Catching up

One of the many beautiful sunsets we have had this summer!  This shot is looking away from the setting sun, but the colors have stretched into the eastern sky quite nicely.  The posts have been non-existent for a while as I simply lost track, as it seems easy to get sidetracked with island adventures. 

Over the last few months I have found myself experiencing many firsts as I joined my first CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), sterned on a lobsterboat, rowed in a 4-man gig, attempted to keep up with a vibrant VH summer, and went hiking in Acadia Nat'l Park (yes, I have been there, but have never actually hiked). 

Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of working with MS/HS kids from 8 schools along the coast of Maine, including 3 island schools.  The Island Institute hosted a week-long energy camp in Winter Harbor at Acadia Nat'l Park's SERC facility.  This camp was part of their Energy for Maine program which helps kids, and their communities, realize the amount of energy we use.  The camp focused on energy conservation, renewable energy, and educating others utilizing various technology and communication tools.

Summer is coming to an end on the island and I think many have been happy to see their seasonal friends and family.  Island summers are full of events that often leave you surprised as to the breadth of topics and frankly wishing you could clone yourself.  You really have to pick and choose which events you will attend as many overlap.  All you can do is hope they happen again next year and try to attend the ones you missed this summer. 

That is all for now... I hope to get back into some sort of routine and keep you updated on my island adventures.

The colors of March

February in Vinalhaven

Recent Web Update for VH's Plan

Just a little bit of what I do.  We try to post monthly updates to the Town website for the public to see.

Web Update #3  - February 2012

Vinalhaven’s Plan

Preserving island life for another generation

Comprehensive Plan.  Town Vision.  Comprehensive Vision.  We know it can be confusing… let’s keep it simple and call it Vinalhaven’s Plan. 

You might ask, “What is a plan?” or “Why is this important?”  Our community inspired plan is about looking ahead 10-15 years and asking ourselves, “What do we want Vinalhaven to be?” This plan will represent what our community needs and supports (Fire/EMS, our school, economic development, job creation, capital projects like roads, sewer, and sidewalks). 
                    
A plan is not law, a regulation, or an ordinance.  A plan will not make changes to parcel size or tell people where they can and cannot build a home.  A plan will provide recommendations and support changes or improvements for the community.  Our plan will merely be a guide for our Town government and committees in order to ensure we maintain the island character that has kept many of us here for generations.
 
Next Step…A survey!

We have been making good progress in our endeavor to update the Town’s 1988 Comprehensive Plan. Our next step in this process is to seek updated data from the community, and we feel the best way to do this is by creating a community-wide survey that clearly indicates what islanders are thinking now.  We want to know where you see the town in 10-15 years.  We want to know what services or investments you support, or don’t support.  We very much want you to share your ideas.

We can all say “things won’t or shouldn’t change on the island and that we will do just fine without an updated plan”, but let’s not leave that to chance. This survey is a critical step in this process.  With your input and involvement, we will create a plan that ensures Vinalhaven will continue to be a thriving year-round community for generations to come. Our goal is to send this survey out to year-round and seasonal residents in early spring 2012.

Family, a tightly-woven community, marine heritage, natural and scenic beauty, education, freedom from mainland pressures, a diverse economy, or cultural history are some of the reasons we choose to live here.  We all know it is important to invest in our kids’ future and preserve what works for our unique island community.

Share your thoughts during this planning process; take the survey, attend meetings, talk amongst yourselves, make sure this plan represents Vinalhaven and preserves island life for another generation.

For information on the Comprehensive Plan, watch The Wind, visit the Town website, and find us on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/people/Vinalhaven-Comprehensive-Plan/100003150262730?sk=wall

We welcome your feedback!

Contact:                               
Andy Dorr at vhcompplan@gmail.com or 863-2168.                               
Marjorie Stratton at mstratton@townofvinalhaven.org or 863-2042

We're heading to the SuperBowl

It was ugly, but we made it... and so did those NY Giants.  At least now the Patriots can get some redemption from that heartbreaking loss that cost them the title and a perfect season. 

The Vinalhaven Energy Club has been pumping out windows this past week as the cold temps have certainly settled in.  MLK day was celebrated with a day of service of which three others came to help build the 15 windows for the Union Church.  They should be in later this week.  Here are some pics from our recent workshops...

This past week brought frigid temperatures and sea smoke.  Last Sunday morning was hovering around 0 degrees and once the sun hit the water the smoke rolled across the surface.

This week the waste auditing will begin at the school.  The 5th grade class was the recipient of a grant from YSA State Farm Good Neighbors and they will learn about waste diversion and composting throughout the semester.  Keep your eyes open for posts from that the next few months.

That is all for now... 'til next time

Waffles and Windows

Another week passed and I think it is safe to say winter is here to stay.  I reccomend a second or third cup of coffee and something that will stick to your bones for breakfast because our high for the day is only 13 degrees.  Currently, TWC says it is 1 degree and feeling more like 13 below zero, I believe it!!! This will surely make for a cold day sorting bottles, but at least the sun is shining.

The Energy Club made another dozen windows yesterday and better yet, there were no mistakes and they all fit!  A pastrami sandwich power lunch kept us going until 3:30.  On Monday, I am hosting a window building workshop at the Town Hall as part of a day of service for AmeriCorps members.  We will be making 15 windows for the Union Church so if any of the readers are locals, stop in between 9 and 12 to learn how to make windows. 

So the waffles... every time I open my freezer I am looking at some old bananas waiting to be used in bread or cookies or waffles.  ha.  I had found an oatmeal waffle recipe a few weeks ago and loved 'em.  Never would have thought to make waffles with oatmeal before.  Today, I had used one of those bananas and made oatmeal-raisin-banana-nut waffles.  Yea, tongue twister, I know. 

• Combine the following and set aside:
• 1 1/2 C of flour
• 1 C of oatmeal
• 1 Tbsp of baking powder
• 1/2 tsp of cinnamon and nutmeg (or more)
• In another bowl, mix together:
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 C of milk
• 4 Tbsp of melted butter
• 2 Tbsp of brown sugar
• Pour dry mix into the egg/milk mixture.  After combined, add:
• raisins
• 1 mashed banana
• walnuts
• The best part about these is that you don't need to put anything on them, but if you must... I recommend some jam. Enjoy!

'til next time

Clams, Hairy Woodpeckers, and.... Puffins??

Well one week into the New Year and it already seems like three!  The week peaked with the first meeting of the Survey Advisory Group.  It has come time to begin developing a new community survey for the town's comprehensive plan.  For those locals that may be reading, keep your eyes out for a survey in the early spring. 

I had the opportunity yesterday to attend a clamming workshop.  Maine's State Planning Office invited planners, CEOs, and LPIs from along the coast.  Poor water quality, mainly from human waste, and invasive species like that of the green crab, have proven to be detrimental to the clam population.  While the state will likely never surpass the sale of lobsters with that of clams, but they can still become a valuable asset to some of the coastal communities.  The workshop gave participants the resources and tools necessary to begin examining local flats and rehabilitate those that have been closed.


The island, along with the rest of the northeast, has seen a very mild winter thus far.  On the first day of 2012 I found myself at Fox Rocks where I came across the sounds of a busy woodpecker.  This came just moments after thinking to myself that I never notice birds or wildlife while I am walking deep in the woods (mostly bc I walk a little too fast at times).  I snapped a few pics of this lil fella, which I believe may be a Hairy Woodpecker.  I am no birder, so correct me if I am wrong.



Today, I returned to the Fox Rocks/Perry Creek Preserve.  This time I wandered to the north side of the preserve.  After looping back onto the southern portion of the trail I startled some birds on the water.  Camera in hand I saw the birds quickly flew outside of my zoom range.  I didn't think this was any thing that would ruffle my feathers, but I may have seen my first Puffin.  The bird was white and black and relatively large, orange feet.  I couldn't notice the shape and color of the beak as it was further into the cove than my camera could identify.  I was able to snap a few pics from one of the rocky ledges in the preserve, but even after zooming in it is hard to identify.  A friend hiking with me said he thought it was a puffin as well, but confessed he did not know his birds.  Can anyone confirm whether Puffins can even be found in Perry's Creek?

 
'til next time