Lake Living

S o u t h e r n M a i n e ’s L e i s u r e L i f e s t y l e M a g a z i n e

summer 2009 • vol. 12, no.2

A Bird’s Eye View of the Lakes We Love

PLUS:

kids saving the earth local challenges make cents protecting our lakes the art of small press publishing

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Editor’s note

If I didn’t already love this time of year enough, seeing our region from the back seat of Wayne Peabody’s vintage seaplane renewed my appreciation of it.

It also made me realize that what seems haphazard from below makes perfect sense from above. There’s a reason lakes and mountains love each other’s company, and it’s so much more obvious when they are viewed from the sky. The landscape tells the ancient story of how it was formed, with lakes, ponds, and rivers strewn in the path of the mountains they helped make. Miles of stone walls stand as testament to man’s need to clean up the mess the glaciers left behind, and flat, fertile planes of farmland reveal the spaces where nature did the job for us.

Mostly what I realized while looking down on our landscape, though, is that I chose the right name for this magazine.

In our little corner of the world there are hundreds of lakes and ponds, and Wayne has made it his business to photograph as many of them as possible. Some are more recognizable than others, and some are hidden gems, known mostly by the fortunate few who own land around them. One of the latter is pictured on page 11, and we invite you to email us at lakeliving@fairpoint.net if you think you know the name of it. One randomly drawn winner will be the lucky recipient of one of Wayne’s prints or puzzles of the lakes we know (some of us, anyway) and love. Good luck!

—Laurie LaMountain

Editor & Publisher Laurie LaMountain Contributing Writers Leigh Macmillen Hayes, Sarah Earle, Justin Ward, Perri Black, Pam Ward, T. Jewell Collins Contributing Photographers Wayne Peabody, Andrea Capano, Gabe Miller, Sarah Earle, Wayne Rivet, Michael Early Graphic Designer Dianne Lewis Proofreading & Editing Leigh Macmillen Hayes Lake Living is published quarterly by Almanac Graphics, Inc., 625 Rocky Knoll Road, Denmark, ME 04022 207-452-8005. lakeliving@fairpoint. net ©2009. All rights reserved. Contents of this magazine may not be reproduced in any manner without written consent from the publisher.

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summer 2009 • vol. 12, no. 2

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A Bird’s Eye View of the Lakes We Love

by laurie lamountain

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Protecting Our Corner of the Earth

by leigh macmillen hayes

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“It’s a Labor of Love” Small Press Publishing in Bridgton by sarah earle

Water Quality Testing Our Lakes

by leigh macmillen hayes

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Summer Calendar

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Challenges Make Cents

by leigh macmillen hayes

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Summer Bookshelf

Book reviews from Bridgton Books

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The Blacksmith of Kezar Falls

by t. jewell collins

Cover photograph: wayne peabody www.greenparrotaerials.com

OLD WORLD WOODWORKING

Chairs crafted in the tradition of our heritage. d William & Mary d Queen Anne d Chippendale J. Wesley Sunderland West Baldwin, Maine 207.625.7171

The

Rufus Porter Museum 67 North High Street Bridgton, Maine 207-647-2828

2009: A Treasury of Tasha Tudor Open June 24th July & August, Wed - Sat Sep - Oct 10, Fridays & Saturdays Hours: 12 noon - 4pm

July 7-11: Cultural Heritage Series See website for list of classes and workshops July 12: Historic Home & Garden Tour

www.rufusportermuseum.org lake living

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A Bird’s Eye View

of the Lakes We Love

by Laurie LaMountain photographs by wayne peabody

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moose pond

highland lake

Wayne Peabody has had a connection with Hancock Pond in Denmark, Maine, since he first visited it in 1957. It’s the kind of connection that is elemental; just ask anyone who spent childhood summers at one of our many summer camps.

Their expression relaxes and they begin to plunder their past for memories of long-gone summers.

Many of them have bought summer homes here in the hope of reliving those memories. Some, like Wayne, have chosen to make it a permanent move. He and his wife, Lesley, have owned a vacation home on Hancock Pond for fifteen years. In 2002 they decided to make it their only home, even though it meant snowmobiling two miles in and out to their car during the winter months.

Like a lot of roads in the lakes region, the road the Peabodys live on is private, unpaved, and unmaintained in winter. Wayne points out that it has obliged them to develop a deeper relationship with their surroundings. They are more selfreliant and they are more respectful of nature’s whimsy. Also, there is less waste and more intention in their lifestyle.

In his previous life, Wayne combined his flight training with a professional background in photography and satellite remote sensing to start a topographic mapping business with additional services in remote sensing data collection, which he operated successfully for fifteen years. A licensed pilot since 1972, Wayne pretty much saw flying and photography as two halves of a vocation. When they moved to Maine permanently, he obtained his seaplane rating with lessons from Naples Seaplane Service, and bought a 1947 PA-12 Supercruiser that he named The Green Parrot for its unique color scheme.

“The freedom of flying came back into my life,” reflects Wayne.

Landing the The Green Parrot on Hancock Pond one day, Wayne realized he didn’t have a photo of his own pond, so he went back up and got the shot. That was two summers ago. Since then he has taken more than 2,500 shots of over 65 lakes and ponds in our region, 250 of which he catalogs for sale on his Web site. More recently, he has contracted with U.S. companies to print the photos on puzzles, tile trivets, note cards, and magnets.

“Back when I had my business, the technology didn’t support what I was doing. In the two years I was ‘flying for fun,’ the technology came up a lot. These days I shoot digital with a Canon 13MP. When I showed an aerial photo to someone, their response was so emotional and it brought up all their memories and childhood stories, I figured I would keep shooting and let the stories fly,” says Wayne.

The emotion I experience when I take the seat behind Wayne on a beautiful May morning is excitement. We ease out onto a glass-like pond and I don’t even realize we’re airborne until I see our shadow on the surface of the water below. The hour we’re in the air advances like a film sequence, with the White Mountains forming the backdrop for a landscape that is dotted with lakes, ponds, and the ever-present and sinuous Saco River. Wayne points out Beaver and Long Ponds in our home town of Denmark. I’ve walked to and around these ponds hundreds of times, but I’m not sure I would have recognized them on my own. Now that I have my bearings, I recognize Pleasant Pond, the Brownfield Bog, and Lovewell Pond beyond it. Within minutes, Jockey Cap, the Fryeburg Fairgrounds and then the flat plains of North Fryeburg appear on our right. We fly over Kezar Lake, beginning at Lower Bay, then Middle and Upper. Chatham, Lovell, and Stoneham are left behind in our wake. The ragged cluster of Five Kezar Ponds in Waterford appear as testament to our glacial past.

Our approach to Highland Lake is from the north end and we fly straight down it to the town beach. I wave to friends who live on the lake, even though I know they don’t see me. We scoot over to

hancock pond

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naples causeway Long Lake and head up toward Harrison village, which lies nestled between Long and Crystal Lakes. I say something stupid to Wayne about St. Exupery, the legendary author of my favorite book, who went missing on a reconnaissance flight over the Mediterranean in 1944. Far too soon, we head back toward Naples and home. Sebago Lake, mother to the aqueous brood below us, shimmers on the southern horizon. We pass over Foster and Peabody Pond in South Bridgton, and “You have to be begin our descent onto Hancock. The in tune with the landing is seamless. Wayne tells me we covered roughly 100 miles. Not a bad environment and beginning to the day. have attachment to Even though Wayne keeps the Parrot on floats and puts it in stor- your surroundings. It age for the winter months, he sees it wouldn’t happen if I at the center of his life on Hancock didn’t live the life I do.

Pond. He points out that he’s not just another photographer renting a plane The plane makes it all to take aerial shots. work. It all fits to the “It’s a continuation of what I’ve done in my life; not just another photo water.” shoot,” he says as he shows me a shot he took in autumn of the Harrison end of Long Lake. “That shot took me four or five trips. I realized you need an exact time, say eleven o’clock in the morning, to get the light just right. You have to be in tune with the environment and have attachment to your surroundings. It wouldn’t happen if I didn’t live the life I do. The plane makes it all work. It all fits to the water.”

While Wayne flies a land plane to get aerial shots in the winter months, he is concentrating his efforts these days on Green Parrot Aerials. “My dream about the puzzles is that every camp has one for a rainy day,” says Wayne. He envisions a family putting together pieces of the lake they love, and talks about his own attachment to Hancock Pond. “My relationship to it goes way back. So many of

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the family-based events that happened were lived out on these ponds.

My grandkids grew up on them. They fly with me so they have the luxury of feeling that’s normal.”

Wayne recalls a phone call he took one morning from a woman in Alaska, who wanted to order more note cards with images of Hancock Pond. She explained that she summers in Maine and had bought Wayne’s note cards the year before at Bridgton Books, but had run out of them. She wanted them to remind her of her camp on Hancock Pond, which it turns out is just across the pond from the Peabodys’.

As serendipitous as it may sound, Wayne points out that he and Lesley are here because they want to be; that they are willing to do whatever they need to live here year round. It’s a trade-off.

“Making money can’t be your main motivator. You need to develop the ability to do something of value, cultivate it, and then maybe you can make money from it,” says Wayne.

To view a gallery of Green Parrot Aerial photos, or to order prints, puzzles, note cards, magnets or trivets, visit www.greenparrotaerials. com. You can reach Wayne by phone at 207-787-3871.

Name This Lake

If you think you know the name of the body of water in this photo, email your answer to lakeliving@fairpoint.net.

One randomly drawn winner will receive the

choice of either a puzzle or an 8”x10” matted print of one of the lakes you love. Please be sure to include your mailing address and phone number.

Water Sport Rentals We Deliver!

Kayaks Canoes Sunfish Sailboats Escape Sailboats Waterskis Wakeboards & Kneeboards

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Protecting By

leigh macmillen hayes

Our Corner of the Earth

Reports of global warming’s catastrophic effects are everywhere. What does it all mean? Why has it happened? And how? The subject can be overwhelming for adults, never mind children. In her recently published book, Earth in the Hot Seat, award-winning children’s book author Marfé Ferguson Delano gives young readers a comprehensive explanation of the complex topic and explains how they can live more ecologically sensitive lives—ultimately to improve the planet. Ms. Delano explores the greenhouse effect, climate change and global warming in an easy narrative style that is nonetheless packed with information. She helps readers discover that clues to climate change can be found in multiple places including melting glaciers, records of bird migration patterns and the dates cherry trees bloom. National Geographic photographs and graphics enhance the engaging, informative text. Following each of the five chapters, “Bulletins from a Warming World” provide an interactive way for kids to connect with the facts about the impact of climate change.

Earth in the Hot Seat has take-away value as Ms. Delano uses the last chapter to explain some changes she’s made in her life and encourages kids to do what they can to protect the planet. During a recent National Geographic Weekend interview with Boyd Matson, Ms. Delano said, “[The book] sums up climate change in terms kids can understand and move to action . . . The last thing I wanted to do was make climate change seem so alarming, so depressing that the kids feel hopeless . . . My goal was to help them feel empowered.”

Though geared to children, the lessons learned from Earth in the Hot Seat are not limited to them. This book of hope draws readers young and old to action as they realize that even small changes in lifestyle can help ensure that our Earth remains habitable for all of creation.

In the lakes region, many kids already protect our corner of the Earth as they conserve energy, recycle waste and take on important environmental projects at home, school and in their communities.

“The trail system [between Lake Region Middle and High School] is important to the school[s], yet the trails are also currently used as a quasi-landfill for broken field hockey goals, stairs, railings, bleachers and assorted other trash . . . While snowshoeing with a group of adolescents very interested in the fox den they had just discovered, one student gazing at the discarded set of bleachers said, ‘We really should clean this place up.’” behind the two schools. GreenLake Region Middle School Works!, a community action 7th grade science teacher Andrea proponent of Project Learning Capano and Lakes EnvironmenTree, awarded them a two-year tal Association Watershed Edumatching grant. cator Bridie McGreavy saw this Ms. Capano’s seventh graders as the impetus to write a grant collected data from all aspects of for an interpretive trail system

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Environmental Art by Ryan Thoits, Earthshadow the ecosystem behind the schools.

A steering committee of twelve students met after school at least twice a month to name and map the trails using GPS units, construct signs and trail guides, build geocache boxes and write environmentally related mystery cache riddles. Walking along the first section of the trail recently, Ryan K. and Abby L. checked GPS waypoints for placement of the educational cache boxes.

At Ryan’s suggestion, they’ll put natural items, i.e. beech nuts in some boxes. Others might include questions about land

While snowshoeing with a group of adolescents very interested in the fox den they had just discovered, one student gazing at the discarded set of bleachers said, ‘We really should clean this place up.’

use, glacial deposits and what happened here. Although it’s safe to attach signs and boxes to trees, Abby explained that the group decided to mount them on cedar posts instead.

This project inspires a sense of place as the young teens get to know the ecosystem.

“The students love it,” says Ms. Capano. “Teaching them to enjoy being outdoors is the first step. They’re experiencing the real world of science as they collect real life data. It’s applicable data.” She notes that the Trail Crew has unbelievable motivation because their reason for being there is clear.

Sierra T. says, “When other kids come to the woods, we hope they see the nature and its importance and the fun you can have outside. Trail Crew is a great way to experience nature and learn new words and techniques.”

Travis Burrows flying a homemade kite

“Organic in nature,” is how Outdoor Science teacher Gabe Miller describes his class at Lake Region High School.

The goal is to get kids outside as much as possible for hands-on, interdisciplinary learning. Part of the process is to learn their ecological address. Mr. Miller says, “Everyone knows what street they live on, but . . . where does the water you drink come from? What happens to the trash when you throw it away? What watershed do you live in?”

Miranda Walker at Pie Tree Orchards

In this class, kids discover the world about them by making observations and combining science and art to enjoy nature.

Over the course of the year they’ve tested the PH balance and dissolved oxygen of Tingley Brook in Naples to determine the water quality, while also taking time to slow down and make detailed sketches of macroinvertabrates. With kite enthusiast John Martin of Waterford, the students studied the history, physics and art of kites before building their own of bamboo and Typar. After reading Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan, Scott Miller led them on a tour of Pie Tree Orchard and explained the genetics, history, grafting and selection of hardy apples for our local environment. In an attempt to understand nature by directly participating in it, students followed the example of British naturalist artist Andy Goldsworthy and created whim-

sical structures from natural materials. Yo Yo S., a foreign exchange student commented, “This would never happen in Germany.” During the winter they built a quinzee or snow mound hut on the front lawn of the school. With the resurgence of Atlantic salmon they learned about Pacific and Atlantic Salmon, posted research on a bulletin board and made life size paper mache salmon. In a tribute to Earth Day students created depictions of birds, insects and other critters from scraps, trash and recycled materials.

“I learned a better sense of well-being, along with a new found appreciation of nature.

This class has also opened my eyes to some of the crises that face our planet,” says Travis B., a senior. Fifteen students are in the class this year, but forty have signed up for next year’s Outdoor Science course.

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Quinzee building

Last year Maya C. joined her brother, Sky, and a friend to form an Envirothon team. Envirothon is a nation-wide high school competition. Teens learn all they can about the environment and undergo thirty minute outdoor tests on each of the following areas: soils, aquatics, forestry, wildlife and a current issue. “For forestry we are tested on compass work, ability to identify trees, how to improve areas for logging, and sustainable harvesting procedures. We have to know what animals might be found at a site, if a tree dies in the forest, what animals will use it, identify skulls and fur as part of the wildlife section. For the soil we have to get into the pit, identify horizons, decide if it is glacial till . . . It’s intense,” says Maya. Last year they competed with 65 other teams and placed second overall in the state competition and first in forestry.

She adds, “I thought I knew quite a bit before last year’s Envirothon. We spent months learning all kinds of stuff. I couldn’t even comprehend some it. It’s very enlightening.”

In our comfortable ways we each contribute to the destruction of our planet. Thankfully, many kids and adults in our corner of the planet are having fun taking little and big steps to reduce our footprint on the Earth. As Marfé Ferguson Delano encourages in the last chapter of Earth in the Hot Seat, “What you do counts.”

More ways kids in the lakes region are protecting our corner of the Earth Recycle bottles, containers, cans, plastic, paper, cardboard, glass, aluminum foil

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Turn off lights when leaving a room Unplug chargers Take shorter showers

Make sure the faucet is turned off completely Shut off the oven when done baking

Don’t put clean clothes in the laundry basket Only throw away things that don’t work

Pick up trash inside and out Use CFL light bulbs Don’t leave the water running when brushing your teeth Use less plastic Bring your own bags to stores Unplug electrical appliances when you are done using them Don’t keep the water running when washing dishes Wear layers in the winter to cut down on oil consumption Only take as much as you will eat Lower the thermostat Reduced travel in a car by switching to running, biking, carpooling, walking or skateboarding Shop at Goodwill, the Salvation Army and other thrift shops Reuse plastic bags Only use X-Box 360 for an hour a day Donate clothes that no longer fit to a charity or pass on to others as hand-me-downs Use reusable plates rather than paper or plastic plates Repair broken items Buy organic clothing Buy less wants and more needs Use what you have Keep things for as long as you can Don’t use the color printer unless you need color for a project Don’t upgrade electronics every year Stop using aerosol cans Hang clothes out to dry Fill your own water bottles rather than buying bottled water Bring your own lunch Pile on more blankets Recycle junk mail Start a Clean-up Crew Ask questions Buy organic food instead of the artificial stuff Do not waste products like shampoo, conditioner and soap Use the sunlight in your room rather than artificial light Fix a bike or four-wheeler

instead of buying a new one Use scrap metal to fix bikes Walk in the woods and journal about what you see, smell, hear, taste Plant trees, flowers and vegetables Work in the garden Take the bus instead of having your parents drive you to school Start a compost pile Don’t throw trash out the window of your car or truck Use a hot water bottle to warm your bed Shop locally Open windows instead of using an air conditioner Help salamanders and other amphibians cross the road on Big Night Participate in the annual Bridgton Community Center’s Earth Day celebration Recycle cell phones Recycle ink cartridges and toner containers Use both sides of notebook paper Use “used” dryer sheets to “erase” white boards at school Practice spelling and math on white boards rather than paper Contribute leftover writing utensils, notepads, etc. to community tub at end of school for students to use the following year

Make journals out of scrap paper and use cereal boxes for covers Write to politicians about what they are doing to combat global warming Complete rough drafts on Google.doc Give discount at school dance to any students who bring in returnable bottles Use laptops instead of wasting paper Instead of putting waste into the landfill, make art out of it

Contributors: Aimee W., Drew S., Tucker, Jeremy B., Wyatt, Nicholle, Dani L., Brandon T., Arianna A., Abby L., Masen I., Amina M., Camille E., Elizabeth S., Samantha M., Sam S., Sage T., Josh K., Ryan K., Sage M., Katie C., A.R.G., Theodore B., Delainey W., Zachary T., Brandon B., Jordan T., Lucy F., Amy A., Zoe B., Perry S., Alex C., Hannah S., Giselle W., Kyleigh D., Dakote R., Caitlynn W., Sierra T., Tyler P., Kendall D., Anastasia L., Steven F., Christina A., Kacie T., Meghan S., Jake D., Mark K., Zoey P., JJ E., Ethan S., Emily S., Briggs, Alazea Z.M., Hannah B., Todd C., Madison P., Heidi F., Ella F., Douglas M., Elizabeth C., Maggie S., Jacob S,. Lili N-F., Maya C., Jeannine R., Beth C., Bridie M., Debbie G.

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It’s a Labor ”

of Love

“

Local Nine Point Publishing keeps print alive

By Sarah Earle

Geoff Gronlund

, co-owner of EFG Books and Gallery in Bridgton, Maine, is a huge fan of the Beat generation. He credits finding a copy of Ken Kesey’s Last Go Round in an Ithaca, New York, bookstore in 2002 as the beginning of his loyalty toward collecting books. “It was boldly signed by him,” Geoff says, shaking his head incredulously. “And it was limited to 200 signed copies. I bought it for $11, but it was probably worth $100150.” Once he started looking online, Geoff found an amazing array of limited editions. He says the Beats were always trying to get published anywhere they could, just like anybody would be. “So I got the bug,” he says. “Some people collect stamps, coins, boats. Whatever it might be, I collect books.”

Geoff and his wife, Angela, opened EFG Books and Gallery, named after their now four-yearold son, Ezra Finn Gronlund, in June of 2006. EFG mainly sells used books, from 19th century fiction to biography, poetry and art, as well as a modest selection of new titles. The couple wanted their store to sell more than just books, however; Angela created a single-artist gallery space in the back of EFG, and Geoff created Nine Point Publishing, putting him not only in the business of collecting books, but creating them as well. Omphalos, Nine Point Publishing’s semi-annual art and literary journal, is one of Geoff’s regular bookmaking endeavors. This June, Omphalos is in its ninth edition.

“We want to give artists and writers an opportunity,” says Geoff.

“And it ends up being a lot of local people who exhibit [in both the gallery and the journal].”

Excited by the letterpress editions in the Beat publications he collects, Geoff toyed with the idea of putting a letterpress in the back

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of the bookstore. “My wife told me not to,” says Geoff laughing, acknowledging the painstaking process of putting letters down by hand. “She is grounding, she’s the earth and I’m the wind. We have a good partnership like that.” Consequently, Geoff designs each issue of Omphalos on Adobe InDesign and then out-sources the printing to Cardinal Printing in Denmark, Maine. The literary journal, released in June and December of each year, has included many regionally known writers, i.e.

Gary Lawless of Gulf of Maine Books in Brunswick, Martin Steingesser, the current poet laureate of Portland, and Mark DeCarteret, the seventh poet laureate of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. It has also included Bridgton’s own poet and sculptor, George Erikson.

“I’m grateful to know him,” says Geoff of George. George’s newest volume of poetry, Water, will be Nine Point Publishing’s first limited edition book. Geoff says he invited George, who has a self-published volume of poetry called Mirrors into Rivers, to have his poetry published in their debut book after George’s poetry had been featured in Omphalos 6 & 7. The result, Water, will be no less than a work of art.

“It’s kind of like something George said and I agreed with,” says Geoff. “God forbid something should be beautiful in the book world.” George Erikson’s collection of poems, four to be exact, as his poems run long, will be bound by Rhonda Miller, a bookbinder in Halifax, Nova Scotia, whose work Geoff deems “astounding.” It will be bound in a cream colored cloth enclosed in a Japanese tri-fold case with a bone clasp. The hardcover book will be embossed with Nine Point Publishing’s logo. And true to a limited edition, there will be only 26 lettered copies for sale, complete with George’s signature.

“We’re trying to do something unique, to inspire people,” explains Geoff seriously. “It’s magical poetry, enlightening poetry and it deserves the binding it’s been given.” He won’t say how much the book will cost, though such a detailed work cannot come cheap.

“We’ve been losing money on it, regardless,” he admits. “All this, it’s a labor of love.”

Geoff has plenty of ideas for Nine Point’s future. An avid Grateful Dead fan—Omphalos has published the Dead’s lyricist, Robert Hunter—Geoff is hoping that he’ll be able to put together an anthology of Timothy Truman’s Grateful Dead comics. These frequently appeared in the Grateful Dead Almanac after Jerry Garcia’s death. “He’s interested,” Geoff says of Truman. “It’s a big iron on the fire right now.”

Geoff is also working with a letterpress in Scarborough, to put out limited edition broadsides, or poetry printed on oversized paper.

Broadsides or small card prints might be sent to subscribers on the holidays. “You can get creative and be unique with this stuff,” says Geoff.

Due to Nine Point Publishing’s exquisite quality, aside from the semi-annual Omphalos, Geoff is limiting himself to one hardcover book for now. The plan is to print Water as a paperback next summer, and also create a new hardcover with a new writer. “The limited editions are by invitation only, but we’re always seeking writers and artists whose work deserves to the published in Omphalos,” Geoff says. “We want to keep published books alive.”

EFG Books is located at 186 Main Street, Bridgton, Maine. Open 10-5pm Tuesday through Saturday.

Visit their website at www.efgbooks.com, and www.ninepointpublishing.com.

and I see the washerwoman her hands an extension of grey voices in a silver river kneeling on a rock washing the dream she wears on a rock she will pass it on and it passes on and the television shouts to the chair and the telephone shouts and the kids cry and she cries into the pillow wishes she would drown the silent anaesthesia of tears sends back its dead and on the river bank the matted grass is parted by a quick wind then the fire sears and the hair flows back to the horse tail sizzles to the dry lizard skin back to the dotted line the drafted chart of light from The Birthday george erikson. Water. 2009

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by Leigh Macmillen Hayes

W

e expect the water we swim and fish in, as well as drink, to be clean. Unfortunately, clean water isn’t always the case. Fortunately, there are lake monitors who test 37 bodies of water in the lakes region from May through September. They collect samples, record data and educate local residents about ways to help maintain healthy lakes. The tests are conducted biweekly on each lake to determine water quality.

Testing is not only important to properly identify current or potential issues, but also to establish data for future comparisons.

This data allows land owners and users to make informed decisions regarding lake management.

It has been my pleasure to join the lake monitoring mission on a couple of occasions. Beginning at the Lakes Environmental Association (LEA) building on Main Street in Bridgton, a canoe, paddles, life jackets, water quality testing equipment, anchor and cooler filled with empty bottles and beakers are loaded into the back of a truck. Reaching the ponds designated for the day’s lake monitoring means traveling down country lanes and rutted dirt roads. At the various ponds we are welcomed by land owners who value the services of LEA. In fact, we are allowed the use of a twelve foot aluminum boat with a 2.2 horse power motor at one home and a canoe at another.

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photo courtesy of lakes environmental association

Testing Our Lakes

I am not a certified lake monitor, therefore I can only assist. Using a depth finder and a map indicating water depths, we locate the deepest section. Water testing takes place at the same pre-determined spot each time. After dropping anchor, we begin with the Secchi disk to measure the clarity of the water. The Secchi disk is a metal or plastic disk with two black and two white quadrants painted on top. It’s attached to a calibrated metric tape. We have to wait until after 9 a.m. to use this so that the sun is in the right position.

The test can only be conducted on the shady side of the boat from 9 until 3 p.m. when the sun is the highest. I slowly lower the disk into the water, while simultaneously looking through the aquascope to monitor when I can no longer see the white quadrants. Then I raise the disk a bit and lower it again to make sure I am at the right depth. The clearer the water, the deeper the disk is lowered. The metric reading of the tape at the surface of the water is recorded.

After recording the depth of the disk, we rewind the tape and stow it and the aquascope. Lake monitors captain organized ships.

The next test involves the dissolved oxygen meter and sensing probe. The probe is attached to the instrument via a long cord. Since we know the depth of the water, we lower the probe meter by meter to one meter above the floor of the pond. This prevents the probe from getting ruined or stuck at the bottom. Each meter is marked in red on the cord leading to the probe. At five meters there is a green mark above the red. At ten meters there are two green marks, etc. At every meter we jig the probe and wait for an accurate digital reading of the water temperature and oxygen level. Between three and ten meters we usually find the thermocline—the transition point at which the temperature and oxygen levels suddenly change. You’ll recognize the thermocline or thermal barrier on a summer day when you jump in and suddenly pass from warm surface water to cooler water. Cold water contains more oxygen than warm water. Fish, like salmon and trout, need the oxygen in the deeper, cooler water to survive. Too much algae growing in the warmer surface water may prevent that from happening. After algae die, they sink to the bottom of the lake where they are decomposed by bacteria, which use up the oxygen.

Data is recorded for each meter. This data is double-checked at two or three readings by slowly rewinding the probe cord and taking the readings at different intervals. We note that the duplicate readings are similar to the first readings and the test doesn’t need to be repeated. While still wet, the probe is placed back into the electric meter to keep it moist for the next pond or lake.

former intern alaina clark on cold rain pond

photo courtesy of lakes environmental association

ken forde taking a clarity reading on stearns pond After getting an oxygen and temperature profile, we begin taking water samples to measure phosphorus and chlorophyll. Phosphorus is a natural element in soil. Through erosion and run-off it enters the water. This is a significant threat to water quality because algae thrive on phosphorus. As algae grow, water clarity decreases.

Reducing the amount of nutrients such as phosphorus, that enter a water body, is an important step to reducing algae. Chlorophyll is green plant pigment. It is measured to determine the size of the algae population. The higher the amount of chlorophyll, the higher the algae population.

For these tests, we must collect water to be evaluated in a laboratory. First, the bottles and beakers are labeled with information about the individual pond. The bottles will be evaluated at the LEA laboratory, while the beakers will be sent to the state laboratory.

Next, we rinse our hands and arms on the opposite side of the boat from which the sample will be taken. Then we dunk each bottle and cap into the water three times. No, this isn’t some weird lake monitor ritual to make sure that the lake monsters don’t tip the boat over. Instead, it ensures that any contaminates are removed.

On the opposite side of the boat, the core tube is lowered to the thermocline, clamped and quickly pulled to the surface. It fills with

water during this process. The end is placed in a mixing jug and the clamp released, allowing the water to flow. It is first poured into a small brown bottle to be tested for pH, color, alkalinity and conductivity. The second sample poured off is for phosphorus analysis. A small vial is filled completely—to the point of overflowing and then transferred immediately into a sterile flask. The remaining water in the sample bottle is shaken and poured into a second bottle to test for chlorophyll content. Finally, all the water bottles and flasks are placed in a cooler. We empty and coil the long core tube before stowing it away. The tests are completed and the anchor pulled.

Testing water quality is a wet job, but an important one. We can all help improve the quality of the lakes and ponds in our area by identifying pollution sources and helping to correct them. Water quality protection practices implemented on the landscape can reduce or eliminate overland runoff water. LEA offers programs to help lake owners and users properly address these water quality issues and make necessary changes. The importance of water quality testing cannot be overstated.

FMI: Lakes Environmental Association, Bradley Lakes Center, 230 Main Street, Bridgton ME 04009, 207.647.8580, http:// mainelakes.org. lake living

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Summer Calendar june 19th

5-8 pm—Wine & Cheese Reception at Gallery 302 in Bridgton. FMI: 207647-ARTS

19-21st

Pleasant Mountain Fiber Arts Workshops at Denmark Arts Center. FMI: 207-452-2412

21st

5 pm—Annual Solstice Walk on Bald Pate Mountain Join Loon Echo Land Trust for its traditional hike up the Bob Chase Trail on Bald Pate Mountain to celebrate the first day of summer. FMI: 207-647-4352

23rd

9 am—Orchids at Holt Pond with Ursula Duve FMI: LEA. 207-647-8580 or www.mainelakes.org

25-28th

8 pm—My Fair Lady at Deertrees Theatre in Harrison. Sun. matinee only at 2 pm. Presented by Lake Region Community Theatre. FMI: 207-583-6747 or www.deertreestheatre.org

26th 6:30 pm— “Scales and Tales” Natural History program by Chewonki Foundation at Denmark Arts Center.

FMI: 452-2412.

26th

9 am—Trail Work at Holt Pond FMI: LEA. 207-647-8580 or www. mainelakes.org

july 1st

4th

31st Annual Bridgton 4 on the Fourth Road Race begins 8 am at Main St. & Rt. 117. FMI or to register on-line: www.4onthe4th.com

4th

Bridgton Rotary Duck Race at Stevens Brook in downtown Bridgton.

FMI: 207-647-2074

4th

Independence Day Parades & Fireworks in several lakes region communities, including Fryeburg, Bridgton, and Naples.

4th “Hey, Good Lookin’” Art Show by area artists at Denmark Arts Center.

Stop by for lemonade and vote for your favorite! FMI: 452-2412.

7th

8 pm—PORT OPERA Emerging Artist Program presents “The Secret Marriage,”an 18th century tale of entangled affections by Domenico Cimarosa at Deertrees Theatre in Harrison. FMI: 207-583-6747 or www.deertreestheatre.org

7-11th

Greater Lovell Land Trust Walks & Hikes 7-9 am—Senior/Gentle walk through Heald and Bradley Reserve.

FMI: www.gllt.org or 207-925-1056

2nd

Greater Lovell Land Trust Non-Walk 9:30-11:30 am—A relaxed survey of the features of Heald and Bradley Reserve. FMI: www.gllt.org or 207925-1056

3rd

5-7 pm Spaghetti Feast at Bridgton Academy in North Bridgton.

3rd

5-7 pm—Wine & Cheese Reception at Gallery 302 in Bridgton. FMI: 207647-ARTS

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6:30 pm— “Owls of Maine” Natural History program by Chewonki Foundation at Denmark Arts Center. FMI: 452-2412

10th

15th

11th

16th

11th

16th

8 pm—The Casco Bay Tummlers & Okbari Middle Eastern Ensemble at Deertrees Theatre Traditional and contemporary World music performed with abandon. FMI: 207-5836747 or www.deertreestheatre.org 9 am-3 pm— Friends of the Library Annual Book & Bake Sale at the Bridgton Public Library. FMI: 207647-2472 7 pm— Open Mic Night at Denmark Arts Center. FMI: 207-452-2412

11th

8th

11th

8th

7:30 pm—Greater Lovell Land Trust Presentation: “Photography Gone Wild” with Jym St. Pierre at Charlotte Hobbs Library. FMI: www.gllt.org or 207-925-1056

9th

9 am—Tree Identification at Pondicherry Park FMI: LEA. 207-647-8580 or www.mainelakes.org

9th

Greater Lovell Land Trust Walks & Hikes 9-11 am—Family exploration of Heald and Bradley Preserve. FMI: www.gllt.org or 207-925-1056

9th

8 pm—Humor ME3 Three of Maine’s foremost humorists and storytellers, Clyde Folsum, the Humble Farmer, John McDonald, together on stage for the very first time at Deertrees Theatre in Harrison. FMI: 207-583-6747 or www.deertreestheatre.org

7:30 pm—Sebago-Long Lake Music Festival presents “Bach and Mozart” at Deertrees Theatre. FMI: 207-5836747 or www.deertreestheatre.org

15th

7 pm—The 12th Annual Music on the Hill Concert Series presents “A Night of Broadway” at Windham Hill UCC Church in Windham. FMI: 207-892-7420

8 pm—Jay Ungar & Molly Mason Family Band at Deertrees Theatre in Harrison. The heart and soul of American roots music. FMI: 207-5836747 or www.deertreestheatre.org

10 am & 1 pm—Children’s Wednesday with Alex the Jester An inspiring journey to medieval times with a genuine Wise Fool at Deertrees Theatre. FMI: 207-583-6747 or www. deertreestheatre.org

14th

10th

Rufus Porter Museum Cultural Heritage Series at 67 North High Street in Bridgton. FMI or to register: www. rufusportermuseum.org

10 am & 1 pm—Children’s Wednesday with Rick Charette America’s most delightful and inspiring musician 8-11th Harrison Old Home Days Pancake performs for children 3-10 at Deertrees Theatre. FMI: 207-583-6747 or breakfast, fireworks, parade, BBQ and lobster feed, live entertainment. www.deertreestheatre.org

2nd

10th

10 am & 1 pm—Children’s Wednesday presents TWO Brothers Matthew and Jason Tardy perform at Deertrees Theatre. FMI: 207-583-6747 or www.deertreestheatre.org 7:30 pm—Greater Lovell Land Trust Presentation: A slide and video presentation by Naturalist/Tracker David Brown at Charlotte Hobbs Library. FMI: www.gllt.org or 207925-1056 Greater Lovell Land Trust Walks & Hikes 10 am-1 pm—Active walk to the summit of Amos Mountain. FMI: www.gllt.org or 207-925-1056 Greater Lovell Land Trust Walks & Hikes 9-12 am—Active walk through Back Pond Reserve. FMI: 207-9251056 or www.gllt.org

16th

11 am-5 pm—Historic Home Tour in Bridgton

8 pm—Maine Hysterical Society at Deertrees Theatre. A comic variety show of novelty songs, hilarious Maine characters, ‘wicked good’ juggling, and some of the most hysterical sketches ever devised. FMI: 207-5836747 or www.deertreestheatre.org

11&12th

17th

10 am-4 pm—19th Annual Woodworkers & Artisans Show at Narramissic, the Peabody-Fitch Farm, on Ingalls Road (off Rt. 107) in South Bridgton. FMI: 207-647-3699 or info@bridgtonhistory.org

11&12th

10 am-4 pm—Chickadee Quilters Quilt Show Over 100 quilts and wall hangings, demonstrations, and more.

Celebrating 30 years! FMI: 583-2461

12th

9 am—Raymond Village Library Annual Book Sale begins at the library, Main Street & Rt. 121, and continues thru mid-August. FMI: 207655-4283.

12th

5 pm—The 12th Annual Music on the Hill Concert Series presents “A Night of Broadway” at Windham Hill UCC Church in Windham. FMI: 207-892-7420

13th

8 pm—Camp Encore/Coda Chamber Orchestra benefit concert for the Lakes Environmental Assn. at Deertrees Theatre. FMI: 207-583-6747 or www.deertreestheatre.org

13-17th 8 am-3 pm—Local Explorers Camp FMI: Lakes Envirnomental Assn. 207647-8580 or www.mainelakes.org

5-8 pm—Birthday Party and Live Auction at Gallery 302 in Bridgton.

FMI: 207-647-ARTS

17th

8 pm—Heather Masse Band The newest member of “The Wailin’ Jennys” brings her own band back home to Deertrees Theatre in Harrison. FMI: 207-583-6747 or www. deertreestheatre.org

17&18th Sebago Days, Sebago

17-19th

Lovell Old Home Days, Lovell

18th

9 am-4 pm—The Bridgton Art Guild presents the 6th annual Art in the Park at Shorey Park in Bridgton. FMI: 207-647-2787

18th

7 pm—The 12th Annual Music on the Hill Concert Series presents Side Car Heroes, a 6-man acapella group at Windham Hill UCC Church in Windham. FMI: 207-892-7420

18th

8 pm—Mid-Life Crisis Cabaret A celebration of those not-quite-“Golden Years” with Pat Spaulding, Gordon Carlisle and Susan Poulin at Deertrees Theatre in Harrison. FMI: 207-5836747 or www.deertreestheatre.org

10 am-3 pm—Lovell Historical Society Antique Sale & Auction at the Kimball Stanford House, opposite Lake Kezar Country Club. Raffle, food, antique appraisals from 10 am-1 pm; live auction begins at 2 pm. FMI: 207925-3234 or lovellhist@fairpoint.net

21st

9 am—Stevens Brook History Walk with Sue Black FMI: 207-647-8580 or www.mainelakes.org

21st

7:30 pm—Sebago-Long Lake Music Festival presents “Latin America and Spain” at Deertrees Theatre. FMI: 207583-6747 or www.deertreestheatre.org

22nd

10 am & 1 pm—Sebago-Long Lake Music Festival presents their annual youth oriented concert, “Ferninand the Bull and Other Fabulous Fiddle Fables,” at Deertrees Theatre in Harrison. FMI: 207-583-6747 or www. deertreestheatre.org

22nd

7:30 pm—Greater Lovell Land Trust Presentation: Amateur naturalist Kevin Harding presents “Look, There’s a Moose” at Charlotte Hobbs Library.

FMI: www.gllt.org or 207-925-1056

23rd Greater Lovell Land Trust Walks & Hikes 9 am-12—Active walk through a privately-owned, managed forest.

FMI: www.gllt.org or 207-925-1056

23rd

Greater Lovell Land Trust Walks & Hikes 9 am-12—Active Family Hike to the summit of Lord’s Hill. FMI: www.gllt.org or 207-925-1056

23rd

8 pm—Mama’s Night Out at Deertrees Theatre in Harrison. Enjoy the hilarious comedy of these finalists in Nick at Nite’s “Search for the Funniest Mom in America.” FMI: 207-5836747 or www.deertreestheatre.org

23-25th

Casco Days, Casco

24th

25th

7 pm—The 12th Annual Music on the Hill Concert Series presents New Orleans-style jazz with the Royal Philharmonic Jazz Band at Windham Hill UCC Church in Windham. FMI: 207-892-7420

25th

8 pm—The Boston Vocal Artists present an exciting repertoire from the American Musical Theatre at Deertrees Theatre in Harrison. FMI: 207-583-6747 or www.deertreestheatre.org

25&26th

Western Maine’s Woodworking Heritage Show at Narramissic, the Peabody-Fitch Farm, on Ingalls Road (off Rt. 107) in South Bridgton. FMI: 207-647-3699 or info@bridgtonhistory.org

27-30th

8 am-2 pm—Place Camp, Session I FMI: LEA. 207-647-8580 or www. mainelakes.org

27-31st

9:30 am—Deertrees Theatre Festival ‘09 Student’s Acting Workshop (ages 12-16) at Deertrees Theatre in Harrison. FMI: 207-583-6747 or www. deertreestheatre.org

28th

7:30 pm—Sebago Long Lake Music Festival presents “Go With the Winds” at Deertrees Theatre in Harrison. FMI: 207-583-6747 or www. deertreestheatre.org

29th

10 am & 1 pm—Children’s Wednesday with world-renowned puppeteer Dan Grady at Deertrees Theatre in Harrison. FMI: 207-583-6747 or www.deertreestheatre.org

29th

7:30 pm—Greater Lovell Land Trust Presentation: Jim Wilfong, Director of H2O for Maine, presents “Who Owns Maine’s Waters” at Charlotte Hobbs Library. FMI: www.gllt.org or 207-925-1056

30th

8 pm—Schooner Fare at Deertrees Theatre in Harrison. FMI: 207-5836747 or www.deertreestheatre.org

Greater Lovell Land Trust Walks & Hikes 9 am-12 pm—Active walk to the summit of Amos Mountain. FMI: www.gllt.org or 207-925-1056

24&25th

30th

One Act Plays, The Eden Echo, Hidden in This Picture, and Three on a Beach, at Denmark Arts Center. FMI: 207-452-2412

24&25th Gallery 302 in Bridgton presents Art in Bloom—Floral arrangements by Lakeside Garden Club. Reception from 1-4 pm on the 24th.

25th

9 am-3 pm—8th Annual Maine Street Arts and Crafts Festival features the work of 50 artists and crafters from Maine, NH & MA. Musical entertainment all day, food vendors.

Bradley Memorial Park. Rain date: 7/26. FMI: Fryeburg Public Library at 207-935-2731

7 & 9:30pm—Comedian Bob Marley at Deertrees Theatre in Harrison. Late show for adults only! FMI: 207-5836747 or www.deertreestheatre.org

31st

10-11 am—Greater Lovell Land Trust Presents “What You Always Wanted to Know About Eagles” at Charlotte Hobbs Library. FMI: www.gllt.org or 207-925-1056

31st

8 pm—The Big Time Vaudeville Show at Deertrees Theatre in Harrison. A fun-filled variety show of the highest order FMI: 207-583-6747 or www. deertreestheatre.org

8/22 “pull up a chair” auction

19th

31&1st

One Act Plays, The Eden Echo, Hidden in This Picture, and Three on a Beach, at Denmark Arts Center. FMI: 207-452-2412

august 1&2nd

8 pm—Doreen’s Jazz New Orleans High energy, high-octane traditional jazz at Deertrees Theatre in Harrison. Optional Cajun Dinner at 6 pm prior to 7 pm performance on Sunday. FMI: 207-583-6747 or www. deertreestheatre.org

1&2

10 am-4pm—“Back to the Past” at Scribner’s Mills in Harrison. A celebration of old-tyme sawmill and homestead operations. FMI: 207-5836455 or www.scribnermill.org

1st Maine State Championship Rowing Regatta, Highland Lake, Bridgton.

5,000 meter stake and 1,000 meter sprint. FMI: Steve Collins at 207-6472196 or dscollins@gwi.net

1st

The Great Adventure Challenge at Pleasant Mountain: www.maineadventureracing.com or call 207-6478244 x15

1st

Antique & Classic Boat Show on the Causeway in Naples from 10-3 on Saturday. Boat Parade Friday evening.

2nd

4th

8 am-12 pm—Annual Yard Sale at Narramissic in South Bridgton. FMI: 207-647-3699

4th

7:30 pm—Sebago Long Lake Music Festival celebrates Mendelssohn’s 200th Birthday at Deertrees Theatre in Harrison. FMI: 207-583-6747 or www.deertreestheatre.org

5th

7:30 pm—Greater Lovell Land Trust Presentation: “Loon, Loons, Loons” with Bonny Boatman at Charlotte Hobbs Library. FMI: www.gllt.org or 207-925-1056

6th

Greater Lovell Land Trust Walks & Hikes 10 am-12 pm—Family walk through Back Pond Reserve. FMI: 207-925-1056 or www.gllt.org

6th

Greater Lovell Land Trust Walks & Hikes 10 am-12 pm—Active walk through Kezar River Reserve. FMI: 207-925-1056 or www.gllt.org

6&7th 8 pm—Deertrees Theatre Festival ‘09 at Deertrees Theatre in Harrison FMI: 207-583-6747 or www.deertreestheatre.org

7&8th

Mainestage Readers Theatre presents “Let’s Laugh” (for adult audiences) at Denmark Arts Center. FMI: 207452-2412.

8th

Month-long Exhibit of Paintings by Carrie Jacobson at Denmark Arts Center. Gallery open weekends or by chance. FMI: 207-452-2412

8 pm—The New Black Eagles Jazz Band at Deertrees Theatre in Harrison. A Deertrees summer tradition since 1992. FMI: 207-583-6747 or www.deertreestheatre.org

3-7th

9th

9:30 am—Deertrees Theatre Festival ‘09 Student’s Acting Workshop (ages 8-12) at Deertrees Theatre in Harrison. FMI: 207-583-6747 or www. deertreestheatre.org

3-7th

8 am-2 pm—Place Camp, Session II FMI: LEA. 207-647-8580 or www. mainelakes.org

3-7th

9 am—Kids’ Musical Theater Workshop with Mary Bastoni. For children 5-15 years old. Free for residents of Denmark. FMI: 207-452-2412

1-5 pm—Lovell Historical Society Historic House Tour Refreshments will be served at the Kimball Stanford House, opposite Lake Kezar Country Club, from 4-5 pm. FMI: 207-9253234 or lovellhist@fairpoint.net

10-14th

9 am—Kids’ Musical Theater Workshop with Mary Bastoni. For kids ages 11 and up. Free for residents of Denmark. FMI: 207-452-2412

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Challenges Make Cents A challenge can be a dare, an obstacle or a competition. In these difficult economic times, raising money for non-profits is a challenge.

And using challenges to raise funds makes sense and cents. by leigh macmillen hayes

I

cyclists to the charity ride. Add the cancer community and it makes a powerful combo to draw people to the event.” The Dempsey Challenge may attract a few stars including professional racer, George Hincapie, on Sunday, October 4, 2009, but it’s meant to be a Maine-style event. The Challenge will include a 5K run/walk, and 4 cycling options of 10, 25, 50 or 100 miles. An all day lawn festival with activities for the whole family, a Health-Fitness Expo and activities for survivors will take place at Simard-Payne Police Memorial Park on Oxford Street in Lewiston.

To date people from 20 different states have registered to participate. One local registrant is Michael Lessard, Director of Pharmacy Services at Bridgton Hospital.

An avid bicyclist for the past twelve years, Michael views the century ride as more of a goal than a challenge. “It’s something

T

he second annual Great Adventure Challenge at Pleasant Mountain, however, is a race. On August 1, 2009, individual or team participants will kayak 2.5 miles on Moose Pond, bike on and off road for 14 miles around Pleasant Mountain and conclude with a two mile dash up and down the main slope of Shawnee Peak Ski Area for this “one of a kind triathlon.” All registration money from this fund raising event directly benefits Good Neighbors’ clients and supports their recreational activities, i.e. attendance at Seadogs Games and dinners out, as well as integration into the community. Good Neighbors provides whole life supports for lakes region residents with developmental disabilities.

photoscourtesy of loon echo land trust

n its inaugural year is the Dempsey Challenge, A Journey for Hope.

Maine native, Patrick Dempsey, who currently stars as Dr. Derek Shepherd in the ABC series “Grey’s Anatomy,” is the driving force behind this fund raising event. In 2008 he donated money to create the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing at Central Maine Medical Center (CMMC) in Lewiston after his mom had survived treatments for ovarian cancer. The Center, the beneficiary of the Challenge, helps patients, survivors and caregivers face the many hurdles throughout treatment.

“It’s interesting,” says Wendy Tardif, Dempsey Challenge Event Manager, “And it’s a little different than other charity rides.

We have this famous person, this actor, that is the brainchild. We’re also bringing in a pro-cyclist, which may draw more elite

I haven’t done before. I’ll get to put that feather under my cap.” Since registering, Michael’s training has included 50, 60 and 70 mile rides around the lakes region where he notes, “You can’t avoid hills.” As his endurance increases, so does the amount of money that’s been pledged. Originally his goal was to raise $200. Through e-mail contacts and support of Bridgton Hospital staff, he’s raised $1,000 and has reset his goal to $2,000. For the Challenge, Michael will join Phil Rioux, Director of Pharmacy at CMMC and Phil’s brother, Mark, on Team Willie’s Wheelers. Phil explains, “Willie’s Wheelers, is named in honor of my father who died about three years ago now. He had dementia.”

Eager to ride 100 miles, Michael doesn’t know what to expect. “I’m more excited to see George Hincapie than Patrick Dempsey.

That little actor is going to go faster than me.

I probably have more than 60 pounds on him,” says Michael, a smile stretching across his face. I remind him that it’s not a race.

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wayne rivet

Rob Knowles, Resource Developer of Good Neighbors, and Race Director for the Great Adventure Challenge, describes the Challenge as “not for the totally faint of heart, but not limited to extreme athletes.”

He says that the top 10-20 people are competing, while the rest just want to finish.

The event was well received last year and Rob expects a 90% or better return rate this year. “The goal is status in the community.

Participants have to reach down and dig hard. It’s not a walk in the park for anyone,” explains Rob. He’s passionate about making each leg of the race a challenge. Last year most of the participants were from away, but he’s heard of much more local interest this year. Spectators may view the kayaking portion of the race from the causeway over Moose Pond in West Bridgton and the dash, hike, trek, scramble or whatever it takes to get up the mountain, from the ski lodge at Shawnee Peak. Entertainment, vendors, and refreshments will be available throughout the event as well. The registration fee is $60 for an individual or $150 for a team.

New this year will be high school teams of three. Prizes will be awarded at the end.

T

he ninth annual Loon Echo Hike ‘n Bike Trek on Saturday, September 19, 2009 at Shawnee Peak Ski Area was originally started by Connie Cross of Casco, Wendy Newcomb and Deb Dolan of Sebago, and Elizabeth Algeo of Raymond, as a 30-mile trek around Sebago Lake State Park to raise funds for land conservation.

The Trek moved to Shawnee Peak Ski Area the following year. Two years ago the hiking option along the ridge of Pleasant Mountain was added to the 25, 50 and 100-mile Bike Trek, giving non-cyclists an opportunity to participate. Carrie Walia, Executive Director of Loon Echo Land Trust, says, “[The

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hike] connects people to Loon Echo’s largest land preserve, Pleasant Mountain. The mountain is the tallest in southern Maine, so the hike is moderately challenging, crossing over four summits.”

The 100-mile Bike Trek is known as the “toughest century ride in Maine” as riders pass through Waterford, tackle a big hill at Hunt’s Corner Road in Albany Township, head up to Bethel and down through Evan’s Notch, with a vertical decent of 1,200 feet.

About 40 people continually make the annual pilgrimage with Loon Echo each fall and about 250 participate overall. Carrie notes, “The ‘looney girls,’ three local ladies, have been riding in the Trek since 2004. They have become our spokespeople because they created handmade loon heads and wear them on their helmets. This year we are offering handmade loon heads to those who raise $200 in pledges and loon tails (feathers) for $100 pledges. Just imagine 50 or so people decked out in loon helmets and hats!” Though pledges aren’t required, they are encouraged to help the cause. And those who raise pledges are entered into the prize pool giveaway held after the event. Funds support conservation projects and programs in the seven towns Loon Echo serves: Bridgton, Casco, Denmark, Naples, Harrison, Sebago and Raymond. Registration begins on June 1st.

All registrants are invited to partake of a delicious barbeque after completing their Trek.

“To see all age groups and abilities participate, and returning after their Trek with a smile on their face, makes is worth it to the staff and volunteers who put it together.

Many Lake Region businesses and residents become involved with Loon Echo through the Trek, either sponsoring the event or participating in it. Especially since the hike was added, awareness for preserving our

landscape and providing local trails to our community has been an integral part of our event. We hope to build on the community involvement by having local bikers and hikers support Loon Echo this year, to ensure our community is adequately served by Loon Echo into the future,” says Carrie.

Support for all of these challenges includes not only sponsors and volunteers who make it all happen, but safety networks, local police and ambulance services, rest stops with refreshments, route maps plus entertainment and food at the finish line. Though each of the causes is different, they all need the financial support of these challenges to continue their missions.

Please visit their Web sites listed below to learn more about their programs, register for these events and discover how you can help them respond to the greatest challenge of all--continuing to provide the services we’ve come to value.

for more information The Dempsey Challenge, A Journey for Hope

www.dempseychallenge. org or call 1.866.990.1499

The Great Adventure Challenge at Pleasant Mountain www.maineadventureracing.com or call 207.647.8244 x15

Loon Echo Land Trust’s Hike ‘n Bike Trek

http://loonecholandtrust.org or 207.647.4352

T

hirty minutes outside of Kenya’s busy capital city, Nairobi, is the peaceful and beautiful suburb of Karen. Named in honor of Karen von Blixen whose life in that region was depicted in the film Out of Africa, Karen has a unique connection to Bridgton, Maine. Kazuri America, the exclusive U.S. distributor for a line of beautiful, handmade Kenyan jewelry named Kazuri, happens to be located in Bridgton.

Kazuri, which means “small and beautiful” in Swahili, is an apt description for the colorful and very tactile beads used in the creation of Kazuri jewelry. Lady Susan Wood started Kazuri Ltd. in 1975 when she and her husband were based in Nairobi.

Kazuri Ltd. now employs over 100 women, who all have in common that they came to Kazuri destitute, and very often with children to care for singlehandedly.

In an area of Africa where unemloyment can run as high as 95% and women find it particularly difficult to find jobs, Kazuri Ltd. is exceptional.

And now you can string your own Kazuri beads at $1 an inch! Mix ‘em up— every Kazuri bead is handmade and hand painted in bold colors and striking patterns, each uniquely beautiful. No doubt, like the women who create them AND the women who wear them.

Kazuri jewelry is available at PICKET FENCE GALLERY at the Monument in Bridgton, where you’ll also find a complete line of casual, colorful clothing, including Fisherman Pants from Thailand—perfect for the Yogi in you!

207-647-5465

NEW THIS SUMMER! Also see Kazuri at FIREFLY, our new sister location next to Beth’s Cafe on Main Street and across from Craftworks.

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Summer Bookshelf Book Reviews from Bridgton Books

Justin’s List During the lean months of winter and spring, more customers than usual inquired about the bookstore’s well-being and whether everything was okay. Their concerns were about more than just the economic downturn. We are now in The Digital Age, and soon our largest competitors will change over from the big box stores, to Google and little electronic readers such as the Amazon Kindle. Many bibliophiles fear that the paper book trade will follow the compact disc and newspaper industries on their downward spirals toward obsolescence as more consumers read from a screen instead of paper. Sure there will always be printed books, but eventually they will be the exceptions to the rule; a specialty item for collectors, etc. Whether this will take years or decades to evolve remains to be seen, but clearly, the writing is on the wall (or screen).

Two superb WWII novels, now in paperback, which I didn’t have enough room to mention in previous reviews, are Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. In Bohjalian’s harrowing novel, a German family tries to stay one step ahead of the Soviet’s advance during the last year of the war. Complicating matters for their retreat is the Scottish POW who is traveling with them. He had helped the family with the harvest, and has now fallen in love with the daughter and must remain hidden. Also in the mix is a Jew, Uri Singer, who is surviving on his wits alone after his escape from a train en route to Auschwitz. Singer needs to stay close to the chaos and confusion of the front to avoid being caught. Everything leads to a dramatic climax, and the author’s first foray into this time period truly captures its brutality and inhumanity.

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The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is much lighter fare than the aforementioned book, and more of a feel good novel if you can imagine any book about WWII to be such. A London writer begins to correspond with some of the more interesting denizens of the island of Guernsey, to see how they managed under German occupation. What develops will completely change her life as she falls under the spell of these unique residents. Who’d have thought a book written in the form of letters could be so entertaining and clever?

But it works.

Many people today have never heard of Percy Fawcett, but during the Golden Age of Exploration in the early 1900s, he was a household name. Fawcett, an English explorer, made several expeditions into the heart of the Amazon River Basin in search of a fabled, ancient civilization reputed to be highly advanced. In 1925, his entire party simply vanished in the jungle, never to be heard from again. Since then, many people have attempted to follow in his footsteps, but no one has ever been able to solve the mystery of Fawcett’s disappearance. David Grann, the author of The Lost City of Z, more than likely answers this riddle from the past, and also provides some valuable insight as to whether there once indeed was some form of an advanced civilization in the Amazon Jungle. With solid research, Grann follows Fawcett’s last expedition, masterly weaving Fawcett’s story with his own travelogue and providing the reader a wonderful escape on a rainy day. Along the same vein, I also enjoyed A Land So Strange

by Andrés Reséndez, detailing the nine-year journey of the Spanish explorer, Cabeza de Vaca, after a shipwreck off Florida in the sixteenth century. About three hundred Spaniards are left to fend for themselves on the Florida coast, with the nearest Span-

ish settlement thousands of miles away in central Mexico. Miraculously, de Vaca and three others eventually work their way around the coast of the Gulf of Mexico and arrive at a Spanish outpost almost a decade later. They survived by living with and essentially being enslaved by various Indian tribes. The other 296 men were not so fortunate.

When the advance review copy of the novel The Help arrived in the mail, I immediately pawned it off on my co-worker, Susan. The cover was bright yellow and I didn’t think I would enjoy a story about three women from Mississippi during the ’60s and their experiences with racism and society. Fortunately, Sue loved the book, and upon reading it myself, I would have to concur and list it among my top reads for 2009 so far. At times, it is utterly poignant, and other times, laugh-out-loud-funny. Told through the eyes of two black maids and a privileged white woman who befriends them, the three collaborate to write a book which shakes up their small city. Those who enjoyed The Secret Life of Bees should definitely take a peek at this satisfying story.

You didn’t see The Shadow of the Wind

by Carlos Ruiz Zafón on many best-seller lists when it first came out years ago, but it was a perennial favorite at independent book stores across the country, including ours. Now Zafón has penned another masterpiece. I found The Angel’s Game to be just as entertaining and mysterious as his first novel. David Martin, a struggling author in Barcelona during the ’20s, is commissioned by an enigmatic publisher to write a book. Little does he know what lies ahead. This novel is already a huge success in Europe, and the translation is so good, it might lead you to believe it was originally written in our native English. Take your time and savor this magnificent story!

Perri’s Preferences “As long as there is paper, people will write, secretly, in small rooms, in the hidden chambers of their minds, just as people whisper the words they’re forbidden to speak aloud.

The generals can’t stop them… [They] never could. Words are like the ants. They work their way through the thickest walls, eating through bricks and feeding off the very silence intended to stifle them.”

—Karen Connelly, The Lizard Cage The Lizard Cage, a novel by Canadian poet Karen Connelly, is an incredibly beautifully written book. Despite its setting in one of the grimmest places on the planet (a solitary confinement cell in a Burmese prison), the book is about Buddhism and its practice and application throughout life as told through a prisoner’s biographical flashbacks and a young boy’s experiences facing an uncertain and terrifying future. The facts of the story are brutal, but the prose is exquisite and carefully chosen; so beautiful that I could only read small sections at a time. While not exactly a light, fluffy beach read, it is surprisingly not depressing and the beauty and universal truths that shine through this novel make it essential reading for anyone concerned about the plight of humanity. I now eagerly look forward to reading Ms. Connelly’s experiences of working with refugees on the Thai/Burmese border, Dream of a Thousand Lives, as well as her poetry when I can get it.

Because I am now actually living in Vietnam, a rapidly developing economy that could possibly be a key player in the globalized future, that part of the world interests me even more than it has in the past.

Women of the Island, by Ho An Thai (who also wrote Behind the Red Mist I reviewed previously), is an interesting insight into

the plight of single women in Vietnam, a sad and overlooked part of the aftermath of a decade of war and the continuation of outdated traditional ideas. Paradise of the Blind, by Duong Thu Huong, also addresses this topic, although in a different way, which led to her work being banned by the Vietnamese government to this day, although she is translated and widely read in the rest of the world. This beautifully translated story exposes the reality of the early communist government’s tactics in the 1970s and ‘80s and the repercussions on the Vietnamese people and the progress of the country. All of Ms. Huong’s novels are worth reading if you want to understand Vietnam a little more deeply and why it is the way it is today.

On a lighter note, and perhaps more suitable for a summer beach read, If You Lived Here, by Dana Sachs (author of The House on Dream Street, one of my recommendations several years ago) is a lovely story of two women tenuously connected through a child and their relationship that spans oceans and continents from North Carolina to Hanoi. This is not the sort of book I would ordinarily read, but it is a remarkably well-written story filled with rays of hope, rather than arrows of destruction. An early memoir by Pulitzer Prize winner Geraldine Brooks (author of March, Year of Wonders, and People of the Book) is my number one pick for this summer that I would recommend to anyone, though it would appeal predominately to women of the generation old enough to remember proper “pen pals.”

In Foreign Correspondence, Ms. Brooks relates the fulfillment of her dreams of travel and adventure through her communication with pen pals from Australia (where she was born and raised) to Europe, the Middle East and the USA, where she now lives with her husband, Tony Horowitz and their family.

By turns funny, poignant and insightful, Foreign Correspondence should appeal to anyone who has ever sought to escape the confines of an isolated beginning.

For those who want a dose of serious literature, I suggest The Prospector, by 2008 Nobel laureate J.M.G. Le Clezio. The long, lyrical descriptions of life on Mauritius in the early 20th century, a search for legendary lost treasure and the horrors of the trenches in World War I, may not be for everyone, but if you have the time and quiet to focus on it, this epic quest will make you eager to read his other work in the original French (if you are fortunate enough to be bilingual) or when it is translated into English (which I hope will be soon).

Finally, being the foodie that I am, I cannot write my recommendations without mentioning something along those lines.

Solo foodies, as well as their more tribal oriented friends, will love Alone in the Kitchen with an Eggplant; Confessions of Cooking for One and Dining Alone, a collection of essays edited by Jenni Ferrari-Adler.

This eclectic group of writers and eaters, ranging from Laurie Colwin to Haruki Murakami, offer their personal experiences and thoughts on all aspects of cooking and eating alone, which adds up to an amusing, often meditative book that can be picked up and read in small doses, perhaps even while dining alone.

Xinran (author of Sky Burial and The Good Women of China) has a delightful new novel called Miss Chopsticks, which is, unfortunately, not published in the USA just yet. It is, however, definitely worth waiting for, especially if you liked her previous books. And if nothing I’ve mentioned above strikes your fancy, the next book on my reading list is The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows, which by all accounts and comments, including Justin’s, promises to be a winner this summer.

Pam’s Picks for Kids

Ratings can be found on movies, video games, computer games and other items viewed by the general public. Parents can view toy ratings online and other parents’ ratings and comments as well. In a time when parents are pressuring companies to expose dangerous materials to innocent consumers, I wonder why the book industry has been flying under the radar. lake living

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In fairness to the publishers, some books list a recommended age, but is the age based on a suggested reading level, and not content? A book I recently read contains material adults may have a difficult time processing, but the publishers are promoting it to young adult readers.

I applaud authors who write about diversity and social issues that kids face today, but publishing books that contain adult subjects with no warning labels should not be tolerated. This explains why more parents seek our services at Bridgton Books to determine if a book contains age-appropriate material. I hope publishers will soon adopt their own rating system.

How Many Baby Pandas?

By Sandra Markle, Ages birth + Wolong Giant Panda Breeding Center, established in the early 1980s, is located in the Wolong Nature Reserve in China. The Center’s primary purpose is to breed giant pandas and introduce them to their natural habitat. In this non-fiction book, Sandra Markle, an elementary school science teacher, playfully teaches kids to count while educating them about panda food, shelter, developmental stages and how to preserve this dwindling breed of bears.

Fascinating facts paired with irresistible photos will charm young readers from the first page to the last. Additional information such as panda Web sites, books and an author’s note can assist older readers who wish to learn more about this endangered species.

The Goose Girl Book 1

By Shannon Hale, Ages 12 + Readers who enjoyed the Newbery Honor book The Princess Academy, will not be disappointed by Hale’s enchanting saga of a courageous princess whose perseverance and determination are inspirational.

Audiences not ready for the Twilight Saga will enjoy the magic and light romance of the retelling of this Brothers Grimm fairy tale.

Ani, born the Crown Princess of Kildenree, was no ordinary princess. From birth, she was born with a gift, and had uncharacteristic behaviors and mannerisms. Soon, uncertainty of her future role in the Kildenree Kingdom was discussed in hushed tones among the Queen and King. While Ani’s father embraces her uniqueness, her mother looks away in shame.

After her father dies, the Queen decides to send Ani away to become Queen of Bayern. Bayern is a three-month walk through

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dangerous forests and difficult terrain. Forty Royal Guards, Selia, her lady-in-waiting and her horse, Falada, are assigned to escort Ani safely to her Prince in Bayern. Join Ani and her cavalry on a nail-biting journey to the Promised Land.

Sweethearts

By Sara Zarr, Ages 14+ Living the life of a social outcast is familiar to Jennifer and her best friend Cameron Trace. They understand each other and their world seems uncomplicated until one day Cameron mysteriously disappears. Jennifer desperately searches for answers, but to no avail. Cameron’s dad appears to have no leads nor does he seem interested in finding his son.

Jennifer’s family moves to a new high school and her identity unexplainably shifts.

Her popularity soars as her social outcast status fades. Memories of her best friend Cameron remain strong but unresolved.

Jennifer happily embraces her new role until one day Cameron unexpectantly returns.

Answers to Cameron’s abrupt disappearance painfully emerge and the two friends try to pick up where they left off, but will their friendship survive their new identities?

If I Stay

By Gayle Forman, Ages 15+ The Lovely Bones paved the way for a flood of adult and young adult books dealing with the delicate balance of life, death and life after death.

Seventeen-year-old Mia has a caring supportive family, a loving boyfriend and a gift for playing the cello. Her future options seem endless with a flawless audition at Juilliard in which she brilliantly performs The Bach Suite and Shostakovich. A judge’s approval and comment after her performance almost seal her acceptance.

Juilliard means Mia would have to move away from her boyfriend, Adam, a rock guitarist who understands Mia’s passion for classical music.

Moving away from her brother and parents will also be difficult. Mia has time to decide until one day her options abruptly change. Blizzard warnings cancel school and Mia is excited to spend the day with her family. Following the blizzard wet roads and rapidly melting snow prompt her father to suggest a family trip to visit friends. While riding in a warm car next to her loving family, listening to Beethoven’s Cello Sonata no.

3, something goes dreadfully wrong. Now, she must decide her fate.

The Maximum Ride Series

By James Paterson Reviewed by Jimmy Busa, 7th Grade The Maximum Ride Series is about six kids who have extraordinary powers. The kids were born in test tubes and were experimented on until they were old enough to escape and live on their own. Their mission is to save the world from total destruction while trying to hide from evil scientists who want to experiment on them. While fleeing from the scientists, they hide in caves, but almost every time they flee, one or more gets captured, and the others have to save them.

As hawkkids, they fly around the United States trying to escape the evil scientists.

In the middle of all these action packed adventures, there is a romance between Max and Fang.

I have to say that the fifth book, Max, is my favorite. In the middle of an air show that Max and The Flock perform in, a sniper sets sights on Max. The Flock takes him out. Max and The Flock find out that they have to save the world. Starting their adventure in Hawaii, fish keep dying and they have to find out why. As always, the evil scientists are still out to get them, but something strange has happened; they are now being attacked by new enemies that are robots instead of demons. Max’s mom and her sister are captured so Max has to save them. In this book, everyone in the gang gets new powers. There is so much action, suspense and twists, that I just had to keep reading and I couldn’t stop.

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Summer Calendar 11th

7:30 pm—Sebago-Long Lake Music Festival presents “Beethovan, Bartok, and Brahms” at Deertrees Theatre in Harrison. FMI: 207-5836747 or www.deertreestheatre.org

12th

9 am—Mushroom Walk with Jesse Dubin FMI: LEA. 207-647-8580 or www.mainelakes.org

13th

27-29th

8 pm—Deertrees Theatre Festival ‘09 at Deertrees Theatre in Harrison FMI: 207-583-6747 or www.deertreestheatre.org

28th

13-15th

september

15th

9 am - 3 pm—Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library’s 34th Annual Arts and Artisans Fair, a high-quality, all juried fair with 60+ exhibitors.

Rain or shine at New Suncook Elementary School, Route 5, Lovell. Second-hand book sale, refreshments, art raffle, free admission.

FMI: 207-925-1135.

15th

7 pm— Open Mic Night at Denmark Arts Center. FMI: 207-452-2412

18th

5 pm—Lakes Environmental Association Annual Meeting FMI: LEA. 207-647-8580 or www.mainelakes.org

18th

8 pm—David Scheel presents “A Shorte Hysterical Historie of Musicke” at Deertrees Theatre in Harrison. FMI: 207-583-6747 or www.deertreestheatre.org

19th

10-11 am—Greater Lovell Land Trust Presents “What You Always Wanted to Know About Eagles” at Charlotte Hobbs Library. FMI: www.gllt.org or 207-925-1056

20th

Greater Lovell Land Trust Walks & Hikes 9 am-12 pm—Active walk through Sucker Brook Outlet Reserve. FMI: 207-925-1056 or www.gllt.org

21-23rd

8 pm—Deertrees Theatre Festival ‘09 at Deertrees Theatre in Harrison FMI: 207-583-6747 or www.deertreestheatre.org

22nd

9 am—Holt Pond Guided Walk FMI: LEA. 207-647-8580 or www.mainelakes.org

22nd

Third Annual “Pull Up a Chair” Auction to benefit Spaulding Memorial Library. Preview 6:30-7:30 pm FMI: 207-787-2321 or www. spaulding.lib.me.us

26th

8 pm—Boreal Tordu Acadian folk, Cajun swing, maritime ballads, crooked fiddle tunes and foot-stomping French dance music at Deertrees Theatre in Harrison. FMI: 207-583-6747 or www.deertreestheatre.org

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Greater Lovell Land Trust Walks & Hikes 9 am-12 pm—Gentle mushroom walk through Wilson Wing Moose Pond Bog Preserve. FMI: 207-925-1056 or www.gllt.org

Greater Lovell Land Trust Walks & Hikes 9-11 am—Gentle walk through Chip Stockford Reserve. FMI: 207-925-1056 or www.gllt.org 8 pm—Deertrees Theatre Festival ‘09 at Deertrees Theatre in Harrison FMI: 207-583-6747 or www.deertreestheatre.org

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27th

5-7 pm—Wine & Cheese Reception at Gallery 302 in Bridgton. FMI: 207-647-ARTS

9th

Bridgton Hospital 19th Annual Benefit Golf Tournament at Bridgton Highlands 10 am Tee Off. FMI: 207-647-6055

12th

Greater Lovell Land Trust Walks & Hikes 9 am-12 pm—Sabbatus Mountain hike for the whole family. FMI: 207-925-1056 or www. gllt.org

19th

Harvest Supper & Festival at Narramissic, the Peabody-Fitch Farm, on Ingalls Road (off Rt. 107) in South Bridgton. FMI: 207-647-3699 or info@bridgtonhistory.org

19th

9th Annual Loon Echo Hike ‘n Bike Trek fundraiser for Loon Echo’s land conservation efforts.

FMI: www.lelt.org or 207-647-4352

25th

5-7 pm—Wine & Cheese Reception at Gallery 302 in Bridgton. FMI: 207-647-ARTS

26th

2009 Lakes Brew Fest at Point Sebago Resort in Casco. FMI: 207-647-3472 or www.mainelakeschamber.com

27th

1-4 pm—Lovell Historical Society presents “The Fall Harvest” at the Kimball Stanford House, opposite Lake Kezar Country Club. Demonstrations, exhibits, and live music FMI: 207-9253234 or lovellhist@fairpoint.net The following events are on-going: The Bridgton Public Library—Mother Goose Time welcomes babies & toddlers every Friday at 10:30 am; Story Time invites children ages 3 and up for stories & crafts every Friday at 11:00 am; Tunes for Tots every Tuesday at 10:30 am. Weekly Book Auction. FMI: 207-647-2472 The International Musical Arts Institute 13th Chamber Music Festival presents “Music for Summer Evenings”on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday evening concerts at 7:30 pm at Fryeburg Academy’s Bion Cram Library for four weeks beginning July 8th; “Music for Sunday Afternoons” at the Library at 2 pm in July; and “Music in the Making” at the Library on Monday evenings at 7:30 pm in July. FMI: 207-935-1494 or home. earthlink.net/~imaifryeburg Spanish Camp at the Bridgton Community Center for Grades 3, 4 & 5—3-4:30 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays for four weeks beginning July 21. $70 per child. To register call Lorraine at 207-647-3116 prior to July 14th.

The Bridgton Farmers Market is held every Saturday from 8 am to 1 pm in Bridgton. Season: mid-May to early October.

The Naples Farmers Market is held every Thursday from 9 am-1 pm in Naples. Season: mid-May to early October.

The Poontoon & Deck Boat Capitol of Maine Sales, Service & Rentals Open 7 Days • 8-5 Cruise the day away in one of our brand new rental boats!

Chameleon

Coatings

l.L.C

Elegant Decorative Painting and Faux Finishing

Poontoon Rentals!

Swim • Tube • Picnic

Route 302 • Naples

207-693-6264

www.mooselandingmarina.com

Herb Clarke Owner/Artist

207.787.8029

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The of Kezar Falls Forging into the Future By t. jewell collins

On a back road in Kezar Falls, Maine, stands the workshop where Lance Cloutier plies his blacksmith trade. The workshop itself is reached by climbing an openbacked set of steps, without railings, and pulling the wide wooden door open by its latch. It was here that I found Lance standing by a propane-gas fire, tongs in hand. The warmth of his greeting was exceeded only by the wave of heat emanating from the open forge in the center of the room. Smiling and, with a shrug of his shoulders, Lance glanced apologetically at his blackened handshaking hand. “Have a seat,” he said, nodding toward a stool. I sat down far enough away from the forge to enjoy its warmth without being smothered by its concentration of heat. He set down his tongs and adjusted the forge door. I was afraid I had interrupted his work, but he assured me that the fire would hold. “I’m ready for a break,” he said, drawing his forearm across his moist forehead.

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“I actually studied a live rose. I made the stem as sensuous as the rose itself.” Black shadows nestled in the curves of the silvery-layered petals.

It was indeed a thing of beauty.

Like the New England village smithy of yore extolled in Longfellow’s poem, Lance coaxes yellow-hot metal into shapes both artistic and functional. The intensity of the fire is matched only by Lance’s intensity as he talks about creating in this challenging medium. It was a cold winter’s day, and I could understand the hot furnace, but wielding a hammer hour after hour, rhythmically pounding a chunk of extremely hot metal, eluded me. I think Lance could see that I needed to be enlightened.

“Have you always been a blacksmith?” I asked, figuring that was a good place to start.

“No,” he began slowly. “With a family to support and funds running low, I took a detour from blacksmithing to become an investment banker. As a graduate of Texas A. & M., my qualifications suited me for that type of work. But after three years of not only paying the bills, but building up some equity, I succumbed to the attraction of working with iron again. I guess I’d have to say it’s my passion. I’m never happier than when I’m standing in front of that yellow hot forge, banging a piece of metal into a shape that I can already see in my mind. My last creation is a good example of that.”

He led me over to a workbench beyond the forge. On its rough surface lay a rose with a long curving stem. “I actually studied a live rose. I made the stem as sensuous as the rose itself.” Black shadows nestled in the curves of the silvery-layered petals. It was indeed a thing of beauty. “I don’t sell everything I make,” he said, accentuating

the word everything. “I’m going to keep this in the family.” I could understand why. We settled ourselves on the stools again.

He started out with early American forging in 1970. In 1972 he took a three-week horseshoeing class at the University of Maine that added another dimension to what he had to offer as a blacksmith.

During the ‘70s he concentrated on early American reproductions and was commissioned by old Sturbridge Village to produce hinges, hooks, fireplace grates, cranes, thumb latches, andirons, and an occasional chandelier.

His last move to Kezar Falls followed a period of time in Connecticut, his birth state, and in Fryeburg where he plied his blacksmith trade on Fish Street. “At that time there were four other blacksmiths in the area. We were a hotbed of activity,” Lance quipped.

His move back to Maine proved to be a good one. For a number of years, he set up the forge for the Fryeburg Fair Museum and demonstrated his craft for interested fairgoers. In the mid-80s he began showing at the premier American Craft Council (ACC) show and the nine-day League of New Hampshire Craftsmen show in Sunapee, N.H. His reputation for quality craftsmanship became more widely known through these high-end craft shows and others he has participated in along the East Coast. He explained, “These shows have made a huge difference in the number of people who were seeing my work.” One of his most recent orders consisted of 320 hinges and lake living

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pintles (the bolt on which the hinge turns) for a mansion in California. In Lance’s words, “I am constantly reinventing myself. I started making one of a kind. If a piece sold, fine; if it didn’t, I considered it part of my self-apprenticeship. Then again, I’ve sold over half a million dollars worth of one candlestick design since 1981.”

Lance’s work place is a multi-purpose space. “It’s mainly a working studio, but,” he pauses to smile at the recollection, “once a year around the holidays, I have my ‘forge by candlelight’ party that turns an industrial area into something ‘warm and fuzzy.’ That’s when my friends get to try their hand at forging.” I attended one of these annual events, enjoying refreshments set out on a workbench with tools pushed to the background. Then, one by one, guests were given a hands-on tutorial. Each one forged a part of a particular piece of steel that was subsequently welded to the abstract sculpture from the previous year’s party. Adding to this evolving creation is only one of the reasons partygoers return year after year. The other reasons? The ambiance, the conviviality, tradition, and most of all, Lance himself.

In the winter he offers blacksmithing classes for a minimum of three people at $75 per person, through advertisements in local newspapers and also through the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen.

“Anyone can come and spend a day and go home with something, fireplace tools, or something else they can make in that period of time,” said Lance, glad for an opportunity to introduce folks to the art of blacksmithing.

Lance prepares for ‘down’ times by keeping his expenses as low as possible. “That’s critical to surviving,” he said. “The future will be working through contractors and designers.” He places his products in stores such as Lovell Designs in Portland, Kindred Spirits in Camden, Local Color in Cornish, White Mountain Artisans in North Conway, New Hampshire, Oglethorpe Craft Store in Meredith, New Hampshire, and Simon Pierce glass blowers in Quechee, Vermont.

“So where do you see yourself going from here?”

“I guess you could say I want to continue to be a functioning, productive blacksmith.” It’s obvious that he feels fortunate to be able to hammer out a living, fashioning objects of beauty, grace, and usefulness.

The fire is still burning, but it’s only red hot now. He sees me to the door. Keeping my eyes on the steps while imagining him in the open door of his workshop, I pause when I hit terra firma, turn around, and wave. “Remember to come back when the candles are lit,” he calls after me.

I promise.

You can reach Lance by phone at 207-625-4668, or by email at lance@kfironworks.com. Visit www.kfironworks.com to view more of Lance’s work.

Scenes of Bridgton, Maine Calendar 2010 Paintings by Elna Stone

$17.00 Proceeds to benefit St. Peter’s Episcopal Church’s Outreach Program Order on-line at: www.stpetersbridgton.org or call Elna at 207-647-3028

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Bridgton Books

Over 20,000 different titles, plus books on tape for rent or sale, cards, magazines, used books, bargain books, music and more.

140 Main Street Bridgton, ME 04009 207-647-2122 justinatbridgtonbooks@ myfairpoint.net

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Everyone’s talking about sustainability.

We’ve been practicing it for over 160 years.

That’s why, after all these years, we’re still using natural spring sources in Maine.

That’s why we protect local watersheds by preserving land and performing detailed studies to make sure a spring can be safely sustained.

It’s why the 800 Maine people of Poland Spring are committed to making sure that every one of our water sources will be here and healthy for generations to come.

Healthy aquifers, healthy people, healthy economy.

For more information please visit polandspringME.com 36

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ANDY BUCK

Building Custom House and Barn Frames Since 1987 Providing High Quality Timberframes for General Contractors and for the Owner/Builder Life Member of the Timber Framers Guild

97 Kimball Corner Road Naples, Maine 04055 (207) 787-2248 CustomTimberFramer.com

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