STRONG —  The Porter Lake Association will celebrate a 43-year-old tradition during its 75th year with the annual Bean-Hole-Bean Supper from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, at the Strong Public Beach, “Beanie’s Beach.”

Cost is $6 for adults; $3 children 5-11; under 5 free. Profits and dues support the association’s many programs.

The annual supper held on the first Saturday in August since 1969 is a community gathering which promotes a reunion like atmosphere. The brick-lined fire pit has been restored and new benches and tables built. Association members prepare and heat 60 pounds of beans, salt pork, molasses, brown sugar and mustard in six huge canning kettles.

The kettles are picked up by boat at the six camps and brought to the Strong Beach where they are placed in a three-foot deep fire pit full of coals prepared during the night and baked underground all day. Hot dogs, rolls and drinks are complemented by a huge variety of salads and desserts brought by lake association members and community members.

The PLA under the leadership of President Mark Ranger continues to strive to uphold its traditions of the past and look to the future.

The nonprofit organization is dedicated to the preservation of Porter Lake, its shores and the wildlife inhabitants as a four season recreation area to be enjoyed by all for future generations

July of 1937 saw Strong and New Vineyard fishermen join together to organize the Porter Lake Fish and Game Association. During the next few years the association was inactive due to WWII but people from the area began to buy lots and build camps near the lake. During this time the fishing declined, the dam had deteriorated and no stocking of fish had taken place for several years.

In 1946 members began a campaign for better fishing. Working with the Department of Inland Fisheries and Game the group was able to plan for and restore the dam, clear the spawning brooks and improve fishing. By 1950 this conservation-minded group grew to 40 members who held well-attended meetings with movies and lunches of oyster stew.

The years that followed saw the development of camps with people desiring more time in outdoor recreational activities during all seasons. This development has put more pressure on the lake and requires vigilance by the Lake Association with a continued commitment to good fishing, preservation of water quality and good conservation practices of the land and water use.

Some of the Porter Lake Association contributions include financial support over 50 years for a Red Cross swimming program, construction of a storage shed for swim instruction equipment etc., record keeping of “Ice In” and “Ice Out” dates each year, dam repair work in the early 1990s, organizing and running for seven years a boat inspection/ education program for invasive plants such as milfoil and conducting a water quality monitoring.

The association supported with labor and finances the transportation of materials and equipment used to replace the boat launch at the Strong Public Beach, repaired the building used as an outhouse/ changing area and conducted erosion prevention excavation work at the New Vineyard Public Beach.

The association supported financially both the New Vineyard and Strong public libraries to purchase library books supporting the 2010 Maine State Library System’s theme of water. Funds have been given to both libraries to be used as reward incentives for summer programs.

During the past year the association funded projects that supported the fifth grade science curriculum in the Strong Elementary School which included “Lake Day,” visits to Porter Lake in the winter and spring where the students conducted science experiments and learned to fish.

The Lake Association, having been gifted the island from Nanette Reed, Craig Starbird and Dr. Marjorie White, maintains an outhouse, two campsites with fire pits and two log step entrances to prevent erosion.

The PLA assisted by the Franklin Co. Soil and Water Agency also promotes a “Lake Smart” program.

Memberships and volunteers are always welcome.