WATERCRAFT SAFETY TRAINING - A GREAT SUCCESS

Thanks to the concerted efforts of the lake associations of Ten Mile, Birch, and Pleasant Lakes, the Hackensack Lion's Club, the Office of the Sheriff, and the Department of Natural Resources, some 50 young persons received a full day of water craft safety training, leading to Water Craft Operator's Permits, on June 28, 2001. Minnesota boating laws require that young persons between 12 and 17 years old must have these permits to operate boat motors over 25 horsepower.

The idea for this training program originated with Don Harris, a member of the TMLA Water Safety Committee. With the strong support of the Committee, Don approached the other organizations to develop the one-day program. Tim Berglund, Deputy Sheriff, and George Jurgenson, DNR, provided the training, The Lion's Club provided lunch and break-time snacks. The Town of Hackensack lent its Community Center for the classroom instruction and its public dock for the in-boat instruction. The three lake associations worked to publicize the event and register students.

In addition to Don Harris, TMLA members Jerry Mills, Don Patterson, Dick Roberts, and Mary Ann Schmidt helped make the day a great success. Other persons assisting were Ollie DeGray (Lion's Club), Jay Cline, Berna Miller (Pleasant Lake), and Jim McCormick (Birch Lake).