An Anchor for our Community

President’s Corner

      We had a rather bad year for mosquitoes, partly because the weather was very erratic. We had included the campgrounds because we were told, last year, by some of the campers that they would donate in 2003 but we have yet to receive any donations from any of them. Obviously the campgrounds will not be included in 2004 unless funds come in from that group prior to the mosquito season. We used a majority of the finances that we had set aside for mosquito spraying.

      The general thinking seems to be that each year the mosquito population will be getting worse for a while. At this rate we will apparently start the year with a small cushion in the Mosquito Fund and we would prefer not to need to reach into the General Fund. For that reason we would appreciate members and other residents helping bring the cushion back to a safe size.

      Complete details for the 2003 Christmas Dinner/Dance will be found elsewhere in the newsletter. It will be at Brian’s Piano Bar in Mishawaka on Saturday evening, December 6th and the cost is apparently $26 per person with cocktails at 6:30 P.M. (IN) and dinner at 7:30 P.M.

      The results from the Secchi Disk and Fecal Coliform tests for the year are shown on the Website and are again posted elsewhere in this newsletter. We are thinking of leaving this year’s page on the Website and starting a new one for 2004 so that comparisons can be made.

      We did not have a 2003 Flotilla because a week or so prior to the planned date we still had no entries. If we have one in 2004 it will be July 3rd. We are still looking for a committee Chair for the 2004 Flotilla so they can, with help, have time to plan for the Flotilla. It would be of assistance to that person if those interested in having a float would contact us in early June, either by e-mail, phone, snail-mail or in person, of their desire.

      Please check the Community Affairs article for quite a few interesting items including a resumption of the Road Clean-Up program. Some community support would be appreciated.

      We hope to see many of you at our Association meetings which are scheduled for the third Monday of the month 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

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CHRISTMAS IDEA!!

Order your Baldwin Lake shirt now!

 

Patti 641-5512

No pocket on women's shirt

This denim-style shirt comes in blue, white, or ivory - long or short sleeve shirts.
The shirts have red, white, & blue sailboats above the pocket & say "Baldwin Lake" beneath the design.

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      COMMUNITY AFFAIRS


      A big thank you must be given to both Keith and Robin Linzy for their work in restoring the warning signs in the channel into little Baldwin. They have been constructed in a way that will allow them to be removed in the “off season” (winter) which will not expose them to potential vandalism.

      A big thank you must be said to all who helped clean our roads this spring. The effort we are sure is appreciated by the whole lake community. I wish we could say the same for our fall clean-up. For the first time since 1994 we failed to fulfill our road clean-up commitment. Most people just were to busy to help out. The few who could would have made the task impossible. This project is an important one and does help present our community in a positive way. This is one project that with community involvement can be a very easy task to accomplish. We have lost some of our “always there” cleaning people due to job relocation and moving to other communities. We need people to help replace them. The work is not hard, but the pay is poor. Just think of it as spending about 1 hour getting some exercise and helping to beautify your community. We sure hate to see Baldwin Lake Association no longer be involved in such a worthwhile endeavor. If any community resident is interested in becoming involved in this project please give me a call and we will put you on our clean-up list.

      Another important piece of information is the resignation of our Township Supervisor Larry Carroll. Mr. Carroll resigned at the regular township board meeting on Tuesday October 14, 2003. In his resignation letter no specific reason was provided but his health we feel was a major factor in his decision. We have worked with Mr. Carroll and the other Township Board members over the years and we wish him well. We wish he could have completed his term but one has to make decisions in the moment. Good Luck Larry!

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      COMMUNITY POLICING


      Cathy Brown, from the Domestic Assault Shelter Coalition was the guest speaker at the September meeting. The shelter is located in Three Rivers, and it serves Porter Township as well as other communities in Cass and St. Joseph Counties. Cathy indicated that the thing the Shelter needed the most was some dedicated volunteers to plan and participate in children’s activities and to serve as a community outreach person for survivors of domestic violence. The Shelter will provide the necessary training needed for the volunteers.

      You might be thinking that domestic violence doesn’t happen in our neighborhood or in Porter Township, so why should I be concerned or interested? Our Community Policing Officer, Kim Sharma, reported to us that in Porter Township we have had 8 domestic assaults just in the last two months! Whether the victim is your neighbor, a friend, or even a stranger the thing they need the most is someone to reach out and support them in their time of need. Think about it-you could be that volunteer!

      If you are interested, or have questions about becoming a volunteer for the Shelter, please call 1-800-445-4450.

Domestic Assault Shelter Wish List
Sturdy vacuum cleaner
Shop Vac
Bissel Steam Carpet Cleaner
19” television
Clothes dressers/wardrobes
Alarm clocks
Crib sheets
Twin size bed sheets and pillow cases
Bath and kitchen towels
Nightgowns and slippers
Pre-paid phone cards
Pre-paid gas cards
Batteries-all sizes
Baby wipes, diapers (large)
Baby juice
Paper products -Kleenex,cups,toilet paper and towels
Feminine sanitary products
60 watt light bulbs
Bulbs for track lighting- 60 watt and smaller
Garbage/trash bags
Cleaning/laundry supplies
Journals/notebooks
Bulk meat
African-American hair care products
Large Rubbermaid containers
Plastic freezer/refrigerator containers/bags
Silverware/tableware
Brooms, mops, dust pans
Paint by number kits
Latch hook rug kits
Snap together model kits (no glue)

Call Sue 641-5218

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COMMUNITY POLICING

      On November 24th, at 7:00 PM at the Porter Township Hall, Community Policing will have 2 guest speakers. Sue Colley, Executive Director of Council on Aging will share with us, highlights of C.O.A., and give an overview of Senior safety, as well as what’s planned for 2004. Patty Carlisle Senior Safety Coordinator will give an update of community policing activities. If time permits, we will have a power point presentation on C.O.A. activities and will unveil a new newsletter geared to the individual townships highlighting the Cass C.O.A., senior safety activities, and community policing.
This is an open meeting. Please join us for this informative evening!

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      Water/Environmental News


      I am going to start a regular article through this committee where we can share facts, tid-bits, food for thought, or any helpful information that can help inform us, amuse us, teach us about our surroundings, make us think, or just share old stories about Baldwin Lake or lakes in general. The source of information needs to be declared by resource, origin, or publication. Keep in mind that not everything in print is necessarily true but we will use our best judgment and resources before we pass it on. Also if someone has info to show us different, please do. This will be an educational and informative article, not carved in stone. So here we go;

      1. In the state of Michigan, there is some type of a body of water every 6 miles, streams, ponds, rivers, or lakes. [ DEQ information]

      On October 18, 2002 President Bush proclaimed the next 12 months to be the “Year of Clean Water”. [EPA of Washington DC]

      Septic tanks need to be pumped every two years for a family of 3, more often if you have more people or use garbage disposals, dishwashers, washer and dryers, or live where there are high water tables. [State of Michigan Health Dept.]

      A front load washer uses less water than a top load washer. The average top loader uses 40 gallons per load. The average front loader only uses 22 gallons per load. The draw back - front loaders start at $700.00 but well worth it if you need to conserve water usage. [Consumer Reports 2002]

      Storm sewers do not go to a sewage treatment plant but flow directly to streams and lakes. Most systems are designed to remove water quickly during rainstorms. Rainwater picks up pollutants on its way. This allows pollutants to reach streams and lakes at a rapid speed. [DEQ] [The article went on to remind people to be careful what they dump, grow, or use around storm sewers.]

      If you have lake trivia, facts, or info to share, please send to BLA PO Box 311 Union, Mi. 49130 in c/o Carol Erbe. Please send your resource with your information. You must also include your name and phone number so I can verify info. You may also use the BLA web site to email us.

Carol Erbe - Water/Environmental Chairperson

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      FROM THE ERBE'S


      Van and I want to “Thank” the lake community for all of your support and prayers. In May, Van was diagnosed with Acute M4 Myeloblastic Leukemia. The disease was 4 to 6 weeks old, mostly hits white middle aged men, and was told he had 2 weeks to live if not aggressively treated. The first round of chemo was very intense, with many side effects because of Van’s weakened state. Then we dealt with a month of pneumonia. Round two went a lot better physically but mentally was hard being locked in isolation for 26 days. We are halfway done with chemo - approximately four doses of chemo are required to get the leukemia into long-term remission. Our goal is to be done before X-mas. The prognosis looks good for Van.

      So many of you have stepped up and became a wonderful support system for our family. Karen Balch set up a meal schedule to help supply meals so that the boys, Van and I eat healthy meals. This has helped so much saving shopping time, preparation time, cleanup time and monetarily. Thank You from the bottom of our hearts [and tummies]. When Van is in the hospital, I spend my evenings there after work. It helps so much knowing there is something good for the boys to eat at home. Also Van is so tired of hospital food that at times I take a meal up for him to enjoy too! Thanks again.

      Some people have stepped up in other types of support. Cards, phone calls, prayers, rides for our kids, returning dishes, doing my water tests for me, hugs, and a lot of kindness from the heart. Thank You to each and everyone. We will never forget.

      The Baldwin Lake Community is a strong, kind, loving, and touching community. We are very lucky to live at Baldwin Lake !!!

Love Carol and Van Erbe

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Baldwin Lake Association
10th Annual Christmas Dinner Dance
Saturday December 6, 2003
Bryan’s Piano Bar
2410 Mishawaka Ave.
Mishawaka,IN.
574-251-0542

Cocktail hour 6:30 PM             Dinner 7:30 PM
Appetizers and Gourmet Buffet
This will be the best party yet!
Join us...Bring your neighbors!

The food is great.
The entertainment is Broadway quality.
Dance until your heart is content
Ample parking. Park in any business lot EXCEPT THE PARTY STORE Lot.

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Please send your reservation and check for $26.00 per person to:
Carol Morris     70646 Hilltop Dr. Union, MI. 49130
Please let us know by NOV.30th

Make checks payable to "BLA"

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