Baldwin Lake Association Newsletter
An Anchor for our Community
October 2004 Volume 11 Issue 5
President’s Corner
We start a new fiscal year with a new President and with the hope that we can see more people decide to get involved one way or another. The Treasury seems to decrease each year because of the expenses for Riparian magazine for all members as well as insurance, water quality/safety and periodically picking up the cost of a part of the mosquito spraying. We are hopeful that more people will become members and help in the efforts 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, again, want to thank all those that have already sent donations for the Mosquito spraying in 2004. The only thing that we noticed is that one quarter (1/4) of the residences around Baldwin Lake are paying for the benefit that ALL (100%) of the residences. This seems a little extreme since it seems to be the same people, every year, that are supporting the Mosquito Spraying.
We hope to see many of you at our regular Association meetings which are scheduled for the third Monday of each month, except July and December at the Cass County Conservation Club, just north of U.S. 12 at Birch Rd. Remember that this is YOUR Lake Association and we want to listen to your requests and suggestions.
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.
Aquatic plant from Brazil invades southern Indiana lake
Last month’s South Bend Tribune reported that floating mats of foliage had reached Griffy Lake in Indiana, spreading rapidly and threatening native plants and animals. The plant, Brazilian Elodea, is popular in aquariums, but can spoil boating and fishing in a lake.
Biologists believe the elodea found its way into Griffy Lake from water dumped or flushed from an aquarium. It was spotted while residents were monitoring another invasive plant—the Eurasian water milfoil. Officials tried to control the milfoil with weed-eating weevils. The milfoil is still there, but the elodea has eclipsed it as the lake’s top invasive plant.
Raising Well Water Quality
Many water-quality problems can be easily identified by their distinctive color or taste. Others are insidious and can only be detected through laboratory tests. The table below lists some common problems as well as recommended solutions.
- - - - - Symptom/Condition - - - - - . |
- - - - - - - Cause - - - - - - - . | - - - - - - - - - - - Remedy - - - - - - - - - - - . |
| Hard Water (scales/deposits in kettles, tubs & water heaters) |
Excess Calcium | Water Softeners Reverse Osmosis Distillation |
| Rusty(red to brown) staining of fixtures & laundry and/or metallic taste |
Excess Iron | Chlorination/Filtration Greensand Filtration Aeration/Filtration Distillation, UV Treatment |
| Black staining of fixtures & laundry and/or metallic taste |
Excess Manganese | Chlorination/Filtration Greensand Filtration Aeration/Filtration Distillation |
| Green, metallic taste | Copper (from plumbing) (lead & zinc may also be present) |
Neutralizing tank Polyphosphate, Distillation |
| Organic (tea) color | Tannins | Chlorination/Filtration Ozonation/Filtration |
| Cloudiness/grittiness | Mud/silt/clay/sediment in water |
Carbon Filter UV treatment Sediment filter |
| Rotten egg smell or taste | Hydrogen sulfide | Chlorination/filtration Carbon filter, Aeration/filtration Greensand filtration |
| Water has laxative effect | Excess sulphates | Reverse Osmosis Distillation |
| Flu symtoms | Coliform bacteria | Reverse Osmosis Distillation Chlorination, UV treatment |
| Nitrates | Fertilizers, sewage | Reverse Osmosis Distillation, UV treatment |
| Organic shemicals | Solvents, pesticides | Reverse Osmosis UV treatment Carbon filter, distillation |
Garden tips from Mason Union Garden Club
(Garden club meets 2nd Tues, 11:30 (IN) Call Bev Henke for location)
1. When planting your bulbs, put in some bone-meal
2. Plants that you might want to bring in: wash with a mild soap and water solution to get rid of bugs.
3. Faded annuls can be pulled and added to compost pile
4. Plant your mums in September if you want them to come back next year.
5. Set up bird feeder to feed your birds if you have not been feeding them through the summer.
6. Sept and Oct: mostly cleanup and planting your bulbs.
7. This in not a garden tip but a good tip. If you get garlic on your hands and want to get rid of the smell, rub your hand on a stainless steel spoon.
Garden mums are an excellent way to enjoy beautiful color in your perennial display until heavy frost.
Garden mums should be planted in full sun in well drained soil. For compacted soil, add peat moss, perlite or organic matter (humus, leaf mold, manure) to help loosen. Before planting, be sure to slash the bottom of the root ball. This enables new root growth. Plant mums 24" apart. They put on quite a bit of new growth the 2nd year. Keep moist throughout fall so they can avoid stress and get established before winter.
When the flowers and stems become blackened from frost, cut the plants back to about 6" high. At this point it is still too early to mulch.
After the ground is frozen (which may be as late ad Nov. or Dec.), mulch with cypress or a clean mixture of leaves and dirt about 6" high.
Uncover by April 1st. After uncovering, feed with a water soluble, high phosphorous fertilizer such as Peters or Miracle Grow.
To create the bushy shape or your mums, keep them pinched back to a height of 6" until July 4th. You may need to pinch them back several times throughout summer.
After July 4th, allow the stems to grow and form flower buds. If you forget to pinch them during the season, your mums will still bloom-but may need to be supported when flowering.
Mums may be divided every other year in the early spring. Dig up the root ball and cut into sections which are at least 6"x6". Replant clumps and keep moist until better established.
BLA ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY
6pm dinner
7:30 dueling piano show
This will be pay from the menu. Average meal is under $10. Choices are fun and varied, including items such as a veggie pizza, key largo club,
tropical chili and buffalo shrimp!
Dress is casual / Environment is fun!
The "World Famous" Rum Runners Dueling Piano Players perform all the
hits from the 50's to today. The high energy, crowd interaction and
outrageous fun created by our one of a kind entertainers makes Rum
Runners the ultimate entertainment destination spot!
Rum Runners 100 N. Center Street #43 Mishawaka
Please join us for a few laughs and bring your neighbors
RSVP BY December 15th
Rhenke1213@comcast.net or call Darlene at 641-7770
