Hello Clam Lake!
COMMUNITY CLUB MEETING – On Thursday, September 12th the Clam Lake Community Club will be holding their monthly meeting beginning at 5:00 pm. After the meeting there will be a Pot Luck followed by some Clam Lake Style Bingo led by Master Bingo Caller Ace Griffaw. Election for officers will take place at this September meeting which has traditionally been the month when elections are to be held. The positions that have become available are President and Treasurer. If anyone is interested in these positions please attend the September meeting. Remember, you must be a member in good standing to be an officer or vote. Thank you for your participation!
BOOK CLUB – The Clam Lake Book Club will meet on Tuesday, September 10th. This month’s meeting will be held at Ransoms Place running from 4:30 to 5:30 where the book being discussed will be “Between Earth and Sky” by Amanda Skenandore. This novel tells the story of the interaction between white and Native American culture at the Plover Indian School in Wisconsin. As always, we invite you to share in some “lively discussion, camaraderie, tasty food and inspiring libation”. Food and drink will be available for purchase before, during and after the meeting.
ELK FEST 2024 – This year’s Clam Lake Elk Fest will take place on Saturday, September 21st. Things will kick off at 9:00 am as the vendors set up their booths of wares and exhibits. The fest will also feature a snowmobile and ATV “Show and Shine” along with a DNR Elk Education presentation beginning at 10:00 am. You can participate in an Elk Walking Tour following the presentation with a Kids Antler Hunt beginning at 2:00 pm. Remember all events are free. Once again, The Elk Country ATV Club will be serving the food. On the menu will be the ever popular Flip Flop Chicken, hot dogs, potato salad, baked beans and chips. There will be two bands playing throughout the day as well. Sounds like a time to come out and spend a day in Clam Lake!
ATV CLUB RAFFLE REMINDER – The Elk Country ATV Club would also like to remind people that they still have a few raffle tickets to sell. First prize is $5,000, 2nd $3,000, 3rd – $1,000 along with ten $100 and $50 dollar winners respectively. Only 600 tickets will be sold! Drawing will be held at Elk Fest between 3:00 and 4:00. Good luck everyone!!
REVISITING THE PAST – This past week District Ranger Mike Martin came out to meet with Ray Mathey, son of Alex Mathey, at the former Forest Service Guard Station in Clam Lake. Ray shared his memories of the time when the Guard Station was actively manned. Alex worked for the Forest Service for many years, often working out of the Station. Ray remembered that the school bus would drop him off there if his father was working and has many memories of being in the building and the work his father and others did. Alex also manned the Fire Tower in Clam Lake, with Ray often accompanying him. His Dad would always let him go first so he could catch him if he happened to stumble as they climbed up the long ladder to the top. If a fire was detected it would be called into the Station and from there, using a large map that is still housed inside, they could pinpoint where the fire was occurring. The Station is still used by the FS for storage and an antenna for communication. When we were inside, it happened that the transmitter was receiving some messages so we were able to see how that works in this modern era. One of the out buildings is refrigerated and is used for cold storage for incoming seedlings to keep them fresh for planting. Was great to revisit this very important part of our past and present.
Until next week…..
Pictured is District Ranger Mike Martin and Ray Mathey at the Guard Station.
