…hot water coil on furnace plugged with
mineral deposits…no hot water until part came in. John and I went crazy,
but never did it enter our minds that we wished we lived someplace else. We
love our corner of the earth beside Tripp Pond.
You must feel the same.The newspaper
said today that with wetter than normal months in fall and winter, we are
not under drought. You will find the lake level very high at this time.
Two loons are back by the boat ramp cove and a pair of mallard ducks is
cavorting. I haven’t noted the eagle yet, but John and Allyson watched
him/her grab a fairly large fish swimming next to them by her beach. Got
their attention and respect, I tell you.
For going on thirty years, people have
seen the need to have a strong Association to learn, impart awareness and be
involved in volunteerism to preserve this valuable resource for us and for
future generations. Remember…Babs Shapiro was motivated to act after having
read in a COLA draft (8-16-96) that Tripp was listed as #195 out of 217
Maine Lakes Most at risk from Development in the next 25 years If
things weren’t done to reverse this trend.. Because so much building is
going on in the watershed, we need your help so we can continue our work.
Can you give some time this summer or fall to assist a committee, visit a
neighbor, help clean up areas and collect Purple Loosestrife in August, or
whatever you can do? Who will receive THE BABS SHAPIRO AWARD or the
COMMUNITY AWARD this year?
I attended a new group called the Lakes
Associations Group which grew out of Phoebe Hardesty’s goal of bringing
together folks from nearby lakes with common problems. This time we
discussed the role of Code Enforcement Officers and how to improve our
working together. Members from Thompson, Allen Sabattus, Greene, Tripp and
Lake Auburn heard four CEO’s suggest ways to improve cooperation. It was
very helpful and I will give the resulting handout at the Annual Meeting on
July 10.
Great news from Poland Regional H. S.!
I found a fine teacher who will be bringing ten students to do a Service
Learning Project if they receive permission from property owners on Jordan
Shore Drive. (See article elsewhere in this issue.)
Scott Segal, Poland’s first Recreation
Director, and I are working together to run a swimming program for a couple
of weeks this summer at the Public Beach. A special area will be marked for
this period. Licensed instructors will teach fundamentals. Is there a
member who could loan a float which could be anchored there? In this issue
will be a registration form for those wishing to sign up youngsters.
The fourth graders at Poland Community
School will have worked on their essays titled, “Why I would like to attend
Maine Conservation Camp and what I would bring back to my community.” TLIA
members Marion and Claire Chesley will have chosen the two winners to the
contest. They will go to MCC this summer for a week-long stay to learn all
about the environment in a happy way. TLIA pays $375 for each child, with
the parent paying $25. Thank you all for voting to continue this important
educational outreach for our future citizenry.
Your Directors and Officers met on May
1 to plan summer events and formulate the agenda for the Annual Meeting.
Please call or write any or us at any time with your ideas, questions,
comments or concerns. In the meantime, enjoy this Newsletter and mark your
calendar for Saturday, July 10 at the Ricker Memorial Library. Coffee and
donuts are served at 8:30, the meeting begins at 9. Bring your family,
guests and neighbors to meet us. Maggie Shannon, Congress of Lakes
Associations (COLA) executive director will visit to tell of her work and
upcoming legislation. We will take your dues, sell you raffles and have the
briefest business session we can muster so you can listen to our guest
speaker, Michael Fralich, nature writer and New Gloucester teacher. If you
read his column in the New Gloucester News, you probably sense that he not
only talks the environmental talk, but also “walks the walk.” ‘Till I see
you, have a safe and happy summer.
Linda.