June 21, 2006
Friends of Schoodic Meeting

In attendance:  Garry Levin, Rosemary Levin, Dick Barton, Anne Barton, Marla O'Byrne, Andy Strauss, Linda Strauss, Barbara Bowen, Roger Bowen, Ruth Sargent, Bob Babcock, Jay Horschak, Nancy Horschak, Barbara Stewart, Anne Harwood, Pauline Angione, Jim McKenna, Denny O'Brien, Richard Bouvier, Brian Robinson, Justin and Julia Brown (the campus hosts for this summer), and Jim Wagner.

Brian Robinson - Presentation on Shell Midden Dig

Brian Robinson, Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of Maine, presented slides describing the shell midden excavation that he and his students are doing at a site in Gouldsboro.  The group is using SERC as its base of operations.

The site that the students are exploring  was first excavated in 1927 by Warren K. Moorehead. The initial report was published in 1928.  This initial excavation was not done carefully, So part of the learning experience is dealing with a site that has been previously disturbed. Another part of the experience, for the students, is learning more about what the tribes have done and are doing today in the way of archeology.

The general conclusion that Brian is taking away is that there is a lot to be gained by revisiting sites that have been previously excavated.  He feels that the program has been a great learning experience for the students.

Acadia Partners/SERC Report

Bill passed around the new Acadia Partners brochure and explained how membership and contributions from individual donors are critical to supporting research at the facility.

Denny updated the group on facilities activities. Footings are being poured for the new auditorium next week. Most of the apartment buildings are now open and available for use for guests. Denny said that the facility has been at near capacity several times this year.

Jim reported for Ed Pontbriand. SCA students are here working on trails. A couple of moose have been seen by numerous visitors. A bear has been active and seen at Frazer Point and on Big Moose Island.

Jim then reported on research activities. Kathy Tonneson is arriving next week to work on the research opportunities catalog -- an effort to identify what the Park needs to know in order to make management decisions. There will be a Resource Acadia workshop this coming weekend to look at how local currents affect seaweed population genetics -- a key element in this research is the use of oranges to track the currents.

The first "scientist in residence" -- Dan Decker from Cornell -- will be arriving in July -- working part time in consultation with the Park and also pursuing their own research.

The 4th annual bioblitz will take place in July -- an effort to inventory the Park's natural resources.  This year the focus on flies and mosquitoes.  This is a great educational opportunity and is open to the public.

Friends of Acadia

Marla reported the John Courtin's arrival as the new president has provided an opportunity for reflection and review of history -- a way of reviewing the organization's objectives and its progress toward them.

July 19 is the annual meeting, which will take place at the Regency in Bar Harbor. Everyone is invited. 

On July 23 FOA is sponsoring Family Fun Day on MDI -- contact Marla for more details -- the focus is on families and children.

Gatehouse

Garry noted that the gatehouse opens next weekend. The gatehouse now has a computer and screen -- with a slideshow prepared by a volunteer.

Picnic

The annual picnic is currently scheduled for July 29. The goal is to invite the community -- to get more people involved other than just the FOS crew. Guests staying at SERC are also welcome.  Garry stressed that we need a chairperson -- it won't happen without one.  The picnic is potluck.

Trails

The Little Moose cleanup scheduled for last month was rained out.  One of the beaches has a lot of trash. Jay will pick a date and get the word out.

Growing the committee

Garry noted that one of the key challenges is to get people involved and to keep them involved. Supporting the Park's citizen science research effort is potentially a big part of that. Bill and Jim both spoke to the need for a group of volunteers committed to the general goal supporting the research, as opposed to just working on an occasional project.

The meeting adjourned at 8:45.