Spring 2018 Volume 23 No. 1 A Magazine about Acadia National Park and Surrounding Communities 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. Open Seasonally: Bar Harbor Village Green Blackwoods, Seawall, and Schoodic Woods campgrounds Hulls Cove Visitor Center Jordan Pond and Cadillac Mountain Gift Shops Sand Beach Entrance Station Annual park passes are also available at certain Thompson Island Information Center Acadia-area town offices and local businesses; contact the park at 207-288-3338 to find Open Year-Round: additional pass sales locations. Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce/Acadia Information Center Corner of Main and Cottage streets, Bar Harbor 288-5103 Park passes are now available online. Visit www.yourpassnow.com President’s Message Looking Forward to Spring–and Beyond hen I first joined Friends of Aca- proaches might be needed to address over- dia as President in 2012, I ben- crowding and vehicular congestion at Acadia Wefited greatly from strategic plan- through a new Transportation Plan, it will ning that the organization had undertaken undoubtedly involve change. And while the year prior to my arrival. The board and our heads might tell us that these changes staff had identified four “strategic pillars” of are for the betterment of the park, for public our work with Acadia National Park and ex- safety, and for a higher quality experience for pressed a determination to focus the major- all visitors, our hearts might take a while to ity of FOA’s efforts on these priorities–youth embrace the recommendations – especially if engagement; natural resource protection; some of our own traditions or personal con- visitor experience; and trails and carriage nections with favorite locations are affected. roads–even as the list of other requests and As of this writing, we are still awaiting de- suggestions for our involvement continued tails of the possible options. But, FOA is 100 to grow dramatically. percent supportive of the overall initiative This past winter, FOA took time to work and the commitment by the park to address with ANP leadership to consider what has the issue of over-crowding. Anyone who has changed over the past six years, to evaluate FOA experienced the gridlock and frustration of our progress and areas where we can do bet- mained flat. In fact, it actually shrank when the park’s motor roads on a busy day knows ter; to re-assess the critical issues facing the measured in real buying power, when taking that the status quo is simply no longer a vi- park; and to update our goals and how FOA six years’ inflation into account. able option. can be most strategic and effective going for- Friends of Acadia’s core priorities have We applaud the park for its comprehensive ward. It has been an energizing and affirming also remained unchanged. The board has af- approach and for soliciting so much public process! firmed that our strategic pillars will continue input over the past two years, at a time when What has changed? to guide our work in our updated plan for its staff was already stretched extremely thin. A new administration in Washington with the next several years. If anything, working And we have encouraged the park to con- inevitable shifts in policies and priorities; an on these issues is more critical now than it sider not just the immediate challenges, but historic addition to the park with the creation was six years ago. And while the pillars re- the likely longer-term trends and emerging of the Schoodic Woods campground and sur- main constant, FOA will remain nimble and technologies. rounding trails and acreage; a new superin- able to adjust and introduce new strategies I love the changes that come to Acadia tendent to lead Acadia into its second cen- necessary to adapt to the rapidly-changing this time of year when a warm, windy day tury; and most noticeable, many, many new world in which we operate. brings the annual spring ice-out to lakes and visitors to Acadia. Visitation was up more Indeed, given the inherent size and many ponds on Mount Desert Island. The sounds, than 30 percent in that time. levels of decision-making at a federal agency, the smells, the movements of wildlife, and Our climate also continues to change and this flexibility and ability to pivot quickly if my own imagination, are all transformed. As impact Acadia in ways we are only just begin- needed is one of the greatest assets FOA can much as I savor the winter quiet, the antici- ning to understand. While it is with mixed offer to our partners at the park. pation of the seasons’ turn and the park com- emotions that many of us enjoyed swimming This partnership with the park, and the ing back into full bloom, never fails to fill me and sailing and hiking in shirt-sleeves well importance of FOA remaining independent with energy and gratitude. after Columbus Day this past October, and and adaptable, yet closely coordinated with, This year, with a strengthened and focused skating on the flooded trails and Great Mead- and complementary to, the work of the Park commitment by FOA to the work ahead, ow wetland at Sieur de Monts in late January, Service, has defined FOA since our founding. and the new ideas emerging from the park’s this strange weather is a harbinger of greater Even as we recognize the forces of change Transportation Plan, the spring brings more stresses to come on our park. all around us, we tend to look to national renewal and excitement than ever. What has not changed? parks like Acadia as a reassuring constant, an Thank you for being a friend of Acadia at The fact that Federal funding from Wash- anchor to hold us steady despite the swirling this crucial time for our park! ington is not adequate to operate Acadia. De- currents of our own lives and the complex spite the many ways that the park–and the modern world. public’s expectations of the park–have grown When our partners at Acadia share their in recent years, its operating budget has re- best thinking this spring on what new ap- —David R. MacDonald Friends of Acadia Journal Spring 2018 1 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Anne Green, Chair Bill Eacho, Treasurer Hank Schmelzer, Vice Chair Cookie Horner, Secretary Mark Amstutz Linda Jensen Spring 2018 Emily Beck Jan Karst Volume 23 No. 1 Brownie Carson Jack Kelley Gail Clark Story Litchfield Hannah Sistare Clark Meredith Moriarty Andrew Davis Lili Pew Dave Edson Jack Russell John Fassak Edward L. Samek Elsie Flemings Nonie Sullivan Jill Goldthwait Christiaan van Heerden C. Boyden Gray Bill Zoellick 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 FEATURES Dianna Emory Nancy Pyne Nathaniel Fenton Nathaniel P. Reed 3 Photographer Holds a Passion for Acadia Frances Fitzgerald Ann R. Roberts Sharing the Joy of Capturing Timeless Images Sheldon Goldthwait Jeannine Ross Neva Goodwin Howard Solomon By Susan Garver Paul and Eileen Growald Erwin Soule Paul Haertel Diana Davis Spencer 5 Connection to the Home of One of Acadia’s Founders Lee Judd Julia Merck Utsch Doors and Bulkhead Believed to Belong to George B. Dorr Debby Lash Dick Wolf By Shawn Keeley Linda Lewis 10 Sign Shop Volunteers Prepare for Spring EMERITUS TRUSTEES W. Kent Olson Charles R. Tyson Jr. Crafting ‘Signs’ of Summer While Working all Winter By Earl Brechlin FRIENDS OF ACADIA STAFF David R. MacDonald 15 Looking Ahead, and Astern, on Near-decade with FOA Mary Boëchat President & CEO Development Officer Contemplation on Serving on the Board of Directors Diana R. McDowell Earl D. Brechlin Director of Finance & By Jack Russell Communications Director Administration 16 Acadia Defender Ready to ‘Rock’ Retirement Sharon Broom Dana Petersen Development Officer Stewardship Volunteer Long-time Resource Protection Ranger Charlie Jacobi Reflects Coordinatort Stephanie Clement By Earl Brechlin Conservation Director Carol Potter Administrative Assistant Lisa Horsch Clark P ERS P ECTIVES Director of Development & Mike Staggs Donor Relations Office Manager 1 President’s Message Looking Forward to Spring–and Beyond Sarah Curts Paige Steele 6 Trial by Ice Flood Brings Damage, Freeze Lures Skaters Accounting & Conservation Projects Administrative Associate Manager 7 #Acadiainwinter Our Friends Share Images of Winter Jason Irwin Julia Walker Thomas 8 Donor Profile Eliza Worrick is an FOA Trailblazer Vice President for Finance & Communications Associate Administration 9 Superintendent’s View Acadia, Islesford get ‘Blue Ducks’ in a Row JoAnne Wood Shawn Keeley Administrative Assistant 31 Chair’s Letter Spring is Time for Setting Goals Senior Development Officer 32 Special People Couple’s Career Focused on Acadia DE PARTMENTS PRST STD 4 Where in Acadia? U.S. POSTAGE 13 Meet the Donors PAID 20 How the Wild Gardens Grew AUBURN, MAINE 21 Updates PERMIT #82 28 Recommended Reading 2 Spring 2018 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 Harbor, Maine 04609 207-288-3340 800-625-0321 Sharing acadia iS photographer’S Mission By Susan Garver s a landscape/nature photogra- pher my camera is always with Ame.