Cushing's Island News

Valentine's Day Pot Luck

2010-01-19T16:12:00.002-08:00

Please mark your calendars to join other Islanders at Sarah Meaham's Valentine's Day pot luck on Saturday February 13th starting at 5 PM. Please bring something to share from one of the major food groups (salad, casserole, dessert, bread) and BYOL.

Sarah

2010-01-19T16:12:00.001-08:00

Fourth of July 2009

2009-07-05T04:29:00.000-07:00

This was a very busy and successful Fourth of July! First, the rains finally stopped and we were all able to get outdoors.

The Events Committee organized the Fourth of July Dog Parade, Cushings Olympics, cookout and ball game at the ball field. Picnicers stopped by the Spencers for the annual punch party on the way to Big Beach for the cookout, followed by watching fireworks, music and entertainment at the Nolan's porch.

The Fourth of July Island meeting on Sunday went smoothly, mostly due to there being no issues to discuss, except MouseGate, in which many Island houses had mouse visitors over the winter.

Memorial Day 2009

2009-05-25T04:25:00.000-07:00

What a fabulous Memorial Day! Warm sunny weather made it fee like summer, not the usual cold. Great start of season get-together at Sarah Meacham's with most people out on the porch and front lawn.

The island looks in great shape due to the spring efforts of Jack Turner. Floats are in, many boats in the water for the season, and very little winter damage.

First Boat of 2009 Season

2009-04-30T18:06:00.000-07:00

The first scheduled ferry service of the 2009 season is this Saturday, departing Long Wharf at 9:30 AM. Water is turned on, summer float is in, and the weather forecast is for temperatures above freezing! The summer landing dinghy floats are scheduled to be put in Saturday at high tide - around 6 PM - so come to Coal Dock to help push.

A good turnout is expected so I am sure someone will have an Island party Saturday night!

Labor Day 2008

2008-09-01T16:20:00.000-07:00

Another terrific Labor Day weekend, if a bit early this year. The weather was great, the Island full and all the usual activities - plus croquet has returned!

The Labor Day dance was held once again at Battery Foote, thanks to the hard work of the Ingari-Sulivans, Danas, Perrys, Brews and others. The space was wonderful. the band was terrific and the beer excellent. The theme this year was The Oscars and some of the best dressed awards went to George Rapp, Lynne Meena, Antonia Perry, Nina Scribner and Jackie Brew.

Tennis - The Hickson Cup was won this year by the unstoppable duo of Phil Thayer and Jon Oxman.

Croquet - Thanks to the organization and planning of Becky Chase, croquet returned this year with a record 38 participants with matches on five courses. In a close final down to the final wicket, this year's match was won by Thomas Brew and Dan Coleman. Many thanks to the Perrys for supplying the Pimms.

Thanks to Dick Spencer for officiating the Labor Day annual meeting which went smoothly and quickly!

The Lobster Bake was held again at Big Beach under a clear sky, warm night, well fed mosquitos and low tide. Dick Balser officiated the raffle, Susie Dana sold tee- shirts and Debby Murray had the recently printed panorama views from ca. 1910 including the Ottawa House and early Coastal Artillery buildings. Many Islanders helped but the major effort, as always, was by the Colli family, Meserves, Murrays, Balsers and others who will let me know so I can update this.

Now on to fall! The summer construction restrictions are done, so start hammering! My honey bees on Farm Hill are busy finishing up gathering stores for winter - thanks to Sarah Meacham for watching over them. She is taking a beekeeping course in Augusta this winter if anyone wants to join in and help with driving.

Arts and Crafts Fair

2008-08-16T17:02:00.000-07:00

The summer Arts & Crafts fair was held at the Meserves (big house) after a quick last minute change of venue due to some nasty weather. This added to the fun on the porch and inside, with a range of Island and mainland crafts - including first honey from my bees! There was a great range of items available and a great get-together. Thanks to the Meserves, Nielsens, Danas and others for organizing and contributing to this.

Truck Crews

2008-08-10T19:00:00.000-07:00

There was a reunion of truck crew helpers through the ages, on Sunday evening at the Meacham's. Current and former crew attended, with the Turners.

Fond reminiscences of meeting boats in the rain, lawn mowing, garbage pick-ups and maggots were shared.

Public Works - Ottawa Avenue

2008-08-10T07:05:00.000-07:00

On Sunday a volunteer work crew installed two new drains across Ottawa Avenue on the hill towards the Summer Landing.

First Boat of the Season - 2008

2008-05-04T14:39:00.000-07:00

What a mess. It was cold and very wet - heavy rain most of the weekend. Regardless, it was great to see the start to the season. There were a few brave souls out, getting boasts launched and opening up their houses. Sarah Meacham has moved out for the summer - first task was to get her wood stove going. The summer floats at Government Dick were put in, and the float is in at Summer Landing and the ramp lowered. Too cold to have an Island get-together.

Columbus Day 2007

2007-10-15T14:27:00.000-07:00

There was a good crowd on the Island closing up houses for the season. There was a dregs party at Farrars on Saturday night. Boats and floats have been hauled for the season and a group helped Peter Murray unstep the masts on Serendipity. I tucked in my bees for the winter (except the ones that swarmed into the Murray shed).

Labor Day 2007

2007-09-05T14:29:00.000-07:00

It was a glorious weekend with the annual activities! The Labor Day Dance was organized by the Dana family and held at Battery Foote, with at 1940’s theme - it was a wonderful event. The annual lobster bake was held on Big Beach with a good turnout and cooperative weather. And there was a pancake breakfast on the way to the 9:30 Saturday boat courtesy of the Bonds - we are all expecting this to be a new annual tradition.

Bees 2007!

2007-08-15T14:29:00.001-07:00

I have started an experiment and introduced two hives of bees (Carniolans-very gentle) this year, and in conjunction with the Landscape Committee (my brother John) will assess the impact on pollination rates across the island. They are in the meadow across from the Meacham's front porch and I am happy to give tours to whomever is interested. I hope to do a community honey extraction and bottling fest around Labor Day if the girls settle in. So far they are doing very well after a mixed start and are happily buzzing around. Thanks to master apiarist Debbie Murray for advice from someone who has a clue what to do. I am looking for ideas for a name but like "Whitehead Farm" as the Meacham farmhouse was moved from near Whitehead I think in the late 1800's and it makes a nice label. I will start a Bee Blog with pictures when I get time.

Summer 2007

2007-08-01T14:30:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Andrew Quinn who was named a Nieman Fellow and will be at Harvard, back from South Africa for this coming year, and also to Dick Meserve who was just elected to the Board of Overseers (my vote counted!). Both hail-fellows well-met.

Memorial Day 2007

2007-05-28T14:31:00.000-07:00

The season got off to a great start! Warm weather and a large turnout to open up cottages and get boats in the water. Sarah Meacham had an island get together at the Farm with most if not all the Island in attendance.Bob Nielsen is looking for Islanders to be trained in using the fire equipment, and also the updated CPR requirements. He suggested that we might get T-shirts for attending three training sessions.A few houses with storm damage are getting new roofs. The maintenance to Government Dock has been deferred until this fall because the marine contractor we hired is now repairing from storm damage across the bay.

Patriot's Day Storm 2007

2007-04-22T14:32:00.000-07:00

a strong northeast storm in mid April caused considerable tree damage on the Island. The Turners were without power for a number of days and had to boil their drinking water for a time due to a leak on another island. A work crew of Gretchen Preneta, Josh Preneta, John Meserve, Fred Spencer and Larry spent Friday April 20th helping to clear roads. One house had significant damage - the Ingari's lost part of their roof. A considerable number of trees on the back of the Island are down.

Valentine's Day 2007

2007-02-18T14:32:00.000-08:00

There was an enthusiastic turnout at Sarah Meacham's for her annual pot luck. The Turners came in from the Island with reports that there is minimal damage so far this winter - downed trees. There is a new beaver lodge in the Nolan Swamp, and there has been a squirrel sighting. Also the minks have become well established over by Big Beach. Dick Carson is looking for island workers for the summer, so please contact him if you have any leads.Notes from Sarah:Present were: Peter Lincoln, SSM, Pam and Bill Meserve, Cindy and Sky Thaxter, Mary McCann and Pete Thaxter, Fred Spencer and Emma, Dag and Bob Hamilton, Susie and Howdy Dana, Susan and Bob Nielsen, Jackie and Jack Turner, Chris Bond, Gretchen Preneta, Alice and Dick Spencer, Gloria and Pete Colli, Dan Colli [hiding in a local hotel with sick Andrew were Lisa and Peter Colli], Margie and Jon Oxman.
I think we were 27 strong with the usual delicious food. My big complaint is that there weren't more young [20 - 40 bracket] and there weren't any small fry.
News items:Fred Spencer saw Aggie Tyson in Australia this fall.Dag and Bob are in Portland for several weeksBob Nielsen has a new and exciting job.Jackie and Jack [sporting lush winter beard] report that there is a squirrel at their island bird feeder [HELP] and beavers building a lodge in the swamp!!!!!!!!!Gretchen has bought a house in PortlandSarah just back from visiting Louy & Co. in England where they had tea with Fred Spencer. Louy and family also spent Christmas in South Africa with Andrew Quinn who grew up in the Rapp house. Sam Meacham finally has his nonprofit in Mexico up and running so that we can all give him tons of money to continue to explore. I'll see Edie & Co. in March in Arizona.Thalia is living in EgyptKatharine Spencer is home from AustraliaEmma Bond is happy at McGill.

Columbus Day 2006

2006-10-14T14:33:00.000-07:00

Columbus Day weekend was glorious, warm (during the day) and clear. There was a dregs party at Farrars, boats and floats were hauled and houses put away for the winter.If anyone has an interest in beekeeping on the Island please contact Debbie Murray or Fred Spencer.

Labor Day 2006

2006-09-07T14:34:00.000-07:00

Despite the rain it was a welcome time with most Islanders in residence. The Island Dance was held in the mule barn, thanks to the efforts of Alice Spencer and others. The Hickson Cup tennis tournament took place on an accelerated schedule. The only casualty was the lobster bake which had to be cancelled due to the weather and uncertainties in the headcount. The Labor Day Annual Meeting approved projects for repair to Government Dock, resurfacing some of the tennis courts and attending to deferred maintenance items.

Spring 2006 -New Caretakers

2006-05-11T14:34:00.000-07:00

Jack and Jackie Turner have started, and are settled nicely in on the Island. They can be reached via email at IslandManager@verizon.net

March 2006

2006-03-09T14:35:00.000-08:00

Jack Tyson passed away peacefully on March 9, 2006 at his New York apartment.

February 2006

2006-02-15T14:35:00.000-08:00

Sarah Meacham's Valentine's Day pot luck had a small but enthusiastic crowd who braved the snow. From Sarah:Present:Eliza & Jonathan Nolan, Oliver, Robert, SophiaMargie and Jon OxmanPete ThaxterDebby & Peter MurrayEvie Mallaris & John BeatyJocelyn and Kate ChaseSandra ThaxterMe = SarahThe news followed this drift:Green Grocer is closedThe Weavers want a renter: end of June; first two weeks of JulyCecile Richards will be the new head of national Planned ParenthoodRebecca and Catherine Duclos have a wonderful Hathaway painting of Whitehead that they would like to offer for sale to Islanders before they take it farther afield.Roger Amory, a friend of the Scribners, is interested in making a documentary film of Cushing's or of individual Cushing's families. I saw the one he did for his own family at their summer place in Marion MA. Rebecca Duclos did historical research on the island last summer and has written a report, which I will copy and send to all of you soon. She needs money to continue.Peter Murray has had back surgery.Jonathan had a scary staph infection.Robert and Oliver watched Sam Meacham's film.The Oxmans have a new cat.Sandra Thaxter says that she has been staying in the Tyson NYC apartment and that Agnes took Jack to Barbados after Christmas.The Beatys went to Peru and are passionate about the telling of their travels.Jocelyn is very fond of her new house. Both she and Kate say that Ric is doing quite well.Pete Thaxter said that Sue and Jason's little girls are doing their numbers and colors.Sarah saw the Sam Meachams in Mexico before Christmas, saw Louy & Co. in England in January, will see Edie in March, and will go to Turkey in April!!!Charlotte Spencer had her 93rd birthday last week. She's back in her apartment at Foreside Harbor and is a delight to see.
There was a general discussion about island work [contracting] for the summer. Sarah is having a ason work on their chimney. She also is lining up someone to empty the septic tank. That and other general work like painting, attic ventilation, etc.