The Sou'west Voyage

August 2009

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Traditions and Records:
Norwood Cove, Southwest Harbor, Greening Island, Manset, Seawall

Southwest Harbor Historical Society
Phil Whitney, President
Chris Rawls, Vice President
Rebecca Carlson, Secretary
Wayne Patton, Treasurer

Board of Directors
John & Becky Burnham
Bruce Komusin
Bernie Mauger
Joe Marshall
Janet Patton
Fred Pinkham
Ralph Stanley
Warren Worcester

New Members
Lynne Birlem
Kristin Hutchins
Rob & Beth Gaiser
Steven Herrick
Jake Jacobson
Kingsleigh Inn
Stephen Merriam
Philippus Miller III
Caleb N. Miller
Merrill Stanley
Jason Young

Monies Given in Memory of

Contributions
Lynne Birlem
Natalie Spahr Bush
Bobbe Elliot
Kristin Hutchins

Visit us at:
www.SWHHS.org

We Can Identify
Pemetic Graduating Class 1943

Back Row: Elizabeth (Hamblen) Parsons, Olive (Seavey) Kelley, Zelma Sawyer, Audrey Whitmore, and Mary Richardson

Middle: Eleanor (Goodwin) Murphy Carter, Richard Bulger, Warren Worcester, Edward Bowden, Donald Worcester, Philip Gilley, and Barbara (Somes) Ball

Front: Dorothy (Robinson) Worcester, Elaine (Webster) Snelling, Leola (Pomroy) Higgins, Maxine (Stanley) Blanchette Clark, June (Hamblen) Sanner, and Phyllis (Roberts) Donahue

Donated by Warren & Dottie Worcester

President's Report

Summer is now approximately half over. Where has it gone? It seems like the SWH Historical Society Summer Program season has just started, yet we already have had three programs presented, with only three more remaining. On a similar note, our Historical Society has been in existence five years. Yes, that is correct - YEARS not months! Our first organizational meeting, held upstairs in the Masonic Lodge in the summer of 2004, was attended by just seven souls, who were apparently looking for further meaning in their lives. Since that first night, we have slowly but deliberately grown and prospered, with occasional setbacks encountered along the way. We now have approximately (130) members in the Society. We subsequently held our regular business meetings at the library but, thanks to accommodations made available by the SWH Chamber of Commerce, we currently meet at their location. We have also been provided some badly-needed storage space at the Chamber for our growing archives collection. We have been blessed with a dedicated group of volunteers who have spent countless hours researching local history, organizing archive materials, preparing and presenting programs for the general public, and generally having a great time in the process. We have experienced the wonderful generosity of many donors, anonymous and otherwise, who made generous gifts of money, equipment, and historical materials. Others spent considerable time as subjects for personal recollection interviews. As you already know, a huge accomplishment was the implementation of the above-mentioned historical program series which, judging by audience attendance and participation over the past several years, has proven very successful, with some outstanding shows full of nostalgic memories having been presented.

Although the Historical Society has a preference to look backwards in time to discover who we were and what was happening, we also have an obligation to look forward and plan for the future. After five years, we perhaps have been too successful. We are growing out of our infancy. It is time to escape the confines of the crib and move around the house. But first we must find the house. Growing pains dictate we begin actively searching for a space we can utilize as a real home. It might be a house, or other type building, or larger rooms, or whatever. With little money available, we face many obstacles. However, if we desire to expand our historical archive collection, and properly present our SWH history to the public, we must begin methodically searching for this new home and, perhaps most importantly, the means to finance it. The process may take years, but now is the time to begin. I encourage all Historical Society members to get involved. We need ideas - possible housing opportunities, ways of raising money, etc. Your support for this worthy goal is absolutely necessary. Without it we cannot succeed.

Phil Whitney
President

New Publication in the Works

For all you old local history buffs, the Society is sponsoring the publication of Recollections of Southwest Harbor, Maine 1885 - 1894. Jesse L. Parker wrote this fascinating round-up of life here on Clark's Point and the town of Southwest Harbor in 1955 for family members. Its interest spreads to all of us who would like to know more of everyday life of our ancestors here and in all rural towns. Family members, including Deacon Clark, are portrayed and activities at church, school, playfields, and at work are described. The original has been retyped and photos and maps added, making a fifty-plus page book. More information will be available soon on how to acquire a copy.

We are also working on the first of a series of history books that will be put out by the Society. It will be a picture history book on the Manset and Seawall area. We are still in the gathering process, gathering pictures and info through a series of workshops. Anyone with an interest in helping with this project, please contact us.

From the Archive Collections Committee:
If you have something that would help preserve the history of Southwest Harbor and can part with it, please let the Historical Society know:

Mail: P.O. Box 272 Southwest Harbor, ME 04679
Telephone: (207) 244-9264
E-Mail: swhhistory@yahoo.com

-Rebecca Carlson

Last Issue's Where and When?

The wharf to the left is the Newman wharf and the wharf to the right is the Parker wharf. The Parker wharf was located where H.R. Hinckley is now located on the Shore Road in Manset. Not sure of when but possibly the late 1800's.

Where and When?

We would like to thank all of you who have sent your dues in to us.
As costs continue to rise, the printing of the newsletter starts to cost us more each time. Your dues help us to be able to continue sending out our newsletter to you. Please double check your address label to see if you are up to date on your dues for 2009. We also ask you to let us know what you think of the newsletters. Are there parts you might like to see changed? Anything you would like added? The newsletter is being put out for your enjoyment and we appreciate your help.

From the Collections Department

1978 Sardine Packing Story from BH Times - Linda Graham
1989 Paper Talk - Larry Howard
Ledger from the Freeman Store - Bob Shields
A book "Songs in the Wood" - Sarah Corson & Dick Atlee
Articles & Photos - Dottie & Warren Worcester
Photos - Agnes Dolliver Carr from her mother Elene Hamblen Dolliver Pencil Drawing of Irma Gott and her Father - MDI Historical Society
Slide projector & 2 carousels in memory of John Falchiccio from Eleanor Falchiccio

In Memoriam

We are saddened by the loss of several members of our community

Sherry Geyelin of Bass Harbor and Washington DC
Clara (Beal) Brown of Franklin and Florida
Becky (Vine) Underwood of Southwest Harbor

The Boston Post Cane

John and Becky Burnham have been researching the history of the recipients in Southwest Harbor of the Boston Post Cane. The cane is awarded to the oldest living citizen in the town and they hold it until their death.

The following list has been made up of the known recipients of the cane:

Other possibilities of cane holders are:

Research is continuing hoping to identify recipients between the years of 1942 and 1957, as well as from 1958 and whenever Ella Bates was awarded the cane. If you can tell us if any of these people held the cane, and if they did, when they did, we would really appreciate it. If you have any information, please call Becky at 244-3457. Also, if you know of any relatives of these people it would be a help to be able to talk to them.

Island Watch, Thursday, July 6, 1995 Bangor Daily News

A Way of Life
by Bill Benson

Nothing signals the arrival of summer like the Fourth of July. In our great democracy, it can never lose its original meaning as the assertion of independence that has led to the development and growth of the mightiest nation on earth. Fifty-six fiercely independent souls signed the document that has brought us to cherish, prize, and embrace a way of life carved out of solid courage and a display of human strength that has solidified this country for 219 years.

Although we celebrate that great day in 1776 for its magnificent meaning to all of us, we have also come to regard the Fourth of July as a time of relaxation and a departure from our normal endeavors. In our coastal territory it heralds the holiday spirit with many embellishments. We honor, revere, and respect those rugged individuals of long ago with parades, church services, fireworks displays, and enormous gratitude for molding a fundamental way of life that protects us from the tyranny that motivated their definition of democracy as a permanent way of life.

Early July brings us to the awakening of the glory of summer. The "pong" of a returned tennis ball, the splashing of arms and feet in swimming pools, and the muttering s of frustrated golfers replace the sounds of snowplows, the closing of wood stove doors , and the whine of spinning tires in icy driveways. Tourists come in droves to take advantage of the recreational bounty of Vacationland and busy merchants greet the new season with well-stocked shelves. The age old question, "Where you goin' the Fourth?" has been answered with gusto.

Our family didn't go anyplace on the Fourth. We kids were granted immunity from lawn mowing, house painting, garden hoeing, and other duties and chores. Our father, back when it was legal, laid in a big stock of fireworks, insisted on a proper display of the flag and teased us all day about the fun we would have after dark. Sunset brought a massive onslaught of mosquitoes, lemonade, and the promised fireworks. Sparklers made fiery little circles, a few misdirected roman candles hit the side of our house, cherry bombs made a big noise, and our father risked the explosion of nonperforming skyrockets as he crept up on them to get them relit. Mother maintained an attitude of penitence, hoping for our survival. One of the skyrockets made a direct hit on Bob Crocker's mailbox and another bounced off our chimney. It is providential that my father never got his hands on a real modern missile. If he had aimed at Murmansk he might well have wiped out Detroit.

Boats got a lot of attention around the first of July. Lobster fishermen did their annual overhaul and painting and recreational craft were either serviceable and being used or nearly so. Wives in oversized bib overalls were working diligently getting boat interiors cleaned and orderly while their husbands stood by in small groups and discussed things as properly battened mainsails, their outstanding ability as navigators, and their great success in getting the springtime work done on their craft.

A few motor homes glide silently out of the Seawall Campground to challenge the seaside traffic, view the glories of the coastal summer and find a place of sanctuary for the next night's rest. On the backs are signs reading "Al and Susie from Osprey, Florida" or Dick and Flora, Detroit". Motor homes have a tendency to mosey as opposed to hustle and cause automobile drivers to embellish their vocabularies with vibrant little gems of artistic and quaint Downeast persuasion. We welcome our tourists and remember their presence with gratitude
and appreciation for their supplement to our resources but we also wish they would get the heck out of our way.

On July 5th, no one has any clams left. Tourists make a mighty inroad into the supply of steamer and fried clams. It is predictable that the Fourth is a time to devour massive amounts of clams. Clam prices sound like stock market quotations in early July. And of course, people visualize Maine as synonymous with lobsters so they also are consumed in enormous volume. Visitors from the Midwest armed with pamphlets instructing "How To Eat A Maine Lobster" are gamely struggling with this famed delicacy. If you are in Maine on the Fourth, it is almost mandatory you eat a lobster or at least the parts you can manage to break loose.

Kids love the Fourth. There are little noisy packets of Chinese firecrackers to break the calm of early morning, parades to watch, trips to the beach, lots of good indigestible food, and a lot of assorted activities, including usually a large and spectacular fireworks display at Bar Harbor best seen from a vantage point on the mountain.

One of the big events on the Fourth is a lobster boat race. Fishermen spend untold hours and a lot of money grooming their boats for the race in Moosabec Reach off Jonesport. Boats that provide livings for their fishermen owners are converted into roaring monsters that tear through the water at unbelievable speeds and bring prizes and glory to the winners. One of the great spectator sports of the summer is this event and it is fairly reliably rumored that a few dollars change hands after the results are known.

The Fourth Of July! An imperishable event in the lives of Americans and a cause to remember our heritage of freedom and independence. As I started to write this column I looked up the text of the Declaration of Independence and have read it through four times. It is a marvelous document representing the determination of our forefathers to build a nation governed by the will of the people. It is signed by 28 lawyers—including judges—nine farmers and men of assorted other occupations. The most recognizable signers were John Hancock and John and Samuel Adams. We can only imagine the raw courage it took to manifest the spirit and will of their action that they might break free of the dominant and crushing rule of the king of England and create THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

We celebrate with parades, fireworks, speeches, travel, recreation, and assorted other activities. The men who originated this document and the indomitable spirit it represents probably never foresaw the elaborate observance accorded their action and courage but we can be grateful forever the tone of our government was formed in perpetuity by their raw courage. They are remembered with many blessings and thanks.

Future Events

The Historical Society officers & directors have a busy schedule over the next several months. There are still three programs remaining in the Summer Program schedule. The August program be hosted by John Burnham and Bernie Mauger, and will feature their research and 'detective work' on the true story of the "Wreck of the Grand Design", which allegedly occurred at Seawall in the early 1700's. After this mystery-solving presentation, the next program planned is "Pernetic Sports History". Included will be reminiscences of the teams, individual players, cheerleaders and coaches of our great hometown high school, a place full of sports memories; sadly gone but never forgotten. Finally in October, what better time to reminisce about fires than during the month of the Great Bar Harbor Fire. We will present a "History of SWH Fires", (and there have been many).

We also have several other projects being worked by our busy personnel. Warren Worcester and Bernie Mauger are researching the gravesite marked "Unknown Soldier", which they recently discovered at Mt. Height Cemetery. John & Becky Burnham are putting the finishing touches on the "Parker Book", a detailed historical study of one of SWH's oldest and most prominent families. The busy Burnhams have also been coordinating the Boston Post Gold Cane Project, and recently presented to Carrie Morris the replica cane, as she qualified as SWH's current oldest citizen. Janet & Wayne Patton and Fred Pinkham are finalizing a photograph booklet on the "History of Manset / Seawall" which should be available for sale in the near future. Numerous local Manset & Seawall residents have participated in viewing photos and offering identifications and anecdotes to further this project.

-Phil Whitney

 

The Pemetic reunion was held June 27th at the Seawall dining room. It was a great success as usual with over 300 attending from 12 noon to about 4:30 when everybody took a break for supper. Many classes had get-togethers during the supper break. There was also a very nice crowd for the dance that started at 6:00. There were a number of members of the SWH historical society in attendance headed by the "Belle of the Ball" Pru Beal escorted by her son Ken. As always Harold Beal did a fantastic job keeping everything flowing smoothly. A few old friends seen while I was there included Tommy Newman, Gene Walls, Dave Benson, Pat Wass Benedetti, Charley Fahey, Gerald Rich, brothers Jack & Wayne Gilley, Susan Bunker Newman and her husband Jarvis, Donna Goodwin Michaud and her husband Al, and Sonia Mills Field and her brother Dale. It was really nice seeing Ruth Kenney Jellison and her brother Bud, and three beautiful young ladies celebrating their 50th year anniversary, Loretta Madore Rogers, Karen Hupper Craig and Edie Stanwood. These girls looked way too young and way too pretty to be in that class. A fun time was had by all and next year my class gets to celebrate our 50th.

-Fred Pinkham

Queries received

A while ago we received a query from Mary Opdyke and Amiee (Jellison) Wallace about a rock at Seawall that had initials and a date on it. We found out that the initials "CHH" are of a little girl's who was washed off the rocks there and drowned. The year "1895" is the date of her birth and "1900" is the date of her death. We know there are those who know the story of who the girl is. We will continue to search for the answer and let you know as soon as we can.

Notice!!!!!   Notice!!!!!   Notice!!!!!

We received an email about a Pemetic "Blog" Site that is available to all alumni who would like to use it. You can give your "Opinions, answers, stories and questions about things that you want to know, or things you want others to know!"

http://www.daagy.com/clients/pemetic/formpemetic.html

Check it out.

Newsletter

If you have any questions, suggestions or comments about the newsletter please let us know at swhhistory@yahoo.com

Southwest Harbor Historical Society Annual Meeting

The annual meeting and election of officers will be held on
September 9th at 7:00 PM at the American Legion Hall in Southwest Harbor.