On Tuesday, Aug. 9 the Firewise Chipping Day crew gathered all the brush that Sprucewold residents collected all summer around their properties. This annual activity helps keep us all safe from the threat of fire by removing deadfall and underbrush. We have no fire hydrants in Sprucewold but the Boothbay Harbor Fire Department has done practice drills in the past on dealing with a forest fire in this kind of situation. As fall approaches please remember that outdoor fire pits are not allowed and please make certain that you have a spark arrestor on your chimney. This has been a very dry summer. Next year please contact Ralph Kimball when Firewise Chipping Day is announced so we can keep Sprucewold Firewise!

Saturday at 9 a.m. was the annual Sprucewold Beach Club meeting held at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church hall. President Elisa Goldsmith presided over the meeting after Secretary Sydney Moulaison certified that a quorum was met with those present and proxies received. A moment of silence was observed for the passing of members: Stuart Brower, Jerry Collyers, and Jim Powers. The north and south boats docks were replaced this season and over the winter swim ladders will be added to the swim float and boat docks. The boat dock’s ladder is intended for safety after an accidental overboard fall, swimming is not allowed from the boat docks. Please remember if you are sunbathing on the boat dock you must move out of the way of any docking boats. If you need a new beach tag please contact Treasurer Holly Fischer. By-laws will be sent to members to see the changes the board of directors have worked on over the past two years. Thank you to the nomination committee: Bill Cossaboon, Suzanne Roche, and Charles Rittershaus, for finding a new member for the board of directors. The board of directors for 2022 are: Kathryn Hopkins, Jason Denby, Frank DeToma. Walter Moulaison, Ron Onderko, Tom Thompson, and Elaine Rittershaus. The officers are: President Elisa Goldsmith, Vice President Carole Gonzales, Secretary Sydney Moulaison,and Treasurer Holly Fischer. In charge of beach operations are Harbormaster Sandy Young, Beach Maintenance Supervisor Tom Thompson, or Clerk Ernie LaBelle. Please contact them if you have any questions or concerns about the SBC. Welcome packets are updated and ready to send to new members. Please let Elaine Rittershaus know if you did not receive yours yet. Please post your copies of the SBC guidelines and regulations for guests and renters in your cabins.

The annual Sprucewold Beach Club gathering of member families and guests was held in the evening following the annual business meeting. Approximately 40 attendees enjoyed a beautiful evening sharing stories, playing and relaxing on the beach, and eating grilled hot dogs. Thank you to Jason Denby and Sydney Moulaison for organizing.

Make certain that you take a trip to the Boothbay Land Trust’s Oak Point and experience the new natural playground, our grands loved it and so will you. 

The gardens are dry! We have had a few damp days but not nearly enough rain to keep them at their best. You can tell that fall is on its way because of the browning bracken and late summer blooming goldenrod and pink lambkil or sheep laurel. When it blooms in Alaska they say it is six weeks to first snow, thank goodness we don’t have to worry about that!