Baldwin Lake Association Newsletter  

An Anchor for our Community

January/February 2002

President’s Corner

We had a good attendance at the Baldwin Lake Christmas Dinner/Dance held at Memories Restaurant in Elkhart (Dunlap). At the Dinner/Dance I was informed that we will be able to have the Annual Picnic in July at Weldon and Mary Lou Parks. They are at 70160 Hartshorn, which is that street just west of Treasure Island. If you are coming south on Sunset Blvd. you go just past Treasure Island and turn right at the next opportunity.

The basic survey regarding the WasteWater Collection/Treatment System for the Lake Areas has brought 109 replies from Baldwin Lake so far. Of that number there are 77 in favor of the system. The Township has delayed the survey until spring because of the number of "summer only" residents on some of the lakes.

We are still preparing to set the physical "Benchmark" to show the legally recorded normal lake level for Baldwin Lake. We are planning on using a few different methods of marking this so that when the level changes it will be easy to see and to what extent it has changed, as well as allowing us to try to control those changes. We want it to be easy for everyone to know whether the Lake is above or below the recorded mark.

We will be starting the water quality and clarity tests in the spring so that we can stay ahead of any potential problems.

We are rescheduling the Advisor meetings to the third Monday of the month. Although those meetings are considered Advisor meetings we would appreciate seeing other members to get a more diverse group of ideas. We are doing this in an attempt to start anew since the change in day may allow more people to attend to express their ideas, opinions, and recommendations. Remember that this is YOUR Lake Association and we want to listen to what you want to do that will fulfil 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. Those can be given by E-mail to baldwin-lake-366@mlswa.org or by phone.

H.C. Scot Billings

BLA President

COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

Don Henke

 Hope every one had a wonderful holiday season! A group of Lake residents spent a few minutes the Saturday after Thanksgiving decorating the Christmas tree next to Mills Grocery. It was fun, and as the tree grows, more decorations will be needed, along with more community help. We would like to set a date for the same Saturday next year, to do it again.

A group of residents went out Christmas Caroling for an hour or so, on the Sunday night before Christmas. They met at the Morris’s to begin their pilgrimage, and returned to the Kohnke’s for hot chocolate and such. All had a fun time and they are planning to do it again next year. Everyone is invited to join, and information will be included in the fall newsletter.

There is no additional information on the situations at our campgrounds to report. Willow Shores as reported last newsletter must apply for a Marina Permit before operations can begin next spring and we will keep all residents informed.

Water/Environmental

Mike Miller

SECCHI DISK - WATER CLARITY FOR 2001

Following is a summary of the water clarity test results for the past season. It is important to note that each of the four test sites saw a noticeable improvement, not only when compared to 2000, but also prior years. A real positive trend has transpired since our worst readings in 1998. In fact, this year we are seeing comparable high readings to the best years, 1995-1997. This is very encouraging and important to the "healthy" status of our lake water. Keep in mind as you look over the data that an improvement of several inches from one season to the next is highly commendable given that these values represent the average reading of 17 tests over a period of time from May thru September. The best reading recorded was on June 8th at the Middle test site: 17.0' !! Worst readings occurred from mid-July thru mid-August...a normal trend for our lake.

(All secchi disk readings are taken at the deepest depth per location.)

Year

North End

Little Baldwin

Middle

Main Lake

South End

1998

8.7"

9.1"

8.3"

7.4"

1999

9.8"

9.8"

9.8"

9.3"

2000

9.4"

9.9"’

9.7"

9.6"

2001

10.5"

10.6"

10.4"

10.0"

Surface water temperatures:

Coolest reading May 30th: 60°

Warmest: August 7th: 84°

(Warmest temp. recorded in 2000 was 79°, also in August.)

PHOSPHORUS TESTS - Spring & Summer

We participated in the DEQ/ML&SA State testing program. As of this date, the test results have not been reported to us.

FECAL COLIFORM

Numerous tests were conducted at various sites beginning in July. Two sites needing further monitoring and exhibiting higher than desirable levels were (1) the north inlet channel passing thru the campground facility. This has been a troublesome site for the past several years and will continue to be carefully tested in 2002. (2) An arbitrary selected site located on the northeast side of Little Baldwin showed high levels and will be re- tested in 2002 and carefully monitored.

If you are suspect of any areas around the lake, i.e. freestanding water in yards, peculiar odors, or prolific lush green grass growing in an area, these are potential septic failures, which need to be brought to the attention of the property owner. Unfortunately, this surface runoff eventually ends up in the lake. Be responsible and concerned so that we can work to remedy these problems.

ICE FISHIN’

As a fisherman I'm not dumb;
But fishin’ at 10 below makes me numb;

Not to say it isn't nice;
Many fish from chalets on ice;

My experience has left me thinking;
Most guys out there are just drinking;

45 minutes before the cold sets in;
Zero caught, but at least I was fishin'.

There were these two guys from Texas who loved to fish, and they wanted to try some ice fishing. They'd heard about it up in Michigan, and they took off for up there. The lakes were frozen nicely! They stopped just before they got to a lake at a little bait shop and got all their tackle.

Bob looked at Ed and said, "We're going to need an ice pick." So they got that, and they took off. In about two hours, Ed was back at the shop and said, "We're going to need another dozen ice picks."

Well, the fellow in the shop wanted to ask some questions, but he didn't. He sold him the picks, and Ed left.

In about an hour, Bob was back. "We're going to need all the ice picks you've got."

The bait man couldn't stand it any longer. "By the way," he asked, "how are you fellows doing?"

"Not very well at all," Bob said. "We don't even have the boat in the water yet."

USELESS TRIVIA

In 1997, Michigan became the 16th state to allow the blind to hunt!

Every time you lick a stamp, you consume 1/10th of a calorie.

It takes the average person 7 minutes to fall asleep. (editor’s note: I always knew I was above average!)