By Steve Weisman
(photo submitted) Representatives of the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce present a $10,000 check to Terry Thomsen, president, and Paul Daniels, board member, of the Iowa Great Lakes Fishing Club toward the future construction of a fish cleaning station at the HWY 9 boat ramp area.
The Iowa Great Lakes Chamber of Commerce, who handles the Iowa Great Lakes Area Walleye Weekend registration and activities, recently awarded $23,500 in grants to several area groups based on the registrations from this spring’s Walleye Weekend.
Recipients included the Spirit Lake Protective Association, East Okoboji Lakes Improvement Corporation, Okoboji Protective Association, City of Okoboji, Center Lake Improvement and Protective Association and the Iowa Great Lakes Fishing Club.
In the grant application, each entity designated a way they would utilize the funds. The Iowa Great Lakes Fishing Club received a $10,000 that will go toward the building of the planned HWY 9 Cleaning Station project.
According to Paul Daniels, club board member, “We appreciate the efforts of the Iowa Great Lakes Chamber of Commerce in putting on the Iowa Great Lakes Area Walleye Weekend that raised these funds. Our plan is to use these funds to support the upcoming Hwy 9 Cleaning Station project by our local IA DNR. The club also congratulates all of the other very deserving area civic organizations as well!”
With only two cleaning stations in the Iowa Great Lakes, one at Emerson Bay on West Okoboji and one at Marble Beach on Big Spirit, a fish cleaning station at the HWY 9 boat ramp would appreciated by many anglers.
Trap shoot scheduled
The Iowa Lakes Community College Foundation will be holding a Trap Shoot to help fundraise for the Steve Reighard Memorial Scholarship to create an endowed scholarship in Reighard’s name, which requires a funding threshold of $10,000 or more.
The fundraiser will be held on Saturday, August 20 starting at 8 a.m. at the Emmet County Izaak Walton League.
Reighard, who was a lifelong lakes area resident and well respected conservation
officer, died on January 8, 2021 from complications with COVID. He was honored as Officer of the Year for the state of Iowa in 2020.
Family and friends want to honor Reighard’s legacy by creating this scholarship opportunity for deserving students going to ILCC in criminal justice and environmental stewardship.
About the shoot
It will be a 50-round shoot with two rounds of 25. There will also be a silent auction and lunch. Free-will donations will also be accepted the day of the event. Cost per round will be $25 if you have your own shells or $45 per round if you purchase shells.
Lunch will be provided at a cost of $10.
The shoot is open to anyone who wants to be part of this fundraiser. To register or if you have questions, contact Drew Howing at (712)-209-2999
Lots more information will be coming between now and Saturday, August 20.
