Volume 7 Issue 6 Nov. 2000
BALDWIN LAKE ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER
Volume 7 Issue 6 Nov. 2000
President’s Corner
We’re coming to the end of yet another year. I would like to thank everyone for their support of the Baldwin Lake Association and it’s activities over this past year.
Road clean-up was the 14th of October. Sadly, this is one area we can never seem to get enough help. We had 2 people do Pleasant, 6 on Sunset, and Komins took care of Hilltop. We could use a lot more help here than what we are getting.
As most of you know by now, Wightman/Petrie has been given the go-ahead to conduct the Feasibility study in Porter Township concerning the need for and cost of a sewer system. We are looking for volunteers from the area to form a small committee to be our communication link between Wightman/Petrie and the Township during the study process to keep us all up to date and informed. Give me a call if you are interested and available.
The Haunted Trail at the Dr. T. K. Lawless Park had a very successful turn out on October 13th and 14th The trails and activities were great, both for the younger and older "kids". Don’t miss it next year!
I would like to wish everyone the very best during the Holidays, and look forward to seeing the "snowbirds" return in the Spring.
Jeff Schaar
BLA President
Holiday Food Drive
The folks at Porter Emergency Services and Community Policing are once again asking residents to bring canned goods and food staples to the fire station. The food will be used to fill baskets for needy families during the holidays. Cash donations for turkeys, hams and perishable foods would be greatly appreciated, too. Drop off times this year are Tuesdays thru Thursdays, 6am-6pm. There will be a barrel outside the fire station for times when no one is in the building. You can bring your donation to the fire station from now up until the 10th of December.
Baldwin Lake History Book
The terrific, educational, and long awaited book, about the history of the Baldwin Lake area will be coming out the first part of December! The book contains interesting history as well as human interest stories about the people of the area. The title is The Windsong of Baldwin Prairie, and it includes stories about Union, facts about the prairie of long ago, and how the lake community developed. Here is a breakdown of the book by chapters:
Chapter 1 Prehistoric Times
Chapter 2 Indians of Michigan
Chapter 3 The French and British
Chapter 4 The Michigan Territory
Chapter 5 The Potawatomi of Cass County
Chapter 6 The Pioneer Era (1828-1840)
Chapter 7 The Farming Community (1840-1899)
Chapter 8 Farms and Summer Cottages (1900-1939)
Chapter 9 The Big Building Boooooom! (1940-1969)
Chapter 10 Sunset and Sunrise (1970-2000)
Read your book and learn how the lakes were formed, visit with the many Indian tribes who inhabited our area, see our area during the time of the explorers and the making of a state, join with the pioneers in their challenging lives, and see Union and the lakes community grow before your eyes.
Order your book now using the following order form, and be assured that there is a copy reserved for you. They’ll make great holiday gifts!
The price of the approximately 180 page, 8" x 10", soft bound book is $25.00. If you are going South, be sure to include your winter address and an additional $3.50/book for postage costs. We will send the book to you before Christmas.
The Windsong of Baldwin Prairie
ORDER FORM
Name ________________________________
Phone ________________________________
Address _______________________________
_______________________________
Number of Books Ordered ___________
Total Cost of Books ($25.00/book) ________
Shipping ($3.50/book) ___________
Total Amount Enclosed ___________
Mail order form to: BLA History Book
P.O.Box 311
Union, MI 49130-0311
HAVE YOU SEEN THE SPEED TRAILER?
The speed trailer, flashing you your speed as compared to the speed limit, has been in this area already, and will be back. It has been purchased with the proceeds of the first three years of the Haunted Woods week-end put on by Community Policing groups throughout the county. This year half of the proceeds will establish a scholarship in memory of deputy Shane Britton, killed enroute to a domestic violence call this summer. The other half will be used to equip the squad cars with digital cameras officers can use to take pictures at the scene, look at them, and retake, if necessary. And as usual, there will be a slice of the pie for the Parks Department.
Dr. Lawless Park is ideal for the Haunted Woods activity, and the park people could not have been any more helpful and cooperative. We are fortunate to have this park so close to us. If you have not been there, fall would be a great time to get acquainted with it. There are several walking trails, bike trails, Frisbee golf course, a playground, a ball diamond and picnic areas. And in the winter there is cross country skiing. For residents, a $1 parking fee is all it will cost you. Check it out. You will be glad you did.
Water Quality
By Mike Miller
A lake is the landscape’s most beautiful and expressive feature. It is earth’s eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature."
Henry David ThoreauWith fall upon us, our water testing for the season is complete. Following is a summary of our results. Thank-you to Mike Feldes and Fred Studebrandt for the generous volunteering of their time in taking the bi-weekly tests. It is truly appreciated.
|
North End |
Little Baldwin |
Middle-Main Lake |
South End |
|
|
2000 |
8’7" |
9’9" |
9’7" |
9’6" |
|
1999 |
9’8" |
9’8" |
9’8" |
9’3" |
|
1998 |
8’7" |
9’1" |
8’3" |
7’4" |
*Values represent the seasonal average taken bi-weekly May through September.
Surface water temp.: Coolest—May– 64º Warmest—August –79º
This is approximately 10º cooler than 1999. Observed more green algae June through August. Most likely due to reduced precipitation and increased weed growth caused by moderate winter i.e. reduced ice/snow cover that normally kills weeds down to a deeper depth.
Phosphorus Tests-Spring and Summer
Participated in the DEQ/MLSA State program. Two test periods will show comparative variances from early spring after the lake has been dormant vs. increased activity levels, rain runoff, etc. The results will be reported to us ober the winter and will be made available at that time.
Fecal Coliform
Our first test in July comprised of 5 sites, were all well within acceptable levels except for the channel entering on the north end through the campground. Three re-tests along the length of the channel were taken in an attempt to identify the point-source. Two were within acceptable levels while the third was slightly higher than acceptable. This will be carefully monitored next season and any repeated abnormalities reported to the proper authorities for correction.
Coe’s Coos
By Coe Strain
We traded our humming bird feeders for the winter feeders. The finch feeders stay up all year long. The gold finches especially are so bright and beautiful in summer. I still remember the first time I saw them. We had just moved up here in the fall, and during spring vacation I was cleaning upstairs and thought we had a million (well, a lot) of dandelions. And suddenly they began to move around . They were working the dandelions. So far I've seen a pair of tit mouses (or mice,) take your pick, chickadees, nuthatches, lots of blue jays, and one small hairy downy woodpecker. That's how we refer to both types. Can't tell them apart unless they are next to one another and that rarely happens. By the way, the smaller one is the downy and the bigger one is the hairy. No cardinals yet. About ten days ago, I came in from somewhere and walked up to the table for another ""cuppa"", and sitting on the cross bar for our feeders was a beautiful hawk. He had a brown head, and a speckled chest and white under belly. I was amazed because he did not move anything except his head from side to side for about a half an hour. I took some pictures from inside and was hoping to catch him when he flew, but I missed that. We about decided that he was a Coopers hawk.
Yesterday we took one of our fall rides around the lake. I think we have about hit the peak of the color in this area. There are many bright and beautiful spots all around the lake. I especially like the red maples, but my favorite is my own sweet gum tree. It is just now beginning to change its colors. Its about the last tree to put out its leaves in the spring and the last one to loose them in the fall. The best part is the shape of the tree itself and its leaves and the fact that some are yellow, others red,. some stay green and some get almost purple---all at the same time.
We have been having glorious fall weather this year. Get out and enjoy it. A good rain, which we all need or a big wind and all this beautiful color will be all over our yards and we'll be complaining about cleaning it up. Let's be thankful for the fullness of our lives in this beautiful spot.
Environmental Issues
By Mike Miller
Exotic Aquatic Invaders
Purple Loosestrife
-beetle release program in June at north end will hopefully be repeated at the inlet between the main lake and Little Baldwin providing we get the landowners permission.Zebra Mussels
-with the removal of piers, boats, and diving rafts, none have been reported in Baldwin Lake. Long Lake has reported the presence on these pests in their lake.Through a program with the DEQ, the lake association obtained metal signs advising users of the lake to wash off their boats, empty bilges, etc. prior to launching their watercraft especially in the vessel had recently been in another water body that was possibly infested with zebra mussels or Eurasian milfoil weeds. The signs are precautionary measures to help reduce the spread of "undesirables" in Michigan’s waters. Signs are posted at all the public access ramps.
We have always wondered if Baldwin had an established legal water level. Through research, we found that it was documented by a court order in October of 1972 at 755’ above sea level in the summer, and 754’ in the winter. Indiana Lake is 4-5’ higher than Baldwin, while Long/Coverdale is .5-1.0’ lower. (Hopefully, the placement of signs at the public access sites and the lower level of Long Lake will be enough to keep the Zebra Mussels from getting into our lake - Baldwin empties into Long, not vice-versa)
All members are receiving an 8 page publication titled "Your Lake and You". It is an interesting compilation covering a variety of subjects that helps to explain and understand "why" this lake association undertakes many of the projects that we do. The health of this lake and the entire ecosystem depends on "YOU". Put all of the "YOU’s" together and it means "US". We all have to take responsibility for what we do. If there is a problem, we must treat the causes, not the symptoms. Please read through this and retain it for future reference.
FALL BLOOD DRIVE MEETS GOAL
A grateful thank you to our Union community, Pastor Neff and his flock, and Mrs. Ziegler, who all helped to make our fall blood drive a success. Our goal was 60 pints, and we had 65 people present. Some had to be rejected if they had low iron levels or had been in certain areas outside our country. Never the less, we actually collected 57 pints of blood. These are made into four different blood products and can help as many as four different people. Thank you for giving the gift of life.
Blood supplies in this country are extremely low. Our twice a year drives are an effort to make giving blood as simple and as pleasant as possible. Part of the problem is that people with tattoos and body piercing are not eligible for a sustained period of time. Another part is that we are so busy these days, it is hard to find the time to get to blood centers. Our hope is that more people will be able to get to the fire station at least twice a year. We have several people in this area who need blood products on a regular basis. Maybe for our March drive we can set a higher goal.
Baldwin Lake Association
7th Annual Semi-Formal Christmas Dinner Dance
Saturday, December 2
The Round Oak Restaurant
Downtown Dowagiac
Cocktails 6:30 PM Dinner 7:30 PM
MENU
Entrée
(Your choice of)
Prime Rib
Walleye
Chicken Cordon Bleu
Lake Perch
Baked Potato
Begetable
Salad Bar
Rolls
Coffee, Tea and Soft Drinks
Dessert Table
Music By Marge Dudeck and Paul Jones
Baldwin Lake Association Dinner Dance
$20.00/person
RSVP By November 15
Names_____________________________________________________
Address____________________________________________________
Phone_______________________
Number Attending_____________
**********************************************
Check Your Choice
____ Prime Rib
____ Walleye
____ Chicken Cordon Bleu
____ Lake Perch
Return reservation and check to:
Carol Morris
70646 Hilltop Dr.
Union, MI 49130
Or
Meredith Conte
70272 Hilltop Dr.
Union, MI 49130
District Highlights
By Coe Strain
Like Sunset, Hilltop is too long and has too many homes one person to cover, so it is divided into Districts 5 and 6. The line is between Strain's and Balsch's, the approximate half way point. This issue will focus on District 5, the south end. Carol Morris is the advisor. She and her husband Lee live on the back side of Hilltop, at the far south end. Meredith Conte and Sue Sicko both lend a hand getting out the newsletters and are on the social committee. Carol is a past Lake Association vice-president, and has been involved in the association since the beginning. Lee, along with Bob Babcock, was instrumental in getting the Crime Watch program together. Recently, Lee has been engrossed in genealogy, and has in fact, published a book documenting his family history.
At the very south end of the road on the lake side we have newly (well, fairly newly) weds: Arlene and Lou Dempsey in their remodeled and expanded home. We enjoy their great garden, and the horse in front of the house, awaiting a rider to match the season. Right now it is a scarecrow. Arlene has owned and managed the Four Square restaurant in Edwardsburg, and has been joined there by her daughter Lisa who is currently running the restaurant and has built a two story house on the back side of the road. Arlene's brother Tony Wydajewski bought and remodeled a house farther up the road.
But Arlene is not the only one to have family around her. George and Janet Moyer bought the house that was on the property they have now. They took the top story off and moved it across the street to a lot they owned there, bulldozed the lower level out and lived in the upper level while they built their house. For several years they rented the little white house, and when daughter Heidi and Andy Scupham set the wedding date, it was theirs. After much remodeling, they have a great house, and a lovely yard and flowers. And Mark Huggett's sister bought Jack and Betty Benson 's house.
Several of the early home owners at that south end also bought lots on the back side of the road using their lots across the road for gardening purposes and for utility buildings. In the last four years, all but a couple of those lots have been sold and built on. All of these people are part of the Hilltop Homes Association, to pay the taxes on the two ingress and egress lots owned jointly. Rick Conte is currently the president.
The Humphries, Bill and Linda, were first campers, then owners of a cottage at the north end, and now own the log house. Craig and Connie Fulmer have had their summer home here since before we moved up 25 years ago. Craig enjoys his sail boat, and both enjoy having their children and grand children up here. The little grey cottage down on the shore belongs to Chuck and Nancy Miller and goes back a long way. Two other Millers, Marion and Debby and Willie and Sharon have their homes in this district. That's half of the six Millers in our association, and as far as I know, none of them are related. I believe that Dan and Diane Stout were also here before we were, along with Ken and Marge Koscielny. I always got a chuckle out of the sign on their pontoon boat--"Marge's Mink", and I'll bet she got more joy out of that boat than she ever would have from a mink.
To see tall, slender Ken walking every day no matter what the weather, one would not suspect that he was "connected" to the Capone family. When he lived in Chicago he pumped gas for Al and knew his mother who lived only three blocks away. Al's brother tried to hire him as a pilot. It's probably a good thing for Ken that he didn't take that job.
Born in 1918, in Hurley, Wisconsin, Ken went to school in Ironwood Michigan. He entered the service in July of 1943. He flew B52s, and instructed pilots for the Air Force for two years. He and Marge were married in August 1941. They had been married 53 years when Marge died in 1994.
After Ken left the service, he lived in Texas, Missouri, North Dakota, Illinois and Ironwood, MI. He built his home on Hilltop by himself and has been there for 40 years. After a stroke, his doctor suggested he take up walking. Now, no matter what the weather, Ken walks from his home out to Baldwin Prairie Road and back again. For a long time he was accompanied by a dog my kids called French Fries because when it would get loose it almost always turned up here and the kids would feed him french fries. I can't remember what Ken called him.
It makes me wonder what other stories there might be in the homes around our lake. Lets all get to know our neighbors. They are a great collection of interesting people. Knowing our neighbors is what keeps us safe and builds a strong community. Let me know of the other interesting stories you find in the people around you.
A lot has been happening in our area over the last few weeks. A public hearing was held on the CR 17 extension road. The road is for sure, and the roadway will be 150ft wide, 4 lanes, with 8ft paved shoulders, and be built entirely in Porter Township. CR4 will be blocked at both sides of the new road, and stop signs will be placed at State Line Road and Wayne Street for traffic control. Traffic should be using the road after the construction season 2002.
Community Affairs
By Don Henke
The Porter Township Board at its September meeting voted to proceed with the feasibility study for a wastewater collection system (sewers) in Porter Township, as was outlined in the Master Plan. A committee of representatives from the lakes and the town of Union are being set up. This committee has no power to vote on any thing pertaining to this study, but is only being formed to be a conduit back to their areas with important information on this project. There will be many public meetings outlining the progress of the study and we will keep all our residents informed as to its status.