6th & 7th Lakes Improvement Association, Inc. 2010 Summer News Letter   It’s summer once again and time for fun at Camp.  I apologize for the lateness of this newsletter. The Board held a meeting on May 29 and there are a lot of things going on. SAVE THE DATE:  Annual Picnic, August 7th at Fern Park, Inlet, New York followed by Fireworks over 7th Lake at Dusk. FIREWORKS:  Last year the Association did not collect enough money to cover the cost of the fireworks event.  While a majority of the Association residents support this event, there are limited funds collected to cover the cost; in addition, the cost of the fireworks has increased.  The Board supplemented money from the general account to pay the bill.  If the Association does not collect enough money for this year’s event, the Association will not have fireworks in 2011 or thereafter. MILFOIL: The successful hand harvesting of eurasian milfoil in our two lakes in 06/07, and 08 when the relatively small beds were manageable [compared to very extensive beds in other ADK lakes like Upper Saranac] has resulted in very minimal isolated patches removed in 2009. Vigilant monitoring and managing of isolated patches will be ongoing each year with a team headed by Ron Smith, Biology Teacher at the Old Forge High School. His excellent work starting in 2006 was underwritten by a NYS local matching grant.   The additional challenge in 08, 09 and now in 2010 has been the harvesting of large patches of milfoil in upper seventh lake [northeast of the channel and the 8th lake carry]. A second NYS 1 for 1 local matching grant has covered this work. Ron hopes to complete the bulk of this work this year, again with ongoing control management.   Our 6th and 7th Lake Assn has met our local matching commitment of $4500 to help cover this work thanks to your voluntary donations to the Milfoil Management Fund.  The Towns of Inlet and Webb, the lower lakes Assn [FCLA], and the Hamilton and Herkimer City Soil/Water Conservation Districts have met their local matching commitments as well. It really has been a meaningful example of private, lake association, and local/state cooperation.   A sustaining milfoil management program is being developed and will require   funding by each of the groups mentioned above. So we will continue to ask for your voluntary contributions to our Assn Milfoil Management Fund.   Stewardship of Sandy Beach:  The Association is currently in discussion with Rick Fenton, Supervising Forester with the NYSDEC, for obtaining stewardship of the Sandy Beach in 7th Lake.  Board members Dennis McDermott and Dave Eichorn are heading up these discussions and stewardship process.  Check the web site (67lakeassociation.com) for updates.   ANNUAL CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS!  We have several board members whose terms will expire this year.  The Board needs a Secretary and general board members.  The board meets 2-4 times a year.  The first meeting is Memorial Day weekend.  Generally, the meetings last a couple of hours.  Of course, there is the Annual Picnic the first Saturday in August.  We also need assistance with the website and database.  Anyone who has some computer experience could be extremely helpful.   If you are interested in volunteering or need information, please contact Carolyn Klym, the Association Secretary, at dmkl@frontiernet.net or call at 301-460-1627 until July 1, after that call 315-357-4985. DON’T FORGET, THE ANNUAL PICNIC August 7, noon at Fern Park.  Bring a dish to share and enjoy our neighbors.