Lake Doster Homeowner’s Association Newsletter

Winter 2006

Calendar of Events:
•	Next LDHA board meeting: TUESDAY, April 11 at 7:30 PM    at the Lake Doster clubhouse.
•	Boat numbers – Call Dave Hurwitz at 664-5364.
•	Recycling: 2nd Wednesday of each month, Gun Plain Township only.
•	LDHA Website: www.ldha.homestead.com 
•	Webmaster e-mail: dfortune@chartermi.net
•	Newsletter Editor e-mail: Jane Secor (Kemper) at kemper-secor@worldnet.att.net _____________________
2006-07 	PHONE DIRECTORY UPDATE
Check your Phone Directory Listing TODAY.  Is it correct?  If not,
Contact Carole Kellogg IMMEDIATELY. 
Call 664-6420 or email info@lakedoster.org 
If Carole doesn’t hear from you, your listing will stay the same.  
PRESS TIME is MAY 1ST!

LDHA Annual
Easter Egg Hunt

Bring your kids to Brusselman’s Park to see what surprises the Easter Bunny has hidden.

Saturday, April 15 TH
At 2:00 PM

VOLUNTEERS are needed to make this event a success!  The time requirement is minimal, but we need help if we are going to make this event a success. Please call any board member to volunteer.
All LDHA members are invited to attend. 

 

 

Lake Doster Spring Clean-up

We need a few good neighbors to help spruce up
 our community.  Take pride in our community!

Meet us at the OLD FIREHOUSE just east end 
of the clubhouse on Country Club.

Saturday, April 22 at 9:00 AM.  

You bring your garden tools and teenage 
helpers and we’ll bring Hinkle’s donuts and
coffee & trash bags!   
Hope to see you there!

	

Winter 2006															Lake Doster Homeowner’s Association Newsletter		           	               						Page  2

March LDHA Board meeting Minutes, March 12, 2006 7:30 pm, Lake Doster Golf Club
Members Present: Kevin Koch, Dave Hurwitz, Suzanne DeJong, Casey Jones, Dave Fortune, 
Members Absent:  Ray Dertz, Marilyn Brainerd
1.	Treasurer’s Report:  Dave Fortune provided the treasurer’s report as of 3/12/06.  Income of $36.90 due to dues received of $25.00 and $11.90 from bank fees refunded. Expenses of $165.95, for USPS bulk mail permit ($160.00), and 1 bank fee ($5.95) assessed in error by bank. Ending balance in account on 3/12/2006 was $5,582.04. The Board approved disbursements totaling $650.00 for the following: $250.00 as a contribution for the Lake Doster Tennis courts repair and maintenance; $100.00 as a donation for the operation of the Gun Plain Sheriff’s vehicle; $50 as a donation for the electric cost of the lighting of the signs on M-89;  $250 for 5 Gift certificates ($50 each) for recognition of those persons that acted as chairpersons for the following events in 2005/2006 fiscal year: July 4 party; Labor day party; Newcomers Party; Children’s Christmas party; Easter Egg Hunt. Additional expense of $86.62 for wreaths for the M-89 wall signs, and funding up to $100.00 for spring clean up were approved. The budget for the Easter Egg Hunt was set at $300. Five other items for funding were discussed and tabled.  Dave Fortune also distributed a draft 2006-2007 budget for review and further discussion at the next meeting.
2.	Maintenance: Spring Clean Up is set for 9:00 am on April 22. Meet at the old firehouse located at the east end of Country Club, just east of the golf course clubhouse.  Hinkle’s donuts and coffee (and trash bags!) will be provided.  Please come and help!!
3.	Membership: Kevin Koch reported that no homes have sold since January 1, 2006. Discussion regarding a request for advertising in the annual homeowner’s directory was tabled until the Board could get feedback from the volunteers that prepare and administer the directory.
4.	Social: Easter Egg Hunt was set for Saturday April 15 at 2:00 pm.  All members are invited to attend. Volunteers are required and are asked to contact any board member for more info. The time commitment is not substantial, but required to make this event happen for the benefit of the children.
5.	Newcomers: No Board members were aware of any newcomers. The Board requests any members that are aware of new residents to please contact any Board member so that we can be assured of properly welcoming the new residents to our unique neighborhood.
6.	Safety: No specific events were reported to Suzanne DeJong. Dave Fortune requested all be considerate of their vehicle speed on the roads in the mornings while children are walking to the bus stops.
7.	Gun Plain Township: Casey Jones advised that the County Assessor has set the increase in assessed value of real estate at 3.3%, which is identical to the CPI increase. There was informative discussion on a variety of issues at the Township and County levels. 
8.	Other Business: Dave Fortune presented a marked up copy of the LDHA Bylaws for review and discussion at the next meeting. Changes are expected for member approval at the annual meeting. Dave will also post the bylaws on the LDHA website (www.lakedoster.org) and all members are encouraged to review and offer suggestions to any Board member.
9.	Other Business: 
•	Discussion by all Board members regarding the Lake Doster Lake Association, the Lake Doster Development Company Building Control Committee, and other changes at the Lake Doster Development Company was wide ranging. Further discussion is expected at upcoming Board meetings and all are encouraged to attend.
•	Discussion of the actions of the Gun Plain Township Board of Directors relative to the proposed Shagbark/Wilderness Hills development. The LDHA Board will be drafting a letter to the Gun Plain Board with specific focus on the issues of municipal sewer hook up relative to the 1000 foot mandatory hook up requirement, impact to the well head protection program, the issue of fairness of sharing the cost burden for the municipal system, and the statements of Gun Plain Board members relative to their perceived duty to enhance the value of the property for the benefit of the developer.
•	Dave Hurwitz reported that he had preliminary cost estimates on the feasibility of a paved pathway along Doster Road, and that he was continuing discussions with Barry County Road Commission.
•	The Board is in the process of identifying leaders that would like to join this very worthwhile organization in the capacity of Committee chairs or as elected Board Officers. The commitment is minimal and the impact to all of us is significant, and adds value and quality to our standard of living here in this very unique neighborhood. Please make an effort to donate some of your time for the continuity of this Association that dates back to 1968. Please contact any Board member, or come to our next meeting for more information.
The next meeting date will be on Tuesday April 11. Starting with the May meeting, the meetings will return to the second Monday of the month. (Winter meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month due to the availability of the clubhouse.)

Meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:15

LDHA Meeting Minutes for February 21, 2006
Board Members Present:  Kevin Koch, Dave Hurwitz, Ray Dertz, Suzanne DeJong, Dave Fortune.
Board Members Absent:  Nancy Watson, Marilyn Brainerd
Guests:  Carole Kellogg, Jack Kellogg, John Urban, Sean Willis, Ed Giffels

1.	Treasurer’s Report:  Dave Fortune reported that the account balance was $5,711.09 as of 1/31/06.  Disbursements were significant ($3,246.40) in November-January period due to the Newcomers Party and the Christmas Party.  Dave also reviewed the actual numbers versus the 2005-06 budget and reported that the income was higher than the budget and the expenses were about even with the budget.  For the next meeting, Dave will provide an estimate of the remaining expenses for 2005-06 and determine if any funds will be available for extra projects.
2.	Maintenance:   Ray Dertz reported that all buoys and rafts are ready for the 2006 season.  A discussion was held about what to do with the Christmas Trees that have been dumped by Brusselman’s Park.  Dave Fortune suggested that we contact the company that is doing the tree work for Consumer’s Energy to see if they will chip them.  Dave also urged all residents impacted by the tree work (indicated by the blue marks) to contact the tree company with any questions.  Their number is 1-800-445-3499, ext. 1.  Ask for Corey.
3.	Membership:  Nancy Watson has resigned due to other commitments and her responsibilities will be divided between Carole Kellogg and Dave Fortune.  Carole has agreed to handle some additional responsibilities for the newsletter.  Membership for 2005-06 is at 75-80% of residents.  Requests for 2006-07 Annual Dues will go out in April and invoices will be mailed in May.
4.	Newsletter:  A winter newsletter will go out after the next meeting (scheduled for 3/14).
5.	Social:  The Easter Egg Hunt date will be confirmed at the 3/14 meeting.
6.	Newcomers:  In Marilyn’s absence, the Board member’s and residents are urged to contact Kevin Koch if you are aware of any new residents.
7.	Safety:  Nothing to report.
8.	Gun Plain Township:  The new development at Shagbark/Wilderness Hills (see article below) was discussed and the general consensus of the Board was dissatisfaction with the decision by Gun Plain Township to allow this development to proceed without a sewer.  This was due to concern about the impact on lake quality and the objective of getting more homes on sewer to lower our rates.  The next opportunity to communicate with the Township on this matter will be at the March Planning Commission meeting.  Kevin Koch and Dave Fortune will attend this meeting if wilderness Hills is on the agenda.
Old Business:
•	Ray Dertz provided an update on the Lake Doster Lake Association lake acquisition process and reported that the By-laws are being updated.  A packet for each resident is being prepared for distribution.  Closure on the lake is scheduled for the end of March and the Lake Management Committee has started the ball rolling with a weed spraying company for 2006.
•	Dave Fortune will go through LDLA By-laws and highlight anything he feels needs possible revision.  The goal is for members to vote on the revised By-laws at the annual meeting in June.
New Business:
•	The Homeowner’s Association invited Shaun Willis to attend the meeting, since he is the new President of the Lake Doster Development Company.  Shaun was given an overview of the LDHA and then numerous items were discussed including:
•	Desire by the Development Company to turn over the management of the Building Control Committee for the non-lake properties (e.g. golf course) to local residents.
•	The need for a letter from Shaun to Lake Doster residents informing them of the management change and future procedures.  Shaun asked that the LDHA provide him with the questions we’ve received from residents, so they can be addressed in his letter.  He also asked for a list of restrictions that we feel need to be enforced.
•	The status of the Midlakes Southview and Dam development.
•	Sewer easement for the Shagbark/Wilderness Hills.
							The Board would like to thank Shaun for attending the meeting on such short notice!

The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 14th at 7:30 PM at Lake Doster Golf Course clubhouse.

Winter 2006 															Lake Doster Homeowner’s Association Newsletter	         	         	         								 Page 3

																						

A letter of introduction form Shaun Willis, President of the Lake Doster Development Company:
Hello, I just wanted to write and introduce myself and thought you may want to add the below information to your newsletter “New Neighbor’s section.” 
My brother, Michael J. Willis, J.D. C.P.A, and I (Shaun Patrick Willis, J.D.) own Willis & Willis, PLC a law firm with offices in Kalamazoo and Paw Paw,  we practice in Business Law, Estate Planning,  Construction Litigation, and  Real Estate Litigation.  Michael and I are grandsons of the late Barbara Kelly and Jack Kelly, the original owners, founders, and developers of the Lake Doster area.  
Just recently Michael and I became Co-Trustees of the Jack Kelly Trust,  I was recently appointed President of the Lake Doster Development Company.  In our ownership as trustees we are also responsible for the Kelly-Goodwin Company and Jack Kelly Farms.  
Any business or legal related matters pertinent to the Jack Kelly Trust, Lake Doster Development Company, Kelly-Goodwin Company, or Jack Kelly Farms should be directed to myself at the below address or phone numbers.  
Michael and I have enjoyed the lake as kids and are lifetime members at the Golf club.  We are very supportive of the Lake Doster community, and of our Grandfather’s vision of making Lake Doster a thriving community that provides an all inclusive setting not only for bringing up children but for leisure activities for all ages.   
The first order of business for Michael and I will be to assist in the sale of the lake bottom to the residents, we are looking forward to the success of this endeavor and hope for the community to come together to take advantage of this opportunity.  
Best Regards, 
Shaun Patrick Willis, J.D.

Winter 2006 															Lake Doster Homeowner’s Association Newsletter	         	          	             								 Page 4

To all Eligible Members of the Lake Doster Lake Association:

Beginning with this notice, all future electronic general correspondence to Eligible Members from the Lake Doster Lake Association (LDLA) will be sent from the address: LDLA@mei.net.  To avoid the possibility that your Internet Service Provider or the electronic mail software you use personally will interpret this mail as SPAM, please add our new address to your email directory.

If at any time you have questions or comments, or wish to contact us for any reason, please direct your correspondence to LDLA@mei.net.  Or, if you prefer, you may also contact a specific Board member directly.

Thank you for your cooperation.  We are now using email to communicate with 180 of our 266 Eligible Members.  As you know, this is much more efficient and much less expensive than using the postal service.

LDLA Board of Directors 

A NEW  9-Hole Ladies Golf League
 
Would you like to be a part of a new ladies league to be added to the Lake Doster Golf Club Schedule?
 
Tee times for 2-person teams will be Wednesdays, 5:15-6pm, beginning May 3 through August 30, 2006.  Lake Doster Golf Club Membership is NOT a requirement.  
 
We already have a number of ladies committed to play, so if you're interested and would like more information, please contact:
 
Lori Marshall                              
685-6344                             
lmarsh621@hotmail.com 

or...

Kay Hutchinson
664-6860
kehutch2@peoplepc.com

Winter 2006 															Lake Doster Homeowner’s Association Newsletter	         	          	             								 Page 5

WANTED: Some gently used boats.  If you want to sell your kayak, paddle boat, fish/ski boat, please call Kristin at 664-5181.
Trek Bike Tag-Along:  Single-wheel bike attachment for child. Excellent condition! (almost $200 new) For sale $125. Call 664-6096. 
Playmates for hire (or Mom’s Helpers).  Twin 11 year-old girls working on becoming baby sitters.  Available to come to your home (with supervision) to help entertain your children.  Jordan & Juliah are very responsible. $1.50/hour.  685-8112.
Longaberger Baskets & Pottery:  Beautiful baskets, kitchen accessories, spices & food.  Call to schedule a catalogue party or receive a catalogue.  Johanna Hoelscher 685-8112.
Need a better view?  Tree Trimming by Lake Doster Resident.  Reasonable prices.  Call Rich for a free estimate@ 664-5299.  ~~Chain Sharpening for $2.50 Each~~

Creative Memories:  Scrapbook supplies conveniently located in your neighborhood.  Home-based business offers personal shopping, crops and home demonstrations.  Call for new catalog, crop dates, personal shopping appointment, or home demonstration.  Call Sharon at 664-4883 or email: bnsschmidt@worldnet.att.net  Memory keeping at its best!
Invitation Imagination: Planning a birthday party, shower or tail-gate party?  We have a large selection of invitations and party accessories.  We also have personalized stationery if you are looking for a unique & personalized gift. Call Leslie Jo Hurwitz at 664-5364.
Piano and Voice Lessons:  Janet Richards KAMTA, 275A Fairway Ct, 664-5380
For Sale:  Silk arrangements for all occasions: oriental, nautical, etc: centerpieces and gift items.  Call Mary Jane at 685-8287.
Neighborhood Handyman available (landscaping, tile work, shelving, etc.). Call Chuck Gregory on Horseshoe Court at 685-5032 or cell phone #501-7706.  
Work Wanted—Yard work, odd jobs, animal sitting and walking, etc.  Please call Tom Richmond at 664-3277
Printex:  Doster residents and Printex owners Jim and Marlene Berry are offering free pickup and delivery of printing to any Lake Doster resident's home or business.    Get $25 off your first new order over $150. Call today for more info 962-5500.

Baby Sitters:
Emily Burley (4/2/90)* 				664-6969
Rosie Cool (04/12/91)					664-3613
Helen Dolley (1/13/93)*				664-5658
Ariel Gray (10/27/89)* 				664-5195
Michael Haas (7/26/92)				664-5417
Catey Koch - 9/23/93  				664-6096
      Safe Sitter Certified (Bronson)
Abby Murray (3/14/88) 				664-6643
Sarah Myles 									 	664-3059
Jenna Sheets (5/10/90)				664-5810
Branden Stewart (10/11/88)	664-3613
Sarah Skocelas (5/25/89)* 		664-4181
Katy Whited (5/10/90)         	664-5500
Kelsey Whittaker (06/03/90)
		Please call for resume’.   664-6232
    *Red Cross Certified

Pet Sitting:
Erin Cool (1/21/88)						664-3613
Rosie Cool (04/12/91)					664-3613
Helen Dolley (1/13/93)				664-5658
Ariel Gray (10/27/89) 					685-5195
Gena Haas (9/1/90)						664-5417
Jordan Hoelscher (12/8/94)  685-8112
Juliah Hoelscher (12/8/94)		685-8112
Jenna Sheets (5/10/90) 				664-5810
Sarah Skocelas (5/15/89)			664-4181
Abby Murray (3/14/88)				664-6643
Zach Saar (6/22/93)						664-4778
Branden Stewart (10/11/88)	664-3613

Yard Work:
Michael Haas (7/26/92)				664-5417
Zach Saar (6/22/93)						664-4778

Advertisements and personal notices should be submitted to Jane Secor at  kemper-secor@worldnet.att.net by the second Wednesday of the month.  Anyone submitting an ad or notice must be a member of LDHA.  Include your name, address, phone number and birthday (children only).  Please be brief—two or three lines.  Unless you specify otherwise, ads or notices will run for two months.