Woods Pond is a lovely and serene refuge serving as a vital resource for the ecosystem. WPA's mission is to ensure that Woods Pond remains a safe haven for wildlife and a delightful place for recreation to be cherished for generations.
WPA Mission
Woods Pond Association (WPA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the natural beauty of Woods Pond. Since its inception, WPA has been committed to environmental conservation and community engagement. Our initiatives include water quality monitoring, shoreline cleanups, and educational programs. Join us in our mission to protect this precious ecosystem for future generations.
Water Quality Threat - Erosion and Run-off
The runoff caused by erosion is the most significant pollution threat to all Maine lakes. One of the most serious threats is phosphorus, a natural fertilizer which becomes attached to soil particles and is carried into lakes and other water bodies by storm water runoff. Added phosphorus can result in algae blooms which can cover the lake with a smelly scum and negatively impact water quality. Excess algae blooms ruin all forms of recreation on the lake and can even cause a decline in shoreline property values.
WPA fights erosion through the following programs:
Water Quality Threat - Invasive Aquatic Plants
Invasive aquatic plants (IAP), primarily variable leaf milfoil, have been found in several lakes in close proximity to Woods Pond.
Why are invasives a threat?
-
They grow vigorously out-competing native plants.
-
They blanket the lake's surface, impeding recreation and changing the ecology of the water.
-
Invasions are difficult to eradicate and expensive to manage.
-
Invaded lakes have lower property values.
Contact Andy Pond at Andy.Pond0@gmail.com about volunteer opportunities.
Woods Pond, located in Bridgton, Maine, has a rich history that dates back to the early 19th century. Originally utilized by local settlers for fishing and transportation, the pond became a popular site for recreational activities as the area developed. Over the years, it has served as a beautiful backdrop for homes and cottages attracting visitors to its serene waters and surrounding nature. Today, Woods Pond remains a cherished destination for both residents and tourists, offering opportunities for swimming, kayaking, and enjoying the scenic landscapes of Bridgton.
Highlights From WPA Annual Meeting 2025
Maine Lakes Center - August 9, 2025
It was a pleasure to meet everyone who attended. Below are videos
from the 2025 WPA annual meeting.
Lake Smart - Roy Lambert
CBI Report- Andy Pond
Treasurer Report - Dan Lasman
GUEST SPEAKER
Micah Miller, Ph.D.
BRI - Biodiversity Research Institute
Director, Arctic Program, Loon Program
micah.miller@briwildlife.org
Join the WPA Team
Your support as a member is vital to our mission, and we invite you to join us in making a lasting impact. We also encourage you to consider an additional donation. Every contribtuion, no matter the size, helps us continue our important work for all who value Woods Pond.
The Woods Pond Association is a registered tax-exempt organization #81-3550835 according to the IRS under Section 501(c)(3). This donation is tax deductible subject to current tax law. Consult your current tax professional for advice.
Donation (above $40 includes membership)
THE TEAM
Peter Ryan, his wife Sherry Ranta, and their son, Curtis fell in love at first sight with Woods Pond 7 years ago, as it reminded them of their past camps in NH and MA. When more than two dozen migrating loons landed on the pond right in front of them, it was a sign that they had found their new summer home. Peter and Sherry make their winter home in New Hampshire. He has retired from his career helping build electronic security systems for major government and private entities such as NASA and US based international airports, and works as a field representative for Andersen Windows. While on the pond, Peter has become the local handyman for his friends and neighbors, and joined the board to further support and contribute to the community. He looks forward to engaging with more folks on the pond in his tenure as President of the WPA.
President
Dan and Ann Lasman bought their home on Woods Pond in July 2016, fulfilling a longtime dream of owning a lake house in Maine, inspired by memorable summer vacations with their two sons in Rangeley. They began spending most of their time in Bridgton in March of 2020 and became full-time residents in August of 2022, shortly before Dan retired from the law firm Fish & Richardson P.C., where he had served as Chief Financial Officer for nearly a decade. Before working at Fish, Dan worked as a CFO for several professional services firms in the commodity trading, staffing, and management consulting industries. Today, their home is a meeting place for family and friends to enjoy the beauty of Woods Pond and the surrounding area. This is Dan’s second time serving as treasurer for the WPA, and he welcomes the opportunity to give back to his lake community.
Treasurer
Secretary
Roy Lambert and his wife Mary Maxwell live seasonally on Woods Pond Drive. They purchased their camp in a rundown state more than 25 years ago, and have been improving it ever since. Roy grew up at a children’s summer camp on Kezar Lake from age 8 and felt the continual call of Maine’s lakes (from Portland, Oregon) during his adult life. Woods Pond offered the perfect lake size and proximity to Bridgton. Roy retired from his career as a tax and business transactions attorney in 2011. However, he remains active as a volunteer for the Lakes Environmental Association as its LakeSmart Coordinator, having initiated this region’s LakeSmart Program on Woods Pond in 2015. Lake protection has become his calling, so it was a no-brainer to join the WPA board to contribute to its lake protection efforts. Mary and Roy have two children, two grandchild, and extended family who have also become bonded to Woods Pond. Roy is a lifetime swimmer and loves almost nothing better than his open water swims in our pond.
Susie Albert and her husband, courtesy boat inspection coordinator extraordinaire Andy Pond, feel fortunate to have been on the pond for 6 years. They live in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston when they’re not here. Susie loves her career as a sales manager for Penguin Random House. Andy retired a couple of summers ago after running a large non profit social services agency in Massachusetts. They have an Aussiedoodle named Otis T Dog (ask and they’ll tell you the story behind his name!), they love to hike, Otis and Susie are swimmers, and reading, eating, gardening and meeting people on the pond are the things they enjoy. Both are actively involved in keeping the pond clean and healthy for years to come.
Maureen Debrot has cherished Woods Pond since she began vacationing there at the age of six, fostering a lifelong love for this special place. Together with her husband Bill, their four daughters and, soon, their cherished granddaughter, she has spent countless summers immersed in the natural beauty and tranquility of the pond. Whether swimming in the pond’s clear waters, kayaking to the quiet cove, or watching breathtaking sunrises from the dock, Woods Pond has been the backdrop to many of her family’s most treasured memories. Professionally, Maureen has built a diverse career as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), tax accountant, corporate financial analyst, and business manager at a private K-12 school. Maureen joined the Woods Pond Association board to help preserve the pond’s quality and is committed to supporting initiatives that maintain its health and vibrancy, ensuring that many more families can create lifelong memories.
Lisa Kaminir and her husband Kevin Kelley have enjoyed their Woods Pond camp on Waterview Trail since 2022. Though she grew up in New York, Lisa has family roots in Portland and spent many joyful summers at Camp Tapawingo down the road in Sweden, as did her daughter. Lisa, Kevin and their giant dog, Vito, spend August and September on the pond driving to and from their home base in Los Angeles, where Lisa works as an actor, primarily in television and voiceover, and Kevin has a psychotherapy practice. While in Bridgton, they enjoy paddling the pond, dock sitting with friends, and hiking the beautiful local mountain trails. Since joining the board, Lisa has come to understand the importance of the WPA’s work in maintaining the health of our beautiful pond for our own wellbeing and enjoyment, our children’s, and that of future generations.
Gary and Donna Schuyler built their year-round log-sided cabin in 2009 on Westwood Cottage Drive after falling in love with the area during family vacations.
Gary spent over 40 years working for the YMCA in Massachusetts, where he and Donna first met as summer camp counselors. He retired in 2016 and now works part-time as a nonprofit consultant. Today, Gary and Donna cherish time with their two grown sons, their wives, and five grandchildren (ages 6–11), especially during cherished family reunions at their much-loved “Grandcamp.” A tradition they also enjoy is celebrating Super Bowl weekend with longtime friends at the cabin. Gary joined the WPA board out of a deep love for the lake and a commitment to preserving its beauty and health for future generations of his family and the broader community.
Tom Wezowicz and his wife Mary Ellen have owned land on Woods Pond for over 25 years. They finished their log home 15 years ago and moved in full-time. They chose Woods Pond because of its water quality, the size of the pond, and because they enjoy spending time in the town of Bridgton. Tom spent 32 years in senior management for Sears, Roebuck & Co., and the last eight years of his career as Vice President of Operations for a sales, distribution, and manufacturing company in Connecticut. This is Tom’s second time serving on the WPA board. His goal is to keep Woods Pond pristine for future generations.