CHANGE IN PLANS
A New Year - A New Policy. The DLPOA board of directors has elected to send the newsletter to all Deer Lake property owners in the 1986-87 membership year. The board feels it essential that members and non-members, alike, share the opportunity to be aware of activities and board decisions in the months ahead.
There will only be two newsletters published in the Winter and Spring. Cost of printing and mailing is expensive, but, by reducing one edition we can reach everyone without a large increase in expensive, but, by reducing one edition we can reach everyone without a large increase in expense.
A list of current members is available. If your neighbors are not members, why not ask them to join? If you drink the water, fish, swim, gather firewood, or need emergency services you belong in DLPOA. A registration blank can be found on the last page of this newsletter. Contact Bill Paton, 233-2348.
WATER QUALITY Jerry McBride, Chairman
The revised 1976 Facilities plan for a sewer system on Deer Lake was submitted to the Washington State Department of Ecology in Olympia. The D.O.E. could not accept this revision as written, because of changed requirements. It is being rewritten to bring it into compliance with Dick Price, Stevens County P.U.D. Engineer, and Jerry McBride, DLPOA board, attended two meetings with the D.O.E. representatives in order to acquire better definitions of the language the D.O.E. expects.
Several D.O.E. officials assisted Dick and Jerry by helping them articulate the plan in a manner that could be approved. To expedite the rewrite, DLPOA has authorized funding to support the nontechnical assistance required for Dick to meet a January 31 commitment date. The revised edition will again be submitted for D.O.E. acceptance.
A funding projection from the D.O.E., based on current information available, will then be worked out and returned to the water quality committee.
"
The only nice thing about being imperfect is the joy it brings to others."
PLANNING COMMITTEE Ted Maxson, Chairman
Anticipating the possibility of a lakewide sewering project the planning committee is busy reevaluating the zoning district proposals originally filed with Stevens County in 1981.
Many of the plans in the original document still apply, concerning building, sanitation, waterfront protective measures and general construction within the Deer Lake Basin and Watershed. The planning committee met in Spokane in October to re-examine and update these proposals with Stevens County, as they found necessary.
FIREWOOD CAMPAIGN Lew Houdak, Chairman
Seventy-two members sent in reservation cards. Fifty-four were able to make the reservation dates. 163 loads of wood of varying sizes were removed from the Buck Creek area. Lew expressed his appreciation to the helpers who controlled access and especially to Kevin Eddings from Boise Cascade Corp., who was so generous with his help and time.
There is speculation we may be able to arrange controlled access for wood again in 1986. Negotiations, and announcement of those findings, will appear in the spring newsletter.
WATER PATROL-WATER SAFETY Howard Wohrle. Chairman
Water Deputy Denny Weybright reported some of the 1985 patrol activities: The boat was operated about 150 hours with the following breakdown shown as reason for interaction with recreational boaters:
6-distress assists, 13-information requests, 3-no observer while skiing, 34-skiing in wrong direction, 65-miscellaneous P.R. stops, 15-operating after dark with no lights.
The visibility of the patrol craft with its Sheriffs emblem and the DLPOA logo, provides security and is intended to promote Public Relations as well as responsible boating sense. We have reason to believe it has been successful.
Denny volunteered those hours of his time to make the lake a safer place for all to enjoy. DLPOA thanks you, Denny, and will miss you. A volunteer water deputy for 1986 is needed as Denny Weybright is leaving this area. If you are interested in Public Relations and Water Safety and can give of your time, please contact Howard Wohrle, 276-6844, or Bill Paton, 233-2348.
EMERGENCY SERVICES Jerry Linton, Chairman
The Loon Lake Fire Dept. sponsored the 2nd annual "Loonsday" fun walk on Saturday, June 1st, 1985.
This was the identical 5 12-mile route used for the 1984 fundraiser except the organization of everything went much smoother. In '84 there were about 500 registered walkers (far more than anyone had anticipated). The '85 walk drew a crowd of 900, an increase of 80. The Fire Dept. netted $2,000 to buy equipment and supplies over its allotted tax money. This walk has so captured the community spirit, that we hear the sponsors of Bloomsday have reason for real concern.
Deer Lake Fire Dept.
For its annual fundraiser the July pancake feed netted $800 for supplies and equipment. The weather was excellent and there was an excellent turnout. Volunteers participating were: Eunice & Charles Barker, Dee & Lee Bayley, Jeri & Ken Brinkman, Mary Lou & Peter Bach, Jerry & Larry Block, George & Rosario Wagnon, Quetta, Esther & Greg Collin, Claire & Lew Houdak, Marilyn Hallett, Ann Nixon, Merv Olewiler, Barb & Allan Reed, Rich & Barb Miller.
Prizes were donated by Toney Haney, The Hair Office, Jewelry Design Center, Dairgold, Eugene's Flowers, Century Travel Bureau, Clyde Hearn, Halletts Homestead and The Longhorn BarBecue. Deep appreciation is extended to all for their involvement and generosity. Please plan to attend the '86 breakfast. You'll be among friends and see many you know.
Fire Chief Quetta reports three new volunteers have joined the Dept. Jerry & Larry Block and Gary Booth - Thank you for this fine support. Congratulations to Steve Sipe, Loon Lake firefighter who was elected as a new fire commissioner!
BEAUTIFICATION & LANDSCAPING F.Y.I.
The Stevens County Conservation District annually makes available many species of trees, shrubs and ground cover. Call 684-5065 and ask for their brochure. They are located at 185 E. Hawthorne St., Colville, Wash. 99144.
These items are seedlings, 6 to 9 inches in size, but with a little patience and planning you can soon have a nice variety of Blue Spruce, Scotch Pine, Flame Maple, Poplar, Chokecherry, Bristlecone Pine, Arrowwood Viburnum, Plum and Pear.
The prices and packages they have available are outlined in the brochure. For a small amount of dollars you can have a forest.
RECIPE FOR ADVENTURE -A true story-
Basic ingredients: 1 lightweight boat (flat bottom preferred) 1 - 7h.p. outboard engine, Choppy water (1 - 2-foot waves)
For this to really be effective, a strong wind is best. Place everything you own in the rear portion of the boat so it can be easily reached-gas can, cooler, tackle box, fish net and self. This influences the center of gravity.
As waves begin to build do not reduce speed, head full bore into the waves for maximum exhilaration (this will assist you in becoming airborne).
While coordinating all this, you might remove your life vest (if you have one) because it restricts your dexterity, but keep it close by, there at the back of the boat, so you can slip it on when you need it.
Now the stage is set for real adventure. You are confident nothing can happen because it never has, and besides that, you have all this experience in sailing, boating and fishing.
As the wind is howling and the spray hitting you, the boat may begin to do some strange things. The bow comes higher than it ever has before, maybe 4 or 5 feet into the air. Do Not Panic! But be quick, because you now have about 1/10 of a second to slip into your life jacket, stow your watch and wallet inside the cooler in a plastic bag. You are now in the water.
Immediately before the boat hits you coming down from the sky, throw yourself out of harms way 'cause that sucker weighs about 150 pounds!
Right here, we run out of advice and we can only hypothesize. As you embellish this scenario with your own twist, circumstances may vary.
You may provoke curiosity in anyone close by, not realizing what you're trying to do. They will undoubtedly inquire if you are all right (that, predicated on the fact that you are on the surface and able to function).
This is the opportunity to find out how caring some people are and a neat chance to make new friends-these are obviously folks you would want for friends, although they ask strange questions: Do you have a rope? What happened? Are you cold? Remember, this is a shock to them too, as they can't believe they saw this happen. About all that's left to do is buy new equipment (that which sinks), repair the engine, dry your money and all the paper in your wallet, embarrassingly thank everyone and next time, figure out what you can do differently.
WINTER ACTIVITY
For the first time in many years, the lake was frozen completely over before the end of November. Winter came early, not a lot of snow, but the fog and overcast made several weeks very depressing.
Last year we reported it was o.k. to ride snow machines on county roads. -T'ain't so!- We apologize. The law states NO. We imagine it depends upon the vigor with which enforcement is exercised and that is contingent on how the machines are being operated. Our understanding is that the law is explicit and cannot, for obvious reasons, be compromised. How and where, seem to be factors in enforcement of the practice.