RESERVE & TRUST NEWS IN BRIEF

From Watermark, the quarterly newsletter of Laudholm Trust and the Wells Reserve.

Volume 19, Number 1 == Spring 2002

New parking booth combines style, comfort

Curt Cain, with help from volunteers Bob Moon and Frank Heller, has made great improvements to the parking booth. Parking attendants will appreciate the screen door and sliding screen windows on those buggy days this summer.

Two new dataloggers

Water quality testing instruments have been installed at two new sites, one each in the Little River inlet and Webhannet River estuary along Mile Road. Water quality data from these loggers is expected to be comparable, allowing researchers to make more inferences about the differences between the two watersheds.

Families enjoy winter events

Despite the snowlessness, the Reserve’s first Winter Family Fun Day went well. On February 23, almost 40 people came to enjoy guided walks, nature games, and crafts. A winter mural made by participants was hung at the Kennebunk Public Library in March. The timing of the event, at the end of school vacation, proved popular. Many of those who came had never been to the Reserve before. Chances are they will be back!

Going Green for St. Patrick’s Day ("Green Fair" for short) drew nearly 50 people on March 16. They learned how to minimize their effect on the environment by conserving energy, using earth-friendly products, and reducing the waste stream. The featured speaker, Bill Lord, pitched solar power to a packed hall---and certainly won some converts.

Foundations grant to Trust

These foundation grants have been recently received by Laudholm Trust: $6,000 from the Norcross Wildlife Foundation, Inc., for a fume hood and storage shelving in the teaching laboratory; $500 from the John Sage Foundation for the Discovery Program; and $500 from Pratt & Whitney (United Technologies) for education programs. The Trust is grateful to these supporters.

Cherie’s to donate June 12 proceeds to Trust

On Wednesday evening, June 12, Cherie’s Bistro & Wine Bar at 7 High Street in Kennebunk will donate 10% of its restaurant gross proceeds to Laudholm Trust. It’s part of their spring program to benefit local charities. Call 985-1248 to make reservations—support Laudholm Trust while enjoying a fine dinner.

Beaches conference set for July

The third State-of-Maine’s Beaches conference will be held Monday, July 15, at Thornton Academy in Saco. More details in the next Watermark.