Auxiliary Chapter of Psi Iota Xi

The Auxiliary Chapter of Psi Iota Xi met at the Carroll County Country Club in Delphi for a luncheon and short business meeting conducted by Doris McLeland. A letter from the National President informed them of a new charitable organization called "PIX." Later, Terry Lacy gave an educational narrative of his paintings at the Interpretive Center at Canal Park.

SFLECC

Daryl Johns, executive director of the Shafer Freeman Lakes Environmental Conservation Corporation (SFLECC) reported at a recent meeting that the new Honey Creek silt trap, which was originally estimated to cost $100,000, was completed at a cost of $40,000. The silt trap was paid for with Innkeepers tax monies.

In addition, the recent Department of Natural Resources (DNR) mussel survey, which was taken while the lakes were down, indicated a good variety of species is now present in the lakes, an indicator of improving water quality.

Joe Roach, SFLECC land manager, reported that recent ecoli samplings from the lakes, the Tippecanoe River, and tributaries showed a lessening of ecoli from the headwaters of the tributaries to the Oakdale dam area. This suggests that the environment is attempting to cleanse itself as water moves down the tributaries to the lakes, he said.

Roach also indicated that the SFLECC dredging has removed some of the excess nutrients associated with the sediments in the lakes.

The following officers were elected: Merle Peterson, president; Michael Triplett, vice president; Marie Green, secretary; and Joe Crivello, treasurer.

Peterson has served on the board for five years, most recently as chair of the SFLECC Environmental Committee. He is retired from Sears and formerly worked in the commercial flooring industry. A Lake Shafer resident, he now captains the Shafer Queen at Indiana Beach.

Peterson stated that the SFLECC is crossing the threshold into a new era. The dredging operation is reaching its goal and will soon become a maintenance operation. The SFLECC will try to become a magnet to attract all of the agencies and committees involved in the entire 14-county Tippecanoe River watershed to try to reduce the silt, chemical and biological agents from entering the lake at their source.

Peterson replaces John Shellcrosslee, who will chair the newly created Watershed Committee.

Triplett will also serve as the SFLECC representative to the Innkeepers Tax Board.

The SFLECC was formed in 1994 as a non-profit corporation whose mission is "to promote the welfare and enhancement of the Shafer and Freeman Lakes; the propagation of consistent and prosperous shore front management; and the reduction of siltation entering the lakes and accumulated siltation."

The SFLECC board of directors meets at 7 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at the White County REMC except in January and February. Meetings are open to the public.