- carriage road or trail. But Betty is centia Island, where they talked special to Friends of Acadia not about the centennial. Betty’s inter- only because of her gratitude to est in participating in the planning Acadia’s founders—she is also a and production of this celebration stellar advocate, volunteer, and became obvious. This chance con- ambassador. versation lead to a breakfast meet- Betty has had many roles as a ing with Cookie and her co-chair, volunteer. As a member of the Jack Russell, and from this meet- Footloose Friends hiking group, ing the centennial ambassadors she has raked leaves from the car- program was hatched. riage road ditches on Take Pride in In her role as centennial am- Acadia Day, contributing greatly bassador Betty has reached out in to the camaraderie of friends giv- person or by mail to many busi- ing back to the park. She is dedi- nesses, organizations, and indi- cated to the FOA Earth Day Road viduals in Bar Harbor, Trenton, Side Cleanup, believing that good and Ellsworth, encouraging them citizenship and stewardship of our to join in celebrating the Acadia land is contagious. She makes a Centennial by planning a program practice to pick up trash wherever or event, making a financial or in- she is in the world, including the kind contribution, or selling Cen- Galapagos Islands or Texas where tennial products with a portion of she was born and raised and con- the proceeds benefiting the park.

tinues to visit family. Betty has a Thomas FOA/Julia Walker “So many partnership applications significant interest in gardening Betty Massie and Maxwell enjoy a peaceful morning at Sieur de Monts. for the Centennial can be attribut- and represents the Bar Harbor ed to Betty’s outreach,” said Cook- Garden Club as liaison to the Wild Gardens here and little by little started building their ie Horner. “Not only has she brought us a of Acadia, where she also volunteers. Addi- home. They became full-time residents in broad representation of partners, but she tionally she represents the Bar Harbor Gar- 2001 and for six years traveled to many for- also connected in person with businesses den Club serving on the board of the Bea- eign locations where David consulted with who then decided to become signature trix Farrand Society. Another garden that biological research laboratories. When it sponsors or larger donors to the centen- benefits from her volunteer energy is the became time to stay locally she was hired nial.” Betty herself has invested in the cen- Seaside Garden at College of the Atlantic. by Mount Desert Island Hospital Behavioral tennial and is one of more than 350 Acadia In her spare time she maintains her own Health Center and she returned to work as Centennial Partners. garden of mostly ferns and mosses with a clinical psychologist, a career of 35-plus Betty also holds a special role in connect- some perennials. years. She retired in 2013 after working at ing visitors to the park through her own Betty started visiting Mount Desert Is- the hospital for five years. business, MDI Tours, a company that pro- land in 1982 with her late husband, David For the last two years, Betty has been an vides tours and tour planning for visitors Towle, who was a primary investigator at invaluable community ambassador for the who come from out of state on coaches. the Mount Desert Island Biological Labora- Acadia National Park Centennial. So much Betty annually conducts approximately 50 tory. In 1992, the couple bought property community engagement around Acadia bus tours of the park for her own business

Friends of Acadia Journal Spring 2016 5 as well as for the cruise ship passengers of the planet. She added that she treasures who arrive in Bar Harbor. She does much living in a community that shares the same of the research and writing of the guide connection to the park. Betty is exactly the training materials telling the story of our kind of tour guide we need—someone to beautiful island and Acadia National Park. share her passion for and knowledge of An extension of this research and writing is Acadia, to encourage others to join in pro- her “Self-Guided Walking Tour of Historic tecting it, and hopefully to take these val- Bar Harbor,” a booklet in its second print- ues back to their home communities. ing that will be available at Sherman’s and Betty’s hope for the Acadia Centennial other gift shops beginning in April. Her is that everyone will enjoy the celebration goal is to be an inviting emissary for the and will become inspired to contribute to Mount Desert Island region and to present the stewardship of the park and the planet factual and interesting information to visi- beyond. Betty herself will not be at many tors about the dynamic story of the devel- of the centennial events this summer as opment of our island and Acadia National her son and daughter-in-law in Illinois are Park. Even working as a tour guide for 13 expecting their first child and she will be years, she knows that “we never know it spending much of the summer there car- all” and continues to learn about the island ing for her new granddaughter. All of us at and Acadia National Park. Friends of Acadia thank Betty for her many When asked why she enjoys volunteer- contributions to the Acadia Centennial, the ing to benefit Acadia, Betty responded that Wild Gardens, and more. We think Max- her connection with the park is spiritual— well is a pretty lucky dog to be able to en- that volunteerism is an expression of her joy the park with her. � sense of meaning and the need to take care

Friends of Acadia 2016 Centennial Calendar Please join us at one or more events this year to honor the Acadia Centennial! Visit friendsofacadia.org/get-involved/events/ for event details

Acadia Centennial Quest Ongoing through November 12 ©2015 Aimee Beal Church. Celebrating Acadia’s 100-year history and inspiring its future Canon, a leading provider of consumer, business-to- National Trails Day in Acadia Saturday June 4 business and industrial With an appearance by Acadia’s Poet Laureate and trail crew supervisor Christian Barter digital imaging solutions, is Wild Gardens of Acadia Benefit Plant Sale Saturday June 11 committed to giving back to Supporting a unique educational resource with ties to Acadia’s horticultural past the communities in which we live and work. Whether it’s Acadia Day at Fenway Sunday June 19 supporting youth initiatives or For kids, families, and everyone! Ride the L.L.Bean Fenway Express or join us in Boston to sustaining the environment, watch the Red Sox and celebrate two great parks Canon is dedicated to creating FOA Annual Meeting & programs and products Acadia’s 100th Birthday Friday July 8 that aim to make a positive Featuring David MacDonald’s contribution to the Acadia Centennial Lecture Series on difference for our planet. conservation in the 21st century

Learn more at Annual Benefit Saturday August 13 www.usa.canon.com/ Supporting all of our work to benefit Acadia environment Take Pride in Acadia Day Saturday November 5 Give Acadia a big birthday present—volunteer! Plus, visit the Acadia Centennial event calendar for many, many more opportunities

©2015 Canon U.S.A., Inc. to celebrate and deepen your relationship with this remarkable place: All rights reserved. Canon U.S.A., Inc. www.acadiacentennial2016.org

6 Spring 2016 Friends of Acadia Journal Where in Acadia? Earl Brechlin Where in Acadia? In this Acadia Centennial year, we celebrate Acadia’s past and the myriad contributions of those who have loved this place over the years. Acadia National Park protects a magnificent coastal landscape, but it’s the interplay of natural and human-built fea- tures that gives the park its matchless character. The slice of Acadia pictured here is just one of those built features—how does it “speak to nature” for you? If you think you can identify this Acadia structure, email us at [email protected] and include a personal story or memory about it. Extra credit: which Acadia founder is associated with this place? We’ll print our favorite response in the next issue of the Journal and we’ll send a Friends of Acadia cap to the writer.

Winter 2015 Where in Acadia? This peaceful stretch of carriage road proved to be a stumper! Photographer Charlie Jacobi, visitor use specialist at the park, identifies it as the Day Mountain carriage road—just before it executes a hairpin curve in its final loop to the summit. We did not receive any correct guesses so we turned to Lisa Horsch Clark, Friends of Acadia’s director of development and donor relations, for a special memory of the place: “Almost ten years ago I planned a horse-and-carriage outing with Maura and Bill Benjamin and longtime ANP roads foreman Merle Cousins, for a picnic atop Day Mountain. I felt like a true rusticator enjoying the relaxed pace of yesteryear. The day was glorious, the picnic was delicious, and the day—even now!—re- mains one of my top ten memories in Acadia.”

Friends of Acadia Journal Spring 2016 7 The Acadia Experience

A Sense of Immensity By Ronald H. Epp ANP/Archive

s automobiles, trucks, RVs, motor- motor and carriage road systems. There won’t allow it. cycles, and buses head up the Ca- were highly public reactions to expand- Congress appropriated summit road Adillac Summit Road during peak ing private and public access to parkland. funds in 1924, yet work on the winding, season, their drivers and passengers appear The primitivist philosophy of U.S. Senator 3.7-mile, 22-foot-wide road was largely unconcerned about the much-publicized George W. Pepper of Pennsylvania strained confined to the three years after 1929. As traffic congestion atop the mountain. May- public credulity when he said that visitor early as October 1930 the first auto trip to be they expect that once the lot is full they experience atop Cadillac would be marred the summit was completed. can just park along the summit road and by the sight of any vehicle not there when As the country weathered the first years walk on the shoulder to their destination. Champlain discovered the island! of the Great Depression and road work The effort of National Park Service Fidelity to unaltered landscape, road- progressed, Mainers were convinced that founders to attract visitors to Acadia has way intrusion into wild lands, growth of this road would become the greatest at- incrementally led to a visitation explosion the federal footprint on the island topogra- traction of the state: a scenic parkway to that threatens the scenery, flora, and fauna phy, and landscape damage from overuse the highest point on the Atlantic coast be- that all of the parks were established to became recurring subjects of debate. Yet tween Labrador and Brazil. protect. Yet the Cadillac summit capac- it is notable that NPS landscape architect Dorr’s unpublished memoirs reveal his ity issue had been recognized even prior Charles Peterson complained to his supe- preference for a more costly summit route to the dedication of the historic motor riors in early 1931 about inadequate sum- “out over the eastern spur, the White Cap, road. After securing national park status mit parking, recommending its expansion with its bold outlook over Eagle Lake and in 1919, park managers intensified their prior to the road opening. the magnificent sunset views…arousing a discussions about replacing a washed-out In his October 1931 site visit report to sense of immensity few island scenes can carriage road leading to the summit of NPS director Stephen Mather, the assis- equal.” The gentleman who had climbed that preeminent mountain top, acquired tant director, Horace M. Albright, “con- the tallest mountain in the United King- in 1908 by the Hancock County Trustees templated additional parking space inside dom, the highest peak east of the Mis- of Public Reservations, with an engineered the turn-around loop…for about 65 cars, sissippi (6,684-foot Mt. Mitchell), and motor road. as well as an extension…just below the 14,454-foot Mount Whitney was nonethe- In 1922 park superintendent George loop for about twenty more.” He was the less awed by the Cadillac Summit. A less Bucknam Dorr proposed to his NPS supe- first to recognize that the “surprising num- expensive route was chosen and finally in- riors a circuitous summit road. Although ber of visitors” raised concerns “that this spected by Interior Secretary Ray Lyman John D. Rockefeller Jr. became his ally parking space will be enough.” The size Wilbur, whose visit was intended to en- in the larger effort to develop a compre- of the parking lot footprint was judged sure that all preparations were in place for hensive motor road system, in the decade inadequate eighty-four years ago. Today the road’s highly publicized dedication. leading to the FDR administration con- some still call for parking lot expansion, Several weeks later, on July 23rd, 1932, troversies arose about extension of both although the park’s management plan surrounded by the press corps and film- 8 Spring 2016 Friends of Acadia Journal makers, Dorr was greeted atop Cadillac National Park. Secretary Dixon suggested issues (although, ironically, the existing Mountain by spirited march music. Hun- that no time should be lost in erecting a bus fleet is not able to serve the Cadillac dreds gathered there primarily to revel in bronze plaque to Dorr, while others pro- Summit road). Nonetheless, vehicular and the fine macadam underfoot. This pave- posed naming one of the island peaks af- human traffic continues to impede the ment represented the unacknowledged ter him. Before the party of five hundred power of the Acadian landscape to pro- contributions of day laborers, heavy invited guests sat down for lunch, Judge foundly affect us. equipment operators, stone masons, en- Deasy asked for a moment of silence in Two decades ago NPS historians Richard gineers, architects, and construction fore- tribute to Charles W. Eliot—another fig- Quin and Neal M. Maher completed the men. ure who had greatly influenced Acadia’s definitive study of Acadia’s motor roads The Bangor newspaper reported that Development. under the auspices of the oldest govern- “this wonderful scenic highway has come One historic consequence of his death ment preservation program, the Historic into being as a monument to the foresight was the installation of Mather memorial American Buildings Survey, and its com- and hard work of one man—George B. plaques in all national parks. Nearly three panion, the Historic American Engineer- Dorr.” In point of fact, it was the eldest weeks before the Summit Road’s official ing Record. Quin offered therein a sound son of John D. Rockefeller Jr. who shared dedication, on July 4th—Mather’s birth- general appraisal that applies to conges- with Dorr the cutting of the white silk rib- day—an impressive plaque was mounted tion issues: “it was community debate, not bon to officially signal the opening of the beside the summit loop trailhead adjacent community solidarity, that ultimately de- road. His father contributed to the dedica- to the already-overcrowded parking lot. termined the final shape of the park’s mo- tion expenses but was prevented from par- To exhibit the landscape was Dorr’s larg- tor road system.” ticipating due to a painful case of shingles. er intent, a noble public purpose that not This tension between wilderness ad- The officials included the secretary of only resulted in growing popularity but a vocates, federal policy enforcers, visitor the Navy, Charles Francis Adams III, rep- host of complicating factors unanticipat- expectations, boundary disputes, and the resenting the Hoover administration, and ed by Dorr, Rockefeller, and Eliot. Today, economic worries of year-round locals Joseph W. Dixon, a Progressive Montana Friends of Acadia initiatives like the Island makes this gently sloping macadam park- governor and former Bull Mooser who was Explorer bus service offset some persistent way a public road in the truest sense of first assistant secretary of the Department the word. of the Interior. Thirty-seven naval officers The first century of the NPS provides from vessels moored in Frenchman Bay, historical evidence of successful progress, the governors of Maine and Rhode Island, though not resolution of all issues. The and numerous United States senators and 1932 celebration opened easy summit ac- representatives were also present. The cess to Americans. Since then two hun- presence of hundreds of other prominent dred million Americans have been added individuals from island towns and beyond to the population. displaced any thought that this was exclu- The day is long past when park visita- sively a Bar Harbor festivity. tion is touted as an unalloyed blessing. Quickly rain and fog enveloped those Sensitivity to the historic tension between on the summit. A torrential downpour preservation and use has prompted many prompted the master of ceremonies, Judge visitors to modify behavior. Like Dorr and Luere Deasy, to relocate the program to his guests atop Cadillac, let us approach the Malvern Hotel where Charles Francis the next century with confidence that this Adams III spoke to those present about much-enlarged democracy will devise so- an emotional incident fifteen years earlier, lutions through conversation to preserve when he had stood with Dorr on Schoo- the original intent of the National Park ner Head and heard his friend expand at Creating Acadia Service. � length on what the park should become. National Park: Over and over again speakers affirmed The Biography of George Bucknam Dorr RONALD H. EPP is a historian and pro- that the Cadillac Summit Road would By Ronald H. Epp fessor of philosophy with a background in make the park’s natural wonders more ac- Published by Friends of Acadia scholarly publishing and academic library cessible to the public. Now available! leadership. His research over the last two John E. Nelson, who had succeeded Visit www.friendsofacadia.org decades into the Massachusetts families John A. Peters in the US House of Repre- that influenced the development of con- “Readers will come to know Dorr the man, sentatives, likened Dorr to the first direc- not only his triumphs and generosity, but also servation philanthropy has led to the April tor of the NPS, Stephen Tyng Mather, who his frailties, his blind spots and ultimately, 2016 publication of Creating Acadia Nation- had recently passed away. Peters declared his humanity….” al Park: The Biography of George Bucknam that what Mather had been to the Na- —Earl Brechlin, Mount Desert Islander Dorr; this essay is based on his research for tional Park Service so was Dorr to Acadia and in part excerpted from the book. Friends of Acadia Journal Spring 2016 9 Wild Acadia

Immersion in the Landscape Tom Blagden in conversation with Ken Olson

Northern parula, Wonderland

riends of Acadia’s former president You moved from a print photographer, Ken Olson and photographer-at- one who used dark room services and Flarge Tom Blagden have collaborated plain old color film, I guess, to digital. Is on two books: First Light (2003), published that right? in partnership with FOA, and Acadia Na- Tom: Yes, the new book is entirely digi- tional Park: A Centennial Celebration (2016). tal. The previous book was entirely film. Also an FOA partnership, this stunning Ken: How has the change affected your collection of 150 photographs features es- images and your editorial selections? says by Olson and six other FOA and Aca- Tom: Well, I’d like to think that the end dia luminaries. Before the book’s release, product is just as good or that there’s no the two discussed Blagden’s inspiration, his discernible difference, but clearly the pro- methods, and his great love for Acadia. cess is greatly different. I went into digital photography somewhat begrudgingly, be- Ken: Tom, why did you decide, and cause film, to me, had a purity that was Sunrise at Cobble Beach near Otter Cliff when did you decide, to do a book after about the moment; you either got it or you by virtue of how easily you could photo- First Light? didn’t. It was very demanding, not much graph anything you wanted? Tom: First Light was such a dream come latitude; whereas, with digital, photogra- Tom: Yes—editing film, again, you ei- true—for me to do a book like that on a phy has become more about the process ther had the shot or you didn’t. There place where I had spent so much of my than the content itself. I think that’s di- would be stacks of images, like a deck of life. After the book’s release, I had the minished the experience somewhat. cards, and you’d just start dealing. Some postpartum blues, so I just told myself Ken: The experience of the photogra- hands were worth gambling on. With digi- right away: I’m going to commit to keep pher, but not necessarily the viewer? tal, there’s sort of always this feeling of: Is working. Really, the inspiration at that Tom: Right. All that said, working in it fully realized? Or is there something else point was simply the relationship with digital photography is probably more fun I should do or be paying attention to in Friends of Acadia, where, because of that than film. Again, it puts less emphasis on the optimization process? and Friends’ interest in my work, it as- the experience and impeccable execution Ken: What would you like readers of signed a value to the photographs that in- and more on “get the shot” and then tran- this book to come away with? spired me to keep going. sition into post-processing. Tom: I think it’s really about sense of Ken: A lot has happened in the time Ken: Was it harder to edit, given the place and the degree to which that sense between the two books photographically. larger selection that you had to deal with of place both belongs to us and we belong

10 Spring 2016 Friends of Acadia Journal Sunrise at Cobble Beach near Otter Cliff to it. I’ve always thought that photogra- work in areas that I love and that are part mitment to photograph it over such a long phy is the most direct connection with of my life, one of them being Acadia and period of time. It was not a calculated de- nature that we can have, other than being the others being my home state of South cision; it was an emotional one, because immersed in it physically and mentally. Carolina, and Costa Rica, where I’ve spent I love the place, and it gets ahold of you. For me, the photography can offer this vi- 20 years working. I’ve built my career Ken: What do you think about the ar- carious experience that has the potential around those three places. gument that a beautiful book, such as Aca- of re-connecting people with the natural It’s so important that good photogra- dia National Park: A Centennial Celebration, landscape in a way that can be very pro- phy reflects that kind of deep involvement contributes to people crowding into the found and reveal aspects of the wild that with the landscape. Time is the greatest as- place? aren’t normally within our grasp. set of all, because, given enough time, the Tom: You can argue that it does, but the Ken: Dare you name Acadia as your fa- landscape reveals itself. In one sense, I feel reality, in sheer numbers—what’s Acadia vorite subject, or would you venture that so lucky to produce a book on one of the getting now, roughly 2.5 million visits? way? most photographed places in the country. Ken: 2.8 million in 2015. Tom: Oh, it’s right up there. My career It’s a top-ten national park; everybody has Tom: A book that has published only has been a little different from those of photographed in Acadia. But I think what 6,000 copies gets into a very minimal most colleagues, because I decided to just was different for me was making the com- number of hands. So I think the overall

Friends of Acadia Journal Spring 2016 11 impact is negligible. And yet, given the philanthropic history of Acadia, the ex- tent to which the park was literally found- ed and is now carried by a relatively small number of people who deeply care about it, I think the book can have a huge im- pact if it’s directed to the right places— and I embrace that as part of my mission. Ken: What about early influences on your becoming a professional photogra- pher, and influences on your art? Tom: I think, surely, early on I dedi- cated myself more out of innocence than anything. But even when I was in college, I had this idea of using photography for conservation, because that was always my bent. And I was able to realize that with my first couple of jobs, working with At- lantic Salmon in Canada and then the Na- tional Audubon Society in the Southeast. That set the course. But I realized to be truly effective I had to just go off on my own and do these long-term projects, but always in concert with a conservation or- ganization and non-profit. Ken: Besides yours, there are seven es- says in the new book. What is your hope for what they will do as counterpoint or complement to the photography? Tom: These essays add a myriad of di- mensions that aren’t apparent or evident in the photographs. The beauty of this group of writers is that everybody has a personal relationship with Acadia, which is what I most wanted in who contributed. Breaking wave on Sand Beach, Great Head Because it’s so personal, they approach it with heightened awareness of everything even with wildlife. It’s very much about from very different perspectives, from the around you. The surprises and the unex- the context that it’s in. So, again, I’m look- art and painting that helped establish Aca- pected become just as or more important ing at these relationships and these rela- dia itself, to the role of philanthropy, and than what I think I may be seeking. tionships that are unique to the moment, what it was like to grow up in the middle Ken: What if aspiring photographers either defined by light, by color, or by tex- of one of the most prominent families in who wish to marry conservation and art ture and pattern. the history of the park. were to ask you questions about craft— Ken: What are your most fruitful photo- Ken: Give us some sense of what you pedestrian things like: What times of day graphic periods in a given day? look for to compose a photographic im- do you shoot and why? And how do you Tom: Oh, gosh. It depends on the age. frame a particular shot differently from weather and the location and the angle Tom: The starting point is total im- how another photographer might frame of the light. Everybody talks about sun- mersion in the landscape. I think that at the same scene? rise and sunset and, yeah, they’re magi- a very fundamental level nature opens up Tom: That’s a tough one to be specif- cal times. But one of my favorite days to all our senses, simply by being, simply by ic on, because it’s so unique to the mo- work is a wet, overcast day, because I can looking, by being curious. That’s so much ment. I’m usually just paying attention be productive all day long. The tones are more important than whatever knowl- to light and relationships. We tend to see rich—you don’t have harsh highlights and edge or baggage we bring into nature with the world and even the natural world in often too many deep shadows. So it can us. And in that sense, it’s a solitary pur- terms of objects. But, after decades of this, render very pure, true colors and textures. suit most of the time because only then I seem to look at it more in terms of con- I pay a lot of attention to textures and pat- can you be totally on that sensory level, text, and that’s what interests me the most, terns, and those often come across better

12 Spring 2016 Friends of Acadia Journal on an overcast, wet day. Ken: Do you, as you mentally review the book, have a couple of favorites that you’d very briefly describe? Tom: It’s funny—I hadn’t really thought about that so much, and it more relates to the experience and aspects that are not ap- parent in the image. Certainly, what I write about in the book are those photographs that represent encounters with peregrine falcons. It’s more the images that symbol- ize the encounters with the complexity of life, where you have that contrast of the monumental and the ephemeral, like the running of the alewives up the streams with ospreys diving on them, seals attack- ing underwater, eagles swooping in and stealing the fish from the ospreys, etc. It’s those dynamic moments that just have such a profound impact. Ken: What do you think is the longest time you’ve ever waited to get a shot you wanted? Tom: That’s wildlife. Wildlife really taxes my patience. I’ve waited sometimes four or five hours. I have a shot in the book of a mature eagle in flight. I waited, I think, three and a half hours just staring at a branch, hoping he’d land on it, which he did, and then I got him flying away. I’ve got like a hundred shots of him sitting on the branch, and then I think two of him flying. But, of course, that’s the shot I wanted. �

Tom Blagden Jr. is a professional na- ture photographer and author of First Light: Acadia National Park and Maine’s Mount Desert Island, which won a 2003 National Outdoor Book Award for Design and Ar- Moss and spruce tree, Seal Harbor tistic Merit and was an Award Finalist in ForeWord Magazine’s Book of the Year com- Acadia National Park: petition. A Centennial Celebration photographs by Tom Blagden, Jr., essays by Ken Olson retired in 2006 after a de- Christopher Camuto, Christopher Crosman, cade-plus as president and CEO of Friends Dayton Duncan, David Rockefeller Jr., David of Acadia. MacDonald, Sheridan Steele, and W. Kent Olson. Published in partnership by Friends of Acadia and Rizzoli New York. A longer version of this interview can be found at www.friendsofacadia.org. All photographs “Nature photographer Tom Blagden and his fellow by Tom Blagden Jr., reprinted from Acadia contributors have created this fitting tribute [to National Park: A Centennial Celebration. Acadia]—full of photography and stories that only An exhibit of photographs from the book will firsthand custodians of the natural wonderland could be shown at Blum Gallery at College of the provide in such lavish and loving detail.” Atlantic, July 11–August 26, with an opening — Metrosource reception on July 14.

Friends of Acadia Journal Spring 2016 13 Wild Acadia

New Nature Center Exhibits for a Changing Climate By Lynne Dominy

s the National Park center. Visitors were in- Service looks toward vited to tell what they liked Aits next 100 years, the and disliked. A local ad- implications of a changing cli- visory group was created mate are on our minds. In tes- to provide feedback and timony to Congress in 2009, park resource managers re- Pacific West Regional Director viewed and commented on (now NPS Director) Jon Jarvis the content and designs; said, “There is a great need at peer review was also con- this time for messages to com- ducted with climatologists. municate the complexities of This feedback was then climate change and the ac- compiled and integrated tions that can be taken. With into final designs by the 275 million visitors annually, project manager, Michael

the parks can serve as mod- Thomas FOA/Julia Walker Kelly, allied faculty from els of sustainability and plat- The nature center at Sieuer de Monts. Northern Arizona Univer- forms to effectively commu- sity’s School of Earth Sci- nicate information about climate change…. different design scenarios for the small na- ences and Environmental Sustainability. The public has come to expect high-quality ture center. Elements of each design were “Changeability was an important aspect and up-to-date resource information when integrated into the final designs including of the exhibit design,” says Kelly. “As cli- they visit parks.” large photo backgrounds, an audio sound- mate changes occur on this landscape, the Climate scientists have identified a range scape, a range of science models on iPads, exhibit needs to be updated to reflect what of changes likely in Acadia, with many dif- and video interviews of local residents shar- scientists are seeing and predicting. The ferent combinations in varying time frames. ing changes they have recently observed on backbone of this exhibit is a framework The Maine’s Climate Future report, updated Mount Desert Island. used by the Smithsonian for easy updating by University of Maine scientists in 2015, Exhibit development continued with a at minimal costs. We also chose sustainable summarizes many facets of their predic- science writing course taught by COA writ- materials to model more environmentally tions for Maine. In May of 2016, Acadia ing instructor Anne Kozak. After reading friendly design—from water-based paints National Park will open a new exhibit in the recent climate science reports for Maine, to recycled boards to LED lighting.” park’s nature center at Sieur de Monts, en- students suggested exhibit titles and climate Accessibility was also carefully consid- couraging visitors to think about the types change content that they felt would be of ered throughout the exhibit design. Dianna of changes that could alter Acadia’s ecology, most interest to the public. “Partnering with McKeage, Acadia’s volunteer coordinator, infrastructure, and the visitor experiences Acadia’s interpretive staff gave the students worked with park staff and community on this landscape as we move toward 2050. in my Communicating Science class a rare members on the writing and recording of Over the past three years, Acadia Nation- opportunity: They not only wrote for a lay audio descriptions for the entire exhibit. al Park staff have worked with students at audience but they worked for a client,” says When visiting the exhibit, listen to the au- College of the Atlantic (COA) to plan the Kozak. “This involved meetings to select dio descriptions to see if you recognize local new exhibit. The project started with a 10- topics, reviewing their drafts and discuss- voices. week exhibit design class taught by COA art ing problems they encountered, identifying The final exhibits will show what visitors and design instructor Dru Colbert in 2013. issues that needed resolution, and explain- to Acadia might expect to see by 2050— Says teaching assistant Jane Piselli, “Learn- ing their rationale for the choices they made from different foods, to bigger hurricanes, ing how to collaborate during the creative in writing draft text. While I have partnered to species changes in Acadia’s marshes, process while working toward a polished with the park on other projects, this was lakes, forests, and on its sub-alpine summit. product for an outside organization was the clearly the most beneficial and challenging.” The purpose of this exhibit is to help people most valuable skill set that I gained during A blend of these designs and texts was recognize climate changes as they happen, my time at COA.” Students created four then shared with the public at the nature understand why scientists believe they are 14 Spring 2016 Friends of Acadia Journal These 3D diagrams depict elements of the newly designed nature center exhibits, opening in May 2016. happening, and forecast patterns of changes behind a ship’s wheel with crashing shore- ence Day on June 25, 2016. Join us at Sieur expected to continue in and around Acadia. line waves shown behind them. A spinner de Monts for a day dedicated to celebrat- Visit the exhibit to explore these questions: showcases key destinations in Acadia most ing Acadia’s contributions to science, past, • How might our dinner menus change threatened by rising sea levels and bigger present, and future. In addition to the rib- by 2050? storms—areas where park infrastructure is bon-cutting, scientists and naturalists will • How will changes in sea levels and food most at risk of being lost. A matching game host more than a dozen interactive stations supplies likely impact shore birds and pairs bird eggs with local bird species. From about science in the park. other residents of the Gulf of Maine? Wabanaki birch bark baskets to touchable “One of the most precious values of the • How will bigger hurricanes affect the moose and snowshoe hare pelts, a host of national parks is their ability to teach us infrastructure of Acadia and the lowest items showcase some of the things that may about ourselves and how we relate to the elevations on Mount Desert Island and change by 2050. Interactive screens also natural world. This important role may other nearby islands? show science models forecasting climate prove invaluable in the near future as we • Now that cardinals, ticks, and turkey changes along the Atlantic seaboard. strive to understand and adapt to a chang- vultures are already here—what spe- Pulling the diverse areas of the exhibit ing climate.” —NPS Director, Jon Jarvis � cies will be next to move into Downeast together are dramatic images from across Maine? What new ones have you al- Acadia that immerse viewers in the land- Lynne Dominy is the chief of inter- ready seen in the last decade? Which scape of the park. We were fortunate to pretation at Acadia National Park. native species will be less frequently have photojournalist and seen at Acadia? Central Michigan Univer- • Will the summits of Acadia be different sity professor Kent Miller by 2050? donate more than 1,000 • And, what simple things can you do high-resolution images while visiting Acadia and at home to to this project. These im- reduce your carbon footprint and be ages became the exhibit involved in Acadia’s future? backdrops, bringing the essence of the park into The exhibit contains touchable interactive the building. elements for inquisitive minds and hands. The new nature center Touchable carved bird buoys sit on the sur- exhibits will be inaugu- face of several exhibits. Families can pose rated during Park Sci- Friends of Acadia Journal Spring 2016 15 By Aimee Beal Church

Acadia Centennial

Celebrating our past and inspiring our future! Top stories from the first months of the Acadia Centennial.

Acadia’s Poet Laureate At the end of January, Acadia National Park and Friends of Acadia announced the ap- pointment of Christian Barter as the park’s first poet laureate. He will serve in the honor- ary post throughout the 2016 centennial year. Christian Barter’s first book of poetry, The Singers I Prefer, was a finalist for the Lenore Marshall Prize, Academy of American Poets; In Someone Else’s House, from BkMk Press, was the 2014 winner of the Maine Literary Award for Poetry; a third volume is forth- coming from BOA Editions. A former editor

for The Beloit Poetry Journal and sometime Thomas FOA/Julia Walker Acadia’s new superintendent, Kevin Schneider, a terrific storyteller as well as a keen administrator, regales teacher at College of the Atlantic, his pri- the crowd at a reception and art exhibit for the Acadia Winter Festival at Camp Beech Cliff. mary occupation is as a work supervisor for the Acadia National Park Trail Crew. ral themes, but also centers on personal re- Official Recognition Friends of Acadia president David Mac- lationships and other human interactions. I Acadia National Park and Friends of Acadia Donald said of the appointment, “Chris look forward to the year ahead.” staff and board members traveled to Au- Barter’s poems and trails are works of art His duties may include composing po- gusta in February to witness the adoption that provide us access and insight into Aca- etry that celebrates the park, readings at se- of a joint resolution of the Maine State Leg- dia National Park and the wonders of the lect events in Maine, and leading trail walks islature, commemorating the centennial of natural world. There is no better person to to discuss the influence of the natural scene Acadia National Park in 2016. help Maine and the nation celebrate Acadia on his poetry and how reading and writing The resolution begins, “Whereas, Sieur and its 100-year history.” poems have affected his trail building. He is de Monts National Monument was created “It’s an honor to be chosen for this posi- scheduled to appear at the park’s National by proclamation of President Woodrow tion,” said Barter, “My work includes natu- Trails Day celebration on June 4th. Wilson in 1916 and was renamed Lafayette National Park in 1919 and Acadia National Park in 1929…” and ends with, “therefore, be it resolved: That We, the Members of the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Legislature now assembled in the Second Regular Session, on behalf of the people we represent, take this opportunity to recognize the centennial of Acadia Na- tional Park; to express gratitude to the founders of the park; to commend the National Park Service, volunteers and park supporters for their commitment of time, financial resources and knowledge to maintain the park for all to enjoy; and to convey our hope that future genera- tions of Maine residents and visitors will continue this commitment to stewardship

FOA/Julia Walker Thomas FOA/Julia Walker of Acadia National Park…”. We heartily FOA conservation director Stephanie Clement, ANP superintendent Kevin Schneider, and FOA board mem- agree! ber Jill Goldthwait (left to right) await the Maine legislature’s joint resolution honoring Acadia’s Centennial.

16 Spring 2016 Friends of Acadia Journal Ranger Pro Tips It’s no secret that Acadia’s popularity as a travel destination has been increasing in re- cent years and may well spike sharply dur- ing this centennial year. And it’s no secret that the number of people here is, at certain times and places, stressing the park and the quality of many visitors’ experience. This challenge will not disappear when 2016 draws to a close; some 80 million people live within a day’s drive of Acadia and parks are more popular destinations than ever. Even as the Acadia Centennial Task Force organizes a world-welcoming celebration of the Acadia Centennial, its members recog- nize this challenge. However, says co-chair Jack Russell, the centennial year is “an op- portunity to orchestrate a serious and sus-

tained discussion of how Acadia-lovers in FOA/Lisa Horsch Clark the communities surrounding our park can In March, the renowned Philadelphia Flower Show featured the National Park Service centennial, and a group of Friends of Acadia members had a special tour. They questioned the nonnative flowers in the work together to assure the ongoing qual- otherwise beautiful Acadia exhibit! ity of the Acadia visitor experience—even as visitation grows. From solitude-seeking conservationists to tourist-serving busi- Acadia Centennial, Virtually ness people trying to make a living in six As centennial social media sites gain trac- www.acadiacentennial2016.org months, all of us want visitors to the park tion and the number of centennial events www.facebook.com/AcadiaNPS we love and serve to have a quality experi- and products ramps up, Facebook and In- www.facebook.com/ ence.” He adds, “We believe the spirit and stagram are a great way to keep current on AcadiaNPCentennial2016 connections created by the centennial can the celebrations. Managed from the Friends help us to address this challenge.” of Acadia office in close collaboration with www.facebook.com/FriendsofAcadia Park staff are collaborating with the Cen- ANP interpretive staff, the sites highlight www.instagram.com/ tennial Task Force on a series of messages upcoming events and new official products, acadianpcentennial2016 to educate visitors about choices they can share news articles and other media about #Acadia100 make to improve everybody’s experience the centennial, and provide a forum for #RangerProTips while at Acadia. The #RangerProTips and questions and commentary about this mo- #AcadiaSecrets will share ideas on enjoy- mentous year. They are also a great place to #AcadiaSecrets ing already-popular activities (like picnick- share your own centennial activities! Use the ing on Sand Beach) in ways that can reduce #Acadia100 hashtag to be part of the centen- congestion and negative impact on the park nial social community. (like choosing a foggy morning for your pic- For longer-term planning nic). The #RangerProTips will be produced for your personal centen- by park rangers and the #AcadiaSecrets will nial celebration, the Acadia invite locals and visitors to join the conver- Centennial website remains sation on finding solitude at park hotspots. the one-stop spot to find the The first installment of the Ranger Pro year-long calendar of events Tips has been printed on a rack card that planned by Acadia Centennial will be available in visitor centers and other Partners, listings of centennial locations around Acadia, and on the inside products—sales of which ben- back cover of this Journal. More specific efit the park—and thoughtful tips will follow in a social media campaign;

historic and forward-looking FOA/Aimee Beal Church be part of the conversation on the Acadia summaries to help deepen your Our park has enjoyed several of these fine birthday cakes already National Park and Acadia Centennial Face- appreciation for Acadia and its this year, and we expect to cut several more before the year is book pages. FOA members can help these hundred-year history. � done. This one appeared at a welcome reception for new Acadia superintendent Kevin Schneider, hosted by Sips in Southwest efforts by using the hashtags, sharing their —Aimee Beal Church Harbor. ideas, and spreading the word.

Friends of Acadia Journal Spring 2016 17 Development Notes

Celebrating the Annual Benefit’s Loyal Auction Donors

Bubble Pond by Richard Estes Duck Brook Bridge by Rosemary Levin

ach year Friends of Acadia’s Annual success of the benefit includes celebrating Mary Clark: Mary’s Acadia-inspired quilts Benefit is a highlight of the sum- the artists, artisans, and generous indi- have been a popular highlight of the An- Emer. Friends, donors, volunteers, viduals or businesses who offer their craft, nual Benefit’s silent auction since 2010. and sponsors all come together to celebrate skills, or unique services year after year. The quilt Mary designed for 2016, Great Acadia and raise money for important proj- They all hold one thing in common—their Meadow Cattails, is an incredible work of ects in the park. This year, the 27th Annual love of Acadia. While there are too many to art that has already recently won two blue Benefit, co-chaired by Whitney Kroeger highlight in one short article, several loyal ribbons at the St Andrew Bay Quilters’ Connor and Elizabeth Seherr-Thos, coin- donors have already stepped up this year Guild in Panama City, Florida. More pho- cides with Acadia’s Centennial. As we plan with something special for the auction. tos of Great Meadow Cattails can be seen at the Benefit, the Centennial’s tag line ofCel - For more information about the 27th An- http://www.aquiltingtradition.com/cattails- ebrate our Past, Inspire our Future is close nual Benefit, contact Shawn Keeley shawn@ in-the-meadow.html at mind. A big part of celebrating the past friendsofacadia.org 207-288-3340 or visit www.friendsofacadia.org Rosemary Levin: Each year Rosemary of- fers one her unique hooked rugs inspired by Richard Estes: Richard’s Acadia’s Carriage Road Bridges. When the paintings bring the Aca- set is complete, she will have crafted a to- dian landscape to life. He tal of 17 Carriage Road Bridge rugs. For the has supported FOA since 2016 Benefit, Rosemary’s hooked rug will 1989 and began donating be Amphitheater Bridge. You can see more his work to the Benefit in of Rosemary’s work at the Chapter Two Art 1996. For the centennial Gallery and Book Store in Corea, Maine or year, Richard has donated online at www.chaptertwocorea.com Bubble Pond, an oil-on- board painting that cap- Bar Harbor Bicycle Shop: From bikes the tures this quintessential Obama family rented when they toured Aca- Acadian scene in remark- dia to the latest fat tire mountain bikes, Joe able detail. The painting and Al Minutolo have been donating all kinds will be on display at the of bikes and accessories to the Benefit since Gallery at Somes Sound be- 2000. We can’t wait to see what they come up Mary Clark with Great Meadow Cattails ginning May 15th. with for 2016! www.barharborbike.com

18 Spring 2016 Friends of Acadia Journal In Memoriam We gratefully acknowledge gifts received in memory of:

Robert Ames Donald and Jean Robert Apgar Matthews Candido Atraide Jr. Barbara and Orville Mary T. Austin McEntire Tina Baker Candace B. Meads Melvin Barmat Monica Mellon Helen Barnes Jennie A. Michaloski Prue and Buzzie Beal Keith Miller Leo Blanchard Fred and Esther Missel Charlie Blasen Barbara Moser Wilmer Bradbury Robert H. and Hermine Helen Branagan P. Mullerleile Skip Brandt Marie Murphy-Mancuso Ethelyn and Benjamin Dr. Kenneth Scott Nord L. Breeze Sr. Florenz R. Ourisman Dorothy and John Elizabeth E. Owens Brooks Sedona and Nicholas Francis H. Brooks Pacowski Aileen Mae Bybee Robert P. “Rob” Palmer David Byruch Evelyn Parker Cade Dorothy Pearson Calvin Stephen Pearson Dow L. Case Marie Gatcomb Perkins David Caswell Sarah Pette Erla Perkins Cox Donald Potter David and Kitzi Crofoot Nick Prentovich Norman L. Daggett David Rabasca Barbara S. Danielson Linda and Frank Kathryn W. Davis Ramseyer Arlon and Muriel Day Bette Reinhold Bastiaan and Mary Judy Richman DeGraaf Phyllis Rideout Vince Delmore Paxton Roberts Raymond Dietz Jr. In Memory and Honor of Donald P. Doolittle John D. Rockefeller Jr. George B. Dorr Richard Rockefeller George Dover Anne MacDonald Royer Frederick C. Emery Jr. The Reverend Arthur Elizabeth C. Epp Rudman Christopher Erickson Donald J. and Dorothy Harris Fischer B. Ryan Denis Fitzpatrick The Reverend Nancy Richard M. Foster Salisbury Maeve Fournier Katherine and Charles Phil Fox Savage Nancy Freer Tom Schneider Naomi Garland Katharine “Puss” Schutt Jeannette Gerbi Patricia and David Scull Stephen Glatzer Nora Seale Jeanne B. Sharpe

Ulrike Welsch Kevin Goss Donald Higgins Walter K. Shaw Carol Van Shaik enjoys the Ampitheater Bridge with Casey and Clancey. Juneau Hoffman Stanley D. Shores Hubert Hoffman David Skarnulis James W. Howard Craig Smith Carol and Rolf Van Shaik: Exploring Aca- addition to donating to the auction, the Caroline Jenner Kit Spahr Shirley Fleck Johnson Mary and Russ Squires dia on a carriage ride is a wonderful way to Butlers regularly host Benefit Committee Barney Johnston Peter Stevens, MD take a step back in time and enjoy a national meetings in New York City and are always Evelyn Gatcomb Jones Timothy Stickney Miss Rhonda Jones Colin Stroh park outing that is uncommon today. Carol quick to help out with the Benefit whenever Emily and Anthony Payton Sullivan and Rolf are delighted to share this experi- asked. � Kazelis Sandra L. Teale Christina Keck Marie Tilden ence with those who love Acadia and have —Shawn Keeley David B. Keister Tudie Turner offered “Wine & Cheese” as well as “Lun- James Kirby Joyce Vincent John Kirby Sandy Walter cheon” carriage rides to the Benefit in 2016. David J. Krieger Derek Scott Watson Edward and Dorothy Isabelle and George LaBonté Weisser Ildiko and Gilbert Butler: From trips to Thomas Lamon Robert C. Wendt France to ski vacations, the Butlers have Gertrude Lamoureaux Susan White Leonard Lapidus J.J. Wieckowski offered all kinds of experiences and items Deann LeBeau Pauline Gatcomb to the Benefit over the years. In 2016 they Doug Leland Wilbur Nicholas Clay Lincoln Thomas and Carolyn are offering to host a lobster picnic for 25 Jennifer Sue Liss Witt at their gorgeous cottage on the island of Jeffrey Madsen Julie Zaino Catherine C. Marroy Frenchboro, just off the Maine coast. In Frenchboro, Maine. Marvin, Edda, Rebecca, October 1, 2015 – and David February 29, 2016 Friends of Acadia Journal Spring 2016 19 Wild Gardens of Acadia History collecting and cultivating plants, and work- snow allowed and the results were posi- Published Updates in May ing in partnership with the National Park tive thus far. The Kubota is the right size Service to preserve this important educa- for the carriage roads, is easy to maintain tional resource displaying more than 400 and comfortable to operate, and greatly native plants found in the park. The book is reduces the amount of volunteer training part of Arcadia Publishing’s “Images of Mod- and equipment needed. Equally exciting, ern America” series, and is part of the Wild the Kubota can be used for MDI Search and Gardens of Acadia Committee’s contribution Rescue in the park and for carriage road to the Acadia Centennial. maintenance in the summer, as the tracks Kozak and Leiter will present their work at can be switched for wheels. The UTV was events this summer at the Jesup Library on paid for using funds from the FOA Eliza- June 16th, at College of the Atlantic on July beth R. Bright Endowment, the Carriage 25th, and at the Northeast Harbor Library Road Endowment, and community dona- on August 24th. Additional events are antici- tions. Groomers are so excited for the new pated; details will be posted on the Acadia Kubota—several said they’ve been waiting Centennial calendar at www.acadiacenten- for this type of grooming vehicle for more nial2016.org. Author royalties from book than a decade! sales will be managed by Friends of Acadia The program also welcomed five new and will support the long-term maintenance groomers this winter. All have taken a of the Wild Gardens of Acadia. Thank you Maine snowmobile safety course with park to Anne and Sue for producing an important law enforcement rangers and four out of chronicle of the history of the Wild Gardens. five assisted with grooming during the season. The program also experimented Acadia Winter Trails Association with a new traffic pattern on the groomed Skiable snow was intermittent this win- carriage roads that includes three lanes of Two long-time volunteers and leaders of ter, but plenty of work went on behind travel: a classic lane, a skate ski lane, and a the Wild Gardens of Acadia Committee, the scenes with the Acadia Winter Trails non-skier lane for snowshoers, hikers, and Anne Kozak and Sue Leiter, have partnered Association. In advance of the season, the dog-walkers. to write The Wild Gardens of Acadia, a pho- program was able to purchase a Kubota tographic history of the Wild Gardens. 1100-series UTV with tracks, to help keep Centennial Challenge 2016: Through photographs and captions, the the carriage roads groomed and skiers Every Kid in the Park book highlights the activities of volunteers safe during the winter season. The volun- “Every Kid in the Park” is a new White establishing and maintaining the habitats, teer groomers tested its capability when House youth initiative to help all 4th grad- ers and their families experience the places that are home to our country’s natural trea- sures, rich history, and vibrant culture, free of charge. In conjunction, Acadia applied for additional funding through the Centen- nial Challenge grant program to assist with 4th grade engagement. Congress designed the Centennial Challenge grants to increase public-private partnerships in the national parks; all grants awarded must be matched by a private funding source. Acadia Na- tional Park is particularly well-positioned to compete for these grants because it has a strong and dependable philanthropic part- ner in Friends of Acadia. Acadia was awarded $32,864, which FOA will match through two grants to the park: $25K for an educational ranger and $8K for transportation through the Yellow Bus Fund. The park plans to market rang- er-led boat programs to 4th-graders during Greene

Bo two weeks in June and September. The goal AWTA volunteer Mark Fernald grooms near Aunt Betty Pond.

20 Spring 2016 Friends of Acadia Journal is to accommodate as many as possible by combining classes on the Baker Island cruise, Diver Ed’s Dive-in Theater, the Mar-

garet Todd, and the Sea Princess. In addition TM to these special trips, classes may also par- ticipate in regular programming offered to 4th graders, such as the Carroll Homestead Shops field trips. The park is making a special effort to Downtown Bar Harbor reach out to school districts that don’t al- Serving Acadia’s Visitors ready have a relationship with Acadia, such since 1932 as the Bangor schools. And a field trip has already been booked with 4th-graders from A proud Acadia Centennial Partner Skowhegan who have never been to Acadia before. Signature Sponsor Acadia National Park Entrance Passes Now Online 2016 Centennial Celebration The National Park Service has launched a pilot program to sell weekly and annual en- trance passes for Acadia National Park on- Authors Dolores Kong and Dan Ring also write line, through the “Your Pass Now” website a blog at www.acadiaonmymind.com www.bhbt.com • 888-853-7100 at www.yourpassnow.com. New “Hiking Acadia” edition – 2016 Once purchased, the electronic entrance pass can be printed or stored on a mobile device for use at the park, where park staff will validate the entrance pass using a QR T h e N e x T L e v e L o f S e r v i c e (Quick Response) code. Otherwise, visitors Representing unique properties for buyers and sellers will use electronic passes just like tradition- Story Litchfield al physical passes. Proudly serving Mount Desert Kristi Jacoby Park visitors had long wondered why Island since 1883 207-276-3840 passes were not available online, especially Luncheon ~ Afternoon Tea ~ Dinner 4A Tracy Road, Northeast Harbor, ME at a park like Acadia where the multiplicity Reservations 207-276-3344 of entrance points means that many visitors www.asticou.com do not pass through a fee station to get into the park. However, selling passes online was not as easy as processing the transac- tion then shipping a traditional pass card to the purchaser—if a visitor ordered their pass the day before leaving on vacation, the pass would uselessly sit in their mailbox until they returned home. Functional tech- nology needed to be in place to make the online passes work both for the park and the visitor. Maine Senators Susan Collins and Angus Bar Harbor King urged the NPS to offer park entrance For the cyclist looking Historical Society pass sales online and to start with Acadia for a difference... Come view Bar Harbor’s history

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Friends of Acadia Journal Spring 2016 21 National Park. The NPS uses entrance fees to invest in critical improvements that di- rectly benefit visitors, including maintain- ing and enhancing visitor facilities. Eighty percent of the entrance pass dollars col- lected at Acadia stay here at Acadia. And We are proud to support Friends of Acadia now there’s really no good reason not to Fresh Maine lobster and seafood on the pier, buy your pass! or shipped to your home year round. Boaters welcome! Tie up and refuel while you eat. 182 Clark Point Rd, Southwest Harbor Island Explorer Bus Service Open 11:00am - 9:00pm | bealslobster.com Extended at Schoodic September 2015 marked the beginning of a new chapter in Acadia’s history with the opening of the Schoodic Woods camp- A Classic Bar Harbor Hotel ground along with new hiking trails and bike paths. The campground includes a Enjoy our on-site Eden Spa & large day-use parking area, where visitors Looking Glass Restaurant are encouraged to leave their vehicles and a Consecutive Winner of the hop on the Island Explorer or enjoy the park Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. on foot or bike. “Schoodic has traditionally 90 Eden Street | (207) 288-3348 been an area of the park where visitors have www.barharborhotel.com www.coplonassociates.com sought solitude or a quieter experience,” 207.288.4122 | Bar Harbor, Maine remarked John Kelly, Acadia’s management LANDSCAPE DESIGN assistant. “The National Park Service has implemented policies, such as prohibiting s t o n e w a l l s & t e r r a c e s commercial bus tours at the Schoodic Dis- l i g h t i n g , s p a s , & p o o l s trict, to help preserve this experience.” s h o r e l i n e r e s t o r a t i o n The NPS is also limiting RV access at Schoodic to the campground and day-use parking to help prevent traffic and park- ing congestion along the Schoodic Loop Road. To avoid inadvertently barring shoulder-season RV travelers from most of the Schoodic District, the Island Explorer will operate at Schoodic from May 25th through October 10th, to match the camp- ground operating season. With funding Thunder Hole from Acadia’s park entrance fees, Downeast Cadillac Mountain Transportation has purchased two smaller Jordan Pond House buses to enable more frequent service on AWNLAND the Schoodic Route. Island Explorer routes Downeast && MMiDiD--coast MMaine on Mount Desert Island will begin service D rd tel:: 207 664664 00910091 June 23 as usual. For more information www..burDickassociates..coM on the routes at Schoodic, connections to ferry service from Mount Desert Island, Happiness is a warm stove and timetables to catch the Island Explorer, visit www.exploreacadia.com.

Opening Vistas Many vista clearing projects along the his- Proud to toric Park Loop Road and carriage roads are being completed just in time for the cen- Support Friends tennial celebration. Acadia National Park’s of Acadia! Ellsworth - 403 High St., 667-4122 roads are a stunning example of design and Brewer - 603 Wilson St., 989-0077 engineering rightly associated with the vi- www.mainestoves.com 22 Spring 2016 Friends of Acadia Journal sion of John D. Rockefeller Jr.; few today Find Your Ranger that protect them from hungry white-tailed realize, however, that many of the vistas Found your park? Now find your ranger. deer. “Whole habitats have had to be fenced were designed and created in the field by Acadia is expanding opportunities for visi- in winter,” said Helen Koch, co-chair of the the talented workers Rockefeller hired. As tors to connect one-on-one with a park Wild Gardens of Acadia Committee. “It’s a forests began to grow in after the 1947 fire, ranger. In addition to traditional ranger-led labor-intensive process each year and it is vistas became more obscured. Following programs, the park will be increasing the not aesthetically pleasing nor very effec- the rehabilitation of the carriage roads in number of drop-in programs where visitors tive.” Hopefully, that problem will soon be the 1990s, park staff began to turn their at- can stop by during a 2–3 hour period and corrected, as the Wild Gardens volunteers tention to restoring the historic vistas. stay only as long as they want. The intent is and Friends of Acadia are working together Following a designation by the National to reduce anticipated congestion during the to install a permanent deer fence around Register of Historic Places, a cultural land- centennial year; in the past, scheduled rang- the perimeter of the gardens. scape study by the Olmstead Center for er tours at certain times and locations led Allenfarm Fence from Hermon, Maine Landscape Preservation, fundraising by to parking or trail congestion. This drop-in will be working on the installation this Friends of Acadia, dedicated management style of ranger programs will help spread spring. The fence will be eight feet tall— of NPS staff, and the enthusiastic work of out the attendance rather than concentrate four feet of mesh fencing at the bottom, many FOA volunteers, more than 50 vis- it. It may also appeal to visitors who need topped by wire at 1-foot intervals to allow tas have already been restored. Areas such more flexibility in planning their park activ- birds to easily pass through. Along the side as Around Mountain, Day Mountain, Eagle ities, such as families with young children. of the Wild Gardens by the Sieur de Monts Lake, and the Park Loop Road are pan- Programs to look for this season include; Nature Center and in front of the Wild Gar- oramic once again. And in keeping with Carroll Homestead, Peregrine Watch, Hawk dens by the parking area, a wooden railing NPS policy to protect all resources, an envi- Watch, Beech Mountain Fire Tower, Tide will top the mesh fencing and the metal ronmental review is conducted prior to any Pool Touch, and Junior Ranger Station. You poles will be encased in wooden sleeves. cutting to ensure that rare plants or other can also chat with a ranger to learn more “Friends of Acadia, Acadia National Park, natural resources will not be harmed. NPS about island life at the Islesford Historical and the Wild Gardens volunteers worked staff worked closely with park biologist Museum on Little Cranberry Island or learn hard to find a design that would not intrude Bruce Connery to ensure that the park fol- about climate change at the Sieur de Mont on the natural environment and historic lowed new cutting rules that followed the Nature Center. landscape of Sieur de Monts,” said Koch. listing of long-eared bats as an endangered The National Park Service completed all species. Vista work will continue into 2016 Wild Gardens of Acadia Fence the necessary environmental compliance to along with some cutting on trails to restore Visitors to the Wild Gardens of Acadia enable the installation. The fence will pro- historic views, such as the Bernard Moun- sometimes have a hard time viewing the vide greater assurance that the more than tain Overlook vista. Enjoy the view! plants because they are inside wire cages 400 native plants displayed there will be protected for future generations to enjoy.

Car-free Acadia Acadia National Park has decided to hold two car-free mornings again this year, on May 14th and September 17th. The Park Loop Road on Mount Desert Island will be closed to private vehicles from midnight to noon so that bicyclists, runners, hikers, and others may enjoy the road without cars. The National Park Service held two simi- lar days in 2015. Friends of Acadia orga- nized volunteers to hand out business cards at park entrances and parking areas with a link to an electronic survey through which visitors could provide feedback. The sur- vey was intended for all visitors, including those who decided to postpone or cancel their visit because of the car-free mornings. Participation in the survey was voluntary and all responses were anonymous. Overall, the car-free experiments were NPS/Kristi Rugg An Acadia ranger points out landscape features from the top of Cadillac Mountain. well received. Most survey respondents

Friends of Acadia Journal Spring 2016 23 In Nomine than 80% of survey respondents in May We gratefully acknowledge gifts received in honor of: and September felt it was very important or important for the National Park Service to Acadia’s 100th Birthday Susie Schrag Martha Black Paul and Linda hold future car-free days or hours. Sylvia and Robert Simonsen Friends of Acadia is currently writing a Blake The Reverend Ann Darryl Bridson II and Smith report summarizing the survey results from Family Barbara and Sheridan 2015 and will submit that to the online da- William Brieger Steele Susan Choma Julie Banzhaf Stone tabase of all research projects in national Grace Clark and Steve Stone Sarah Clark Joanne Staggas parks, accessible through the Integrated Valerie, Sarah, and Sweet Memories Resource Management Applications web- Scott Cline Peggy and Walter Bryan Colket Szymanski site (https://irma.nps.gov/Portal). The in- Glenn and Sherry The Walker Family formation provided will help inform Aca- Conklin Jane Ingraham Thomas Jeff Cosulich Julia Walker Thomas dia National Park’s transportation plan. Country Walkers’ Clara Acadia Vanguri October 2015 Tour Volunteer Trail Hazel Crawford Workers Planned Closures in the Park Kevin Curran Matthew Weed Urgent construction needs at Acadia have Nasreen and Mark Collin Wild Delaar Joanna Wilhelm prompted the park to plan closures at sev- Matt and Jake Egelberg Marilyn Winkelstein eral areas for the upcoming summer and Cindy Eichenholz Winter Carriage Road FOA Brad and Sasha Elias Groomers The wire cages at the Wild Gardens will be a thing fall. Take note before you visit the park, Sara Enos Diana Wister of the past when the new deer fencing is installed. and check the Acadia website at https:// Susan Fellner Jim and Helen Wright Geoffrey Fisher (79% in May and 60% in September) were www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/tempo- Maeve Fournier October 1, 2015 – raryclosures.htm for the most up-to-date Joan Garland from the local area or other towns in Maine February 29, 2016 Richard Gilder and the primary activity they engaged in information; also click on the “Alerts” icon Marshall Ginn Randy Goldberg was bicycling (84% in May and 73% in for closures currently in effect. Helen Goodhue September). Eighty-one percent of respon- Due to a collapsed retaining wall, the Jim and Anne Green carriage road from Intersection 17 (by Day Michael Max Guldan, dents in May and 77% of respondents in Former park ranger September indicated that the car-free morn- Mountain) to the Jordan Pond Gatehouse Polly Guth will be closed June through August. Also Paul and Margot Haertel ing affected their visit very or somewhat Carol and Ted Haider positively. Those respondents who post- closed during that period will be Hunt- Craig Haug Doris Henley poned or canceled their trips to the Park ers Brook Trail between The Triad and the Jill Hill Loop Road primarily elected to visit other closed carriage road. John Hirschenhofer th Bill and Cookie Horner areas of the park accessible by car (43% in On September 6 , Seawall Campground Richard T. Jones May and 35% in September) or shop or eat will close for the season. The Sieur de Monts Michael Stebbins Karlson Jessica and Inacio Kemper- in restaurants in local communities dur- Nature Center will also close that day, along Pinto ing the car-free morning. More than half with most of the parking lot at Sieur de The Kozielecs Brain La Bombard of those who did other things during the Monts. Parking there will be reduced to 10 LaMott Got Trails morning returned to the Park Loop Road spaces and no buses (including the Island Customers Rob Leary when the motor roads re-opened. More Explorer) or RVs will be permitted. Carol Levin The Volunteers at the HMS Library Diana McDowell Todd and Deb Merrill Marian Burns Ned and Mary Mitchell Lili Morris Nancy Susan and Peter Nitze Kristen Orloff and Kyle Packer Hanna Ostby Andrew Peterson Lili Pew and Carol Bult Anne Piazza Ben Pierce on his retirement Polly Pierce Steve and Margie Pitcher Carol Potter Sharon Ramsaier David Rockefeller Annelies Rossi

Edward Samek Thomas FOA/Julia Walker Judy and Peter Scarafile The Sieur de Monts area will have limited access this fall.

24 Spring 2016 Friends of Acadia Journal In Gratitude

In-Kind Donors Ann and Gregory Cuffey Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce Hannaford Machias Savings Bank Maine Department of Transportation Maine Tourism Association Mount Dessert Bakery Hannaford Supermarket Penmor Lithographers Sips 86 Cottage Street, Bar Harbor Linda and Robert Thayer Ullikana Inn VONT Performance Digital Marketing Office Volunteers Jenn Brandt Phyllis Dietz Lise Ford Marise Hartley Judy Hines Nancy Howland Sheila Kirby Dee Lustusky Doug Monteith Sarah Nevells Amy Roebuck Deborah Rupprecht Carly Talbott Darlene Theriault Acadia Winter Trails Association Volunteer Bank locally, Groomers Adam Wales bank responsibly. Charlie Wray As a local bank, we re-invest deposits Christiaan van Heerden Courtney Chaplin right back into the community. David Kief Gordon Beck Mark Fernald Matt Gerrish Mia Thompson www.bhsla.com 103 Main Street, Bar Harbor Pete Madeira 207-288-3685 Phil Lichtenstein Member FDIC Stephen Linscott Vivian Phillips Zach Soares Zack Steele Earth Day Roadside Cleanup Sponsors Bar Harbor Bank & Trust The Bluenose Inn Burdick & Associates Landscape Design Cadillac Mountain Sports Dawnland LLC Fair Trade Winds The First, N.A. Galyn’s The Gallery at Somes Sound John Williams Boat Company The Knowles Company The Lynam Agencies Machias Savings Bank Window Panes Serving the Downeast community since 1883 LYNAM AGENCY INSURANCE AND REAL ESTATE Lynam Insurance AGENCY Since 1884 We want to be your agent. Barry K. Mills • Melissa M. Hale Justin M. Bennett • Sally N. Mills

4 State Street • Ellsworth, ME 04605 207.667.2561 • FAX 207.667.8790 Serving the Acadia Community for Over 130 Years 227 Main Street, Bar Harbor www.halehamlin.com 207-288-3334 • lynams.com • lynaminsurance.com

Friends of Acadia Journal Spring 2016 25 A Fresh Field of Life LSR_FriendsAcadia_2.25x1.9_020716_Layout 1 2/7 Artists, NAturAlists and the VisioN for AcAdiA

Image © 2016 Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

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Oli’s Trolley Gift Shops - 1 West Street Oli’s Trolley Station - 55 West Street 26 Spring 2016 Friends of Acadia Journal tions of local residents and efforts in Wash- more evident and more urgent with each Recommended Reading ington, DC to limit Mr. Rockefeller’s plans, passing year.” which mirrored a broader debate within the —Lisa Horsch Clark conservation movement about the extent to which wild lands should be made accessi- Staff Picks! In honor of the Acadia Centen- ble. In retrospect, the creation of the carriage nial, we asked the Friends of Acadia staff to road system is a story of a successful public/ recommend a personal favorite book for read- private partnership which continues today ers wanting to learn more about Acadia to as the park, community partners like FOA, celebrate the past or inspire the future. We’ll volunteers, and donors all do their part to share their picks in this and upcoming issues preserve this Acadian treasure. Thank you, of the Journal. Ann Rockefeller Roberts, for sharing this rich history with us. —Shawn Keeley

The Coastal Setting, Rocks, and Woods of the Sieur de Monts National Monument By George B. Dorr, Charles Eliot, and Edward L. Rand Washington Government Printing Office, 1917 Available in PDF at

http://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu Inventing Acadia: Artists and Tourists at When I first ar- Mount Desert Island rived at Friends By Pamela J. Belanger of Acadia, I Farnsworth Art Museum, 1999 read everything I could find Published as a companion catalog for a about the park, Farnsworth Art Museum exhibition of the Mr. Rockefeller’s Roads (2nd ed.) especially the same title, Inventing Acadia: Artists and Tour- By Ann Rockefeller Roberts history books. ists at Mount Desert Island takes us back to Down East Books, 2012 After reading all a time when an exhibition of landscape To understand Acadia—its history, cul- the local librar- paintings could inspire city dwellers to visit ture, and the unique place it holds among ies had to offer, a wilderness. Beginning in the 1840s, when America’s national parks—you must un- I turned to the Mount Desert Island was still difficult to derstand the carriage roads. Mr. Rock- web and started reach and even more difficult to explore, efeller’s Roads guides the reader not only collecting early renowned New York painter Thomas Cole through the progression of the roadbuild- park brochures, likely the precursor to the and his student, Frederick Church, came to ing and the techniques used to design modern day Beaver Log. My oldest (maybe the island to find inspiration in its dramatic and create this remarkable system but it the oldest?) is a 1917 publication by the landscapes. The paintings that they and oth- explores the passion and worldview of its Government Printing Office entitled “The er artists exhibited in Northeastern cities ap- architect and benefactor—John D. Rocke- Coastal Setting, Rocks, and Woods of the pealed to urbanites who longed for the tran- feller, Jr.—and his vision to make the won- Sieur de Monts National Monument.” The quility and grandeur of the natural world. ders of Acadia accessible to all. The book modest-looking, black-and-white, 12-page As travel became easier, more and more makes clear that although Mr. Rockefeller document is anything but modest, because visitors came to MDI to explore its sights for is rightly credited with the creation of the it contains essays written by the stars of themselves; the post-Civil War incursion of carriage roads, this 30-plus year endeavor early park history—George B. Dorr, Charles tourists transformed the island’s economy. would not have been possible without the Eliot, and Edward L. Rand—and features a Ultimately, those visitors included a class of collaboration of the local communities, relief map by Dr. Robert Abbe. I swoon as people who were instrumental in creating other philanthropists, tradesmen, and Aca- I read Dorr’s words; especially these, which Acadia. This book is a fascinating blend of dia National Park. That said, the develop- ring still more true today: “the importance art and history, richly illustrated with color ment of the carriage roads was not without of action which [Charles Eliot] forsaw so images, sketches, and photographs. its detractors. The book chronicles objec- clearly and felt so strongly has only become —Sharon Broom

Friends of Acadia Journal Spring 2016 2727 James Henley Frances and John Melone New Members Robert Herrmann Lupe Mendoza Hickory Foundation Erica and Jack Merrill Chris Hill Vic Miller We are pleased to welcome our newest Catherine and Lloyd Dahlberg David Hix Frances Milliken friends: Debora D’Alessio Erin Hogan Loren Minnich Jonathan Daniszewski Mary Kay and Jim Hogan Linda Moore Deb Aaron Susan and John Dattilo Randi Hogan Rosita Moore Donald Abrahamsen Erica and Steve Davidson Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Holibaugh Janice Moquin Acadia Family Center Barbara Fowler and Steven Daviss Karen Holland Ann and Michael Moran Acadia Frameworks Elizabeth and Richard Davy Lesley and Joseph Hoopes Laurence Morgan Audrey Ahlrichs Joel Dearborn Andrew Horner Catherine Morrison Alpaca & Sheepskin The Demers Family Ella and Knapp Hudson Bobbi Morse Ellen and David Anderson Julia DeWahl Improv Acadia Claire Moss Lesa Andreasen Scott Diamond Indian Meadow Herbals Mount Desert Camp Ground Nora and Ben Arnold John R. Dice Nancy Jacklin George Muhleisen Andrew Arseneault Beverly and Jerry Dickinson Claire and David Jacobus Judy Mutty ArtWaves GeorgeAnne Diehl Laura Jacobus My Tribute Gift Aysgarth Station B&B DigitasLBi Kathy and Ron Jacques Lani Naihe The Baker Family Joseph Donahue Kathleen and Herbert Janick Kathleen Nauss Maura Bannon Craig Donaldson Jane and Eric Jarvi Christine and David Nelson Bar Harbor/Acadia Cottage Rentals Elizabeth Donaldson Margaret Jenks Dr. and Mrs. William Nelson Bar Harbor Town Band Downeast & Acadia Regional Tourism Char and William Johnson Marjorie Nelson Billie and Bruce Baron Downeast Maine Fine Arts Festival Lauri Johnson James O’Keefe Christopher Barrigar David Drotar Stacie Johnston Francine Olszewski Diane and Dustin Batley Caroleen and Steve Dudley David Jones Carrie and Blake O’Neill Jeb Bayne Anthony Dutzik Travis Jones Deirdre ORourke Bayview Edward Eads Meredith Joy Mrs. Jeffrey Osborn Joan Beard Eagle’s Lodge Gail Julich Judith Ann Osgood Roberta Beeson Renee Ebbert Jeffrey Kapinos Marie Ostby Kathleen Bell Jacob Edelman Paula Karman Parker Foundation Gloria Bernier Walter Elcock Bronwyn and Rob Kassel Parks Project Alan Bertram Lindsey Elias John Kaznecki Alicia and Douglas Parker Jim Bevens Jean Ellis Christine and Steven Keating Peruvian Link Daniel Bienkowski Kirk Emerson and Ron Wright Christy Keefe William Petcher Melissa Bilodeau and Dana Staples Gary Enos Katherine Keefe Rita Peters Carol and Halsey Blake-Scott Adam Epstein Elfrida Bright Keiter Robert Peters Suzanne and Richard Bloom Billie Faircloth Neal Kellogg Sarah Peters Bloomberg Philanthropies Fair Trade Winds Jackie Kelly Nora Peterson Michael R. Bloomberg Karen Farquhar Emily Kelsey David Plath Sharon Bobb Betsy and James Feeley Steven Kemper John Ploski Brian Brannick G. Archibald Fenton Lynne Kepler Leilani Poland Marc Brannick Robert Ferguson Richard Klopfstein Victoria Powell Barbara Brown Sara Finney Marsha Klusmeyer Dodie Powers Elaine and Peter Buchsbaum Daniel Fireman Nancy and Burton Knapp Lora and Tim Powers Lee and William Burdett Jacob Fisher Laura Kretschmar David Presby Judith and Hal Burgeson Jill Freundlich Karen and Phillips Kuhl Primrose Inn Deeda Burgess Friends of Baxter State Park Candi LaClair Prudential Foundation Matching Gifts Kristin Jhamb, Paul Burns, and Allie Mary Ellen and Timothy Gailey Suzanne Lamon John Putnam Burns Maria Gallace Sharon LaMott Elizabeth Rabasca Robert Burrill Lisa Garrone Stefanie Laputz Frances Rana Rodney Busch Susan and Dwayne Garver Jackie Leemon and Tim Toole Richard Raubertas Steven Bushey Virginia Gauss Carol Leigh Robin Reath Graves Jean Bybee Carl Gehrman Douglas Lentz Mr. and Mrs. Abbott L. Reeve Jeanne and Bob Chamberlin Judy and Chuck Gehrman Kim Leslie Allison Reid William Chamberlin Theresa Getson Carol Levin Ann Renauer and Elliott Gimble Charlotte Rhoades Park Carol and Paul Gillis Colleen Linehan Jerry Rendic Chart Room Harris Goldberg John Little Jeffrey Richman Jung Choi Randal Goldberg Loring, Wolcott & Coolidge Deb Richter Deanna Church Jeffrey Goldmeer Jada and Douglas Loutit Mr. and Mrs. John Riegel Alice Clair Donna and David Goodrich Roger Lown Rachel Rion Grace Clark Art Goudey Katharine and John Lualdi Kerry Rochford Hague Lori Clark Grand Canyon Trust Elizabeth Lynch Marjorie and Norman Rosenbaum Nate Clark Nancy Grand Pre Barbara and Arthur MacPike Jessica Ross Nancy Cliff Sharon Granville Maine Camp Outfitters Mona Rowe Gary Clingman Lisa Gray Maine Public Broadcasting Network Michael Roye Coastal Computers Pamela Grich and Louis Fink Maine State Library Run MDI Marathon Will Collier Marie Hamly Maine Tourism Association Pam and Donald Russell Daniel Collins Joan Hamm Maine Woods Forever Lauren A. Ryback Columbia Air Services Steven Hamm Alexander Mancevice Salon NaturELLES Deborah and Peter Coogan Ann and Todd Hampson Juliana Mann Peter Sampson Cool As A Moose William Hannaford Morgan Manoff Raymond Sanchas Audrey and Joel Corey Barbara Haring Enid and Robert Marshall Cornelia and Robert Santomenna Jody Corey Betty Harris Jeanne Matuszewski and Tom Nancy Sawyer Corinthians Association Brooke Harris Matuszewski Emily and Andrew Schuchart Michael Cotroneo Leon Harris Steven Matysik Lisa Schultheis Laura Craig Heather Hellenga McKay’s Public House Paul Schwesinger Alan Currier Helm Enterprises Nancy and Michael McKay Holly and Edgar Scott Terri Curtier Faith and Edgar Hendler Benita McMullen Joan and Craig Sewert

28 Spring 2016 Friends of Acadia Journal Nancy Shee Randall Shepard ■ CLASSIC Elizabeth Sherrod Deborah Shinn Katherine Shlepr Sarah Short Side Street Cafe Joel Singley classic styles, comfortable living… Toni and Fred Smalley Adrienne Smith Ann Smith Marcia and Dan Smith window Nancy Smith panes Robert Smith I HOME & GARDEN Southwest Harbor/Tremont Chamber of Commerce www.windowpanesmdi.com Christine and Edward Soychak 207 288 9550 n 166 Main Street, Bar Harbor Lee Ann Spiess Sarah Spruce Arlene and Stephen Spurling Benjamin Stephens Mary Stevens Ruthann and Donald Strother Wendy Strother and Richard Thielen Amigos del Parque. Ramesh Subramanian since 1994 James Sullivan Robert Sullivan X Summer House Cottage Rentals Y Sunset Hill Stoneware CLAREMONT HOTEL restaurant For over 120 summers upholding the traditions Z Cheryl Sutton of hospitality and leisure on the coast of Maine. Debra Swayne serving food of the mexican interior {www.theclaremonthotel.com} end of Bennett Lane Manset Mary Ann Szymanski 1-800-244-5036 reservations 244-5221 Ana Taemi FINE DINING - COTTAGES - SUMMER HOTEL Vilean Taggersell Alex and Tristen Talcott Claire Talcott Catherine Taylor The Graham Taylor Tea House 278 Gallery at Thomas & Carolyn Witt Foundation Elise Thomas Somes Sound Gladys and James Thomas Mary Jane Thompson Fine Art and Handcrafted Furniture Dianne Tkach Kevin Tompkins Happy Birthday Acadia National Park ~ 100 Years Martha Tompkins Gail Tooker 1112 Main Street | Somesville, Maine Christopher Toomey www.galleryatsomessound.com | 207.244.1165 Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound Bert Troughton Melissa Butler Tuckerman and Oliver Tuckerman Udder Heaven Real Estate Sales & Vacation Rentals Angie Upton Since 1898 Ava and Josh Vatsky Angela and Michael Villone Samantha Vitagliano Susan Vollero John Walker Cathy and Stephen Warner Gayley Webb Samantha Weed View all of our listings at Nisajith Welikadage www.KnowlesCo.com Susan Wellhofer Karen and Jared Wells 1 Summit Road, Northeast Harbor | 207-276-3322 Lynn and Ron Wild Andrea Wilder MaryKay and Mike Wilson Windward Cottages Gayle Wissinger and Brian See Worcester Polytechnic Institute Laurie and David Wyndham Cheryl Ann Yetka Barry Young Your Cause Daniel Zukowski

October 1, 2015 – February 29, 2016 36 Commerce Park • Ellsworth, ME 04605 (207) 667-6000

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Friends of Acadia Journal Spring 2016 29 Tomorrow’s Stewards

The Acadia Digital Quest and 100-Mile Challenge By Kerry Gallivan

he National Park experience app, teams view the list of quest throughout the country is challenges and their correspond- Tchanging, and Acadia Na- ing locations. As teams travel tional Park is no exception. More through the park to the location and more visitors are coming to the of each Acadia Quest challenge, park with mobile devices and they they will be able to “check in” us- expect to use their phones and tab- ing the Chimani app and unlock a lets for more than just taking pho- virtual Acadia Quest badge. Teams tographs. This is particularly true that collect enough Acadia Quest for younger visitors, whose mobile badges to complete the Quest will devices are firmly integrated into all earn embroidered Quest patches of their life experiences: Millennials, and be entered into a grand prize more than any other generation, are drawing. (More information about expecting a national park visit that the Acadia Centennial Quest can fully embraces their mobile device. be found at www.friendsofacadia. This was the vision I had back in org/events/acadia-quest/.) 2008, when I was hiking the Black- In addition, we have used Chi- woods-to-Gorham Mountain-to- mani’s technology to create a new Cadillac Loop with my first-gener- way to celebrate the Acadia Na- ation iPhone. As I tried to use the tional Park Centennial, once again device to get more details on the partnering with Friends of Acadia trail, I discovered two things: there and the National Park Service. was little to no connectivity, and Users of Chimani’s Acadia app when I did get a connection, there can participate in the “100-Mile was no useful information about Acadia Centennial Challenge” by the park accessible for my phone. checking in digitally at various These were the two fundamental mountain summits and carriage problems I sought to solve when road intersections. The Chimani I started Chimani, a mobile-app app will estimate and track the development company based in amount of mileage the user has Portland, Maine. Our first app was traveled to get to each point in launched in May 2010 for Acadia the park; reaching 100 miles will National Park visitors, and we cur- unlock the “100-Mile Acadia Cen- rently have more than 25 mobile tennial Challenge” badge on their app guides focused on the top U.S. device. national parks. Quest, a series of fun and varied challenges Our goal with both these initia- Our goal with Chimani was never to in Acadia National Park that encourage tives is to use mobile technology to drive simply replace the paper guidebook; it was kids and their families to explore, learn increased engagement and activity within to transform the national park experience about, and protect national parks and other Acadia National Park, and to use this new with mobile. Now, with an eye towards en- conserved lands. In its ninth year, the 2016 medium to help visitors create lasting con- gaging younger visitors, we have partnered “Acadia Centennial Quest” will explore nections with one another and the park. with Friends of Acadia and Acadia National Acadia’s 100-year history and inspire its Learn more about these new digital activi- Park as part of the Acadia Centennial cel- protection for the next 100 years. ties and download the free Chimani Aca- ebration to do something completely new: Normally, teams find their Quest chal- dia app at www.chimani.com, and start creating a location-based, in-park “gaming” lenges on the printed “Acadia Quest Card” exploring! � experience on a mobile device. provided by Friends of Acadia. This year, Friends of Acadia and Acadia National teams may choose to quest using either the Kerry Gallivan is the CEO and co- Park partner each year to present Acadia card or the Chimani digital app. Using the founder of Chimani. 30 Spring 2016 Friends of Acadia Journal Chairman’s Letter

100 Years: Looking Back “Buildings, too, are children of Earth and Sun.” and Moving Forward -Frank Lloyd Wright ecently I re-watched Ken Burns’s Consider these sta- magnificent documentary film The tistics. In 1916, when RNational Parks: America’s Best Idea. I Acadia was created, was as mesmerized and inspired as when I there were 100 mil- first saw it. The history of the parks and the lion Americans and, park service is impressive. The beauty and I am told, 300,000 FOA drama of the land, the water, the views, the annual visitors to the then-existing national animals, plants, are thrilling and inspiring. parks. By 1929, there were 3 million park More than ever I understand and admire the visitors. In 2015 there were approximately leaders whose efforts to identify, inspire, and 2,750,000 visitors to Acadia alone! The US cajole others have protected our most mag- population in 1966 at the NPS 50th anni- nificent landscapes for the present and for versary was around 200 million—it is now the future. I was reminded once again how 330 million. This growth will increase the fortunate we, as today’s stewards, are to be number of visitors, cars, and parking con- able to build upon their efforts in our criti- cerns. Acadia’s staff is actively developing cally important work to preserve this park— scenarios, alternatives, and plans. FOA is our park—Acadia. hard at work as an involved and passionate If I step back to see the big picture, I see partner. We are at the table and will, as in things in a continuum. When I think of the the past, be part of the solution. national parks and particularly of Acadia, I Broadly and, significantly, Americans see that the land and all that is associated who love Acadia have an impressive history with it is the constant. It was here long be- of partnership, philanthropy, and accom- fore humans. We hope it will here to delight plishment. Friends of Acadia has a long and and inspire visitors for countless generations successful record of creative, energetic, and to come. But things do change—and many valuable partnership with Acadia National changes could well ruin my happy picture of Park. We have inspired and worked to create an Acadia National Park securely preserved important private-public initiatives such as for generations and centuries to come. the Acadia Trails Forever and carriage road www.nelsongoodwin.com Here at Acadia there is constant conver- endowments, the Island Explorer, and the sation about air pollution, climate change, Acadia Youth Conservation Corps. We have and other environmental threats that affect led successful fundraising for essential park Custom Homes our park. There also has been considerable projects. We have inspired and organized in- Cabinetry conversation about the challenges associ- dividuals and groups of park volunteers. We ated with rising operational costs and gov- have helped to counter threats to the park renovations ernment budget constraints. The threats and proudly we have put the frosting on the additions are real and disturbing. Friends of Acadia cake! is working constantly to test, develop, and Acadia’s first 100 years have been impor- implement plans and programs to help miti- tant and significant. With your continued gate the potential damaging effects of these support and help, the success of the past challenges. Another perennial topic is how will be the inspiration and base for FOA’s population growth and park popularity will continued work. increase visitation and what may be the un- Thank you for your support. I am grateful intended consequences. Could Acadia really and inspired! � be “loved to death”? Throughout our 30- building ContraCtor year history, Friends of Acadia has expressed 207 276.5238 | Seal Harbor, Maine concern and considered options for how we could assist, but the scale of the problem to- Established 1986 day dwarfs our earlier observations. —Edward L. Samek Friends of Acadia Journal Spring 2016 31 Why I’m a Friend of Acadia

Finding Depth in the Details By Tom Ayers

y husband, John, and I made our first trip to Mount Desert Island Min 2002. Although it was only a three-day trip—and part of a longer two- week trip through New England—it was long enough for us to realize what a very special place Acadia National Park is. We crammed as much as we could into those three days, but the time passed far too Eagle Lake by Tom Ayers. quickly and the brief taste of Acadia just left us wanting more. think I’ll ever get tired of the scenic beauty with something new to look forward to. Following that initial trip in 2002, we that is Acadia National Park. Acadia National Park is now such an knew this park was definitely a place we As an avid photographer, I’ve taken integral part of our lives that in 2014 we would return to. Initially we started com- thousands of photos over the years and bequeathed part of our estate to Friends of ing every other year but after a couple of through my photography I connect with Acadia. It just seemed right to do some- return trips realized it meant so much to Acadia on a deeper level. When I set out thing for a park that means so much to us us, why deny ourselves? So we started to make an image I tend to start with the and gives us so much enjoyment. Know- coming every year. The first week of Octo- view as a whole but then notice the many ing that we’ll be leaving something to help ber is now our special time of year, when smaller elements—water, sky, mountains, FOA achieve its mission makes our trips we enjoy fewer crowds, beautiful fall foli- trees, rocks—that make up that whole to Acadia even more enjoyable. We’re very age, and of course, lobster. and will give a photograph its real depth. thankful for a place like Acadia National Only someone who has experienced I work to combine elements in a variety Park and for an organization as wonderful Acadia National Park can truly understand of ways to get the final image, sometimes as Friends of Acadia. � how this place can get into your heart taking in a wide vista, other times focus- and soul. From the moment we cross the ing on a particular tree or leaf. Through Tom AyerS lives in Philadelphia, Penn- causeway onto the island we feel a pro- my camera lens I marvel at all the different sylvania with his husband John Murphy. found change in our bodies and minds. elements that make up Acadia. The gran- Together they travel, trying to see as much Scientists use the term biophilia to explain ite boulders, towering pines, wide skies, of this great, big, beautiful world as they human’s need to be exposed to plants, graceful bridges, gentle creeks, pounding can. When they’re not traveling, Tom skies, and natural environments, and we surf and the varied shapes and colors of works in communications for an engineer- are firm believers that outdoor activities foliage—together add a richness that is ing firm and John is retired. are essential to our lives. Something as unequaled by any other national park. simple as a walk on Ship Harbor Trail re- As I sit writing this essay back in Phila- juvenates and recharges our spirits, clears delphia, my mind wanders to our most our minds, and makes the stress of living recent trip in 2015. Every year we try to in a large city just melt away. explore a different nook or cranny in the Each year we start with our tradition- park; this year we walked the sand bar al trip to the Hulls Cove Visitor Center, to Bar Island and enjoyed a picnic lunch where we pick up our weekly park pass, overlooking Bar Harbor. After all these then head over to Great Head for our first years and all the miles we’ve logged on climb/hike and picnic lunch of the “sea- the trails and carriage roads there is still so son.” We do many of the same climbs, much left to explore. At Acadia we know hikes, and walks as we have in years past, that we’ll never have the same trip twice. Tom Ayers (left) and John Murphy. but they never get old. In fact, I don’t Each year will be a different adventure

32 Spring 2016 Friends of Acadia Journal Be a proud Acadia Centennial Member!

Celebrate Acadia National Park’s 100th birthday by becoming a Centennial Member of Friends FRIENDS OF ACADIA of Acadia. Your membership contribution of $100 or more will be recognized in the Friends of Acadia Journal and our Annual Report. We’ll send you a special Acadia Centennial Member decal for your vehicle, so you can show your love for our magnificent park. Please complete and return the envelope in this magazine ™ or click the green “Donate” button on our website at friendsofacadia.org. Thanks!

Be a savvy Acadia Centennial visitor! The Acadia Centennial Task Force hopes you will have rewarding personal, educational, and recreational experiences this year that inspire you to care about Acadia National Park and our communities. Follow these tips to be a savvy Acadia Centennial visitor: • Choose low-impact transportation options • Visit special park places in ways and at times that avoid and reduce crowds • Plan safe and “Leave No Trace” experiences • Enjoy Acadia-related amenities in our surrounding communities

Choose Low Impact Transportation Options Experience Special Places in New Ways Make It a Maine Experience • Leave your car where you are staying—then • Don’t miss Acadia at night! A full moon • Spend the middle of the day—Acadia’s walk on a Village Connector Trail, ride your over Sand Beach, shooting stars over Cadillac busiest time—exploring Centennial activities bike, or take the fare-free Island Explorer bus Mountain, or owl calls echoing into the still- around Acadia...in museums, libraries, histori- into Acadia. ness of a forest trail. cal societies, gardens, galleries, gift shops, and • Enjoy a car-free biking experience by using • Avoid Cadillac Mountain crowds at sunrise other local venues. Check the Acadia Centen- Acadia’s carriage roads. Wear a helmet and and sunset by picking a new place or new way nial website for events and centennial products watch your speed for a safer ride. to experience these magical moments— watch that relate to your own relationship with this special place. • Enjoy a summit view by hiking one of sunrise along Ocean Drive or take a sunset Acadia’s historic trails. Stay on established boat ride. • Broaden your horizons. Make Maine your trails and wear sturdy, enclosed hiking shoes • Do your favorite things at new times of the destination, and find the experiences and for a safer hike. day: Visit Acadia early morning or late after- meet the people that make this place uniquely noon to find less-crowded experiences. Maine. Then extend your adventure by bring- • Visit Acadia with a backup plan. If a parking ing your passport to explore neighboring na- lot or area is full when you arrive, pick a new • Visit in winter, spring, or late fall, to experi- tional parks in Canada—make it a “Two Nation destination and protect the park by not adding ence Acadia at its most peaceful. Vacation” www.two-nation-vacation.com to congestion. • See Acadia in new ways: from a boat, on an • Join the online conversation at #RangerPro- outer island, or at a place new to you. Tips and #AcadiaSecrets and discover simple trip planning tips to help you explore and protect Acadia every day. PRST STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID LEWISTON, MAINE PERMIT #82 n Blagde m To Erick Swanson Male American bull frog

Mission

Friends of Acadia preserves, protects, and promotes stewardship of the outstanding natural beauty, ecological vitality, and distinctive cultural resources of Acadia National Park and surrounding communities for the inspiration and enjoyment of current and future generations.

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