RICK HERRICK

508-693-8065

(herricklr@verizon.net)

Sterling Hollinshead Ivison Jr. of Saunderstown, R.I., and East Chop died on August 18, 2008, at the age of 89 after a brave struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. A retired Naval Captain, Sterling was twice awarded the Legion of Merit for his outstanding service to our country.

After retiring from the Navy, Sterling spent his summers at his beloved East Chop where he had been vacationing all his life. He was an active volunteer for the East Chop Association for which he served as president for several years; Union Chapel where he held both the offices of treasurer and president; and the East Chop Yacht Club where he served as Commodore in the 1980s. He worked tirelessly to reverse the deterioration of Crystal Lake, and organized a number of work parties to plant beach grass on the bluffs to curb erosion.

Sailing has always played a prominent role in Sterling’s life. In 1958, while stationed in California, he purchased his sloop, the Mutiny, and sailed her for the next 45 years. For many summers, he would sail the Mutiny with his son Skip from the Chesapeake Bay to Martha’s Vineyard. The Mutiny was a fixture at Yacht Club sail-aways. Sterling loved to help organize these events. At the beginning of each summer, he would circle the days on the calendar when the tides would be just right to push the Gems and 420s to Tarpaulin Cove and bring them back safely.

Sterling leaves behind his loving children, Katharine Fowle Meleney and her husband Ted of Narragansett, R.I., and his son Sterling H. Ivison 3rd and his wife Leigh, of Landenberg, Pa. There are three grandchildren. He also leaves behind his beloved sister, Eleanor Ivison Jensen of Del Ray Beach, Fla.

I will always remember the beautiful field of wild flowers he planted alongside his home on East Chop Drive. The members of the June 26 birthday club will miss him along with all of the many people in East Chop whose lives he touched. My grandson loved to check the water temperature at the beach club with the thermometer installed there in Sterling’s name. I look forward in a few years to relating to my grandson what a wonderful man that thermometer honors. Memorial donations can be made to Oak Hill Cemetery, 3001 R street, NW, Washington, DC 20007.

The East Chop Association held its August meeting on Saturday, August 16, at the East Chop Beach Club. Following the meeting I spoke with president Craig Dripps and John Breckenridge, chair of the parks committee, for an update on the association’s activities.

A major focus of the ECA’s efforts relate to an ongoing program to deal with the problems at Crystal Lake. If left alone, this East Chop treasure would eutrophy, a process that would turn the lake into a mucky swamp in 50 years. To reverse the dangerous encroachment of phragmites, pond weed and algae, the association contracted Lycott Environmental to treat the lake chemically twice a year. These treatments, conducted under the supervision of the Oak Bluffs Conservation Commission, are working to reverse the eutrophication process. Six years ago a complete inventory of vegetation surrounding the lake was taken. This fall a similar study will be made to ensure that the chemical treatments are not dangerous to the wildlife along the lake.

Another major focus of the association’s concern relates to the stabilization of the bluffs. A year ago town voters approved $40,000 at the request of the ECA to conduct an extensive study of the bluffs from the lighthouse to Brewster avenue. An engineering firm has been hired to undertake the study with work beginning this fall.

There is always lots of work to do with regard to the eleven parks owned by the ECA. Extensive improvements were made to Lincoln and Prospect parks last year. These improvements included lawn refurbishment at the two parks, and the repaving of the pathway that runs along the border of Prospect Park. Due to a generous donation from David Rausch, all utilities were buried underground at Prospect Park. In addition to the projects listed above, a special crew of Rob Potter, Dave Cunniffe, Bill O’Brien and John Breckenridge spent many hours cleaning up from the damage to our parks created from a severe storm in November.

As is evident from the above, the ECA makes a significant contribution to the environmental health of our community. If you are not a member, please join. You can begin the process by e-mailing Lyn Herrick at herricklr@verizon.net.

Finally, I have been asked to make some activity announcements for September. Tennis round robins for both men and women will continue at the East Chop Tennis Club during September. Sunset Shuffle Board, organized by Laurie Howick, will be held each Monday night in September at the East Chop Beach Club beginning at 5:45 p.m. Bring something to drink, an hors d’oeuvre, and come join the fun.