The Island Trail
Newsletter of the Maine Island Trail Association | Winter 2019
A Feast of Adventure Our Through-Row of the Maine Island Trail
By Leigh Dorsey, MITA Member
Flanked by Dorrie & Dave Getchell, Sr., Tom Franklin accepts their namesake award in 2010. Photo: Jim Dugan.
Remembering Two Legends of the Maine Island Trail By Doug Welch, Executive Director THE WEEK OF November 3rd was a tough one for MITA, as we lost two true champions. Dave Getchell, Sr. was our founder, whose vision and tireless efforts in the 1980s-90s are legendary. More recently, Tom Franklin was our most prolific volunteer, serving as our unpaid Membership and Marketing Director for six years and then on the Board of Trustees for six more. Relatively few of you will have known both Getch and Tom, but they knew each other. In what turned out to be my last conversation with Getch, he expressed his sorrow at Tom’s passing earlier in the
week, recalling him well. Indeed, Tom received the Dave and Dorrie Getchell Spirit of MITA Award in 2010, which Getch was pleased to present. And Tom was the greatest salesman of Getch’s vision that MITA has known. It is our honor to remember Getch and Tom and their extraordinary contributions. As Alfred, Lord Tennyson might have put it, we’d like to think they “crost the bar” within sight of one another and are now cruising the heavens and exploring new islands together. • Individual Remembrances on page 15
ON A SUNNY day in late July, we set out from Kittery in our bright orange 21-foot wooden rowboat, not intending to touch the mainland again until reaching Lubec. It would be the longest human-powered journey either of us had ever done. We planned to camp every night on a Trail island, and brought food for 12 days. We hoped to put in 2530 statute miles per day (weather permitting) in our Savo 650-D, a double sliding seat rowboat built by Walter Baron in Wellfleet, Massachusetts, along a route that was 260 miles long. We had begun to prepare last summer, making several 20-40 mile journeys in and around Penobscot Bay from our home base in Belfast. On these trips we had experienced both the steep, fast chop that the bay can whip up, and dense fog. Of the two, fog was more treacherous, due to the invisible company of working lobster boats. We learned how well the boat handled in rough water, how much water we needed for a day, and to never set out into the fog under the assumption that it will soon lift. Feast of Adventure continued on page 4
Winter Newsletter | 2019 | mita.org
The Monitor Skipper Hall of Fame By Doug Welch, Executive Director
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Nick Battista, Camden, ME Stephen Birmingham, Cape Elizabeth, ME Dan Carr, Dayton, ME Janet Dooley, Falmouth, ME Nancy Egan, Harpswell, ME Mark Fasold, Yarmouth, ME Alicia Heyburn, Brunswick, ME Cindy Knowles, Cumberland Center, ME Rob Nichols, Kittery, ME John Noll, Orland, ME Ford Reiche, Freeport, ME Meghan Stasz, South Portland, ME Andrew Stern, Falmouth, ME Odette Thurston, Falmouth, ME Kim True, Freeport, ME
STA F F Doug Welch • dwelch@mita.org Executive Director Greg Field • gfield@mita.org Director of Finance & Operations Maria Jenness • mjenness@mita.org Regional Stewardship Manager (East) Brian Marcaurelle • brian@mita.org Program Director Madison Moran • madison@mita.org Membership & Development Manager Jack Phillips • jphillips@mita.org Development Director Erin Quigley • erin@mita.org Membership Director Chris Wall • cwall@mita.org Regional Stewardship Manager (West) The Maine Island Trail is a 375-mile long waterway extending from the New Hampshire border to the Canadian Maritimes. Along the route, public and private islands are available to members or the public for overnight stopovers where one can picnic or camp in a wilderness setting. The Maine Island Trail Association (MITA) is a nonprofit organization whose goal is to establish a model of thoughtful use and volunteer stewardship for the Maine islands that will assure their conservation in a natural state while providing an exceptional recreational asset that is maintained and cared for by the people who use it. This goal is achieved by encouraging a philosophy of low-impact use and environmental awareness among MITA’s members and island visitors.
M A I N E I S L A N D T R A I L A S S O C I AT I O N 100 Kensington St, 2nd Floor, Portland, ME 04103 (207) 761-8225 • info@mita.org
2 Winter Newsletter | 2019 | mita.org
IF YOU HAVE ever ridden in a MITA boat, it’s likely that the person at the helm was not a member of the MITA staff, but a volunteer. This is perhaps MITA’s most distinguishing programmatic element: our exceptionally professional, allvolunteer monitor skipper corps.
instruction regarding Leave No Trace practices or island owner guidelines, and then move on. Upon occasion extraordinary service is involved, including removal of human waste, chainsaw work, fire suppression, stairbuilding and so on.
The skippers are the backbone of our volunteer stewardship work, and thus a linchpin of the entire MITA model. Without stewardship, island owners would have far less incentive to list their properties on the Trail. Without these vital roles being played by volunteers, MITA’s annual operating expenses would be very different. (Collectively, the skippers log approximately 2000 volunteer hours each year!) And, most importantly, without the skippers we would lose the boating skills, recreational expertise, and wily character of an extraordinary group of friends.
Ranging from one to thirty years’ service, the skippers include some newer folks in addition to some exceptionally tenured individuals. Sadly, in recent years three of our beloved skippers have passed away. Regardless of their years of service, we are immensely grateful to all of the skippers and the extraordinary commitment they represent.
When MITA was first established, there was no formal skipper program. There was just Dave Getchell, his boat Torngat, and a boat or two operated by a few capable volunteers. With time, as MITA’s stewardship programs became more systematic, the need emerged to establish a skipper corp. In the early 1990s, Sid Quarrier joined MITA and was immediately drawn to its stewardship efforts. Professionalizing the crew, Sid is generally recognized as a father of the skipper program. In addition to ferrying island cleanup volunteers, skippers perform a great deal of monitoring work during the boating season. There are twelve regional routes, or monitoring runs, that skippers traverse on a set schedule of roughly one region every ten days. Typically stopping on up to a dozen islands each run, the skipper’s job is to securely anchor the boat (sometimes the hardest job of all!), inspect recreational use areas, walk the shoreline, collect or note shoreline debris, break up unauthorized fire rings, say hello to visitors, offer gentle
“Amazingly, by simple arithmetic the plaque represents almost 500 years of service by the group as a whole.” In reflection upon this gratitude, the MITA staff recently developed the Monitor Skipper Hall of Fame with a beautiful, hand-crafted plaque. Listing 35 skippers of five or more years’ tenure by name, the plaque groups the skippers into five-year blocks of 5 to 25+ years. Himself a professional boatbuilder, skipper Jim Shula crafted the plaque of Alaskan spruce. It was unveiled at MITA’s annual stewardship party in August (see photo on next page). Amazingly, by simple arithmetic the plaque represents almost 500 years of service by the group as a whole. We hope that all MITA members share our appreciation of the monitor skippers and will visit the office in Portland to see the plaque. THANK YOU, SKIPPERS! •
If you are interested in joining the monitor skipper ranks, please consider becoming an apprentice by contacting Maria and Chris at stewards@mita.org.
Volunteer skippers past and present pose with the Monitor Skipper Hall of Fame plaque unveiled at the August 2018 Stewardship Party in Belfast. From left to right: Steve Spencer, Stu Haddon, Rich Lorenson, Ted Scharf, Dave Getchell, Sr., Richard Stetson, Henri Gignoux, John Connelly, Allan Toubman, Marietta Ramsdell.
Introducing the Torngat Society In 1979, Dave Getchell set out to acquire the perfect boat for a journey to the Torngat Mountains of Labrador. After poring over various catalogues, Getch settled on an aluminum S-18 Lund skiff, which he retrieved from Columbus, Ohio, the nearest Lund warehouse, and set off on his two-week boating adventure among the icebergs and headlands of coastal Labrador. He named his new boat Torngat. Years later, Torngat would be commissioned to scour the Maine coast for appropriate sites to include on the fledgling Maine Island Trail. The rugged, agile Torngat proved the perfect skiff for maneuvering among and landing on rocky islets, and would serve as the primary vessel for conducting island stewardship work following the creation of MITA in 1988. As the Trail grew, additional skiffs were needed and soon MITA owned a fleet of Lunds. Recognizing the seminal role of Torngat in the creation and stewardship of the Maine Island Trail, MITA has established the Torngat Society, comprised of supporters who have included MITA in their estate plans. All Torngat Society commitments will support MITA’s endowment, which funds the operation, maintenance, and replacement of MITA’s fleet of skiffs into the future. In this way, the spirit of Torngat will protect the wild islands of Maine forever. Listed here are the inaugural members of the Torngat Society. Together, their support will assure the well-being of Maine’s wild islands in perpetuity. MITA is profoundly honored by and grateful for these deeply personal commitments to the Maine Island Trail. Anonymous (3) Erno & Victoria Bonebakker Scott Camlin & Beth Uptegrove Robert & Laura Chapman Bryan & Darla Edmonds Scotty Folger J Thomas Franklin* & Anna Ginn Ben & Leslie Fuller Rodger & Jillian Herrigel
Cindy & Jon Knowles Wayland Linscott & Susan Fuller Suzi Osher Dave Parker & Lisa Marchi Jack & Jane Phillips Michael Scarborough* Jim & Lynn Shaffer Richard Sides John K Spencer
Daniel Starer Karen Stimpson Keith Stone & Steven Watts Arthur H Stutz* Odette & Scott Thurston Doug Welch & Caitlin Gutheil Jeremy Wintersteen *Deceased
If you have made a planned gift supporting MITA, please let us know; we would be honored to recognize your commitment in the Torngat Society. To learn more about planned giving at MITA, visit mita.org/plannedgiving. Winter Newsletter | 2019 | mita.org 3
Feast of Adventure continued from cover
Leigh Dorsey and Dameon Colbry take a finish line selfie in Lubec.
The trip this summer was everything we hoped it would be–beautiful, challenging, and a feast of adventure for our hungry souls. We picked our MITA campsites as we went, choosing sites based mostly on the mileage we wanted to achieve each day. Our island stops: Trott (Cape Porpoise), Jewell (Casco Bay), Bar (Muscongus Bay), Cylends (Seal Harbor), Harbor (Stonington), Crow (Cranberry Isles), Bois Bubert (Milbridge), and Cross (Cutler). It may seem that rowing for 6-8 hours day after day would get monotonous, but we were always happy to get underway each morning. Of course, we also never grew tired of having the night’s camping island slowly grow larger in our rearview mirror as we wearily pulled the oars through the last mile of the day. We were deeply thankful for the ability to stay on a different island every night, and relished the excitement of exploring each new paradise that the Trail offered up. Our days settled into a rhythm that we quite enjoyed. Wake up, eat muesli, pack up all our gear, load the boat, launch
Recurring donations are an easy way to support the Maine Island Trail all year.
Visit mita.org/donate and select the new monthly giving option. 4 Winter Newsletter | 2019 | mita.org
sometime between 8 and 9 am, row to the next island, unload, set up camp, eat dinner, write in our log, read some Sarah Orne Jewett or Rachel Carson, and fall into a deep sleep. During the day, rowing was interrupted only by brief breaks every 30-45 minutes where we took turns resting, stretching, and refueling. We were glad we had chosen to go south to north along the coast, or the prevailing southwest winds that picked up every afternoon would have seriously slowed our progress. Along the way we were quite surprised to spot several ocean sunfish (Google this fish if you’ve never seen one–it’s a bit like a giant alien pancake with wings). As we got further downeast we spotted puffins a few times, eliciting joyous shouts and momentary pauses. And Maine’s infamous summertime fog was an onagain off-again problem throughout the journey. There were two days in particular when we launched in clear weather, only to be swallowed by the fog soon after. Each time, we tried to objectively weigh the risks of continuing with the risks of trying to land along
unknown shorelines. We had done our best to prepare for the fog, sporting a homemade radar reflector reaching 5 feet high on the stern, a 1.5-inch PVC pipe stuffed with aluminum foil. Additionally, we had our VHF radio, and made announcements on Channel 16 every 30-45 minutes while in the fog. With these precautions and a great deal of luck, we didn’t have any close encounters with lobster boats. But we certainly don’t recommend rowing in the fog if it can possibly be avoided. Our last day brought an incredibly fast row along the Bold Coast, with an incoming tide pulling us east-northeast with 2-3 miles per hour of current. That night we walked into Lubec to feast on victory burgers. As the light began to fade we sat watching the water, enthralled and amused by the enormous gray seals who would ride the flooding current down the channel, catch the countercurrent along the shore back up to their starting point, then do it all again in an easy, joyous love affair with the streaming flow. We could relate. •
From the Afghan Mountains to the Maine Coast By William Kenyon and Bill Wright, MITA Members Editor’s Note: MITA is always interested in hearing about the unique ways our members experience the Maine Coast. This story by two Army veterans is an example of how the Trail can provide not just adventure, but camaraderie, connection, relaxation, and maybe even a little bit of healing.
We have paddled the Trail every year from 2007 to 2018, minus the two years when we were back overseas. Over the years we have expanded our coverage of the Trail northward. The last two years have been in the Stonington area and down to Isle Au Haut.
AWAKENING TO THE sound of surf, we wipe the crust of salt from our eyes. The bright sun makes it hard to see, but we soon realize it isn’t surf–it’s the sound of wind rushing through the gaps in the stone goat corral we have spent the night in. The corral, in Mazamute Valley, Methar Lam Province, Afghanistan, is a far cry from our trips along the Maine Coast. We wonder when we will get back.
In 2012 a coastal storm forced us to hunker down in an old cabin on Crow Island in Casco Bay. The storm would have us beached for 24-36 hours, so we went to Great Chebeauge to find something to read, but everything was closed. As luck would have it, we ran into the librarian of the island, Deb, and she actually drove Bill to the library and donated two books for us to read through the storm. She was a great lady and very helpful, as was everyone we have ever met on the Trail. A box of red wine helped to ride out the storm, but made paddling the next day a bit slow.
Our paddling career started over 20 years ago, when we were assigned to the same unit in the Army. We started on rivers and lakes in Connecticut and evolved to the open waters of the Atlantic and Long Island Sound. During our first deployment to Afghanistan, we talked about ocean kayaking and somehow we found MITA. We joined, got the guidebook, and started planning. Our first trip was to Casco Bay for a five day adventure in boats that were not ocean boats. This would be lesson number one! With our faithful friend Don, an officer in our unit, we stayed on our first island: Little Chebeague, which we have fallen in love with and go back to quite often. The next day we headed off to Jewell Island, which would also become close to our hearts. On the southwest side of Jewell we found heaven, with waves crashing and the campsite high on the rocks.
Over the years we’ve had uncountable wildlife sightings. We were mesmerized for hours by our first seal–now they are too numerous to track. Eagle sightings are just as common. The best was two eagles, 20 feet away, eating a washedup seal. We have encountered wildlife drama most people only see on TV, like when we observed osprey and eagles
fighting over a nest. The battle was fierce and we had a front row seat. We saw a doe and a fawn swimming from Strawberry Island in Harpswell to the mainland. The doe had no issues but the fawn struggled, crying for mom. She eventually made the swim and rejoined her mother in the woods. This year, we observed a mink on Green Island and three to four nesting eagles along our route from Isle Au Haut to the coves and harbors north of Stonington. With our deployments behind us, we have turned to becoming better kayak campers. We started in 14-foot recreational boats, but now have seaworthy 17-foot touring craft with GPS and backup navigational systems. We spend all year planning our weeklong adventures, and look forward to navigating around all the islands on the Trail–and hiking them as well. We are also hoping to go on one of the many cleanup gatherings. We practice Leave No Trace, and leave islands better than when we arrive by cleaning up trash and recently placing some erosion control rocks along the shore on Sheep Island. As long as the tide goes in and out and we have the means, we will be on the Maine Island Trail every year. •
William and Bill at Eagle Island State Park. Photo: William Kenyon.
We usually don’t beeline to our next island. Instead we meander here and there, looking at the coast, lobster boats, and local people–it is all so relaxing! Our favorite islands have things to see, places to walk, and a beach for frisbee tossing. We love old forts like Fort Gorges and the World War II installation on Jewell, maybe due to the military in us. Winter Newsletter | 2019 | mita.org 5
Skiffs, Sawzalls, & Sunrises: 2018 Stewardship Stories By Maria Jenness & Chris Wall, Regional Stewardship Managers AT THE END of each stewardship season, after the skiffs are winterized and work gear is stowed, we like to reflect on the major accomplishments made possible by the MITA volunteer community. Between new Trail sites and our Bold Coast expansion, there was an immense amount of effort put into keeping the Trail clean in 2018. Here are a few of our favorite stories from the season:
Spring Cleaning Serendipity Perhaps as a result of particularly strong storms last winter, a theme of the season was derelict skiffs washing ashore. These beat-up boats have negative environmental and aesthetic impacts, and their removal presents logistical challenges. Thankfully MITA’s monitor skippers and cleanup crews have the experience and can-do attitudes for the job! In June crews on the Deer Isle cleanup were able to take advantage of high tide to haul skiffs off of several islands. They were towed to Old Quarry Ocean Adventures, where owner Bill Baker graciously took care of them. The Downeast cleanup crews had to do a little more creative thinking when faced with low tide and a junk 16-foot aluminum skiff up in the wrack line. They managed to get it to the water, and fashioned a boat plug from foam found nearby. They were able to tow the skiff back to shore, along with the hull of a Whaler from another island. Once back at the launch ramp and looking at the beat-up boats, the question was, “Now what?” Someone commented that what was needed was a Sawzall to cut the fiberglass Whaler hull so it could fit in the dumpster. Local lobstermen had wandered over to check out what we were doing, and one offered that he in fact had a Sawzall in his truck! They dragged the skiff to a power outlet and cut it into manageable sections, then stuck around to help 6 Winter Newsletter | 2019 | mita.org
unload the other Lunds as they came back full of trash.
they were happy to learn that MITA could assist with a cleanup.
The lobstermen expressed their appreciation for MITA’s efforts to return salvageable buoys. MITA gets special permission to handle fishing gear, and the fishermen lamented that they aren’t allowed to pick up buoys that aren’t theirs, even if they will just degrade and be wasted. One of the guys was looking through the pile of buoys and pulled one out in surprise, exclaiming, “This was my dad’s buoy!” His dad had died 8 years ago and stopped fishing 2 years before that, demonstrating just how long
When staff first visited the 150-acre island, debris was spread along nearly every square foot of shoreline. We expected a multi-year cleanup effort, but MITA crews outdid themselves with a single cleanup of epic proportions over Labor Day weekend. In the course of two days, 30 volunteers covered the entire shoreline of the island. In some places the debris was so thick you could stand in one spot and fill several trash bags. Our savvy skippers navigated the bony waters and shuttled trash to the mainland as fast as it was picked up. At the end of the first day the 30yard dumpster was already full, and ultimately there was enough to fill a second container of the same size.
debris will persist.
New Site, Old Trash Seasoned volunteers often say that their favorite cleanups are the ones on new Trail sites. These shorelines tend to have years of embedded debris, and skiffs mounded high after a cleanup leave crews with a strong sense of satisfaction. However, for the new owners of Norton Island on Moosabec Reach in Jonesport, the prospect of removing years of accumulated debris was more daunting than exciting. When they decided to add Norton to the Trail,
Volunteers had the opportunity to stay on the island overnight in a number of small cabins. Steve and Louise, the island owners, even provided fresh local lobsters! The evenings featured s’mores and stories around a bonfire. “You’ve set a new standard for cleanups that may be hard to follow!” volunteer Marcus Rhinelander cautioned, but we certainly look forward to trying.
Monitor Skippers Henri Gignoux and Darla Edmonds use the resources at hand to move a derelict skiff to the water on the Downeast cleanup.
The owner of Norton Island celebrates atop a mountain of trash removed during the cleanup.
for bog bridging in a single morning by skiff that otherwise would have been carried several miles by work crews over the course of multiple days. Another important lesson of boating on the Bold Coast was that tide and timing dictate everything. Each day we launched close to dawn in order to work within a limited tide window. Early mornings also meant the calmest seas, so we could be off the water before sea breezes picked up in the afternoon. By rising early, in the spirit of the Sunrise County, and being flexible, we accomplished all our Bold Coast stewardship work for the season in a single week.
Sunrise County Stewardship 2018 marked the first year of Trail sites in the Bold Coast region. Considering the rugged, remote terrain, where extreme conditions can limit water access, we knew our stewardship work here would be different from the rest of the coast. While the Trail’s Bold Coast properties are technically mainland parcels, the sites are actually similar to wild islands. Our landowner partners at Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) and Maine Bureau of Parks & Lands (BPL) both practice active land management, but face challenges with a land-based approach. When you’re dealing with dozens of bags of marine debris and the shore is several miles from the trailhead, stewardship by foot is not ideal.
After an entire week that was a washout, we decided to hike in to stage trash with MCHT at a remote cove on their Boot Head Preserve. Then we just had to wait for the marine forecast to tell us when we could haul it off by sea. This particular cove has a high-energy, steep cobble beach that challenges the most skilled skipper, so calm conditions were essential. We eventually found a good weather window and seized the opportunity. Our work was not just cleanups–BPL was thrilled to have MITA deliver lumber
An Impressive Year 2018 was a standout year for many reasons. Over the course of the season, more than 6,770 work hours were put in by over 500 volunteers–the most volunteer hours ever recorded in MITA’s history. Over 1,370 stewardship visits were made to islands and mainland sites, and over 1,200 bags of shoreline debris were removed–that’s 50% more trash than last year. The solid efforts and enthusiastic problem-solving of our volunteers new and old make this important work possible. •
Volunteers and staff from MITA and the Bureau of Parks & Lands take advantage of cooperative weather to clean a pocket beach on the Bold Coast.
MITA coordinated cleanups with both MCHT and BPL in 2018. While it should have been obvious because it’s the message we’ve been emphasizing to recreational boaters, we learned firsthand the importance of letting the weather dictate your plans and being prepared to cancel your trip. Despite arranging weather windows and backup dates, when the time came for the Bold Coast cleanups, Nature had other plans. In fact, the worst weeks of weather all summer were when we had these events scheduled, with high winds, big seas, heavy rain, and dense fog.
Winter Newsletter | 2019 | mita.org 7
As Hare and Tortoise: Two Journeys on the Trail By Doug Welch, Executive Director FROM A CASUAL conversation at a MITA staff meeting last spring, a simple idea emerged that had a major impact on my summer: the 30-in-30 Challenge. As the 44 of you who completed the challenge, and countless others who worked on it, know, the concept behind 30-in-30 was simple–visit 30 islands in the 30th year of the Maine Island Trail, and let us know how it went. The challenge clearly delighted many of you who wrote with details of your conquests (see page 16). It was doable with some focused effort, but just hard enough in anything non-motorized to present a true, fun challenge. I was fortunate enough to complete the challenge twice, in two polar opposite adventures that defined my summer.
“30-in-24” A misty rain was falling in the darkness, cut only by the spotlight of our Defender Safe Boat. It was 4:06 am and we were already running late. The four of us had traveled to Kittery the afternoon before and arranged for a 4 am taxi pickup at
our motel. We had our doubts about the driver, but he assured us up-and-down that he would be there. He wasn’t, so we had to improvise. Our plan was to visit 30 islands in a single day, starting in Kittery and ending in Eastport, and we were late before even leaving the dock. 30-in-24 was the brainchild of MITA Trustee Ford Reiche. When we announced the Challenge at the May board meeting, Ford slipped me a Post-It note saying “30 in 24?” It was clear what he meant–with the right boat, you could visit 30 islands in 24 hours. And Ford certainly had the right boat. But after the meeting he doubled-down with a grin–in order to be interesting, the trip should run the entire length of the Trail from Kittery to Eastport. Now THAT would be a challenge! In the weeks that followed, a few other trustees caught wind of the idea and a four-person team solidified. But then, to our amazement, the 30-in-24 idea emerged again–this time from Tux Turkel, a fellow MITA member and Portland Press Herald reporter who
Boat for Sale to Benefit Trail Stewardship 1947 Rhodes Custom Daysailer The Douce Amie is a wonderful wooden daysailer that received an extensive restoration during the winter of 19992000. She was originally built in 1947 at the Brigham Shipyard in Greenport, Long Island. Recently surveyed (10/20/18), she is in excellent shape.
Visit mita.org/boatsforsale for more information. The Maine Island Trail Association accepts boat donations to support stewardship of Maine’s wild coastal islands. Please contact the MITA office at 207-761-8225 or info@ mita.org to learn more about MITA’s boat donation program. 8 Winter Newsletter | 2019 | mita.org
had a similar idea and carried it out. Unbeknownst to us, he and a friend set off in Tux’s skiff early one morning in June and managed–just barely–to land on 30 islands in Casco Bay before dusk. We only learned of this from the frontpage banner article in the Press Herald. We had been scooped! Undaunted, if rattled, our group was confident that our 30-in-24 approach remained unique and worthwhile as a celebration of the entire Trail. So we set about detailed planning for islands to visit close to the rhumb line from Kittery to Eastport, with several fuel stops along the way. We calculated that, with each landing taking 10 minutes and an average speed of 30 knots between them, we would need to leave Kittery before dawn in order to make Eastport by dusk. It felt like an ambitious but achievable goal that would be highly dependent on the weather. The plan required a three-day window in which to position the boat in Kittery, make the trip, and then return home the next day. There were only two three-day windows where all four of our calendars aligned over the summer. As the first date approached, the forecast quickly made clear that this attempt would be a no-go. While not a small craft advisory, the winds would prohibit the boat speed we required. Then, as the second date approached, one of our crew had an illness in her family that necessitated her bowing out. We kept the seat open despite knowing that many people would have loved to join us. One such person was Tux Turkel, who had learned of our plan when writing his news story. As our second calendar window approached, the forecast brought cautious optimism–gray skies, minimal winds, and calm seas. One day before the departure, having confirmed that our fourth party’s family issue remained, we reached out to Tux. He quickly secured blessings from his wife and his editor and within five hours he was on the dock and ready to go.
The trip from Freeport to Kittery to position the boat was sobering. While Monday promised smooth sailing, Sunday was downright unpleasant. We were slapping three-foot waves all the way down, turning stomachs and reinforcing the trip’s weather-sensitivity. If conditions like these persisted we would certainly cancel. But we made it down, and the aforementioned taxi was at least reliable in getting us from the boat to a nearby motel.
Pausing for a group photo while refueling on Peaks Island. From left to right: Tux Turkel, Doug Welch, Ford Reiche, Janet Dooley, and Mark Fasold.
It was 4:37 when the bow touched granite on Fishing Island in Kittery Harbor. We stepped briefly onto the rock, declaring this to be a technical landing, and then backed the boat gingerly away. After several tense moments in foggy, rainy darkness, we emerged from Kittery Harbor to the open seas of southern Maine and headed to Cape Porpoise. After choppy seas through Kennebunkport and Saco, we entered Casco Bay soon after daybreak with calming seas and several island visits behind us. By the time we reached Seguin we were ahead of schedule, and that trend continued all the way Downeast. Our final landing was at 5:22 pm at Rodger’s Island off Lubec–a very recent addition to the Trail that made a fitting endpoint to our journey of 315 miles and 36 island visits. “30-in-24” was an amazing experience. To see the entire coast of Maine in fastmotion, taking in the varied character, was exhilarating and eye-opening. At the same time, our landings were measured in seconds rather than the hours or days by which islands are best enjoyed. It was a teaser, and I longed for more. When the story was printed as front page news on Labor Day, some chafed at the excessive fuel use. While accepting that argument, I contend that a 30th anniversary is worth celebrating. If our adventure brought attention to the accessibility of Maine’s wild islands, it was worth the one-time extravagance.
What, Me Wherry? Diametrically opposed to the 30-in-24 trip was a solo, self-propelled journey I took in early September. Having discovered my love of rowing in recent years, 2017 found me and my brother building an Annapolis wherry at the Wooden Boat School in Brooklin. The wherry is an old English design that was popular as a river-crossing water taxi in Elizabethan times. An updated design by Chesapeake Light Craft offers a stitch-and-glue version of the lapstrake hull, fitted with a modern sliding-seat row wing. The result is a light, sleek-yet-stable boat that easily handles the typical in-shore chop of a fair summer day in Maine. Loaded with 60 pounds of camping gear, the boat still performed well–but I had zero interest in rowing it outside the bays into full ocean swell unaccompanied. This was to be a contemplative trip prepared for but preferably avoiding any chance of swamping. Thus an integral part of the trip was my truck, by which I transported the boat from bay to bay between island explorations.
I started the trip in Georgetown and had a lovely time exploring the Kennebec River, Back River, Sheepscot River, and Hockamock Bay. From there, Muscongus Bay, the Bagaduce River, Merchants Row, Blue Hill Bay, and Machias Bay all proved inviting to my little boat. In addition to rowing itself, I had plenty of other skills to work on. Most important was securing the boat overnight. A wooden boat like this can’t be dragged over rocks, so you have three choices that are highly dependent on the profile of the shoreline and the direction of the wind and current. You can pull the boat above the high tide line and avoid the ocean entirely; you can tie the boat, bow and stern, within the tidal zone with care that it won’t bottom out on ledge; or you can anchor it securely below low tide with the attendant challenges of staying dry yourself. With 12 nights camping on a different island each night, and several island visits each day, I gained experience in each of these three options while mastering none. Within a couple days, I realized that my entire life was revolving around the tide cycle and that “clock time” was largely Hare and Tortoise continued on page 19 Winter Newsletter | 2019 | mita.org 9
Donors Making a Difference Supporters in Fiscal Year 2018
MITA thanks the many individuals, families, businesses, and institutions who helped the Trail thrive during the fiscal year that ended on September 30, 2018.
Trailblazers
MITA recognizes the extraordinary generosity of our Trailblazers, individuals whose annual operating support totaled $1,000 or more during Fiscal Year 2018. Anonymous Robert & Francis Barchi Donna & Greg Barmore Nick Battista & Meredith Mendelson Stephen & Paula Birmingham Erno & Victoria Bonebakker Scott Camlin & Beth Uptegrove Daniel & Pamela Carr Barbara Chilmonczyk Nathan Clark & Kathryn Burnham George Cogan & Fannie Allen Gianne Conard Rory & Charlotte Cowan Mazie Cox & Brinkley Thorne Charles J Doane & Clare O’Brien Janet Dooley & Kathryn Bell Charles Duncan & Laura Blutstein Nancy Egan & J Otey Smith Elizabeth Ehrenfeld Joseph Faber & Family Mark & Patricia Fasold Scotty Folger
John Winthrop & Mary Lee Fowler J Thomas Franklin & Anna Ginn Joel Frantzman Mr & Mrs Benjamin Fuller Landis & Dominique Gabel Mark & Betsy Gabrielson James Gagnon & Margaret Hausman William & Karen Gallagher Mr & Mrs Herbert H Gowen II Nancy Grant & Michael Boyson Harriette & Peter Griffin Morris Hancock & Linda Peyton Whitney & Elizabeth Hatch Rodger & Jillian Herrigel Henry & Alicia Heyburn Dr & Mrs George Higgins Timothy T Hilton Marion & Mark Howard John Huth & Karen Agnew Elizabeth & Lewis Incze James Kelly & Margaret Mahoney
Jonathan & Cindy Knowles Charlotte Lawton William & Gail Legge Wayland Linscott & Susan Fuller George R Lucas Mary Maran Anne & John Marshall Mark Mason & Trish O’Donnell William McCue & Cara Chebuske Cornelius & Suzanne McGinn George & Elizabeth Murnaghan Carl Nelson Robert Nichols James Parmentier Michael Perry & Christine Wolfe Richard J Perry & Elaine Carlson Jack & Jane Phillips John & Charlotte Phillips Sara Pierce Dr & Mrs Richard N Pierson Christine & Doug Preston Marietta & Robert Ramsdell
Karen & Ford Reiche Ian & Deb Riddell Kristen Roos & Dan Smith Diane & Raymond Rymph Ellen K Shockro Karl Sims & Pattie Maes William P Stewart Odette & Scott Thurston Joan P Tilney John & Julia Ver Ploeg Stephan Wall Doug Welch & Caitlin Gutheil Gregory W Welch & Ann Lewnes Mark & Dawn Werner Blake Whitman C Scollay Whitney Jeremy & Amy Wintersteen David Witherbee & Michelle Bociek Gary & Susie York John & Sheila Zittel
$10,000 + (Institutions Only)
Lipton Crisp Family Foundation Lucy Foundation Maine Community Foundation Margaret E Burnham Charitable Trust Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust Philip and Ann DeFeo Charitable Trust
David & Heidi Fitz Suzanne Fox & Moritz Hansen Mr & Mrs John D Freeman Jr Google Inc Lisa Gorman Beth & Mike Gregg James & Mary Gribbell Chris Anthony Guzofski Cyrus Hagge Lindsay & Bill Hancock Justin Harlan & Sarah Haughey Mr & Mrs Edmund L Harvey Jr Nina Hatch Robert L Hazard Roger & Marny Heinen Steve Herbert & Ursula Ziegler Joseph Higdon & Ellen Sudow Peter Hochschild Scott Holliday & Vanita Sood Ogden & Nina Hunnewell Mark Isaacson & Karen Herold Peter A Jay Mr & Mrs Edward C Johnson IV Johnson-Wortham Family Donald & Edna Kaplan Rebecca & Michael Lambert Karen & James Lee Ron Leeking & Donna Roggenthien Malcolm W & Emily D MacNaught Bruce & Linda MacNeil Heather M McCargo & Brian McNiff Alyssa McCulloch & Adam Feiges H Turney McKnight Charity & Alan McNabb Todd Mellin & Wellens King
Bob Miller & Maryann McElroy Egbert Most & Regina Badura Craig & Pam Mudge James & Janet Owen Beth & Tony Owens Melissa Paly & David Batchelder Bob & Susan Peck Sam Plimpton & Wendy Shattuck Ronald R & Mary Pressman Prospect Hill Foundation Sheldon & Yvonne Prosser David Reis U Charles & Kathy Remmel Matthew & Sheila Rogers Jean-Andre & Vicki Rougeot Ann Rougle John W Ryan & Jenny Potter Scheu Tyson Sawyer & Emilie Phillips William Schroeder & Susan Boyer Shell Oil Company Foundation Rebecca & Scott Smallwood Regina Snyder & Brevard Garrison Ann & Marc Sonnenfeld Ann & Thayer Stewart William J & Norinne C Stoloski The Donnelley Foundation The Heart of Oak Foundation Bert Troughton Robert & Lisa Tully Michael & Rachel Warren Stuart & Karen Watson Richard & Frederica Welch Christopher White & Elizabeth Trask Jonathan Winthrop
Davis Conservation Foundation Dorothy Suzi Osher Foundation Horizon Foundation Inc Maine Bureau of Parks & Lands Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund Sand Dollar Foundation Seal Bay II of the Maine Community Foundation
$1,000 - $9,999 (Institutions Only)
Acadia National Park Anonymous Becton Family Foundation Benson P Blake Charitable Trust Casey Family Foundation Charles L Read Foundation Edmund & Betsy Cabot Charitable Foundation Farnsworth Fund of the Essex County Community Foundation GE Foundation Hartfield Foundation James G and Carolyn Birmingham Foundation James and Betty Jacobs Family Charitable Trust Kirby Family Foundation Linebarger Janin Family Fund, a fund of Central Indiana Community Foundation
$500 - $999
E Davies Allan Anne R & R Harper Brown Foundation Roger Berle & Lesley MacVane Richard Birns & Madeleine Sann Peter & Sofia Blanchard Cameron & Patricia Bright Dr Bobbie Brown Leonard & Libby Buck Bill & Debra Bulkeley Tom & Heather Carr Chevron Humankind Matching Gift Program W Morgan & Sonia Churchman Les & Joyce Coleman Sandy Colhoun & Selina Rossiter John & Davilynn Cowperthwaite Frederic & Elizabeth Craigie C Wesley Crain Robert & Norma Davee Whitney Davis Stuart Dawson Mr & Mrs Joseph C Donnelly Michael P & Jan Douglass Katie & Peter Eichleay Wesley & Kathleen Fairfield Matthew Faulkner & Alice Grant
10 Winter Newsletter | 2019 | mita.org
$250-499
Jim & Patricia Allen David & Holly Ambler Lucy Amory & Robert Fulton Jennifer Andrews & Mark Battista Christopher Angell Robert Arledge & Nananda Col Frederick & Jennifer Aronson William & Victoria Baetz Duane & Robbin Bailey Alan & Patricia Baldwin John E & Mary S Beard William & Susan Blethen David A & Maureen E Bluett Carrine Burns & Pete Bouman Sean Brown & Laura Filkins Robert & Kathryn Brustlin Alexander & Anne Buck Alvin & Emily P Bugbee Anne & Charles Butterfield Deborah Campbell & Thomas Garcia Laura & Christopher Carrigan Robert & Laura Chapman Catherine Chute Jennifer & Tom Clancy David & Peri Clark Susanne & Benjamin Clark Katherine & Thomas Clements Virginia & Ken Colburn Nicole & John Connelly Cornerstone Financial Planning Madeleine G Corson Richard & Barbara Couch Bruce Craven & Kathleen Yorks Hilary Creighton Peter & Catherine Creighton William Crouch & Family Allerton Cushman Jr David & Lucile Packard Foundation Napoleon De Barros Noah & Chelsea DeLorme Rob & Deb Dickey Jeffrey & Marguerite Eberle Peter & Beverly Edwards Benjamin & Dianna Emory Emsbo-Mattingly Family Bayard C Ewing Rol & Averil Fessenden Nate Fick & Margaret Angell Greg & Ginny Field Alice Frelinghuysen Spencer Fulweiler & Rena Zum Wendy & Stephen Gaal Susan Gabrielson Caitlin & Eli Gallaudet Theresa & Charles Gendron Susan George & Miles Epstein Dorrie & David R Getchell Sr Richard & Cate Gilbane Mickey Gillmor & Henry Kahn William Ginn & June LaCombe Susan & Jeff Goodell Robert & Sarah Gould Robert & Donna Hamill Karen Hartman John Hartmann & Gabrielle McDermit Cameron & Michelle Hicks Jean Hoffman Betsey Holtzmann Samuel Huber Stephanie & James Huger John Hunt Wade & Nancy Judge Daniel & Louise Karger James Kelsey Frank Kieliszek James & Elizabeth Kilbreth Kilbridge & Harris Insurance Services LLC Joy & Kenneth Kleeman
Shepard Krech III Paul & Cindy Laprise Laughing Waters Inc Charles & Eliza Lee Karen Leland Linda & Jeff Lennox Lynne Lewis & John Dickens Debra Lobato-Barrera & Rick Barrera Darrell & Oivind Lorentzen Robert MacEwen Kate & Ian Malin Harris & Felicia Markhoff Dana & Alison Martin Jose Mas & Deirdre Strachan Thomas & Marcia Mason Thomas Mason & Emily Vickers Paul & Lyn Mayewski Matt & Josephina McComiskey June McCormack Jeff McKinnon David Merriman Mexicali Blues J Philip Miller & Courtnay Malcolm Hilary Mochon & Bart Van Rees William Moore & Ann MacLauchlin Harold & Deborah Moorefield Daniel A Morgenstern & Moriah Moser Katie Murphy & Peter Lindsay Christopher Osgood & Betsy Morrell Chip Newell & Susan Morris Sigrid Noack & Rupert Fincke Ian S Ogilvie Richard Owens & Margaret McGoldrick Arthur & Constance Page James Peva Pitney Bowes - Global Impact Ben Polito & Alexis Cavic Proprietors of Union Wharf Antonio & Ann Marie Ramos Thomas Randall & Katrina Armstrong Lucia & Kenneth Rapple Ron & Deborah Ratner Marc Reardon Martha L Reeve David Reinholt Frederick H Rice Michael Roberts & Family Mr & Mrs Martin G Rosansky W Allen & Selina Rossiter Wickes Rossiter & Leila Schueler James & Emily Rowan George & Constance Russell Robert Sessums & Susan Inches James & Lynn Shaffer Jesse Smith Patricia Smith & Richard Tucker Andrew & Sabina Soloway Joan & E Paul Sorensen Holly Steele & Bart Osgood Kevin Strange Stephen & Allison Sullens The Pittsburgh Foundation Jeff & Abby Troiano UnitedHealth Group Gregory Walsh & Louise Valati Jay & Candy Walton Edward & Mary Wendell Terrell R Whiting & Family William J Wiegmann Tom & Debrah Yale James & Paula Zeitlin Erwin & Christian Zimmermann
$100 - $249
21st Century Fox Eric & Megan Abbott Robert E & Cynthia Abrams Karen Adam & Robert Glennon Dr & Mrs Frank Adshead
Jonathan & Joanne Allen Philip & Lorrie Allen Paul & Meredith Allen Sarah Allen & William Pohle Eric Altholz & Mary McQuillen Anchor Capital Advisors LLC David & Maureen Anderson Mr & Mrs James M Anderson Robert Anderson Kenneth & Patricia Andrews James & Betsy Appleby C D & Betts Armstrong Polly Arnoff & Nathaniel Hyde Matthew Arrants & Stacy Smith Hans Asoera & Family Keith & Donna Attenborough Patricia Axelsen Robert & Linda Ayotte JoAnne & Ross Babcock Stephen & Lee Babcock Wells & Mary Bacon Kim & Lisa Baker Charlie Ballard & Hannah Kinney JoAnne & Michael Bander Bank of America Matching Gifts S Brian Banner Robert & Drusilla Barkalow Henry & Doris Barlow Capt Noah & Jane Barnes Evan Bash Constance Bauer & Mark Zahniser Karen Baumgartner & Bill Roebuck Morgan Baxter & Family Prudence Baxter Alice Bean-Andrenyak Franklin & Anne Beard Emily Beck & Geoffrey Young John & Harriet Beckerman David Bellows Eric Bennett John Benning & Family Craig Benson Richard & Moira Bentzel Judith V & David M Berghuis Stefan & Gretchen Bergill Harriet Bering & Lawrence Hoder Ben Bernard & Victoria Kostadinova Ted Berry Franklin S Beveridge John & Jill Bezzant John & Carol Bianchi Llewellyn B Bigelow MD Constance & Peter Bingham Linda & Fred Bishop Stephen & Robin Bishop Monika Bissell & Brian Sheahan Jeremy Blaiklock Randi & Gregory Blaisdell Gary Blake Gregory Blanchette & Ruth Pease Sidney & Martha Block Mr Charles P Bolton Henry H Booth Roy Bouchard Jonathan Bourne H Blane Bowen William & Jonell Bowman James Brady Julia & James Brady Charles Bragdon & Rebecca Clarn David M Braslau & Yain Y Lu David & Pam Brennan Elizabeth Briggs Carolyn J Britt & Michael Schaaf Karen Brobst & Robert Spielvogel Deborah & Witter Brooke Stanton Brooks & Linda Dillingham John & Wendy Brown Rebecca Brown & John Connolly Allen & Whitney Bruce Alex & Allison Buck John & Susan Buck
Bridgette Budhlall & Lauren Dorosh James & Michelle Buescher Lee Bumsted Daniel & Holly Burnes Paul Burns & Kristin Jhamb Weld & Sarah Butler Daniel & Christine Cahalane Philip Scavotto & Cecilia Caldwell Todd & Laurie Callaghan David Callahan Jerry Callen & Katy Petersen Annie Campbell Mary E Campbell & Deborah A Chase Stephen Carbone Kevin Carley & Ellen Grant David & Kathy Carlson Lucan & Megan Carter Gregg & Emily Carville Stephen & Maria Cashin Dr & Mrs Bruce R Cassidy Rob Center & Kathryn Henry James Chadbourne & Kristie Mapes Susan Chambers & Robert Emerson Peter B & Karen A Chapman Curtis Chaput Tom & Caroll Charlesworth Reid & Jessica Charlston Aquila Chase Alan Chebuske & Melissa Hewey Will & Lee Cheever Robert Chester Cloe Chunn & David Thanhauser Thomas & Rachel Claflin Daniel & Deborah Clark Ham Clark Amy Clary & Jeff Caulfield Roxanne & Kevin Coady Theodore Coladarci Eben & Tara Colby Paige Cole Henry Conklin & Carol Pierson Chris & Heather Cook Tim & Anna Cook Linzee & Beth Coolidge Ellen Cooper Judith & Brian Cooper Chris Corbett & Mrs Manny Morgan Karen & Jay Corson Doug & Sophie Cowan Lisa & David Cowan Robert Cowan & Jean Weld Margaret Cox & Eric Johnson Rob Crane Nan Cumming & Drew Masterman Ellen & Bruce D Cummings Albert Curran Dick & Margaret Curran Peter & Monique Curtis David Dalena Ted Danforth & Andrea Stevens Corinn & Randy Darby David Dardano Mark & Virginia David Darwin & Jacqueline Davidson Monique V & Mark I Davies Joe & Jane Davin J Staige Davis & Sarah Spink Leverett B Davis Jr Mr & Mrs Endicott P Davison Harriet & Charles Day Tom & Beth Day Ciro de la Vega James & Elizabeth Deane Christopher DeCardy & Tracy Morris Michael Dedekian & Family Nick DeFriez William J Deignan & Molly Ruffle Andrew deLaski & Audrey Richardson Paul & Linda Demers Paul & Ellen DeOrsay Barbara Deuell & Peter Whitman Deborah DeWitt & Charles Lucas
Winter Newsletter | 2019 | mita.org 11
Amy DiFrancesco Donna Watson Dillon Edward & Jen Dillon Alan & Marilyn Dimson-Doyle Charles & Marylee Dodge Katie Donovan Kimo Katherine & David Doub Lisa Doughty & Ian Huss James Douglas & Crystal ShamasDouglas Walter L & Doris Downey Thomas R & Margaret Downing Susan & Will Doyle Dragonworks Inc Kenneth & Carol Drake George Dresser Virginia Drewry & Abby Martin Grace Drown & Tom Demarest Susanna & Rich DuBois Richard J Dumler Sandra & Tom Dunham William Eacho Mike Eastman Blake & Wendy Eaton James & Karen Eaton Mr & Mrs Larry Eaton Frederick Ebinger & Family Lea Edwards & Alan Green Robert & Blythe Edwards Paul Egbert & Jean Towns Susan Eggenberger & Douglas Rogers Anne Eldridge & Charles Kane Jr Beate & Russell Ellis Jamie & Henry Ellis Shane Ellis Ben Ellison David & Marilyn Ellwood Brian & Liz Elowe Dan & Ginny Emerson Mr & Mrs Samuel Emerson Judith & William English David & Nancy Erb Shep Erhart Barbara & Penn Estabrook Elizabeth S M Estey Devon & Heather Evans Preston & Sarah Everdell Exelon Foundation Kroka Expeditions James M & Margaret O Eysenbach William & Rebecca Ezzard Frank & Michelle Fassett David Fay Peter & Sarah Felmly Mark Felsenthal Greg & Judith Fergin Robert Ferraro Daniel Fink & Lisa Bloss Stephen & Frances Fink Joan R & L K Fink Jr Ann Flannery William Fletcher Jeffrey & Sonja Florman John Flumerfelt & Creighton Taylor Capt John & Kathryn Foss Alex Foster & Amelia Meier Paul Foster-Moore & Family Mark & Shari Fox Karen Francoeur Roger & Kimberlea Francoeur Alfred & Polly Frawley Richard Fried & Pam Velardo Steven Fried Brion Friedman & Deirdre Lavieri Ed Friedman Friends of Nature Mike & Michele Fritschy Kyle Fritz & Kristen Grant Joan & Charles Frost Kathryn & Dan Frost Amy Fulton & John Laterra
Alex Gardiner & Brenda Thomas Tim Garrity & Lynn Boulger John Gass Peter P Gates Jeffrey & Margie Geiger Martin Gellert William E Gerber Jr Chris Gerkin Herbert Germann Charles W Gesner Catherine & Sam Getchell Justin Gibbons George Gibson & Linda Johns Thomas T & Margaret Gilbert Bob & Maggie Gill Jamie Gillette George & Martha Gilmore Albert Ginouves Eric Girardi & Amy Romanelli David & Samuel Goding Thomas & Beth Goettel Mark Goff & Anne Powelson Thomas Gonsiorowski & Barbara Herrmann John Gooch John & Judy Good Jeffrey Gordon & Donna Jean Ahigian Kenneth F & Susan B Gordon Charlie Governali Donna Grant & Peter Hinsch Samuel P M & Gerry Gray Ron Greenberg & Family Janice & Richard Greene Joel P Greene & Ann T Lisi Arthur W Gregg & Family Richard & Sarah Gregory John & Alexandra Griffith Zdenka & Jack Griswold Brent Groce & Donna Cordner Richard & Susan Grondin John Andrew Grundberg & Family Thomas R Guare David Gulak & Emilie Knight Robert & Karen Gutheil Will Hafford & Eileen McCue Scott Hafner Christina Haiss-Koehl & Hans Koehl Edward & Nancy Haley Sandra & Arthur Hall Phil Hall & Kelly Campbell Bruce Hamilton & Rosemary McAndrew Kristopher Hammer & Nancy Chickering Dr Karen Hancock Denzel Hankinson Albert Hansen John Hansman & Laura Werwick Kathy Harding Lee Harper Kurt & Carol Harrington Alex & Anne-Marie Harris-Drummey Donna Harris Robert & Elizabeth Hart Hugh & Pamela Harwood Mark & Donald Hastings Erik Hayward & Carrie Duley Mr & Mrs David Heap Matthew Heard & Family Steve Hebda Atwell B & Elizabeth Hedly Erling Heistad & Kim Rheinlander Joseph Helmer Donald Hendrich & Lynn Jenness Anne Henshaw Richard Hero & Jane Whitney Peter & Adair Heyl Jim Hicks Alan T Hill David & Lois Hinman Caroline & John Hodsdon Richard & Wendy Hokin
12 Winter Newsletter | 2019 | mita.org
Donald & Lee Holmes Robert & Ginny Holmes Joe Holt Claude & Lyn Hoopes Jared & Kayla Hourihan Scott Hoyt & Parker Chamberlin Stefanie & Fred Hufnagel Patrick & Carole Hughes Gary & Cindy Hughes Grant Hughes & Laura Lee Hans & Betsy Humes Jim Huntington Jonathan Huntington & Christi Berube Peter A & Kathryn A Hussey Stephen & Amy Hutnak IBM Corporation Jamie Irving Jayne Israel & Richard Rubin Lawrence & Janet Jackel Rebecca Jaffe & Brett Hart Herbert & Kathleen Janick Caroline Janover Judith Jellinek Martin Jensen Joe & Bryn Jerome Sam W Joffe & Mary K McCabe Theodore Johanson & Patricia Lundholm Joyce Jones Mark Jones Thomas & Mary Jones Caren & Robert Journagan Monica Joyce & David Lawrence Brooks Juhring & Leah Gootkind Kathy & Brian Kaczor Katherine & Frank M Kahr MD Lisa J Kane Robert & Patricia Kane Barbara & AW Karchmer Kimberly Keaney & Paul Knight Kent Kelley & Mary Louise Beardsley Margaret & John Kelley Eleanor Kinney & Steve Page Peter & Jessica Kenlan Kevin & Kris Kenlan John & Marily Kerney Geoff Kerr Iain Kerr Meg Kerr & Carl Paulsen R Ross & Dale Ketchum William, Brooke & Kellan Key Robert Kilpeck Dennis P & Sandra E King Charles Kinney & Pamela MyersKinney Kyle & Sarah Koerber Kenneth Kornfield & Margo Burnham Mary & JR Krevans Jane M & William G Lahaye Kevin Lake Jeffrey & Susan Landon Hugh Lane Adam & Ellen Lauer Robert Lawrence Edward & Gail Lawson Dick Leask Sloane Lederer & Lucius Palmer Adam & Diana Lee Mark Lefkin Dennis C & Jayne T Leiner Richard Lenz & Jean Tibbetts Dana & Georgiana Leonard Mary & Michael Leonard Kirk & Judith Leoni Jonathan Lesser & Dena Salmon Chris & Jessica Lewis Courtland & Barbara Lewis Jon Lichter Cassie, Robert & Kelly Lieblein Thomas & Patricia Anne Likos Douglas Lind & Family
Carl & Julia Lindquist Linda & Steve Lindsay Stephen Lindsay Albert & Ann Lingelbach Carl Linley & Family Nancy & Bob Lipper Alexander Lippincott & Seth Dodds Larry Litchfield William Livengood Daniel K Livingston Thomas & Wendell Livingston David A & Judith Lloyd Kenneth Long William & Beth Long Jeffrey & Beth Longcope Richard & Elizabeth Lord Fred & Joyce Lorensen Richard & Debbie Lorenson Charles Lowell & Family Douglas & Sarah Lowry Timothy Luehrman & Ann Velie John A Lumbard John & Donna Mabus William & Luz MacArthur Arnie Macdonald & Liza Moore Cathy MacInnis Richard MacKinnon Maine Coast Sea Vegetables Inc Maine Sport Outfitters Stephen & Adrienne Major Linda Malcolm Stephen L Malcom Peter & Susan Maloney Cathy Mandis & Steve Plissey Bill & Paige Mangum Carter Manny III Thomas & Denise Marcaurelle Maude March Frank Marinace Laurence Marner & Elisabeth PostMarner Caroline & Gregg Marston Erik & Valeska Martin Keith & Kristen Martin Barbara & Bob Mathewson Edward & Ann Matlack Geo Matteson & Adele Ursone David & Joan Maxwell Michael S McCartney John McClelland Chessell McGee & Rob Smith Richard McGinley & Debbe Davis Sharon McHold Larry McKenna Tom & Jane McKinney Stephen & Diana McLaughlin Jon McMillan & Kathryn Rensenbrink Ed & Paula McNeice Jorge Menendez MD FACS Robert & Missy Mial Charlie Miller Frederick & Avis Miller Gail & Marshall Miller J Hillis Miller Lucas Milliken Alex Millspaugh & Winky Lewis Kent & Ann Mohnkern Glenn Montgomery & Cary Slocum Michelle & Stanley Moody Anne Morehouse & Mary Hulbert F Corlies Morgan II David & Debra Morrill Cyndi Morse & Carolyn Stevenson David Morton Anne W Moulton & John B Murphy Dr Frank Moya Mary Ellen Moynahan Randall & Mary Mraz Sugata Mukhopadhyay Burke & Denise Munger Janet Myers & Rob Putnam Ellen & Duane Nadeau
Ian & Kathryn Neilson Harry & Elizabeth Nelson Leonard & Merle Nelson Robert & Brenda Nelson John Newcomb Barrett W Nichols & Family Ben & Anne Niles Megan Nolan Richard P Noonan MD Robert Norton John W Noyes Stephen & Lisa Nutt Dave & Sue Oakes Marty & James Oberlander Ira S & Judith K Ockene Kenneth & Sharon Oehmig Lisa & Frederick Oettinger Chad & Susan Olcott Bob Olney & Catherine Richards Donna & Al Olsen John & Sage Oram Charlie Osborn Victor & Liz Otley Mary & David Otto Trissa Otto & Tim Pinette Judy Owen Mr & Mrs Dan Paduano Deborah Paine Jeffrey B Palmer Deborah Panitch & William Wertz Richard Papetti Ellen Pariser Dave Parker & Lisa Marchi Donald Parker Elizabeth Parker Landmann Tony Parr & Family Esther Parson & Stephen Strand James Patrick & Melissa Webster Robert Patterson David & Susan Patton Eric Paul Laura Pawle & Juan Gorlier Reggie Pawle David S Payne & Annie Piatt Andrew Pease Frederic Pease Bob & Susie Peixotto Andrew Perry & Caroline Chute Julie & Charles S Perry Chuck & Sunday Perry Edward Perry Trevor Peterson & Sarah Rodgers Tyler Philpott Mike & Kate Pierce Rebecca Pierce & Michael Prokosch John H & Theresa Pierse Leslie & Winslow S Pillsbury Stephen & Cynthia Pitcher Steve & Jane Plaisted Joel F Plastridge Gail & James Plotts Tim Plouff & Kathryn Silsby Pamela Plumb & Family Joseph A Plumbo Joseph Poland III Malcolm F Poole & Family William W Poole Robert F Preti Mike Putzel & Ann Blackman Putzel Gloria & Donald Quigley Tom & Gail Quinby William K Raabe Martin Rachels Peter & Ellen Rawlings Laurie Raymond Abbie & Bart Read Daniel & Elizabeth Reardon Ann Reichelderfer & Doug Blair Jay Reighley W Edwin Reynolds III & Family Steve Reynolds Margaret Rhinelander
Mr & Mrs William P Rice John Richardson Rachel Riemann Janet Riesman Ri’Ra’ Irish Pub Sandy Ritchie Rit Roberts David Robertson Paul Robie & Karen Young Parker & Jeanette Rockefeller Peter & Janet Roderick Robert Rogers & Patti Millette James & Elizabeth Root Mary Jane Rosenfield & Family Juanita Roushdy Philip Ruck Gary & Leslie Rudolph Angela & Andy Russ Ben & Nancy Russell James & Susan Russo Michael & Pamela Ryan Joy & John Saams Barry Salussolia & Joanne Draghetti James & Lenora Sampson Rebecca & Clay Sanborn Chuck & Cathy Sanders Renate Sands & Charles Sands Jr Piero Sarti Nellie, Reese, Maizie & Charlie Savage William & Sandra Savage Justin Schair Brian & Susan Schanning Susan & Mark Scheffer Robert Scheibel Harm Scherpbier & J Titia ScherpbierHeddema Molly Potter Scheu Linda & John Schier Michael Schimpff Susan R Schnur & Family Amy Schrag John & Josie Scully Joe & Elizabeth Seamans David & Valerie Seaton Maryann & Jeff Sedlack Rob Sellin & Natalie West Edmund Semeneshen Robert J & Kristine Shabunia Kathleen Shafer & James Patterson Marguerite Shaffer & Ben Jaczs Marcia & Larry Sharp Bill & Eileen Shaughnessy Abbie Shaw Travis Shaw & Family Aaron Sheer Martin & Ellen Shell John & Judy Sherman Gail & Bob Shields Andrew & Sybil Shiland John Shorb David Shove & Tina Fife Stephen Shuff & Jamie Jaffe Jonathan & Suzanne Sibley Debbie Siebert Catherine Sieffert Libbey Siegars & Steve Spencer Kevin Siegrist Roger Simmons Seville H Simonds James & Karen Simpson Amy Sinclair & Mark Tux Turkel Joseph & Ruthann Sitter Mark & Evan Skinner Gayle Slattery & Robert Wexler Walter Slocombe & Ellen Seidman Robert & Anne Louise Smit James & Susan Smith Leslie Smith & Mary Taft Malcolm M Smith Ned Smith & Megan Thorn Richard W Smith Robert Smith & Jessie Snyder
Sherry Smith Thomas Sofyanos Jeff & Marta Solof Marilyn & Bruce Soper Michael & Linda Soukup Irwin & Sonia Spalding Judith & Carl Spang Frank W Sparks III Alison & Kevin Sparks Christina Spellman & Juan Corradi John K Spencer Daniel Starer Steelcase Foundation Robert D & Roberta M Steele Jeffrey Stenberg & Karen Landry Mason & Linda Stephenson Robert K Stewart Richard Stewart Andy & Sue Stoessel Gregg & Lisa Stone Keith Stone & Steven Watts Richard Storck Meredith Strang Burgess Carl Strawbridge Sandra S Strine Gust & Jan Stringos Kristen G & Robert A Strong Kim Suhr Mark Sullivan & Ann Tikkanen Andrew Sumberg & Mindy Berman Diane Sustendal Labouisse Paul Sylvester Steven J Szarawarski Susan Talbot R Gordon & Carole Talley Deborah Ann & Bradford Tannebring Steven & Catherine Tardosky Irina Tarsis & Andre Lebedev Peter & Anne Taylor Lew S Teich Ellen Thayer The Ladies Improvement Society, Isle of Springs Assoc Cathy Thomas & Brian Wells Jonathan & Susan Thomas Cynthia Thompson & Matthew Rawdon Lee M Thompson Tommy & Rody Thompson Geoffrey & Jan Thrope James Tibensky Allan & Kathleen Toubman John W & Connie Towne John & Jill Trask Kim & Jeff True Ed & Megan Tumavicus Sonia Turek Oscar & Diana Turner David & Nancy Twichell Jim & Susan Upham Joe & Marylou Upton Warren Valdmanis & Family Peter Van Alstine Claire & William Van Deinse Seth Van Liew Margaret Wilson & Lloyd Van Lunen Reina & James Van Natta Nicholas van Praag Ellen & Barkley Van Vranken Suzanne VanPoortvliet Daniel Vargas Zoe & John Veasey Edward von Gerichten & Carmen Duarte Tom Waddell & Marilyn Dunn Katharine & Jerry Wall Don & Hilary Ware Hans & Lee Warner Robert Wasserstrom Elisabeth Watkins Mary & George Wawro Morrison Webb & Family
Seth & Jill Webber Barbara Weber & Family Mark Weber & Family Bill Webster & Family Margaret & Peter Webster Michael Weinberg & Jeanne Rotunda Alex & Joy Weiss Jeff & Gerri Weiss Carolyn Welch Elizabeth Welch Stephen M Weld Jr Caroline Werth Randall & Sharon Wetzel Jean A Whelan Beth Whitaker Allan White Malcolm & Nancy White Marion & Ray White William & Pamela White William F & Barbara Whitman Steven & Barbara Whitney G Robinson & Robin Whitten Charles D Whittier II Christopher P Williams Warren & Holly Williams Karen & Jeff Wills John Wilson Karin Wilson Scott Wilson Anne & John Winchester Mark Winkworth & Jule Selbo Dennis Wint Theodore Wirth David & Gail Witherill Craig & Maris Wofsy Rikka Wommack Bruce & Connor Wood Diana Marston Wood & Family Daniel & Linda Wood Carl & Linda Woodbury Charles & Susan Woodman Jeffrey Wooster Lance & Barbara Wyeth Martin G Yapp Nancy Zane Ellen Zdyb & Russ Murley Rufus Zogbaum & Reina Schratter
Memorial and Honoraria
In honor of Steve & Paula Birmingham In honor of Mark Fasold In honor of Julia Fritz & Patrick Cobb In honor of John Fullam In honor of John & Amy Funkhouser In honor of Lindsay Hancock In honor of Morris Hancock In honor of Caroline Hodsdon In honor of Michael & Lauren Prior In honor of David Rand In honor of Liam Russell In honor of Odette Thurston In honor of Doug Welch In honor of Jeremy Wintersteen In memory of Matthew Abercrombie In memory of Edward Driscoll In memory of Richard Engel In memory of John Holmes In memory of Doug Leland In memory of Robert Pawle In memory of Jim Rasmus In memory of Bobbin Rice In memory of Georg Rymph
Boat Donations Edward Earle Charlotte Lawton Dick Leask Jesse Smith
Winter Newsletter | 2019 | mita.org 13
Gifts In Kind
Maine Sport Outfitters Maine Yacht Center Brian & Melissa Marcaurelle Tom & Jane McKinney Midcoast Conservancy New Meadows Marina Inc
Curt & Judy Bean Browne Trading Company Alvin & Emily P Bugbee Mitch Darrow
Old Quarry Ocean Adventures Inc John & Cynthia Orcutt Portland Yacht Club Job & Sascha Sandberg Craig & Stephanie Shipp Sweet Sensations Pastry Shop
Chris & Lynda Tadema-Wielandt Tidal Transit Kayak Geoffrey Trott
Corporate Sponsors
MITA is fortunate to receive support from the following sponsors in 2018.
Compass ($5000+)
Chart ($1,000+)
Buoy ($500+)
L.L.Bean Rising Tide Brewing Company
F.L. Putnam Kittery Trading Post LandVest Sabre Yachts Sea Tow Sellers Publishing
BerryDunn Wealth Management Clark Insurance Cribstone Capital Management East Brown Cow Management Freedom Boat Club Green Clean Maine Kamasouptra
Anchor ($3000+) Maine Yacht Center WEX
Maine Cat Catamarans Malone Auto Racks Penmor Lithographers Pierce Atwood WoodenBoat Publications Wright-Ryan Construction Yarmouth Boat Yard
Splash!
MITA thanks the following individuals and businesses who helped make Splash!, our second annual boating season kick-off party, a smashing success!
Host Committee
Paul & Meredith Allen Margaret Angell & Nate Fick Anonymous Joel Antolini & Meeghan McLain Greg & Donna Barmore Nick Battista & Meredith Mendelson Kathryn Bell & Janet Dooley Stephen & Paula Birmingham Michael Boyson & Nancy Grant Austin Brown & Alan Stearns Sissy & Sandy Buck Kevin Carley & Ellen Grant Nicole & John Connelly Chelsea & Noah DeLorme Nancy Egan & Otey Smith Katie & Peter Eichleay David Etnier & Laura Sewall Mark & Pattie Fasold David & Heidi Fitz Landis & Dominique Gabel Lindsay & Bill Hancock Morris Hancock & Lin Peyton Sally Harold & Rob Nichols Alicia & Henry Heyburn Cathy Houlihan & Bo Norris Liz & Lew Incze Bryn & Joe Jerome Cindy & Jon Knowles Mary Kunhardt & Lee B. Silverman Bree LaCasse & Chris Moore Rebecca & Michael Lambert Adam & Diana Lee Ben Leoni Stephanie McDonough & Andrew Stern David & Anne McLain Ned & Allison Merrick
Doug & Tara Moran Susan Morris & Chip Newell Steve Morton & Katie Pulsifer Peter & Lynn Noyes Richard Perry & Elaine Carlson Karen & Ford Reiche Seth Rigoletti & Gillian Schair Kristen Roos & Daniel Smith Karen Stimpson The Dunham Group Jack & Susan Thomas Odette & Scott Thurston Jeff & Abby Troiano Kim & Jeff True Jeremy & Amy Wintersteen
Auction Donors
250 Main Hotel Andy’s Old Port Pub Anonymous Atlantic Coastal Kayaker Bill Baguskas Greg Barmore Nick Battista & Meredith Mendelson Kathryn Bell Chris Beneman Big Tree Hospitality Steve Birmingham Buck’s Restaurant Bufflehead Sailing Charters Calderwood Hall Casco Totes Cohill’s Inn Devenish Wines Susan Dickerson Dolphin Marina Driftwood Kayak East Ender Restaurant
Patricia & Nancy Egan Evo Rock & Fitness Mark & Pattie Fasold Fishbone Metal Works Scotty Folger Friends of Seguin Island Light Station Good To-Go Great Lost Bear Gundalow Company Lindsay Hancock Hardshore Distilling Company Harry Hepburn, Briburn Architects Jillian Herrigel Home & Away Gallery Eric Hopkins Hyperlite Mountain Gear Inn By The River Ironbound Inn & Restaurant Henry Isaacs Izakaya Minato Kate & Tony Jans Kettle Cove Enterprises Kokatat L.L.Bean Landing Boat Supply Robert Levine Local Muscle Movers Lubec Brewing Company Maine Coast Heritage Trust Maine Flag Company Maine Huts & Trails Maine Sport Outfitters Scott & Cherrie Markwood Matt Brown Woodprints Sharon McHold Molly Maps Mary Mraz Mt Chase Lodge MTI Adventurewear
Nanuq Kayaking Nebo Lodge Northern Outdoors NRS Old Quarry Ocean Adventures Patagonia Portland Paddle Tom & Gail Quinby Raye’s Mustard Ford & Karen Reiche Revision Energy Rising Tide Brewing Company Matthew Russ Sea Cliff Kayakers Sea Swell Campgrounds Sea Tow Portland/Midcoast Seacoast Helicopters Shinola Detroit Shore Knots TACK studios Thirsty Pig Three Rivers Whitewater Kim & Jeff True Waterfront Restaurant WB Mason Werner Paddles Jim & Meg Wilson WoodenBoat Publications Yale Cordage
In-Kind Donors
Coastal Root Bitters East Coast Yacht Sales Hardshore Distilling Company Louis Latour Maine Magazine Maine Oyster Company Rising Tide Brewing Company
Boat for Sale to Benefit Trail Stewardship
1974 Pulsifer Hampton Launch #3
Eider is hull number 3 of the Pulsifer launches and in good overall shape. Her 29-hp engine has been replaced and only has 68 hours on it. This boat is ready to go into the water now and has already been in the water this season. Trailer is available for sale separately. Visit mita.org/boatsforsale for more information. 14 Winter Newsletter | 2019 | mita.org
Dave Getchell, Sr. (1929-2018) Thirty years after MITA’s inception, if there is one single individual who personifies the Maine Island Trail, it is Dave (Getch) Getchell. While he insisted to the end that he was merely a cofounder of the Trail who “administered the necessary details,” those present in the early days of MITA were little fooled by his self-effacement. A lifelong outdoorsman, Getch admired iconic land-based hiking trails like the Appalachian Trail. At the same time, he was a small boat captain with extraordinary adventures behind him. His trusty tin skiff Torngat, named for Newfoundland’s northernmost mountains, was his vessel of choice for coastal camping adventures. He brought those experiences–and that boat–along as he studied the Maine islands in 1986. Getch’s professional life was as an outdoor recreation writer and editor. His practical, folksy writing delivered his ideas to a cadre of like-minded admirers whom he gradually cultivated over 22 years in the business. In 1987, Getch wrote of the islands: “In studying this bounty, it occurred to me that here was a rare chance to develop an outstanding waterway for small boats.” The islands would define a route through North America’s finest cruising grounds. Like the Appalachian Trail for hikers, perhaps such a “water trail” could become an iconic destination for small boaters. Even more outlandish, Getch suggested that this Maine Island Trail could actually be managed by the people who used it: “a Maine Island Trail Association, so to speak, made up of members who believe an island waterway should exist and are willing to work toward that goal.” He further insisted that rather than legal documents, this made-inMaine water trail should be based on handshake agreements and mutual trust. Like the count of islands on the Trail, Getch and his followers multiplied for the next 30 years–500 the first year, 1,500 the next, and 6,500 today. Surely there is no greater measure of the man than the people his work inspired. Getch spent his scant 90 years in midcoast Maine, 67 of them with wife, Dorrie. He left this world on his own terms with “no complaints,” stressing there should be “no moping” on his account.
Tom Franklin (1938-2018) If Dave Getchell embodied the Trail and its founding, Tom Franklin represented the current Association and its members. After retiring from a career in corporate law, J. Thomas Franklin moved to Portland to be closer to his son and grandchildren. As a sailor and cruiser in Maine since the late ‘60s, Tom soon discovered MITA and found the mission compelling. He was enchanted by the Maine islands and loved the idea that a community of optimists could build the nation’s first recreational water trail and manage it through volunteerism and goodwill. In response to a 2005 job posting for an Operations Manager, Tom persuaded the staff that what MITA really needed was a Membership and Marketing Manager. As luck would have it, he was ready to fill that job–for free. Tom deployed his charm and quick-witted salesmanship to build bridges between MITA and boat yards, yacht clubs, corporate sponsors, and boat donors. He assumed control of all of MITA’s outreach efforts, including the recruitment, training, and management of dozens of volunteers. And he personally staffed booths at boat shows and other events from Downeast Maine to New Jersey. Tom also managed MITA’s publicity. He would crow that a MITA membership was the best deal in Maine. Why buy coastal real estate, he would argue, when just $45 gives you access to hundreds of miles of unspoiled Maine shoreline? Tom served as a full-time staff member on a volunteer basis for six years. In 2010, MITA awarded Tom the Dave and Dorrie Getchell Spirit of MITA Award, and he and Getch gained a special connection. Tom then went on to join the MITA Board of Trustees for six years. In 2017, Tom announced to Board and staff that he had lymphoma. While he beat it for a year, it then returned. Tom passed away November 3 in Portland–exactly a week before Dave–with his loving wife Anna at his side. Winter Newsletter | 2019 | mita.org 15
30-in-30 Reflections from Members MITA’s 30-in-30 Challenge (to visit 30 Trail sites in MITA’s 30th year) started as an idea in a staff meeting, and grew to a membership-wide event. The staff hoped this fun contest would accomplish two things–get members out on the Trail, and get members on the Trail together. We thought many of the notes and photos we received from the 44 people who completed the Challenge were worth sharing. Here are just a few.
Monitor Skippers Bryan and Darla Edmonds and their dog Rudder land on an island to meet friends also completing the Challenge.
“We really enjoyed the Challenge, kayaking up and down the Maine Coast visiting and ‘tagging’ islands. The Challenge really encouraged us to explore beyond our usual destinations.”
“This is our 5th year on the water up here and we continue to be so grateful for all that MITA does and transfixed by the unique beauty of the Maine coast. There is nothing like it anywhere else for sure. There is no way we could do this without MITA making this possible.”
Dan and Louise Karger in their Hobie tandem sailing with friends.
“It was really fun. It was mix of solo, old friends and new friends to complete. The best part was doing Wyer Island yesterday with my kids who are 4 and 9 and getting them excited for a lifetime of island exploration!”
“We had an absolute blast doing it–we had no idea how much we would learn, the beautiful days or evening lighting we would experience. Or that we could work so well as a team!”
“We are a group of women of a certain age who love sea kayaking; I am from NH and the others are from MA. When we got the email from MITA telling us about the 30-in-30 Challenge, we resolved to do it. It involved some planning, several multi-day trips to Maine, and some very understanding spouses. Some islands we camped on or explored, and others we merely set a foot on. We enjoyed the Challenge because it got us to visit places we may never have seen.” Paul Knight, one of the first people to complete the Challenge, gets in close for a better view. 16 Winter Newsletter | 2019 | mita.org
“I do not have the opportunity to paddle as often as I would like on the Maine Island Trail, but this challenge encouraged me to find the time to make a few ‘extra’ visits to some of my favorite spots. It has been a lot of fun.”
Tails on the Trail
by Alicia Heyburn, MITA Trustee and Brian Marcaurelle, Program Director WHAT DOES THE phrase “wild islands” mean to you? Consider the following: MITA is dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the wild islands of coastal Maine. Does it mean wilderness? Places “where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man,” as the 1964 Wilderness Act describes it? Or perhaps you consider wild islands to be places of unfettered freedom where rules and restrictions do not apply–areas where you can be wild. As with most things, the essence lies somewhere between the two ends of this spectrum. The low-impact guidelines championed by MITA are designed to maintain a healthy balance between well-preserved natural communities and carefree enjoyment of the islands by visitors. Unfortunately, this balance has been increasingly tested by one particular type of island visitor–our beloved dogs. So let’s consider the impact that our four-legged friends can have on the islands and on the people who visit these places seeking a wild experience.
Salty Dogs Imagine that you have just set up camp in a remote corner of large island. You are enjoying the sound of the waves lapping the shore and the banter of gulls overhead when other visitors arrive and set up camp at a nearby site. They have a pair of enthusiastic dogs who dash about the pebble beach digging holes, chasing birds, and fetching sticks thrown by the owners. They bark playfully all the while. Curious, one pup ventures over to you and explores your campsite. The other spots something in the woods and gives chase. The owners repeatedly holler and whistle at the dogs to return. With tranquility gone, you decide to hike the trails leading to other parts of the island. Your path takes you by more
campsites, and at one of these sites you encounter a dog whose owners are not around. The dog approaches you uttering low woofs. You are not sure if it is being friendly or territorial. You try to appear confident and carry on, but you are worried about how you would defend yourself if the dog became aggressive. You also wonder how a child might feel in such a situation. When you finally return to your campsite, you have dinner and prepare to settle in for bed. You never cease to be a subject of interest to the neighboring dogs, and to other dogs passing through with their owners. You fall asleep to the sound of the waves, the gulls, and the barking of dogs. You depart early the next morning thinking you are not likely to return to this place. This may seem like an extreme scenario, but it is precisely the experience of one visitor to Jewell Island this past June. Sadly, unwelcome dog encounters on islands are more common than one might think. Christina Hassett, Little Chebeague Island caretaker since 2014, has seen first-hand how the presence of dogs affects behavior on the island. “When there are excited dogs on the beach it definitely changes the atmosphere on the island and the way people engage with it,” she says.
More To Chew On Seeing a dog frolic on a beach brings joy to just about every dog owner, and to the dog as well. Dogs need places to run, swim, fetch, stretch, scratch, bark, roll, and roam freely. But these activities can have unintended consequences for an island and its visitors. Other people may find an active or barking dog intimidating or disruptive, and energetic dogs can frighten wildlife and destroy sensitive habitat. Some islands are especially vulnerable to dog impacts due to delicate vegetation such as lichens and moss, thin soils, productive shellfish flats, or nesting bird activity. These
Leave No Trace Pawlicies A hierarchy of guidelines for pet owners 1. Leave pets at home 2. Keep pets on your boat 3. Leash pets while on islands 4. Ensure pets remain quiet 5. Pack out all solid waste places are simply inappropriate for canine visitors. More heavily-managed Trail islands, like Jewell and Little Chebeague, may be more suitable places for dogs, but they too should not be mistaken for off-leash dog parks. In fact, there are specific rules governing how dogs are to be managed on these and other state-owned properties. The Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands owns roughly 60 islands on the Maine Island Trail. Jewell and Little Chebeague are two islands that fall under the jurisdiction of “parks” at the Bureau. On all park properties, whether it is an island on the Trail or a mainland state park, dogs are required to be on a leash or under the physical control of the owner. This means that “voice control”–a squishy term open to individual interpretation–is not sufficient. Additionally, owners are required to clean up and remove all solid pet waste on properties designated as parks. The remaining Trail islands owned by the Bureau, including Little Snow, Hells Half Acre, Thief and many others, are considered “lands” properties. Here, Maine statute 7 MRS §3911 applies, which states that it is unlawful for a dog to be at large except when used for hunting. The term “at large” is more specifically defined as being “off the premises of the owner and not under the control of any person whose personal presence and attention would Tails on the Trail continued on page 18 Winter Newsletter | 2019 | mita.org 17
Tails on the Trail continued from page 17
reasonably control the conduct of the animal.” So, in essence, dogs that are out of your line of sight or far enough away that they could not be contained immediately if necessary would be considered at large and in violation of the law on state property. Many visitors to Jewell, Little Chebeague, and other Trail islands may be unaware of the state’s leash and at large rules. As Christina points out, “people have seen dogs running loose on islands before and they probably just assume it’s okay.” The laws are important, but in her mind it all boils down to courtesy. “If we help owners realize that their dogs unintentionally detract from the island experience, then I believe people will be more mindful about bringing their pets ashore,” she says.
Encouraging Good Behavior The Maine Island Trail is a patchwork
of places belonging to many different landowners with varying policies concerning camping, fires, and yes, pets. While dogs may be allowed on state-owned properties and other Trail islands, MITA has always advised leaving pets at home while using the Trail. If you do bring your pets with you on the water, it is best to leave them on your boat while exploring the islands. These practices are in accordance with the principles of Leave No Trace. However, understanding that dogs need opportunities to stretch their legs too, MITA asks that owners keep dogs leashed at all times when exploring islands where pets are permitted, even if this practice is more restrictive than required by the landowner or by law. Barking dogs should be quieted so that nature’s sounds can prevail. And of course, always collect and pack out solid pet waste on islands as you would in any public space on the mainland.
MITA’s Endowment on the Move By Greg Field, Director of Finance and Operations In early 2018, following a careful review process, MITA’s Board of Trustees approved moving the organization’s endowment from the Maine Community Foundation to F.L.Putnam Investment Management Company. Following MITA’s investment policy, the Board understood that it was the right time for a move–MITA’s successful Wild Islands Campaign had grown the endowment to its current value of just over $1.25 million, and the Board itself had Trustees well-versed in fund management. Moving the funds to F.L. Putnam offered MITA the opportunity to use the guiding principles of ESG (environmental, social, and governance) investing to help manage the endowment. The firm’s excellent ESG track record sealed the decision for the Trustees from among
18 Winter Newsletter | 2019 | mita.org
the many excellent proposals submitted by fund managers. ESG principles measure the long-term sustainability and social impact of business to help guide investment choices. MITA doesn’t use this set of principles to exclude any company. Those companies following best practices for good governance, environmental sustainability, and a commitment to social responsibility are generally among the best performing businesses in their sectors, and are the best bets to prosper over the long-term, providing healthy returns for MITA’s investments. The endowment secures the future vitality of MITA’s stewardship programs, funding equipment and operating needs so that our mutual commitment to caring for Maine’s wild islands can continue for generations to come. •
“Be Considerate of Other Visitors” is one of the seven low-impact principals championed by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. This principal applies to the behavior of our dogs just as it does to our own actions. To help raise awareness of the unintended consequences of dogs on islands, MITA will be increasing education efforts in the years ahead. Guidebook text, island signs, and outreach materials will be improved to reinforce island pet policies and urge Leave No Trace best practices. MITA’s stewardship staff will ensure that island caretakers, volunteer monitor skippers, and island adopters have the resources they need to nurture a more thoughtful culture of island use by dog owners. No matter how you interpret the phrase “wild islands,” we hope that the Trail continues to serve as a place to help set you and your pets free. Figuratively speaking, of course. •
Boat for Sale to Benefit Trail Stewardship
1986 Catalina 25
The Catalina 25 is a solid classic that everyone has seen or sailed. She is a great daysailer or multiday tripper for a small family. Perfect for beginners or anyone looking for a fun weekend boat!
Visit mita.org/boatsforsale for more information.
Hare and Tortoise continued from page 9
irrelevant. There was nobody waiting for me on the islands or on land. The tide completely dictated whether I could sleep in (‘til sunrise) or had to escape in darkness to avoid six additional hours on an island. I was also completely at the mercy of the weather. Big picture, I enjoyed a spectacular week with no gales, thunderstorms, or fog. But in my little boat, the difference between a fiveand fifteen-knot wind was immense. Couple that with tidal flows, and you realize that the speed and distance you travel is only marginally affected by the effort you put into your oars. I had the thrill of rowing downstream and downwind at nearly 9 knots, and also rowing upwind against the tide making 2 knots with great effort. Strategizing and experiencing these dynamics was half the fun. But gradually increasing winds and a diminished number of sheltered islands to visit Downeast ultimately ended the trip. While technically one foot longer then my 17-foot Whaler, the wherry is a very small boat. I carried four duffel bags of various sizes, but minimal food, no ice, and little spare clothing. In the interest of safety, my brother and I had installed a short mast that carried, from top to bottom: a radar reflector, two backwards-facing rowing mirrors, and an electronics dashboard featuring an iPad, iPhone, inReach, GoPro, and several batteries. All of these were successfully powered by a folding solar cell. (So much for roughing it!) I had mixed feelings about the technology–it can of course be a distraction when you are trying to unplug and experience nature. Keeping everything charged was a preoccupation of its own. But I quickly realized how liberating the electronics were as well. Rather than trying in vain to keep and communicate a trip plan, the electronics let my wife and colleagues know where I was at all times. I had instantaneous weather and tide forecasts at my fingertips for the entire range of my journey. And I did of course carry analog versions of all these digital tools, plus
Doug alongside the wherry in Hockomock Bay.
a wide range of safety equipment, supplies, and tools that I barely needed. Happily, this entire configuration proved successful. The boat carried me from here to there with relative ease, and I was able to explore the islands from the boat and dry land. My goal had been a true adventure in which I would be
distracted and entertained by physical exertion and wild beauty. By rowing each day, exploring Trail sites, and camping each night on a new island, that goal was easily satisfied. Summer 2018 was a fabulous tale of two 30-in-30 trips that I will never forget. •
Give the Maine Coast this holiday with a MITA gift membership
“Breathtaking bioluminescence last night and lots of shooting stars–couldn’t decide whether to look up or down.”
“Fun exploring the island barefoot in the late afternoon on a warm summer day.” - Tommys Island logbook 9/14/18
- Stevens Island logbook 8/11/18
“Whiskey with the sunset and coffee with the sunrise–and some skinny dips in between. Pretty special little piece of paradise.” - Shivers Island logbook 9/3/18
mita.org/gift Winter Newsletter | 2019 | mita.org 19