As this year comes to an end it's time to reflect on the years highs and lows. It is also a time to start planning for next year. The summer at the lake was very pleasant with lots of participation during the spring and fall cleanups. Fourth of July was an overwhelming success with great reception and participation in the Kiddy Parade and Boat Parade. The fireworks were again spectacular. The lake stayed clean and clear though the water dropped a little this fall. I have received numerous calls from concerned lake residents about various situations which shows an increased interest on and around the lake.
This is also a time of year to remember and thank the DLPOA board for all their hard work and time spend helping keep Deer Lake the great place it is to live and recreate at. When you see a board member, please take the time to thank them for all their effort. Their work is for all of us around the lake. If you are interested in helping, in any way, please contact a board member or attend a board meeting. The meetings are held every second Thursday of the month at the Loon Lake Elementary School.
There are numerous exciting things happening and in the mill for the upcoming year so please read your newsletter and pay your dues so we can keep those good things going.
Have a great holiday season and Happy New Year from DLPOA!
DEER LAKE SIGNAGE -- By Larry Twitchell
Well, we made it through another summer at the lake. With a few notable exceptions it seems like this summer was not quite as boisterous as previous summers have been; but then, I digress, this is supposed to be about the Deer Lake Signs.
All our signs have been repaired and painted and seem to be holding up well. Relocation of the reader boards improved the esthetics of the areas but we won't be able to get the complete picture till we see how much snow gets piled up in front of the signs this winter. No new signs are contemplated so we will just concentrate on maintaining what we have.
MEMBERSHIP -- By Dean Crump
We've had a wonderful year!! You, as members of DLPOA are to be congratulated. We have a great team-the officers and board members plus you, the real strength of Deer Lake.
Now we call on you to go the "extra mile" or should I say "go to your neighbors" and see if they are members of our association. If not, get their names and addresses and collect $15.00 for their 2003 (January through December) dues. If you send this information in with your dues we will send them a copy of this newsletter and add them to the mailing list for future newsletters.
We have attached a self-addressed DLPOA envelope in this edition for convenience to you.
Please remember all members and nonmembers too, are invited to our board meetings which are held on the second Thursday of each month, September through May (except December), at the Loon Lake Elementary School Library.
Thanks again for your support.
FISHERIES REPORT
Jim Santora reports that he released 15,000 Triploids from his pen on September 17th. They were 6.1 to the pound and should be a good size for the 2003 fishing season. On October 22nd he received 15,000 Rainbows that will be released next April.
FALL CLEANUP & CHILI FEED -- By Tim Dschaak
Turn out was very light and as a result at least 5 miles of our roadways did not get cleaned up. We missed you all very much!
Thanks to a wonderful couple who lived the summer at Deer Lake Resort, the North Deer Lake Road area was kept clean all summer long. Consequently, the lack of volunteers in that area wasn't as critical as it was on the eastside. Many, many thanks to Linda and Jerry! You sure set a fine example for the rest of us.
Now would be a good time to publicly thank our "behind the scenes" volunteers: Bruce Bassett, Gerry Block, Chris Forney, Jeff and Pam Dschaak for chili; Gerry Block and those who assist her in organizing and providing all the other fixins' for the chili feed. A special thanks goes to Sally dark for manning the fire station and running the kitchen for Gerry on one of those rare occasions that she had to be out of town.
We are moving the next fall cleanup one week in hopes we will get a better turn out. Please mark your 2003 calendars for both cleanups: Spring, May 17 and Fall, September 13.
EMERGENCY SERVICES -- By Gerry Block
This is an exciting time for the fire district and our Deer Lake Community. Don Stragis and JJ Brown are currently enrolled in the recruit school for Fire District #1. Each of these men has knowledge in wild land fire fighting.
Don and Skip Wells are involved in a program that is very beneficial to our community. FireWise is a program funded by grants. An agent will make an appraisal of our homes and potential wild land fire problems. For the evaluation, the 150 foot perimeter around a home is the intent of protection. This is a program that may be of interest to several neighbors. If approved, a contractor will come in and clear scrub brush, deadwood, down dangerous trees, etc. This is a "no fee" to the homeowner. Yes, we have already paid for the program with our taxes, but few folks realize that this program exists. A toll free number, 1-866/807-9491 or www.firewise.org/wa are important items to make note of. Don, Skip and I have further information if you would like to read about the program.
DLPOA and the fire district are concerned about the availability of hydrants around Deer Lake. All of us see homes being built in areas that have limited fire truck access ability. Skip Wells is preparing a presentation for the January DLPOA meeting, January 9, 2003, at the Loon Lake School at 7 PM. Skip will be working with PUD # 1, Fire District #1, Stevens County and insurance advisors.
The reality of having a quick response vehicle garage on North Deer Lake Road is progressing rapidly. This is exciting! The actual building may not be erected for awhile, but the plans, cost, permits and everything else is underway.
I want to thank everyone that helped with the pancake breakfast. Dale and Johnnie Slack of Tamarack Bay for painting the bathrooms and kitchen sink area. Lori Foreman's setup crew that had the station readied and decorated in no time fiat. All the folks that worked the breakfast, many thanks. A special thanks to all the neighbors of Deer Lake that support the annual pancake breakfast. Have a safe fall and winter.
D.LP.O.A. MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
Membership drive for the 2003 season begins with this newsletter. We have enclosed an envelope for sending in the dues for the calendar year 2003. Please continue to support DLPOA as we work to create a safe and fun environment for all. We appreciate your past support and look forward to the future.
THANKSGIVING THOUGHTS
If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep...you are richer than 75 of this world!!
Dear Homeowner:
FireSafe Spokane along with The Washington State Department of Natural Resources and your local fire department would like to offer you a free courtesy inspection of how well your home would survive a wild land fire.
If determined that forest fuel reduction (thinning, pruning, and brush removal) would improve your home's survivability, one of our consultants would work with you in preparing a home Defensible Space Plan. The consultant would explain how thinning or grouping of trees would obtain adequate spacing, provide safety and survivability to vour home and keep aesthetics similar. Note, a Defensible Space Plan does not mean"clear cutting" or removing too many trees from around the home.
Once your plan is written The Washington State Department of Natural Resources would provide grant contractors to complete the fuel reduction work described in your plan.
This program is entirely free to you as a homeowner, under The National Fire Plan Grant, administered by The Washington State Department of Natural Resources.
If you are interested in this program, or have any questions please fill out the request form on the back of this letter (address and phone provided) and return it to FireSafe Spokane.
(Editor's Note - the form did not scan in very well, so you may get one from the following address:)
FireSafe Spokane