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.