Baldwin Lake Association Newsletter

Baldwin Lake Association Newsletter

An Anchor for our Community

May 2002 Volume 9 Issue 3

President’s Corner

Spring seemed to be rather slow in arriving this year, yet, just prior to Easter/Passover, it started to look like summer was going to come early. We, too, are trying to get all of our events planned early so that they will go smoothly...we hope.

We had a survey in early 2001 regarding one or two scheduled mosquito spraying each year starting June 2001, and it came out overwhelmingly in favor of doing it. We also received enough donations last year, to offset most of the cost. We are including a "coupon" in this newsletter for assistance in paying for the 2002 sprayings starting in late May or June. If all of the people that felt a benefit from mosquito spraying last year will donate $20 towards this year we will be able to easily afford it. Thank you in advance.

The Fourth Annual Baldwin Lake Flotilla will be on Saturday July 6^th starting at 3:00 PM Indiana time. Our hope is that having it on the weekend would allow more people to be able to enter rather than midweek, as it was in 2001. Anyone interested in joining us is asked to contact me at: baldwin-lake-366@mlswa.org or, call me at 641-5336 and we will add your entry to the web page for the 2002 Flotilla.

This year the Annual Meeting on July 20 will again be at the Cass County Conservation Club starting at 9:00am Indiana time. A social time with coffee and doughnuts will begin at 8:30 a.m. The Annual Picnic the same day will be at Weldon and Mary Lou Parks who live on Hartshorn just southwest of Treasure Island.

Everyone should know that any fishing on Baldwin Lake, or any other public lake, requires a current fishing license even if you are fishing from your own property. Please get one and save yourself the fine.

I would again remind anyone making their Michigan House their permanent residence to quickly get to the Township Treasurer and fill out their Homestead Exemption application to save money on property taxes.

The possible Waste Water Collection/Treatment System for the Lake Areas is still being worked on. There is now a committee appointed to research the basic facts and "rules" that will be used if, and when, the decision is made. The Township has delayed the survey until this summer in order to include the opinions of our "summer only" residents that live on some of the other lakes.

We are still trying to work with the Drain Commission and DEQ in regards to the Commission’s planned ditch on Hilltop. The ditch would solve the problems of polluted flood waters going into Baldwin Lake. We will keep you informed regarding any further progress on this.

We checked with the Cass County Road Commission regarding refurbishing the boat ramp and checking to see what we could do to stimulate that schedule.

Regarding the extra Marine Patrols on the lakes that Baldwin Lake have used in the past— we have contracted for this service with the Sheriff’s Marine Patrol for the 2002 boating season, as well.

Advisor meetings are now scheduled for the third Monday of the month. Although those meetings are considered Advisor meetings we would appreciate seeing other members to get a more diverse group of ideas. We did this in hopes that the change in day might make it easier for more people to attend to express their ideas, opinions, and recommendations. Join us! 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. Those can be given by E-mail to baldwin-lake-366@mlswa.org or by phone.

H.C. Scot Billings

BLA President

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MOSQUITO SPRAYING

Name_______________________________________

Lake Address:

____________________________________________

______My $20 for the 2002 Mosquito Spraying

is enclosed.

Comments: ___________________________________

____________________________________________

Please send form and Check to:

BLA

P.O. Box 311
Union, MI 49130

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Coe’s Coo’s
By Coe Strain

What a perfect day! Bright sun and blue sky, and summer temperatures and no speed boats! I'm willing to bet that there are several people who wish their boats were in the water, but I have reached the point of enjoying the quiet and the views without the sounds of lots of activity out there. Most people here as year-rounders are out picking up the twigs and branches that show up when the snows stopped --finally--and digging in the flower beds getting ready to plant, even though we know it's really too early to put seeds and new plants in the ground, when we will probably have some more cold weather. Frost free in this area is May 15, but oh well, the itch to grow just can't be pushed aside on days like today. These day’s have been a long time coming. I think I'll get out the humming bird feeders and sterilize them, and maybe even make up the first batch of juice. If they aren't here now they will be soon, and I want to be ready for them.

(Saw the 1st humming bird on May 1st!)

On the first Monday of April, Jack and I spent most of the afternoon completely entertained by a pair of loons. I had spotted one the day before and again on that Monday he was out there, splashing and standing on his tail, waving his wings. Then from the south, another loon showed up and began to catch up with him. (I don't know which was male and which female so my him and her are merely suppositions.) When she did they circled each other, diving down and coming up again to stand on their tails and wave those wings. Then he dove and began to swim down the lake, and she stayed on top of the water just whizzing along and they both stopped at the same place. He turned and went the same way in the other direction and she followed on top of the water. This went on for a couple of hours. From time to time they stopped and drifted, putting their heads down into the water as if they were scouting for dinner. Then the chase would begin again.

And the swallows are back in big numbers. Some of them were swooping right between the loons. Now it is impossible to count swallows on the fly, although Jack tries counting one for each one he sees going one way and subtracting one for each bird he sees going the other way. But we lucked out when the swallows began to rest on the ribs of the Walkers boat lift. We could count between 20 and 23 on a rib and they filled six ribs while we watched! That's a lot of bugs consumed by the swallows who eat constantly most of the day. I keep hoping they will fly up the hill between our house and Balchs where we have been seeing swarms of small black bugs. I got a house full last night just trying to let the cat out, but they seem to be short lived and were pretty much all dead on the window sills this am. We've also had box elder bugs, and of course, the oriental lady bugs getting into the house as well.

On Wednesday, March 27, when I got home from the YMCA water aerobics class, Jack told me about the three, yearling deer he had seen running across the yards and getting into the lake as if they had been flushed by hunters or dogs or people coming down the access lot. The leader (male?) took the point and the other two completed a triangle, all about 5 yards apart, and about 150 feet out from the shore. He watched them until they were out of sight around the bend. At that point the trailing deer seemed to be 15 to 20 yards behind. We wonder if anyone farther south saw them and know if they made it to shore safely.

At about that same time my crocuses were up through the ground and some of the yellow ones had opened while the others were all showing color, and then November struck again and they folded their petals and waited for warmth and sunshine. Not the Balch boys, tho. The boys have kept their tradition of swimming during spring break even though Mike Feldis reported that the water temperature was only 41°. Oh to be young again. On second thought, no thanks.

There are more people walking the road these days, and bikes have come out of winter storage too. It might be a good thing to remind all of us that the speed limit on Hilltop is only 25 mph. In another few weeks, school will be out and the kids will be running back and forth as well. Please stay alert and aware of those you are sharing the road with. The same rules apply to the use of the lake as well. There is room enough for all, but we must be aware of the rights of others. Here's to another fun and safe spring and summer season.

We have once again entered that time of year that drives me crazy--when Michigan and Indiana are on different times. I usually wind up either an hour early or an hour late. It is impossible to know which folks are on Indiana time and which are on Michigan--unless they have kids in school--and it becomes essential to state which time you are using. So we try to list both for your convenience. But if you don't figure it out, please don't ask me. l won't know either. It's gone beyond my mental abilities. Call someone who is in charge or at least can figure it out, and cheer for the end of October. (And write to your Indiana legislators and ask when Indiana is going to enter the new century.)

Master Gardener Program

Two Baldwin Lake residents recently completed the Master Gardener Program offered at Southwestern College. Alice Ann Troy and Charlotte Fletcher took the semester long course, that was held one evening per week. They will follow up with 40 hours of community service and then will receive their Master Gardener certificate.

One project they participated in was held at our own local school. They put in many hours helping Baldwin Prairie School beautify their property, planning 5 new garden areas, shopping for plants, making a presentation to the children at the school and then organizing a planting day with the kids. Another project that they would like to see happen is a Lakes Beautification project. (Perhaps you might be interested in helping them make this a reality)

They are also members of the Mason/Union Garden Club that meets one day per month, on the 2nd Tuesday. Alice Ann will be speaking at the June meeting held at Charlottes home at 12:30. The topic that day will be "Attracting Birds to Your Garden." If you would like to attend, please give Charlotte a call.

Did you know that the MSU extension in Cassopolis has a gardening hotline. From 1pm-4, on Tuesdays during the summer, you can call and ask the experts a question about your gardening needs.

I asked Charlotte to give us some gardening tips. Many of you know that while the fertilizer companies would like you to think that you should be fertilizing 4 times a year. Actually, twice a year is sufficient. Now, I knew that, and assumed that meant that I should fertilize early spring and again in the fall. Charlotte learned at a recent seminar that it is better to fertilize in late summer and late fall-think Labor Day and Thanksgiving. If you have fertilized in the fall, all you should need in the spring is weed killer. Another tip— break apart the roots on the store bought plants you buy, before you plant them. Press the soil around them firmly because air pockets are not good...Apply root stimulator for even better root growth.

Both Alice Ann and Charlotte are available to speak to groups about gardening topics.

Community Affairs
By Don Henke

We finally have a master plan for Porter Township. The Planning Commission approved the amended plan at the public meeting on March 20, 2002. This plan has important language that protects our lake communities from commercial development. Only residential development can occur around Porter Township Lakes in the future.

The law suits that have been filed on the zoning problems at Hollywood Shores Campground have been settled with an out of court settlement agreed upon by all parties. With this matter now completed, all parties can hopefully get back to normal. The matter concerning Willow Shores, however, is still not finalized. The owners by court order cannot place any boats in the water until a marina permit has been applied for and approved. The approval process should require a public hearing and we will keep all informed of when and where it will take place.

On a sad note, we were all heartbroken at the untimely and tragic passing of one of our members, Meredith Conte. "The Martha Stewart of Hilltop", as she was affectionately called by friends and neighbors, was the co-chair of our social committee. If you attended any BLA picnics, she and Carol Morris made these events a success. The games and skits were the result their creative talents. Her culinary talents caused people at our picnics to ask what dish Meredith brought. The planning and running the neighborhood progressive dinners, along with the fantastic food presented will always be remembered. The party favors and unique table gifts at our Christmas parties were a Meredith Conte touch. When you asked her to do something, you did not have worry that it would not be done. These attributes are so important to a volunteer organization such as ours. We will still have picnics and Christmas parties, but her influence and help will be missed along with her smile and bubbly personality. To Rick, and the circle of family and friends, we offer our deepest condolences; we can only convey this thought- No matter how dark the night, the sun will always shine tomorrow.

Women and Children’s Shelter

Needs Your Help

As you prepare for, and then take down your garage sale (June 8), keep the Shelter in mind. They are always in need of children's clothes and toys, personal hygiene items, bedding, staples and the like. If you have any items that you think that the Shelter could use, please bring them to Coe Strain or Joann Miller on Hilltop.

Calendar

MAY

20 BLA Advisors Mtg 7:00pm (IN) Township Bldg

27 Community Policing 7:00pm (MI) Township Bldg

JUNE

1 County Hazardous Waste Dropoff Cassopolis Fair Grounds

8 Lake Community Garage Sales

8 Township Clean Up American Waste/Mason St./Union

17 BLA Advisors Mtg 7:00pm (IN) Township Bldg

24 Community Policing 7:00pm (MI) Township Bldg