YOU CAN'T MISS THE SIGNS OF BILL SAWYER

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1 Winter2015 YOU CAN'T MISS THE SIGNS OF BILL SAWYER There are more than a dozen signs handcrafted by Bill Sawyer everywhere in our Forest Lake wonderland. The first one he made is located in front of the office. It was created with a mallet and chisel, a very timeconsuming process. The others were created with a router, still a rather long process, involving a trip to the printer to get the perfect letter-size stencil, the sawing, gluing, painting and preserving. There s a lot more to the signs than meets the eye! Sawyer means wood cutter, Bill says. A sawyer went out and cut down trees, and Michigan, of course, is known for its lumber. His father was a rough carpenter and he is sure his name reflects the business of his forefathers. Bill and well known fellow Forest Laker Carl Knapp, grew up in Monroe, Michigan, next to Custer Airport. They both developed a love of flying, and flew to many areas in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Canada. It was the Carl's strong influence that brought Bill to Forest Lake. In 1992 Bill bought his house, and in 1994 he retired from the banking business in Monroe, married his wife Marlene and moved here permanently. They immediately volunteered for the next five years, with Bill serving on the Board as Secretary and he also did some woodworking and made all of the signs. Prior to Bill s Monroe Bank and Trust career, he served in the Army during the Korean War with the Army of Occupation in Germany. After his military service he worked for the Detroit Edison Company before his employment with the bank. While working at Detroit Edison, he met an appliance repairman who introduced him to wood carving. It has been an avocation ever since. He took a woodcarving course in Monroe, but it wasn t until he moved here that he attended classes in Frankenmuth for the next five years with German Master Carver, George Keilhofer. Bill became proficient enough that he was able to teach others the art of woodcarving in our surrounding area. Interestingly, he said, 99% of his work is chip carving which is done with a curved knife with a one inch blade. However, carving requires scores of different knives, chisels, saws and other equipment. During our visit, the display of different types of woodcarving on his kitchen table was impressive. He had samples of chip carving, (an intricate style originated in

2 Switzerland) carving-in-the-round, which is a statuetype of sculpting, and a relief carving of a family crest that he created. He is quite the artist! These days, Bill and Marlene spend much of their time together in West Branch, volunteering at their respective churches. Bill created the sign at the side entrance to the Episcopal Church in West Branch. He also carved a religious sign for the Memorial Garden at the First United Methodist Church in West Branch. They co-manage the Ogemaw County Clergy Fellowship (OCCF) Food Pantry which served over 5000 persons in Marlene is one of four women who manage the Salvation Army desk and Good Samaritan Fund in West Branch. Gail Whelan WIFI at the OFFICE Those owners who need to get or send or other files can do so at the Forest Lake Office during normal business hours for a nominal fee of $2. PRESIDENT S CORNER Belated but heartfelt wishes for a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from your Board of Directors! This year Forest Lake will celebrate its 45 th birthday. Our community has grown to over 650 homes with many improvements and additions to our parks, campground, and beaches. All of this wouldn t have been possible without the past and present volunteers, employees and Board of Directors. I would like to thank each and every one of you for your hard work and dedication. Forest Lake wouldn t be the great community it is today without all of you. To read about the history of Forest Lake, stop in to the office and pick up a brochure. Director Gary Jeffery Contents 2 PRESIDENT S CORNER 3 ICE FISHING DERBY 3 SECURITY SPOTLIGHT 4 JANUARY 2015 ACTIVITIES 5 TRASH DISPOSAL CHANGES 5 STORAGE AREA REQUIREMENTS 6 WINTER MAINTENANCE UPDATE 8 RENTAL DOCKS 8 WELCOME TO FOREST LAKE 9 PROPOSED BY-LAW CHANGES 9 CLUBHOUSE FEES 9 MERCHANDISE & OFFICE 9 DAM SAFETY 10 ANNUAL ACTIVITY CALENDAR 11 QUARTERLY PROPERTY LISTING Forest Lake Information Paper 2 Winter 2015

3 ICE FISHING DERBY 02/14/2015 Sign up in advance at the Office or on the day of the event at the Clubhouse from 6:30am to 7:30am. Adult entry fee is $10, youth entry fee is $5 (17 & under) Fishing starts at daybreak and runs through 2pm. Measure and weigh in will take place at 2pm to 2:30pm at the Forest Lake Clubhouse Winners will be determined by length first and in the event of a tie, weight will be factored in, subject to dissection. 2 Divisions: Adult Biggest Croppie 1st & 2nd Biggest Pike 1st & 2nd Youth Biggest Croppie 1st & 2nd Biggest Pike 1st & 2nd All paid entries will include lunch. Lunch will be served between noon and 2:30pm at the Forest Lake Clubhouse. For non participants, lunch will be available for $2, beverage for 50 cents and popcorn for 50 cents. Hosted by Kevin & Annie Kaczmarek and Phil Shock SECURITY SPOTLIGHT Winter has arrived! Stay safe and stay warm. Travel only when necessary. Getting stuck or having break downs in this weather can be very dangerous. Just a reminder that anyone parking on the dam road must have a current FLPOA sticker even in the winter. Everyone else needs to park up by the Office and Clubhouse parking area. A reminder for those members living on the north side of the lake, is that keys are available in the office for the special summer weekend lock placed on the Ringneck launch gate. This lock is used from Friday afternoons until Monday mornings. Security will not respond to requests for unlocking the gate during that time frame. As usual, please continue to be our eyes and ears throughout the neighborhood! Without your input our service to everyone is limited. Sam Dautermann, Director of Security. Forest Lake Information Paper 3 Winter 2015

4 Current Forest Lake Board of Directors President Gary Jeffery - Asst. Treasurer Insurance Vice President Sam Dautermann Security Secretary Dennis Monsere - Personnel, Building Permits, Dam Safety Treasurer Cathy Brown-Kuba Office, Merchandise Curtis Brown - Water Patrol, Fish Stocking, Legal, Liens & Foreclosures Larry Hunt - Refuse, Storage Area Lake Ecology Gary Judson - Campground, Dock Rental Paula Nowak - Activities, Communications, Housekeeping Gary Schoenherr Maintenance Office hours Monday-Saturday, 9:00am to 1:00pm & 1:30 to 5:30pm. Sundays only Memorial Day weekend thru Labor Day weekend 12 to 4 pm. Office Phone & Fax: Security Phone: JANUARY 2015 ACTIVITIES Thanks to those that donated Christmas Ornaments for Seniors. This was in lieu of a decorating contest. They were delivered to the senior center in Omer and were very much appreciated. The Nowak Christmas Breakfast for Forest Lake Property Owners was again a big hit with 72 participants. A big THANKS to Ralph and Sue Cook for providing the delicious Belgian Waffles. New Years Eve at the Clubhouse was the place to go and share some conversation, snacks and beverages and enjoy the large Bonfire on the beach. It was bitterly cold but many ventured out. Happy New Year!! 1/14/15 - Kut the Scrap Plus 2 nd & 4 th Wednesdays 10:00 2:00. Hot beverages provided, bring a snack to share. 1/21/15 - Dinner Club Soup & Sandwich 6:00 1/31/15-2/1/15 25 th Annual Quilt Show Standish Northeast Art Center 10:00 to 4:00. Stop in to view all the beautiful quilts and wall hangings. Many made by Forest Lake residents. 2/1/15 - Super Bowl Gathering at the Clubhouse. Watch the game on the big screen and share cheers and tears with friends and neighbors. 5:30 BYOB and a snack. Super Bowl Beverage Tasting - Let s share our Forest Lake homemade/home-brewed beverages (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) at this year s Super Bowl Party at the Clubhouse. Rodger & Diane Huckins will be sharing two kinds of homemade schnapps. If you have Forest Lake Information Paper 4 Winter 2015

5 an heirloom recipe, perhaps you too can provide samples for our discerning tastes. 2/14/15 - Valentine s Day Don t forget your favorite Valentine. 2/14/15 - Ice Fishing Contest This is also the DNR Free Fishing Weekend so come and enjoy some outdoor fun. Entry fee: Adults $ 10 and Youth $5. Cash prizes for Adult biggest fish: Crappie 1 st & 2 nd / Pike 1 st & 2 nd. Youth biggest fish: Crappie 1 st & 2 nd / Pike 1 st & 2 nd. Lunch included for all PAID participants with your entry fee. Pre-register at the Forest Lake Office, or on the day of the event at the Forest Lake Clubhouse. Check in is from 6am to 8am. Fishing starts at sunrise and ends at 2pm. All fish must be checked in for measuring at the Forest Lake Clubhouse by 2:30pm. Prizes awarded after the weigh in. Hosted by Annie & Kevin Kaczmarek and Phil Shock. 2/18/15 - Dinner Club 6:00 Please RSVP with callers so the cooks know how much food to prepare. If not on the calling list please contact Gerri Paulson. 3/8/15 Daylight Savings begins Which means only 12 more days til Spring begins. 3/14/15 - Board Meeting Clubhouse If anyone takes pictures at any events, it would be appreciated if you d share them. They can be used on bulletin board and in the FLIP. Please watch the FLIC, bulletin board and s for updates regarding all events. Events are subject to change and cancellation. If you want to be notified of events and or changes, please make sure I have your address. Director Paula Nowak TRASH DISPOSAL CHANGES Due to a recent notification from our trash disposal company, we will no longer be able to accept any tires, mattresses, or furniture of any kind. Garbage bags must not exceed 30 gallons in size. Any bags larger than 30 gallons will be charged at a double rate. If you have any questions, please call the Office. STORAGE AREA REQUIREMENTS On April 1st of every year, any items that you may have in storage at the storage area located at North Forest Lake Dr. and Maple Ridge Rd. will require a new ANNUAL identification sticker. These stickers are available at the Office for $3.00 for each item stored. Your association dues must be current and you will be required to prove ownership with either a registration or title to the item. Only items owned by property owners may be stored. Please place the sticker on the tongue of the trailer or the front of the stored item in plain view (not covered by a tarp). Director Larry Hunt Donation boxes for cell phones and eyeglasses are located in the Forest Lake Office. Put your used items to good use by donating them. Forest Lake Information Paper 5 Winter 2015

6 Since the last edition of the F.L.I.P. the maintenance department has continued to be busy. One of our bigger projects was to insulate the ceiling in the original part of the clubhouse. This job consisted of adding approximately 4 inches of insulation to the entire ceiling, new electrical wiring, lighting fixtures and a knotty-pine ceiling in the fireplace room, kitchen and hallway. All that is left to do is to finish covering the old windows near the ceiling and install the trim in the hallway. I would like to thank all of you for your patience during this lengthy project. WINTER MAINTENANCE UPDATE Another one of our winter projects is to begin replacing the rental docks that are behind the fence at Sand Hill Crane Park (aka, the West Since the last edition of the FLIP, the Maintenance department has continued to be busy. One of our bigger projects was to insulate the ceiling in the original part of the Clubhouse. This job consisted of adding approximately 4 inches of insulation to the entire ceiling, new electrical wiring, lighting fixtures and a knottypine ceiling in the fireplace room, kitchen and hallway. All that is left to do is to finish covering the old windows near the ceiling and install the trim in the hallway. I would like to thank all of you for your patience during this lengthy project. Another one of our winter projects is to begin End). Our plan is to replace 6 of the 12 docks this winter and the remainder next year. The new docks will consist of a wider walkway with 10 x 22 foot docking area for each boat well. The new structure will be lower than the old one to make boarding the boats safer and easier. The work began as soon as the lake reached its winter level. At this point all 6 of the old docks and walkway have been demolished. We have also completed the rough construction for the new docks and walkway. We will begin installing the new decking when the materials are delivered. Forest Lake Information Paper 6 Winter 2015

7 We have performed some required maintenance on a few of our vehicles: ª The brakes and a wiring harness were replaced on the blue pickup. ª Oil changes and tire rotations were done on both trucks. One of the next areas to work on will be the restrooms on the inside of the Clubhouse. We will be painting the ceilings and walls, and installing new flooring in both rooms. Director Gary Schoenherr ª A small hydraulic leak was fixed on the Massey- Ferguson tractor. ª Some front end work is being done on the tan security vehicle. Lots of material and hard work to make the new docks strong and safe! (More photos on next page) Forest Lake Information Paper 7 Winter 2015

8 RENTAL DOCKS Our maintenance team is working on our West End docks this winter as weather and time allows. They work very hard and the rebuilt docks in the spring are an appreciated result. Rental dock fees will remain the same for the 2015 season. The dates for dues, registration, contracts and fees must be turned in to the Office by the due date of May 1st, to avoid losing a dock. The seasonal contracts are mailed to your permanent address along with your dues billing. Please call the Office with any questions, comments or dock change requests. Thank you, Director Gary Judson WELCOME TO FOREST LAKE The following full time residents were WELCOMED in 2014: John Nielson, Johnna & family Roger and Linda Huff Wanda Fox Joseph and Diane Haskins Just a reminder: The Welcoming Committee needs help identifying recent full time residents. Please call Bev Baumgart at or Di Judson at to pass along a name of someone new. We contact the new family with an introductory phone call and gather a few new residents for greetings, a welcome packet and a few gifts. This is our gesture of the beginning of the friendliness in Forest Lake! Di Judson Forest Lake Information Paper 8 Winter 2015

9 PROPOSED CHANGES TO BY-LAWS The Board of Directors will be voting on the following proposed changes to the Forest Lake Property Owners Association By Laws at the March 14th, 2015 meeting. Article ll Section (5) #7. Erection, Construction or use of any structure, tent, ladder stand, tree stand or scaffold on common property of the F.L.P.0.A. without written permission of the Board of Directors (remove). Violation of this rule will result in removal and confiscation of any such equipment or structures. #8. Operation of motorized watercraft on Forest Lake without a current year Forest Lake licensing decal. Motorized watercraft length restrictions are set at a maximum of 25 feet for Pontoon Boats defined as two or more round sealed floats called pontoons. All other watercraft is set at a maximum length of 19 (remove) 20 feet. Director Curtis Brown CLUBHOUSE FEES Current rates are as follows: 4 Hour Rental $ for Members $ for Non Members (both $ Security Deposit) All Day Rental $ for Members $ for Non Members (both $ Security Deposit) A Certificate of Liability Insurance will be required to rent the Clubhouse! MERCHANDISE & OFFICE Take a moment and stop in the Office to see the special items purchased to commemorate the 45th Anniversary of the Incorporation of the Forest Lake Property Owners Association. There are tee shirts for men, women & tweens, mugs, notepads & totes for sale along with other Forest Lake Merchandise including sweat shirts, polos & tees for grown ups and little ones. Office hours are from 9am to 1pm and 1:30pm to 5:30pm Monday thru Saturday. Office personnel is there to help you with property listings, policies & procedures, maps. wi-fi and notary services. Another feature is book sharing. Bring in your previously read books and choose others to read. The Office is also a drop off spot for plastic caps (Wheelchairs for disabled children), old glasses & used cellphones (Cellphones for soldiers). Reminders: If you have moved, changed your name or phone number, please contact the Office with your updated information. Director Catherine Brown-Kuba DAM SAFETY The dam concrete repair work has been delayed until next spring. Some of the wood stop logs need to be replaced and we are currently soliciting quotes for 7-0 wide aluminum, stainless steel and fiberglass stop logs. We are considering purchasing stop logs over several years until six units have been purchased. The remaining six wood units would be retained for emergency backup. Director Dennis Monsere Forest Lake Information Paper 9 Winter 2015

10 Forest Lake Information Paper 10 Winter 2015

11 QUARTERLY PROPERTY LISTING FOR SALE BY OWNER! For the convenience of those Forest Lakers who wish to sell their property "BY OWNER", we are again preparing a listing of such properties. Complete and return the adjacent form with $10 for printed copies listed in the Office and on the Forest Lake web site ( March 2015 The printed copy of the current quarterly listing will be posted on the bulletin board and available for pickup at the Forest Lake business Office. A copy of the printed listing will be sent to all those listing property, if they enclose a stamped, self addressed #10 (legal size) envelope. This listing will expire in June, TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS LISTING YOU MUST: 1) Be a member in good standing. 2) List each property on a separate form and include an additional payment for each lot, unless adjacent. 3) Return the form and payment by February 25, We stress that while we offer this listing service, WE ARE NOT REALTORS, have no authority to perform in that capacity and assume no responsibility with respect thereto. Forest Lake Information Paper 11 Winter 2015

12 Superbowl Party 2/1/15 at the Clubhouse. Details on page 4. FLIP is a publication of Forest Lake Property Owners Association and is setup and edited by Mark Kuschyk. Unsolicited news and letters may be used and edited for general interest, clarity and brevity. The Forest Lake Property Owners Association does not accept any responsibility or liability for the conduct or content of its advertisers. Forest Lake Information Paper 12 Winter 2015