February 2011 – Issue 40
If we had no winter, spring would not be nearly as pleasant.
Puffs from the Chief’s Tepee
This winter has been another very severe one. We have had over two feet of snow so far, and
there is more in the forecast! To see pictures of the winter in our community go to https://indianlakeclubinc.com/. The weather caused the cancellation of our January Board meeting. Some members couldn’t make it off the top of the mountain, while I couldn’t travel from Ninety Six. We had over seven inches of snow in the low country!
But even without meeting, the work of the Board has continued. Dick Hennig has been busy tracking down water leaks. This difficult task has been made much more challenging considering the weather conditions. Ed Tisdale con- tinues to refine our new website. Julie Coggins is representing our community at Mountain Residents Group, a new organization that is being formed to represent the interests of the citizens of Western Transylvania County.I have heard nothing but praise for the Road Committee and Dave Crocker following the completion of Operation Asphalt. The moneys raised for this project allowed paving of the following roads:
• Indian Lake Road from the entrance to Hiwassee Road
• Hiwassee Road from the Waterfront Park to 5 Points
• Tellico Lane
• Two sections of lower Toxaway Trail
• Indian Lake Road from Toxaway Trail to the first corner
The pressing reason for these improvements was mainly safety, but the upgrades have given the community a much warmer and inviting feel. Now we can travel about 1½ miles into the community without having to dodge potholes. The work is far from completed. There are still sections that are unacceptable. The Road Committee is planning additional repair for early
spring, but our budget will allow only about a third as much paving as was completed in November.
In conjunction with the paving, the Beautification Committee replaced the fencing at the entrance and relocated the existing shrubbery. The majority of this work was paid for by member donations.
Fred Petersen repaired the entrance lighting. Thank you all.
Remember, spring is not too far away. Soon we will be able to meet at the Waterfront Park and enjoy the companionship of our community friends. Until then, stay safe and warm and make plans to spend as much time as you can in our mountain
paradise. ~everett
One kind word can warm three winter months.
Wampum Report
December 2010: Fifth Third Business Checking $ 2,033.28
Fifth Third Business Platinum Money Markert $129,395.49
Total Assets $131,428.77
Operation Asphalt: Loans $ 80,000.00
Assessment Pre-payments $ 30,439.00
Total $110,439.00
Paving (Nov ‘10) $ 97,086.42
Balance $ 13,352.58
Assessments – as of 19 February
Fully Paid 57 Owners
Payment Plan 20 Owners
Delinquent 16 Owners
Foreclosure 2 Owners, representing 7 lots
For this effort on your part, the Board of Directors thanks you. This payment schedule is better than ever! ~frank
What is the difference between a taxidermist and a tax collector?
The taxidermist takes only your skin.
Mountain Residents Group
This is a newly formed non-political organization composed of mountain residents and businesses in the western portion of Transylvania County. Its goal is to bring attention to areas of concern and interest to full-time residents in Western Transylvania County.
Benefits are intended to: emphasize public service priorities that represent the general needs of both residents and businesses; emphasize those deficiencies by filling in the holes; and supplement the work of existing POA’s in their communities.
Projects planned include: establishing a satellite Sheriff’s Office in the Lake Toxaway
Fire/Rescue
complex; initiating a special telecommunications frequency for use during storm ‘blackout’ periods; working with the local business community.
Sponsored events planned include: annual safety day with the Lake Toxaway Fire/Rescue; annual free medical assessment and testing; law enforcement safety lectures at the community center; and annual Christmas pancake breakfast at the community center for law enforcement and fire department personnel. The first meeting was held 31 January; the next meeting is scheduled for 28 February.
~julie
On Speed
We talk often of the speed with which some of our residents and service folks drive. We have said that when a vehicle is traveling at more than twenty miles per hour on our roads, we are not in control of the vehicle. It is in control of us!
We have asked, demanded, and reminded our residents to maintain a speedof 20 mph, maximum. We have pondered the installation of various regulators.One of our residents recently sent the following poem to the Board.
It’s been quite a year of decisions to make.
Including the dam, roads, and stocking the lake.
With everyone’s ideas, thoughts, and sage advice,
Plans had to be made and checked at least twice.
It’s great that the holes in the road have been fixed,
And, you’re right, the speeders and their damage must be nixed.
I don’t want to say, “I told you so”,
But my suggestion would still save us all some dough.
Signs and begging will not stop those speeders;
It will take some guts by the Club’s wise leaders.
Installing SPPED BUMPS is the way to go…
To keep the traffic nice and slow.
Speed Bump Bob (Gibson)
Adopt the pace of nature… her secret is patience.
Kudos
Kristen Zachary, sixth grader at Rosman Middle, is practicing with the high school band, in
preparation for the band’s trip to London in 2012, for the Olympic ceremonies. She also made All-State in Chorus and will travel to Greensboro in May for state competition. Kristen is the daughter of Julie and Lyndon Coggins.
She asked the Board to convey her thanks to all in the community who supported her Girl Scout Troop during the cookie drive.
Everyman’s Prayer – I will try this day to live a simple life – serene and sincere –
by repelling thoughts of discontent, cultivating cheerfulness, exercising economy,and
displaying generosity in giving and carefulness in conversation.
Prayers and Thoughts
The Eatons and Endicotts appreciated your kind thoughts and words during their early winter tribulations. Both Marge and Carol are feeling much better and are back to almost normal schedules.
Your thoughts are directed to the Pences at this time. Barb will undergo some knee surgery
shortly. We will keep you posted.
The Gawronskis have been faced with some problems as well. Madonna has had cataract surgery and is healing well. Gerry has had surgery on a ruptured Achilles tendon. He reports that the crutches, casts, and boots are a big nuisance, but he will be back in full swing in a few months.
Please keep them in your thoughts.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
May the road rise up to meet you and may the wind be always at your back.
Signals from the Tribal Council
WATER: Dick Hennig – chair. For the past two month, the wells have been pumping more water than necessary. The committee and water management are working on the problem – monitoring daily use, seeking leaks, and carefully checking the system.
DENR – NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Public Water Supply Section – continue to add more testing and analyses. This increases the costs of managing water systems throughout the state. This trickles on down to the consumer, in our case – the Club.
ROADS: Dave Crocker – chair. The committee will be meeting during the month to assess the areas that need repair. At the next Board meeting, a prioritized list will be presented; work will commence in early spring.
LAKES/DAMS: Dick Endicott – chair . DENR – Division of Land Resources, has responded to the Emergency Action Plan for Indian Lake dam, prepared in November. Overall, the plan is acceptable.
The hazard mapping requires more work, and the state has recommended that our local fire
department review the map and provide additional information, as they are first responder to any emergency. Ed is meeting with the officers at the department to complete this mapping.
ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL: Paula Markert – chair. The committee is working on a procedure that the Club might follow concerning lot consolidations. Neighboring POA’s/HOA’s are being investigated to see what they do when a member requests that their lot designation be changed form more than one to a single lot.
Editor’s Note: The POA or HOA for Indian Lake Estates is Indian Lake Club, Inc. The “founding fathers” adopted this connotation; it is registered in the corporate documents with the State of North Carolina, filed in 1975. So our language is a little different than our neighbor’s, including the fact that we don’t pay dues; we pay an assessment.
BEAUTIFICATION: Joyce Bedenbaugh – chair. The committee’s work schedule includes plant design and placement at the front entrance garden area, continual maintenance of the Waterfront Park, and work in the outcrop and other green areas.
The replacement of the post and rails at the front entrance looks great. 75% of its cost was
covered by member donations. A canoe rack inventory was recently completed; thank you Lec Hobbs for your work. If you have more than one space occupied, please remove that item. If you would like a space, check with the committee. The post and rail system on the Rainbow Lake dam needs repair or replacement; this will be discussed as spring approaches.
WEBSITE: Ed Tisdale – webmaster. https://indianlakeclubinc.com/ The website has had 1366 hits since its inception. Specific view numbers are as follows: home page 572, photo gallery 113, members only 57, property for sale 45, about us 44, other information 42, forthcoming events 42, bulletin board 39, local restaurants 30, work schedule 29, Board of Directors 28, and newsletters 28.
If you are experiencing difficulty accessing Members Only, contact Ed; he will walk you through the process.
Volunteers are the only human beings on the face of this earth
who reflect this nation’s passion, its unselfish caring and patience,
and the realism of just plain love of one another.
Changing of the Guard
The following letter to the Board of Directors was posted 22 February 2011. Much time and thought has been given to this decision.
Dear Board,
I have served on the Board of Directors since August of 2000, and as your
Secretary/Treasurer since August of 2004.It is with mixed feelings, but a firm decision, that I tender my resignation from Indian Lake Club, Inc. Board of Directors, effective at the close of the 9 March Board of Directors meeting.
It is time to pursue other activities, there being some interesting opportunities that
have opened. Jean and I are leaving the mountains for a month on the 22nd of March. It would behelpful to both us and the Board to have the Club equipment – furniture, tools,
paperwork, et al – removed by then.
We will return home on 16 April.
Sincerely and respectfully,
~frank
To the community-at-large: Thank you for giving me this privilege. I have enjoyed the honor, and challenge, of serving the community in these roles. I shall miss the work, my comrades-in-arms, and the day-to-day decisions, but it is simply time to move on.
Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an
attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and shouting, “Wahoo! What a ride”!
Earth’s Bounty
National Wildlife Federation celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, and National Wildlife Week during 14-20 March. Join the thousands of wildlife enthusiasts across the country who have been recognized for creating havens for wildlife right where they live. National Wildlife Federation’s Certified Wildlife Habitat program will help you plan your landscape in your yard or outdoor living space with the needs of wildlife in mind. Visit www.nwf.org/habitat to find out how.
Now is the Time: Some winter tips From the NC Cooperative Extension –
You can still plant spring flowering bulbs; large healthy bulbs may still bloom.
Prune limbs and branches injured by snow and ice. Be sure to use a sharp pair of
pruners or a sharp saw in order to make a clean cut.
Overgrown summer-blooming shrubs can be pruned in late February or early March.
Winter is a great time to clean and sharpen your garden tools.
Continue to replenish bird seed through the winter months.
Perennials are herbaceous plants that re-emerge in the garden each year. Their growth begins anew in spring on rootstock that over-winters in the soil. You can rely on them to give outstanding repeat performances year after year. Most bloom for an average of 5-8 weeks, offering an assortment of flower shapes and colors. Each plant in the following list has many varieties; visit your local garden center for help.
~yarrow daisy chrysanthemum
coreopsis dianthus foxglove
coneflower gaillardia cranesbill
baby’s breath larkspur aster ~frank
Smoke Signals
INDIAN LAKE CLUB, Inc.
PO BOX 371
LAKE TOXAWAY NC 28747
Reduce Reuse Recycle
Call of the Wild –
To the Celts, animals were living links between
the known world of form and reason, and the hidden world of intuition and spirit.
The raven and the owl brought secret knowledge.
The snake and the dragon foretold a coming transformation.
Then there was the cat – Grimalkin in a thousand poems –
who was both a revered familiar and treasured companion.