Pelican Lake News
Rose Lake has now been designated as
infested with Zebra Mussels
This unfortunate situation was caused by an individual that transported a lift from Lake Lizzie, where he had been renting, to a resort on Rose Lake that he had rented for the remainder of the summer. He put the lift in the water sometime between late June early July. Zebra mussels were discovered on the lift by another patron of the resort that was helping the individual remove the lift in mid September. The patron then reported the finding to the DNR. At this point, no Zebra Mussels have been found in the lake but the immediate area has been quarantined with a silt fence and multiple treatments of the area are planned by the DNR. If those prove successful (we won't know for sure for a year or two), Rose Lake could be removed from the infested list. Some in the media have insinuated that lake service providers were involved. This of course was not true. For more accurate information on this topic, Ottertail County COLA (read their release) is more fact based or stay tuned here for information.
Pelican Lake has
achieved MN Star Lake Status
This
is a huge deal as before Pelican Lake attained “Star Lake” status,
there were only 11 lakes in all of MN that qualified and none in
either Ottertail or Becker counties with that designation. The
qualifying requirements are the promotion of stewardship of the lake
through member participation in educational programs, water quality
monitoring, shoreline restoration projects along with all the other
programs we have going around the lake that promote the clean use of
the lake. A big “thank you” to Moriya Rufer, who did the lion’s
share of a very detailed application, along with managing many of
the programs that helped us qualify. Also, thanks to all the
volunteers that help execute these same programs. Official
recognition with signs to go around the lake is expected to occur at
our Appreciation Dinner for PLPOA Lake Volunteers on August 26th.
The Certification goes for 5 years and can be renewed at that time.
This is just another reason that Pelican Lake is one of the premier
lakes in the area. .
.
.
.
Dueling Fireworks
were the theme of this year’s show
The
4th of July fireworks put a period and an exclamation point to the
most beautiful weekend so far this year. The lightning from an
approaching storm front threatened to outdo the planned fireworks,
so a game-time decision was made to start them 15 minutes early. The
storm held off until the last shot of the night -- which followed
the biggest fireworks finale yet.
This year's event may go down as one best remembered pictured in the
rear-view mirrors of cars departing early, or as seen above a boat
wake astern, as lake
spectators headed for the safety of lifts or shelter on shore.
The storm winds arrived and the deluge began as the final booms were
still echoing off the hills, and with nearly horizontal rains
quickly soaking everyone not inside a cabin or a car.
Hats off to everyone involved, and for enduring the extreme conditions
following the show: the "shooter" crew from RES Specialties, the PR
Fire Department, the Otter Tail Sheriff's Posse, and especially to
your lake volunteers in Doug Burgum's pasture-turned-parking-lot.
This year’s parade
was a big success!
Warm
temperatures plus blue skies plus gentle breezes equal perfect
conditions for a boat parade.
While the parade registration was taking place at Zorbaz's dock, there
was a feeling of excitement as participants readied their floats for
the trip around the lake. The classic boats led the parade followed
by the registered floats. The parade was joined at various times
with floats that did not make the entire trip. An exciting addition
this year was the "Big Pelican" from Fair Hills Resort.
The first place winner was the Foss/Bayliss float with their favorite
vacation location being appropriately … Pelican Lake. Second place
went to the unique Winkler two-boat float portraying Disney
World/Pirates of the Caribbean. The Hella family float won third
place depicting Pelican Lake on the 4th of July.
Most of the participants in the parade joined together at the Pelican
Lake Yacht Club afterwards for a PLOPA sponsored picnic with all of
the traditional fixings for a 4th of July cookout.
Of course, there could be no parade or cook-out without the dedicated
work of volunteers. They were Mary and Rocky Swanson, Millie
MacLeod, Lance Johnson, Grace and Dale Haakenstad, Janis and Greg
Gustafson, Karen Froelich, and Stan Herren.
The theme for next year’s parade is "Favorite Person(s)" and will go
clockwise around the lake. This is a very broad category that should
allow many creative floats to participate in next year's parade.
PLPOA Membership cleanup day is set for June 15th
There are a few changes in the Pelican Lake Association Annual
Cleanup Day. Some of the changes are because there are now
more expenses being accrued on the disposal of certain items picked
up.
A reminder to Lake Association members … appliances and TVs have
been added to the list of things that will not be picked up. Those,
along with paint, tires, batteries and construction materials, cost
Ballard Sanitation $40 each to get rid of. Again, as in the past,
please do not put your regular garbage out on cleanup day.
You can call Ballard’s (218) 863-1385 to arrange a special pickup
for the items that will not be picked up during the Lake
Association’s Cleanup Day or take them to the Ottertail County
Transfer Station on Hwy 108 one mile West of Pelican Rapids,
then ½ mile North.
More information on the Transfer Station and the Household Hazardous Waste Program are on the Education Page.
Both PLYC & PLSS have a busy year planned
All
lake members are welcome to join in the activities for just
$35/year. Below is a
quick summary of what's going on this summer. Visit:
www.plyc.info
or contact Jeff Peltier
peliter@plyc.info
for more details.
Social Calendar:
- Brunch for a Bunch: at the Clubhouse, Sun, May 29 at 10 am
- Fun Sail Thursday Nights: west end of the lake, June—Aug at 6:30 pm
- 2nd annual Sail-Fest, Sat, June 25: 3-5 pm meet/greet on Pelican Lake for sailors & friends, followed at 6 pm by a BBQ at the Clubhouse; live music; participation awards & more; weather date Sat, July 9th.
- Fireworks & Raft Up: Sun, July 4 at 9 pm , east end of the lake
- Wallwork Regatta Dinner & Dance: Sat, July 30 at 6 pm for PLYC members, Wallwork sailors & friends of sailing; live music. RSVP is required
- Raft-Up Party : Sat, Aug 13 at 5 pm on Pelican, location tbd; bring appetizers & fenders
Pelican Lake Sailing School: Want to
learn how to sail or improve your sailing skills? For more
information contact Jeff Peltier at 218.532.3388 or
peltier@plyc.info
- Age 9 thru High School; $125
per session;
-
June 27 - 30 (Mon-Thu), July 5 - 8
(Tue-Fri)
- J
Adults: Private lessons are available by
appointment; $40 hour plus a fee for sailboat usage if needed
Pelican Lake Sailing School Clinic - Improve Your Sailing
Skills: Saturday, July 17th
Love to Race? PLYC's regular Sunday races
begin June 5 at 11 am on the west end of the lake. The sequence of 2
races for the C-Scows and Open Fleet. For more information contact
Brad Schlossman @701.866.7290 or
bradschlossman@gmail.com.
Ice
out date for 2011!
April 27th and it's been a long winter, but the ice is finally off!! This is a picture from the day before as the ice was going back and forth on the lake, carrying whatever was on top.
Now the work begins: 1000 docks, 1500 boatlifts and a number of other water toys.
No, I didn't count them. I'm not even back.
Just a ballpark guess.
Welcome to 2011!!
Picture by Michelle Sletten
Changing
Seasons
It's Thanksgiving day on Pelican Lake but it looks more like winter. After a nice fall the temperatures started to drop, the wind came up, and the snow came down. It won't be long and the ice houses will come out and snowmobles will be zipping across the lake.
Picture by Darcy Leonard
ROMEOs
(Retired Old Men Eating Out)
meets at “PJ’s at Bayview”
every Tuesday morning at 8am during the lake season to discuss and
solve the world’s problems. Lyle Severson seems to be the unofficial
CFO of the 14 year old organization and orchestrates the rolling of
the dice, 1st for sport and then to see who pays the tip.
Not sure how you qualify, other than I’m neither old enough nor
retired enough to get in on anything other than a guest pass!!
Jeff Peltier .
The annual two day sailing regatta was held on
Pelican Lake July 31st and August 1st with 23
boats competing. Established in 1965, it is developing quite a
history. Lack of winds caused cancelation of a couple of
races, but didn’t dampen the enthusiasm. The boats were split
into 3 fleets with Brian Harris (Big Cormorant) winning the E Fleet,
Tim Krech (Lake Minnetonka) winning the C Fleet, and Mike Ostbye
(Pelican) winning the Open Fleet. Co Chairs, Rhonda Loberg and
Carol Schlossman made sure it was a well run event. Pelican Lake Sailing School
This was the biggest year ever for the Youth Sailing Program with 30
students spread over (3) 2-week sessions. The instructors,
Medora Sletten, Reed Deardorff, and Kent Deardorff made sure it was
both a fun and learning experience with many planning on returning
next year. A group from Concordia College is expected in
September to wrap up the season. Support from the lake
association along with the newly established “Brad Burgum Endowment”
in honor of all he has done for sailing on the lake, go a long way
toward keeping the costs low for the youth of our lake. Challenging weather for this year’s
parade 
2010
Annual Wallwork Regatta 
A
rainy, dreary day probably curbed some interest in participating in
the annual Pelican Lake 4th of July boat parade.
However, those who entered
were enthusiastic and provided the spectators with terrific floats
that showed their “Favorite Musicals”.
Perhaps the enthusiasm and energy displayed by the float
participants was responsible for the sun breaking through near the
end of the parade!
Though the parade was relatively short, the support by the
spectators was outstanding.
As the parade moved around the lake, there were very few
docks and decks that weren’t crowded by waving and cheering
spectators, lifting the spirits of the parade participants.
They certainly deserved your cheers.
The winners of the competition were:
1st place - Foss Family
2nd place - Tonsfeldt/Prondzinski Famlies
3rd place - Johnson Family
4th place - Hella Family
The theme for next year is “Favorite Vacation
Site” and the parade will be counter-clockwise.
Any questions or comments should be directed to Jim
Prondzinski, 532-2066.
2010 SWIM PROGRAM has been established
It’s that time again to prepare your summer
activity schedule. Dunn Township and the Pelican Lake Property
Owners Assoc. will offer FREE swimming lessons. These lessons are
free of charge and open to the public regardless of residency.
Classes are offered for pre-beginners thru swimmers. Classes are
Tues. and Thurs. afternoons for 4 weeks, starting Tuesday July 6,
2010 . Class dates are: July 8th 13th 15th 20th 22rd 27th 29th.
Times are as
follows: Primary Skill/Pre-Beg. 12:00-12:30, Stroke Readiness/Beg. I
12:30-1:00, Stroke Readiness/Beg. II 1:00-1:30 Stroke
Development/Adv. Beg. I 1:30-2:15, Stroke Development/Adv. Beg. II
2:15-3:00, Intermediate and/or Swimmers 3:00-3:45 Depending on the
program participation, class times may vary and class sizes are
limited. Pre-registration is not required but very helpful. Lessons
will be held on Pelican Point Dr. next to Fair Hills Resort, on the
North shore of Pelican Lake on Cty Rd. 20, Fire # 51628. Parking is
available across the road. If you have further questions regarding
the program or would like to register, please contact Faye
Spitzley-Engkjer at 218-532-7066 or
Faye@cableone.net Area Sailors meet in Bora Bora for a
Winter Break
After a picture perfect day for the 4th, great
for boating and outdoor barbeques and family gatherings, the sky
remained clear as temperatures dropped into the 60’s for the start
of fireworks. The pre-show displays on shore and in the pasture
turned parking lot across from Wildflower were numerous and
impressive. The nearly full moon cooperated by staying low in the
southeastern sky. Cars kept arriving at the parking lot even into
the first few minutes of the display, perhaps encouraged by reports
on radio station 104.1 that there was still plenty of room to park.
On the water, boats filled the east end of the lake with all their
anchor lights making for quite a view on its own. There were
many comments about how well the music matched up with an excellent
fireworks display. All went off without a hitch thanks
to the help of lake volunteers (and conscripted family members), the
Pelican Rapids Fire Department, Otter Tail Sherriff’s posse and
others. DNR issues ice safety reminder Minnesota Department of
Natural Resources (DNR) water safety officials have issued an ice
safety reminder now that temperatures have surpassed 40 degrees in
many areas of the state.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
water safety officials have issued an ice safety reminder now that
temperatures have surpassed 40 degrees in many areas of the state. “Even with the relatively thick ice produced by
our cold January, it doesn’t take very long for ice conditions to
become hazardous when it warms up,” said Tim Smalley, DNR water
safety specialist. “That’s especially true for vehicles.” The usual safety guidelines for cars (8-12 inches
of new, clear ice) don’t apply under this week’s melting conditions.
The slush created on the ice’s surface adds weight. The ice also
softens farther down and may have less than half the strength of the
same thickness of ice earlier in the season. “A good rule of thumb is that when the
temperature rises above freezing for six of the last 24 hours,
multiply the recommended minimum thickness by two,” Smalley said. The ice becomes unsafe if temperatures remain
above freezing for 24 hours or more. Contact your local bait shop or
resort to ask about the conditions of any lake you are planning to
visit.
The PGOLID Lake Management Plan is a comprehensive
report from over a decade of data collection and effort from many
organizations. It is a summary of water quality data along with
information and background about the surrounding area, demographics
and land use. Moriya
Rufer, our Water Resource Coordinator, has done an excellent job of
organizing this into easy to navigate segments so you can quickly
find particular items of interest. Go to
http://pgolid.org/LMP/main.htm to view the information.
The PGOLID Septic Inspection survey and report is available and you
can read it by clicking
here.
Moriya Rufer, our new water resource coordinator, did an
excellent job of assembling this information, so be sure to read it
for a better understanding of the state of our systems and how to
manage them. 
In January, 16 sailors went to Bora Bora in the
South Pacific for a winter break.
There were 14 people from Pelican Lake and surrounding lakes
and of those 10 were members of Pelican Lake Yacht Club.
Two 44' catamarans provided room and transportation during
the week on the water.
The weather was great for sailing, snorkeling, and exploring the
islands. The scenery was spectacular both above and below the water.
Conversations on where to go next year are already in the works. 
Fireworks
Display was spectacular! PGOLID Lake Management Plan is now on the
web!