The Chautauqua Lake Association announced that the ice pick fell through the ice recently in Bemus Bay and a winner has been announced for predicting the closest date and time when it would happen. The Chautauqua Lake Ice Pick is a fundraising event for the CLA started by Peter Sullivan of Bemus Point. Funds raised assist the CLA in promoting ongoing lake maintenance and aquatic studies on Chautauqua Lake.
The ice pick was placed on the solid ice of Chautauqua Lake in early February of this year. The Lawson Center gratefully allows the CLIP to be launched from their lakefront and assists with the camera and monitoring of the ice pick during the event. The ice pick fell at 1:42 pm on April 9, 2014.
“When the ice becomes thin, the area is monitored closely to determine the winner. After it falls, the ice pick is removed from the lake,” said Doug Conroe, President of the Chautauqua Lake Association. The Chautauqua Lake Ice Pick contest is based on a successful Alaskan tradition when locals would wait for the ice to break on the Tanana River. This meant that needed supplies were on the way. Although Alaskans may not be as dependent upon the ice breaking to get supplies now, the guessing is still carried on as thousands of dollars are raised for charity.
This year’s event collected over $5,500 for the CLA’s annual lake maintenance program. The first place winner of the contest was Kellie Bargar. Ms. Bargar was within three minutes from the exact date and time the ice pick fell into Chautauqua Lake. The next closest times were Mike Coon in second, Marian Anderson in third, Karlie Meli-Wischman in fourth, Jeremy Pearson in fifth and Kellie Bargar again in sixth.
The Chautauqua Lake Association would like to thank everyone for their support and their guessing in this 2014 event. Over 550 guesses were made. The Ice Pick will return to Chautauqua Lake in early 2015 for the next event.
For more information about the Chautauqua Lake Association, visit the CLA on the web at www.chautauqualakeassociation.org or call 716-763-8602. You can also stay updated by visiting the CLA on Facebook page.
