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JULY 2017 CHEBEAGUE ISLAND COUNCIL CALENDAR
One Man’s Island
by Bob Libby
Celebrating major anniversaries reminds us how quickly time
passes. Ten years a town as years fly by. I remember our first trip
to Chebeague in 1970 when Wink and Ruthie invited us out for a
weekend on the island. Doc hustled Paula over to Souchek’s Red
House to cut a pane of glass for Don’s storm door. It’s been nearly
half a century since we first fell in love with Chebeague. We’ve
come to deeply respect the multigenerational cultural aspects of
life on Chebeague. Family dominates all our cherished memories.
Our first Fourth of July out here was 1984, and we had torn the
roof off the brick house under a pure blue cloudless sky. When the
thunderstorm struck, Don Munsey and Art Johnson ran over with
a huge blue tarp, but everything was already dripping. Paula told
Nick to take the huge pot he was carrying and put it over his head
to keep himself dry. We remember Ralph as a teenager hauling
us with our gear up from the Stone Wharf through the woods to
the old meeting house. Bucket rights to Campbell’s well and a
stunning outhouse were the facilities then. The old porch had to
be torn off and carted to the dump. That first Fourth Wink, Ruthie,
Malcolm, Sandra, and Med set up the cannon and saluted us at
midnight, but we were all so exhausted, we never even woke up.
Now, our son who proudly rode his decorated bike in that first parade
can look at several timber-framed houses he has built on this island.
Nick’s grandmother is the oldest resident on Chebeague, and we
have lived on Chebeague longer than any other place. We harbor
deep affection for the five or more generation families of Chebeague:
Leonards, Houghtons, Hamiltons, KomLosys, Hills, Cleaves, Webbers,
and more. We stood and applauded when Raymond Hamilton rode
by in the parade and when Jet was honored as the youngest citizen
born on Chebeague. For me the greatest aspect of the parade is
the generations celebrating together. People I remember as children
running to catch thrown treats are now guiding their children and
grandchildren in the ritual.
Because we worked for Cumberland Rec, we met young children
for arts and crafts and sports forty years ago—long before there
was the Rec Center or our beautiful public library. Now those young
people like Kevin, Rachel, and Tom are all busy adults guiding
sons, daughters, nieces, and nephews through the celebration of
independence. Amanda will be captain on the
Islander
that brings
the hordes of visitors to share our celebration. My friend Teddy
will be posting video of his grandchildren as the parade goes by
Westview’s porch.
On this independence Day we stand and applaud the generosity
and friendship of our neighbors all these years and eagerly look
forward to the independent future of Chebeague Island.
Property Maintenance
Call
Nathan Doughty
712-4017 or
846-4133
Lawn Mowing,
Bush Hogging,
Wood Chipping,
Stump Grinding,
Brush Removal, Rototilling,
Driveway Grading,
Snow Removal,
and more...
Celebrate a Decade of
Independence on
Chebeague with the
Mari Black Trio
Community Dance and Potluck
Saturday July 1
at the Hall 5:00-8:00 p.m.
Dance instruction 5:00-5:30 p.m.
Contra, line, and square dancing
All levels welcome Alcohol-free event
Fiddling Around the World
Sunday July 2 at the Wilsons’
81 Spruce Point Rd. 7:00-9:00 p.m.
BYOB
Celebrate Freedom!
Sponsored by CICA
Suggested donation: $15