Volunteers recognized for enduring achievements
Scott Richardson ~ 2008-08-20
Laudholm Trust and Wells Reserve held our annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner last night. It was a wonderful evening with a convivial atmosphere, lovely weather, and delicious fare. As the guests relaxed at the end of their meal, Nancy Viehmann praised all volunteers, then she and other members of the staff presented our customary awards. A big “Thank You” and congratulations to those honored in 2008…
- Frank and Carol Heller, Laudholm Award
- Eileen Willard, Lily Rice Kendall Volunteer Spirit Award
- Tim Spahr, Conservation Award
- Judith Hansen, publisher of Tourist News, Laudholm Good Neighbor Award
- Kate Reynolds, Contributions to Research Award
- Stu Flavin, Volunteer Extraordinaire
- Dana Foster, Volunteer Extraordinaire
- Carol Horne, Volunteer Extraordinaire
- Vivian Howe, Volunteer Extraordinaire
- Joanna Olson, Volunteer Extraordinaire
- Bob Rutledge, Volunteer Extraordinaire
- Amanda Spenlinhauer, Volunteer Extraordinaire
- Tony Viehmann, Volunteer Extraordinaire
- Southern Maine Beach Profilers, Special Recognition
September Festivals
Scott Richardson ~ 2008-08-08
In September, Laudholm Trust and Wells Reserve will host two popular events that draw thousands of visitors into our communities.
First up is the twenty-first Laudholm Nature Crafts Festival. One hundred artisans have been selected by jury to display their high-quality goods in the inimitable setting of historic Laudholm Farm on September 6 and 7. More than a few browsers begin their holiday shopping here, and some manage to do it all!
Three weekends later Punkinfiddle, A National Estuaries Day Celebration, alters the atmosphere with kid’s games, lively performances, a watershed tour, working artisans, and much more. This early autumn event measures its bountiful harvest in smiles per acre.
These fund raising and friend raising festivals rely on a tremendous effort from scores of dedicated volunteers, along with dozens of monetary and in-kind contributions from businesses across southern Maine. Among our key partners are these 2008 Season Sponsors: Corning Life Sciences, Pratt & Whitney, Bay State Gas & Northern Utilities, and Sevigney-Lyons Insurance Agency. Both Laudholm Trust and Wells Reserve deeply appreciate their support.
One fish, two fish… is that really a bluefish?
Hannah Wilhelm ~ 2008-08-04
Michele Dionne, Director of Research at the Reserve, has an ongoing collaboration with Dr. Celia Chen at Dartmouth College to study how mercury moves through the salt marsh system. When some of her lab crew headed out to catch Atlantic silversides to be tested for mercury content, we got some of these small fish instead, which we originally thought must be herring.
After checking a few reference books, everyone agreed they were actually juvenile bluefish, an unexpected catch since bluefish are generally found in more southern waters when they are young. This find was especially exciting since measuring and identification of several of the fish happened under the watchful eye of some visiting students looking through the window from the exhibit area into the lab.
Thanks to KSB Community Investment Ballot voters
Scott Richardson ~ 2008-08-01
Laudholm Trust interim president Diana Joyner accepted a check Wednesday from Sheila Kelley, manager of Kennebunk Savings Bank’s Wells Branch. The $1430 contribution resulted from customer votes on the bank’s Community Investment Ballot last spring. If you voted for Laudholm Trust, thank you for choosing us! We know that the other local nonprofits on the bank’s ballot also merit support.
Will the next Reserve hold a freshwater estuary?
Scott Richardson ~ 2008-07-07
Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle has nominated the St. Louis River in the northwest part of his state to become the 28th National Estuarine Research Reserve. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will determine whether to add the site to the Reserve system.
The Governor’s press release is here. The NERR System announcement is here.
According to the latter reference…
If NOAA approves the designation, the 15,000-acre St. Louis River site will become the second reserve in the Great Lakes. Ohio’s Old Woman Creek, on Lake Erie, was designated in 1980. The St. Louis River flowing between the cities of Superior, Wisconsin, and Duluth, Minnesota, is one of the largest freshwater estuaries on Lake Superior.
In simple terms, estuaries are “where rivers meet the sea.” In Wells, that sea is the Gulf of Maine, but the Wisconsin sea would be a large freshwater lake. We are used to thinking of estuaries as the places where fresh water and salt water mix. The idea of a “freshwater estuary” is not new, but it is controversial.
To learn about seiches and wind tides and how they contribute to the definition of a freshwater estuary, we recommend this University of Wisconsin Extension page. Follow the link for Freshwater Estuaries Defined.
Does the term freshwater estuary catch you by surprise?
Open all weekend - Happy Independence Day
Scott Richardson ~ 2008-07-03
Wells Reserve trails will be open as usual from 7 am to sunset, and the Visitor Center will even be open on the Fourth. Come enjoy the site!
Now that summer is in full swing, it’s time to plan ahead for a couple of our key events. Here are two fliers you can post on your refrigerator or on the bulletin boards of your favorite stops.