Patrolling the Pond by Mike Miller, VP Lake Lotawana Home Owners Association
August 5, 2026
When the calendar turns to August and “Back-to-school” sales are in progress, the Chiefs are in camp, and the Royals are winding down their season (tongue in cheek here), you quickly realize that summer is slowly moving toward fall. In a month it will pick up pace. But we do have the month. We do have the day. Seize the day! Carpe Diem! Not to be confused with grass carpe diem (carp of the day) but rather recognizing the month of August’s namesake (along with a national pizza chain located just up the road on Hwy.7), Caesar Augustus (1). Onward!
Before I get to anything rule-related, I want to congratulate the Lotawana Day Committee and all of the volunteers who made it happen this year. The theme, Lota’merica, was one of my favorites in over 20 years of the event that is quintessential Lotawana. As usual, I took part in the Buddy Bass Tournament this year with my oldest son. We didn’t get blanked and turned in a respectable bag. And there is nothing better than Chris Cakes with a little Tang to wash them down! Every other part of the day was great, including the ski show (always fabulous) and band. Again, congratulations and thank you to everyone who did so much work to make it happen. There is nothing like it!
Volunteers make this lake function. If you haven’t volunteered for something yet, you still have time! There are other events planned this year. Check the calendar at lakelotawana.net and find your next place to connect! In my brief review, I notice the Magellan, circumnavigation of the lake by kayak, is on September 7th. I have marked my calendar! I better get to training!
It’s hard to believe, but a little over 40 days ago the days started getting shorter. It’s hard to notice it on sunny days, but when the clouds come in like they did late last week, you can see it. It’s good to have the Lotawananews.com/weather screen on your phone. Nav lights to be on by 30 minutes past sunset. That’s also when towing needs to finish for the evening. Why 30 minutes past sunset?
If you sail or boat in any other waterways, you likely follow maritime law that says navigation lights are used from sunset to sunrise. Navigation light rules at Lotawana fall under what is sometimes referred to as “civil twilight,” or the time when the geometric center of the sun is 6 degrees below the horizon, and visibility is still good (2). During civil twilight, you can make out the brightest planets, stars, and the horizon. Artificial light is usually not needed. It lasts somewhere between 20 and 30 minutes and can be used as a local rule for navigation lights. Sailors may know of “nautical twilight,” which is when the geographic center of the sun is 12 degrees below the horizon and it’s dark enough to use celestial navigation (that is, if your GPS is on the fritz).
Not sure you will need to navigate by the stars or GPS here. That said, your navigation lights should be on NO LATER than 30 minutes past sunset (a feature you can now see on the Lotawananews.com/weather and add to your home screen on your phone). That’s also when speeds are to be reduced to no-wake speed or 10mph or less with minimal wake. Good rule to remember: Lights up, speeds down. This is also the case if visibility is < 100 ft. I personally turn my navigation lights on at sunset just to be safe.
“Inspiring admiration” is one meaning of the word august. It may be the only ties we still have to the Roman calendar. The Gregorian calendar replaced the Roman calendar about 1000 years ago (1). August can be a month to inspire and to recognize how quickly time flies. If we were in Europe, we would all be heading for Lake Lotawana. I recommend you seize the day. Even seize the month! Carpe Mensis (3). Maybe even seize a Pizza! Pizza! See you on the Pond!
References
(1) Dictionary.com, https://www.dictionary.com/articles/august
(2) National Weather Service, https://www.weather.gov/fsd/twilight
(3) Google translate ,https://translate.google.com/
SAFER SEVEN
Safer Seven is pretending he is in Europe and taking a “Holiday” this week. Not going to the South of France or the Greek Islands but….SS will be back with seven challenging questions as you make your Labor Day plans. It’s hard to resist sharing one question. Here you go:
What year was the FIRST Lotawana Day?
Extra credit…what was YOUR favorite Lotawana Day Theme? Your favorite Lotawana Day activity?
Respond to VP@Lotawana.net and be eligible for a gift certificate from Lake Lotawana Beautification for shopping cool merch at the Association Office.