Sprucewold Column: Blueberries, Firewise and more

Mon, 07/19/2021 - 8:45am

Well, you either love rain or hate it. I guess it just depends on what you are doing. If you are boating or hiking, perhaps you are not fond of rain. The old saying still holds true: There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. However, if you are a champion of pick your own blueberries, rain is a real plus. Because we are in Maine most of the summer, we often don’t get a chance to pick in our home state of Massachusetts. However, we are home for a few days and “pick your own blueberries” are in full swing. So we are coming back with 14 pounds of rain enhanced, luscious, plump, juicy, sweet tasting Massachusetts high bush blueberries which Gail was able to pick in little more than an hour. So, what do we do with them? How about blueberry sauce for drizzling (I tend to really over drizzle!) over vanilla ice cream, blueberry cake, blueberry pie, freezing some to be sure I have enough for my birthday blueberry pie in August or leaving some in the refrigerator to eat by the handful. And there is always blueberry/rhubarb sauce.

Perhaps you would like to enjoy picking your own blueberries in Maine. Keeps the grandkids occupied and makes for a good expedition for a day out. If you go to this link provided by Diane Atwood who writes a blog called “Catching Health,” you will find a list of blueberry picking sites in Maine with hours, expected opening (looks like this coming week for most of them) and directions. https://dianeatwood/where-you-can-pick-blueberries-in-maine. Happy picking!

And, speaking of blueberries, summertime traditions abound in Sprucewold. I know of two only because I have been a beneficiary of their largess. Susan Goodell and her mother, Mary Otto, always make a large batch of Maine blueberry jam, most likely picking a rainy day to spend in their kitchen. I am usually blessed with one jar and if I ask really nicely, I might get a second. Mike Kahn usually makes a large batch of his famous barbecue sauce. I can always tell when Mike is at it as the aroma wafts throughout the neighborhood. This summer may be his last batch in Boothbay Harbor as he and Bev are moving their retirement headquarters to Michigan in the fall.

I suspect there are other food related traditions in Sprucewold. If you or your family have similar traditions, let me know and I will compile a list for publication in future columns.

As many of you know, Sprucewold is one of 13 Firewise communities in Maine and is a nationally recognized Firewise Community. Curt Norred recognized the need for fire safety in Sprucewold and reached out to the Maine Forest Service for information. Sprucewold became a designated Firewise Community shortly thereafter. Each year we sponsor two Firewise Days which keeps our community in good standing with the National Firewise organization. The first day has consistently been a brush chipping day which allows cabin owners the opportunity to rid their land around their cabins of brush which might help mitigate wildfire damage if one ever starts in Sprucewold. We work closely with the Boothbay Harbor Fire Department, and Nick Upham, our Fire Chief, has said that his greatest fear is a fire starting in Sprucewold. Our brush chipping day this season will be Aug. 10. Applications can be had by contacting me at ralphkimball@charter.net.

Our second Firewise Day has always focused on fire safety within Sprucewold. This year is no different as we will have a cabin wildfire assessment program running on Aug. 18. Maine Forest Ranger Kent Nelson will visit you at your cabin for a walk around inspection with information about improving fire safety around your cabin. This has proven to be a very informative and valuable service and all who have participated have given Ranger Nelson and the program very high marks. Approximately 40 cabins in Sprucewold have participated in the program since inception. Ranger Nelson will spend approximately an hour reviewing your property with you and longer depending on your questions. The program has been developed in conjunction with the National Fire Protection Association. At the end of the review, a report will be generated and shared only with you. Whether you implement Ranger Nelson’s recommendations is entirely up to you. We certainly hope you will! Please let me know if you would like to participate by emailing me at ralphkimball@charter.net. Ranger Nelson can generally do five cabin wildfire assessments in a day so sign up early.

In the meantime, enjoy the rest of the summer and stay wildfire safe! Oh, and while I am at it, I could use a few more volunteers to write columns in August—just email me at ralphkimball@charter.net