2nd Annual River Clean Up - Lake Sharpe

SDWU Central State Chapter and Izaak Walton League hosted the 2nd annual river clean up. It took just under 3 hours for 30 people to collect 6880 pounds or 3.44 tons of liter and garbage!

Boats were furnished for the event by the Game, Fish, and Parks, Corps of Engineers, Fish and Wildlife Service and residents of the community. Others also helping were the US Forest Service and High Plains Wildlife. Some of the items they found were a sectional couch, water heater that they needed a winch to remove it, mattresses, box springs, 10 tires, and bunches of Styrofoam bait boxes plastic bags, pop and beer cans. The trash was put in a dumpster provided by the city of Pierre and hauled away the next day.

A fish fry was held after the clean up for all those that donated their time to the event. Coke provided the trash bags and water for the event. Other supplies came from those helping with the clean up.

More people showed up this year than last to help, next year they would like to see even more come out to help clean up. Please place your unwanted items in proper disposal units, not the river.

Thank you to all involved!

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Party at the Lake, Ellsworth Air Force Base

The RCAC was honored to be invited to the 2nd annual “Party at the Lake” at Ellsworth Air Force Base (EAFB) on June 26, 2010. This year the staff responsible for the gathering added a fishing derby to their already busy day of canoeing, geo-caching, mountain bike racing and bar-b-que. There is currently a high deployment rate at EAFB in support of operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Consequently, there are a lot of single parents at the base right now. The party at the lake was started as a way to get people outdoors and involved, and to help spouses introduce kids to outdoor activities they might not otherwise be able to participate in, especially with one parent serving over-seas.

Many fish were caught and club members assisted in baiting hooks, setting up rods & reels, and cleaning of fish. The chapter also donated 6 combos to the event to be used as prizes. It was a great privilege for the RCAC to participate in this event as it allowed the chapter to show their support for our sister community at EAFB and the men and women serving voluntarily in our military. We extend a heartfelt “Thank-you” to everyone involved for a wonderful day and for allowing us to be a part.

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Check presented to Chamberlain City Council

L to R Front row: Chad Mutziger, Dave Schelle, Larry Jurgensen, Doug Nelson Tim Thomas. L to R Back row Rocky Niewenhuis, LeRoy Huntimer and Woody Tiggelaar.

The Sioux Empire Chapter of SDWU presented a $9000.00 check to the Chamberlain City Council for the fishing pier that will be installed in American Creek between the boat dock and highway 50. Contributing to the donation were Wells Fargo N.A., St Joseph’s Indian School, Barger Memorial, Midstate Communications Inc., NorthWestern Energy, Sanford Mid Dakota, Patti Spreckles in memory of Roland Spreckles, The 29-90 Sportsman’s Club,Minnehaha County Pheasants Forever and Sioux Empire Chapter of SDWU.

The inspiration for the dock came about after inquiries as to why children could not fish on the Army Corps boat dock. It is against the law for person to fish from an Army Corps dock. Jim Swenson of Swenson Bros. Marine in Chamberlain contacted Woody Tiggelaar of SDWU and asked if Woody knew anything about what would need to be done to install a fishing dock for kids. From that day contacts were made with the City of Chamberlain, SD Game, Fish and Parks and Army Corps of Engineers and the plans for the dock began. There will also be a handicap accessible dock.

The footings for the dock were poured late last fall, completion of the dock should take place this spring. The Woodmen of America have plans to do landscaping and help with parking area.