Baldwin Lake Association Newsletter  

An Anchor for our Community

May 2004 Volume 11 Issue 3

The Coe Report
      Many of you are aware that Coe Strain had a serious car accident last month in Texas.   Coe was instrumental in starting Baldwin Lake Association as well as Community Policing.   The car accident resulted in the death of her son, Tom.   Coe suffered a collapsed lung, several broken ribs, pelvic and collarbone injuries and a head injury.   She was in a coma for several days and on a ventilator for a few weeks.   Good News!   She is awake and alert though not speaking yet, being weaned from the ventilator, and is awaiting air ambulance transport to the Michiana area for rehab.
      As of right now, Coe does not seem to remember the accident.   Her daughters, Peg and Sandy are trying to only give her only general information, hoping to have her as strong as possible before she learns about the accident or about Tom.
      You can send cards to her at home now, but do not mention Tom.   Her address is 70219 Hilltop Road, Union, MI 49130.
            The Porter Twp. Community Policing Committee has established a special fund at the First Savings Bank for Coe and her family to use when they are able to transport her back to the community.
      Donations can be made to:

Coe Strain Assistance Fund
c/o First Savings Bank
P. O. Box 298
Union, MI 49130

President’s Corner
      One important item for BLA members to think about is the officers to be elected/reelected at the Annual Meeting July 17th 2004.   Prior to the 2000 Annual meeting there were many discussions, often heated, regarding mosquito spraying.   The cautions on the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) were discussed & cussed.   One item the MSDS noted was the possible harm to rats ingesting a certain amount of Dibrom daily.   Based on the dilution rate for spraying, the rat had to ingest every drop on ¾ acre every day.   Since no rat can cover that area that quickly, plus the fact that we don’t spray daily, it was felt that the danger, if any, was minimal.   We still did a survey of homes and, with well over 100 responses, fewer than 5 felt we should not spray.   Mosquito spraying in 2001 apparently resulted in people quitting BLA.
      In August of 2001 the Township Board requested Lake Associations do a survey of all landowners (taxpayers) regarding the desire for a sewer, using the costs projected at the June 14th meeting.   71% of the Baldwin Lake responses (again over 110) were in favor and many comments showed emphatic favor even though they had put in a septic within 3 to 8 years.   Once the sewer was approved by the Township Board, at less than the 2001 costs, a number of people indicated they were quitting BLA or thinking about it..
            Apparently officers that follow the majority’s opinion reduce the BLA membership.

      Tona Ambrosen, Flotilla Committee Chair, with help from the previous Chairs, has been planning for the Fifth Baldwin Lake Association Flotilla on July 3rd 2004.   It would be of appreciated if the people interested in having a float entered would contact us as soon as possible, either by e-mail baldwin-lake-366@mlswa.org, by phone, snail-mail (P.O. Box 311) or in person, of their intent.

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

      We are ready to start 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.

      H.C. Scot Billings
      BLA President




TRIVIA
    1. - What is a 6 letter word beginning & ending with a vowel, but with no other vowels in between?

    2. - What insect can fly between 50 & 60 mph?

    3. - What is an infant beaver called?

    4. - What is the name of the dog on the Cracker Jack box?

    5. - What portion of time is a jiffy?

    6. - What is the offspring of a male horse & a female donkey?

    7. - You are more likely to be a target of mosquitoes if you consume ...?

    answers below.




********************************************************

MOSQUITO SPRAYING


Name__________________________________________________________________

Lake Address:

____________________________________________________________

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

Comments: __________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

Please send form and Check to:

BLA

P.O. Box 311

Union, MI 49130

********************************************************





   2004 Flotilla or NOT? 
      We have been asking for an idea of those interested in the Fifth BLA Flotilla July 3, 2004 since the November 2003 issue.   It is May and the officers have yet to get definite confirmation of interest from anyone by phone, e-mail, snail-mail or in person.   We are continuing with the planning phase in hopes that some definite interest is forthcoming.   If sufficient definite interest is not forthcoming by June 5th we will need to skip 2004 as well.



Trivia Answers
    1. - Asthma; 2. - Dragonfly; 3. - Kitten; 4. - Bingo; 5. - 1/100th of a second; 6. - A hinny; 7. - Bananas



        May 17-26 is Michigan Week


        Why do people live in Michigan?   Is it for the tranquility of the lakes, the chance to escape into a lush forest to get in touch with nature?   Or is it because Michigan is home to the world's largest Holstein Herd?   Or perhaps because the nation's first pinball machine was manufactured in Detroit in 1910.

        In any case, Michiganians should hold their head high & honor Michigan Week.   In the spirit of Michigan Week, here are 7 of the oddest things you'll never need to know, but should know, about your state.

      1.   Michigan is extraterrestrial friendly.   In May 1967, over 200 students reported a "ball of fire" whirling over the Campus of MSU.   Don't believe in aliens or UFO's?   Ingham County Sheriffs reported the sighting as well.

      2.   Ann Arbor is the nation's largest manufacturer of portable toilet systems.   Insert your own joke here.

      3.   Michigan cares about having a proper funeral for pets.   Hoegh Industries in Gladstone is the largest manufacturer of pet caskets, selling more than 1,500 a year.

      4.   Colon is where the world's largest manufacturer of magic supplies puts David Copperfield to shame.

      5.   In Michigan, a rat problem can be a source of income.   There is a 10 cent bounty for a rat's head brought to any town office.

      6.   Lloyd G. Coleman of Flint invented the first rubber ice cube tray.   If not for him, just think how much harder it would be to make iced tes.

      7.   Michigan is concerned about the welfare of its swamp-dwelling reptiles.   It is illegal in this state to chain an alligator to a fire hydrant.