For the preservation, protection, and maintenance of Lake St. Catherine
Hello to all in the LSC community.
Last evening, we received official word that due to conditions created by the COVID-19 outbreak, we will not be receiving our Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) grant as part of the Grant-in Aid program run by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation's Agency of Natural Resources.
Based on last year, that represents approximately $27,000 that we will not receive in 2020 to help fund our milfoil control efforts which includes our DASH team (Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting), and ProcellaCOR spot treatments. This is a huge loss for Lake St. Catherine.
As part of this same grant, we will be receiving $5,573 in support of our Boat Launch Monitoring / Greeter Program.
We are now in the process of adjusting and updating our 2020 budget to accommodate the loss of this grant. We will need to make some difficult decisions on how to best use our available funding for the benefit of Lake St. Catherine.
We would hate to lose any ground in preserving and protecting our watershed, so we respectfully ask our members (and potential members!) to please submit your dues as soon as possible so we can have a better idea of the funds we will have available for budgeting in 2020. Additional contributions over and above our standard dues and donations would be extremely helpful at this time.
To all of our potential LSCA members out there in the lake community, we hope to earn your support in 2020.
Thank you to our members for your support as we continue to work to fulfill our mission of the preservation, protection and maintenance of Lake St. Catherine.
If you have any questions, please reach out to us at info@lakestcatherine.org.
We'll have more updates for you this weekend, along with the release of our Spring 2020 Newsletter.
Becoming A Member:
- You can download a copy of our Membership Form by clicking here: 2020 LSCA Membership Form PDF. Just fill out the form and mail it in to our Treasurer Elaine with a check for your dues.
- Or, you can renew or become a member on our website - and you can pay your dues online with your credit card. If you were a member last year (whether you paid by check or online by credit card), the website has an account ready for you. If you don't remember your password, or never set one up, click on the "Forgot Username/Password?" link, and the site will send you an email with the information.
Thank you.
Hello LSC fans.
Occasionally, we come across a Lake St. Catherine reference in an old publication. They are an interesting snapshot from that time, so we like finding them, and then passing them along for all to enjoy.
This particular article, entitled "A Place Excused From Change: Recapturing Summers From The 50's" by Charles Strum, appeared in the Friday, August 31st edition of the New York Times.
It's an old newspaper scan, so the images are not great, but it's better than nothing... You can read the full text of the article (no images) by clicking here.
Scans from the paper (you can click on the scans to see a larger version):
You can read a previous "LSC Blast From The Past" by clicking here to see "A Family Kind Of Place - Lake St. Catherine's Appeal Spans The Generations" from Vermont Life Magazine.
Hello to all in the Lake St. Catherine community.
We were recently contacted by Peter Hathaway, the Rutland County rep for the 2020 Census. We discussed the importance of the 2020 census, and how low the response rate has been for our area.
On the importance of the 2020 Census from the 2020 Census website:
"School lunches. Plans for highways. Support for firefighters and families in need. Census results affect your community every day. The results of the 2020 Census will help determine how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding flow into communities every year for the next decade. That funding shapes many different aspects of every community, no matter the size, no matter the location. Think of your morning commute: Census results influence highway planning and construction, as well as grants for buses, subways, and other public transit systems. Or think of your local schools: Census results help determine how money is allocated for the Head Start program and for grants that support teachers and special education. The list goes on, including programs to support rural areas, to restore wildlife, to prevent child abuse, to prepare for wildfires, and to provide housing assistance for older adults."
"School lunches. Plans for highways. Support for firefighters and families in need. Census results affect your community every day.
The results of the 2020 Census will help determine how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding flow into communities every year for the next decade. That funding shapes many different aspects of every community, no matter the size, no matter the location.
Think of your morning commute: Census results influence highway planning and construction, as well as grants for buses, subways, and other public transit systems.
Or think of your local schools: Census results help determine how money is allocated for the Head Start program and for grants that support teachers and special education.
The list goes on, including programs to support rural areas, to restore wildlife, to prevent child abuse, to prepare for wildfires, and to provide housing assistance for older adults."
The low response rate could be related to the amount of seasonal properties in our area. So, Peter asked if we could share the attached flyer:
So, we hope you can all take a moment to fill out the census questionnaire by clicking here: www.my2020census.gov. It is very important for our community!
Hello to all in the Lake St. Catherine community. We hope you are all staying healthy and well.
The LSCA was just provided the following information from the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department concerning the Governor’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order and how that may potentially impact boating activities this summer. The stay at home order was recently extended to May 15th.
The department’s Fishing Access Areas are open 24/7 as they always have been, but the public is reminded to practice safe social distancing and only recreate with people that you have been self-quarantining with.
Information from Vermont Fish & Wildlife:
"In order to comply with the Governor’s orders for maintaining essential services and reduce the potential spread of COVID-19, VFWD will not be providing portable toilet services, installing docks, or allowing Public Access Greeters. This will last until at least May 15th to keep the public and contractors safe and healthy during this pandemic.
To use the access areas safely, the public is reminded to practice social distancing and only recreate with people that you have been self-quarantining with. While using the fishing access areas, ANR asks residents to use the necessary precautions to help limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Residents are always asked to maintain on-going aquatic invasive species spread prevention measures to comply with the Aquatic Nuisance Species regulations (10 V.S.A. 1454). These regulations require persons to inspect their vessel, vessel trailer, motor vehicle and other equipment upon entering and departing a waterbody and to remove any aquatic plants, plant parts and aquatic nuisance species found on vessels or equipment.
The recreational boating season generally kicks off Memorial Day weekend and ANR is working to develop practical guidelines, potential training opportunities, and educational and informational signage to support invasive species spread prevention operations that will be available prior to that time. However, Special Use Permits and Public Access Greeter Programs are on-hold until further notice. Staff will continue to work with boaters and Public Access Greeter Programs to keep them updated to ensure a safe boating season."
The LSCA is committed to our Greeter / Aquatic Invasive Species Program. Keeping invasive species out of LSC is one of our top priorities. Over the past few months, we have been preparing our 2020 program - and we hope to be able to kick it off over the Memorial Day weekend.
We'll keep you up to date.
Be well.
First, we hope that you and your loved ones are staying safe and healthy during this COVID-19 pandemic. Please be sure to follow all CDC advice to keep yourself safe.
We’d like to take a few moments to inform you on how the COVID-19 pandemic will impact the Lake St. Catherine Association’s efforts for the 2020 season.
Over the Fall of 2019, the LSCA applied for numerous grants from various environmental agencies. In the late Winter / early Spring of 2020, we were very happy to learn that we were awarded 4 grants. However, we’ve recently received indications that these may be in jeopardy. Then, this week, we’ve learned that one has just been cancelled.
We are also very concerned that planned State and local government funding may also be pulled or reduced.
We are now in the process of adjusting and updating our 2020 budget to accommodate these uncertainties. We will need to make some difficult decisions on how to best use our available funding for the benefit of Lake St. Catherine.
During this uncertain time, the LSCA will continue to work on our important lake management programs, some of which include: stormwater runoff & pollution control, water testing, lake safety, milfoil control, boat launch monitoring (Greeter program) / aquatic invasive species education & prevention. You can learn about our efforts in more detail by clicking here to read our 2019 Year In Review.
With all this in mind, we would hate to lose any ground in preserving and protecting our watershed, so we respectfully ask our members to please submit your dues as soon as possible so we can have a better idea of the funds we will have available for budgeting.
We started our 2020 membership drive in mid February, and we are happy to report that we’ve had 204 members submit their dues so far - so we are off to a good start. Last year, we had 350 paid memberships.
Each season, we work to grow and expand our membership base, which we have done over the past 4 years. However, we realize this may be a difficult goal for 2020 as folks may be out of work, or worried about what the future will bring.
If you plan on becoming a member for 2020, please do so as soon as you can. It will be very helpful to know how much we will receive in membership dues as we continue to work on our 2020 budget.
You can also download a copy of the 2020 membership form by clicking here: 2020 LSCA Membership Form PDF. Just fill out the form and mail it in to our Treasurer Elaine with a check for your dues.
Or, you can renew or become a member on our website - and you can pay your dues online with your credit card. If you were a member last year (whether you paid by check or online by credit card), the website has an account ready for you. If you don't remember your password, or never set one up, click on the "Forgot Username/Password?" link, and the site will send you an email with the information.
Thank you to our members for your support this season.
I'm guessing we could all use a little distraction from current events... That, along with some open water appearing on the lake - makes it feel like a good time to start up #IceWatch2020.
So, let's try to have a little fun again this Spring and make some predictions for when the ice will go out.
Last year, with her guess of 4/15 at 6:00 AM, our winner - and 2019 LSC Ice Out Champion was Judy Cummings.
We called Ice Out a little early last year, and had to be corrected by many eagle-eyed ice spotters around the lake. We hope you'll share your ice reports again this year!
Make your prediction here: LSC Ice Out Prediction Form
The winner will be crowned "LSC 2020 Ice Out Champion" and will have bragging rights all year!
Make your guess - and good luck!
Hello good folks in the LSC community. Unfortunately, we have some sad news to report.
Long-time Lake St. Catherine Association Trustee Phil Pope has passed away.
You can read about Phil in his obituary appearing in the Rutland Herald by clicking here.
LSCA President Jim Canders wanted to share this comment about Phil:
"We all lost a true American and outspoken advocate for the health of Lake St. Catherine. As his obituary noted, he was a man for all seasons, Lake St. Catherine in the summer, salmon fishing in Alaska in the fall, a ski trip to the Western US during the winter and skiing at Bromley after he returned from his trip to the West. However, and most importantly to each of us, he was our friend. As a Board member, he held an unwavering concern for, and care of Lake St Catherine. He will be truly missed."
Other LSCA board members offered their thoughts and recollections of Phil:
- "He was a dedicated and valuable member who had determination and focus on stewardship of the lake for nearly 50 years."
- "What a full and joyful life..."
- "Phil Pope not only loved Lake St. Catherine, but he also worked hard as part of the Lake Saint Catherine Association to keep it special. What a great man!"
- "He and Polly loved LSC, and were dedicated to the health and beauty of the lake for so many years."
- "Phil was always a true Gentleman with a smile and warm greeting. He will be greatly missed."
Funeral services will be held at the First Congregational Church of Manchester at 2 p.m. on March 28, 2020. A gathering will be held at the church fellowship hall following the service. A brief graveside interment ceremony will be held on Aug. 1 in Poultney, with a celebration of life to follow at the Lake St. Catherine house.
We all thank Phil for his many years of dedication and hard work in service of the betterment of Lake St. Catherine.
We offer our sincere condolences to Phil's family.
On Tuesday, March 3rd, 2020, the residents of Wells and Poultney voted to provide $12,000 and $15,000, respectively, in support of the Lake St. Catherine Association's mission of the preservation, protection and maintenance of Lake St. Catherine.
We'd like to thank the good folks of both towns for their support. These funds, along with membership dues and contributions, will help us direct and fund important programs that include (but are not limited to): milfoil control, invasive species control (boat launch Greeter program), water testing, pollution and phosphorous mitigation and water safety. You can read more about all that the LSCA does in the Our Purpose section of our site.
Maintaining the lake costs approximately $125,000 annually. Grants, membership dues and contributions make up the majority of our funding. If you'd like to help, please consider becoming a member or making a donation. The LSCA is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization and any contribution that you make is tax deductible.
Thanks again to the residents of Wells and Poultney!
Hello LSC community,
We'd like to inform you about a meeting that took place Saturday afternoon between representatives of the Lake St. Catherine Association (LSCA) and the Lake St. Catherine Conservation Fund (LSCCF) to discuss the future of Little Lake.
Last week, a Little Lake property owner reached out to both groups requesting a meeting between the two associations. We both accepted, and they graciously hosted the meeting at their Little Lake property which included our host, their neighbors, and 3 reps each from the LSCA and the LSCCF.
The LSCCF discussed their proof of concept dredging project, their mechanical harvesting plans, and their aeration permit that is under review by the DEC.
We discussed our thoughts on coming back into Little Lake with our milfoil control program in an effort to gain better control over milfoil lake-wide.
While the meeting became contentious at times, and we continue to have fundamental differences - by the end of the meeting, we were having a civil discussion. We both agreed to keep in touch, and to keep sharing information.
We'd like to thank our host and their neighbors for their efforts to set up this meeting to create a dialog between the LSCA and the LSCCF.
We hope this will lead to other opportunities to speak with Little Lake property owners. If you have any comments or questions, please reach out to us at info@lakestcatherine.org.
Hello good folks of the Lake St. Catherine community.
It's that time of year again... As the Lake St. Catherine Association heads into its 67th year, we are asking for your support for the 2020 season.
What does the LSCA do? Well, start here by checking out our 2019 Year In Review.
Your membership dues and contributions help fund many of the services provided by the LSCA:
There are two easy ways to renew or become a member of the LSCA.
Soon, you will be receiving a mailing from us that contains the 2020 Membership Form. You can also download a copy by clicking here: 2020 LSCA Membership Form PDF. Just fill out the form and mail it in to our Treasurer Elaine with a check for your dues. We'll also send you an email if we have your address on file.
Or, you can renew or become a member on our website. If you were a member in 2019, click here - and you can pay your dues online with your credit card. If you were a member last year (whether you paid by check or online by credit card), the website has an account ready for you. If you don't remember your password, or never set one up, click on the "Forgot Username/Password?" link, and the site will send you an email with the information.
We'd also like to encourage you to check with your employer to see if they have an Employer Matching Gift Program for charitable donations. Many generous businesses will match donations made by their employees through these programs. So, take a look - you may be able to double your contribution!
If you are a business in the Lake St. Catherine community, we have a Business Sponsor Membership we'd like to tell you about. The Business Sponsor Membership includes:
You can learn more about the Business Sponsorship by clicking on the 2020 LSCA Membership Form PDF.
Your membership and the dues and contributions we receive allows us to accomplish our work. Maintaining the lake costs approximately $125,000 annually. While we do receive annual grants from Poultney, Wells, and the State, membership dues and contributions make up the majority of our funding.
Upon receiving your membership contribution, our treasurer Elaine will mail you a hand-written thank you note, a receipt, a LSCA window card and a stick-on card holder for your cell phone.
We are happy to report that in 2019, we had 342 paid members, which includes 9 Business Sponsors with an average contribution of $154. Thank you to all of our members! Your membership dues and additional contributions over and above our base $100 membership level are crucial to funding our important lake programs. In 2019, we increased our membership in both dollars and in individual contributors by around 12% each as compared to 2018. We hope to build on these numbers again in 2020. As always, we ask you to help us spread the word by discussing the LSCA with your neighbors. We will continue to work hard for Lake St. Catherine to earn your support.
We appreciate your support!
If you have any questions, please contact us at info@lakestcatherine.org.
Search lakestcatherine.org:
Follow us on:
