CLA Continues Accepting Ice Pick Guesses

February 5, 2011 - By Sharon Turano sturano@post-journal.com Save Post a comment About $6,000 has been raised so far for the Chautauqua Lake Association by those guessing when the ice on the lake will break, but residents can keep guessing. The Chautauqua Lake Ice Pick is a fundraiser where people predict the time and date when a tripod placed on the ice will fall into the lake this spring for a $5 donation to the lake association. Peter Sullivan, event organizer, adopted the idea after visiting Nenana, Alaska, where an event was held to predict when the ice breaks. The Alaskan tradition began when people awaited Alaska's Tanana River's ice break to signal the start of when boats with supplies could reach them. He adapted the event for Chautauqua Lake, and the local fundraiser asks people to predict when a tripod, placed on the ice near Stow will fall into the lake this spring. The contest has its own website at http://www.clakeicepick.org/, where predictions can be made via credit card or by sending a check. Guessing will take place through Feb. 28. All online guesses must be submitted by midnight in order to qualify. All offline guesses must be sent in envelopes postmarked by Feb. 28. The winner will be for the first date beginning March 1. If there is no ice after March 1, the contest, with guesses intact, will carry over to 2012. Last year's ice broke March 20. Sullivan invites people to continue to guess, or just donate to the association. His goal for this year's event is to raise $10,000 total. "We need the public to jump in; anybody can help us get there," he said. The Chautauqua Lake Association works to protect and improve the quality of Chautauqua Lake, striving to ensure the natural beauty, safety and utility of the lake as a recreational resource. For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: http://www.chautauqualakehomes.com/