I'd like to build a History page on the website.  This photo comes from Stanley Varner, a long time resident of the lake. 

If you have old photos of the lake that would help illustrate its evolution, I would like to scan them for the website.  I will return the photos you give me and they will not be damaged in any way.  You can email me if you have some, my address is [email protected]  I'll make arrangements with you to get the photos by mail or I can pick them up at the lake.  Also, if you would like to give them to Bob Bergman, he can get them to me.  This could really get interesting if we can gather photos from many sources.

Click on this image to see a brochure from the early 80's as well.  Provided by Stanley Varner.

Recieved this today from Gary Buch.  The slab looks great Gary.  Hope everything goes well and you can get started on the cabin again.

"yay! finally got the slab poured. contractor did a great job. unfortunately, this "step forward" was met by a huge "step backward." on 7/9 my wife underwent knee replacement surgery. she developed a blood clot that cut off circulation to her lower leg, and this was not cared for in a timely fashion. she was flown to Barnes and after a week and half and some surgeries, the doctors think they saved her leg. she has a long recovery road ahead of her. building a cabin is the last thing on my mind right now. I ask that you all pray for my wife, Kathryn. most of you don't know us. we haven't been over at the lake the last two yrs very much because of my wife's lack of mobility. she was taking a step to improve that and this happened."

Everyone seems to like the umbrellas that are down at the beach.  Many people have asked me where I got them.  They are $20 each at Sam's Club.

Maria and I purchased the ones that you've seen at the beach (as in NOT with beach funds).  We decided that when we are at the lake, we'll put them out on the beach and share them with our fellow lake owners.  Others have already purchased some themselves.  They are very good quality for $20 but you wouldn't want to keep them up if it got too windy or a storm was coming.  I usually take them down then.

It was Maria's idea to get them.  When we put on the hot dog beach opening event, she thought the beach needed some color.  For $60 I think the three of them have been a hit so far.

The 2014 Independence Day weekend was a great time at the lake.  Temperatures were mild and made for a great day and comfortable nights.  It rained on Saturday and cancelled the boat races.  Thanks to Beth Davis and Sandy Clinton for the nice shirts the kids received for registering for the race.  The races have been rescheduled for Labor Day weekend.  The Fish Fry was well attended and the raffle was a success.  Other than a little rain, it was a great weekend.

I know, I know.  Not only have I seen it, I've been raking it and picking it up.  So, I had an email conversation with the Away With Geese contact that worked with me initially.  After last weekend I sent her some photos of the evidence.

I knew when we first put the light in that I was a little late in the cycle of geese and their babies.  They just had them when I installed it.  And the company told me if that was the case, the adults will never abandoned their young and the light may take longer to be effective.  That still seems to be the case and the company says that once the babies can fly (which looks like it will be soon), then they will probably leave the area, and stay away from the beach.

She also suggested a second light to keep them off the grass.  I don't see that in the budget and told her that if we can keep them away from the range of the first light, we'd be more than happy.

So, I still have the 6 month guarantee and it will pop up in my calendar a week before it expires.  Then I'll make the call as to how effective the light is.  What's odd is that the first 3 weeks it seems to have kept them off beach really well.  We'll see.

In the meantime, I'll still clean the stuff up when I'm down at the lake and I always do that BEFORE I rake the entire beach and smooth out the sand.  I never just bury let it get buried by going over it with the rake.

Looking forward to a great 4th of July weekend!