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Your Board held its first meeting of the year on Thursday, January 11th.   Committee assignments were confirmed and planning is underway for the 2024 boating season.   

The Board will meet two more times before our first meeting of the season on Wednesday, March 27th.   Yes, we will return to the Kennon House.  Stay tuned for more details.  

If you haven’t paid your 2024 membership dues, please do so now.  You can pay online or send a $10.00 check, payable to the Lake Gaston Water Safety Council, PO Box 207, Henrico, NC, 27842.  Your tax deductible donation helps the volunteer leadership continue with our water safety programs. THANK YOU! 

As I prepare this message we are experiencing a heavy wind day at the lake.  Surely anything not tied down this fall is long gone.  On the other hand, maybe you will inherit something new.  

Be careful early boaters who venture out after the storm.   It would not be unusual to find fallen trees floating in the lake.

Lastly, your board of directors will be holding our first board meeting Thursday, January 11, 2024.   It’s not too early to let a board member know if you have a speaker or topic for this summer.

Stay safe.

 

 

 

 

 

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President Wyatt Andrews welcomed members and guests to the monthly dinner meeting at Kennon House in Gasburg, VA. He led the membership in the Pledge of Allegiance and offered grace before attendees enjoyed a buffet dinner. 

 

President Wyatt Andrews called the meeting to order at 6:33 PM with 57 people in attendance, including new members Lynn Cisar, Kim Anderson and Cheryl Honeycutt

 

Membership – Susie Deschenes presented this Slate of Officers for 2024:

President: Lewis Mustain

Vice President: Wyatt Andrews

Treasurer: Debbie Andrews

Secretary: Lin Harbold

Directors: Susie Deschenes (Terms of Directors Brian Goldsworthy and

Ray Jeter Drew Goodwin expire in October 2024)

 

 

Susie welcomed additional 2024 Board nominations from the floor or by contacting her directly. Members will vote for 2024 Officers and Directors at the September 27th meeting.

 

 

President Wyatt Andrews announced that we received a thank you from John 3:16 for the summer safety trailer program, where we interacted with 133 children.

 

 

Presiden Wyatt Andrews reported that the Lake Gaston Stakeholders Board honored Pete Deschenes for his decades of service to the Lake Gaston Community. Pete held leadership roles in multiple organizations, including Lake Gaston Water Safety Council, Lake Gaston Association, Lake Gaston Weed Control Council and Roanoke Wildwood Volunteer Fire Department. Pete received a plaque stating that the Lake Gaston Stakeholders Board will be renamed The Pete Deschenes Lake Gaston Stakeholders Board. Thank you and Congratulations, Pete!

 

  Pig Pick’n will be held September 27th at no charge to attendees other than bringing a side dish to share. Susie Deschenes circulated a sign-up sheet including side dishes to bring. The Board will provide the pig, paper products, iced tea and water. Adult beverages will be permitted if guests would like to bring their own.

 

 

Important Dates:

September / October Aquatic Plant Survey

September 1st Chamber of Commerce Big Splash Raffle

September 2nd Littleton-Lake Gaston Festival 

September 9th Coast Guard Auxiliary Boater Safety Class, Longbridge Volunteer Fire Department

September 27thPig Pick’n RWVFD

October 7th Coast Guard Auxiliary Boater Safety Class, Longbridge Volunteer Fire Department

November 18th Coast Guard Auxiliary Boater Safety Class, Longbridge Volunteer Fire Department

 

50/50 Drawing:

Congratulations to Wencil Stanek, who won $32.50! 

Next Membership Meeting:

Pig Pick’n, Wednesday, September 27th, 5:30 PM Social; Dinner 6:00 PM, R 

ProgramA Review of the Year’s Incidents

     Sgt Richard Creech, Jacob Long – NC Wildlife Resources Commission

     Sgt Brandon Harris, Matt Sandy, Chris Kent – VA Department of Wildlife Resources

 

Sgt Creech shared the following statistics:

  • Hunting Arrests – 57
  • Fishing Arrests – 23
  • Boating Arrests – 89.  Top Reason
  • Child under 13 not wearing life jacket
    • Speeding in NO WAKE zone
  • Boating Warnings – 201
  • Patrol Night Boating – 392 hours
  • Night Boating Arrests – 35
  • Boating Under the Influence – 25
  • Boats Checked – 298
  • Fishermen Checked – 506

 Sgt Creech and Officer Sandy took questions from the audience, many of which covered NO WAKE situations and laws. Officer Sandy mentioned that the Poplar Creek area is getting busy and is under consideration to become a NO WAKE zone. When asked how to get an area declared a NO WAKE zone, Officer Sandy recommended taking concerns to local county officials who can provide documentation to the appropriate Wildlife Resources department for approval.

As of July 1, 2023, Virginia has a “Move Over” law for boaters that states:

 Motorboats are required to slow to no-wake speed within 200 feet of a law enforcement or emergency services vessel when displaying blue or red flashing lights

Motion to Adjourn at 7:18 PM by Lewis Mustain, seconded by Drew Goodwin; motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Lin Harbold, Secretary

 

 

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Memberships are $5.00 per person - $10.00 per family $10.00 per Business.