Saturday, Aug. 5, was a busy day in Sprucewold, beginning with the annual meetings of both the Linekin Heights Association and the Sprucewold Association in the morning, and concluding in the evening with the Sprucewold potluck picnic at 5:30. The weather cooperated and all three events were held on the beautiful Linekin Heights Green.

The Sprucewold Association meeting began with Association President Susan Goodell introducing the current officers and board members and thanking those leaving the board – Greg Muzzy, Rebecca Vacinek, Sarah Stedt, and Mary Otto – for their years of service to the association. Town of Boothbay Harbor Police Officer Larry Brown made a brief presentation urging all residents of Sprucewold to obtain the blue 911 address numbers to post prominently in front of their cabins for easy identification of their location. For information on how to obtain these blue numbers, contact Susan Goodell. Almus Thorp followed with a report on the Nahanada Park cleanup that happened recently, and Ralph Kimball reported on the highly successful Maine Forest Service Firewise Chipping Day on Aug. 3. According to Ralph, Sprucewolders did better than ever dragging small trees and brush out of their woods, and the amount chipped exceeded any previous year. Meeting attendees were again disappointed that there is no news from the current owner about plans for reopening either the historic Sprucewold Lodge or the Dining Hall, both of which have been shuttered for five years by now.

The last item of business was the vote by members to approve the 2023- 2025 Sprucewold Association Executive Committee. Officers will be Annaliese Rittershaus Neff as president, Elaine Rittershaus as secretary, and Jason Denby as treasurer. Both positions for vice president remain open. Committee members at large include Curt Audin, Danielle Bazinet, Liz Fasulo, Eric Fisher, Randy Lehman, Jody Lorence, Leigh Pumilia, Kellie Reiland, Almus Thorp, Tony Vieria, and both Susan Goodell and Jane McCarthy as ex-officio.

The Linekin Heights Green had a different ambiance for the evening potluck. The wooden tables in the picnic area all had jars of yellow and white flowers on them, and the two tables under cover of the barbeque area were filled with food—one with meats, chicken, salad, baked beans, and more, and the other with spectacular homemade desserts. Estimates are that 80 Sprucewolders attended. Among them were some who had owned cabins in the colony for many years and others who had occupied their cabins for the first time this summer. It’s clear that the legacy of Sprucewold as a historic, friendly community is important in making the choice to live here.

Two other private events are also worthy of sharing. On Friday evening, Aug. 4, the Hopkins family on Cranberry Road hosted a gathering in honor of Ray Hopkins, husband of Carol and father of Mark and Kathryn, who died this spring. Their legacy of more than 40 years in Sprucewold made for rich stories told throughout the evening in honor of Ray. And on Sunday morning, Aug. 6, the Thorps and Carlisles, whose cabin is on Nahanada, gathered a group of friends together for breakfast to celebrate the fact that they are now 50-year residents of Sprucewold.

With better weather this week, the beach has been busy and there are many more boats sailing and motoring in Linekin Bay. There are also numerous Sprucewold kayakers who head out daily from the beach.

Let me conclude with the announcement of one more meeting, that of the Sprucewold Beach Club. Beach president Elisa Fisher Goldsmith looks forward to seeing members for that group’s annual meeting, to be held Saturday, Aug. 12, at 9 a.m. at Our Lady Queen of Peace.