MLA NEWS. Presidents Notes. Spring Cleanup INSIDE THIS ISSUE. Alan Rumbaugh

Transcription

1 MLA NEWS M U R R A Y L A K E A S S O C I A T I O N N E W S L E T T E R M A Y Presidents Notes Alan Rumbaugh As the Murray Lake Association starts into it's 52 year of existence working to keep Murray Lake a great place to live and play. We have about 300 families in the area and look to have at least 200 join the association each year. The $20 dues allow us to do the dumpster day each year, put up the beautiful entrance signs. We conduct the water testing programs tied into the Michigan Lakes and Streams programs which work closely with Michigan State University to learn about and protect our water resources. We publish the newsletters and directories and work with the township to get ordinances in place to prevent overuse or improper use of the lake. We can pay for some smaller expenses such as the Chili Cook off, Christmas Decorating contest, Fourth of July Parade, advertising for Garage Sale, etc. More important, it gets our residents, you, involved in letting us know about the needs and concerns you have about living at the lake. We also work together to keep our lake healthy and life around it good. Items of note: Terry Conley has volunteered to serve on the board in place of Bob Imhoff. Our Fourth of July Parade will start at 7 PM instead of noon as in the past. We hope this will allow more people time to decorate boats, get daytime activities, including dinner, out of the way. All participants can then join in the Fireworks that evening off Dilly's beach about 9:30. Russ Graves has volunteered to be our social director and work to organize more social activities around the lake. He would like to work to see if there is enough interest in getting the golf tournament going again and renewed interest in some type of picnic. If you would be willing to help or want to give him suggestions, call him at or him at faye@glresources.net. INSIDE THIS ISSUE Presidents Notes 1 Spring Cleanup 1 Lake Level Report 2 Chili Cook-off 2 Chili Cook-off Pictures 3 Chili Cook-off Recipes 4 Murray Lake Calendar 5 Important Contacts 5 Spring Cleanup Chuck Foster Roadside Pickup M.L.A. continues to monitor the spring pick up of trash on Lally. For many years now we have kept this mile long scenic road clean. As members of M.L.A. we greatly thank the residents for keeping their road clean of debris throughout the year. This makes our spring clean up job much easier. Yard Care and Environmental Suggestions The #1 problem facing Murray Lake, environmentally speaking, is phosphates and excess nutrients entering the lake. These unwanted additives stimulate plant growth and help deplete the oxygen in the lake. We have some control over this by using the correct fertilizer and adhering to some of the suggestions below. Make it a point in 2009 to do more to protect our lake. 1.) Only fertilize if your lawn needs enrichment. Use only slow releasing phosphorus free fertilizer. Don t fertilize within 10 feet of the lake. 2.) Be conscious of run-off. Sadly what goes on our streets eventually gets washed into our lake via storm drains. Some of the unwanted pollutants are; sand and exposed soil. Try to keep your streets swept clean, it does make a difference. 3.) Create a Buffer Zone of up to 10 feet along the shore. This area should have native plants and plants indigenous to Michigan inland lakes. In addition to helping the lake keep clean it will help beautify your lot and encourage wildlife. Seawalls are discouraged as the do nothing to help the lake quality and only add to the wave action. (for suggestions on creating a natural shoreline, ask board members Chuck Foster or Alan Rumbaugh)

2 Page 2 MLA Newsletter May 2009 Dam/Lake Level Report 5/1/09 Bucky Curtis After near normal lake levels thru winter & early spring, the lake level is currently 8" above normal after the recent rains in late April. Jim Hall has all of the boards removed from the dam & water is flowing out of the lake as fast as possible, he will be inserting boards as needed to maintain the "normal" level. be in place & we will monitor again this year. We should all be thankful to Jim for the time & effort he puts into maintaining the dam. Should you have any comments or questions please attend the upcoming MLA Spring meeting. Lake Level Monitors Memorial Day is usually when the 1st board goes in. The "normal" level was established last year. Jim & six other lake residents(lake Level Monitors) installed markers to monitor the lake level. Though some would like the water lower & some would like it higher the majority consensus is last years level should be the "norm". The markers will Chuck Foster Murray View Channel Gregg Converse Five Mile Channel Bucky Curtis Bedaki Ave Gene Beerens Alden Nash/Elhart/Four Mile Jim Hall Lally Bob Canfield Causeway East Side Denise Kropf Causeway West Side. Chili Cook-off On Saturday, February 14 we had our best Chili Cook-off yet. The weather was beautiful and about four dozen of the residents socialized, warmed around the fire, and tasted many different chilies. Voting was tallied and we had winners of: 1. Patty Fortin from Causeway 2. Samantha Graves, Russ and Faye's daughter from Murray View 3. Alan Rumbaugh from Causeway Photo Julie

3 MLA Newsletter May 2009 Page 3 Chili Cook-off Pictures Julie

4 Page 4 MLA Newsletter May 2009 Chili Cook-off Recipes Patty s First Place Chili You had to be there! Just like the Cooking Channel a touch of this, a touch of that. Samantha s Second Place Chili 1 pound cooked boneless chicken breast chopped into bite size pcs. 1 jar Salsa Con Queso dip medium 2 cups chunky salsa medium 1 can beer 1 can chicken broth 1 jar northern beans 2 teasp. cumin 1 cup cubed Velveeta Put everything except Velveeta and Queso dip in a crock pot for 8+ hrs. 1-2 hours before serving add Velveeta and Queso dip. Stir to be sure cheese mixes well. Alan s Third Place Chili 2 lbs ground beef 1 tube zesty sausage 2 cans hot chili beans 1 can black beans 1 can southwest corn 1 large tomato soup 1 can chili ready tomatoes 1 can tomatoes with green chilies onion chili powder salt 2 tsp cumin chili oil MLA Membership Sign-Up If you have not done so, please fill out the membership card and send it along with your check for $20 made out to: Murray Lake Association. Because we have such a high membership rate, the annual dues are only $20. Please help us keep it this way. Your $20 supports the following activities: General Lake Maintenance: Water quality testing Water level monitoring Weed monitoring Lake junk removal Dumpster day when members can dump almost anything! Street sign upkeep Event signs Community Events: Community garage sale July 4 boat parade Winter chili cook-off Garden tour Summer picnic Christmas decorating contest Communication: Frequent s on items of interest to lake residents Quarterly newsletter Annual membership meeting A directory of Murray Lake residents published every 3 years the latest will be available for members in late February, 2009

5 MLA Newsletter May 2009 Page 5 Murray Lake Calendar June 6 June 13 July 4 July 18 Oct 13 Dec 19 Garage Sale Contact Kendra Chapman or June Dilly with suggestions or special items you would like to have listed in the advertisements. Dumpster Day Murray Lake Marina 4 th of July Boat Parade at 7 PM Garden Tour Annual Fall MLA Meeting Christmas Decorating Contest IMPORTANT CONTACTS Marine Patrol Don Hamilton Deputy Sheriff Joe Taylor DNR Boat Ramps Bill Clark DEQ Bob Day Environmental Response Div. Ellen Earhart KC Road Commission John Rice KC Animal Shelter Grattan Shelter Frank Force Vergennes Township Tim Wittenbach If you do not have a pre-printed membership card, please clip off the form below and send it with $20 to: Steve Ockaskis 4287 Causeway Dr NE, Lowell, MI Membership Information: First Name(s): Last Names(s): Lake Address: Phone Number: Mailing Address: City: Zip: Address (if you desire relevant lake information) Enclosed: 2009 MLA Dues of $20

6 MURRAY LAKE ASSOCIATION ION Title Name Phone Number President Alan Rumbaugh Treasurer Steve Ockaskis Secretary Judy Spooner Director Arvin Leisman Director Chuck Foster Director Bucky Curtis Director Terry Conley Director Mike Stephens Director John Bajema Director Gene Beerens Director Mike Beaudry The Murray Lake Association is made up of dues paying members. We encourage you to support your lake association by becoming a member and getting involved by attending meetings, helping with events, writing a column in the newsletter, or simply making suggestions so we can continue to improve our lake community Causeway Drive Lowell, MI 49331