After introducing new members and special guests, Cynthia Kuhns, aquatic biologist with Land & Water Resource Management Associates and director of our current Project 319, explained succinctly and clearly purposes and aims of the Project. Information and education are the principle purposes this summer. Follow-up includes implementation of suggestions (methods) to reduce runoff and erosion in our watershed, demonstration projects and eventually, results. 319 is a two-year project and next summer should see more results than this. Patience is a virtue, for the work may take several years. (Other funding may be available in the future to continue our efforts). Driveways, culverts and roadways are the biggest problems. Watershed residents are urged to request technical assistance via the "blue "postcards; help will be forthcoming before the end of summer and will resume again next summer. The suggestions will be written up afterwards so people can implement them as time and finances permit.

Our second speaker, Kristin Gregory Tardif, Water Control Manager of Poland Spring Bottling Company, demonstrated ground water contamination with a specially built model. A slide show followed showing basic water hydrology. She answered, patiently and with great expertise, all the questions you were always afraid to ask about the hydrology of Tripp Lake. She urged all residents to have their wells, whether dug or artesian, tested for contamination and also explained how to clean wells with Clorox. Kristin has established eight loon nests on the Lake and we now have five families of loons. (Loons are an indicator of the cleanliness of a Lake.) She also offered the use of Poland Spring trucks to haul gravel or crushed stone, free of charge, to nearby residents of their Winter Brook Road water extraction plant. They’ll also test several wells monthly, at no cost.

Ron Getchell, one of the original incorporators of TLIA, who has served on the Board for its entire twenty-five years, chose this day to retire. Another original corporator, Charles Rodway, volunteered to make a comeback and replace Ron-- we’re happy to have him on board again. We thank Ron from the bottom of our hearts. He’s been a great help and continues to serve us in countless ways. Hauling merchandise to and from the Yard Sale, regularly helping out on Cleanup Day with his trusty pickup, folding and delivering Newsletters and nurturing his grandchildren as guardians of the Lake are just a few of his extra deeds.