On Saturday, August 23rd, the Lake St. Catherine Association held their fourth and final meeting of the 2025 season.

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

Guests: Beck Sinclair, Tim mante, Steve Mattison, John Belnavis, Melissa Hardesty.

Call to Order: President Jim Canders called the meeting to order at 8:03 AM.

Note: the meeting did not follow the agenda to accommodate the guest speakers and the Trustees with other engagements.

DASH Report: Beck Sinclair provided a report for the DASH team’s 2026 work. Work started in late June with hand-pulling only in multiple areas around the lake, with full DASH operations commencing after the 4th of July holiday weekend. Problem areas next year could be around Sunken Island, and Forest House and Atwater Bays. They also surveyed the boat launch area for signs of zebra mussels, and did not find any. They also noted that they did not see any Curley Leaf Pondweed in the Big Lake during their work.

Greeter Program Report: John Belnavis volunteered to run the 2026 Greeter Program even though he had retired from the board in 2025 - THANK YOU JOHN! John introduced Melissa (Missy), and a potential plan for her to manage the Greeter Program next season.

Lake Safety: Mike Gay requested funds for replacement parts for multiple buoys. Mary Jo made a motion to appropriate $608 for the parts, seconded by Sue. All in favor, so moved. Mike also requested assistance for the fall pickup of the buoys, hoping to use the DASH boat to do so.

Introduction of Potential Trustee Candidates: Jim Canders introduced Tim Mante, a resident on Atwater Bay, and Steve Mattison, a resident on Stonehenge - both are interested in joining the board. They both introduced themselves.

On to the agenda:

Approval of Meeting Minutes: Motion to approve the June Minutes, all in favor and so moved.

Treasurer’s Report: Mary Jo Teetor presented an overview of current balances and a report. An extension was filed for the 990, and due in October. Mary Jo also asked that we get a COI and a contract for all vendors. Mary Jo also discussed recent and upcoming State and LCBP grants. A motion was made to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented, all in favor, so moved.

Annual Membership Meeting: A brief discussion of the Annual Meeting took place. The meeting was well attended, the food was great, and it appears that all who attended had a good evening. Many State and local officials attended. John has given the CC our dates for next year.

Milfoil Program: Jeff Crandall discussed preparing for 2026. The fall survey will be taking place in September, conducted by Arrowwood Environmental. Atwater Bay appears to have the most dense areas of milfoil to be addressed next year. Jerremy spoke about the volunteer effort at Lakes End, which was very successful.

Water Quality and Testing: Mary Jo has been taking lay monitoring water samples, noting that the State has been late in picking up the samples. There was also discussion of dirty looking water reported coming from the Cascades area on RT 30, which would have been from a beaver dam letting loose. There was also discussion of the septic issue on Channel Drive, and the unfortunate discovery of an abandoned well that was found just before work was to begin on the new system.

Publicity: Jerremy provided copies of the Fall newsletter. Copies are also available at Wellsmere Farm and the Cluckin’ Cafe. Digital copies are available on our website and were emailed to members.

FOVLAP Update: Jerremy spoke about FOVLAP’s upcoming annual meeting in early September in Burlington which has the theme of celebrating Lake Associations. Jerremy also discussed the recent changes in Lakes and Ponds, the Greeter Program - and the effort to create a card for Greeters to be able to read to boaters about the laws.

Nominating Committee: Jim introduced Tim and Steve as candidates to fill open seats on the board. These 2 open seats have 2 years left on their term, so they would serve in 2026 and 2027. Jerremy made a motion to have Jim appoint Tim and Steve to the open positions, seconded by Sue. All in favor, so moved. Welcome to the board Tim and Steve!

Membership: Jerremy noted that the postcard reminders for renewals worked well, and that we currently have 377 members. The average contribution is around $200 per member. Jerremy mentioned that he will work to get the 2026 membership launched right at the beginning of the new year.

Government Relations: Discussion of the good representation at the annual meeting.

Old Business: Jerremy discussed the good turnout at East Poultney Day. Also a discussion about a replacement sign for the one that was run over.

New Business: Ed and Nancy discussed a possible land donation to the LSCA. Ed made a motion to hire an appraiser to evaluate the fair market value, seconded by Jeff, all in favor, so moved. There was also discussion about having an April meeting in 2026 to discuss things that may need to happen earlier in the season before we have the May meeting.

Election of Officers: A motion was made by Ed, seconded by Sue for Kemi McShane to be elected Recording Secretary, all in favor, so moved. A motion was made by Jeff, seconded by Jerremy for Mary Jo to be elected Treasurer, all in favor, so moved. A motion was made by Ed, seconded by Jerremy for Mike to be elected Vice President, all in favor, so moved. A motion was made by Jeff, seconded by Ed for Jim to be elected President, all in favor, so moved.

Adjournment: a motion was made by Sue to Adjourn the meeting at 9:45 and seconded by Jerremy. All in favor, so moved.

Minutes respectfully submitted, Kemi McShane

The Fall 2025 Newsletter is here!

A short run of printed copies of the newsletter are available at Wellsmere Farm in Wells, and the Cones Point General Store / Cluckin' Cafe in Poultney. If you'd like a printed copy, please feel free to pick one up when you are out and about (available now!). Thank you to Michelle and Nicole for having them available!

Also, your LSCA Trustee neighbors will have printed copies available around the lake over the weekend, so stop by to say hi.

The digital version is now available online via our website through this link: Click here to view the Fall 2025 Newsletter, or click on the image below. When you click on the link for the newsletter, you will be able to view it on screen - and be able to zoom in or out using the controls in your browser window. Or, you can click the download button to save a copy to your computer to view with a PDF reader, and/or print a copy.

Calling all paddlers...

On the morning of Saturday, September 6th at 9 AM, the LSCA will hold the first VIP Paddle of the season at the boat launch, we hope you'll join us!

The VIP program was established by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) in 2007 to focus on early detection of all known and potential aquatic invasive species (AIS) before they can become established in a waterbody.

Early detection is vital to protecting Lake St. Catherine from harmful invasive plants and animals. Volunteers participating in the VIP Program will monitor Lake St. Catherine for new introductions of invasive species and report their findings to the DEC. If a new invasive is discovered, the DEC will dispatch a team and work with the LSCA to organize an effort to remove it from the lake.

This is a GREAT addition to our invasive species control and prevention initiatives which includes our Greeter Program.

If you like to paddle, would like to learn more about LSC's aquatic plants, and would like to be part of an early warning system for detecting invasive species in LSC, please reach out to us at info@lakestcatherine.org to let us know you'd like to participate on September 6th.

You can read more about the VIP Program on LSC here: https://lakestcatherine.org/vermont-invasive-patrollers

Good evening LSC. We wanted to take a moment to thank everyone involved in the milfoil hand-pulling volunteer effort at Lakes End today.

Thanks to Jim, Christine, and Marcia and Steve for lending us floating mats, thanks to all the Lakes End neighbors that participated: Dale, Dave & Tyler, Mike & Shelia, and Alex & Michael, and thanks to folks from around the lake that helped out: Philip, Jerremy, Lindsey and her visiting friend, and new State Park Interpreter Elena.

We worked from 8 AM to about 1 PM, and got a lot done! It was great to see so many folks get together and make a big impact.

Milfoil had taken over the shoreline, crowding out the natives that had grown there previously. Tyler reached out to see what could be done, and we put together this volunteer morning which worked out very well!

The neighbors will let all the milfoil dewater and dry up, and will take it to the transfer station to dispose of it like yard waste. Also, after the water settles, they can float back out to remove any milfoil plants that we missed.

Great job all, and thanks for your efforts!

Here are some photos from the day from our Facebook page:

Next Saturday, August 9th, is the 90th East Poultney Day, held on the historic East Poultney Green from 9 AM to 3 PM. The theme this year is a commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary. You can read more about the day on the Poultney Historical Society's website here: https://www.poultneyhistoricalsociety.org/come-celebrate-the-90th-east-poultney-day

The LSCA will be there with our booth and the Lake St. Catherine Watershed Model - in our regular spot - so stop in and see us and talk about the lake!

We'll also have LSC stickers and LSC Scrapbooks available.

We hope to see you there!

On Saturday, July 26th, the Lake St. Catherine Association held their third meeting of the 2025 season.

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

Guests: John Belnavis, reported on the Greeter Program. 1,000 boats inspected in 2024, 900 inspected in 2025 to date. There was a problem with the paychecks which was resolved, discussion of new requirements which we are exempt from. John spoke of the Annual Dinner and requested two checks from the Treasurer to pay for the facility fee and the money collected for the dinners. Dan O’Connell present as a candidate to the Board of Trustees.

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

Approval of Meeting Minutes: Amendment made to the listing of Sue Williams as present and not online. Motion to approve the July Minutes, all in favor and so moved.

Treasurer’s Report: Mary Jo Teetor reviewed the accounts, a second payment was made to the DASH team, PMNRCD submitted an invoice to be paid. Watershed Action Plan payment received. Grant money from the Lake Champlain Basin Program is still outstanding. LSCA is in good shape financially. Grant money received and Membership is strong. Lisa made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented, seconded by Mark, all in favor, so moved.

Milfoil Program: Jeff reported as of April 2025, LSCA has a new five year permit in place. The milfoil was hard to find during the spring survey, but 15 sites identified based on the fall survey. The DASH team started hand-pulling in June and started DASH after the 4th of July weekend. Milfoil getting dense in and around Atwater Bay. Sue mentioned that Idylwild Bay was only partially DASHed last year, could the team revisit? This year only DASH and hand-pulling used, extending the DASH team a few weeks.

Publicity: Jerremy reviewed the presentation for the Annual Meeting, and noted the invited guests that will be attending. He mentioned the increase in the invasive Curly Leaf Pondweed. Mary Jo spoke of seeing cormorants, a bird that can be very destructive. Ed Laird spoke of the bylaws for the annual meeting. As of today, LSCA has 365 members.

Lake Safety: Mike has put solar lights on the buoys.

Water Quality and Testing: Mary Jo has been taking lay monitoring water samples. Early in the season, with so much rain, water clarity was low. Discussed multiple waves of high pollen and the recent wildfire smoke. Weather plays a major factor in water clarity. As of today, lake is looking good.

Nominating Committee: there has not been any contact with Bob Williams.

Membership: Jerremy reminder postcards will be mailed to members who have not yet renewed for 2025.

Government: Jerremy reached out to State and local reps to attend the Annual Meeting.

New Business: Jerremy asked to make a $200.00 donation to the VT Center of Ecostudies for their support of our loons. A motion to donate the funds in the amount of $200.00 was seconded by Lisa, all in favor and so moved.

Adjournment: a motion was made by Mark to Adjourn the meeting at 9:57 and seconded by Jeff. All in favor, so moved.

Next meeting: August 23, 2025 at 8:00 AM LSC CC.

Minutes respectfully submitted, Kemi McShane

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's 2025 Milfoil Control Program is funded by grants from the State's Grant-In-Aid Program, an AIS Prevention & Control grant from the Lake Champlain Basin Program and NEIWPCC, and contributions from the lake community through LSCA membership dues and donations.

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