In 2010, campers enjoyed salads with tomatoes grown right on the island. (See
the photo at right, where Kai Bicknell is tending to the tomato plant.)
Week 9 campers got a special treat: a Thanksgiving-style feast including
free-range turkeys raised right here on Three Mile Island.
According to the
Sustainability Report
(page 9), the camp consumes 24 MW-hours of electricity each year,
producing 22 tons of CO2. No more! Thanks to our sound
fiscal management and the current "buyer's market" in the construction
industry, we were able to install a small nuclear reactor on the site of the
former tennis court. From now on, TMI will benefit from carbon-free
electricity. During the off season, we plan to sell our excess capacity to
Meredith or Wolfboro.
The low-odor Newcastle outhouse has been very popular, but it also has
its critics. The first complaint is the cost of installing the Clivus
composting toilet. After saving money for years, the AMC insisted on
spending tens of thousands for the Swedish-designed system, and TMI
campers were forced to hold an emergency fundraiser to replace the main
dock.
In keeping with the "eat local" movement, campers this summer will be
able to top their pancakes with maple syrup made from trees right on the
island! The camp has long bought its syrup from
Richard Covey, father-in-law of Andrea, our former cook.
He recently upgraded to a vacuum extraction
system for his sap, so Andrea was able to borrow his old gear to bring up
to the island.
Last fall a group of amphibious car enthusiasts came to check out the
island. The writeup in their newsletter indicated that TMI is just the
sort of idyllic setting many of their members might enjoy for a
vacation, with one obvious exception: the lack of on-island parking.
The committee is now considering a concrete boat ramp at Pumphouse
beach, with a gravel drive leading to the tennis court.
It is anticipated that even on weeks with cars on the island that
excursions would leave the court available for tennis several hours each
day.
