​The last few leaves are dropping off the trees and the nights are starting to dip down below freezing.  The winter lake ice season is hopefully not too far off.  This quieter time right before holiday activities kick in is a good opportunity to provide some updates on what is happening with the Lake Riley Improvement Association.
 
Social Activities Volunteer Request:
We are still looking for a couple people to help us run the 4th of July Boat Parade and Annual Party next year, which are our two main social events.  Deb and Lisa tell me that each only requires a few hours to organize, and they have a list of what needs to be done for both that is very straightforward.  Plus, Bryan and Dave have both volunteered to pitch in and help coordinate.  If we could just get one volunteer each for the 4th of July Boat Parade and the Annual Party, we would be in good shape.  Please contact me if you are able to help with this.  
 
Watershed Administrator Search:
The Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District has begun the process to recruit a new District Administrator.  You may recall that this position was vacated earlier this year by Clair Bleser and has been covered on an interim basis by Terry Jeffery.  We will continue to watch this process closely and make sure we reach out to establish a relationship with the new administrator once the position is formally filled. 
 
Ice In / Ice Out:
Guesses for the annual Ice In / Ice Out competition were recorded at the Annual Party in August.  We’ll see what the next few weeks bring for weather and if we’ll have another late ice in like we did last year. 
 
Ice Safety:
As the ice begins to form on the lake, a reminder to exercise extreme caution in going out on it.  As many people noticed, the middle of the lake was open or had very poor ice for much of last winter.  As the DNR would say, “There is no such thing as 100 percent safe ice.”  Please read through the DNR’s Ice Safety guidelines before heading out on the ice this winter:  https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/ice/index.html.
 
Ice Clean Up:
A number of people have commented that they have noticed increasing amounts of trash, pet waste and forgotten items left out on the ice the last couple winters.  As we all know, this all ends up in the lake in the spring.  Please be vigilant to clean up all of your belongings and remove all trash from the ice, and remind your friends and neighbors to do the same.  Dogs love to go get exercise out on the ice, but please remember to clean up after them!
 
Annual Meeting 2022:
Mark your calendars, our Annual Meeting will be Monday, April 25, 2022 at 7:00 pm.  We are very hopeful that we will be able to return to an in-person meeting format at the American Legion again next year.  As in the past, we will plan to have tables available so people can come early, have dinner and socialize before the meeting begins.  Stay tuned for more information later in the winter.
 
Membership Update:
So far in 2021 we have 39 households that have renewed their annual membership.  This is down from over 50 households in each of 2018, 2019, and 2020.  If you haven’t done so already, we’d kindly request that you go onto our website (click here) to renew your membership for $21.  You can also do so by contacting our treasurer Bob Kruempelstaedter. 
 
Fish Fund Update: 
Last month, we stocked about 2,000 walleye fingerling into the lake.  A big thank you to Greg Hastings for once again organizing this and to everyone that already contributed to the fish fund this year.  Stocking the walleye cost the association $2,000, and we are currently running about $100 short of our goal of raising the same amount to keep the fish fund level for the year.  If you’d like to make a donation, this can also be done at our website (click here). 
 
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Ryan
LRIA President