A foggy and humid week culminated in the JPVIS annual meeting last Saturday where, thanks to President José McComiskey’s steady hand, clarity reigned and we left almost two hours later after slightly increasing dues, saving the 2019 Lobster Bake from chaos and keeping McKown Point from considering a Brexit move. Once again Floats and Grounds took up much of the discussion with Floats the winner. The gist of the reports from all the committee chairs was generally one of financial solvency which we need to shore up (like the Juniper dock stairs) with a slight increase in membership dues and dock fees to cover infrastructure repairs (again, see Floats) necessary in the next few years and to provide an operating cushion. Those who have gone paperless will be happy to hear that the JPVIS website will be revamped this coming year to allow on-line payments for membership, fees and even the lobster bake. Membership information will be accessible online, password protected. Paper forms and payments and the printed calendar and members list will still be available. Details to come.

There was a discussion about use of our community amenities, including the docks, and making cottage owners and cottage renters aware of rules and fees. A new “handbook” will be published to put all the information into one document. It will be both online and on paper to post in your cottage.

José enters her second year of presidency with the approved slate of officers and committee chairs as currently stands (see the JPVIS calendar) with the exception of Membership which Heidi McGee has heroically handled for 5 years. Charlotte Morrison will take over this difficult job.

The JPVIS Finance Committee recommended the establishment of a George Whitten Legacy Fund to be funded through a five year capital campaign. This fund will recognize George’s long commitment, both financial and hands-on, to the Association with the goal of raising $50,000. Peter Edwards offered to head up the Campaign committee.

One interesting note from “Grounds” (Robert Moser) regarding the ugly tall stump of a dead tree at the entrance to Massachusetts Road. Apparently it is full of nails (origin of which not clear to your reporter) and professional tree removers are understandably reluctant to sink a live chain saw into it. Options for its removal are being considered; stay tuned.

Earlier in the week the Ladies’ Lunch proved to be alive and well and brought over 20 women to the Community House. The theme was “bring a guest’ and it turned out that Kristen Gray’s guest was an old colleague of Holly Barnes. As always, the food was delicious and ample. Thanks to José and Kristen for organizing.

The Juniors had fun last week after Thursday night’s ice cream social. Under rainbow skies 30 kids ran around Juniper Point in a challenging scavenger hunt. With a theme of “butterflies”, clues were placed in over 20 locations. The exhausted but proud winning team of Lily and Bowdoin Andrews, team captain Gus McGee, Luke Uitti, John Swan, Alexander Khetani and Chars Lapp completed a sudoku puzzle, a cryptogram, a jigsaw puzzle and a trivia sheet before finding all 21 clues and decoding the final message.

Dave Taylor reminds everyone that the time honored tradition of the August JPVIS tennis tournament begins this week. Talk to Dave now about participating in Men’s Doubles and Singles, Women’s Doubles and Singles, Mixed Doubles and Junior Singles and Doubles.

On July 23rd the Junior team once again took on Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club, both here and at BHYC with lots of good points and close matches. This Friday, Aug. 3, the Juniors will play at Christmas Cove.

Next week’s column reporter is Wade Judge. Please send your news to him within the next few days at wade.judge@lasalle.com or call 633-3796. Many thanks to Wade. Spots are still open for columns in August.