THE VOICE OF SQUASH LAKE

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1 THE VOICE OF SQUASH LAKE Volume 4, Issue 2 Apr, May, June, 2012 A GREAT BIG THANK YOU TO BILL AKEN FOR VOLUNTEERING TO DO OUR CBCW SCHEDULING AFTER LEAVING THE DNR GRANT POSITION Although, Bill is no longer the coordinator for the Three Lakes Educational DNR Grant, he has graciously volunteered to continue scheduling our boat landing volunteers this year. Please give him your cooperation. We are in desperate need for volunteers and both Bill and Janet Appling are willing to train people in groups or individually at our landing. Every hour donated is worth $12 toward our required match to the DNR grant. We must donate 200 hours during the summer for our required match. Our schedule for hours is printed for weekends, but if you have time during the week in the afternoons, PLEASE COME AND MONITOR at the landing and be sure to fill out the form so that we can get credit for your time. PLEASE REMEMBER, SQUASH LAKE BELONGS TO US ALL AND WE NEED EVERYONE ON THE LAKE TO DO THEIR PART SLA s Mission Statement To preserve and protect Squash Lake and its surrounding ecosystem. And to enhance the water quality, the fishery, boating safety, and the aesthetic values of Squash Lake, as a public recreational facility for today and for future generations.

2 Page 2 Letter from the President This is an exciting time for SLA as we launch our comprehensive lake management grant. Please don t miss the June 16 kick-off meeting, when our environmental contractor, Onterra LLC, will explain how this grant will affect the ecology of Squash Lake for years to come. Until now we have been reacting to events. Now we will be able to be more proactive and look at the big picture going forward, using sound data on water quality, fish populations, aquatic plant diversity, shoreline development, the water table, and the greater Squash Lake watershed. I see this comprehensive lake management process as our most important accomplishment to date as a lake association, and I want to personally thank Craig Zarley, our vice president, for spearheading this effort. We have six board positions open, and the board would like to expand the number of directors from 8 to 10. I am excited that several of you have expressed an interest in joining the board, but we still need additional candidates for broader input and fresh ideas. The board meets monthly during the recreational open water season, but only sporadically during the winter. Non residents are welcome to serve on the board as well, and can access meetings by speaker phone or visually on the computer through skype. We also have a variety of other ways to get involved for those of you not interested in serving on the board. These include: inspecting boats for AIS at the landing, being an AIS early detection monitor for a section of shoreline, phoning lake residents to solicit more volunteer boat inspectors on weekends, or other secretarial duties. No task is too small. Please contact me or another board member if you can help. I have decided not to run for another term as president of the Squash Lake Association. Sue retires in July, the house is up for sale, and we plan to move to San Diego to be with our two girls when (and if) the house ever sells. Life marches on, and after 7 years as president it s time for new blood and for someone else to take over the reins. I learned a lot along the way, and I have been truly blessed to work with such an energetic and passionate board. It has been a privilege and an honor to serve as your president, working with all of you to help preserve the integrity of this jewel that we call Squash Lake. Best wishes always. Pat Dugan HELP YOUR NEIGHBOR.16 ft sail boat for sale: $400 or OBO call Wanted, someone to cut my grass: 200 ft frontage at 7381 Hwy 8 W. in Woodboro: call or wehermann@yahoo.com Boat and Motor For Sale:14ft Star craft (about 40yr old approx) 4 seat/4 person rated for 800lb max load.. Johnson outboard motor, same age. Needs work. Make offer on either item. Located on shore at SE end of lake. Contact Dan Butkus SLA OFFICERS & BOARD MEMBERS: Pat Dugan, President, pdugan@shsmh.org Jim Brown, Secretary, jmb1216@gmail.com Karen Isebrands Brown, kisebrow@gmail.com, Greg Nevinski, squash53129@yahoo.com, Craig Zarley, Vice President, craig.zarley@gmail.com Marj Mehring, Treasurer, dmehring@gmail.com Nick Boismenue, boismens@newnorth.net, Laura Hetland, Hetlands7386@gmail.com

Page 3 Loons and Dogs Don t Mix Last year I witnessed a frightful sight on Squash Lake. I saw a retriever swim out into the lake pursuing an adult loon and two chicks.

3 Page 3 Loons and Dogs Don t Mix Last year I witnessed a frightful sight on Squash Lake. I saw a retriever swim out into the lake pursuing an adult loon and two chicks. The loon was in a frenzy trying to protect the chicks. Tremolos and yodels filled the air. Fortunately, the dog s owners were able to get him under control and call him back to shore. We could have lost three loons that day. Adult loons, unaccompanied by chicks, will defend themselves by diving or flying away from the threat. But, chicks cannot fly until they are three months old. The adult loon will fight to the death rather than abandon the chicks. As loons swim around the lake they are not attempting to tease dogs, as I heard one dog owner say. The lake is their breeding ground and habitat. We are fortunate that a pair of loons have chosen Squash Lake for their summer home. If we want to continue to be thrilled by the call of the loon, we must protect them. Dog owners need to be mindful of the fact that loon chicks cannot defend themselves. When it comes to the loons on the lake, let s help our dogs to resist their instinct to retrieve. It is our responsibility. Thank you.

4 Page 4 ANNUAL MEETING TIME COME ONE, COME ALL TO ROGER S BEACH ON JULY 7TH 9 A.M.-12 NOON This will be a Pot Luck Brunch so bring something to pass. Brunch will be from 9-10:30 and the SLA Business Meeting to begin at 10:30 A.M.. Business to be covered : Budget Changes to our By-Laws Election of Board Members. Lake Management Grant Open Discussion There will be games for the kids and everyone is welcome to enjoy the beach for the day. FOOD FUN FRIENDS IMPORTANT SLA DATES TO REMEMBER SLA Lake Management Plan Kick-Off Meeting Time: Saturday, June 16 th at 9 am 12 noon Place: Crescent Town Hall (located off Highway 8 on the road leading to Northwood Golf Course SLA ANNUAL MEETING AND BRUNCH Time: Saturday, July 7, a.m. to 12 Place: Roger Degris beach front This will be a Pot Luck Brunch, please bring something to share NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE: Janet Appling, janetappling@yahoo.com, Karen Isebrands Brown, kisbrow@gmail.com Carole Mustacci, scnassi@newnorth.net, Craig Zarley, craig.zarley@gmail.com

5 Page 5 ITS YOUR NEWSLETTER, PLEASE MAKE A SUBMISSION We are looking for Stories: family stories or anecdotes, from incidents on the lake, Pictures: of fish caught, wildlife visitors, your landscaping, your flower garden, shoreline restoration, family reunions, Poetry: are you creative? Recipes: do you have a recipe that you are known for, or is a favorite with your family, Activities & Traditions: what are some of the activities that your family participates in here on the lake? Are there any rituals that your family has developed over the years, when you get to the lake? The purpose of the newsletter is to help us get to know our neighbors better and keep everyone updated on important information pertaining to the lake and its surrounding watershed and ecosystem. We really need YOUR input to make this a community newsletter. Information can be submitted for review by or regular mail to members of the Newsletter Committee or, to Janet Appling at 7324 Peninsula Rd, Rhinelander, WI 54501, or to: janetappling@yahoo.com by the 15th of the first month of each quarter. (Apr, July, Oct, Jan) These business s have made donations to SLA to support our efforts in keeping Squash Lake and the surrounding environment healthy and clean for future generations. PLEASE SUPPORT THEM Henkel's Town Pump SPECIALS FRI: Shrimp Basket/Fish Fry SATURDAY: MEXICAN DAY 11 9 SUNDAY: BUCKETS OF CHICKEN Grill open every day for Burgers, Sandwiches, Pizza Party Room Now Available RHINELANDER FAMILY DENTIST TOTAL FAMILY CARE NEW PATIENTS WELCOME Same Day Emergency care Daniel P. Gremban 803 Lincoln St Rhinelander

6 Page 6 ODDS AND ENDS SLA Lake Management Plan Kick-Off Meeting Time: Saturday, June 16th at 9 am 12 noon Place: Crescent Town Hall (located off Highway 8 on the road leading to Northwood Golf Course) We seem to have at least 2 pairs of Sandhill Cranes nesting at the south east end of the lake. I have seen 4 birds in the open field on a regular basis and sometimes 6 birds. We also have a healthy population of bears again this year. We have a 3 yr old male, a female with 2 cubs and a female with 1 cub that have been making appearances on the southeast end of the lake. Checking Personal Watercraft Inspection protocols are courtesy of Michele Sadauskas Oneida County AIS Coordinator SLA WEBSITE squashlakeassociation.com Our website carries all the up to date news and information that would be of interest to lake owners. If you think something should be there, and it isn t contact Carole Mustacci at scanassi@newnorth.net

Page 7 WANTED: Items for Squash Lake Silent Auction 7/7/12

a hand crafted item that you can part with.

taxes because Squash Lake Association is a 501c3.

scuba divers to pull the Eurasian Milfoil from our lake.

If you have items to donate email Karen Isebrands Brown

net Some of the items already donated: Custom wood burned

Zealand Handfelted boots Handcrafted Loon Jewelry Box Sample

7 Page 7 WANTED: Items for Squash Lake Silent Auction 7/7/12 Please look around the house to see if you can find an item to donate to the silent auction. It might be a white elephant, unwanted gift, impulse buy, or a hand crafted item that you can part with. The value of the item can be used as a deduction on your taxes because Squash Lake Association is a 501c3. One hundred percent of the proceeds go toward paying the scuba divers to pull the Eurasian Milfoil from our lake. Last year the auction proceeds paid for 33 hours of diving. If you have items to donate Karen Isebrands Brown Kisebrow@charter.net Some of the items already donated: Custom wood burned sign Tea Cup Bird feeder Garden Sprite Hand carved Gnomes New Zealand Handfelted boots Handcrafted Loon Jewelry Box Sample woodburning work for the custom sign donated WALL CLOCK Items not pictured By Roger Degris TWO SIGNED JOHN BATES NATURE BOOKS IRISH MEN S WOOL HAT By Step and Nic Boismenue By Jim Brown

8 Page 8 TIPS TO KEEP OUR LAKE PRISTINE Reprinted from a WDNR Bulletin Attached is a list of things that property owners can do to preserve water quality in their lake. This list is a compilation of several sources including an article from the Duluth News Tribune dated June 2, Branches and trees falling in from wooded shorelines naturally and continuously generate woody debris. Woody debris creates high quality fish habitat. High quality fish habitat includes woody debris, natural bottom materials, native aquatic plants and clean water. Maintain or establish a shoreland buffer zone of native vegetation. Buffers of at least 35 feet prevent erosion and infiltration of nutrients into the lake. Naturalize your shoreline and encourage woody vegetation and tall grasses. They stabilize the shoreline. Minimize the disturbance of native aquatic plants. They stabilize the shoreline and are critical habitat for fish and other wildlife. Slow shoreland runoff with gentle sloping and terraced landscaping. Septic system should comply with local ordinances and be properly operated and maintained. Locate your drain field as far from the lake as possible. Consider installing an alternative wastewater treatment system that can remove nitrogen and phosphorus. Pump septic systems at least every three years. Systems with garbage disposals should be pumped annually. Don t put household cleaners, solvents and pesticides down the drain. Choose phosphorus free automatic dishwasher detergent and other household cleaning products. Limit the use of antibacterial products. Don t flush expired prescription drugs. Limit or don t use fertilizer. Use zero-phosphorus fertilizer unless a soil test indicates the need for phosphorus. Reduce or use eliminate pesticide use on the lawn and garden Keep grass clippings, leaves and pet waste out of the lake Create a rain garden to capture storm water. Have meandering, small pathways where you must have a path. This will reduce runoff. Limit cutting, pruning, manicuring and mowing and raking. That duff layer soaks up storm water and is over-wintering habitat for native milfoil weevils. These native weevils like Eurasian water milfoil even more than the natives. Don t burn leaves near the lake.

9 Page 9 This is an article reprinted from The Crescent Lake Association Newsletter and submitted by Rosie Page, a resident on the lake. Although this article is written for Crescent Lake, the information and suggestions are pertinent to all bodies of water. Squash Lake could benefit from our lake residents applying some of these suggestions

Please Support Your Squash Lake Association $ 25.

10 Please Support Your Squash Lake Association $ Annual Dues need to be paid by July 1, 2012 $ Donation to control Eurasian Water-milfoil $ Donation to General Fund $ TOTAL NAME ADDRESS PHONE Squash Lake Association P O Box 511 Rhinelander, WI Squash Lake Association P O Box 511 Rhinelander, WI 54501

THE VOICE OF SQUASH LAKE

THE VOICE OF SQUASH LAKE Volume 4, Issue 3 July, Aug, Sept, 2012 Urgent Appeal for Operating Funds - EWM Control From time to time, every organization finds itself in a temporary bind. The SLA is no different.