The Canadian Laker - 2022 December/2023 January

The Ins and Outs of Winter

The leaves have all fallen and snowbirds are long gone There’s frost now at daybreak with deer tracks across the lawn Most mornings are peaceful with the dawn’s sweet caress Shrubs and trees are glistening with each icy nightdress

There’s steaming hot cocoa to fill every cup Nothing could smell better when you’re just getting up Glancing out the window while snuggling in a chair A fire blazing in the hearth, nothing can compare

Each snowflake is quite graceful as it waltzes to the deck

A cozy quilt is pulled up, covering to the neck There’s no place to go, nor better place to be As each flake is gently twirling to nature’s symphony

Silent seasonings of the season shaken loose to the ground As warm and fuzzy slippers appear on all those snowbound There is plenty to admire and there’s plenty to see Life’s like a giant snow globe just for you and for me

Time seems to stand still in this quiet wonderland Quite different from other seasons, this is winter’s grandstand Forcing all to take notice, winter whispers, then shouts “Look at me! Here I am!” can be heard as she touts

You can answer her call or stay snuggled inside Winter leaves it to you, ‘cuz it’s for you to decide Stay comfy and toasty as you revel in the view Or frolic and feel festive in winter’s snowflake debut

JOYCE B. WILCOX//WRITER’S QUEST

Photography by Lindsay Halcomb

Photography by Di Schwartz

Photography by Dan Strandt of Canadian Lakes Camera Club

The Canadian Laker is owned and published bimonthly by the Canadian Lakes Property Owners Corporation (CLPOC) as its official magazine and is mailed at standard rate to each property owner of record to the address on file with the corporation. The Canadian Laker is a trademark of the CLPOC. Copyright ©2022 by CLPOC, all rights reserved.

Although every effort is made to ensure accuracy of content published in The Canadian Laker, the CLPOC cannot assume any responsibility for content, warranties, and representations made in advertisements herein. Advertisements or sponsor recognition appearing in The Canadian Laker is not an endorsement or recommendation of the advertiser’s product or service by the CLPOC. All warranties and representations made are solely those of the advertiser and any such claims regarding an ad’s content should be addressed directly to the individual advertiser.

CLPOC reserves the right to refuse publication of any editorial content, advertisement, or unsolicited material.

Canadian Lakes Property Owners Corporation

PUBLISHER

Canadian Lakes Property Owners Corporation 10690 Pierce Road Canadian Lakes, MI 49346 P 231-972-7651 canadianlakes.org

PRODUCTION & ADVERTISING

SVK Multimedia & Publishing PO Box 586 Hudsonville, MI 49426 616.379.4001 SVKmp.com • jolsasvk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

Lindsay Halcomb, Marketing Director

Art and Editorial provided by Canadian Lakes Property Owners Corporation thecanadianlaker@gmail.com

VOLUNTEERS

Joyce Wilcox

Chris Zimmerman

Cora Foley

PHOTOGRAPHY

Chuck Richardson Di Schwartz

Dan Strandt Candy Parnell

DEADLINE DATES

Feb/March - January 4 April/May – March 3 June/July – May 4 Aug/Sept – July 1 Oct/Nov – September 2 Dec/Jan – November 3

SUBMISSIONS

Canadian Lakes sanctioned groups and outside organizations are encouraged to submit articles, pending approval by CLPOC Board. Submit all copy as an email attachment to Editor at thecanadianlaker@gmail.com. Credits are noted with articles and photos.

GUIDELINES FOR ARTICLES

Submit in Microsoft Word®, double spaced, preferably in Calibri font 11pt. or Arial font 11pt. For complete guidelines, contact thecanadianlaker@gmail.com.

GUIDELINES FOR PHOTOS/GRAPHICS

Photos: Digital high-resolution photos. Low resolution photos usually not accepted. Graphics: Submit graphics in .png or .jpg format.

From the General Manager

is priceless and Canadian Lakes is extremely fortunate to have such an amazing group of volunteers. Whether you volunteer for the Board or a Committee, donate expertise or money, organize an event, support the amenities, you all play an important role in our community's success.

that it does take a significant amount of snow to build up the tube discharge area before we can make it operational. Without a proper working discharge area, it becomes a safety factor. Staff, along with some volunteers, will be maintaining the ice-skating rink again this year at the Highland Haus and the cross-country ski/ biking trail on the Highlands golf course. Stay tuned to the Member’s Bulletin and our website for the latest updates on all our wintertime activities.

BUDGET

Greg

Babbitt General Manager

gbabbitt@clpoc.org

CLPOC OFFICE

10690 Pierce Rd. Canadian Lakes, MI 49346 Phone: 231-972-7651

OFFICE HOURS

Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

MEMBER SERVICES

Dawn McNeill Kathy Graham Jane Hensley memberservices@clpoc.org

At times, based on the edition of the Laker, I feel like I write some of the same things. The reason, with the Laker being six issues a year, it is important to include certain things at certain times each year. Example, this is my time of year to include being thankful and reflect on the past season. Hopefully, each of you can be thankful as well.

THANKFUL

I am certainly thankful to all the many volunteers we have. Volunteerism

I am also very thankful for my dedicated staff of employees. I would specifically like to thank my Department Heads, Kim Dowell, Casey Smith, Dennis Wolfe, Bill Hull, Kristin Wilcox, Kendall Ouwinga, Ryan Rasmussen, and Lindsay Halcomb. These Department Heads take operating this place very personal and attempt to do it in a professional business manner. They and their staff do their work both noticeably and behind the scenes. I am truly grateful for the staff I have and enjoyed watching them again this year, rise to the challenge of another season. Without all of their devoted efforts, Canadian Lakes would not be the place it is.

I would also like to thank my General Manager Committees and the many volunteers from Mobile Watch, Lake Stewards, Flower Power, Yard Waste, all of whom are resourceful in assisting me and my staff with operations. I appreciate all of these individuals working together as a team on their respective tasks.

SEASONAL RECAP

This past season, we continued to see increased activity at the Highlands, Pines, and Royal golf courses. We also saw increased activity at the Campground and both the Outdoor and Indoor pools. With the Royal course increased activity, this benefited the Royal Grille as activity was up and has continued to stay very busy thus far into the off-season. This has been one of our best amenity seasons. I really want to thank you the members, and all your guests, for the support you have given to the amenities this season.

OFF-SEASON

We will be operating the Tubing Tow at the Highland Haus on weekends when the hill conditions permit. Please remember

We are currently in the process of preparing next fiscal year’s budget, FY 2024. One factor that exists is the Consumer Price Index is 8.7%, our ceiling is 4.3%, in which we are allowed to increase the amount of the Membership fee. The Board will need to decide as to the exact percentage that will be used. Some areas of concern are our contracts/vendors/service providers continue to increase their prices. Also, staffing and the higher wage needs that will most likely continue in order to operate the community effectively and not be understaffed or operating with under-qualified staff. This budget process involves establishing the 2023 Rates and Fees Schedule. The staff, Finance Committee, and Board are all in the process of preparing the FY 24 budget and 2023 Fee Schedule. The Proforma budget and fee schedule will be voted on at the Board’s December 17th meeting. The Board and Management continue to be cognizant of the current economic conditions while at the same time trying to balance expenses for services against income.

As with every year during this wonderful holiday time, my staff joins me in wishing each and every one of you a Joyous Holiday Season and a very Happy and Healthy New Year! We hope that your special holiday time will be spent making fond memories with family and friends!

Kelley Reitzel, Broker 231-250-4417

Laura Veersma, REALTOR® 231-598-1519

Sue Bean, REALTOR® 231-580-9546

Kayla Kesting, REALTOR® 231-527-5371

Randy LaPreze, REALTOR® 231-349-1395

Kathy Fleming, REALTOR® 231-388-2454

Steven Malloy, REALTOR® 231-218-4605

Mark Wentland, Associate Broker 231-598-4871

Carol Betts, REALTOR® 231-250-5285

From the Board

L. Szymkowicz President

pls.clpoc@gmail.com

CLPOC BOARD OF DIRECTORS board@clpoc.org

OFFICERS

President Paul Szymkowicz pls.clpoc@gmail.com

This year’s elections are behind us, and Thanksgiving is just around the corner.

I would like to welcome Linda Rickets as our newest CLPOC Director. This will be Linda’s first term as a director, and I am sure that everyone is looking forward to working with her throughout the upcoming three years. Both John Colley and I have been re-elected and we both look forward to starting our third term as CLPOC directors. Please check out the article in this Edition of The Canadian Laker for more information on the vote counts for the candidates, as well as the final vote counts of the two proposals.

I would like to thank all of our election’s inspectors for their hard work in making the elections a success. I would also like to thank our community and the entire Board of Directors for all their support during my past six years of

Vice President John Colley jacclpoc@gmail.com

Treasurer James French jbf.clpoc@gmail.com

service, it has been quite an experience. Unfortunately, we must also say goodbye to our departing Board Member Dan Rice. It has been a true privilege working with Dan over the past three years. Both our community and I are better off thanks to Dan’s tireless efforts on our behalf. We all wish Dan every success in future endeavors and hope that he will choose to remain active in our community.

The signs of summer are slowing disappearing. The weather is turning colder, and the leaves are gone from the trees. The campgrounds, beaches, lakes, outdoor pool and golf course are closed for the season. It seems like we finally get everything just the way we want it, then suddenly it is time to put it all away for the winter. The winter amenities, Royal Grill, Indoor Pool, Fitness center, Skating Rink and Tube Tow, all performed well last winter thanks to outstanding membership support. Let’s keep up the good work.

Secretary Steve Wilcox doctorw.clpoc@gmail.com

DIRECTORS-AT-LARGE

Dan Altier altierdt@gmail.com

Linda Ricketts

Shannon Hannon shannon.clpoc@gmail.com

Jerry Juncker juncker.jerald@yahoo.com

Paul

A lot of us have friends and family that leave us for warmer weather during the winter months. We wish them all safe travels and look forward to their return next spring.

This year would not be the success that it has been without the dedicated efforts of our General Manager, Staff and all our employees. We can’t thank you enough for everything that you do to support Canadian Lakes. Volunteers also play a huge part in our continued success. We have members that serve on GM committees and BOD committees, Mobile Watch, Flower Power, CLA director, and everyone that serves on their committees and members that help staff their events. When you think about it, every member has a part to play in making Canadian Lakes “the Good Life”. There is a reason that we are all members here. So much can be accomplished when we all work together.

Stay safe and have a great holiday season. Until the next time, Paul Szymkowicz

Steve Brandt abrandtcl@gmail.com

CLPOC BOARD MEETINGS

Regular Monthly Board Meeting

Fourth Saturday 9 a.m., Highland Haus

Workshop Board Meeting

Second Wednesday 5:30 p.m., CLPOC Office Conference Room

CORE VALUES

• Our heritage: We value our history and its ideals of friendliness, mutual support, affordability, and shared responsibility for our natural environment.

• Participating in the activities we love: We value participating in activities we love with our friends and neighbors and supporting the diverse and changing interests of our members.

• Protecting property values: We value taking proactive steps to protect and enhance the investment members have made in their homes and in community amenities.

• Financial soundness and sustainability: We value a financial structure that enables us now and in the future to meet community standards for the quality of our properties, membership programs and services and safety.

• Shared governance: We value and depend on the leadership and participation of members in the governance activities of the community and on an informed membership.

• Volunteerism: We value the active volunteer community service of our members, both in Canadian Lakes and in the surrounding communities.

• Leading into the future: We value careful planning, openness to change, and taking proactive steps that will ensure our best future as a community.

CANADIAN LAKES PROPERTY OWNERS VISION STATEMENT

Canadian Lakes is a premier recreational and residential community set in West Michigan’s scenic heartland. As a unified community of private property owners offering an unequaled quality of life, Canadian Lakes fulfills the diverse needs of all members in a natural setting for present and future generations to enjoy. This Core Vision is characterized by:

• The natural beauty of the area and its desirability as a place to live

• Outstanding recreational and social activities

• Financial soundness and sustainability

• Protection of property values through disciplined growth and the development and maintenance of a high quality infrastructure.

2022 ANNUAL ELECTION RESULTS

THE CLPOC BOARD would like to thank all the voting members for participating in the decision-making process of our community. In addition, the Board would also like to thank the following election inspectors for all of their hard work. Steve Wilcox as head election inspector along with Gloria Rogers, Barb Collinge, Judy Genotti, Deb Macaddino, Millie Spinney, Lynn Tracy, Tim Collinge, Jim Heinrich, John Napiewocki, Dave Sanderson, Ron Spinney, and Pete Zeimis.

BALLOT INFORMATION

Number of ballots sent: 3978

Number of ballots required for quorum: 995

Number of ballots returned: 1489

Percentage returned: 37%

Number of unsigned ballots: 29

Number of spoiled ballots: 1

BALLOT ISSUE 1 - ANNUAL ELECTION OF THREE DIRECTORS

John Colley: 1188

Linda Ricketts: 1148 Paul Szymkowicz: 1113

BALLOT ISSUE 2 – APPROVAL OF 2021 ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES

Yes: 1299 No: 105

Yes: 1398 No: 65

BALLOT ISSUE 4 – SPECIAL ASSESSMENT

Yes: 685 No: 804

If you have any specific questions relative to these results please feel free to contact Greg Babbitt, General Manager at gbabbitt@clpoc.org or 231-972-7651.

THE THREE RECEIVING THE MOST VOTES are elected as Canadian Lakes Property Owners Corporation Board of Directors for the years 2023-2026: Congratulations Paul Szymkowicz, John Colley, and Linda Ricketts!

Congratulations to John Colley, Linda Ricketts, and Paul Szymkowicz. The Canadian Lakes Property Owners Corporation Board of Directors would like to extend a very sincere thank you to these candidates for their willingness to dedicate their time and talent to serve our community.

JOHN COLLEY

LINDA RICKETTS

PAUL SZYMKOWICZ

DO THE WRITE THING!

BY JOYCE B. WILCOX

SEVERAL YEARS AGO, around the turn of the century, a group of determined and fun-loving individuals assembled in a home in Canadian Lakes to have a good time and stretch their creativity to the max. They were a diverse group and they soon discovered that among their members they had individuals with a variety of occupations, interests, and hobbies which made for some interesting gatherings with some fascinating conversations. Since golf leagues, quilt club, book club, and garden club were already wellestablished in the community, the group shared ideas for their purposeful pursuit of a congenial common cause. So they decided to do the write thing and they put the pencil to the paper and Writer’s Quest was born.

The purpose of Writer’s Quest pretty much remains the same today since the

formation of that original core group. We meet to share ideas, information, and our writing in a relaxed, casual, friendly environment in order to encourage each other, assist with suggestions, and to continue to spark creativity. In other words, we meet, we talk, we share, we have fun, and we create, but not necessarily in that order.

While remnants of that original membership remain active or periodically revisit the Writer’s Quest meetings, everyone now congregates at the Alpine Haus, their writing-home away from home for about the last 15 years. This relocation to a more permanent site has permitted the group to be more accessible to members, guest speakers, and visitors. No one needs to be on a quest to locate Writer’s Quest each month. You can find us at the Alpine Haus at 3 p.m. every first

Friday of the month throughout the entire year. For safety concerns, there are cancellations when the weather closes area schools and when the roads aren’t accessible.

Much like a book club, we function best with a diligent, rotating dozen members on our monthly roster. Throughout the year, however, the returning group fluctuates in attendance and is generally less than half that size. This seems to work well to permit new members at any time. Since we function as a group so that we listen, inspire, and encourage, having some new or seasonal members drop in when they’re available is always a welcome addition.

Our monthly meetings are flexible in structure in that they promote voluntary active participation. Members are encouraged to write and share or just to listen or comment. It’s helpful

to have participants, listeners, and feedback in our sessions. The first half of our meetings usually start with a fun 15-minute warm-up writing exercise to get our creative juices flowing. Nothing like a little planned spontaneity to energize writing! Sharing that unedited work in progress is optional, but most do so and really enjoy the feedback. Some even complete the piece at home to be shared at the next meeting.

We also supply information about local and national writing contests, conferences, and any scheduled local readings by authors. Interesting articles from two writing magazines, Poets & Writers and Writer’s Digest, are also frequently shared with the group. While you can broaden your horizons by merely attending Writer’s Quest, you can expand your world even more by actively participating.

Writer's Quest Meeting

The second half of the meeting involves reading a short poem or prose piece which was created at home and is nearer to being a final draft. Every member may share any original piece, but the suggested prompts for this work come from the 4 elements of fiction drawn at the end of the previous meeting. These elements include an object, a character, a setting, and a situation or problem. Since these elements are drawn blindly, they tend to be like my mother’s

hodge-podge soup, making for interesting combinations and having their own flavors. This exercise is merely a voluntary suggestion. Members may bring any other piece to share or just sit back and enjoy.

Guest speakers at Writer’s Quest have included several Michigan authors and poets including some former club members. Previous activities have also included a field trip to novelist James Oliver Curwood’s castle in Owosso,

Healthcare Centered on

Needs

Michigan Primary Care Partners is now recognized as a Patient-Centered Medical Home by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. The designation is awarded to primary care groups that offer a teambased, proactive model of efficient, costeffective care centered around the patient.

PCMH-designated doctors manage their patients’ care to keep them healthy and prevent complications that require treatment with expensive medical services. That means we are focused on making sure our patients receive the right care in the right setting.

and visits to bookstores in the state in order to attend readings in the area by published writers. We’ve had opportunities to share poetry at open mics at Ferris State University and to participate in writing contests during the Festival of the Arts in Big Rapids. Members have also attended writing workshops at Art Works in Big Rapids and have had their writing displayed within art exhibits in the galleries. You may have also noticed an influx of Writer’s Quest poetry in our very own Canadian Laker. Our members are thrilled with this opportunity. For the convenience of the editors, we collectively submit poems for publication in every issue and are featured as space permits.

Writer’s Quest is also in possession of an extensive 200 book library shared with its members. These resource books span a variety of genres including novels, poetry, magazines, short stories, mysteries, memoirs, scripts, and children’s literature. There are also many instructional books about editing, publishing, writing careers, sparking creativity, submitting your written work, and explaining the elements of fiction. This library provides some wonderful resources to assist and encourage every writer, regardless of ability or experience.

It may be true that golfing and most water sports are among the most popular activities in Canadian Lakes, but they are seasonal or weather dependent in Michigan. Writing need not be. Unless of course if you’re a writer who enjoys penciling on your pontoon or scribbling at the sand traps, then meeting at the Alpine Haus at 3 p.m. on the first Friday of every month throughout the year might not work for you. Just remember, it doesn’t matter if you’re a novice or a novelist, or whether you prefer poetry or prose, you’re always welcome to join the fun. We appreciate fresh ideas, we’re open to listening to new writing voices, and we also delight in the opportunity to make new friends. So please join us and do the write thing!

For more information, contact Joyce Wilcox, Writer’s Quest facilitator, at 734223-7841 or at joycebwilcox@gmail.com

Marketing

Lindsay Halcomb Marketing Director lhalcomb@clpoc.org

What’s next?

AS SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW, Canadian Lakes will be getting a new members website. Don’t worry, the website URL will remain the same: members.canadianlakes.org. The new website is user friendly, easy to navigate, and has a lot of the same information members want to access. For instance, you can retrieve deed restrictions, board meetings & minutes, committee meeting times, the past twelve issues of the Canadian Laker, and so much more.

If you are not utilizing the website now, you certainly will when it is connected to our shiny new mobile app.

You heard right! Canadian Lakes will be going live with our mobile app sometime before spring, and all our golfers will be able to schedule tee times electronically. Not only that, but members will be able to make reservations to different events, and make reservations for our different amenities, all through a mobile app. Amazing for all our techies out there! And it will be amazing for all our nontechies too, because we will be here to help. No good implementation comes without a handful of difficulties, but the benefits and rewards will far exceed the short-term issues.

I will make a call to action here to help alleviate some of the potential initial problems. We need your current email address on file at the office. I’m asking members to do this in either one of two ways:

1. One option is to come into the CLPOC office and speak with our personnel at the front desk. Ask them what email you have on file and make changes accordingly.

2. The other option is to email memberservices@clpoc.org. List your full name, street address, lot number, and let them know which email address you want on file. If changes are to be made, please ask them to do so. It will be important for you to list out all your lot numbers if you have multiple lots so your email will be changed across all

records, and not just in one spot.

Here’s why it is so important to have your current email address on file in the new website database:

• Your member number and your family’s member number have changed. It is no longer your lot number; in the new database it is now a computergenerated number linked to your account at the CLPOC office.

• Going forward you will need to have this new member number in order to log into the members website and gain access to the mobile app.

I do not have an exact date for when we will go live with the new member website, but I’m pushing for sooner rather than later, and most definitely before we can even think about spring. Once we go live, we will be taking all the email addresses we have on file and sending out your new member number to each of you via the email contact you have provided. This means if you do not have an email address on file, or if we do not have your current one, you will not receive your new member number, and thus will not have access to our website or the mobile app. Please act now and get us your correct email address.

Get excited Canadian Lakers! We are moving into the 21st Century and it’s going to be wonderful! At the top of this page is a sneak peek at what your new members website will look like.

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Instagram: canadianlakes_mi

facebook.com/royalgrille

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CANADIAN LAKES

ASSOCIATION

Good day my fellow Canadian Lakers!

I hope all is well in your world. Lindsay Halcomb, our CL Marketing Director, always sends out a reminder to those of us who provide letters and articles for The Laker, as to our upcoming deadline to submit our information. When I received the deadline reminder for Friday, November 4, and it was for our DecemberJanuary Laker, I immediately thought, GEEZ another year has come and gone already. Thank you, Lindsay, I really appreciate you for that email reminding me the snow will soon be here!

It’s November 1st and I’m writing this letter at 6:00 a.m. with a hot cup of coffee, a homemade donut (thanks to our neighbor Glen Reed), and Agnes in my lap. The CLA is in the busiest twoweek period of the year. Saturday, October 29th was our annual Halloween Dance with 80 members attending, and Monday, October 31st was our Trick-or-Treat at the Castle with 350 little ghosts and goblins and their family members attending. This coming Thursday, November 3rd is our Annual Cook-Off, featuring soup this year, where 12 Canadian Lakes members will vie to be “Top Chef” and get their name on a plaque in the Highland Haus, as well as money in their pocket. Monday, November 7th is our Gals Night Out Event where “yours truly” has the daunting task of playing Steve Harvey hosting a Family Feud Game and trying to entertain 140 Canadian Lakes Ladies ... boy do I have it tough! Friday, November 11th we have our Veterans Day Program. Thank you to Tricia Donegan for organizing this Canadian Lakes Community Celebration as we honor our Veterans.

I guess it should be obvious why “time flies” in Canadian Lakes when you are busy having FUN with neighbors, family, and friends. It’s very easy to lose track of time, but let’s just hope the next three months go by as fast as possible because, as you have heard from me, I am not a “winter guy”.

During December we still have our Annual Home Decorating Contest on December 8th & 9th, and our New Year’s Eve Dance on December 31st. I’m certain my fellow Canadian Lakes members

Norm and Peggy Brohl

events. The Canadian Lakes Association provides all of this and then some with just a small group of dedicated volunteers. In order for us to be able to continue to provide this for our community, we are going to need your support.

By the time you receive this Laker, we will be saying goodbye to three of our very talented and dedicated Board Members, Jo Alex, Robin Bielby, and Sharon Schmidt, who have a total of 20 years of experience, and who will have completed their term limits and then some. To say they will be missed is a huge understatement. Jo has been our CLA Membership Director for the last six years. Her knowledge of this position is second to none. Sharon has been our secretary for the last

CLA Trick or Treating at the Castle.

Rachel & Wally Ewing

GalsNightOut

seven years, as well as our Sanctioned Club Director this last year. Sharon is also our Medical Supplies Director. She has managed to handle all of these positions wonderfully. Robin has been in charge of Food Service and Volunteers the past six years, along with serving as Vice President under our previous CLA President, Earl Christianson. When you see these ladies out and about in Canadian Lakes, please thank them for their dedicated service to the Canadian Lakes Association and our Community.

I’m certain the CLA Board has never faced having to replace 20 years of experience in one year, and it will be a daunting task. So that is why we need you now more then ever to step up and help lead the CLA into the future. It is the best way to meet your Canadian Lakes neighbors and make new friends.

So, if it’s important to you that the CLA continues to provide all of our current events, and to be able to deliver all of the fun contests that you have grown accustomed to, now is the time for you to COME JOIN THE FUN of becoming a CLA Board Member...help shape the future of our great community!

CLA Soup Cook-Off

JoAnn Jewell Enjoying Gals Night Out.

Optimist Club MECOSTA COUNTY

The Optimist International Mission Statement is: By providing hope and positive vision, Optimists bring out the best in youth, our communities, and ourselves. The Mecosta County Optimist Club was chartered in August of 2021. The 22 members have been very busy since then.

One of the enjoyable things that most Optimist Clubs do is have guest speakers at our meetings. One meeting we had Kyle Talicska from Mecosta Elementary give us an overview of his student body. We asked what was something he needed for the school that the Optimists could provide? His response was immediate and emphatic: “Fix the Playground”. We immediately made plans that this would be our first major project.

Michelle Kauffold wrote a grant request to see if we could get funding for the playground project. We applied for the grant as a part of the Childhood Health and Wellness Program through the Optimist International Foundation. In May we were notified we were awarded a $1000.00 matching grant. This wonderful news

expanded our initial goal of just painting the playground, to providing new playground equipment. The metal playground equipment was painted in August, right before school started. Thanks to Kyle Talicska who raised our awareness, we were also able to give the Mecosta Elementary Community new basketball nets, bases for the ball field diamond, soccer balls, footballs, basketballs, sleds, plus outside Yahtzee and Connect Four games.

This supportive principal set up a surprise event in his gym for the entire school and gave the Mecosta County Optimists some in-person experience of the enjoyment the kids get at their recess time. A part of the grant was to give students healthy snacks, so the Optimists passed out cheese sticks and carrots as the students went out and played with the new equipment.

Another guest speaker was from Angels of Action, one of the local nonprofit organizations focusing on food and essential needs of the community. We were all moved by the number of families that are served and supported through their many programs. Several of us went for a tour of the facility and enjoyed a soup lunch. While there, we were told about the painted rock garden outside one of the entrances and how there are people that come by just to look and “meditate”. At our next meeting we suggested purchasing a bench for the entrance area. Kim Easler, Director of Community Outreach liked the idea, and this project was undertaken and completed in September.

Another Speaker was Chad Saxton from Eagle Village, a nearby youth treatment center. We couldn’t do a hands-on event for his group, but we were able to supply some happy faces when we showed up with 40+ goodie bags for their annual “Fun in the Sun” day at the Village. Socks, books, candy, chalk and sunglasses were among the many items each student received from the Mecosta County Optimists.

Word of our successful endeavors spread throughout the community and generated curiosity about our group. Members of the Canadian Lakes Fishing Club came to one of our meetings. They discussed the shrinking membership of their club and suggested we become a partner in the non-fishing related aspects of their events. Another great project for us. We set up the treat station and gave out hot chocolate and doughnut holes for

Friendly faces of the Mecosta County Optimist Club.

the youngsters after the ice fishing event last February. As part of the Canadian Lakes summer picnic weekend, the Fishing Club sponsors the annual Young Angler’s Tournament. The Optimists decided to provide lunch for the families that participated in the fishing contest. This was a huge success for all involved. We were overly ambitious and bought too much, so we donated the excess to Angels of Action and God’s Helping Hands, another local charity organization.

Our club is a sanctioned club within the Canadian Lakes Association, so we represented ourselves at the Community Information Day. While there we discovered another need in the area. A wonderful social worker struck up a conversation about her work with Central Michigan University (CMU) students in the American Sign Language (ASL) program. She came up with an idea for us to provide gas cards so the college students could continue working with deaf and hard-of-hearing members of the community as part of the Big Brother Big Sister program. The CMU students work with families on their ASL skills, and the Optimists help offset their expenses of gas and snacks. We committed to a monthly donation for as long as we can help these students and families.

None of these great activities would have been possible without the help of the great people of Canadian Lakes. Last December we held a Fundraising Cocktail party that raised over $6,000. We are hoping to do as well again this year. Mark your calendar – December 8, 2022 is the 2nd Annual Flannel and Frost! For $20.00 you get two drink tickets and appetizers. There will be a 50/50 drawing and silent auction items for you to bid on. Get your tickets by calling Michelle Kauffold 313-510-6300 or emailing her, newmichelle@att.net. Tickets will also be sold at Hixson’s and Fates on select Saturdays in November and December.

Lastly, this positive-minded group needs help with continuing their good work. We invite you to attend one of our gatherings to find out more about this club, as well as Michigan District Optimists and Optimist International. Join us the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at the Alpine Haus at 6pm. Contact President Peggy VanderPloeg for more details. 989-240-4615 or peggyvanderploeg@gmail.com

Canadian Lakes Fishing Club Lunch

A Gifted Rock Garden Bench.

Will be closed for the holiday period after Friday December 16, 2022, and will re-open on Tuesday January 3, 2023. Everyone is encouraged to visit and shop at the resale store as the money raised from these sales is the main source of income for purchasing food, which is then donated to needy families. If you have never visited there, you are missing out on a great money saving resource. They are open on Tuesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon. Located on 50th Ave, just south of M20. Prices are generally lower than any other resale store in our area and better than most garage sales.

FOCUS ON

fishing

CL Fishing Club Update

AT THE OCTOBER CLUB MEETING, a motion was passed to continue the officers of 2022 for another year: President, Dale Doepker, Vice President, George Groll, Treasurer, Jo Alex. Our next meeting will be Wednesday, April 12, 2023, 7 p.m., at Alpine Haus. All Canadian

Annual Big Fish Contest Results

CANADIAN LAKES FISHING CLUB is pleased to announce the winners of the Annual Fishing Contest and thank all those who entered. There were three largest of a species trophies awarded. The Muskie Champion is Aleyna Kozak with a 42-inch Muskie, the Pike Champion is Peter Mooney with a 34inch pike, and the Bass Champion is Larry Pietron with a 23-inch bass. Eleven youth entered their fish of any size and also received trophies.

The next contest runs from October 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023. The entry blanks consist of one entry form

Dale Doepker

For questions about the Fishing Club or about fishing in Canadian Lakes, contact Dale Doepker at dtroutman97@aol.com or 231-972-8663

Lakers interested in fishing, or helping kids catch fish, are encouraged to attend. We will begin planning our events for the summer season. Please remember to release live all bass and muskies, plus pike that are 24” and over.

Christmas Gift Idea

THE CANADIAN LAKES FISHING CLUB has a full complement of caps and t-shirts for sale. They would make excellent Christmas gifts for both your young and older anglers. There are summer mesh hats at $6 each and the embroidered hats

for both. If the entry is a young angler the information for the angler must be filled in as to age, etc. All entries will be eligible for the Largest Fish Contest if the minimum length is met. The new entry forms are available on the website and at the CLPOC Office. Please make sure that the form used is for the current year, 2022 to 2023. In the meantime, keep track of your catches so you can enter them by next October 10, 2023.

Good luck on your fishing trips and remember, “That’s why it’s called fishin and not catchin.” (In memory of Jim Hilton)

at $15 each. The t-shirts are in various sizes from youth to adult and sell for $12 each. There are some xxxl t-shirts, which can be used as beach or sleep wear. Contact Jo Alex at joalexclakes@comcast. net or 847-754-8137

Colette VanMarion 2022

19th Annual Youth Ice Fishing Derby

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2023, 9 a.m. to noon! Bring the kids for a fun time ice fishing, whether or not they have done it before. No registration needed, just show up. Fishing rods, bait, holes, bonfire, are all provided free. The Optimists Club will be providing free hot chocolate and donuts. CL Fishing Club members will give instruction and assistance in catching fish. In past years, kids have caught hundreds of bluegills and perch, plus several pike. Location is on the Main Lake, just south of Buchanan, off West Royal, with parking alongside the Pickleball Courts. We will also have a free raffle for the kids at 10:30 a.m. with over a dozen great prizes. Adults are welcome to come and learn the techniques. Questions, call Dale Doepker, dtroutman97@aol.com, 972-8663.

Safety on our Frozen Lakes

BELOW ARE some common safety tips to remember before venturing out onto any frozen lake or pond:

1. Check the ice thickness with a spud or auger. Be aware that snow or slush can hide thin areas.

2. Do not go out alone. Also, carry a rope and ice spikes.

3. Take a cell phone to call 911 for help for yourself or others.

4. To help someone who falls through, do not go near the hole, but use a rope or long object to help them.

5. If you make a large hole for ice fishing, insert a tree branch to mark it before leaving.

List of CL Fishing Club Activities in 2022

FEB 12, 50 Kids participated in the 18th Annual Ice Fishing Derby, the Fishing club furnished all tackle, bait, holes, assistance and gave out 30 free raffle prizes. Optimists Club provided hot chocolate and donuts.

JULY 2, the 20th Annual Young Angler’s Contest had over 60 kids participate. 27 awards were given out, plus every kid who entered received a gift bag. A picnic lunch was provided by the Optimists Club.

JUNE 18, 22nd Annual Bass Tournament, with 23 boats. Total weight winner for five bass was 18.06 pounds and largest bass was 4.89 pounds.

AUG 5-6, 17th Annual Bullhead Tournament, 10 fishermen, 78 bullhead weighed in. Winner had 27 bullhead weighing 18.28 pounds. Fish were cooked for entrants.

SEPT 10, 19th Annual Pike Tournament, 12 anglers, 55 pike caught and released, Largest was 27” and most total pike caught by one fisherman was 18.

FIVE THREE-HOUR Fishing Fun Nights were scheduled, May thru September, but the first two were canceled due to poor turnout.

AT LITTLE PINE ISLAND Salvation Army Youth Camp this Summer, three or four club members each day drove the 50 miles to teach and assist kids catching fish on 13 days.

DONATED 10 surplus rod/reels and many lures to Eagle Village.

DONATED SIX surplus rod/reels to Indian Youth organization.

PURCHASED 30 subscriptions to MUCC Tracks Magazine for area kids.

DONATED 6 FISHING RODS & 4 tackle boxes to Salvation Army Angel Tree.

YOUTH AND BIG FISH, Year Around Contest, 11 trophies awarded to kids and three trophies for largest fish of the year.

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP in Muskegon River Watershed Assembly and Keep America Fishing.

PIZZA PROVIDED to entrants in the Fun Nights and Pike Tournament, paid out of entry fees.

MEMORIAL PLAQUES for deceased club members.

MEMORIAL DONATIONS for deceased spouses of club members.

DaMario Banks 2022

Canadian Lakes Property Owners Corporation (CLPOC)

CLPOC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

WHAT ARE WE?

This is a question which has caused much speculation and consternation since our transition in 1995. So, let’s settle it right now, we are a “Not for Profit Corporation.” We are governed by the NonProfit Corporation Act. PA 162 of 1982. We operate under Articles of Incorporation, which clearly state; The name of this corporation shall be “Canadian Lakes Property Owners Corporation” (hereinafter referred to as the “Corporation”) and is incorporated as a nonprofit corporation pursuant to the Michigan Nonprofit Corporation Act, MCL 450.2101. This is “Who we Are” and who we have been since 1995.

WHAT WE ARE NOT

While many over the years have speculated, and yes even insisted we are an HOA or POA. We can

state definitely we are not an HOA or POA in any legal sense of the designation. There are some who at reading this will run to social media and say, “you are an HOA because it says so on your LARA license.” Let us be clear, this LARA wording is not legally binding and is only for the purpose of providing the general nature of the business. In our future LARA submissions on advice of Attorneys we will reword this to make reflective of what we are.

We realize there will still be some who will cling to their beliefs, as they feel it allows them legal redress against CLPOC. Make no mistake regardless of what social media will claim we ARE NOT an HOA or POA.

Photography by Dan Strandt of the Canadian Lakes Camera Club

MYS T ERIES

By Chris Zimmerman

Planning an Outdoor Travel Adventure on the Cheap? Prepare

for the Unexpected.

Even though the calendar says it’s winter, it’s never too early to plan a fishing or hunting trip. If you’re like me, getting a really good deal on a place to stay is a satisfying feeling. Sometimes that great feeling turns to regret when lodging isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

Part of the regret is steeped in expectations; other times it’s false advertising or just plain local culture. What might seem “normal” in Canadian Lakes, may not be in remote places close to the hunting and fishing locales. Granted, those places aren’t popular vacation destinations unless you’re a sportsman, like me. We outdoor enthusiasts can put up with a lot of housekeeping issues, as long as the place to stay is within a few miles of where we want to pursue our outdoor passions. We sportsmen aren’t too needy. No need for continental breakfast, a swimming pool, WIFI, plush towels, or 200 movie channels. All we need is a place to clean our fish or game, and, at the end of the day, a comfy spot to rest our head. Seems simple enough, right?

Instead of renting at a motel chain, I prefer to stay in a house, a rental unit or an Air BNB sprinkled throughout the country. Immersing yourself in small towns is part of the alure of getting away from home.

But...there are pitfalls when dealing with small town motels and rental houses. Last fall, I rented a house in North Dakota that was just what the doctor ordered, except for the hundreds of dead ladybugs and flies on the window sills. The furniture was so old it could have come over on the Mayflower, but it really wasn’t that bad. Our dogs slept on the couches. We

cleaned our guns on the kitchen counter and our birds on the tailgate of the truck. The person I rented the house from even offered helpful housekeeping tips about not flushing Q-tips down the toilet. Apparently, Q-tips clog the plumbing.

Another time in North Dakota, I struck a deal to rent a trailer for me and my buddies. If I’m not mistaken it was an older unit, with partially missing skirting, a roof that leaked, squishy wet carpeting, and several bunk beds lined in a row. The landlord wanted $65 a night, which wasn’t the cost per person, but rather, the entire trailer. We jammed eight guys and ten dogs inside, at a cost of $8.13 a night per person. After a long day of tromping through the prairie, we cooked frozen pizza in the oven and laughed as an early winter storm had the trailer creaking and groaning with every blast of wind.

Even though it’s been ten or fifteen years since we rented that unit, the guys in our little bird hunting group still

Hunting or fishing accommodations don't have to be fancy.

Tall tales 'round the campfire are part of hunting lore.

laugh about the experience. To this day, we remember the dogs and friends who have passed, and the vehicles we drove. (One of the fellas took the rear seat out of his tiny Aveo and drove all the way from the Upper Peninsula.)

Further south, in a small Iowa town, I rent a room every year at a mom-andpop style motel. The owners know my name and the place is teeming with other bird hunters from the Midwest. We swap stories from the day’s adventures and compare notes about which restaurant nearby has the best steaks. The rooms are scarcely larger than a queen bed, and the shower stall is the size of a phone booth. Sinks inside the bathroom are so tiny I don’t think you could rinse a skinned pheasant inside one. Just to be on the safe side, the motel owner leaves us a note taped to the mirror “Do not rinse dressed game birds in the sink.”

“Notes” from management seem to be a popular concept with motel owners and vacation homes alike. Every October, I stay at a cabin in the Upper Peninsula. It’s not especially fancy, but the setting is incredible. Outside the front door, the Escanaba River tumbles over boulders, rocks and assorted logs as it flows south to Lake Michigan. Depending on the height of the water, the roar of the passing river can be as subtle as a lullaby or louder than the cheers of a distant high school football game. Inside the cabin, next to the woodstove, is a handwritten sign: “No chopping firewood in the kitchen.”

Mind you, the ceiling in the kitchen is barely six feet tall. There is no way to swing a hatchet, let alone an ax in those tight quarters. Even if the ceiling was ten

feet tall, I’d never think to chop wood indoors. Maybe it’s a Yooper thing.

Far, far, away, in Idaho, my family and I rented an Air BNB for summer vacation. The advertisement for the house said we had the “entire” place to ourselves, but after bringing in our luggage, we saw yet another sign taped to a door. “Downstairs is not included in the Airbnb.” Seemed odd. My mind wondered about the “entire” place claim on the ad, so I texted the owner. His reply, “Oh, my brother lives down there. He’s on house arrest.”

Needless to say, when I saw the text and looked at my family, white-knuckling

the handles of their luggage, we couldn’t get out of there fast enough.

Everyone loves a good deal, whether it’s for lodging, car insurance, a new vehicle, or groceries. As you prepare for an upcoming outdoor adventure keep in mind that a smokin’ hot deal doesn’t always mean a great value. You get what you pay for. If you’re renting your property with hopes of earning a little side money, don’t be timid about leaving notes for the tenants. It seems to be the thing to do.

Chris Zimmerman is a resident of Canadian Lakes, a small business owner, and the author of six Michigan-based novels.

Yooper bird camp, miles from civilization.

Life on Our Links

Dennis Wolfe

PGA Golf Pro

231-972-8979 dwolfe@clpoc.org

If you have questions about golfing in Canadian Lakes, call Dennis Wolfe at The Royal Golf Shop.

2023 TENTATIVE GOLF SCHEDULE

Here is the lineup for the 2023 season. This schedule is subject to change, and we will communicate those if and when they happen. Apr. 7 Chip Hills Boys Golf 2-Man Scramble @ The Royal Apr. 8 Green Jacket Betterball @ The Royal Apr. 19 Chip Hills Boys Golf Jamboree @ The Royal May 6 Derby Dash Scramble @ The Royal May 10 Remus Lions Golf/Bowl @ The Royal May 20 Match Play Blitz @ The Royal May 24 Prostate Cancer Benefit @ The Royal May 28 BIG CUP Family Scramble @ The Pines May 31 Open June 3/4 Canadian Lakes Classic June 7 Tri-Lakes Golf Benefit @ The Royal June 14 Chip Hills Sports Boosters @ The Royal June 21 Habitat for Humanity @ The Royal June 28 Morley Stanwood Girls Basketball Outing @ The Royal July 1 Firecracker Open @ The Royal July 12 St. Mike’s on Spikes @ The Royal July 15 Campground Scramble @ The Pines July 19 Open July 22 Match Play Sixes @ The Royal July 26 18-Hole Ladies Invite @ The Royal Aug. 2 Play For Pink Aug. 5/6 CL Men’s Invitational @ The Royal Aug. 9 Angels of Action LaSenorita Scramble @ The Royal Aug. 10/11 Junior Club Championship @ The Pines Aug. 16 WCAR Outing @ The Royal Aug. 19/20 Club Championship Weekend Aug. 23 Gals on the Green @ The Royal Aug. 23 Mobile Watch Outing @ The Pines Aug. 25 CL Kings & Queens @ The Royal Aug. 30 Chip Hills Girls Golf Invitational @ The Royal Sept. 3 Patriot Golf Day Scramble @ The Highlands Sept. 7 Ladies Cup Matches @ The Royal Sept. 13 Canadian Lakes Cup Matches @ The Royal Sept. 23 Forward Tee Open @ The Royal Oct. 14 Chili-Dog Scramble @ The Royal Oct. 31 Last Day of the Season

JUNIOR GOLF CAMPS

June 19/20/22/23 July 3/4/5/6

(231) 972-8979

9775 Club House Dr E Canadian Lakes, MI 49346

(231) 972-7155

11560 Belle Isle Canadian Lakes, MI 49346

(231) 972-2900 10690 Pierce Rd Canadian Lakes, MI 49346

NORTHSTAR

TECHNOLOGY AND GOLF

We are making an exciting technology transition next year throughout the entire corporation. This change will be very impactful for tee time reservations and event registration. Northstar offers a ClubNow App which will allow you to service most of your golf needs via phone. Step one is to make sure you are connected to CLPOC with an individual email address. You will be able to make your tee time reservations using the app for all locations at anytime of day. The limitations of phone reservations will be a thing of the past.

Golf event details will be available on our website. Each event will have a start reservation date for players to register online. These start dates will always be a Monday at 8:00 a.m. for online, app driven or in-person registration at any of our golf shops. Each event will require you to render payment to secure your reservation. The days of the drive-by...”hey Pro sign me up for this”, will be over.

The Year in Review

Canadian Lakes Golf had another very successful season. We finished the year with 44,601 Total Rounds which was a 3.2% increase over 2021. Here are more numbers for your review.

CATEGORY 2022 2021 2020 2019 % CHANGE 22 VS. 21

Total Rds. 44,601 43,223 0 32,955 3.2% Royal 16,994 16,489 0 15,838 3%

Highlands 13,080 12,089 0 8,140 8.2% Pines 12,493 12,190 0 7,263 2.5% GroupGolfer 2,034 2,455 0 1,714 -17.2%

*2020 has no comparative numbers as this was COVID year which lost April and half of May. *GroupGolfer sold 2994 units in 2021 and only sold 2500 in 2022 (planned reduction).

The column graph above will illustrate rounds played by month. We are providing the last four seasons so you can see the impact of the old funding model to the current funding model introduced in 2020. The growth trends are a testament to the quality of our playing conditions and the popularity of inclusive golf. Thank you for embracing this opportunity.

Red Kettles

Please show your concern for those in need by giving a generous donation at the Salvation Army Red Kettles, especially those at Canadian Lakes Refuse Center and Lakeside Motorsports Open house, plus the counter kettles at Hixson’s Market. All donations are used to benefit people in the four-county area served by Big Rapids Salvation Army. If you are responding to a Salvation Army Mail appeal, please consider depositing your donation at the Refuse Center or Lakeside Red Kettle, rather than mailing it in. The money ends up at the same place, but it will help our Red Kettle total. To volunteer your time for attending any Red Kettle for two hours, contact Dale Doepker, dtroutman97@aol.com, 972-8663

SALVATION ARMY THRIFT STORE

THE BIG RAPIDS SALVATION ARMY has a large Thrift Store at Downtown Big Rapids, in the shopping center just north of the Secretary of State office. The store has a wide variety of merchandise including clothing, kitchenware, housewares, sporting goods, furniture, electronics, books, beds, decor, tools, etc. Their prices are much lower than Goodwill and other resale stores in Big Rapids. All proceeds from the Thrift Store benefit only the Big Rapids Salvation Army programs and services for the 4-county area of Mecosta, Newago, Osceola, and Lake Counties. Due to hiring difficulty, they are currently open only Tuesday to Friday 10 to 5. Volunteer help is needed, call for any information, 231-660-5060.

Big Rapids Walk-In Clinic hours: Mon. - Fri., 7 a.m to 7 p.m.

Lakeview Walk-In Clinic hours: Mon. - Fri., 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sat. & Sun., 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

An Update on

Vacant Lots

Have you ever taken a walk in Canadian Lakes and seen a vacant lot with several colored stakes laying on the ground by the roadside? Maybe you’ve seen a lot with a small wooden dowel and a sheet of paper attached, announcing the date and time that the parcel will be for sale in tax auction? Over the years these have been a common sight in Canadian Lakes.

Recently a new trend has begun shedding a little light and hope for the owners of vacant lots in our community. While many have struggled to hold onto the hope of getting a return on their investments, we have observed the value of Canadian Lakes membership make leaps and bounds through the sales of amenity memberships.

While we can celebrate the growth we have achieved in the last few years, there remains a challenge ahead of us that we need to face as a community to ensure that our investment continues to grow. Let’s have that discussion regarding our land and where it is going...

COVID-19 PANDEMIC

When Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued the “Stay Home — Stay Safe” order in March 2020, many real estate professionals faced uncertainty of what would come from a total shutdown in our industry. How will we meet with clients? Will we be able to tour homes? What will be the new look for our profession to protect ourselves, and our clients?

Ironically, the 2020 order was to protect citizens from the deadly pandemic; it didn’t protect Michigan residents from the effects of “cabin fever.” Being confined within four walls takes a toll on the human psyche. When word traveled that you could enjoying golf, boating, and outdoor recreation in Canadian Lakes, all within state guidelines instituted for safety precaution, something clicked with people: “I need the GOOD Life - for a release from reality.”

After the three-month lockdown, Canadian Lakes saw a jump in vacant lot sales. 2020 brought 115 new memberships from vacant lot sales in the middle of a worldwide pandemic. That was more than double the fifty-one sales in 2019.

dues exceeded the tax bills on vacant lots. While a tax foreclosure may “stop the bleeding” from delinquent association dues, it only provides a Band-Aid when a torniquet is needed.

The concept seems simple: let your taxes default for minimum three years, and the state will take possession. When the state acquires the property from delinquent taxes, the CLPOC can no longer assess future dues to the property owner. Simple…right? Not really. This does not wipe the slate clean from past dues. The CLPOC has been proactive to use small claims court to attempt to collect these fees. Foreclosure also effects an individual’s credit report as well, only placing more burden on the party. Although the debt cannot continue to grow, the game of “hide

The trend continued in 2021, which ushered in an unprecedented 168 lot sales, garnering sixteen newly constructed homes. Growth in lot sales has continued in 2022, which proves that the demand is there! While we are seeing new members who are eager to take advantage of the amenities Canadian Lakes provides, the Michigan Land Bank continues to be the “Elephant in the Room” that needs to be in the minds of everyone in Canadian Lakes.

proves

MICHIGAN LAND BANK

For a time, The Michigan Land Bank seemed to be a “quick fix” for individuals in default on association dues. In certain cases, the yearly association

and seek” from collections continues, and the problems don’t stop there.

As it stands, there are only two ways an individual can purchase property from the State Land Bank: The first option is to purchase a land bank property as a “side-lot” to an existing home. The other option is to purchase the property with an agreement to construct a new residence within 24 months. Neither of these provide an option for buyers who want to purchase a property strictly for membership and amenity benefits. These buyers represent the majority who purchased lots and memberships in Canadian Lakes within the last three years of growth.

Currently the 719 lots held by the state are sitting dormant; not generating tax revenue for our townships and totaling over a half million dollars in lost annual membership revenues. Without these funds, the burden is placed on members who faithfully pay their association dues each year. The state owned lots have been a priority with the CLPOC Board, which continues to work diligently with the State Land Bank to produce solutions to acquire property back from the state. While the Board continues to seek solutions with the state, these parcels sit vacant without purpose.

A BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATERS

When I first started my real estate career in Canadian Lakes in 2016 there were 212 lots for sale. Many of these lots were being sold for as low as $1, and the average sale price was nothing stellar. Many of our local real estate professionals have worked hard to “right the ship,” and provide a sense of hope for individuals trying to sell their property. As result we are seeing a market correction that has generated historic lows in inventory (70 lots for sale as I write this), minimum sale prices of $1,000, and the average sale price exceeding $10,000.

With increased value, market demand, and lower inventory for sales, individuals have another option to tax foreclosure on their lots: The market change has provided

an option to owners to sell their property, without having to come to the closing with funds for delinquent dues. The CLPOC has been very proactive to help individuals with financial hardship navigate through the struggle of outstanding dues. With the assistance of membership services, these changes in market conditions can assist individuals sell their property in a timely manner, without the hassle of foreclosure and collections. It may not work for some, but it’s still a viable option for many.

The only way to know is to do your homework. Contacting a trusted local real estate professional can provide you with a market value on your property and point you in the right direction towards a sale with less burden. The Canadian Lakes Property Owners Corporation can also provide more resources to assist you with your account, and strategies to relieve some of the burden from previous dues.

POSITIVE FUTURE GROWTH

We have made tremendous strides in the past three years to see that our vacant properties are going to better use. In 2022 we have four new model homes that have been listed in Canadian Lakes from vacant lot sales, increasing the property values of all our community members. The additional membership revenue from lot sales assist with our lake maintenance, beaches, golf courses and parks. As we continue to generate more wealth for our community, we will see the dividends though capital improvements, and potentially new amenities to enjoy.

Together- we can make our community a better place for generations to come.

Matt Lauckner has lived in Canadian Lakes for 10 years and is a real estate agent for Century 21 White House Realty in Canadian Lakes.

Thank you!

For all those involved with Century 21 White House Realty’s Nights of Lights and Members Night 2022, thank you! The whole operation to put these events on takes a village. With much planning, purchasing, executing, and behind the scenes issues to take care of we were able to give Canadian Lakes their Members Night back. Sadly, we haven’t had a Members Night since 2019 due to covid, but I think we made up for it this year. Everyone had a great time and I have to thank each of the people listed below for an outstanding job to the start of Nights of Lights!

Well done team, thank you!

EXCLUSIVE FOOD SPONSOR

Hixson’s Family Market (Kenzie, Diane, and their whole crew are the best!)

SPONSORS

(Your generosity is greatly appreciated!)

Century 21 White House Realty

Twisted Trees Landscape

M Schneider Electric LLC

A1 Dock & Lift

Radle Custom Carpentry

NOL VOLUNTEERS

(These are ladies you want on your team, and I was lucky enough to have them this year)

Kay Wejrowski

Lynn Taylor

Fran Voci

JoAnn Jewell

Michelle Howarth

Carol French

Heather Miller

Cathy Chapman

Caroldee Althouse

Sue Swartzendruber

Kristin Wilcox, CLPOC Safety Director

Although Kristin is not an official NOL Committee Member, she might as well be. Kristin made sure Members Night went off without a hitch and kept the Castle lighting on track.

A Novel Way to Travel this Winter

BY JOYCE B. WILCOX

the season right now’s exciteful And the books piled high foresightful

With winter coming just take heed: Let’s all read! Let’s all read! Let’s all read!”

Whether you’re addressing Christmas cards, baking cookies, or wrapping presents, remember to take some time to relax and read, before and after the holidays. It doesn’t matter if you’re a snowbird at the seashore or a Canadian Laker on a lounger, there’s always an enjoyable book to transport you somewhere. The five books selected for this issue have just the right genres for your journey: two Christmas novels, an action-thriller, an historical fiction, and a delightful, surprisingly humorous murder mystery. With settings from Louisiana to Texas, or from England to Australia, or to Eastern Europe, these novels will make your reading excursion memorable.

Christmas at Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan

The expectations which come with a good Christmas story are usually of a warm-schmaltzyromantic nature with dashes of humor, hope, and Hallmark. Because this one was penned by Jenny Colgan and is about a bakery, while it may be a little sugarcoated, it also comes with a bite. The author’s cleverly crafted narrations set the scenes and tones of each chapter, proving once again that she can dish out desserts and serve up the sass. I’ll be the first to admit that Colgan’s Christmas at Little Beach Street Bakery snagged me early on with all of the delicious descriptions of yummy treats and recipes. It was her ability

“Oh

to speak directly to the reader with her skillfully placed asides, however, which made the read all the more palatable.

With a picturesque fictional setting of the tidal island of Mount Polbearne in the British Isles, Jenny Colgan brings the actual Cornwall County into clear focus in Christmas at Little Beach Street Bakery. The reader is instantly amused and entertained by this quirky tale due to the quaint cobblestone streets, an aging historic lighthouse residence, a gourmet bakery with mouth-watering delicacies, and a charming cast of diverse characters always tripping over problems and concerns. Polly grapples to resolve her worries with her live-in fiancé, her struggling new bakery business, her recluse aging single mother, her friends with their own relationship difficulties, and a struggling town in need of a little hope. Sprinkle the story with a little romance, festivities of the Christmas season, revealed family secrets, and a perpetually playful pet puffin for added humor, and you have a unique tale worth reading.

Hello from the Gillespies by Monica McInerney

Always cheery, always bragging, always detailing the best of the best, as Angela Gillespie sits down to compose her annual Christmas email one year, she decides to dig deeper and tell the truth. To expunge her troubles, she utilizes her computer as her therapist and unloads, never intending to push send. In place of the fluff, she writes of troubled marriages, failing careers, excessive debt, and emotional turmoil in each of their lives. And yes, the email is sent accidentally to the one hundred recipients. Needless to say, her husband and children are horrified and blame Angela for writing it. She struggles to make amends and patch the family together. Everyone’s world is taken to a different level when Angela is in a dreadful car accident and the entire family is forced

to envision life without her. Hello from the Gillespies is a ‘from the heart’ redemptive story with a message about what’s really important in life.

This book caught my attention because like the protagonist of Monica McInerney’s novel, I too have written a Christmas newsletter for over thirty years. I was curious about the story behind the story of Angela Gillespie’s Christmas newsletter and her motivation for writing it. I was not disappointed. McInerney digs deep into the trials and tribulations of family life and tells a heartfelt tale of the highs and the woes laced with surprises, wit, and the endless complications which come with everyday life.

The Bounty by Steve Hamilton & Janet Evanovich

On a quest to recover $30 billion in Nazi gold before an emerging new Third Reich discovers its location, FBI agent Kate O’Hare once again teams up with former world-renown-thief-turned-FBI-aide-decamp, Nick Fox. The two work together solving complex riddles and clues in order to find sections of a treasure map hidden in bizarre, dangerous and isolated locations throughout Eastern Europe. Of course, all of this cannot be accomplished without the assistance of both of their fathers: Jake O’Hare, retired military, and Quentin Fox, con man extraordinaire. And why not toss in a rather quirky professor for good measure? This intriguing combination of characters results in a blending reminiscent of Christine Cagney (Cagney & Lacey) meeting the Pink Panther, with two dashes of semi-retired Columbo’s and a splash of Hercule Poirot. Adding to the mix are a monastery, some hangry polar bears, and a never-ending stream of villains. In other words, the story is not only compelling, it’s engrossing and entertaining.

Why prolific and NYT bestselling suspense writer Janet Evanovich waited so long to team with Steve Hamilton,

the gifted multi-award-winning private eye writer, is a mystery to me. But the mystery which lies within this novel is solved as characters hunt for treasure with unending action, douses of humor, and just the right amount of sparks of romance. Kate O’Hare is as strong, determined, and independent as ever and her encounters with villains, as well as with Nick Fox, make for some riveting reading.

The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate

With a novel that’s set in Louisiana and Texas in both 1875 and 1987, Lisa Wingate manages to connect her subplots and characters as she expertly draws in her readers in the process. As information trickles in through alternating chapters and centuries, the amazing stories of siblings and strangers are unraveled. There are broken hearts and broken promises, counterbalanced by warmhearted moments and acts of persevering courage. Just as the characters are unwavering in their journeys and quests, so are readers compelled to complete the chronicles of each character’s life story.

Three women set out to travel together during the Reconstruction of the 1870s in order to save their lives and their livelihoods: an heir to a failing southern plantation, her Creole servant, and a freed slave. They are reluctantly and forever tied together as they battle vigilantes, soldiers, and the secrets of their pasts. Fast forward to 1987 when a first-year teacher takes a job in a poor rural school in Louisiana, and she slowly uncovers bits and pieces of the town’s century-old history. But the town folk are old-fashioned as well as suspicious of this new teacher and don’t want their secrets revealed. These two storylines twist, turn, and unravel as the lives of these brave women are united across the centuries. Rest assured, your interest will be piqued and not lost on The Book of Lost Friends

The Thursday Murder Club

by Richard Osman

Many of the books that I’ve previously reviewed have been selected from my book club picks, or have been the result of fabulous finds from area libraries, bookstores, garage sales, and semiantique shops. Such is not the case with The Thursday Murder Club. I’m thrilled to have stepped out of the box in my quest for a good book. No, I stumbled upon this gem this past fall as I walked to my table at the Panera in Mt. Pleasant to share a cup of coffee with my daughter. I noticed that a woman who was dining alone at an adjacent table was totally and laughout-loud engrossed in her novel in hand. I knew then and there that I’d better find out who and what she was reading. Yes, I’m guilty of starting a conversation with a complete stranger; but I had to know about her book. She raved about The Thursday Murder Club. Upon returning home I went on-line, ordered the first book of the series and Richard Osman now resides on one of three bookcases in our bedroom which my husband refers to as Joyce’s Library.

Having personally written several short stories and poems about seniors, I was head-over-heels thrilled to read this murder mystery set in a retirement village with senior citizen residents as the amateur crime solving team. The fearsome foursome of retired friends consists of the following: a former nurse, a psychiatrist, a trade union leader, and a woman who worked in the secret service. The group meets weekly in the Jigsaw Room of their clubhouse to look through news clippings and old files as they search through unsolved crimes for clues. When a local developer is found murdered on the village grounds, the four switch from perusing papers to pursuing perps. As most of the village is under suspicion, Osman introduces the reader to a delightful cast of seniors full of all the quirks and quacks beyond your imagination. Like a good

stew simmering in a senior citizen’s crock pot, the plot thickens.

Living in the Sunset Shores’ community of Canadian Lakes for the past fifteen years, I related first-hand to the people, places, activities, and mishaps of the retirees in this novel. Osman certainly knows how to hook a reader and also how to catch a murderer. Oh, did I mention that the main character’s name was Joyce? And when I had read three quarters of the way through the book, I discovered that this

same Joyce was asked to write an article for the local community newsletter. Yes, it was entitled Joyce’s Choices. Needless to say, I’ve already ordered Osman’s next two books in his New York Times’ bestselling series, The Man Who Died Twice and The Bullet That Missed. Happy holidays! Have a good read and enjoy your journey this winter!

Safety

Kristin Wilcox Safety Director kwilcox@clpoc.org

up here often, have the option of enrolling in the Red-light/Winter watch program.

You may register for the program by filling out the Registration form found online at Canadianlakes.org under the Member login, Governing, Documents & Forms tabs, or you can stop into the CLPOC office and pick up the form.

road edge as far right as possible, or on the frozen lake surface.

As we transition from the bright orange and red of fall to the brilliant white landscape of winter, our population experiences a shift as well. With the incoming snow, out go many of our members to warmer climates. This brings about new challenges daily for your safety team, one that we could not meet without the wonderful volunteers of the Mobile Watch program. What you may not know is that the volunteers of the Mobile Watch cover every road in Canadian Lakes every day, a feat that is not possible for the safety team to do alone. Never is this more crucial than in the winter months during our Red-light/Winter watch program. This winter you can rest assured that the vigilant volunteers of the Mobile Watch program are ready and willing to help. Remember you can always call your Safety team at 231-972-8555 should you come across a red light shining in a window at a neighbor’s house or on your travels throughout the community.

RED-LIGHT PROGRAM/WINTER WATCH

Members that find themselves heading toward warmer climates during the winter months, or those that just don’t make it

Once the form is filled out, return it to the CLPOC office. A list of participants is then compiled from the forms that are turned in each year (A new form MUST be completed each year). Members that choose to participate in the program should purchase a “winter watchman” box. This is a secondary thermostat that activates a switch connected to a lamp with a red-light bulb should the temperature in the home drop below a certain set temperature. The red light should be placed in a window that is easily visible from the road, and the temperature setting on the watchman should be set around 10-15 degrees below your preferred winter setting, while keeping it above 30 degrees. Rest assured that your ever-vigilant Mobile Watch volunteers and your dedicated Safety Team are always on the lookout to keep our community and your home safe.

ORVS AND SNOWMOBILES

ABSOLUTELY NO ORVs, Snowmobiles or other motorized vehicles are permitted on ANY golf course or Common Area. This includes the hills around the Castle, Highland Haus, and Alpine Haus. The “existing trails” were created over the years by riders without permission. This has caused extensive erosion to the hillsides. Within the Canadian Lakes Community, ORVs and Snowmobiles may only be operated on the

Any person aged 12-15 years’ operating an ORV, trail bike, golf cart, etc. on any CLPOC-owned road edge or frozen lake surface, must have an ORV certificate and be under the supervision of a parent or guardian. Anyone under the age of 12 is not permitted to operate any type of motor vehicle on CLPOC-owned property. All ORVs and Snowmobiles are required to be registered with the CLPOC office and are required to visibly display the CLPOC registration sticker.

ICE FISHING SAFETY

Please use common sense when it comes to our lakes in the winter. All it takes is one weak spot in the ice for a fun day to take a bad turn and possibly cause loss of life. While our fire department is very well trained in ice rescue your safety team is NOT. What this means is that should you fall through the ice, you are relying on first someone seeing you, and second, that person being able to call 911. Make sure that if you choose to venture out on our lakes this season for ice fishing you have a buddy, and that you also let someone on shore know where you will be fishing and what time you will be done. That way if something happens, the professionals will know where to start looking. Enjoy the season but be safe!

Here are some of your Safety team stats for the past couple of months that I would like to share with you… from May 2022 thru October 2022 we covered 29,234.3 miles in the community, took 1,256 calls from members for various reasons, wrote 444 parking violations, and towed 6 cars as repeat offenders of our parking rules.

Roger Stobert

Volunteer Yard Waste Coordinator 231-288-0148 spankky@charter.net

As Canadian Lakes Yard Waste Coordinator, I would like to say thank you to all the Yard Waste Attendants for your service to Canadian Lakes in 2022. Your support helps ensure an important asset is available to all the Canadian Lakes residents which helps minimize the dumping of these wastes on neighbors’ lots and common areas.

To the community at large, I would like to ask for your help in keeping this vital service fully operational. As with most volunteer groups, the Yard Waste Site experiences attrition of its attendants due to health, work responsibilities, family dynamics, and a host of other reasons. Consequently, we are always looking for additional members. If you can spare two hours a month on a Sunday or Wednesday from April through November, please consider volunteering as a Yard Waste Attendant. The training is minimal, and the job

involves no manual labor. Attendants report that they receive positive and immediate feedback from our grateful Canadian Lakes members.

To all of Yard Waste Attendants, I wish to send to you my Happy Holiday Greetings. May you and your families have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

On behalf of the Yard Waste Attendants, I would like to express to all Canadian Lakers our heartfelt wish for a very Merry Christmas and Happy and Healthy New Year.

Roger Stobert, Yard Waste Coordinator: 231-288-0148 or spankky@ charter.net.

231-288-0148 spankky@charter.net

TRANSITION FROM SUMMER TO WINTER PATROLS

The Mobile Watch (MW) has transitioned from summer to winter patrols. In the summer, our primary function is a deterrent, watching for mischievous and suspicious activities, and helping lost residents and visitors. In winter, we continue this summer function but also keep a watchful eye out for those red lights.

RED LIGHTS!? Red lights are used to identify a potential home heating system problem. Residents who have left their Canadian Lake homes for warmer climates install these red lights and attached thermostats to illuminate the red light if the temperature in their home drops below a preset value. While we check every house for red lights, we give special attention to those homes that have completed the Residential Vacation Form.

For those who install a red light but don’t fill out a Resident Vacation Form, you are not helping yourself. These forms include your contact information and help Canadian Lakes Safety should there be a problem at your home. If you are gone and have not filled out this form, Safety may not be able to contact you as quickly, or at all. Also, please note that a new form is needed for each absence. They do NOT roll over year to year!

The form also includes instructions for installing the red light. You provide the information regarding who to contact if a problem should develop at your home while you’re away. These forms are available at the CLPOC office or on the Canadian Lakes Website: ResidentialVacationForm. On the CLPOC website, click on “Governing”, then “Documents and Forms”, then under Online Forms, “Residential Vacation Form (Red Light)”, or at: members. canadianlakes.org/vacation/.

Canadian Lakes Safety provides the MW with a list of the homes registered for this free service.

OPEN GARAGE DOORS

It only takes a moment for an opportunistic criminal to gain access to your home via an open garage door. Nationally, thirty percent of all home burglaries happen because of unlocked and/or open doors.

Criminal statistics show that most burglaries occur between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. This is why Mobile Watch volunteers report to Canadian Lakes Safety garage doors left open where it appears no one is at home – no cars in the yard or garage, no lights on in the house, no evidence of a homeowner working in the yard.

When MW alerts Safety, an officer will come to the home and will ring the doorbell to see if the resident is at home. If there is no answer, the Safety officer will close the garage door to secure the home from unwanted entry.

Rest assured that MW and Safety

will do all it can to keep your home and valuables secure. Please keep your home secure by closing and locking all doors, especially when you are not home.

HELPING STRANDED MOTORISTS

During the snowy months ahead, we occasionally encounter residents and visitors who are stuck in snow or have slid-off the road. If the resident or visitor needs assistance, the patroller will contact Canadian Lakes Safety to offer aid. Upon arrival, the Safety officer will attempt to assist the motorists, but if the job is too big, Safety can arrange for a reliable tow company to remedy the situation.

ON-STREET PARKING DURING THE WINTER MONTHS.

Between November 1 and March 31 from 3:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., vehicles may not park on Canadian Lake roadways or road shoulders. Exceptions may be granted by contacting Canadian Lakes Safety at 231972-8555. The purpose of this restriction is to facilitate snow removal and for emergency vehicle access. Homeowners risk their vehicles being towed if their vehicles block snowplows and graders.

If you have special circumstances regarding on-street parking during the winter months, please contact Safety (231-972-8555) to see if an exemption is possible.

OFF-ROAD VEHICLES

Here is a refresher on the use of Off-Road Vehicles (ORV) in Canadian Lakes:

An off-road vehicle (ORV) is defined as any motor vehicle that can be operated

Roger Stobert Mobile Watch Coordinator

cross-country over land, snow, and/or other natural terrain, or on the frozen lake surface without the benefit of a road or trail. ORV’s shall not be operated in or on any Canadian Lakes Property Owners Corporation (CLPOC) Designated Common Facility (Area). Within the Canadian Lakes community, ORVs may only be operated on the shoulder of the road, or road edge if no shoulder exists, or on the frozen lake surface, or other area designated by the Board of Directors.

Any person age 12-15 years operating an ORV, trail bike, golf cart, [snowmobile], etc. on any CLPOC owned road shoulder, road edge or frozen lake surface, must have an ORV certificate and be under the visual supervision of a parent or guardian. Persons under the age of 12 shall not be permitted to operate any type of motor vehicle on CLPOC approved property. All types of motorized vehicles operating on CLPOC approved property shall be required to be registered with the CLPOC Office and shall visibly display the

appropriate CLPOC sticker.

This rule is for YOUR SAFETY and the SAFETY OF YOUR FAMILY & FREINDS.

FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS

Mobile Watch, like most volunteer groups in Canadian Lakes, is always in the state of flux. Participation in Canadian Lakes clubs and organizations change because of health, family dynamics, age, interest, or for a myriad of other reasons. Although we do our best to retain our existing members for as long as possible, we need new volunteers to help sustain Mobile Watch’s longevity. MW encourages its volunteers to talk to their friends and neighbors about the purpose and duties of a MW volunteer and how their involvement in MW promotes the safety and security of our community and its residents.

If you know of someone interested in joining the Mobile Watch, please contact Roger Stobert, MW Coordinator at 231288-0148 or spankky@charter.net.

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR

I would like to extend Holiday Greetings to all the Mobile Watch Volunteers. Because of your selfless duty, our Canadian Lakes residents can rest a bit easier knowing that their homes and the safety of their families are regularly monitored by a group of dedicated volunteers.

One of the greatest joys of this season is the opportunity to say THANK YOU for all you do and to wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a Healthy and Happy New Year!

The Mobile Watch would like to wish all Canadian Lakers, wherever you are spending your holidays, a very Merry Christmas and best wishes for a Happy and Healthy 2023! Your Mobile Watch will keep a vigilant eye on your homes to help ensure Santa’s arrival and departure are without incident.

Roger Stobert, MW Coordinator, on behalf of your Mobile Watch Patrollers.

CLPOC Board Minutes

Canadian Lakes Property Owners Corporation

Board of Directors Meeting September 24, 2022 @ 9:00 AM

Attendee’s Role Present Absent Zoom (Z) In Person (IP)

Paul Szymkowicz President IP John Colley Vice President IP James French Treasurer IP Steve Wilcox Secretary IP Dan Altier Director X Steve Brandt Director IP Shannon Hannon Director IP Jerry Juncker Director Z Dan Rice Director X

Others in attendance – Greg Babbitt - General Manager, Kim Dowell – Comptroller, and Lindsay Halcomb – Marketing.

AGENDA TOPIC’S AND DISCUSSION ITEMS

1. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance – Meeting called to order by President Szymkowicz @ 9:00 AM and Pledge conducted.

2. Agenda Approval – Motion Director Hannon Second by Treasurer French. Passed unanimously

3. Austin and Morton Township Reports – Nothing from Austin Township, Supervisor Klum was in person provided state of various activities in projects for Morton Township.

4. Presidents Report – President Szymkowicz updated community activities.

5. Financial Report – Controller Dowell, information provide in packet

COMMITTEE REPORTS

1. ACC Committee – Secretary Wilcox provided an update on current projects

2. CLA – Secretary Wilcox read the report from Dan Rice

3. Executive Committee – President Szymkowicz provide update on a varuet of issues indicating there

would be an Executive session to discuss legal updates.

4. Finance Committee – Treasurer French provided updates on current financial status.

5. Strategic Planning Committee –Vice President Colley provided an update on current SP initiatives.

GENERAL MANAGERS REPORT

a. Information in packet b. Information in packet c. Director Brandt provided update on the Northstar Project d. Various project updates e. White Pines beach E.coli concerns, end of season items

1. Consent Calendar – Motion by Secretary Wilcox, Second Director Hannon for; Approval of the Notes of the August 10, 2022 Workshop Meeting & Minutes of the August 27, 2022 Board Meeting and to Receive & File the August 2022 Check Disbursements

2. Member Comments on action or discussion items – No Comments

3. Items for Board Action – MOTION TO APPOINT BOARD SECRETARY STEVE WILCOX AS HEAD ELECTION

INSPECTOR AND APPOINT THE FOLLOWING AT LARGE ELECTION INSPECTORS, BARB COLLINGE, JUDY GENOTTI, DEB MACADDINO, GLORIA ROGERS, MILLIE SPINNEY, LYNN TRACY, TIM COLLINGE, JIM HEINRICH, JOHN NAPIEWOCKI, DAVE SANDERSON, RON SPINNEY, AND PETE ZEIMIS. Motion Treasurer French, Second Director Hannon Approved Unanimously

4. Items for board discussion – AN ITEM TO DISCUSS THE ROAD MAINTENANCE CONTRACTS WITH CANADIAN LAKES EXCAVATING COMPANY. Discussion among various Directors

5. Member Comments – Mark Klump CL 593

6. Director Comments – Comments from Vice President Colley, Treasurer French, and President Szymkowicz

7. Member communications – None

8. Moved to executive session –Adjourned at 10:00 to Executive session

Respectively submitted by Steve Wilcox, Board Secretary. (Minutes are printed as submitted.)

Canadian Lakes Property Owners Corporation

AGENDA TOPIC’S AND DISCUSSION ITEMS

1. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance – Meeting called to order by President Szymkowicz @ 9:00 AM and Pledge conducted.

2. Agenda Approval – Motion Director Altier, Support Treasurer

French Unanimously approved. 3. Austin and Morton Township Reports – No Reports 4. Presidents Report – Presidents Szymkowicz welcomed those in person and on line, provided an election update, commented on amenities.

5. Financial Report – Controller Dowell provided a status update as contained in the informational packet.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

1. ACC Committee – No meeting held before Board meeting

2. CLA – Update on activities

3. Executive Committee – Update on issues

4. Finance Committee – Update on issues before the committee

5. Strategic Planning Committee

– No meeting held before Board meeting

6. CRC – Update on committee activities

7. Nominating – Committee is closed

GENERAL MANAGERS REPORT

a. Information in packet

b. Information in packet/Bill gave an in-person update

c. Update on progress of projects

d. BAG last meeting next week, Lakes last meeting next week, Golf done for the season, Marketing met update on issues, Compliance meeting next week, Restaurant met update on issues/events

1. Consent Calendar – Approval of minutes of the September 24, 2022 Board Meeting. Receive and file September 2022 check

disbursements. Motion Secretary Wilcox, Support Director Rice Unanimously approved.

2. Member Comments on action or discussion items – None

3. Items for Board Action – Motion to approve the summer general and winter Road Maintenance Contracts Motion Treasurer French Support Director Altier Unanimously approved

4. Items for board discussion – 12A AN ITEM TO DISCUSS THE ANNUAL AUDIT OF THE CORPORATION’S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS BY DOROTHY L. HOWARD, CPA, PLLC, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 2022

5. Member Comments – Comment by Director Rice

6. 12B Motion to suspend the rules to take action Treasurer French Support Director Hannon. Unanimously approved. MOTION TO APPROVE THE DRAWDOWN

OF THE REPLACEMENT RESERVE FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $21 ,275 FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SAFETY VEHICLE. Motion Treasurer French Support Director Altier Unanimously approved.

7. Member Comments – Ken Swathwood RS 210

8. Director Comments – Comments by Director Hannon, Director Rice, Director Brandt, Treasurer French, President Szymkowicz

9. Member Communication Requirements – Election Update

10. Adjourn – Motion to adjourn to Executive Session Treasurer French Support Director Altier 9:52 am

Respectively submitted by Steve Wilcox, Board Secretary. (Minutes are printed as submitted.)

of AREA EVENTS CALENDAR

December

DECEMBER 1

Bert Kreischer The Berty Boy Relapse Tour 2

DECEMBER 1-4

GR Symphony Presents University of Michigan Health-West Holiday Pops

DECEMBER 2-3 Grand Rapids Griffins 2

DECEMBER 3 A Johnny Mathis Christmas 6

DECEMBER 4 Trans-Siberian Orchestra 2

DECEMBER 6 Jazz Band Holiday Concert 1

DECEMBER 7 Grand Rapids Griffins 2

DECEMBER 8

Live from Staples! CMU Symphony Orchestra 3

DECEMBER 8-9

CLA Christmas Home Decorating Contest 7

DECEMBER 9-11

GR Ballet Presents The Nutcracker 5

DECEMBER 10 GVSU Graduation 2

DECEMBER 10

Men’s Choir Christmas Concert 7

DECEMBER 11

Holiday Band & Orchestra Concert 1

DECEMBER 12 Grand Rapids Gold 2

DECEMBER 14 Grand Rapids Gold 2

DECEMBER 15 Home For The Holidays 4

DECEMBER 16 Grand Rapids Griffins 2

DECEMBER 16-17

GR Ballet Presents The Nutcracker 5

DECEMBER 17 For King & Country 2

DECEMBER 17 Little River Band & Ambrosia 6

DECEMBER 18

GR Ballet Presents The Nutcracker 5

DECEMBER 22

GR Symphony Presents Sandi Patty: Christmas Blessing 5

DECEMBER 23 Grand Rapids Griffins 2

DECEMBER 27-28 Great Lakes Invitational 2

DECEMBER 27 Flo Rida 6

DECEMBER 28

George Thorogood and the Destroyers 6

DECEMBER 29

Jeff Dunham: Still Not Canceled 2

DECEMBER 29 Pam Tillis and Lorrie Morgan 6

DECEMBER 30 Tonic 6

DECEMBER 31 Grand Rapids Griffins 2

DECEMBER 31

New Year’s Eve 2023 Celebration 6

DECEMBER 31

CLA New Year’s Eve Party 7

January

JANUARY 2-3 Grand Rapids Gold 2

JANUARY 5 Grand Rapids Gold 2

JANUARY 6-7 Grand Rapids Griffins 2

JANUARY 6-7

GR Symphony Presents Night on Bald Mountain + Andrei Ionita 5

JANUARY 8 Grand Rapids Gold 2

JANUARY 8 Stephen Sharer 5

JANUARY 10 Grand Rapids Gold 2

JANUARY 10-15 Broadway GR Presents Six 5

JANUARY 11 Grand Rapids Griffins 2

JANUARY 13-14 Grand Rapids Griffins 2

JANUARY 19 Winter Jam 2023 2

JANUARY 20 Grand Rapids Gold 2

JANUARY 20-21

JANUARY 22 Harlem Globetrotters 2

JANUARY 27-28

PBR: Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour 2

JANUARY 27-28

GR Symphony Presents Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 in Concert 5

JANUARY 28-29

GR Symphony Presents Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 In Concert 5

JANUARY 28 Anthrax and Black Label Society 6

JANUARY 30 Dancing With The Stars Live 2023 5

February

FEBRUARY 2-5

Disney On Ice Presents Let’s Celebrate 2

FEBRUARY 3-4

GR Symphony Presents Rachmaniov 3 + Sergei Babayan 5

FEBRUARY 5 MANIA The ABBA Tribute 5

FEBRUARY 8-9 Grand Rapids Gold 2

FEBRUARY 10-11 Grand Rapids Griffins 2

FEBRUARY 11 CLA Winter Carnival 7

FEBRUARY 13-14 Grand Rapids Gold 2

FEBRUARY 15 Grand Rapids Griffins 2

FEBRUARY 16 Cody Johnson 2

FEBRUARY 17 Grand Rapids Griffins 2

FEBRUARY 17-19

GR Ballet Presents Romeo & Juliet 5

FEBRUARY 21-22 Shen Yun 5

INFORMATION IS FROM THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES:

GR Symphony Presents Pops Knockouts with Caroline Campbell 5

FEBRUARY 23 Grand Rapids Gold 2

FEBRUARY 24-25 Grand Rapids Griffins 2

1. Ferris State University — www.ferris.edu/arts

FEBRUARY 24 Joe Bonamassa 5

2. Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids — vanandelarena.com; 616-742-6600

JANUARY 21 Grand Rapids Griffins 2

FEBRUARY 25 John Crist 5

3. Central Michigan University — cmich.edu/Calendar

JANUARY 21 Hinder and Puddle of Mudd 6

FEBRUARY 26 Grand Rapids Gold 2

4. Big Rapids area — cityofbr.org, Community Calendar; 231-796-7640

FEBRUARY 27 WWE Raw 2

5. DeVos Per formance Hall, Grand Rapids devosper formancehall.com; 616-742-6500

INFORMATION IS FROM THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES

1. Ferris State University: www.ferris.edu/arts 2. Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids: vanandelarena.com 3. Central Michigan University: cmich.edu/Calendar 4. Big Rapids area: cityofbr.org, Community Calendar; 231-796+7640 5. DeVos Performance Hall, Grand Rapids: devosperformancehall.com; 616-742-6500

6. Soaring Eagle Casino, Mt. Pleasant soaringeaglecasino.com; 888-732-4537

7. Canadian Lakes Association canadianlakesassociation.org

8. Art Works, Big Rapids-www.artworksinbigrapids.org

6. Soaring Eagle Casino, Mt. Pleasant: soaringeaglecasino.com; 888-732-4537 7. Canadian Lakes Association: canadianlakesassociation.org 8. Art Works, Big Rapids: www.artworksingbigrapids.org

LET’S GET

SOCIAL CANADIAN LAKES

Looking for something to do? Check out the social opportunities happening in Canadian Lakes below, based on the day of the week!

Monday

MELODY MAKERS (LADIES) 9:30 am • Apr-Jul/Sept-Dec. Highland Haus 231-796-2460

DOTTED CUBES (BUNKO) 1 pm • 2nd Monday Alpine Haus 586-549-7705

CANADIAN LAKES MEN’S CHORUS

3:30-5 pm • Apr-Dec. Highland Haus 231-359-1114

EUCHRE CLUB 6:30 pm Alpine Haus 231-972-7920

CAMERA CLUB 6:30 pm • Every other Monday Highland Haus 916-258-5619

MEN'S 18-HOLE GOLF LEAGUE 8 am • May-Sept. The Royal Golf Course 989-513-9561

Tuesday

POOL CUE LEAGUE

1 pm • Oct-Dec/Jan-Mar. Member homes 231-972-7327

TABLE TENNIS

7 pm Alpine Haus 231-408-7716

EXERCISE/DANCE CLASS

2-3 pm Alpine Haus 231-972-0029

DROP-IN MIXED TENNIS 9-11 am • Seasonal Alpine Haus Courts 231-408-8801

MEN’S TUESDAY 9-HOLE LEAGUE

8 am • May-Sept. The Highlands or The Pines 248-231-2990 or timhannon@comcast.net

WOMEN'S 18-HOLE GOLF LEAGUE 8:30 am The Royal Golf Course 231-250-1257

Wednesday

QUILT CLUB

10 am-4 pm • 3rd Wednesday Highland Haus 616-581-6734

MAH JONGG

11:30 am • Apr-Oct. Alpine Haus 231-972-3054

MIXED BOWLING

12:30 pm • Sept-May Remus Lanes 231-972-0700

DUPLICATE BRIDGE

1 pm • Weekly Alpine Haus 231-972-4858

CANADIAN LAKES PLAYERS

4:30 pm • 1st Wednesday Highland Haus 231-972-7447

CANADIAN LAKES FISHING CLUB

7 pm • 2nd Wednesday • Apr-Oct. Alpine Haus 231-972-8663

TREASURE SEEKERS

Variable • 4th Wednesday Destinations Vary 616-443-9207

FISHING FUN NIGHT

Variable • 4th Wednesday • May-Sept. Main Beach TBA

GREAT IDEAS

2 pm • 2nd & 4th Wednesday Highland Haus 810-919-1765 or ppwig@aol.com

MEN’S CHRISTIAN BOOK STUDY

7:30 am • June-August Royal Grille 231-972-5132

EXERCISE/DANCE CLASS 10-11 am Alpine Haus 231-972-0029

NEEDLES AND NEWS

1 pm • 1st & 3rd Thursday Alpine Haus 231-598-2203

MODEL YACHT CLUB

1 pm-3 pm • Apr-Oct. Edgewater Park 231-629-1004

ULTIMATE FRISBEE

7 pm-8:30 pm • Apr-Oct. Behind Legacy Park 231-246-6181

Thursday Friday

DROP-IN MIXED TENNIS 9-11 am Royal Courts 231-408-8801

MAH JONGG 11:30 am • Apr-Oct. Alpine Haus 231-972-3054

WRITERS QUEST 3:00 pm • 1st Friday Alpine Haus 734-223-7841

MONTHLY EUCHRE SOCIAL CLUB

1:00 pm • 2nd Saturday • Oct-April Highland Haus 231-972-3054

MODEL YACHT CLUB

QualityPaintingPlus QualityPaintingPlus

Gerald Sweatt Owner Licensed and Insured Gsqualitypaintplus@gmail.com

231-580-9087

th Avenue Canadian Lakes, MI 49346

Saturday Get your social gathering listed here! You must be a CLA Sanctioned Club and you must meet regularly. Simply send an email to thecanadianlaker@gmail.com for more details. If your group info is incorrect, please update us by also sending an email to thecanadianlaker@gmail.com. lakeslodging.com Professional Property Management

lakeslodging@gmail.com 231 972 8303 Desiree winans 310 488 5536 desireewinans@gmail com Let me guide you home

Now accepting new rental homes

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