​Thompson's Lake Improvement Association

Lake News
 

In Memoriam - Robert Schramm - Our deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.

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Guilderland-Robert Arthur Schramm, 92, passed away peacefully in his home on Monday February 24th, 2020, surrounded by his family after a brief illness.

Robert was preceded in death by his father and mother Herman and Rose (Donnelly) Schramm and sister Patricia (Brown).
He was a veteran of the United States Navy, serving with a Guam based typhoon reconnaissance squadron, flying modified B-24s through the eye of the storm.

He attended Vincentian Institute in Albany and Siena College in Loudonville, New York and had a successful career in sales and management.

Bob had a passion for travel, history, maps and navigation that he shared with his wife and instilled in his children, who learned early on that you should never travel the same road twice. This lesson was delivered on multiple cross-country camping trips and on Sunday after church rides that frequently would start or end in the Helderbergs near their generational summer house on Thompsons Lake. This was Bob’s retreat to tinker and fix, restore and renew, sail on the lake in the Mirror dinghy that he had built, or working on his unobtainable quest for the perfect veggie garden. But Bob was in his glory when all the family was gathered at Cedar Lodge and he was able to spend precious summer days with his family.

He was committed to his loving wife, Joan (Foley) of 67 years. Also survived by his four children, Robert (Susan) of Arlington, VA, William (Stella) of Oak Ridge, TN, Karen Siracusa (Francis) of Storrs, CT, Timothy (Jane) of Guilderland. Eight grandchildren Michael (Siracusa), Katherin (Siracusa), Robert, Kellyn (Siracusa), Kathryn, Liam, Amelia and Natalie and great grandchildren Quinn and Sloane (Siracusa). In addition to many nieces, nephews, and the entire Foley family.

Those desiring may send a remembrance in Bob’s memory to Catholic Charities, 40 N. Main Ave. #3, Albany, NY 12203 or the Fisher House 113 Holland Ave., Albany, NY 12208.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Bob’s family Sunday, March 1, 2020 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm at McVeigh Funeral Home, 208 N. Allen St., Albany, NY 12206.

Funeral Services Monday, March 2, 2020 9:00 am from McVeigh Funeral Home, Albany thence to Christ the King Church, 20 Sumter Ave., Albany, NY 12203 at 10:00 am where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated.

 

In Memoriam

Robert Hathaway
Eileen Callahan

Nancy Brittell
Our deepest sympathies to their families and many friends. Please click on name to read obituary
 

Switzkill Farm WinterFest will be held 2/16/19
From 11 - 3 on Saturday February 16, 2019 visit Switzkill Farm at 165 Game Farm Road in Berne, NY for their WinterFest. Skating, Sledding Snow Sculpture, Crafts, Cross-country Skiing and Warming Fires. They will offer Guided trail tours for hiking, snowshoeing or skiing throughout the day. Chili Bar, hot cocoa, coffee are being sponsored by the Switzkill Valley Volunteer. A great day for the entire family. 

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Annual Meeting June 29 at 7:45 p.m. at the Thompson's Lake Reformed Church. We hope to see you there.

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​In Memoriam - Michael D. Reilly

We were saddened to hear the news of the passing of Mike Reilly. Our deepest sympathies to his family and many friends.

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Subject: Thompson's Lake boat access available Thursday 4 p.m. - Sunday 9/21 - 9/24

Per DEC Thursday morning, full access to the Lake for boat removal will be available from Thursday 9/21 at 4 p.m. through Sunday 9/24.  It will then be closed until all work is complete, date unknown.  Fire Lane parking restrictions on the SW side remain in effect.

 

Caution: where the access road and main road intersect, some space is now taken up by a rock wall parallel to the main road.  Since the width of the access road was widened, there is still plenty of entry space for vehicles and trailers.

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​​​​Race Day August 12 -

The Race Day is this Saturday beginning at 11:30 with Single Person Kayak, Paddle Board at 12:30 and Sailboats at 2:00.  Please be in place 15 minutes before  your race begins. We will again gather at the Nature Center at 5:30 for a reception. Bring along a snack to share if you would like and your favorite beverage to enjoy.

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Launch Widening began on

Monday 8/7

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Boat Launch Work Begins

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DEC ANNOUNCES RESTRICTED ACCESS TO THOMPSON’S LAKE BOAT LAUNCH

Boat Launch to be Closed Beginning July 24 for Repairs

 

     The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced that the Thompson’s Lake boat launch in the town of Berne, Albany County, will be closed for repairs beginning the week of July 24, water level conditions permitting. The repairs are expected to last about three weeks. As construction allows, there may be some limited access to the launch from Fridays through Sundays during the construction period but parking will be very limited.

 

REMINDER :

 

The Knapps have kindly offered us the use of their site at 100 Cedar Lane once the road is blocked. Here are details from Darcy:

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 As long as they have 4x4 or AWD they should be able to get up and down fine, no need to call us ahead of time during the week, we are usually not there. And if we are there, we can always move John’s truck if it is in the way– if they get stuck on the launch, have them call and John has the tractor for any emergencies towing needs or launch clean up after the rains.

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On the weekend we will be there, so just do not pull down the launch without checking to make sure our truck is not in the way! Once you start down the launch you are committed to getting to the bottom before you can go back up!

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Darcy can be reached at  - Office: 518.872.1707  Cell: 518.366.1707  -- Thanks, you guys!    This illustrates what a Lake Association is all about.

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Grebe or not a Grebe, that is the question.

This bird has recently been sighted on the lake. Some people have heard a loon recently. Now the question is this a Grebe or is it a Loon or perhaps another bird altogether. Your comments please! thomplakeassoc@yahoo.com

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2016 Race Day - Moved to 8/20 All event times the same.

The 2016 Race day is Saturday. We will have 3 race categories, Single Person Kayak Race beginning at 11:30 am, please be at the starting point by 11:15 am. The second race will be for Stand Up Paddle Boards and that will begin at 12:30 pm, please be at the starting point by 12:15 pm. The third race is for Sail Boats and that will begin at 2:00 pm, please be at the starting point by 1:45 pm. If you plan on participating in any of the races please let us know via email to thomplakeassoc@yahoo.com. Please click here to view the course map and rules for each race.

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Nature Center Reception 5:30 - 7:00 pm - Moved to 8/20 - We will gather at the Nature Center at 5:30 pm on Race Day where we will have a race reception. We will provide cake and cheese and crackers and lemonade and iced tea. Please bring along a chair and you are welcome to BYOB to this gathering. For planning purposes please let us know if you plan on attending and how many people will be with you. thomplakeassoc@yahoo.com

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TLK Stickers - The TLK Stickers have been distributed to most residents on the lake who have paid their dues. Each dues paying member will receive 2 copies and extras can be purchased for $1 each. We have plenty on hand if you would like extras. We will have them available at the Reception on Saturday 8/13 at the Nature Center. If you would like any dropped off at your address please let us know via email and we will get them to you as soon as we can. thomplakeassoc@yahoo.com

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IMPORTANT NEWS

Dear Lake residents and friends,

Shortly before a May 18, Berne Town Board meeting, the Association learned from the Town Supervisor that a new Town-DEC lake access agreement was pending.  It provided for expanding and reconstructing the Town’s lake access road and property at the southern end, with DEC providing all funding, nearly $150,000.  A vote on this “Co-operative Agreement” was scheduled for May 18.

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Association representatives met with the Supervisor and became very concerned about the effects of the construction and agreement's terms. We thought there would be negative and far-reaching effects on the Lake and Lake life. We attended the May 18 meeting, presented a letter and after some discussion, the vote was postponed with the intention that the Town would ask for amendments to the agreement that would be positive to the lake and residents.

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Other aspects of the proposed agreement are significant.  The agreement is for 25 years.  Educational signs, such as ones about invasive species that were erected last year in a joint effort of the Association and Town, must be approved by DEC.  No personal watercraft can be launched from the lake access site. 

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The Board postponed a vote on the agreement so the Town could contact DEC about amendments to address at least some of the issues.  However, we were disturbed  by remarks made at the May 18 Town Board meeting that DEC was taking a hard line on modifying its construction plans and new restrictions for use of the property.  Just before this holiday weekend, we were advised by the Town that the DEC project person took a take-it or-leave-it attitude, refusing to amend the agreement in any way. The Association then asked the Town to reach out to DEC at a higher level and to include us in the discussion and any meetings it might arrange. We will contact the Town this Tuesday to follow up and keep you informed.  

Please click here to view the letter to the Town.

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Eagles had a home on the Lake. An eagle had nested at the North end of the lake. Unfortunately during a wind storm the nest came down. We are hopeful that they will rebuild..

 

Annual Sail Boat Race - The 2015 Race Winners were Jane and Tim Schram. Second place was Jerry Schwanke and his first mate. Some photos are included of the race. Next year we hope to add kayak and paddle board races to the day. Let us know your suggestions for course ideas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Congratulations to the Blabey's who celebrated 100 years on the lake in July.

 

Warner’s Lake has had a Blue Green Algae Bloom listed at DEC. This is a toxic Algae and swimming restricted. We have not had any visible sitings on Thompson's Lake. The water tests conducted by the Lake Association this year all came back clean.

For more information on Algae Blooms please click below.

http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/83310.html

Exists in many lakes; high nutrient content promotes blooms which are dangerous.  Distinguished from the harmless green type.

http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/91570.html

detection by eyeball; confirmation by lab test

http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/81962.html