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| 2026 Annual Report From our President |
Greetings from the beautiful lakes of Cassadaga! As Winter makes its way to Spring, I hope you are now looking forward to warmer times on the Lakes!
As every year, the Directors are making plans to work with our County, DEC and community partners to fulfill our commitment to a safe, accessible, enjoyable 2026 season. To give you an idea of how much activity we have on our lakes, last year's part-time launch steward reported 1,704 boats were seen, 2,332 lake users were educated! Literally we have thousands enjoying our lakes each season. We thank everyone who does their part to keep our waters and shorelines clean and healthy by leaving no trash and ensuring all boats are free of invasive species. We also do our part by staying on top of the quality of the water through our participation in County water quality testing and use of our GPS guided harvester to efficiently manage weed growth.
And watch out for all the FUN-TASTIC CLA sponsored events planned this year. Our calendar on the next page is filled with ever-popular annual favorites. To start off our season we have a great family day on the water as kids fish for free and take on the challenge of catching the biggest fish in their age category. At our Lew Mead Youth Fishing Derby, we're never sure who has more fun, the kids, their families or our fish measurer Jan! Then we literally light up our shores on the 4th of July as homeowners participate in our flares event. The waters dance with their reflection. It's always a spectacular sight whether you enjoy it from land or water. Then as Summer ends we celebrate Labor Day with our own special version of a Ducky Derby! This is our one big fund raiser and an iconic community event. Buy a ticket and come cheer your duck on as it battles it way to the finish line. Dozens of prizes and uncountable smiles are a guarantee. Then, wrapping up the boating season, we slow things way down and host a leisurely, soulful moonlight paddle on the lakes and end the evening at a bonfire party at the beach. Can't think of a better way to say thank you and goodbye to another great season on the lakes.
In closing, thank you to Chautauqua County, the Towns of Stockton and Pomfret, and the Village of Cassadaga for their annual financial support that is critical for our continued operations. Also, sincere thanks to all of you members who, year after year, generously support us through your time and membership dollars. You are such a vital part of our ability to sustain our clean, beautiful waters. If you are not already a member, please join us! A membership form is on the back page. Mail it in or go to our website to pay online.
We look forward to seeing you on the lakes and please mark your calendars so you don't miss the Membership Picnic in June!
For the love of the lakes,
Nancy Wickmark, CLA President
PRIOR REPORTS:
2021 Newsletter
2020 Newsletter
2019 Newsletter
2016 Newsletter
2015 Newsletter
2013 Newsletter
2012 Newsletter
2011 Newsletter
2010 Newsletter
2009 Newsletter
2008 Newsletter
2007 Newsletter
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| 2019 Newsletter |
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE:
Welcome to the Cassadaga Lakes for another great summer season of fun and relaxation. The Cassadaga Lakes Association is a nonprofit organization that works to protect and enhance our lakes. We do this through a number of activities, the most critical being weed cutting and harvesting. The CLA is the local caretaker of our three connected lakes. We are members of the New York State Federation of Lakes Association (NYSFOLA). We do not use chemicals in our lakes for weed control, because we are aware of the environmental concerns and try to protect these bodies of water to the best of our abilities.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our board and members who have helped to make our organization a success. Activities as diverse as weed harvesting, all the way down to the simple but necessary feeding of swans during the winter, keep us quite busy. To meet the demands of a new era, the CLA has morphed into an organization that networks with other groups such as the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy and the County Water Quality Task Force. Still, common qualities such as teamwork and perseverance are what makes us a successful entity.
Our 2019 Directory marks our eighth year associated with Falconer Printing. We are pleased with this association and believe that their expertise enables us to continue to put forth a fine issue. A heartfelt thank-you goes out to all businesses, both local and county wide, who have chosen to advertise with us and those people who have submitted articles and pictures.
Also, thanks go out to Chautauqua County, the towns of Stockton and Pomfret, the village of Cassadaga and the Lily Dale Assembly for their support of the Lakes Association. Also thanks to our members and familIes and others who have supported us throughout the year. You make the Cassadaga Lakes a special place to be! Please encourage others to become members. A larger membership creates a stronger organization that is better able to protect and enhance the lakes.
We are again enjoying a partnership with the Citizens For A Better Cassadaga. We help to maintain a beautiful stage and fishing dock and help support the concerts. We are ending our partnership with SUNY Oneonta and will be receiving a comprehensive lakes management study that should be available at our membership meeting. The big news is that we are partnering with the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy to establish a Cassadaga Nature Park on lands on the third lake between LilyDale and Camp Gross. If you would like to make a financial contribution to our Nature Park, please go the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy website. We look forward to a great year of celebrating the lakes. Please join us for our annual meeting and dinner on Sunday, June 9. See the calendar for details.
YOURS FOR THE LAKES,
Dennis Collins, President
YOURS FOR THE LAKES,
Dennis Collins, President
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