It is October by the calendar, but feels more like July or August. I guess we should be grateful since cold weather lasts long enough here in Michigan.
By now most of you have probably seen or at least heard about the recent infestation of Zebra Mussels. They are here and, outside of possibly of clogging water intake devices on boat engines and outboards, and leaving very sharp shells when the organism dies they are relative harmless, and we will need to find a way to coexist. Residents of some lakes have reported that their numbers seem to decrease with time.
We received an email from a resident who advised that he was not going to join the association since he heard that our finances are secret. They are not secret and members are encourage to attend monthly meetings of the Advisory Board as well as the annual meeting where treasurer’s reports are given and questions can be asked. We are a not for profit organization and abide by all the requirements of that status.
I have also heard that the some residents believe that the association is involved in elections, and community or political issues. The truth is the association is made up of individuals and families with their own agendas for voting and supporting issues or causes. Occasionally some piece of legislature or issue will come up that is of particular interest to lake property owners that we will make known to residents to consider supporting or defeating. We try to keep you informed. On that note, please remember to vote November 6th at the Township Hall in Mottville on the White Pigeon School millage issue.
Information regarding our annual Holiday Dinner Dance is included in this news letter. We have kept the cost the same and are still having delicious food and dynamic entertainment. This will be the first and only notice you will get so mark your calendar and send in your reservations ASAP as there will be a limit of 100 guests. Our committees have worked hard to make this a great party, one more time.
The Advisory Board will be needing help this coming year with Community Affairs reporting, some aspects of water quality testing, and with the Speakers’ Forum we are hoping to host this spring, as well as the other activities. Please decide that this is the year you will take an active part in the association directly involved in your lake, neighborhood and community. Our meetings are the third Monday of the month except for July and December at the Cass County Conservation Club at 7:00pm.
More information about the association is on our web site: mlswa.org/baldwin-lake-366
Alice Ann Troy - BLA President
Hollywood Shores Development
We are sure everyone has heard the rumors about whatever is being developed at Hollywood Shore Campground. We hope with this article we can put everyone’s fears and thoughts to rest. The Porter Township Planning Commission on September 6th approved with conditions a Planned Unit Development (PUD) for that site. The Porter Township Board supported that plan at its regular township meeting. A PUD is a development ordinance that allows a municipality to permit development with relaxed rules in exchange for the developer to provide “open space” that cannot be developed. The PUD for Hollywood Shores permits 16 homes, 16 separate “garages” and requires that no parking of any type of vehicle or trailer be on the common ground property. The exiting boat ramp will be closed to the public and can only be utilized by the home owners. The PUD permits the mooring of 28 watercraft, subject to the approval of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. The mooring of these watercrafts is restricted to the property owners only. The PUD also permitted the relocation of the turnaround at the end Of Terrie Shore Road to be re- located to the south, again subject to the approval of the Cass County Road Commission. A plan of this project is available to review at the Porter Township Administration Building.
This is the first step of a multi phase process. The PUD does not require detailed plans on dwellings and such but is a device for a developer to know he has preliminary approval to build so he can proceed with the purchase of the property, which, as this is being written, is taking place. The next step will be the submitting both engineering and dwelling type plans as a “site condominium” project. Don’t let the word condominium trouble you as these dwellings will be single family homes, and they must comply with the same building code all other Lake Residential homes must comply with. Site condominium just means that all the property in the complex will be owned by a Home Owner Association whose by-laws will be part of the deed for the property. This project will be a plus for Porter Township as it will remove a less than desirable property and turn it into a very upscale residential community. The BLA will provide information on all future public hearings on the project.
LAKE INFORMATION
by Don Henke
We have completed our Secchi disk readings for 2007 and again Baldwin Lake has become clearer from previous years. The average lake depth reading over the past 3 years have shown remarkable improvement. The 2005 average depth reading was 10 feet 6 inch followed by 13 feet 4 inches in 2006, and 15 feet 11 inches this year. The first reading in May resulted in the disk hitting the lake bottom when we could no longer see it at one of the reading sites. The readings gradually became less as the boating season began but they were better than previous levels in the 2 prior years during the same time period. We don’t think this trend can continue and the readings should level off to what they are currently. A complete history can be found on the Baldwin Lake web site.We have completed our Secchi disk readings for 2007 and again Baldwin Lake has become clearer from previous years. The average lake depth reading over the past 3 years have shown remarkable improvement. The 2005 average depth reading was 10 feet 6 inch followed by 13 feet 4 inches in 2006, and 15 feet 11 inches this year. The first reading in May resulted in the disk hitting the lake bottom when we could no longer see it at one of the reading sites. The readings gradually became less as the boating season began but they were better than previous levels in the 2 prior years during the same time period. We don’t think this trend can continue and the readings should level off to what they are currently. A complete history can be found on the Baldwin Lake web site.
The water level in Baldwin Lake has not once gone below our legal height of 755.00 feet above sea level when read. We did reach a level of 755.45 feet after the rainy period in August. The mild drought conditions started with Michiana being 5 inches below normal for the year and after that extensive rainy period, we were 7 inches above normal. That resulted in the lake being just short of 6 inches over normal pool. We will continue our monitoring of both of these important issues in the future.
Judy's Jottings
Submitted by Judy Kankel
At the Feeder: Have you ever noticed the starlings and many other birds picking up something off the ground and rubbing their feathers with it? It a bird practice is called “anting.” They pick up ants in their bills and rub their feathers because ants secrete formic acid which kills parasites living on or under the birds’ feathers. To keep the birds coming to eat, here is a tried and true suet recipe you can freeze in containers:
Mix 1 cup crunchy peanut butter and 1 cup lard and heat in microwave to melt. Stir in 2 cups quick-cooking oats, 2 cups cornmeal, 1 cup flour and 1/3 cup sugar. You can also add some raisins and bird seed to this if you would like, but it is not necessary.
Freeze in containers until used. Woodpeckers especially like this mixture.
In the Garden: Time to get the flowerbeds ready for winter. Cut off all dead growth from perennials to avoid fungus and diseases in the plants. Now is the time to collect seeds from plants so you can share them with friends. About the end of October you can plant spring flowering bulbs including tulips, crocus, hyacinth, daffodil, etc. Fall means cooler mornings, cooler evenings, leaves changing color and falling, boats taken out of the water, sweatshirts, but my favorite part of fall is the flowers: asters, autumn joy sedum, mums, Japanese anemone and the very best of all….sweet autumn clematis with its’ wonderful fragrance and thousands of little star-shaped flowers.
From my Kitchen: Another family favorite: --
Sweet and Sour Green Beans
4 slices bacon, cut up small and cooked -
(save the drippings)
1 onion, sliced
˝ tsp. salt
2 T. brown sugar
Ľ tsp. dry mustard
2 T. vinegar
2 or 3 cups green beans, canned or freshly cooked
Fry bacon. Remove from drippings. Add onion to drippings and cook until transparent. Stir in remaining seasonings and return to heat to get warm. When mixed well, pour over hot cooked beans.
You will get compliments!
Needless Information, but interesting:
Catfish have over 27,000 taste buds.
Elephants are the only animals that can’t jump.
A cockroach can live 9 days without it’s’ head until
it starves to death.
The strongest muscle in the human body is the tongue.
FASHION DO’S AND DON’TS FOR SENIORS
Some things just don’t go well together:
A nose ring with bifocals
Spiked hair with bald spots
A pierced tongue with dentures
Miniskirts with support hose
Ankle bracelets with corn pads
Speedos with cellulite
A belly-button ring with a gallbladder scar
Unbuttoned shirts with a heart monitor
Midriff shirts with midriff bulge
Bikinis with liver spots
Short shorts with varicose veins
Inline skates with a walker
October Is 'Michigan Car-Deer Crash Safety Awareness Month'
October and November are two of the most dangerous months in Michigan for car-deer crashes. Car-deer crashes in Michigan cause at least $130 million in damage annually, with an average cost of $2,135 per vehicle. Last year, 12 people lost their lives in deer crashes and another 1,477 were injured. Although motorists should be aware of deer at all times, 80 percent of all car-deer crashes occur on two-lane roads between dusk and dawn. Deer are herd animals and frequently travel in single file. If you see one deer cross the road, chances are there are more waiting.
The Michigan Deer Crash Coalition, an organization dedicated to reducing car-deer crashes, reminds drivers that they should not swerve to avoid hitting a deer. Police statistics show that most motorist deaths and injuries occur when drivers swerve to avoid hitting the deer and strike a fixed object, such as a tree or another vehicle. No one wants to see the deer destroyed, but striking the animal is often the safest action.
MICHIGAN BOATING & OTHER LAKE FACTS
The following boating violations are considered a civil infraction with fines up to $500:
Failing to follow an established speed limit
Not properly displaying a vessel’s “certificate number”
Towing a person on water skis in the evening or night, specifically one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise
RESPONSIBILITY UNDER LAW
The owner of any vessel operated upon the waters of this state is personally responsible for any damage to life or property resulting from a wake or swell created by the negligent operation or propulsion of the vessel, if the vessel is being operated with his or her consent.
RAFTS
Whenever, in the opinion of the DNR, an anchored raft presents a hazard to navigation, the department may order its relocation or removal.
DEFINITIONS
MARSH: A frequently or continually inundated wetland characterized by emergent herbaceous vegetation adapted to saturated soil conditions. Trees do not grow in marshes.
SWAMP: Simply a forested wetland.
PEAT: A low density, slightly decomposed fibrous organic soil composed largely of plant material
PEATLAND: A generic term used to refer to peat accumulating wetlands, such as bogs and fens.
BOG: A peatland which is for all practical purposes isolated from ground or surface water (only significant water inputs are directly from rain) and dominated by mosses (Sphagnum spp.), sedges, shrubs, and evergreen trees such as black spruce and tamarack.
FEN: A type of peatland that receives mineral-rich inputs of ground or surface water and is dominated by sedges and other grass-like vegetation.
VERNAL POOL: Shallow, intermittently flooded wet meadow generally dry for most of the summer and fall.
HABITAT: The environment in which the requirements of a specific plant or animal are met.
President’s Corner
Judy's Jottings