LoonEchoNEWS - Loon Echo Land Trust

LoonEchonews
jon evans
winter / spring 2014
Turkey Tail fungus can be found throughout the forest at Perley Mills Community Forest
Perley Mills Community
Forest Purchased
On December 18, 2013, the 1,600 acre Perley Mills Community Forest was purchased
from K&W Timberlands marking a major milestone in the project’s progress. “Loon Echo
Land Trust met the purchase agreement deadline thanks to the 150 local families and
businesses, three municipalities, and 11 private foundations who donated a total of $1.42
million. What an amazing accomplishment and in such a short time,” remarked Executive
Director Carrie Walia.
In the last few months of the project, an anonymous foundation offered to match
dollar-for-dollar all gifts to complete the project. The foundation’s challenge grant was
a great incentive for donors to contribute by year-end to meet the ambitious goal. In
December, the Open Space Institute, Inc. increased an earlier approved community forest
grant award as a result of the matching gift campaign.
The Denmark Conservation Commission and Upper Saco Valley Land Trust (who also
services the town of Denmark) assisted in the campaign by appealing to the townspeople
and land trust members. The Commission worked closely with the Denmark Charitable
Foundation who accepted gifts from town residents before transferring them to Loon Echo.
This vast forest located in Bridgton, Denmark and Sebago is now conserved and
owned by Loon Echo; however, there are a few more steps to be taken to complete the
project. Loon Echo will craft the terms of the conservation easements with the towns
of Denmark and Sebago, with a goal of transferring the property to the municipalities
in the summertime. Denmark will ask its voters in June to accept both the Denmark
and Bridgton properties which make up over 90% of the project. This will allow for a
comprehensive approach to the natural resource and trail system management.
continued on page 5
loon echo
land trust
inside
Loon Echo
News
2
Project Updates
Event Calendar Did you
Raymond Community
Forest 3
know that we offer at least one
walk or hike every month? 4
Representatives of K&W Timberlands
and Loon Echo Land Trust following
the closing for the 1,600 Perley Mills
Community Forest project. From top left:
Nathan Wadsworth, John Khiel, Jack
Wadsworth, Carrie Walia and Karen
Eller.
Loon Echo Land Trust
is grateful to each
and every donor who
gave to the Perley Mills
Community Forest Project.
It takes a strong community effort
to save a large forest for future
generations, and we did it, together!
A donor acknowledgement booklet
will be created in the coming months.
If you prefer to remain anonymous
in this publication and haven’t told
Loon Echo about your preference,
please take a moment to contact us
(see page 2 for contact information).
A Walk Back in Time
Perley Mills History
8
loon echo
news
farewells and hellos
The Board and staff of Loon Echo would like to express
a heartfelt thank you to former directors Brian Dillon and
David Hursty. Brian served on the Board of Directors since
2007 and for the past two years, he held the post of Vice
President. A resident of Medfield, MA, he has a summer
home on Moose Pond in Bridgton and continues to visit
Maine as often as possible.
David has also served on the Board of Directors since
2007 and held the post of President for two years and Vice
President for two years. A resident of Bridgton, David now
serves as the Head of School at Harborlight-Stoneridge
Montessori School In Massachusetts.
Beth Phelps, Loon Echo’s Membership and
Communication Coordinator, accepted a position
as Stewardship Manager with the Mt. Washington
Observatory in July. Beth will be spending her time
working on advancing membership there. During her
two years with Loon Echo, Beth made a big impact by
enthusiastically sharing her love for the outdoors and this
organization.
We are pleased to welcome Carol Meader to our staff.
For the past three years, Carol has been contracted as
Event Manager and planned our annual Snowfest, Hacker’s
Hill Climb and our biggest fundraiser, the Loon Echo
Trek. She will continue to manage our events but will also
fill the capacity of Public Relations Manager. She will work
to increase membership and improve education through
better communication. She comes to us with a background
in marketing and advertising as well as freelance writing
and fundraising for nonprofits. A long-time supporter
of Loon Echo, she is excited to be working more closely
with the organization to protect the land she treasures. An
avid cyclist, Carol participated in the Trek for the first ten
years before managing it. In addition to cycling, she enjoys
hiking, skiing and kayaking. She lives in Raymond with her
husband and three teenagers.
We welcome Ed Friedman back to the Board after a
short break during which he hiked the Appalachian Trail,
an experience he said was unforgettable. Ed has plenty
of stories to share about the months he spent hiking
the 2,180-mile trail, and commented on how clean and
beautiful Maine is and contrast to other sections of the trail.
The Loon Echo Board of Directors at the 2013 Strategic Planning
Retreat: Norm Nicholson, Allen Erler, Connie Cross, Mike
McSally, Karen Eller, Eric Dibner, Bob Gowdy, Jerry Holt and Ed
Friedman. (Missing from photo: Carol Sudduth and John Thomas)
in loving memory
We were saddened by the loss of long-time supporter Jim
Tabor who passed away on September 16, 2013. Among
many contributions to environmental causes, Jim was
active in the Naples Conservation Commission, Lakes
Environmental Association and of course, Loon Echo Land
Trust, and he was instrumental in the purchase of the Bald
Pate Mountain Preserve. In 1988, Jim and his wife Rachel
conserved their 45 acre Berryfield Farm in Naples with
Loon Echo. We know he would be pleased that we received
many donations in his memory.
Although Jean Mostrom lived in the Washington D.C.
area, she spent many summers on Moose Pond and enjoyed
numerous treks up Pleasant Mountain. She requested that
friends and family make memorial contributions in her name
to Loon Echo’s Pleasant Mountain Preservation Fund. Jean
passed away on October 19, 2013 at the age of 95.
We also send our thoughts to the families of Diane
Carter and Joan Alcala, Loon Echo members who passed
away in 2013 and benefited Loon Echo through their
memorial gifts.
staff
Executive Director
Carrie Walia, carrie@lelt.org
Stewardship Manager
Jon Evans, jon@lelt.org
Public Relations and Event
Manager, Carol Meader,
membership@lelt.org
specialists (non-staff)
Cartographer, Pam Edwards
mapping@lelt.org
Loon Echo staff members Carol Meader, Carrie Walia and
Jon Evans
2 • loon echo winter /spring 2014 news
board of directors
Karen Eller, President
Bob Gowdy, Treasurer
Mike McSally, Secretary
Connie Cross
Eric Dibner
Ed Friedman
Allen Erler
Jerry Holt
Norm Nicholson
Carol Sudduth
John Thomas
8 Depot St., Ste 4
Bridgton, Maine 04009
207-647-4352
info@lelt.org
www. lelt.org
project updates
raymond community forest
This spring, Loon Echo and the Raymond Conservation
Commission will be submitting a grant to the Land for
Maine’s Future Program (LMF) for support to purchase
the 350 acre forest from Hancock Land Company. The
forestland, currently under option agreement between
Loon Echo and Hancock, is located on Conesca Road in
North Raymond, situated just west of Crescent Lake and
up to the summit of Pismire Mountain.
LMF is the largest source of conservation funding in the
state and just recently Governor LePage has allowed for
the release of already approved LMF bonds to competing
land protection projects across the state. Raymond voters
will consider a request to financially support the project at
2014 town meeting. If successful, the project will protect
working forestland, scenic views to and from the mountain,
wildlife habitat and water quality protection to the Crescent
Lake watershed.
To make a donation to this project, please contact Carrie
Walia (see page 2 for contact information). To learn more
about the project’s background, download the Loon Echo
News fall-winter 2013 edition from our website at www.
LELT.org.
hacker’s hill
Last August, the campaign celebration was held to
honor those who have helped protect Hacker’s Hill.
Don Fowler was recognized for his volunteer service and
Conrad and Jeff Hall for carrying on the tradition set
by the late Hacker Hall to maintain the Hill for public
enjoyment. Representatives from the Town of Casco and
the Casco Fire Association spoke about their reasons for
supporting the project. Loon Echo announced a matching
gift campaign offered by Pru and Louis Ryan to fulfill
the endowment for maintenance of the picnic facilities,
restroom and fields. We are pleased to announce that as
of December 31st the matching campaign was a success
and the $50,000 endowment goal has been surpassed. In
lake region greenprint
Since the Lake Region Greenprint was developed
in 2011, three municipal conservation committees/
commissions and Loon Echo have partnered on important
land protection projects. Loon Echo is now well on its
way towards meeting its goal of accelerating the pace and
quality of conserved lands to 8,000 acres by 2017 thanks to
such partnership efforts.
In addition, the Greenprint helped develop relationships
with organizations such as the Trust for Public Land and
comprehensive plan committees to better include park and
natural lands into town planning efforts.
Another result of the Greenprint was a web-based
mapping tool for Loon Echo’s seven town service area
(Bridgton, Casco, Denmark, Harrison, Naples, Raymond
and Sebago) that has been kept up-to-date annually.
It features trail networks, animal and plant habitat of
importance, conserved and park lands, priorities for future
conservation efforts to retain the region’s natural and
rural character and much more. If you’d like to access
this password protected online mapping program, please
contact Loon Echo (see page 2 for contact information).
For more information on the Greenprint, please visit www.
LELT.org and click on the “Programs” tab. Also, see page
4 for information on the Greenprint Gathering event.
The Loon Echo conserved lands map (PDF form) has been
updated to show 6,528 acres under protection or contract. It is
posted at www.LELT.org - click on the “Places We Protect” tab to
download a copy.
max evans
www. lelt.org
addition to the income from the invested endowment,
the donation tube next to the kiosk and the Hacker’s Hill
Climb fundraiser (see page 5) will provide support for
property management and public programming. For more
news on Hacker’s Hill, please see the “Notes from the
Trail” section on page 6 of this newsletter.
loon echo winter /spring 2014 news • 3
januaryjune 2014
event
calendar
All outdoor events are subject to weather conditions and/or date changes.
Please call (207) 647-4352 or check our website at www.lelt.org for updates
and additional activities. Always wear appropriate clothing and footwear for the
weather conditions and varied terrain. For winter programming, there are a
small number of snowshoes available upon request. Bring a map, water and
snacks with you.
Family Fun Day at Five
Fields Farm
Sunrise Hike at Bald
Pate Mountain
jon evans
During the Fall Foliage Hike at Bald Pate in October, this striped
or “moose” maple leaf appears to be suspended in air while
caught in a spider’s web
an informational meeting at
6:30 p.m. at the Crooked
River Adult and Community
Education Center in Casco
featuring a presentation by
Paul Hunt, Environmental
Manager of the Portland
Water District. PWD’s goal is
to support landowners, land
trusts and towns that want to
conserve land to protect the
water quality of the Sebago
Lake watershed. PWD’s
Board of Trustees recently
expanded their grant program
to provide financial support
of up to 25% of a project.
Following the presentation
there will be discussion
and sharing of information
about regional conservation
accomplishments and trends.
FMI contact Carrie Walia at
carrie@lelt.org or (207) 6474352.
January 25
Join Loon Echo at Five Fields
Farm in South Bridgton for
a morning of fun activities
celebrating the Mushers Bowl
weekend. From 10 a.m. until
2 p.m., Loon Echo will host a
campfire with hot cocoa and
goodies, snowman building,
sliding and snowshoeing
on the farm. Cheer on the
sled dog teams as they race
through the scenic hills of
South Bridgton. There is a $5
fee (admission to the Mushers
Bowl).
Sunset/Moonrise
Sweetheart Hike at
Bald Pate Mountain
February 14
Join us for this sweetheart of
a hike! Hikers will meet at
4 p.m. to watch the winter
sun set at 5:10 p.m. and the
full moon rise at 5:15 p.m.
from the summit of Bald
Pate Mountain in South
Bridgton. Proper winter
clothing, boots, snowshoes/
traction devices and headlamp
required. Snacks and fluids
recommended. Approximately
2 hours. Moderate
Super Sauna Saturday
February 15
Loon Echo will partner with
Nurture Through Nature for
this unique opportunity to
relax, regroup and recharge
from 4-9 p.m. The eco-retreat
center is located on Pleasant
Mountain at 77 Warren Road
in Denmark. Hike a ¼ mile
in to the wood-fired Finnish
sauna steam bath nearby
a crystal clear, spring-fed
mountain stream. Cost is
$15 per person and partial
proceeds will be donated
to Loon Echo. Please bring
flashlights, water, swimsuit
and winter boots.
Greenprint Gathering
February 17
Members from the public and
participants who helped form
the Lake Region Greenprint
plan are encouraged to attend
4 • loon echo winter /spring 2014 news
March 20
Celebrate Spring’s first
sunrise! Join Loon Echo for
this popular hike up Bald Pate
Mountain to welcome spring’s
first sunrise. The hike starts
at 6 a.m. Catch the sunrise
at 6:47 a.m. In the past,
hikers have been treated to a
glorious sight as the sun peeks
over Rattlesnake Mountain in
Raymond and casts the day’s
first shadows. Snowshoes/
traction devices, headlamp,
proper winter hiking clothes
and boots required. There will
be a tailgate party with hot
cocoa and donuts back at the
parking lot. Approximately 2
hours. Moderate
Earth Day Hike at Bald
Pate Mountain
April 22
Come along on Loon Echo’s
annual Earth Day hike at 3
p.m. to the summit of Bald
Pate Mountain in South
Bridgton. This traditional hike
is a popular start to the hiking
season. After the hike, join
Loon Echo at Bray’s Brew
Pub in Naples for a mug of
Bald Pate Celebration Ale!
Mike and Sonja generously
donate a portion of the
proceeds to Loon Echo for
its stewardship efforts at Bald
Pate. Approximately 2 hours.
Moderate
Pleasant Mountain
Work Day
April 19
Time to “get dirty and give
back” at Pleasant Mountain’s
Ledges Trail! Join Loon
Echo volunteer trail adopters
and the Maine Chapter of
Appalachian Mountain Club
as we clean up this popular
trail after the long winter.
Drainage ditches will be
cleared of debris, brush will
be cut and trees removed
from the trail. If conditions
allow, stone steps will be
installed. Some tools will be
provided. This event requires
work boots, gloves and
plenty of water and snacks.
Meet at the Ledges trailhead
on Mountain Rd. at 8:15
a.m. Approximately 5 hours.
Strenuous
Hacker’s Hill Work
Day
May 3
Join Loon Echo for a day of
cleanup at the spectacular
Hacker’s Hill Preserve. The
majestic pines at the summit
leave lots of needles and cones
for volunteers to rake up each
spring. The flower beds will
be prepared for planting.
With your help, Hacker’s Hill
will be ready to greet friends
from all over the world again
in 2014. Volunteers should
bring rakes, gloves, bug
www. lelt.org
are maintained by volunteer
trail adopters. Each year,
volunteers visit their trails in
the spring, summer and fall to
maintain drainage ditches, clip
brush and remove debris. This
event begins at 9 a.m. and
will benefit new adopters and
also act as a refresher course
for existing adopters. If you
would like to be an adopter
or attend this training, please
RSVP to Jon Evans at jon@
lelt.org. Bring work gloves,
boots, bug spray and water.
Some tools will be provided.
Approximately 90 minutes.
jon evans
Summer Solstice
Celebration at Bald
Pate Mountain
Tree with moose scrapings
spray, snacks and water. Meet
at the picnic area at 8 a.m.
Approximately 3 hours. Easy
Trail Adopter Training
May 17
The 22 miles of hiking trails
on Loon Echo preserves
June 21
Join Loon Echo for the
annual trek up Bald Pate
Mountain at 5 p.m. to
celebrate summer’s arrival and
honor one of Loon Echo’s
founders, Bob Chase. In the
past, poetry, music and food
were shared during this event
and your contributions are
welcome. Approximately 2
hours. Moderate
SAVE THE DATES
Hacker’s Hill Climb
August 9
Loon Echo will host the
3rd Hacker’s Hill Climb
on Saturday, August 9 at
8:30 a.m. This course will
have runners and walkers
striding 4 miles up Quaker
Ridge Road in Casco and
ending atop Hacker’s Hill
with stunning views of the
mountains and lakes. The
cost is $20 for adults and
$15 for youth. Registration
starts at 7:30 a.m. and
runners will take off at 8:30
a.m. All proceeds from
this event will go to the
stewardship of Hacker’s
Hill. Online registration
available at active.com. For
more information, visit
loonecholandtrust.org or
email trek@lelt.org.
Loon Echo Trek
September 20
The 14th annual Loon
Echo Trek will be held on
Saturday, September 20
at Shawnee Peak Ski Area
in Bridgton and will offer
premier cycling and hiking
treks complete with rest
stops along the way and a
celebratory barbeque at the
end. Cyclists can choose
one of their favorite 25,
50 or 100 mile courses
or give our new 75 mile
ride a try. Hikers will have
two hikes to choose from,
a 6.5 mile traverse over
Pleasant Mountain or a
shorter, 4 mile option.
Early Bird registration
begins on February 1. For
more information, visit
loonechotrek.org or contact
us at (207) 647-4352 or
trek@lelt.org.
continued from page 1
The conservation easements with the municipalities will
allow Perley Mills to be managed for sustainable forestry
while carefully conserving the wildlife habitat and water
quality of Pickerel Pond, Sucker Brook, Willett Brook and
Pond, and the high quality wetlands. The purpose of a
community forest is to ensure the woodland remains intact
and undeveloped, while offering beneficial income from
sustainable timber management to local and municipal
needs.
The traditional recreational uses will also be guaranteed
in the easements, retaining three miles of a major trail
network, the Narrow Gauge Trail, and other established
snowmobile trails linking to the Narrow Gauge from the
east and west. These multi-use trails are a major public
benefit and economic asset to the area. Hunting, trapping
and fishing will also continue.
Prior to the closing, K&W Timberlands installed new
decking on and water bars around the bridge crossing
on Sucker Brook, making for safe travel by motorized
recreational vehicles accessing this portion of the property.
The Lakes Environmental Association assisted by
developing a plan to improve the boat launch at Pickerel
Pond to lessen soil erosion. The Maine Natural Areas
Program identified culverts and other woods road repairs
that should be undertaken to support the migration of
trout and other native fish. These improvements will be
made soon after the easements are completed.
www. lelt.org
Jack Wadsworth (left) and John Khiel of K&W Timberlands
signing the deed to the Perley Mills Community Forest to Loon
Echo Land Trust on December 18, 2013.
loon echo winter /spring 2014 news • 5
Thank you to our Members
notes from the trail
jon evans
In 2013, Loon Echo’s 560 member households and
businesses showed their strong commitment to land
conservation by donating $97,800 to the Annual Fund,
Year End Appeal and Sustainability Society. It is through
member support that Loon Echo Land Trust is able to
steward 5,900 acres of land including seven preserves that
are open to the public featuring 25 miles of multi-use trails.
Thank you to all new and rejoining members for conserving
our unique natural heritage in the northern Sebago Lake
region of Maine.
Don Fowler has worked passionately along side Conrad
Hall many hours a week for nearly 20 years caring for
the beloved Hacker’s Hill in Casco. Take one trip up
the steep drive and you will see his efforts everywhere
you look. Recently, Don purchased a new riding mower
out-of-pocket to assist him in his labor of love, caring for
the beautiful fields. Declining reimbursement, the only
thing he asked of Loon Echo is to help with gasoline and
occasional parts.
Next time you see Don, or any Loon Echo volunteer,
remember to give them your feedback and your gratitude.
Loon Echo is grateful and a better organization because of
them.
In the summer of 2013, Loon Echo applied for and was
awarded $5,000 from the Maine Coast Heritage Trust
(MCHT) and L.L. Bean grant program to continue
technical trail improvements on the Ledges Trail at Pleasant
Mountain. These funds will provide Loon Echo with
a week of professional trail crew from the Appalachian
Mountain Club. The Ledges Trail remains a very popular
destination requiring a strong commitment to its upkeep.
Many thanks to MCHT and L.L. Bean!
Do you love Loon Echo Land Trust and want
to shout it to the world?
We now carry t-shirts, polos and fleece vests that display the
new logo. Whether you are out hiking one of our beautiful
preserves or out and about in town you can represent your
favorite regional conservation organization in style.
•T-shirts - $12.00
•Polos - $25.00
•Fleece Vests - $35.00
You can order apparel on-line at www.loonecholandtrust.org or
call the office at 207-647-4352.
6 • loon echo winter /spring 2014 news
jon evans
Reindeer lichen in winter
Long-time Loon Echo volunteer, Peg Nation, is passionate about
preserving the land and history behind it.
volunteer spotlight
peg nation
Peg Nation, resident of Waterford, Maine, has been a
volunteer for Loon Echo for as long as she can remember.
She has hosted the Waterford rest stop for the Loon Echo
Trek for years and is famous for her chocolate chip cookies,
a highlight the cyclists look forward to every year. She is
a member of our Stewardship Committee and is a Trail
Adopter and Alpine Steward on Pleasant Mountain where
she works diligently to protect rare plants found such as
the yellow lady slipper. She is a volunteer naturalist and a
seasonal employee at the Appalachian Mountain Club’s
Pinkham Notch giving hiking advice and educating visitors
on conservation, vernal pools, and the leave no trace policy.
She is also an Alpine Steward on Franconia Ridge.
Peg is passionate about Loon Echo’s mission and about
the environment as a whole stating, “If we don’t conserve
it, it’s gone forever.” She commented on how different
the land looks just in the past few decades with sprawl
increasing, and she recognizes that if we lose land, we also
lose a lot of our history.
When asked what her favorite Loon Echo preserve is,
she quickly answered Bald Pate Mountain. “There are so
many unique features and diversity on that mountain. As
you ascend, you go through several different transition
zones and find unique wildlife habitat. There are also great
views of the Whites,” she said.
Retired from nursing, Peg enjoys nature, photography,
paddling and ice skating. We are fortunate she is dedicated
to Loon Echo and shares her time and expertise with us.
www. lelt.org
SAVE THE DATEr !
Don’t miss out on Maine’s premie
bicycling and hiking event!
loon echo
trek 2014
september 20
shawnee peak, bridgton
maine
jon evans
Hike or Bike to benefit the Loon Echo Land Trust
• In 2013 over $42,000 was raised from sponsor-
ship, business support, registrations and pledges
• $37,000 in additional in-kind donations was raised
• 317 trekkers hiked or biked
• 37 businesses sponsored
• 62 community
members
volunteered
The Schneider Family has hiked in the Trek for years bringing
generations together to enjoy our trails
max evans
THANK
YOU!
Ken Smith left, who raised more than $4,475, begins his 50 mile
ride in the 2013 Trek
bob travis
Open space
Leave a Legacy of Conservation
Join the Bob Chase Legacy Society
Loon Echo has pledged to forever care for the land that you
help us conserve today. Together, we can save places that are
important to you and your family. When you include Loon Echo
in your estate planning, you’ll keep making a difference for
generations to come.
For more information about making a planned gift,
call us at (207) 647-4352 or info@lelt.org.
like us on Facebook
www. lelt.org
Open space
It is not a miracle, or there by magic
Land
Not just land, but air, plants
Community
Habitats for large animals
Property
Commodity to buy, sell
Opportunity
Pleasure outdoors, views
Treasure
Legacy for generations
Progress
Lots fragmentation
Earth
Connective tissue
—eric dibner, november, 2013
loon echo winter /spring 2014 news • 7
jon evans
8 Depot St., Ste 4
Bridgton, Maine 04009
Address service requested
This tributary flows from Pickerel Pond to Hancock Pond at Perley Mills Community Forest
A Walk Back in Time
What was to be a simple history talk and walk along
the old Narrow Gauge rail bed last August turned out
to be even more memorable than expected. While taking
in the sights and sounds of the forest and wetlands it
passes through, Doug Irish, a Sebago resident, shared an
intimate understanding of the “two footer” that puffed
its way through the area now known as the Perley Mills
Community Forest.
Doug is an engineer for the Narrow Gauge Museum
in Portland, dedicated to the preservation of Maine’s
two-foot gauge railways, including engines and cars from
the Bridgton and Saco River Railroad. The museum
is currently restoring Steam Locomotive #7, the last
locomotive to operate on the B&S (later known as the
Bridgton and Harrison Railroad).
Doug’s knowledge and enthusiasm captivated all those
who attended to learn more about the railroad and its
Perley’s Mills Station stop. Perley’s Mill was a sawmill
owned by Enoch Perley and Isaac Berry where they made
staves and shook for barrel and box making.
According to historian and author Caroline Grimm of
Bridgton, Enoch Perley was born in Boxford, MA on May
18, 1749. He came to the area in about 1776 after a time
in the Massachusetts Militia where he marched out with
the Minute Men to defend Lexington during the battle
of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775 (“The Shot
Heard Round the World”).
Perley, also known as “The Old Squire,” was a farmer,
carpenter, stone mason, smith, turner, tanner and currier,
hunter and fisherman as well as a visionary who was
instrumental in starting community churches and the
Bridgton Academy. He had a 400 acre farm and with
8 • loon echo winter /spring 2014 news
Enoch Perley
was also a poet
and wrote a poem
on birch bark in
1776 that still speaks
volumes today as Loon
Echo Land Trust conserves
part of his great legacy.
“All ye who love the
joys of peace,
Ye who would dwell
where tumults cease,
Come, seat yourselves
at my right hand;
For here I’ve found the
happy land.”
his sons Thomas and John and owned about 1500 acres
of land. His original farm is now Five Fields Farm apple
orchard on Route 107 in South Bridgton. The land he
owned would have included the land on which Perley Mills
Community Forest is now located.
Enoch Perley “foresaw, at an early day, the prospective
value of pine timber in that region, and purchased large
tracts for a comparatively trifling consideration, and while
others were stripping their lands of timber, wasting and
burning it, he carefully preserved his until, before his
death, it became for him a large fortune. At the time of his
decease he was by far the wealthiest man in all that region.”
Perley died in Bridgton on December 23, 1829. He is
buried in the small family cemetery at his old homestead in
South Bridgton.
Sources: Denmark Maine Past and Present compiled by
MacDonald, Anthony, and LaMountain in 1976 and Perley
Family History and Genealogy compiled by M.V.B. Perley,
Salem, MA 1906
www. lelt.org