Finally, after years of saving and fund-raising, the Palermo Community Center, on Turner Ridge Road, is getting a new roof! Now the Palermo Food Pantry will have a comfortable, dry place to provide nourishing food to area residents, and the Living Communities Foundation, which owns the building, will be able to carry on with its community programs, as soon as the COVID crisis allows.

“We are so grateful to our volunteers, donors, and supporters, who put in a lot of time, effort, and their own resources to help make this happen,” said Connie Bellet, president of the foundation. “Pauline York’s daughter, Diana Murphy, also recently donated a refrigerator-freezer as the growing food pantry needed the space. It’s been a productive month so far!”

The foundation is still looking for a donated chest freezer no more than eight feet in length. To donate a working freezer, please contact Bellet at 993-2294. The LCF is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit, so donations are tax-deductible and greatly appreciated.

by Pamela McKenney

Throughout the night they called from the lake. Their wild, haunting voices are unmistakable and considered by many to be the definitive sound of summer here in Maine. I gladly accept the sleep disturbance to hear them any time, but this night was particularly exciting as I anticipated participation in my first official Audubon Loon Count.

In the morning, all across Maine, bird enthusiasts would traverse to their designated sections of lakes, ponds, and rivers to count loons between 7 and 7:30 a.m. It is important to limit observers and observations to a particular time and space to ensure accuracy. For example, Sheepscot Pond, in Palermo, is divided into four sections. This year our counters included; Joe and Ursula Burke, Gary and Marge Miller, Lynda and Dave Pound, myself and husband Dale McKenney assisted by our 9-year-old grandson, Harper Winkley. The Loon Count on Sheepscot is one of several conservation efforts supported by the Sheepscot Lake Association of which Joe Burke, our loon count coordinator, is a long time member and currently serves on the board. Joe distributed materials well in advance of the count and asked us to record our direction of travel and time of observations using the chart and maps provided by the Audubon society.

This year, on July 18, we woke Harper at 6:15 a.m. to dress and gather our equipment. We had our binoculars, camera, and papers ready to sight and document loons. The morning was cool and the water was shrouded in a light fog. At the mouth of the river, we traveled along the shore searching with binoculars. We had been watching them from a distance all summer, but would we spot one in our section this morning? Adding to the drama, the sun broke through the mist about half way through our circuit of the cove. But no loons.

At 7:20 a.m., we had crossed the main lake, and rounded the point into Turtle Cove when Dale pointed and asked, “What’s that?”

With binoculars, Harper confirmed that the dark silhouette across the cove was a loon. He marked the time and location just as I spotted another loon deep in the curve of the shoreline. As we continued to circle avoiding close contact with the pair and with just eight minutes to complete our section of the lake, Dale said, “I think there’s something with that adult. Maybe a chick?” He was right. The chick was at first riding on the adult loon’s back, then swimming beside it.

At 7:30 a.m., just as our part in the count finished, a bald eagle swooped out of a tall pine at the end of Howell’s Shore. Harper also saw a pileated woodpecker and kingfisher as we cruised up-river to our dock. The presence of these birds is something we often take for granted but on this day the iconic loon was counted. Sheepscot Lake counters reported sighting four adults and one chick. For more information about loons and the results of the statewide count, check out these sites. The Audubon website offers an interesting pamphlet, Living in Loon Territory, and each explains what the loon calls may actually communicate.

loons.org and MaineAudubon.org.

You need a break from the monotony. The Living Communities Foundation is bringing in big, drippingly-sweet peaches from northern New Jersey starting on July 31, with one or two more deliveries in August. The schedule isn’t set in stone yet, as details are still crystallizing. However, the first order has to be turned in and paid by July 24, so time is of the essence. The good news is that the price has not gone up! It’s still $37 for a 37 to 40-pound box or $23 for a half box. If you get together with friends and neighbors and order four or more boxes, you get a $2 discount per full box!

To order, email Connie Bellet at pwhitehawk@fairpoint.net and mention your daytime phone number for confirmation, and a call when the peaches arrive. Or you can call her at 993-2294 and leave a message with your name, phone, and preference of which Friday you can best pick up your peaches. Checks may be made out to LCF and sent to P.O. Box 151, Palermo, ME 04354. The peaches will arrive at the Palermo Community Center, on Veterans Way and Turner Ridge Rd., across from the ball field. You’ll see the electric sign. Our volunteers will place your boxes in your vehicle. To maintain social distance, please stay in your car. As the delivery dates are firmed up, you’ll get further emails. Thank you for your support!!!

Proceeds from this sale will go toward maintaining the Community Center, repairing the roof, and paying ongoing bills. The COVID pandemic has put a big dent in our normal fundraising, so your support is greatly appreciated!