Dozens pick up lake litter at ‘Pete Delia’ Cleanup Day

Several dozen people and boats showed up at Diamond Point Park for the Canyon Lake Yacht Club “Pete Delia” Lake Cleanup Day Saturday and scoured the lakeshore for litter during a beautiful autumn morning.

Vice Commodore Rob Mora was in charge of the event and gave all participants directions for their section of the lake along with nets and trash bags.

Collected trash was slightly less than what was bagged up in previous years, but what was hauled in still added up to many pounds of debris.

“The Yacht Club thanks all Canyon Lake boaters for helping keep the lake clean while boating in the lake,” Rob said. “The attitude of community responsibility among boaters resulted in a much cleaner lake than on previous cleanup days and is a great tribute to Canyon Lake and helps keep our beautiful lake pristine.”

After skimming trash from the lake shoreline, Anita Barbaria empties her net in a trash bag during the “Pete Delia” Fall Lake Cleanup Saturday. Photo provided by Ron Wilbur

This Fall Lake Cleanup was named for Pete Delia, a longtime member of the Yacht Club, a perennial leader of the lake cleanups and was the dragon master of the Green Dragon in the annual holiday Parade of Lights.

“Pete passed away this year, leaving a big hole in the hearts of the club members and in the volunteer ranks of the Yacht Club,” Commodore Ron Wilbur said. “Whenever there was a need, Pete was there, and we continue to honor his memory through events like this.”

Meanwhile, the Yacht Club is planning its inaugural Commodore’s Ball, which will take place in a beautifully-decorated Holiday Bay Room at the Canyon Lake Lodge on Nov. 9. The glamorous affair will host formally-attired guests as they arrive to music, with VIP ticket holders arriving to a red carpet walk.

The evening includes music from the Skipper Sax Duo, tables with intimate seating, champagne, elegant centerpieces, and glamorous decorations. Beautiful music, champagne, wine-beer-cocktails, and a wonderful menu await attendees.

“This will be the most talked-about event of the season in our community,” Commodore Ron Wilbur said. “In yacht club communities around the world, the Commodore’s Ball is the pinnacle of the social year. As this is a first-ever Canyon Lake event, we wanted it to be a very special evening, and that is exactly what has been planned.”

Some tickets are still available and members are encouraged to get their tickets quickly to avoid missing the cut off, Ron said.a