Good morning LSC. We wanted to post a quick recap of last night's Annual Meeting & Dinner.

We had a full house - thank you to everyone who attended! We hope you enjoyed the presentation, your dinner, and the evening spent with your lake neighbors. It was great to see so many folks who care about beautiful Lake St. Catherine.

A few more Thank Yous: Thanks to the Lake St. Catherine Country Club and their wonderful staff for hosting us last evening, dinner was excellent! And thank you to our State and local representatives who joined us last evening, we appreciate your interest and support for the lake!

The presentation was recorded and you can view it on YouTube here:

https://youtu.be/SEw6OHU3tz4

Our apologies for the audio on the recording which is a bit hard to hear.

If you have any comments or questions, please reach out to us at info@lakestcatherine.org.

Thanks for your support of the LSCA!

Here are some photos from the evening:

We'd like to provide you with an update from the DASH crew on their work since full DASH operations began after the 4th of July Weekend.

Beck reports:

"Our team has finished up hand-pull and DASH operations in Oxbow Bay, Locations C, D, and E. There was a large dense patch of EWM in Location D, we will have to monitor that location in the future.

We are currently working the DASH boat at Location H, along the West Lake Road shoreline working towards Atwater Bay.

Once finished, we will focus our efforts on removing a large, dense EWM patch that is close to the water surface in Location G, around the rock buoy off of Atwater Bay. This area has high boat traffic which could lead to easier spreading of EWM throughout the lake.

Locations F and I are on the radar for DASH when time permits.

Please remember to give the DASH team and diver's 200 feet of distance or slow your speed and watch for any directions from the Top attendant if needing to access the area."

Thanks to Beck and his crew for their hard work for the lake!

The LSCA and local neighbors at Lakes End by the dam are volunteering to work the morning of Sunday, August 10th, beginning at 8 AM to hand-pull a large patch of milfoil that has taken over the shoreline there.

We are also looking to borrow floating mats so that volunteers can float on top of the water to be able to reach down and hand-pull the milfoil. If you have a mat that we can borrow for the morning, and/or if you'd like to volunteer, please email us at info@lakestcatherine.org to let us know!

Thanks!

On the third Saturday in July of every year, LoonCount volunteers take to the water to count loons. It’s the single most effective way for Vermont Center for EcoStudies (VCE) to document and track breeding loons across the state.

From VCE's webpage:

"Each year on a single day on the third Saturday of July, VCE and our volunteers cover more than 160 lakes and ponds statewide. It’s the single most effective way for VCE to document and track breeding loons across the state. Survey a lake — or if you’ve got time, a few — for one hour on that Saturday."

So, we're looking to coordinate volunteers around the lake to count all the loons we see on the lake between 8 AM - 9 AM on Saturday, July 19th.

This would include the loon family (mom, dad, and chick), and any other loons visiting us during this timeframe.

If you'd like to participate, please observe your area, or head out onto the lake between 8 AM - 9 AM this Saturday, and note what you observe, where, and at what time. We'll create a post on our Facebook page that morning on which you can add your observations (or you can email us at info@lakestcatherine.org). We'll then gather all the reports and send that info over to Eric and Eloise at VCE.

Thanks!

Photo: Karen Velsor

Good afternoon LSC. We wanted to let you know that the Vermont DEC were here last Tuesday at Lake St. Catherine to perform a Lake Wise training.

DEC staff worked with local groups who are performing Lake Wise assessments in our area, including the Poultney Mettowee Natural Resource Conservation District.

Lake Wise was developed through the Vermont DEC and is meant to provide technical assistance for shoreline landowners looking to incorporate lake friendly living practices on their properties. The Lake Wise assessment focuses on four portions of your property; driveway, structure, recreation area, and shoreline. The follow-up report gives recommendations on which stormwater management practices would be best for your property and the lake.

Lake Wise is a *FREE* program for lakeshore property owners!

If you would like to participate in Lake Wise this season, *spots are limited*, so please email us at info@lakestcatherine.org to get signed up! If you have previously participated in Lake Wise and would like a follow-up assessment, please let us know.

If you had previously reached out to sign up, you'll be hearing from Jaden and the Lake Wise team soon to set up a meeting at your property.

Finally, a thank you to the 2 LSC property owners who hosted the training!

Hey there LSC - another fantastic Boat Parade in the books.

Thank you to all 17 of our very creative participants for their efforts! Many of the comments via the online poll said that this was one of the best ever. GREAT JOB ALL!

We'd also like to thank Karen Velsor for taking amazing photos of all the boats for the online poll. and for everyone to enjoy!

So, after over 530 votes (!!!), here are your winners of the LSCA's 13th Annual Boat Parade:

Most Original:

WINNER: Boat #3 - The Green Monstah - Mary Papasso & Team

Runner Up: Boat #10 - Got Service? - The Babkowski Family

Most Patriotic:

WINNER: Boat #8 - Land of the Free, Gnome of the Brave - Michele Hunter

Runner Up: Boat #15 - Founding Floaters - Shirley & Cambell Kennedy

Funniest:

WINNER: Boat #11 - We Like Big Putts! - The Hicks Family

Runner Up: Boat #4 - Lake St. Catherine is ONE IN A MINION! - Marybeth Harrison

Best Overall:

WINNER: Boat #6 - Spirit of Woodstock - Melissa & Bill Tatko

Runner Up: Boat #14 - A Wicked Good Time on Lake St. Catherine - The Wysolmerski Family

You can see a photo of every boat on our Facebook page here:

...and you can see ALL of Karens photos on the Lake St. Catherine - Vermont Facebook Group.

Hope you all had a great 4th of July weekend!

On Saturday, June 28th, the Lake St. Catherine Association held their second meeting of the 2025 season.

Attendance: Jim Canders, Jerremy Jones, Mary Jo Teetor, Ed Laird, Mike Gay, Jeff Crandall (online), Kemi McShane (online), Sue Williams, Mark Shea. Absent: Nancy Liberatore, Bob Williams, Lisa Micich

Guests: None

Call to Order: President Jim Canders called the meeting to order at 8:30.

Public Comment: None

Approval of Meeting Minutes: Mark made a motion to approve the May minutes, all in favor, so moved. Last meeting, approval of the August 2024 minutes was missed. Mark made a motion to approve the August 2024 minutes, all in favor, so moved.

Treasurer’s Report: Mary Jo Teetor, MJ outlined paying minor expenses, getting the 990 ready to submit for October, issues with Paychex, and the completed insurance audit. 

Annual Meeting / Use of LSC CC: John Belnavis provided a report before the meeting that he has reserved the LSC Country Club for our Annual Meeting: July 27th, 2023 at 6 PM, and worked with the CC on the details of the meeting. 80 dinners can be sold, options are chicken, seafood, and prime rib. John mentioned a $400 facility fee for the evening. Mark made a motion to allocate $400 for the facility fee for the Annual Meeting, all in favor, so moved. Jerremy will promote and set up the RSVPing on the website and begin work on the presentation.

Milfoil Management: Jeff Crandall, Jeff discussed the DASH team’s work so far, hand-pulling in Lily Pond, near the State Park, and along Cones Point. There was a discussion about the increase in Curly Leaf Pondweed in the Little Lake & Channel, and starting to notice it in other areas of the lake. DASH team will keep an eye out when working. John reported before the meeting that the Greeters had greeted 299 boaters. 

Water Testing: Mary Jo Teetor, MJ discussed getting started on Lay Monitoring, and a ‘low-alert’ cyanobacteria bloom in the northern end of North Bay. It appeared that a large amount of filamentous algae had collected along the shoreline creating an area of stagnant water which created conditions for the bloom to occur.

Publicity: Jerremy Jones, Jerremy spoke about recent articles, updating the website and Facebook pages, and email updates to members. He also discussed recent FOVLAP meetings, and the proposed changes to the Vermont Use of Public Water rules involving wakesports.

Lake Safety: Mike Gay, Mike has been getting the buoys and markers in place, getting supplies for repairs, and installing solar lights on top of the hazard buoys so they can be seen at night.

Nominating Committee: There was a discussion about the board members with terms ending this year. Ed, MJ, and Kemi have indicated they will run again. Nancy’s term is also up, she was not able to attend today, Jerremy will reach out. There is 1 open position for expiring terms (3 open spots in total). It was suggested that we include a call for Trustees in upcoming email updates to members, Jerremy will include this in new email updates. Also, current Trustees should look for potential candidates.

Membership: Jerremy Jones, Jerremy noted 353 current members, working to get to the goal of 400. Discussion of issue with members mistakenly joining another group, thinking they were renewing with us - this happened 5 times that we know about last year. After the Annual Meeting, Jerremy will send out reminder post cards to members who have not renewed yet. 

Government Relations: Jerremy will reach out to our towns, and to our State representatives and senators to invite them to the Annual Meeting.

Grants: Jerremy discussed the recent SWMP and LWAP meetings. Jerremy and MJ working on deliverables and final reporting for the LWAP grant due at the end of the month. Lots of work!

Old Business: Discussion included getting signed up for East Poultney Day, and the loon chick, the 3 eaglets.

New Business: None

A motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 10:05, seconded and all in favor, so moved.

Next meeting: July 26, 2025 at 8:30 AM LSC CC, and Annual Meeting & Dinner that evening at 6 PM.

Meeting minutes compiled by Jerremy Jones.

Thank you to everyone who joined us this past Wednesday evening for the Stormwater Master Plan update meeting. 

Fitzgerald Environmental Associates presented a number designs for stormwater mitigation projects in areas all around the lake. These projects were designed using $50k in funds earned by the LSCA and PMNRCD via a Lake Champlain Basin Program grant.

Potential project areas included:

• Along Ferncliff Road
• Cones Point General Store
• Along Channel Drive
• The end of Cones Point Road
• Clayton Tract
• Lochlea Lane
• Near the end of West Lake Road
• Near 990 West Lake Road

You can learn more about the Lake St. Catherine Stormwater Master Plan on our website: https://lakestcatherine.org/stormwater-master-plan - including the SWMP report, and the designs for the projects presented on Wednesday.

Next steps will include working with landowners on agreements, and applying for grants for implementation.

You can view a recording of the presentation on YouTube here.

Hello LSC.

We'd like to invite you to the 2025 Lake St. Catherine Association's Annual Meeting & Dinner at the Lake St. Catherine Country Club on Saturday, July 26th, beginning at 6 PM.

The LSCA Trustees will update you on lake issues, give you reports from their committees, and discuss current and future initiatives for the lake. The meeting will conclude with an open question and answer session, then we'll have a nice dinner together with our lake neighbors.

We are looking forward to seeing you!

At approximately 7:30, dinner will be served. If you'd like to stay for dinner, the LSC CC has provided the menu below:

Dinner options:

• $25 - Chicken Piccata
• $25 - Seafood Stuffed Filet of Sole
• $35 - Prime Rib

Dinners include a vegetable, salad, potato, and dinner roll. Cake and coffee will be served for dessert.

Please RSVP for the meeting by clicking here to register:

https://lakestcatherine.org/event-6244367/Registration

You will be able to indicate the selection of dinner(s) you'd like to reserve. If you'd like to attend the meeting, but not stay for dinner, leave the dinner selection fields blank. You can pay online with a credit card or with cash at the door.

> You must RSVP for a dinner by Sunday, July 20th so the Country Club can properly prepare. We'll not be able to take walk-ins for dinner.

Please plan on arriving a bit before 6 PM so you can get checked in and be seated so we can begin the presentation as close to 6 as possible.

80 dinners are available. Dinners sold out last year, so please RSVP as soon as possible.

Thank you!

We are very excited to share with you the completed draft of the Lake St. Catherine Watershed Action Plan - and we'd like your feedback before it's submitted on June 30th.

This project was a MASSIVE, multi-year undertaking, and the Lake St. Catherine Association would like to thank our partners and everyone who contributed, including:

• Poultney Mettowee Natural Resources Conservation District
• Vermont State University at Castleton
• Fitzgerald Environmental Associates
• Limnologist Emily Porter-Goff
• Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation
• The Towns of Wells & Poultney
• The Lake St. Catherine Community

Thank you all for your contributions to this effort for the lake!

Below you'll find a link to the Lake St. Catherine Watershed Action Plan draft report and associated documents, and the link to the recording of the presentation from the June 4th meeting for your review.

Meeting Recording: https://youtu.be/Diy-bsg-qg4

LWAP Draft & documents: View the folder here.

We hope that you can take some time to review the presentation and the draft, and provide any feedback you may have before we submit the final report on June 30th.

Please send your feedback, comments, or questions to us at info@lakestcatherine.org.

Thank you!