Sepetmber 15, 2005

Our 2005 summer season at Skeleton Lake is drawing to a close. Some of us have had our hugs and handshakes and, "See you next spring!" good-byes with our friends and neighbors. Other members reside at the lake or continue to visit Skeleton Lake throughout the year. Many of us get together "in our towns" throughout the winter, re-visiting summer memories, planning for next season, forging good friendships and continuing to build strong commitments to saving Skeleton Lake.

2005 summer activities in support of the Skeleton Lake Stewardship Association were significant. Membership rose to 1000 members! The www.skeletonlake.com website received 13,700 hits! Volunteer hours - more than 4000! Donations and fundraising during June, July and August resulted in more than $10,000 for SLSA! Corporate sponsors generously contributed some of these funds; other SLSA members generously contributed donations of $25.00 and $50.00. Several members brought bottles and cans to the Boyle Depot and the Harnaha Beef on a Bun Event was extremely successful. Charitable status was applied for on September 9th. It may take up to six months before we are approved and can begin issuing income tax receipts. PLEASE contribute whatever amount you are able to now. SLSA needs to bear the cost of Technical and Biological Impact Studies during the next few months and we are short of the estimated amount of $30,000 to $40,000.

The SLSA Board, Lake Representatives, Committees and other volunteers will diligently continue to pursue our goals over the winter months. This month alone meetings and discussions are underway with the owners of Ball's Gravel Pit to determine the feasibility of pumping water from that location. Communication is on going with Athabasca County on the report prepared in conjunction with the government-funded water line from Athabasca to Colinton. The Technical Committee is pursuing preliminary approval of a water diversion license with Alberta Environment. Meetings have been scheduled with Boyle Council and further meetings with Alberta Environment are being planned. In addition, an SLSA Representative will be attending the Alberta Lake Management Society Workshop in Slave Lake on September 23rd & 24th. Another member enrolled in the Environmental Protection Technology Program at Lakeland College and is preparing a class presentation on the plight of Skeleton Lake.

Members of the SLSA Board and Lake Representatives met at the lake over the September long weekend. Phone-out Committees were formed to achieve our goal of contacting every SLSA member personally during the next two months to chat with the many members that don't have e-mail and to verify that the member information we have is accurate. Our volunteers look forward to talking with you. If you have any questions or comments, we'd love to hear them.

SLSA wants to take this opportunity to recognize the Lake Representatives who volunteered and who have been so instrumental in spreading the news, supporting efforts to save Skeleton Lake, and bringing members on board. THANK YOU to John Wowk and Peter Sherman representing Mewatha/McNamara Cove; Orest Kitt representing Pickerel Point; Jim Romaniuk and John Archer representing Harnaha Beach; Bernie Prusko representing Shoreline; Roy Nilsen representing Bondiss; and, Dave Roberts representing Perch Cove/Paradise Valley. We never would have come so far without your support and efforts and the support and efforts of those working with you.