Summary of the 2023 TLEA Annual Meeting

TLEA held its 2023 Annual Meeting on Saturday, August 5 at the Community Center in Oxford, ME. Approximately 75 people were in attendance for an informative and productive meeting. Our keynote speaker was limnologist Scott Williams, who spoke on the effect of climate change on Maine lakes. Scott described the challenges ahead for us to maintain the water quality of lakes in Maine with warming of waters and decrease in ice coverage.

Outgoing President Kathy Cain presided over the business portion of the meeting. We had reports from our YCC program, LakeSmart, Courtesy Boat Inspection, Education, Media, Water Quality testing, and a review of our recent watershed survey and the plans to develop a Watershed Protection Program later this year. Jade Doyle gave a financial report for the Association.

A slate of nominees for board membership was presented, and Danny Crowley and Bruce Tucker were elected as new directors. Paul Cain, Ron Armontrout, Paul Rausch, Jim Skinner, Peggy Dorf and Stan Tetenman were renewed as directors. Ron was elected President and Hobart Hardej was elected Vice President.

The Board presented Kathy with a selection of plants to commemorate her 15 years of service as a President. Board member Candace Nelson gave a talk describing the incredible amount of work Kathy has done over the past 15 years for the lake and its community. We will miss her gracious personality, hospitality, and the leadership she and recent Co-President, Marcia Matuska have given us over the years. Fortunately, Kathy will remain on the Board and will continue her efforts.

This was a great chance for the lake community to gather, re-acquaint, be informed and enjoy some tasty home made treats and coffee. Please join us for our next Annual Meeting, which will be held at the same place, on the first Saturday of August 2024.

Above:  Hobart Hardej and Ron Armontrout

Ron Armontrout

voted President of TLEA

and

Hobart Hardej

voted  Vice-President

at 2023 Annual Meeting

Kathy Cain Retires from TLEA Presidency

All of us at TLEA are indebted to Kathy Cain for her many wonderful years of leadership and for the long list of accomplishments that TLEA achieved with Kathy’s leadership as co-president and as President.   Thank you so much, Kathy, and many thanks for remaining on the Board – TLEA celebrates your many successes.

Very Best Wishes,

TLEA Board of Directors and Members

Thank You to

Marcia Matuska

Your leadership as Co-President of TLEA has resulted in a long list of achievements to preserve this special Lake for many many years.   Your personal contributions are deeply appreciated by us all.

We wish you best wishes for the future.

TLEA Board of Directors

With Much Appreciation and With Very Best Wishes to

Retiring TLEA Secretary

Susan O’Byrne

Youth Conservation Corp Has Successful 2023 Season

Local Students Receive Summer Employment and Environmental Education

TLEA’s YCC Program tackled a long list of  projects for Summer 2023..  YCC Project Coordinator Chris Stoehner and TLEA YCC Board Member Jim Skinner worked closely with Thompson Lake homeowners to inspect erosion issues, develop work plans, obtain any necessary permits, provide cost estimates and complete the remediation work.

If your property needs attention, please contact Jim Skinner at YCC@ThompsonLake.org.

For info,  email:  YCC@thompsonlake.org

Learn More About the Youth Conservation Corps

Learn more about creating (and maintaining) Youth Conservation Corp crews who focus on erosion-control efforts and other activities that improve lake and water quality. Whitney Baker from 30 Mile River watershed association wills hare an overview of the YCC program, and her perspective from a staffed regional watershed organization. Jim Skinner from Thompson Lake Environmental Association will share his perspective from a lake association that relies on volunteers to run and manage the program. Both speakers will share “lessons learned”, ideas for success, and some of the challenges they’ve faced organizing YCC crews for their lake and their region.
More information can be found at the Maine Lakes Conference website.