THE TWO THAT GOT AWAY (Well…ACTUALLY ONLY ONE!)

The goose population on PRETTY LAKE 2013 consisted of two families, 4 adult geese and a total of 6 baby geese.   On Saturday morning, June 15th, before 8 am the geese were spotted on the east side of the lake.  A call was made to one of the guys who was participating in the round-up to alert him of their location.  Then the process of scooting them out to open water began. They swam a little north, then they went south, then over by Oakwood Terrace.   Eventually the boats & kayak maneuvered in behind the geese and proceeded to move them to the west shore where the fencing and trailer awaited them.  As they were being herded into the fenced in area 2 young ones decided to escape.  One went under the fence and another out a small separation in the fence.  So the chase began for the one going south.  You cannot believe how fast this little guy could run on the water.  Or put his head down in the water and swim like crazy.  (They cannot fly since they are molting)   Numerous attempts were made to surround him and gently guide him into the trailer but he was a “Houdini” and managed to escape and run on top of the water in a southern direction.   Exhausted he finally he ended up in the channel, went into hiding in the grass and one of the guys just walked in the water,  picked him up and they carried him/ her back to the trailer.  Captured at last,  he/she probably had a great story to tell the others in the trailer.  The other one “GOT AWAY” and has not been seen by anyone, especially the team of people who were working this project.

Moral of the story for our geese? If you escape, lay low and you might not ever get caught, but run away and we will catch you eventually.   A special THANK YOU to all who helped in this year’s goose round-up. Enjoy the photos!!!

The 2013 Pretty Lake T-shirts are available!!  T-shirts will be for sale at all official Pretty Lake functions held at the clubhouse, but you can purchase one anytime by contacting your zone director. Or you can contact Cathy Kantorak directly at 260-351-2348 to place your order. 

Please help support our community…put your shirt on!!! 

The first bingo night of the season was on Sunday May 26^th  and it was an excellent turn out!   The clubhouse was filled to the brim and the picnic tables outside were almost full. Ten games were played with the new guidelines, and some lucky winners went home with extra money in their pockets. As always it is a fun night for the many who attended.  Thank you!! 

We would also like to thank all those who attended the Memorial Day sausage & pancake breakfast. (photos below) We had a wonderful turn out despite the weather.  Our thanks and appreciation also goes to all the volunteers who make this annual event such a success. We are proud to see our little community come together in commemoration and support of our Military. Have a great summer everyone… And God Bless the U.S.A.!

 (L to R)  –   Jo Bergstedt , Vicki Stanski &  Barbara Carcione

     (L to R)   Carol Levy  &  Cynthia Rockwell 

 Front Row (L to R)    Steve Johnson, Denny Conrad & Jerry Cochran

                   Back Row (L to R)    Steve Yahn, Steve Schnorr & Tom Syndram          

              (L to R) Ken & Diana Hensch and Dave Kern

A great turn out!!  Thanks Everyone!! Happy Memorial Day!!

Like many lakes in northern Indiana, Pretty Lake has experienced an expanding lake weed problem over the past few years.  The prime nuisance weed in and on our lake is Eurasian Watermilfoil; an invasive, non-native weed that is rapidly taking control of our lake.  Milfoil has no natural predators.  If left unchecked, it will crowd out the more desirable native plant species.

Successful control of Milfoil requires several consecutive years of herbicide application.  Consequently, the Pretty Lake Conservation Club has launched an aggressive, multi-year Weed Control Program in cooperation with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to combat the threat.  The program will commence with an early-season (probably April) application of a contact herbicide called Diquat.  It is likely that some small amount of Milfoil will re-emerge after this application, so we have planned a contingent application of a systemic herbicide called Navigate (2,4-D) in July, if necessary.

The DNR, through its Lake and River Enhancement (LARE) program, has awarded us a $16,150 grant to cover 80% of this first-year treatment.  Pretty Lake residents will pay the remaining 20% ($4,038) of the $20,188 total cost of the 2013 program.

LARE grants are generally good for three consecutive years.  We hope to receive about the same LARE funding in each of years two and three.  We will then re-evaluate to determine necessary future steps.

Our treatment plan is based upon a survey that was conducted in September of 2012.  The results of that survey, which identified several Milfoil beds totaling 25.31 acres, are shown on the following map.

These photos were taken by Gary Ludban this past fall (2012) at Pretty Lake.   Simply gorgeous…   Thank you for sharing Gary!!

Thanks to Gary Ludban for these beautiful photos of Pretty Lake this past fall season (2012)…