The Canadian Laker - 2022 October/November

Ricketts

John Colley

Paul Szymkowicz

Goodbye summer, Hello fall! I am not going to lie; our summer went by fast, but it was a GOOD one. I hope each of you have made some great memories this past summer and cheers to many more this fall. Bring on the pumpkin spice and football!

In this election issue of the Canadian Laker, we have it all! You can read about the 2022 Board Candidates on page 12, how the Summer Concert Series went out on a high note on page 18, and there are plenty of fantastic features scattered throughout this issue. I tip my hat to the volunteer writers of The Canadian Laker because without them this publication wouldn’t be such a big hit. The articles they provide us are enlightening, educational, and always enjoyable. It’s a small group that builds this Laker each issue, but they are the very best.

Writer, Joyce Wilcox, has five new book reviews for Joyce’s Choices and a very special look into the world of her grandson, Jack on page 30. For those of you seeking some photography advice, my gal Di Schwartz is back in action with some Q & A’s about photography on page 39. We also have writer, Chris Zimmerman, sharing some details on the use of technology in the outdoors on page 26.

Be sure to check out the articles in every issue as well. Read what’s going on from General Manager, Greg Babbitt, new details on Members Night, along with exciting news and events from the Canadian Lakes Association (CLA). Grab your coffee because there’s lots to read, enjoy!

Photography by Di Schwartz

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.

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From the General Manager

We just completed a very busy Labor Day weekend. The community was busy with members and guests experiencing the GOOD life in this great community. Hopefully, you got a chance to partake in the Cruisin’ at the Castle Car Show, Patriot Day Scramble, Campground Trick or Treating, did the traditional beach, boating, swimming, or just some good ole rest and relaxation. I hope each of you enjoyed your Canadian Lakes summer as I believe it was another tremendous success.

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

With our busiest season coming to a close we would be remiss not to thank my great staff, led by my Department Heads Kim Dowell, Casey Smith, Dennis Wolfe, Bill Hull, Kristin Wilcox, Kendall Ouwinga, Ryan Rasmussen, and Lindsay Halcomb. It makes me feel good knowing that we have them devoting so much of their talent, time, and energy to our great community.

As is typical this time of year, I would like to inform you of some friendly seasonal reminders. If you own a watercraft, please make sure it is removed from the water by November 1st. If you own a common area dock or mooring device, you may leave it in the water all year or remove it and haul it away, but do not leave your dock or mooring device lying on common property. Additionally, if you are using one of our canoe/kayak racks, your watercraft is also required to

be removed by November 1st.

Members complying with their Deed Restrictions and Rules are always appreciated. Along with boat removal is the use of a trailer, and I want to remind all members the only acceptable place to store a private trailer on your lot is in your garage.

From a financial perspective, so far through August, income is marginally over budget and expenses are also marginally over budget. On the expense side, the overage is mainly due to fuel costs, legal fees, and repair items. Also, there remain potential inflationary concerns that we are monitoring as we try to maintain a balanced budget.

As we head into fall, the staff continues to be busy. We are currently in the middle of preparing for our major, time-consuming software conversion that should happen this fall. This will include some exciting features; besides the new accounting and member database, it will include, a new website and mobile app, electronic golf tee time reservations, and many other needed upgrades that will be phased in over time. Other projects we have completed are the Castle air conditioning, road striping, restaurant ovens, and cart path resurfacing. Projects we are still planning to get accomplished include replacing the Castle entrance drive brick pavers, Campground waste station pad, Campground center bathhouse stall partition doors, and adding restaurant kitchen air conditioning.

One last reminder that I like to provide this time of year is that I continue to offer an Open Door Policy and I am willing to listen, no matter how big or small the issue may be. I trust that with a commonsense approach, we should always be able to reach an understanding.

It is again that time of year when cooler temperatures will lead to members heading for warmer climates. So, as always, whether you plan to stay or leave this amazing community, please be safe and courteous out there, and remember to focus on the positive. Enjoy your fall GOOD life!

Thinking

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,

231-218-4605

Mark Wentland, Associate Broker 231-598-4871

Carol Betts, REALTOR® 231-250-5285

From the Board

the office for the approximate time.

Paul L. Szymkowicz

President

The second very important item on this year’s ballot is the special assessment vote. Your Board of Directors is asking for a $25.00 per year assessment over a four year time frame totaling $100.00. This money will be used for deed restriction enforcement. This board has been very serious about getting all our members to obey the rules and deed restrictions that they agreed to when they purchased their property in Canadian Lakes. For too long the practice was to “ask for forgiveness not for permission”. I hope to make this practice a thing of the past, but we can’t do it without the memberships’ support.

website. Questions can be directed to the committee through email at communityrestorationcommittee@gmail. com. I attended the first session online and it was very informative.

The nights are getting cooler, days are getting shorter, and the Labor Day holiday weekend is behind us. Unfortunately, this can mean only one thing, our summer season will be coming to an end. The fall colors have started arriving and one by one our summer amenities have closed for the season.

This is a very important issue of the Canadian Laker magazine. It has become known as the Election Edition. In the following pages you will find articles from the nominating committee introducing those members in good standing that are willing to put forth their time and expertise in making our community a better place to live. Also, in this issue for your review, are photos of the candidates, along with some personal background, and their answers to the four questions that were asked of each of them. Please take the appropriate time to review their information and responses. Remember, these candidates will be your board representees for the next three years. Members may also attend the Meet the Candidates Forum on September 24th following the board meeting. Please check the CLPOC Members Bulletin or contact

Please understand that most of our 4100 plus members are very supportive, and we do greatly appreciate it. However, there is a small percentage that simply refuse to comply. In this case our only option is to take the member to court, and this is an expensive process. Please take the time to either attend or watch the informational forums that this special committee is bringing forth to the membership. The Community Restoration Committee will be conducting four Town Hall style question and answer events to learn more about this proposed legal fund assessment of $25/ year for the next four years. Please note the times, dates, and location of the remaining meetings listed below:

Saturday, Oct. 8 @ 10:00am @ the Highland Haus.

Saturday, Oct. 22 Board Meeting @ the Highland Haus (Town Hall immediately following the Board Meeting).

The forums are recorded, so that they can be viewed at the convenience of our members via the members

This summer has really been something special. The campgrounds remained at seasonal capacity all season. In fact, I was told that there was not one campsite to be had over Labor Day weekend. The momentum that the Royal Grille established last winter carried over throughout the spring and summer. We appreciate all of their hard work and wish them great success in the upcoming fall and winter months. Thank you to all our golfers this year; you truly helped make this season a great success. There were days when it was difficult to get tee times. It has been nice to see the membership taking advantage of both pools this summer. The outdoor pool is now closed for the season, but there were members enjoying the pool every time I drove by this summer. I would like to thank our staff, both our full and part-time employees, and all our countless volunteers that helped make this summer the very best that it could be for all of us. Keep up the good work.

For those of us with friends and family that leave our community during the winter months, I wish you safe travels and look forward to your return.

CLPOC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OFFICERS

President Paul Szymkowicz

Vice President John Colley

Treasurer James French

Secretary Steve Wilcox

DIRECTORS-AT-LARGE Dan Altier

Daniel Rice

Shannon Hannon

Jerry Juncker

Steve Brandt

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.

THE CLPOC

BOARD CANDIDATES!

The Nominating Committee is pleased to announce that three members have met the qualifications to have their names placed on the ballot for election to the Canadian Lakes Property Owners Corporation (CLPOC) Board of Directors. These individuals are seeking election to the CLPOC Board of Directors to fill the seats of Paul Szymkowicz, John Colley, and Dan Rice, whose terms of office expire on December 31, 2022. John Colley and Paul Szymkowicz have chosen to seek re-election. The three members seeking to serve the three-year term on the Board are: John Colley, Linda Ricketts, and Paul Szymkowicz.

Election ballots for the CLPOC Board of Directors will be sent out in October to all property owners in good standing as of September 30, 2022, who DID NOT opt in for electronic voting. Please return your ballot in the envelope provided with your signature on the top left-hand corner of the envelope. Those members who opted in for electronic voting will soon receive a link via email to vote electronically. Please be sure to vote in this important election. Election results will be announced November 19, 2022, at the CLPOC Annual Meeting.

JOHN COLLEY

Q&A

Board Members bring experience, wisdom, and strategic thinking. Can you tell us about yours?

I believe that I bring the wisdom and experience that comes with successfully navigating life (so far), including being married for almost 40 years, raising 2 great children, and having a multitude of great friends. The ability to deal with what life throws your way is obtained through many experiences. I have had the fortune, both good and bad of experiencing many curveballs in life.

On the professional side, the experiences that I obtained over 40 years in the construction industry provide me with knowledge, perspective, and background. I have managed companies in excess of $150 MM annually. The leadership, planning, budgeting, marketing, and cost control principles that I mastered in business are avaiulable to be applied in my role as a Director.

MY NAME IS JOHN COLLEY. My wife Kathy and I have been residents of CL for 8 years. We have two married children. I have been a CL Director for 6 years. I hold a BSEE and an MBA (Go Blue!), spent 40 years in the construction industry, working across the US and China, managed businesses in excess of $300MM annually. Currently I work in the consulting field. I spend my leisure time running, reading, working around the house, and spending as much time with my family as possible. I also cherish the time that I can spend with friends.

What do you know about the CLPOC? Why are you interested in committing your time and energy to us?

My wife and I have been residents of CL for 8 years. I have served 2 terms on the Board, for a total of 6 years. Over the 6 years, I have served on the Finance and Strategic Planning Committees.

My knowledge of CLPOC primarily comes from being involved. It also is supplemented by a natural curiosity where I have personally had discussions with long-time residents of the community about the local history as well as their wants and needs.

In the last 6 years, with the support of the membership, CLPOC has progressed significantly. During my tenure, the current Funding Plan was adopted, a plan that has proven to be extremely valuable to the CLPOC and the membership.

What do you think are the characteristics of a great Board Member?

In selecting a Director, the characteristics that I feel are required are varied. In order to even be considered, there is a minimum level of competence, caring, and empathy that is a prerequisite. Adding to these minimum-entry traits are critical and reflective thinking. Being able to adequately see the “other side” of an issue provides great perspective and ultimately pro vides better solutions.

The most important characteristic for a Director is to represent the people that put them there. Being aware of what the issues are, examining them critically, and addressing them properly in the best interest of the CLPOC is ultimately the desired role.

If elected, what is the first thing you would tackle in this position?

The current CPP and CRC initiatives hold great promise for our quality of life in CL. These initiatives also directly affect our prop erty values and the value of the CLPOC. Therefore, my interest is in seeing these 2 programs continued to fruition.

Over the past few years, in spite of a worldwide pandemic, CLPOC was able to not only weather the storm, but establish a firm financial footing. This, coupled with the many other great things that are happening in CL has led to a “vibe” that is recognized throughout most of the community. To THE GOOD LIFE!

LINDA RICKETTS

FOUR YEARS AGO, beautiful Canadian Lakes became our full-time family home. Arley and I added a children/ teenager section to our library and started the Kindness Rock Garden. We have cleaned beaches and pavilion areas; Pete and I host the community beach campfires and I run the Canadian Lakes United And Enlightened (CLUE) Facebook site. I don’t take running for the Board lightly and I have much to learn, but this is my home too and I want my community to continue living the good life and to help Canadian Lakes keep growing in a positive way.

Q&A

Board Members bring experience, wisdom, and strategic thinking. Can you tell us about yours?

I may not have as much experience as the other candidates, however, what I bring to the Board would be my honesty, sense of humor and my persistence in getting things done quickly.

What do you know about the CLPOC? Why are you interested in committing your time and energy to us?

The CLPOC is a nonprofit corporation that consists of a very large area with over 4,000 members that is overseen by an elected Board of Directors who are also members of Canadian Lakes and are volunteers. We also have a great paid staff of office and maintenance personnel. I love Canadian Lakes! I am doing this to become more involved in my community and to volunteer my time to work with good people.

What do you think are the characteristics of a great Board Member?

Above all would be honesty.

You cannot have people on a Board of a community such as Canadian Lakes, making financial recommendations and decisions regarding the well-being of its Members/Community without trust. To really listen to other Board Members and our CL Members and always work as a team. As a Board Member, it should never be about making a name for yourself. Every decision made should always be about what is in the best interest of Canadian Lakes.

If elected, what is the first thing you would tackle in this position?

Updating our current amenities is something that is way overdue. Outdoor pool furniture, the fishing pier on Sunset Lake and play ground equipment are just a few that could use an overhaul.

PAUL

Q&A

Board members bring experience, wisdom, and strategic thinking. Can you tell us about yours?

I have worked for the same company for over 42 years. I started as shop help and maintenance but quickly moved to management and production. Years ago in a meeting, we were reviewing my job requirements, The owner made the following comments. Ultimately, it was my job to take his “job” away from him and it was his job to give me the tools and training to be able to do so. Eight years ago, in another meeting this was his comment. “The first fifty was his legacy and the future will be our legacy”. (I do have a Partner).

It is a quite a different experience to go from an employee depending on an employer to becoming the employer. I believe that I have brought this well-rounded experience to the Board of Directors during my first six years as a Board member.

IT HAS BEEN MY PRIVILEGE TO SERVE on the CLPOC Board of Directors for the past six years. Over those past six years some very important things have taken place in our community. I was one of the three authors of the current five-year funding plan that is preforming outstandingly in its third year. We acquired the naming rights to “Canadian Lakes” and as a result of doing so, CLPOC was able to update and restate our “Articles of Incorporation” for the first time. Thanks to the membership for six years of support and I hope to continue to serve.

What do you know about CLPOC? Why are you interested in committing your time and energy to us?

I have been a member of Canadian Lakes since 1970. At that time Canadian Lakes was controlled by Don Bollman and after that by CLDC. The CLPOC was not created until 1994 when the development was turned over to membership control by a membership elected Board of Directors.

I was nine years old when my family purchased here. We spent our summer vacations and most holiday weekends here. Canadian Lakes was an absolutely great place to grow up and that is still true today. As an adult, I wanted to give back to the community that has given me so many memories to cherish for the rest of my life.

What do you think are the characteristics of a great board member?

For any position on the board some leadership skills would be very important as well as communication skills. The willingness to work as a team or part of a group is also important. Directors must understand that Canadian Lakes is a business. We should all want what is best for the community. We are a board that is ruled by majority. If some votes don’t go your way, remember it is not personal. The important thing is that every Director has the opportunity to speak and express their opinion.

If elected, what is the first thing you would tackle in this position?

This is a difficult question for me, we have done so many good things over the last several years. The five-year funding plan is doing extremely well. We acquired the naming rights to “Cana dian Lakes” and in doing so were able to restate our “Articles of Incorporation” for the first time.

Three items come immediately to mind.

Looking forward to the future, I think that Rule and Deed enforcement will be one of the Board of Directors next biggest task to move forward on.

Making sure that our staff and employees have the proper tools and training to do the job that is expected of them.

Community Restoration Committee

We know this community places a high priority on deed restrictions and rules enforcement, which help to maintain our property values. And by and large, most of our members have adhered to their deed restrictions as laid out in their property purchase agreement. However, there are several non-conforming members who have chosen to blatantly ignore their property deed restrictions and membership rules, which has led to escalating legal expenses. Legal expenses that exceed the annual line-item budget.

This committee is proposing a $25/year assessment to secure a legal fund to go after these offenders. Those funds will be earmarked as a balance sheet line‐item asset, solely for legal expenses related to enforcement. CLPOC and the Board of Directors will report on the financial status of this Legal Compliance Fund to the membership

at the monthly Board meetings. The current legal budget will be maintained for the ongoing operations legal expenses unrelated to compliance and member challenges.

The Community Restoration Committee scheduled town hall style meetings to share information with members about the proposed $25 legal fund assessment. The remaining meeting times, dates, and location are below.

• Saturday Oct 8th @ 10:00 am at the Highland Haus

• Saturday, Oct 22nd Board Meeting at the Highland Haus (town hall immediately following the board meeting, the executive meeting will be waived)

2022 Summer Concert Series

ENDS ON A HIGH NOTE

BY DIANE SPIEKER

AFTER THE PANDEMIC all but halted the Lakeside Motor Sports Summer Concert Series for the past two seasons, the concert series returned this summer with a full schedule – and what an exciting series it was! The concerts featured a variety of great entertainment with a few old favorites, and new bands that quickly became crowd favorites. Based on the number of spectators (as well as the number of dancers) everyone enjoyed the shows!

Special thanks go out to those who made the series possible. First, thanks to those of you who came out to enjoy the concerts and to those who contributed to the free-will donation buckets. Your generous donations give us confidence that we can continue to hire amazing musicians to keep the concert series alive for another year and hopefully beyond. One hundred percent of your donations are paid to the musicians.

Next, thanks to our sponsors, without whom we couldn’t sustain the high quality of entertainment.

Please patronize these fine organizations and thank them for their support:

Title Sponsor: Lakeside Motor Sports.

Concert Sponsors: Isabella Bank, Coldwell Banker Lakes Realty, Century 21 White House Realty, Canadian Lakes Association, and Ice Mountain.

Series Sponsors: Sweeney Holbeck Edison Insurance Agency, Mercantile Bank, Tullymore Golf Resort, Lakeside Pizza & Grinders, and Canadian Lakes Property Owners Corporation.

It takes significant effort to keep the concert season going. Our concert series committee works hard to book the bands, recruit sponsors, promote the concerts, maintain the pavilion, open and close the facility for every concert, feed the performers, pass the donation buckets, and manage the funds, among many other tasks. A big thanks to the committee members Danielle Maneke, Jim Brakora, Diane Spieker, Jim Benoit, and Dave Spieker, who volunteered their time to ensure a successful concert series. If you would like to join the committee or volunteer to support any concerts, please email Dave Spieker at david.spieker3@gmail.com.

All the performers were outstanding, and we thank them for coming out to entertain us. Some drove for longer than their performances lasted—a testament to their love of music and entertaining, as well as their high regard for the Canadian Lakes concert series. Many of the musicians tell us that performing for the Canadian Lakes crowds at the Ruther Music Pavilion is a show that they look forward to!

June 2023 marks the 10th Anniversary of the Ruther Music Pavilion and the Canadian Lakes Summer Concert Series! The bar has been set high over the past nine seasons; however, the committee is already planning to surpass the bar set to make the 10th Anniversary season the best concert series ever!

Thank you for your support and we look forward to celebrating our 10th Anniversary with you next year!

Marketing

Lindsay Halcomb Marketing Director lhalcomb@clpoc.org

so they could see some of Canadian Lakes from the water’s view. My family was one of the boats that took him out for a tour and then off to Dockside to get ice cream for the kids. He posted the fun had on all his social media accounts and shared his experience on his radio show. As of September 9th, our radio ad could still be heard on 104.5 SNX. You can hear Mike tell his listeners that his family enjoys going to Canadian Lakes and he then gives out our website for his listeners to inquire about membership in Canadian Lakes. The activity on our website and the volume of inquiries increases each time they visit. The more awareness we receive the better, especially from an influencer like Mike.

NOL

The

Marketing Department has been extremely busy this summer. In fact, Canadian Lakes as a whole was extremely busy this summer. The fun doesn’t end with summer though, we have some big things coming this fall and winter. Up next will be the new software, the CLPOC Board election, new members website & mobile app, Members Night, and Nights of Lights. With all of the above mentioned, I am still actively looking for a new marketing associate that specializes in social media and can help with the day-to-day operations. With any luck, we will have someone new in the Marketing Department soon.

iHEART RADIO

On Air Mike spent another weekend at our campground. His family was treated to a couple different boat rides this visit

By the time you read this the CLPOC office should be elbows deep in training for our new software and our new members website. After our new members website goes live, we will begin work on testing the mobile app. The new software and mobile app will be very beneficial for all departments within the CLPOC, and I couldn’t be more excited for everyone. I also couldn’t be more excited for you. The mobile app will allow many of you to make electronic tee times and reservations to all your favorite amenities.

MEMBERS NIGHT

Members Night is when we unveil the Castle for the 2022 season of Century 21 White House Realty's Nights of Lights. Members Night details will be going out in your Members Bulletin this month. This will be a free event for the first 300 members who sign up for tickets once they are released. Stay tuned to your Members Bulletin for those details & release dates, tickets go fast!

GET SOCIAL WITH CANADIAN LAKES

Century 21 White House Realty’s Nights of Lights will have a couple attractions this year, much like we did in 2019. A cocoa bar ran by non-profits will take place on Fridays of NOL. Cocoa bar dates include Nov. 25, Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30. It is important to note that this is a goodwill/ community contribution, as the CLPOC opens the Castle free of charge for each night of service and the marketing department supplies all the goods for the non-profits to run the cocoa bar. All the non-profit organizations will need to do is run the booth, provide their own special signage, and all money earned will go to their specific charity. This year we will also welcome back, Brian Baldwin of the Bubba-Q Food Truck. His pulled pork nachos are something dreams are made of. He will be on site the Fridays of NOL and possibly on the Saturdays as well.

I hope everyone is as excited as I am about this upcoming season. This is a huge undertaking for a department of one and a handful of volunteers to take on, but we are ready and able to make it all happen this year. My ultimate goal is to bring joy to our community this season, show our members what a great set of events the CLPOC and its volunteers can produce, and what our town of Canadian Lakes has to offer during all seasons...and creating the awareness that comes along with hosting events like these doesn’t hurt either.

Photography by Chuck Richardson

CANADIAN LAKES

ASSOCIATION

Good day my fellow Canadian Lakers!

I sincerely hope you have been able to enjoy another summer living the “GOOD Life” here in wonderful Canadian Lakes. Maybe this was your first summer with us, and how exciting that must have been. Marsha and I moved up here full-time five years ago and even though we had been Canadian Lakes members for decades before, you just can’t fully appreciate the magnitude or meaning of the GOOD life until you actually live here. Marsha and I have owned a lot in Canadian Lakes since 1999, and our residence is three miles south of Canadian Lakes on our 60 acres parcel of land. But we have become “fully engaged” in the community since we relocated, and it is wonderful!

Have you ever really thought about what makes Canadian Lakes so very special? Is it our lakes, after all “Lakes” are in our name. Is it our golf courses offering three very different experiences, all beautiful, affordable and well maintained? Is it our tennis, pickleball and basketball courts, all situated around Canadian Lakes just waiting for you to enjoy? Is it the walking, biking, and hiking in a very scenic environment, and now enjoying our new Trail? Is it our softball complex, or dog park, or disc golf course (our son and grandson just enjoyed that disc course this past weekend)? Or maybe it’s our restaurants and shopping center. Or our three very diverse buildings where we can hold all of our meetings, concerts, plays, and CLA Events… the Castle, the Highland Haus, and the Alpine Haus. Is it the live music all summer long at the Reuther Music Pavilion, or is it the tubing tow and ice-skating rink in the winter? Hopefully you’re getting my point. If you can’t find something that brings you joy in Canadian Lakes, you just haven’t looked hard enough!

But with all of that said, and I’m sure I’ve missed some things, I don’t think any of this is what truly makes Canadian Lakes the hidden gem that it is. I believe it’s the people who are the heartbeat of Canadian Lakes, with their volunteerism spirit! When you look around at all of our beautiful flowers around our signs, the fact that you don’t see litter laying around, that we feel safe in our homes year-round, this is all because of our many volunteers from Flower Power, our Pickup Artists, and Mobile Watch just to name three volunteer groups, and there are so many more!

Photography by Kim Flanagan, Creative Occasions

Photography by Kim Flanagan, Creative Occasions

Speaking of the , did you know if you are a member of the Canadian Lakes Association, you will receive this monthly newsletter to stay informed of all of the activities happening each month in our Canadian Lakes community? It is 16 pages filled with fun activities the CLA offers each month, along with other local area events. AND it will let you know about our CLA MEMBERS ONLY contests and monthly prize giveaways. For example, our Shopping Spree Contest for CLA Members Only recently gave away amazing prizes valued at $1,600.

Now that brings me to the backbone of volunteerism in Canadian Lakes, and that is the Canadian Lakes Association. For over 40 years, and a total of 182 CLA Board Members, we have been serving our community. We currently have 12 special CLA Board Members: Peggy Brohl, Sharon Schmidt, Alice Brandt, Jo Alex, Robin Bielby, Mike Burke, Lori Gorecki, Pat Kreple, Tracey Bowen, Beth Bloedel, Marsha Wolf, and myself. Canadian Lakes has over 4,000 members currently yet just 952 of you are CLA Members. I think at just $30 a year for your entire household, and with what your CLA Membership provides you, it must be that over ¾ of our community just isn’t aware of what the CLA is, or what we provide annually. Along with all of the events you see on the next page, the CLA also sanctions over 30 clubs for your enjoyment. Our clubs offer a wide variety of interests including Arts & Crafts, Cards & Games, Music, Health & Fitness, Special Interests, Sports and Study Groups.

I had two goals when I became President of the CLA. Number one was to get our CLA Membership back up over 1,000 members. I need just 48 of you to join the CLA before January 1, 2023, to reach that goal. Join now

at the end of this year. Robin Bielby, Sharon Schmidt and Jo Alex have each served for two 3-year terms.

I’m sure most of you would agree with me if you ask yourself “what would Canadian Lakes be like if not for those 182 plus selfless volunteers who have kept the CLA thriving for over 40 years?” Just look at the list of events on the next page that the CLA organizes or sponsors each year. My hat is off to all of our past CLA Board Members for helping to create and maintain the GOOD life!

Now it’s time for the rest of you to give back to our Canadian Lakes community. I promise you won’t regret it. Call, text, or email me if you have any questions, and please help keep our volunteer backbone strong! Stay Healthy, Safe, and Strong!

Photography by Kim Flanagan, Creative Occasions

Winter Carnival in February

Potluck Dinner in March

Easter Egg Hunt in April

HEREAREMANYOFTHEEVENTSTHECLA ORGANIZESORSPONSORSEVERYYEAR

Kite Day in May Memorial Day Program in May Summer Craft Show in June Ferris Community Band Concert in June Summer Picnic in July

A Community Information Day in August Ice Cream Social in August Voices of Freedom Concert in September Flu Shot Clinic in October Halloween Costume Dance in October Trick or Treat for the Kids at the Castle in October Annual Chili/Soup Cook-Off in November Veteran’s Day Program in November Gal’s Night Out in November Christmas Craft Show in November Christmas Concert in December Home Decorating Contest in December New Year’s Eve Party

Here when you need us

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.

Valentine’s

MYS T ERIES

Technology in the outdoors? Yes please

Severalyears ago – while waiting for legal pheasant hunting hours to begin – I remember gazing over a frozen field of cut corn that bordered a row of lush weeds. My pal and I were in Iowa, and as the sleet and snow pelted the windshield, one of us said, “Wouldn’t it be nice to have a drone with a heat-seeking gizmo that could detect where the pheasants were hiding?”

By Chris Zimmerman

“You mean, like ‘be able to tell how many birds were in those weeds before we stepped out of the truck?” “Something like that,” one of us answered. After several seconds of visualizing the concept, we both shook our heads and said “no.” “Having that kind of technology would take all the intrigue out of hunting. Besides, it would lessen the need for a bird dog.”

Almost on cue, our dogs in the back seat of the truck, nosed their way onto the console. As we patted our dogs on the head, their tails wagged with the same ferocity as the windshield wipers. Half the fun in pheasant hunting is watching the dog’s work. It’s a thing of beauty, a sight to behold. What if today’s technology could show hunters where their prey lived? Might be fun to think about, but again, it would take all the fun out of fair chase.

I’m old enough to remember what grouse hunting was like in Mecosta County before cell phones. Park the

truck. Set a compass heading. Head into the woods. Seems simple enough, right? Hardly. As the hunt unfolded, I used to get confused as to which way was back to the truck. My compass never lied, but I had my doubts, especially if I was in the woods near dark. That “lost” feeling is real…. real stressful and scary, too.

Cell phones have made getting lost practically impossible. Google Maps isn’t just a tool for finding an address; it can also be used as a Global Positioning System. I use it to drop a “pin” when I arrive at a hunting spot on state or federal land. All I have to do is press down on the screen and the “pin” magically appears. From there, I put away my phone and enjoy the hunt. When it’s time to return to the truck, I open Google Maps, find the pin, and head in that direction. It hasn’t failed me yet.

Google Maps shows streams, creeks, and ponds, which are good places to try waterfowl hunting. I like to look for grouse on creek edges because tag alders grow in abundance. “Tags” as they’re often called, provide food and shelter for grouse, especially late in the season.

Technology can be a lifesaver, too.

Aspen stands like this one west of Canadian Lakes are fantastic wildlife cover.

Occasionally, I think about having a bad fall when I’m bird hunting. There are plenty of fallen logs, gopher holes, and slippery creek edges that create a perilous situation. If I broke my leg during a bird hunt, I’d be unable to get back to the truck. Before cell phones, my loved ones would have to call 9-1-1 if I didn’t make it home for dinner. Finding a lost hunter with no point of reference would be nearly impossible. With cell phones, I can send family members my exact location in the form of a “pin.”

“Life 360” is an app that keeps track of family members’ exact location. In the unlikely scenario I break my leg while hunting, I could text my wife and ask her to send help. She, in turn, could call 9-1-1 and tell them where I might be found, (and what’s for dinner ).

Finding places to hunt on private land used to be a rather laborious prospect of buying a plat book and figuring out who owned the land. With the use of cell phones today, entire counties’ landowners are available to download in a matter of a few clicks of a button. The key is to add “GIS” after the county name. For example, if I wanted to search property owners in Mecosta County, I would type “Mecosta County GIS” in the search bar. Miraculously, it only takes a few seconds of downloading to incorporate the landowners in an entire county. It’s really quite slick.

The state of Michigan has created an app that not only identifies the state’s hunting lands, but what forest types are found on each parcel. (Don’t ask me how they did it. Seems like a monumental undertaking.) It’s called Mi-Hunt, and it takes the mystery out of targeting certain habitat types available to hunters. On the app, hunting lands are color coded for easy reference. Those parcels in yellow are aspen, brown = oaks, green = pines. Numbers within the forest color indicators signify the density of the trees growing there. When using the Mi-Hunt app, I always look for yellow “3” s when searching for a place to grouse hunt. Yellow means aspen, and 3 indicates high density sapling. Young, dense aspen saplings are a magnet for grouse.

On the western edge of Canadian Lakes, there are several sections of state land available to the public’s recreational whims. I’ve seen horseback riders, all

terrain vehicles, hikers, berry pickers, mushroom enthusiasts, and turkey and archery hunters all take advantage of the property. The mix of yellows, browns and greens on Mi-Hunt means it’s aspen, oak and pines, three key habitat features for grouse, rabbits, deer and turkey.

In 2019, foresters cut a section of woods near the entrance to one of those parcels west of Canadian Lakes. That concept – of logging ‘past-its-prime’ forests – has been a boon for wildlife, and for that, I’m most thankful. It’s nice to see wildlife managers maintain our forests for the benefit of wildlife.

We may be years away from having

a drone that can ferret pheasants out of an Iowa corn field, but with today’s technology we can find places to hunt, discover who owns private land, can call 9-1-1 with our exact location, and zero in on habitat types, all on our cell phones. It’s a miracle of sorts, and I’m most thankful for technology’s progress.

All I have to worry about is having enough battery life when heading into the woods.

Chris Zimmerman is a Canadian Lakes resident and the author of six Michigan-based mysteries.

to Focus

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Photography by Joyce B. Wilcox

Four the First Time Again

BY JOYCE B. WILCOX

Some of you may remember a best-selling book of short essays that was written in the mid-1980s by minister and author, Robert Fulghum. It was entitled All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten and explained how the world would be improved if adults adhered to the same rules as children. It sold and continues to sell gazillions of copies. That book served as the hallmark for living a balanced life. It explained that like children, adults should learn to try new things, be creative, use their imagination, and welcome each new day. In addition to doing all of that, Fulghum’s book quite

possibly also reshaped my world, and I don’t mean with Legos.

Maybe I should digress a little bit and explain a few things. I originally majored in mass communications in college and wholeheartedly enjoyed working in advertising for a little over ten years. The excitement and creative accomplishment that came with my profession unfortunately had to be counterbalanced with the very demanding hours of my job. I determined that it was time to look at life differently. During those years I also married and started a family, so I realize that these were also contributing factors to my career change. It also helped

Laundry Basket Pirate Ship. Photography by Joyce B. Wilcox

that my husband has always been very supportive and encouraging throughout our marriage.

Subsequently I returned to college, became an educator, and even did my student teaching in a kindergarten classroom. I was delighted to receive a copy of Fulghum’s book my first year of teaching and took it to heart. I devoted the next eight years to pre-K education, serving as director at a preschool before moving on up to teaching K-12 students at a residential facility for boys. Even in my semi-retirement a few years ago, I was an elementary paraprofessional for five years in Big Rapids. No matter where I taught, I understood that there was an incredible education to be learned from each child.

It would seem that this same philosophy rings true in retirement because apparently the latest young teacher presently in my life is my fouryear-old grandson, Jack. While I thought his visits from downstate would permit me opportunities to teach him, I soon learned that he had much more to teach me. Just like the lessons in Fulghum’s book, Jack has mastered living a balanced life. He showed me that all I really needed to know about living in Canadian Lakes I could learn from a four-year-old.

TRY NEW THINGS

Since basically everything is relatively new to a four-year-old, the concept of trying new things was inherently easier for him than it was for me. However, I soon learned that the very activities that I’d started to take for granted

were considerably more fun when seen through his eyes. Introducing Jack to an open-air ride in a golf cart went from a simple cycle around the pond to an imaginary race matching Lightning McQueen’s trek around the track. A firsttime pontoon boat ride out with friends on our picturesque lakes became an odyssey in the life of this small child as he was on the lookout for fish, loons, and paddle boats. By orders of the captain, he even gleefully ducked his head while sailing under bridges so that he wouldn’t bump his noggin on the rafters.

We’ve all learned that music can soothe the soul and enrich lives. As baby boomer grandparents we’ve always shared our favorite songs from the ‘60s and ‘70s and were thrilled recently to be able to take Jack to his first classic rock concert. Not only did he love the music that afternoon in Pocket Park in Big Rapids, but he also took it to a new level with his swinging, swaying, and swirling. When we joined him dancing in the

street, he was ecstatic. It’s nice to know that the Beatles are still appreciated, especially by this youngest generation. It’s also nice to know Grandma and Poppa can still move a bit to the beat.

Another opportunity of a lifetime was presented to us when we were invited to join our neighbors, Jim, and Merrelyn Brand, to ride in their Model T in the 4th of July parade through downtown Mecosta. Even though we were told the car was named Lady Gray, Jack knew instantly that he was riding in Lizzie from the movie, Cars. It was a delightful event for all as we waved and tossed candy to the myriad of parade watchers. If you’ve never experienced any of the area parades for various events or holidays, I strongly recommend it. Parades will take you back in time and also back to your happy place.

SPARK CREATIVITY

Due to multiple visits to the Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum, we are now aware of the many interesting programs that

Model T

Photography by Joyce B. Wilcox

Snake petting at the library. Photography by Joyce B. Wilcox

facility has to offer. Science, math, and imagination for all ages thrive in this environment. Jack was enrolled there in a pre-K art camp this summer and had the opportunity to experiment in a variety of mediums as he learned about the colors and textures in nature. This motivated us to take additional nature walks throughout Canadian Lakes. Of course, these walks also inspired more painting, coloring, and constructing art projects at our home. I know I’m biased, but I’d say he’s a budding Monet.

Between listening to Poppa rehearse for the CL Men’s Chorus and that rock concert he attended in Big Rapids, Jack’s interest

and appreciation for music increased. He also began tinkling the ivories of the keyboard residing in my home office. He loves playing his pinnanno (sic) and giving his own recitals. It was all music to my ears, but then again, I’m his grandmother. We may wait a bit before we share his performances with the rest of you.

EXPLORE

Those earlier mentioned pontoon boat rides quite naturally transitioned into multiple playtimes of digging for treasure as a pirate as Jack explored the beach. I truly can’t believe I’m saying this but put down the beach read and pick up a bucket and

shovel. You can always read on the porch but it’s a little difficult to build a sandcastle or hunt for treasure on the deck.

“Avast ye mateys!” On rainy days Jack also sailed a laundry basket pirate ship throughout the seas in Grandma’s living room. With the help of a large whale beach towel, a spyglass, an old map, and an eye patch, “Arrrh! I’ve found the treasure,” was heard throughout Sunset Shores.

Those same phrases were also heard coming from a pirate ship in Riverside Park in Alma as Jack navigated the seas from way up high on the play scape. Much to our delight, that same park had a darling progressive storybook path with multiple stations to stop and read the continuing story. After reading each showcased page you either followed directions for movement or answered questions. What a fun way to enjoy reading!

Adults should take note: no electronics were needed for the storybook path; just fresh air and an imagination. To take things up a notch, Jack also took turns racing Grandma or Poppa to each reading station. He’s not quite a fast reader yet, but he is a fast runner and kept us on our toes.

When you’re looking to select your next books at the Morton Township Library you need to know that this library also has some marvelous story times and fun activities for adults and children of all ages. We stumbled upon a wonderful presentation by the John Ball Zoo at that library and Jack was mesmerized for the entire exhibition. We learned a lot about different creatures that day including: the amazing color changing gecko; the differences between turtles and tortoises; and the unique world of giant cockroaches. The highlight came for Jack when he and Grandma were both able to pet a rather large snake. The highlight came for Grandma when she realized she wouldn’t have to pet a giant cockroach.

Quite by accident we discovered that you can also go exploring in your own home any evening at dusk as long as you give every detective a flashlight before turning off the lights. That’s the best time for a bear hunt. The youngest member should also have a small bag filled with a magnifying glass, binoculars, and a small notebook and pencil as he or she searches for clues. Apparently as the group sings, I’m Going on a Bear Hunt, quite magically, anywhere from 10 to 12 teddy bears can be located throughout the house.

Of course, the bears are all friendly and enjoy being counted and recounted many times. They can also be sorted by color, size, and clothing.

ENJOY THE WONDERS OF THE WORLD

You don’t have to go to the Great Wall of China or the Colosseum in Italy to

Photography by Joyce B. Wilcox

appreciate one of the wonders of the world when you can simply attend the Mecosta County Fair. Jack was enthralled with the rides, the carnival games, the livestock, and especially watching the horse events. He struck up a conversation with the seniors sitting behind us in the stands and started explaining how he used to ride a horse a long time ago when

he was a little boy. As his rather lengthy story evolved it took me a while to figure out that the horse, he was referencing was the wooden rocking horse residing in my family room.

Of course, there’s nothing like an oldfashioned 4th of July picnic to entertain and to amaze folks of all ages and the CLA does an incredible job of it. Between the clown, the horse-drawn wagon ride, the playground, the outdoor picnic, attempts at cornhole, and dancing to the band, Jack had a blast. So much so that a few days later he and I packed a picnic lunch and pulled the basket in a wagon down to our gazebo on the pond in Sunset Shores. There were plenty of fish and ducks to feed as well as turtles to watch sunbathe. Not quite as fancy as the 4th, but just as much fun.

The wonders of the world don’t have to be elaborate when you’re four years old. Nor when you’re a grandparent looking through the eyes of a four-year-old. After all, if nothing else, it’s always someone’s birthday. Just ask some of Jack’s stuffed animals; we had birthday parties for several.

And remember, if you want to truly enjoy life, celebrate four the first time again!

FOCUS ON

fishing

holding largest bullhead

Bullhead Tournament Results

TEN PEOPLE REGISTERED for the Bullhead tournament and brought 78 fish to the weigh-in. The winner with the most weight was John Eberhardt with 18.28 pounds, 27 bullheads. The largest bullhead was 1.48 pounds caught by Rich Jaskot. Deep fried bullhead, bottled water, cole slaw and snack bags were provided. Thanks to Sue Glazier for hosting this event, George Groll for cooking, Dan and Brian Glazier for cleaning the fish, and Dale Doepker covering the weigh-in.

Annual Youth and Largest Fish Contest Final Reminder

GET YOUR ENTRIES IN by the deadline of October 10th. We encourage all youth 14 years old and under

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

to enter this contest for a trophy. Both the Youth Fish and Largest Fish of the Year Contest run all year, from October 1, 2021 to September 30, 2022. There is one entry form for both categories. If the entry is for the Youth Fish Contest, 14 years and under when caught, the information for the angler must be filled in as to their age, etc.

Every youth who enters, regardless of fish size, will receive a trophy, so long as it is for a species trophy they have not already won. All entries will be eligible for the Largest Fish Contest trophy, provided the minimum length is met. Entry forms are available on the CLA website and at the CLPOC Office kiosk. Keep track of your catches and take photos if possible, so you can enter them by the deadline of October 10, 2022.

Last Fishing Club Meeting of the year Wednesday, October 14

EVERYONE INTERESTED IN fishing is invited to attend our last meeting of the year at the Alpine Haus. At this meeting we will recap all of our events in the past year and consider next year’s events. Results of the September 10th Pike Tournament and winning lures will also be discussed. Election of club officers for 2023 will also be held. As always, members will share stories of their recent fishing trips, good or bad. Remember to release all largemouth bass and muskies and any pike caught measuring 24” and over.

Final Loon Observations

WE HAD TWO LOON BABIES from the East Lake nest. Far West Lake and Lake of the Clouds nests were not successful in producing chicks this year. By the time you receive this article, the adult loons will have left for the season and the juveniles may have left already as well. Apparently, the adults give their babies directions on where to migrate before they leave.

Rich Jaskot

19th Annual Canadian Lakes Pike Tournament

ELEVEN ADULT ANGLERS along with one youth angler registered and fished in the Pike Tournament on Saturday, September 10, we then enjoyed pizza, refreshments and presented awards. The largest pike award went to Jeff Woodward with a 27 inch fish, he also took home the prizes for both most total inches of pike 24” and over with three pike totaling 80.25 inches and most pike caught of any size by a single angler with 18. The second largest pike award went to Dale Doepker with 26.5 inches. There were 55 total pike caught with eight being 24” and over. There were no muskies reported. Thanks again to Jeff Abel for organizing and directing this tournament.

Call

Jeff Woodward

To Live A Wish

You may wonder why I hunt and fish

It’s merely to live out my wish

I turn to nature to understand and reason

The joys of life throughout the seasons

The wonders of God’s great creation

And the freedoms of this glorious nation

At first morn light you hear the sounds

As the woods wake up and life abounds

The wake-up call is just the breeze

As it whispers thru and gently nudges the trees

Fur and fin, insect or feather, Carry on life’s cycle throughout the weather

Storms may threaten, damage or frighten They cause the survival urge to heighten I have learned from nature, peace and serenity

As I struggle to mark my life’s identity

The musical babbling of a brook

A jumping fish to throw a hook

A deer, behold such caution and grace, Can only bring a smile upon one’s face

A hopping rabbit, a game bird’s flight, Are encounters I cherish when day turns night

I’ve learned, I’ve loved and I’ve lived God’s plan I’ve had the opportunity to feel the land, For I’ve seen star-filled skies on crystal nights, Full moon, lightning, and northern lights

I’ve seen heavy snow, felt cold and frost so bitter And, I’ve frolicked with these joys of winter

The smells of spring, fresh flowers and rain

Are natures tools to keep us sane

The summer sun, the burning heat,

It’s destined yearly to repeat The autumn leaves, colors - vivid and bright Could only preview the look that heaven might For all these wonders and pleasures galore, I kneel and thank the God I adore So now you know why I hunt and fish

It’s merely to fulfill my wish That when I die and have no more to give, God will say “son, just come on up, For you sure knew how to live”

Pileated Woodpecker Photography by Di Schwartz

About Di Schwartz:

Resident Bird Nerd & Talented Photographer

Hi Canadian Lakers! I am Di Schwartz, resident bird nerd.

You may have seen my bird photos over the years in the Canadian Lakes News emails, and more recently in the issues of The Canadian Laker magazine. I am 70 years old and didn’t begin bird photography until about eight years ago, so it’s never too late to begin.

I’m sometimes asked how did I got started in bird photography?

I don’t have a background in photography, and I did not set out to become a photographer, but here I am, and I am loving it. I was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition and chronic fatigue. This slowed me way down and forced me to quit my busy paralegal job. While I need to rest often, I discovered my great interest in photographing birds because it required little of my energy reserve, and well, who doesn’t enjoy birds?

Years ago, I looked through a book of bird photos taken by a friend and thought “I’d like to do that.” I didn’t have any instruction, but I had observed what was possible, and simply began taking photographs with the camera that I owned at the time. My advice is

do not let inexperience hold you back. I took thousands of photos that were discarded as I practiced my newfound interest. There is a learning curve, but with the digital technology of today, it really is inconsequential...just hit delete. It is gratifying to see your own personal improvements, simply from practicing and enjoying your results.

If I’m at home on a winter’s day, I set up the tripod in front of an open window. Since there is no threat of bugs, I grab a jacket to keep warm. I have some trees that are close to the window and provide a great staging area with a feeder nearby to attract the birds. During the summer months, I can set up the tripod on the deck outside.

I’ll tell you more of my story through the FAQ’s and most commonly asked questions posed to me.

Q. How do you get those shots?

Photography is pretty much a solo activity, but I have to say that my husband, Al, expands the possibilities for me. There is teamwork involved. Once we see a bird on the lake, he is great at steering the boat to line up the shot perfectly, so that we quiet ly drift toward the intended loons, swans,

or ducks without invading their space. I can then concentrate on my photo shoot without the concern of simultaneously navigating the boat. If I’m shooting from a kayak, it is a bit trickier to manage, and of course there is no room for the tripod.

We also go on nature drives around Canadian Lakes. High on my list is photographing the Osprey. I have a favorite spot where we park the truck and wait. I shoot from the passenger seat window. During the summer, the female Osprey is generally on the nest with the chicks, while the male is out looking for fish. I have learned from observation that the female will usually chirp when her partner is coming in with a fish meal, and this gives me a heads-up to get the camera ready for the shot.

Q. Do you have a favorite bird to photograph?

Great Blue herons are my favorite bird to photograph. I keep an eye out for any herons that may be along the shoreline or sitting on the roof of a pontoon boat. They fly with grace and are able to shape-shift. I admire the variation in diverse types and colors of feathers, including wonderful long, hairlike feathers that flow in the breeze.

Green Heron Photography by Di Schwartz

Q. What type of camera do you use?

I have graduated to a couple of Digital Single-Lens Reflex (DSLR) cameras. First, I bought the Nikon D5300 and recently upgraded to a Nikon D500. Both were purchased online. There are many good camera options today. Initially, I set the camera on the sport setting and used it like a point-and-shoot camera. I am just now learning how to make some basic camera adjustments by study ing YouTube instructors. I have a 150-600 focal length Tamron zoom lens. I do appreciate that I can edit a photo, to zoom in even more. Ideally, I like to see the feather detail and the eyes up-close.

Q. Do you have any tips for beginner bird photographers?

Remember to look up. When we are out for a drive, I have spotted birds up high in treetops, including eagles. I once found an Osprey up on a branch above our truck. I got out of the truck and set up the tripod. I was surprised it did not take off. As I began shooting, I could see it had prey in its talons and was enjoying a nice fish dinner. It was the closest I have ever been to an Osprey, and the photos captured good detail.

In seven years of living in Canadian Lakes, I have taken photos of more than fifty species of birds. It is always a thrill to see a new species for the first time, which can happen during migration season. I’ve also photographed fox, deer, porcupine, opossum, squirrel, muskrat, groundhog, chipmunk, rabbit, raccoon, skunk, butterflies, the sunset, and of course, the ever-changing landscape. With intention, decide to look around and notice nature’s gifts. You may be delightfully surprised by what you see.

Ideally, when shooting, I try to have the sun at my back or to my side, just not in front of me. Otherwise, the photos and your subject appear dark and shadowy. I use the Audubon app on my phone to help with bird identification, or a Google search.

Always carry a spare camera battery. After a shoot, I put the spent battery on the charger as soon as we return home. This prevents occasional disappointment when it is time to go out for a shoot and there are no charged camera batteries.

A gentle word of caution. We have seen some close calls on the lakes, when boats speed around and don’t notice the birds out in the middle of the lakes. They are small and easy to miss bobbing on the surface. When the loons are diving, they may surprise you where they surface since they travel so far underwater. Please try to keep an eye out for the safety of our feathered friends.

Birding is different every day. The light is ever changing, along with the seasons. The birds morph from eggs to chicks, to juveniles, to adults in a truly short time, and some lose their feathers during the molt. And there is something sacred about a bird’s song. The best part about bird photography here in Canadian Lakes is that I get to share my photos with the community.

You probably don’t see too many fishing boats with tripods, a camera, and a giant zoom lens, but give us a friendly wave if you should see us out on the lakes. Happy birding!

Feel free to send questions, comments, or feedback to dschwartz500@sbcglobal.net.

Fall in with Books

BY JOYCE B. WILCOX

With the leaves changing colors, the chill in the air, and Halloween and Thanksgiving on the horizon, it must be fall. And if it’s fall then it’s time to settle in with a cup of hot cider and cuddle up in your coziest reading chair. Or if you’re a snowbird, it’s time to start packing and making sure that you saved room for a good novel with which to travel. In either case, you’ll need to look no further for a good book than the fabulous five that I’ve selected for this issue’s Joyce’s Choices. Keep in mind that whether you physically stay in Michigan or not, just by turning the pages of these books you can travel to England, the island of Cyprus, or stay in the USA and journey to some interesting towns out west. Select one or read all five. Remember that if it’s autumn, it’s time to fall in love with books.

The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak

This novel is a love story within a love story within a love story. Beginning with a forbidden romance blossoming between two star-crossed teenagers on the war-torn island of Cyprus in the 1970s, the story continues as Kostas is forced to flee to England and Defne remains. Their romance ebbs and flows through the years and seems all but doomed to fail but hope springs

eternal as their lives are uprooted along with a Cyprus tree. This is a beautifully written twentieth century Romeo and Juliet tale without the balcony scene or poison. Instead, this story contains an intriguing tree, which leaves you pondering the depths of relationships, international conflicts, and the environment.

Having read, enjoyed, and previously reviewed my book club’s earlier summer pick of South of the Buttonwood Tree by Heather Webber, I was captivated, but still a little surprised when their very next selection was The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak. Award winning British-Turkish novelist, Shafak, takes the personification of a very special tree to a whole new level. She treats a Cyprus fig tree as one of the main characters, and constructs many of the chapters from this fig tree’s point of view. This unique omniscient viewpoint lends itself to some interesting perspectives regarding love, war, and nature. The end result makes for a delightful, enchanting, and mesmerizing storyline. Shortly after reading the fascinating prologue, I was hooked, and I think that you will be too.

Better Off Dead

by Lee Child & Andrew Child

If you haven’t read any of Lee Child’s books featuring action-thriller hero Jack Reacher, have no fear. You can start your Reacher journey with Better Off Dead, and then read the other books in any sequence because each of them can stand alone, and I guarantee you that you’ll be addicted.

The action and pacing of this novel are fast, furious, and forceful while at the same time filled with twists, turns, and the talents

of two Childs. With this astounding set of siblings storytellers you’ll find yourself not only wondering what can happen next to Reacher, but also what exactly can’t ever happen to Reacher?

Always his own man and always wandering the world, in this dramatic novel Reacher continues his rogue James Bond-Indiana Jones persona. While he’s out for a morning walk in the desert, he stumbles upon a woman slumped over a steering wheel of a Jeep. Apparently, Michaela Fenton has managed to crash into the only obstacle for miles around: a lone tree. When Reacher investigates further, he discovers the woman is an army veteran turned FBI agent who is being forced to act on her own. Fenton is trying to locate her missing twin brother by staging an accident in order to trap her pursuers. Of course, Reacher steps in to lend a hand. If it involves assisting a damsel in distress; finding someone impossible to be found; locating mysterious villains; and is filled with dangerous and action-packed heroics, then Reacher is the right man for the job. If you’re looking for the ultimate page turner of a thriller, then this is the right book for you.

Watching You

by Lisa Jewell

Thrillers or political suspense novels tend to move the plot along at an incredible pace in order to keep the reader reading. A good murder mystery thriller, however, crawls slowly across each page, slithering throughout your imagination and forcing you to analyze each clue and word carefully before you digest each chapter.

Watching You is a good murder mystery. Beginning with the prologue when the victim is meticulously examined by the detective on the case, the reader becomes hooked. A body is found face down on the floor of a kitchen in one of the nicest neighborhoods in Bristol, England. It lies inside a kidney-shaped

pool of blood. The victim received over twenty knife wounds to the neck, back, and shoulders. The knife used lies thoroughly washed in the kitchen sink. No handprints or spatters. A small red suede tassel, possibly from a shoe, is also found on the floor. And then chapter one begins.

Lisa Jewell is a clever writer who manages to not only present an interesting multitude of possible suspects for the murder; she intertwines their lives and stories. Jewell accomplishes this feat so well that readers aren’t even actually sure who has been murdered until they’re well into the story. It would seem many of the characters could have deserved to die, and many could have also committed the murder. Police interviews are conducted intermittently in such a way so as to keep the detectives and the reader guessing. Almost everyone has secrets, probable cause, and prying eyes which reveal dibs and dabs, but of course, never the entire story. That, dear readers, you’ll have to get from reading Watching You.

Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls

Half Broke Horses captures growing up in the frontier towns of Texas and Arizona in the early 1900’s, where readers learn that Lily Casey Smith had to be resourceful, spirited, and hardy. She also had to be able to withstand the obstacles thrown at her by the weather, the land, the untamed environment, and the extreme social limitations for women in that era. Naturally she was also expected to somehow obtain an education, marry, raise a family, and assist in the business of ranching. Jeannette Walls’s grandmother, Lily, juggled all of these and more as she also became a mustang breaker, schoolteacher, bootlegger, poker player, racehorse rider, and bush pilot. This remarkable story is brought

to life in the first person as Walls manages to step into her grandmother’s era and her mind, giving this incredible woman a voice that you’ll remember. The reader truly experiences how life really was back in the day.

Even though through the years I’ve enjoyed two other books by gifted columnist and author, Jeanette Walls, Half Broke Horses was another jewel discovered by my book club. Walls is a very talented storyteller with a treasure trove of family and personal history from which to draw. Her dysfunctional relatives make for some delicious family stews while rendering a reader’s

own eccentric family members quite palatable. Walls also has the ability to place readers in the heart of the action on each page, allowing them to experience the intensity of any drama, be it tragedy, comedy, or spectacle.

Half Broke Horses is an exhilarating, emotional, and entertaining read.

The Forgotten Seamstress by Liz Trenow

An historical novel about a seamstress working in the royal household at Buckingham Palace and set in the Edwardian era may not sound like your cup of tea, but given a chance,

it may just become your favorite British cuppa. Just like the novel’s exquisite quilt of finest silks and superb craftsmanship found hidden in an attic years later, threads of this story slowly unravel. The mystery behind the quilt and the quilter are carefully, lovingly, and heartbreakingly revealed amidst the drama, romance, and betrayal. With a novel involving a quilt with hidden embroidered messages, events of World War I, a love story spanning decades and a relentless medical research student attempting to piece things all together, author Liz Trenow has stitched together a remarkable tale.

Trenow has crafted and mastered the art of foreshadowing and flashback by having a character utilize a tape recorder in the 1970s to interview and record some of the history revealed in this story. By safely storing these tapes away and having someone listen to them years later, the cassettes take the form of an historic time capsule of sorts. This permits characters who could have never met to actually reveal their stories to future generations, while simultaneously allowing the reader to discover the truth. Splicing and inserting these snippets of recorded history are a fabulous method to give a voice to the past and add tremendously to moving the story along. Trenow is a talented writer, but I think she’s made a mistake; The Forgotten Seamstress won’t be forgotten.

Roger Stobert

Yard Waste

Other prohibited items include metals, paper, plastic, and styrofoam products, including yard waste containers of any type.

To gain access, attendants (all volunteers) will check for a current CLPOC ID, vehicle sticker, or guest pass. They may ask you to uncover your wastes to allow for inspection. Contractors doing yard maintenance for members may also use the facilities, but they must provide the CLPOC ID, guest pass, or the lot number and member’s name to gain access.

CANADIAN LAKES YARD WASTE SITE INFORMATION

The Yard Waste Site is open on Wednesdays and Sundays,10 a.m. to 4 p.m., April through November. Our last day open in 2022 will be Wednesday, November 30, weather permitting. The Yard Waste Site is located on the south side of Pierce Road between 110th Ave. and Tullymore Dr.

Several requests have been made to allow the facility to be opened at other times. Due to the disposal of trash and other non-allowed materials, facility access other than those times and days is not allowed.

The Yard Waste Site was established to provide a place for Canadian Lakers to dispose of yard wastes since burning or dumping it on neighboring lots or common areas is prohibited in Canadian Lakes. One errant smoldering leaf could spell disaster if open burning were allowed.

Items allowed to be brought to the Yard Waste Site include tree and shrub branches and limbs less than 4” in diameter, and plant-based materials normally associated with residential yard maintenance such as grass clippings, leaves, and discarded mulch. Do NOT leave materials outside the gate when the site is closed.

Items NOT allowed to be left at the site include campfire ashes, garbage, such as food scraps like rinds, peels, cores, etc.

When depositing your yard wastes, please place them behind or on top of already deposited materials rather than in front or on the access road to minimize the number of times we need a “push back” to retain access to the road and turnaround. Your compliance with this request reduces the number of push backs required, thus keeping membership costs for operating the site as low as possible.

Should you have any questions regarding the Yard Waste Site, the

attendants will be pleased to help you, or you may contact Roger Stobert, Yard Waste Coordinator, 231-972-1232, 231-2880148, or spankky@charter.net.

Life on Our Links

Dennis Wolfe

2022 MAJOR TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS

Match Play Blitz: Dan Omietanski/Joe Jakubik

Match Play Sixes: Jim Grant/Mike Sylvester

Ladies Match Play: Rose Groat

Ladies Club Champion: Kerstin Stadtfeld

Men’s Club Champion: Jim Omietanski

Men’s Senior Club Champion: Phil Bouman

Men’s Super-Senior Club Champion: Ed Springs

Men’s Match Play: Jim Omietanski

Team Match Play: Chris Barnes/Alex Nelson Kings & Queens: Ted & Cindy Marthakis/ Dennis & Angela O’Toole

2022 LADIES CUP

Home cooking was the theme in this year’s event. Both teams protected their own turf with 5-point victories that led to a 15-15 tie. Thank you to our team’s hard work and willingness to compete in this pressure packed event! We were represented by the following ladies:

Connie Boudreau

Lori Butzin

Barb Collinge

Laurie Grant

Kathy Harenda

Rose Groat

Shannon Hannon

Rita Hernandez

Cindy Marthakis

Patti Masotta

Anne Pentecost

Gloria Rogers

Nina Nagel

Denise Webb

2022 CANADIAN LAKES CUP TEAM

The Canadian Lakes Cup Matches occur on September 14/15. This year The Royal is represented by the following players: Jim Omietanski

Dan Omietanski

Doug Carroll

Joe Jakubik

KC Kumler

David Slagter

Jim Heinrich

Tiger Cao

Chris Barnes

Alex Nelson

Jim Grant Mike Sylvester

Phil Reglin

Harold Wolf

This team featured six rookies. Our favorite line for the rookies is, “you don’t know what you don’t know.” Thank you to these players for their hard work and support of our tournament program!

(231) 972-2900

10690 Pierce Rd Canadian Lakes, MI 49346

Rita

Norm and Mary Klebba recipients of 20 years of service to the Mobile Watch award.

Photography by Lindsay Halcomb

Canadian Lakes Mobile Watch Appreciation Golf Outing and Picnic

ON AN EXCEPTIONALLY beautiful day, the Canadian Lakes Mobile Watch (MW) held the 2022 Appreciation Golf Outing and Picnic on Wednesday, August 24, 2022, for the current Mobile Watch volunteers and for the Canadian Lakes (CL) Safety officers to demonstrate the community’s gratitude for their good work. Their daily patrols, constant vigilance, and assistance help to make our community safe and promote the well-being of our residents.

Canadian Lakes Safety and the Mobile Watch would like to thank the more than one hundred volunteers who attended the picnic. Canadian Lakes Safety and the Mobile Watch would also like to give a special thanks to Dennis & Georgette Zywica, Chuck Adams, Ken Towne, Gene Maloziec, Tony Vaal, Joe Slayton, Roger & Tracie Stobert, and Casey Smith, as well as Bill Hull and the maintenance and custodial teams for their assistance

with the picnic preparations, conduct, and cleanup, plus Diane and the deli staff at Hixson’s. As a result, great food and fellowship were had by all.

Our deepest gratitude is also extended to the following sponsors for their generous support of the Mobile Watch. Through their benevolence numerous awards were presented to the MW volunteers:

Amy’s Nail & Spa

Antlers Fireside Grill

Century 21 White House Realty

CL Ace Hardware

CL Eyecare

CL Pharmacy

CL Pizza

Shell

CLPOC

Coldwell Banker Lakes Realty

Wolfe

for Hair

Gigi’s

Roger Stobert

MW Picnic Fun!

Photography by Lindsay Halcomb

Hixson’s Family Market

Isabella Bank

Reverend Tom Keef gave the Invocation. Paul Szymkowicz, CLPOC Board President, Kristin Wilcox, Canadian Lakes Safety Director, and Harold Wolf, CLA President were guest speakers recognizing the Mobile Watch for their volunteer service to Canadian Lakes.

Dave & Vida Fisher and Ken & Nancy Freeman were inducted into the Mobile Watch Decade Club, joining the other fifty-nine previous volunteers who have been in the MW for 10 years or more. This year was incredibly special in that the Mobile Watch also have 20-year veterans, Norm & Mary Klebba and 25-year veterans, Bill & Barb Ballard. All were presented with a certificate and recognized for their service, sacrifice,

and dedication to the Mobile Watch and Canadian Lakes. Their faithful efforts are a tribute to their conscientiousness and compassion for the community and their fellow residents. It is with gratitude and pride that we honor and thank them and the previously inducted MW Decade Club members. Bill Ballard, Area 3 Captain, also recognized Francis Wright, who, at 96 years young and some 18 years with the Mobile Watch, reluctantly retired.

Finally, a special thanks to all the Mobile Watch volunteers, including the area captains, backup captains, and patrollers, who make the Mobile Watch possible. Their continued involvement and support help to ensure the safety of our community.

If you believe the safety of your community is important and are interested in becoming a prestigious Mobile Watch volunteer, please contact Roger Stobert, Mobile Watch Coordinator, 231-288-0148 or spankky@charter.net.

BUILDING IN CANADIAN LAKES

Bill and Barb Ballard recipients of the 25 years of service to the Mobile Watch award. Photography by Lindsay Halcomb

CLPOC Board Minutes

Canadian Lakes Property Owners Corporation

Board of Directors Meeting July 23, 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 IP

Steve Brandt Director IP

Shannon Hannon Director IP

Jerry Juncker Director Z

Dan Rice Director IP

Others in attendance – Greg Babbitt - General Manager, Kim Dowell – Controller, 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 Treasurer French Support Director Hannon passed unanimously

3. Austin and Morton Township Reports – No Reports

4. Presidents Report – President Szymkowicz welcomed members, acknowledged 4th of July events and discussed recent thefts.

5. Financial Report – Controller Dowell present the report. (See packet information)

COMMITTEE REPORTS

1. ACC Committee – Secretary Wilcox updated on this month’s approvals

2. CLA – Director Rice updated on previous and upcoming activities

3. Executive Committee – President Szymkowicz updated on proposed assessment fee, non-member use of amenities, turkey vultures, thefts, and the Pines pro shop.

4. Finance Committee – Treasurer

French updated the status of the current budget as it relates to inflation. He also advised we are in the process of our annual audit.

5. Strategic Planning Committee–Vice President Colley updated on committee activities.

GENERAL MANAGERS REPORT

a. See Board packet

b. See Board packet

c. General Manager Babbitt provided updates on Castle air conditioning and software project

d. General Manager Babbitt provided updates from BAG, Compliance, Golf Marketing, and Restaurant committees

1. Consent Calendar – Secretary Wilcox Moved to Approve the Minutes of June 25, 2022 and Receive and File the June 2022 Check Disbursements. Support Director Rice passed unanimously.

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

3. Items for Board Action

AN ITEM TO APPROVE THE MEMBERS OF RECORD IN GOOD STANDING DATE FOR THE 2022 ANNUAL MEETING Motion Director

Brandt Support Treasurer French passed unanimously.

4. Items for board discussion

AN ITEM TO DISCUSS COMPLIANCE, DEED RESTRICTIONS AND RULE ENFPRCEMENT – Discussion by Director Brandt, Secretary Wilcox, Treasurer French, Director Hannon, Director Juncker, and Director Rice

5. Member Comments – Mike Lieckfelt CL155 and Pat Donlon IB 011

6. Director Comments – Director Brandt spoke on the Pickleball Court update and the Softball team.

7. Member communications –

8. Moved to executive session –Motion Treasurer French Support Director Brandt passed unanimously.

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

Canadian Lakes Property Owners Corporation

Board of Directors Meeting August 27, 2020 @ 9:00 AM

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

Paul Szymkowicz President

John Colley Vice President

James French Treasurer

Steve Wilcox Secretary

Dan Altier Director

Steve Brandt Director

Shannon Hannon Director

Jerry Juncker Director

Dan Rice Director

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 by Director Hannon, Support Treasurer French Unanimous Approval

3. Austin and Morton Township Reports – No Reports

4. Presidents Report – President Szymkowicz provided an end of season report.

5. Financial Report – Controller Dowell provided monthly financial update provided in meeting materials.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

1. ACC Committee – Secretary Wilcox advised new houses approved as well as renovation projects.

2. CLA – Director Rice update past and current CLA activities.

3. Executive Committee – President Szymkowicz reported on various general and legal items. Advised

BETH BLOEDEL

Board Minutes

there would be a Executive Session at the conclusion pf the meeting.

4. Finance Committee – Treasurer French reported on current budget, success of various amenities, status of current annual audit. Small claims cases, status of R/R, and outlook for upcoming budget.

5. Strategic Planning Committee –Update on current CL initiatives.

GENERAL MANAGERS REPORT

a. Amenity usage report found in meeting materials

b. Departmental reports found in meeting materials with Dennis Wolfe highlighted this month.

c. Reported the status of R/R and Capital projects, road stripping and NorthStar

d. Updates from BAG, Compliance, Golf, Lakes, marketing Awareness, and Restaurant Committees.

e. Provided updates on various community related items

1. Consent Calendar – Motion Secretary Wilcox, Support Director

Rice Unanimous Approval

a. Approval of the Noted of the July 13,2022 Workshop Meeting and Minutes of the July 23, 2022 Board Meeting

b. Receive and File the July 2022 Check Disbursements

2. Member Comments on action or discussion items – None

3. Items for Board Action –Motion Director Hannon, Support Director Brandt Unanimous Approval

Approve the Community Restoration Enforcement Special Assessment

Proposal for the 2022 Annual Meeting Ballot

4. Items for board discussion –

a. 2022 Election Inspectors –Presented no discussion.

b. Safety Trail Cameras – Presented by GM Babbitt. Motion to suspend the rules by Treasurer French support Vice President Colley. Unanimous Approval. Motion Treasurer French, Support Vice President Colley Unanimous Approval. Motion to approve an expenditure from the Capital Improvement Fund in the Amount 0f $9,700.00 and an unbudgeted

expense to the remaining Fiscal Year 23 budget of $3,150.00

c. Pierce Road Discharge Tube –Motion to suspend the rules by Secretary Wilcox, Support Treasurer French Unanimous Approval. Motion Secretary Wilcox, Support Vice President Colley Unanimous Approval Motion to Approve the Drawdown of the Replacement Reserve Fund in the Amount of $61,975 for the Replacement of the Lining of the Pierce Road Discharge Tube. Approval

5. Member Comments – Member Villa NS 59/60

6. Director Comments – Comments by Secretary Wilcox, Director Hannon, Vice President Colley, Treasurer French, and Director Rice.

7. Member communications –Information on the CRC

8. Moved to executive session –Motion Treasurer French, Support director Rice Unanimous Approval.

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

No

of AREA EVENTSCALENDAR

October

OCTOBER 1

GR Symphony Presents Dancing in the Streets: The Music of Motown 5

OCTOBER 2

Jose-Luis Maurtua Memorial Concert 3

OCTOBER 2

Symphony Presents The Pianists with Natasha Paremski 5

OCTOBER 5 CLA Flu Shot Clinic 7

OCTOBER 7-8

GR Symphony Presents Strauss’ Also sprach Zarathustra 5

OCTOBER 8 Jason Aldean 2

OCTOBER 8

of the Badges/Faith and Blue Weekend 4

OCTOBER 11-16

Broadway GR Presents Tootsie 5

OCTOBER 14 Grand Rapids Griffins 2

OCTOBER 18 Carrie Underwood 2

OCTOBER 20-21

GR Symphony Presents Tim McAllister: The Saxophone Virtuoso 5

OCTOBER 21 Shawn Mendes 2

OCTOBER 23 Tauren Wells 5

OCTOBER 22 Nate Bargatze 2

OCTOBER 28-29 Fall Fest 4

OCTOBER 29 Royal Comedy Tour 2

OCTOBER 29 Spy Ninjas Live 5

OCTOBER 29 Halloween Costume Dance 7

OCTOBER 31 Trick or Treat 7

November

NOVEMBER 3-6

FSU Theatre Department Fall Musical “Kinky Boots” 1

NOVEMBER 3 Bill Burr (Slight Return) 2

NOVEMBER 3 CLA Annual Cook Off 7

NOVEMBER 4-5

GR Symphony Presents Organ + Cameron Carpenter 5

NOVEMBER 4 Jodeci 6

NOVEMBER 6 Rumours of Fleetwood Mac 5

NOVEMBER 7 Gals Night Out 7

NOVEMBER 8

Broadway Grand Rapids Presents Come From Away 5

NOVEMBER 9 Jazz Band Fall Concert 1

NOVEMBER 9

Five Finger Death Punch + Brantley Gilbert 2

NOVEMBER 10 Grand Rapids Gold 2

NOVEMBER 11 Holiday Market 4

NOVEMBER 11 Babyface 6

NOVEMBER 11 Veterans Day Program 7

NOVEMBER 11-12 Grand Rapids Griffins 2

NOVEMBER 12 Hunks The Show 6

NOVEMBER 13

WCCB Veterans Day Band Concert 1

NOVEMBER 13 Grand Rapids Gold 2

NOVEMBER 15 Grand rapids Gold 2

NOVEMBER 16 Grand Rapids Griffins 2

NOVEMBER 18 Jim Gaffigan 2

NOVEMBER 18-20

GR Symphony Presents The Polar Express In Concert 5

NOVEMBER 19 Koe Wetzel & Jelly Roll 2

NOVEMBER 29-30 Grand Rapids Gold 2

NOVEMBER 29 Cique Dreams Holidaze 5

NOVEMBER 30 Concert Choir Fall Concert 1

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 4 Trans-Siberian Orchestra 2

DECEMBER 6 Jazz Band Holiday Concert 1

DECEMBER 7 Grand Rapids Griffins 2

DECEMBER 8-9

CLA Christmas Home Decorating Contest 7

DECEMBER 9-11

GR Ballet Presents The Nutcracker 5

DECEMBER 11

Holiday Band & Orchestra Concert 1

DECEMBER 11

Men’s Choir Christmas Concert 7

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

IS FROM THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES:

NOVEMBER 19 Festival of Lights Parade 4

State University

DECEMBER 18

GR Ballet Presents The Nutcracker 5

www.ferris.edu/arts

NOVEMBER 20 WCCO Fall Orchestra Concert 1

Andel Arena, Grand Rapids

NOVEMBER 25-26 Grand Rapids Griffins 2

Michigan University

NOVEMBER 26 Straight No Chaser 5

Rapids area

DECEMBER 22

vanandelarena.com;

GR Symphony Presents Sandi Patty: Christmas Blessing 5

cmich.edu/Calendar

cityofbr.org, Community Calendar;

NOVEMBER 26 CLA Christmas Craft Show 7

formance

NOVEMBER 27 Grand Rapids Gold 2

NOVEMBER 27 Hip Hop Nutcracker 5

DECEMBER 23 Grand Rapids Griffins 2

DECEMBER 27-28 Great Lakes Invitational 2

Grand Rapids

DECEMBER 31 Grand Rapids Griffins 2

Eagle Casino, Mt. Pleasant

888-732-4537

Lakes Association

Works, Big Rapids-www.artworksinbigrapids.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

GARDEN CLUB

10 am • 1st Wednesday • Apr-Nov. Highland Haus 231-972-5702

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

Thursday

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

MARSP

11 am • 3rd Thursday of May, July, September Highland Haus chrisandsandy@yahoo.com 231-972-7336

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

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

Boiler bob