The Chautauqua Lake Association announced today that their Ice Pick has fallen through the ice in Bemus Bay and a winner has been announced for predicting when it would fall. The Ice Pick is a fundraising event for the organization to promote ongoing maintenance and studies on Chautauqua Lake.
The Ice Pick was placed on the solid ice of Chautauqua Lake in early February of this year. The Ice Pick fell at 3:45 PM on April 9, 2013.
“The area was monitored throughout the evening by committee members and removed from the lake the following morning for safety reasons,” said Doug Conroe, President of the Chautauqua Lake Association. The Chautauqua Lake Ice Pick contest is based on a successful Alaskan tradition. The Alaskan tradition started as people awaited for the ice to break on the Tanana River, which would mean the start of supplies coming their 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 raised $5,800 for the CLA’s annual lake maintenance program, bringing them closer to their budget goal of having 3-crews, 5-days a week, 10-hours a day on Chautauqua Lake, starting in June. The CLA believes this service will meet the normal needs of Chautauqua Lake. They have several other fundraising events planned for this summer to assist with meeting this goal.
The first place winner of the Ice pick was Brooke Sheesley. Ms. Sheesley was 59 minutes from the exact date and time the Ice Pick fell into Chautauqua Lake. The next closest time was Tom Pembridge, 83 minutes. Followed by Nancy Bargar, 322 minutes, Rhoe Henderson, 525 minutes, Bruce Erickson 791 and Tom Calalesina, 807 minutes.
The Chautauqua Lake Association wishes to thank everyone for their support and their guessing. The Ice Pick will return in early 2014.
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.
The CLA’s mission is to provide effective and efficient lake maintenance services for the benefit of all Chautauqua Lake users. As the “Stewards of the Lake,” the CLA serves to promote and facilitate the ongoing scientific monitoring of Chautauqua Lake and its ecosystem.
