The annual Party for the Lakes was held Aug. 13 at the Edgewater Park pavilion. Hy-Vee grilled burgers and Flashback played the classic tunesfor the crowd.

Awards went to Zogg Dermatology, business honoree; Katie Liska, Ken Nelson Award for Lakes Volunteerism; and the coin artist for 2009 was Eloise Adams.

Hugh O’Byrne auctioned the No. 1 coin silver coin, and this year’s highest bid went to City Councilor Larry Anderson.

The bronze commemorative coins featuring New Denmark Park in Albert Lea can be purchased for $25 at the Chamber of Commerce. Donations from the Party for the Lakes benefit the Lakes Foundation of Albert Lea.

This year, their projects included a $10,000 donation to build the community boathouse at Brookside Boat Landing, $2,000 to the junior high Water Table Education program, donations to Take a Kid Fishing and the ice fishing contest. Currently, the group is working on a cost analysis for hazard and caution buoys to be placed on Albert Lea Lake.

The Lakes Foundation was started in 1934 after Albert Lea Lake caught fire because of the toxic waste that was dumped in the lake. The group has come a long way since its beginnings, and has recently refocused on preservation and recreation on area lakes. For many years the focus was to dredge the bottom of Albert Lea Lake. It was a great task, but turned out to be much too large and costly for the group.

The group has taken on a new philosophy: if people get out and enjoy the beauty and availability of the lakes in the area, the word will spread and soon enough it will be drawing fisherman and water enthusiasts from all around. The evidence of their work can be seen on Albert Lea Lake already; on sunny days, you can stop your boat in certain areas and watch the abundance of fish swimming on the bottom.

Contact Katie at 373-3938 for more information or to join the cause.