Grindstone - It's
raining, of course, though it is no longer June when, I have been saying, I
remember often being chilly and wet... why else would I have brought my yellow
boots! Nevertheless, island life goes happily on. There was a good crowd at the
Saturday night dance and The Night Wind Band gave everyone a fine time. Sue
Dorr won the 50-50, and no people got lost looking for their boat at the
Fisherman's dock.
If anyone thinks that
the Grindstone Island Methodist Church is run by "summer people," he
or she just doesn't come to church! "Doc" Schwartz can
vouch that there is a momentum that drives an annual reawakening, a momentum
derived from time as far back as the Rev. Shorts or the Rev. Gabriel which
mysteriously primes the well of summer goings-on. One happening that always
occurs and never disappoints is the desserts that appear at the turkey supper:
every family who comes brings two pies!
Sunday, the
congregation remembered and gave thanks for the lives of five people who died
during the past year: William Kendall George, son of Ruth and Sterling George
of Clayton; Joseph Watson, son-in-law, of the Custises of Grindstone Island;
Patty Bain, mother of
Doug, Jeff, and Evelyn of Juniper Island; Grace Johnson, one of the three
Johnson sisters, one of whom became an Elder, the other, an Afflack. Their home
in the islands is Boscobel.
Mary Carnegie House,
who grew up on the north side of Grindstone where Kitty and Salt Garnsey now
live.
At
the July 12 service, the congregation celebrated communion. Mr. Meakin, having
reminded the children that a little sanding is necessary to smooth our rough
edges, assured the congregation that the roughness of troubles, anger, greed
are not necessary to the life of peace that we are promised, that we dare, and
should try to right wrong, feed the hungry, enjoy God, forever.
The church was once
more full, "islanders from all the distant cities and towns are arriving
back.
Janice Brooks Bice
introduced us to some friends who are visiting, announced that their son.
Brooks, was celebrating his 15th birthday that very July 12, and welcomed the
congregation to the Brooks residence on Aug. 9 for the Aunt Jane's Bay service,
regretting that she cannot be there.
Frank Augsbury
introduced Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Sullivan, June Augsbury's mother and father.
They are visiting from Quaker Hill. June and her daughter Abbey Rand taught
Sunday school this week, and helped the children make little pots from St.
Lawrence clay they found on Juniper Island.
The congregation
welcomed Ansley and Joan Read, friends of Debbie and Steve Marra, from near
Gananoque. They come with boys, puppy, and lots of wonderful, creative ideas!
Margaret Hein was
also at church, daughter of Norvin and Jean Hein. She had flown by herself from
Connecticut.
Our greatest joy,
however, was welcoming with heart-felt gratitude, Polly Rusho, who is
recovering, at the home of Leon and Marjorie Rusho, from a long illness.
Polly's husband, Milton, is on a special assignment with the Coast Guard in the
St. Lawrence River this summer.
So, there is, as
there always is, much joy on the island. . and peace. People have done a lot of
talking together this week, and have come to much understanding.
Any anger left over
from last week's discussion about "organizing" this motley
and independent community has washed away. Marjory Garnsey has offered her barn
as a shelter for the fire truck, the young men are agreeing together to get
some training to become firemen, and all are hoping that the island will soon have
fire protection, which is more quickly "on the spot."
Mrs. Shirley brought
us two wonderful bits of memorabilia: one, a small book. Thousand Island House
from about 1905, and another, Arthur's Home Magazine, October, 1885, with an
article about the St. Lawrence and several lovely woodcuts showing river life.
Looking at the pictures reminds us that much has changed along the river, and
that the beauty we live in is a gift we must, as Buck said last Sunday, treat
with respect and care.
Ada Bazinet has yet
another pictorial memory. She found a photograph of the Rev. and Mrs. Gabriel,
the pair who are remembered by so many of the church people for having overseen
the digging of the deep well at the church which symbolizes for so many the
refreshment we find here every summer. And more than that, the well supplies
many of us with good, cool, real, thirst-quenching water!
Aminta
Marks July 12, 1992