Canadian Lakes Gifts and Memorials Committee

BY KEN SWATHWOOD

As a private, recreational community, Canadian Lakes is unique in its vision and the array of amenities offered to property owners. While the development and maintenance of the community has been, and continues to be, carefully planned and managed by the Canadian Lakes Property Owners Corporation (CLPOC), the community also receives generous support through donations from members. One example of such support was the Beach Rejuvenation Project completed last year. On behalf of the Reuther Memorial fund, the Gifts and Memorials Committee donated a memorial gift of $5,625 that was designated for use in maintaining our beaches, helping to pay for the beaches project.

The Gifts and Memorials Committee was chartered on September 9, 1995, to provide a depository for funds given by members of the CLPOC in honor of a person, or for funds given for a designated (or undesignated) purpose, and to disburse these funds in a manner suitable for memorials needed by the Corporation.

Over the past 27 years since being formed, the committee has received funds in memory of members, and have used these funds to purchase various items for use by members within the Canadian Lakes community. Pictured below is a new flagpole purchased with funds given in memory of Ken Stack and Zoah Bengel. The flagpole is located behind the sign at the corner of 7-mile Road and Clubhouse Drive West.

Additional items purchased during the past 27 years include: •Cabanas located at Pierce Beach and the Pines Pavilion by the outdoor pool. •Benches, pavilion, scoreboard, and other items at Legacy Park. •Trees located on the three golf courses and at areas surrounding

The Royal Clubhouse. •Benches located on the three golf courses, campground, within Sunset

Shores, and at the Castle. •Sculptures located behind

The Royal’s 18th green. •The beautiful statue located at the entrance to Royal North in memory of Marge Stickney, pictured above. •Picnic tables located at

The Pines Golf Course and

The Highlands Golf Course. •The starter shack located at the #1 tee of The Royal Golf Course in memory of Gerry Malzahn. •Items for the golf courses through

Golf Enhancement. •Beach restoration.

We are currently seeking additional members to join the Gifts and Memorials Committee. Current members include Karen Chesnut, 517-449-5331, Sue Malzahn, 972-2286, Ron Stickney, 616-780-4607, and Ken Swathwood, 972-4039.

Meetings are held the fourth Wednesday of each month, from April through October. If you wish to join this very special committee, wish to donate to the Gifts and Memorials Committee, or want additional information, please contact any of the above committee members. When you are enjoying one of the existing memorials, pause to reflect, just a moment or two, to recognize the generosity these other members have shown that enrich our beautiful community.