Sprucewold Column: Annual meeting, thank yous and more

Tue, 08/08/2017 - 10:15am

Walking up the hill to the wonderful Sprucewold Lodge Dining Hall for the 2017 Sprucewold Association annual meeting on Saturday, Aug. 5, I enjoyed greeting old members and new, gathering in this historic setting. Many thanks to Richard and Dana Pizer for making it available to us. We’ve got our collective fingers crossed for a new owner with the same spirit of generosity as the Pizers have had over the many years of their tenure at the Lodge.

President Eric Fischer began the meeting at 10 a.m., and after a moment of silence in memory of Sprucewolders who have died in the past year — Merv Oleson, Laddie Drucker and John Walton — we moved on to business. Highlights included updates from Ralph Kimball on Sprucewold’s participation in the Maine Forest Service’s Firewise Program. According to Ralph, increasing numbers of residents are opting for both evaluation of their homes and properties by the Service and participation in the annual chipping day. This year’s Firewise chipping day will occur on Aug. 15 and applications need to be submitted to Ralph by Aug. 13.

Ralph also mentioned that it is possible fire hydrants could be installed in Sprucewold by the town of Boothbay Harbor by 2020. Such action would be the result of hard work by our board to communicate to town officials the need for hydrants to deal with a possible fire in the area.

Gretchen Murray, one of the co-chairs of the Nahanada Park Association, commented on the maturity of the park, now in its 17th year. She noted that in July, 12 volunteers participated in the cleanup day, and she thanked members of the Association for their ongoing financial support of the park.

Sarah Stedt, social chair for the organization, reminded members about this year’s annual dinner, a potluck on the Linekin Heights Green on Saturday, Aug. 12, at 5 p.m., with Sunday the 13th as the rain date. If your last name begins with A – M, please bring a main dish, and if it begins with N – Z, a salad. Drinks and dessert are provided by the Association.

In addition, Jayne McCarthy, one of our year-round residents, mentioned that she has “Posted” signs for any members who would like to use them to be sure that their property is off limits to hunters. The Linekin Heights Association plans to post all of its property with the signs. Jayne has also started a Facebook page for the Sprucewold area, and she will ask that a link to it be distributed to the membership via the Sprucewold blog.

New business included the announcement that Susan Otto Goodell will be the incoming president of the association, and the request for members to volunteer to serve as first and second vice presidents. Happily, several did. Stay tuned for more information.

The Linekin Heights Association would like to thank David Stedt for the marvelous job that he did power washing and repairing the picnic pavilion tables and benches. Thank you as well to Almus Thorp for the wood donation for the repairs, and to Charles and Elaine Rittershaus, David Stedt, and Bill Griffin who worked together to clean up Linekin Green.

Boothbay region mason Brandon Pinkham has agreed to restore the historic 1930's stacked stone chimney and grills at the Green. Donations will be accepted at the annual potluck dinner and through the fall; please contact LHA treasurer Charles Rittershaus if you would like to contribute to the project so that it can again be available to the Sprucewold community.

News from Fan Oleson says that she is back at her cabin after missing last season due to the loss of her beloved husband, Merv, 93, after forty-five and a half years of marriage. The Olesons first came to Sprucewold in 1982, renting from Mary and David Otto. Almus Thorp Jr, was the Oleson's rector at their church in Maryland. They bought their cabin on Crooked Pine in 1985. Fan started this summer with visits from her three sons and their families: first Tim and Sarah with their one year old, Lina, arrived; then Chris, who had been rock climbing in the Adirondacks; and finally Duane and Sue with their son Eli, almost 8 years old, and Arianna, 5. The grandchildren all enjoyed the Land Trust “Babes in the Wood” hikes at Hendricks Head Beach and Ocean Point. They also went on the Burnt Island Lighthouse Tour, to the Maine State Aquarium, and to the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. These are some of the special Maine summer activities that keep us all coming back! Fan will leave a bit early to attend the baptism and first birthday of her granddaughter Lina at the family church where she first heard about Sprucewold in the sermons of Almus Thorp.

Many Sprucewolders are enjoying visits from children and grandchildren. Among them are Donna and Greg Muzzy, George and Joanne Carlisle, Ray and Carol Hopkins, Gail and Ralph Kimball, Chris and Lisa Addis, and David and Mary Otto. Ahren and Katie Rittershaus have arrived at their cabin from Raleigh, N.C., for their annual visit with daughters Finn (6), Charlotte (4), and Mae (2). Annaliese Rittershaus is at her cabin with her fiancé, Dan; they are looking forward to their Sept. 30 wedding in Providence, R.I.

We’ve all been thankful for some good sailing and boating days recently and chances to swim and kayak as well. The beach is well taken care of and enjoyed by a lot of folks. So far, it’s been a great summer in Sprucewold!