Save The Lake Day May 31

Friends of the Lake Executive Committee member George Walker welcomes water lovers, lakeside residents, and the community in general to lend a hand during the upcoming Save The Lake Day 2008 on May 31.

“Anyone can show up,” he said. “You don’t need reservations to help.”

With its shores running through towns including Newtown, Lake Lillinonah offers its rustic views to residents, boaters, hikers, and those out for a quiet afternoon to enjoy the pine-scented fresh air in the heavily wooded areas flanking the lake. Save The Lake Day will keep this pristine setting in mind.

“It’s a walk along the lake, it’s rustic, you’ll have a ride on the lake and a walk on the shore,” Mr Walker said. The day’s aim to clean the shoreline will focus on the coves, for example, where debris tends to collect, including the “manmade” trash on the ground. “It’s a cleanup of things users ‘leave behind,’” he said.

The cleanups make a difference. “Each year it gets better and better,” he said. “Every year without fail we take 60 or 70 bags out.”

Contribute to the environmental effort and enjoy a “beautiful ride” on a boat May 31. Mr Walker tempts volunteers with coffee and doughnuts and invites residents to the boat launch on Route 133 in Bridgewater where pontoon boats will take teams to different areas of the lake. Each team will be responsible for one of the various coves and roughly a half-mile of shoreline. Gloves and trash bags will be provided.

Meet for coffee between roughly 8:30 and 9 am. Boats will return to the launch roughly two, to two-and-a-half hours later. “We’ll bring volunteers back for a pizza party,” Mr Walker said.

The cleanup is a favorite for the younger volunteers. “Kids seem to like it,” he said. He hopes scouts and other groups will get involved. Learn more about Friends Of The Lake and the Save The Lake Day at friendsofthelake.org, or call 860-210-8064