The VIS welcomed Patrick MacRae, the new CEO of the Land & Garden Reserve at our Annual Meeting on Wednesday, August 13. A large crowd of more than 60 attended the talk at the Seal Harbor Fire House during which Patrick discussed various plans for the local gardens under his purview as well as maintaining the integrity of the public lands and how to manage the number of visitors. An alumnus of the distinguished Longwood Gardens Fellows Program, Patrick’s expertise in horticulture and nonprofit management has been honed over many years in positions at some of the country’s premier institutions. He joins the Preserve after overseeing tremendous growth as Doolittle Family Director of Gardens & Horticulture at the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens in Florida. He also served as Director of Public Programs and Education at The Garden Conservancy and research manager for the Cornell University Urban Horticulture Institute.

With each passing year, the VIS has increased its members, many of whom support our mission financially in gifts large and small. Each year we host our Annual Meeting for the entire community, and last year we were thrilled to welcome Sherry Gilmore (right), the executive director of the Acadia Institute of Oceanography, as our guest speaker. It was the perfect time to have Sherry speak to our community as the AIO was celebrating its 50th anniversary. Sherry, who has been a part of the AIO for 41 years, spoke eloquently and passionately about her role in the organization and the impact it has had on generations of students who have taken part in the weeklong programs offered each summer. Sherry fielded questions on the changing oceans around MDI and the ongoing work her program is doing to monitor them. 

Join us for our annual Library Fair on the Village Green

Without question, the highlight of the summer was a wonderful and well-deserved celebration of Larry Taylor’s 40 years of dedicated service to the VIS. Roughly 75 people turned out at the Seal Harbor Yacht Club on Aug. 1 to honor Larry for his remarkable tenure. The energetic mix of local and summer residents each took turns talking to Larry, share anecdotes and show the appreciation. An hour in, the large crowd listened to remarks from Chris Willis, VP of the VIS, other board members, and me about Larry's extensive skillsets, supportive nature, and, above all, his unwavering dedication to our community.