NELL’s Spring Meeting Weekend June 8-9-10, 2007

NELL began its Spring Meeting weekend (June 8-9-10, 2007) Friday evening with a very successful dinner cruise. It started as 76 lighthouse lovers (members and non-members) boarded the M.V. Monhegan and sailed out of Rockland Harbor viewing Rockland Breakwater and Owls Head Lighthouses. During our mini-cruise we dined on a lobster or chicken dinner. After dinner we continued to “sail the sea” returning to Rockland Harbor at approximately 8 p.m. We were graciously invited to stay aboard and continue the party by Captain and Master of the M.V. Monhegan, Ray Remick. As much as we wanted to accept his invitation we knew we had to rise and shine early as we had to board the boat at 7:30 a.m. the following morning for our cruise out to several lighthouses and a visit with climb of Monhegan Lighthouse. With that in mind we reluctantly said goodnight and went back to the Trade Winds Hotel. It was a beautiful morning and the harbor looked so peaceful as it woke from its slumber. As beautiful as the morning was, it came all too early for some, and not early enough for others. I arrived at the boat at approx. 7:10 a.m. to start the boarding procedure and was greeted by at least a dozen and a half people eagerly waiting to get on board to get settled. With the boarding of 105 people completed, we headed out of the harbor to visit Whitehead Light. Suddenly it looked as if the weather mans prediction of rain and fog would be correct as the weather started to deteriorate. While underway to Whitehead we were given a history of that light by our narrator, Jeremy D’Entremont, NELL member and author. Most everyone used the time to relax and have their continental breakfast with some taking advantage of the unexpected opportunity to have a hot breakfast of eggs and bacon cooked by “Chef Joe” and delivered to the tables by Leigh Ann, our very able waitress and barmaid. After everyone got their pictures of Whitehead we picked up steam and continued to Tenants Harbor and then on to Marshall Point. Due to other boats that were also schedule to arrive at Monhegan Island we had to alter our schedule and time it to arrive there at 12:30 p.m. That change caught “Chef Joe” somewhat off guard as lunch was originally scheduled for after our climb. But because that would not be for several hours later, we requested to have lunch before docking. Being a true sailor and chef, he took it in stride and handled the job as if nothing had changed. As our lunch was being prepared it was announced that we had just finished our 24th pot of coffee and from then on there would be a nominal charge. The amount of coffee consumed to that point raised a cheer from the “coffee hounds” as if they set a new record. Lee Hall, Fundraising Co-Chair, had it announced over the boats PA system that 50-50 tickets were on sale and would be sold until we reached Two Bush Island Light, where the winner would be drawn. As we finished our lunch and were approaching Monhegan Island the sky started to clear up with the sun coming out, staying with us for the rest of the day. Ernie DeRaps, retired lighthouse keeper and author shared the narrating and duties with Jeremy and treated us to his first hand experiences as keeper of Monhegan light, as well as several other Maine lights, answering many questions while we were there. Tralis Bracy of Monhegan Lighthouse was in the top of the tower explaining what we were seeing thru the lantern room and along with Ernie gave us a brief history of the area. Tom P and I made the check presentation of $520.00 to Charles Bartel, Treasurer of Monhegan Lighthouse. After everyone visited the shops of Monhegan Island and completed their climb of the tower, we gathered at the dock for our group picture. We then re-boarded the boat and headed to Two Bush. Last call for the 50-50 tickets went out and our chef had another surprise in store for us… a muscle chowder soup. Man, was that delicious. Some lucky folks had two bowls and we emptied the big “soup kitchen” pot. photo by Linda Graham As we approached Two Bush Island it was announced that the noise from the boat was getting the birds on the island up and flying.  That was not the case, as reported by member Al Pochek. It was in fact an adult Bald Eagle that had them in a 'flutter' as can be seen in Al’s cropped photo of Two Bush.  The eagle is the large bird to the right of the lantern room. Thanks for the “eagle-eye” Al and folks, no pun intended. Ha ha! As we left Two Bush, Jeremy drew the winning ticket of the record setting 50- 50 raffle of $508.00 ($254 each winner). New NELL member, Janet Garcia was the big winner. Congratulations from all of NELL Janet… you still owe us that drink. Just because you’re new doesn’t mean you can get away without buying ---- just kidding. Arriving back at the dock around 7:30 p.m. we all split up and went to dinner. I would like to thank the Captain and crew of the M.V. Monhegan for their wonderful service and great sense of humor. It seemed that they couldn’t do enough for us, and when Joe made that special bowl of muscle chowder for one of our members he “went that extra mile” and I thank him for his thoughtfulness. Capt. Remick, you have a great crew. Thanks to all of you for a wonderful time! Sunday morning arrived and after breakfast we preceded to the Top of the Rock, the Trade Winds meeting room, for our general meeting where, keeping with tradition, the newest members (and we had many) of NELL stood up and introduced themselves. After the introductions, NELL President Tom Pregman presented a West Quoddy Harbour Light, the eastern most lighthouse in the U.S., to Janet Garcia, for being the newest member that traveled the farthest, coming from her beautiful home state of Hawaii. We also had our regular merchandise sales by our new Merchandise Co-chairs John and Nancy Satkowski, who I must say did a fine job (thanks folks) along with our silent and live auctions, and an explanation of the NELL raffle all expertly done by Lee Hall, Fundraising Co-chair and raffle committee member. At the end of the meeting Tom Pregman submitted his resignation which took effect immediately at the conclusion of the meeting. I am saddened that my first job as President is to accept Tom’s resignation. Tom has given many fine years of service to NELL and he will be missed. I’m sure I speak for all of the members in wishing Tom the very best and we hope to continue to see him as an active member. Good luck and thanks for everything Tom. Tom Kenworthy President NELL

Link to Ron Foster photos

Link to Linda Graham photos

Link to Tom Kenworthy photos

Link to Al Pochek photos

Link to Hilari Seery photos

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