BLA April 2006 Newsletter

Baldwin Lake Association Newsletter

An Anchor for our Community

April 2006 - Volume 13 - Issue 2

President’s Corner

The busy lake season is about to begin and there are several things of which we need to be aware. (As well as where the fish are biting!)

A membership application form is attached to this issue along with an envelope that can be used to send it as well as a donation for mosquito spraying. Please take a moment to consider adding your information to the directory that Judy Kankel has volunteered to compile. It will be handy to have a quick resource for phone numbers, addresses, etc.

On April 15th the Porter Township EMS will have an informational meeting at the fire station from noon to 4PM regarding the new plan for the service and the additional millage for the funding needed.
All residents and property owners need to be informed on this issue,

The first road cleanup is scheduled for April 22nd. We desperately need people to volunteer an hour or so in the AM to clean the trash along Sunset and Hilltop. Contact your district representative for details about times and location. The bags are provided and will be picked up.

June 10th is the annual Tri Lakes Garage Sale. This is a chance to get rid of some things around the place and the publicity will be provided.

The Sheriff’s Marine Officers will be available for watercraft inspection on July 8th at the Crofoot waterfront. It is a good idea to know if your boat is in compliance with the state’s laws.

Our annual meeting is July 15th at the Cass County Conservation Club with coffee hour prior. The annual picnic follows in the afternoon. Details will be in the July News Letter.

Have a great spring and I hope to see you on the water very soon.

Alice Ann Troy BLA President

Full Cycle Memories by Mike Crofoot

I think the year 2005-2006 is definitely one for the record books. We had the warmest, driest summer in decades, leading into one of the mildest winters ever. Baldwin Lake’s main part didn’t even freeze all the way closed. At the North end we did have early ice by December 7th, due to the cold December. Ice fishermen were on it by the 10th but by January 13th, when it went off again, it was never safe to get back on. This ended the shortest season yet for ice fishing. With this type of climate it also makes it easier on Mother Nature’s creatures.

Because of the spring like winter, we found our selves out side more often. This, of course, allows one to observe the many natural sightings that are all around us.

I’ve mentioned last year about seeing a large beaver swim by. They apparently are establishing residence near by because of downed trees visibly leaning at the north end of the lake. These, we know, were gnawed in two by them.

We had another good bird watching year this winter. Many of the species were late leaving or early migratory ones. I counted two hundred (approx) Cow birds at the feeders at once, for a few days. There were plenty of Starlings, which turn completely speckled in the winter. We had our eight or nine pairs of Cardinals all winter also.

Our good friends from Chicago gave us a great gift for bird watchers at Christmas. This gift has an outdoor microphone and an indoor receiver, which allows us to listen to all the birds that come to the feeders.
We saw our 1st robin on the 28th of February, the same day as a pleated wood pecker showed up to work the trees behind us. On March 8th the redwing blackbirds were coming to the feeders, which also is early. This year we went through about 250 pounds of mixed birdseed and dozens of suet blocks.
It seems the wild life feeding goes around the clock at the Crofoot house. With the mild winter, the raccoons were moving around a lot since they only semi-hibernate.

We have our usual pack of flying squirrels visiting the feeders at night. They are quite timid and you only get a short glimpse of them by flashlight most of the time. My wife and I did see one scampering up a tree in the afternoon while we were doing our road clean up walk down Oak Street.

For those of you, that have still bodies of water or swamps by you, the spring peepers have started letting loose. These are the early tree frogs that everyone associates with the coming of spring. There are literally thousands of these in the swamp behind us. When they let loose it sounds like distant sleigh bells ringing.
We can only hope these early indicators open the way for all of us to enjoy nature leading us into another wonderful season at the lake.

From: MICHIGAN LAKE & STREAM ASSOCIATIONS, INC. WHAT DOES ML&SA DO?

· Monitors state legislation that will impact riparian property on inland lakes in Michigan and riparian property owners in the State of Michigan, and on the Great Lakes

· Notifies member associations of applications to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to change the shoreline of their lake or stream

· Holds Regional Fall Seminars around the State of Michigan to alert lake associations and members of the public to problems and solutions for problems occurring on inland lakes and streams

· Holds an annual conference for MLSA member associations and members of the public. The three day conference deals with all aspects of protecting Michigan’s water resources, i.e., aquatic weed control, fish populations, water quality, riparian rights, updated regulations (which apply to boating, safety, inland lake act, soil erosion and sedimentation act, wetlands regulations, etc.), exotic and nuisance species, etc.

· Prepares lake and watershed data for association members who find themselves confronted with land and water development which would adversely impact their riparian rights, and/or the quality of life on their lake or stream

· Prepares and presents position statements for association members who need assistance in presentations before agencies of local government such as Planning and Zoning Boards, Township Boards, County Planning Commissions, Boards of County Commissioners, and Appeals Boards

· Organizes and carries out water clarity testing programs through the work of citizen monitors using the Secchi Disk and the Spring Phosphorus Test. Carries out workshop on Aquatic Plant Identification and Mapping (The Self-Help Program)

· Mails copies of Public Acts to ML&SA members upon request

· Maintains copies of local and state court decisions which define Riparian Property Rights and water law in Michigan

· Prepares and distributes brochures on such subject as “RiparianRights,” “Township Power,” Marine Safety (“100 Foot Rule”), and other brochures on protecting lakes

Maintains a Home Page on the World Wide Web with information and help for Riparians and the general public. www.iserv.net/mlsa/

THINGS TO KNOW

Pam cooking spray will dry finger nail polish

Elmer’s glue-paint on your face, allow it to dry, peel off and see the dead skin and blackheads

Bee stings-meat tenderizer

Paper cut-Crazy Glue

Peanut butter will remove ink from the face of dolls

Heavy dandruff - pour on the vinegar!

Crayon on the wall - Colgate toothpaste and brush it!

Dirty grout - Listerine

Sunburn - empty a large jar of Nestea into your bath water

JUDY’S JOTTINGS….. submitted by Judy Kankel

IN THE GARDEN: Lay a few layers of newspaper under your mulch around trees or in the flower or vegetable garden…They are biodegradable, allow water to get to the plants, and best of all, help control the weeds.

NEED A BLOOM BOOST?: If your daffodils and iris are not blooming as profusely as you would like, either they are not getting enough sun or they are too crowded. Every few years, dig them up and divide up. It may take a year for them to bloom again, but worth the effort. They will reward you later.

SHAKESPEARE must have been a gardener…a couple of things he writes: In Hamlet, Ophelia says, “There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance; pray, love, remembering; and there’s pansies, that’s for thoughts.”
In Richard II, “Poor queen! Here did she fall a tear; here is the place I’ll set a bank of rue, sour herb of grace.”… (From June Santon’s article in “Michigan Country Lines.”)

THE DREADED SNAKES: I am terrified of them and have seen a few near our building and in my flowerbeds. I called Mike Maloney and his only suggestion was to get a hog…don’t think the neighbors would appreciate that. I read up on them, trying to find out what to do…I learned they actually are good for the garden because they prey on many mice, rats, and small rodents which can carry disease. Very few are venomous, only 6 species in the Midwest. Most bites occur when the snakes are being handled or someone is trying to kill them…They can enter your house, might be looking for food, but more than likely are just looking for a warm place to stay. When we were in Florida, Keith had an up close experience with one that crawled under the doorway into our lanai. Didn’t know snakes could jump two feet in the air or Keith could jump 4 feet in the air, but it happened. In the Spring they will shed their skin and go back outside. They like crawl spaces and under porches. You can get snake traps that are kind of like an open-ended cardboard box that is covered with an adhesive on the inside and the snake gets stuck in the box. Then you can take him someplace else, not my house or Judith Forbes’ house please…pour oil on him and release him in the wild.

AT THE BIRD FEEDER: A couple of days ago, we finally saw the beautiful eagle flying around near Hollywood Shores. Wow! What a wingspan! Lots of activity at the feeder already in March…cardinals, titmice, woodpeckers, bluebirds, nuthatches, and a sure sign of spring...the robins pecking for worms.

FROM MY KITCHEN: What does a person do with all the leftover hard-boiled eggs from Easter? Make a little egg salad and PICKLE the rest. It is so easy to make pickled beets and drop in a few peeled hard-boiled eggs to absorb the juice for a day or two. I use cans of sliced beets. Measure equal amounts of beet juice (can add a little water if need be), sugar and vinegar. You need enough to cover the beet slices and hard –boiled eggs. Turn the eggs occasionally so they get evenly pickled. Enjoy!

MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY: I am still collecting names for the Membership Neighborhood Directory. Please be patient. People are slow to respond, so I am still collecting data. Email me at jkankel@earthlink.net. (Names, addresses (summer and winter) and phone numbers etc.)

ENTHUSIASTIC GARDENERS NEEDED
FOR JULY GARDEN WALK

   The Mason-Union Garden Club is sponsoring a garden walk to celebrate our 65th anniversary! The walk will be on Saturday, July 8, 2006. Please write this date down on your calendars!

   The Mason-Union Garden Club's objectives are to share knowledge and stimulate the love of gardening, protect native trees, plants, and birds, and encourage civic plantings and pride. What better way to accomplish some of these objectives than to have a garden walk. The theme is "Around the Year in our Gardens".

   We are looking for volunteers to open their yards to the public the day of the walk. Your yard does not have to be a showstopper; we are looking for folks who like to grow herbs, flowers, vegetables, and do container gardening and who are enthusiastic and willing to share. There is no requirement that you label plants, and you do not need to have extensive landscaping.

   The garden walk is free to everyone! To help the community we are asking participants to display a donation box, which will be provided; the proceeds will go to different local charities.   A garden club member will be at each site to help supervise visitors and answer questions. There will also be programs and a map, free refreshments, and unique garden related items for sale.

   Everyone in the community is invited to attend, enjoy the gardens, and visit with your neighbors. Spread the word! Invite your neighbors and friends to an entertaining afternoon on Saturday, July 8.

   The deadline for entering your home in the walk is Saturday, June 3. Please contact any one of the following garden club members to register:

                    Heidi Moyer
Carol Morris
Judy Kankel
Donna Rodwick

We are enthusiastic to have a great turnout for our club's 2nd garden walk!
                                                   Charlotte Fletcher, President
                                                   Nancy Robbins, Vice-President

Boating Classes
June 17th

Donnell Lake/Vandalia
Contact: Cass County Sheriff’s Office/Marine Division 269-445-8644

More classes to be scheduled!
Click Here & Check at the bottom of the page for more.