Publications --The Loon '09

The Loon, 2011

Julia Flanders, editor

Sebec Lake: Leave It to Beavers

Everybody loves to hate the beaver; probably because they are second only to us humans in their ability to noticeably alter the landscape over a short time. Humans and beavers often clash over tree felling, as well as road and woodland flooding. But not all that beavers do is destructive.

Beavers are the engineers who create wetlands. They dam up a fast flowing stream in a shallow valley, which eventually creates a wetland that serves a vital function in nature. It creates a waterway through the forest for migrating birds, provides a watering hole for a multitude of different animals, and serves as a nursery for many species. Microorganisms grow whose sole purpose is to break down toxics (like pesticides) which helps to purify the water. Wetlands are useful in droughts and in floods. They hold water longer, raise the water table, and keep excess water from washing organically rich silt down into lakes and rivers. Wetlands curb erosion of topsoil, and act as the earth’s kidneys in cleaning water as it percolates into underground aquifers. They provide habitat for insects which are food for other animals. It’s a big web of life, thanks to the beaver.

The Maine Wildlife Service has a Beaver Management Program for mitigating damage to human engineered habitats. And there are some very simple precautions we waterside landowners can do to protect out trees from beaver chewing and felling. Shooting them or trapping them simply stimulates the species to reproduce faster.

PROTECTING TREES WITH A BEAVER-PROOF FENCE: Using 2”X4” welded wire mesh, cut a piece 4 feet tall by the diameter of your tree PLUS 12”. You want a 6” space between the fence and the tree trunk. Cut every other horizontal wire down one vertical side and bend into a hook. Wrap cage around tree trunk and attach hooks onto other vertical mesh side, bend closed. Anchor bottom of fence with stakes.

*******************************************

Road Etiquette

SHOW SOME RESPECT

Reduce speed

Exercise caution

Stay alert

People and pets walking

Emerging traffic has right of way

Children playing

Thank You

***********************************

Notes from Our Treasurer – Mac Blanchard

The dues received for 2010 were almost the same as 2009, approximately $11,000. Each year we average about 70 camp owners paying their dues. To put the roads in top notch condition we need more participation, and it would be very gratifying to receive dues from those who have not been paying dues. Those members who have land only could contribute $100.00, rather than the $150.00 for those with a camp on the property.Dave Inglehart is working closely with Scott Olsen to get some grading done to repair the road from the lumbering operation. If we all chip in to pay our dues we will be able to make some long term improvements to all the roads. I will have a financial statement covering 2009 and 2010 available for the annual meeting this coming July. It would be helpful to have your 2011 dues of $150.00 paid before the annual meeting. Please send a check made out to T.C.P.O.A and mail to:

Mac Blanchard, Treasurer, P.O. Box 275, Newcastle, ME 04553

***********************************

Waves Rule

I bet you thought just now this essay was going to be about surfing. It is, in a way. I’m referring to surfing our way in and out the dirt road, and the quirky, Maine way we greet each other as we pass.

Nearly everyone waves hello, each with their own particular style. It’s an old fashioned small town tradition which I have seen practiced in many places in Maine. You may not immediately recognize who is in that vehicle, especially through the cloud of dust, but might as well say hello with a wave, in the likely case it is someone you know.

Most people are hanging on to the steering wheel trying to keep it in the road, so many people use the “lazy boy scout salute”- the index and middle finger raised but still slightly bent with the ring finger just barely crooked up. Often times only the index finger makes it up. It is still a form of acknowledgement, though to me it seems somewhat reluctant. Mostly men use this form.

The high five wave has many different unique sub-styles beside the straight up, hold her steady in the windshield, using either the steering wheel hand or one’s other hand. There is the “high four” wave, still holding that thumb and palm on the steering wheel. Sometimes it makes it into a complete high five, with the wrist against the steering wheel.

There’s the “Salute wave”; a single rotation of the wrist away from the body. And of course, the “Clown” wave; big open palm high five enthusiastically rotating back and forth. This wave is commonly used for actual friendly recognition of the people in the other car.

There is “the pet” high five, which is with somewhat curled fingers, and a gentle rotation of the wrist away and slightly downward from the body, very much like the motion when petting a dog. It strikes me as a very kind hearted wave. Then there is the high five out the open window, either with bent elbow, or arm stretched straight out. It’s more of a “Contractor’s wave” by and for other workers on the road.

Ladies, young and less young, have a common style of waving, which is also common in children. They open and close the hand up and down in front of them. I call it the “bye-bye” wave. It is an affectionate kind of wave. One rarely sees a man wave in this way.

Sometimes when we approach people we know, we wave out the window, and drop the arm into the “slow down” signal so we can chat a minute. This I have mostly observed on our camp roads. I love to see it. Sometimes there is even a handshake between the two car drivers. That’s a lot friendlier than kissing bumpers!

OK, admit it. Sometimes we forget to wave. It’s not intentional. Coming down the road after a long drive up to the lake, or a long day out to town, the slow, meandering drive in allows one to decompress and zone out, or gaze into the woods to look for wildlife. Please forgive us.

So if you are new to Maine and to the Sebec Lake camp experience it is time to find your wave. What kind of wave will you be using this summer? Perhaps you will find your own unique signature wave. And remember, waves rule!

***********************************

The Loon Newsletter is written and produced by Julia Flanders. In April 2012 we will electronically send TCPOA members the Loon Newsletter so that you can read it on your computer, or print it out yourself. The Loon will also be posted on our association website (www.timscove.org) along with pictures and additional information about road conditions. Please help us update our mailing address, phone number, and email data base by sending the correct information to: Don Rush 395 North Rd, Sebec, ME 04481 or email it to him at rushva@aol.com. All email addresses will be held in private by the Board of Directors of TCPOA and used solely for emailing the Loon Newsletter to you once a year. Thank You!