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Member count: 105 of 216. Here's the form to join

 

Latest News:

 

The gaunlet has been thrown down

 

At the board meeting (you did read the notes, didn't you?) Marshall has challenged us all to donate something worth $100 for this year's silent auction. Actually, we would like items in lower price ranges too! All that we ask is that the item be new.

 

With the challenge Marshall and Norine have donated an Afghan (value $175) and a gas grill (value $100). There is more to come!

 

Taking the challenge Helmuth and Carol Massat are donating "dinner for two and two "green seat" tickets to hear Amy Grant on Sept. 19th in Shipshewana at the Blue Gate Theater. Cost: $120. Pleasure: priceless!"

 

Any more challengers?

 

 

Read the board meeting notes!

 

All residents should read Carol's March Board Meeting Notes to review Rex Prangers presentation about easements. It is here Many items were covered including easements, piers, camping, seawalls, grass height and more.

 

 

Thanks for doing the mailing

 

The Massats donated printing, paper, labels, printer cartridges, and envelopes for spring dues reminders sent out this weekend to 200 lake residents. Carol Massat wrote the letter. Helmuth Massat printed the labels using the sewer list. Norine Doig purchased stamps and brought additional envelopes. Norine and Marshall Doig, TJ and Betty Hemlinger, Pam Deetz, Carol and Helmuth Massat, Cheryl and Joe Albergo folded the letters and return envelopes, stamped and labeled and sealed envelopes in order to send out the reminder mailing with return envelopes for dues. The Board decided last fall to do this in the spring, when Joy Grose’s effort with a reminder letter was quite successful. Thanks to all who contributed to this special effort. We tried to eliminate duplicates and persons who have already sent in dues. If mistakes were made, we ask
the pardon of residents. This was a big mailing for us.

 

 

Natural Gas update

 

Norine reported on NIPSCO. The NIPSCO representative reported that we have 500 residents from aerial view, and our signed petitions only reflected 100 residents. He did not recall that he was promising to go over the roads to seek additional signatures. Due to this discouraging response we will probably need to redo the petitions. We will reinvite him to the next general meeting.

 

 

Thanks Doug Bowlby, Jeff Klebe, Jim Koza & Patti Koza!

 

Jim and Patti Koza removed and refurbished the buoys on Royer Lake. Those buoys are heavy, dirty and hard to handle. Thanks so much for taking care of this dirty and difficult and necessary task for all lake residents.

 

 

A special thanks to Doug & Steve:

 

Fish Royer Lake Association Board Members,

All four of the Fish Lakewarning buoys have been removed and have been stored at Marshall and Norine Doig’s cottage.

All four of the cables (ropes) were replaced with new stainless steel cable and quick disconnect links. To the cables new Taylor made Tuff End inflatable buoys orange in color were attached to them which will make for easier installation of the warning buoys in the spring.

I was not able too do this on my own but only did the purchasing of the equipment and the use of my pontoon boat. I think there should be a thank-you in order for Steve Klebe who lives at 1195S  495E who furnished the man power as the weights and buoys themselves are very heavy.

Regards Doug Bowlby

 

 

Cookbooks

 

The books are beautiful and are only $10. Many thanks to Pam Deetz for this wonderful contribution to our lake community. Cookbooks are hard covers with photos of our lakes, tips, and fantastic recipes.

 

Contact Pam at PDeetz@hotmail.com, 219-878-6953 or stop by (1350 S 525 E, Fish Lake- just south of the public landing) to get yours!

 

 

The 2011 picnic pictures are here

 

 

The Flotilla 2011 pictures are here.

 

 

 

Watershed Management Plan for the Pigeon River Drainage by David Arrington, Ph.D.

 

I thought I would take minute to pass on some information.  First, last November my company began a four year project on developing a Watershed Management Plan for the Pigeon River Drainage.  Our lakes are part of that system.  My team began a detailed water testing program that includes sampling all the inlets and outlet for Fish and Royer Lake.  Although we are in the infancy in the testing program, preliminary results show we have a problem with nutrient flow from the surrounding agriculture lands.  Over the next year all those sources will be identified and prioritized for implementation of Best Management Practice installations to correct the problem.  But I want to stress the implementation phase takes time and there will be a time lag between installation and water quality improvement.  The lakes are in pretty good shape but we will make them better.  I’d like to present the project at the June meeting if the board finds it appropriate.

 

Second, is the fish stocking program.  I still see that someone is pushing to continue stocking smallmouth.  The experimental stocking accomplished several years ago has proven to be a failure, which is no surprise to our local fisheries biologists.  When we did the initial stocking we were given a very slim chance of success due to the competition of other predators in the lakes, bottom structure, and lack of other necessary habitat.  In short, smallmouth will not thrive in our lakes.  Continuing down that path will simply waste stocking funds.  Believe me, I’d love to see smallmouth established but the science says it will not happen.

 

Anyway, if anyone has any questions concerning the plan development, water quality, or fish stocking I invite you to contact me.  I’m a hardcore scientist and I love to talk about my work.

 

David Arrington, Ph.D.
Natural Resource Scientist
Fish Lake

 

 

Recent Association Actions

 

Three new buoys have been purchased

 

In appreciation for the regular use of the Maplewood Nature Center as meeting place for the lakes association, the association presented a gift to Maplewood Nature Center of 85 buckets, 200 spiles and other equipment to assist with tapping the maple trees.

 

A new fund raiser is being initiated by the Board. Joe Albergo is setting up an account with Omni Source in Sturgis, Michigan. If lake residents drop off their aluminum cans there, and identify Joe Albergo and the Fish and Royer Lakes Association as the account, the funds generated will be credited to the Fish and Royer Lakes Association.

 

A 10 MPH sign has been installed at the public landing.

 

 

Wetlands update:

Land that had been being marketed for development is currently being marketed as a 4.5 acre site with 1200 ft. of lakefront for a single home. This news relieves the concerns of lake residents about possible development of wetland, disturbance of natural habitats, reduction in property values, and damage to lake water quality. The link to the property is here.

The Board appreciates the change in course on the part of the sellers and realtors.