You can also find the instructions for building a bucket scope here.

We hope to see you at the Pond this summer, virtually and properly distanced.

Photo: Karen York on the porch in 1952.

Excerpts from the Log:  The Beanie and Veronica Champeon Camp on Wilson Pond

The trees were sawed at Stan Walden’s sawmill and the lumber was delivered by boat to the lot.

1949 — The land was cleared and the original camp built.

1954 — Roads bulldozed for Bement’s (now Allyn Ward’s camp) and Cole’s (still owned by heirs) camps.

1955 — Removed built-in bunk beds–Veronica did not like to make them.

1955 — Muzzy bulldozing at north end of bog to prep for road to Champeon camp. Later the road was extended to the Muzzy camps at the outlet of the Thoroughfare.

1955 — New wooden boat built by Jim Gregan

1956 — New 5.5 hp Johnson outboard motor

1957 — Wayne, Beanie & Veronica’s son, honeymooned with his bride, Jean Dennison.

1960 — Lonnie Rowe hauling gravel to improve road

1965 — New kitchen completed

At some point the camp was sold to the Harris family who graciously loaned it to Wayne and Jean for their 50th Anniversary celebration in 2007.

Note: Many additional details were provided from the Champeon Camp Log Book and it was striking the camp was always under construction! All information provided by D. Bruce Champeon, Beanie and Veronica’s son.

11-27-1990–In 1988 Scott Paper Company, now S.D. Warren Subsidiary, indicated that if they were to sell the Rum Mt. shore, they would give the three Wilson Ponds Associations {Wilson Pond Association, Rum Ridge Association and West Shore Association} first refusal. Tom refers to a letter from S.D. Warren that is not in our archives. Their time frame for getting something going is the year 1991. The property extends from Rum Brook over the top of Rum Mt., easterly along the ridgeline to Greenville east line, north, then west to the Thoroughfare. There is 9,600 feet of shoreline and approximately 500 acres . There are four state camp grounds near Birch Point. There are two leased lots near the Thoroughfare. Asking price is $600,000. Future access to the area by vehicle could present challenges.

Their primary interest is protection of the view. Note the term “viewshed” in his letter.  They will entertain a realistic offer. The price is negotiable depending on the structure of the sale. Their pricing is based on $50 per front foot. It is considered a wholesale price.

Several suggested we look at the formation of a Conservation Land Trust. A Land Trust would be a separate entity from the Wilson Ponds Associations and could be supported by other than our members.

8-4-1991—At a joint meeting of the Wilson Ponds Associations, Rupert Neily from Maine Coast Heritage Trust discussed the benefits of forming a land trust and answered questions. From the 50 people attending there was an overall positive response. It was made clear that the land trust would be separate from the Wilson Ponds Associations. Ballots were sent out Donna Hathaway volunteered to count ballots Art Hathaway volunteered to do the legal work pro bono

11-4-91—Based on a positive response to the balloting, we are moving ahead with organizing a land trust.

12-19-1998—Conservation Easement Deed filed.

Note: Allyn Ward and Stuart Watt were part of this inception team. (There may have been others but the archival records are not complete.)