Ludlow’s Lake Pauline was transformed from a muddy collection back into an exquisite place to spend Labor Day weekend, thanks to the dedicated efforts of about 30 people who came together the previous Saturday to clean up debris from the July 10 flood. The event, under the auspices of the Lake Rescue Association (LRA), was spearheaded by Board member and Lake Pauline resident George Thomson, who has volunteered for several clean-up day efforts despite his own home’s severe flooding.
LRA earlier organized a flood clean-up on adjacent 200-acre Lake Rescue, which attracted almost 50 volunteers the previous weekend, and Lake Pauline had been tackled for the first time the week before that.
“We removed tons of debris again, but the lake is so much nicer for everyone to enjoy,” said Thomson. He said volunteers armed with boats, chainsaws, trucks, and tenacity, joined by people participating in Green Up Vermont’s annual clean-up effort, met on Saturday, Aug. 26, to clean up the narrow mile-long lake, which runs along the east side of Route 100 in Ludlow. Debris, boats, trees, and docks were removed from the water, and many were successfully returned to their owners.
Following the effort, one solid dock was still waiting for a home, said Thomson, while 14 dock panels of assorted colors and sizes were lined up on the guardrails near the East Lake Road Bridge. By Labor Day, most had been claimed by their owners.
“We have had three days with over 100 dedicated volunteers cleaning up Lakes Pauline and Rescue, removing all kinds of debris after the July flood,” said Thomson. “The lakes are for everyone to enjoy, and even if you do not go in them, the beautiful views of the dams at East Lake Rd and Red Bridge are once again ready for tourists looking for the perfect Vermont foliage picture.”
