Hi – My name is Greg Buss and I am the new president for the Baldwin Lake Association. I thought that I would take a few minutes to explain how I got to be president.
It started with us buying a lake house to be enjoyed for the summer seasons. The sights, sounds, activities, and enjoyment that lake living gives made us wish that we would have done this years earlier. We joined Baldwin Lake Association because we wanted to feel more like a part of the local community and we had always been members of the neighborhood associations where we lived. However, this association did something that the others didn’t. On a regular basis, we would receive the Baldwin Lake Association Newsletter. I looked forward to getting and reading this not only for the information, but also I felt like I learned a little more about the lake and local area and felt somewhat “involved”. There was always an invitation to attend the monthly association meetings in the newsletter so I thought I might “give it a shot”.
Once at the meeting, I was able to see the determination of this group of people to uphold the mission to “Maintain and preserve our lake community for future generations through education, communication, and commitment to Baldwin Lake”. Since our lake and its surrounding environment is so fragile and is highly influenced by what and how we live and what we do, I thought that I could at least spare a hour or two a month to help this effort and be an active part of the association. This started by just attending the meetings, then becoming a co-district advisor and eventually becoming a vice president. After that, here I am.
Our association doesn’t make, implement or enforce rules or legislation. That is the responsibility of the local and state governments. However, our association does:
In season regular lake water testing (for clarity and contamination)
Offers well water testing every other year (fee charged)
Contracts for seasonal mosquito spraying (when funding permits)
Hosts a Christmas dinner/dance (which is getting bigger and better every year)
Twice a year road clean-up (the amount of beer and liquor containers is amazing)
Offers an organization to be used as a communication tool for both outgoing and member input
Publishes a newsletter with both pertinent and useful information
Belong to Michigan Lake and Streams Association
Offers members subscriptions to The Riparian magazine
Arranged for boating safety classes
I hope that you too will decide to become involved in our association and it’s activities and attend our meetings the third Monday of the month except for July and December at the Cass County Conservation Club at 7:00pm. (I’ll save a seat for you).
Greg Buss - BLA President
Float into Fall
As of this writing, we are witnessing unusual Midwest weather (Sept.13 & 14). I have measured through our rain gauges and high water marks, the raising of Baldwin Lake by over 7 inches in two days. It appears we will have high water again for the coming winter ice. Last winter we also had high water though spring time.
The main water body of Baldwin Lake is getting cleaner and clearer, for several reasons stated previously, every year. One of these reasons, of course, is the infestation of Zebra mussels. I have noticed on our lake bottom and sandbars, the remains of a lot of clam shell casings. Zebra mussels attach to any hard surface submerged, be it rocks, sticks or clam shells. It appears that the Zebra mussels attach to these small fresh water clams and exterminate them. I have picked up many clam shells in the water and they all have Zebra mussels attached.
I hate to see these fresh water clams fall victim like this. They say mussels are the most threatened and endangered species in Michigan because of pollution and things. They are like the canaries in the coal mine, great indicators of environmental health.
I noticed something else this last summer that helped enforce the belief of a better environmental atmosphere present. There were a lot more frogs around. I saw more of the common Bullfrog, and Leopard frogs in the yard. Another species is the Grey tree frog, which are hard to see, because of their camouflage.
Frogs, as you know, also breathe through their skin. This aids in their hibernation, but also makes them more susceptible to pesticides and fertilizers. While it was good to see this positive natural indicator, it too brought another swing of Mother Nature. I saw more snakes in the yard and flower beds, to go along with the amphibian food source.
Snakes are in the reptile class, like turtles. I received a lot of reports of the presence of water snakes from my neighbors. The most common snake around is the Garter snake, with its yellow and sometimes red stripes down its sides. These are quite harmless and do help control the rodent populations. My wife will dispute the harmless affect, (on her heart), when seeing these creatures in her flower gardens.
Anyone who has gone around the lake can’t help but notice the abundance of turtles we have. They will sit on anything, to get out of the water, to sun themselves for body heat, another reptile trait.
With autumn approaching I have noticed some deciduous trees already turning. This probably is because of the hot, waterless, stressful summer we had. These trees normally are affected by the shorter days, less light, to make the leaves turn.
I hope to see you “out there” on the lake for the last of the boating season, maybe enjoying Indian summer and the fall colors.
If I don’t see you on the lake, keep in mind the Christmas party Dec. 6th, at the CCCC, catered, with music.
Mike Crofoot
Judy's Jottings
Submitted by Judy Kankel
From My Kitchen: Fall makes me think of turning on the oven and baking dinner, instead of grilling. Here’s a very good chicken dish that always receives compliments.
SWISS CHICKEN
6 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts 1 can cream of chicken soup
1/8 tsp. garlic powder ¼ cup white wine (or milk)
1/8 tsp. pepper 2 cups dry stuffing mix
6 slices swiss cheese ¼ cup melted butter
Place chicken breasts in a greased 9” x 13” pan. Sprinkle w/garlic powder and pepper. Top each w/cheese slice. Set aside. Combine soup and wine and pour over chicken. Sprinkle with the stuffing mix. Drizzle with melted butter. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for about 50 minutes. Yummy!
Birding: Where do Canada Geese Migrate? Most of them take up residence in the lower US states from California through Georgia and some, even Mexico. Then in spring, they fly north even to Alaska and Canada. So, they are all over our continent. Wherever they decide to go, it will have a good temperature so they can start laying eggs, usually from early March to late June. They are definitely built for long distance travel. They can reach up to 60 mph and can reach an altitude of 8,000 feet. They can fly at night and for up to 16 hours in a stretch. As I write this, they are forming the “V” pattern and are carrying on a lot of conversations among themselves…gives you quite a start if you are out enjoying the quiet of the morning in the garden.
Some Interesting Facts:
1. A raisin dropped in a glass of fresh champagne will bounce up and down continuously from the bottom of the glass to the top.
2. Chocolate affects a dog’s heart and nervous system. A few ounces will kill a small-sized dog.
3. Because metal was scarce, the Oscars given out during World War II were made of wood.
4. There are no words in the dictionary that rhyme with: orange, purple, and silver.
5. If you have 3 quarters, 4 dimes, and 4 pennies, you have $1.19. You have the largest amount of money in coins without being able to make change for a dollar.
In the Garden: To help with weed control in the Garden, lay several layers of wet newspaper between the rows and plants and then put down mulch…saves a lot of work for yourself because it really helps to control weeds, and the newspapers enrich the soil.
ROAD CLEAN-UP DAY October 11, 2008
Can you spare 45-60 minutes?
This year we will meet at 8:00am at George’s restaurant for breakfast before going out to check our roadsides.
Can’t make it for breakfast? Meet at Mills grocery at 9:00am
or at Greg Buss’ home on Hilltop at 9:00am
Gloves and boots are a good idea!
MICHIGAN REQUIREMENTS TO OPERATE A PERSONAL WATERCRAFT – PWC-
CHANGE IN OCTOBER 2011
Currently Who May Operate a Personal Watercraft – PWC (Wave Runner, Jet Ski)
A. Those less than 12 years of age:
1. No one under the age of 12 years may operate a PWC legally.
B. Those 12 and 13 years of age may operate a PWC legally only if:
He or she obtained a boating safety certificate prior to January 1, 1999, or
ALL of the following conditions are satisfied:
1. The operator is accompanied solely by his or her parent or legal guardian, and...
2. Both the operator and the parent or legal guardian have obtained a boating safety
certificate and…
3. The PWC is equipped with a lanyard-type ignition safety switch and the parent or
legal guardian has the lanyard attached to his or her person, clothing, or PFD
and…
4. The PWC is designed to carry at least two persons.
C. Those 14 years of age or older:
1. A person born after December 31, 1978, may operate a PWC legally only if he or
she has obtained a boating safety certificate.
2. Those born on December 31, 1978, or earlier may operate a PWC legally
without restrictions.
PWCs now can be operated from 8:00 AM to one hour before sunset. The 2011 rule will be 8:00 AM to sunset.
Get in the Holiday Spirit
With Your Friends, Family, & Neighbors for the
Baldwin Lake Christmas Party
Saturday, December 6th at 6:00
At the Cass County Conservation Club on U.S. 12 in Union
Dinner Catered by: Chic Eats
Choose from:
Pork Medallions w/Brandy Peppercorn Sauce or Lemon Caper Chicken
both dinners include:
winter salad, garlic potatoes, Asian green beans with red pepper
and toasted almonds, dinner rolls, and a dessert assortment
Live band / after dinner dancing
Cocktails at 6:00, Dinner at 7:00, Entertainment after dinner
$25.00 per person
Please include this form and your check & mail to:
Baldwin Lake Association, P.O. Box 311, Union, MI 49130
RESERVATIONS WILL BE HONORED ON A FIRST-COME BASIS
name ___________________________________
number of people attending _____ phone number _________________
number of pork dinners _____ number of chicken dinners _____
Any special request for ordering beverages?__________________________
The next article arrived a little too late for the printed newsletter excerpt of remarks at the 2008 Annual Meeting & Speaker's Forum
Lately we realized that we had apparently not explained when & how spraying should be done to control mosquitoes. To begin with, we can NOT safely kill mosquito eggs. Larvicide (to kill larvae) is a preferred method for mosquito prevention and it is safe but, major drawbacks are that it requires an expert, repeatedly checking the larvae growth, to determine exact timing of the product application and the treatment is very expensive. It also does not control mosquitoes that fly in from other areas. From a practical sense we can ONLY kill the adults so they do not lay more eggs. They can only be killed effectively when they are in flight at the time the spray is laid down. Although there is some residual in the grass & trees, it is not as effective as covering the mosquito in flight. There is NO assurance that more mosquitoes will not show up after the next rain since the eggs hatching now may have been in the swampy areas for a number of years or decades or they may have been laid last year. For that reason the spraying should be done days AFTER a rain, which is what “hatches” the eggs, so that a large percentage of the hatchlings are adults & in flight so we don’t waste time & spray. The spraying should be done when the breeze is 1 or 2 MPH since anything greater will kill the mosquitoes somewhere downwind. The ambient temperature should be at least 70 degrees during the spraying since mosquitoes will be in flight at that temperature.
It would be nice if the timing of spraying could be a scientific decision so we could spray only the number of times & the right times. Regarding the expense, many of you will remember our statement at the 2007 Annual Meeting that we had not been billed for 2006 yet. The reason that Agriflite wanted to talk about the bill “face to face” was that for years Agriflite had continued charging us for 150 acres, based on Long Lake also spraying for mosquitoes. The large swamp between Long & Baldwin was split between the lakes so the cost was shared between Baldwin Lake & Long/Coverdale Lakes. Long/Coverdale has NOT sprayed for years & unless WE spray the entire swamp, to kill ALL the mosquitoes we can, it is a waste of time & money. Looking at the actual acreage sprayed again it was found that 300 acres was actually being sprayed by Baldwin Lake but Agriflite had continued to charge us for only 150 acres. The Invoice we paid for 4 sprays in 2006 & 1 in 2007 was $9180, or $1836 per spray, instead of the approximately $1700 per spray in the past, which makes it obvious that Agriflite actually gave us a bargain price. We have been trying to get Long/Coverdale & Indiana to help share the price but at this time nothing has changed.
The realization of the cost to spray the area around Baldwin Lake we need to be a little frugal. We can’t spray for just for 1 area since it won’t be long before we will need to spray the rest of the area, greatly increasing the total price. Having 2 sprayings instead of 1 to cover the same area is going to be much more expensive.
The Board has agreed that we MUST contact a number of people from various parts of Baldwin Lake BEFORE we schedule a spray so we don’t need multiple sprayings to control the area. That is why we wait for someone to let us know that they are having a mosquito problem. Even then we will check with others around the Lake &, if they are not having a problem, we WAIT. If you have an abundance of mosquitoes, call an advisor or officer & they can get in touch with the proper person to schedule the Spraying if most of the area has a need for Mosquito Control.
President’s Corner
Judy's Jottings