e-Newsletter Vol. 50
In This Issue
The Swim Celebrates 10 Years!
Save the Date: Volunteer Appreciation Potlucks

Upcoming Events

Loon Cruises on
Squam Lake
Mondays & Fridays thru August 29; 3 pm

August 4; 7:30 pm

10th Anniversary Swim
August 11

August 11; 7:30 pm

Dinner at The New Woodshed
August 14
(call for reservations starting on 7/31)

Carl Johnson Memorial Golf Tournament
August 15; 8 am shotgun start

Getting Bigger & Bigger!




Photos by Kittie Wilson
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P.O. Box 604
Lee's Mill Road
Moultonborough, NH 03254

 
Are you one of those folks who thinks summer is over after the July 4th Holiday hits?!  Well, our busy season continues with more great events in the first half of August.  On August 11, Wendy Van de Poll and her team of swimmers will swim seven miles across Squam Lake to raise money for the loons on the lake.  The Swim is celebrating it's 10th anniversary this year--quite an accomplishment!  See below to read more about this amazing effort.  On August 14, dine out at The New Woodshed restaurant and support LPC!  Reservations are strongly recommended and can be made starting on July 31.  What a great reason to check out the latest "hot spot" in Moultonborough!  The following day, August 15, is the Carl Johnson Memorial Golf Tournament at the Ridgewood Country Club.  Teams of four will tee off starting at 8 am.  Click here  to download a registration form.  

Thanks to everyone who participated in our annual loon census on July 16!  Don't forget to submit your observations by July 31 so they are included in the final tally.  I'm working on compiling the results now, so stay tuned for the final count in mid-August.

The first loon chick counted on Streeter Pond in LPC's history during the annual loon census!  Photo courtesy of Leslie Bergum.

Following the census, we had another successful Loon Festival--more than 300 visitors came to The Loon Center that day to enjoy the festivities, and last Sunday, close to 140 supporters & friends enjoyed a delicious buffet lunch and fascinating talk by naturalist Mary Holland at our summer luncheon and auction in Meredith! 

North Country field biologist Heather Meader asks festival-goers a question about loons. 
The correct answer gave her one chance to dunk Seacoast field biologist Ellie Daniels (looks like she's going in to me!). 
 
I hope you continue to enjoy the loons on your lake!

Until next time,   
 
Swim2016The Swim Celebrates its 10th Year!   

On August 11th, a team of eight swimmers will swim the seven-mile length of Squam Lake, from the Squam Channel in Holderness to the Sandwich Town Beach, to raise funds for loon preservation. The 2016 Swim team led by Wendy Van de Poll, includes Rose de Mars, Jennifer Marts, Lisa Davy, John Eisner, Carol Zink, Richard Chau, and Rick Van de Poll. Rockywold-Deephaven Camps is generously donating its boat to accompany the Swimmers across the lake, and spotters Van Adriance, Jeff Marts, and Ralph Kirshner (captaining the boat) will keep a close eye on the Swimmers to ensure a safe trip across the lake.
The triumphant end to the 2015 Swim.

To celebrate The Swim's 10th anniversary, LPC will also be offering a special loon cruise on Squam Lake the morning of The Swim. The cruise boat will leave from Walter's Basin at 10:45 am for a guided tour with the Loon Preservation Committee's Squam Lake Biologist Tiffany Grade and then stop at the Sandwich Town Beach in time to welcome the Swimmers at the end of their swim and join them for a picnic lunch.  The cost of the 10th Anniversary Cruise is $25 per person.  Space is limited so call the Loon Preservation Committee at 603-476-5666 to reserve your spot.

The 10th Annual Swim is a fundraiser to benefit the Loon Preservation Committee (LPC)'s Squam Lake Loon Initiative, an ongoing effort to increase monitoring, research, management and outreach to change the fortunes of Squam's loons. Squam Lake saw a dramatic decline in its number of loon pairs between 2005-2007; and, since that time, Squam's loons have continued to experience low breeding success.
 
Since 2005, "The Swim" has become a much anticipated yearly event in the Lakes Region and has raised over $150,000 to support LPC's work to benefit Squam Lake loons and to recover a healthy population of loons on the lake. This year, funds raised through The Swim will allow LPC to extend its field season on the lake; test eggs from failed nests for contaminants; continue banding and monitoring the health of Squam's loons; expand its research into the causes of declines; educate lake users to encourage a culture of respect and appreciation for loons; and continue its intensive management to help loons cope with their growing challenges.

The Swimmers have been training throughout the summer for this event, and the public is invited to the Sandwich Town Beach at 12 pm on Thursday, August 11th, to celebrate with them as they complete their journey.  The Loon Preservation Committee thanks local businesses including Squam Marketplace, EM Heaths Supermarket, and the Corner House Inn for donating food for the celebration.  We would also like to extend special thanks to the 2016 Swim Sponsors:

Breakaway Athletic Coaching 

MM Ballroom 

Grace Wellness Center 

For more information on the Squam Lake Loon Initiative or to make a donation, please visit www.loon.org or call the Loon Preservation Committee at 603-476-5666.
Save the Date:
Volunteer Appreciation Potlucks 
 
We hope you can join us at one of the following celebrations:

Tuesday, August 23 at 6 pm: The Harris Center, Hancock

Wednesday, August 24 at 6 pm: Canaan Meeting House, near 450 Canaan Street, Canaan

Thursday, August 25 at 5:30 pm: The Loon Center, 183 Lee's Mill Road, Moultonborough*

Please bring a dish to share.  We will provide beverages, plates and utensils.  RSVP to Susie at volunteers@loon.org or call 603-477-2884 and let us know what you are bringing. 

Friends & family are welcome.
 
After the potluck, Harry Vogel will present trends in New Hampshire's loon population and a wrap-up of the 2016 season.
 
*On August 25, Nature Photographer John Rockwood will also present a slide show featuring the loons on Lake Massabesic.

Photo by John Rockwood 
 
The Loon Preservation Committee is dedicated to restoring and maintaining a healthy population of loons throughout New Hampshire; monitoring the health and productivity of loon populations as sentinels of environmental quality; and promoting a greater understanding of loons and the natural world.
 
Sincerely,
 
Susie Burbidge
Outreach/Volunteer Coordinator
Loon Preservation Committee