November 9, 2005
Friends of Schoodic Meeting

In attendance: Jay Horschak, Nancy Horschak, Bill Zoellick, Jim Wagner, Ruth Sargent, Garry Levin, Rosemary Levin, Peggy Grammer, Pauline Angione, Tom Mayer, Jeanie Wilson, Bill Stone, Ed Pontbriand, Bob Babcock

Friends of Acadia Report

Bill Zoellick presented a brief report on recent Friends of Acadia news. With regard to the question of who will lead the organization after Ken Olson steps down, there is still no news:  the presidential search is still underway.

Bill provided a general update on land bank activity.  This has been a successful effort to date. One piece of property is under contract, another is headed in that direction.

The Schoodic to Schoodic initiative, being led by Frenchman's Bay Conservancy, could be interesting for this group. It would establish a path, through easements and purchase, from Schoodic Mountain to Schoodic Point. Pat McGowan, state Commissioner of Conservation, has looked at the possibility and finds that it is interesting.

A number of people in attendance noted that there were now 2 new for-sale signs related to the Winter Harbor Holding Company property.

SERC Report

Bill reported that the direction that Acadia Partners is taking is getting sharper over time. The focus in on bringing in colleges and universities as primary users of the space. These organizations are seeking opportunities to engage students in hands on problem solving. Work with local NGOs will provide content -- the natural resource and ecological management and research problems -- that universities are interested in having students become engaged in.

Commissary to Conference Center Conversion

Clean up was this past weekend. FOS removed quite a bit of material. Ed spoke to difficulties in hiring a contractor to do the actual conference center construction work due to a dispute with the state over hiring out of state contractors

Trail Work

Trail work is scheduled for the 19th. Jay asked about getting certified to use a chainsaw on park volunteer work. Ed said that there would be a certification opportunity next spring.

Poaching

Ed noted that there is occasional poaching in the Park..  The weapon of choice is a bow and arrow. 288-8791 is park dispatch ... this is the number to call if you see a suspected poacher.

Gatehouse Office

Garry asked what goals we have for the office. The suggestions included archives and other files.

SERC Open House

There was discussion of when it would make sense to do this, and what to do. Ideas about the timing included consideration of Resource Acadia Day. The group decided that it was interested in doing something during the winter months -- perhaps involving snow shoe walks or cross-country skiing and sledding for kids. The focus of the activity would be to make people feel welcome on the SERC site. The group decided that it WOULD NOT make sense to open up buildings, which would be shut up for the winter months. The Schooner Club would be open, hot chocolate would be served. Bill Zoellick said that Acadia Partners could provide information about SERC in the Schooner Club.

Sherry Blais -- PE teacher at the Peninsula school -- could be a resource. Ed, Bill, Rosemary, Garry, Peggy will be the committee ... the goal is to set sometime in February as the date.

Jeanie suggested using the schools as a way to promote the Winter event -- stuffing a flyer into the take home packets.

Newsletter

There was general agreement that a newsletter describing summer activities would be a good idea. Garry could write about trail work, Artists in Residence, and Gatehouse. Bill would edit. Dirk would publish and provide some photos. 

The newsletter will go to our mailing list -- not to a general distribution.

Meeting adjourned at 8:47