NEWS FROM THE EXECUTIVE


DIRECTOR MARTIN LODISH

I recently finished reading KBIA’s 100th commemorative book, Remembering 100 Years at the Beach. Everyone who has enjoyed a perfect summer day at Mother’s Beach owes a debt of gratitude to the founders of the association for their initiative and vision. It certainly is an exciting and unique time to be part of KBIA. This summer we will acknowledge all of those who gave of themselves to help KBIA succeed.

A century later, KBIA stands tall as a contributing community member and as a Mother’s Beach landmark. While KBIA has grown and changed considerably since its inception, the founding mission has firmly guided the growth of the organization and helped to shape the Kennebunk Beach landscape:

• In the 1960s, KBIA supporters purchased an ocean-front bungalow known as the Dipsy Baths from a developer who had plans to convert the cottage to a pizza parlor. This structure is now known as KBIA’s Smith House.

• In the 1970s, in an effort to avoid commercial development, KBIA supporters funded the development of the current ocean-front playground to ensure community use of the land.

• For many years KBIA has owned and preserved a plot of land adjacent to the entrance of Strawberry Island.

• On July 30, 2010 KBIA is partnering with the Ocean Conservancy and the Maine State Planning Board to officially resurrect the annual KBIA Beach Clean-Up.

• Since 2008 KBIA has offered guided family tours of the Cove to the membership. Held at low tide, the Cove Walk focuses on the preservation of the indigenous marine life. This season the tour is open to the public.

In 1960, the mission of KBIA expanded to include summer activities for children; swimming, sailing and tennis. These initial activities evolved into our current youth enrichment program which draws families from across the United States, Canada and abroad. Today, KBIA has almost 300 family memberships (many of them multi-generational) and programming for over 500 children. In 2010 we are continuing to broaden KBIA’s appeal by:

• Waiving the annual membership fee for Week 1 (June 28-July 2, 2010)
• Providing new half-day bundled class options
• Reducing waterfront program fees for the second year in a row
• Partnering with the New England Aquarium to host an Exchange Day program
• Providing $16,000 of scholarships to youth in the Kennebunk area
• The facility continues to host charitable and non-charitable events for both KBIA and other local organizations

We hope everyone with ties to the organization will join the celebration, help us reminisce and share ideas for the future. KBIA receives support in many different ways — whether it’s your annual membership, a yearly donation, a business sponsorship, or volunteering your time — we thank you for keeping KBIA’s spirit strong.

Sincerely,

NEWSLETTERS

For all the latest news from KBIA please download our most recent newsletter below:

	Newsletter Date
	2010
		January 1, 2010	Download
		June 11, 2010	Download
	2009
		July 3, 2009	Download
		July 17, 2009	Download
		July 31, 2009	Download