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 New Year’s Greetings again, Squirrel Point Citizens, We are fortunate indeed to have a dedicated and growing constituency of enthusiastic supporters of Squirrel Point Light! Together we accomplished so much in 2018: On six successive summer weekends, under Mark Geiger’s professional direction, a hard-core group of volunteers including Chris Fox, Elizabeth Paine and Jack Holmes cleaned, scraped, sanded, primed, and re-painted SPL’s shingled tower (after due consultation with the State Historical Preservation Commission). Mark, of Preservation House Painters, generously donated paint and materials, and volunteered his own sweat equity. The Brian Detwiler family undertook to construct and set up a roofed information kiosk, which now details the history of the facility, as well as of CSP’s origins and mission. This is a great resource for our visitors. Brian likewise acted on a visitor’s suggestion and built two sturdy benches that offer a welcome rest along the path to the lighthouse. Our first “Grounding Day” picnic and celebration on August 19 attracted families and friends who enjoyed music from the duo Higmo & Tweed. September’s Maine Open Lighthouse Day brought over 100 visitors, some from as far as California and Arizona. The third year of Squirrel Point Light’s external restoration was scheduled to start by mid-summer 2018, with the priority of completing the Boathouse: new beaded siding, flooring, windows, doors, and paint. Due to scheduling complications, however, structural repairs to the buildings were postponed to 2019. More sumac and other invasives were eradicated from the SP grounds. Fund-raising continued apace. Individuals and local businesses donated a total of $26,453 in calendar 2018, including $600 from Bath Savings Institution and a $10,000 grant from Maine’s Davis Family Foundation. We thus face the 2019 work season with assets of over $40,000. Our priority will be to finish the boathouse (estimate: $26,500), then proceed as finances permit to the next stage of work on the Residence and the Barn/Workshop (new siding, windows, doors, and painting). CSP’s Annual Meeting is set for 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 20 at Arrowsic Town Hall. The Board hopes for a broad gathering – to review progress and plans, and to solicit views about our community’s ultimate vision for SPL. Please come if you can. On behalf of the Board, Roman Wasilewski, Chair, Citizens for Squirrel Point info@squirrelpoint.org P.O. Box 764, Bath ME., 04530 |
