Time to plan ahead

This may be the winter edition of this newsletter, but I'm going to make a New Year's prediction that we will have a spring and summer later this year.

Some people can't wait. We've had inquiries already about the Independence Day celebration on the lakes, a highlight of every lake resident's social calendar.

It seems that the Fourth of July falls on a Wednesday in 2012, the exact middle of the week. The fireworks, Kiddie Parade and Pontoon Parade traditionally are held on the Saturday closest to the Fourth. The Fireworks Association and CLPA have decided to hold the events on Saturday, July 7. The Kiddie Parade will begin at the boat landing at 10 a.m., the Pontoon Parade will start to circle the lakes at 6:30 p.m. and the fireworks will start kabooming at dusk.

One added attraction to the July 7 festivities will be the third annual Art Fair, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the picnic shelter overlooking Round Lake. The Art Fair has previously been held on the Sunday of the Independence Day weekend. Now Kiddie Parade goers can walk up the hill and enjoy the art in the park. Artists can find an application form on our website.

* Cloverleaf Lakes Protective Association members overwhelmingly approved some changes in the corporate bylaws last fall. The vote was 103-1 in favor.

Amendments included a method to dissolve the association (an unlikely event) and compensation for workers (although we're all volunteers). The changes were necessary for the corporation to apply to the Internal Revenue Service for 501 (c) (3) status to allow donations to the CLPA to be tax-exempt. That will allow the association another avenue of funding such projects as treatment of aquatic invasive species.

Our treasurer Fran West has been working with an accountant to prepare paperwork to submit to the IRS for the change in tax status. We'll find out in a few months whether our application is accepted. In the meantime, please pay your $25 dues (see page 7 for a form to fill out).

Lots of elections coming up

With Wisconsin's new Voter ID law in place, town of Belle Plaine election workers will face challenges as they conduct spring and fall primaries, general elections and possibly a recall vote in a busy 2012.

"Make sure you bring along your driver's license or photo ID," Town Clerk Kristine Vomastic urged voters. The new law requires voters to produce a photo ID, which could include a driver's license, a college, military or tribal identification card or an ID card issued free at Motor Vehicle sites.

Feb. 21 — Primary for county judge
April 3 — Spring election for county board, judge, school boards
Aug. 14 — Fall primary for U.S. Senate, Congress, legislature
Nov. 6 — General election for President, Senate, Congress, Legislature
?? — Wisconsin governor recall

Polls open at 7 a.m., close at 8 p.m.

Invasives removed from Gibson Island

The Gibson Island Volunteer Endeavor (GIVE) has made some excellent headway on the island removing invasive species. In 2010-2011, volunteers removed the following:

• Mullein: over 900 plants removed.
• Dames Rocket: over 110 plants removed.
• Garlic Mustard: over 1,000 plants removed (first year plants sprayed once).
• Reed Canary grass: seeds cut, one full bag.
• Oriental Bittersweet: several hundred vines removed and burned and plant vines sprayed (three times ) in the fall.
• Black Locust: over 30 small trees removed and 10 bigger trees girdled and sprayed (twice) in the fall.
• Buckthorn: over 25 plants removed and stumps sprayed (we need to do this again this fall as stumps are re-sprouting).

A big thank-you to all the volunteers who have helped with our efforts.

If you have additional info on plant removal that you did this year, make sure you send me a note so that we can continue to keep track of your work.

Shoreland project ongoing

Matching funds are still available for Cloverleaf Lakes Protective Association members who wish to plant native plants or rain gardens on their shoreland properties.

Contact Kery Kafka (rkkafka@sbcglobal.net) or any member of the Shoreland Restoration Committee for details.