It’s Sunday, September 13, 2009. It’s sunny, 79 degrees, no wind, and Tiger is 19 under par. Can it get any better? Let’s savor each and every day that we get like this, cause there ain’t many left. Keep today etched in your memory, since many are starting to take out their piers, boats, and lifts. The only plus to any of this is that I will only have to cut the grass another 6-8 times this year. Hopefully, next summer we won’t set any new records for rain one month and for cold the next. What we need is a good old fashioned normal summer for 2010. Come to think of it, at least we didn’t have any severe or damaging storms. Got to find the silver lining somewhere.
I have to admit that I didn’t fully realize how fortunate we are to live and have the ability to use and enjoy our lake. . I was on another lake in our area recently and noticed some distinct differences. We are fortunate to have very clear water clarity, no substantial weed problem, less number of zebra mussels, and a lake bottom that doesn’t pulverize boat props (rocky, etc). I now have a better appreciation for our lake and won’t take it for granted so much in the future.
By the time you read this, the mosquito problem will probably be a thing of the past. We had numerous inquires about spraying the last week of August and the first few weeks of September. We were not able to spray because of the criteria needed to be effective. The criteria is that it needs to be 70 degrees at dusk, maximum wind of 5 mph, and no chance of rain for at least 24 hours. We do value your information on mosquito activity and intend to use our limited mosquito budget to maximize the results of each spraying. If we could get a larger percentage of participation in contributions from everyone who lives or vacations on our lake, we might be able to take advantage of the limited conditions to spray more often.
Enjoy the rest of the newsletter and remember our association meetings every third Monday at 7:00pm at the CCCC, except in July and December. Speaking of December, please attend our dinner/dance on the fifth. A registration form is in this newsletter.
Greg Buss - BLA President
Judy's Jottings
Submitted by Judy Kankel
Fall is here. Our favorite time to drift around the lake is when the leaves are turning colors. It makes for a magnificent landscape. On Labor Day weekend, we got a special show on the lake when a boater was pulling FOUR skiers at one time around the lake. It was reminiscent of a show we saw in Florida, and they were very entertaining! Our gardens are still ablaze with color from the mums, asters, Japanese anemone, grasses, and the last of the impatiens and geraniums. Don’t forget to dig up those canna, gladiola, begonia, and dahlia bulbs this fall to replant next spring. Save those seeds, too, if the birds haven’t gotten to them first. The hummingbirds are few and far between now. A friend told me a good way to clean out those funny shaped feeders is to shake unpopped popcorn kernels with the water. Thank you Heloise.
From Paula Deen...Butter makes it better. A simple, yummy dessert. PUMPKIN CREAM CHEESE BARS
1 (18.25 Oz) yellow cake mix
½ cup butter, melted.
½ cup chopped pecans.
1 large egg. lightly beaten.
1 (8-0z) pkg. cream cheese, softened.
3 large eggs.
1 cup canned pumpkin.
½ tsp. pumpkin pie spice.
1 (16-oz) box powdered sugar.
Whipped cream and dash of cinnamon for garnish, if desired.
Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease a 13 x 9 x 2 pan. In a medium bowl, combine cake mix, butter, pecans and 1 egg. Press into bottom of pan. In another medium bowl, beat cream cheese and 3 eggs. Beat in pumpkin and spice. Gradually beat in powdered sugar until mixture is smooth. Pour over crust. Bake about 35 minutes. Cut in squares when cool and garnish with whipped cream and a dash of cinnamon if desired.
Musings from Steven Wright, a famous scientist and deadpan comedian:
What happens if you get scared half to death twice?
The hardness of the butter is proportional to the softness of the bread.
Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.
If at first you don’t succeed, destroy all the evidence that you tried.
Hope to see all of you at our annual Christmas Party!
Send in your reservations early.
From the DNR Handbook of Boating Regulations (Which is available on the BLA website)
ALCOHOL AND DRUGS
Michigan Law prohibits anyone from boating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It is also unlawful for the owner of a vessel to allow anyone else to operate their vessel if that person is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The following conditions determine if you are boating under the influence.
If your blood alcohol content is 0.10% or greater by weight of alcohol as determined by a breath, blood, or urine test, you are considered to be under the influence of alcohol .
If your blood alcohol content is greater than 0.07% but less than 0.10% by weight of alcohol as determined by a breath, blood, or urine test, a law enforcement officer can consider that fact along with other evidence in determining if you are under the influence.
Michigan law establishes the following penalties:
People arrested for boating under the influence are guilty of a misdemeanor. Upon the third conviction within 10 years, a person will be guilty of a felony.
If a person boating under the influence causes great bodily injury or death of another person, he or she will be guilty of a felony.
By operating a vessel on Michigan waters, you have consented to be tested for alcohol or drugs if arrested by a law enforcement official.
ROAD CLEAN-UP DAY October 10, 2009
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!
Get in the Holiday Spirit
With Your Friends, Family, & Neighbors at the Baldwin Lake Holiday Dinner/Dance
Saturday, December 5th at 6:00
At the Cass County Conservation Club on U.S. 12 in Union
Dinner Catered by: Chic Eats
Choose from:
Beef Medallions w/Mushrooms and Peppercorn Sauce
or
Italian Balsamic Roasted Chicken
both dinners include:
Winter Salad, Twice Baked Smashed potatoes, Vegetable Medley,
Dinner Rolls, and a variety of Mini Sweets
The band Back at 'ya will be providing after dinner dancing music
Cocktails at 6:00
Dinner at 7:00
Entertainment after dinner
50/50 raffle
$25.00 per person
Call Mike Crofoot 641-7968 or Karen Balch 641-2512 if you have any questions
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 beef dinners ______ number of chicken dinners _____
any special request for ordering beverages? ___________________________________________________
President’s Corner
Judy's Jottings