July 2014 edition - Lake Maxinkuckee Environmental Council

Vol. 20 Issue 2 July 2014
Lake Maxinkuckee Environmental Council
White Water Lily, Semler home on the West Shore, Lake Maxinkuckee
Lily photos by Tom Estreem, Cardno-JFNew
FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
AN OLD FRIEND STARTS A NEW CAREER
Mr. Jerry Semler was elected this May to the Board of
Directors of the Lake Maxinkuckee Environmental Fund. The
LMEF is the non-profit organization under which we, LMEC,
operate. The Board’s primary mission is to act as our
“guiding force” if you will, approving which Council projects
will be funded each year.
LMEC recently received news that one of our former
council members is beginning his latest career - as a
teacher at the Culver Academies! He shared this great
news with me during a conversation not to long ago and
just started at the Academies the week of June 16th. I
interviewed him by phone towards the end of that same
week and as he said, he is just
getting his feet wet.
He has lived in Culver for more than fifteen years along with
his wife Rosemary (Rosie). Together they raised seven
children and are now blessed with 28 grandchildren and two
great grandchildren - just a few of the reasons he is working
with us to preserve the water quality and beauty of Lake
Maxinkuckee.
A Purdue graduate, Jerry
retired as Chairman Emeritus
after serving more than 51 years
with America United Mutual
Insurance Holding Company,
Parent of OneAmerica Financial
Partners, Inc. He was named
Business Leader of the Year by
the Indiana Chamber of
Commerce in 2004.
The banner photograph and the
one below were taken from the
Semler dock June 18th. Jerry
and Rosie have such a love of
plants that they became participants in LMEC’s 2007
re-vegetation project. We worked with the Indiana
Department of Natural Resources to experiment with different
planting mediums in an effort to bring back more natural
shorelines. Plants were installed using two different
contractors, both in the water and along the shoreline itself.
The LMEC monitors his property annually, along with the two
properties immediately to the
south, and reports on the planting
progress to IDNR.
Jerry replaces Mary Anna
Swennumson on the LMEF Board.
She began her term in 2002 and
served for three years as our
president. Mary Anna has now
assumed the position of advisor to
the Board.
Kathy Clark, Executive Director
Formerly Regional Director of the environmental firm
Cardno/JFNew out of Walkerton, Chris is now working in
the leadership division of the Academies with a
focus on ethics and will be carrying a full teaching load as
the year progresses. His OTHER job on campus will be
as their new sustainability director, an exciting
position just created by the Academies.
Chris is tasked with creating a sustainability plan for the
Culver Academies, something that outlines the goals and
objectives of a campus-wide effort to reduce it’s environmental impact on our world. The plan will eventually encompass not just winter school but
summer school as well and have a far reaching affect
with not only campus facilities, but also with faculty and
student life. His plan will cover both short and long term
goals. One example he gave was a review of their recycling program - why do they recycle? How much waste
are they sending to the landfill now? One truck load a
day? What could the stakeholders identify that would
allow them to reduce that truck load per day to a truck
load every three days? Could this be
accomplished in five years? These are just some of his
ideas for the future.
Chris joined LMEC in
1997 and served on the
council for three years,
working hard to help rebuild and reinforce the
levee at the Kline wetland
as well as working on
many other
projects around the lake.
LMEC has used JFNew
for many years. We look
forward to working with
you once more!
July 2014
Page 2
Working toward the preservation of an ecologically sound
WELL WATER TESTING SUPPLIES AVAILABLE IN THE LMEC OFFICE, A NEW
DROP-OFF POINT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL LABORATORIES INC.
The LMEC office is now being used as a drop-off point for those of
you who may want to get your well water tested. We have connected
with a lab that has offered to come to our office on the first and third
Monday of the month, from July through September, to pick up
samples and deliver them to their lab in Plymouth.
We will have sterile bottles with instructions that you can pick up and
use for your water samples. You can take a water sample from your
water supply and return it to us by twelve noon on the pick-up dates.
Samples must be at the lab no later than 24 hours after being
collected and must be kept cool at all times. The lab we are using is
in Plymouth which is twenty minutes from our office so you will be
asked to please plan accordingly.
A check for the appropriate tests you wish to conduct must accompany your filled sample bottles. Some tests can be
done direct with the lab if you wish to use a credit card. That information will also be available in our office.
Environmental Laboratories Inc. offers several test options. Any of the following Safe Home test kits for Bacteria and
inorganic contaminants can be done monthly, quarterly or semi-annually.

The first Safe Home test kit is for Bacteria-Total Coliform & E-Coli, plus NitrateNitrate. The cost for this is $60.

The second Safe Home test kit covers Bacteria-Total Coliform & E-Coli, NitrateNitrite, Arsenic, and Lead. This costs $80.

And the third Safe Home kit tests for 21 different contaminants:
Bacteria-Total Coliform & E-Coli, Hardness, Nitrate-Nitrite, Fluoride, Chloride,
Sulfate, pH, Arsenic, Barium, Cadmium, Calcium, Chromium, Copper, Iron,
Lead, Magnesium, Nickel, Silica, Silver, and Zinc. This is their most popular
test kit and costs $99.
This lab also offers simple bacteria tests for $25 and other more comprehensive tests
that range up to $395. Stop in our office and review the materials if you are interested
and wish to participate in this program.
The day started slow and cool.
Just a little gathering of old friends and soon-to-be-friends.
Early in the morning, one beautiful day, just this past May, here at Lake Maxinkuckee.
THEN, IT BEGAN…
NATUREPALOOZA 2014!
For six hours on May 10th, more than 300 people gathered with the LMEC at the town park. They painted a picture of an owl,
built two raised garden beds, built terrariums, picked up Milkweed pods for the Monarch butterflies, watched The Everglades of
the North, learned about The Nature Conservancy’s Houghton Lake project, went bird watching with a pro, studied arrowheads
and mammoth teeth, learned about falconry, painted three rain barrels, ate free hot dogs, learned about Red Dawn Maples,
saw live owls and hawks, and best of all, listened to an expert put on a show-and-tell with a real live Bald Eagle named Belle!
OH THE FUN!
2 0 1 4 C U LV E R
L AK E F E S T
3 RD A N N U A L
C A N O E / K AYA K / S U P
POKER RUN
Friday, July 18, 2014
Pre-registration
Advised!
On-site registration
begins at 5:30 at
Culver Town Park
(by the lighthouse)
Race begins @ 6:00
Bring your canoe, kayak or SUP and join the fun! The Poker Run will begin at 6:00 p.m. from the Culver park
beach next to the lighthouse. Participants will pick up five playing cards from stations along the way, and the
winning poker hands will receive medals or trophies. This year there will only be one route from the Town Park
to Long Point. The Poker Run is scheduled to start at 6:00 p.m. sharp!
Every person on your craft who has a paddle must be registered to participate. There is a $10.00 registration
fee through July 8th. Anyone wishing to register after July 8th will need to pay a $15.00 registration fee. If you
wish to register on the day of the event, you must be there by 5:30 pm.
No worries, no hurry, just stay on the route and enjoy the lake, pick up your five cards from the stations marked
with colored flags, bring your poker hand back to the launch area and register your cards with the event
coordinator by 7:00. Winners will be announced at 7:10.
.
Prizes awarded for first, second and third place winners!
Join us! Bring your friends, family, or neighbors and make it a competition among yourselves!
PRE-REGISTRATION
RECOMMENDED!
Event hats only guaranteed to the first 10 participants who
pre-register by July 8th!
Send all registration forms and checks made payable to: Culver Lake Fest, POB 146, Culver, IN 46511
Event Sponsored by :
2014 CULVER LAKE FEST CANOE/KAYAK/SUP POKER RUN
AGREEMENT TO PARTICIPATE JULY 18TH, 2014
RELEASE OF LIABILITY & ASSUMPTION OF RISK
In consideration of being allowed to participate in any way in the Culver Lake Fest Canoe/Kayak/SUP Poker Run, I, as participant
(the Releasor), hereby acknowledge, appreciate, and agree that: The risk of injury from the activities involved in this program is
significant, including the potential for permanent paralysis and death, and while particular skills,
equipment, and personal discipline may reduce this risk, the risk of serious injury does exist; and
I KNOWINGLY AND FREELY ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS, both known and unknown, EVEN IF ARISING FROM THE
NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEES or others, and assume full responsibility for my participation; and
I willing agree to comply with the stated and customary terms and conditions for participation. If, however, I observe any
significant hazard during my presence or participation, I will remove myself from participation and bring such to the attention
of the Organizations (Culver Lake Fest or LMEC) immediately; and
I, for myself and on behalf of my heirs, assigns, personal representatives and next of kin, HEREBY RELEASE,
INDEMNIFY, AND HOLD HARMLESS THE Organizations named above, their officers, officials, agents, and/or
employees, other participants, sponsoring agencies, sponsors, advertisers, and if applicable, owners and lessons of
premises used for the activity (Releasees) WITH RESPECT TO ANY AND ALL INJURY, DISABILITY, DEATH, or loss
or damage to person of property associated with my presence or participation, WHETHER ARISING FROM THE
NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEES OF OTHERWISE, to the fullest extent permitted by law.
I further stipulate and agree that the terms of this Agreement will apply to any minors accompanying me, that I am either the
parent, legal guardian, or otherwise have direct and express permission from the minor’s family for the minor to accompany and for me to enter into this Agreement releasing the minor’s legal rights and/or remedies, that I assume all risk and
responsibility for such minors in accompanying me, and that I agree to indemnify and defend the Releasees for any loss,
liability, damage or cost they may incur due to the presence of the minor on the canoe or kayak during this program,
whether caused by the negligence of the Releasees or otherwise.
I further stipulate and agree, that while participating in the canoeing, kayaking, or SUP to be bound by all orders rules, and
directions of the Releasees.
THERE IS A TEN DOLLAR ($10.00) REGISTRATION FEE WHICH MUST ACCOMPANY THIS FORM. IF PAID BY
JULY 8TH YOU WILL RECEIVE AN EVENT HAT IF YOU ARE ONE OF THE FIRST TEN TO REGISTER. DAY OF EVENT
REGISTRATION FEE IS $15. THE RACE WILL BEGIN AT 6:00 P.M. SO “DAY OF” REGISTRATION WILL BEGIN AT 5:30
P.M. TIMES FOR THIS EVENT WILL VARY DUE TO PADDLER RATE AND LAKE CONDITIONS. ALL ENTRANTS MUST
RETURN AND CHECK IN WITH THE EVENT ORGANIZERS BY 7:00 P.M. SO THAT EVERYONE IS ACCOUNTED FOR AT
THE END OF THIS EVENT. CULVER LAKE FEST OR THE EVENT SPONSORS ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE
WATER CONDITIONS, ROUTES, OR OTHER ACTIVITIES OF PARTICIPANTS OR THEIR EQUIPMENT.
Adult MUST sign this liability release form. Children MUST wear life jackets when on the water. If a minor is participating it
will be assumed that they can swim once this waiver is signed by an adult. Anyone under the age of 18 must be
accompanied by an adult.
Absolutely NO littering in the lake. Please take everything you bring with you when you leave or dispose of it in an approved
trash bin.
All participants must sign in with the event registrar before and after the event to be eligible to win.
Stay within the buoys.
Respect private property and others on the lake. Wear sneakers or water shoes for wading. Take plenty of fluids (not in
glass containers)
Be aware of water hazards; swim at your own risk.
What is taken with you may get wet or possibly lost - this will be your responsibility.
X_____________________________________________________
Date Signed: ______________________
Participant (signature)
X______________________________________________________Participant if other than Releasor (a minor)
X________________________________________ Please print your name
THE EVENT SPONSORS RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE ANYONE ENTRY TO THIS EVENT,
IF THIS HAPPENS, THE REGISTRATION FEE WILL BE REIMBURSED.
YOUR CHECK MUST ACCOMPANY THIS REGISTRATION FORM FOR IT TO BE CONSIDERED ACTIVE.
Lake Maxinkuckee and its surrounding watershed
July 2014
Page 3
Our early morning crew: Yuri Cataldo and Allison Mitchell from
the Yale Alumni Group came to help us set up. Kyle Sefcheck
joined us too! Allen Chesser our council chair, Dave Blalock
and Dan Osborn, two of our great council members, were also
on hand very early. And last, but by far not least, Ms. Shelley
Schrimsher and her son Chas came to teach 25 little ones how
to paint an owl like the one below! Me? I’m behind the camera
once again!
Everyone
loved the owl
that was
brought by
Kim Hoover,
a local bird
rehabilitator
with Hoots &
Howls.
Below left is Tim Manuwal who brought his Red Tailed Hawk to
play. He trains them for falconry then releases them back to the
wild after a couple of seasons. What a beautiful bird!
Our star attraction that day was Belle the Bald Eagle, along
with her handler Zach Walker of As Wings of Eagles Inc.
Belle is still young which is why her head feathers have not
yet turned white.
She was found as a chick, blind in one eye. With permission
from the IDNR, Zach takes her to places like the Indiana
State Fair to teach all of us about these great birds.
On the right is the
mysterious Butterfly
Lady who led children to
a raised garden of herbs,
vegetables, and flowers
that they all helped plant
- and water too! She
gave away Milkweed
seed pods to help feed
the Monarch Butterflies
on their way to Mexico!
To your right are Sue McInturff and
Ruth Tamminga having fun and
enjoying each others company.
Ruth was the lucky bidder on the rain
barrel that was decorated by all the
children who attended that day! Her
husband had it hooked up later that
same day!
July 2014
Volume 20
www.lakemax.org
Issue 2
In Memory of Mr. Richard Ford, Founding Member of
the Lake Maxinkuckee Environmental Fund & Council
As most of you already know, Richard
Ford passed away this spring. While his
life was celebrated recently in Wabash
among his family and many friends; the
LMEF would like to take this opportunity
to mention just some of the things he did
for us here on Lake Maxinkuckee.
As one of our original founders, he served
diligently for more than thirty five years on
behalf of this special lake. Whether as
an LMEF Board member, an LMEC
Council member, or simply as an advisor,
he was there if we needed him. He would
call the office to discuss news of interest
and many times brought dignitaries to our
shores for conversations about our lake
and the issues affecting it. He will be
greatly missed by all of us here at LMEF/
LMEC. I know I will miss his phone calls.
Kathy Clark, Executive Director LMEC
Lake Maxinkuckee
Environmental Council
Allen Chesser, Chair
Dusty Henricks
Eric March
Dan Osborn
Bill Rhodes
Dan Baughman
Gary Shaffer
Dr. John Bernero
Tammy Shaffer
Dave Blalock
Lake Maxinkuckee
Environmental Fund
Marabeth Levett, President
Litt Clark, Vice President
Merritt Becker, Treasurer
Carol Zeglis, IPP
Alan Chesser, Council Chair
Kevin Berger
Jim Sturman
Jerry Semler
Tom Sams, Advisor
Tom Story, Advisor
Mary Anna Swennumson, Advisor
574-842-3686
116 N. Main St. Culver Indiana
Printed on 55% recycled and
30% post consumer paper
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
P.O. Box 187 Culver, IN 46511