I have a few items for your perusal this month. You may recall that I’ve mentioned Ellis Pond is one of the Maine lakes that was selected to be part of a lake vulnerability research project. A team for that project visited the pond twice this summer. They will be sharing their results at some point but I’m thinking that won’t happen until spring at the earliest.

In the meantime, the project organizers are hoping to get help from Ellis Pond Sidekicks members and SLCOA members. They are asking that the survey at this link be taken by those members. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Lakestudy3 It is an anonymous survey and you are welcome to skip answering some of the questions, if you wish. So, if you are a member of Ellis Pond Sidekicks and/or SLCOA, please consider taking the time to complete the survey. If you’ve already done so, thank you.

As some of you know, Ellis Pond had its first documented cyanobacteria bloom in 2013. It took place in late September/Early October. As we fast approach that time of year, I’m trying to keep an eye on the pond by visiting it at least every other day. Even so, I don’t have time to check every square inch of the pond regularly, so if any of you seen anything that appears out-of-the-ordinary, please contact me either by email at ross88swain@gmail.com or by phone at 207-392-2572. Photos of what you’ve seen would be helpful.

The remainder of this letter covers what’s new at Ellis Pond Sidekicks. We are always looking for new members. It’s a public Facebook group, so all are welcome, except spammers. Our member list has grown to well over 400 (432 at this writing). We are close to raising the money needed to send at least one lucky 10 to 13 year old Maine resident with ties to the pond to the Bryant Pond 4-H camp in 2019.

We are also accepting nominations from members for potential candidates. More details at the group page … https://www.facebook.com/groups/280021862441984/

To aid in fundraising for our assorted projects, we are having a bottle drive that will run at least until the end of September. There is a trailer at 77 West Shore Rd at the pond for bottle donations as well as a bin at the intersection of Farmers Hill Rd and East Andover Rd in East Andover. Donations (not bottles) can also be made online at https://www.gofundme.com/DOMeter-Beyond. If you prefer to donate by check, you may mail a check made out to me to 416 East Andover Rd, East Andover, ME 04226.

Well, I see I’m nearing my self imposed limit of one page, so I’ll close now. Thanks again for your interest and as always, feel free to forward this email to friends, neighbors, family, and colleagues.

Lake Stewards of Maine monitor for Roxbury/Ellis Pond

PS: Late Breaking News – Yesterday, after I finished drafting this, I had someone stop by, who wishes to remain anonymous, who is donating $100 to the 2019 Ellis Pond Sidekicks Bryant Pond 4-H Scholarship. On top of that, they told me that if we can raise at least half of what is needed to send a second camper, they will kick in the second half!