Sun Setting on the Warm Weather

Hi all,

As the sun sets on the warm weather and some cottages need to be closed down for the season, here are some notable dates for seasonal homeowners. The community well will be turned off on Monday, October 19, 2009. This is also the last day of regular garbage pickup. The weekend of October 17-18 will be the last opportunity to use these services this season.

Also, thanks again to Fran O'connell for recording the minutes at the 2009 Annual Shareholders Meeting and posting them to the blog. You will find them posted below. Dave

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Minutes of MBE Annual Shareholder Meeting July 4, 2009

Michago Beach Estates

MINUTES
Annual Shareholders MEETING
July 4, 2009

Trustees in attendance: David Dwyer- President, Peg Feldt-Treasurer, Fran O’Connell- Secretary, Joe Twist-Trustee.


1. President called the Annual Shareholders Meeting to order at 11 am. A quorum

was present. The President then called for additions to agenda. There were no additions

2. Secretary presented the Minutes of the July 5, 2008 meeting. There was a motion to approve the minutes as corrected (Montague Road was corrected the Michago Road). The motion was seconded and approved.

3. Treasurer presented a report of income and expenses for the previous year and ending cash balance of $14,955.49 in all accounts as of June 30, 2009. Unpaid dues, water and garbage amounted to $1820. Peg mentioned that dues are for the period November 1 to October 31. There was a motion to approve the report as presented. The motion was seconded and approved.

President presented the proposed dues for the 2009-10 year:
Undeveloped lot $55
Developed lot $110
Water $70
Garbage $95
Beautification
Undeveloped lot $10
Developed lot $20

There was a motion to approve the proposed annual dues as presented. The motion was seconded and approved

4. Election of Trustees: Three Trustee positions are to be voted on. President presented the slate of nominees: Barb Gallaher, Sally Twist and Mark Dwyer. The President called for nominations from the floor. Being none, it was moved and seconded to close nominations. Following a written vote by members in attendance and by proxy, Barb Gallagher, Sally Twist and Mark Dwyer were elected to the Board of Trustees. The President thanked the outgoing Trustees for their work on behalf of Michago Beach Estates.

5. Old Business:
a. Road Repairs: Due to heavy water runoff due to melting snows and rainfall, Toboggan Road and north Sunset will need to be graded and slag put down on Toboggan Dr. The pipe at the intersection of Toboggan and Sunset also needed to be covered. When Sunset Drive is graded, there was a suggestion to taper the road edges and to plant grass to lessen runoff. .
South Michago Drive will also need to be graded. That project will be planned for 2010.
Richard Klinkner suggested investigating a dry well be installed up on the south end of Michago Drive to facilitate drainage. No action was taken.
It was also mentioned that years ago the Association tried giving streets within the boundary of Michago Estates to the County. The question was raised if the Association wanted to attempt this again. By voice vote, the decision was no.


b. Drainage: The culvert was trenched earlier in the spring to improve the water flow. The drainage pipe that runs under Surfside Dr also needs repairs. An estimate to do the work will be obtained.
c. Beautification: A garbage can has available at the top of the steps to the beach, and the can will be emptied weekly. Members were asked not to use fire rings as trash collectors.
d. Speed Bumps: The speed bumps will not be installed on Michago Rd for the upcoming season.

6. New Business:
a. Community Blog site: President announced that the Association has a Blog site: Michago.blogspot.com. All owners are encouraged to visit the site.
b. Tree and Shrubs removal: Members were reminded to avoid throwing tree limbs and shrub down the bluff banks.
c. Bluff erosion: Members are reminded to not cut down trees on the bluff. Tree branches can be cut and removed.
d. Long range Projects;
i. Drainage: Drains are needed at Sunset and Toboggan and possibly one on Surfside. We do not have an estimate yet for this work.
ii. Consider resurfacing Toboggan Drive
iii. Grading Furman. Tree limbs need to be trimmed on Furman. A couple of association members offered to do the trimming.
iv. Footbridge may need some work
e. Miscellaneous Project suggestions
i. A portable walkway from the end of the beach stairs to the water. The walkway could be removed and stored during the winter.
ii. Port-a-potty at the top of the beach stairs.
f. Safety Reminders: Owners are reminded that jet skiers are to ride outside of 2nd sandbar which is about 100 feet from the beach. Owners are asked to remind children and visitors of the Coast Guard Rules regarding use of jet skies. It was also suggest that the Coast Guard rules posted.
g. Motorized vehicles use: Discussion use of motorized vehicles (other than cars and trucks) driven or ridden by children and adults at the risk of the driver. Michago Beach Estates has no responsibility.

7. Other Business
a. Beach Clean-up Date: Saturday, Sept 5th at 10 a.m.
b. A history of Michago Beach Estates is being compiled.
c. Visit the Michago Blog site.

8. Adjournment: Moved and approved at 12:25 pm.


Respectfully submitted

Fran O’Connell
Secretary

Beach Clean-up on Saturday, September 5, 2009

With August upon us, we have to start planning for some of the end-of-season routine tasks. This year's beach cleanup day will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 5, 2009 of Labor Day weekend. Volunteers please contact Peg F. at 894-4052 and bring a shovel or rake. Thanks.

Michago History

We are trying to gather information on the history of Michago. Let us know if you have any historical details that you're willing to share with the community. Here's what we know:

Michago Beach Estates, Inc. is a private community which was founded on July 25, 1975 at the first shareholders meeting of Michago Beach Estates Association. Located on the bluffs of Lake Michigan, the community lies between White Lake and Stony Lake, MI, where Webster Road turns north and becomes Scenic Drive. Michago is divided into 65 lots with vacation cottages, all-season houses, and undeveloped lots.

Michago History
· 1929: Father Furman purchased the 80 acre parcel including the farmhouse and barn

· 1930: Father Furman dies and leaves the property to his nephews.

· 1930's: Albert Furman acquires the property from his brothers and cousins

· 1930's and 40's: Visiting frequently with his wife Elizabeth, son Albert (Bud), and daughter Patricia, Albert installs a bathroom and electricity in the farm house.

· 1940s: Albert modernizes the farm house and builds the big house on the foundation of the old barn.

· 1961: Albert Furman dies and Elizabeth Furman puts the property up for sale.

· 1963: Joe C, Tom D., and Bill N. form a partnership to purchase the property and plan to subdivide it and sell lots. The families share the existing houses with plans to build their own homes in the future.

· c. 1965-66: Bill N. buys the big house.

· c. 1966: Tom D. builds a house on the beach.

· 1967: Joe C. builds his cottage on the bluff overlooking Toboggan and Surfside drives.

· 1970-71: After renting cottages for a couple years, Dwyers buy a lot and build their cottage next to the ball field.


Do you have any more details? When did you buy or build your house? Any fond memories or milestones that you would like to share?

Please add your details/comments here or email them to michagobeach@gmail.com. Continue to check the website, Michago.blogspot.com, for updates. ...Dave D.

Simple Rules to Guide Activities for Residents, Renters, and Guests

As discussed at the annual meeting on July, 4, 2009, here is a copy of the Simple Rules to Guide Activities for Residents, Renters, and Guests. Each cottage/home should have a copy. If you have renters this season, please give them a copy and go over it with them. Many thanks for your cooperation.

Very Pleasant 4th of July Weather

It was a very pleasant 4th of July weekend, weather-wise in Michago. Except for chilly lake temperatures, we were fortunate with sunny days, cool nights, and beautiful sunsets. Here's a glimpse of the sunset on the 4th with some small fireworks to the north.

For those interested, here's a wrap-up of Rothbury Festival.

Michigan's Personal Watercraft Rules

Pictured here and described below are Michigan's requirements for operation of personal watercraft (PWC).

PWC operators must obey additional legal requirements that apply specifically to the operation of personal watercraft on Michigan waters. Requirements Specific to PWCs:

• Each person riding on or being towed behind a PWC must wear a U.S. Coast Guard—approved Type I, II, or III PFD. Inflatable PFDs may not be used. See PFD age restrictions.
• You may not allow a child under 7 years of age to ride on or be towed behind a PWC unless with a parent or guardian or designee of the parent or guardian.
• The lanyard of a PWC's ignition safety switch must be attached to the person, clothing, or PFD of the operator.
• It is illegal to operate a PWC during the period that begins at sunset and ends at 8:00 a.m. “Sunset” means that time determined by the national weather service.
• PWCs must be operated in a reasonable and prudent manner at all times. It is illegal to: Jump the wake of another vessel unnecessarily close to the other vessel. Weave your PWC through congested traffic. Swerve at the last possible moment to avoid collision.
• A PWC must be operated at "slow, no wake speed" if crossing within 150 feet behind another vessel unless the other vessel is also a PWC.
• You may not operate a PWC within 200 feet of a Great Lakes shoreline unless traveling at "slow, no wake speed" perpendicular to the shoreline.
• You may not operate a PWC in waters less than two feet deep unless you are operating at "slow, no wake speed" or are docking or launching your PWC.
• It is illegal to harass wildlife or disturb aquatic vegetation with your PWC.

Roads and Culvert Maintenance

Due to all the rain we've had this year, we needed to do some work on the roads and the drainage systems in the compound. We've put down slag on the roads, graded Michago, Toboggan, and Surfside drives, and cleared the blockage at the culvert near the upper well-house (pictured here). We will be working on Sunset and Surfside drives next. Many thanks to John M. and Peg F. for coordinating the work being done.

Beach

We have quite a lot of beach this year. However, as you can see in the picture, most of it is covered with beach grass. As we start to use the beach more and more this summer and spread out beach towels, the grass will wither away.

New Stairway Lights and Road Grading

You may notice new lights on the stairs leading to the beach. See picture. Thank you to the beautification committee for recommending these lights, which will make it easier to find the stairs at night.

Also, after receiving more than three inches of rain in the past week, the roads had to be re-graded to keep them in good shape.

Annual Shareholders' Meeting Saturday, July 4 at 11:00 a.m.

The annual shareholders' meeting is scheduled for Satuday, July 4, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. under Feldt's tree. In preparation for the shareholder's meeting, the board will be meeting over the Memorial Day weekend to set the agenda and prioritize projects/expenses for the year.

Michago Spring 2009

The community well was turned on April 15, 2009.