A Reflection of Life in Lake Naomi & Timber Trails www.LakeNaomiClub.com
End-of-Fall 2009 WHAT’S INSIDE Continue the Tradition................. 2 Curbside Cuisine Pickup Program..... 3 Valentine’s Day Party Celebration.. 4 Holiday Recreation Activities.................. 5 New Year’s Eve Family Party ........... 6 Platform Tennis ...... 7 McKee Schedule... 8 2009 Sailing Awards Recipients............... 9 Junior Sailing Program 2009............. 10 Aquatic Vegetation Control Update.... 11
Lake Naomi Club Lauded in National Poll
The following article written by Wayne Witkowski appeared in the Pocono Record on Sunday, October 18th. Lake Naomi Club in Pocono Pines has been selected to the Platinum Club of America, an award conferred to the top 235 private clubs from among 6,000 clubs nationwide. The elite selection compares to the Mobil five-star ratings. Lake Naomi has 2,000 homes over 3,000 acres. “It’s a great honor for our community. I said to the members that they have long realized we were a platinum residential community club. Now it has been made official and the entire country is aware of it,” said general manager Jeff Evans. Evans pointed out that the club, one of 35 selected for the list, was the only one from the northeastern United States. It was rated No. 24 in that inducted group and 144th overall, based on the criteria of history of excellence, quality of membership, quality of governance, tradition and heritage, condition of facilities and the caliber of professional club management and staff. “We’re proud of this. It’s a pretty large and prestigious group of clubs,” said Evans. He said, on a broader perspective beyond Lake Naomi, that “what it says is that the Pocono region can compete with those other areas. People are looking for a high-quality family recreation experience close to home.” Because of that, Evans said, Lake Naomi weathered the economic downturn and there has been a “stronger usage” by part-time residents who preferred not to travel far. Club memberships and rentals are at an all-time high, enhanced by the brand-new community center that opened two years ago. The club has been featured in a number of media outlets, including The New York Times’ “Escapes” Section. “In the early ‘90s, there were 400 houses for sale and at this point, about 100, which is typically what you would have and want on the market as people’s lifestyles change,” Evans said as the steady churn of sellers and ready buyers balanced the numbers. “A lot of clubs lost substantial members and we were within two or three of previous years. Because the majority of homeowners don’t live here on a year-round basis, it’s a discretionary expense that they choose to make. The value continues to be there for them. They not only get to use and enjoy it (club membership) with their families, it appreciates in value.” Evans credits the “quality of the membership” to Lake Naomi’s success. “You could have the greatest facilities and programs, but if you do not have the members to support those — not just financially, but emotionally — that’s what’s been great about that. They’ve always wanted us to do the right thing. Because this is so much a family community, it is an investment in their community.” A popular retreat for a century, Lake Naomi hosts family reunions, corporate retreats, wellness retreats, food/wine tasting events, ski/sailing weekends and much more with its pristine lakes, rustic wooded lots, country homes, groomed facilities and cuisine. It has a state-of-the-art tennis facility, along with seven beaches and offers day care.