CALENDAR

Aug 29— Hog Roast— CANCELLED

Sept. 5 - Beach Directors Meeting—at Lake

George Marina

Sept 6 - Luminaries

Sept 7 - Labor Day (Monday)

Lake George Conservancy August Update:

The Lake George Conservancy is wrapping up a busy summer season, the highlights include:

The purchase of the northwest corner property on Angola Road and Lane 201. In large part due to the generosity of the Chad,

Scott and Dereck Melchi families, the LGC board was able to craft a deal that allowed for the purchase of this land. As it

stands now, the LGC controls three of the four corner properties at this intersection. This effectively eliminates any threat

from commercial development at this intersection. The LGC will now pivot to parcels that present watershed protection to

safeguard the quality of Lake George’s water. The board decided to not run a capital campaign in 2020, but we will still

conduct our annual Sustaining Campaign in late November. All monies donated during the 2020 Sustaining Campaign will

be earmarked for the Restricted Fund, which is solely dedicated to land acquisition.

The Boutique is having an outstanding year, reflecting the great new merchandise brought in by Pam Laux and Sue Boomer.

The incredible effort put in by these two volunteers is exceptional and benefits the LGC greatly.

The Annual Chicken BBQ Fund Raiser proved to be a huge success as well. We sold 1763 chicken halves, which delivered

roughly a $5,600 profit. The volunteer help was outstanding for the second year in a row, thanks to all who assisted. And

fortunately, we had a great crew from Nelson’s! They showed up @ 4:45 AM and we never fell behind in the delivery of

chicken. By far 2020 was the best executed BBQ fund raiser we have held in the past 5 years.

Lastly, the 2020 Hog Roast has been canceled due to complications related to the COVID 19 pandemic. Between the State of Indi-

ana banning buffet meals, the new requirement limiting gatherings to 250 people and uncertainty related to attendance the board

decided to cancel the event for 2020. We are committed to returning the Hog Roast in 2021.

CALLING “9-1-1”

Sadly, a tragedy occurred on Lake George recently, and due to the two state, two jurisdiction situation

on our lake we thought it could be helpful to get some 9-1-1 tips from the emergency services of Branch County and Steuben County

who provide our safety and support services. Hopefully you will never need to call 9-1-1 but both groups say:

It is CRITICAL to give the responder as much information as possible as to where they are going—Address??? Landmarks?

Signs? Flags? Buildings? Big trees?

Tell the dispatcher that you are on Lake George and on the IN or MI side, as they may not be familiar with our lake. On occasion

responders may cross state lines.

EXAMPLE: This is __________. I have a (Police, Fire, or Medical) emergency. I am located at (address) on Lake George

in (Branch/Steuben) county (MI/IN). Steuben and Branch County does have GPS service and can recognize your location if

you call from your cell phone. But report the nearest major road or nearest intersection—ie: Lake George, Old US 27 and

Kope-Kon Rd., or Old 27 and Baker Road, or 301 Nipigon Bch, and Flint, Caroline Drive and Flint. Or West Shore Dr and

Whaley etc.

9-1-1 Call Tips:

Don’t hang up until the dispatcher is ready to disconnect the call.

Stay calm and answer all the questions the 9-1-1 taker asks

Post your address clearly and prominently on your home

Post your address and county information in your home. Show visitors where it is.

If at all possible, send someone out to meet the responders, while someone else stays with the patient.

Steuben County:

Emergency services and ambulances are under jurisdiction of county government

A substation is located in Fremont on State Rd. 120

Branch County:

Lifecare services, a nonprofit EMS organization provides all ambulance services for the county

Lifecare adjusts the placement of staff and ambulances throughout the county, particularly in summer high

activity periods keeping lake activity in mind

Lifecare and Steuben Co. have an agreement to request backup IN services in critical situations

at the discretion of the dispatcher or manager.

Please call Renate Brenneke if you have any questions regarding the above

Lake George Cottagers Association Update

The Annual meeting of the LGCA was held July 25 with participants fully masked and socially distanced at the Marina. The meeting

was opened by Vice President Dave Sorg as Kevin was exposed to a positive case of Covid19 the previous week and is isolating him-

self. The following are highlights not covered elsewhere in this Breeze edition.

Paul Schlatter provided a Safety Update reminding us of the dangers of propellers (while holding a cleaver in his hand) partic-

ularly in towing people too close to the boat.

Rick Weaver provided a financial update and reported that the LGCA is financially healthy and that participation in dues

payments increased from 2019 to 2020. It's still not too late to pay your 2020 dues!

FreedomFest - Everyone enjoyed the Boat Parade – Thank you Randie Stone for your leadership in making this, once again,

a great event. The fireworks were also spectacular. The music event was discussed and it was decided that next year we will

put that money into the fireworks in order to lengthen the show. Next Year the fireworks will be on July 3!

New Officers were Elected for 2021.

President – Dave Sorg

Vice President – Rex Melchi

Treasurer – Kevin Snyder

Secretary – Rick Weaver

Thank you to Linda Weaver for her over 6 Years of service on the board!

Need a Beach Director for Beach 6 – Lake George Beach (West) – Thank you Greg Smith for your service.

Gary Davis will be taking over as Beach Director for Kopekanee Beach (#12). Thank you Stan Ferguson for your service.

There have been several reports of minor rashes after swimming near shore. The diagnosis is that these rashes were the re-

sult of swan, duck, or goose feces. The prevention is to wear a heavier cream sunscreen (to block pores) and to swim in

deeper water.

It was also reported that a firework was launched toward the lake while a boat was passing by. Luckily the firework missed

but PLEASE be mindful of your surroundings (including the lake boat traffic) when setting off fireworks.

The next Beach Director meeting is Sept 5

Lake George Conservancy District News

The LGCD had its Annual Meeting on July 25th. President Dave Sorg and board members Rex Melchi, Tom Strasser, Jim Gallogly,

and retiring member Gary Zandstra presented the achievements of the LGCD since July of 2019.

Work was completed with both Steuben and Branch county to create the role for assessments on property taxes. We have had zero

reports of errors in billing.

The board has worked with the state of Indiana for inclusion in the LARE grant to treat Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM)

The Spring survey was completed and found minimal EWM except for a small 2 acre area adjacent to the public access at Hanover

Beach (which was treated).

The first treatment for Starry Stonewort was completed in June 25 with GLRI funding reduced to 46% of 2019 amount. The LGCD

paid an additional $13,500 to maintain historical treatment areas. An updated survey to identify current SSW locations is scheduled

for early August. The 2nd treatment will follow the survey in mid-August.

Jim Getz was elected to the board to replace Gary Zandstra for beaches 1&2. Thank you Gary!

The intergovernmental agreement with the Michigan Lake Improvement Board is being reviewed by the Michigan Attorney General

and is on hold due to COVID-19. The board is working well with the Michigan Lake Improvement Board to coordinate treatment

plans and vendor payments.

If you have questions – feel free to email us at lakegeorgeconservancydistrict@gmail.com or call any board member – our con-

tact info is in the directory.

Michigan Legal Lake Level Update

The petition to create a legal lake level on the Michigan side of the lake has been formally submitted to the Branch County Circuit

Court. Covid-19 delayed the petition hearing as the court was concentrating on the backlog of criminal and civil cases. We have been

informed by the Branch County Attorney that letters will be sent to Michigan Cottagers informing them that a public hearing is sched-

uled for Thursday September 10, 2020 at 1:30 pm in Branch County. In the meantime, the Cottagers Association are working on

the Emergency Action Plan for the dam.

If you should have any questions or comments, please submit them to lakegeorgecottagersassociation@gmail.com

Rick Weaver—LGCA Treasurer

SPIRIT OF LAKE GEORGE AWARD

This year’s Lake George Spirit of the Lake Award was presented to Dave Sorg at the annu-

al Cottager’s meeting on July 25. The award is “to recognize an individual who has contribut-

ed to make the lake a better place to live and enjoy.” He also coordinates with the

Kinderhook Township Lake Improvement Board on the Michigan side to address issues

with the invasive weeds. In addition to these activities, Dave helps others on the lake with

projects and with the annual fireworks display. Dave has worked tirelessly on issues in-

volving the lake, is the next president of the Cottagers Association and was instrumental in

setting up the Lake George Conservancy District to address both weeds and the dam.

Dave is active in his church, an avid fisherman and motorcyclist. He and his wife, Jenni,

have four children, four grandchildren, and one greatgrandchild.

If you see him, give him a high five - Congratulations to Dave Sorg!!!

16 FT HOBIE CAT - INCLUDED SAIL AND

TRAILER - CALL DON PARRISH FOR MORE

DETAILS - 260-577-4043

Start looking for this scratchy, rough mat of Starry Stonewart and report it asap. The LGCD will be surveying the lake and begin a

2nd treatment for this invasive weed in August. It likes gowning in shallow or deep water. If you anchored in deep water and could

barely put up your anchor is was probably loaded with Stonewart! Go out and walk around your docks to see if you might have the

beginning of this invasive weed and be sure to call. See article Lake George Conservancy District.

STARRY

STONE-WART

FLOWERS

AND

THE GRASS

MATS

The Leuenberger families want you all to know that Dar and Wally

are celebrating 65 years together. They were married August 5th.

Happy Wedding Anniversary We love you so much!

Laurie & Steve - Julie, Nick, Zack & Alex - Joni, Bryan, Lauren, &

Ryan

Although the 2020 regatta was delayed for a day due to minimal wind on Saturday, . 26, Sunday turned out to be a perfect day

for a sailboat race with steady breezes and lots of sunshine. Once again, the Inland Cat Club Sailing Association held its annual summer regatta on Lake George, sailing the 14’ Inland Cat sailboats built in the 50’s and 60’s by two Lake George residents.

This year’s Regatta consisted of three back to back races on Sunday morning. The winner was Jonathan Larimore, the son of

John Larimore, one of the original boat builders. Jonathan single-handedly won the Regatta, winning races #1 and #2 and com-

ing in 2nd on the final race. Rick Ahaus and his crew, Janie Larimore placed second by winning the third race after a 4

th and 3

rd

place finish. Nathan Larimore, the boat builder’s grandson came in 3rd with Jack Stiefel coming in 4

th.

Regatta is a wonderful Lake George tradition and has been an important part of Lake George summers for over

60 years. Some felt that this year’s event helped make this summer at the lake feel a bit more “normal” for a

while. The annual Regatta silent auction had to be cancelled due to the pandemic, however the group raised mon-

ey for Project Help through donations at the dinner on Saturday evening.

Left, awards went to Jack

Stiefel, (absent) and the happy

sailor on the far right is the

“Travelling Trophy” winner,

Jonathan Larimore!! Congrats

to all the winners!!!

Lake George Boat Parade 2020

Creativity and humor was on display by all the participants in the 2020 Lake George Boat parade. The crowd support was great

around the entire lake!

The winners this year were:

1st Place: Espich—ET 2

nd Place: Tompa—Ghostbusters 3

rd Place: Halls—Napoleon Dynamite 4

th Place:Monesmith—Rock of Ages

Many thanks to the event coordinator – Randi Stone.

The 2021 theme is “Favorite Video/Board Game”. Can’t wait!