The loons are back and so are many of the rest of us. Frank Howd started the season off with a great exhibit of sunrises over Branch Pond at The University of Maine's Hole-in-the-Wall Gallery. The ice finally melted on April 12 and the hardiest of the summer people "opened up" shortly thereafter. It was a good spring, with lots of sun and generally warm weather. Bill Tuite (Hanson's Landing) reported that fishing was strong after ice out, although the winds kept a number of fishermen on the dock.

We faired better than much of New England over Memorial Day weekend, with sunshine on both Saturday and Monday. The Hardy's were up to do battle with their Humas 80, staying at a motel in Ellsworth. How do those Swedes do it, anyway? John and Kay Lyons were scouting summer rentals, hoping to introduce friends from the Midwest to the pleasures of July in Maine. Murray Billington sold his sailboat. And the black flies seemed to shorten their season this year, although they were rapidly replaced by the mosquitoes.

At present, the surrounding blueberry fields are covered with bees. After eight years of sulking, our wild rose is finally in bloom. The yellow umbrella is once again on the deck in Rocky Pond Cove - welcome back Wights. The Bournes arrived last week from the Cape with a new sailboat in tow. New contenders for a regatta trophy? A former exchange student from Japan has been visiting Doris and Ellsworth Bourque. Gertrude Paine has the best furnished cottage on the lake, having recently moved to a much smaller apartment in town. Betty Flanagan has a new driveway and the Mastrorios have a new speedboat. The loons can be heard squabbling over territory each night. So starts another summer on the Pond. Enjoy it, everyone,

I am sorry to report that our bill to approve an intermediate class of roads was defeated this spring by the State Legislature. The Maine Municipal Association never agreed to support the measure (in fact, they became adamantly opposed to it) and, as a consequence, we were soundly defeated before the Committee on County and Local Government. I feel badly about this, but have come to the conclusion that the BPA would need a full time lobbyist to enact the type of legislation we wanted.

What does this leave us with? Basically two options, as I see it. One, we can maintain the roads our-selves. In fact, several roads have already elected this option. Second, we can file suit against the City to have the roads declared as public ways based on the 20-year proscriptive maintenance precedent. Roads that may meet this requirement include the Phillip's Beach Road, Branchview Drive, Sargent Drive, the Whitcomb Road, and parts of the Cove Road. The possibility of pursuing either alternative will be discussed at the annual meeting.

Last summer, the BPA established a committee to examine ways of preserving lower lake as a wilderness area. The committee was formed primarily because 800 acres, including shorefront, were for sale, creating the opportunity for a major subdivision. Members of the committee included Richard Bourne (Philip's Beach Road), James Woodall (Sargent's Drive), Nick and Noni McGeorge (The Boulders), Luthor Amos (Wall's Farm Road), and Dave and Joyce Hardy (Phillip's Beach Road).

Several meetings were held last August, with letters written to the Ellsworth American and the Bangor News expressing concern about this type of development. During the winter, the committee contacted the following organizations in an attempt to gain direction and monetary support for the purchase and preservation of the land: The Sierra Club, The Maine Audubon Society, The Nature Conservancy, The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, The Natural Resources Council of Maine, and The Maine Coast Heritage Trust. Most of these organizations were sympathetic, but indicated that their resources were committed elsewhere. The one exception was the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries. Last fall, a bond issue was passed in the State, which appropriated several million dollars for the purchase of inland wilderness areas. The BPA Committee was successful in getting our land on the list of properties to be considered when these monies become available.

Unfortunately, the land on lower lake sold to a developer from Portland and the Belgrade Lakes. Although the transfer does not yet appear to be final, the property is under contract and has been surveyed for subdivision. The subdivision has not yet gone before the Planning Board and many rumors are circulating about its nature. The islands are already being shown to prospective clients. I spoke with the real estate broker (Al Mosca, from Coastal Realty), who indicated that the buyer intends to sell 9 waterfront lots in Pickeral Cove, as well as additional lots in back of Branchwood. Besides the shorefront on lower lake, the parcel includes access to the upper Pond at various points along the Phillip's Beach Road (i.e., adjacent to the Knobel's cottage, the Biddle/Perry properties, and the Robbins/Hilton properties). It is likely that the 500 acres of backland on the upper Pond will be subdivided, with lake access provided through these shorefront lots. We hope to have more information on the exact nature of this development at the July meeting.

Although the outcome may not have been as successful as we had hoped, Dick Bourne and the Lower Lake Committee deserve our thanks. They worked diligently this winter in an attempt to save this land.

In past years, residents have complained about the water level in the lake. Several summers ago, the Pond was so low that cottage owners on the Cove Road had to extend water lines in order to keep their systems functioning. Last year, property owners in lower lake had water so high that damage was sustained to docks and shorelines.

As a consequence of complaints such as these, Bangor Hydro has requested that the BPA recommend a water level that is acceptable to the majority of property owners. Hydro will then try to maintain that level. Rex Grover, who sets water level in our lake, has indicated that for several years the lake was kept at 6.5 feet, although Hydro is authorized to keep it as high as 7.9 feet. In late May, the lake was set at 7.1 feet. Since that still seemed high to me, I requested that it be dropped to 6.9 feet, which Mr. Grover said he would do.

How does the current level seem to you? In order to comply with the request from Hydro, let's discuss this matter at our July meeting.

At last year's meeting, the membership allocated $100 to pay for the testing of water samples drawn from various points in the lake. Glen Curtis (Cove Road) volunteered to undertake this project for us. After discussion with the DEP, Glen decided to have the water tested for fecal coliform bacteria, as well as acidity (to evaluate the- effect s of acid-rain). Last fall, Glen took samples in Rocky Pond Cove, Winkumpaugh Brook Cove, as well as off the Narrows and Hanson’s Landing. A second round of samples were taken at the same locations this month. We are awaiting a report from Augusta, which will be shared with members at the July meeting.

The annual meeting of the Branch Pond Association will be at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 25. The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers of the Ellsworth City Hall. Issues to be considered include: (a) future actions to improve road maintenance, (b) recommendations to Bangor Hydro concerning water levels in the lake, (c) report on the water-testing program, (d) committee report on attempts to preserve the wilderness area on lower lake, (e) information on the Branch Pond regatta, (f) election of officers and establishment of dues for 19871988, and (g) other new business.

If anyone wishes to place additional items on the agenda, contact Don Hayes (667-4716). Please try to attend the meeting.

It has been six years since Anne and I started recruiting members for the BPA. Since that time, the Association has grown in size and dealt with some rather difficult issues. As is apparent in the above articles, however, additional work needs to be done, especially as Maine experiences increased pressure for development.

During the past five years, I have held the office of president four times and the office of vice president once. Although the work has been rewarding, it is time for a new board of officers to take over.

Thus, this will be my last year as a member of the executive board (and I really mean it this time).

I ask you to think about potential officers who might represent the BPA. Talk with them and offer your support. Don't think that, because a person is only here in the summer, he or she cannot serve effectively as an officer. Anne and I are "summer people" who have represented you in the past. Most importantly, come to the annual meeting with a slate of officers to nominate, all of whom you know to be willing to serve.

Don't leave this to a spur-of-the-moment decision made during the meeting itself. Anne and I certainly will remain active in the Association, helping whenever possible. But new leadership is essential and needed now.

How's the fishing? Bill Tuite (Hanson's Landing) says "good". Ron Brokaw from the Department of Inland Fisheries says "average to good." Once again, Inland Fisheries has stocked Branch--this year with 1350 spring salmon. Ron indicated that the stocked fish were especially nice, all 8-to-10 inches in length. They came from a hatchery in Casco, where the water is a little warmer, making for a more solid fish. Ron also noted that he has had a number of reports of good fishing for Brown Trout in Branch, with catches averaging from 3-to-5 pounds each.

An expanded trash collection service is available on the Pond this summer. Alex Mangels, owner of Ellsworth Disposal Company, has agreed to provide service for the following areas: Phillip's Beach Road, Fire Road 11-F, Whitcomb Road (both branches), Cove Road, and the Hanson's Landing Road. His fee is $2.50 per week, with a pick up each Friday. All garbage should be bagged, but, unlike last year, there is no bag limit (within reason). He will also take a limited amount of brush or tree limbs.

This is a conditional service and will only be continued next year if a sufficient number of people subscribe. If you are tired of puncturing tires at the Ellsworth Dump, contact Mr. Mangels (667-8937) and request collection.

In the final newsletter of last year, I indicated the official names of the islands in Branch Pond. At that time, however, we did not know the names of the two islands at the entrance to Hanson's Landing. Since then, we've learned that the islands are owned by the Blethen family of the Cove Road. Larry Blethen called last fall to inform us that the islands have never had names other than "Big Blethen" and "Little Blethen." Although the larger island once had a small A-frame on it, that structure is gone now and the islands are used for picnicking.

As you may recall, we ended 1986 in debt, primarily as a consequence of our fight to block the sludge disposal site. Two families, Walter and Marilyn Schult (Branchview Drive) and Bill and Gita Cattelle (Branchview Drive), made extra contributions to the BPA. Thanks are extended to both for their generous support.

We welcome four new families to the Branch Pond Association. Del and Debra Spencer of Brewer have purchased property on lower Branchview Drive and are new members. Judith Bourque of Lojovagen, Sweden, has joined. Judy has close ties with the Wall's Farm area, where her parents (Ellsworth and Doris) own a cottage. Other new members include Jane and George Birkhead, who have purchased a cottage on the Phillip's Beach Road. George and Jane reside in Orrington and have spent much time (including their honeymoon) on the Pond. Finally, Wayne and Antonia Brenckle of Westfield, New Jersey, have joined. The Brenckle's own property in Loon Cove on lower lake and plan to build a retirement home there.

Yes, there will be a regatta this year, although there will be some changes from past races. Glen Curtis and Murray Billington are coordinating the event, which will be held on two successive weekends. Qualification will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 1. The race will be held on Saturday, August 8 (with a rain or wind check for August 9). This year, the race will start later in the afternoon and the course will be condensed to the center of the lake to ensure better wind. To make the race slightly more challenging, all boats will start up wind, and an extra 1/3 leg will be required to compensate for the shorter circumference.

Registration information can be obtained from either coordinator at the numbers listed below.

Glen Curtis (Cove Road): 667-3050
Murray Billington (Cove Road): 667-9208
Vince and Gibby Griffin (Branchview Drive) will host the awards ceremony and cocktail party, which will follow the race.

(Editor's Note: The following constitutes an oral interview conducted with Eben Whitcomb in the fall of 1986. The Whitcomb family have a compound on the eastern shore of the Pond, near The Cow and the Calf, which they have owned-since before the turn of the century.)

I go back to the early nineteen hundreds. I was born in 1896. The first I knew of the Pond was, when as a child, I went out there with my uncle, Ambrose Ellis. He owned the camp, which we now have. You know the road that goes by Sweeney is (i.e., the Branch Pond Road)? You then go down over the hill. That was then a farm and the farmhouse stood where the Severance House now stands. The reason we went to camp was because my uncle had racehorses. And of course we went by wagon or sleigh. As you went down through the little passageway at the top of the hill, there were two or three pastures, which were used depending on where the farmer wanted his cattle to feed. And that passage had three gates. And whoever went through had to open and shut the gates. Now my uncle couldn't leave his racehorse to get out and shut the gates, so he took my brother and me along - I had a twin brother. This was when I was just a youngster, about 1905, and I have been going there ever since. In the early days, the camp was used more year round, for they traveled back and forth with horses and you didn't have to depend on the plow to plow the road.

I am not sure who built the camp, but my uncle's deed of purchase is from Auriella James to Ambrose W. Ellis and is dated 1900. I think our cottage was built before 1901. There was prior to that time, down at the lower end of the lower Pond, a men's club. It was used entirely by men from Ellsworth. That club burnt down. I don't know when, but it must have been before 1900. And some of the members came up and were interested in the property where we are now. Our land and camp-became the property of Mr. Ellis and Mr. Whitney. They were both members of the men's club. I think they bought the land and built the cottage to use as a clubhouse. I remember that the station agent here, and his brother, were members. Then his brother died and he said he didn't care to be a member any longer. The men's club gradually went to pieces; for most of them were men fairly well along in years. This way, it got down so just the two members (Mr. Ellis and Mr. Whitney) owned the property. Subsequently, my brother an-d I each owned a quarter, and Johnny Whitney's son owned a half. I have a letter from Johnny's son saying that, as a Christmas present, he is sending each one of us his interest, since he was "damned" if he could see why he "should pay all those taxes!"

We have from the old men's club the big andirons that were used in the fireplace. They were brought up by some of the members after the camp burned. We had the andirons and a large iceboat, which we used for ice sailing. It was out there on our beach until it gradually rotted away. I have fond recollections of going out there weekends. The family would go out, and they would put fur robes down in front of the fireplace. The kids would lie there and fight and squabble, while the older people played 63, which was a popular card game in those years. We had, on the land above the camp, a stable for the horses. There was also a man next door who had a stable-and he slept upstairs. It was next to our lot out there. He cleaned out some rocks on the shore and made a little landing that is still quite visible down below our camp. Subsequently, my uncle bought him out and his building was moved over to the back of our lot. To tell you how long ago that was, now there are only big trees there. But in those days they were able to move that building onto another lot and hoist it up. The building is still there and it is one of our three cottages.

As I said, my uncle took us boys along to open and close the gates. Subsequently, the farm house burned down, which is now replaced with a smaller building (the Severance House). I was with my uncle the day he rode down through there and he said to the-owner, "Are you going to rebuild?" The owner said "No, we bought the little store at the end of the street and we're going to run that." My uncle said, "Are you going to sell the farm?" My uncle was interested in the woodlands, what were then pastures. He said "yes" and the owner gave him a figure and they shook hands on it. And my uncle said, "Now you'll never have to open these gates again!"

Question: When you say the farmer went to run the store, do you mean the Nicolin Trading Post (Oseycheks) on the corner of I-A and the Branch Pond Road?

Answer: Yes, that store was operating that long ago. It’s been there for quite some time.

Question: What else was on the Pond at that time? Were there other dwellings--perhaps up in the Hanson's Landing area or over near Wall's Farm?

Answer: I don't recall of any cottages, except possibly one at the lower end of the upper Pond--down near the Narrows. I remember that as a child at night we often saw a light over there. I suppose it was a camp. There were no other cottages that we could see from our side of the lake. There was an early cottage down at Phillip's Landing. I read somewhere that it had been transferred there on the ice. There were no other camps on our side of the lake at that time.

All of the area around Hanson's Landing was woodland. We fished up there, but I wasn't really familiar with that area until they built the icehouse. Before that, we had a little icehouse at our camp. And in the winter the men hauled ice down and filled our icehouse and we used it during the summer. Subsequently, when the new icehouse was built (and Mr. Maddocks owned it), we just went up and got ice whenever we wanted it. This was a commercial operation that was started before the first world war. My father, mother, twin brother (and he had a girl friend, I guess), we all went out to the lake and spent a week, maybe two, before I went in the army. The icehouse was there then. The ice was sold in Ellsworth and other communities.

Question: I am told that there we logging camps on the lake. Do you have any recollection of them?

Answer: There were a whole lot of them. They had at the lower end of the lake, a mill--a good size mill. It was right down where the dam is. They used waterpower, I'm sure. One of the men who managed the mill was Lenny Jordon and his father. They had quite a big house down there where the men lived and took their meals. And the logs were towed down the Pond with a boat, which was built with a tractor of some kind that they drove right on the boat and furnished the power with that. This Lenny Jordon used to take us boys with him, and I've ridden down on the boat a good many times, towing the logs behind. And then when we were in high school, we worked out there in the summer bundling stick ends (which they sold for 10 cents a bunch) for starting fires. I don't recall what they sawed, but when they took the edges off, whatever was left was a length you could use in your stove (and of course everybody used wood stoves in those days). I remember that the man who owned the mill lived down on the Surry road and one summer we had accumulated a large pile of these stick ends and tied-them up, and he gave us $100 for them. That was a lot of money then. We rode back and forth on bicycles each day to bundle those stick ends.

Question: Who introduced the first powerboats to the lake?

Answer: I don't know, but I suspect that my uncle did. I can tell you when that was (reading from a July 1900 issue of the Ellsworth American): "A jolly party of 43 enjoyed the hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Ellis at their camp on Branch Pond." And here is an article from the Ellsworth American of 1910: "A.W. Ellis has recently purchased an 18 foot, gasoline launch and put it into Branch Pond. It is equipped with a 6 horse power engine and is capable of 10 miles per hour. Mr. Ellis will build a boat house to accommodate it." I remember that boat well. He built a boathouse right over water so he could drive the boat in and then, with cranks, hoist it out of the water. In winters, that way, it was safe. We subsequently tore that boathouse down because it spoiled all the view onto the lake. But where it was is still there and the landing is still there. I don't know whether this was the first boat on the lake, but it was certainly one of the early ones. Mr. Ellis was retired at this period. He went out there fishing. He fished and fished and fished--in the winter, summer and fall. One thing he always did, he was on the lake when the ice went out for the fishing. He was in the lumber business. He came to Ellsworth with a horse, a wagon, and $10. And he died a fairly wealthy man, as we think about people being wealthy in those days.

In 1933, Leonard Jordon, who ran the mill, asked that he and his wife stay in our camp for a month. While he was there, he sheathed all the inside of the camp. It is still that way today. He sent us a bill of $114 for this job. I have just had some work done out there and, I haven't received the bill yet, but I'm sure that it will be many thousands of dollars--much more than $114. Times have changed. Indeed, they have.

Question: How much have you used the cottage in the winter?

Answer: We don't use it much in the winter. My daughter went to the University of Maine. While she was up there, we sometimes met at the camp in the winter, for a weekend or Thanksgiving. We've had a Christmas dinner there once or twice. My wife and I were married there at Christmas time. We honeymooned there. Sweeney (Roy Sweeney's father) went down ahead of us and chopped a hole in the ice, so we could get water. At that time, we had no-oil heat of any kind. But we strung curtains up to make the room a little smaller and we could get a little heat from the fireplace. We were married in 1921. We had a 50th wedding anniversary and all of the children stayed out at camp. That winter, we put in an oil stove. We put it on the far side of the room from the chimney, and ran the pipe all across the room. We left it on for three or four days. I think it was quite comfortable. They were all young people, so it didn't make much difference.

We call our place Camp Ellis, after my uncle. The early log cabin was added onto in 1948. We added to the side. The original cottage consisted of one large room. It had on the side facing the lake a cook stove--and the pipe went up through the roof, because the hole is still there. As I first remember the cottage, they slept in hammocks that were made of canvas and that connected to a frame. There were hooks on the rafters and, in the daytime, those in the center of the room were hooked and moved back. This gave people full use of the room. When Jordon sheathed the inside, he put up pipes that extended around and enclosed the hammocks. He also built three beds into the wall, so that you can just let them down. They are still there. We use them right along. There came a time that my uncle wanted a room that he could sleep in himself. So he added on a kitchen and a bunkroom. The bedroom, as I remember it, was very small, and the beds were probably three-quarter beds. That stayed there until we added on in 1948, expanding the living area and the porch.

Editor's Note: The original log cabin that was purchased or built by Mr. Ellis in 1900 still comprises the central part of one of the Whitcomb's three cottages. As such, it may be the oldest structure on the Pond.

The Branch Pond Association is grateful to the Whitcomb family, especially Eben Whitcomb, for sharing their memories of early times on the lake with us. We wish them many happy summers at Camp Ellis in the future.