How to Identify Native and Invasive Plants
Invasive non-native plants are becoming a huge issue for New York lakes. It is extremely important that anything that has had contact with another body of water be thoroughly cleaned before being introduced into Yankee Lake. That means if you have used a canoe, kayak, fishing boat, sailboat, pontoon boat, pedal boat, anchor, fish net, fishing gear, paddles, oars, life preservers (personal floatation devices), or any other obect that was in contact with another lake's water, then you must clean the object before introducing it to our lake.
Lakes can be completely over-run by invasive plants very quickly. Please learn about what plants are native and properly belong in and around our lake, and what plants are non-native and potentially destructive to our eco-system. An excellent resource from the state of Maine can be downloaded by clicking this link.
If you think you have found a non-native plant, please pull a sample, including stem, leaves, flowers and roots if possible. Put the sample in a bucket of water, leave it in the shade, and contact Georgia Rampe, Chairman of our Lake Conservation and Preservation Committee.
Yankee Lake Water Quality Report Available for Download
Click Here to Download the Report
Yankee Lake’s waters continue to be monitored throughout the 2010 summer season. The Citizens Statewide Lake Assessment Program (CSLAP) is a volunteer lake monitoring program run by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and the NYS Federation of Lake Associations, Inc. It was modeled after successful volunteer programs in Vermont, Maine, Illinois and Minnesota. We have received our 2009 CSLAP report. These reports are posted on our web site and we invite you to download them by clicking this link.
A Rain Garden at the Clubhouse
The Landscaping Committee, chaired by Board member Alice Salmans, was established in 2009 to develop and implement a long-term plan for making the clubhouse grounds more attractive, functional, and low maintenance. Installation of a Rain Garden was recently completed. Click this link to be taken to the fuller description of the landscaping plans and accomplishments. (You may also use the menu to the left to select Projects, then click on the Landscaping the Clubhouse menu item.)
Fulfillment of the landscaping plan is totally dependent on donations from the members of the YLPA, and will proceed as quickly or as slowly as donations and volunteers are available. Donations can be made on the back of your annual dues form, or by contacting Alice.
Season-Opening Picnic
One hundred sixty-eight adult members of the YLPA, and a host of children under twelve, attended the Season Opening Picnic on 3 July at the Clubhouse. The weather was beautiful and the friendships warm. Participants indulged in barbecued pulled pork, hot dogs, hamburgers, and barbecued chicken, cole slaw and an assortment of other salads. Attendees brought their favorite desserts for sharing, and all was washed down with soda, bottled water, wine or beer.
Our Youth Director, Nicole Beam, provided structured activities for the kids, while the adults socialized and caught up with their neighbors on events from this past winter.
Successful events such as this do not just happen. A great deal of effort behind the scenes is required to plan, buy food, set-up, cook, serve, and clean up. We want to especially recognize YLPA volunteers who spent hours of their time so that their neighbors could enjoy a picnic with their family and friends: Kevin and Sue Armistead, Larry Barnes, Brad and Cathy Dawkins, Ed Dunn, Sue Giza, Mia Heikkila, Terry Loboda, Tom Quinn, Alice Salmans, Julie and Doug Stainton, Harry and Cookie Torchio. Thanks to each of these volunteers for their dedication and hard work!
Drive-in Movie Night and Picnic
The first of two 2010 Drive-in Movie Nights was a showing of "Eclipse" (part of the Twilight Saga) on 1 July at the Fair Oaks Drive-in Theatre (http://www.thefairoaksdrivein.com). The next night at the movies will be a showing of Walt Disney Pictures' The Sorcerer's Apprentice, rated PG, on 22 July.
Seventeen YLPA members gathered at the Clubhouse July 1st and car pooled together to the Fair Oaks Drive-in to see "Eclipse." The second feature of the night was "Toy Story 3" for those wishing to stay later. But the movie was only part of the show! Organized by Activity Committee member Larry Barnes, tables and chairs borrowed from the Clubhouse were set up, and members gathered round to enjoy the delightfully perfect weather, light drinks, popcorn, and lively conversation. Available inexpensive concessions included soft drinks, hamburgers and hot dogs, chicken, sausage & pepper heroes, pizza rolls, and ice cream. Twenty minutes before show time, the chairs and tables were put away, and lounge chairs and light blankets were set up, front and center of the 120 foot outdoor screen!
Our next Yankee Lake Outdoor Movie Night and Picnic will be on Thursday, 22 July, featuring The Sorcerer's Apprentice, a new live action comedy-adventure Walt Disney film starring Nicolas Cage, Jay Baruchel and Becky Barnes. Call Larry (888-4414) for details and to sign up. Everyone will meet at the Clubhouse by 6 PM to give or get a ride to the drive-in theater. The theater and concessions are cash only. Adults are $5, kids under twelve are $3.
Do You Have an E-mail Address?
Your Association is trying to increase its efficiency in informing members of upcoming events, action alerts, volunteer opportunities and more! E-mail is a timely method of doing so. About half of our members have provided us with their email address. If you have not done so, please join the YLPA list! Click here to be added to the YLPA e-mail list.