We were pleased to announce that we have designed, and have available for sale, a variety of LAON shirts and Tote Bags!  Please consider buying shirts or bags for yourself, your family members and maybe even your frequent guests.  When we begin to wear these shirts and carry these bags around town, we will be sparking awareness of what LAON does for our entire community.

The attached document titled “LAON Shirt Samples” provides all color, style and fabric choices available, and you can place your order using the attached “LAON Shirt Order Form” or “LAON Tote Bag Order Form“

Prices include all required taxes. Shirts and tote bags must be purchased by check payable to LAON and sent to the address on the Order form. They will be available about 2 -3 weeks after ordering.

We will contact you as soon as your shirts or tote bags are ready for pick-up.  Please be sure to provide your phone number and email on the order form to facilitate communication.  If you have any questions, please contact Pat Daniels at [email protected]

The Second Annual Enid Dullea Length-of-the-Lake Swim took place on Sunday, August 20. Nine swimmers, each with a watchful kayaker, plus three larger following boats, made a spirited and friendly group. During the brief pre-swim gathering at Pennesseewassee Park, Linda McSherry, Enid Dullea’s daughter, shared a few photographs of her mother who regularly swan the length of the lake while training for the 1936 Olympics. Lee Dassler, Executive Director of the Western Foothills LandTrust, helped to coordinate the event and reminded participants to stay safe and hydrated.

The swim benefited the Lakes Association of Norway (LAON) whose mission is to keep the lake healthy. The swimmers were asked to consider donating $20; their generous donations were more than double expectations.

Two LAON members, Trish Carr and Hilary Ware, brought a sign highlighting LAON’s work for “birds, beasts and beings.” The sign was attached to a large pink inflatable flamingo to be towed during the swim. As is fitting for Norway, the float was always referred to as “the loon” by everyone present.

After being driven to the north end of Pennesseewassee Lake, the group swam 3.1 miles to the beach. They were cheered on by onlookers from approximately 20 docks.  Since the day was so warm, no one needed to use their wetsuit. Only one swimmer used fins.  Another swimmer took a little break mid swim to climb up onto her dock to stretch while her husband/kayaker got a quick sip of coffee. All good! Everyone just enjoyed the morning.

There will be a Third Annual Swim next year, hopefully with even more participants and a few relay teams, but definitely with the same noncompetitive fun vibe.

By Susan Jacoby, LAON Outreach Coordinator