Upper Hay Lake Association P.O. Box 769 Pequot Lakes, Minnesota 56472
Fall Newsletter October 2021 Page 1
GREETINGS FROM YOUR PRESIDENT
What an amazing fall it has been this year. I have managed to get “one last” kayak in to enjoy the glass-like water and beautiful colors. It is a bittersweet time of the year as everyone is busy bringing in their boats and docks. We had a hot; yet a beautiful summer to create many memories on Upper Hay Lake. I am always sad to see summer come to an end; but am thankful I can share the lake with you.
Keith Hughes passed away on September 21, 2021, in St. Cloud. Keith was the “godfather” of Hay Lake Lodge and our voice of reason. He was a resident of Upper Hay Lake for over twenty years and committed to building community within our association. Keith also had a keen interest in the inlet and outlet on Upper Hay Lake, along with the quality of water in our lake. His twenty-three grandchildren built many fond memories tubing, boating and fishing on Upper Hay Lake.
Our Upper Hay Lake Association met at the Jenkins VFW on August 5th in the evening. It was an enjoyable meeting as we all had a chance to introduce ourselves and visit with each other. We decided to have Beach Captains who will share updates related to UHLA happenings/issues with their neighbors. So far, our Beach Captain volunteers are Cindy Rieck, Neil Beaverson, Mike DuBay, Greg Murphy, and Jack Woodruff. Please let one of the board members know if you are interested in helping out. It is an easy way to make connections with your neighbors and to enhance our lake living.
Recently, Cindy Rieck had some shoreline restoration completed using willow waddles. WAPOA members helped her out with this project, and it looks great! I encourage you to consider making plans for some shoreline restoration for next spring. Even a small part of your beach restored would be an asset for keeping the phosphorus levels down. As I kayak around the lake, I have observed a marked difference in the shorelines which have some natural vegetation. The shorelines with plants and vegetation or restoration efforts appear to be much more substantial and stable.
Mark Saturday, May 21, 2022, on your calendar for the annual membership meeting. If you have any ideas you would like to contribute, be sure to contact one of the UHLA board members. Remember that Upper Hay Lake Association will only be successful if we have a strong and interested membership. Thank you for your commitment to keeping our lake clean and beautiful. Enjoy the fall colors and the change of seasons!
–Claire Steen
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NEXTDOOR
Here is great way to connect with others on the lake, whether it is the app for your phone, or the website for your computer. Signing up for Nextdoor is easy.
Someone might post that they found the lost life jacket your two-year-old threw over the boat unbeknown to you. Perhaps you just want to find the best lawn care person, or you no longer can handle the dock and lift anymore, and you want to find someone you can hire. Lost dog, want to sell something…. it all can be done on Nextdoor. https://nextdoor.com/neighborhood/?source=more_menu
–Judy Murphy
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TREASURER’S REPORT
To date we have 91 paid members for $2,415.00, plus extra donations of $1,197.00. In addition, we have two members paid for 2022 and one for 2023. I did not send out delinquency notices this year as our annual membership meeting was so late in the year. Hopefully we will be back over 100 next year. We currently have $1,687.35 in checking, $5,305.53 in savings, and $36,090.24 in CDs totaling $43,083.12.
–Ken Meyer
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NEW UPPER HAY LAKE ASSOCIATION WEBSITE IS LIVE
A new Upper Hay Lake Association website has been developed since our current website will no longer be supported by Conservation Minnesota. Jack Wheeler from Blue Hat Design has converted it to a new format. Brad Schultz will be adding updates soon. The site is located at:
http://uhla.mnlakesandrivers.org/
–Brad Schultz
ANNUAL MEETING HELD AT THE VFW
On August 5, 2021, the Annual Upper Hay Lake meeting was held at the Jenkins VFW Club. There was a total of 33 in attendance. The speaker for the evening was Nicolle Erickson, Environmental Service Specialist. She gave a presentation regarding the lakes in Crow Wing County—especially all the aquatic invasive species invading our waters: zebra mussels, Eurasian watermilfoil and starry stonewort. Information about Crow Wing County AIS prevention efforts, including interactive maps to search for the status of area lakes, can be found at www.crowwing.us/ais. The president presented an open forum for lake residents to voice their concerns. Issues raised included the depths of the water and having the DNR install markers, turning off bright lights around the lake at night, discussion about bears, and traffic on the lake. Brad Schultz provided entertainment—minnow races. The winner was Susan Dubay.
–Brad Schultz
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Here’s a great opportunity to become an active member of the Upper Hay Lake Community
The Upper Hay Lake Association is looking for volunteers to be Beach Captains, as a Beach Captain you will be the Go-To person, who welcomes new neighbors, conveys concerns to the Board, and notifies their neighbors of pertinent information regarding the lake. We need several volunteers for each side of the lake.
Please contact if you are interested: Neil Beaverson 651-429-2023 Jack Woodruff 612-802-2024 –Judy Murphy |
BEACH CAPTAINS NOW AVAILABLE
To address various concerns, the idea of beach captains was suggested by Claire Steen at the annual meeting. The following members volunteered: Cindy Rieck – south side; Neil Beaverson – northwest side; Greg Murphy – southwest side; Mike Dubay – east side; and Jack Woodruff – north side.
–Brad Schultz
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CONNECTING STUDENTS TO CONSERVATION
This fall, Conservation Minnesota is proud to launch Conservation Crew, a student leadership program for Minnesota middle schoolers designed to empower youth through conservation projects. As a youth-led after school program, the Crew will research, select, and complete a conservation project that benefits its school or the surrounding community. Each Crew will be supported by a teacher and Conservation Minnesota staff. The new program will engage students from across the state and reach communities who might not otherwise have an opportunity to learn about conservation. Individual schools will share their work with one another, enabling collaboration with students from different backgrounds. Opportunities to meet with local policymakers and conservation professionals will build students’ leadership and communication skills. In the spring, three outstanding projects will be awarded prizes to fund future activities. By investing in students, we hope to foster a lifetime connection to conservation and the Great Outdoors and equip young leaders with the skills they need to protect our environment. As students begin their projects, we will provide updates on our website at: conservationminnesota.org/crew
–Conservation Minnesota Fall 2021 Newsletter
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THE LEGACY AMENDMENT IN ACTION
For over 10 years, the Clean Water, Land, & Legacy Amendment has played an important role in preserving our state’s natural resources. Conservation Minnesota continues to watch this funding source closely to ensure the money is used as voters intended. One way Legacy Amendment dollars are spent is in educating the next generation of Minnesotans. Funding in this year’s Legacy Bill, passed in June by the state Legislature, included several projects that will provide opportunities for kids to get involved in the Great Outdoors. Learn how all Legacy Amendment funds are spent at: legacy.leg.mn Here are a few projects:
- Minnesota Green Schoolyards, The Trust for Public Land This pilot project will assess, promote, and demonstrate how schoolyards can improve water, air, and habitat quality. It will foster the next generation of stewards, while improving health, education, and community outcomes.
- Minnesota Freshwater Quest: Environmental Education on State Waterways, Wilderness Inquiry 30,000 underserved Minnesota youth (grades 6–12) will explore and improve their local waterways using freshwater species as the hook for place-based, hands-on environmental education.
- The Voyageurs Classroom Initiative, Voyageurs National Park Association. The Voyageurs Classroom will connect 6,000 Minnesota youth to Voyageurs National Park over three years to learn about its waters, wildlife, forests and skies, and engage in its preservation.
–Conservation Minnesota Fall 2021 Newsletter
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LIGHT POLLUTION
At the last Annual Board Meeting, we had an open discussion with Association members, one of the main concerns is the light pollution around the lake, the light that extends past its usage, and interferes with non-owners of that light. In the past I have had many people complain to me about their neighbor’s garage or cabin outside lights that shine all night and light up their home so they don’t even need to use a nightlight. They find this very invasive, and it can manifest into problems with their neighbors. There also have been many complaints about lights from across the lake shining into bedroom windows, or just shining at them as they are sitting on their dock trying to enjoy the serenity and magnitude of the night sky. Light pollution impacts everyone, including animals and the environment they depend on to survive. It was not that long ago, that we all could walk outside, whether it was on the dock or just on your land, look up and gaze in amazement at the beauty of night sky. Now it is like living in the city!
Good Outdoor Lighting Should:
- Optimize visibility at night for what we want lit
- Minimize energy consumption
- Minimize impact on the environment and ourselves
- Minimize glare
- Minimize light trespass
Please be kind and either use motion sensor lights or lights on a timer.
–Judy Murphy
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2020/2021
Term Ends
Beaverson, Neil 33904 N. Oak Dr. 651-429-6672 nmbeaverson@comcast.net 2023
417 Bear Ave. S.
Vadnais Heights, MN 55127
Braun, Bob 4875 Popple Trail 651-452-2872 rhbraun@comcast.net 2022
1262 Wilderness Curve 651-587-5596 – Cell
Eagan, MN 55123
Engel, Lori 4305 Acorn Lane 651-247-8135 – Cell engel.lori1@gmail.com 2024
Secretary
Larson, Whitey 33061 W Shady Beach Ln 218-568-5831 whiteylar@me.com 2022
Meyer, Ken 4345 Acorn Lane 218-568-5414 kenmeyer@tds.net 2024
Treasurer 218-820-7683 – Cell
Murphy, Judy 33424 S. Oak Drive 218-330-1890 – Cell jamurphy61.jm@gmail.com 2023
Vice-President
Perwien, Mickey 33546 N. Oak Drive 612-386-4858 – Cell mperwien@gmail.com 2022
Schultz, Brad 33143 Osprey Circle 952-393-1758 nlonglakers@gmail.com 2023
Steen, Claire 33161 Osprey Circle 218-829-3757 Claire.steen@charter.net 2024
President 29 Kingwood Street 218-330-7059 – Cell
Brainerd, MN 56401
Woodruff, Jack 4861 Popple Trail 612-802-3832 woodruffgarden17@yahoo.com 2024
Honorary Board Member