The Cape Meares Community Association's (CMCA) Annual Meeting and First Appreciation Banquet on May 18 was a great success. Approximately 40 people attended and enjoyed hors d'oeuvres and drinks at the Red Shed before moving to the Barbara Bennett Community Centre for a potluck dinner and dessert. Both venues were lovely, with floral arrangements by Narayan Lincoln and Spike Krobus, and the event was well run by Bev Stein, Mimi Maduro, Kathy Burke, Spike Krobus, Mary Gordon and Wendy Burrows.
Several CMCA officials gave updates over the dinner: Funding is being raised to install solar panels at the community center; the Watershed Protection Project, a land deal between various organizations aimed at protecting the Cape Meares watershed, is progressing well; Cape Meares Lake is healthy; the disaster response team has purchased more supplies needed for the community emergency hut; and both guide and directional signs are currently being created and will be installed at Cape Meares over the summer.
An attractive pamphlet, “Cape Meares Good Neighbor Guide,” was released at the annual meeting. Paid for by the Tillamook Coast Visitors Association, the guide explains beach-related regulations and their rationale, and includes important contact information. CMCA plans to distribute the guide to vacation rental managers. The guide is available at the Community Center and at capemeares.org.
As the evening progressed, several individuals were recognized for their contributions to the community. Randy Krobus was the leader in transforming the Red Shed from a spider's nest into a clean utility center. Patty and Mike Smith were recognized for their efforts in maintaining the community center. Bev Stein was praised for her leadership. Cape Meares' entire team of volunteer firefighters were recognized, with a special tribute to retiring Mike Smith. Other community contributors were mentioned in a poem that provided a historical perspective for CMCA to close the evening, written and read by Deborah Thomas Neal. The poem, “Confessions of a Former President: Karma Goes Around,” was met with rave reviews and is now posted on capemeares.org for all to enjoy.
Speaking of writing, I hope you will read the letter published in the May 14 issue of this newspaper, “Protecting Tillamook Bay: Why we must oppose destructive aquaculture methods.” The article clearly explains how important eelgrass is to the commercial and sport fishing industry in Tillamook County, and therefore to tourism. Mechanical removal of eelgrass is the most destructive method of aquaculture. As the article makes clear, oyster farming can be done in a way that is less damaging to the environment than mechanical removal of eelgrass. Those of us who walk the shores of Cape Meares have seen an increase in eelgrass washing up on the shore over the past few years. For more information or if you would like to help fight this destructive method, please contact us at friendsofillamookbay@gmail.com.
They say the early bird catches the worm, and in Tony Papadopoli's case, a dawn fisherman caught his limit of spring king salmon by 5:30 a.m. Tony reeled in two salmon while fishing in Memaloos Pool on May 17. Yay, congratulations Tony, and best of luck to all the other fishermen out there this season!
