June 2013
Great Bear Lake
SPRING
NEWSLETTER
Board of Directors
2012-2013
President:
Jim Cecott
(269) 521-3080
Vice President:
John Byrne
(269) 521-3633
Board Members:
Webmaster:
George Herzog (708) 478-0184
Jill Lambrecht- (773) 484-3060
Hudson
Chris Tamburrino (630)688-3797
Michael Bolton (269) 521-7839
Rich Intrieri (269) 521-4304
Tim Washburn (269) 624-6552
Executive Director
Debra Berkey
(269) 521-7871
Dates of Interest
Lake Dam Board
Installation
May 11
Van Buren Youth Camp
Music Fest
June 9th
ANNUAL MEETING
at Van Buren Youth Camp
(VBYC)
July 7- 10:30 AM
BAGS TOURNAMENT
Herzog Property
July 6th- 1pm
Association
President’s Corner— Jim Cecott
Dear Great Bear Lake Community Members:
Welcome back for the 2013 season @ Great Bear Lake. We are looking
forward to a safe relaxing year at the lake. The Board is working on your behalf
for the betterment of all land owners. We are constantly working to improve
water quality by testing, sediment pond maintenance and encouraging all of
us to maintain our septic systems. Boating is a great benefit at G.B.L. Following a few safety rules will make it a pleasure for all.
Hope to see all of you at the annual meeting.
Executive Secretary Report- Deb Berkey
Just as soon as the weather shows up, we’ll start the summer. Stay tuned……. I was told
- when I moved to Kalamazoo (1985) and to the lake in 1986- if you don’t like the Michigan
weather, just drive 15 minutes in any direction and “it” will change. Let’s hope the change lasts
longer than 15 minutes in the near future. Speaking of change, we have a few to announce for the
2013 season.
During the past year, the board has experimented with the concept of an executive secretary to manage the day-today operation of the association. Essentially, the position is focused
on the roles and responsibilities of the secretary and treasurer of the organization. In addition,
the duties are to monitor local governance that impacts the lake residents, keep the board informed of activities on the lake and offer direction regarding board activities and actions. The
effectiveness of this experiment will be reviewed at the next board meeting and, subsequently, at
the Annual Meeting.
Speaking of the Annual Meeting, it will be held this year on SUNDAY– JULY 7 at the
VAN BUREN YOUTH CAMP BEGINNING AT 10:30 AM– MICHIGAN TIME. Please plan to
come. We promise to be done no later than Noon. Items on the agenda include the Special Assessment District : Weed Control, Shoreline Regulations, Water Quality and Board Governance.
If you have additional items, please, contact Jim Cecott or Deb Berkey.
The BAGS Tourney will take a road trip from the Tweedie Property to the Herzog’s on
46-1/2 Street. We have been very fortunate to hold our event at the Tweedies’. Wendy and Jack
have been extraordinary hosts. This year, they are welcoming their third grandchild who will be
born in North Carolina. The arrival of the baby—like our weather- is unpredictable. SO,
George and Char Herzog have consented to host the tournament this year. Amy Seth will continue to manage the event which will take place on Saturday, JULY 6 with a start time of 1:00
PM. Please sign up! The flyer is attached.
(Continued– page 2)
June 2013
BAGS TOURNEY
Saturday-JULY 6TH
HERZOG’S
46490 14th Avenue
Great Bear Lake Association
P.O. Box 294
Bloomingdale, Michigan 49026
(Intersection of 46-1/2 and 14th/Peninsula Dr.)
SIGN UP TODAY!
Visit our website at:
http:www.GBearLake.com
BOAT SAFETY ON
GREAT BEAR LAKE
Lake Weed Spray
For Weed Spray information:
Andy at Professional Lake Management (PLM)
(616) 891-1294 or [email protected].
This is a voluntary program. It will be discussed at the Annual
Meeting.
LAKE WEED SPRAY DATES-WEEKS OF
JUNE 25 & JULY 30.
*Please be advised not to use the water for swimming/bathing / pet drinking for 24 hours after.
Executive Secretary, continued
Please be reminded that there is a NO WAKE
zone in the channel. Many families swim in that area.
Please help keep them safe. Remember, boats have no
brakes---speed makes wakes that can be very dangerous. If you choose to stop at the sand bar, please, make
this a short visit and not a destination for day. The
home owners adjacent have the same rights that you do
to enjoy the lake. The fire lane is closed after 10:30
PM. This area is posted and monitored by the Van
Buren Sheriff’s Department. Please educate your visitors about these areas and remind others to use.
I look forward to working with you this summer to continue to sustain Great Bear Lake as the best
little lake in SW Michigan. See you at the Annual
Meeting!!!
————————————————————————————-
Take Pride in GREAT BEAR LAKE with
a GBLA boat sticker.
One free decal to paid GBLA members.
Additional are available for $1.00 each.
Please remind family and visitors who may
use your boat to follow the counter clockwise direction when boating on our lake,
and that the channel is a no wake zone.
Please be courteous to other boaters, swimmers and land owners. You can stay current
on Michigan boating laws by visiting:
www.michigan.gov/dnr.
Great Bear Lake Association
Membership Term
July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014
Payment for 2013-2014
is due by July 7, 2013.
Please support the Association through
your membership and attendance at the
Annual Meeting.
SIGN UP FOR ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS
Please share your email address by including it on your
2013 Dues Envelope to receive GBLA Newsletters and/or
other important GBLA communications electronically.
Your address will not be shared, nor used for any advertisement purposes. You may opt out at any time by
notifying the Great Bear Lake Association
Executive Secretary.