BALDWIN LAKE ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER
JULY 2003 VOLUME 10 ISSUE 4
All members of the Baldwin Lake Association are hereby officially
notified of the annual meeting of the association.
Baldwin Lake Association Annual Meeting
Saturday, July 19th 9:00am (IN time)
Cass County Conservation Club located
north of US 12 at Birch Rd.
A social time with coffee and donuts will begin at 8:30 a.m.
We will also hold our district caucuses prior to the meeting.
Association Dues ($25 per year), membership from July to July, may be paid prior to the call to order by the President and during the coffee time.
The business of the meeting shall be:
1. Reports from the officers and committee chairs.
2. Election of one Vice President, and the Secretary for 2 year terms.
3. Open questions and discussion from the floor.
Announced candidates for officer are:
Vice President—Alice Ann Troy
Treasurer-Carolyn Stevenson
Nominations may be made from the floor,
if the nominee has agreed to run.
By resolution of the executive and advisory boards, Scot Billings, President
Meet the Candidates
ALICE ANN TROY-VICE PRESIDENT
Alice Ann, originally from IN, moved to the South-east end of the lake since 1990. She is retired from Bayer, where she was an Occupational Heath Nurse. She has 2 children, and 3 grandchildren, loves fishing and gardening in the summer and reading and needlework in the winter months.
CAROLYN STEVENSON-SECRETARY
Carolyn has lived at the very end of the North end of the lake, just before it goes under US 12, since 1982, and has 4 children (5 grandchildren). She likes Euchre, reading, and trips to Lake Michigan. Carolyn retired from Woodlands Behavioral Healthcare in Cassopolis, where she was an office manager and financial coordinator. She is currently working with Classic Realty, is Deputy Clerk of Porter Township, and is the treasurer for Community Policing.
President’s Corner
The weather this “Spring” (It seemed more like alternating between winter and spring) has been a little ridiculous. Many piers were in early but the weather wouldn’t allow for comfortable fishing very often at first. June still started a little cool but then gave us real heat.
The results from the Secchi Disk and Fecal Coliform tests so far this year are posted elsewhere in this newsletter. As the season progresses more testing results will be added to the list in future newsletters.
We don’t have many people taking advantage of the Home Drinking Water Quality Testing in July for the testing of Coliform, Nitrates, & Lead at only $55.00 for members and $75.00 for non-members. The Reserved "Test Kits" will be available for you to pick up at the Annual Meeting or Picnic July 19th. The following day they are to be returned so that we can get them to the laboratory for processing early Monday morning. Approximately 2 weeks after testing, each individual household will receive a printout with an explanation and interpretation of each test and what action, in any, should be taken. By our request, these results are again CONFIDENTIAL, to be disclosed to only you! We will be picking up only the pre-reserved Test Kits about July 15th, so you need to reserve your test kit in advance. To reserve it you can contact Scot Billings (see phone number on back cover). You can also reserve your kit by e-mailing us at baldwin-lake-366@mlswa.org or by U.S. mail to P.O. Box 311.
We again thank all those that have donated for this years mosquito spraying. We had the first spraying done on June 7th and the second on June 17th and will repeat, as necessary, when the mosquito populations increase and the weather co-operates for spraying.
Baldwin Lake Association and the Cass County Conservation Club are, once again, co-hosting a Boating Safety Class to be instructed by the Cass County Sheriff’s Dept. at the CCCC building on U.S. 12 on June 28th.
The Annual Meeting will be July 19th at 10:00 A.M (MI) (9:00 IN) this year at the Cass County Conservation Club (Birch Rd. north of U.S. 12) with coffee and donuts a half-hour prior to the meeting.
Later July 19th the Annual (potluck) Picnic, with a Hog Roast from the Association, will be held at the home of Weldon and Mary Lou Park located at 70160 Hartshorn, which is that street just southwest of Treasure Island, off Sunset. We are asked to park on their lot on Treasure Island, just east of their home, formerly the old "Hotel". The picnic begins at 3:00 (MI) (2:00 IN time). Please bring a side dish to pass and BLA will provide the table settings.
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
Home Drinking Water Test Reserve your kit soon!
The EPA recommends testing your drinking water-about every 2 or 3 years, especially when (1) Density of homes is high, with several drawing from the same aquifer, (2) Wells are less than 70' deep or (3) Soil-type allows quick passage of contaminants into wells. As an individual, you can contact a lab to do the tests for you, but the cost would be higher than what the lake association can offer. Our bulk rate is passed on to members. The cost for the test will be only $55.00 for members and $75.00 for non-members. Test kits can be picked up at the Annual Lake Association meeting held on Saturday, July 19th or at the picnic on the same day. Payment by check or cash is needed at time of pickup of the kit. Call Scot Billings to reserve your test kit. or E-mail to baldwin-lake-366@mlswa.org
What do we test for?
Coliform Bacteria: These bacteria are abundant in human and animal waste and generally are found in wells located too close to septic systems or livestock areas. Elevated counts can cause a variety of recurring illnesses with symptoms such as nausea and diarrhea. Particularly susceptible are young children and older adults.
Nitrates: Elevated nitrates can be caused by improperly operating septic systems. Additionally, fertilizers contain nitrogen compounds which may break down into nitrates. Of particular concern in our area are the homes bordering agricultural areas, since fertilizers are frequently applied. This may also be true in our own lawns and gardens and is dependent upon the types and rates of chemicals used, methods of application, soil type, topography, and seasonal precipitation. Consumption of nitrates contributes to a number of illnesses and disabilities, including gastrointestinal problems leading to liver or kidney damage.
Lead: Underlying rocks and soil may contain heavy metals but rarely are found at levels that present a problem. However, activities such as construction (i.e. increased excavation) can release larger amounts into nearby groundwater. Of primary concern is lead used in pipes, solder, or fixtures, especially in homes built prior to 1988. Only homes built or replumbed before a 1988 lead-solder ban are affected. Even copper pipes soldered with lead could be a problem due to a corrosive process caused by the acidity (PH), temperature, and mineral content of your water. Some brass-plated submersible pumps can leach lead into wells. Consumption of these by-products, even at relatively low amounts, can be harmful. Possible health threats include mental disorders in all ages, premature birth problems and other health risks, including retardation. Lead is a toxin, and a suspected carcinogen.
Fireworks!
July 4th
Shavehead Lake - 9:30 (MI) & Birch Lake 10:00 (MI)
July 5th
Indiana Lake - 9:30 (MI) & Long Lake 10:00 (MI)
Many of us enjoy the fireworks shows that the other lakes put on. If you would like to donate to the Long Lake fireworks fund, please contact Tom Lutz at 641-7191.
Secchi Disk & Fecal Coliform testing results
We did the first Secchi Disk tests on May 17th with sunny & windy conditions & 4” of rain in the prior 2 weeks. Air temperature was 66 degrees & water 61 degrees.
Northwest Cove with a depth of 26’ had a 19.5’ at 1:50 P.M.
Little Baldwin with a depth of 26’ had a 17’ at 2:00 P.M.
The Deep Basin with a depth of 57’ had a 21.75’ at 1:42 P.M.
The South End with a depth of 37’ had a 21’ at 1:35 P.M.
The second Secchi was done June 2nd along with the 12 Fecal Coliform tests along the shoreline. It was Mostly Cloudy & breezy following one week of hot weather and one week of rain & cloudy. Air Temperature was 74 degrees & water 64 degrees.
Northwest Cove 10.5’ at 3:45
Little Baldwin 8.75’ at 3:05
The Deep Basin 9.5’ at 2:50
The South End 9.75’ at 2:24
Due to weather and difficulty getting together for the tests the third Secchi was done June 30th. Mostly Sunny with a breeze following weeks of Hot weather & 1 of cooler with some rain. Air Temperature was 85 & water 75 degrees.
Northwest Cove 10.25’ at 2:39
Little Baldwin 13’ at 2:27
The Deep Basin 11.75’ at 2:25
The South End 10.5’ at 2:15
We mentioned that the Fecal Coliform tests were done at 12 sites around the Lake on June 2nd and, as Carol Erbe mentioned in the last newsletter, “Results will also be given at association meetings and in newsletters.” and “The exact location will be kept confidential…”. The USEPA recommendation (in 2000) are: for body contact recreation is fewer than 200 colonies per 100 mL; for fishing and boating, fewer than 1000 colonies per 100 mL. The results of the tests June 2nd on Baldwin Lake, in random order, were: 61 -- 22 -- 24 -- 10 -- 6 -- 9 -- 3 -- 110 -- 8 -- 7 -- 3 - 23
Future Newsletters will show the subsequent tests done during the season.
Order your Baldwin Lake shirt now!
Bev 641-7972
Carol 641-7071
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.
