A speech described as so wonderful it made one listener actually want to join the Conneaut Lake Area Sportmans Association, was given by the President of the Association, Dave Lash, at the October Conneaut Lake Area Historical Society meeting.

Lash imparted some basic history including that the founding of the Association took place in 1933 and became chartered in 1947 with 100 members, many of whom were well known sportsmen in the community.

The Klingensmith family donated the land on which the club house was built.

The Sportmans Association currently has a very busy schedule with the two hundred members participating in year round activities. Just a few of the items on their agenda are as follows: Promoting boating and hunting safety, especially for kids, providing several sporting activities for members and the community, conducting a fishing contest, a pig roast, raising money through gun raffles, holding bingo games on Saturday nights and having other events that are essential to meet their operational expenses.

The fishing contest and pig roast were described as family favorites.

They continue to be a communication link between boaters and the Boat and Fish Commission as well.

Lash concluded by stressing the importance of contacting government officials in order to oppose legislation in the works which would close the boat access at the north end of Conneaut Lake. He mentioned that if that were to happen, the only boat access on the lake for the general public would be at Firemens Beach, in the borough.

Many have emphasized over the years that if it were not for the two above mentioned areas, the lake would in essence be private since only those with lake front property could utilize it. Both facilities have been praised by citizens for allowing the needed recreational access to Conneaut Lake. After Lash's program, a 15 minute “intermission” was held, as is the norm, and then the business meeting took place.

On a recent cool and crisp autumn day, Jack Dearing, local canal expert, took historians on a guided tour of the canal and railroad paths along the west side of the lake.

Jack's booklet on the canal is available at the museum. In other museum news, Woolly Mammoth novelties are now available for children at the museum gift shop, too.

Also, citizens are reminded of the “Block Party” which is unfolding right now. This consists of selling blocks for a cost of $2 each in order to improve the museum building. The idea behind it is to gather enough funding to make the sides of the museum look like the recently renovated front.

George Rutherford is the contact man for this fundraiser and can be reached at 382-7761.

The historical society will continue to collect non-perishable items for the Samaritans, which can be dropped off at the museum during the Saturday and Sunday museum hours, 2-5 PM through the month of November. One may also call 382-3892 for items to be picked up.

A reminder also that Kate Hilton is making a plea for blankets for the homeless. She has been gathering toiletry items for several months now for the homeless in this county and has now moved on to the blanket campaign.

Anyone with a blanket not being used is asked to drop it off at the next meeting. One could also call reporter Lisa Houserman and she will make sure that Hilton receives the blankets. Houserman is willing to pick them up or have them dropped off at her home. The blankets do not need to be brand new but should be washed prior to donating. Houserman can be reached at 382-2293 after 9 AM Monday through Friday.

The Historical Booth at the Pumpkin Fest did exceptionally well this year with many items being sold. The “First Couple” of Conneaut Lake, Mayor Tim Kaider and his charming wife Pat, were spotted in the booth during the fest doing their best to sell, sell, sell.

The museum also had a steady stream of visitors during that weekend. Many of them expressed how impressed they were with the layout of the facility and the artifacts in general. Local residents are reminded to visit this local treasure through November as mentioned above.

The guest speaker for November will be John Amato, Staff Sergeant in the Air Force Reserve Unit. He will talk about the importance of the military reserve units in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In December, members will be going to Pelican Landing II for their annual Christmas dinner on Monday, December 14th at 6:30 PM.

Reservations are limited to 50 and money is due at the time of registration. Call Kate Hilton for more information at 382-7283.

The next meeting will take place at Station 5, formerly known as the Park Fire Hall, on Monday, November 16. One need not be a member to come out and enjoy the guest speakers and have a snack or two. The meetings begin at 7:30 with the program starting immediately thereafter.