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Haviland Story of William Eaton’s Bull

Before its acquisition by Nathaniel Scott in 1784, what we now know as Scott’s Landing belonged to Major William Eaton, one of Deer Isle’s earliest English-speaking settlers.

Born in Massachusetts, he worked his way down east and in 1742, we find him in York, Maine where he married Meribah Wardwell. Her father was an Abenaki Indian, her mother a colonist who, near the start of Dummer’s War (sometimes called Lovewell’s War (1721-1726) was carried off into captivity by the Indians. When later repatriated, she had little Meribah in tow.

Not until 1762 did the Eatons settle on Deer Isle, building their house a short distance south of where the Inn at Ferry Landing now stands. Its cellar could still be seen as recently as 1940. Like the other early settlers, Major Eaton came here to farm raising both crops and livestock. And therein lies our story, as told by Verna Powers Billings in a brief manuscript in the archives of the Deer Isle-Stonington Historical Society. Vera was a descendant of William Eaton of Dr. Moody Powers who was a daughter of William Eaton, II. Vera’s story was recorded in 1947. It goes like this:

My grandmother Lucinda (Gray) Powers told my mother about the Indians who were living at the northern end of the island near Little Deer Isle bar. Major William Eaton had a bull that the Indians were much afraid of. They called it “All One Devil” and because of it moved away from that part of the island.”

Short though it is, the story is important for establishing that Indians were still living here when early “white” settlers arrived. Evidently, they camped somewhere on Scott’s Point (where the causeway now begins), a locality that we know was important to them for at least 3,000 years.

This importance derived from the abundance of marine resources nearby as well as for the proximity of a major transportation artery that passed between Deer Isle and Little Deer. This was the Deer Isle canoe route – still in use well into the 20th century – that ran from the Bagaduce through the middle of Deer Isle to the islands to the south.

Looking Back: 20 Years of IHT’s Dedication To Land Conservation

IHT celebrated its 20th anniversary with a Celebration at this year’s Annual Meeting held at Heritage House, its future permanent home.

After acknowledging the contributions of many including founder Rowan Wakefield, President Ken Crowell highlighted many accomplishments of IHT including its community programs – Adopt-A-Preserve Program, collaboration with Island Community Center in providing summer programs to kids at Camp Kooky, its many free Walks and Talks programs for the public, and Quarryography dance festival with the Opera House Arts – as well as significant land and stewardship projects, especially in the last five years.

Here are comments from some of the early supporters of the Trust:

Brenda Gilchrist (from her remarks in tribute to Rowan Wakefield) – ” I remember attending meetings around Rowan’s kitchen table in the early years. We were a small band, incited, fueled by Rowan’s enthusiasm and total dedication to the IHT. Barbara, his wife, sat quietly in the background, ably assisting. Gentle, friendly, a smile always on his face, Rowan worked indefatigably around the clock, inspiring us to share his commitment. He had a talent for networking in the field, for organization building, and for finding people to roll up their sleeves on behalf of the IHT. Tireless in his pursuit of grant money, he also wrote and edited much of the Newsletter.”

Cherie Mason – “On an evening in 1986 in the apartment above the Pilgrim’s Inn barn, Lloyd Capen, Dud Hendrick and I were ending a meeting of the Deer Isle Conservation Commission when we reopened our discussion of establishing a land trust on Deer Isle. We were encouraged by Blue Hill’s successful effort. We began making a list of people we knew who might be interested (that battered list is attached). We then went to Blue Hill to pick the brains of Jean Nickerson and others. From there the ball just rolled and rolled.” (She attached lists of former board members which I will leave in the office on Monday.)

Dan Hadley – His memories of the early days include working on a strategic plan. He “recommends that IHT adopt an aggressive campaign to inform new property owners about the work of the trust and also about local customs concerning waterfront access. A significant number of new owners bring with them their “from away” views re: private property. The result is that many clammers find themselves shut out of access to the shore. I would be glad to work on an educational effort directed to this issue.”

Peg Myers – “The early days of the Trust seemed “ad hoc”, putting things together from scratch. It was exciting, as we felt we were building something important for the future of the Island. It was a scramble at times – finding a place for an office (we had several office sites: Main Street in Stonington where the back room of the Dry Dock is; at the back of the Opera House below the stage; and on the porch of the old Atlantic Avenue Hardware. Getting our first easement was a landmark event. Another milestone was the purchase of the Settlement Quarry, the first property to be owned by the IHT. The early focus was on attaining easements, as there was not the money to purchase land. Each easement was a triumph of cultivating the interest of landowners in the future preservation of their land.”

Stan Myers – “Conservation easements are an important conservation tool but they do not impress skeptical Deer Islanders about the community benefits of protecting private land from future development” …..’ Preserving Settlement Quarry, an important remnant of Stonington’s industrial past and opening it to everyone for exploration, hiking and enjoyment helped shift community attitudes towards greater appreciation of the Trust’s work.”

Dan Hotaling – “When we moved to Deer Isle year-round in 1993/94 and served on the board, I was convinced of the excellence of the mission, the people and the accomplishments (land acquisition, easements and long-range education and education for everyone).”

Diane Walker – “I remember Stephanie Levy as the first staff person. Ian served on the Land Committee beginning in 1991. He prepared the first list of steps for preparing a Conservation Easement. At that time there was little or no really helpful information for new land trusts, so “helter skelter”, not well-organized or systematic procedures rules – drove Ian to take it on because he cared that IHT have a systematic process and stick to procedures….The Conservation Easement Handbook, published in ’87, a key document with necessary background and legal information, was helpful in identifying the steps and criteria but few people had it, or read it or used it at that time.”

Molly Felton – “Ned and I already serve as stewards for two islands and plan to continue on doing so. We feel that our IHT is a most important asset to the communities of Deer Isle and value its connection with the larger communities of environmentally conscious groups.”

Dee Dee Moore – “The Island Heritage Trust has been a significant variable in the quality of life on the Island, and is gaining much greater acceptance and involvement by natives. I truly appreciate the incredible commitment of so many volunteers. Important accomplishments have been involving the schools and children in knowing and valuing their island; involving natives on the board; preserving the Causeway Beach and properties that would deny development of high rises, etc.”

2007 Quarryography Astounds

Where else can an excavator upstage a dance troupe? Only in the region’s most unique collaboration between a land trust, an arts organization, a quarry, and a machine artist.

Full of surprises, this year’s four, full-scale Quarryography dance performances wowed over 1600 enthusiasts at IHT’s Settlement Quarry against a backdrop of perfect Maine summer weather. That is not a misprint – the show averaged over 400 people a night around the quarry rim.

Stage Manager Katt Lissard, Choreographer Mia Kanazawa,
House Manager Karen Galella and Director and Choreographer
Alison Chase react to a great moment in Quarryography.
Photo by Mac Herrling

Choreographers Alison Chase and Mia Kanazawa masterfully wove together a bravura of puppetry, flying dancers, Caribbean music, and moments of pure joy and banditry that had the audience cheering and applauding far past an exquisite climax.

The machine artist in question is Rick Weed of Deer Isle and his Mark III, Belco Excavator. Weed’s incredible dexterity with a two-ton leviathan has been honed with Championships scored at Backhoe Rodeos over the last decade. Competitors must excel at events like Backhoe Bowling, Backhoe Basketball, and Egg in the Nest. For the latter, the operator must pick up an egg from a sand pile and gently place it into a straw “nest” inside a tire. It is exactly this virtuosity that provided the possibilities for the production. Weed’s finesse gave dancers the confidence to crawl inside a bouncing bucket, drape their bodies over his machine, hang from wrist straps 40 feet above the quarry surface, and lie still as steel teeth slid toward them.

After a rollicking entrance by The Rock ‘n Steel Band led by Nigel Chase and the community ensemble, Weed deposited Cable Man and his animator (Matt Kent) deftly at center stage. Cable Man comes to life with help from four, black-clad puppeteers (Piari Weiss, Sarah O’Malley, Andrea deFrancesco, Scott Springer) in time to spark a romance with Pink Granite Sprite (Stephanie Fungsang).

Quarryography 2007. Photo by Jeffrey Klofft

She swoops onto the stage in a pink dress and gray “granite” hat. Fungsang and Cable Man commune with Spruce Trees and Milkweeds as they enjoy a full courtship capped by a hug six feet off the ground. Weed returns with delightful Hot Pink Granite dancers (Breanna Gribble, Emily Kent, Rebecca Anderson Darling, Wendee Rogerson, Twanda Chabikwa, Jessica Bindig) riding the Belco like a yellow elephant. In Madonna shades and fluorescent outfits, the dancers – guest artists from around the country and world – provide a lithe counterpoint to the gritty granite-scape. They swing in unison or in couplets and rise briefly before alighting to rhumba and swing dance around the stage.

Quarryography 2007. Photo by Mac Herrling

Just as Cableman and his Sprite settle into a prone reverie, a chainsaw sounds from the cliffs and in roars Bad Seed Jason Weed on his four-wheeler with fellow hombre Mary Barnes (wielding a chainsaw with a faux blade). While Weed does “donuts” in a blaze of gravel and menaces the crowd, Barnes proceeds to terrorize and beat up Cable Man and his assistants while Sprite makes a get-away. With her black tutu and bad attitude, Barnes is the Anti-Dancer. She and Weed make a triumphal and noisy exit to a cascade of jeers and boos from the crowd.

When the Dancing Excavator returns with the Dance Corps and the Sprite, they reanimate Cable Man and an extravaganza of dancing begins anew. When the Bad Seeds return amid a flurry of beer cans, Cable Man and his supporters knock them down with help from Milkweeds now wielding chunks of “granite.” Kent soars 30 feet above the stage at the apogee of the Excavator’s reach. Chabikwra lifts Hot Pink dancers and contorts himself from the flying bucket. A beribboned Cable Man swings in a full arc as the centrifuge of a crescendo of sound and movement in the finale.

I cannot say enough about the band. Chase does a great job with a young, savvy, snail-helmeted ensemble. Their Calypso-inspired, Zydeco-infused sound delivers a landscape of sweetness that sets the tone and provides the musical foil for the entire production. This tiny band emits a grinding, lilting, booming repertoire that creates a remarkable ambience.

Although it appears Alison and Mia are taking a break next year, we look forward to many more of their creations in the Quarry’s amphitheatre.

Quarryography 2007. Photo by Jeffrey Klofft

In Support of Quarryography

None of Quarryography would be have been possible without the dedication of many hard-working volunteers and staff from IHT and the Opera House.

My thanks especially to IHT volunteers: Pat and Ron Gross, Ken and Marnie Reed Crowell, Michelle Dur, Jo Anne Greiwe, Mark and Sue Bradford, Carolyn and Kristin Eberdt, Joe and Elke Dorr, Ann Hooke, Bill Haviland, Jim and Gail Plotts, Wendy Schweikert, Tom Mehalic, Carol Carter and her family, and Jon and Lynn Braff.

Major Kudos to Linda Nelson, Carol Estey, Judith Jerome, Karen Galella, Katt Lissard, Flax Hermes and her Shuttle Crews(!),Wayne Merritt, Mark Kindschi,Liz Alley, and all the countless others who helped make this production a smash!

Community Performers (Milkweeds, Trees, and Bad Seeds!):
Mary Barnes, Whitney Davis, Kim Drasler, Asia Keene Eaton, Lawrence Estey, Amy Friedell, Adam Groves, Erlynne Kitagawa, Jennifer Lee Morrow, Brendan Murray, Sarah Paget, Jennifer Trowbridge, Tracy Van Buskirk, Jason Weed, Alice Wilkinson.
Band members: Nigel Chase, Francis Chase, Samantha Haskell, Oliver Chase, Alex Pfister, Duncan Hardy, Jaimie Allen, Morgan Springer, Ben Fox, Martin Lonty, Same Guilford, Matt Meaney, Charlie Sichterman, Rachel MacArthur.

School Outreach Programs

Island Heritage Trust is taking its school programs to a whole new level! Read Mike Little’s letter to the editor from the November 21, 2013 Island Ad-vantages to find out how. More info on the Marine Studies Pathway.

Adopt-A-Preserve Program In Full Swing

It is a great hands-on natural history experience for the children to understand, observe, and record the many cycles that island animals and plants undergo each year.

Here are the classes and the places they have adopted:

Kindergarten – Reach Beach
First Grade – Crockett Cove
Second Grade – Scotts Landing
Third Grade- Mariner’s Park
Fourth Grade – Shore Acres
Fifth Grade – Settlement Quarry
Sixth Grade – Barred Island
Seventh Grade – Lily Pond
Eighth Grade- Tennis Preserve

“The Adopt-A-Preserve field trips have been excellent,” said Don Sargent, parent of kindergartener Amber Sargent. ”The IHT field guides are great with the kids and hands-on teaching. My daughter Amber walked away with a new sense of place that she did not have before.”

Fourth Graders Sing Praises Of Shore Acres

Emily Mueller and Jen Haggerty’s fourth grade class worked on a project about Shore Acres. For this project the students took pictures at Shore Acres. Later in the classroom Emily projected the images onto a screen while students wrote about their experience. The visual stimulation encouraged some of the reluctant writers to open up and let their thoughts flow freely. Then students typed up their comments and they compiled this slide show as a final project for the year.

DISES Students Enjoy Fall Trips To Preserves

Students examine moss and lichen at Barred Island.

Sixth grade students study kelp with volunteer Lee Fay on a fall trip with their class.