What We Do

CL FIRES is committed to supporting fire protection, wild land fire mitigation, personal safety and property protection through informational and educational forums, fund raising activities, and grant research and applications.

Book Sale

We had a very successful CL FIRES Book Sale October 8 & 9.  Thanks to many CLVFD, community and CL FIRES Board members for volunteering to set this up and help sell books.  Volunteers included Sherry and Harold Alexander, Susan and Mark Weeks, Ardie and Ron Yowell, Jane and Jim Tiffin, Shirla and Doug Race, Helen Bowlin, George Deaton, Diana Ward, Kathy Dillon-Durica, Bev Eddinger, Jeanette and Ray Williams.  Thanks to everyone who donated and purchased books.  A special thanks to  Ken Bailey who donated nearly 500 books.  We have tons left and look forward to having another book sale next year. 

First Annual Fish Dinner

Photos by Bill Popejoy

First Annual Fish Dinner Sept 5, 2011

CL FIRES would like to thank the Crystal Lakes Road and Recreation Association and the Restaurant at Crystal Lakes Carrie Manley and Brian Goodwin for supporting our first dinner. The CL FIRES Annual Fish Dinner was a great success. Our first ticket holders #1 & #2 were Joan and Bill Popejoy. Diners enjoyed salmon and tilapia dinners with a make-your-own sundae dessert bar. We heard many compliments about the delicious meal and everyone enjoyed the time to visit with friends and neighbors. There were 68 tickets sold in the office, on-line and at the door.

This dinner would not have been possible without the help of our volunteers. Volunteers from the Crystal Lakes Volunteer Fire Department included: Mike and Janet Schrodt, Mark Weeks, Jody Sandquist, Harold Alexander and Marian Kelly. Volunteers from the Crystal Lakes Community Fund included: Don and Char St John, Ray Williams, and Helen Koller. Volunteers from the Crystal Lakes Bear Aware Team included: Jane and Jim Tiffin and Ardie and Ron Yowell. Cathy Dillon-Durica volunteered from the Greenbelt Management Committee and Bryon Fessler represented the Fishing Board. The CL FIRES Board members Sherry Alexander, Bev Eddinger, Susan Weeks, and Jeanette Williams worked very hard to organize this event. All of these enthusiastic Crystal Lakes property owners chopped, cut, seasoned, cooked, served, hosted, cleaned tables, awarded prizes, cleaned kitchen and restaurant and even washed dishes. These individuals made this Fish Dinner a fun and special event. CL FIRES thanks everyone very much for all their hard work.

A special thank you goes to Sherry and Bev Eddinger for conducting the door prize drawings. Harold Alexander donated one of his handcrafted bird houses and Sherry donated a lap quilt with a fire department theme. Seven prizes were awarded including a wine party bag, gift certificates, a candle and holder, and other items. Everyone enjoyed having their dinner ticket drawn for a prize.

We hope everyone will mark their calendars for this event next year. We encourage everyone to become annual members and support this important effort. See our pictures of the Fish Dinner above.

Labor Day Silent Auction and LOGO Sale

4th of July Family Fun Day and Parade

CL FIRES really really appreciates all the effort and hard work everyone provided for the 4th of July Family Fun Day and Parade.

We are very happy people are hearing great things about our 4th of July celebration. We think families enjoy and appreciate this event.

We wish to thank Harold Alexander, Mark Weeks, Doug Race and Ray Williams for taking care of getting the dept trucks and the Fire Station ready for all the activities including the CL FIRES Annual Meeting. Hana and Heather Michel, Hunter Graham, and Ethan Gould were eager to help wash and polish the CLVFD Firetrucks.

The Family Fun Day support included Tamla and Doug Blunt; Shirla and Doug Race; Ardie and Ron Yowell; Susan and Mark Weeks; Kristy, Harold and Sherry Alexander; Julianna and Joe Jackson; Kaiya and Emma Mahon; Susan Vance; Hunter, Tony and Jenny Graham; Ethan, Mike and Carly Gould; Nicole Ault; Helen Bowlin; Kate Kelly; Marian Kelly, Heather and Hana Michel; and Ray and Jeanette Williams. Community groups included the Crystal Lakes Bear Aware Team Jim and Jane Tiffin and Steve Ault; CL FIRES George Deaton, the Crystal Lakes Community Fund Association Helen Koller and Don St John; and the Greenbelt Management Committee Kathy Dillon-Durica and Kay Hood. There were several other volunteers who helped set up and take down the tables and canopies. I did not get all their names and extend a greatful thank you to all of you. Bev Eddinger solicited gift certificates and donations from Crystal Lakes and Red Feather Lakes businesses for parade prizes and silent auction items. Marian Kelly received a generous donation from Lisa Connelly with MedEvac. Sherry Alexander prepared the many donations and awarded the amazing silent auction items to excited winners.

Photographers included Kristy Alexander, Bill Popejoy, and Susan Weeks. Anyone else wishing to share their favorite pictures on the CL FIRES website please contact Jeanette Williams rayjenwil@peoplepc.com.

The parade had 22 entries this year including our CLVFD Fire Trucks and Engines with kids enjoying the ride. It was a spectacular display of color, patriotism, and creativity. Char and Don St John were honored this year as our Grand Marshals for their many years of participation and support of the 4th of July activities. James and Lois Kinney provided the power for their "float" with their antique tractor and were gracious escorts. Kate Kelly, Chuck Glanz, and Ray Williams coordinated the parade line-up and provided the list of entries for our announcer Tamla Blunt. Steve Smalley awarded the prizes to the 1st Place winner Duane Sawyer and his two grandsons on an ATV with their pet dog; the 2nd Place winner was the Bear Aware Team with their entry "Don't Feed the Bears" and Nicole Ault was in costume as the black bear; and the 3rd Place winner was Alexander Lewis and family with their golf cart decorated with flames and garland. The most popular entry was "Kid Harmony Marching Band" which was awarded the team prize, with Jody Sandquist performing as the Drum Major and Baton Twirler. Jody's daughter Char , son-in-law Jarrod and 8 Michel children are a special treat whenever they perform.  And thanks to the judges who did such a fantastic job picking the parade winners; they were AJ Senol, Derya Senol, and Del English.

SDR's and Firefighters provided traffic control during the parade and award ceremony. They included Sharon Cooper, Jane Tiffin, Helen Bowlin, Jake and Ella Mae White, Chuck Glanz, Tom Patterson, Chad Arvizu, Marian Kelly and Kate Kelly. Firefighters also decorated the fire trucks; Susan and Mark Weeks, Renee and Tom Patterson, Chuck Glanz and others.

Families participating in the parade enjoyed safety and fire information videos provided by Jody Sandquist and Sherry Alexander.

The 4th of July Family Fun Day and Parade is the CLVFD's way of saying thank you to Crystal Lakes members and families. With earnings from the Fire Department Logo items, the food sales, and the silent auction donations, CL FIRES can report, after expenses, the event made $ 454 for the CLVFD.

Thanks to all who helped. It was a fun filled way to celebrate the 4th of July.

CL FIRES Board of Directors
Jeanette Williams
Jody Sandquist
Sherry Alexander
George Deaton

CLVFD Annual Rummage Sale Was Great Success!

Photos by Jeanette Williams

Sunday, May 29 was a rainy cold day but a busy day for volunteers and shoppers.  The CLVFD Annual Rummage Sale sponsored by CL FIRES earned about $ 2,500 dollars in sales for the Crystal Lakes Fire Department.  Tamla and Doug Blunt donated the food for hungry shoppers and workers.  They fixed their yummy burritos, hot dogs, and desserts.  Kathy Dillon Durica from the Greenbelt Management Committee arranged to have seedlings to sell and helped with the sale. 

The Crystal Lakes community and property owners were very generous to donate several large items of value and tons of small items that added up to a successful rummage sale.  Thank you very much!

There were many people who volunteered to receive donations, to set up and price the items for sale and to work Sunday and Monday.  CL FIRES wishes to thank Lani Buehler, Kathy Dillon Durica, Steve and Nicole Ault, Marian Kelly, Kate Kelly, Herb and Sharon Cooper, Jim and Jane Tiffin, Tamla and Doug Blunt, Shirla and Doug Race, Tom and Rene Patterson, and Ray Williams. 

By Kate Kelly and Jeanette Williams