The year 2001 has started off very well. First I would like to announce that Phil Yoder (Sunset Blvd. at the southern end of the lake) was appointed as Vice President to fulfill the remainder of my term.

There is a Boating Safety Certification Class (especially for "out-of-state" people) Saturday, May 12 at the Cass County Conservation Club jointly sponsored by BLA & CCCC. There are also classes at Penn Township Hall 5/26, Birch Lake Yacht Club 6/9, Donnell Lake Conservation Club 6/30, and Indian Lake Yacht Club 7/14. All students must pre-register for the class of their choice at 616-445-8644. Students must be 12 years old by December 31, 2001. All classes will begin at 8:00am and run until 2:00pm (Michigan Time). Bring a #2 pencil and a lunch. Upon successfully completing the course, those who have pre-registered will receive their boating safety certificate. The course is also open to adults.

We are continuing with the lake water quality tests that we have performed for years and looking into other tests that would assure us excellent Lake Water quality. If we can get enough interest we will have another Home Water Quality Testing in July for Coliform, Nitrates, & Lead. If you are interested please E-mail baldwin-lake-366@mlswa.org or call Scot Billings at the phone on the back page of this publication to give us an idea of number interested.

Instead of another progressive dinner, there will be a carry-in Italian dinner in May. Those interested in bringing an Italian dish to pass should call Carol Morris or Meredith Conte whose numbers are also on the back page. More details (specific date, location, etc.) can be found on our Web Page, as they become available.

We would like to see more people at the Advisor’s meetings, the third Wednesday of each month. We are looking forward to hearing your input on the variety of ideas and projects we have planned to benefit the Lake and community.

There is a survey in this newsletter regarding mosquito spraying this summer and we would appreciate your input, comments, and opinions.

Wightman/Petrie has been giving interim status reports on the Feasibility study in Porter Township concerning a proposal and cost of a sewer system. We are expecting some firm information in April. The Township public meeting to discuss the proposal should take place in June.

We are having discussions with the Cass County Drain Commission regarding a drain on Hilltop for rainwater runoff. Heavy rains can cause much erosion, and carry materials into the Lake. Please watch the Web page to see current announcements.

We are starting to get prepared for the Third Annual Flotilla on July 4^th!

The month of April begins our lake water quality monitoring and testing program starting with the spring phosphorus sampling. Samples are collected and delivered to our district MDEQ office. We will repeat this again in the late summer for comparative purposes. Phosphorus levels are important to monitor because it is considered the most essential nutrient for algae growth. Increased phosphorus levels over a period of time is indicative of nutrient enrichment of the lake water.

This year begins our sixth year of biweekly Secchi clarity readings which are taken from May thru September. Secchi clarity readings are affected positively or negatively by the amount of algae present in the water. Typically, clarity is best in May and September. Our overall annual results have improved and remained fairly consistent since 1998 when readings were below the averages of 1995/96/97.

These two monitoring tests are part of the CLMP (Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program) involving 157 lakes throughout Michigan. This program is structured and supported by Michigan Lakes & Streams, MDEQ (Mich. Dept. of Environmental Quality), and the Dept. of Fisheries and Wildlife - Michigan State University.

We will continue testing for fecal coliform at various locations around the lake. We have done this since 1995 and keep a close watch on a few re-occurring problem areas. So far, when higher than desirable levels have been identified, property owners have been very cooperative in correcting the problem. This eliminates the need of reporting the incidence to the Cass County Health Dept. authorities. Outdated malfunctioning septic systems have historically been the source of the problem. During the year results on all the fore mentioned tests will be reported as they become available. All these tests are done to monitor and quantify the condition of our lake water. In the event that something negative is identified, we have saved valuable time in finding the remedy before irreversible damage is done.

Please do your part in helping to keep our lake and surrounding environment "healthy" by practicing common sense. Address the causes of problems, NOT the symptoms. A good general rule - stay at least 30' from the lake with anything chemical including fertilizer, herbicides, pesticides, etc. Do not purposely discharge grass clippings, or rake leaves, into the lake. If "mother nature" didn't put it in the lake, then it doesn't belong there!! Read the free newspaper handout "Your Lake & You" that we distributed to members last fall along with the newsletter. If you have not received one, please contact Scot Billings baldwin-lake-366@mlswa.org

Prefer 1 double strength spray in June only?______

Prefer no spray in your area at all? ____________

Willing to donate $20 to $25 a year to defray costs, which could total

$1500 to $2500?: Yes: ______ No: ______

The Porter Township board has adopted a nuisance ordinance at its February meeting and it will be in effect as you read this newsletter. This ordinance provides the township the ability to deal with abandoned and dangerous buildings, junk vehicles, etc. What is new is that junk or abandoned boats, trailers, boatlifts, snowmobiles, etc, are now addressed in this new ordinance.

Our spring cleanup is set for the last Saturday in April (April 28) and we need all the help we can get to pick up all the litter that has been dumped on the roads surrounding Baldwin Lake. Look for the information on our web page or the flyer we pass out. WE NEED YOU!

The waste water collection survey should be completed by the first of May, and the township is putting together a program and will hold a public meeting some time in June. The actual date has not yet been confirmed. June was selected to afford the summer people an opportunity to attend . The survey will encompass all of Porter Township’s major lake communities and the town of Union. Each lake community will be treated as a separate identity and general information about the results will be presented. This issue affects all property owners and not just year round residential properties. We will advise all our property owners of the date of the meetings and we encourage all to check our web page as we will have all the information updated as it becomes available. This is an important meeting and all property owners should attend!

Remember those two beautiful 50 degree days just before the calendar said, "Spring begins at 8:40am today"? That morning there were eight yellow crocus blooms just beginning to spread their leaves. The next morning there were 15, and after that I stopped trying to count them. The next day you could see the color on one lavender and one purple one. And in the next couple of days the beds in the back were filled with yellow, purple, and white blooms, and I knew that it really was very close to spring. Then, old man winter came thundering back with below freezing temperatures and snow on the ground again, and the crocuses looked like tiny solders standing at attention with all their blooms pulled in tight. I wondered if the blooms would reopen when it warmed again and the sun came back.

Ever the optimist, I cut some branches of the pussy willow and the forsythia and brought them in to force the blooms. Even when they don't bloom I like the shape and form of them on my buffet. In the meantime, the ice went out, the ducks came back and the squirrels finally got through the gray tape and into the bird seed container again. I really don't mind feeding the squirrels, but when they are in the feeders the birds can't get to the seed. Last week my daughter brought us bouquets of daffodils that are the fund raiser for the cancer society in Elkhart. They were absolutely beautiful and fragrant. They are gone now, but our daffodils and tulips are sticking their leaves up toward the sun when they are given the chance.

We've been bringing in the last arm loads of fire wood and enjoying the fires before the weather gets too much warmer and we wind up having it left out on the deck all summer. It seems as if it's been a very long winter, but actually since the snows of December, we have not had much more, only a few inches in each of the following months. It does seem however as if winter is hanging on for dear life, and we are so ready for spring. Today the temperature is again in the low 50’s, and again the crocuses are filling the beds with color.

The migraters are starting to go through the area. The cowbirds and grackles were the first to arrive and they can't move on fast enough to suit me. We've seen a couple of grebes, and some buffle heads have been playing in the water just beyond our maple tree. Yesterday, I saw a loon very close to our shore. Then about dusk last night, there were two of them sailing north along the east shore. And there is a pair of swans back this year. They seem to be hanging out along the north edge of Little Baldwin, with occasional forays into the big lake. They are so beautiful. Needless to say, the seagulls have been back and the geese are in the area, but not in such large numbers as in the past couple of years. I suspect that's because the farmers are plowing under the corn stalks in the fall.

There have been a couple of fishing boats out there on pretty days, and soon we'll be seeing pontoons, ski boats, and wave runners thick on the water. The migrating ducks will move on and the mallard eggs will begin to hatch. The leaves will be out, yards will be green again and those of us lucky enough to live on this lake will discover once again, what a joy it is to live here. (And so will all our visitors.) But we know that all the seasons are beautiful on this lake.

Applications for the Community Policing Scholarships have been sent to White Pigeon, Constantine, and Three Rivers Schools. If you have a senior or a college freshman, there are 8 $500 scholarships available, some to Southwestern and some to any other college in Michigan. You need not be interested in law enforcement in order to qualify. See the counselors for the applications. If there are problems in getting an application or you would like more information call Coe at 641-5931, or Donna at the sheriff’s office at 663-5225, ext. 201. The only requirement is that the student live in Cass County. Applications must be returned to the Sheriff's Office in person or be postmarked by April 10th. If you know a student who may need help to go on to college, encourage them to apply. We need applicants from this area.

Cass County also has a $500 SMC scholarship available. Contact the township hall for more information.