WILTON – Eleanor Welch of Livermore Falls is this year’s Wilson Lake ice-out contest winner.
Welch is the 126th winner in a contest held each year since 1889. She had the closest guess of when the ice would officially be declared as no longer existent in the lake at 5:43 p.m. on Monday, April 27.
Contest organizer Bruce Dyke presented Welch with the $100 prize money.
At $5 a ticket, 130 tickets were sold to the community of hopeful winners. This year the lake went out six days earlier than 2014.
Welch has bought two tickets at each year’s contest for many years.
“Bruce kept telling me I was close every year,” she said and credited her success with changing her strategy this year by using her granddaughter’s birthday.
The sponsoring Wilton Fish & Game Association and Dyke would like to thank everyone for their continued support with this project that, in part, helps support projects of the association.
Congratulations Grammy. I am so proud of you.. This is the best birthday present ever.. Big hugs… :)
As a Grandmother myself, I know there’s no way I can top a grandchild’s comments but I still wish to offer my congratulations!
Often I think most people have the idea that only young or middle-aged men who fish can correctly identify when the ice will leave the lakes in Maine. It’s so wonderful you wonderful that you won . . . and for the SECOND time!!