Through a perfect August day on Friday, August 9th, AICers of every vintage found their way down the dusty road from US Route 1, past Sopers, and down to Breezy Point. There were canoes and rowboats waiting at the rickity docks. In small groups, folks trickled in, shyly introducing themselves to people they didn't know or didn't recognize (it's not easy to recognize someone you last saw when they were ten years old!). The Bigelows were there to greet people and show them where to go and what to do. The Lodge was open and, as people came, they put on the tables memorabilia to share.
To see Islander 2002, the booklet prepared by Hilary Smith for the reunion, click this link. Note that e-mail and snail-mail addresses in the booklet are current only to 2002! You will need Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat to open this file.
These pictures, taken by Michael Bond, are thumbnails. Click to enlarge them!
The fact that we came in small groups rather than en masse made a difference. For much of the afternoon, it hardly seemed that there was anyone on the island. One could walk through the shop, the surviving cabins, out to the art studio quietly and reflectively. (Michael Bond's photographs convey the quality of the afternoon beautifully. (Click on image to enlarge).
As more people arrived, knots of conversation developed in and around the Lodge, on the porch of the Admiral's house, and down on the beach. Kids swam, canoed, and sailed under the watchful eyes of dozens of old counselors.
As afternoon moved towards twilight folks gathered on the beach, chatting and waiting for Kenny Eaton and his crew to set up to cook the much anticipated shore dinner.
