Welcome to the MacMahan Island website. Feel free to browse through the pages below, however, some are password protected. If you have any questions or would like to have information posted to the site, please contact Megan at megan@macmahan.com.
Most of you have heard the sad news that the heroic old apple tree in Tarr’s Field has fallen.
Jud Brown’s moving “ obituary” prompted me to think that we could honor this beloved embodiment of Mac Mahan’s past by creating an exhibition for the Coal Shed Museum.
There must be many photographs of this iconic tree documenting its long life and extraordinary resilience. Jay has some examples from the 1890’s of the tree and its two companions standing right in front of the old farmhouse. They were not small even then.
I envision collecting writings as well: poems, reminiscences, musings, even recipes for Tarr’s Field apples.
While many of us are still on the island, there may be time to look through albums in your cottages.
Kindly send me high-resolution photos, even if taken with your smartphones. Writings can trickle in.
Many thanks, Marty Zimiles (Marty’s email is in the address book)
Readers of How to Read a Book by Monica Wood will gather Wednesday, August 13th at 10:00 am at the Yacht club for book discussion and light refreshments.
A Trails Day has been set for this Thursday, July 24th. Bring tools and gloves if you have them, and we’ll meet at 10:00 a.m. at Tarr’s Field. There are projects for all ages, abilities, and skill levels.
HUMPBACK there once was a young whale half-grown I feared he was lost from his home but his mother’d said hey you eat two tons a day it’s time you get out on your own
Barn Dance for adults and teens this Saturday night at the Playhouse, 7:30 – 9:30 No experience or partner needed. Come dance with instructor Zach Bordonaro and friends Waltz, fox trot, swing, and more. Come early for a waltz crash course and learn a line dance. Free admission! See you there!
As you spend time this season enjoying MacMahan, or dreaming of it from afar, please consider what might make your experience in the public areas of the island even more enjoyable. Are there areas that could benefit from seating/benches? Somewhere that needs some shade? A place where you’d like to see something new to increase use?
We would also ask that you reflect upon the existing spaces and structures, and consider how well they serve our community. Could we improve them, or are they just right as-is?
The Community Spaces and Recreation Committees welcome all of your thoughts and ideas, and appreciate those which you have already suggested! Some of the suggestions we’ve received about ways in which the Playhouse might be updated will be posted to the bulletin board inside the Store area of the Yacht Club.
Wednesday, July 16th, 10a.m. Location to be announced Book Discussion. The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon This historical novel is centered around Martha Ballard, an 18th century midwife and healer who investigates a murder linked to a local scandal. It explores themes of women’s rights and societal expectations in postrevolutionary America while intertwining elements of mystery and personal struggle. Set in Hallowell, Maine around 1790.
Tuesday, July 22nd, 10a.m. Poetry Salon. Location to be announced Bring poetry — either your own or ones you love to share.
Wednesday, August 13th, 10a.m. Location to be announced. Book Discussion: How to Read a Book by Monica Wood This story, set in a prison, a bookshop, and a laboratory, all in Portland, Maine, is interestingly told from three points of view–a young female ex-con, a widower who was collateral damage, and a woman who runs the prison book club. A reminder that goodness, and books can still win in this world.
I first came to know Sandy when he was about six, when he would sit on my shoulders while I waterskied him around Sheepscot Bay. Later, after he had returned from his service in the Coast Guard, I got to know him much as did everyone else on the island – as a loyal and generous friend who would do anything he could for anyone. And then came the many GEMINI years, when we sailed and often raced her, becoming more skilled at adjusting the complex rigging every time we went out. In 2022, we won the MacMahan ‘Round the Island Race – which turned out to be our final race. As we crossed the finish line, I turned to Sandy and said “We just sailed a perfect race.”. A proud moment for both of us.
For Sandy’s seventieth birthday, in 2013, I wrote a poem trying to acknowledge everything he did for the MacMahan community. The family is familiar with it but some here may not be. Here it is:
MANY PROBLEMS, ONE SOLUTION
Island life can be a challenge, – things you meant to buy at Rogers
But forgot to in your hurry, how to start a cranky motor,
How to fix your leaky plumbing, how to catch those pesky squirrels
Scampering ‘round inside your ceilings, or your pump needs a new rotor.
Or your boat is badly leaking, and quick rescue’s what your needing,
Or you cut that tree and somehow, on that power line it’s sitting,
Once that’s fixed, the logs need splitting.
All those questions, all those problems, all those odds and ends you’re missing.
Should you move back to the mainland, give up all this island living?
Wouldn’t that be so much easier, free you from these endless bothers?
NO, because there’s just one answer, here it is, all will be fine,
All you have to do is this – dial five-five-three, six-seven-eight-nine.
Who will answer? Are you kidding? Sandy Taft, our local hero,
Always ready, always able, – and he just reached seven zero.
