LOVE OUR LAKE

KLA UPDATE:  THANKS TO ALL

from Richard Orr, KLA President

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Saturday, July 9, 2022, was a landmark day for KLA.  In the morning, the Annual Meeting of members gathered on the Wilkins House lawn to review the business of KLA and to enjoy the return of the traditional coffee and donuts.  For a summary of the annual meeting click here.

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But the highlight of the day was the KLA Celebration Party, thanks to the Party Committee, which was chaired by Cindy Courtney and included Lisa Hammett, Ginny Raymond and Jo Lynne Johnson, who served as Board liaison.  To read a wonderful article about the party and see tremendous photos of this memorable event click here.

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But KLA50 wasn’t only a party, it was the culmination a multi-year effort to celebrate the first 50 years of KLA and to help ensure that the lake is protected for the next 50 years. KLA50 started in 2019 and has been co-chaired by KLA Board members Jo Lynne and David Johnson.  Over the last several years they have spent countless hours overseeing the multiple components of KLA50. Our thanks to them for their hard work.

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The core of KLA50 was a Capital Campaign. Raising funds over a period of years, it was successful beyond all expectations. Thanks to the generous support of KLA members and friends, the grand total of donations and pledges revealed at the Celebration Party was over $145,500. Special thanks to professional fundraiser Bill Stockwell, who provided pro bono consulting services to the campaign; and to Charlie Tarbell who helped organize the campaign and who personally solicited many leadership contributions.  For a list of those that made this possible click here.

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The money raised will be maintained in a segregated KLA50 Fund under professional money management until the time it is needed to respond to milfoil, other invasive species, or another existential threat to the lake.

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KLA50 also included publication of a book telling the history of the lake and of individual properties.  Thanks go to the KLA Book Committee, which was led by Brenda Hambleton and included Nancy Eaton, Cindy Courtney, and Charlie Tarbell. Copies of the book are still available for purchase at the Waterford Library.

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A historical retrospective of KLA was prepared at the Waterford Historical Society.  Thanks to Nancy Marcotte and Nancy Eaton.  The culmination of all these KLA50 activities was the KLA50 party.  Not only was it a wonderful social event, but a financial success.  The Committee was committed to not spending any of the KLA50 Capital Fund on the party, keeping the ticket price low, and ending up without a deficit.  They succeeded by recruiting event sponsors and actively managing the arrangements as vendors increased prices.  The Committee is grateful to the many KLA members who made contributions to support the party separate from their ticket purchase.

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The party could not have succeeded without its other volunteers. Dodi and John Wait served as “Week Of” captains.  Amanda Johnson managed the registration table.  Patty Tingley organized the flower arrangements and Jane Trail provided flowers.  Ginger Eaton designed the logo and Ginia Brannan produced the signage.  The Stockwell/Eaton/Tarbell family not only donated the use of their meadow but also managed many of the logistics including set up, parking, and clean up.  Many, many other people volunteered in other ways.

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KLA50 is now coming to a close.  Thanks to everyone who donated to the campaign or volunteered their time to make it a success.