Out on the water, many people swim off the ends of their docks. Please keep a safe distance of 150 feet from the end of the docks or rafts. Additional boating safety information is available inthis newsletter.

To kick off the summer, our LCIA hosted a Pancake breakfast at the Community Center that was attended by 300 of our neighbors. The food was delicious, the service impeccable, and the community chit chat was outstanding. Along with compliments to the serving and cooking crew, the most common statement that we heard was “how much fun it was to share breakfast and meet new people.” We will be hosting this again next Memorial Day weekend, mark it on your calendar.

The LCIA is hosting several upcoming events to continue to build the community. Following the Grand 4th of July Parade (boat launch to just past the Fire Station), the LCIA will be passing out ice cream. On July 12th the Annual Car Show will be at the community center from 11 am to 2 pm (additional details below). On the third Saturday of the month, we’ll host the Kids Club in the morning and monthly Happy Hour in the evening. Looking ahead to Labor Day weekend, we have activities for everyone spread across the weekend.

Over the 4th of July weekend, we are hosting the annual Lake Cavanaugh Rummage Sale. Starting Saturday, June 28th bring your treasures to the community center for staging and pricing. On Thursday July 3rd through Saturday July 5th – come to the community center to hunt for better treasures to bring back home. This is a great place to get an early jump on Holiday gifts. A huge THANK YOU goes out to Wendy Otenson and her crew. Thank you is not enough appreciation for all the effort, this team puts in. Well done!!

The annual Once Around Lake Cavanaugh Foot Race is scheduled for Saturday July 26th at 10 am Registration forms can be found on the www.lakecavanaugh.info website and on Facebook. This year the proceeds will support the Lake Cavanaugh Trust which is looking out for the community regarding logging safety on Frailey Mountain and clean water in the lake.

Enjoy these long warm days over the next couple of months. This is a great place to share timewith family and friends. Take Care!

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Nutrient levels were also measured (Nitrate and Phosphate) and remain low or undetectable during dry weather, which is good. After rainfall, these levels spike as nutrients from soil wash into the lake and become available for plants and algae to consume during growth cycles. Please always avoid using phosphate fertilizers and soaps so the nutrient levels will remain low enough to keep algae growth in check.

Also, many may already be aware, but there were 2 studies of Lake Cavanaugh water and sediment quality done in 2013 by the WA State Dept of Ecology. In one study, they found that sediment at Lake Cavanaugh contained elevated mercury, but they never tested the fish tissue to see if it was also elevated. Just because sediment mercury is high, doesn’t mean the fish tissue will be high as well. In another study, they found that fish from Lake Cavanaugh had fairly high levels of HCB (hexachlorobenzene), a pesticide that was banned in the 1980’s. So since 2018, Lake Cavanaugh has been listed as a Category 5 on the state’s impaired waterbody list for HCB for restricted consumption of largemouth bass, sockeye salmon and cutthroat trout.

Since there is no follow-up data on mercury, and it’s likely that HCB levels have dropped since 2013, the Dept of Ecology is willing to prioritize another fish tissue study this October, provided the Community can help catch the fish. This would help confirm if the sediment mercury is buried/inaccessible or available and accumulating in fish tissue. It might also confirm if the category 5 HCB impairment status at Cavanaugh could be lowered or removed. If you are interested in helping catch fish for this study during August 1 to Sept 26th, please contact Jeni Gaines.

Below you will see a picture I have included of the one room schoolhouses supported by the English Logging company in the 1920’s with their students and teacher, here at Lake Cavanaugh.

When you consider the times, and if you read back through all the stories regarding English logging company and how they treated their employees, Ed English (owner) was quite the progressive person, he took care of his employees and their families – just consider (1920’s and he is supporting a school for his employee’s children). There are countless stories of Ed English taking care of his employees – including the time he was kidnapped by an employee cuffed and held for ransom. The kidnapper was apprehended, but Ed English thought he meant well, did not press charges and continued to employ the person.

The one room schoolhouse was created by residents’ desire for educating their children, they would assess via a tax (local voted) and the money collected was used typically only for materials and teacher wages, and the citizens themselves would construct a schoolhouse. Sometimes bonds were issued to what was labeled at the time to “New York” parties and they would pay as much as 9% interest. The local community would hire a teacher for as many months of the year possible under local financial conditions – which typically meant a 3—4-month annual term at a wage typically around $40.00 per month.

Kids would walk to school; residents considered a 3-mile range as reachable. Kids walked through woods, good and bad roads and when the weather and conditions just got too bad, school was suspended until the weather improved.

The typical school had eight grades with one teacher; there was a recitation bench in front of the teacher’s desk to which groups of children came in turn while the rest were supposed to be studying. There were typically no books, some paper texts that were shared, and maps and charts were very rare. Most children learned from an elder child as well, and each took responsibilities, such as carrying in wood, stoking the stove, ringing the bell, and bringing in a pail of water that everyone drank from.

As the county grew, in the early 1920’s the decline of the country’s schoolhouse to a more regionalized larger school system began. The State of Washington was concerned that the one room schoolhouse may not be able keep up to standards. An attempt was made to define standards, and the concept of instituting standardized examinations at the end of the 8th grade began and continued until the great depression. (Sounds like the WASUL of today – history repeats itself again). The State also began to certify teachers as well, however the supply / demand imbalance for teachers allowed anyone that wanted to give a try at teaching a chance.

As secondary schools (high schools) began to arrive and there was a desire for certain children to progress past 8th grade, the local communities were surprised to see how well the 1 room schoolhouse children faired when they arrived at high school in comparison to the city kids of Mt. Vernon that had more formal and longer annual terms of primary education.

One of the great examples and one of the most famous Skagit County residents - attended a 1 room schoolhouse in Blanchard WA. – which is about 5 miles north of Burlington on Chuckanut Drive. His name - Edward R Murrow - The pioneering broadcaster of WWII and earlier television as well as mentor to Walter Cronkite. See pictures below.

The one room schoolhouse, though gone in most places we live today, they continued on in many rural areas up into the mid 1900’s and did well, as our home schoolers thrive today.

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Data various sources, including - Skagit Settlers – Trials and Triumphs 1890-1920.

And we have a special category for Junior Crafters (16 and younger).

If you are interested in participating, apply online or download and return an application by August 10th. We want this to be an enjoyable and fun time for everyone.

Have questions?
Contact Christine Nielsen 360-420-7140

The Lake Cavanaugh Fire Department Auxiliary is hosting their annual open house and Lake Wear Sale at the South Shore Fire Hall.

Mark this on your calendars, the annual Once Around foot race is scheduled for Saturday, July 26th at 10:00 am. There is plenty of time to get in Once Around shape. Proceeds this year will benefit the Lake Cavanagh Trust. After the race, stick around for a little social time. Snacks and beverages will be provided.

Watch the LCIA website and Facebook for additional information and registration in the coming weeks!

The LCIA is providing a pancake Breakfast for the entire lake Cavanaugh Community as a welcome back and kick off to summer. Breakfast is FREE to all LCIA members. Non members could join the LCIA or pay a small fee for breakfast.

Breakfast will be fluffy pancakes right off the grill, scrambled eggs (assuming our order is filled), your choice of bacon or sausage, orange juice and coffee. Gluten free pancakes are available on request.

Over the dark winter months, our LCIA board discussed our goals for the year. The main focus of this year’s board is building community. Aside from the spectacular natural beauty of the lake and surrounding mountains, the community here is what makes this place so very special.

Kicking off the summer events is the Community Pancake Breakfast at the Community Center on South Shore. Join us on Sunday, May 25th for a lovely breakfast, connect with friends old and new. Breakfast is FREE for all LCIA members and their close families. Nonmembers can pay a small fee for breakfast or join on the spot and get a free breakfast. Next door at the fire hall, the Fire Department Auxiliary will be holding their annual open house and Lake Wear sale. Fill up on breakfast and new shirts in one stop.

In July, there are more community events: the Fourth of July Grand Parade (10:00 am) and Ice Cream Sundae social. On July 12th we will host the 4th annual Car Show at the Community Center. On July 26th will be the Annual Once Around Lake Cavanaugh foot race / walk with a post-race social for racers and fans.

Labor Day weekend at the end of August, we will have a raft full of activities during Fun Fest. Pickleball Tournament, Volleyball, Horseshoes, Golf, Kids Games, Craft Fair and of course the very popular Sunday Evening Dance at the Community Center.

In addition to these special summer events, we have the ongoing monthly events where you can take engage in the community. Monthly events include Kids Club, Book Club, Bunco, Garden Club, Happy Hour and History Club. While that looks like a packed schedule, I’m sure we can fit in more if there is an idea for additional events. If you have ideas, reach out to me or any board member.

I would like to thank these community members who play important roles in keeping our community center in great shape, organize events and leading many other important functions in our Lake Cavanaugh community.

• Larita & Brent Humble - Managing the operation and maintenance of our Community Center
• Priscilla McElhose - Coordinating the rental activities at our Community Center
• Matt Douglas - Managing our funds as treasurer
• Gay Duvall - Recruiting advertisers and sponsors for LCIA activities
• Greta Geivett - Coordinating our Community Newsletter
• Jeni Gaines - Managing the lake water quality inspections and reports
• Debbie and Dwight Small – Keeping our two reader boards updated
• Shannon O’Kelley - Recruiting and membership
• Josh Furman - Managing the LCIA website and database

In an effort to help keep the residents of our community safe and the lake water clean our attorneys’ submitted comments on both the FPA as well as the SEPA Checklist documents to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). You can find both documents on our website HERE. Our hope was that DNR would require Timberline to resubmit their documents with the required, previously omitted information, and that this information, once in the light, would force DNR to deny Timberline’s FPA on the grounds we assert on our response materials.

Unfortunately, DNR approved the FPA on September 18, 2024, and Timberline at once started construction on the road and the 85’ long bridge across the ravine on very steep slopes.

On October 1, 2024, The Lake Cavanaugh Trust filed a Notice of Appeal and Motion for Emergency Stay with the Pollution Control Hearing Board. The Emergency Stay was denied, and we then filed a Motion for Temporary Suspension on October 28, 2024. Filings and motions and declarations followed for several months and then on March 28, 2025, we received an Order on Motion for Temp Suspension which granted the stay.

In the meantime, the effectiveness of FPA #2819518 is suspended and Timberline, or any of its agents or contractors, shall not conduct any further forest practices authorized by FPA #2819518 pending a decision on the merits of this case. The stay will be in effect until after a hearing. The hearing on this matter is scheduled for October 7-9, 2025.

We have come a long way and carried out what some thought was not possible. It has taken a lot of hard work by the dedicated members of the Lake Cavanaugh Trust and the financial support of our contributors. But the fight for the safety of all of us and to keep the waters of Lake Cavanaugh clean is far from over.

As a 501-(c) 4 non-profit organization, the Trust relies entirely on donations to pay our legal and consulting fees. We have no payroll/overhead expenses, and the board is not paid for their time. Our directive is to advocate for the greater community’s right to safely live and recreate in and around Lake Cavanaugh and to protect the quality of the water of Lake Cavanaugh. In doing so, we also consider ourselves stewards of the natural environment. If you can, please consider donating via our website.

As you can imagine, it is very expensive to fight these legal battles, and the Trust would greatly appreciate any kind of financial help you can offer. In the last nine months The Trust has incurred approximately $25,000 in legal and consultant expenses. The expected costs for the upcoming hearing in October will likely run over $50,000.

Thank you so much to everyone who has donated to the cause, and to the many folks that have generously donated in past years. This effort is critically important to the well-being of Lake Cavanaugh residents and to the Lake itself. Please consider donating via our website; www.lakecavanaughtrust.com. We truly appreciate your continued support.

The monthly water quality testing at Cavanaugh now includes monitoring for phosphates and nitrogen. Spikes in phosphate levels are being seen at beaches where green lawns are present. These phosphate level spikes are approaching the high-risk zone for algae blooms (0.07 ppm). One alternative to consider, is planting micro clover (Trifolium repens var. ‘Pirouette’) instead of grass. It stays green naturally, never needs fertilizer, and requires less mowing. We all need to be vigilant about not using phosphates around the lake. Please consider attending the next LCIA meeting on May 24th to hear more about the water quality program and results. Thank you for helping keep Lake Cavanaugh clean!