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Here are some random images from our extensive image gallery. Enjoy
![received_1018769282491571](https://clarylake.org/wp-content/gallery/spring-summer-2023/received_1018769282491571.jpeg "Dead blue-green algae, right on schedule. The lake has \\"turned over\\" and the phosphorus rich bottom water has mixed with the upper sunlit layers where cyanobacteria live. While this isn\'t great news, it is expected and the \\"bloom\\" itself is pretty mild. This picture was sent to me yesterday by Jack Holland 9/22/2023")
![20230923_125022](https://clarylake.org/wp-content/gallery/spring-summer-2023/20230923_125022.jpg "Dead blue-green algae, right on schedule. The lake has \\"turned over\\" and the phosphorus rich bottom water has mixed with the upper sunlit layers where cyanobacteria live. While this isn\'t great news, it is expected and the \\"bloom\\" itself is pretty mild. Photograph by George Fergusson 9/23/2023")
2025 Clary Lake Ice Out Contest!
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This is our sixth year running a Clary Lake Ice-Out contest. This year’s prize for first place is the same as last year’s prize, a $25 Gift Certificate to The Jefferson Scoop. Yay Ice Cream! If you guess the correct ice-out date or come closest without going past it, you’re the winner. When the Scoop actually opens for business we’ll pick up a the gift certificate and get it to you. I swiped the picture at left of a Maple Walnut cone the Scoop’s FB page. Mmmm….
Now I’ve heard rumors that people think our contest is rigged. I guarantee you this will be a fair contest!! Granted, Gayle Knight has won the ice out contest the last two years in a row and while I’m pretty sure she’s cheating, I can’t figure out how. So I spoke to her the other day and while I can’t prevent her from entering the contest, at my request she has agreed to NOT win again this year. We’ll see!
In the event there are two (or more) people who guessed the same winning date, the person guessing first (based on the recorded timestamp) will be the winner and the other less-lucky (but still lucky!) person (or persons!) will win a laminated 8.5″ x 11″ Clary Lake Depth Map as a 
runner up prize (see below). FYI, the earliest the lake has been deemed completely free of ice was last year on March 8, 2024; the latest the ice has gone out was on April 24, 2001. Visit our Ice In and Ice Out page to see all our historical data back to 2001. Reviewing historical ice-in and ice-out data is NOT CHEATING! We’ll be closing the contest to new guesses late on March 15th or sooner if it looks like ice out is actually imminent. Guess as often as you want, but remember: only your last guess counts!
Here are the contest entries we’ve received so far, in the order in which they came in (it may take a while for your guestimate to show up). Hint: you can sort the records by clicking on the column header. You’ll find the Entry Form at the bottom of this post. I’ll also put a link to this post in the list of Useful Links on the sidebar at right so you can find it easily. A few hints: 1) Use the little little calendar icon thingy and select your date guess by clicking on the calendar, this helps prevent botched dates and
2025 Ice Out Contest Guestimates
| Timestamp | Your name: | Ice Out Guess: |
|---|---|---|
| 2/16/2025 13:29:10 | kate seba | 4/08/2025 |
| 2/16/2025 13:36:13 | Jack Holland | 3/17/2025 |
| 2/16/2025 15:01:19 | George Fergusson | 4/01/2025 |
| 2/16/2025 15:09:28 | Steve Relyea | 4/22/2025 |
| 2/16/2025 15:48:23 | Cathi Laweryson | 4/30/2025 |
| 2/16/2025 15:52:53 | Gary Laweryson | 4/12/2025 |
| 2/16/2025 15:57:00 | Malcolm Burson | 4/02/2025 |
| 2/16/2025 16:42:07 | Brian Vogel | 3/26/2025 |
| 2/17/2025 12:12:10 | Peter Fasano | 4/06/2025 |
| 2/17/2025 13:54:06 | Margaret Fergusson | 4/03/2025 |
| 2/17/2025 14:12:01 | Ben Giguere | 4/07/2025 |
| 2/17/2025 15:39:40 | Bambi jones | 4/02/2025 |
| 2/17/2025 15:43:27 | colin S caissie | 3/13/2025 |
| 2/17/2025 16:14:49 | Arlene Wing | 3/28/2025 |
| 2/17/2025 16:28:35 | Erin Trundy | 4/17/2025 |
| 2/17/2025 23:20:40 | Sarah Mismash | 4/12/2025 |
| 2/18/2025 2:17:54 | Don Hogg | 4/04/2025 |
| 2/18/2025 10:09:42 | Leslie Gillette | 4/20/2025 |
| 2/18/2025 11:26:31 | Donna Roeckel | 3/09/2025 |
| 2/18/2025 14:35:37 | Liz Sroka | 3/25/2025 |
| 2/21/2025 16:57:16 | KELSIE FRENCH | 4/23/2025 |
Winter 2024 LSM Water Column Newsletter Available
Lake Stewards of Maine has been putting out an annual newsletter for many years. It is full of interesting lake-related news and information and well worth perusing. The Clary Lake Association has been a supporting member of Lake Stewards of Maine (formerly the Volunteer Lake Monitor Program) since 1975 making Clary Lake the 3rd longest monitored lake in the state.
CLA Hors D’oeuvre Party Announcement!
Do the mid-winter doldrums get you down? Well you’re not alone! You’re invited to our Mid-Winter Doldrum Party! We first held this fun hors d’oeuvre party in 2020, just before COVID shut down such gatherings. We resurrected it last winter and plan to make it an annual event. It comes in February when the Winter Doldrums are at their height and people just need to get out! This year it is being held on Saturday February 15th at 5:30 PM at the home of Steve & Julie Cowles at 139 Mills Road, Whitefield ME 04353. It’s the place at the top of the hill overlooking the Clary Lake dam.
This party is not only for Clary Lake Association members! Non-members are welcome too! It will be a great opportunity to meet people and find out more about the Association. Bring your favorite appetizer, hors d’oeuvre, or dessert and your beverage of choice and shake off those winter blues! In the event of inclement weather making a gathering on Saturday unrealistic, we’ll put up a notice here and will hold the party the next day, same time, same place. We’re also planning to set up a Zoom session so if you can’t make the party in person, you can join us virtually! We’ll email out a Zoom link in a few days. Hope to see you there!
Gwendolyn R. Andersen May 23, 1935 – January 30, 2025
Gwendolyn Andersen has passed away at the age of 89. She was the mother of our current Treasurer, Charlene Andersen. I did not personally know Gwendolyn or her husband Donald but after reading her obituary I wish I’d had a chance to get to know this couple. They were Clary Lake Association members “back in the day” long before I got involved with the Association. Looking through old association records I find Gwendolyn and Donald’s names on a membership list from the year 1999 which is as far back as I have digital records. Charlene’s parents and grandparents bought adjoining camps on the west shore of the lake off Hornpout Lane back in the early 1960s which are still in the family today. By 2020, the main Andersen camp was getting pretty tired and Charlene and her sister Pennilyn were able to engage the Maine Cabin Masters to give their camp a new lease on life (see Episode 603 of Season 6). There is a 40 minute video of the project supposedly available on various subscription services (I just watched it on Hulu). Gwendolyn makes an appearance at the end of the video to see the completed project.
The Board offers their condolences to Charlene and her family for the loss of their mother. Gwendolyn’s official obituary can be found at the Cota Funeral Home website. It is duplicated in part here. Continue reading
January 2025 Water Level Chart Archived
And so we start another year! I have archived the January 2025 water level chart (above, and at left). The drought conditions we experienced last Fall have returned. We ended 2024 with a big wet month of December but since then precipitation in any form has been sorely lacking. There is virtually no snow pack which will be felt this spring when we’re trying to fill up the lake again. Normal precipitation in January at 3.19 inches is rather low to begin with, with only February having a lower average monthly precipitation (2.61 inches). As it is, we’re ending January with only 1.81 inches of precipitation, only 55% of normal. As of January 21st, the coastal section of Maine was in Moderate Drought. The 6″ of precipitation we received in December has done little to alleviate generally dry conditions and I suspect ground water supplies in this area are not in good shape. Continue reading
William Corliss McKeen Feb. 16, 1941 – January 8, 2025
Bill was a talented and accomplished individual. We’re still using the “Ice Cream Social” signs he made for us. He will be missed. This Obituary can be found at Direct Cremation of Maine.
WHITEFIELD – William Corliss McKeen of Whitefield, Maine passed away on January 8th at his home with his beloved wife, Susan, by his side. He was born in Millinocket, Maine on February 16, 1941, the son of Edwin and Verna McKeen. He graduated from Camden High School in 1959.
Bill was a graphic designer, painter, genealogist, history buff and a collector of coins, guns, diecast car models, books and antiques. Bill’s interests were boundless. He began his professional career at the age of 5 when he sold his first painting at the corner store in Rockport. Bill went on to become a maker of hand-painted signs. His design talents soon took him to Presque Isle where he became television art director at WAGM TV. Soon after he put his many talents together as a newspaper designer at The Aroostook Star Herald in Presque Isle, Courier Gazette in Rockland and the Coastal Journal in Bath where he became owner and publisher. After selling the Coastal Journal Bill formed an advertising agency, McKeen & Associates in Bath. His next project took him full circle back to producing signs, but this time using digital technology, by forming Minuteman Signs located in Augusta. Continue reading
Extraordinary Ice Conditions on Clary Lake
It’s been a good winter for ice so far, though it was a little dicey to begin with! Carolyn Curtis and her husband Paul Devlin have a camp over on Hornpout Lane, they came up last week to spend some time at camp and to go skating. Carolyn sent me a couple of pictures, the one above and the one at left. I’ve added them both to the Winter 2025 gallery, one I turned into a banner on the site. My skating days are behind me, but I’ve been out walking with ice creepers on. Clary is a four season adventure!
Maine Ulster Scots Project Remembers Bill McKeen
Bill McKeen really was a special person. Here he is remembered by the Maine Ulster Scots Project of which he was a part.
Harvey Jennison Gerdts January 10, 2020 – January 2, 2025
Our love and compassion go out to Hillary Relyea and her husband Ben Gerdts over the loss of their son Harvey earlier this month. He was just shy of 5 years old. Hillary sent me this news and some pictures this morning and asked if I would share with our Clary community.
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved son, Harvey Jennison, who left us too soon on January 2nd. He brought boundless joy and laughter into our lives with his inquisitive nature, love of art and puzzles, and compassion for all. His smile, always accompanied by a twinkle in his eye, was a reflection of his vibrant, infectious happiness. He cherished his family and embraced his role as a big brother and oldest cousin. Though Harv’s time with us was too brief, the love and memories we shared will forever remain in our hearts. Continue reading
Bill McKeen has passed.
It is with sadness that I report the passing of a good friend and another long time Clary Lake Association member. He died at home the afternoon of Wednesday, January 8th. He was proud of his Scottish heritage. More to follow.
December 2024 Water Level Chart Archived
And so we come to the end of another year! I have archived the December 2024 water level chart (above, and at left). The drought conditions we experienced in September, October, and November ended fairly early on in December though technically, this section of Maine was still in Moderate Drought through the end of the month and into the new year. We received 6.01 inches of precipitation in December, 2.57 inches more than normal and ended 2024 with a total of 53.27 inches of precipitation, 9.21 inches more than the annual average of 44.06 inches making 2024 the second wettest year in the last 6, right behind 2023 with 60.31 inches for the year. A particularly heavy rainstorm on December 11th brought the lake up almost a foot virtually overnight. When it looked like more precipitation was coming later in the month, we opened the gate a half a foot on the 18th in an attempt to keep the lake from rising too much. We started the month down -1.78 feet and ended up a half a foot higher at the end of the month. The gate remains open 1/2 foot going into the New Year.
We intentionally drew the lake down nearly 2 feet this past fall to assist two lake shore owners on Duncan Road complete their fully permitted shoreline stabilization projects. The work was being done by Plummer Excavation from Walpole Maine and was supposed to start in November but the contractor wasn’t able to start the work until mid-December by which time the lake had already started rising again. Fortunately, while the lake level rose some, it stayed low enough to not hamper the work. The shoreline adjacent to Duncan Road has been a source of soil erosion for years which has eaten away at people’s yards and polluted the lake with sediment and phosphorus. Over the years people have taken half measures to minimize the erosion. The work being done now is anything but a half measure. The picture at left taken on December 15th shows the almost completed riprap work on the Vincentsen property. Brent Duncan is having the same thing done to his shoreline later this winter. These lake shore owners are to be commended for making this substantial investment to protect their property and protect the lake.
I’ve been a little busy lately so I’m late getting this post finished. There’s more I could add to it but I need to close the book on 2024 and get to work on 2025. You’ll find ALL the 2024 charts you’re looking for including a few charts you’re probably not looking for in the 2024 Water Level Charts gallery.
Happy New Year!
Merry Christmas from the Clary Lake Association
Warm Holiday Greetings to Members, Friends, and Neighbors from the Clary Lake Association!
As our holidays approach, we experience both an ending and a look to new beginnings; thoughts come to us as we take stock of how we might have measured up in our aspirations over the past year and what might be the focus in the new year. We remember loved ones and friends who have left us and we gather close to those who are with us. This time of year can be both a joyous and cherished celebration as well as an expectation-ridden and even somber journey into memories past.
So, whatever traditions each of you and your families take part in this holiday season, remember that above all, this is the season of light and love. May both visit you and yours in abundance now, and in the year to come. Remember to be grateful and kind.
On Behalf of the Clary Lake Association Board,
Margaret Fergusson
New Ice-In Date Ahead
Five days ago the lake was frozen solid. Two days later it rained heavily and the temperature rose to 50° needless to say, the ice didn’t last long. Normally we call ice-in when the meteorological conditions exist to allow the lake to freeze completely. We revise that date when the meteorological conditions exist to melt off the ice just a few days later! We’ll be revising the ice-in date when the lake finally freezes over again; the weather forecast is for single digit temperatures this weekend so it probably won’t be long.
Audrey J. Relyea May 28, 1928 – December 11, 2024
It’s been a year of love and loss here on Clary Lake, two seemingly conflicting emotions which actually go hand in hand. It is with sadness that we mark the passing of yet another long time Clary Lake Association member, Audrey Relyea. I’ve spent a little time with Audrey off and on over the years. I would have liked the opportunity to get to know her better! The Relyea family over the years has played a significant role in the Association, and continues to do so. Her husband Bruce Relyea who is no longer with us was President of the Clary Lake Association in the early 2000s, and her son Steven is our current Vice President. Her granddaughter Hillary Relyea is our newest Board member. The family owns property on the South side of Clary Lake in Jefferson.
The following obituary recently appeared in the Fort Worth Star Telegram: Continue reading
Official Clary Lake Ice-In Date: December 15, 2024
After several false starts, the meteorological conditions necessary to freeze up the lake have finally occurred though it remains to be seen if the ice survives the rain and 50° temperature forecast for next Tuesday. Our ice-in and ice-out records go back to 2001 and for what it’s worth, today, December 15th, is the average ice-in date. There were 282 days in 2024 without ice on the lake, considerably more than the average of 254 ice-free days. Gorgeous looking ice, but I’d let it thicken before venturing out on it!
While 23 years really isn’t a long enough period of time for meaningful climate data analysis, a look at the above chart shows clears trends developing for later ice-in and earlier ice-out dates. However, the yellow line showing days between ice-in and ice-out picks up days on both ends and there’s no uncertainty at all in how that statistic is trending.
Thomas Warren Gillette October 10, 1931 – December 3, 2024
Tom liked among other things, fishing and drinking coffee. The above picture was taken at the State boat launch in early September 2022, Tom and his fishing buddy Chris Stoltz were just coming off the lake after a morning of stalking finned monsters up in the marsh, his favorite fishing haunt. I was conducting Courtesy Boat Inspections on Labor Day weekend, the last weekend of the CBI season. I’m pretty sure from the smile on his face that he was enjoying himself! Tom also liked coffee and he’d call me up on the spur of the moment and invite me over to his camp on the lake for a cup of his strong Louisiana coffee, or he’d show up at my house, unannounced, settle into a comfy chair, and enjoy a cup of my equally strong coffee. The picture at left is him doing just that, back in 2016. At times like these we’d have good and lengthy conversations on just about any subject but eventually we’d always end up talking about Clary Lake. Throughout those long hard years of the water level crisis and our seemingly endless battle for the survival of Clary Lake, at times the outlook was bleak. Tom was always there, always supportive, always upbeat and optimistic, and always full of ideas and inspiration. He helped me through a very difficult period of my life in more ways than I can mention. Over the years he has been a valuable steward of Clary Lake and a generous patron of the Clary Lake Association at a time when we needed all the help we could get. He will be remembered. He will be missed.
I had my last cup of coffee with Tom this past fall out on his deck just a week before he and his wife Delph packed up and left for Houston. I thanked him again for all his help over the years protecting and preserving Clary Lake. His response was a characteristically dismissive wave of his hand. His health had been failing, and I hoped, but doubted, that I would see him again. News of his passing was sad, but not unexpected. He was 93.
Here is Tom’s obituary, written by his son Baxter. The obituary should appear in the Houston Chronical this coming Tuesday and soon, in the Brunswick Times Record and the Lincoln County News. Continue reading
Thomas Gillette Has Passed Away
I just received news that my good friend Thomas Gillette has passed away. I had a cup of coffee with him a couple of months ago out on the deck of his home on the lake. I was so looking forward to having another one with him next summer. Thomas loved fishing on Clary Lake. The above picture, taken some years ago, shows Thomas proudly displaying a 7.5 pound largemouth bass he caught.
I’ll post his obituary when it becomes available.
November 2024 Water Level Chart Archived
I have archived the November 2024 water level chart (above, and at left). The dry weather we experienced in September and October continued with a vengeance in November, normally our wettest month with average monthly rainfall of 4.58 inches. We did end up receiving 2.81 inches or 61% of normal, almost all of it falling at the end of the month. Thanks to excess rain back in March, June, and August, we’re still almost 5 inches ahead for the year but even so, we remain firmly in Moderate Drought going into December. According to the USGS, groundwater levels in this area are quite low, even for this time of year. Continue reading
Happy Thanksgiving from the Clary Lake Association
Everyday should be and is an opportunity to give thanks. During these difficult and unprecedented times, we can easily lose our footing in gratitude and only focus on what we don’t have, what we can’t do, and sadly for some of us, what we have lost. And so, we must remain steadfast in our work of living in the moment, taking nothing for granted and performing little acts of kindness. No earthly power can prevent us from living in this way.
May all of us, near and far, take a moment and remember what is truly important and know that it is found within. Happy Thanksgiving… now and always. Be kind and stay safe!
Margaret Fergusson
Aerial View of Clary Lake
Mark Rowe took this drone photo and posted it on Facebook the other day and gave me permission to post it here. Great photo. This is looking west toward David Hodsdon’s point in the distance. I look forward to more drone shots in the future!