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Friday, December 22, 2023 Volume 19 • Issue No. 51
KLT Celebrates Milestone KITTERY The Kittery Land Trust (KLT) has reached a significant achievement in its mission to safeguard the natural resources of Kittery. With the recent conservation of the 56-acre Sisk Preserve, the organization has officially protected over 1,000 acres of land within the community. This accomplishment is a testament to KLT’s undeterred efforts and its supporters’ dedication over its three decades of existence. “We are beyond thrilled to reach this milestone,” said KLT Executive Director, Lisa Linehan. “What a gift for our community this holiday season, one that will last for generations to come.” KLT was established in 1987 by a group of individuals who were passionate about preserving Kittery’s unique character. Today, the organization has become a household name, promoting com-
munity building through land protection, stewardship, outdoor recreation, education, and food resiliency. Kittery Point resident John Viele was a founding member of the nonprofit, and recently reflected on its growth. “Back in 1987, the Kittery Land Trust was created by a small group of Kittery residents with plenty of enthusiasm but little land trust experience, and almost no funding. From that humble beginning, over the years our expertise and fundraising skills grew and com-
Puddle Dock Pond Open to Skate
munity support swelled,” he said. “It is extremely exciting and gratifying to see how far the land trust has come having now preserved over a thousand acres!” The Kittery Land Trust recently closed on the Sisk Preserve, adding an impressive 56 acres of land to the community’s conserved areas. The Sisk Preserve abuts KLT’s Norton Preserve, which then connects to property managed by the York Land Trust, directly linking over 500 acres of See ACRES on page 10 . . .
Easier Access to Duck Hunting Permits STATEWIDE U.S. Senator Angus King, Vice-Chair of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, recently celebrated the Congressional passage of legislation that will streamline the duck stamp process for Maine hunters. The bipartisan “Duck Stamp Modernization Act of 2023” will provide access to the stamp on smartphones to
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help more people enjoy waterfowl hunting, remove barriers to getting outdoors, and increase revenue for conservation programs funded by stamp sales. The legislation passed the Senate in July and is currently waiting to be signed into law by President Biden. Many state and federal laws regulate the hunting of migratory birds. In Maine, The Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp is required along with a valid hunting license in order to hunt birds. The stamp, also known as a “Duck Stamp,” is a license or permit in the form of a stamp allowing the purchaser to hunt migratory birds. It is valid only for the current hunting season, and is sold at many, but not all, postal facilities. The Duck Stamp is not used for general postage, but is often sought after by stamp collectors, who often purchase sheets of the limited edition series for their collections. Funds from stamp sales go directly to support wildlife programs throughout the state. All waterfowl hunters at or over the age of 16 must possess
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a current signed Federal Duck Stamp, along with state licenses and permits, to hunt legally. The Duck Stamp Modernization Act of 2023 builds off a pilot program in the 28 states that offer the estamps for 45 days of hunting. Along with the digital access, physical duck stamps would also be made available for purchase from the post office and other authorized retailers. “From Bean Boots to Old Town Canoes, generations of Maine people have pioneered innovations to make getting outdoors easier. Decades later, this same commitment still drives sportsmen and women across our state and is the guiding principle of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus,” said King. “The Duck Stamp Modernization Act of 2023 embraces 21st century technology to make the great outdoors more accessible than ever. I’m proud that Congress was able to work See DUCKS on page 5 . . .
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Photo courtesy of David J. Murray / ClearEyePhoto.com.
SEACOAST Strawbery Banke in Portsmouth, NH has opened the seasonal Labrie Family Skate at Puddle Dock Pond, the museum’s professionally maintained ice-skating rink. Seacoast residents and their loved ones are all invited to join in on the annual holiday fun. The rink offers various ice skating opportunities for all ages and skill levels. Skaters can take advantage of public and private skating sessions, private rink rentals for special events, and dedicated adaptive ice time for those with varying abilities.
Additionally, skate sharpening services, skating aids for beginners, and skate rentals are also available. “We are excited to kick off the 10th season of Labrie Family Skate at Puddle Dock Pond,” said Linnea Grim, president and CEO, Thomas W. Haas Endowed Chair. “This rink has become a cherished community gathering spot, and its setting among the museum’s historic homes is unparalleled. We look forward to welcoming skaters back for another season See SKATE on page 23 . . .
Holiday Gift Wrapping: Stressful to Stress-Free STATEWIDE The holiday season comes with a lot of “to-dos.” From decorating inside and out, to shopping for thoughtful presents and planning that perfect party, there is a lot to do, and a lot to accomplish during the final days of the holiday season. After preparations are complete, there is still the daunting task of wrapping all the gifts and arranging them neatly under the tree – or shipping them to loved ones who are far away. For those with a large number of gifts to wrap and ship this year, follow these helpful tips to add a little festive fun festive fun to the process. Make a day out of it. After the shopping is done, designate a day for wrapping. Create a jolly atmosphere by playing holiday tunes, lighting seasonally scented candles, and inviting a friend or a loved one over
to join in on the fun. Engage in some friendly competition to see who can create the prettiest present or wrap the fastest, or relax and wrap over some hot cocoa or eggnog. Involve the little ones. Allow the kids, whether they be children, nieces, nephews, cousins, or members of an extended family, to be part of the process by having them create their own wrapping paper. Use kraft paper as the canvas for them to decorate with colorful See GIFTS on page 23 . . .
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