Hey – you out there on the lake – in your boat/canoe/kayak/tube – on your jet-ski or pontoon boat, you  -- the one jumping off the swim platform at the town beach! – Now we have your attention, we certainly hope you are enjoying our pristine body of water.

For the thousands of visitors to our area this time of the year  – some of you reading this – there’s a reason we have such a great lake in such tip top shape: our two lake associations -- the East Shore Schroon Lake Association (ESSLA) and the Schroon Lake Association (SLA)

We have updates from both: From ESSLA President Jane Smith:

Hi Folks,

Talk about a fickle Mother Nature!  I hope you all are enjoying your summer.

This is a reminder about our July Member meeting on Friday, July 26th, starting at 7:30PM.  The meeting place is the Horicon Community Center on Rte 8 in Brant Lake.

Our guest speaker is Greg Beckler of Natural Stone Bridge and Caves.  This family owned, internationally known treasure is in our own backyard.  There are many new attractions that you will be surprised and pleased to hear about.  Please join us.

A couple of exciting and educational events coming up very soon are: Bill McGhie is holding two training sessions on Asian Clam Identification and how to check for them.   The first session is Saturday, July 27.  The second session is Tuesday, July 30 with both starting at 9:30 AM.  Please call or email Bill at 494-3001 or wmcghie@nycap.rr.com if you plan to attend.

There are only a few seats left for the first Schroon Lake Floating Classroom to be held on Monday, August 5, 2013 from 10:00 am to 12 noon.  You won’t want to miss this....

The Floating Classroom is a two-hour, educational, hands-on experience on the water learning about Schroon Lake’s history, ecosystem, water quality and clarity.  Using nets and microscopes to catch and identify plankton and other microscopic animals living in the lake, testing water temperature, oxygen and pH levels, and determining the overall health of the Schroon Lake and River region. Learn about threats to the lake such as invasive plants and animals including Eurasian water milfoil, Asian clams, and pollution from storm water runoff, septic system drainage, road salt and fertilizers,  as well as current preventative measures underway to protect the Lake.

ESSLA members and their school age family members (ages 10-18) are welcome 

For more information or to make a reservation, contact Fred Eshelman at 518-532-0424 or by e-mail at cfeshelmanjr@hotmail.com

I hope to see you all at the meeting, the SOS (sieve our shores) training, and the Schroon Lake Floating Classroom.  -- Jane

And from SLA President Mark Granger:

Our Board of Directors meets at 9:30 am on August 5th. It is open to the public in Schroon Lake Town Hall. Come on down before going to the Farmer’s Market.

After that we have our Annual Members’ Meeting at 8pm on Friday August 9 at the Boathouse. Elections and presentations by the Town Supervisor, the Soil and Water Agency, Steve LaMere and AIM will be put on about our fight to protect our lakes. Please plan on attending. The drawing for the canoe will be held at the meeting.

Next on the calendar are Labor Day Weekend and the Duck Races. Come root for the ducks you bought! We may also be scheduling a Town Hall Meeting with Congressman Bill Owens in August or September.

I guess that’s it! I’m exhausted just writing about it but very appreciative of everyone’s hard work. Come join us to make things better and make a difference!  -- Mark S. Granger