Page 2 - VLA Newsletter Fall 2022

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Hi Lake Neighbors and Friends,
It’s late September as we prepare for this fall edition of our Newsletter. The lake is too cold for my
routine lap-swims, but avid fishermen and women are still enjoying these final few weeks on the water. The fall colors are just beginning but will soon grace us with their red and gold brilliance.
In November you’ll be receiving your Annual Membership renewal. At our August Annual Meeting, those present approved a change to our Bylaws to simplify our pro- cesses and move to two (vs 4) member categories; Household and Business at $20 and $50 respectively. When your renewal notice arrives in November, we hope you’ll also consider the following;
Provide an email address if you haven’t done so previously. We’d like to judiciously transition to more electronic communication. We promise, we do not sell our lists!
Sign up (on our website) for our Wednesday eVermilion highlights sent several times a year, with important information regarding lake endeavors, cautions, or concerns. See page 12 for information on signing up.
Add a donation to the VLA with your renewal. Our robust programs rely on member fees but also signifi- cant donations. Our volunteers are accomplishing impressive things on the lake with the funds you provide. Greater numbers of us are now required to take RMD’s (required minimal distributions) from our retirement accounts. As a 501(c)(3), the VLA qualifies to receive (typically) tax-free disbursements from those types of accounts.
Check with your employer to see if they offer a matching program for donations.
Sign up for Smile Amazon and designate the VLA as the organization to receive reward funds....these quar- terly payments add up.
One example of a donation and RMD funded project this past season is our Water Quality Sampling project headed by Board member Craig Beveroth. Recognizing the importance of having baseline data about the chemistry of our water throughout the lake, the Board approved extensive sampling carried out by volunteers under Craig’s direction. You won’t want to miss his article regarding the scope and outcome of that work in this edition.
As noted in every Newsletter...Volunteers are the heart and muscle of this organization. We recognized many of them who were able to join us at a casual gathering at the end of June. The various “teams” includ- ing AIS Sentries, Lake Stewards, Loon Counters, Shore Lunch Site care takers, Water Quality samplers and many more....met to learn from each other and share delightful stories. Note the extensive list of our volun- teers in the Newsletter, and give those folks a big Thank You when you see them.
Enjoy these end of season days, and stay safe,
Pat Michaelson
Volunteer Program Leader and President
Pat Michaelson VLA President
Cover Photo by Carl Lemke
See more on the photo contest winners on page 6.
2 The Vermilion, Fall 2022