MWLA Meeting Minutes

          July 31, 2010, 4:00 P.M. to 6:30 P.M.

MW Community Center Pavilion

Call to Order and Welcome - The Annual Meeting of the Manitowish Waters Lakes Association was called to order by President Karen Dixon at 4:09 p.m.

Motion made Jim Reichert, second by Bob Becker to approve the agenda.  Motion passed.

Motion made by Greg Holt, second by Vern LaHart to approve the minutes from 2009 Annual Meeting. Motion passed. 

Motion made by Fred Theisen, second by Jack King to approve the 2010-2011 budget.  Motion passed.

Copies of the 2009 minutes and financial reports were available to all attendees.

President's Report

Karen gave a short report on what the MWLA has done over the past year. We send out newsletters, email alerts, attend Town Board and Plan Commission meetings, donate to community organizations that fit our mission, and have been involved in helping to prevent aquatic invasive species. Karen named all the Lake Captains so anybody wanting to help monitor their lake could contact one of the captains. She encouraged members to give generously to the AIS program either monetarily, by volunteering time, or both. She concluded by saying, “We are owners of our Northwood’s property for just a moment in time, but we are steward’s of the Northwoods for the future generations to come. Stewardship is defined as the careful and responsible management of something that has been entrusted to one’s care – and in our case, that means the waters of the Northwoods. Let’s all be stewards who promise to protect this incredible Chain that we all love so much.”

Introduction of Current Board of Directors

Board members present:

President: Karen Dixon, Vice President: Tom Joseph, Treasurer: Eleanor Butler, Secretary: Marilyn Gabert

Directors:  Jim Reichert, Greg Holt, Jim Banovetz, Fred Theisen, Bob Becker

Jack King (past president)

Board members absent:  Merry Perkins, Jean Rein

Recognition of Retiring Directors

Recognition was given to our retiring directors: Cal LaPorte, Pat Egan and Jack King.  Jack and Julie have been with the MWLA for 17 years. Jack was presented with a gift certificate to The Pine Barons and he gave a short speech of thanks.

Nomination and Election of Officers and Directors

Motion by Vern Lahart, second by Jim Banovetz to nominate the following people for a one-year term as officers and two-year terms as directors: President: Karen Dixon, Vice President: Tom Joseph, Treasurer: Eleanor Butler, Secretary: Marilyn Gabert, continuing directors Jim Banovetz, Greg Holt and Merry Perkins, and new directors Barry Hopkins and Tom Kramer. Motion passed.

Introduction of AIS Coordinator

Amber Gray has been hired as the AIS coordinator for Manitowish Waters. She was an intern at Discovery Center in the past and is now back at the Discovery Center helping prevent aquatic invasive species from coming into our lakes.  She is focused on helping us protect this beautiful treasure up here, our lakes and rivers. The Discovery Center raised Purple Loosestrife-eating beetles this spring.  Amber and helpers just recently released these beetles in patches of wild Purple Loosestrife. Amber had the AIS booth set up at the meeting and welcomed people to come see samples of AIS, to sign up for lake monitoring hours, and to answer any questions.

 Presentation by Leif Williams, NLES Science Teacher, and Joey Erno, Greta Saulic and Emrys Saulic, Students

The MWLA donated money to North Lakeland Outdoor Education Program for studies that fit our mission and the students came to the Annual Meeting to report on the three field trips they attended.

Joey talked about their trip with two teachers and one professor for water studies. They learned about pollution, insects, dragonfly larvae and the health of a stream.

Emrys spoke about their ice fishing trip. They learned how to catch fish, identify them, and release them and they learned how to be responsible.

Greta reported on their canoe trip and the challenges of canoeing through the snow in May, portaging, and canoeing through rapid. They also saw some Red Horse fish.

Leif closed by saying it is no easy task to maintain and protect our waters.  It takes a dedicated team to build knowledge and skills. This spring, the students also helped dig up Purple Loosestrife plants and collect beetles. They are definitely learning to be good stewards and are having memorable times on the water. 

Acknowledgements and Announcements

Karen thanked Leif and the students for their reports. She thanked the Town Board, particularly John Hanson, Jodi McMahon and Sue Patterson for their help.  Acknowledgments and thanks also went out to Sarah Johnson at the Discovery Center for use of the sound system, Barb Bartling of LaPorte’s IGA for the donation of beer, Barry and Lisa Hopkins at the Pea Patch for donation of brats and hot dogs, Mary and Henry Sinkus of The Pine Baron for the brownies and cookies, Amber Gray for her help with the AIS table, Julie King and Ticki Lambrecht for their help at the check-in table, Kathryn Dumas, Marilyn Gabert, Eleanor Butler, Fred Theisen for raffle donations and also for organizing all the food and making all the salads, plus all the members for attending our meeting/ picnic.

Adjourn to Picnic

Motion wa made by Jack King, seconded by Greg Holt to adjourn the meeting and begin the picnic.  Motion passed. The meeting was adjourned at 4:40 p.m. and the picnic ended about 6:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Marilyn Gabert, Secretary