Where does the time go? Not sure about you but, it sure slips away from me!
I've been thinking.
thoughts along the way
Endings, Beginnings, Continuations
Christmas notes
team work, holiday style!
Giving Thanks
catching up
This Weekend
I am not a fan of Halloween. There, I said it. I think it goes back to trick or treating in the dark, wet, cold as a child. Do glasses go behind or in front of the mask? It goes on and on. This is fun? Then there was over 30 years of Halloween in my various school assignments. However, this time of year repeats itself and I find I have to keep an open mind.
Mixed Emotions
I really like Autumn. This season is indeed special on the Island. So when I find I have to take time away during this season, I am not thrilled. The trips were both short and long. It started on Harvest Weekend with a wedding near Chicago. There was no question. I wanted to be a part of that joyous occasion. However, would the colors be here when we returned? Would we miss them?
Colors are Coming
Serendipity
Oh what a day ...
It's still Summer!
Plum...amazing!
The Summer has been humming along and no where more so than on Plum and Pilot. Today I noticed an interesting item that makes a post seem appropriate as the activities on Plum have changed since the '60s. The Islands are now under the management of US Fish & Wildlife as part of Green Bay National Wildlife Refuge . I saw an interesting post on Facebook from Rick Heineman who has established a Facebook Page on Washington Island History.
Via Rick Heineman
January 7, 1969
"The Plum Island Coast Guard Station closed December 26. There will be no winter duty there or on Washington Island. Coast Guardsmen will return in late March or April." Magnusson, S. ( 1969, January 7). Washington Island. Door County Advocate ...
True, this refers to the Coast Guard presence on Washington Island but it reminds me of how much time that Plum was "on its own" so to speak. The Coast Guard left Plum around 1990.
Via FOPPI
Fast forward to Spring 2015 and the announcement that activity will be resuming after about a 25 year break. The project even has a new boat. It is most likely smaller than those of the Coast Guard but it is seaworthy and has been very busy helping, transporting, and toting! What is an Island without a boat?
Mary Beth Volmer Photo
From years of sailing, I have a few photos of gulls on similar posts but that is for another time. So when I saw this one on the Friends of Plum & Pilot (FOPPI) Facebook page it reminded me of how far these islands have come. "No" doesn't quite fit anymore. Oh, we do have to be careful how we get to Plum. Due to the precarious nature of the dock, travel by kayak, canoe, and dinghies is welcome.
On special event days, area charter companies have provided transportation to allow more people to taken the hiking trails and learn more about this place. Numerous volunteer work days have been held since May. Private contractors and USFWS personnel have spent time stabilizing the buildings as well.
Lew Clarke Photo
One of these special events, the Annual Volunteer Picnic and yearly Meeting was held on Plum in July. Here Steve Lenz, Horicon Leopold Complex manager addresses the group.
Lew Clarke Photo
Also in July, a student archeological team headed by US Fish and Wildlife Regional Historic Officer James Myster and Hamline University Anthropology Chair Brian Hoffman returned for the third year.
Lew Clarke Photo
Work continued to find out more about the original lighthouse. Yes, more artifacts were discovered.
Lew Clarke Photo
On another part of Plum, FOPPI continues to work on the renovation of the dock.
Work on the dock is critical to the future public access of Plum. This volunteer group is searching for grant opportunities and developing proposals based on professional evaluation.
Lew Clarke Photo
Mother Nature, in these past years, has left much to do. Did I mention the dock is precarious?
In closing, there is one more Open Access Day coming up this Saturday, August 22. Come visit during daylight hours. Lets hope for fair weather and little to no winds. Besides quiet craft entry, local charters will be offering trips out to Plum that day. See the FOPPI website (plumandpilot.org) for further information. Representatives of FOPPI and USFWS will be on Plum to share the history of this place, lead hikes, etc. Bring your own food. ( A camera would be good, too.) Pack it in & pack it out is the rule.
til next time...
Growing ...
A big part of Summer for me is being outside & gardening. When I realized my Summer was going to be compromised, I made some changes in order to continue to enjoy the happenings of this season.
Pots of color and the views out the windows were even more important.
I was surprized that lots of perennials in the yard could come inside...had never tried that with lilies. They have lasted very well.
Lew has been very helpful in culling the yard for some lovelies and I am trying to but the blinders on or close my eyes to what I can't change or keep up. It does make me think about next summer and gives me time to read the box holders and Observers to see what will tempt me these next weeks.
So there are some pretty neat things to rest my eyes on both here and out and about. Feels good. Gives me time to rest, putter with some flowers and consider a couple of the many things coming up. I have to admit there are a couple of fun things coming soon that were a surprise to me!
This is the reason I am getting the post out today. The Music Festival Children's Concert is set for this Wednesday at 11:00 am @ TPAC & Peter Nehlsen will be serving as the Narrator of Peter & the Wolf! Can't think of a better person! Peter is a multitalented individual - Fire Chief, piano restorer/tuner, plays the bugle too, I think. (Cathy Meader photo from a few years back, but it fits.)
Here's a photo of last year's performance. My favorite child oriented moment with Peter though, was many years ago listening to him read stories (as only Peter could) to his son at Lenny's. This may be billed as a Children's Concert but I think of it as a multigenerational event ... just saying. It's free too ... free will donation appreciated.
There are many more musical events this week including under the Big Top on Thursday night. For more info, go to www.washingtonislandmusicfestival.com
On Facebook via Crystal Johnson Another reason to stay up late this week. We are so lucky to be in a place dark enough to see the stars!
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Planning Ahead...I know this is two weeks out but mentioning Peter Nehlsen reminds me of this special event. Folks might want to plan a trip up with this in mind. Peter returns to the TPAC along with Julian Hagen and some neat surprises.
SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT
A Concert to Benefit the Washington Island Matching Fund
Tuesday, August 18
6:30-7:30 pm complimentary Champagne, Olive & Cheese Bar
7:30-8:45 pm performance without Intermission
WITH SPECIAL APPEARANCES BY
The Apologies performing their hit tune, “What Time Does the 8:30 Boat Go?”
Peter Nehlsen as the “Piano Man” and “The Jogger”
Julian Hagen in a premier performance of “She’s a Tractor Seat Woman”
AND MANY MORE SURPRISE GUESTS!!!
Tickets: Adults $15; Students $10; Under 12 $5
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Fresh off the ferry here's Pastor Ryan playing a couple of years ago @ " Blessing of the Fleet". I hear he will be making his first time appearance in this benefit. Now if we could get Pastor Phil to return for a duet 🎺!
Oh Julian, it wouldn't be a party without you!
I believe this is a Steve Waldron photo.
I guess there could be worse seasons to have a broken wing...
... til next time!
Observing Life ...
“Mettle is the courage to carry on. If someone wants to “test your mettle,” they want to see if you have the heart to follow through when the going gets tough.”
When I chose the current title for this Blog. I researched. I questioned readers. I did my homework. This week I rechecked my work (I was a teacher in a prior career). I went back to that announcement post from April and I now realize something. I was cautious to pay tribute to the strength...the mettle of the Island and those who live here but I had left myself out of the equation. In June, I encountered a challenge when I stumbled and fractured my (writing hand) wrist. I forgot that the mettle concept can be focused on me - just me and this summer my mettle is being tested. Is it ever.
Last time I posted I remarked how the Summer was at its best. Well, it continues to hum along...just without me. Trying to figure out how to cope. I am now in "Phase Two"...a reset. What am I to take from this? Not sure, yet but I am working on it.
Steve Waldron Photo
There are pluses and minuses ... Being dependent? ... Not so easy. Time to think? ... both a plus and a minus. There is time to process and apply ideas in new ways. Thinking about it, maybe being dependent isn't so bad. Like when out of the blue, Steve Waldron sent me several of his stunning photos of the ANC's Anniversary Party. It wasn't the same as being there but it was most thoughtful. Thank you, Steve!
Steve Waldron Photo
There were plenty of helpful people. Here's Grace Woodruff sharing a piece of art during the distribution of the 150+ canvases.. The evening wasn't too hot. Hotel Washington outdid themselves but then so did ANC Board President Susan Vandewalle, Vice President Cathy Meader & Director Laura Waldron! Lot of folks attended...
Steve Waldron photo
...significant people too. That's Gloria Small on the left with ANC's first Director Patti Cauldwell and Immediate Past President Courtney Cauldwell in the middle with Ross Meader, I believe, on the right. When I saw Gloria in this photo, it made me smile and led me to another connection. When one has time to think and process, smiles and connections do happen.
Samantha Hernandez Photo for the Door County Advocate
Gloria enjoys her Max Mondays. That's when Grandson Max comes to hang out. One of the things Max enjoys doing is visiting the ANC's Nature Room. They spend a lot of time there and Max soaks up everything critter related. So when Max and Mom Emily happened to be there to pick up a gift for a young friend's birthday at the same moment the folks from the Door County Advocate were in the room, Reporter Samantha Hernandez really lucked out. See Max's interview here. Oh, she also did a segment with Naturalist Steve but he wasn't half as cute. We may have a Junior Naturalist in the making in young Max.
Things Nature abound on our island...even with Grown Ups. At our house, when Nature can be combined with power tools and perhaps a motor, it makes for a perfect day.
These last two photos are from Lew as the rains came in Sunday. Happy to say, he finished his project just before the torrent started. That was some storm we had, wasn't it?
til next time ...
