At Mackworth Island, new Friends and old friends
On July 24, I drove to Mackworth Island, Falmouth, to attend the Open House at the new Friends School of Portland.
It is an independent Quaker day school for pre-K through Grade 6, located on the property of the Baxter School for the Deaf on the island. The Friends building is one story, with four classrooms – three for the daily classes and the fourth for art and music classes. It is located just up the hill from the one-room entrance building, at the end of the bridge. There are lovely views from the classrooms, over the trees above the walking trails around the island.
The Friends school will start on Sept. 5. Darlene Ivy, the administrative head of the school, showed me the rooms. She told me that parents who will bring their children to the school are excited to know they can take the walking trail occasionally after dropping off the students.
The day I attended, I walked down a path to the trail, a walk I find delightful. I walked as far as the granite pier, near the shore, but didn’t get as far as the burial place for Gov. Percival P. Baxter’s dogs, which I had been to previously.
The next week I decided to visit the burial place, starting this time on the path just beyond the entrance building, having views of the many little beaches on the coves. I asked several hikers if they knew how far along I would find the dog cemetery. Many weren’t even aware of it, but I was pleased when a group of youngsters told me that I should look for a wide path leading to the right, off the shore trail, and walk up the hill to it. In another 10 minutes I found that wide path, and actually it was only a short distance from that granite pier I had seen July 24.
The heavy rock wall surrounding the cemetery area is a handsome structure. A wooden gate allows visitors to enter. On a large granite boulder are bronze plaques inscribed with messages showing Baxter’s devotion to his animals. I copied them down to let American Journal readers know more about this burial place.
On the entrance side of the boulder, the plaque reads:
“The State of Maine By Legislative Act Chapter 1 Laws of 1943 accepted the Gift of Mackworth Island and Covenanted to Maintain Forever This Burial Place of My Dogs, With the Stone Wall and the Boulder With the Bronze Marker Thereon Erected to Their Memory.”
On the other side of the boulder are two smaller bronze plaques. One said:
1887-1945
Garry IV 1931-1945
Peggy II 1931-1945
The last perfect line of my 14 Irish Setters.
P.P.B.
The second plaque, near the first, said:
Garry III 1922-1934
Peggy 1929-1931
And below them,
Two Little Brothers 1931-1931
In back of the boulder were three grave stones. The first said: Jerry Roan, a Noble Horse and a kind friend. Died March 1, 1904, Aft. 35 years.
The next stone said: To Gov. Baxter’s Dogs For 40 Years his Constant companions, 1887-1926.
On a long bronze plaque:
1921
To My Irish Setters
Life Long Friends And
Companions
Affectionate,
Faithful and Loyal.
Percival P. Baxter
Governor of Maine.
On that plaque, eight dogs are listed by first names, dates of birth and death dates.
A couple visited the cemetery while I was there and said they come each summer on their island walk. Two ladies arrived while I was taking notes, and they, too, were familiar with the walled burial place.
There is a parking lot near the entrance, where people can park their cars while they walk around the island. It is often full. The days when I visited, the trail was a busy area, with several young joggers, ladies pushing baby carriages and many hiking groups, young and old.
Gov. Baxter was a very generous man, giving to the state many acres he owned on and around Mount Katahdin. He gave to the City of Portland land between Stevens and Forest avenues, Mayor Baxter Woods, in memory of his father. He also gave to the state beautiful Mackworth Island, which was his summer home.
14 rendezvous at WHS Class of ’38 reunion
The following is contributed:
On July 19, 11 86-year-old, gray-haired, cane-carrying graduates of the class of 1938 of Westbrook High School met at Verrillo’s Convention Center to celebrate their 68th class reunion. Reservations had been made for 20 members, but only 14 showed up.
Of the original 89 members of the class, 33 known members are still living. Because of distance and physical problems, the number attending reunions has decreased. The class members have always been very close and have kept in touch with each other over the years. Ethelyn Smith Chase has kept track of the members, reporting births, marriages and deaths as they occurred, and providing the members with updated lists. After each reunion, the members speak of plans for the following year, looking forward to being together once again.
Attending the reunion this year were Robert Harnois, Forrest Bryan, Walter Lewis, Luther Small, Rudolphe Vincent, Florence Haley Kelly, Barbara Spiller Lawrence, Shirley Lowell, Dorothy Thuotte Johnson, Dorothy Lefebvre Leavitt and Ethelyn Smith Chase. Guests were Dawn Lewis, Rhoda Small and Madline Vincent.
Relish this recipe
Several years ago, I used this zucchini recipe given me by my sister Jane Luthe. She had received it from a Watchic Lake neighbor, Marge Austin. I’ve made several zucchini recipes lately, but it isn’t quite time to make relish. Our family also enjoys a green tomato relish. Homemade relishes are a real treat, and good as gifts, too.
ZUCCHINI RELISH
10 cups of cut-up zucchini, unpeeled
4 cups of onions
2 peppers (either green or red)
Grind these and add 5 tablespoons of salt. Let sit overnight. Rinse in the morning.
Mix:
1 tablepoon dry mustard
1 tablespoon nutmeg
2-1/4 cups of white vinegar
4-1/2 cups of sugar
1 tablespoon turmeric
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoons celery salt
After mixing well, pour this over the vegetables. Simmer for 30 minutes.
Seal in sterile jars.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
