Thanks Lea Beazley for helping us spread holiday cheer!

I write an article on water safety which appears bimonthly in the LGA Bulletin. Usually, it is pretty easy to come up with a subject to discuss. For some reason, the last article was a bit of a challenge. I thought you might appreciate reading what will be posted in the December/January issue. Sometimes trouble just follows me. Certainly hope others can learn from my carelessness. Suffice to say, sure wish I was wearing my PFD.

I had a deadline on October 30; as I write this it’s October 31 so I missed it. I tried to start it this morning and no sparks. So I set it aside and maybe after lunch. That didn’t work either so I walked down to the boat to putter and get standing water off my boat cover. My wife Chris came down with me (luckily), so we could put the new umbrella cover-up on top of the boat house.

It was a bit cool with a steady lake breeze so I had my brand new sort of winter coat on, my new ball cap and shorts/shoes. She was up top and I was downstairs and used a mop to push up on the cover to remove the rainwater. So far so good. Done it lots of times.

Do you remember us talking about life jackets float and people don't? We also say the time to put on a life jacket is not when you are in the water. Well, stuff happens quickly when you least expect on the water. Stepping up to the dock from the boat I lost my balance and gravity kicked in. I remember hitting my right hip on the side of the boat railing before ending up in the 8 feet deep water. My water-soaked winter coat was like an anchor and down I went.

I’m writing this so obviously, everything worked out ok. Thankfully, I still remembered how to swim but it was pretty difficult making it to the dock ladder. My wife helped me get out so I at least didn’t pull this maneuver by myself.

What did I learn? Even simple tasks around water can go sideways. Wear the life jacket!

It will take days for my coat to dry. As to my hat, if anyone sees a brown cap with Quail Ridge CC on the brim, please let me know.

I’ve got to find a better way for story ideas.

We are a 501 (c) 3 and end of year donations are always appreciated. Please visit us at LakeGastonWaterSafetyCouncil.com.

Brian Goldsworthy
President, LGWSC

12th Annual Dam Dam Paddle Challenge

The Doug Benson Kerr Dam to Gaston Dam Challenge is Saturday, October 24.   If out on the water this Saturday, please be mindful you may find kayakers or paddle boards where you wouldn’t normally see them.  Please be watch your wake and keep an eye out for them.  If you have extra water, I’m sure that would be appreciated.  

The 32 mile endurance challenge begins at the Kerr Dam at 8:00 AM.  There is a 9 mile endurance challenge beginning at 1:00 PMfrom AF Wake to the Gaston Dam.  

If you would like to participate, call 919.802.4430.  Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society.  

Although not a water safety issue, it is about our lake.   We need volunteers to do the survey EAST of the EF bridge   

Volunteers are needed to float the LKG shoreline and conduct our annual Aquatic Vegetation Survey! 

Information gathered by volunteers about what types of vegetation is growing and where they are located along Lake Gaston’s shoreline is vital in determining how best to manage the vegetationto keep our lake clean and healthy. 

Jessica Bauman, Extension Associate for Lake Gaston with NC State University’s Aquatic Plant Management Program, is working closely with the LGA Lake Environment Committee to coordinate the survey, which takes place September 1 through October 31. This year, due to COVID-19, video training is being offered. If you would like, we can team you up with some more experienced folks. 

Here is a link to a Google Drive folder that contains an mp4 of the training.  Feel free to download it to any device! 

Training Video 2020 mp4 format https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1tVgTgi2aPMmg9Ly2qaw0ErYqtDsEvdnl?usp=sharing

If you are interested in joining the volunteer effort during the fall vegetation survey, please complete: 

Volunteer Sign Up Form https://forms.gle/9g76eDU1SUnxkxZz7

Thanks for your help keeping LKG healthy!i

The message below was sent to the membership.    If you didn’t receive that means we do not have your correct email.   Please send us the updated email address either by contacting a board member or use this web site. 

Hello members,

We recently had our board meeting to discuss plans for the rest of the year and what to do about the election of officers.  We’ve decided two things.    

First, it's just not worth the risk due to COVID-19 to meet as a group for the last two monthly membership meetings (September elections and October Pig Pickin).   It’s regrettable but so be it.  

As to elections, your entire board (including me) is willing to serve another year essentially repeating 2020.   If there are no objections from the membership, this is what we will do.  Our new terms begin November 1, 2020 through October 31, 2021.  Please contact a board member if you have another suggestion.    

We sincerely hope we can resume face to face membership meetings the last Wednesday in March, 2021.  In the interim we will continue to post water safety information on the web site and Facebook.  

After our October 8th board meeting teleconference, I will send out a year end summary sometime in November along with thoughts for next year and the treasurer report.   I can assure you the organization is on firm financial ground.  

What a year!

Brian