Category Archives: News
Helping to Keep Our Island Green
Thank you 2021 Annual Cleanup volunteers
Although Covid precautions once again precluded a one-day cleanup “event” with a chance to say hello over a cup of coffee before heading out to hunt trash, volunteers once again rallied to welcome spring and “keep our island green.”
To the 25 volunteers who participated, and to those who regularly pick up stray trash, thank you.
Poking along the road, rather than breezing by in a car, gives one pause to enjoy the pretty place we live in and to reflect on what people discard — or what “escapes” without notice — on Westport’s roadsides. It also gives one pause to appreciate the subtleties of spring ground color, including: profusions of little white or pale blue bluets, “Innocence”, and the first splash of common blue violets.
Some reflections on this year’s trash stash:
- There were “firsts”: masks, dried out sanitizing wipes & an abundance of crumpled paper towels:
- As always, “escapee” beer cans were more likely to be Budweiser than any competitor. During Covid, there appeared to be less worry about waistlines: Budweiser “outranked” Bud Light containers. In past years, Bud Light was the “#1” roadside container;
- There was more “decorative” rubber on the roadway this year. Covid boredom?
- The one newspaper section retrieved, other than advertising pullouts, was ironically an article on land use and land management;
- After residents, the WVFD bottle collection bin benefits most from the clean up; and
- It’s satisfying to do a little housekeeping to help Mother Nature refresh her “more beautiful-than-humanoid” groundcover.
Westport Island in Times of Pandemic, Epidemics & Outbreaks
An exhibit at the new Westport Island History Center
In the 1919 Town Report, Westport’s Superintendent of Schools Clara Reed wrote that 1918 was a “memorable one in history” citing the “greatest war the world has ever known”, its accompanying impacts, and “influenza sweeping the world.” Today, most would likely agree that Covid-19 “sweeping the world” with its accompanying impacts will make 2020 a “memorable one in history.”
The maiden exhibit at the Westport Island History Center, “Westport Island in Times of Pandemic, Epidemics & Outbreaks”, takes a look at current and past public health events – influenza and others — that have impacted Island life. In undertaking this examination, the goal was to heighten awareness of the current pandemic; put Covid-19 safety guidelines and restrictions in historical context; and to preserve a snapshot of today’s evolving history with “Postcards from the Front”, anecdotes about life during Covid-19 from friends and neighbors.
A walk through the exhibit
Although there was limited information on past public health events in our collections, members of the “Pandemic Planning Group” pieced together enough history to make it clear we are living a new chapter of a story with many past chapters. Whether a pandemic, epidemic, or outbreak, infectious disease outbreaks have each left their mark on the community.
- Pandemic: multiple countries
Epidemic: particular group or country- Outbreak: more cases than expected of endemic disease
- Endemic: disease regularly found in certain areas or groups of people
Notable past pandemics on Westport
- Viral: Smallpox; Influenza 1918;[Measles, Rubella, Mumps];Polio
- Bacterial: Cholera; Typhoid; Diphtheria; Tuberculosis
Exhibit panels define each of the diseases named above and provide names of some of the Westport Islanders who succumbed to them. Many have 
heard of Camp Molly, a popular dance hall on the island in the early 1900’s that closed soon after its driving force, “Uncle Vest”, died. Fewer knew that Uncle Vest (Everett Sylvester Cromwell) died of Typhoid. Many have heard of “Charlie Gene” Cromwell and his son, Luther, who were both Westport Ferry operators. Fewer knew that Charlie Gene’s wife Edith — Luther’s mother — died of Tuberculosis at age 34. Their 10-month-old son followed his mother to the grave with Tuberculosis four months later. With the death of Edith Cromwell, the family’s boarding house, the Sunset View House, closed. In a small town, each death is felt and brings change, not only to a family, but to the community.
To put today’s safety guidelines and restrictions in historical context, the exhibit pays particular attention to the pandemics of 1918 and today. Influenza 1918, the so-called Spanish Flu, and Covid-19 have many parallels. These similarities are illustrated with “Westport-centered” timelines that show the progression 
of each pandemic from first identification, to public safety response, to the sobering number of people who were infected and died.
A 1919 letter from Deb Williams’ grandmother, Alice Blake Williams, living in Jonesport at the time, to Deb’s great-grandmother back on Westport provides a poignant view of the human toll of the influenza pandemic of 1918. Alice Williams’ husband, Dr. James Williams, was practicing medicine in Jonesport and surrounding islands with a classmate from Bowdoin Medical School, Dr. John Moulton. Jonesport was a hard-hit community; its death toll included Dr. Moulton’s wife and baby. Deb remembers her grandmother telling her that her “Grandfather spent day and night going house to house among the islands tending to the sick.” She saw the wagons go by with those who had passed.
Some takeaways from exhibit research
- Native American populations in the New World were decimated by infectious diseases brought by European explorers and settlers. Far more died from disease than hostilities.
While the country and major urban ports are known to have “quarantine stations” to control and keep infectious disease off shore; tiny Westport Island also once had its own “quarantine station”: Hospital Island, now known as Upper Mark Island.- The Smallpox outbreak in the 1840’s was documented in Town records. It lasted throughout the decade, involving many Islanders and requiring town financial assistance. Those who did not own a home or who had a home without room for a separate isolation area were quarantined on Hospital Island.
- Public safety measures to control smallpox included isolating those afflicted, burning their clothes, and burying them at night without a public funeral – often in isolated, unmarked graves.
- The 1918 influenza, the so-called Spanish Flu, was a catastrophic public health event, claiming more lives than World War I: over 50 million died worldwide; about 675,000 died in the United States; and about 5,000 Mainers died.
- In the 1918 pandemic, public safety guidelines and restrictions, such as masks, limitations on public and church gatherings, and closures were as controversial as today. Public dissension was more muted, however, because it was seen as unpatriotic with the backdrop of WWI.
- Westport Island schools have been closed more than once by infectious disease: by diphtheria in 1880, “sickness” in 1908, and Influenza in 1918.
- Post WWI and the 1918 pandemic, strong advocacy
began for a child health program in the schools, which gradually took hold by the 1930’s. It took WWII, and the realization that “… thousands of our young men were rejected from service because of the diseases of childhood and malnutrition” for a full-scale child health and immunization program to get underway on Westport in the 1940’s. - In the mid-1900’s, houses were visibly posted with Quarantine Notices for those afflicted with infectious diseases.
- From the time that vital records were available, the infectious disease that claimed the most lives on Westport Island was Tuberculosis.
Postcards from “The Front”
The exhibit closes with a look at the “front” lines of how today’s Covid-19 pandemic has impacted life on the island and its people today. About 180 postcards were distributed to residents or friends with ties to the Island; about 60 were returned, and we hope to receive more to help us capture a slice of today’s history for tomorrow. The postcards provide fascinating, often uplifting, snapshots of how Islanders are taking on the challenges of life in times of Covid-19.
To see the exhibit
Visit the History Center, Wright Landing, Westport Island, on Sundays from 11 am to 1 pm. Additional hours will be posted on the History Committee and the Westport Facebook pages. Or, contact the History Committee at wihistorycommittee@gmail.com to arrange a private viewing at your convenience.
Dedication & credits
This exhibit is dedicated to those who are truly on the front lines of infectious outbreaks: our health workers, first responders and Local Health Officers. Thank you to all health workers and support staff for your dedication to the greater good and for your service to others.
Postcard from “The Front” by Deb Staatz arranged by Laurie Jaramillo
Exhibit credits to:
- A State of Maine Keeping Maine Healthy/Covid-19 Awareness grant for helping to make this exhibit possible;
- The History Center design team – Mary & Rich Coventry, Mary Ellen Barnes, Jeff Tarbox, Richard Devries, et al;
- The Wright Landing House Committee led by Richard DeVries;
- The Pandemic Planning Committee – Sandy Besecker, Paul Bonyun, Joan Mason-Bradford, Jean Wilhelmsen-Exter, and Gaye Wagner; and
- All the people of Westport Island who contributed in some way to this exhibit with special thanks to Laurie Jaramillo; Deb Williams; the Longobardi family; and news reporterz Charlotte Boynton, Lincoln County News; & Susan Johns, Wiscasset Newspaper.
Postcard from “The Front” by Laurie Jaramillo
Westport Island COVID-19 Services & Resources
Welcoming spring in a world of social distancing
First, some information to make it easier to navigate this new COVID-19 way of being…
Westport Island COVID-19 Services & Resources
April 4, 2020 President Approves Federal Disaster Declaration For COVID-19 Response in Maine
April 3, 2020 Governor Mills Quarantine Restrictions on Travelers Arriving in Maine
March 31, 2020 Governor Mills Stay Healthy at Home Mandate
March 24, 2020 Governor Mills Order Regarding “Essential Businesses and Operations”
Town Services
Town Office staff are working remotely and are regularly at the Town Office to collect mail and deliveries in the mail drop slot to the left of the Town Office front door where residents can deliver checks and other correspondence. Staff are conducting town business during regular office hours by phone and email (Tuesdays: 11 am – 6 pm; Thursdays: 9 am – 2 pm). Please leave a message, and staff will get back to you.
Many services are also available via the Town website’s online resources – consult the “I Want To” section for an easy link to what you may need.
Where services rely on proof of identification, please be sure to mail or drop a copy of your license in the night box or take a picture of it and email it.
Martha Hayward, Treasurer/Tax Collector (207) 882-8477, ext. 1
Dedee Greenleaf-Hodgdon, Municipal Agent (207) 882-8477, ext. 2
Julie Casson, Town Clerk/Registrar (207) 882-8477, ext. 3
Gaye Wagner, Deputy Clerk/EMA (207) 882-6084 (leave a message)
George Richardson, 1st Selectman (207) 882-8477, ext. 4
• Bureau of Motor Vehicles Public Notice (Note: Registrations issued by a municipality, including temporary registrations, are extended until 30 days following the end of the state of emergency.)
• Registering Motor Vehicles and Trailers (To more easily provide required information to Dedee, please complete & return this re-registration form with your check. If you call or email her in advance, she will provide you with the amount of the fees.)
• Registering Boats, Snowmobiles & ATV’s
• Hunting & Fishing Licenses
• Parental Residency Affidavits to Register Children for School
• Registering to Vote or Requesting an Absentee Ballot
• Dog Licenses (Note: Dog licensing is canceled for the duration of the COVID-19 emergency plus 30 days.)
• Vital Records
• Marriage Licenses
• Shellfish Licenses
• Business Licenses
• Burn Permits (Note: The WVFD is not currently issuing burn permits due to the COVID-19 situation.)
COVID-19 Resources
• To have questions answered about COVID-19 at any time, individuals may call 211 Maine by dialing 211; by texting our zip code, 04578, to 898-211; or by emailing info@211maine.org
• Lincoln County COVID-19 Resource Page — a one-stop collection of current Executive Orders, Maine CDC, health information, food resources, etc.
• Helping Hands for island food pantry and transportation resources
• Unemployment claims
• Small Business Administration Assistance
• Locally produced hand sanitizer
And finally, some reasons to smile…
To welcome spring, some of our neighbors have been busy “dressing up” the town (observing appropriate social distancing, of course). The Horticulture Committee has been sprucing up the Wright Landing gardens; Richard DeVries has been installing new flooring in the Wright Landing House; Ken Shepherd and Cheryl Anderson have been dressing up the Main Road with their artistic mailbox sentinels; and Bailey has been “homeschooling” her children in community service and landscaping while pruning and building a stone walled planter at the Westport Volunteer Fire Department — it seems another of Bailey’s lessons may have taken place at the Town Hall. …Others have just been taking time to smell the daffodils.
Spreading Cheer
…Bailey style
In this season of hope, we give thanks for those who give of themselves and put a smile in our day.
Merry Christmas!
Bailey & faithful friend Clyde beside the fire department Christmas tree decorated by Bailey with buoys from the Lobster Co-op.
A Time to Plan and a Time to Vote
It’s time to plan to vote to adopt the 2019 Westport Island Comprehensive Plan
In February 2018, a group of fellow islanders agreed to take on the daunting task of updating Westport Island’s 2002 Comprehensive Plan. After 21 months of regular Thursday work sessions; developing, distributing and compiling results of a community survey; an advisory vote on the resulting Vision Statement; public meetings and at least as much time invested in pursuing individual work assignments, our Comprehensive Planning Committee is asking for our support next Tuesday, November 5, with a “yes” vote to adopt its proposed Comprehensive Plan.
Last year’s Vision Statement has guided the development of the Comprehensive Plan now being presented for a vote. The survey which provided the community input to shape the Plan was mailed to 800 island residents and property owners. The Vision Statement was developed by synthesizing comments from a public hearing with the answers and comments collected from 295 survey respondents. The Vision Statement was then ratified by an overwhelming 414 of 467 voters in November 2018.
New dwellings constructed on Westport Island 2007-2018
Comprehensive Plans are part of a “growth management” strategy borne of the 1988 “Comprehensive Planning and Land Use Regulation Act.” This act was passed after concerns that rapid, sprawling development on Maine’s southern coast was threatening the health of local communities by diminishing scenic views, historic villages, traffic flow, wetlands, wildlife preservation, healthy groundwater and the qualities that draw people to Maine. In many instances, Planning Boards had been so busy reacting to requests for individual building permits that they didn’t have time to look at the bigger picture, or the “cumulative impact” of creeping growth on their communities.
Comprehensive Plans are blueprints of “the bigger picture”. They are developed by looking at the past, taking a snapshot of the present and creating a vision for the future with the input of the people who live and work in a community. Our 2002 Comprehensive Plan served us well, but it expired in 2012.
The State rewards communities who invest the effort in a current, community-approved Comprehensive Plan with incentives such as preferred access to a variety of state and federal grants designed to improve communities, including: Community Development Block Grants, Land for Maine’s Future, the Land and Water Conservation Fund and select Department of Environmental Protection grants. We have benefited from these grants in the past when we still had an approved Plan to develop amenities at Clough Point and our public boat launch, the Wright Landing. It would be very beneficial to have access to these monies again for improvements at our public lands, to improve resiliency and safety on our roadways with rising sea levels or for other public services.
Please join your neighbors at the polls on Tuesday, November 5 — or vote absentee through Thursday, October 31 — to adopt the 2019 Comprehensive Plan for Westport Island’s future and to show appreciation for the work done by our Comprehensive Planning Committee: Bob Mooney, Chair; Jerry Bodmer, 2nd Selectman & Plumbing Inspector; Gary Richardson, Code Enforcement Officer; Dick Barker, Planning Board; Dennis Dunbar, Conservation Commission; Jeff Tarbox, History Committee; Jason Kates, Cable Contract Negotiating Committee; Jim Cromwell, Road Committee; Ted Christie, Harbor Master; Richard DeVries, Wright Landing Committee; Joanna Jacobs, Planning Board; and Ron Stoodley, Deputy Code Enforcement Officer.
The Island Run/Walk Welcomed Both 2- and 4-Footed Participants
And was a great way to start the day
Sunday’s 15th Annual Westport Island Shore Run 10K Road Race and 3.5 mile Fun Walk didn’t pull out a crowded field of runners and walkers — but those that came enjoyed themselves, helped support the Westport Volunteer Fire Department and got their blood circulating.
The 10K race winner, William Strachan, Terrebone, OR, outdid the pack of runners with a 6.08 minute pace and a finish time of 38.03. He gave up his well-earned medal to his pint-sized nephew — who took the honor pretty seriously. The 2nd place finisher, Ariel Perry from Portland, ME, conquered the course with a pace of 7:14 and a finish time of 44:54. Andy Smith of Wiscasset rounded out the top three runners with a pace of 7:30 and a finish time of 46.35. All three had great times on a “rolling” course.
Westport Islander Nora Bradford, No. 18, pounded it out into the top 10. She was in 7th place overall, and won a medal for 3rd place among the female runners. Awesome!
The last place 10K runner was first in spirit and “can do”. Judy Phillips from Norwich, VT, in the 60-99 bracket, finished with a smile and then fell into the arms of her waiting husband. She and husband Joseph have come to Westport’s annual Island Run for the last 4 or 5 years because they like the people, the scenery and the lack of traffic on the course. Judy is all about moving and staying active in life, so if all goes as planned, she’ll be back to the island next year.
This year’s walkers brought a record number of canine “four-wheel drive” participants — all of whom finished, met some new friends and made the walk more enjoyable for their “two-wheel drive” companions.
See you next year…
The Squire Tarbox Inn Reawakens
A new season in the Inn’s life has begun
Renovations were completed last year, and the historic Squire Tarbox Inn has begun its newest island life. Tyler, the innkeeper is in residence, the rooms and dining spaces are ready and welcoming, weddings are booked, and a schedule of special events is underway. Today’s Inn is a blend of bed & breakfast; special event site; and venue for community workshops and exhibitions.
To get a flavor of the workshops offered by the Inn, here’s a peek at participants’ fare at this season’s first workshop in June — “Foraged Floral Workshop” with Floral Designer John Sundling of Plant Office in Portland.
John Sundling began his professional life as a set designer and became an accidental floral designer when he moved to Maine. An artist by training, he had worked as a set designer in Chicago, New York and Maine; but discovered his new artistic passion while working in a floral shop in Maine. Now, he 
is a floral artist who operates the “Plant Office”, a floral shop offering services that range from blending flowers and art to create “full service florals” for weddings, special events, and theatrical set design — to providing tailored fresh floral decorations for businesses and restaurants or floral design workshops — to creating full-scale floral art installations.
Sundling came to Westport Island to provide a workshop for 14 participants in creating floral arrangements from the trees, shrubs, grasses and flowers around us — with a dash of farm raised flowers for color, because the local variety were not yet in summer prime. His philosophy: nature is beautiful. Be fluid, think balance — it doesn’t have to be perfect, it can look a little weird, because “nature is both beautiful and weird”…
Participants toured the inn, foraged the grounds for raw materials, had fun and were all successful under the tutelage of Sundling in creating beautiful floral arrangements.
Note: The following opening event has been postponed to a date yet to be announced; but the art exhibit will still be open from 12 pm to 6 pm through the month of August. …The Inn’s next event will be a solo exhibit showcasing the artwork of Brien Kliewer on Friday, August 2, from 4 pm to 6 pm. For more information and to view a sampling of his work, see “Brian Kliewer Solo Art Exhibit.” The event is free, open to the public — and a great opportunity to check out the beautiful Squire Tarbox Inn.
On Miz Mason’s 100th Birthday
A poem by Susie Stedman in celebration of Jerry Day Mason
Jerry Day Mason turned 100 on Saturday, May 4. About 150 friends and family were there to celebrate the magic of Jerry and the magic of Jerry’s corner of Westport Island. Thank you Susie for sharing this tribute to your friend and ours…
Let us raise a glass to our Lady Jerry
Who’s taught each of us much about making merry.
We cherish her life and abiding love
For those gathered here…and those above.
She’s elegant, savvy, smart, still cooks!
And she’s never lost her glam good looks,She raised many children…sailed a tight ship
With Chris, Sarah, Felicity, Jody, Tory and Trip.
Then countless others hopped on board,
As adopted kids…more than one can record,
Pets also adored her, too many to log
And now there’s Sylvester who thinks he’s a dog.She’s a rare soul, this dame named Jerry,
She defies every known actuary…
She loves backgammon and good blue cheese,
Always puts visitors’ hearts at ease…
When she takes tea, it’s laced with rum
After that, nothing’s hum drum!Her 100 years call for candles ablaze
(all thirty-six thousand five hundred days!)
Her recent adventures might have challenged the best…
With bones and vertebrae put to the test
But our Jerry rallied after every skid,
Proving to all she’s the Comeback Kid.We love you. dear Jerry, for so many reasons,
Not least because you’ve lived many seasons.
Your esprit, your joy bloom like flowers…
Your unquenchable courage gives us ours.
Thank you, dear friend, for all that you do
To enlighten our world and show us what’s true.With Love Forever
On May 4, 2019
Sooz
Selected photos courtesy of Susie Stedman
westport island 
