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This Old House No Longer There

The small camp which formerly stood at the intersection of Garland Swamp Road and old Rt.11 has been demolished. Occupied by the Raynes family for many years, it had been built during the early part of this century. However, since the elderly parents’ deaths, had remained unoccupied and had fallen into complete disrepair.

We watched as nature took its course. Trees and bushes almost engulfed it. The building sagged and leaned more each year, yet blackberry bushes and day lilies continued to thrive in its yard. Our grandchildren were fascinated by it and labeled it "Oscar’s House" after the famous Sesame Street character.

However, last year’s ice storm did it in, causing large trees to fall on it and making it a dangerous place. Vandals had done their work and the only step remaining was to condemn it. It was a controlled burn which took it down, yet ancient outhouses and blackened foundation rocks mark its former spot We shall miss it…..Babs

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The Site of the Former Raynes Camp - Garland Swamp Rd

Time Logs

Remember to keep track of all time and money spent on projects which are related to Project 319. If you’ve attended meetings, planted buffers, rerouted rainspouts to prevent erosion or anything else you can think of which prevents NPS, mark it down! The dates, activities, time spent, money spent and mileage should all be written on those lined sheets which we passed out last year. If you need one, call Jackie Misenheimer or myself and we’ll get one to you. All of this amounts to in-kind services which are part of our Project "match."

These are quarterly reports, the next being due by the end of June. After that, it’s the end of September and the end of December. They should be sent to: Jackie Misenheimer, 206 Fairview Ave., Auburn, ME 04210 or brought to her camp at 34 Jordan Shore Drive. She keeps track of all this information and it to Androscoggin Soil and Water Conservation District for "credit."

Our Project is ending in December so we must rack up as much matching time as possible in the next six months. Please, call or write for these log sheets or just keep track on a lined sheet of paper. More log sheets will be passed out at the Annual Meeting on July 10.

Early Ice-Out

Tuesday, April 6, marked 1999’s ice-out. Mike and I, with a few of our grandchildren, had visited on the previous Saturday (the 3rd) and the lake was still completely covered, though darkening and getting quite thin. It was breaking at the edges and the kids thought it great that they could splash from water to crunchy ice.

And so, to Mike’s delight, the water was turned on, the fireplace fired up and overnights begun. The seasons move so quickly that one scarcely notices their passages. We’re thankful to start another summer.

Invisible Animal Fencing

Perhaps you can just make out the little white flags in the photo. These mark the boundary of land within which Pam and Ron MacDougall’s canines can play. (Other camp owners have them, as well). A shallow "fence" lies just beneath the surface of the borders and gives off a slight shock or buzz when the animals cross it. This new invention’s purpose is to protect animals, to keep them out of roads and out of neighbors’ yards without leashing them.

According to Pam and Ron, it takes training. for both master and pet, to learn how to use it correctly. Good luck! We’ll be anxious to hear how it works.

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Tripp Pics Still Available

Though we think we’ve reached the saturation point, each year people continue to buy the aerial photograph of Tripp Lake. If you don’t yet have one, and would like this autumn scene for your home or for a special gift, please contact Barbara Perreault at (978) 462-9242 or write her at 6 Church St., Byfield, MA 01922. It’s perfect for keeping those happy summer memories alive all winter. Barb will be happy to quote prices and mail one out to you. They’ll can also be ordered at the Annual Meeting where one will be on display.

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New High School To Open In September

The long-awaited opening date of the new Bruce Whittier Regional High School is September of 1999 and will be home to students from Mechanic Falls, Minot and Poland. Built at a cost of $18million, plans for its construction began abut 3 years ago after the State denied Edward Little High School (in Auburn) permission to build an addition to house these out-of-town students. It’s named after a well-loved teacher from the Poland Elementary School who died while trying to aid someone in a car accident.
Much thought and discussion preceded construction. Members of our Lake Association attended many meetings to inform its planners and engineers of the proximity of Tripp Lake to the new building. Concerns were voiced that proper design and buffering be included to prevent NPS from reaching the Lake via Mud Pond (less than a mile away). Our position was that the land on which the high school was to be built was within our greater watershed. However, some town planners disagreed. Our voices were heard, though, and we pray that all precautions will be taken to prevent runoff from entering our Lake.

Barley Straw Strangles Pond Algae

Rick Lundstedt, our roving On The Water reporter, has submitted an article from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette (Water Gardening Magazine, March/April 1999 by Sue Speichert) in lieu of his own column.

It relates success in dealing with filamentous, or string, algae by floating clumps of barley straw in the pond prior to active algae growth begins.

According to the author, it’s not fully understood how this works, though scientists believe that the chemicals the straw emits while decomposing in the water inhibit the algae life cycle. It’s suggested that one should use .03 ounces of barley straw per square yard of water surface. The barley should be tied loosely in a bag or nylon stocking, placed in the pond with a flotation device like a cork or plastic soda bottle to keep it afloat. It must stay near the water’s surface for maximum effectiveness.

The straw should be put into the pond in early spring before water temps start moving up. It can take 8-10 weeks for the straw to decompose and give off the chemicals which impede new growth. Straw should be added every 6 months, not waiting until the old straw disintegrates. New straw should not be added during prolonged hot weather.

Though this isn’t a particularly pretty way to control algae, it is environmentally safe and seems to work.

Perhaps it would be most effective in shallow areas where water lilies grow. It’s worth a try!

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