October - Lake Shawnee Club

LAKE SHAWNEE
NEWS
October 2010
Volume 3
Issue 9
President’s Message
INSIDE STORY
PRESIDENT’S
MESSAGE
1
BOARD MEMBERS
2
CALENDAR
3
TRADING POST
4
ACTIVITIES
6
BOARD MINUTES
14
ECOLOGY
14
DAM REPORT
15
October 2010
Another summer season has gone by and we welcome fall which is probably one of my
favorite times of year around the lake. Last year’s summer was cool and wet, this year hot and
dry, go figure.
If you didn’t receive the club’s e-mail on September 18th concerning the update I issued on
the status of our dam repair, be sure to go to our website under current news to read it. You
can also read it in this issue of the newsletter. That particular update and any other we have
issued are all posted on our website.
Our last movie night/camp out went well, not as many participants as last year, the threat of
rain from Hurricane Earl may have kept some campers away. However, it turned out to be a
perfect night (except for a little wind at 2am) and a beautiful morning.
I would like to give two thumbs up to Dina Troha and our social committee for a great job on
this year’s pig roast. If you did not make it you missed a good time. The committee tried
something a little bit different and had the event catered, and included a few other added
features to enhance the entire event. I personally enjoyed the dessert contest. We had close to
350 people attend the event and I was impressed to see all the ez-up tents and tables everyone
set up throughout the property, it was like a party within a party. A good time was had by all.
Not sure if anyone noticed, we had less geese hanging around first beach this year. We tried a
product called Flight Control Plus this year and we can thank Rob Troha who applied it
several times along with Al Gazdalski. The product is sprayed on the grass, then the geese
become hesitant to land on it, and it makes the grass distasteful to eat. I was pretty impressed
with the results and for the most part kept the geese off the grass, and thus we saw less of
what geese do best.

HIGHLIGHTS:
 Wine Tasting
Oct. 09
 Science Day
Oct 11
 Adult
Halloween
Party
Oct 30

Trunk or Treat
Open House
Oct 31
Finally, a reminder we have our fall clean up scheduled for Saturday, November 13th. If you
have some time to lend a hand our fall clean up goes quick as there isn’t as much work to do
compared to our spring clean up. We will have tickets available for anyone who volunteers to
enter into our free membership raffle which is drawn after our spring work day.
Eric Wilsusen
Club President
[email protected]
Lake Shawnee Club
4 W. Shawnee Tr.
Wharton, NJ 07885
Club House Phone 973-663-1307
Office Hours 8:30AM to 12:00 NOON
Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
If you need information or have a question the following Officers may be able to help.
CLUB OFFICERS
BOARD MEMBERS
President ………......Eric Wilsusen…………...0596
Executive VP……....Lise Meisner..…………...4553
Membership VP……Milt Felter.……………...1565
Treasurer…………...Marc Sanderson….….…..9434
Secretary……….…..Patti Coombs..….…..476-8777
Jeff Keith.. ………….…...…………..4230
Al Gebhardt…………..………………0014
Vince Matrisciano…………………….5964
Kirsten Child ...……….……………...2441
Dina Troha...………….……………...6737
Al Gazdalski………………...………..4698
Standing Committees & Committee Heads
First Beach — Eric Wilsusen...…….………..0596
Club House —Dina Troha…..…..…….……..6737
Second Beach—Vince Matrisciano……….….5964
Third Beach — Al Gazdalski...……...……… 4698
White’s Cove — Al Gebhardt..……………....0014
Beaver Cove & North End – Milt Felter …. ..1565
News Editor — Patti Coombs.……….....476-8777
Lake Ecology — Jeff Keith………………….4230
Swim Team —- Debbie Gamble……….…………….4430
Social Committee—Dina Troha………...……………6737
Fishing Committee—Mark McCormack…...………..1639
Membership—Milt Felter……………………...……..1565
Summer Night Patrol —- Eric Wilsusen……..…. .....0596
Club Rentals — Club office…………..……………….1307
Life Guards —- Carolyn Sior………………………...4156
Office Manager— Lisa Peter……………………….OFFICE PHONE………...…...1307
Clubhouse Rental— Lisa Peter...……………………………………………………...1307
LSC News Mail & Distribution— Club Office…...……………………………….…...1307
Web Site- Robert Troha [email protected]
Please free to contact the club office at 973-663-1307 or [email protected] for contact
information for any of the above or on information on joining a committee.
CLUB HOUSE RENTALS
Members only
Rental Rates
Half Day $75.00 Mon-Fri
only till 5PM. Eve. start
at 6PM.
Full Day $150.00
Page 2
Rental Terms
1. Signed agreement
2. Deposit of $175.00
Must receive with rental
fee and signed agreement.
Rental Agent
At Clubhouse - 1307
Tues. - Thurs. - Sat.
8:30AM. - 12: 00
Board meetings first Friday of every month at 7:00PM members welcome!!
website: www.lakeshawneeclub.org
Save the date FALL CLEAN UP NOVEMBER 13
Page 3
TRADING POST
Lake Shawnee Merchandise
for Sale
Lake Shawnee Koozies
$3 or 2 for $5
Lake Shawnee
T-shirts….. $10
Lake Shawnee
Car Magnets…. $5
Available at the Clubhouse
Lakeland Senior Citizen Club Meeting
Dates October 12, 26.
Time 1PM
at Camp Jefferson, Weldon Rd.
Refreshments, Socializing, cards and
Bingo before the meeting.
Any Resident over 55 is welcome.
Call Jean 973-663-9377 or
Lorraine 973-208-6659
The Lakeland Seniors are hosting a bus
trip to Atlantic City on Monday Oct. 25th.
Cost is $30.00 with a cash back of $22.00.
Bus leaves from Camp Jefferson, Weldon Rd.,
Lake Hopatcong at 9AM returning at 8:45pm.
Ticket/info call Emily @ 973-663-1294
or Janet @ 973-663-0841, leave message.
Low Cost Babysitting provided by Amanda Matrisciano
at her Lake Shawnee Home 15 years old,
Red Cross Certified
Must be attending a social committee event $10 per
child -Ages 3 and older - 3 Hour Time LimitCall 973663-5964 to reserve your space
Trading post cont’d
FOR SALE: Foosball table/like new 60 dollars or
BO, Denon StereoSet,receiver,5CDchanger dual
tape deck and two custom built speakers 75dollars.
For Free/ 27inch TV and a entertainment unit to
put it in. Both in great shape
Call Jeff 663-4230
Page 4
FOR SALE: Quick Step
Brand Laminate floor,
80 sq. ft (5 new boxes) Wide
plank, Ansel Oak.
More product easily available
through local retailer. Asking
$150.00. Call 663-0596
FOR SALE: 1 Black Coleman Sleeping Bag $10
1 Pot and Pan Ceiling Rack (Wood) Still in original
box, never used! $40
1 Elliptical machine with digital monitor $50 (you
Contact Fran 663-0734
pick up)
FOR SALE: Powlan 16” Chain saw, like new $75.
Craftsman leaf Blower $25. Shop Vac Wet/Dry
Vacuum $25. Dorm Size Refrigerator $45.
Call Steve 973-663-9080
FOR SALE: A never assembled
“Disney Summerville Premium Play
Set” $150! Originally sold for
$800.00. Does not include
slide. Must pick up in Rockaway.
Contact Chris or Susan at
(973) 663-0695
FOR SALE: Pottery Barn Kids
Complete Bedding set - Pd $160 asking $75 or B/O
Crib Fitted Sheet, Crib Bed Skirt & Toddler Quilt
36 x 50" with cars & trucks
Disney Movies VHS - $2 ea or b/o for all
Breastfeeding Video-pd $50 asking $15
Ameda Purely Yours Electric Breast Pump BPA & DEHP Free! Pd $200 asking $100
George Foreman Indoor Outdoor Grill excellent condition. asking $40
Frontline Plus for Cats - Accidentally bought for cats
instead of dogs - $20
Graco Passage Travel System stroller, base & extra
base - retails for $209 w/o extra base asking $75
Halloween costumes $10ea. Perfect condition (Infant)
Dracula, (Toddler) Dinosaur, (Toddler) Fireman,
(Toddler) Frankenstein, (medium sz dog) Hot dog
Maternity Gown - Mediterranean Blue. Pd $200
asking $75 or b/o
Kiddopotamus SwaddleMe Double Velboa
Traveler for use with Harness Systems
Small $19.99 (PD $27) Brand new
Toddler Tuxedo Shoes size 7 asking $15 excellent
condition
Pictures available. Contact Jill @ 0104
PACK-AND-GO DEALS: CALL TO CHECK ON SPECIALS
92 W Shawnee Tr.
Wharton NJ 07885
2011 EUROPE SAILINGS
973-989-5559
[email protected]
SENIORS —Exclusive rates for our Senior Guests.
Septic Systems
Pumped • Cleaned • Repaired • Installed
*Neighborhood and Senior Discounts Available*
Free septic tank evaluation with every pumping.
Aaron
Competitor Coupons
Septic Service, LLC
973-663-6058
Accepted
www.aaronexcavating.com
Page 5
Social Committee Calendar
Shawnee Seniors Club: Our Shawnee Seniors Club meets every other Thursday at 1pm at the clubhouse to play games and
socialize. The club is open to all Seniors Age 55 and older. Coffee and snacks will be served. Meeting dates are October 7th and
October 21st and November 4th and November 18th. Weight Watchers: Meetings at the clubhouse every Thursday at 7pm. Completely Confidential!! Please contact Charla
Buglino at [email protected] or 973-663-9549 for more information. Wine Tasting by Cava Winery: Enjoy the sights, tastes, and aromas that exceptional wine and artisan foods will bring on
October 9th at 7pm. You will experience a variety of wines made locally at Cava Winery and Vineyards. Cava Winery experts will
lead you through the evening and address any questions you might have. Even if you are a wine expert, you will appreciate this
evening and possibly learn something new or share your knowledge with others. Advanced reservations and payment are required
by October 1st by contacting Dina Troha at 973-663-6737. We must meet a minimum number to host this event. If we do not meet
our minimum we will cancel the event by October 4th. The cost per person is $20 which includes wine and a wide assortment of
appetizers, cheeses, and other treats. Family Science Day: Come and meet all the amazing animals of the Turtle Back Zoo. The Turtle Back Zoo will present an
educational animal show on Monday October 11th from 1pm-3pm with some animals that live in your own backyard. We will
also have some other hands on activities to experiment with. All ages welcome. Adult’s Halloween Party!: Come if you dare on Saturday October 30th at 7pm. We’ll be awarding prizes for the Scariest
Dessert, Best Costume and of course for our favorite Musical Chairs!! So, concoct a delicious dessert, pick your favorite costume
and come on down. We’ll be serving complimentary beer, wine and some frightfully good appetizers. Cost is $15 per person. Halloween Trunk-or-Treat and Open House: Calling all witches, goblins and ghosts, on October 31st Lake Shawnee will be
your host. Just stop by to trunk-or-treat or stay a while for munchies to eat. The party is from three to six. Get ready to take
some awesome pix! All Ages Welcome! (Check this newsletter for more information) Family Pajama-Movie Night: No school tomorrow!! Join us on November 3rd at 6pm inside the clubhouse for a PJ party including the movie, “Marmaduke” and popcorn. Bring a sleeping bag and pillow so the kids can get cozy. All ages welcome! Vendors and Crafters Needed!! Lake Shawnee’s 2nd Annual Vendor and Craft Fair: The Lake Shawnee Social Committee will be holding its 2nd Annual Vendor and Craft Fair on November 7th from 1-4pm at the
Clubhouse. Vendors and Crafters may purchase table space for a fee of $20. Tables and chairs will be provided and all advertising
will be handled by the social committee. Guests will receive a brochure including the names and contact information of all
participating vendors and crafters. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to gain inexpensive exposure for your business. Please
contact Patti Coombs at 973-476-8777 to reserve space, deadline is October 15th. Gourmet Club of Lake Shawnee: Love to Cook? Need an excuse to get out with friends? Take a walk across the continents
with us and join the Gourmet Club of Lake Shawnee. We will meet once a month at the Clubhouse for a fun night with food and
friends. Each month you will be asked to prepare a different dish based on a country, theme or season, as well as pair it with a wine
or drink of your choice. Our first Gourmet Dinner will feature the tastes of Fall/Thanksgiving to be held on Friday November 12th
at 7pm. Adults only please. Please call Carol Chabay at 973-663-1339 to sign up for this fun event. We encourage everyone to
step outside of their comfort zone and try a new recipe. Please send a copy of your recipe to Carol to post online. The favorite
recipe of the night will be printed in the Lake Shawnee News. Texas Hold ‘em: Our next tourney will be on Saturday, November 13th. Doors open for registration at 7pm and Hold ‘em
starts at 7:30pm. The cost is $15 pp and includes refreshments. Even if you’ve never played before, come on out and learn, we
have beginners each time - we’ll even show you how to play! Oct-Nov 2010
.
Page 6
THANK YOU!
Woody
Entertainment for
hosting a great party!!
John
Dilley and Crew
from Defcon Sauce for
cooking up some
awesome wings and
making grown men cry!
Cricket
Hill Brewing
Company for serving up
great beer!
Congratulations!
To Kathy Shulack
Winner of our $450
50/50 Prize!! Picnics
Unlimited for the
great service and all
the fabulous food!!
Patty
at Gatwyn’s
for use of the parking lot!
DC
Signature Gifts for our
new Pig Out Shirts!
And
a Big Thank You to all
the volunteers who helped
us run an amazing event!
You are appreciated; we
couldn’t do it without you!
Page 7
Attention Bakers!!
We need your help!!
We are asking the talented bakers of
Lake Shawnee to donate a dozen
or more cookies each for
our Halloween Trunk-or-Treat and
Open House on Sunday October 31st.
Cookies should be dropped off at
the clubhouse at 2:30pm. If you are
planning on making anything with nuts
please clearly mark that cookie.
Please call Lisa DenBleyker X3970, if
you’d like to help out.
Thank you for your continued support!!!
Page 8
Texas Hold ‘em
Saturday, November 13th
Registration begins at 7pm
Play starts at 7:30pm
The cost is $15 per person
and includes refreshments.
Even if you’ve never played before,
come on out and learn,
We have beginners each time we’ll even show you how to play!
Adults Only Please!!
Saturday October 30th at 7pm
Games and Prizes for the Scariest Dessert
and Best Costume
Complimentary Beer, Wine and
some Frightfully Good Appetizers
Cost is $15 per person
THE JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP HEALTH
DEPARTMENT is offering health programs:
MALE CANCER SCREENING on Tuesday, October 5th from
6 pm – 8 pm. Cost: $30.00 Includes prostate exam,
Prostate Specific Antigen Blood test, urinalysis, Hemoccult test(screen for colo-rectal cancer) and health education
counseling.
FEMALE CANCER SCREENING to Jefferson residents age
18 and older. The program on held
Tuesday, October 18, 2010 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM costs
$20.00. The screening includes a breast and pelvic exam
and pap test by a physician, urinalysis, Hemoccult test
(screen for colo-rectal cancer) and health education
counseling.
OSTEOPOROSIS SCREENING to Jefferson residents
Tuesday, October 18, 2010 from 5 – 7 pm
Ultrasound Bone Densitometer scans the heel to finds any
risk of osteoporotic fractures. Education and counseling is
included. Free of charge. Be sure to wear removable
socks at the time of the screening.
OPEN TO JEFFERSON RESIDENTS. ALL PROGRAMS ARE located at the Public Health Center, 57
Minnisink Rd. in Jefferson Township.
APPOINTMENTS NECESSARY, CALL 973-663-0700.
The Social Committee Wants You!!
Set-up at Noon and 3pm Break-down help for
Family Science Day on October 11th
Adult Help Directing Traffic
from 2:30pm – 3:00pm at
Our Trunk or Treat on October 31st
Adult and/or Teen Help with covering
one hour shifts from 3pm -6pm at
our Halloween Open House
If you can lend a hand please contact
Dina Troha at 973-663-6737 or
[email protected]
Page 9
Wine Tasting
Saturday, October 9th at 7pm
Hosted by Cava Winery and Vineyards.
Advanced reservations and payment
are required by October 1st
Please contact Dina Troha at x6737:
The cost per person is $20
A variety of wine, appetizers, cheeses,
and other treats included.
Vendors and Crafters Needed!!
Lake Shawnee’s 2nd Annual Vendor and
Craft Fair
th
November 7 from 1-4pm at the Lake
Shawnee Clubhouse
$20 per provided 6ft table.
We do the advertising.
Your Business information is given
to every shopper.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to gain
inexpensive exposure for your business.
Please contact Patti Coombs at 973-476-8777
to reserve space, deadline is October 15th.
What is A Halloween Trunk-or-Treat and Open House?
Trunk-or-Treating, also known as Halloween Tailgating or Tailgate Trick-or-Treat is a simple concept and fun addition to
traditional trick-or- treating. Families are invited to park their Halloween decorated vehicles in the Lake Shawnee Club parking
lot beginning at 2:30pm on Sunday October 31st. Trick-or-treaters can move from car to car to show off their costumes and
collect treats from 3-6pm. You may also join us at the clubhouse for some frightfully fun activities, snacks and drinks. Prizes
will be awarded to the best decorated trunks. Since this is a new event for us, we would like to be able to plan out parking in
advance. We are asking families to call Gina Matrisciano x5964 to sign up and reserve your parking space. While decorating
your vehicle is a fun part of the event it is not necessary to participate. You may trick or treat and enjoy the clubhouse
festivities even if your family doesn’t have a car in the lot giving out goodies. We are asking each car to be prepared to hand
out treats for about 150 children. Cars will not be allowed to exit the lot before 6pm. I hope many of you will embrace this
new tradition and make our First Annual Halloween Trunk-or-Treat and Open House a great success.
Jefferson Consolidated PTA Fundraiser
This is a monthly fundraiser that you can shop for food and support our schools
Shop and Support the Jefferson Consolidated PTA
www.MarketDay.com account # 27666
Place your order by October 14th 1:00pm CST
Pick Up is Wednesday, October 20 at Arthur Stanlick School 2:30PM
This month For$40.00 Purchase you receive 1lb. Mandarin Citrus Blend Vegetables
$80.00 purchase 2lbs. ground Beef free just type in the bonus code. OCTBONUS
You can receive both items free
Page 10
Congratulations!!!
The First Annual Lake Shawnee
Bake-Off Winners!!
Key Lime Cake: Carolyn Sior
Chocolate Chip Cookies: Pat Carroll
Pies: Kathy Sobol
Best in Show: The Lake Shawnee Logo Cake; Michelle Pieski
Key Lime Cake
1 3-ounce package lime-flavored gelatin
1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
5 large eggs, slightly beaten
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
3/4 cup orange juice
1 tbs. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup Key lime juice (from about 25 small Key limes OR you can use 4 large
regular limes - if I am pinched for time, I've used the bottled lime juice)
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
Cream Cheese Icing
1/2 cup ( 1 stick) butter, room temperature
1 8 oz. package cream cheese, room temperature
1 one pound box confectioners' sugar
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour your cake pan. This cake
can be made in three 9 inch rounds to make a layer cake or in a 13 x 9 x 2.
In a large mixing bowl, mix the gelatin, sugar, flour, salt, baking powder, and
baking soda. Stir to mix well.
Add eggs, oil, orange juice, lemon juice, and vanilla.
Divide the batter evenly in your pan (or pans) and bake for 35 to 40 min. (test
for doneness with a toothpick).
If baking a layer cake, cool for 5 min., and then turn them out onto racks.
While cake is still hot, mix the lime juice and confectioners' sugar and pour it
over the cake (you may poke holes in the top for more absorption of the
glaze). Allow to cool completely before icing.
Cream the butter and cream cheese. Beat in the confectioners' sugar and
vanilla until smooth. Spread the icing on the cake.
The cream cheese icing is optional. This cake is delicious with just the glaze
poured over it!
Page 11
Ice Pops, flip flops
Lemonade, in the shade
Blue skies, mud pies
Late nights, water fights,
Swim Team, day dream
Bathing suits, Hula hoops,
Party time, schools out,
Sleeping in and hanging out
So sad Summer’s done,
we did have so much fun!
LUAU & SANDCASTLE CONTEST!
Contact Judy Kulich for help with the FLOWER POWER FUND RAISER for the Swim Team,
in case you have not already signed up. 973-663-0473.
The web site is http://www.flowerpowerfundraising.com/i/m/50271/9p83u6nN9MBN
A little boy goes to his father and asks, Daddy how was I bon?
The father answers, “Well son you’ll need to find out anyway! .Your
Mom and I first got together in a chat room on Yahoo. Then I set up a
date with your mom via email and we met at a Cyber Café. We
sneaked into a secluded room and googled each other. There your
Mother agreed to a download from my hard drive. As soon as I was
ready to upload, we discovered that neither of us had used a firewall,
and since it was too late to hit the delete button, nine months later a
little pop-up appeared that said:
“You got male.”
Small/Tiny Dogs ART LESSONS
By Sue Miller
Fall Classes
now forming.
973-663-4120
Groomed in YOUR home Saturday + Sundays Call Arlene 973‐663‐9083 25 years experience
ALL LAWN & YARD WORK
PLUS SMALL JOBS WELCOME
I’m young, strong & ambitious.
I’LL BEAT ANY PRICE!
Excellent references available
I live in the lake.
Call Josh…862-432-7264
www.freewebs.com/tomsthumb
Page 13
Summary of Lake Shawnee Club Board Meeting
September 10, 2010
At the Board Meeting of Friday, September 10th, the following major actions and items for discussion were
addressed:
A letter was received from Ken Eves who is the son of one of Lake Shawnee’s original club member’s, Lloyd B.
Eves. Mr. Ken Eves sent a screen printed badge from 1949 as a souvenir.
The Board held discussions on the status of the dam repair to date and that DEP promised a letter comment
letter was forthcoming. It was noted that there are 4 contractors waiting for the go ahead to provide quotes to the
club once we receive approval from the DEP.
The Board discussed and reviewed the findings of Allied Biological latest lake survey which was positive despite
the lack of rain and the low levels of the water in the lake. Our water temperature was 73.4°; the DO (dissolved
oxygen level) was 7; and the current weed species that are growing are typical.
The Board discussed the success of the Flight Control Plus that was used to keep geese off of Club Properties
this year. Mr. Rob Troha applied the product several times this year and it had a tremendous impact in keeping
the geese away and our properties free of goose excrement.
The Board discussed the new Swim Team President, Debbie Gamble, for the 2011 Season. Mr. Wilsusen will
meet with her to discuss plans for the new season.
The Board noted that new stairs had been put in at 2nd Beach and that Al Gebhardt and Vince Matrisciano will be
building a new railing.
The Board noted and thanked Mr. Gebhardt for all of his hard work in building shelves to reorganize the shed at
the clubhouse, and for all of the work he had done in making signs for Club properties.
Lake Ecology
As we all know it's been a tough summer. In spite of the level of our lake, it has
remained very healthy over the last three months. Our dissolved oxygen numbers have been consistently
around 7 and 8 which is very good. Ten is almost ideal. Our temperature never got over 82 degrees and
our PH was usually around 7 to 7.5 which is almost neutral. Our fish and other aquatic organisms have
survived a very difficult season. Allied Biological was consistently here every two weeks making sure
our wildlife in the lake were safe. Our hope is the fix to the hole in our dam will be done before the
winter so let's keep our fingers crossed. If not we have enough water for our wildlife to survive.
Weeds
Many of our lake front owners(especially in the coves) have been very concerned about the
terrestrial plants now growing in their back yards. They will die once we have water again and those that
do not we will take care of in the spring. Allied has assured us there is nothing growing that presents a
problem for treatment in the spring. Trust me, it all will be taken care of once we have water. They have
been monitoring the growth both aquatic and terrestrial plants and have it on their radar for the spring.
Many of those plants you are looking at now will be gone by the spring. My apologies especially the
cove people, for the outbreak of filamentous algae this summer. With the lake so low, Allied couldn't get
his boat in to treat. As a I stated from the beginning, it's been a tough summer. It really makes us
appreciate this wonderful lake when things are normal. This is why we stay so vigilant about treatment
and chemistry levels. The lake is the heart of the community and myself and the rest of the board is
committed to maintain it. Any Questions or concerns don't hesitate to give me a call.
Jeff Keith 4230
Page 14
Dam Repair Update
September 17, 2010
It has been hard to give an up to the minute update to the membership on the status and progress of our dam repair
project. Activity on this phase of the project does not happen each and every day for me to give a play by play briefing
on the repair. I realize that weeks can go by without any updated information and I have been doing my best to at least
include an update of sorts in my monthly Presidents message. I will ask members to please be careful of the rumor mill.
We certainly have not been intentionally keeping anyone in the dark and generally if you haven’t heard it here first, it’s
probably not true or misinformation. I tell members all the time, all you have to do is ask and if you have an hour I am
glad to tell you what is and is not going on. This has been a slow process for a number of reasons and when you are
dealing with a State agency that controls all the cards you can’t just make anything happen overnight. I am sorry if it
appears on the surface that things are not progressing, but I can tell you first hand that behind the scenes the project is
moving forward, just slower than I and many others would like.
As I have said numerous times, there is nothing more important than getting our dam repaired and the lake back to
normal.
Here is what I know to bring everyone up to date. Keep in mind that prior to our breach situation; we had been working
with the DEP for many years to complete our emergency action plan, operation and maintenance manual and inundation
mapping, which included a hydrologic and hydraulic (H&H) analysis as required as dam owners. In addition to our dam
repair plans the DEP required that we submit a revised H&H analysis for our previously submitted inundation mapping.
The review for the last H&H took almost 8 months. The revised H&H analysis has required a tremendous amount of
additional work by our engineer. This was not a matter of just submitting a simple repair plan. Prior to the breach on
March 13th, we received a letter dated March 1, 2010, basically ordering us to prepare plans for an alternate spillway
design based on our submitted H&H analysis. If anyone is interested the H&H analysis is hundreds of pages itself and
makes for a great door stop!
Our repair plans and revised H&H analysis were submitted for review to the Dam Safety Section of the DEP on July
16th. On September 11th we received a four page comment letter from the DEP, which we expected, asking for
clarifications on the repair plans and the H&H analysis.
At this time all of the revisions are being made and once complete we will be taking our 3rd road trip to Trenton to meet
with the DEP concerning those comments and submit our revisions. Will we walk away with an approval that day, my
guess is probably not.
We now have four contractors anxious to get a final copy of the repair plan so we can receive quotes on this project.
The Board will move quickly to award a contract so that the repair can be started. Can this all happen before winter sets
in, I am optimistic but to be realistic it may be late winter early spring before we can start based on the upcoming winter
weather. We will have to defer that decision to the hired contractor and our engineer when the time comes. Part of the
repair plan requires a coffer dam be erected and at this point it is not quite clear if it would be feasible to have this
structure in place with ice on the lake.
In regards to the condition of the lake, there have been a few concerns. As reported previously, Allied Biological and the
Board have been keeping a close eye on the ecology of the lake. One concern has been the growth of aquatic weeds
particularly in our shallow coves. We have not treated any weeds this year and the reason has been to keep our dissolved oxygen in check. Once we are back to normal we will address the areas that need the most attention in weed
control. Allied has told us that there is nothing in the lake that cannot be addressed in the future. Another concern has
been the terrestrial weeds that have grown along the shoreline. Again we have been told not to worry as these will die
as winter sets in, and as well once the lake level rises. We certainly encourage all our lake front property owners to do
their best to remove them along the shoreline this fall. One other concern has been the fish and aquatic population.
Mark McCormack, our fishing committee chair, purposely did not run any events this year due to the low level. Our lake
did very well in maintaining its dissolved oxygen levels throughout the summer. Which, if you didn’t hear this summer
was the second hottest on record and we have been under a drought advisory due to the lack of rain. Even so, we have
seen very little in regards to dead fish this year.
The Board and I are committed to getting this project complete as soon as humanly possible and have tried many
different angles to do so. I once again apologize if it appears that nothing is progressing. There are just many things that
are beyond our control and we are doing the best we possibly can to move this forward.
This and any previous updates are posted on our website in case you missed any.
Thank you once again for your patience and understanding.
Eric Wilsusen
Club President
Page 15
Lake Shawnee Club Newsletter
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