Our New Pier. Welcome to summertime, 2026! In the final column of 2025 (9/8/2025), the Island had just received a building permit from the town of BBH to move forward on construction of a new Isle of Springs pier. This past fall, winter and spring, as we sat in the comfort of our warm off-season homes, we were treated from afar by frequent ‘Pier Updates’ (letters and videos) to island visits and photos thanks to Brad Booth and Betsy Morrell and from drone videos by Evan Morrell (videographer). The winter had been a tough one with lots of ice, snow and frigid temperatures. At times workers had to work in the protection of temporarily constructed canvases. They persevered. By two weeks ago, the pier became fully functional with all new pilings, shiny new ramps, new rails, and reattached floats. Finally personal craft could be launched. Pieces of heavy equipment including steam shovel, truck, excavator and more were barged off the island just last week, and the huge barge that carried a truck with crane left for its next assignment. And just two weeks ago, the new (Coombs design) pier shed rose quickly from the pier floor during days of unprecedented heat. Without benefit of any shade, workers stood on scaffolding while putting on and shingling the roof while others shingled the sides, all in an effort to be ready for the Dedication of the New Pier/Wharf Party, Saturday, July 18 at 5:30 PM. Fast forward to July 4, 2026, and our new pier stood tall (four feet higher at the water end) and almost ready for dedication. Kudos to all for such a success! 

Memorial Day Weekend. Regardless of the difficulty in gaining access and egress to/from the island, the Island officially opened with a party at Unc’s on a cool damp Memorial Day weekend hosted by Jim Morrell. Accommodations were made for transportation with special ferry trips given that few islanders had boats in the water. Smaller than usual, the party was a successful kickoff to the 2026 season.  

Nature’s Revenge on Land. This summer we have been plagued by what appears to be a proliferation of dog and deer ticks. Few have escaped having to remove one or more, and several islanders have needed to seek treatment for bull’s eye rashes, truly a health concern. A new concern is that a Lone Star Tick (dog tick size with a white dot on its back) was spotted on Point Pleasant near the beach this past weekend. Important daily tick checks have become routine.  

Nature’s Revenge in the Sea. Possibly due to higher ocean temperatures, Lion’s Mane jellies (jellyfish) (red/orange in color) have proliferated in the waters around the island, and one of our dedicated daily swimmers was brushed by one’s tentacles while swimming near the pier. The rash is immediately painful but usually does not persist over a day or two. Treatment recommendations can be found online. But, some good news on the waterfront, three island boys, Brody, Owen, and Charlie Reece (all Reece cousins) landed a 35” striper (between 16 & 18 lb). What a thrill even watching the catch on video! 

Our 250th Nation’s Birthday Celebration. The Casino and the grounds surrounding it was the venue for the IOS Opening Party and Birthday Party of the Nation. A decorated Cart Parade in which 11 creatively decorated carts participated opened the festivities. The Casino was dressed up with bunting inside and outside, and with a children’s craft table set up on the porch. A long beautifully decorated table provided space for a wide array of appetizers. Despite the unrelenting heat, at least 100 persons attended representing all but five cottages. From all appearances, the baked items for sale were gone by the conclusion of the party. Many thanks to Cindy McCandless, Lillian O’Connor, and Brenda Bowen for such a beautiful and joyful event.  

The NeKrangan II. The museum was also adorned for the occasion. Two of the flags are noteworthy, the large one with 46 stars (used only between 1904 – 1908) and the other (on the flagpole) a Bennington flag. This year’s exhibit, “Isle of Springs Families 2025,” is of photo collages all IOS families. Framed copies of the collages are available for sale by pre-order. 

Sunday Service. Rob Ayer, president officiated at the 1st Sunday service. His thought-provoking theme, was, How Did We All Get Here? Rob provided an historical perspective of how each of us happens to be here now often fortuitously. For those of us present now whether we’re here and by ancestor (he’s a descendant of Benjamin Sturgis, an original founder), by marriage, or by on the continuum from visitor, guest, renter, and ultimately cottage owner. In contrast, there are those families have transitioned away due to a variety of circumstances.

We’re off to a great start for Isle of Springs in 2026!