2002 November

ETTER
Next Meeting: Nov. 12 (7 p.m ) Seacoast Science Center
Odiorne State Park, Route lA, Rye, NH
Volume 11, Issue 2
November 2002
Come to the
ISHRA FALL MEETING
November
12 at 7:00 p.m.
Frederick T. McGill, Jr.
May 6, 1904 - September
17, 2002
A Tribute by Donna Marion Titus
Paul and Lisa Jennings
are the featured speakers for the evening. Bring friends and come for an
interesting discussion, plenty of hot
coffee and snacks.
Your contributions to the goodies table
are always welcomed.
Seacoast Science Center
Odiorne State Park
Rte. lA, Rye, NH
Thank
to Jean Stefanik for sending all the
terrific photos in this issue
taken by Steve Cantelli during the
you
FALL WEEKEND.
The death of Frederick T. McGill, Jr. on
September 17 is mourned by the wide
community of Shoalers everywhere. He
died in Florida where in recent years he
had made his winter home. His daughter,
Judy Case, and his wife, Sally, were at
his side. Shoalers and other friends who
had been notified of his last illness were
keeping Fred in their thoughts and
prayers. He was born on May 6, 1904,
and grew up in Newton, Massachusetts.
He graduated from Harvard, and married
his first wife, Virginia Frederick, in
1931. Both had been brought up in Unitarian families, and Fred served for four
years as Executive Director of the Unitarian Laymen's League. His professional career was as a professor of English at Rutgers University in New Jersey.
Also interested in American history,
he taught a course on what he called "the
McGill-continued
President's
on page 3
Message
From Laurrence "Laury" Bussey
I wish to thank all of you for the opportunity to
serve ISHRA in this capacity. Many exciting events
and projects are occurring on our beloved islands, and
it's a privilege for ISHRA to be involved with many of
them.
The season on Smuttynose has been very successful
this year, so please refer to Dave MacEachran's report for complete details. We're fortunate to have
Smuttvnose Island available for all of us to enjoy, and
especially grateful that it will remain in its present
state in perpetuity.
. to
Jean Ragonese's report on our July 14thda Ytnp
Appledore" demonstrates your combined enthusiasm for events
such as this. Would you like more than one during the summer?
We have truly exciting news for you regarding opportunities to
participate in 'last minute getaway vacations to Star Island in
2003. Paul Jennings will explain the details at our November
12th meeting, as he and Lisa will be the featured speakers. The
short version is that each of you who possess the flexibility may
be able to book a room at the Oceanic on very short notice.
ISHRA will be notified of vacancies (perhaps only a few days in
advance), but those who indicate to us they wish to participate
will be notified by Email or phone that a vacancy exists. Fun,eh?
Our ISHRA Labor Day weekend was highly successful, and
Continued on page 2
ISHRA Newsletter
Page 2
Getting to know your ISHRA Board members
Janet McGee Saunders, a Portsmouth native, has
had better than a 30-year love affair with the Shoals,
making her first trip to the Isles somewhere in the
late 60's. That love affair was an extension of an
early, avid interest in local history (and its characters)
and literature: she was the youngest charter shareholder of Strawbery Banke prior to its being sold to
an out-of-state corp., a young apprentice during the
early restoration done by her family to much of
Portsmouth's Merchant's Row, and was conducting
guided tours of the TB Aldrich House under the sheltering wings of the Garland Patch's at age 8. The
pile of rocks with the big white dwelling perched
aloft that could be seen from the beaches was the
next frontier. The young day-tripper, making pilgrimages with friends or aboard the Viking Queen
never failed to be awed by the wild beauty of the
landscape and certainly, the "lore and legend" of the
place intrigued and was fodder to a young fertile imagination. At the Shoals, anything was possible. The
same holds true for her today.
After Janet moved to the Deep South for an almost
IS-year period, the pilgrimages continued whenever opportunity allowed. And when she couldn't get back to
the Shoals, the Shoals came to her! A fun footnote:
New Year's Eve in Jacksonville, FL-J990 ... she tied up
at the Landing in order to enjoy the evening's celebration and found herself directly astern of the Viking Sun
from Portsmouth. The Captain was gracious and it was
a taste of horne to be able to visit an "old friend" and
join the party aboard. Now back in the Seacoast and
busy as a consultant, author and heading up six companies, Janet finds the yearly ISHRA Weekend the event
she looks most forward to in her year's schedule. She
hasn't missed a Weekend yet and - while she may be
the last one to sign up and get on board - she hopes she
Continued on page 5
President's Message continued
"Let's
have fun and
contribute to the
research and history
Isles of
Shoals."
of the
t:.ontributioOft to the
refreshment tab\e are
al_a1f> _elwme.
Than"5 to aU \lIho
m\p out!!'"
fully booked. Please review Jean Stefanic's
report. It's great, and she's agreed to chair it
for next year, althoughwe need a volunteerto
do the program. Now, let's not always see the
same hand! Nance and I brought Cberyl and
Justin Caramagno along, as they are good
friends who live in Eliot Justin is an attorney
in Portsmouth,and they have joined ISHRA,
as has Paul and Lisa Jennings. Congratulations and welcomeaboard!
Steve Cantelli of United Divers of New
Hampshire organizedan incredible cleanup
project of Gosport Harbor on September21st.
Over 20 divers swept the bottom, while twice
that number covered Star and Smuttynose, collecting all manner of trash and debris. Steve's
account is fascinating.
Historically speaking, Sharon Stephen's
report is an exciting account of how Celia
Thaxter still lives in the hearts and minds of
New Englanders. Sharon's book and exhibition has been received with accolades everywhere it has been seen.
Please let me know how you would like
to assist, and how 1SHRA can be a more dynamic and supportive organization to the
Seacoast.
This is your organization, so let's have
fun and contribute to the research and history
of the Isles of Shoals.
Laurence "Laury" Bussey
President, ISHRA
[email protected]
Page 3
Volume 11, Issue 2
Star Island Fall Weekend a Success!
by Jean Stefanik, Chairperson
A record 46 people attended the ISHRA weekend which was held this year from September 6-8. After loading luggage and enjoying the ride on the MV Thomas Laighton to Star Island, everyone really appreciated the excellent dinner provided by Star Island - after which was the mandatory safety orientation by Island
Manager Paul Jennings. Beds beckoned some - others wandered about the island, taking in the sights and
sounds and ocean smells. The White Island lighthouse horn moaned in the distance.
Saturday morning began
with some mingling with other groups for an early morning bird walk, others appearingjust
in time for breakfast, and still others for the 9 a.m. departure of the RV Kingsbury from Appledore to take us on our excursion. On Appledore, we toured the marine lab, purchased at the gift shop. Some explored the coves, and of
course there was Celia's garden, still blooming.
Upon reboarding the boat, we enjoyed excellent spottings of
both harbor seals and a gray seal while circling Duck Island - then back to Star. (continued on page 5)
McGill, cont'd
Concord Group," - Emerson, Thoreau,
and Hawthorne. Fred first went to Star
Island in 1922 as a delegate from his
church to the youth conference. After
many years of being conferees, he and
Ginny joined the Star Island Staff in
the 1950s and they worked in various
jobs, including Island Manager, for the
Star Island Corporation for the next 30
years. His interest in the 19th century
New England writers is reflected in his
first book, Channing of Concord; A
Life of William Ellery Channing 11,
Rutgers University Press, 1967. This
was followed in 1972 by Letters to
Celia; Written During the Years 18601875 to Celia Laighton Thaxter by her
brother, Cedric Laighton, Edited with
Notes and Drawings by F.T.M., published by Star Island Corporation, Boston, 1972. The Sixth Edition of Ten
Miles Out, The Guide Book To The
Isles of Shoals by Lyman V. Rutledge
was published in 1984. Revisions and
Additions were by Frederick McGill.
Fred's reputation as an island historian
was secure. He was known for his dry,
Frederick T. McGill, Jr.
Yankee wit, and as a great story teller
and teller of jokes. Conferees and visitors from Appledore and the other Shoals islands loved to
hear him give the island history, or to read the story of "The Fastest Hound Dog in the State of
Maine", or to tell the gruesome true tale of the 1873 murder on Smuttynose. After Ginny's death in
1988, Fred set about organizing the notes and writings they had kept during their long working association with the Star Island Corporation. The book they had planned and written together, Something Like a Star, was published in 1989. He sub-titled it, "A Rather Personal View of the Star Island Conference Center, " but it is more than that. Picking up from where Lyman Rutledge left off
in The Isles of Shoals in Lore and Legend, McGill's Something like a Star is a record of the 20th
century history of Star Island.
continued on page 4
Fred
McGill
"On the porch of
the Oceanic Hotel
he stood at the top
of the steps and
welcomed all who
came to the
islands. "
Please send newsletter items
to
Helen Brewster at
<[email protected]>
Text and photos need to be
in jpg. format or Word doc.
Please scan images and send
byemail.
Submissions need to be received by April 1, 2003 for
the Spring issue.
Page 4
GOSPORT HARBOR
(to the tune of the song Lonesome Road)
Coastal Cleanup Day continued from back page
What did they learn?
That there is trash even in the small, local area of the
Isles of Shoals. That not everyone gets to go on Smutty
Nose and the Marine Lab area, etc. That being on a
boat and out in the salt water air makes them hungry &
thirsty. That the Boy Scouts are pretty good soccer
players! I gave the girls a "souvenir" which was a gel
candle with sea shells in it ; very appropriate as a reminder for the day. The girls all slept on the way home
and we were back in Lyndeborough by 6:00 pm. They
were bubbly and enthusiastic and are interested in going back out to the ocean.
THANK YOU to everyone for your support. It was a
wonderful day!!!
McGill continued .••
Fred McGill continued going to Star Island every summer
through the last years of his life. He was a beloved "Old
Shoaler" with a long memory, a vast knowledge of the past,
and, as everyone who ever met him knows, a great sense of
humor. He had a genuine interest in people, a sympathetic
outlook, and a naturally courteous and gracious manner. On
the porch of the Oceanic Hotel he stood at the top of the
steps and welcomed all who came to the islands. No one
will ever replace him and he
will be missed.
Cards and letters of sympathy
may be sent to:
Judy Case
7151 Jasmine Drive
New Port Richey, FL34652
or to
Sally McGill
13406 Rayburn Road
Bayonet Point, FL 34667
Contributions in his memory
may be made to the Annual
Fund of the Star Island
Corporation
lO Vaughan Mall, Suite 8,
Worth Plaza Portsmouth, NH
03801
Put in to port, the Shoals are calling;
Come where the lighthouse gleams.
Come in to rest, and furl your sails,
And lose yourself in dreams.
Blown by wind, tossed by tide,
Heaving hard from side to side,
Put in to port, the Shoals are calling,
And lose yourself in dreams.
Drop anchor deep in Gosport harbor
And find yourself in dreams;
Ride lightly now on gentle waves
Down which the moonlight streams.
High above, spars shine white,
Silver crosses 'gainst the night;
So ride awhile in Gosport harbor,
And fmd yourself in dreams.
Sail out, sail out, from Gosport harbor
And rouse yourself from dreams.
Sail out, sail out;
the sun has rise;
Go face his golden beams.
Breasting on into the light,
Ploughing on toward cities bright Sail out, sail out, from Gosport harbor,
And bring to life your dreams.
Frederick T. McGill, 1931
PageS
Janet McGee Saunders, continued
Fall Weekend continued
never will! The harsh yet ethereal beauty,
combined with the immediacy of the elements at their most vibrant never fails to
soothe and bring spiritual and physical rest
and healing. Janet lives with her husband,
Peter, in Kingston, NH and Ipswich, MA.
Quite simply, no matter where she has
called home, the Isles of Shoals (with an
extra soft spot for Smutty!) remains her
favorite place on earth.
Saturday afternoon's schedule was loose, but included
some becoming involved in the Coastal Cleanup 2002 which
Steve Cantelli organized. Others rowed to Smuttynose, and
still others enjoyed the island including the
softball game - either by participating or simply sitting on the
rocking chairs on the porch cheering. A few hearty souls
went swimming! Following dinner was our chapel service
(thanks to Marjorie Young and Laury Bussey for stepping
up to organize). Some gathered on the Southwest comer of
the porch to watch the Hampton fireworks - the skies were
clear and the air was fresh. Others migrated to Eliot Hall to
watch the newly created video of the Pier reconstruction. Midway through the video, Paul Jennings came in,
strongly suggested we "pause" the video, and everyone
rushed to see a magnificent display of northern lights overhead - streaks of reds, greens, blues and whites covering the
sky above and to the north. In the distance, despite light pollution from the mainland, the natural display was contrasted
by Kittery's fireworks which somehow seemed to pale in
comparison to the natural wonder. The aurora borealis was
gone almost as quickly as it had appeared - in about 10 minutes - and the group finished the pier video. Those who then
feasted on a bedtime snack of an ice-cream social reflected on
the good company, and all which had happened this day.
Sunday began with several hearty souls watching the sunrise on East Rock (we found 2 pelicans who spent the night
there!). The morning activities included low tide walk below
the gazebo, finding mini-anemones and lots oftidepool critters and plants. Group photo gathered after breakfast and
people again were "on their own" to enjoy the island - some
again went to Smuttynose. After lunch the fmal collection of
Coastal Cleanup 2002 trash was heaped near the front
porch, with the most unique item being a spend aerosol can
of"fart spray" (???!!!) which generated lots of laughs. Unfortunately, it was then time to head for Portsmouth - our
group rode on the Kingsbury - others on the Prince of Whales
and before we knew it -the weekend had ended.
At tbe November 12 meeting (Seacoast Science Center
at Odiorne State Park) I will be asking anyone who
attended to comment on their personal experiences - and
hope tbat others will consider attending in 2003! For those
who attended (in the folklore words of Black beard's wife's
ghost) ...
"You WILL come back!"
please use the enclosed insert to UPDATE YOUR MEMBERSHIP
,
.-~!
NEXT MEETING, Nov.
SCIENCE
ODIORNE STATE PARK,
RYE,
~~~~~~~~
12 (7 P.M ) SEACOAST
CENTER
ROUTE lA, RYE, NH
NH
Isles of Shoals Historical
&
~
i
I
Research
Association
P.O. Box 705
Portsmouth, New Hampshire 03802
-.-----
~--------
Errata: The wonderful pencil
sketches in the last issue attributed
to Bob Cook were actually by
Savannah artist Jean Lim who
visited the Shoals last summer.
Coastal Cleanup
2002- from Maria Brown
What a good and productive day it was!! Here's
my "quick" summary - especially for the Girl
Scout Directors since they were not able to join us
in person.
Sat Sept 21st offered perfect weather.
Girl Scout Director, Martha, was there to see us
off from the port - thank you and thank you to
your patient son! We had the gloves from Walmart and food from Shaws. The T-shirts which
Linda provided were excellent! The Troop is able
to pay just $5 per shirt for the Girl Scouts - thank
you for the affordable price. One of the GS could
not believe that even Steve Cantelli and some of
the other divers do not get to go to Smutty Nose
Island on a regular basis -she did appreciate the
"honor" of being able to go there.They enjoyed
, seeing the kayaks working and are interested in
learning more about those. Jean gave us a brief
historical talk about the different islands and I
want to learn more about Smuttynose Island and
the stories relating to its history. They all had sunscreen
which based on the color on my face today, I'm glad we
had it. The Girl Scouts did mingle with the Boy Scouts that social interaction added to the fun of the day - especially since the boat ride was longer than anticipated. (The smaller boats get to the spot within a half
hour - the large boat which were on (The Kingsbury),
took about an hour).
What would we have done differently? Start later - getting up at 4:30 am was brutal. More Food (on the
boat)!!!! We were starving by the time we had lunchthank you to Jean, who prepared that. Then we ran out
of water bottles to drink on the way home. None of the
Girl Scouts did go on the little boats and they didn't have
as much "hands on" as they were expecting - and I think
they were a little disappointed, actually. They liked the
big seaworm thing and the crabs & lobsters.
continued on page 5