MORE CONNECTING DROPS ON THIS WATERY PATHWAY
Hoopla column about then-retiring faculty member Bruce Gorrill,
Those who attended Brewster: 23 campers, 5 counselors
I interviewed some of his former students. I was intrigued by what one of the students wrote, not only about Bruce, but also about his
Current and former Brewster faculty who have journeyed to
thoughts on life ispired by Bruce’s teaching. His thoughts and feelings
the island: Joyce Ferris, Bruce and Shadow Gorrill, Ron and Sue
paralleled mine. While still in college, he is from Maine, loves the
Nentwig, David and Shelia Smith, Tom Tuthill, and Dick Weeks.
outdoors, the ocean, sailing, and is an environmentalist. After several e-mails, I asked if he was interested in becoming the 10th member of
Brewster parents mooring their sailboats at the island: one from
the Camaraderie, and as I was writing this article in the Bahamas this
Connecticut, one from Massachusetts.
past summer, he and some friends were exploring his island for the first time. I hope to meet him sometime!
And on two occasions, once on my 36’ Cassey Cutter, Finnegans Wake, and 10 years later on my 26’ Nonsuch, Cat’s Cradle,
One final connecting droplet: when I sold my log cabin in Tuftonboro,
I sailed south to Eleuthera, with two former members of
New Hampshire, my home while teaching at Brewster, the new owner
Brewster’s varsity sailing team, in-between-jobs, hitching rides
decided to take the three story “tower” down. I heated solely with
part way.
wood and had a stove on each floor. By coincidence, Bruce Gorrill got the small stove on the second floor. Realizing that the island needed a
THE ISLAND’S FUTURE
new stove, he and his son, who is also a member of the Camaraderie,
Realizing that even governors don’t live forever, and wanting others
took the stove up this summer and installed it in the main building –
to experience the charm, solitude, and wilderness of the Down East
what goes around, comes around!
area, I searched for years for a way to pass the island on to those who would enjoy it. I thought of donating the island to a school or camp, but a three-acre island could not accommodate large numbers of kids. Groups like the Nature Conservancy generally want gifted land to
Island life is still very me these days, and I know I’d now find it difficult to
return to its natural state, and after all of our hard work, I couldn’t see
live anywhere on the mainland. Still, as the calendar continues to flip by,
that fate.
I can see that I’ll be getting to Guvspuny Isle less and less. Realizing that is why I’m so pleased to have found 10 special individuals who share my
Guvspuny is one of seven islands in South Bay and is the only one
love for this special place that’s been such an important part of my life.
with any buildings on it. Since our construction the setback footage
Like myself, I’m sure they’ll come to share Maine author Ruth Moore’s
has increased markedly and none of the other islands meet the
wonderful description of a place like Guvspuny Isle – “That was the place
requirements, so in 25, 50 years our island will be even more unique. I
you were homesick for even when you were there.”
knew if I gave the island to a family member that it would eventually be sold, and then the “Guvspuny experience” would not be shared
While I really shouldn’t speak for the new owners of Guvspuny Isle, I will
with friends and later their children.
anyway. I am sure that any Brewster alum who is touring Down East, Maine, and wants to see Guvspuny Isle, can arrange to do so.
I remained stymied for a few years, but “saw the light” in 1995 when I formed a foundation, The Guvspuny Isle Camaraderie Ltd. and
I do speak for myself when I invite any BA alum who might be visiting
donated the island to the foundation. Next, I selected members to
Eleuthera to please stop by Brewster’s Caribbean Alumni Office, open
own and share the island, along with its upkeep. I went over my “pool”
24/7! (Pink house, top of Honeycreeper Hill, Rainbow Bay).
of candidates carefully considering the best caretakers would likely be those who helped build on the island, who attended camp, and who
Please continue to return my
visited frequently. I asked 10, figuring that Maine only has 10 weeks of
annoying pink post cards, they
summer, and, surprisingly, none hesitated to take me up on the deal.
keep us all connected, and I
Not surprisingly, seven are Brewster graduates (my niece and two
love hearing your news – and
nephews make up the remaining members of the Camaraderie).
sharing it with your friends in our Class Notes section.
A very recent ripple on my waterway was finding a new member to replace a good friend from Colorado who realized that with family
All best wishes to all!
and job responsibilities, he wouldn’t be able to use the island and
Matt Hoopes
wanted someone else to enjoy it. While working on my previous
isleman@batelnet.bs
www.brewsteracademy.org
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