*Association Presidents, Property Managers, Country Club and Marina, please share version of newsletter with your members.

In This Issue
* A Message from Your Board: President Message
* Water Quality - Low Lake Levels - What does it Mean?
* Goose Remediation: Geese Population Control - Need Your Help
* Member Spotlight: A Bit of Pine Lake History
* Q&A: Membership and Other Benefits
* Lake Safety: New Boaters - Boating Certificate
* Your 2023 Board Members
* Correction to Oct. 2022 Newsletter: 2-4D was not used in 2022 to treat Milfoil. The Milfoil herbicide was ProcellaCOR.

Calendar:
* Pay Your 2022 Dues Here - Thank You
* Goose Remediation - April
* Weed & Water Quality Surveys: April - May
* Reminder No fertilizer until May 1
* PLPOA Annual Meeting: Thur., May 4, 7 pm on Zoom
* Weed Treatment: Late May -June -TBA
* Pine Lake Country Club Fireworks: 6/29/23
* 2023 Dues Invoices - Are sent in June. Due July 30
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!

Note: This newsletter was composed in mid-February before the big snow and ice storms. The April Newsletter water level report should show an improvement but anticipate water level will remain low. A few articles in this newsletter speak to our low water level.

A Message from Your Board
Dear Pine Lake Community!

Thanks for reading our first PLPOA newsletter of 2023!  I hope you’re having a safe
and healthy winter season. Although we have not been able to enjoy the typical winter activities on the lake and our surrounding due to limited snow and ice formation on the lake, we have had some beautiful early spring-like weather to soak in!

Overall, the lake quality is in excellent condition with regard to managing invasive and non-invasive weed species. Our biggest concern, as of mid February is the lake water level. Although we love our sunny days regardless of the season in Michigan, the source of water for Pine Lake is primarily precipitation. So, we’re hoping for precipitation throughout the weeks ahead. Thankfully, we just received some winter precipitation! Hoping for many April showers.

We are preparing permits for the Goose Remediation Program in April, and we are in communication with the Oakland County Sheriff to ensure they will be doing safety patrols on the lake on busy weekends and holidays. Your dues at work!

The PLPOA Annual Meeting is May 4th, 2023, at 7:00 PM. As in the past years we will conduct our meeting via Zoom, so please note this in your calendar. One representative from each Association will be invited. Official notice and more information are forthcoming. 

We have had some changes in our Board membership. Both Chris Viegas and Janine Kateff have sold their homes and moved their permanent residences to warmer climates. Both Chris and Janine have been on the Board since the 2002; Chris led the Board as President for numerous years, while Janine headed up our Communication functions. They have officially submitted their resignations but have offered to be available in advisory roles. Chris and Janine have a wealth of information and we are eternally grateful for their continued availability. We will miss them and move forward with our strong ten-member volunteer board into 2023.

More to come about your PLPOA Board members in upcoming newsletters. Stay tuned!

Looking forward to seeing you all out and about in our Pine Lake community in the months ahead!

Best, Lucy Young, President

Water Quality - Low Lake Levels - What does it Mean?

Here is some info that may help explain the mystery of our lake water level.

There is no water inlet that feeds our lake. As a “basin lake” we rely on runoff from rain water and snow melt. We can let water out through a “weir”, but as a general rule the weir is closed during boating season. Like last year we will not have high levels so we will hold whatever water we have.  

Target lake level - 931.5 above sea level
Current lake level - 930.45 (as of mid Feb)
Difference: about 1.5-2 feet lower than normal at this time of year

The lake has been free of ice much of the winter through to mid February with strong winds that have brought quite a bit of evaporation. Our limnologist, Dr Jude, confirms evaporation happens when the lake is not frozen for much of the winter.

We are hoping for more snow (which seems to have arrived late February) and a wet spring.  Last spring, we had low lake levels to start the season, but got several strong summer storms which brought the water level up. 

We are at the mercy of mother nature!
We hope this information will help you plan as we make the best of potential low water.  For example, A.) If you have shore repair or seawall maintenance scheduled - this is the year. B.) You may be able to drop the legs on your hoist to accommodate the lower lake level. 

Kris Mayer, Board Member

THANK AND FREQUENT OUR GENEROUS PLATINUM SPONSOR GIVING BACK

Goose Remediation Program: Population Control
Need Your Help

PLPOA files a permit,annually, with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources-Wildlife Division, to allow us to hire a contractor (Goose Busters LLC) to perform goose egg collection & nest destruction. The company comes to the lake, twice, in the spring, approximately two weeks apart. They launch a boat in the lake and travel to areas where we had nests in prior years, or where residents have reported a suspicious geese nesting area.

We need your help! PLEASE Contact us if geese are loitering in your area because there may be nests. Tell us the best description of the area of concern from the lake view. Often you will see a pair, then just the male swimming in the area.

Once the eggs are hatched, we are unable to do anything. Geese droppings contribute to elevations of E coli levels in the lake and removal of the eggs and nests will encourage the geese to migrate north. Every little bit helps:
* 2021 we removed 3 nests with a total of 19 eggs
* 2022 we removed 4 nests with a total of 26 eggs.

Thank you for your support.
Lucy Shields Henney DVM, Silver Sponsor & Board Member

Featured Article: A Bit of Pine Lake History

It's always fun to look back to see what our area used to be like before it became the Pine Lake as we know it today. I love charm, character and roots.  The roots around our area are interesting indeed. Let’s go back 100+ years. 

Something I just learned is, there used to be a hotel called the "Interlaken Hotel" at the end of Interlaken Drive.  In 1895, the hotel opened and became popular with "up North" vacationers. See picture below with a horse in front of the hotel!

And how many people reading this newsletter today remember eating dinner at the "Charley's Crab" restaurant, formerly known as the Rotunda Inn in 1930? It was located on the North side of the lake on Pine Lake Road. It burned down in 1975. The area is now populated with homes.

In 1902 the Auto Club of Detroit built its first Club house on Pine Lake. This was built mainly for socializing and promoting travel by automobile.  This was built where the current Pine Lake Country Club stands today.  In 1917, the Auto Club of Detroit changed its name to Pine Lake Country Club with an initial 7-hole golf course.

These historical tidbits are fun to share!   I hope you find them as interesting as I do. See historical photos below.

Information researched and provided by:
Paul Wilbur, resident on the lake, a 40 year auto executive, and amateur local historian.

Gwen Schultz, Silver Sponsor & Board Member

THANK AND FREQUENT OUR GENEROUS GOLD SPONSORS GIVING BACK

Q&A: Membership and Other Benefits

As you know dues are collected each year and used to maintain the water quality of Pine Lake. Further, as you also know, water quality directly impacts the value of your home! Below are some questions that may help you understand how you can help us make Pine Lake the Best it Can Be!

• When are dues invoices emailed for 2023? Invoices are sent to you about 2-3 weeks after the Annual Meeting held in May.

• Can I have a different email and street addresses for Dues payment? Yes, they can be different than the one you used to receive this email. Notify the PLPOA of any changes.

• What if I don’t have email? If we don’t have your email address, then the invoice is sent via USPS/ snail mail. For paid dues members without email, an invitation to the virtual Annual Board Meetings will also be sent USPS. For those without email you can read the Newsletter and get updates on the PLPOA website.

• What if I move? If you move, we ask that you notify the PLPOA that your house was sold, or you are no longer renting. If possible, please provide the name of the new owner or renter. You can click on “unsubscribe” at the bottom of the Newsletter if you no longer wish to receive it.

• Can I still pay my 2022 dues? Yes, although we ask for dues payment by August. We will still happily accept late payment. Pay Online HERE

• Can I make a donation? YES! Donations are very happily accepted! Checks can be mailed to PLPOA PO Box 222, Keego Harbor, MI 48320. Thank You! Donate HERE

• Can I advertise my business? YES! Become a Sponsor and promote your business! Becoming a sponsor is a great way to advertise and promote your business while supporting the lake.
  

  Donna Seligman, Board Member

Lake Safety: New Boaters - Boating Certificate

New to boating? Boaters born after June 30, 1996, and most personal watercraft operators who operate a vessel in Michigan, must have a boater education card (boating safety certificate). There are a few different ways to earn your boating safety certificate: For more information for online classes Click Here.

Your dues support hiring the sheriff to patrol the lake again this year. He completes safety inspections of boats on the lake, help educate boaters and ensure compliance with the MI boating laws. He is there for our safety.

Stacy Sullivan, Board Member

Your 2023 Board Members

President/Director - Lucy Young - Pine Lake Rd
Vice President/Director - Elaine Coffman - S. Shores/ Long Lake Rd Treasurer/Director - Heath Williams - Orchard Lake Road
Co-Secretary/Director - Gwen Schultz - Pine Center Association
Co-Secretary/Director - Ron Hodess - Pine Lake Marina Director/Advisor - Kevin Tourneur - Pine Lake Road
Director/Communications - Donna Seligman - Pine Lake Manor
Director/Goose Egg Control - Dr. Lucy Henney - Interlaken Association
Director/Safety/ Sheriff Patrol - Stacy Sullivan - Pine Lake Road
Director/Water Quality - Kris Mayer - Pine Lake Road

Former Board Members/Volunteer Consultants: Chris Viegas and Janine Kateff

REMINDER - NO FERTILIZER BETWEEN OCTOBER 1- MAY 1

Remind your lawn service about the no fertilizer ordinance.
Together, we can keep Pine Lake the best it can be!

THANK AND FREQUENT OUR GENEROUS SILVER SPONSORS GIVING BACK

Our Mission - Ensure safety, informed stewardship and promote good water quality on our most valuable resource.

CONTACT US

PLPOA Website