The Canadian Laker - October/November 2023

Most Colorful Season

Days grow short and nights grow long

The crowds of summer will soon be gone To warmer places they seek to fly

As we snowbirds wave them all goodbye

Winter on the cusp we remain steadfast and strong The hearty are staying where they feel they belong

The secret to staying put in the northland

Is the promise of colors as fall moves forth as planned

Vibrant hues of orange and gold

Stand out strong and make themselves bold

While the sun grows weaker and loses its command

To colder days ahead are in Mother Nature’s hand

The glow of autumn leaves will spread their beauty

Their only priority is to do their duty

Although the window of time is short

They’re standing proud as their last resort

Old man winter can tend to be moody

His hold on the cold makes him mean and snooty

But before we’re consumed by the old mans grip

We’ll all enjoy the colorful trip

Through back roads and highways

Through the fields and byways

The cooler days have us feeling the nip

Stopping at wineries to enjoy a last sip

The autumn show is probably great where you are

Or maybe enjoy it by train or by car

Don’t hesitate for it won’t last long

Get on the roads for it will soon be gone

Take the ride with all your dreams in a jar

Because Autumn’s the most colorful season by far

Georgette Willoughby//Writer’s Quest

Photography by Dan Strandt

In this issue

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 3

April/May – March 3

June/July – May 2

Aug/Sept – July 3

Oct/Nov – September 1

Dec/Jan – November 2

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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The Canadian Laker is owned and published bimonthly by the Canadian Lakes Property Owners Corporation (CLPOC) as its official magazine and is mailed at standard rate to each property owner of record to the address on file with the corporation. The Canadian Laker is a trademark of the CLPOC. Copyright ©2023 by CLPOC, all rights reserved.

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

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

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• Two dedicated RV work bays and a 58-foot paint booth.

• Need an estimate? Stop in to see us or call and we’ll come to you.

• We repair all makes and models of cars, trucks, SUVs and RVs.

From the General Manager

WOW, what a weekend! Hopefully, you got a chance to partake in the Patriot Day Scramble, Campground Trick or Treating, Car Show, Dog Days, Book Sale, or just did the traditional beach, boating, swimming, or just some good ole rest and relaxation. Many members and guests were certainly out and about experiencing “the GOOD life”. With Labor Day weekend in the rear-view mirror, we complete another enjoyable and successful season. I believe it was another tremendous success.

record usage. Your patronage of these amenities, along with your guests, is the main reason our current funding plan is such a success. And speaking of the funding plan, with the upcoming Annual Meeting you will be asked to vote using your ballot to extend the funding plan for another five years. Please vote.

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

Tara Schweitzer

Jane Hensley memberservices@clpoc.org

With our busy season coming to a close, I certainly want to recognize the many volunteers, too many to name for my article, but I personally want to thank all of them for their efforts. And I certainly want to thank my great staff for all they did during this extremely busy season. Staff is led by my Department Heads, Kim Dowell, Casey Smith, Dennis Wolfe, Bill Hull, Lindsay Halcomb, Kristin Wilcox, Ryan Rasmussen, and Shayna Hancock. These individuals spend many summer days and evenings devoting so much of their talent, time, and energy to our great community.

I also want to thank you, the members, for your support this season. Our amenities, restaurant, golf courses, and pools are experiencing some

As we head into fall, the staff continues to be busy. Some projects we have completed or will be completing are: The Alpine Haus exterior renovation, pickleball court resurfacing, Royal Tennis Court resurfacing, golf course bunkers renovation, and the Outdoor Pool roof replacement. We will also be assessing and evaluating this past season’s implementation of the Northstar software. We will be looking for what worked well, what needs to be improved, and potential other modules we can implement.

Again, this 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.

Cooler temperatures, and perhaps even some of that white stuff, will have some members heading for those southern states known for their warmth and sunshine. Whether you plan to stay or leave, please be safe and courteous out there as we all continue to appreciate this amazing place. Enjoy your fall GOOD Life!

From the Board

This is a very important issue of The Canadian Laker magazine. It has become known as the “Election Edition.” This year the three Board Members whose terms end on December 31st are Dan Altier, Jerry Juncker, and Steve Wilcox. I would like to thank these gentlemen for sharing their time and expertise in making Canadian Lakes a better place to live. It has been my pleasure to work with all of you during the past three years. This year we have three members of our community in good standing that have decided to run for the CLPOC Board of Directors. I would like to thank Matt Stifter, Dan Tunacik and Steve Wilcox for stepping forward to serve our community.

On page 12, you will find an article from the nominating committee introducing these members in good standing that are willing to put forth their time and expertise in making our community a better place to live. You will also see photos of the three candidates along with a short 100-word bio. Please take the appropriate time to review their information. Remember, these candidates will be your board representees for the next three years.

Also on this year’s ballot is a new 5-year funding proposal for Canadian Lakes. This plan is not replacing the current funding plan until it expires. It is being brought forward a year early to guaranty a smooth transition between the two plans. There have been three membership forums to discuss the new funding plan proposal. The three forums were recorded and are available on the members website for viewing. Please take the time to view all of the forums to make an informed decision.

The nights are getting cooler, days are getting shorter, and Labor Day is behind us. Unfortunately, this can mean only one thing. Our summer season will be coming to an end soon.

CLPOC BOARD OF DIRECTORS board@clpoc.org

OFFICERS

President Paul Szymkowicz pls.clpoc@gmail.com

Vice President John Colley jacclpoc@gmail.com

Treasurer James French jbf.clpoc@gmail.com

Secretary Steve Wilcox doctorw.clpoc@gmail.com

DIRECTORS-AT-LARGE

Dan Altier altierdt@gmail.com

Linda Ricketts linda.clpoc@gmail.com

Shannon Hannon shannon.clpoc@gmail.com

Jerry Juncker juncker.jerald@yahoo.com

Steve Brandt abrandtcl@gmail.com

CLPOC BOARD MEETINGS

Regular Monthly Board Meeting

Fourth Saturday 9 a.m., Highland Haus

Workshop Board Meeting

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

Paul L. Szymkowicz President pls.clpoc@gmail.com

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.

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MEDICARE MADE CLEAR

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BETH BLOEDEL

Canadian Lakes resident Beth@ShorepointeBenefits.com 231-920-1716 Office • 313-690-5723 Cell In person or virtual meetings available

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CLPOC BOARD CANDIDATES! MEET THE 2023

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 Dan Altier, Jerry Juncker, and Steve Wilcox, whose terms of office expire on December 31, 2023. Only Steve Wilcox has chosen to seek re-election this year. The three members seeking to serve the three-year term are Steve Wilcox, Matt Stifter, and Dan Tunacik.

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, 2023, 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 18, 2023, at the CLPOC Annual Meeting. On the opposite page are the bios each candidate sent in for your review. Please note that each candidate was limited to 100 words.

Photography by Lindsay Halcomb

STEVE WILCOX MATT STIFTER DAN TUNACIK

I have been a member of Canadian Lakes since 1992 and a full-time resident since 2011. Volunteerism is one of the greatest privileges we have in our community. I have had the privilege of serving this wonderful community as CLPOC Director, Secretary, Vice-President, and President. I served as a committee member and Chair for ACC, member and current Chair for Strategic Planning, and member on Finance. I served as Chair for the development of the Future Funding plan. I am asking for your vote to continue to serve in this new era of financial security, stability, sustainability, and growth.

My wife Melissa, Burt and Sally (Fox Red Labs) and myself have been full time residents of Canadian Lakes since 2019. We have grown to love the area and our new community. I retired from Henkel in January of 2021 after 31+ years of service where I was the Head of the Aerospace and Rail Strategic Business Unit. I am running for the Board to provide guidance for the future development of Canadian Lakes and to help create sustainable value and amenities for future generations to be able to enjoy the “Good Life”. I look forward to serving our community.

My wife and I have been property owners in Canadian Lakes for 17 years and love living here. I am a retired Professional Engineer. For the last 3 years of my employment I was a general manager for a steel mill in Indiana. While living in Indiana I was a board member for a nonprofit organization that operated a shelter for victims of domestic violence. I am running for the board because I believe I can contribute back to Canadian Lakes utilizing my technical, business and people skills as shown by my engineering, management and board experience.

Canadian Lakes Welcomes Its Newest 100-Year-Old Member

HELEN FISCHER CELEBRATED HER 100TH birthday twice in July! The first time was at her church in Grand Rapids on July 15th (day before her actual birthday) surrounded by family and friends. The second time was at a block party on Second Street on July 22nd.

Helen and her husband Bill purchased their property in November 1967 and built their second home shortly thereafter. Helen and her husband raised two sons and two daughters. Helen enjoys seeing her 12 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and one great-

great grandchild. Helen still lives in her original family home and has for the past 74 years. One of her favorite things to do is to go fishing. She would fish all day, clean her own catch, and then have them for dinner. She is not able to visit Canadian Lakes as much as she used to, but she visits when she can.

Congratulations Helen!

See you soon, Second Street

Photography by Paul Szymkowicz

Canadian Lakes Property Owners Corporation

Gifts and Memorials Committee

Since 1995 the CLPOC Gifts and Memorials Committee has been the depository for funds given by members of the Corporation in honor of an individual, or for funds given for a designated purpose, and to disburse those funds to provide items suitable for memorials needed by the Corporation.

The donations given have allowed the committee to purchase benches to be placed on the golf courses, and in other areas within the community. Trees, sculptures, and statues have also been placed throughout the community. The committee works closely with Bill Hull and Casey Smith for placement of any memorials within the community.

The cabanas located at the main beach, pavilion by the Outdoor Pool and the starters building located on the first tee at The Royal Golf Course were placed by the committee, through donations from the members of the community.

A lectern located on the West wall of the CLPOC office contains a book listing memorials given since the committee’s inception, along with envelopes for making contributions to the Gifts and Memorials Committee.

If you have any questions, please contact current members of the committee: Karen Chesnut, Sue Malzahn, Debra Olson, Ron Stickney, or Ken Swathwood.

Gifts & Memorials Lectern in the CLPOC Main Office

Marketing

DIGITAL MARKETING AND RADIO

Digital ads and radio have been very successful this season. Our radio reach has gained much momentum from our in uencer, On Air Mike. He’s spent two weekends with us this summer and tells his listeners how fun it is in Canadian Lakes, he shares all his experiences on social, and he makes friends each visit here. He has one more visit planned for October and we will see him again at Nights of Lights (NOL).

Digital ads have treated us well. We gure if everyone is on a device there’s no reason we shouldn’t be there too.

Some digital analytics for the month:

• Just over 3.3 million impressions have been served.

• 3,251 people have clicked on the digital ads with 0.24% Clickthrough

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Rate (CTR). is CTR is above average. • e biggest demo clicking and looking are aged 35-44 then aged 25-35.

MOBILE APP

We are looking forward to getting more familiar with the backside of the app. We would like to send out special notices and announcements in the months to come. Stay tuned for more developments in the application as we learn more.

NOL

e Nights of Lights season is getting closer. is takes so much time and talent to organize; from Members Night décor, Cocoa Bar Fridays, sponsors, entertainment, to all the logistics involved, it is a lot. I have gathered a dedicated committee who went above and beyond last year and no doubt they will again this year. Let the planning of NOL 2023 begin!

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Lindsay Halcomb Marketing Director lhalcomb@clpoc.org

CANADIAN LAKES

ASSOCIATION

I hope you have all had another grrreat summer here in Canadian Lakes — it’s almost impossible not to! I write my CLA President’s letter each month in the Lite Lines, and every other month in The Laker. Sometimes it’s not easy to produce something new to write about each time, so I decided in this letter I would share some of the history of the Canadian Lakes Association and many of our accomplishments over the 48 years we have been serving this great community. And as I did the research, trust me, I found there is a lot to share!

The CLA was founded in 1975, and back then we were known as the “Year-Round Club” (YRC). In 1980 we officially became the “Canadian Lakes Association” (CLA). We operate as a non-profit organization that provides fun, entertaining and educational events each year, along with sanctioning several clubs offering the gamut of Arts & Crafts, Cards & Games, Music, Health & Fitness, Special Interests, Study Group and Sports Clubs.

Throughout the years the YRC/CLA has had 36 presidents and 185 board members. Thank goodness our community has always had a volunteer spirit, because all 185 of these board members have volunteered their time, talent, and treasure throughout the years. Generation after generation we have had members step up to serve our Canadian Lakes community. That alone has been a very impressive accomplishment. Can you imagine not having a calendar full of events to look forward to? Well prior to 1975 there was no one to organize them.

In 1984, the CLA started printing a monthly newsletter. In June of that year, it was officially named the Lite Lines. Remember, back then it was not a digital world, and so that paper copy of the newsletter was how we kept Canadian Lakes members informed. In the years since, we have added a web page ~ www.canadianlakesassociation.org ~ and a Facebook Page ~ Canadian Lakes Association ~, and of course we use the CL News to get our information out to members. We also have three information boards strategically located throughout our community at the CLPOC Office, Alpine Haus, and Airport, which include our monthly events. We continue to provide the Lite Lines newsletter monthly to all CLA Members.

Photography by Harold Wolf

Photo from the Canadian Lakes Archive Room.

Lakes has always had challenges to overcome, such as theft and vandalism — a real concern back in the ‘80’s and ‘90’s, even when we had security posted at our entrances. We also had a “gypsy moth problem” back then as well. With today’s social media outlets, every issue that comes up makes it feel like the sky is falling. To help address the crime concerns in the early ‘80’s, the CLA started the Citizens Watch program, which later became the Neighborhood Watch, and then eventually what we now know as the Mobile Watch. Just think what our crime problem might look like without all of Roger Stobert’s loyal volunteers who watch over us and help keep our community safe?

In 1989 the Canadian Lakes Development Company informed the members they would be turning over ownership of Canadian Lakes to the property owners. The CLA was the only organization that was well enough established at the time to organize the members at large and facilitate the changeover. The CLA hired lawyers, authored Articles of Incorporation, paid for, and held the first elections for the CLPOC new board members, and even loaned (interest-free) $25,500 to get the CLPOC started. As a result, on January 1, 1995, we went from day-to-day operations being handled by the Canadian Lakes Development Company to what you know today...the Canadian Lakes Property Owners Corporation (CLPOC). I’m sure you would agree, this is very impressive. I’m glad I wasn’t the CLA President back then! There are many more CLA accomplishments we are certainly proud of, but I don’thave enough space to mention them all here, maybe in another article.

So, as you can see, the CLA has been instrumental throughout the community’s existence, helping to provide our members with The GOOD Life! Over the years, members come and go. Our Canadian Lakes community is getting younger, and that’s exciting (unfortunately I can’t say the same for myself) . I think it is vitally important that we remember and appreciate those who came before us and try to imagine what Canadian Lakes would look like if not for those selfless 185 people. There have been thousands of Canadian Lakes members over the years who have been able to

CLA by being a member. It’s just $30 for your entire household for the year. Membership forms can be found on our website at www. canadianlakesassociation.org, or you can get a copy in the CLPOC Office at our CLA Information Center.

I hope everyone enjoys one of the best seasons Michigan has to offer this fall, it’s always one of my favorites.

Stay Healthy, Safe and Strong!

Photos from the Canadian Lakes Archive Room.

Life on Our Links

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

The above column graph compares golf activity for the three years prior to inclusive golf, and three years post COVID (20212023). We left out the COVID (2020) year due to the unique dynamics in operating a business in May & June. Clearly the community has embraced inclusive golf. We have experienced community growth in the following areas:

• New Home Construction

• Vacant Lot Sales

• Member Amenity Assignments

This season we experienced double digit growth in rounds over 2022 during the months of May/June/July/August. We are blessed with three different golf courses that are maintained to a high standard. We have encountered a demographic turnover in the community which is providing an abundance of members with an active lifestyle. Our golf operation offers a wealth of league and tournament options to service the competitive, social, and charitable interests of our golf community.

2023 TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS

Match Play Blitz:

Gary Fierk/Frank Schultz

Men’s Match Play: Ed Springs

Ladies Match Play: Lori Butzin

Team Match Play:

Bruce Ostrander/Mike Neville

Ladies Club Champion: Madison Allen

Men’s Club Champion: Jim Omietanski (3-peat)

Senior Club Champion: Phil Bouman

Super Sr. Club Champion:

John Richmond

Match Play Sixes: Scott Schafer/Dave Derry

Men’s Invitational Gross: Mike Fierk/Nick Redmon

Men’s Invitational Net: Roger Barr/Mark Scovel

CANADIAN LAKES HOLE-IN-ONE (HIO) CLUB WINNERS

As of September 5th, we have had three winners in the HIO Club. Congratulations to Lynn Cluskey, Jason Whitcomb, and Mike Sylvester. Lynn’s ace was on #9 at The Highlands. Jason aced #16 and Mike made his shot on #7 both during the Men’s Invitational. You never know when your next shot is going in!

Trip of a Lifetime

Dan and Andy

BY DAN ROSMAN

It’s easy to get sucked into the everyday grind of things constantly happening. I’ve always wanted to make a once in a lifetime type of trip, and this is one that weighed heavily on my mind.

When I was growing up, I lived in many different places, one being Canada. In addition, I visited Alaska and have always wanted to travel back to see it. The landscape there is beautiful, and I looked forward to enjoying it in a different state of mind in contrast to working there. One day I randomly mentioned it to my brother, Andy, during one of our phone calls. We talked about how much fun this trip would be to do on a motorcycle. Andy lives in North Carolina, and we don’t get to see each other nearly as much as we’d like to, so he didn’t waste any time, and we got going on the planning of the trip.

The next day, he called me back and said he went to the BMW dealership to purchase a bike. I couldn’t believe it! I quickly went and purchased my bike, and we started nailing down the date we wanted to leave. Our adventure was beginning to start!

With us being 62 and 67, we wanted to show people that we can act our age –we felt like most people settle down too quickly and wouldn’t be willing to do a trip or challenge of this magnitude.

We finally pulled out of the driveway on Tuesday May 30, and it was SO hot. We had planned to sleep in tents during our trek, but with the high temps, we really needed to get in the AC at night. So, a hotel room is where we generally ended up.

On our journey we went through Saskatchewan, Alberta British Columbia, Northwest Territories then at last, to Alaska. We rode the Alaska highway to Dawson City, then took Dempster Highway to Tuktoyaktuk which was our end goal. This leg of our trip was a hard drive considering it’s over 500 miles on a one-way gravel road! You can imagine on a bike, that’s slow going and nothing short of a workout.

That night we camped right on the Artic Ocean. In our passings, we witnessed numerous moose, bear, caribou, bison, and stone sheep. It was an incredible trip and we met so many people along the drive that were engaged on similar journeys. One guy was riding a pedal bike and had traveled from Brazil to visit that same site.

After that, we rode the “Top of the World Road” from Dawson city to Tok Alaska. Originally this was a pass through for packing horses, and now is made into a road. My brother Andy is a pilot, so we flew around Mount McKinley in hopes of landing the plane on top of the glacier, but the weather wasn’t cooperating for us to safely do so.

The many forest fires all thru

Canadian roads were sad to see. It was miles upon miles of burnt black along roads. One day we spent close to ten hours riding through very thick smoke which was hard on the bike. Our eyes were burning all day which led to sore throats when we finally emerged from the smoke.

Overall, we traveled 9,000 miles in a month on a motorcycle. I highly

recommend the trip, and I would do it again! My wife and I are planning to possibly purchase a motorhome and do a very similar trip so she can enjoy the views and see where we conquered our journeys.

fishing FOCUS ON

Bullhead Tournament Results

28 ADULTS AND 12 YOUTH registered for the Bullhead Tournament on August 4-5, and brought 104 fish to the weigh-in. The adult winner with the most weight was Rick Jaskot with 6.84 pounds. The largest bullhead was 1.9 pounds by Ryan Bassler. Winners in the youth category were Aiden Kastean with the largest fish and Brandon Bowie with the most total

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

weight. Deep fried bullhead, tartar sauce, bottled water, coleslaw, and snack bags were provided. Thanks to John Eberhardt for hosting, George Groll assisted by Don Durham for cooking, Dan Lee, Jeff Woodward and Jo Alex for cleaning the fish, Jo Alex for caps & tee shirt sales, and Pete Aleksynas the weighmaster.

Annual Youth Trophies and Largest Fish Contest Final Reminder

GET YOUR ENTRIES IN by the deadline of October 10. We encourage all youth, 14 and under, to enter this contest for a trophy. Both the Youth Fish and Largest Fish of the Year Contest run all year, from October 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023. There is one entry form for both. If it is an entry for the Youth Fish Contest, 14 years and under when caught, the information for the angler must be filled in as to age, etc. All entries by young or old will be eligible for the Largest Fish Contest Trophy, if the minimum length is met.

Final Loon Observations

19th Annual Youth Ice Fishing Derby

For your advance planning, the date for 2024 will be February 10th.

Every youth who enters, regardless of fish size, will receive a trophy, so long as it is for a species trophy they do not already have. Kids of any age are always thrilled to receive a trophy! Think back to any of your kids aged 14 and under, who caught a fish during the past year and enter them. Entry forms are available on the CLA website and in the CLPOC Office at the kiosk. Keep track of your catches and take photos if possible, so you can enter them by the deadline of October 10, 2023.

WE HAD ONE LOON BABY each from the East Lake and Lake of the Clouds nests. Far West Lake was not successful this year. By the time you receive this article, the adult loons will have already left for the season and the juveniles may have left too. Apparently, the adults give their babies directions on where to migrate before they leave.

Aiden Kastean with the largest youth bullhead.

Canadian Lakes 20th Annual Pike Tournament Results

EIGHTEEN ADULTS ALONG with five youth anglers fished in the Annual Pike Tournament on Saturday, September 9, and caught 89 pike and muskies. They then enjoyed pizza, refreshments, and awards after. The largest fish award went to Jeff Woodward Sr. with a 31-inch muskie. He also took the award for most total inches of pike 24” and over with four pike totaling 104.25 inches. The award for most total pike caught of any size was won by Jeff Woodward Jr with 17. The second largest pike award went to Natalie Abel with 27.5 inches. There were 17 total pike caught being 24” and over. The youth catching the largest pike was Cameron with 29 inches. Thanks again to Jeff Abel for organizing and directing this tournament, what fun!

Last Fishing Club Meeting of the year

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

EVERYONE INTERESTED IN fishing is invited to attend our last meeting of the year at the Alpine Haus. At this meeting we will have a recap of all our events in the past year and consideration of next year’s events. Results of the September 9th Pike Tournament and winning lures will also be discussed. Election of officers for 2024 will be held. As always, members will share their recent fishing trips, good or bad. Remember to release all largemouth bass, muskies, and any pike that are 24” and over.

ONLINE ER CHECK-IN

At McLaren, we understand that when you need emergency care, the waiting room is the last place you want to be. That’s why we offer an online ER check-in. Now, when you or a loved one needs emergency care for a non-life threatening medical condition, you can check in to our Mt. Pleasant ER right from your home.

Jeff Woodward Sr with 31" Muskie.

Lifetime of fun in the search for perch

MYS T ERIES

By Chris Zimmerman

This one’s for Dad, who always made time to take me fishing. Of all the species of fish we chased when I was growing up, perch were his favorite. Because he exposed me to perch fishing, they became my favorite too. Catching perch is only half the fun. Eating is the ultimate reward, especially if you like to eat as much as I do. What better way to celebrate a successful day on the water than with a fantastic perch dinner? I still remember Dad coating the fillets in Drake’s batter, and then quick frying them in a little vegetable oil. When fully cooked, Dad dried the golden morsels on a paper bag from the local Farmer Jack’s grocery store. The bag absorbed the grease, even though we never thought about where that bag had been, or what germs may have been woven into its surface. All we cared about were devouring the tasty, bone-free tidbits of Great Lakes bounty.

A glorious perch dinner was, and still is, an extra special treat at our house. When I was a boy, perch were hard to come by. Now that I’m all grown up, they are still hard to come by. It’s not by accident that perch fishing hasn’t been as good as it once was.

“It’s no mystery why perch fishing was a lot better 50 years ago,” says Mark Tonello, a fisheries biologist with the Department of Natural Resources in Cadillac. “Before the days of quagga and zebra mussels, perch were a big part of anglers’ creel,” Tonello said. “Mussels filter the water, making baby perch susceptible to predation in clear water.” Tonello says that perch had a reputation for being “a fish of the people” because they were caught off most piers in the Great Lakes with cane poles and a bobber for most of the spring, summer and fall. “Now-a-days,” he says, “the only time to get perch off the piers is in the springtime, when perch from the Great Lakes make their way into harbors to spawn.”

It was in the springtime decades ago, that the search for perch took my dad, brother and me to one of the harbors along the edge of Lake St. Clair. As I recall, we had signed up for a kids’ fishing contest, much like the ones held in Canadian Lakes. You could say that brothers Zim were quite competitive. Not only did we want to catch more fish than each other, but we wanted to win the entire tournament. That urge to catch perch prompted us to lie on our tummies and ease our worm/bobber rigs under a wooden dock inside the harbor.

Keep in mind that the harbor wasn’t the most pristine of places. Dead carp were a regular occurrence. Beer cans and trash were too. Fish fly husks by the millions drifted into the corners of the harbor, making a stench of epic proportions.

As memory serves me, the further our baits went under the dock, the more bites we got. Inch by inch, our prone position turned into a lean over the water. When my brother lost his balance and headed into the drink, Dad grabbed him by the ankles, which kept my brother from a

Double headers are common when the perch are biting.

Looking for a place to target perch this winter near Canadian Lakes?

Tonello says Chippewa Lake, Hardy Pond, and Rogers Dam Pond are the best bets. Caution is advised. Check with your insurance agent before driving on the ice.

Nice mess! A limit of 8-10” perch is the ultimate goal when fishing the Great Lakes.

head first plunge into the harbor. Trouble was, Dad wasn’t strong enough to lift my brother out of the harbor. With arms flailing, and his head under the water, my brother sounded a little like a drowning, sputtering Robert DeNiro in the movie, Cape Fear. Thankfully, Dad managed to pull my brother out of the harbor, but that wasn’t the end of my brother’s head issues when it came to perch fishing.

During the winter, Dad took us kids ice fishing for perch on Saginaw Bay. Back then, Dad had a big 4-wheel drive Blazer. With its high wheel clearance and reputation for plowing through anything, it was the perfect vehicle for ice fishing. Blazers back then weren’t fancy. A smooth ride wasn’t a priority. We bounced and rattled our teeth over the roads (they were rough roads then, too) on our way to the bay. Instead of hiking out on the ice, we drove Dad’s Blazer. Since we were leery of falling through the ice, we unbuckled our seatbelts in case we had to make a hasty departure out of the Blazer’s stern window.

Driving on the ice is fun...and scary. Without any lanes to stay in, or laws to obey, Dad had to pick a path through

the ice jams and cracks in the ice. Speed can be a good thing in those instances. Better to get a head of momentum and jump the crack, than to dilly-dally and risk falling through.

Dad gunned the Blazer, Dukes of Hazzard style, sending us kids off the bench seat in back and onto the truck ceiling. Yes, my brother took the worst of it, but that didn’t keep him from putting in a full day of ice fishing.

Even though Team Zimmerman didn’t catch enough perch for dinner that memorable day, we didn’t go home empty handed. In the little town of Bay Port – on the edge of Saginaw Bay – is a commercial fishery. Dad stopped there on the way home and bought enough fish for a spectacular perch dinner. That fishery is still in operation today and perch are about $25 per pound.

In his own little way, Dad taught us important life lessons when going after perch: Don’t lose your balance. Get off the couch and have outdoor fun. Speed up when you get to trouble. Function is more important in a car, than style. Have a backup plan in case the fish aren’t biting.

Thanks, Dad.

Michigan-based novels.

Chris Zimmerman is a resident of Canadian Lakes, a small business owner, and the author of six

It may not be a perch, but the author’s daughter was pleased with her catch from 20 years ago.

Joyce's Choices

5 BOOKS TO FALL 4

BY JOYCE B. WILCOX

The kids, grandkids, and perhaps even you, are back in school. Nature’s flamboyant leaves and your favorite team’s footballs are in the air. Savory, steaming soup is on the stove and hot cider is in the mug. It’s time to fall back with Daylight Savings Time and fall into your reading chair with a good book this autumn, so look no further. Joyce’s Choices brings you another eclectic assortment of genres: humorous, domestic fiction, a classic mystery, literary fiction, and a saccharine fantasy.

Chronicles of a Radical Hag (with Recipes)

by Lorna Landvik

Those of you who know me already know that Lorna Landvik is one of my favorite authors. But you may not know that since 1995, I’ve read twelve of her thirteen novels and that the thirteenth resides on my next-in-line-to-readbookshelf. Chronicles of a Radical Hag (with Recipes) was recently removed from this same shelf by yours truly and devoured as Landvik novel number twelve. This author is a phenomenally funny and gifted writer who is able to reach into the soul of her characters and extract humor from their tears, love from their troubles, and wisdom from their adventures. Landvik also has the ability to look at life just a little differently than the rest of us and present her stories in unique ways with constant reminders as to why we enjoy reading.

This delightful small-town tale of love, friendship, and perseverance reaches beyond the boundaries of the town to touch the hearts of readers everywhere. Landvik reminds us that even in tragedy, one can find humor and comfort. Within the first few pages of chapter one we learn that Haze Evans, the town’s newspaper columnist of over 50 years, has suffered a major stroke and remains hospitalized in a coma. We also learn that the publisher reaches into the archives and makes the decision to continue to run Haze’s previously published columns with periodic letters from readers. These hand-selected articles and some scrumptious recipes are well-chosen and are sprinkled periodically throughout the book for the town’s and readers’ enjoyment. The rich dialogue and descriptive narration throughout the book are typical trademarks of this talented author. The columns also help move the story, which centers on an eclectic cast of characters previously and currently working at the

newspaper, as well as their families, and Haze’s family and friends.

There are curmudgeons, troubled teens, lovers, and gossips, as well as dear neighbors who learn what life was once like in their small town, as well as learning about the lasting power of words. Much like Landvik, Haze’s wit and wisdom comes through loud and clear as her story is revealed and history is relived in print. While the plot sounds heavy, please keep in mind that Landvik is also a stand-up comic who is able to lift your spirits and carry you through the tough times. I hope you’ll sample this delectable book as well as a few of Haze’s delicious recipes.

Before and Again

by Barbara Delinsky

Once again, this author’s New England background and her degrees in psychology and sociology are ever apparent in her writing. Before and Again is an excellent example of Barbara Delinsky’s captivating, emotional, and compelling domestic fiction writing. While she is not only able to bring Vermont to life, Delinsky also succeeds in peeling back the layers of lies, truths, and secrets hidden deep within each of her characters.

In the prologue the reader instantly learns about the what, where and the when of an incident that occurs in Mackensie Cooper’s life, and is riveted to read and learn more about the how, the why, and the what happens next. For a splitsecond Mackensie takes her eyes off a winding, dimly lit road as she’s driving, and her life is forever changed when there’s a collision as a result. In order to get on with her life, she moves to a small town in Vermont to start over. She takes on a new identity, changes careers, and lives a lie in order to overcome her grief, her guilt, and to survive the trauma. While her new life is very therapeutic, it’s also painful

at times. There are new relationships, as well as new possibilities, but all at a cost. Starting over in life is never easy and Mackensie slowly learns this as her past creeps up on her and she has new decisions to make. Will all that happened before happen again? You’ll have to read Before and Again to find out.

Peril in Paris by Rhys Bowen

If you haven’t heard of author Rhys Bowen before, you can come with me to join her fan club because until I read her most recent novel, Peril in Paris, her previous fifty-plus novels had somehow escaped me too. Bowen’s voice is refreshingly crisp, filled with wry wit, and sprinkled with just the right amount of dashes of British aristocracy. This novel definitely has Bowen’s British touches as it reads like Audrey Hepburn and Angela Lansbury leave Downton Abbey and encounter a Charade as told by Agatha Christie.

In this latest Royal Spy-ness Mystery by Rhys Bowen, Lady Georgiana

Rannoch and her dashing husband, Darcy, return once again to share their charmed royal lives and intriguing clandestine adventures with the rest of us. The year is 1936 and while she’s finally overcoming the hurdles of morning sickness, Lady Georgiana finds herself terribly bored sitting home all day with just her naughty puppies. She insists on accompanying Darcy to Paris on his latest covert assignment for the British government. To stay out of harm’s way and distract her from boredom, she is to stay in Paris with her best friend, Belinda, who works as an assistant to the glamorous fashion designer, Coco Chanel. What follows is the excitement of a Paris fall fashion show and encounters with Ernest Hemmingway, royalty, spies, the French police, and a murdered American woman. Amidst all of this chaos on the cusp of WWII, Lady Georgiana struggles to save the

day. In other words, even though the protagonist of Peril in Paris is a cousin of the King of England, the novel is aces!

When We Were Young

by Richard Roper

I hadn’t intended to include two books by British authors in this issue’s Joyce’s Choices, but to put it simply, Joyce had no choice. Richard Roper’s When We Were Young jumped right into my arms off the library shelf and then into my heart. This is just what Rhys Bowen’s Peril in Paris had done, but for totally different reasons. While Bowen’s novel

is an enchanting British mystery overflowing with wit, Roper’s literary fiction novel is filled with humor while being a compelling tale of friendship, perseverance, and redemption. This author not only tells an intriguing tale, Roper makes you think. How novel!

As a young adult, Joel seems to have it all. He’s a successful TV scriptwriter

living the ideal life shared with the woman of his dreams. And then life steps in. Theo, his best friend from high school, is living a pathetic life with unsuccessful romances and dead-end employment opportunities, as things continue to be getting worse for him. And then life steps in. These two former friends cross paths and decide to step away for some soul searching and introspection as they walk the 184 miles of the Thames Path through England together. And then life steps in yet again. When We Were Young, a fabulous read no matter your age, has the reader analyzing the choices made in life, the paths taken, as well as the friendships made and lost.

The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie by

Rachel Linden

231

suelakesrealty@gmail.com

By now you probably realize that I enjoy reading a variety of genres, but I’m thinking of adding another sort to my new list of favorites. Every so often someone in my book club slips in a saccharine fantasy novel or two for me to escape with, and I have to admit, I am pleasantly surprised to have enjoyed them. And by saccharine fantasy I mean whimsical, relatable, and possibly believable. Not a story with demons, dragons, or dinosaurs, but perhaps one more like director Frank Capra’s film, It’s a Wonderful Life. Such was the case with Rachel Linden’s The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie. Linden expressed herself with a warm and inspiring voice which felt uplifting, without going over the top or over the meringue. This story is a wonderful mix of romance, mystery, and comfort cuisine.

At the age of twenty-three, and after her mother’s tragic death, Lolly Blanchard puts aside her own personal life and career goals and returns from overseas to Seattle to assist her father in raising her younger sister and running the family diner. The family struggles to stay afloat as the years pass, her sister comes of age, and Lolly begins to have regrets for all she’s sacrificed. Unexpectedly, her great-aunt presents

her with a mysterious gift on her thirty-third birthday. Lolly’s given three magical lemon drops which permit her to experience a day in a life which might have been hers down three different paths.

Would Lolly have married the fiancée she left ten years ago? What would Lolly’s life have been like if her mother hadn’t died so early in life? What would her dream job of opening and running a restaurant in England have entailed? And like most paths that are chosen, what would be the consequences of making those particular choices and not others? We all make choices in life, why not choose to read this warm and wonderful story and see if your life could use a little slice of The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie?

And in case you were wondering about the use of candles in this Joyce’s Choices title, Grandma Joyce temporarily misplaced some of the blocks. Two of the books needed to be returned to the Morton Township library, so candles were substituted and a picture was taken. Have no fear, as the blocks were later discovered to be mixed in with a certain five-year-old’s toys.

Frequently Asked Questions

Want to know about the treatment of our lakes here in Canadian Lakes? Read below & see the frequently asked questions and answers. A little knowledge goes a long way.

The plant control program on Canadian Lakes focuses on the control of nuisance plant growth with a combination of aquatic herbicides and mechanical harvesting. The program is administered by the Canadian Lakes Property Owners Corporation (CLPOC). Below are answers to some questions that you may have about the program.

WHO OVERSEES THE PLANT CONTROL PROGRAM?

Plant control activities are coordinated under the direction of the CLPOC’s environmental consultant, Progressive AE. Biologists from Progressive AE conduct GPS-guided surveys of the lakes to identify problem areas, and detailed plant control maps are provided to the plant control contractors. Follow-up surveys are then conducted

throughout the growing season to evaluate the effectiveness of the program.

WHO CONDUCTS THE HERBICIDE TREATMENTS AND MECHANICAL HARVESTING?

Herbicide treatments in Canadian Lakes are conducted by Michigan Lakefront Solutions, and mechanical harvesting work is conducted by the CLPOC.

CANADIAN LAKES AQUATIC MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

Photography by Lee Wolken

WHAT DETERMINES WHEN AND WHERE TREATMENTS AND HARVESTING WILL OCCUR?

The timing and scope of plant control work is based on weather and seasonal growing conditions. Specific locations where nuisance plant growth is occurring are identified when biologists from Progressive AE conduct their surveys.

WHAT PLANTS ARE TARGETED FOR CONTROL?

The plant control program on Canadian Lakes focuses primarily on invasive plants, such as Eurasian milfoil. Invasive plant species have the potential to spread quickly if left unchecked.

HOW ABOUT A PRE-EMPTIVE STRIKE?

To be effective, aquatic herbicides must be applied directly to the plant beds when the plants are actively growing. There are no pre-emergence aquatic herbicides like there are for agriculture.

WHY ARE THERE STILL PLANTS IN THE LAKES FOLLOWING TREATMENTS OR HARVESTING?

In managing aquatic plants, it is important to recognize that most plants are beneficial. Aquatic plants produce oxygen during photosynthesis, help stabilize shoreline and bottom sediments, and provide cover and habit for a variety of fish. The main objective of the plant control program on Canadian Lakes is to control nuisance, invasive species while maintaining beneficial plants. We

do not want to remove all plants from the lakes. This would negatively impact the fishery and cause many other problems such as algae blooms.

ARE PERMITS REQUIRED?

In Michigan, a permit must be acquired from the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE, formerly the DEQ), before herbicides are applied to inland lakes. The permit lists the herbicides that are approved for use, dose rates, use restrictions, and indicates specific areas of the lakes where treatments are allowed. Permit requirements are designed to protect public health and the environment. No permits are required for mechanical harvesting.

CAN I APPLY HERBICIDES MYSELF?

If you have a permit from EGLE, you can treat your own shoreline, but we don’t recommend it. In most cases, it is best to have herbicides applied by a licensed professional applicator rather than attempting to apply herbicides yourself. If applied improperly, herbicides can do more harm than good.

HOW DO HERBICIDE TREATMENTS IMPACT SWIMMING AND FISHING?

All herbicides, except algaecides, have a 24-hour swimming restriction, but only in the area where treatment has occurred as indicated by state-required posting signs. If there are no posting signs, or the sign indicates that only algaecides were applied, there are no swimming restrictions. There are no fishing restrictions for any herbicide treatments.

Photography by Lindsay Halcomb

WHEN CAN I WATER MY LAWN FOLLOWING A TREATMENT?

If you draw water from the lakes for irrigation, be sure to read the sign posted along your shoreline at the time of treatment. Most irrigation restrictions do not apply to established lawns. However, it you water flowers or a garden, you should adhere to the irrigation restrictions posted on the sign. If you have questions regarding restrictions, call the number on the posting sign: 989-967-3600.

WHY DIDN’T MY PROPERTY GET A TREATMENT NOTICE SIGN?

If there is no sign posted along your property, it means your area was not treated and there are no use restrictions. State regulations require that areas within 100 feet of treatment areas be posted with a sign that lists herbicides applied and the associated use restrictions. Not every property gets treated every time; which properties get treatment depends on where the plants are found during lake surveys.

IS THERE A PERMANENT FIX TO THE PROBLEM?

If conditions are favorable, aquatic plants will grow. However, there are steps property owners can take to help minimize plant growth in the lakes such as limiting the use of lawn fertilizers and maintaining natural vegetation along the shoreline to prevent nutrients from washing into the lakes.

WHAT ABOUT HARMFUL ALGAE BLOOMS?

Algae blooms are dense growths of algae that are usually caused by excessive nutrients in the water. Algae blooms can impart a greenish, “pea-soup” like appearance to the water. Certain types of algae, such as blue-green algae, can be harmful at high concentrations. Harmful algae blooms are unlikely to occur in the Canadian Lakes, and the lakes are monitored regularly to detect the presence of suspicious blooms. In general, algae are a naturally occurring phenomenon and are not a cause of concern. Click here for more information about algae from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.

WHAT CAN I DO TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES IN CANADIAN LAKES?

To help prevent the spread of invasive species, a new state law requires drain plugs to be pulled, water to be drained, and plants and debris to be removed from boats and trailers before trailering. If you trailer your boat to other lakes, be sure to thoroughly wash your boat, motor, and trailer before launching back into Canadian Lakes. With invasive species, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

For more information on lake water quality, watershed management, aquatic plants, lake levels, and much more, please visit michiganlakeinfo.com.

Photography by Lindsay Halcomb

SAFETY TEAM

Dare I say the smell of Pumpkin Spice is in the air? We find ourselves at the end of another awesome, fun filled summer season here in Canadian Lakes. Now it is time to turn our attention to getting ready for falling leaves, pumpkins, trick or treating, and giving thanks for family, and friends! Here are just a few friendly reminders from our Safety team:

Boat Owners — This year we will attempt to keep the boat ramp open for as long as possible. This will depend on several factors, one being the availability of staff to man the ramp, the next and biggest is the weather. Since there is no power to the boat ramp shack, there is no heat, therefore if the temperature drops below 50 degrees, it snows, or it is pouring down rain we will not be manning the boat ramp.

If you need to remove your watercraft and the gate is locked, please contact safety at 231-972-8555 to have them open it. We ask that you please call ahead of time to schedule a time to remove your boat as this will allow us to set up blocks of time and remove long waits and missed times. Although we would like to be able to respond to the boat ramp for last-minute calls, with the call volume that we receive and the size of the area that we must cover, the chances are incredibly slim you will get immediate service. To give you an idea of what this looks like, this past summer

season more than 1,845 boats launched over the summer at the main boat launch. There were times during the high point we had upwards of 185 boats going in and out on the same day.

I know that many of you have your boat pulled by one of three boat companies; you do not have to make arrangements for this. If you are pulling your boat yourself, or have a friend or outside company, please contact our Safety Team to check to see if the ramp is manned that day, or to schedule an appointment ahead of time. Lastly, all watercraft MUST be off Canadian Lakes waters by October 31, 2023.

Does Canadian Lakes Safety have a key to your home? - Your Canadian Lakes Safety Department is happy to hold a key to your residence here secured in our office, should you lock yourself out or have a contractor that needs in when you are not home. We can also store a key if you sign up for the Winter Watch Program. The keys are stored in a locked cabinet and are labeled with a code unique to your property and not your address. All keys are signed out, whether you check it out or have a contractor sign it out. As there are over 1,000 keys at any given time you are responsible for making sure the key is returned if you take it out or your contractor signs it out. Remember, if you authorize a contractor to sign out your key, and they fail to return it, it is not the responsibility of the CLPOC to track the contractor down.

We ask that you please check your key in the office prior to departing for warmer locations, so that if the need to use your

key should arise, we know that it is correct. If you have had a contractor check out your key recently, please check to see if they have returned it.

RV and Trailer Owners — If you are the owner of one or more of these, we ask that you please make sure they are moved to a proper storage location per your subdivision deed restrictions. As with the turning of the leaves, so turns the weather in preparation for the winter months. Our team actively conducts dedicated sweeps during the fall months to identify RV’s and trailers in violation of the subdivision deed restrictions. If you are unsure of the deed restrictions of your area, they can be found on the members website, listed under Governing and Documents.

Vehicle Parking — A friendly reminder there is absolutely NO overnight or long-term parking allowed within rights-of-way in Canadian Lakes. In recent weeks our team has noticed that people have been using these areas for overflow parking. It is a safety hazard not only to other motorists, but also to the vehicle owner. Please remember that we share this beautiful place with lots of wildlife, and they do not stop to check for traffic before darting out between parked cars. Let’s work together to keep everyone safe while enjoying yet another beautiful season here in Canadian Lakes!

As always, we thank the volunteers of Mobile Watch for all their hard work and dedication, for without them our job would be much more difficult!

Kristin Wilcox Safety Director kwilcox@clpoc.org

Light Up The Night

Purchase Gala Tickets

Purchase Raffle Tickets Donate an Auction Item

Let’s groove tonight!

Light Up The Night is an annual fundraising event hosted by C21 White House Realty benefiting Angels of Action.

Join us for a night of fun and dancing at the Canadian Lakes Castle on Friday, November 3rd! The night will feature a strolling dinner, a selection of delectable desserts, two complimentary beer or wine tokens, a themed ice bar with specialty cocktails for purchase, live entertainment, silent and live auctions, and a cash raffle totaling $4,500 in prizes.

TICKETS, TABLES, AND AUCTION ITEMS

Tickets and tables are for sale now! Secure your entry while tickets last. Visit wwww.eventbrite.com/e/lightup-the-night-2023-tickets-700850080457?aff=oddtdtcreator for more information and to make your purchase.

Enter our Cash Raffle to win up to $4,500 in prizes! Visit www.eventbrite.com/e/light-up-the-night2023-tickets-700850080457?aff=oddtdtcreator to purchase Cash Raffle tickets online, or visit www.facebook.com/C21WhiteHouseRealtyLUTN for a complete list of where to buy

Cash Raffle Tickets!

Looking for a different way to show your support? We are searching for silent and live auction items! Please consider donating an experience or an item to help raise money for Angels of Action!

231-288-0148

spankky@charter.net

Canadian Lakes Yard Waste is located on the south side of Pierce Road between 110th Ave. and Tullymore Drive.

Canadian Lakes Yard Waste will be open on Wednesdays and Sundays,10 a.m. to 4 p.m., April through November. Our last day open in 2023 will be Wednesday, November 29, weather permitting. Due to the disposal of nonallowed materials and not putting the waste on top of or behind existing waste, facility access other than those times and days is not allowed.

Canadian Lakes Yard Waste was established to provide a place for Canadian Lakers to dispose of yard wastes since burning or dumping 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 Canadian Lakes Yard Waste 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 or throw them inside the gate when the site is closed.

Items NOT allowed to be left at the site include food waste (rinds, peels, cores, gristle, etc.), household trash (paper, plastic, Styrofoam, etc.), construction debris (nails, shingles, broken concrete, wood scraps, etc.), campfire ashes, and containers used to transport yard waste.

Volunteer Attendants will check users for a current CLPOC ID, vehicle sticker, or guest pass. To allow for inspection of truck beds and trailers, Attendants may ask users to remove tarps or other coverings. Concealing contents from or misrepresenting contents to the Attendants or failing to comply with an Attendants request may result in being banned from the Canadian Lakes Yard Waste site.

To gain access, the Volunteer Attendants will check for a current CLPOC ID, vehicle sticker, or guest pass. They should ask you to uncover your waste 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. When depositing your yard waste, please place it behind or on top of already deposited materials rather than in front, or near the access road to minimize the number of times we need a “push back” to allow 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 Canadian Lakes Yard Waste, the Attendants will be pleased to help you, or you may contact the Volunteer Yard Waste Coordinator, Roger Stobert at 231-288-0148 or spankky@charter.net.

Roger Stobert Volunteer Yard Waste Coordinator

CLPOC Board Minutes

Canadian Lakes Property Owners Corporation

Board of Directors Meeting July 22, 2023 @ 9:00 a.m.

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 Altier support by Treasurer French approved unanimously.

3.Austin and Morton Township Reports – None

4. Presidents Report – Presented by President Szymkowicz

5.Financial Report – Presented by Controller Dowell

COMMITTEE REPORTS

1.ACC Committee – Vice President Colley advised of approval of new homes and renovations.

2.CLA – Update by Director Ricketts

3. Executive Committee – Update by President Szymkowicz

4.Finance Committee – Update by Treasurer French

5.Strategic Planning Committee –Update by Director Hannon for Secretary Wilcox

GENERAL MANAGERS REPORT

1. Amenity Usage Report – included in packet.

2. Departmental Report – Ryan R. and Shayna H from the Royal Grill discussion on increased revenue but we are reaching a “glass ceiling” on kitchen capacity.

3.Reserve & Capital Project Update –NorthStar update, Alpine Haus concrete redesign phase 1, Royal tennis courts resurfaced.

4. General Manager Committees –BAG met, Compliance met, Golf no meeting, Lakes met, Restaurant met, Marketing did not meet.

5.Miscellaneous Items – Positive feedback of July 4th weekend, appreciation of staff support

CLPOC Board Minutes

CONSENT CALENDAR

1. Approve the notes of June 14, 2023, Workshop and Minutes of the June 24, 2023 Board Meeting. Motion Director Wilcox support Director Altier, approved unanimously.

2. Receive and File the June 2023 Check Disbursements. Motion Director Wilcox support Director Altier, approved unanimously.

3. Member Comments on action or discussion items – None

4. Items for Board Action – None

5. Items for board discussion –Director French discussed the SLB committee and rolling it into Strategic Planning. Director Altier requested a white paper before rolling into Strategic planning Treasurer French and member Dan Rice briefly discussed the next fiveyear funding plan.

6. Member Comments – None

7. Director Comments – Vice President

Colley thanked membership and staff for the great shape of CL.

8. Member communications –Funding Plan

9. Moved to executive session –Motion by Treasurer French support Director Altier, unanimously supported.

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

Canadian Lakes Property Owners Corporation

Board of Directors Meeting August 26, 2023 @ 9:00 a.m.

Paul Szymkowicz President

John Colley Vice President

James French Treasurer IP

Steve Wilcox Secretary IP

Dan Altier Director Z

Steve Brandt Director IP

Shannon Hannon Director IP

Jerry Juncker Director X

Linda Ricketts Director IP

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 by Treasurer French. Approve unanimously.

3. Austin and Morton Township Reports – None

4. Presidents Report – Remarks delivered by President Szymkowicz

5. Financial Report – Delivered by Controller Dowell. Info in packet

COMMITTEE REPORTS —

1. ACC Committee – Vice President reported on status of current approved projects.

2. CLA – Director Ricketts reported on current and future activities.

3. Executive Committee – President

Szymkowicz reported on several items currently being addressed.

4. Finance Committee – Treasurer French reported on the status of all current budget activities, Reserve Replacement, NorthStar, Small Claims Court actions, Fawn Lake Dam, and Audit.

5. Nominating Committee – Director Hannon advised that the deadline for filing a petition is August 31 @ 4:30 pm

6. Strategic Planning Committee

– Secretary Wilcox outline the committee work to date and that they will be presenting to the Board for approval in December, “Strategic Plan 2024 and Beyond.”

GENERAL MANAGERS

REPORT

a. Amenity Usage Report – In Packet

b. Departmental Reports – In Packet, Controller Dowell presented her update in person.

c. Reserve & Capital Project Update – General Manager Babbitt provided current status of projects.

d. General Manager Committee Updates – General Manager Babbitt provides information from BAG, Compliance, Lakes, and Restaurant. Golf and Marketing did not meet.

e. Miscellaneous Items – General Manager. Babbitt provided information on plans for off-season and Labor Day activities.

CONSENT CALENDAR –

a. Approval of the Notes of July 12, 2023, Workshop Meeting & Minutes of the July 22, 2023, Board Meeting. Motion by Secretary Wilcox Support by Treasurer French. Approved unanimously.

b. Receive & File the July 2023 Check Disbursements. Motion by Secretary Wilcox Support by Treasurer French. Approved unanimously.

1. Member Comments on action or discussion items – Member Ricketts HW 191

2. Items for Board Action

a. Motion to dissolve the State Land Bank Ad-Hoc Committee – Motion by Secretary Wilcox Support Treasurer French. Approved unanimously.

b. Motion to approve a ballot proposal containing the Funding Plan as outlined pending Legal Counsel review, to be presented for approval to members in good standing as of September 30, 2023, for the November 18, 2023, annual meeting of the members. Motion by Treasurer French Support by Director Hannon. Approved unanimously.

3. Items for board discussion – An item to discuss appointing election inspectors to serve at the 2023 Annual Meeting of the members pursuant to Article IX(N) of the Articles of Incorporation.

4. Member Comments – Member Ricketts HW 191

5. Director Comments – Comment from Director Altier, Director Brandt, Treasurer French, Secretary Wilcox, Vice President Colley, Director Hannon, and President Szymkowicz.

6. Member communications –Funding Plan

7. Moved to executive session –None.

8. Adjournment – Motion by Director Altier Support Treasurer French. Approved unanimously at 9:43 am

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

More than ever, families have questions about planning for their future, identifying and appointing decision makers to act during a time of crisis, and avoiding financial risk.

SOCIAL CANADIAN LAKES LET’S GET

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)

2:30 pm-4:30 pm

April-July/September-December

Highland Haus

Millie Gillies: 231-796-2460 Cell: 231-598-0872 milliegillies91@gmail.com

DOTTED CUBES (BUNKO)

1 pm • 2nd Monday

Alpine Haus 586-549-7705

CANADIAN LAKES MEN’S CHORUS

3:30-5 pm • April-December

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-September

The Royal Golf Course 989-513-9561

SILVER SPOKES

9 a.m. • April - October

David Skaja: 847-367-0534 davidskaja@gmail.com

MEN'S/WOMEN'S TO AQUACISE

9 am to 10 am

Monday, Wednesdays & Fridays

Alice Slezak: 231-404-1045 jaslezak50@gmail.com

DROP-IN MIXED TENNIS

9-11 am • Seasonal

Alpine Haus Courts 231-408-8801

MEN’S TUESDAY 9-HOLE LEAGUE

8 am • May-September

The Highlands or The Pines 248-231-2990 or timhannon@comcast.net

WOMEN'S 18-HOLE GOLF LEAGUE

8:30 am

The Royal Golf Course 231-250-1257

Wednesday

QUILT CLUB

10 am-4 pm • 3rd Wednesday

Highland Haus 616-581-6734

MAH JONGG

11:30 am • April-October

Alpine Haus 231-972-3054

MIXED BOWLING

12:30 pm • September-May

Remus Lanes 231-972-0700

CANADIAN LAKES PLAYERS

4:30 pm • 1st Wednesday

Highland Haus Elaine Cox: 231-972-4257 mizzelaine@msn.com

CANADIAN LAKES FISHING CLUB

7 pm • 2nd Wednesday • April-October

Alpine Haus 231-972-8663

TREASURE SEEKERS

Variable • 4th Wednesday

Destinations Vary 616-443-9207

MEN'S/WOMEN'S TO AQUACISE

9 am to 10 am

Monday, Wednesdays & Fridays

Alice Slezak: 231-404-1045 jaslezak50@gmail.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

LADIES 9-HOLE GOLF LEAGUE

JoEllen Tunacik: 219-309-5059 jtunacik@comcast.net

NEEDLE & NEWS

1 pm • 1st & 3rd Thursday

Alpine Haus

Hazel Scheiderer: 231-598-2203 dendwi@charter.net

SILVER SPOKES

9 a.m. • April - October

David Skaja: 847-367-0534 davidskaja@gmail.com

MARSP

11 a.m. • 3rd Thursday of May - July - September

Alpine Haus

Chris Wernette: 231-972-7336 chrisandsandy@yahoo.com

CANADIAN LAKES YACHT CLUB

1-3 pm • April - October

Lake Laura

Barb Szymkowicz: 989-330-6804 barbathome1@juno.com

Friday Tuesday

POOL CUE LEAGUE

1 pm • October-December/January-March

Member homes

231-972-7327

EXERCISE/DANCE CLASS

2-3 pm

Alpine Haus

231-972-0029

FISHING FUN NIGHT

Variable • 4th Wednesday • May-September Main Beach TBA

GREAT IDEAS

2 pm • 2nd & 4th Wednesday

Highland Haus 810-919-1765 or ppwig@aol.com

DROP-IN MIXED TENNIS

9-11 am

Royal Courts 231-408-8801

MAH JONGG

11:30 am • Apr-October

Alpine Haus 231-972-3054

WRITERS QUEST

3:00 pm • 1st Friday

Alpine Haus 734-223-7841

MEN'S/WOMEN'S TO AQUACISE

9 am to 10 am

Monday, Wednesdays & Fridays

Alice Slezak: 231-404-1045 jaslezak50@gmail.com

Saturday

MONTHLY EUCHRE SOCIAL CLUB

1:00 pm • 2nd Saturday (Sept. thru April) except for November. rbielby3@gmail.com 231-823-4302

CANADIAN LAKES YACHT CLUB

1-3 pm • April - October

Lake Laura Barb Szymkowicz: 989-330-6804 barbathome1@juno.com

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

Once

Work with a Canadian Lakes health insurance advisor with over 18 years’ experience. Nancy will review your existing plans and help you make the right decision for 2024 based on your doctors, medications, and budget.

www.canadianlakeshomes.com kadamsCBLakes@gmail.com

of AREA EVENTS CALENDAR

October

OCTOBER 1 Kevin James 5

OCTOBER 3

Ringo Star & His All Starr Band 5

OCTOBER 6 Flu Shot Clinic 7

OCTOBER 6-7

GR Symphony Presents Violent Femmes

OCTOBER 7

Fantasia with special guest Joe 2

OCTOBER 8

MercyMe Together Again Tour 2

OCTOBER 8

Jo Koy – World Tour 5

OCTOBER 13

Grand Rapids Griffins Home Opener 2

OCTOBER 16 Blippi 5

OCTOBER 19-22

Canadian Lakes Player Production 7

OCTOBER 20-22

Jurassic World Live 2

OCTOBER 20-21

GR Symphony Presents: Lehninger

Conducts Liszt and Bartok

OCTOBER 24

Dirty Dancing In Concert 5

OCTOBER 26 Derek Hough 5

OCTOBER 28

Halloween Costume Dance 7

OCTOBER 28 Menopause The Musical 5

OCTOBER 29

Loreena McKennitt 5

OCTOBER 31 Trick or Treat 7

OCTOBER 31 Billy Strings 2

November

NOVEMBER 1 Celebrating Billy Joel 5

NOVEMBER 2 Annual Cook Off 7

NOVEMBER 3-4

GR Symphony Presents Coco in Concert 5

NOVEMBER 3 TRAVIS TRITT 2023 6

NOVEMBER 4 Euchre Tournament 7

NOVEMBER 6 Gals Night Out 7

NOVEMBER 7

Needtobreathe 2

NOVEMBER 7-12

Broadway GR Presents TINA –The Tina Turner Musical 5

NOVEMBER 10-11

Grand Rapids Griffins 2

NOVEMBER 10

CHRIS TUCKER 6

NOVEMBER 12

Grand Rapids Gold 2

NOVEMBER 14

Rock Resurrection Tour: Skillet & Theory of a Deadman 2

NOVEMBER 14

Lauren Daigle 2

NOVEMBER 15

NOVEMBER 18

KEN JEONG 6

NOVEMBER 19

The Wild Kratts, Live 2.0! 5

NOVEMBER 21

Jonas Brothers FIVE ALBUMS. ONE NIGHT. 2

NOVEMBER 22

The 1975 2

NOVEMBER 24

Grand Rapids Griffins 2

NOVEMBER 24

Fortune Feimster 5

NOVEMBER 24

WHEEL OF FORTUNE LIVE! 6

NOVEMBER 25

CLA Christmas Craft Show 7

NOVEMBER 25

Grand Rapids Griffins 2

NOVEMBER 25

Fortune Feimster 5

NOVEMBER 26

INFORMATION IS FROM THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES:

Grand Rapids Griffins 2

NOVEMBER 26

Hip Hop Nutcracker 5

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

Grand Rapids Griffins 2

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

NOVEMBER 17-18

NOVEMBER 28

A Drag Queen Christmas 5

NOVEMBER 29

3. Central Michigan University — cmich.edu/Calendar

GR Symphony Presents: Handel’s Messiah by Candlelight 5

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

Grand Rapids Griffins 2

NOVEMBER 30

NOVEMBER 17

HUNKS THE SHOW 6

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

Cirque Dreams Holidaze 5

NOVEMBER 29-30

NOVEMBER 18

Grand Rapids Gold 2

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

GR Symphony Presents: Elgar’s Cello Concerto

7. Canadian Lakes Association canadianlakesassociation.org

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

INFORMATION IS FROM THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES

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

2. Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids: vanandelarena.com

3. Central Michigan University: cmich.edu/Calendar

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

5. DeVos Performance Hall, Grand Rapids: devosperformancehall.com; 616-742-6500

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

7. Canadian Lakes Association: canadianlakesassociation.org

8.

Art Works, Big Rapids: www.artworksingbigrapids.org

Photography by Di Schwartz

December

DECEMBER 1

Grand Rapids Griffins 2

DECEMBER 1-2

GR Symphony Presents Elf in Concert 5

DECEMBER 2-3

Grand Rapids Gold 2

DECEMBER 3

Christmas Concert 7

DECEMBER 5

Lindsey Stirling 2

DECEMBER 7-8

Christmas Decorating Contest 7

DECEMBER 8

Grand Rapids Gold 2

DECEMBER 8-10

GR Ballet Presents The Nutcracker 5

DECEMBER 10

Grand Rapids Gold 2

DECEMBER 10

KENNY G 6

DECEMBER 13

Grand Rapids Griffins 2

DECEMBER 15

Grand Rapids Griffins 2

DECEMBER 15-17

GR Ballet Presents The Nutcracker 5

DECEMBER 19

Mannheim Steamroller 5

DECEMBER 21-23

GR Symphony Presents University of Michigan Health-West Holiday Pops 5

DECEMBER 26

Trans-Siberian Orchestra 2

DECEMBER 28-29

Great Lakes Invitational 2

DECEMBER 31

New Year’s Eve Party 7

DECEMBER 31

Grand Rapids Griffins 2