Grassroots fundraiser nets $3,000 for Lake Mishnock Preservation

WEST GREENWICH – Over 300 residents of West Greenwich, Coventry and surrounding towns took time from their busy schedules last Sunday to help in the efforts to preserve Lake Mishnock.
Their motto? “It’s all about the lake.”
The Lake Mishnock Preservation Association’s (LMPA) second annual Pasta Dinner fund raising event was held at the Lake Mishnock Barn last Sunday, which gave participants an opportunity to aid in the continued success of the young organization.
Roughly 300 people came out to show their support, despite the rainy conditions, according to LMPA President Dan Albro.
“We had very good turnout and everyone had a fun time,” said Albro.
“It was a huge success,” said Paul Kaltschnee, Director and Membership Chairman of the association.
Town Council Vice President Robert Meehan and his family ,owners of the former Robins Nest restaurant, prepared the meal alongside the Coventry-West Greenwich Lions Club.
The joint effort of those involved served up a delicious family style all you could eat pasta, meatball, salad, bread, and butter meal with deserts too numerous to mention.
Free country line dancing followed the dinner to help burn off the calories of a hearty meal.
The LMPA is a non-profit organization formed by local residents in March of 2005 to address the deteriorating condition of Lake Mishnock and its surrounding ecosystem.
Lake Mishnock has been an important part of the heritage of West Greenwich for generations, but now the lake is being polluted by the rapid growth of invasive weeds, lily pads, and is also being threatened by runoff from local roads and Route 95. As a result, portions of the lake have been unusable for boating, swimming, or fishing.
Responding to the Lake Mishnock crisis, local citizens formed the LMPA just over a year ago and began investigating ways to restore the lake back to its original condition.
“This is a grassroots organization that rolled up its sleeves and really
did its homework,” said state Rep. Raymond J. Sullivan (D-Dist.29). “The members researched the issue, consulted with university officials, and did
everything possible to educate themselves about their options.”
The LMPA decided to apply aquatic herbicides to eradicate the milfoil.  The Department of Environmental Management approved all treatments and all appropriate steps were taken to ensure application in an environmentally safe manner.
The results have been spectacular.
“You should see the lake now,” Sullivan continued, “the difference is like
night and day. They deserve all the credit. It's a great story.”

Coventry Courier 5/26/06