The hardy winter souls of Bayville are slowly getting more company as the soft residents of Bayville emerge from their tropical winter slumbers. Signs of summer approaching are all around us as a few more boats appear on their moorings each week. John Merrill has already had the pleasure of launching his boat and pulling it out again due to a leak of some sort. David Merrill’s lobster boat is launched and ready to go, but where is Greg’s Friendship sloop? Just this past week the last of the missing floats appeared in the Glen. The Post Office is now open, lawnmowers are roaring and Garbologists have started their rounds, but the truest sign that summer is now almost here, was the first Spencer fire pit event of the season on Memorial Day Sunday. Good music, great company, and thankfully Fireball was not passed around.

 

The extended Gilchrist family came in force over Memorial Day weekend for the christening of the now (finally) completed addition to the Boat House. Tours of the addition are being given with a $5 donation.

 

Ham Munnell has brought a new addition to the waters of Bayville with his new Key West motor boat. At the time of writing it was unclear whether or not tours could be taken for a $5 donation. While the family was here they celebrated the 87th birthday of Elderbarry Gilchrist. He is doing well and is as strong as ever. In other Memorial Day news, Alfred and Becky Roberts were once again leading the Boothbay Harbor memorial band at the various parades throughout the peninsula. Phil Roberts was noticeably absent and has apparently lost the beat.

 

There were recent sightings of Phil Roberts and Jim Sutton trolling for sunken treasure. After two days of trolling they managed to find two ghost traps, large tree branches and a lost and forgotten mooring block. Oh, and they also found Jim’s mooring chain. Rumor has it that a small strongbox with a heavy shiny content was also pulled up, but both Phil and Jim are silent on that detail.

 

A small Bayville contingent recently journeyed to Acadia N.P. to explore some of the hiking trails. Jeff Allison highly recommended and strongly advised that they hike the Beehive trail. When told that one of the members of the party is afraid of heights, Jeff casually mentioned that it should not be a problem as the elevation gain was minimal compared to what you would experience in the Rockies. Innocently taking Jeff’s recommendation, they embarked on the walk; however, questions were raised when they came to a sign stating that “hiking this trail could lead to harm or possible death.” Being slightly alarmed by this warning, but confident that Jeff would not recommend anything foolish, they continued on. All went well until they came to the steel rungs drilled into the granite face. Halfway up the cliff face while hanging from one of the rungs with dangling feet, Jeff’s name could be heard shouted in the wind together with some other unintelligible words. Suffice it to say, all made it to the top and back down again (the back way), but Linda is patiently waiting for Jeff to return to Bayville for a “discussion.”

 

We are all looking forward to Bayville coming into full swing for the summer with our usual activities, gatherings and meetings. Liz Bagonzi is especially looking forward to the annual pickle-ball tournament. She has been practicing all winter and plans to put Jeff Allison in his place on the court.

 

Thank you Thomas! Sorry Liz, but someone should have told you there is no need to practice to beat me. The only reason my name is engraved on the Platinum Paddle is due to my sons efforts and his winning strategy of, “Dad, stay out of my way”.Speaking of pickle ball, it appears our region wide challenge to other communities may have some takers, so start upping your game now so that you can make the cut for Team Bayville.
Congrats to Ham and Pam for joining the ranks of boat owners with the launch of Frances, named after I believe, two of their grandmothers.

 

My apologies to Linda. I recalled from Psych 101 that the best way to get over a fear was to confront it. Though I was only trying to help, it seems the plan backfired as Linda now wants to move to a one story house in Florida. I am really hoping Thomas can convince her to stay so that, among other things, their valuable contributions to the Buzz can continue!

 

Next week’s column will have this summers schedule of events along with any other news that you send to thejeffallison@gmail.com