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Birch Island, Located in Gray on Little Sebago By Carol Ann Doucette

Janice and Doug Burke are the owners of Birch Island and purchased it in 1990. The island is located on Hayden Bay, on the middle lake. The 104 year old house, located on the island, looks east to the entrance of the upper narrows. It has a foot bridge that is registered with the State of Maine SUBMERGED LANDS Program (SLP). By land, it is at the end of the private road WESTWOODROADEXTENSION. The island is 2 acres, with an additional acre on the mainland. A freestanding garage is located the end of the driveway. It has electric power provided by an underwater cable from the mainland as does Treasure Island. The house was initially built in 1912 by the Cumberland Mills Paper, a division of SD Warren Paper Company, to allow employees a week end retreat. The original 4 bedroom house was modified by the Burkes in 1991. Being extremely environmentally conscious, the Burke’s installed a Septi Tech sewerage system in the early 2000’s, guaranteeing no effluent in the lake. LSLA conservation programs, coupled

with Cumberland Country Soil and Water District assistance, were utilized on two occasions, adding stonewalls, shrubs, and plants and scores of yards of mulch to prevent erosion, with a continued effort to the present day. I have had the pleasure to visit this island several times. The Burke’s were fundraisers for milfoil mitigation on the lake hosting a lobster dinner there several years ago. Another visit was a wonderful dinner for my husband and I, where we got a chance to share in the history of the island and see firsthand, all that it has to offer. More importantly, we got to spend time with Janice and Doug, who met at Aimhi Lodge on Little Sebago, many years ago. They have always been two of the most avid supporters of LSLA endeavors. After this visit, I created a virtual tour as a thank you and so I would not forget all of the magic this island possesses. Hope you enjoy!

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