Growing up on Crystal Lake in Dry Mills, Gray, ME has led me to where I am today. As a child I did not realize the privilege it was to get up early in the morning to put my feet in the water to catch tiny pickerel with a pale. I assisted teaching swimming lessons at Willkie’s Beach beginning the age of 11 and ended up teaching over 100 children each July morning with their shivering yet smiling faces for the next 17 years. Moving away from Gray for college and experience life in general soon gave that appreciation.

The love water led me to Little Sebago Lake renting a place in 1972 and later buying our now home in 1980. For 10 years my husband, Dan, and I owned a company which allowed me to stay home while our daughter, Megan, was growing and going to school. During this time I became involved with the Town of Gray Planning Board, Conservation Committee, Recreation Committee, Comprehensive Plan, Town Council, American Legion Auxiliary, Congregational Church Sunday School supervisor and Girl Scout leader. In the early nineties I started working outside the home and presently am general manager of a medical device company in Gray.

In 1992 I became involved with the Little Sebago Lake Association. My reason for involvement was to become more knowledgeable about my surroundings and become part of a caring team. In 1994 I became president for three years. I stayed involved until 2001 when I decided not to juggle the Town committees and the LSLA. After a few years of town governance I had a change of heart and returned to the association where I felt most comfortable with the environment roots. This was the very time that variable milfoil was being reported. Since then I have spent the past 15 years fighting the battle with the help of the committee and volunteers. It is with great pride that due to these efforts the lake is as usable as it was years ago. Without the efforts our lake would be choked with invasive vegetation like our bordering states. Over the past 10 years of record-keeping we have removed over 101 tons of milfoil. Because we cannot let our guard down for fear of regrowth I will continue to fight the battle of the invasive variable milfoil with our Milfoil Militia. This has been one of the most rewarding accomplishments of my life.

In 2009 I became President again and have kept that role to date. Because of the diligence and professionalism of the 15 member board and committee members this has been a rewarding position and they have made it easy to stay. I have served on the CCSWCD watershed committee, Maine Milfoil Consortium Initiative and helped with Lake Fun Day and the Pirate Parade Day. LSLA has become a non-profit business which has all the logistics of a business run by volunteers. We are blessed so many people are dedicating their time. Thanks to all of you.

The lake should be enjoyed by all types of recreation and should be respected by all; whether you are human or a microorganism, a balance needs to be taken to make sure each thing that is important to the living cycle of the lake continues to exist. We have such a valuable resource that we need to be good stewards to protect the lake for generations to come.

My parents bought the lot at what is now 10 Eddy Drive, in Gray, in 1955 and started to build the camp in 1956; the year I was born.  I spent every summer on the lake until I was married in 1981.  From 1981 through 2012 my wife (Cindy) and our two children visited frequently. My father passed away in 1996 and when my mother went into an assisted living facility in 2013 (she passed away in 2014), Cindy and I spent the summers of 2013 through 2018 there.

After Labor Day 2018, we turned over the camp to a builder, for demolition, and built a year-round home (it will always be called Camp) in its place.  We moved in on June 15, 2019.  We have two children and five grandchildren, from ages one to seven, who all visit us frequently at the new camp.

I am an Engineering graduate of the University of Maine and am a licensed Civil Engineer.  I work at the Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) where I am the Gas Safety Manager and oversee the safety of Maine’s Natural Gas Distribution companies and certain propane distribution systems.  Prior to joining the MPUC, in 2009, I was the Manager of Engineering and Operations at Maine Natural Gas for ten years.  From 1983 through 1999 I was a Civil Engineer at Central Maine Power Company (CMP).

After growing up in Camp Hill, PA, Jim served in the US Coast Guard, and was transferred to Maine in 1977, where he ultimately retired after 25 years of active & reserve service. Jim studied Forestry & Wildlife and also earned an MBA at the University of Maine, where he met his wife, Kim. Jim has spent the last 28 years at Hannaford, where he developed and runs the Guiding Stars nutrition rating program. Jim & Kim moved to Little Sebago in 1992, and live on the middle lake near the lower narrows, at the end of Many Oaks Lane off of the Smith Road.

One of their neighbors, Dave Hopkins, had served as the long-term damkeeper, and got them interested in joining the board for LSLA. Jim served as Secretary for a few years, and after he left the board, Kim served as President for a number of terms, focusing on duck itch, watershed surveys, and the early days of the milfoil crisis.Jim & Kim have two kids in the Windham schools, where Kim also teaches at WMS. They enjoy being active in community service, through various school groups, church activities, community theater, and of course at LSLA.

Having spent the last 20 years on Little Sebago, they still wake up every morning and count their blessings while marveling at the natural beauty, the solitude, and endless days of fun spent on Little Sebago in every season. Jim is very pleased to rejoin such a professional, hard-working Board of Directors, and is excited to be working again, almost 20 years later with great leaders like Pam, Scott, Rod, Bruce, Sharon and the others.

Cheryl grew up in Farmington, Connecticut but has spent most of her adult life living in Ridgewood, New Jersey with her husband Allan and their two children. Allan introduced her to Little Sebago Lake and they would visit Allan’s Aunt Viv, who lived on the lake, during the summer and winter- making wonderful family memories over the years. Cheryl and her husband thought about relocating to Maine “some day” but only if they could live on Little Sebago. In 2013 they found their spot on the lake, decided to take a leap of faith and moved to Maine in 2014.

Cheryl’s background is in sports marketing and she has worked for the Hartford Whalers, New York Rangers, Nabisco Brands- and most recently at Cooper and Oliver Stationery and the Ridgewood Running Company. She has served on many PTA boards at her children’s schools and also on the board at Temple Israel in Ridgewood. An avid runner, she has run the New York City marathon three times.

Cheryl joined the board in 2014 and welcomed the opportunity to help protect the lake we all love so much. Cheryl was very impressed with the talented and committed people that make up the LSLA Board. She currently serves on the membership committee.

Meet Rod Bernier. Rod has been on the board for several years and is active in many projects. He is currently involved with buoy placement, a dam assistant, researching the conservation district creation, by-law review and website protocol.

Diane grew up in Portland and as a young adult, spent over 10 summers enjoying her visits to a family camp on Long Lake in Bridgton. This was the beginning of a lifelong love and appreciation of lakes.

As their children grew, Diane and her husband, Dale found what was to become their family’s Lakehouse on Little Sebago Lake in 1990. The inevitable remodeling proved to be a multi-generational labor of love over the years with well-deserved leisure time at the lake as the reward. Diane and her family try to spend as much time as possible swimming, boating, fishing and kayaking. Winter time they like to snowshoe and the occasional ice skating, as well.

Now that her children have grown, Diane finds herself ready, willing and able to give back to the lake that has given her so much joy. She became a Board Member in 2008 and when the Secretary position became available 2012, Diane stepped up to fill that role. She has enjoyed working with the Board of Directors while learning all about what is involved to keep our beautiful lake healthy. Diane feels honored to be part of the team that is safeguarding Little Sebago Lake today and for generations to come.

Betty Caton joined the Board in 2023, 44 years after discovering the joy that is Little Sebago!

Betty grew up in Portland where she and her husband, Don, live in her family homestead.  Their children were the 5^th generation of Betty’s family to live at Holly St.  Often that home is now the scene of the energy of the next generation, 4 granddaughters, who visit and enjoy it’s history.

Betty & Don were first on the lake in 1979, on Turtle Cove.  Returning to Portland in 1984 when expecting their 3^rd child Betty promised Don they would one day get back to the lake.  They did so that next summer renting a camp on Mt Hunger Shore Rd for 2 weeks each summer for the next 19 years.  In 2004 they were priviledged to purchase it from the original owners, the Curriers and continue to enjoy their summers “upta camp”.

Betty coordinates Audubon’s Annual Loon count, held the 3^rd Saturday in July, having been trained and passed the torch for our original Loon Lady, Dorothy Bates.  She is also one of the Loon Rangers, helping keep track of our loon population. Now retired after 30+ years in various roles in insurance she decided to bring her love of the lake to the Board and join in the great work that has been and continues to protect our lake for future generations.

Meet Tim Greer! Tim and his wife Suzanne have been property owners on Little Sebago Lake for over 30 years. His land and camp belonged to Sue’s grandparents, the Chases, who built the home in 1927. In 2005, the camp was torn down and a new one was constructed with the hope of it lasting for many generations to come. Both Tim & Sue have a sincere love of the area. “Little Sebago has been a joy to our family for four generations” said Tim. He has become a board member of the lake association in order to continue to be a part of preserving the beauty and health of our wonderful lake. Tim is currently involved with our newsletter mail-out and the milfoil militia.

Meet Kevin Kaserman. Kevin grew up in Gorham, Maine and spent much of his free time during the summers at his family’s camp on Big Sebago. He really enjoyed water skiing and boating on the lake. Kevin began the search for his own camp in 1995 and found Paradise Point in Sept. 1996. Kevin began the process of upgrading the camp with a new septic system, well, water system, and cosmetic upgrades which he installed himself with the help of his father and friends. Although the camp has been modernized, it still maintains that “original camp” flair to include the outside shower stall. Kevin, his wife Denise and their 3 children live in Falmouth during the school year but move into the camp “full-time” once school is out. Kevin assisted with both the construction and was a milfoil diver on the initial milfoil boat. Kevin enjoys boating, jet-skiing, and water sports with his family and friends on Little Sebago. Kevin is aware of all the efforts that the LSLA Board continues to do for him to enjoy this wonderful resource and felt it was time to contribute himself.

In the summer of 1963, Debra’s grandfather, Harold Craven, purchased the Cushman Bakery family camp on Cambell Shore Rd Since that time, Debra, her parents, three siblings and their families have enjoyed all the wonderful privileges that summering on Little Sebago provides. “Growing up on the lake is an experience I wish every child could enjoy” said Debra. She and her husband Mark continue to pass these joys on to the family that now spans 5 generations.

After spending over 50 years soaking in the beauty of Little Sebago Lake, Debra feels compelled to take a more active role in assisting with its preservation to secure its future as one of the best lakes in Maine. Debra is currently the Executive Director of Gary’s House; a hospitality home for the family members of hospitalized patients and brings her years of experience in non-profits, marketing, public relations and fundraising/development.

Andy and his wife Lori moved to Little Sebago in 2015 after a long search for a lake property. A lifelong Mainer, Andy spent his youth on Schoodic Lake in Central Maine and always wanted to return to life on the lake. He joined the LSLA board in 2017 and really appreciates the opportunity to preserve the unique qualities of Little Sebago.

Andy works at L.L.Bean on the Real Estate and Facilities team. He also serves on the board of Goodwill Northern New England.

Meet Kevin Murphy, board member since 2013. Kevin was born and raised in Portland, enjoying many childhood memories from this lake as well as others in the area. Kevin and Laurie, his wife also from Portland, had for years wanted a lakeside property to retire to, and in 2001 that dream came true. The aged camp was turned into a new home that inspired them to move up on their schedule to become year-round residents in 2011.

Kevin now works at Saint Joseph’s College in the IT department deploying and managing several enterprise systems. He enjoys his downtime on the water hunting elusive bass, cruising the lake on his pontoon, and relaxing on his deck entertaining family and friends. Him and his wife rescued a wonderful little pup from the south that seems to be enjoying lake life as well. She can be seen patrolling the dock and the boat always on the lookout.

Since moving to the lake, Kevin felt a strong commitment to help protect this resource however he could. After meeting and working with the LSLA board, he decided to join their team as he felt their bond to the lake was as strong. Currently he updates the website, manages the LSL Facebook group, serves as the editor for the biannual newsletter, and helps with the membership committee as well.

I grew up in Portland and got my first introduction to Little Sebago Lake at the age of 11 when my parents rented a cottage for a week on Cambell Shore Road. In the early 1990’s, when my employment in the Postal Service sent me and my family to Rochester, NY, we were able to find a weekly rental on Birchwood Road for the two years that we were away. My wife, Tammy and I had enjoyed our experiences on Little Sebago Lake and dreamed of one day owning lake front property. We finally realized our dream and purchased a year-round home on Smith Road in 2005. Our home is located on Banjo Cove (adjacent to Hall Cove and close to the former Aimhi property). We very much enjoy the seclusion and privacy of cove life as our children and grandchildren can enjoy swimming and kayaking on the beautiful waters of Little Sebago without worrying about excessive boat traffic.

I have BS and MBA Degrees from the University of Southern Maine and retired from the Postal Service in 2014 after 36 years of employment. I keep busy in retirement working as a tour guide for visiting cruise ship and bus passengers arriving in Portland. I also do taxes and volunteer at the Portland Observatory.

I had recently talked to Rod Bernier, one of my Postal colleagues, about getting involved with the Little Sebago Lake Association and was recently selected to serve the remaining term of a Board vacancy. I am excited for this new opportunity and look forward to working with the Association in achieving their goal of ensuring that the lake remains healthy for future generations to enjoy.

Barbara is a lifetime summer resident of the middle lake where her family has owned Crescent Island since the 1940s. When not on the lake she and her husband and several dogs reside in Woolwich, Maine