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Fall 2014 Newsletter
IN THIS ISSUE
HOW I CAME TO MASON'S ISLAND
THE HOW, WHAT AND WHY OF YOUR COOGAN FARM
FORMER MI RESIDENT: E.B.READ
CONGRATULATIONS SUZIE!
ENERGY AUDIT?
WHERE IN THE WORLD: Deutschland by Train
COOK'S CORNER
ISLAND SIGHTINGS
EVENTS IN OUR AREA
MEET YOUR NEW NEIGHBORS
PRESERVING HISTORY
SUNSET BEACH?
NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS

Dear Neighbors,

   

"We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure.  There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open."  Jawaharlal Nehru


We recently reclaimed a precious piece of beachfront property. It is owned by Mason's Island Property Owners and it is a hidden treasure.  This spot is particularly beautiful to include on your hikes and for your sunsets.  We have been fortunate to make it pleasing for all to enjoy.   More about this special place in the article called "SUNSET BEACH?".

 

cathy2With the holidays fast approaching, many of our thoughts are on our many responsibilities this time of year, from yard cleaning to menu planning to added family and community responsibilities.   But it is also a time to keep your Mason's Island neighbors in mind. Holidays can serve as a trigger for the blues and depression as well.   Take time to call your neighbor with a friendly hello.  

That can go a long way this time of year. 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! 

Cathy Marco, President of MIPOA

  

  

How I Came to Mason's Island                     

by Marcia McGowan

 

Grateful thanks to Marcia McGowan for so generously providing such a wonderful history.   After reading, I hope you will all follow suit!   I would be happy to work with you and can send on some helpful guidelines. 

 

Come be a part of the MI history - we need you!   I await your email, call or knock on the door of 4 Money Point Road with great anticipation.  Patty Copp   860-572-8877   Patrishb99@gmail.com

 

     We first came to Mystic at the invitation of Dr. Henry Freye, who had been a supervisor of John's fellowship in allergy/immunology in the Brown University program at Rhode Island Hospital. We had been living in Barrington, Rhode Island near Narragansett Bay, and our first priority for John's incipient medical practice and my incipient academic career was that our home continue to be near the water so that the family could continue to sail together. We established ourselves temporarily in Seaport Heights while John built his practice and I taught at Eastern Connecticut State University. (I had taken it on faith that I would be able to find an academic position near our home; it is truly amazing that I did so.) During the entire ten years that we lived in Seaport Heights, we had been looking periodically and unsuccessfully for our dream home on the water.

     One day Dr. Freye's wife Virginia, who had become a realtor, called me to say she had found our dream house. She had been playing tennis with Jean Brown, who had announced that she and Larry were going to sell their waterfront home at 16 Skiff Lane on Mason's Island. Several of our daughters' classmates at both Pine Point and Williams School had lived on Mason's Island, and I had always found it a beautiful place. Not to put too fine a point on it, John and I (with my father, who was visiting at the time) came to look at the house the very next day. All of us fell immediately in love with it. I remember my dad saying "You'd be crazy not to buy this house." 16 Skiff had all the "mod cons," having been built to spec only three years previously, but best of all, it had a dock for our 29' sloop "Nepenthe."

     We moved in soon after. Jennifer had just graduated from Princeton, and she came back, rather apprehensively, to a new home.  However, both she and Lara proved to be delighted with our new home, and how could they not be?  It was and still is a beautiful house in a lovely location. 16 Skiff hosted many happy family Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations as well as many social occasions over the years. Almost immediately after moving in, we were introduced to many wonderful people in the Yacht Club by our next door neighbors Dick and Marge Cheney at a large party they gave in our honor. Our other lovely next door neighbor Agnes Garbarino brought us freshly picked strawberries every summer for years. Among our favorite neighbors were Eleanor and Al Smith. Al was always full of stories about the island and the sea, and Eleanor was forever involving us in projects. One of my favorites was hosting foreign cadets for lunch on our porch, then driving them around Mystic to show them our beautiful surroundings. E. B. Read pronounced that we would have to attend "On the Rocks," an informal cocktail party at the end of each holiday weekend at the little beach at the end of Skiff Lane. Her reminder phone call could be counted on! We had such a lovely time at those gatherings, which unfortunately stopped when E.B. left the Island.

     John soon became Rear Commodore of the Yacht Club and later served on its Board. I served on the MIFD/ MIPOA Board under Trent Repko's apt leadership. Trent was a great delegator He lost no time in appointing me to chair the Architectural Review Committee and asked me to compile an extensive guide for homeowners on Mason's Island. During the summer seasons, I found myself involved in many entertainment activities at the club through my good friend Nancy Lyons, hostess extraordinaire. John found himself happily crewing for Martin Lyons during races on his sloop "Celebration." It was through all these activities that John and I made good friends on the Island.

     We lived at 16 Skiff for twenty wonderful years. When it came time to downsize, we couldn't bear the thought of leaving the Island, so we bought and renovated Dave and Helen Lyon's house at 9 Money Point Road. Of course, we have wonderful neighbors here as well. There are no neighbors like Mason's Island neighbors! They have helped us through some tough times. And here, at our second home on Mason's Island, looking out at our beloved Fisher's Island Sound, we shall happily stay for as long as Fate and the tax man allow!

The How, What and Why of Your Coogan Farm
by Harry White
Yes, asking for money can be exciting and fulfilling.

Imagine the excitement 50 years ago when Corney Shields donated two brand new sloops to our fledgling Northwestern University Sailing Club.   Decades later on Mason's Island, I relived some of that excitement with deja vu gymnastics on RIP'S fordeck - Thank you, Dan Van Winkle.

After my years in business, education fund-raising and nonprofit management and Liz's work in psychoanalysis, we moved from New York to Mason's Island full-time in 2011.  In a briefly quiet retirement, I has shanghaied by the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center's campaign to save Coogan Farm.  Welcome to Mystic!

Countless conversations about Coogan Farm have been personally fulfilling.  It's been a privilege to get to know so many people on Mason's Island and in the larger community.   By listening more than soliciting, we volunteer fundraisers have shaped Coogan Farm's future with values and aspirations expressed by our donors.  These include:
  • Conservation of habitats, watersheds and historic structures
  • Education of children and adults experiencing the Farm's historic and natural resources
  • Sustainable tourism: extending the Nature Center's mission beyond our immediate community by connecting nearby attractions and enriching visitor experiences
  • Public health by recreation, gardening, nutritious farm to table cooking and a 2-acre giving garden
  • Community pride in a centrally located nature preserve/park and venue for programs and events
Over 760 donors of $4.1 million spoke to these values as regional and national issues. Indeed, several Coogan Farm opening celebration speakers said, "This small farm is a big deal!"  And, reflecting ownership of Coogan Farm, the Nature Center's  updated mission is "To inspire understanding of the natural world and ourselves as part of it - past, present and future."
Harry (on right) with team of people who made Coogan Farm a reality, including another Mason Islander, Dennis O'Brien (designer and illustrator of maps and signs)

This has been a great adventure.   I never expected fund-raising during "retirement" to be so fulfilling to personal beliefs in nature and community.   As a match-maker, I get to ask people about our community and big issues.  When your views match with Nature Center opportunities, then the reasons for fund-raising and fund-giving become one.   The result is a win-win to the benefit of us all!  
Looking west, over Mystic River, from one of Coogan Farm's bucolic meadows.
Harry White nearly loses head over Coogan Farm at September 4th ribbon cutting

Note-

Many on Mason's Island already know about Nature Center member benefits.  These include the Chickadee newsletter with fascinating tales of our local natural world and advance notice of myriad programs for adults and children.  Members also receive an annual natural history calendar and discounts on all education programs and store purchases of nature-themed books, bird feeders, novelties and more.  These are great stocking stuffers, tree decorations or house presents during a season of visiting and giving!  Or, the gift of membership itself will keep giving to family, friends and nature through the year!


Why not consider joining if you are not a member or sending a contribution by going on line at www.dpnc.org  click "Donate" and then "Become a Member." 


 

On November 15, another great way to support the Nature Center will be its 25th Anniversary Green Tie Gala.  This year, the honorees are two of our own from Mason's Island- Charlie and Irene Hamm!  The exciting and fun-filled evening will be at the Mashantucket Museum & Research Center.  If you have not yet received an invitation or RSVP'd, you may still do so at www.dpnc.org/gala


 

 

FORMER MASON'S ISLAND RESIDENT, E.B. READ, WAS ONE OF OUR MAJOR HISTORIANS FOR MYSTIC AND OUR ISLAND

by Lou Allyn

 

Gae Melford and I were talking about an article for the MIPOA Newsletter. I had just been reading E.B.Read's obituary which mentions her love of local history and how it was reflected in her various pursuits. "In 1978, she published "Norwich, A Century of Growth," detailing the economic history of Norwich, and in 1980, "Mystic Memories." After retirement, she taught adult education classes in local history in Norwich and Stonington. She wrote many articles for the Stonington Historical Society's "Foot Notes," including "String of Pearls," which traced the growth of the textile industry in Eastern Connecticut. She also wrote the histories of the Mason's Island Yacht Club in 1992 and of the Mystic Art Association in 1993 in celebration of its 80th anniversary."

 

Since the E.B.Read collection at the Mystic River Historical Society contains many of E.B.'s photographs, prints,  lecture slides, lecture notes, newspaper clippings, and historical documents, in addition to many of her publications, I thought it would be of interest to list what is available at MRHS.

 

#1997.017  DVD and Videocassette  MIYC, The Way It Used To Be. Personal memories of Mason's Island Yacht Club members. 1999

 

# 2006.143  Mystic Memories 1654-1979 First edition 1980, 80pages and a revised second printing 1981. Mystic history containing many local names, events, and places.

 

#2006.176  The Mystic Art Association: 80th Anniversary  Published by the Mystic Art Association in 1993 40 pages.

 

#2007.008 series folders:

Material related to Mystic Island, also known as Ram Island.

Mystic Island  VOL.XXI, No.2 February 1984 Bulletin of the Stonington Historical Society

Mystic Island  VOL.XXI, No.3 May 1984 Bulletin of the Stonington Historical Society

Historic Mystic Fold out brochure with 40 photographs and maps of Mystic 1840-1870 and 1870-1930

Packer Tar Soap Factory November 1985 Bulletin of the Stonington Historical Society

Article Ram Island Lightships

 

Booklets History of the Mason's Island Yacht Club 1992  30 pages with many photographs

 

Mystic Photographs

Just for the fun of it: Can you identify these two photographs and tell me the story about when and where they were taken?  Write to us at info@mipoa.info or to Lou Allyn at lallyn@gmail.com with your answers.   (Our next newsletter will reveal the answers.)

 

 

  

CONGRATULATIONS TO SUZIE CANNING!
 
Congratulations to our friend and neighbor Suzie Canning.  On October 24th, Suzie was presented with an Association of Connecticut Library Board Award for her extraordinary service to the Mystic and Noank Library.  Nominated by her fellow Board members, she was honored at a special event in Hartford recognizing outstanding participants from all over Connecticut.  

Suzie's continuing efforts, especially in spearheading the very successful library galas for the past 3 years, shows "extraordinary effort, innovation...and dedicated library service."

 


Have You Considered an Energy Audit?

Submitted by Gae Melford

With the cold weather just around the corner, you might want to consider having an energy audit of your home. If interested, a good idea is to go to Energize Connecticut's website where you can get lots of good ideas on how to best keep your energy bills low and to make your home more energy efficient. They can also connect you with energy-efficiency professionals who will come to your home, identify where air is leaking and then fill the cracks, right there and then, with weather stripping or caulking. They will also give you 25 new light bulbs, wrap your hot water pipes and seal your duct work, all for about $99. ( Energize Connecticut pays the balance of the bill.) 

Another advantage is that they will assess how much insulation you currently have, and what you should ideally have - a key component for being energy efficient - as well as give you suggestions on how you can decrease your energy costs across the board. Reportedly, this service saves the average homeowner up to $200 over the course of a year. 

I had it done last year, and the crew that came to the house was great - professional and courteous. The best part was how they located all the drafty areas in the house and immediately came up with solutions.

Here's what they say on-line at EnergizeCt.

Have an expert give your home an energy checkup

Do you ever wonder how much energy you lose through leaky doors, windows and ductwork? Do you suspect that your insulation isn't making the grade? What about your major appliances? Wouldn't it be great if you could have an expert give your home an energy checkup - and do some of the work right then and there? You can.

In one easy visit, utility-certified technicians will evaluate your home's energy performance and install energy-saving measures such as sealing air leaks and installing energy-efficient lighting, faucet aerators and low-flow showerheads. The technicians will also provide written recommendations for deeper energy-saving measures such as insulation, high-efficiency heating and cooling, water heating, windows and appliances. To help you in making smart energy choices, your recommendations will include information on rebates and financing along with payback and investment information specific to your home.

See more at: 
http://energizect.com/residents/programs/home-energy-solutions-core-services



WHERE IN THE WORLD... 
Many of our readers have taken trips to places far and wide and we hope to share some of their wonderful adventures with  you. 

 

Riding the Rails through Deutschland

Submitted By Catherine Deichmann

 

            After visiting Germany on a river cruise several years ago, Fred and I were eager to go back and see more.   This time we decided to strike out on our own and explore Germany by train.  We purchased a 10-day first-class pass for the Deutsch Bahn  ("DB") online.   The online prices were significantly lower than buying the pass in Germany, and since we planned to travel together, we were able to get a "twin" rate that saved 50% off one pass.  Traveling first class allowed us to avoid any possible seating scrums, and reserve seats on the inter-city routes. Using the train schedules and route maps, we planned a "circumnavigation" of Germany. By September 2012, we had lined up hotels in most of our planned stops, our rolling bags were packed, and we were ready to go.

            We spent two days in Munich recovering from our flight and immersing ourselves in German history, culture, and, of course, food.  As the Oktoberfest crowds began to stream into the city, we boarded our first train, heading north to Dresden. The Munich Hauptbahnhof (central train station) was very big and busy, but the train system is very efficiently designed, even for travelers with limited German. The departure timetables are yellow, the arrival timetables are white.  The train schedule tells you what platform your train will leave from, and your tickets list the seat numbers and the "wagen" or car of the train where they are located.  Each platform at the station has a large "Wagenstandanzeiger" that tells you exactly where to stand to board, so you don't run up and down the platform looking for the right car.   Most of the Bahnhofs, particularly those in the city centers, have Starbucks, pretzel stands and other take-way food, pay restrooms and shower facilities, and lockers to store your luggage while you go out and see the sights.    

            In Dresden, as in most of the cities on our itinerary, we bought day passes for the local transportation system.  As with the intercity trains, the local transport systems -- S-Bahn (light rail), U-Bahn (underground), trams and buses -- are clean, the routes are well-labeled, and everything runs on time.  Usually the hub for the city transit systems is located right outside the Hauptbahnhof, very convenient for anyone arriving by train.  From Dresden we caught a train to Halle a. Saale, home of the famous salt works, the first chocolate factory in Germany, and our  Deichmann ancestors.  Like Dresden, Halle is located in the former East Germany, and is striving to catch up with the more affluent and cosmopolitan cities in the west.   From Halle we caught another intercity train to Berlin, where the contrast between "east" and "west" was even more apparent. After three days in Berlin, we left for Hamburg.  A side trip to Lubeck gave us the chance to ride a lovely double-decker regional train. From Hamburg we were off to Bremen, with another side trip to the maritime museums in Bremerhaven.  Then we rode south to Koblnez on the Rhine and, after a quick stop in Mainz to visit the Gutenberg Museum, thence to Frankfurt.  In Frankfurt we made our only deviation from public transport, renting a car for a day to visit the small villages where my mother's family lived two hundred years ago.  (Fred got his wish to drive on the autobahn, but in a Ford Fiesta, not the Mercedes or BMW of his dreams.)

            From Frankfurt we continued to our southernmost point, the lovely resort city of Lindau on the Bodensee, where we could see the Austrian and Swiss Alps across the lake.  This was the only delay we experienced in our entire trip, due to an obstruction on the rails. Fred made a quick visit to the conductor's office in the café car, and a little rerouting allowed us to make our connection.  On our final day in Germany we caught an early train back to Munich.  This was a Swiss train, conveniently equipped with a Heineken cart  for those who needed to start their day with a beer.  After a final trip on the S-Bahn to the airport, we were winging our way home.

            Riding the rails around Germany was a full-immersion experience.  We were completely on our own for two weeks - no guide, no translator, no cruise director.  Most of the time we enjoyed trying to puzzle out how the train system worked, how to navigate each city on our own, how to find what we were looking for. Sometimes we were a little befuddled -- by the queue system for making reservations at the stations, by the bus routes in Mainz, by the floating sausages and liver meatloaf in Berlin, but we learned from our miscues.  Contrary to conventional wisdom, "everyone" in Germany does not speak English, but as usual we found that courtesy and patience overcame any language difficulties. After 14 days, 13 cities, and 12 trains, we can't wait to go back.  There is still so much more to see!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you Catherine for sharing your trip with us.   If you have a trip you would like to share, please contact us at info@mipoa.info for inclusion in one of our future newsletters.


COOK'S CORNER

 

  

Hold-On-To-Summer-Squash Vegetable Soup
Submitted by Cynthia Benfield

 

Serves 4.

Ingredients

2 large yellow summer squash
1 large zucchini
1 large vidalia onion
2 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth (homemade best)
4 Tbsp basil extra virgin olive oil (regular olive oil fine too)
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Sea salt
Pepper
Crackers 
 

Instructions

Chop all vegetables. Sauté in olive oil, butter, 3 Tbsp of chicken broth, and spices until al dente, about 8 minutes.

Spoon into blender. Purée with remaining chicken broth (thickness varies depending on amount of the chicken broth used).

Reheat in sauce pan or eat at room temperature with crackers.
 

 

 

 

ISLAND SIGHTINGS
 
Deer me.  
Submitted Cathy Marco

Whether it is day or night, you can not help but run into (hopefully not really) one of our many hungry neighbors...the deer.   I recently drove up to one while he was grazing, with my dog in the car, but he didn't seem to have any interest in me or "Jib", and calmly continued to eat away.   I just hope they have all done the 4-Poster Treatment Program.  

    


EVENTS IN OUR AREA

Limited Engagement of Renowned Marine Debris Educational Art Exhibit "Washed Ashore"


See sculptures created from flotsam of the Pacific Coast.    

An Installation at Lyman Allyn

from November 28 to January 4 
As quoted from their website "This family friendly installation and accompanying programming is designed to attract a broad and diverse audience and communicate messages of enchantment, fantasy, and magic this holiday season"  

 Grossology Exhibit at CT SCIENCE CENTER

Take a trip to Hartford to be Grossed Out (learn the impolite science of the human body)

NOW until March 8.  Open 10-5 every day EXCEPT MONDAYS!   

 


Visit the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry at STORRS

"STAGES OF ENCHANTMENT:  THE PUPPET THEATERS OF BLAIR THOMAS"

NOW until February 22. 

COME TO THE MYSTIC ARTS CENTER FOR THE ANNUAL HOLIDAY SHOW - NOVEMBER 14 to DECEMBER 31


 

Visit Mystic Arts Center during the Holiday Gift Show and view original works of fine art and handmade artisan wares by local and regional artists. Support local artists and artisans and give something special to your loved ones this holiday.The Holiday Gift Show includes items such as: hand carved wooden spoons, bowls and cheese boards, jewelry, upcycled mirrors, chalkboards and frames, sailor bracelets, paper trees, wooden bowls, stoneware pottery, notecards, fiber items, natural soaps/balms, stained glass, hats, silk scarves, neckties, ceramics and fine art.



Meet your new neighbors   welcome chairs 2014 new Mason's Islanders   

 

 

Thomas S. Cooke II (Tom) and Rosalind Van Stolk (Rosalind) on Poggy Bay 

 

Preserving Your Personal History
Submitted by Cathy Marco

I had over 3000 slides I wanted to put into a digital format.   So I purchased a piece of equipment called a digital picture converter from a well known catalog company and started the process.   And what a process it was!!  It was taking me endless amounts of time to do, and I was getting old just sitting there doing it.  

Little did I know, there have been a number of Mason's Islanders who have been using CHARTER OAK SCANNING right here in Stonington (in the Velvet Mill) and they now have a kiosk at the Crystal Mall. 

So I tried them and they were fantastic.  It wasn't inexpensive but it was worth every penny!

With holiday shopping coming, this may be a wonderful gift for someone you know.

Check them out on FACEBOOK as well.   

  SUNSET BEACH?    Name our new beach        
   
 
While reviewing the survey maps of MIPOA roads and rights of way and also checking out the GIS maps online, the MIPOA board noticed that there was a right of way on Nauyaug Point Road abutting a beautiful cove.  Many Mason's Islanders recalled years ago an access to this cove when they could go down there to see a sunset or just sit and enjoy, but it has been overgrown and inaccessible for years.  

We want you to know that the passage to this beautiful cove has been cleared and it is now open to all MIPOA property owners with restrictions.   

These restrictions are as follows:
  1. NO PARKING AVAILABLE.   So that means NO cars, NO golf cart style vehicles, NO motorized bikes or similar modes of transportation.  
  2. WALKING AND BIKING ONLY!!!!  
  3. Open from Dawn to Dusk.
  4. Respect the neighbors.   Minimize Noise.   Stay off others property.   Clean up after yourself and your dog
  5. Do not store kayaks or other boats here.
  6. Take only Photos, Leave only Footprints.
ENTER TO WIN THE "NAME THE BEACH" Contest!    Add your suggestion to the list we have started....South Beach, New Beach, Sunset Beach, Schmid Beach.    Send your recommendation to info@mipoa.info.  DEADLINE:  January 1, 2015.  Winner will be announced in the Winter Newsletter!

 

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Thanksgiving and Christmas will soon be here, and we all look forward to spending time with family and friends and sharing some delicious meals.  However, there are many in our community who are in need. Help them celebrate the Holidays with a much appreciated food donation.
There are many opportunities and places to give, including the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center.  Click on the link below to find out what is needed, and when you should drop off your donation. (For instance, they would like Thanksgiving donations by 11/14 if possible.) Another option is to drop off your donation by 11/14 to: Gae Melford, 24 East Forest Road.  If no one is home, just leave at the back door.  It will be gratefully received and passed on!


 
 

PLEASE REMOVE YOUR KAYAKS AND BOATS FROM SKIFF LANE RIGHT OF WAY
NOW!