China Lake Assn. members hear about water quality

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by Jonathan Strieff

Nearly 80 community members gathered in the China Primary School gymnasium on July 29 for the annual China Lakes Association meeting. After a welcome and networking breakfast catered by Sunrise Bagels, CLA president, Stephen Greene, introduced three guest speakers from the Department of Environmental Protection, Ecological Instincts, and the Kennebec Water District to speak to the current health of China Lake.

The overall message was that, while water quality has greatly improved in recent years, China Lake remains an “impaired” body of water, supporting nuisance algae blooms, and with the deepest parts of the lake continually reaching an anoxic (oxygen deprived) state inhospitable to aquatic life. “There’s lots of work,” Greene said in his opening remarks, “all of you can do to make a difference, ensuring the sustainability of the watershed for the next generation, and spreading the serious message about the improvements needed to protect our very very beautiful lake.”

The keynote address was delivered by Wendy Garland, director of Maine DEP. She began her presentation by referring to the infamous status of “China Lake Syndrome,” a broad term for persistent nuisance algae blooms resulting from high levels of phosphorus entering the lake due to rapid shoreline development. The internal cycling of phosphorus in the watershed from has led to the sharp decline in both water clarity and the cold water fishery. The internal phosphorus load, having accumulated in the lakebed sediment from decades of runoff and erosion, is primarily responsible for the algae blooms and is being targeted for inactivation in the 2022-2031 China Lake Watershed-Based Management Plan. The effectiveness of the plan depends on reducing the external phosphorus load entering the lake annually through nonpoint source pollution.

According to the WBMP, internal phosphorus inactivation can be achieved using alum, or non dissolved aluminum, to bind the elements in the surface sediments and make them less susceptible to release. Garland identified grant funding for the project available from section 319 of the Clean Water Act and LD 164, An Act to Fund Lake Restoration and Protection.” Unfortunately, before its passage, LD 164 was scaled back from $2.5 million to $200,000.

“No one at DEP is currently allowed to speak in public without mentioning PFAS,” Garland joked towards the end of her presentation.

Levels of PFAS, a class of “forever chemicals” known to cause serious health problems, were found to be high enough in tissue samples from small mouth bass, large mouth bass, and perch caught in China Lake for DEP to revise its guidelines, from consuming no more than two meals of caught fish per month down to one per month.

In closing, Garland offered an inspirational message to those present, to help redefine China Lake Syndrome as a positive example of how collaborative efforts from dedicated stakeholders can restore water quality to previously impaired lakes and streams.

Next, Jen Jesperson, of Ecological Instincts, an environmental consulting firm responsible for the WBMP presented a an update from the first year of the plan’s implementation. Jesperson articulated that the goal of ending algae blooms was still a long way off, but not impossible. Water clarity in 80 percent of the lake stands at less than two meters deep. More than 60 percent of the lake is considered anoxic, with dissolved oxygen levels at or near zero parts per million.

The goals of the WBMP are to reduce phosphorus levels from 17 parts per billion to 13 ppb in the west basin and 10 ppb in the east basin by 2031. The alum treatment scheduled for 2026 will do a lot to reach these goals but much still depends on controlling the external phosphorus load entering the watershed.

The final guest speaker was Robert Bickford, the water quality manager of the Kennebec Water District. Bickford reiterated many of the earlier points about the current health of the China Lake watershed and offered detailed technical information about the ongoing water quality monitoring performed by KWD.

The gathering also heard from CLA director, Bill Powell about the annual loon count, elected new officers and directors, and received the financial report from CLA treasurer Natasha Littlefield.

Those interested in learning more about the WBMP or about proactive measures to help mitigate erosion and runoff pollution in the lake can visit www.chinalakeassociation.org or www.lakes.me.

Harbor master keynote speaker at Sheepscot Lake annual meeting

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Submitted by Carol Viens

The Sheepscot Lake Association held their annual meeting on Thursday, July 20, at the Fish and Game Club, on Rte. 3, in Palermo. The meeting was very successful and well attended, with Shawn Herbert, Harbor Master and Chief of Marine Safety for Maine, as keynote speaker. Shawn has been instrumental in protecting lakes in his jurisdiction through the implementation and governance of safety policies, as well as mooring ordinances. He runs a group responsible for training and certification of Harbor Masters for Maine. The lake association also recognized the Reynolds family for certifying their lakefront home as part of the Maine Lake Smart program.

If you were not able to attend and would like additional information about the Sheepscot Lake Association, would like to renew your membership, or become a member, please visit their website: www.sheepscotlakeassociation.org. You can also reach them via email: sheepscotlakeassoc@gmail.com. You can also purchase Sheepscot Lake merchandise at the SLA online store: https://www.bonfire.com/store/sheepscot-lake-association/

Ken Smith inducted into Cal Ripken Coaches Hall of Fame

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Ken Smith, right, of Fairfield, accepting his induction into the Cal Ripken Coaches Hall of Fame (contributed photo)

On July 6, 2023 Ken Smith, of Fairfield, was inducted into the Cal Ripken Coaches Hall of Fame. The presentation took place in Fairfield prior to an 11U state tournament game. Cal Ripken League representatives, family, community members along with past and present coaches and players from Ken’s teams were present for the ceremony.

Ken grew up in Fairfield, and started playing Farm League baseball in 1965 at age 6. In those days teams wore ear flaps instead of helmets and used wooden bats. His father, Ken Sr., pitched and hit baseballs to Ken and his friends growing up and helped develop his skills and love of baseball. He went on to play Little League, Babe Ruth, high school and on American Legion teams, all in Fairfield. He continued to stay involved with baseball by umpiring little league and playing on adult softball teams. He also enjoys watching baseball and visiting both minor and major league parks.

In 1996 he started coaching at the Little League level and is still coaching today. He has been playing, coaching, umpiring and involved with baseball for 58 consecutive years. While coaching baseball Ken has helped transfer his knowledge and love of baseball to many young players and his four sons. He recognizes his players’ first hits by presenting them with a special dated baseball to commemorate the milestone. He also ends each season with a parents vs. kids game and presents players with individual and team stats that he carefully keeps track of each season, with the help of some very good scorekeepers.

In his early days of coaching he was one of the only coaches in the local league to have his players hitting off a tee and using tennis balls during practices. He also had his teams bunt during games which he still believes in, and does today.

He has coached over 350 games and umpired over 150 games in his career to date. His teams have won nine league championships and four district tournaments. One special team won the state championship in 2010. This team went on to represent Maine in the New England tournament, finishing in fourth place twice.

Ken has an extensive knowledge of baseball and a true dedication to the sport.

Golden Agers enjoy cruise of Moosehead Lake

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Photo courtesy of Sheldon Goodine

On Friday, July 21, 2023, 17 members of the China area “Golden Agers” traveled to Greenville for a cruise on Moosehead Lake. It was a most enjoyable day with good food, good camaraderie, good fun and educational. They were given some history about the lake and the early settlers of the area. It just left them wanting to learn more. The next adventure will be to Cabbage Island for a clambake later in August. More fun ahead, come join them!

Photo courtesy of Sheldon Goodine

Photo courtesy of Sheldon Goodine

Photo courtesy of Sheldon Goodine

New Dimensions FCU shares results from car show

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New Dimensions Federal Credit Union recently hosted its 9th Annual Cruisin’ for a Cure Car Show at the Waterville Lafleur Airport. Although the weather wasn’t in their favor, they still had over 70 dedicated car owners who didn’t let the rain stop them! The other exciting news is that they were, once again, selected to receive a Miracle Match from the CO-OP Financial Services organization for credit unions, which is a program that assists credit unions in their fundraising efforts for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals such as the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital. By combining the funds raised from the 2023 Cruisin’ for A Cure Car Show ($15,966.11) and the funds from the CO-OP Miracle Match ($5,000), the total donation to the Maine Children’s Cancer Program is $20,966.11!

New Dimensions FCU hosts the “Cruisin’ for a Cure Car Show” each year to raise money for the Maine Children’s Cancer Program (MCCP) – an affiliate of The Barbara Bush Child­ren’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center in Scarborough, Maine. This year, fundraising activities included a 50/50 raffle and a $500 Cash for Kids Super Raffle. Additionally, they raised even more money by grilling and selling various food and drink options. Other efforts to raise money were the proceeds from tee-shirt sales, and, of course, each car show participant paid a nominal registration fee of $15 per vehicle. They also suggested a $3 donation from the patrons who came to see the car show.

Alison Applegate joins Bar Harbor Bank & Trust

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Alison Applegate

Alison Applegate has joined Bar Harbor Bank & Trust as Assistant Vice President, Community Banking Relationship Manager. In this role, she helps entrepreneurs from Waterville to Rockland find the right financing and deposit solutions for their small businesses.

Alison has more than 15 years in lending and sales experience. Her career in banking began as a Commercial Banker at Machias Savings Bank, where she focused on preparing and submitting loan packages for underwriting and processing to establishing and maintaining customer relationships. For the last ten years, Alison has been at Bangor Savings Bank, where she took on tasks of increasing leadership responsibility, eventually working her way up to Consumer Relationship Manager.

Alison has completed course work from American Bankers Association on topics such as tax strategies and analyzing financial statements. She is registered with the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS#1066013) and is also a State of Maine Notary Public.

Alison has been an active volunteer in the community. She is the treasurer for Girl Scout Troop #1867 and, throughout the year, volunteers at multiple animal rescue organizations.

Alison and her three daughters reside in Thorndike.

Benefit spaghetti supper in Palermo

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photo by jeffreyw: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffreyww/

A fundraising event is being held by community organizations, on Saturday, August 5, at 5 p.m., for the family of Michael and Sheila McCarty to help with the final expenses incurred by the sudden passing of their daughter, Alia. It will be held at the American Legion, 33 Veterans Way, in Palermo. The cost will be $10 per plate, $5 for children under 10.

Following the dinner, there will be a pie auction and 50/50 drawing. Please feel free to donate a pie or other baked goods to help with the event. Contact Commander Paul Hunter, 207-993-5049; Auxiliary Mary Haskell, 207-485-6605; or Kathy Neenan at the Palermo Town Office, 207-640-8100, ext. 103.

Erskine wrestling phenom looking to the future

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Wynn Pooler, in white, in action as one of the representatives from Maine at the Maine-Nebraska Wrestling Exchange. (contributed photo)

Wynn Pooler finished his sophomore year at Erskine Academy, in South China, maintaining a 4.0 GPA, ranked second in his class. During the 2023 Maine wrestling season, he re­peated as KVAC, Southern Maine Re­gional, and State Champ­ion – at 113 pounds (up from 106 pounds as a freshman), becoming the first two-time state champion in Erskine Academy Wrestling history.

Nationally, Wynn was named a Scholar All-American by the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA). He was also named a First Team Academic All-American by the National High School Coaches Association (NHSCA), the only student-athlete from Maine to achieve first team honors, while two swimmers from Ells­worth achieved second team recognition. This was the second consecutive year Wynn was named an NHSCA Academic All-American.

Due to his academic and athletic successes, Wynn received an opportunity to continue his high school education at The Hill School, in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. This fall he will join fellow Maine wrestler Cole Albert, of Lincoln, at Hill, where he will have access to some of the finest resources, facilities, and coaches in the country; a notable difference from Maine high schools where wrestling is often overlooked or takes a back seat to other sports, even amongst athletic directors and the MPA.

From June 22 – July 3, Wynn, along with 18 other standout Maine wrestlers, represented Maine in the Maine-Nebraska Wrestling Exchange. They traveled to four different regions of Nebraska where they wrestled some of the best from that state. At each stop, they stayed with host families and experienced the local culture. On July 14 – 15 he had the opportunity to attend a camp in Veazie, where he had the chance to train with three Princeton University wrestlers, one of whom was three-time NCAA All-American, Quincy Monday. It was the third camp he’s attended since the school year ended as he prepares to make the transition to national prep wrestling.

Wynn aspires to graduate near the top of his class at Hill and become a High School All-American before moving on to wrestle in college.

An amazing story of survival

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The fawn in the back of the SUV being delivered to the Duck Pond Wildlife Rehab Center. (contributed photo)

by Jayne Winters

As I slowed down to turn into the driveway at the Duck Pond Wildlife Rehab Center, I couldn’t help but notice the SUV ahead of me did likewise. I could never have imagined the story the driver soon shared with me and Don about the three-week-old fawn she had in the dog kennel in the back of her vehicle.

While in the car with her husband, a doe had unexpectedly crossed the road in front of them and they couldn’t avoid hitting her. Naturally upset and concerned, her husband got out of the vehicle to make sure the doe wasn’t suffering. She had died upon impact, but he was shocked to find she had expelled her fawn, still in its placenta. He went back to the car for his wife and together they delivered the baby, rubbing it down with a blanket and massaging its mouth to get the airway functioning. Its first breaths were drawn while being held by its human “parents.” What a gift, especially under such sad circumstances.

(contributed photo)

Although they were initially advised by IF&W to let nature take its course, they simply couldn’t leave it, knowing it wouldn’t survive. They brought the fawn home and made calls to several rehabbers, none of whom had room for a newborn (I couldn’t help but think of the Christmas story, with “no room at the inn.”). However, having grown up and currently living on a farm, Savannah was familiar with raising young animals, so she took on the care and feeding of the little guy. Looking at his size and behavior in the kennel, it was obvious she had done a great job. He was alert, with bright eyes and a beautiful coat. She provided Don with details of what she had fed him, how often, his level of activity and habits. In addition, she left food so that his diet wouldn’t be changed while in rehab. An expectant mother herself, it was apparent that her nurturing extended beyond her own family.

While I’m sure it was bittersweet to leave the fawn at Duck Pond, Savannah was able to observe him quickly bond with two younger fawns in the stall. They literally looked up to him, he was that much taller! All three were eventually taken to another rehabber where they will stay together until their release back into the wild. A happy ending to what began as a sad story.

Many critters continue to be transferred to other rehabbers who are generously providing assistance to help keep critter care at Duck Pond manageable. They are greatly appreciated! Please check the following web sites to see if there is a rehabber near you: https://www.mainevetmed.org/wildlife-rehabilitation or https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fish-wildlife/wildlife/living-with-wildlife/orphaned-injured-wildlife/index.html

– Donald Cote operates Duck Pond Wildlife Care Center, on Rte. 3, in Vassalboro. It is a nonprofit state permitted rehab facility which is supported by his own resources and outside donations. Mailing address: 1787 North Belfast Ave., Vassalboro ME 04989 TEL: (207) 445-4326. Please note the previous e-mail address is no longer monitored.

No support in Albion for LS Power electric transmission developer

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Farmers with equipment and local residents showed up at the Besse Building, in Albion, to protest the installation of an electric transmission line through their town. (photo by Jonathan Strieff)

by Jonathan Strieff

On July 19, representatives from LS Power, an electric transmission developer from Missouri, hosted an open house in Albion to begin community outreach among landowners impacted by the proposed transmission line. The event was the fifth of six such meetings along the proposed route, starting in Mattawam­keag, and concluding in Windsor.

Prior to the event, nearly three dozen farmers from Albion, China, and Palermo and their supporters gathered outside for a “tractor drive-in” and press conference to vocalize opposition to the project.

The Aroostook Renewable Gateway is a new 345 kV transmission corridor approved by the state legislature to connect King Pine Wind near Webbertown Township to the existing power grid substation in Windsor.

The new transmission lines would deliver up to 1,200 MW of electricity from 170 new wind turbines in Aroostook County to the regional power grid. Sixty percent of the energy generated would be purchased by Central Maine Power and Versant, while the remaining 40 percent would go to Massachusetts.

Ahead of the open house series, LS Power sent more than 3,500 letters to landowners impacted by the proposed route with the goal of soliciting feedback.

(photo by Jonathan Strieff)

Representative Doug Mulvey explained on Wednesday each letter included a unique code corresponding to a map of the corridor. In addition to informational posters and promotional materials, LS Power representatives brought a bank of laptops to each open house event to allow landowners to identify to the company unseen constraints on individual parcels. While the application and permitting process is already underway, LS Power is seeking landowner input to modify the final route to be submitted to the Public Utilities Commission by the end of the year. Outside, local farmers parked their tractors along Main Street decorated with signs opposing the project. Chuck Noyes, owner of Noyes Family Farm in Albion, addressed the economic, environmental, and cultural concerns that the transmission line poses.

“This is one of very few areas still being intensively farmed. Our farms are the backbone of the regional economy and we don’t need to make it harder for us.” Noyes farms 370 acres that have been in his family for over 100 years. Troy Nelson, a beef producer, from Paler­mo, farms land over a distilled gas pipeline from Buckeye Petro­leum and worries about the risks posed by the power lines crossing the aging infrastructure. Matt Dow, from Sweetland Farm, in Al­bion, sought cla­ri­fication about how the development might impact his organic certification. Lincoln Sennett, owner of Swan’s Honey, spoke to the harms to his bees and other wildlife by electromagnetic fields created by the power lines. “Honey bees, migratory birds, and other animals depend on geological magnetism to be able to navigate,” Sennet said, and EMFs from high transmission main lines have been shown to disrupt this. “Bees and beekeepers don’t need one more stressor.”

The farmers are reaching out to town and state officials for any kind of help protecting their farmland and businesses from the impacts of the transmission line.

“We can’t fight with the money and lobbyists that LS Power has,” said Holly Noyes. “But we can show the will of the people, that the project does not have local support.”

If the PUC approves the final route proposal next year, LS Power anticipates completing right of way acquisitions by late 2025, beginning construction in early 2027, bringing the project in-service by mid-2028.