Higgins Beach Association

Welcome to the Higgins Beach Association

(05/13/2023)

Welcome to the Higgins Beach Association 2023

The 2023 summer season is coming to a close. The last event of importance was the annual meeting (see below). There are a few events left in September.The Cookbook Potluck Celebration is on September 6th at 6:00PM. The Chef's dinner is on September 13th, and the Final event, the Harvest Happy Hour is on September 30th. Weekly bridge and mah jongg will continue until the clubhouse closes.

The weather this summer wasn't the greatest but there were a lot of events where everyone enjoyed themselves. It started with weekly bridge and mah jongg, the welcome back pot luck dinner, book club, donut breakfasts, beach raking, organizational meeting, July 4th parade, ice cream socials, lobster dinner, bingo and trivia, bocce tournament, Don Campbell Concert, Craft Fair and Bake Sale, candidates night and finally the Annual meeting and voting.

The Association hopes you enjoyed these fun events and look forward to next year.

Latest News

Cookbook Pot Luck Dinner

(09/07/2023)

It was a novel idea by Kathy Mercier. Have a potluck dinner but the recipes had to come from the 2023 HBA cookbook...and you couldn't make something that you submitted to the cookbook. This event was held last evening at the clubhouse. About fifty members attended and the food was ecellent. There were salads, entrees, sides, desserts and one non cookbook entree, hamburgers and cheeseburgers. Thanks goes to the cookbook committee who helped organize this event and all chefs who contributed the wonderful dishes. A few photos are on the Gallery page.

Annual Meeting and Voting Results

(08/26/2023)

The annual meeting was held Friday evening after the conclusion of voting. The new Board members are Annie Allen, Alyson Bristol, and Kathy Stahelski. The By-Laws vote was defeated. Accolades were given to the members leaving the Board as well to the people retiring from their positions in the Association. The list included Glennis Chabot (Board), Barbara O'Brien (Board), Allen Delaire (Treasurer), Steve Seabury (Membership), and Peter Rabbitt (Website). After the general meeting, the new Board met and elected the officers for the coming year. Prsident, Jeff Perkins; Vice President, Sue Naiden; Secretary, Ceile Day; and Treasurer, Kathy Stahelski.

Meet The Candidates

(08/16/2023)

About eighty members showed up Tuesday for the ninety minute social event to meet the six candidates running for three Board positions. The candidates are Annie Allen, Alyson Bristol, Tom Ferrucci (incumbent), John Osborne, Missie Veltri Slone, and Kathy Stahelski. Refreshments and snacks were served while members chatted with the candidates to discuss issues and concerns. It was also a chance for members to socialize with neighbors and friends. Voting takes palce at the annual meeting on August 25. Voting will start at 6:00PM and end at 7:00PM. The meeting will continue after voting.

HBA Arts and Crafts Fair

(08/4/2023)

A few sprinkles at the start of the Higgins Beach Craft Fair did not dampen the enthusiasm of the public. About two dozen artisans and craftspeople set up tents on the lawn and others set up in the clubhouse. Besdies all the wares of the artisans, there is also the bake sale. Members of HBA baked a plethora of tasty treats for sale. The kitchen was also open providing refreshments including drinks, sandwiches and hot dogs. In back of the clubhouse you can find HBA merchandise fr sale. Some photos are on the Gallery Page.

Don Campbell Concert

(07/27/2023)

After a muggy day it was a nice evening to chill out with some chill music. Don Campbell didnt disappoint. Don and his team performed a couple dozen songs to a crowd of about 200 young and old Higgins Beachers. Some of the songs were Ricky Nelson's "Garden Party", "Mrs Robinson", "The Gambler", "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald", "Rocky Mountain High", and ended with our National Anthem. He also performed an original "Backyard Holiday". Don has been performing at Higgins Beach for many years and entertaining us with his delightful talent. We hope to see him here next year. Some photos are on the Gallery Page.

Boccanalians Win 2023 Bocce Tournament

(07/26/2023)

Team Boccanalians defeated Team HigginsBeachMaine.com in double elimination to win the 2023 HBA Bocce Tournament. Team HigginsBeachMaine.com won the event last year. This years tournament was slightly differet from the inaugural event last year. There were eight teams, nine points to win, and burgers and hot dogs, snacks and water, served between matches. The games started at noon and the finals concluded by 3:30PM. Pictured above is the winning team flanked by the organizers Kathy Mercier and Rocky Frenzilli. Thank you to Kathy and Rocky for your effort in putting on this fun event. There are some photos on the Gallery page with a list of the teams and rosters.

Jack Kelley Celebrates 95th Birthday

(07/21/2023)

Jack Kelley a long time Higgins Beach resident celebrated his 95th birthday with a tour of Higgins Beach. Jack was active with the Higgins Beach Association, volunteering for many activiies. He hosted and was the chef of the Sunday morning pancake breakfasts, years ago. Friends gathered on street corners to wish Jack a Happy Birthday. Jack is a Korean War Veteran, serving in the Navy aboard destroyers and on the Korean peninsula. Jack is the father of MaryBeth Shapiro of Forest St.

Bingo Night

(07/20/2023)

It was a new fun experience, the first Bingo event at HBA. It was hosted by Bob Westburg, MaryBeth and Gordon Shapiro, Barbara Newman, and Dave Stahelski. It was the first time for a lot of the guests to play bingo since they were children. People brought beverages and snacks and there were snacks provided by HBA. There was a lot of laughter and a few cries of false BINGO when players thought they had bingo when they did not. Prizes were awarded to the winners. There were five games with varying configurations played over two hours. Consensus was this that this was fun and should be held again. lets hear it for B7, I18, N32, G55, O68.

Members' Lobster Dinner

(07/13/2023)

The first sit down members-only dinner held since before covid was a tremendous success. Host Jeff Perkins and his crew served up a great traditional lobster dinner. It started with delicious homemade clam chowder, a large, family style salad with strawberry vinaigrette dressing, then the star of the meal, lobster, corn on the cob, and steamed potato. Finally to top it off blueberry pie with whipped cream. Jeff and the crew received several ovations from the appreciative guests. Pictured above are Jessica Perkins, Debra Perkins-Smith, Jeff Perkins, Marion Pevarnek, Al Pevarnek, Glennis Chabot, and Roger Chabot. Thank You all.

2023 Higgins Beach Bocce Tournament July 25

(07/11/2023

We’re hoping for great weather for this year’s bocce tournament being held at the clubhouse on Tuesday, July 25. Rocky Frenzilli and Kathy Mercier are the organizers again this year. Teams of four will compete in lawn bocce starting at 12 pm. with an award presentation at the end.

Let’s have fun with creative team names, outfits, hats, etc. Please feel free to bring a cooler with beverages and snacks. We also will have the grills going with hamburgers and hot dogs. The clubhouse will be open for use such as restrooms and cooling off between matches.

If you wish to sign up, please email kathymercier14@gmail.com with your team name, captain with contact information, and team members. Registration forms will also be available at the July Wed. Donut breakfasts. You may also download the form. fill out and email to Kathy. This event is open to all, but registration must be done by Saturday, July 22 in order to create the brackets.Bocce Registration Form

We will need the lawn for the bocce court, so please plan to walk to the clubhouse. Looking forward to a great afternoon.

Parade Trophy Winners

(07/07/2023

In traditional Higgins Beach spirit, neighbors and friends joined in the fun and what a parade we had on July 5th!

We are pleased to announce the trophy winners, by category:

INDIVIDUAL

First Place went to SS Harbor Sea with Finn Moore at the helm, joined by his parents Aka and John

Second Place went to Boss otherwise known as Cash Nealley

Third Place went to Kane's Krew with Kane Staiger supported by his parents John and Lili.

GROUP

First Place was awarded to Quart of Blueberries with Tate, Maisie and Jeff Perkins, Chris and Nicki Ball, Debra Perkins-Smith, Ruthie Williams and Neil Kessler participating

Second Place was awarded to Dare to be Wild and Different with Katie, Emma, Abby and Chrissy Roy, Laura, Elise, and James Baer and Larry Langmore participating

Third Place was awarded to Lobster a la Carte with Julie and Emme White participating

FLOAT

First Place went to A Buoy and his Keepers with Reid, Emery, David and Sara Sinnett on board

Second Place went to Maine-ly Fireworks registered by Andrew Skillings

Third Place went to Eat More Blueberries with Laura, Amanda and Joseph Doherty joined by Owen and Stephanie Paul and Tom Stanton

JUDGES CHOICE

First Place was awarded to Surfing USA a float with Dominique Fortier, Frederic and Zoe Lalonde and their dog Sirius

Second Place was awarded to The Sand Bar, a musical float, with Maddie and Kate Shannon, Nate, Evan, Henry and Elsie King, Max and Evan Broddy, and Natalie with Baby Evie

Third Place was awarded to the Borondenko's of Shanghai with Lily and Juna Borondenko who came all the way from China to march in the parade!

Welcome Back Pot Luck Dinner

(06/18/2023)

The first official social event of the season was held Saturday evening, June 17th. It was a rainy evening but that didn't dampen the spirits of the full house that enjoyed various salads, entrees, and desserts. The event was hosted by Lisa Jesmain and her staff of volunters. It is volunteers like these wonderful people that make the successful events that we enjoy each year. Guests were pleased to be getting back to the enjoyment of a traditional event and greeting their friends and neighbors, some who arrived back from away to start another summer season at Higgins Beach. A few photos are on the gallery page.

Thank You Higgins Beach Inn and Shade Restaurant

(06/15/2023)

A heartfelt appreciation goes out to Higgins Beach Inn and Shade restaurant, along with their exceptional staff, for organizing the spectacular BBQ event on Monday, June 13, 2023. The Inn has been a good neighbor and has graciously hosted a BBQ for the residents of Higgins Beach, and this year's festivities were truly remarkable. The mouthwatering spread included a delectable assortment of burgers, hot dogs, ribs, pasta and potato salad, corn on the cob, strawberry shortcake, cookies, and a variety of beverages. The event provided us with an opportunity to reconnect with our neighbors and friends after a long winter. Thank You again Higgins Beach Inn and Shade Restaurant. A few photos are on the gallery page.

Maine Healthy Beaches

Look for These Advisory Signs if conditions warrant

Posted at Beach Entrances
Click on the Healthy Beach link below for more information Healthy Beaches

This brings you to the Maine healthy beaches dashboard. Select Higgins Beach. There are three sampling sites; one at the river, one at Champion St. and one at Pearl St.

As told by Emma Bray David (December, 1967)

"The old wreck down by the river has been a part of the scenery here at Higgins Beach so long that most folks just take it for granted. But there are some of us who can remember when it wasn't there and when it came. Way back in 1897, August 11, that was a bad, bad night-foggy! It was so thick it looked as if the space between earth and sky was stuffed with gray-white cotton.

"A bunch of "us kids" rode over to Bowery Beach on our bicycles to a square dance that evening. It was clear when we started; but when the dance was over and we set out for home, it was so foggy we were afraid of running into each other on the river coming down Meeting House Hill and across Spurwink. However, we made it without a mishap. About two o'clock my mother was awakened by loud curdling noises out towards the water, but she could see nothing. When morning came and the fog cleared, we saw a three-masted schooner stationed well inshore near the first point in the river. It was a beautiful ship-majestic-setting there as if at anchor. She didn't look at all like a wreck with a big hole in her hull.

"It was the Howard W. Middleton, strongly built of white oak and yellow pine in 1882 at Camden, New Jersey-a really noble ship. It had left Philadelphia on August 2 with 894 tons of coal for Peter Nickerson and Company in Portland. Captain Shaw was trying to make Richmond Island Harbor inside the breakwater to lay over till morning. Instead, he ran onto that rock near the mouth of the Spurwink. On our geodetic map that rock is charted simply as "obstruction" and it is only about 28 feet (8.5 m) deep there. If you stand at the foot of Champion Street at a very low tide, you may see the top of the rock beneath a breaker. You can always see a breaker there a couple of hours before and after dead low water.

"Well, there was lots of excitement! The crew came ashore and talked with the residents. Tugs from Portland Harbor plied the water for days taking off coal. She had soft coal in her lower hold and hard coal between decks. On August 12th, she was declared a total loss and was placed in the hands of the underwriters. People began to pick up coal on the beach by the buckets and barrels. Mrs. Kenney remembers that her father drove over from Westbrook with a cart and got two tons of coal for winter.

"People were eager for souvenirs, of course, and many of us remember when some big boys stole the ship's bell. But the Captain or the Sheriff made them return it to the Captain. "There she stayed on the rocks, pretty as a picture (although she was really broken in two), all the rest of August and was there when we left in September. Sometime that following winter a storm broke her up and washed her ashore where she now lies. There is a piece of it in the river, too, which can be seen at low tide. There are always changes around the old wreck. Years ago there was quite a big swimming pool around the ocean end of it with water as deep as eight feet near the boat. A twelve year old boy was drowned there one summer.

"Some years the ribs of the hull stand up head high above the beach and perhaps the next year they will be buried in the sand. For years we picked up beautiful iridescent pieces of coal showing red, green, and blue; and even now you may find a lone piece from the old Howard W. Middleton. A few people have a picture of this boat on paper weights. These pictures were taken from the beach and showed this proud, three-masted vessel in her last days of beauty.

"P.S. In talking with several people, I found that my memory did not agree with theirs. I had the date wrong and I couldn 't think of the name, but I did remember the number of tons of coal. However all the facts herein have been verified by the old newspaper records of August 11 and 12, 1897."

Clubhouse

Clubhouse available for Member only use. Contact Sue Naiden (207-239-6421) for availability and details.

Volunteers Needed

There are many activities that the HBA organizes for our members. Most of the time it is the same people doing all the work. If you would like to help at any of our activities, contact a Board member or email us.

Want to be a Board Member

Contact Dave Fillinger fillingerdavid@yahoo.com, Nominating Committee Chairperson. Each year three positions become open. See the By-Laws for more information and deadlines.

Higgins Beach is Pedestrian Friendly

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