The Graphic - Advocate

10 The Graphic-Advocate Local News
September 14, 2011
Nick and Rita Burley and their children Nathan and Katie are among area farmers supporting the Lake
City Pool Project through he fi ll the pool with grain program.
What it takes to fi ll the pool
When you stand beside a
swimming pool and think about
what it would take to fi ll it, do you
ever wonder about things that may
seem out of the ordinary? Cans of
soda – 3,200,000. Gelatin cups –
10,971,428. What about bushels of
grain?
The Lake City Pool Project
Fundraising Committee has recently
kicked off a new campaign to
“Fill The Pool With Grain”. In
cooperation with Farmer’s Coop of
Lake City and Yetter, and New Coop
of Lanesboro, Lohrville, and Rands,
area farmers have the opportunity to
donate grain in support of the pool
project. Each of these local coops
have accounts established to accept
grain donations as the wagons roll
across their scales throughout the
fall harvest.
Financial support for the pool
project continues to be steady.
Fundraising efforts to date have
raised nearly $808,000 in support
and pledges towards the $2 million
goal. The Fundraising Steering
Committee meets on a regular
basis to plan and evaluate ongoing
efforts to meet the fi nancial goal.
“We continue to be encouraged
by the support the pool project has
received and appreciate everyone
who has made a commitment to the
project. Every dollar brings us that
much closer to our new pool,” notes
Kimberly Kelly, City Administrator
and Fundraising Co-Chair.
Still wondering how many bushels
it would take to “fi ll” the new pool
with grain? The answer – 32,227.
Signing up for test drive
The staff at Champion Chrysler, SCC students and members of the SCC Boosters participated in the
test-drive promotion east of the SCC High School on Sept. 2. (Graphic-Advocate photo by Ken Ross)
After a long summer of boating
and fi shing, and with hunting season
offi cial kicked off, don’t forget
about some important TLC for
what gets you around the lake. It is
especially hard for me to think about
fi shing or fi shing duties this time
of year, but these days an ounce of
prevention is worth a pound of cure
they say. In other words preventative
maintenance will save you money.
In a few weeks we will talk about
the proper steps that need to be taken
to winterize your rig for storage. But,
now it could be vital to the longevity
of your outboard’s life to double
check a few items and replace what
needs to be replaced. Wear and tear
is inevitable with motors, but if you
can catch a problem early enough it
could save you a hefty repair bill.
It starts with a thorough trailer
walk-around double-checking the
lights and connectors, wheel hubs,
tie-down straps and nuts and bolts
holding anything together. Also
make sure the jack and hitch are
adequately lubricated and operating
properly. If you are mechanically
savvy (unlike me) make sure your
spark plugs are not overly corroded,
gapped correctly and that you
have suffi cient spark. If you do not
feel comfortable with this side of
things, I strongly urge you to have
a professional look at it. Again, an
ounce of prevention.
“Midseason maintenance
is crucial,” says Iowan and
professional walleye angler, Tommy
Skarlis. “Ideally, double checking
mechanical aspects of your outboard
should take place every time you
run a tank or two of gas through it.
Closely inspect the prop on your
big motor, kicker motor and trolling
motor for tangled fi shing line. This
is especially important as the line
������������
����������������������������������������������������������������������
���������������������������������������������������������������
Mid-Season Outboard Maintenance
forces the motor
to work harder
than necessary,
which over a
period of time
will damage
your lower unit
seal.”
“As often as
you think about
it, you should
check your
lower unit lube,”
the Evinrude
Pro continues.
“Dirty lower
unit lube is an
indicator that it needs to be changed
or something else may be occurring.
If you notice discolored lube or
metal shavings present - that should
tell you to have it professionally
inspected. It could may mean a
water pump is going out or a seal
is leaking, but if you catch it early
enough, you aren’t as likely have
a giant repair bill before hunting
season takes priority.”
“Finally, make sure you are
running the freshest gas possible,”
Skarlis explains. “Old gas and oil
will foul plugs and carbs faster than
anything. If you are planning on
putting the boat away for the year,
it is important to run all the gas out
of the motor or additional negative
impacts could take place. Perhaps
you might think you’re done for the
year but not sure, if you have a free
afternoon, take the rig out for one
fi nal spin of the year to make sure
everything is in fi ne working order.
Again, an ounce of prevention.”
Skarlis runs Evinrude motors
and those motors do not require
any scheduled maintenance for the
fi rst three years, regardless he has
created a checklist that he follows
THIS PUBLICATION DOES NOT KNOWINGLY ACCEPT
advertising which is deceptive, fraudulent or which might
otherwise violate the law or accepted standards of taste.
However, this publication does not warrant or guarantee the
accuracy of any advertisement, nor the quality of the goods
or services advertised. Readers are cautioned to thoroughly
investigate all claims made in any advertisements, and to
use good judgment and reasonable care, particularly when
dealing with persons unknown to you who ask for money
in advance of delivery of the goods or services advertised.
religiously after each tournament to
assure the motor’s proper working
order. Taking care of what you have
now might allow you save money for
a future investment or an upgrade.
Maintenance is far cheaper than a
giant, unexpected repair bill. Trust
me on this; I have learned this lesson
the hard way many times over. Far
more enjoyment will be had for a
longer period of time if you keep up
to date on what your boat and motor
need to remain “healthy”. Not to
mention, it will afford more time on
the water and that’s what we’re all
after anyway!
Good luck and don’t hesitate to
contact me with any questions or
comments.
Live it Up!
(Thomas resides with his wife
and two children in Guthrie Center,
Iowa. He is a professional outdoor
writer, photographer, videographer,
and outdoor talk radio show host;
for more information visit www.
outdoorpursuitsradio.com. If you
have questions or comments feel free
to email Thomas at tha481@gmail.
com)
Reprints of
photos found in
The
Graphic
Advocate
can be purchased at
www.thegraphicadvocate.com
click on “view/buy
photos” in the left
side column.