Poker run gives coalition a hand
HAUSER LAKE – Hauser Lake Watershed Coalition members are passionate about their mission – to improve and protect the water quality of Hauser Lake and the surrounding watershed. HLWC member Jabet Wheeler says that members volunteer their time and talents in a number of ways.
Members organize activities such as monthly water testing and monitoring, educational field trips, community presentations, rake-the-lake cleanup and quarterly trash pickups. They are currently organizing the second annual Hauser Lake Poker Run fundraiser.
Scheduled for Saturday, participants can start any time after 10:30 a.m. at Hauser Lake Resort, but they have to check in their poker hands by 1 p.m.
Registration is from 10:30 a.m. to noon, and an entry fee of $20 includes a barbecue, one free raffle ticket and a chance to win $100.
Additional raffle tickets can be purchased. There are more than 30 raffle prizes donated by local businesses, which include dinner certificates, house painting and lawn care services, clothing, spa treatments, fishing tackle, car detailing, miniature golf, flower baskets, acupuncture and veterinary services.
Raffle winners need not be present to win, but the organizers hope everyone will also participate in the poker run.
According to Poker Run Event Chairperson Wheeler, all proceeds will be used by the watershed coalition to fund activities such as ongoing water quality testing for the lake and streams as well as implementation of Lake-A-Syst, a community action and education program for lake residents.
Poker run participants can walk, bike, drive or boat to the six scheduled stops. At each station, participants learn about the lake and also receive a playing card.
The object is to get the best five card poker hand of the six cards they receive to win $100. Second and third place winners will receive $50 and $25. Anyone who registers by Sept. 1 will receive a seventh card.
Local bluegrass band Spur of the Moment will hold a jam session, and others are invited to join in. Participants in the poker run must be at least 18 years old, but children are welcome to accompany qualified card players. Additional barbecue lunches can be purchased for $5. Winners of the poker run and raffle will be announced at 1:30 p.m.
Recently, the watershed coalition attained statewide recognition for their prevention efforts. The group received a grant from the Idaho State Department of Agriculture to build the first stationary Watercraft Rinse Station in Idaho. The station is one of only a handful of rinse stations across the country. It will prevent the spread of Eurasian watermilfoil introduced by watercraft into Hauser Lake, which is one of a very few lakes in North Idaho that is not infested.
Milfoil is an invasive weed that is now found in lakes in almost every state. It threatens the ecology, fishing, recreation as well as the tourist and boating industries. The plant spreads quickly, crowding out native wildlife and plants.
“The rinse station is expected to not only prevent the noxious weed from establishing itself in Hauser Lake, but also to eliminate the need to take other expensive eradication action,” says Wheeler.
Wheeler points out that preventive actions take money, and that the poker run is an important fundraiser not only to raise needed financing, but to also help educate users of the lake on how to improve and protect the quality of the lake.