The Association Mailboat October 2009 Upper Saranac Lake Property Values Down 50%! Photoillustration. Sign: iStockphoto © Clayton Hansen Okay, so now I have your attention. No, this isn’t the case right including milfoil. They estimate that an annual budget of $250,000 now, but it could be a real story in the not too distant future if we is needed to monitor and intervene to keep milfoil at its present don’t act in a unified fashion to maintain the quality of our lake. levels. Once it invades, it can never be eradicated, only controlled. Despite the current downturn in our economy and declines in This year, only one-third of all Upper Saranac Lake home own- property values, the prices of lakeshore properties have remained ers have made contributions to USLF. It’s everyone’s responsibility fairly steady. to sustain the quality of our waters. Forget altruism and doing it So, what could happen to cause this decline in the value of our because it’s the “right” thing to do. If you don’t pick up a pen and homes. In a single word, MILFOIL. make your contribution today, your legacy to your children won’t We’ve seen what has happened to Upper Saranac Lake and the be worth nearly as much as it right now. Try to sell your home with cost of removing the milfoil that invaded our waters. More recently, an ad featuring a lake that’s no longer suitable for either swimming Lake Placid has made local headlines as milfoil started to appear. or boating!!! Without remediation and constant vigilance what has happened in other lakes could happen to us. This picture shows what this Michael Franklin, Editor could look like. The Upper Saranac Lake Foundation (USLF) has been charged This editorial expresses the opinion of the editor and does not nec- with, among other things, monitoring the quality of our lake, essarily represent the sentiments of USLA. The USLA Mailboat October 2009 The Fish Rock Guest Book By Marsha Stanley

Between 1905 and 1915, Isaac Newton Seligman, a wealthy international banker and investor, drew a series of beautiful and skilled pen and ink sketches onto about 146 pages of the guest book at his Fish Rock Camp, now Sekon, on Upper Saranac Lake. The drawings record changing swim suit styles, camp scenes, lake views, fishing and hunting outings, tennis and golf matches, guest romances, early camp automobiles and staff caricatures. The guests who signed the pages beside Ike’s drawings included many famous and wealthy people and family members. This summer a digital reproduction of the guest book came home to the lake where it was created starting more than 100 years ago. The guest book’s trip home began when the Upper Saranac Lake Association and Adirondack Architectural Heritage contact- ed me to ask if I thought Sekon would open its historic buildings to tours and a lecture this past summer. Many of the Sekon owners of the former great camp buildings on the lake shore agreed. Besides having lovingly restored and preserved the Fish Rock Camp

buildings for more than 40 years, the owners at Sekon also had pieced together the history of the camp in a comprehensive — but scattered — collection of documents, newspaper clippings, maga- zine articles, old photos and post cards. In June, I set out to collect all the history, digitize it, preserve it and make it easily available on the Sekon Association web site at www.sekonassociation.com. That way the source materials also would be available for use during the history events sponsored by AARCH and USLA. My Sekon neighbor and friend, Fred Schwarz, came to my house one day with an exciting treasure — an old, blurred Xerox copy of the original Fish Rock Camp guest book, which he had copied laboriously, page-by-page, at the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain some years ago. The blurry pages of the guest book were haunting. Almost all of them were clearly by the hand of the same artist. They were remarkably rendered, showing fine details of deer leaping over logs or hiding in the forest, fish reeled in from the lake, birds in flight, woodsmen wielding axes, guides shooting rapids in canoes and portaging heavy guide boats or carrying tro- phy deer just shot, fly fishermen casting their lines. The artist had been remarkably talented at catching people in motion — hitting a tennis ball, wound up for a golf shot, dozing under a tree, sad- dened by the departure of a boyfriend. The drawings of lake scenes 2 The USLA Mailboat October 2009

so familiar today and mostly unchanged were so beautiful that I caught my breath leafing through them – in the distance, the beach on Middle Saranac, Church Island with the steeple of the old church seen from the south, the familiar knob of St. Regis Mountain in the distance up the Narrows. Looking at those blurry pages was like glimpsing Sekon and Upper Saranac Lake through a time machine 100 years ago. The images haunted me, but I longed for a clearer view. I wanted to see the original drawings and, if possible, capture them digitally for the Sekon web site so that others might be able to view them.

I contacted the Adirondack Museum, thinking they owned the original guest book, and it would be easy to drive over one day and make a digital copy. It turned out that the museum had only an analog, Xerox copy only slightly less blurry than the one I had seen. I persisted. Could they tell me who donated the copy? Joan Crow- ell, the museum responded. Could I have her contact information? Sorry, that would be against museum policy. If I wrote her a letter, would the museum forward it? Sure, but they were not certain she was at the same address. I wrote the letter to the mysterious Joan Crowell and sent it via the Adirondack Museum. In less than a week, Joan replied. She would be happy to help digitize the guest book, which she has treasured all her life and whose artwork was by her maternal grandfather Isaac Newton Seligman. Joan sent the guest book to her grandson Elijah James Dunn, who was house sitting in Wash- ington, D.C., at the time, for his great aunt, Joan’s sister, Elizabeth Lewisohn Eisenstein. I just happened to be headed to Washington for my daughter’s wedding two weeks later, and Eli just happened to be available to meet with me during one of my two free days. Within one month from the time I was first mesmerized by the blurry Xerox of the guest book, I was holding the original in my hands and, with Eli, snapping pictures to test how well it would digitize. Two weeks later, Eli hired a professional photographer whom I know in Washington to come to his aunt’s house to photo- graph the book, which was too precious to be allowed out of family hands for even a day. A week later, Eli sent me a CD of the digital copy. Miracle accomplished. A remarkable story began to unfold. I had stumbled onto the descendants of the Seligman family, and then discovered that they also are direct descendants of Adolph Lewisohn, builder of Pros- pect Point, now Young Life, another former great camp also on our lake. (Isaac Seligman’s daughter Margaret married Adolph Lew- isohn’s son Sam. Joan Crowell and Betty Eisenstein are two of their four daughters.) I invited both Eli and his great aunt Betty to the AARCH and USLA history events held at Sekon in August. Both were able to attend and agreed to speak about the family and Fish Rock Camp’s history. When Joan Crowell responded to my letter, she had informed 3 The USLA Mailboat October 2009 The Fish Rock Guest Book Continued

to survive the demise of the great camp. It seems that the family walked away from the camp and its entire contents, when they sold it in 1944 during the height of World War II, leaving on the walls six large oil murals painted by famous wildlife artist Charles Liv- ingston Bull, Remington sculptures, books and furnishings. But they took Ike’s guest book and have carefully preserved it since. My husband, Tom Curley, spent many hours cropping and for- matting the digital copies of the guest book pages and replicating them in a hard-bound digital photo album produced by an online company. Ike’s drawings leap from the pages, slightly larger than his originals, making the handwritten guest entries easier to decipher. It was an exciting moment when we delivered a copy to the Nolan Powell camp, the stone-pillared house at Sekon which was the Seligman family main house during the period in which me that the art work in the guest book was drawn by her grand- Ike created the guest book. The Fish Rock Camp guest book had father, Ike Seligman. This tidbit triggered another whole phase come home. of research into this fascinating man, who ran one of the world’s (The Fish Rock Camp guest book is available on line at www. largest investment banks, arranged the financing for the Panama sekonassociation.com on the Our History section, where the pages Canal, handled the original public offering of GM stock, collected can be enlarged and viewed easily. About 100 USLA members rare books and art, and championed a number of reform causes, attended the summer program where the camp history was dis- including enactment of child labor laws and improvement of New cussed and got to see the guest book replica. For those who were York’s notorious slum housing. Ike Seligman, the previously shad- unable to attend or who would like to know more, a comprehensive owy founder of Fish Rock Camp, whose name (but little else) was history of the Seligman family and the camp is available on the known at Sekon, began to come to life. Research and information web site. The USLA program was videotaped and CDs are available from the family revealed that he was a highly regarded artist and from [email protected].) pianist, in addition to his other many talents and interests. The small leather-bound guest book, approximately 9 inches by 12 inches, which Ike created, was one of the few personal items

4 The USLA Mailboat October 2009 Upper Saranac Lake Association, Inc. Message from the President P.O. Box 872 Saranac Lake, NY 12983 My focus for 2010, and my final year will return all of these, but not before I have www.uppersaranac.com as president of the USLA, will be toward put together a presentation for our 2010 building community within the member- August Annual Meeting. Selfishly, this will The USLA Mailboat Michael Franklin, Editor ship. What will that look like? Well, let me be a fun project for me as I begin the final Harry Wirtz, Layout/Design describe it like this. One of my favorite year of my term as president, and it will moments of the summer season has been give me a wonderful memento of my four Board of Directors Officers having to corral the folks that have come to years of service. I think that you will enjoy President, Rick Mincher (359-2812) the July Membership Meeting where they it too. Okay, so I’m no Steven Spielberg, but Vice President, Lynne Perry (359-2630) rekindle friendships during the meet-and- who will forget my “2009 Fishing Report?” Secretary, Bruce Holran (891-8447) greet refreshment hour before the meeting. Please send me your pictures by January 1, Treasurer, Jay Kapolka (359-7298) It is most enjoyable to stand back and watch 2010. Include the names of folks in the pic- Committee Chairs as well as listen to the murmur of that tures and any other pertinent information. Communications: Sara Sheldon (336-292-7090) moment. Send to: Rick Mincher, 1707 Crescent Rd, Cultural: Vacant I am going to work toward creating more Rexford, NY 12148. Environmental: Vacant opportunities like that for all of our mem- I look forward to a wonderful 2010, and Government Affairs: Marsha Stanley (359-9119) bership. The highest cost in making some I want to say thank you to all of you for the Nominating: Charles Svenson (891-9256) magical moments occur will be in your wonderful friends that you have become. Membership: Dean Butts (891-8433) commitment to participate and perhaps Our lake association has been a tremen- Safety Co-Chair: Richard Donovan (891-3981) even volunteer to make something wonder- dous success as we work together to protect Safety Co-Chair: Michelle Brown Garcia (891-3905) ful happen. The zone chairs from around the lake and her inhabitants. You are the Zone Chairs the lake will be helping to coordinate activi- greatest advocates that Upper Saranac Lake Zone 1 Bob Tate (891-1269) ties…so stay tuned. has, please continue to protect our lake and Zone 2 Marc Koolen (891-1187) The first request I have for each of you enjoy its remarkable beauty. Zone 3 Bo Dixon (891-0688) is to send me some pictures of you as you Zone 4 Nancy Farrell (891-3179) enjoy the lake and its beauty. It could be a Rick Mincher Zone 5 Dick Gunthert (891-4138) photograph, a video, any format will do. I Zone 6 Curt Kingsley (891-7525) Zone 7 Michelle Brown Garcia (891-3905) Zone 8 Jane Oravec (891-5992) A Big THANK YOU to Pat Marsh Zone 9 Nancy Howard (359-9177) For the past six years Pat has served as Pat has stepped down from that role as Zone 10 Fran Ward (359-7940) the Chairperson of our Cultural Affairs chairperson, and plans to work in creat- Zone 11 Bill Mansfield (359-2217) Committee. In that role she has worked ing programs that will raise awareness and Zone 12 Airlie Lennon (359-7417) with a wonderful committee including Jim monies for our invasive species programs. Member at Large and Chris Crane, Nancy Hardy and a host Thank you Pat for your hard work and ded- Michael Elitzer (891-1842) of volunteers who have assured the mem- ication; we have all enjoyed your vitality Honorary Directors bership that we had plenty of entertaining and creativity in bringing so many wonder- Bill Butterfield (359-7463) and educational programs to enjoy dur- ful programs for our enjoyment. Charlie Ritchie, Jr. (891-4288) ing our summers at Upper Saranac Lake. Subcommittee Chairs Water Safety Classes: David Perry (359-2630) First Aid/CPR: Judith Cohen (891-2515) Website News Sailing: Airlie Lennon (359-7417) As always, look to www.uppersaranac.com for the latest news and events in the area. Check out photos of the Race for 2009 or, if you missed any of USL Foundation the events this summer, you can see them on the website. President: Michael Elitzer (891-1842) In August we had 5,000 visitors to the website. After State, the top states for Secretary: Peter Woll visitors to our site are CA, NC, NJ, CT, and PA. The top countries to visit our website, other Treasurer: Sally B. Ritchie than the US, are Canada, China and Japan. Lisa Ardery, William Butterfield, Robert Lievense, We are now accepting PayPal for membership dues. This should make it simpler for Archibauld Montgomery IV, Andrew Packard, L. people to pay their bill. Also, look for information online about how to submit recipes for Anthony Pellegrino, Charles Ritchie, Mike Sands, our cookbook to benefit the USLF’s Milfoil Project. Charles Sheerin, Tom Swayne, Ross Whaley If you would prefer only to receive the Mailboat online, please send an email to usla@ USL Scholarship Fund uppersaranac.com and put in the subject line: Save a Tree for Me. You will then receive President: Bruce Holran (891-8447) notification of when the newsletter is placed on our website. Secretary/Treasurer: Sally B. Ritchie (891-1713) Also, don’t forget to join our groups on LinkedIn and Facebook. Just search for Upper Database Administrator Saranac Lake. Sara Sheldon (336-292-7090) USL Store: Jan Butts (891-8433) In Memorium Linda Marshall (359-3188) Helen M. Sandhaus died Friday, August 21, 2009. They had a house at Saranac Inn Photo of the mailboat, “Saranac”, courtesy of the for many years. Adirondack Collection, Saranac Lake Free Library Mrs. Sandhaus was a curée of Trudeau. Her husband, Dr. Harold Sandhaus was a physician at Trudeau. © 2009 USLA 5 The USLA Mailboat October 2009 Contributions Still Needed for Our Fight Against Milfoil The summer diving season is over, but we are still short of funds have grown up under the protection of our legal system’s mandatory to continue our ongoing fight against milfoil. Several generous lake immunization do not even know these diseases. residents have joined forces to make a $15,000 challenge grant for No laws mandate that we should address the scourge of milfoil to new milfoil donations. Bruce McLanahan, Bill and Joan Grabe, Bob protect our lake. Some folks have financed a massive effort to bring Lievense, Ross Whaley, Peter Woll, and Tom Swayne will match the milfoil under control and demonstrated it can be accomplished. every dollar of new donations from now until the end of the year, Skeptics have had the opportunity to see what can be done.This is half up to $15,000. So, if you have not yet contributed to the Upper the job.Had immunization been elective we still would have lame and Saranac Lake Foundation this year, or if you make an additional- suffering children and special schools to assist those maimed by dis- contribution on top of what you have already given this year, your ease cope with heart-rending challenges. contribution will be doubled! Please mail your tax deductible con- We are all enjoying the benefits of the milfoil control project, but tribution to the Upper Saranac Lake Foundation, P. O Box 564, the ability to finance its control cannot rest on a few generous patrons. Saranac Lake, NY 12983. It MUST rest on EVERY property owner. The success of the project To support our fight against milfoil and to keep our lake healthy will fail if we do not get behind it as a united community. We must so that we can continue to swim and boat, we need an average of control it and also become conscious of, and diligent about, boating about $600 per camp EVERY year. Only about one third of the hygiene that keeps it out.It was against the law to spit on the street camps make a donation to the Foundation to keep milfoil under when TB was prevalent. Every land owner on the lake owes it to him- control. Of course, not everyone can afford $600 annually, so those self, his family, his neighbors — to future generations — to protect the who can, must give more. Cynthia Coursen wrote a letter to the future of the water we enjoy by contributing to milfoil control. For help community that is excerpted below and says it best: in determining the level you wish to contribute, a master plan could The Milfoil Problem is not going away any more than polio, whoop- be published based on property values on the Upper Saranac water ing cough,measles, or small pox, without our effort to address it. As shed to indicate what contribution level would represent a fair share. always, some people recognized the need earlier than others to step The wonderful community that exists on Upper Saranac Lake will be up and do what is necessary or possible to fight a scourge. Eventually, enriched in yet another way and we will become an example for other there is sufficient conviction about the need to stand united against communities facing the future responsibly. the threat. Control can be achieved.It takes time and experience before Sincerely, conformity is legally mandated. We can thank those who struggled to Cynthia Coursen have universal immunization for a number of diseases. Those who USLA Cook Book Project Ice Bubbler Alert Underway The Safety Committee submitted and the Board of Direc- Please be thinking about your very best, tried-and-true reci- tors endorsed (9/19/09) encouragement to all boathouse pes, which you would be willing to contribute to a USLA cook owners who have bubblers for ice protection: book now being compiled. PLEASE have a visible red light on the boathouse during A committee has been formed to create and publish the cook ice season, while your bubbler system is operating. There book, with all sales proceeds from it dedicated to milfoil con- have been close-call accidents; this is an easy step to help trol. If you would like to help with the cook book project, please avoid bad news. contact Sara Sheldon at [email protected]. About 12 vol- unteers are needed to enter recipes into an online database for the cook book publisher. Each volunteer would be responsible for only about 40 recipes, which would be entered in an easy- Membership Committee to-use online database provided by the book publisher. As of September 22 we had 531 paid members. Of that number, All USLA members will be receiving an email in com- 36 are NEW members to whom we extend a hearty welcome. We ing weeks explaining how to offer recipes in a downloadable ended last year with 591 members and we are hopeful that we can template or online at the USLA web site. Contributing recipes come close to that number this year. Our 12 zone chairs are making will be easy and fun. We also urge you to invite submissions by contact with the 110 members who paid last year but have not yet other family members, guests who have been to your camp or renewed this year. other friends who are great cooks. We hope to collect at least We are now using Pay-Pal, to facilitate future dues payments. 350 recipes. Because each person who submits a recipe usu- Look for the 2010 Membership Dues Statement in the spring ally purchases a cookbook, and sometimes multiple copies, the issue of Mailboat. WE WILL NOT BE MAILING A SEPARATE wider the circle of contributors, the more successful this fund- DUES STATEMENT. This will save the Association about $650 raising effort will be. in expenses. USLA members who do not use email or are not proficient We encourage your ADULT CHILDREN to have their own with computer technology may request a printed recipe col- individual membership in USLA. This will enable them to receive lection form. Send a stamped envelope, addressed to yourself, all communications and become involved and aware of everything along with a note to Eileen Mansfield, 43 N. Forest Ave., Apt. the Association is doing. E2, Rockville Centre, NY, 11570. We will send you a form to Dean Butts, Membership Chair record your recipes. Make additional copies for each recipe and mail them back. 6 The USLA Mailboat October 2009 A Summer Recap from Our Lake Manager

I want to thank everyone who contributed to my wonderful and control of milfoil. The divers are continually changing the meth- enjoyable first summer as Lake Manager. I have had the pleasure to ods they use for harvesting to be more efficient. Next year they are meet and talk with many concerned and caring lake residents who introducing a communication system allowing them to talk to one I would not have normally met. another underwater as well as with the surface crew. I especially want to thank all of those who contacted me with One other concern brought to my attention late this summer Rapid Response calls for milfoil sightings, violations of ordinances, was the lack of frogs in Spring Pond, a small tributary at the north and regulations and general environmental concerns for the benefit end of the lake, off of Back Bay. I had an opportunity to investigate of the lake. To date, through the Rapid Response calls and through and, although I didn’t notice any frogs myself, I did see plenty of my own observation, we have identified 56 milfoil locations on the wildlife. It is not surprising that there are no frogs visible at this lake. These milfoil sites have been mapped, inventoried and har- time of year, and obviously all egg masses and tadpoles would be vested by the divers. gone by this time as well. I did see Blue Herron, King Fisher, geese I would also like to take this time to address a few of the concerns and plenty of small fish. and questions that have been recently brought to my attention. Overall, amphibians seem to be declining throughout North There have been numerous inquiries regarding the use of Wee- America, and no one is sure exactly why — global warming, natu- vils in the fight against milfoil. Here is some information that leads ral cycles, pollution? Although there didn’t seem to be any frogs in the Foundation to believe that Weevils are not the answer for Upper Spring Pond this year, it is unlikely they are gone completely, but Saranac Lake. Weevils cost a little over $1/bug and require 2- 3,000 there is a good chance that they may be decreasing. The fact that Weevils per acre to be effective. Upper Saranac Lake is over 5,050 there are predators to the frogs in the pond is a good sign. acres in total; although the entire lake would not have to be treated, Unfortunately, there are no immediate and definitive answers to it is not easily determined exactly how many acres would require the change in Spring Pond. Be assured there is a commitment to treatment to be effective. With over 44 miles of shoreline, total the continued monitoring of the Pond, with special attention next acreage requiring treatment could easily exceed 1,000 acres. There spring during the active frog season. The DEC has been consulted; is also the potential to restock weevils over several years. Weevils they stated that unless there is a thorough density study it is not have been effective in some places, but not others, and it seems easy to determine population trends. They did commit to me that that scientists cannot yet predict where they will be successful. It is they would join me next spring when the frogs are active in the known that Weevils are most useful in dense growth areas. Fortu- mating season in determining what species are present in the pond. nately, through effective hand harvesting, milfoil on Upper Saranac I consider myself lucky to be part of an organization that feels Lake no longer exists in these thick beds. Milfoil, although still a as strongly as I do about preserving the watershed and water qual- persistent problem, is currently located randomly throughout the ity for the sake of the environmental health and beauty of Upper lake. It is not uncommon to see individual plants growing, with no Saranac Lake. Again, thank you for a good summer. As always, I other plants for hundreds of yards around. In these cases, weevils am available by phone or e-mail to take reports of milfoil sightings would not be effective as they would not migrate such distances in or water quality degradation. search of their food source, and it is not reasonable to transport Guy Middleton weevils to individual plants. Furthermore, a Cornell study says that 518-796-1052 there may be no LONG-TERM reduction in milfoil from the wee- [email protected] vils, even if there is short-term success. There is also the hesitation of introducing something into our waters that, although native to North America, is not currently here in Upper Saranac Lake. Past history of doing such introduc- USL Etched Glassware tions on occasion has had long-term negative impact on native populations of fish or animals. Many have inquired about ordering the lovely old-fashioned Some lake residents have expressed concern about areas of mil- and wine glasses we sold at the time of the Centennial Celebra- foil in the lake’s tributaries and its potential threat to the Upper tion. At that time, double old-fashioned glasses, and glasses for Lake. One particular area of worry is Fish Creek, upstream of the red and white wines were available. The etching designs were a campground. Currently the Upper Saranac Lake Foundation har- Canoe, Adirondack chair and lake, mountains, trees, boat and vests milfoil from the entire Upper Lake and Fish Creek Pond east moon – with or without lettering and dates. of Route 30, not any further upstream. Fish Creek is one possible way milfoil enters the Upper Lake, but preliminary studies show it The Store will not order any more of this glassware, but has little impact. Interestingly enough, there is no milfoil between individuals can order directly from Richard Smith, the etching Fish Creek Ponds and the Upper Lake. If Fish Creek was the major artist. He has a wonderful web site with all the information you contributor one would think that this portion of the creek would will need to order, and he will be happy to hear from you. have milfoil. The reality is that milfoil is currently in the Upper Lake; we are Website: www.designetch.com beyond the point of trying to prevent its introduction and can only Email: [email protected] control its spread. Milfoil growth in Upper Saranac Lake is pri- Address: Richard Smith marily from fragmentation of existing plants and has limited new 90 Gorham Rd. introduction. Glenwood, Kings Co, NB We think it’s important to continue to look at options and adapt Canada E5M 2N2 as the milfoil evolves. The Foundation still believes that hand harvesting is the most effective, logistically and cost-wise, for the

7 The Upper Saranac Lake Association Mailboat October 2009

Upper Saranac Lake Association, Inc. P.O. Box 892 Saranac Lake, NY 12983

Two Matching Gift Challenges for Milfoil Many may be unaware that there are currently two Matching a $3 for $1 donation, the next $3,000 will trigger a double. Gift Challenge Programs running simultaneously. Potentially, the total amount raised using “challenge funds” At the Association’s August 8 meeting, President Mincher could reach $54,000, which would be a big step in filling the reported that the USLA Board of Directors has created a $12,000 $75,334 gap in the Foundation’s $225,000 budget for 2009. fund to match, dollar for dollar, gifts from USLA members to As of September 18, donations towards the two Challenges the Milfoil Project Fund of the Upper Saranac Lake Foundation totaled $16,045. Another $37,955 is still needed to fulfill the Chal- between now and December 31, 2009. lenge total of $54,000. Even so, this would still leave the Foundation The purpose of the challenge is to significantly increase the num- with a budget deficit of $21,334. ber of lake residents who are supporting this Milfoil project – and If you have already donated, please consider making an addition- who will need to do so in the coming years. Presently, approxi- al gift. If not, please join your neighbors in supporting the annual mately 30% of the Lake Community contribute to the campaign. Milfoil Program to control milfoil. This invasive weed cannot be At a Fundraiser hosted by Marsha Stanley and Tom Curley on eliminated from the Lake – only controlled through annual diving. September 4th, USLF President Michael Elitzer announced a new Please be as generous as possible. Your tax deductable donation $15,000 matching program, also running from now to the end of should be sent to: the year. If you have not yet contributed to Milfoil control this year, Upper Saranac Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 564, Saranac Lake, or would like to make an additional donation, the matching money NY 12983 raised from generous supporters will double your contributions, For information on making a donation of appreciated stock, up to $15,000 total. please call: Michael Elitzer, President, at 201-227-8338, or email: The net effect is that each gift received, up to $24,000, will trigger [email protected] Safety Committee Report By Michelle Brown-Garcia The annual New York State Safe Boating Course taught each one hundred feet of the shore, a dock, pier, raft, float or an anchored year at the St. Lawrence University’s Boathouse by Dave Perry has or moored vessel at a speed exceeding five miles per hour unless again been a success. such vessel is being operated for the purpose of enabling a person Between the July and August classes, we have had 14 youngsters engaged in water skiing to take off or land. If there is a designated and 5 adults who have taken and passed the class. swim area the vessel must stay out 500 ft. unless dropping off or As a reminder. if you operate a Personal Water Craft, such as a picking up a skier. As for who has the right of way on the water, the Jet Ski or a wave runner, you must, under NYS law, take and pass stand-on boat has the right of way and the give-way boat must alter this class regardless of your age.You can be stopped and ticketed his or her course. When you see the red light on the port side of a if you do not have the certificate with you while operating your boat, it means danger. You become the give-way boat and should machine. turn to the starboard to avoid a collision or better yet, take the NY As of November 1 of this year, there is a law going into effect State Safe Boating Course with Dave Perry and you can learn how regarding boating. IF you are in a boat that is less than 21 feet long, to become a better boater. you are now required to wear a Personal Floatation Device. The As for buoys, you need to remember the rule, Red Right Return- dates that a PFDs are required to be worn will be from November 1 ing! There are different types of buoys for different reasons. If you to April 1 of each year. The reason for this new law is to help people use this example it might help. If you are going into the creek who go overboard and end up drowning from the effects of hypo- toward Fish Creek the red buoys would be on your right since you thermia. You need to remember to not only dress for the outside air are returning from the main part of the lake where the water flows temperature but also the water temperature as well. south. Going back out to the main part of the lake it’s the opposite, I have been asked to say a few words about the rules of the road since you are going toward the water leaving the lake where it goes when boating, as well as being too close to the shoreline while out out to Middle Saranac Lake. on a boat. The CPR Course was held on August 17th at 5: 30 PM at Pine The NYS speed rule reads that no vessel shall be operated within Brook. There were 12 people who took the course and passed.