I spoke of this Sunday

Sandy, Bonnie, and Ellen are waiting for you to sign up to help the families in need with their Christmas gifts and meals. Stop by the Rec center to take part.

Even more to do!

Tuesday evening Lake Management meeting

  There was actually a pretty good crowd that showed up for the meeting to hear about the proposal to apply for a planning grant to partially fund development of a long term plan for watershed work to improve the water quality of our lake.

  The meeting led off with a report the burn of Friendship Park has been completed. Next spring there will be spraying to kill the 40% of weeds that are non-native and not good for our lake. After the weed killing is completed there will be planting of good native species. Firefly Bay will also be killed and replanted. Firefly is completely overrun with the bad weeds. Other green areas on the lake will be handled in future budget years.

  The black pipe leading into the dip has had some repairs already. A camera was run from Caledonia Road forty five feet into the pipe toward Candlewick. There was plugging from roots cutting the water flow. The roots were removed in that section.

  Lake Management is in the process of setting up a website to keep P.O.s in the loop about lake issues as well as actions being taken for our lake.

  Next the presentation was made about the grant possibilities for planning then future implementation grants. I have covered most of the information here in prior posts so I will not go into a lot of detail.

  Getting an implementation grant is almost impossible without a solid plan. An analogy was used to explain the process. It is like going into a bank for a loan for a new business to manufacture and sell a product. You can not just go in and say you need money, you have to explain the business plan or the bank will not make the loan. Same situation here, without a plan to present we will have no basis to apply for the implementation grants that appear to be available, although nothing is ever certain. Our state is broke but these are federal grants that we are informed are available. If we want to start the remediation process for our lake we should act now. We are lucky to be in what is called the Kishwaukee watershed, which is a top priority for the government to maintain as a clean waterway. This is our best shot to get grants as a private lake.

  Now to the cost. The entire package to write the plan and apply for the planning grant will be $83,000.00. Our share of the cost should be $16,000 plus some billable labor time, some of which will be through meeting attendance and administrative costs. Not too bad for a total $83,000 package making it possible to apply for and hopefully get further federal grants for implementation. The future grants will also be ones where we must supply some funds to get those grants. As I stated before, we have to spend money to get money.

  This is not a quick fix. We are looking at the physical work beginning in 2014 and continuing going forward much as we are doing with roads. The alum treatment is still on the table as a quick fix then hopefully our inflow will have improved greatly by the time the alum treatment wears off.

  When this idea first came to light I felt it was a waste. As the explanations have progressed I am seeing the logic in long range planning and implementation to make our lake as much a quality body of water as possible.

 

Ken Dillenburg

Lake management rec center 6:30 Tuesday

Tonight is the Lake Management meeting at 6:30 P.M. This is your chance to ask any questions about the proposed lake remediation plan that can be used for future grant applications. This, if adopted, will affect your dues going forward so you really need to know what is being planned to bring our lake back to quality and keep it there.
I know a lot of you simply can't make it so I will have a brief synopsis of the meeting if anything comes up that I have not already covered here. 
Ken

Food Pantry fundraiser

FOOD PANTRY FUNDRAISER

Join us Sunday, November 18^th, 2012

At 4:00 P.M.

At the Candlewick Lake  Rec Center

Banquet Room

For another Chocolate Party

To benefit

The Belvidere/Boone County Food Pantry

This was a huge success last year with

Lindt/Lindor Chocolates being presented with truffles and other products being featured.

Perfect for Christmas Gifts or for serving special treats during the holidays.

Nothing finer to enjoy in a spirit of fellowship for a wonderful cause.

Please call Judy Rio 815-765-1713

For more information or to R.S.V.P so we know how many guests we need to be ready to serve.  See you there!

The sadness of aging

  The last few days have been tough. Mom is 89 now and she is having age related problems we will probably all face. Monday her move to assisted living was completed. It is going to be tough on her at first.

  She is experiencing change and change is hard at that age. How do you explain to someone she has to go for her own well being? Simply saying it happens to all of us eventually really doesn’t ease the pain of the circumstance. It would be like saying yes, you have a terminal illness but we all have to die some time so it is all right.

  Think of going into a new place where you are vulnerable. She will be a stranger…the new person. I have visions of her sitting by herself feeling very alone. I pray some of the other ladies will become fast friends. There is no other way to put it, she is scared. I would be scared. This is a real gut-wrencher for us. It is worse than sending your children to kindergarten alone for the first time. The kids will come home. Mom will not.

  We will pray for the best and put on a happy face for Mom, assuring her this is a new fun chapter in her life with all the activities and meals being cooked for her. As we walk to our cars the smiles fade like the setting sun, only to reappear for her benefit the next time we visit. We’ll all get through it but with sadder lives.

Ken Dillenburg

Weekly Public Safety report

Important Candlewick Lake Information

Candlewick Lake Public Safety

 

WEEKLY REPORT

Week ending 11/11/2012

Rescue Calls

Public Safety responded to the 400 block of Talladega for a juvenile off his medication.  The subject was transported for treatment.

Public Safety responded to the 100 block of Chanticleer for a subject who could not move the left side of their body.  The subject was transported for treatment.

Public Safety responded to the 200 block of Rochester for a subject found unresponsive.  It was determined the subject was deceased.  There was no indication of foul play.

Public Safety responded to the 100 block of Poseidon for a report of a subject with heart problems.  The subject was transported for treatment.

Public Safety responded to the 2500 block of Candlewick Dr. for a subject having slurred speech and numbness in left side.  The subject was transported for treatment.

Suspicious Activity

Public Safety responded to 200 block of Talladega for a report of a fire.  Public Safety extinguished the fire and it was determined that large tree stumps had been set on fire.  The matter is under investigation.

Disorderly Conduct

Public Safety responded to the 100 of Gables for a report of a house that had been egged. 

Damage to Property

Public Safety responded to the 300 block of Liverpool for outside decorations that were damaged.

Public Safety responded to 200 block of Picadilly for a report of a car damaged by a fallen tree branch.

Public Safety responded to the 200 block of King Henry for a report of a vacant house damaged.

Public Safety responded to damaged signs at Castaway park.  The sign had profanity written on it.  The damage has since been removed.

Public Safety responded to the 300 block of Bounty for juveniles removing items from a vacant house.  The juveniles were located by Public Safety and the matter was turned over to the Sheriff’s Department.

Citations Issued 9

Warnings Issued 15

 

We thank you for taking the time to read these important updates.

Being informed is half the battle.  

Did any of you see it?

 This morning about 6:30 I saw two eagles gliding and swooping not far off our frontage. One took a plunge at the water with the other close behind then hovered as his talons hit the water. I watched for him to come up with a fish but he flew back up with nothing. I then saw a coot bob to the surface where the eagles had been. I guess the eagles were going for a coot breakfast! Interesting to watch.
Ken

Amen to this, not just today!

What a perfect post for a Sunday!

It is that time of year again for sharing the blessings we have been given. This program has given presents and fine Christmas meal to many families in our own Candlewick community. No child should go without nice presents on Christmas morning. The recipients will never know your name but you will have that warm feeling knowing you made Christmas more exciting for those kids. As I recall last year there were so many good hearted people here the organizers had to ask for more names of needy family. That says something about you folks. You always come through.

(posted by Ken)

I try to make it myself. It is good exercise. Ken

Here is a free amenity not everyone knows about a FREE EXERCISE CLASS held in our gym Monday-Friday 9:15-10:15.

No cost or signup sheet just bring clean tennis shoes to exercise in.  

We have several hour long exercise DVDs to pick from donated by different residents that are projected onto the wall. They are all easy to follow and great workout for every age group. Everyone is welcome, it's a great way to meet people, get out of the house and have some fun!

Barb Appelhans

I should have mentioned this

When I switched to this new site I failed to mention I will be happy to post any positive news or comments about our community. Should you have a comment you wish to make or just a good story please send it to me at  candlewickview@gmail.com  and let your neighbors read about it.
As a side note, I appreciate all of you that have chosen to visit me here. I will try to keep it informative and interesting.
Ken

This is a really important meeting

Tuesday, November 13

7:00pm

Recreation Center

(Immediately following the Lake Management Meeting which begins at 6:30pm)

All Interested Residents Encouraged to Attend

CWL’s Board of Directors, Administration, and Lake Management Commission have for years been working to improve the quality of our lake, which many view as our most valuable community asset., and this work continues. The past couple of years have been difficult and solutions both short- and long-term have been looked into and some have already been implemented, but everything came to a head with the long lake closure this past season impacting many in different ways.

We all know that nothing is free, but there is a possibility of financial assistance from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This forum will give residents a chance to listen to the possibilities of obtaining an EPA grant, the associated costs and what it means for CWL and its residents, including the budget and your dues.

This is also your chance to ask questions from Joe Rush, our lake manager, and Rebecca Olson, who is spearheading the native species planting program recommended for Friendship Park and Firefly Bay. Board members, Staff and Lake Management Commission members will also be in attendance to provide their input.

We look forward to seeing you at this forum and encourage you to bring any questions you may have. Should you not be able to attend and have a question please contact me (815-765-2030 or canoe@ameritech.net)and I will take it to the meeting. Please share this information with your friends and neighbors.

Thank you,

Bonnie Marron

President – CWL Board of Directors

(posted by Ken)

Let's talk a little more about the watershed plan

Without the in-depth plan that is proposed and 60% paid for by grant money we will not be able to apply for further grants to actually implement the plan or portions of it. It will cost money to get money in the form of a grant.
The wetlands by Tamarack Hollow are a problem that Rebecca Olson tells me she believe will be incorporated into the plan. That area is a watershed priority so it's inclusion should work. What we must remember is we laid a black pipe tiled to drain the area and provide flow into the lake. Over the years the pipe has plugged to a degree with roots, inhibiting the water flow. Something must be done and if we do not get grant money we will have to pay for the entire project on our own. That in itself is a big plus to me. The watershed plan should address options for that area, possibly not even including a pipe.
Joe and Rebecca will also contact the farmers in the watershed area to develop a relationship and hopefully get them on board with helping retain their soil rather than having it wash into our lake, meaning they lose topsoil and our lake pays the price.
If we do not start planning for the future we will get the lake cleaned up with an alum treatment and a few years from now be at square one again. Long range thinking may be painful financially in the present but down the road it may have been a smart move.
Enough for now. I may touch on this later. It is on my mind a lot lately.

The area I speak of is about here---> 


Ken Dillenburg

Leaves and more leaves....at the drop off

Jim Brefeld, Dominick Demay, Seth and Paige Lambright, Lee Odden, Tom Pinkowski, Ed Ferkel, Marge Olson.

Look at all the leaves. Three dumpsters filled the first Saturday and almost four the second. Thanks to Barb Appelhans as usual for the great pictures.   Ken

 

 

 

From Ohio State University (excerpt)

The article below shows this is a tough business. Think of the distance to walk to the Dockside in bad weather as well. People are so mobile besides. Just because you live here doesn't mean you will eat here. Where do you go to eat out? This was a tough nut to crack.   Ken

A 1991 study by hospitality professors at Michigan State and Cornell universities found a failure rate of 57 percent over three years and 70 percent after 10 years. Other studies have not shown restaurant failure rates any higher, Parsa said.

“After an extensive literature review on restaurant failures, I can find no evidence of a 90 percent failure rate anywhere,” Parsa said. “My own research also shows that the failure rate is only about 59 percent for a three-year period”

This has to stop!

Remember this? Of course you do. Last summer was really hard on the lake. We need to develop a plan to control the sedimentation and loading of our lake and a plan is being formulated.

You board has not yet voted on the proposal to spend your dues money to develop a plan that will lead to federal grants and hopefully a long term remediation of this problem.
Tuesday evening a meeting was held with Joe Rush and Rebecca Olson present along with some board representation, lake management representation, and Candlewick management. When the plan was explained in more detail I am seeing the advantages to the alum treatment as planned but also the long term upstream plan in conjunction.
This is not free. We will be spending your dues on this plan if it is passed so you really should plan to attend the next Lake Management meeting November 13th, 6:30 at the rec center. Joe and Rebecca will both be there to answer any and all questions. We don't have time at our regular board meeting to open this up to the floor so if you want to be in the loop show up.
Don't be surprised if dues increase next year. The lake is the centerpiece of our community and it effects everything from property values to your lifestyle and enjoyment of Candlewick. We have to be on top of this.
I hope to see you there.  
Ken Dillenburg

And coming into the stretch.........

Your vote will count!    (Posted by Ken)

Public Safety weekly report

Important Candlewick Lake Information

Candlewick Lake Public Safety

 

WEEKLY REPORT

Week ending 11/04/2012

Rescue Calls

Public Safety responded to the 1000 block of Candlewick Dr. for a report of a subject having chest pains.  The subject was subsequently transported for treatment.

Public Safety responded to the 200 block of Liverpool for a report of a subject having a panic attack.  The subject refused treatment.

Suspicious Activity

Public Safety responded to the 100 block of Heathcliff for a report of an injured subject bleeding from the back.  The Boone County Sheriff’s Office responded and determined a subject was deceased.  The Boone County Sheriff’s Office has the matter under investigation and it was determined there was never a threat to residents within Candlewick. 

Public Safety responded to the 100 block of Poseidon for a report of a subject trespassing.  A citation was subsequently issued.

Public safety responded to 500 block of Benedict for a report of juveniles walking through yards and swearing at people.  The juveniles were warned and parents notified.

Citations Issued 16

Warnings Issued 5

 

We thank you for taking the time to read these important updates.

Being informed is half the battle.  

If you didn't know

As you will see by the following e-blast sent out by Candlewick, the Dockside is now closed. In the beginning Candlewick tried to run the restaurant itself and it was a big loss. Since that time other experienced operators have tried and even with what amounts to a free lease none have been able to make it. It is time to move on and find another use for that space. Several options are being considered. We must face facts and provide what the P.O.s want and will use.

Ken Dillenburg

Important Candlewick Lake Information

DOCKSIDE GRILL CLOSES IT’S DOORS

Effective November 5^th the Dockside Grill will no longer remain open for business.  We would like to thank the owner (Joe Ocello) for his diligent effort to provide a quality restaurant for the community members. Unfortunately, it has become clear that there simply is not enough community support to effectively operate a profitable restaurant operation in Candlewick Lake.

The Board of Directors will be exploring new ideas how to best utilize the restaurant space as we move forward.  

We wish Joe and his family the best of luck and continued success in their future endeavors.

 

We thank you for taking the time to read these important updates.

Being informed is half the battle.