Baldwin Lake Association Newsletter  

An Anchor for our Community

March 2004 Volume 11 Issue 2

President’s Corner
      We are happy that Tona Ambrosen has offered to assume the Flotilla Committee Chair.   This means that, with help from the previous Chairs, that committee will start to plan for the Fifth Baldwin Lake Association Flotilla on July 3rd.   It would be of appreciated if the people interested in having a float entered would contact us by May or early June, either by e-mail baldwin-lake-366@mlswa.org, by phone, snail-mail (P.O. Box 311) or in person, of their intent.   That way we will know of the number of entries to plan for.

      The Annual Meeting at the Cass County Conservation Club and Annual Picnic at the Parks’ home again this year are planned for July 17th.   Future newsletters will give more complete details.

      We will be starting the Secchi Disk and Fecal Coliform tests this spring and the results will be shown on the Website and in the newsletters.   The Web will continue to have the 2003 results as well as the new page for 2004 so that comparisons can be made.

      We, again, want to thank all those that have already sent donations for the Mosquito spraying in 2004.   We currently have a large enough cushion to enable us to begin with adequate control in the first part of the summer.   We are trying to be sure that we can continue that control for the entire summer.   The planning is made more difficult since the spray needs to be done when the rain, wind, & temperatures allow it to be economical and effective.   That is because it is a waste to spray if there is a wind, or the ambient temperature is not at least 70 degrees at about 7:00 P.M., or during a rainy period since the spray is not as effective.   The planning for this in advance requires that the funds will be available when the spraying is needed.   This is why we keep begging for donations and are thankful that we get what we do, with many greater than the requested $25.

      We hope to see many of you at our Association meetings which are scheduled for the third Monday of the month, except July and December, at the Porter Township Administration building, just north of the Fire Station on Baldwin Prairie north of U.S. 12.   Although the voting needs to be channeled thru your Advisor, we appreciate the discussion and ideas from all members to be sure that we are handling things the way you wish it to be.   Remember that this is YOUR Lake Association and we want to listen to your requests that will help to fulfill the Baldwin Lake Association’s mission: MAINTAIN AND PRESERVE OUR LAKE COMMUNITY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS THROUGH EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, AND COMMITMENT TO BALDWIN LAKE.

      We want everyone to know that the officers and advisors always welcome your suggestions and comments by E-mail to baldwin-lake-366@mlswa.org, by Snail Mail to P.O. Box 311 or by phone to any officer or advisor.





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MOSQUITO SPRAYING


Name__________________________________________________________________

Lake Address:

____________________________________________________________

      My $25 (or more) for the 2004 Mosquito Spraying is enclosed.

Comments: __________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

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___________________________________________________________

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Please send form and Check to:

BLA

P.O. Box 311

Union, MI 49130

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Blood Drive March 13 - Fire Station - 9:00A.M. - 2:45P.M.

      It only takes an hour to give the gift of life to as many as 5 people.   Community Policing Committee members will be working with the Red Cross again to collect much needed blood. Your pint of blood is separated into platelets, plasma, and other products which may to many different victims of accidents or illnesses or to surgery patients.   The whole process will take less than an hour and will help many very needy people.   Remember to eat and drink plenty of fluids before you come.   Let's see if we can break the record of 63 pints.

Spring Means Getting Your Boat Ready

  1. Be sure you have wearable, Coast Guard Approved life jackets for everyone on board.
  2. Check your I/O engine through the hull, below water line fittings to be sure they are tight and the valves operate freely.
  3. Check non-metallic fittings. They can get brittle with age and ice can crack or loosen them.
  4. Check the hoses that may have been forced off or split.
  5. Inspect fuel fittings and hoses for cracks or other signs of stress.
  6. Get fresh batteries for portable gear, radios, flashlight.
  7. Check light on boats and trailers. Make sure trailer tires are inflated properly.
  8. Check expiration dates on flares, fire extinguisher, and boats. Replenish first aid kits.
  9. Creamy brown or gray engine or drive oil has water in it and a mechanic should find the source of the leak before you start the engine.
  10. Check dock and anchor lines and replace deteriorated lines.
  11. Review your boat insurance and update coverage if needed.


The state of Michigan has the most lighthouses in the United States.
Michigan has 116 lighthouses and navigational lights.



 

Dear Baldwin Lake Residents-

      As a lake association member, I am urging you to vote yes on the White Pigeon Bond proposal on March 22nd.   No matter what your personal feelings are about Baldwin Prairie School, isolated incidences with White Pigeon etc. - the bottom line is, that students need adequate facilities to learn in.   They need and deserve it, but cannot vote for it themselves!   I can’t think of a better investment in the future of our neighborhoods than supporting our schools.   Don’t we want all children to have the best opportunities for success that we can give them?

      As principal of Baldwin Prairie for seven years, it was hard for me to close it (as it was for many of you), but I had to get over it.   Schools with 100 students are too expensive to run and small schools are being closed everywhere (just like many neighborhood businesses that are disappearing across the country).   The students and staff that I work with now are great, and need adequate facilities.   The proposal has been scaled back from the last proposal, and is mostly renovation and upgrading of the facilities.   You don’t need to agree with 100% of the items.   We upgrade our roofs and heating systems in our homes more often than every 50 years, and we must do it for our public schools too!

      White Pigeon Community Schools has been a good place for my two daughters.   Is it perfect?   No, but I don’t know what is perfect.   I do know that at White Pigeon my girls were treated with respect.   They had opportunities to be involved and make a difference in clubs or teams that they chose to join.   The school is small enough that they were never a "number" and they had good experiences, role models and preparation for college.   This bond at 4.45 mills for 25 years is a fair one.   Please help our future by helping the next generation!   Vote yes.

                                                                                          Sincerely,     Connie Holt