Shirley Brownell, 91, and Harmony Anderson, 75, stand with event organizer Mark West of Nottingham. The women both live in Strafford and enjoy having the lake and the island as part of their lives.
Shirley Brownell, 91, and Harmony Anderson, 75, stand with event organizer Mark West of Nottingham. The women both live in Strafford and enjoy having the lake and the island as part of their lives. Credit: Courtesy

In an effort to conserve Bennett Island on Bow Lake in Northwood, 19 swimmers swam a half-mile to the island from Bennett Bridge Beach or took a mile-long course around the island Aug. 27.

The “Swim to Save Bennett Island Forever” raised more than $8,000 to go toward Bear-Paw Regional Greenways’s fundraising goal of $234,000 to preserve the wildlife area that is home to bald eagles and common loons.

Swimmers came from across New Hampshire and ranged in age from 9 to 91.