At Deka Lake & District Ratepayers’ Association’s (DLDRA) second annual fishing derby, on Sunday, Aug. 4, 67 fish were weighed in.
Of 33 Kokanee, Marissa Ramsay came first with her 1.79kg specimen, followed by Jake Erickson, 1.54kg and Julia Lambert, 1.47kg.
Lake trout winners, out of 32 fish, comprised Dan Stoelwinder, 6.35kg; Brooklyn Burns, 3kg; and John Burns, 2kg.
Two rainbow trout came in, with Paul Swaffield’s weighing 0.68kg and Lexi Russell’s 0.52kg.
Winners of the Kids’ Kokanee Derby were: Jacob Blommaert at 0.89kg; Lucas Kedrosky, 0.79kg; Aleena Papa, 0.74kg; Judah Kernel, 0.69kg; Emily Martin, 0.64kg; Jayd McKay, 0.40kg; and Kayden Bury, 0.32kg.
The DLDRA is most grateful to their many generous business sponsors, as well as all the volunteers for making this another successful derby.
At the Annual General Meeting which followed the derby, the 2023 AGM minutes and the treasurer’s current report were read and approved.
The president reported on DLDRA’s accomplishments since last year, including a successful community clean-up, the new food truck, fundraising via recycling, and the above fishing derby. He referred to the maintenance/upgrading of all accesses and channel buoys and impending work on Access 11.
Picnic tables are located at Hathaway, Sulphurous, two at Higgins, and Deka Accesses #1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12. Outhouses are located at Sulphurous, Hathaway and Higgins; and portapotties at Deka #6, 7, 8, 12. A second outhouse at #8 and a portapotty at #5 are in the planning stage. He concluded by sincerely appreciating continued community support, and the work of some 80 volunteers, and noting that more volunteers are always welcome.
Treasurer Lorna Wiebe reported on DLDRA’s recycling. She offered sincere thanks to the volunteers who collected from the dump and recycling bins, sorted the products, and takes them into town. She also expressed appreciation to residents for their unwavering support of the program, which provides a major source of income for DLDRA’s continuing community improvements.
911 operators do not know who has guardianship of community AEDs. Notices are therefore posted on the bulletin boards and local Facebook pages. Those guardians also keep charge of naloxone kits.
DLDRA’s new food truck proved very successful at Lone Butte Rocks and Hot July Nights, such that these two events raised almost half the cost of the new trailer. It is expected to provide another great source of community income.
Director Ken Swaffield happily reported that 10 new picnic tables have very generously been donated by RONA Interlakes. The old tables will be repaired if possible and sold by donation to community members. He also added that the community board at the bottom of Mahood Lake Road has been extended by an eight-foot roofed section.
A list of accesses and their volunteer caretakers was provided to attendees.
This summer’s main focus is on Deka’s Access 11.
Secretary Chris McGregor asked attendees for pictures of our four lakes to post on DLDRA’s website.
It should also be noted that DLDRA is still working on a resolution to the use of Deka Lake Volunteer Fire Department Hall by the community.
Elections
The following directors are in mid-term: treasurer Lorna Wiebe; Sandy Amy, Ken Kineshanko, Wendy Kineshanko, Kerrie LeGrand, Stephen Rowell and Richard Scott.
In addition to the president, secretary and one director accepting new two-year terms, Arlene Kernel, Ken Schmidt, and Ken Swaffield were re-elected for two years. Furthermore, the board was delighted to welcome Dennis Theriault for a new two-year term; and Wendy Kineshanko for a new one-year term.
With regret, the meeting accepted Christine Schmidt’s resignation and thanked her warmly for all her work on behalf of DLDRA.
The AGM adjourned at 3:50 p.m., whereupon attendees went on to a private residence for derby prize-giving, and a free community barbecue, “paid for and supported solely by DLDRA to support our community. No grants or additional sponsors. 100 per cent provided by the support of our community.”
